Vengeance poster, Austin/RVD heat, Hall & Nash update, Hogan, more Submitted by William Martinez on Monday, October 29, 2001 at 7:27 PM EST
After Rob Van Dam busted open Kurt Angle at the October 16th Smackdown tapings in Montreal, The Undertaker held a "press conference" in front of the entire locker room complaining about Van Dam's "potato shots". Some of the locker room agreed with what he had to say while others are quietly questioning his motivations. Lately, The Undertaker has gotten a reputation for holding down younger wrestlers. The wrestlers who agreed with what Taker had to say agreed that management should address the situation before someone gets seriously injured. Steve Austin was said to have taken a calmer approach to the situations.
It remains unknown whether or not the reason Rob Van Dam faced The Big Show on Raw instead of The Undertaker was political or a simple change in direction by the creative team.
Hulk Hogan has been telling people that Vince McMahon has made an offer to Hogan for his WWF return. However, it should noted that Hogan has leaked false information similar to this in the past. Reportedly, Eric Bischoff has told Hogan to eplore his options with the WWF.
As you know, the proposed deal between Hulk Hogan and Universal over a wrestling promotion fell apart due to salary demands made by Hogan. However, it is now being reported that Hogan is still contracted by AOL Time Warner as a wrestling consultant and because of this, Hogan's lawyers advised him to drop out of negotiations. The company would be willing to offer a buyout of that contract if Hogan went to work for the WWF or if he would drop the lawsuit he has against them over the Vince Russo/Bash at the Beach 2000 incident.
There is concern within the WWF that Scott Hall and Kevin Nash may not be willing to give up a lighter schedule working in Japan to work for the WWF. The WWF wants the duo to work up to 15 dates a month and despite the fact that they would prefer working less than that, they are willing to work house shows.
WWF management has made it clear to Hall and Nash that their backstage politicking will not be tolerated in the WWF. Hall and Nash are attempting to convince management that it will not be a problem.
Reportedly, Scott Hall has fallen back into some personal problems but it is believed that they are not as serious as they were a few years ago.
Harley Race was backstage at the WWF October 20th event in Columbia, Missouri.
WWF officials would like to bring back some of the edge the WWF has lost by increasing raunchiness.
Vince McMahon asked if incorporating an "ill mother" angle into the Edge and Christian feud would be going too far. While nobody spoke out, some expressed concern that it would parallel too closely the situation with Helen Hart.
Mike Awesome continues to earn a reputation as a terrible worker in the WWF locker room.
Rhyno was in line for a major push but obviously, that has changed due to his injury.
Steven Richards received another tryout for a commentator position as WWF officials continue to be displeased with Tazz's work.
Reportedly, Vince McMahon has been very stubborn lately and there are some who feel that his work schedule may take a toll on his health.
An idea has been pitched for Diamond Dallas Page to host a "Piper's Pit"-like segment but there are no plans to do so.
A person who has a reported "good relationship" with Eric Bischoff is stating that he will join Hall and Nash on WWF television, assuming that they sign. Those in the locker room who have had past problems with Bischoff are okay with the idea proviced that Bischoff act professional and keep to himself.
WWF developmental prospect Russ McCullough has earned himself some backstage heat over comments he made regarding Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer is well-liked backstage at McCullough's comments stem from the fact that Dreamer is, allegedly, too heavy to lift on suplexes. The wrestlers then attempted to play a rib on McCullough but The Big Show put an end to that.
Despite not being used, Steve Austin was backstage at Raw on Monday.
Christian was backstage at the event as well and did not suffer any major injuries after his No Mercy ladder match but he did show some pain.
There is some heat between Steve Austin and Rob Van Dam although neither is admitting it. Austin has not been pleased with his angle with Van Dam and Van Dam has not paid respect to Austin.
The October 15th Raw in Ottawa drew 12,321 paid for a gate of $381,240.
The October 16th Smackdown in Montreal drew 14,068 paid for a gate of $465,350.
The October 20th house show in Columbia drew 2,943 paid for a gate of $70,750.
The October 21st No Mercy pay-per-view in St. Louis drew 14,486 paid for a gate of $762,255.
AOL Time Warner recently released the final two WCW workers. The company had been keeping a small group of employees to close down WCW.
The XWF has had discussions with two former WCW employees to specialized in pay-per-view.
Credit: The Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter. Full subscription information is available at PWTorch.com.
Triple H is featured prominently on the WWF Vengeance pay-per-view promotional poster. This strongly suggests that Triple H will make his return to WWF television in November and his in-ring return by the December pay-per-view. Click HERE to view the poster.
Credit: PWTorch.com and InDemand.com
Sid Vicious will be returning to the ring for the first time in several months when he will be the special guest referee for a match between Kuurgan and Pierre Carl Ouelette at an event scheduled for December 30th at the Molson Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Vicious has been out of action ever since suffering an extremely graphic leg break at January's WCW Sin pay-per-view.
Booker T's one-on-one interview with Michael Landsberg for TSN's Off the Record will now air on Friday as opposed to the originally scheduled Thursday airdate. The show airs at 6 PM EST.
