Post by Head Booker on Oct 30, 2006 5:43:39 GMT -6
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Bob Collins, a long-time promoter with WWE who worked on WrestleMania III, has been regularly covering the Detroit area in the build to WrestleMania 23. He has been telling Ford Field officials that the only match WWE has decided upon for the show is Hulk Hogan vs. The Big Show. However, that match is not 100% certain for the time being. Though, if it does end up taking place, it could very well be the final wrestling match for not one star, but both stars.
Big Show's contract expires in February and he is in a great deal of physical pain nowadays. Big Show legitimately weighs 520 pounds, finds traveling very difficult, and has already been taken off of most minor ECW house shows. Due to these problems, plans are being made to get the ECW title off of him soon. The problem with this is that Rob Van Dam is the only ECW wrestler in a good position to win it, yet Vince McMahon has been said to be determined to not to let him be the champion again following his arrest the last time around. McMahon also feels RVD cannot draw as a champion, although other WWE officials believe the crowds will be the same no matter who has the belt.
Big Show has been telling people that he is considering leaving wrestling next year and going into acting, since his size and comedic personality makes him rather unique and should get him plenty work. His original contract, signed in 1999, was $950,000 a year for ten years. It was renegotiated in 2000 when management felt he wasn't working hard enough and sent him to Ohio Valley Wrestling, with Jim Ross cutting it down to $1,000,000 a year for eight years. Eventually, Vince got irritated about paying that much for anybody in developmental and they just took him as he was in early 2001.
John Laurinaitis started talking to him about a new deal recently, which involved a major pay cut. After Kurt Angle left the company, WWE had more money available for wages and he was offered a five-year extension at the same wage, which he turned down. The company was shocked by his rejection, yet Big Show doesn't believe that he can continue due to the severe pain he is experiencing. His back is shot and he fears that he may start rapidly physically deteriorating like Andre the Giant did at around the same stage of his life.
Because they cut back his dates, he has agreed to work through February unless things get extraordinarily bad. He will then take a hiatus and hopefully recover enough to return for WrestleMania. Big Show is in a secure financial position, but he may never be able to handle a full-time schedule again. He has not confirmed anything about WrestleMania yet, but the feeling is that he will work the show due to Hogan's involvement unless he is physically incapable.
~~
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
The reports & rumors on Lita leaving World Wrestling Entertainment are indeed true as she plans on ending her seven-year relationship with the company by the end of November. She doesn't plan on renewing her contract, which is set to expire by the end of next month. Lita will be finishing things up by Survivor Series, give or take a week in either direction.
Lita is leaving to pursue a career in local acting in Atlanta. She has a few plays and and potential independent film roles & leads lined up. Most likely, she'll end up doing local theatre in Atlanta. Regarding her future in wrestling, WWE believes that she'll wind up in TNA at some point due to the schedule.
Also, the latest issue of WWE Magazine surprisingly teases her forthcoming departure by saying that "she will possibly (be) moonsaulting her way out of WWE."
~~
sources: WWE.com, Wrestling Observer, PWInsider.com
WWE.com posted the following message:
Sources tell WWE.com that Rey Mysterio will be at Friday Night SmackDown in Milwaukee next week to say goodbye. Friends of Mysterio say the former World Champion may actually announce his retirement. Those close to Rey say he is emotionally stressed following the months of struggle with former friends Vickie and Chavo Guerrero.
As reported several times before, he is expected to have knee surgery soon, which will keep him out of action for six months. The surgery was originally planned to occur back in July, but it was held off for his storyline with Chavo and Vickie Guerrero.
WWE has released Eddie Guerrero's autobiography in paperback. Its interesting to note that there was no added page regarding his death. In fact, nothing new was added to the book.
Last night's edition of Smackdown drew a 2.7 rating, with a 5.0 share, in the fast national ratings. The second hour drew an impressive 3.1 rating despite going up against the deciding game of the World Series on FOX.
~~
sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com
Eric Bischoff is in fact under contract to WWE until July. Regarding his future plans past Cyber Sunday, several ideas have been proposed to him for bringing him back full-time, but he hasn't liked any of the ideas thus far. Also, there is an internal debate regarding Bischoff within WWE. He is considered to be a very good TV performer, and considering that WWE is lacking top heels, he could be used on TV - perhaps in a managerial role to get a heel or heel stable over. However, there are some bad feelings with people regarding his book, though nobody will say so publicly. Also, Bischoff doesn't want to do anything that would look anti-climatic in contrast to his run as GM.
Shane McMahon was scheduled to attend a recent PRIDE show (mixed martial arts), but ended up not going.
~~
In a bit of breaking news, WWE has made the decision to have no more ECW house shows taking place after the end of November. Also, WWE.com has pulled the listings for all scheduled ECW house shows for December and beyond. Rest assure, the television tapings will still continue. Also, the ECW wrestlers' feuds will be taking place on RAW and SmackDown brand house shows.
No reason was given for this sudden change, but it can probably attributed to the dismal attendance that ECW house shows usually draw. ECW house shows tend to average a paltry amount of people - usually 1,000 or so on average. On the other hand, RAW and SmackDown house shows tend to draw 3,500 or so on average.
Source: Wrestling Observer
Bob Collins, a long-time promoter with WWE who worked on WrestleMania III, has been regularly covering the Detroit area in the build to WrestleMania 23. He has been telling Ford Field officials that the only match WWE has decided upon for the show is Hulk Hogan vs. The Big Show. However, that match is not 100% certain for the time being. Though, if it does end up taking place, it could very well be the final wrestling match for not one star, but both stars.
Big Show's contract expires in February and he is in a great deal of physical pain nowadays. Big Show legitimately weighs 520 pounds, finds traveling very difficult, and has already been taken off of most minor ECW house shows. Due to these problems, plans are being made to get the ECW title off of him soon. The problem with this is that Rob Van Dam is the only ECW wrestler in a good position to win it, yet Vince McMahon has been said to be determined to not to let him be the champion again following his arrest the last time around. McMahon also feels RVD cannot draw as a champion, although other WWE officials believe the crowds will be the same no matter who has the belt.
Big Show has been telling people that he is considering leaving wrestling next year and going into acting, since his size and comedic personality makes him rather unique and should get him plenty work. His original contract, signed in 1999, was $950,000 a year for ten years. It was renegotiated in 2000 when management felt he wasn't working hard enough and sent him to Ohio Valley Wrestling, with Jim Ross cutting it down to $1,000,000 a year for eight years. Eventually, Vince got irritated about paying that much for anybody in developmental and they just took him as he was in early 2001.
John Laurinaitis started talking to him about a new deal recently, which involved a major pay cut. After Kurt Angle left the company, WWE had more money available for wages and he was offered a five-year extension at the same wage, which he turned down. The company was shocked by his rejection, yet Big Show doesn't believe that he can continue due to the severe pain he is experiencing. His back is shot and he fears that he may start rapidly physically deteriorating like Andre the Giant did at around the same stage of his life.
Because they cut back his dates, he has agreed to work through February unless things get extraordinarily bad. He will then take a hiatus and hopefully recover enough to return for WrestleMania. Big Show is in a secure financial position, but he may never be able to handle a full-time schedule again. He has not confirmed anything about WrestleMania yet, but the feeling is that he will work the show due to Hogan's involvement unless he is physically incapable.
~~
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
The reports & rumors on Lita leaving World Wrestling Entertainment are indeed true as she plans on ending her seven-year relationship with the company by the end of November. She doesn't plan on renewing her contract, which is set to expire by the end of next month. Lita will be finishing things up by Survivor Series, give or take a week in either direction.
Lita is leaving to pursue a career in local acting in Atlanta. She has a few plays and and potential independent film roles & leads lined up. Most likely, she'll end up doing local theatre in Atlanta. Regarding her future in wrestling, WWE believes that she'll wind up in TNA at some point due to the schedule.
Also, the latest issue of WWE Magazine surprisingly teases her forthcoming departure by saying that "she will possibly (be) moonsaulting her way out of WWE."
~~
sources: WWE.com, Wrestling Observer, PWInsider.com
WWE.com posted the following message:
Sources tell WWE.com that Rey Mysterio will be at Friday Night SmackDown in Milwaukee next week to say goodbye. Friends of Mysterio say the former World Champion may actually announce his retirement. Those close to Rey say he is emotionally stressed following the months of struggle with former friends Vickie and Chavo Guerrero.
As reported several times before, he is expected to have knee surgery soon, which will keep him out of action for six months. The surgery was originally planned to occur back in July, but it was held off for his storyline with Chavo and Vickie Guerrero.
WWE has released Eddie Guerrero's autobiography in paperback. Its interesting to note that there was no added page regarding his death. In fact, nothing new was added to the book.
Last night's edition of Smackdown drew a 2.7 rating, with a 5.0 share, in the fast national ratings. The second hour drew an impressive 3.1 rating despite going up against the deciding game of the World Series on FOX.
~~
sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com
Eric Bischoff is in fact under contract to WWE until July. Regarding his future plans past Cyber Sunday, several ideas have been proposed to him for bringing him back full-time, but he hasn't liked any of the ideas thus far. Also, there is an internal debate regarding Bischoff within WWE. He is considered to be a very good TV performer, and considering that WWE is lacking top heels, he could be used on TV - perhaps in a managerial role to get a heel or heel stable over. However, there are some bad feelings with people regarding his book, though nobody will say so publicly. Also, Bischoff doesn't want to do anything that would look anti-climatic in contrast to his run as GM.
Shane McMahon was scheduled to attend a recent PRIDE show (mixed martial arts), but ended up not going.
~~
In a bit of breaking news, WWE has made the decision to have no more ECW house shows taking place after the end of November. Also, WWE.com has pulled the listings for all scheduled ECW house shows for December and beyond. Rest assure, the television tapings will still continue. Also, the ECW wrestlers' feuds will be taking place on RAW and SmackDown brand house shows.
No reason was given for this sudden change, but it can probably attributed to the dismal attendance that ECW house shows usually draw. ECW house shows tend to average a paltry amount of people - usually 1,000 or so on average. On the other hand, RAW and SmackDown house shows tend to draw 3,500 or so on average.
Source: Wrestling Observer
