June 14, 2002
Injuries - No new injury reports as JR talked all about the situation with Steve Austin this week.
Notable notes - It is reported that Diamond Dallas Page will announce his retirement soon. WWE has not reported this, but there are a lot of sources reporting this. Mike Awesome has been cleared and has reported to OVW at a recent show. Jamie Knoble aparently is doing his "Redneck Jesus" gimmick from OVW. WWE.com has confirmed that Steve Austin is no longer part of the active roster.
My Thoughts - Well, this is a huge bit of news of Austin walking out dominated the Ross Report this week. There has been a lot of speculation that this whole thing with Austin has been a work, especially since how WWE has already been advertising some candid interviews with Vince McMahon and Jim Ross on the situation. Many writers think that Austin will be back with someone on his side, namely Eric Bishoff. The activities recently have pointed to this actually being true, but I wouldn't be to surprised that if WWE makes an angle out of it. WWE.com reported that Austin is not part of the active roster anymore. If Austin is truely walking out, the WWE would want to keep him under contract so he could not sign with aspiring rival organizations. With the Jarrett family run NWA:TNA starting up, signing Austin would be a major shot in the arm for them and a huge downer for the WWE. I suggest we all watch WWE Confidential, WWE's surprise new hit show, for all info regarding Austin. Until next week...
June 9, 2002
Better late than never.
Injuries - There are concerns with Triple H's elbow. On Smackdown, you saw he had it wrapped. JR says it locked up on him in the match with Hogan. X-rays show no major damage, but doctors believe that here are some bone spurs causing it to lock up. Triple H had an MRI. No plan of action yet for The Game. Doctors confirm the tear in Edge's labrum, but surgery is not needed at this time. Edge will undergo therapy and regular workouts will continue in 2 weeks. JR expects Edge back in the ring in a month. Referee Tim White's shoulder injury from the Judgement Day HITC match has been diagnosed as a torn rotator cuff. He will have surgery and will be out 3-4 months. Godfather has had neck pain and aggravated it this week. X-rays showed abnormalities with the C-6 vertebrae. Mike Awesome is expected to be released to return to the ring. He will report to HWA. Maven will be out 4-6 weeks after breaking his leg. Kevin Nash is expected to be released for active duty in the next week. Kane is about 8 weeks away from returning. (Credit WWE.com Ross Report)
Notable Notes - JR talks about new faces being utilized in the next few weeks. JR also addresses the split of the writing teams to Raw and Smackdown in the hopes of creating better programs in the future. Otherwise, a short Ross Report this week.
My Thoughts - This week can be summed up in 6 letters: H-B-K N-W-O! This has my vote right now for the biggest "mark out" momment of the year. I was literally jumping up and down when he came out. WWE did the right thing and just had him present at the show and not say anything yet. I am really looking forward to Raw now. Also, Hurricane's stalker was revealed to be Nidia, an "ex-girlfriend." This seemed to be a bit of a let down, but we will see how his matches with Nidia's "boyfriend," Jamie Knoble go. If you don't know, last week I addressed that Knoble was the masked member of the Jung Dragons in WCW before he was kicked out of the group. When Evan Karagis was kicked out of 3 Count, they formed a team to feud against both Jung Dragons and 3 Count. Eventually, things changed around. Helms went solo and won the WCW Crusierweight title, eventually taking it to WWF and dropping it to Kidman in his first WWF match. So much for a little history. Next week, I should have a more detailed regular update rather than these short ones. Until then...
June 2, 2002
Man, with my busy schedule, no A/C, and paycheck issues, it has become harder to update the site. I will continue to try to get my update in ontime.
Injuries - Edge was injured in that spectacular cage match on Smackdown. Initially, it was thought to be a dislocated shoulder, but an MRI revealed a tear in his labrum. JR says it may require surgery, but until any surgery or rehab is done, Edge's in-ring time will be limited. Maven broke is fibula early in his match with Christian. If you have a tape, it is where Maven slid between Christian's legs. Maven did show that he was still "Tough Enough" by finishing the match, including 2 high spots. There are no other new injuries, but others are progressing well and on the road to recovery. (Credit WWE.com Ross Report)
Noteable Notes - WWE is struggling to get into The Rock's busy schedule. JR only confirmed 2 wrestling dates for The Rock: 6/15, Smackdown house show in Honolulu, Hawaii, and 8/25, SummerSlam. Other dates are pending on fitting into The Rock's schedule and his knee issues. WWE is trying out several people to replace Raven on color commentary on Heat. Mark Henry is getting set to do another Strongman competition in the near future. Good, get him off TV. Did you see the Velocity match he had with Godfather? Horrible. I really could care less for Mark Henry. Horace Hogan has signed a WWE developmental contract and was assigned to HWA. Beware the H-Bomb! WWE has several books scheduled for release, including ones for Fabulous Moolah, Hulk Hogan, Jerry Lawler, and Freddie Blassie.
My Thoughts - What a week this was for WWE! Two very impressive shows to try to get viewers back into everything. Dispite negativity about blown spots, I feel the ladder match was great. Of course there will be blown spots when the ladder breaks and a fan interferes. I think the WWE has a long way to go until the fans see the nWo as a legit threat again. Monday was a step in the right direction, but it was a baby step. As for Smackdown, another quality show. Maven showed his toughness. Man, that looked like it really hurt. Also, Hurricane's nemisis revealed another clue and said he will reveal himself next week. Now, there is one thing about this that bothers me. That picture. It looked like a girl's hands on Hurricane. Actually, it looked like Molly's hands. What's up with that? Here's hoping it is Rey Mysterio. Sorry for the short update, but I got it done. Until next time...
May 25, 2002
Well, a day late never hurt anybody.
Injuries - Undertaker aggrivated a back injury running out to attack RVD on Raw. Doctors backstage told Taker not to wrestle that night, but he still did and will work through the pain. Spike landed awkward on Monday and suffered whiplash and stinger-like symptoms, but he's good to go. The fracture in Triple H's kneecap has opened slightly, but he will work through the pain. The Rock had an MRI and has a small tear in his PCL. Hugh Morrus injured his leg in a motorcycle incident. He is not expected to miss any time. Referee Tim White dislocated his shoulder in the HITC match but doctors fear that there could be more damage. Therapy is expected to keep him out 6 weeks, more if surgery is necessary. Kanyon has reported to OVW and had a match earlier this week. JR expects to see Chris Benoit back in full action by the end of June. Mike Awesome is expected to be cleared on June 6. Also of note, DDP has been medically cleared to return to action, but if he does, he will need surgery down the line. The decision to return to the ring for DDP has not been made yet. (Credit WWE.com Ross Report)
Notable Notes - As reported, Chris Kanyon reported to OVW and had a great match with former OVW champ Prototype. Kanyon is sorely missed on TV because "WHO BETTA THAN KANYON?" Rey Mysterio Jr. has also reported to OVW in the same show and wrestled an impressive match with OVW champ Nova. Wow! Three guys I cannot wait to have on WWE TV, all on the verge of showing up. Add in there Chris Benoit, who from what I have heard, has been showing up at Smackdown house shows. We could be in for some great TV soon. I expect Kanyon to go to Raw with the other 3 to report to Smackdown.
My Thoughts - Dispite what many people thought was a poor show, this last week's Raw was, in my opinion, a step in the right direction. We get to see a fresh feud, Austin/Eddie, and an older feud but one that could be fun, RVD/Taker. Plus, Raw brought the return of Kevin Nash who should finally put the nWo on the right track. I think that the nWo should start doing run-ins on Smackdown to make them back into the evil poison that they where supposed to be. I mean, let's face it, Raw is not the better of the two shows right now. The nWo needs to feud with a top face, but Austin and RVD are taken. Kane will feud with them when he returns, but that is still a little ways away. Next in line in the face category is Bubba, but he has the feud with Lesnar now. Then there is the Hardys and Goldust, which is who I think they're going to do this with. The Hardys may be able to put them over or bury the nWo. We'll see how TV works out with these guys. I say have Kanyon join the Hardys and eventually Kane will return and all hell will break loose. As for Smackdown, this week's clue toward Hurricane's nemesis is "I'm not tall. I'm not fat. I left you a clue (beef jerky). What's up with that?" I hope with beef jerky that it is not Randy Savage. WWE does not need to bring another old guy into the mix. Internet rumor is that the leading candidate is Jamie Knoble, aka Jamie-San of the Jung Dragons. He and Shannon Moore, my leading candidate, are wrestling Smackdown house shows. Nova and Rey are also on my list, but I don't think it is beyond WWE to bring in Savage. They may want to capitalize on his brief cameo in the Spiderman movie. Let's hope not. I also forsee Rico turning on the Ambiguiously Gay Duo. That's all for this week. Until next time...
May 17, 2002
Injuries - Jazz tore her ACL in her left knee and will be out 4-6 months.
Notable notes - Nova debuted in OVW this week, winning the OVW title in his first match there. When will he hit WWE TV? Soon I hope.
My thoughts - Today's theme, Blame Canada. First off, Canadian fans, for the most part, are great wrestling fans and Canada has produced many of my favorite wrestlers, Chris Jericho, Lance Storm, and Chris Benoit. That aside, I blame Canada for Hulkamania. Look at the important dates this year for Hulkamania. Wrestlemania - Toronto, 1st Raw after Wrestlemania - Montreal, This week's Shows - Toronto and Montreal. See the pattern here. It was painful the way the fans in Montreal kept up the cheers for Hogan when he came out on Smackdown. Because of Smackdown, the WWE's future changed. Before Smackdown, the build up looked to be Taker was going to win at Judgement Day and finally, Hogan would not be the champ. Now, a five minute long cheer to Hogan will cause him to keep the title. WWE is going to tank if Hogan keeps the title. Now, when did the ratings start to sink? Starting from Backlash, where Hogan won the title. The people do not want Hogan to keep the title. The only way I will like Hogan as champ is if he returns to the nWo. I AM SICK OF RED AND YELLOW! Hell, I just realized that the Judgement Day posters, even though they feature Undertaker and a gallows, IS RED AND YELLOW! Canadian fans are very strange. I can understand they like Bret Hart, especially when he did his "I'm a proud Canadian" heel thing, which was later done by Lance Storm in WCW, but they boo the heck out of Earl Hebner and chant "You Screwed Bret" at him. Get a clue, folks. McMahon called for the bell and, oh yeah, THAT WAS BACK IN '97! This is 2002, get over it! I don't want to come off as anti-Canadian because I'm not. When WWE has shows in Canada, the crowd is always into the shows, and that is great. I am just anti-Hogan. End rant.
There are some interesting things being set up for Judgement Day. First and foremost, the Hell in a Cell match is *the* match of the night. I'll tell you that now. Next is the Austin vs Flair and Show. Yeah, this match looks stupid and overbooked, but here is what I think will, or should, happen. At the PPV, upset that he lost to Austin in his first nWo match, Flair kicks Booker T out of the nWo. Now, I was a big proponent of a Booker T push, but not like this. He was on the verge of a face turn, and they throw him in with the nWo. That does not make sense. See this? This is Chewbakka. Now Chewbakka is a Wookie from the planet Kyshyyk but he *lives* on Endor. Now that does not make sense...sorry. Too much South Park and Star Wars. Anyway, Booker, being upset that he got the axe so quickly, joins Austin in his match against Flair and Show, making it a tag match. That will set up Austin/Flair and Booker/Show at Vengance. Next, RVD and Eddie will have a huge match as well. My imagination has been captured by "Who is Hurricane's nemesis?" and "Who is Vince going to make Rikishi's partner?" Yeah, that's trivial, but I like it. My leading candidates are for Hurricane: Nova, Rey, and Shannon Moore. Rikishi's partner is different, since Vince names his partner. One possibility is that it will be Rico, turning it into a 3 on 1, but that doesn't work for PPV. Vince will not want to give Rikishi a good partner, so it will be a heel or a "bad" wrestler. That is why my leading candidate is Brooklyn Brawler. Then, just like Billy and Chuck are a joke, Rikishi and Brawler win the Tag titles and the WWE buries the Tag titles. The title is dead because there are no tag teams anymore. Judgement Day will also be the first PPV that I will not see until I borrow a tape. That's not because I don't want to watch it. My sister is graduating Sunday, and I can't miss that. Oh, well. Sing it with me! Blame Canada! Blame Canada! With their little beady eyes and flapping heads so full of lies. Until next time...
May 10, 2002
Injury news - It looked like Spike got injured in his match with William Regal at Insurrexion, but JR did not mention it in the Ross report. Jazz tore her ACL and surgery is being discussed. Expect her to drop the title to Trish soon. Scotty 2 Hotty's neck surgery was a sucess. Kanyon is preparing to make his return in the minors. DDP will be having a nerve induction test on his back. If you do not know what that is, it is where they run an electric current through the nerve to see where the damage is at specifically. I would not want to be in DDP's shoes because that is going to hurt like hell. All other injurys are healing well. (Credit WWE.com Ross Report)
Notable notes - This has been another big news week for wrestling. First off, WWF changes to WWE due to a lawsuit from the World Wildlife Fund. WWE starts a new campaign "Get the F out." Next, we hear of an incident now being called "the flight from hell" that resulted in the firing of Scott Hall and Curt Hennig. At least WWE had the smarts to keep Hall in that match Monday and not axe him ahead of time. Apparently, there was a lot of alcohol involved, Michael Hayes gets his hair cut, and a amature wrestling match between Hennig and Brock Lesnar gets a little out of hand. You know Hennig had to be drunk because no one in their right mind would pick a fight with Brock Lesnar. JR did confirm that there have been preliminary talks with Goldberg.
My thoughts - What a chaotic couple of weeks this has been! First Goldberg, then WWF's ratings, then the name change, then the flight back from Europe. Where do I begin? The name change doesn't have a lot of effect to me. It's still the same show. Although I have to agree with a friend of mine that the announcers should not call them the "World Wrestling Entertainment Champions" when they announce a title holder. "Entertainment Champion" sounds horrible. Just say WWE Champion. It will grow on us. Next, the firings. Scott Hall knew he was constantly being watched. Hall made the mistake and gave into his addiction. He crossed the line and the WWE has no tolerance for something like this. They already did this to Eddie Guererro back when he was making a come back last November. Hall may come back in the future, but I honestly doubt WWE will give him another chance. As for Hennig, he had to be a little inibriated to pick a fight with Brock Lesnar. Yes, Lesnar retaliated and probably will get a slap on the wrist, but the WWE knows what they are doing. JR, Triple H, and Stephanie were all on the plane and directly observed what happened. I believe all will be and have been punished justly.
May 3, 2002
Notable notes - Toping this list is easily AOL/Time Warner buying out Golberg's contract. Bill Goldberg was the last WCW'er under contract. It is reported that Goldberg recieved nearly all of what he was due under his full contract. There have been some rumors that Goldberg is now in talks to come to the WWF. With Smackdown hurting due to The Rock out promoting and future movies and Kurt Angle preparing to take time off to train for the Olympics, Smackdown is needing a boost. Goldberg may be a possibility, but he is injured right now. If you don't know, Goldberg was recently in a Celebrity Race where afterwards he angrily punched the hood of his car, breaking his arm. Oddly enough, JR mentions nothing of Goldberg in his report. Lastly, JR digs up some fond memories of the late Wahoo McDaniel and Lou Thesz, both of whom the wrestling industry lost this past month.
My Thoughts - Well, I might be changing my intro soon if WWF does sign Goldberg. Now, Goldberg would be a huge draw, but I don't know how well it would work out. WWF has been very lenient with name guys who can't wrestle (Hogan comes to mind), but the WWF already has a beast-man with a brutal finisher who's on a win streak. Brock Lesnar is already running Goldberg's gimmick with the Heyman twist.
Ok, I accidentally screwed Stone Cold out of being the #1 contender at Backlash. How do I make this up to him? Ok, I'll give him a match against the nWo. Why? Well, they where there at ringside at that match and they did absolutely nothing. Ooo, I hate that nWo. They just took out Bradshaw, so who do I replace him with. I need someone big and bad. Big Show! Oooo, I really hate that nWo. Big Show just joined them. Kinda dumb since they scheduled him to go to India about a month ago and to turn him just before he left. Alright I'll try my Austin/Bradshaw vs nWo match again. Why? So I can show Austin that I'm on his side. Foot on the rope? I didn't see it. See Austin, I'm your friend. Still don't like that? How about you, me, and the other guy vs all the nWo. Yeah, that's the ticket. But how does this make up for screwing him out of a title shot?
It just doesn't make sense to me. I imagine the WWF is going to do some angle where Flair was in with the nWo the whole time and turn Flair heel. The WWF should not turn Flair in my opinion, but I have no idea what to do with Austin. Raw is the better of the two shows right now, so I'll wait to pass judgement until after this storyline plays out. They are doing a great job with some of the talent I'd like to see more of. Booker T is on the verge of a face turn, and Lance Storm had a high profile match tagging with Angle. Storm and Jericho could be a great team, or a great feud. Booker T has a great thing going right now, he just needs a push in the way of IC to really get him over. For now, we'll just have to sit back and see how things play out. Until next time...
Injury reports - DDP has some serious back issues that he is dealing with. Some doctors have even advised him to never wrestle again. DDP is determined to go on that "last big run" before hanging up the boots. Expect DDP to be off TV for a while. Lita's neck surgery was a sucess. JR says not to expect her until sometime before Wrestlemania 2003. Scotty 2 Hotty will have neck surgery this coming Tuesday and will be out a year. Triple H is wearing a splint to protect a smashed finger. Billy Gunn is has a sore hamstring. Saturn may undergo another surgery to address his rotator cuff, obviously not related to the knee injury. Several other wrestlers are working through lesser injurys. Target times for return: Benoit - 6 weeks, Rhyno - 3 mo, Kanyon - 1 week, will report to minors, Awesome - 1 mo, will also report to minors. (Credit WWF.com Ross Report)
How about the Austin/Flair tension? WWF has done a great job building that tension to lead to an eventual match at a PPV, but Flair's actions seem to lack logic. See if you follow this:
