Detailed WrestleMania Press Conference Report, NWA-TNA Preview
Submitted by Calvin Martin on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 5:23 PM EST
Report by Graham Cawthon
The History of World Wrestling Entertainment -
http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777
I missed the first few minutes of today’s live webcast announcing that
Seattle would host WrestleMania XIX but here are some notes from the last
hour of the approximately 90-minute press conference. I have to say that
the crowd on hand was very vocal, very rabid, and that the WWE talent played
right along with whatever comments they received from the crowd.
Stephanie McMahon individually introduced some of the major players of the
Smackdown! brand, beginning with the Undertaker. Each person had a few
minutes to speak and here’s a rundown of what was said.
The Undertaker: A fan mentions the Takerooni, which for those who
aren’t aware was a big off-air practical joke pulled on Taker a few months
back when Raw came to Seattle. He laughs it off and says that there is a
locker room full of guys just wanting to knock him off and be the first to
defeat the Dead Man at WrestleMania …however, on March 30th he will be 11-0.
Edge: Makes mention of when the fans come out and give all they have
to give to the wrestlers, the guys will put out that much harder and show
the fans the time of their lives.
Torrie Wilson: Says WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year and
she “will definitely leave a lasting impression you will never forget” come
March 30, 2003.
Kurt Angle: Stephanie prompted the fans into starting the “Your Suck”
chants before Angle came out. “So this is the Pacific Northwest…wow, what a
dump!” Angle continues by wondering why in the world the WWE would choose
to come to Seattle for WrestleMania. If it weren’t for Kurt Cobain and
Frasier, no one would even know the city existed. But, on March 30 everyone
will know about Seattle. About halfway through, the fans started the
“WHAT?” chants which Angle hesitantly went along with and even played up
toward the end of his segment.
WWE Smackdown! Champion Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman: Brock came out
wearing a cowboy hat, which would be mentioned later on. Heyman says his
man will walk into WrestleMania the world champion and will leave the world
champion. Lesnar continues by referring to himself as “the face of
WrestleMania” – which the Undertaker responded to by saying, “It’s nice to
see that the face of WrestleMania has a big black eye.” The two had a
short-lived confrontation, with Heyman reminding the champion that he only
fights for money. The crowd got on Heyman’s case during the segment by
starting a “Yankees suck!” chant.
Jim Ross took over the microphone at that moment and mentioned that
apparently some of the boys had a little too much of that Seattle coffee
this morning. He then introduced a man that several years ago he would have
declined to introduce, that being Eric Bischoff.
Eric Bischoff made a few comments to start the Raw segment of the show,
stating that the Raw brand will not only be well represented at WrestleMania
XIX – it will dominate. Stephanie attempted to interrupt with her
microphone but Bischoff either didn’t hear her or ignored.
The Big Show: Talks about the “real big show” being WrestleMania and
promises to make an impact.
Bischoff said that the Big Show will no doubt make an impact, much as he
does everywhere he goes. At that point, Stephanie interrupted by saying
“Just like how Rikishi made an impact on your face last Sunday?” Bischoff
threatened to knock her out but Edge responded by saying he didn’t think
Eric could.
Booker T: States that WrestleMania will be “hotter than a Mexican
plate lunch”. Was very enthused and got the crowd going before closing with
“Can you did that?,” with the crowd finishing with the “Sucka!” portion.
WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus: Promises 100% Stratusfaction
guaranteed come March 30.
Rob Van Dam: “WrestleMania XIX … SAFECO Field … Seattle … cool.”
Says he is thrilled to be where he is and that it doesn’t get any bigger
than appearing at WrestleMania.
WWE Tag Team Champion Kane: Came out with his newly won title.
Jokingly noted that every press conference needs a 7-foot monster wearing a
black and red mask. He said that he considered himself a freak – but that
was okay because freaks are cool and on behalf of himself and the Hurricane
– at WrestleMania XIX freaks will rule.
WWE IC Champion Chris Jericho: A big “Fozzy sucks!” chant started up,
which prompted Jericho to tell all the Seattle jackasses to shut up.
Reminded everyone that he was the first ever undisputed WWE Champion, with
Rob Van Dam responding “He hasn’t let anybody forget”. Jericho continues by
saying he will once again be the world champion by WrestleMania.
WWE Raw World Champion Triple H: Bischoff bragged about having Triple
H on Raw and noted that it was because of that fact that Stephanie had to
interrupt him earlier in the Raw portion of the press conference. Triple H
had a short-lived stare-down with Brock Lesnar on his way to the podium. A
“HBK” chant started up, which prompted the champion to respond with “Oh, I’m
sorry – he couldn’t be here. He had an appointment with a wheelchair.”
Triple H then commences to making fun of several of the stars already
introduced – from Angle thinking he doesn’t really suck, to the Big Show’s
suit (which Triple H called a circus tent), to Edge’s open-toe sandals, and
finally with Brock Lesnar’s unbelievable impression of Jim Ross (remember
the cowboy hat?). Mentions that he has started up a petition, so that by
March 30th an act of Congress will provide those on hand at WrestleMania
with a Takerooni. Describes the wrestlers on hand as the greatest athletes
and entertainers on this planet and finishes up his segment by referring to
himself as the REAL world champion of the WWE.
Jonathan Coachman then introduced the chairman of the WWE, Vince McMahon,
who got a standing ovation from the talent on hand. Vince talked about how
few sports events or entertainment events really live up to their hype
(someone in the crowd yelled out something about the XFL, which McMahon
laughed off), but WrestleMania is the one annual event that does live up to
the hype year after year. At this point, he was interrupted by the
Godfather and a line of Seattle hos that made their way to the podium in
typical Godfather fashion. The Godfather had a few comments to say, no more
important than what was previously said about WrestleMania, and then left
with his hos – who got both the Coach and Vince to dance with them on their
way out.
At this point, the forum was opened up to media in the audience for a short
Question & Answer segment. Some of the reporters credited who they worked
for (most in the Seattle area), but most didn’t.
1. Why choose Seattle?
Before answering, Vince answered an audience member’s question by saying the
Rock would be at WrestleMania. McMahon stated that it was long overdue and
that the Pacific Northwest has many rabid fans.
2. A question about the downturn of the company in recent months, despite
the good turnout in Seattle during the last TV events.
Vince said that they have good times and bad times and that it’s only
temporary. Once WrestleMania rolls around, they will be hotter than ever.
3. Who will be performing Triple H’s music at WrestleMania?
Someone in the crowd yelled Fozzy. Triple H said he might have to negotiate
something with Jericho – unless Seattle has any good bands to offer.
4. A rather ignorant journalist asked McMahon if anyone actually believes
that wrestling is real.
Triple H responded by saying “Ladies and gentlemen, the dumbest man in
America!” The question got a poor response from the audience as well as the
panel as even Brock Lesnar called the man out and challenged him to get in
the ring with him and find out. At that point, the reporter walked out of
the press conference.
5. Will Vancouver, BC get any TV shows or house shows around the time of
WrestleMania?
McMahon isn’t sure as of yet but he realizes the market that is in the area,
also mentioning Oregon which he’s apparently looking to bring his product
back to after a long absence.
6. Someone from Fox Sports.net Northwest asked what prevented the WWE from
holding a pay-per-view here prior to now.
Vince said they were holding out for the big one.
7. Weather permitting, will they open the roof of SAFECO Field for the show?
Vince: “Not only will we open the roof, we’ll blow it off.”
8. Another rather ignorant and feeble-looking journalist mentioned some of
the smaller former world champions of the WWF/E (Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels,
Ric Flair, and Kevin Nash???) and mentioned the fact (???) that the
wrestlers today are so much bigger and that there used to be a drug and
steroid policy within the company.
Again, the crowd reacted poorly to someone who attempted to make a name for
himself by doing some half-assed research and making wrestling look bad.
With the crowd booing and Vince not even understanding the question (the
reporter was apparently so nervous to be holding a microphone, he could
barely spit out his words), Chris Jericho got the audience back into it by
asking how excited they were that WrestleMania was coming to town.
Jonathan Coachman then thanked the crowd and media for showing up and that
individual interviews will be held later on at a separate location. The
press conference ended to Limp Bizkit’s “My Way”.
Graham Cawthon
The History of World Wrestling Entertainment -
http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777
Report by xpw kid
Ok I watched the Wrestlemania Press Conference on WWE.com and thought that you may like to use this report for your site
I didn't catch the start of the conference. Almost every major wrestler was there. The main talking point of it was Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker teasing a fight. Lesnar made a comment about Undertaker's wife and The undertaker was 'angry'
about it. For some reason Brock showed up in a cowboy hat and a weird suit.
Stephanie McMahon and Eric Bischoff constantly took cheap shots at each other while introducing their stars.
When the wrestlers were introduced they cut a short promo to introduce themselves. People like Rob van Dam and Chris Jericho stood out as people who were good on the mic. The reaction HHH got when he was cutting his promo was beyond belief. It seems that the majority just don't want to boo him. He took cheap shots at the city (Seattle) and HBK. He also make some funny comments towards The Big Show, Edge and Kurt Angle. He also joked that The Undertaker would be doing a Takeroonie.
Vince McMahon then showed up. The Godfather and his ho's then interrupted him and cut promo. Vince didn't say anything.
They then had a Q&A hosted by Coach.
Among the questions were that if The Rock and Hogan would be at WM. He said that The Rock and Vince said Hogan was "Asleep." The crowd jeered a journalist who asked Vince if wrestling was real. Some of the wrestlers challenged him so that they could 'Show Him.'They said that they wouldn't just open the roof for the event, they would blow it off! A journalist quizzed Vince about the steroids in the past. Vince didn't answer.
Other people who were there were:
Booker T
Jim Ross
The Big Show
Kane
The Coach
From the http://www.nwatna.com
Official NWA TNA Preview for Wednesday, September 25th
The action will be fast and furious as NWA Total Nonstop Action returns to Pay Per View live this Wednesday night at 8pm Eastern!
They are two of the most exciting athletes in the world. This Wednesday night, you will see them in a two-out-of-three fall series, as the phenomenal AJ Styles will take on the returning Low Ki, with the winner getting a shot next week at the X-Division title!
Last week, for the first time in TNA history, the X-Division champ was given a shot at the NWA World Title. Jerry Lynn, the current X-Division champion, took NWA World Champion Ron "The Truth" Killings to the limit, having the belt in his grasp. That is, until Sonny Siaki cost Lynn the match. This week, it is Lynn's turn to put up the X-Division title, as has asked for a rematch against Truth. This time things will be different. The contest has been declared a Lumberjack match, with members of the X-Division around ringside to prevent outside interference.
During last week's Tag Team Gauntlet for the Gold, Brian Lawler was eliminated, but illegally returned to the match and eliminated Syxx-Pac from the contest. This week, Lawler has joined with tag team partner Elix Skipper, as they will take on Syxx-Pac and Scott Hall.
He cost Jerry Lynn his chance at the NWA World Title this week. This week, Sonny Siaki faces tough X-Division competition with the Amazing Red!
It came down to two teams in last week's Gauntlet for the Gold. Cowboy James Storm and Wildcat Chris Harris successfully became the new champions. This week, they will be challenged by the team that went down the to the wire with them in the Gauntlet, Ron Harris and Prime Time Brian Lee in a tables match!
After unveiling himself as the man under the mask, B.G. James will finally step into the ring one-on-one with longtime enemy, Jeff Jarrett. With so much history between these two individuals, this one is sure to be a brawl.
See the action for yourself this Wednesday night, exclusively on Pay Per View! Order NWA TNA for just $9.95 at 8pm Eastern, this Wednesday night!
*NEW GALLERY* Must See! Torrie Wilson Out PARTYING HARD in the Clubs!
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