HWA releases statement on Haas' death, RollerJam star in WWF, more Submitted by William Martinez on Sunday, December 16, 2001 at 10:31 AM EST
The HWA released the following statement concerning the death of Russ Haas:
Dear Fans,
The Heartland Wrestling Association is saddened to have to inform you that Russ Haas passed away early Saturday morning, December the 15th. Russ was a great young athlete with a growing passion for wrestling. We looked forward to working with him and his brother, Charlie, in the future. We are keenly aware that we will be missing someone very special and the staff, management, wrestlers and employees of the HWA would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Charline and the rest of the Haas family. Russ will be sorely missed.
This Tuesday, please join us as we remember Russ, and dedicate our normal Showcase to his memory.
As was reported on LOP some time ago (in excess of one year ago), after the end of RollerJam, it was said that some of the former skating talent would end up wrestling on WWF programming. This fact will come to fruition Monday as future Florida DerbyJam star Brian "the Blade" Gamble makes his WWF debut in a match this Monday when Raw emanates from Louisiana. Expect this match to be either on the Heat or Jakked part of the show.
Heather Burke, Head of Skater Relations and Promotions for Florida DerbyJam had this to say: "We are very happy that Brian is doing so well with the wrestling, and we want him to go far with it."
The following are summaries of WWF Magazine's predictions for 2002:
The Rock: Things will start off well for The Rock in 2002 but he will suffer a major setback at around Wrestlemania. A former WWF main eventer will return to challenge The Rock like never before for the better part of the year but The Rock will emerge wiser and stronger.
Steve Austin: Around the beginning of the summer, someone from Steve Austin's past will return and steer him in the right direction.
Triple H: If Triple H chooses to stand alone, he will not succeed but if he forms an alliance with someone from his past, he will succeed at being the top man in the industry.
Kurt Angle: After getting screwed over repeatedly, Kurt Angle will go on an ankle-breaking spree. But by the summer, somone with a lengthy submission background will join the WWF with his sights set on Angle's ankle. While there will be no clear winner in the feud, neither competitor will ever be the same.
The Undertaker: Due to personal trauma, the Undertaker will bring back his "deadman" gimmick and become the most hated heel of all time.
Chris Jericho: After losing a major title match to a hated foe, Jericho will form an alliance with someone.
Booker T: Booker T will bring in a family member after getting disrespected on WWF television only to have that family member turn on him. He will then decide whether to remain in wrestling or take a leave of absence to take the lead role in a Broadway musical.
The Hardy Boyz and Lita: After a lover's scorn tears apart The Hardy Boyz, one will leave the WWF temporarily after their feud is over.
Perry Saturn: Saturn will fall in love with a broom.
X-Pac: Fans will begin chanting three letters at X-Pac and his friends. Due to this reformation, X-pac will be back in the spotlight selling large amounts of merchandise.
Kane: Kane will get a major victory early on in the year and emerge victorious after a feud with another big man. After a weakness is revealed, Kane will disappear for awhile only to return refocused.
Tajiri: In May, an old nemesis from Tajiri's past will return from Japan along with a familiar "sensei" to buy Tajiri's services. If he refuses, they will end his career. After realizing that he cannot overcome this, Tajiri will join them and turn heel.
Edge: Every time Edge will have an opportunity to win the WWF title, his relationship with Christian will sidetrack him.
Christian: Christian will form a stable with a group of angry, disgruntled siblings.
The APA: The APA will rename themselves the APAA (Acolytes Protesting Against Alcohol) and become the lead spokesmen for herbal tea.
Rob Van Dam: Rob Van Dam will win a major title at Wrestlemania and keep it for 23 months. He will embarrass all who challenge him for it except for Jerry Lynn.
Shane McMahon: Shane McMahon will become a full-time wrestler after leaving for awhile to learn martial arts and submission skills. He will start off well until he meets with Rob Van Dam.
Rhyno: Rhyno will re-introduce an "extreme title" which the WWF will not recognize. After a "hardcore nemesis" beats him for it, he will go after many other titles at once.
Raven: He and Chris Benoit will form a tag team that will win the tag team titles.
Mike Awesome: He will rid the WWF of one of its top superstars which will earn him several title opportunities.
Kanyon: He will walk out of Wrestlemania calling himself the "Wrestlemania MVP" and will be on the cover of WWF Magazine.
