WWFE Brand Extension: Original Recipe

[tqwcw]

Wrestling Spectator Notes for 6/01/01

*RAW relied once more on hype surrounding The Rock and Stone Cold to draw its usual 6.8 rating. Although management is pleased by the recent numbers the show has been drawing, there is some concern that the WWF is being too complacent at the moment in that they are not building up the next Rock and Stone Cold-type draws. With Rock heading off to Hollywood for at least a few months and Austin's full-time in-ring days in question, there is significant pressure to generate new opponents for Triple H and The Undertaker for the Fall and Winter.

*Nitro climbed .2 to a 5.5 coming off of the previous Sunday's PPV. Ric Flair continues to be a ratings draw.

This week's house show results:

•WWF

- Goldust d. William Regal (w/Terri)

- Kevin Fertig d. Al Snow

- Haku d. Crash in a comedy match

- The Dudleys d. Goodfather & Buchanan

- Chyna d. Tori

- Raven d. Eddie Guerrero

- Edge & Christian d. Kings of the World

- Kane d. Triple H when Undertaker foiled Shawn Michaels's attempt at interference.

Crowds were said to be disappointed by the lack of Rock.

•WCW

- The Hardy Boyz (w/Lita) d. Kidman & Mysterio

- Lance Storm (w/Dawn Marie & Justin Credible) d. Mike Awesome

- Juventud Guerrera & Psicosis d. Joey Matthews & Christian York

- Rob Van Dam d. Jeff Jarrett in a Bunkhouse Brawl

- Chris Kanyon d. Norman Smiley

- Ken Shamrock d. Bam Bam Bigelow by DQ when Big Poppa Pump interfered

- Kurt Angle d. Bill Demott

- Booker T & Goldberg d. Ric Flair & Shawn Stasiak

The Hogan/Bischoff group has trademarked the name "Universal World Wrestling" and the initials "UWW." Bischoff did an interview with IGN earlier this week and would only confirm that several names have signed ironclad contracts with the UWW, and that the spectrum of talent involved "ranges from future stars such as Kid Kash to hardcore legends such as Balls Mahoney to brand names along the lines of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage." The official UWW website is set to launch next week and should reveal more about the roster that has been assembled thusfar. As reported last week, TV tapings are slated to begin in July, with the FOX debut coming in August.

For what it's worth: Vince Russo is telling friends that he, too (along with lackey Jeremy Borash) are in the early stages of organizing a startup of their own.

Goldberg has ruffled some feathers both backstage and in the front office as a result of his appearance on yesterday's Howard Stern show. In addition to expressing reservations about some of the WWF's more risque creative decisions, Goldberg also alluded to the fact that Triple H's relationship with Stephanie McMahon may go a long way in explaining his push. Regardless of the frustrations with Goldberg's attitude, he continues to be positioned as one of WCW's top stars.

Chyna will be taking several weeks off at some point in the near future. Although the official line is that Chyna will be resting up and shooting an episode of Friends, many within the company believe that the stress of her breakup with Triple H and Triple H's subsequent (or concurrent...) hookup with Stephanie McMahon may have led her to request -- or to have been mandated -- some time off. No word on what this means for the Women's Championship.

Notes on talent used on Nitro: Bobby Eaton has been working for WWFE as a trainer in OVW. Because of his history with the WCW brand, the plan is to use him on air from time to time as an enhancement talent to lend WWFE's WCW some old-school legitimacy. La Parka is not under contract to WWFE but was brought in because he is a familiar face from WCW's past and was readily available, being based in Mexico (Nitro was taped this week in Austin, TX, so it was perfectly feasible to fly La Parka in for the taping). He may be brought back for similar appearances in the future. A bio for La Parka has been added to WCW.com, although Eaton does NOT appear on the WCW Stars page, perhaps owing to his status as a part-time enhancement worker.

Gregory Helms was backstage at this week's Nitro taping.

Next week's Nitro has Booker T vs. Kanyon again for the US Title; The Impact Players & a partner vs. NC-17 & Mike Awesome; and the debut of whomever is being advertised in the current "He's Back" vignettes.

On the RAW side, Chyna defends the Women's Title against Molly Holly with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley serving as Guest Referee. Commissioner Regal has "important news" about the King of the Ring tournament, which continues with Round 2: Rhyno vs. Steve Blackman; Perry Saturn vs. Test (w/Mr. Perfect); Christian vs. Goldust; and Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Billy Gunn. Tazz is also pencilled in for a "major announcement" on the show.

Notes from this week's Ross Report:

- Mick Foley and Chris Jericho have both inked new, three-year deals with WWFE. Perry Saturn and Lance Storm are also both in the process of finalizing new long-term contract extensions, as well.

- JR hopes that Jerry "The Wall" Tuite picks up the pace in OVW. He says he has a significant upside but needs to start making faster strides. In the same breath, Ross praised the work of The Prototype (John Cena).

- Mark Jindrak, Joey Matthews, and Christian York have all been called up from OVW. Jindrak may not necessarily land back in WCW, although cruiserweights Matthews and York are likely headed to that brand.

Off-air happenings from RAW:

Darkmatch: Mark Jindrak def. Brooklyn Brawler.

HeAT tapings:

•Buchanan & Goodfather (w/Ivory) def. Michael Shane & Scoot Andrews.

•Crash comes out and issues an open challenge; he'll defend his Lightheavyweight Title against anyone. Danny Doring , perhaps receiving a tryout, responds and is pinned following the Bulldog.

•Jacqueline def. Brandi Alexander.

•Goldust def. Michael Modest.

After RAW went off the air, Rock beat Stone Cold in a quick, impromptu match.

Edited August 18, 2006 by tqwcw

[Avenged Probably]

I haven't replied for a while, but its nice to see that you seem to be posting frequently again (Y)

A few comments;

- Ric Flair as Number One Contender is a good idea, I'd love to see him take the belt even if he only held it a month.

- York and Matthews would be a nice addition to the Cruiserweight tag division on WCW.

- The PPV was well booked/written although some of it was slightly predictable, but most of it couldn't have been done any other way.

- I was never a fan of Stasiak, but you've managed to make me interested in him.

- I HATE Goldberg beating Booker for the belt... although i don't have a problem with him as champion.

- I'm not a fan of Shamrock coming in either, but a feud with Steiner seems quite interesting.

Oh and I like the new format of shows too, looks good and easier to read.

[JStarr]

Closed and moved to the deep Web.