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2HOMERADIO ARCHIVENEWSLETTER ARCHIVETHE BOARDNEWSUFC NEWSWWE NEWSJAPAN NEWSROH NEWSTNA NEWSMEXICO NEWSINDIE NEWS
3NOV. 11, 1996 WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: INFAMOUS ANGLE WHERE AUSTIN BROKE INTO PILLMAN'S HOUSE, THOUGHTS ON HALL OF FAME ISSUE, PANCRASE PPV, TONS MORE
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6
7Wrestling Observer Newsletter
8PO Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228 November 11, 1996
9
10PANCRASE: TOKYO TOUGH POLL RESULTS
11
12Thumbs up 96 (99.0%)
13
14Thumbs down 1 (01.0%)
15
16In the middle 0 (00.0%)
17
18BEST MATCH POLL
19
20Bas Rutten vs. Masakatsu Funaki 73
21
22Frank Shamrock vs. Yuki Kondo 12
23
24WORST MATCH POLL
25
26Jason DeLucia vs. Minoru Suzuki 11
27
28Osami Shibuya vs. Takafumi Ito 9
29
30WCW HALLOWEEN HAVOC FINAL POLL RESULTS
31
32Thumbs up 122 (68.9%)
33
34Thumbs down 34 (19.2%)
35
36In the middle 21 (11.9%)
37
38BEST MATCH POLL
39
40Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko 134
41
42WORST MATCH POLL
43
44Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage 123
45
46Based on phone calls, letters and fax messages to the Observer as of Tuesday, 11/5. Statistical margin of error: +-100%
47
48In something that was either a ground-breaking angle in wrestling, or an act of total desperation, WWF ran a live angle on 11/4 based on scenes from the movie "Cape Fear" (the same movie that spawned the Waylon Mercy character) where Steve Austin broke into Brian Pillman's house and Pillman held him off with a gun as his wife was screaming.
49
50The angle was done to establish the WWF's new time slot one hour earlier on Raw, and to establish the idea that even though the WWF matches are taped three out of every four weeks, that a major live angle will take place every week on the show.
51
52The angle started with them establishing the scene at Pillman's house in Walton, KY (it was his real house) and them talking about Austin threatening to come back during the show and Pillman pulled out a gun in case he got in. Austin did a phone call from a supposed car phone on his way from the airport. It was established the two were long-time friends and even acknowledged they were a championship tag team (in WCW, which goes against former WWF policy of not recognizing incidents and angles in WCW). Austin showed up and was met in front of the house by two of Pillman's friends (actually two students from Les Thatcher's wrestling school) and in the one really lame scene, Austin had a bad fight scene with the two of them, slamming one into the car and throwing the other into an algae-infested kiddie pool. Several minutes later when they want back to the house, Austin broke a window on a door and got into the house and Pillman hobbled off the couch and pointed a gun at him. At this point the picture died and they tried to tease for the rest of the show as to what happened. After doing a taped angle to build up the Shawn Michaels vs. Sid match and a tag title match on next week's Raw, which in the long run all had to be totally ineffective and a bad idea to run that angle at a point when it couldn't get over, they went to another taped Razor Ramon vs. Marc Mero match. That match was backdrop for a phone call between Kerwin Silfies, a WWF producer, and Vince McMahon, claiming the lights were off at the Pillman house but lights were on in the rest of the neighborhood, that the police who were called hadn't arrived and they couldn't figure out why other than Pillman's house was in the sticks, and they had no idea if satellite transmission would be restored. When asked if they heard a gun go off, Silfies said he heard a sound that could have been that. After teasing it throughout the rest of the show, the picture went back on at the end with a commotion in the house and the idea that Pillman's shot, that didn't hit Austin, had scared him away. But Austin came back at this point and the two were held apart from each other with Pillman hobbling around pointing the gun and swearing at Austin (which wasn't edited off the delayed West Coast feed which makes me believe it was fine with the USA network, and there is a much larger story than the Monday Night wrestling wars here because USA, which used to do phenomenal ratings with its Murder She Wrote, Raw, Silk Stalkings line-up has gotten beaten across the board all night by TNT's wrestling and USA is probably every bit as desperate if not more than WWF to do something for shock value to change that trend) while Kevin Kelly screamed for someone to call the police and the show went off the air at that point. Pillman either legitimately sprained or twisted his knee hobbling around doing the angle.
53
54Was it a good angle? Did it go too far? Was it offensive? It's a good angle if it works. Pillman and Austin's acting in the angle was good. Other aspects, in particular Austin beating up the two jobbers, was a little corny. Being the talk of wrestling, which it was for one day, can be a good sign, but if it doesn't translate to increased ratings or money, it still doesn't make it successful. I'm beginning to fear we're entering a wrestling environment filled with angles that have one-day shelf lives, which means by Wednesday, everyone has forgotten about them long before they really amount to anything. Next week's ratings across the board will be an indication if this angle had legs. Too far? It's new ground. Dangerous ground in that they've created the environment, and WCW has as well, where absolutely nothing that goes on in the ring matters anymore. The outside ring storyline is everything and action in the ring is meaningless. WCW had a tremendous match going on at roughly the same time with Chris Benoit vs. Hector Guerrero, and the live audience in Grand Rapids, MI had their backs to the ring and were looking at the NWO guys instead of watching two great wrestlers work their ass off. Was it offensive? Not to me. Maybe to others. It's no different than any other violent television show. The only offensive thing on wrestling that night to me was the racist stereotype of Sonny Onno.
55
56The bottom line is that WCW drew a 3.4 rating and 5.1 share and WWF drew a 2.3 rating and 3.4 share. The Nitro replay did a 1.2 rating and 3.0 share. In the head-to-head hour, WCW did a 2.9, and without second hour competition, picked up to a 3.8 (it actually would have been a 3.7 for that hour but they went 11 minutes past the hour with all the Hogan/Piper stuff again and that managed to give them an extra .1 in the ratings). Looking at the quarter hours tells another story. WCW had a full point lead at 3.0 to 2.0 when they did the tease where Pillman pulled out the gun and the signal went out. Curiosity over that did make a significant difference, as the third quarter saw them neck-and-neck with a 2.8 rating. Most interestingly, despite the WWF's teasing to get viewers to stay tuned, and this shocked me, WCW for the final quarter hour while Benoit and Guerrero were doing their match, picked up to a 3.2 while WWF dropped to a 2.5. Bottom line. The angle worked, not nearly as well as the Bret Hart interview two weeks earlier, but it worked for a few minutes. But it was also teased for too long in between segments and was a major turnoff with the WWF traditional kids audience. The idea was to keep viewers from switching back until the end of the show. The end result was that viewers switched back to Nitro while Raw was still going on in the final 15 minutes.
57
58It's still too early, as we need to wait a few weeks until WWF fully establishes the new time slot, as to what the effects of the change are. Raw's number was slightly higher than it's been averaging over the past few weeks, but even with that angle, the increase wasn't much. Nitro over the past few weeks has been doing huge in the first hour and slightly falling off against football and Raw in the second hour (before football season, when there was Raw, Nitro almost always gained in the second hour). It's clear without Raw in the second hour, that Nitro is going to do huge ratings. Whether Raw can close the gap in the head-to-head hour is something that remains to be seen as this was closer than it has been in several weeks with the exception of the week where WWF had both Hart and supposedly Perfect's return on the same show. You can say that in its first week with the show not even established in the time slot yet, that it did a slightly better number than before and the gap was closed as a positive. Or you can say with the most hardcore hotshot (pardon the pun) angle to date, they still only did a 2.3 rating and lost viewers to Nitro as the angle went on, as an overall negative.
59
60The WWF's drop in the final quarter hour consisted of 125,000 kids switching off--most interesting is at the same time Nitro gained 124,000 kids during the same quarter so you've got to figure they were basically the same kids; 11,000 teenagers switching off, 63,000 Men 18-34, 105,000 Men 35-54, 49,000 Womens 18-34, 20,000 Women 35-54 and 12,000 Women 55+. The only audience that stayed with the angle as opposed to switching to Nitro in the final quarter hour was Men 55+. Nitro gained at the same time in every grouping except with Women 35-54.
61
62The angle, and more importantly the switch-off factor in the final 15 minutes, saw it become the first time Nitro has beaten Raw with the kids audience, winning by a 53-47 margin. Raw had a 55-45 edge in teenagers. Nitro had a 61-39 edge in adult males and a 56-44 edge in adult females (which is actually when it comes to adult females, Raw's best showing in a while so perhaps the idea of the wife held captive in her own house has some appeal to women watching because aside from that group and the teenagers, Raw did worse head-to-head than usual, particularly in kids which was the group it figured to pick up with because of the time slot move). The other notable thing when it comes to demographics is that the Hogan/Piper stuff, despite the age of the participants, seems to have the most appeal with teenagers and men 18-34 and a lot less of an appeal to the men 35-54 that one would think grew up on wrestling watching those guys.
63
64WWF opened the show at 7:57 p.m. while Nitro started at 8 p.m., something I suspect will be changed in future weeks. The general feeling within WCW at this point seems to be that NWO is what everyone wants to see and what is feuding the current increase in ratings (which actually aren't up as compared with pre-NWO this year but are up judged against the same time last year), buy rates (which actually are only slightly up), house shows (which actually were down last time we checked as an average although some recent houses have been way up) and merchandising (which is way up). While many wrestlers have been upset over them having NWO guys in the stands and basically killing their Monday television matches (Steve Regal and Juventud Guerrera were really upset last week after their Nitro match), the belief in the company is if the NWO guys aren't on television, people will switch stations (forgetting that ratings before the NWO angle were at almost the exact same level). Anyway, the plan right now is to do NWO Monday Nitro head-to-head with Raw, and WCW Monday Nitro in the second hour, although I'm not sure how many weeks it'll be before this change takes place.
65
66
67Back in August, we did our first Hall of Fame issue. Doing something of this type, as subjective as it all is, particularly in an entertainment form like pro wrestling where the statistical arguments that the baseball Hall of Fame are loaded with are inconsequential. It also brought more response than any feature we've done in years, and not surprisingly so. Hall of Fame type ideas in wrestling come and go. In recent years, both WCW and WWF have started Hall of Fames, although WCW has since dropped the idea after much criticism since they inducted Angelo Poffo primarily because he's the father of Randy Savage more than any accomplishments as a wrestler. No doubt WWF will get criticism this year if anyone takes their Hall of Fame seriously for inducting long-time mid-card wrestler Baron Mikel Scicluna and perennial television jobber Johnny Rodz on 11/16 before headliners too numerous to mention, the most notable of which would be Bruno Sammartino, one of the most important figures in the history of the company.
68
69As mentioned, since that time we've gotten tons of letters. Many brought up wrestlers they had seen in their area while growing up, most of whom were solid names. Some wanted a jobbers wing, and there is an argument that without the jobbers to make the stars look good in the ring on television, the stars wouldn't look good. But you also have to draw the line or the whole exercise becomes meaningless. The first so-called class listed 126 wrestlers, promoters, managers or announcers, which may be way too many to start with, but even looking back I can't think of more than a few names on the entire list that would even be questionable. In looking back on the list, the period from the 50s through the 70s is the most well represented, with some 40 personalities apiece from all three decades. It narrows down with the 80s and 90s, partially because it's too early in some cases to figure historical significance, and secondarily, because historical figures seem to gain in importance after they are no longer on television each week. For example, with the dozens of letters we received about various people who were neglected, nearly all from the 50s through 70s, we didn't receive even one letter about Sting, who is a better worker than some on the list, and during his day was a bigger star than many, perhaps most, who made the list. Kids who are growing up now and become interested in wrestling history in 20 years would put guys like Sting and Undertaker on a list without question, and maybe even Lex Luger, but those of us watching them now probably dismiss them because they are current and because we're all aware of their shortcomings and know they aren't Ric Flair or Bret Hart. Fact is, they made more money than all but a handful of the guys on the list. And on a national basis, since wrestling is now national, were better known names. Another name that is intriguing is Jesse Ventura. Not as a wrestler, although he was a major star, but as an announcer. On one hand, he really only did the announcing gig for about seven years, and the last few of them he was pretty bad. He wasn't the first heel to do commentary. I'm sure there were guys doing that in the 50s. But he was so good that he paved the way for the idea that became a given in our culture that every television show needed a heel to bounce off the babyface, and with a few exceptions, that has remained the case to this day. If Ventura had flopped, the idea would have been dropped in 1985 and wrestling television as we know it in the United States would be different. In that way, he was more influential than a lot of guys who could work magic in the ring.
70
71Anyway, from the original list, I can come up with two major oversights, which we'll get into next summer, and there are other wrestlers who become eligible based on the guidelines that should be considered, or maybe even be locks, to be added to the list.
72
73With basically around 40 performers from the 50s, 60s and 70s apiece, my own feeling is we've gone as "deep" as we should when it comes to wrestlers from that time period. Not that there may not be a few from each decade that belong, but the so-called "next level down" category of stars, like Tim Woods, Dick Murdoch, Jacques Rougeau Sr., Wahoo McDaniel, Mark Lewin, Boris Malenko, Curtis Iaukea, Jay Strongbow types, and literally there are dozens and dozens that fit into that category, since we had a list longer than those who made it of those that were under consideration, who were stars, but not international superstars of the level of a Stan Hansen, Harley Race, Jack Brisco or a Dusty Rhodes during the 70s, as an example, really shouldn't be added or it would require opening the floodgates to hundreds more. Actually one of the criterion I was thinking myself in my own thoughts on the list were that if a wrestler was on the Stan Hansen level, they were in. If they were on the Dick Murdoch level, that's exactly the level where the line gets drawn. Not that Murdoch himself wasn't a better worker than probably 90% of those on the list and isn't someone to be considered at some point.
74
75Which leads us to the Fabulous Moolah. Of all the names asked about, Moolah was mentioned more than any other, with people saying that she should be in as a no-brainer. On my original list, I thought the same way. The only American women wrestlers I considered were Mildred Burke (the most famous women wrestler of the 40s and early 50s) and Moolah since they were the undisputed champions of their respective eras. The problem was, when going down the list and mentioning Moolah, someone asked me why she should be in, because unlike Burke, she neither had the reputation of being a great wrestler, nor was a headliner, nor was a big draw. When running down the reasons (basically, longevity and the belt and just this feeling that she should be win), I realized I didn't have any good reasons at all. Sure, Moolah was around forever. She's still around today. She held the belt forever, but it was a belt that for most of that time period meant nothing when it came to drawing. Les Thornton held a meaningless belt forever, and nobody would consider him. Bob Backlund held the WWF belt for nearly six years, and that was a belt that headlined the biggest arenas in the country during that time period and more often than not, drew, and I can't see him making the list. I was against the idea of putting women or midgets in to fill a quota. If they were major historical figures or super workers, that's one thing (and the only so-called midget I can think of that would qualify is Espectrito, and he's way too young), but guys who were around forever that worked mid-card doing burlesque show spots, I just don't see that in something that's supposed to be exclusive. Using that criteria, every mid-card gimmick guy that got a few laughs and was a little bit over in a territory that lasted three decades should be in as well. How about Rusher Kimura, who in his peak angles drew tons more money? Was Moolah ever a big drawing card on her own? No. Burke was one of the ten biggest draws in the industry in her prime and considered the top dog when there were dozens and dozens of full-time women wrestlers, when womens wrestling was something of a big deal. Under Moolah, times changed and for the most part, womens wrestling died. It's for the most part still dead today. What if Madusa were to somehow be able to stick around until she's 55? Granted, this is a world where few women even have jobs as wrestlers in the United States, and the world has changed since the 70s and today's public, whether positive or negative, isn't going to get into seeing a 50-year-old in a leotard no matter how much plastic surgery she's had, nor would today's promoters dream of presenting it, so it isn't going to happen. But if it would and she dominated a world title belt until that time, does that make Madusa a Hall of Fame calibre wrestler? And I suspect (although I don't know) that Madusa is a far better wrestler than Moolah was during her prime. Some may argue that point and bring up that Moolah had enough ring "shooting" ability to double-cross a much younger Wendi Richter into a pinning predicament against her own knowledge when the WWF wanted to double-cross Richter and get the belt off her. Besides, in due time there are enough super workers that are women from today's era that if we keep this up, there will hardly be a shortage of women wrestlers on the list. None of them lasted as long, but almost all were far better workers, and also involved in key spots on cards that drew both big houses, and even bigger television ratings. Of course, one can argue that there are men names on the list who weren't good workers, and a few who weren't major draws (although in those cases they are historically important figures). Perhaps Moolah belongs because of historical importance. But my feeling is you could write a history of pro wrestling without devoting much space to Moolah's accomplishments. And it's hard to make a case for Moolah in an international wrestling Hall of Fame without including Irma Gonzalez and Irma Aguilar, both of whom were around as long (and are still around in a more prominent role than Moolah) and were probably as big names (it's hard to compare culturally since they were all in their primes probably in the 60s and it isn't like people were trading videos in those days and the accuracy of the printed word can't be taken at face value). I'd have to assume Aguilar and Gonzalez were better wrestlers because I saw them in the past two years when they had to be in their mid-to-late 60s and they were even then better than Moolah was in the 70s.
76
77Which brings us to the next generation. The following active wrestlers and/or managers or promoters made the original list, of which one had to be more than 35 years old or have wrestled professionally for 15 years to quality--Perro Aguayo, Giant Baba, Abdullah the Butcher, Canek, Negro Casas, Riki Choshu, Jim Cornette, Ted DiBiase, Ric Flair, Tatsumi Fujinami, Dory Funk, Terry Funk, Stan Hansen, Bret Hart, Bobby Heenan, Hulk Hogan, Antonio Inoki, Jerry Lawler, Akira Maeda, Devil Masami, Mil Mascaras, Tiger Mask Sayama, Vince McMahon Jr., Mitsuharu Misawa, Antonio Pena, Roddy Piper, Road Warriors, Randy Savage, Nobuhiko Takada, Genichiro Tenryu, Jumbo Tsuruta, Vader and Jaguar Yokota.
78
79Which of today's wrestlers, and for that matter, promoters and managers, belong and don't belong? Who may belong at some point? It would probably take almost an entire issue to go through my thoughts on the various candidates. So I'll just throw some names out now and think about them yourselves for now.
80
81Jimmy Snuka, Ultimate Warrior, Kerry Von Erich, Terry Gordy, Davey Boy Smith, Barry Windham, Steve Williams, Rick Rude, Sting, Chris Benoit, Curt Hennig, Jake Roberts, Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, Lex Luger, Undertaker, Cactus Jack, Dos Caras, Lizmark, Konnan, Paul Heyman, El Hijo del Santo, Ken Shamrock, Volk Han, Masa Saito, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Jushin Liger, Keiji Muto, Shinya Hashimoto, Masahiro Chono, Shiro Koshinaka, Toshiaki Kawada, Akira Taue, Kenta Kobashi, Masakatsu Funaki, Great Sasuke, Steiner Brothers, Sgt. Slaughter, Paul Orndorff, Villano III, Cien Caras, Atlantis, Gran Hamada, Ultimo Dragon, Carlos Colon, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Bas Rutten, Jim Ross, Michael Hayes, Jerry Estrada, Fuerza Guerrera, Emilio Charles Jr., Silver King, La Parka, Akira Hokuto, Bull Nakano, Manami Toyota, Aja Kong, Chigusa Nagayo, Lioness Asuka.
82
83
84Semaphore Entertainment Group's fourth Pancrase PPV show on 11/3, taped 9/7, was easily its best show to date. But what does that really mean when the viewership and overall interest in the product hasn't caught on?
85
86Pancrase is a monumental three-year-old experiment within the world of pro wrestling. The truest athletic competition within the pro wrestling framework dating back as far as anyone alive can remember. And after three years, in a group that has certain advantages going for it that other attempts didn't, mainly some marketable faces, in particular Masakatsu Funaki, a smarter overall audience base, in the Japanese shoot style fans, the promotion is facing a crossroads on many fronts.
87
88With its rules, in particular the one banning punching to the face, it falls short in the violence imagination quotient as compared to other shoot groups that have preceded it in the United States. That's particularly important in the American market where it's too sportsmanlike, too civilized, too Japanese and most important, seemingly too unimportant for the American sports fan.
89
90The PPV was an experiment to see if Sunday night, the traditional pro wrestling PPV night, would increase the buy rate past the 0.1 level the past two shows have stalled at after debuting at a strong 0.25. At this point there are no scheduled future PPV dates.
91
92On the Japanese front, the group has its own problems. The contract dispute with Ken Shamrock, which has spread to affecting in some form the participation of several Lions Den fighters, takes away some of its biggest stars.
93
94In a related story, Shamrock has pulled out of his 12/15 match at the Fukuoka Dome with Hugo Duarte. The reason given is that since Antonio Inoki's people were in serious negotiations to have the show air on PPV in the United States on a taped delay in 1997, Shamrock couldn't do the show because it would be working against SEG and UFC. The Shamrocks brought up the possibility of doing the match, but having it not air in the United States as part of the PPV show, but everything seems to have fallen through in that regard. Apparently one of the reasons Inoki's people were able to offer Shamrock a huge money figure for one match was the ability to use Shamrock's name in marketing the event on PPV in the United States. It's still somewhat surprising to see the match fall apart completely over the PPV aspect, since they have a huge stadium (actual capacity is 69,000, not 80,000 as listed here previously) to fill for a card that on paper doesn't appear to have anywhere close to enough drawing power to pull that off. Perhaps the threatened lawsuit from Pancrase over their claim that Shamrock would still be under exclusive contract to them until he returns and does the final four fights left on his previous contract also played a factor.
95
96According to Pancrase President Masami Ozaki, the company had threatened legal action against Shamrock, but not against Universal Vale Tudo as written here last week. Nagashima, who is one of the New Japan primary office officials, had called Ozaki about the problem which, along with the involvement of Antonio Inoki, has led to people believe this show is actually a New Japan promotion under another name, and supposedly all insiders in Japan know the show is going to be a flop but the belief is that will be okay for the promoters as well since there are those who believe the purpose of the show is to nip the shooting style popularity in the bud because it threatens the long-term popularity of traditional pro wrestling.
97
98According to Ozaki, Shamrock fought four matches under the contract and was credited with one more since he came to Japan while injured for the November 4, 1995 show, on the nine match contract of May 1, 1995. Shamrock also came to Japan after his knee operation this year but Ozaki doesn't credit that as a match because he was under a separate area management contract (which expires in December but Pancrase stopped paying him in October due to the dispute), so he believes Shamrock owes the company four matches, not three as listed in the Observer last week. His claim is the contract specifically states all matches are shoots and that Shamrock received $200,000 in his monthly salary for the one year duration of the contract. Ozaki claims the contract specifically brought up participation in UFC events saying that Pancrase would allow Shamrock to do UFC events but they would not count as Pancrase matches in the contract. He said that Shamrock phoned Masakatsu Funaki many times but it was Funaki that didn't want to return his phone calls because of the contract dispute and that Funaki is on his side of the dispute, which is surprising since Funaki and Shamrock have a long friendship.
99
100Ozaki also said that Guy Mezger is still with Pancrase. He broke his nose on the 9/7 show and couldn't fight again for six weeks, which means he had to miss the 11/9 show. Mezger was originally selected as one of the four to be in the tournament to determine the new King of Pancrase but couldn't participate due to the injury, but is scheduled to appear on the 12/15 show. Ozaki also claimed he knew from Mezger about the idea for he and Frank Shamrock to do seminars and didn't care about it, and claimed it was Ken's idea to do the Ken vs. Frank match and that nobody in Pancrase ever made the suggestion that the brothers fight each other. Bob Shamrock, Ken's father and manager, claimed it was Pancrase's idea to book such a match on 12/15 and interviews with Frank Shamrock have talked about him not wanting to fight his brother. Ozaki claimed as it regards Vernon White, his future with Pancrase is pending since everyone at Pancrase likes him.
101
102The toll of injuries continues to add up, and it's going to add up faster as the nature of the sport itself changes. With the wrestlers learning more and more how to block, spot and avoid the submissions, the matches become more stand-up striking matches, which naturally lead to a higher risk of injuries, particularly with a limited number of fighters and matches taking place every six weeks. From a marketing standpoint, the reality of true athletic competition as opposed to worked competition is that there is a gap, often lengthy, between a wrestlers' physical peak and his marketing peak. Most top wrestlers hit their drawing power peak around their mid-30s, and with the nature of name value being what it is, many have more drawing power in their 40s when they are no longer top athletes, then even in their 30s. In a shoot sport, the time line is a lot shorter. By the time the wrestler gets over the biggest, as often as not, his athletic skills are already in decline. In a worked environment, that can be made up for by learning shortcuts in the ring. It's a lot harder when the worked aspect is removed, particularly when it comes to recovering from injuries, let alone winning and losing.
103
104According to those who saw both the Japanese television broadcast of this show and the American PPV version, this was the first time that the American version was said to have been superior, largely due to the great job of color by Eric Perret, who replaced Shamrock. Perret started out knowledgeable, but perhaps too low key, but picked up excitement as the latter matches picked up the pace. It helped that he had two of the most exciting matches in Pancrase history to work with. Bruce Beck did a great job as well, although the event as American television product was still hampered by the lack of taped features, interviews and personality profiles that give life to the wrestlers themselves who are all appearing basically cold to the majority of the audience.
105
106The show opened with 20-year-old Osami Shibuya, one of Pancrase's biggest hopes for the future, going to a 10:00 draw against Takafumi Ito. Since Shibuya is one of the four in the upcoming King of Pancrase tournament, doing an even match against an undercard wrestler wasn't the step up in the pack. The match was basically even, highlighted by consistent blocks of attempted submissions on both sides, and it would have been hard to pick a winner. In the second match, where Manabu Yamada beat Kiuma Kunioku, Yamada seemed to just play defense most of the way until he got popped in the face and decided to end up. As mentioned many times before, the Frank Shamrock vs. Yuki Kondo match was one of the best matches in Pancrase history. The two were constantly working for submissions on the ground, without much luck. Shamrock dominated on the ground, but was working harder to make things happen, and apparently ran out of gas earlier. The tide turned at the 8:00 mark with most of the rest of the match on their feet, where Kondo held the edge. Kondo's eyes were puffed up, which wasn't really mentioned in the commentary, from Shamrock's strikes, and Shamrock had a bloody nose, which also wasn't mentioned. Shamrock eventually ate a kick and fell through the ropes to the floor at 12:43.
107
108A marathon striking encounter followed between White and Yoshiki Takahashi. This went 19:43, which is incredibly long when you consider that there are no rounds for the fighters to catch their breath. Even though Takahashi would have the edge once they went to the ground since he's the better wrestler, mainly due to fighting when he probably shouldn't have because of an injury, Takahashi wanted to avoid the ground, as did White. Takahashi managed a few take downs, but basically there were standing there throwing palm blows and kicks, with some great flurries. White had a greater reach but Takahashi seemingly didn't mind taking blow after blow. White was knocked down once and also given a yellow card for a low kick, while Takahashi went down twice, so the score was 2-2 as both tired fighters went for broke in the end until Takahashi took a kick to the chin and the ref immediately saw he was gone and stopped the fight. On the PPV version, they didn't show that Takahashi had to be carried out on a stretcher, nor was it acknowledged in the commentary. In the last 2:00, Takahashi took 21 head blows.
109
110The Jason DeLucia vs. Minoru Suzuki match was probably the weakest match on the show. Suzuki wanted to avoid getting hit while shooting in, which made him overly cautious. Nevertheless, he shot, took a palm to the temple, and went down hard and the match was stopped after just 3:00.
111
112Rutten-Funaki was the classic Pancrase match up of striker vs. wrestler. However, the difference was that Rutten can wrestle and Funaki can strike as well. Rutten's entire training for this match consisted of going to Australia and training with Larry Popodopolous in avoiding submissions. Funaki tried to set up numerous submissions, but Rutten saw them all coming and was able to get out of them. Rutten lost one point for a controversial rope escape called, as Rutten grabbed the rope inadvertently rather than to escape a submission, but it gave Funaki the point lead in the early going. On their feet, the more the fight went on, Rutten's unbelievable power in his palms and feet did more and more damage. As the match wore on, Rutten was able to score his first knockdown. The second knockdown broke Funaki's nose. As the match wore on, it was like the first Rocky movie, with Funaki taking ungodly punishment and his movie star face basically being disfigured from swelling in the process. After the third knockdown (Funaki also lost a point due to a rope escape), Funaki had one lost point left and the crowd went nuts and he played to the crowd like a pro wrestler about to make the big comeback. In that way it was like traditional pro wrestling but had more drama because of the heightened believability. Funaki attempted the big comeback, but it was for naught as he just took knees and palms and kicks and somehow held on until a knee to the chin finished him. It was even more compelling when the final moments were shown in slow-mo just what a war Funaki put on to stave off what was the inevitable. It was an incredible performance by Funaki.
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114
115All Japan women announced the complete line-up for its final major show of the year on 12/8 at Tokyo Sumo Hall. Already announced was Manami Toyota defending the WWWA title against Kyoko Inoue in the main event. Other matches announced were Dynamite Kansai (JWP) & Aja Kong vs. Takako Inoue & Mariko Yoshida, Mima Shimoda & Toshiyo Yamada & Etsuko Mita vs. Reggie Bennett & Tomoko Watanabe & TBA, Chaparita Asari defends the WWWA super lightweight title against Fusayo Nouchi of JWP, Rie Tamada vs. Chikako Shiratori (JD), Yuka Shiina & Yumi Fukawa & Yoshiko Tamura vs. Bloody Phoenix (Miori Kamiya--JD) & Chiquita Azteca (Esther Moreno) & Pequena Azteca (Alda Moreno) and opening up with Tanny Mouth & Genki Misae vs. Tomoko Miyaguchi (JWP) & Emi Motokawa (IWA).
116
117In addition, there will be four shoot matches on the show. Under UFC rules, Yumiko Hotta gets a rematch against Rosina Elina, the Soviet judo player who won the U tournament beating Hotta in the finals this past August, and Kaoru Ito faces Tania White of Australia. In addition, there will be two shoot matches under kick boxing rules with Kumiko Maekawa vs. Aya Mitsui (a kick boxer) and Saya Endo vs. Yoko Takahashi (JD).
118
119
120This is the second issue of the current four-issue set. If you've got a (1) on your address label, it means your Observer subscription expires in two more weeks.
121
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123
124Rates for the rest of the world with the exception of the United Kingdom are $11 for four issues (which includes $6 for postage and handling), $21 for eight, $30 for 12, $50 for 20, $70 for 28 up through $100 for 40 issues.
125
126All subscription renewals except within the United Kingdom should be sent to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228. All letters to the editor, reports from live shows and any other correspondence pertaining to this publication should also be sent to the above address including by those within the U.K.
127
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129
130Fax messages can be sent to the Observer 24 hours a day at 408-244-3402. Phone messages can be left 24 hours a day at 408-244-2455. You can also leave major show poll results at either number.
131
132For the most up-to-date wrestling information I can be reached every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Wrestling Observer Hotline (900-903-9030/99 cents per minute, children under 18 need parents permission before calling) with a recorded news update. We also have updates on all PPV events approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the event with myself on option seven. We also have option eight reports after all PPV events and also after midnight the night of the show after all ECW Arena events. Upcoming schedule of events is ECW on 11/16 (option eight only), WWF on 11/17, Reality Superfighting on 11/22, WCW on 11/24 and Ultimate Ultimate on 12/7. These reports generally stay on the line until the next event takes place.
133
134Besides myself, hotline reports are done by Ron Lemieux (Sunday, Wednesday), Georgiann Makropolous (Sunday), Mike Mooneyham (Monday), Steve Beverly (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday), Scott Hudson (Tuesday, Thursday) and Bruce Mitchell (Thursday, Saturday).
135
136
137MAJOR EVENTS WRESTLING CALENDAR 11/8 TO 12/8
13811/8 WWF Buffalo, NY Marine Midland Arena (Michaels & Undertaker vs. Mankind & Goldust)
139
14011/9 Pancrase Kobe (Funaki vs. Kondo)
141
14211/10 WWF Cleveland, OH Gund Arena (Michaels & Undertaker vs. Mankind & Goldust)
143
14411/10 Universal Vale Tudo Sao Paolo, Brazil (Ruas vs. Taktarov)
145
14611/11 WCW Monday Nitro tapings St. Petersburg, FL Bayfront Center Arena (Hogan vs. Luger)
147
14811/16 ECW November to Remember Philadelphia ECW Arena (Funk & Dreamer vs. Lee & Douglas)
149
15011/16 All Japan Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Misawa & Akiyama vs. Williams & Ace)
151
15211/17 WWF Survivor Series New York Madison Square Garden (Michaels vs. Sid)
153
15411/17 The U Japan Tokyo Ariake Coliseum (Severn vs. Matsunaga)
155
15611/18 WWF Monday Night Raw tapings New Haven, CT Veterans Memorial Coliseum
157
15811/18 WCW Monday Nitro tapings Fayetteville, NC Cumberland County Civic Center
159
16011/19 WWF Superstars tapings Springfield, MA Civic Center
161
16211/21 All Japan Fukuoka Hakata Star Lanes (Misawa & Akiyama vs. Kawada & Taue)
163
16411/22 Reality Superfighting PPV Birmingham, AL (Renzo Gracie vs. Taktarov)
165
16611/22 RINGS Osaka Castle Hall (Maeda vs. Fujiwara)
167
16811/22 WWF Montreal Moulson Center
169
17011/23 WCW Baltimore Arena (Hall & Nash vs. Heat)
171
17211/24 WCW World War III PPV Norfolk, VA Scope (Three ring Battle Royal)
173
17411/24 All Japan Kobe (Kobashi & Patriot vs. Williams & Ace)
175
17611/25 WCW Monday Nitro tapings Greenville, NC East Carolina University Arena
177
17811/28 All Japan Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center (Misawa & Akiyama vs. Kobashi & Patriot)
179
18011/29 All Japan Sapporo Nakajima Sports Center (Misawa & Akiyama vs. Kawada & Taue)
181
18212/1 New Japan Nagoya Rainbow Hall
183
18412/1 All Japan Women Tokyo Korakuen Hall (tag team tournament finals)
185
18612/2 WCW Monday Nitro tapings Dayton, OH Hara Arena
187
18812/2 All Japan Osaka Furitsu Gym (Kawada & Taue vs. Kobashi & Patriot)
189
19012/6 All Japan Tokyo Budokan Hall (Real World Tag League championship match)
191
19212/7 UFC Ultimate Ultimate PPV Birmingham, AL (Shamrock, Coleman, Abbott, Frye, Johnston, Goodridge, Worsham)
193
19412/8 All Japan Women Tokyo Sumo Hall (Toyota vs. Kyoko Inoue)
195
196
197RESULTS
19810/21 Memphis (USWA - 375): Steven Dunn b Denny Cooley, Tony Falk b Super Mario, Sean Venom & Bart Sawyer b Mike Samples & Trailer Park Trash, USWA tag titles/Jimmy Valiant ref: Brian Christopher & Wolfie D b Bill & Jamie Dundee to win held up titles, Unified title: Colorado Kid b Bill Dundee-DQ, Christopher DDQ D, Flash Flanagan won Rumble Royal
199
20010/24 Springfield, IL (WWF - 2,480): Justin Bradshaw b Barry Horowitz, Crush b Bob Holly, Steve Austin b Barry Windham, Sid b Mankind, Sultan b Aldo Montoya, IC title: Marc Mero b Hunter Hearst Helmsley-DQ, Four corners tag match for WWF belts: Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith beat Godwinns, Smoking Gunns and Grimm Twins, WWF title: Shawn Michaels b Goldust
201
20210/26 St. Louis Kiel Center (WWF - 4,778): Justin Bradshaw b Barry Horowitz 1/2*, Crush b Bob Holly 1/2*, Steve Austin b Barry Windham *1/2, IC title: Hunter Hearst Helmsley b Marc Mero ***, Sid & Undertaker b Goldust & Mankind **, Sultan b Aldo Montoya DUD, WWF tag titles: Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith b Godwinns **, Grimm Twins b Smoking Gunns 1/2*, WWF title: Shawn Michaels b Vader **
203
20410/28 Isezaki (All Japan women): Miho Wakizawa & Rumi Sekiguchi b Fujii & Momoe Nakanishi, Yoshiko Tamura b Nana Takahashi, Saya Endo & Toshiyo Yamada b Mariko Yoshida & Kaoru Ito, Manami Toyota & Rie Tamada b Genki Misae & Etsuko Mita, Mima Shimoda b Chaparita Asari, Kyoko Inoue & Takako Inoue & Reggie Bennett b Aja Kong & Tomoko Watanabe & Kumiko Maekawa
205
20610/29 Kitakyushu (New Japan - 2,000): Michiyoshi Ohara b Yutaka Yoshie, Yuji Nagata b Shinjiro Otani, Kengo Kimura b David Taylor, Akira Nogami & Kuniaki Kobayashi b Jushin Liger & El Samurai, Takashi Iizuka & Kazuo Yamazaki b Akitoshi Saito & Tatsutoshi Goto, Shinya Hashimoto & Junji Hirata & Scott Norton b Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi & Osamu Nishimura, Rick Steiner & Keiji Muto b Tadao Yasuda & Kensuke Sasaki, Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Hiro Saito b Osamu Kido & Riki Choshu & Tatsumi Fujinami
207
20810/30 Rome, GA (WCW Saturday Night & Main Event tapings - 2,300/1,200 paid): Eddie Guerrero b Jimmy Graffiti, Meng & Barbarian b Rock & Roll Express, Joe Gomez b Cheetah Kid (Mike Haynor), Big Bubba & Kevin Sullivan b Jack Boot (Dwayne Bruce) & Chavo Guerrero Jr., Jeff Jarrett b John Tenta, WCW TV title: Steve Regal b Bobby Eaton, Chris Benoit b Chris Jericho, Chavo Guerrero Jr. NC Pat Tanaka, WCW TV title: Regal b Cheetah Kid, Jericho b Eaton
209
21010/30 Hakata Star Lanes (New Japan - 2,500 sellout): Akitoshi Saito & Kuniaki Kobayashi b Yutaka Yoshie & Yuji Nagata, Shinjiro Otani b Norio Honaga, Jushin Liger b El Samurai, Hiroyoshi Tenzan b Tadao Yasuda, Manabu Nakanishi & Scott Norton & Shinya Hashimoto b Michiyoshi Ohara & Akira Nogami & Tatsutoshi Goto, Rick Steiner b Takashi Iizuka, Masahiro Chono & Hiro Saito b Junji Hirata & Tatsumi Fujinami, Osamu Nishimura & Kensuke Sasaki & Riki Choshu b Osamu Kido & Satoshi Kojima & Keiji Muto
211
21210/30 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Battlarts - 2,000 sellout): Tetsuhiro Kuroda b Satoshi Yoneyama, Kruger b Shoichi Funaki, Katsumi Usuda b Carl Greco, Alexander Otsuka & Yuki Ishikawa b Hiroshi Ono & Daisuke Ikeda, Independent jr. title: Taka Michinoku b Minoru Tanaka
213
21410/30 Aomori (WAR): Takashi Okamura b Jun Kikuchi, Lance Storm b Battle Ranger, Nobutaka Araya b Masaaki Mochizuki, Ultimo Dragon & Yuji Yasuraoka b Fukuda & Kamikaze, Arashi b Osamu Tachihikari, Genichiro Tenryu & Koji Kitao b Nobukazu Hirai & Bam Bam Bigelow
215
21610/30 Kusumigaseki (All Japan women): Momoe Nakanishi b Fujii, Reggie Bennett & Chaparita Asari & Nana Takahashi b Kumiko Maekawa & Yoshiko Tamura & Genki Misae, Toshiyo Yamada & Saya Endo b Takako Inoue & Yumi Fukawa, Aja Kong b Mima Shimoda, Yumiko Hotta & Kyoko Inoue & Tomoko Watanabe b Manami Toyota & Mariko Yoshida & Kaoru Ito
217
21810/30 Akita (Michinoku Pro - 366 sellout): Mens Teoh b Yoshito Sugamoto, Wellington Wilkens Jr. b Naohiro Hoshikawa, Jinsei Shinzaki b Lenny Lane, Dick Togo & Teoh b Tiger Mask & Gran Naniwa, Super Delfin & El Hijo del Santo b Great Sasuke & Kato Kung Lee
219
22010/31 Yamaguchi (New Japan - 2,500 sellout): Akitoshi Saito b Yutaka Yoshie, Tatsutoshi Goto b Tadao Yasuda, Yuji Nagata b Michiyoshi Ohara, Shinjiro Otani & Norio Honaga b Jushin Liger & El Samurai, Osamu Nishimura & Kensuke Sasaki & Tatsumi Fujinami b Akira Nogami & Kuniaki Kobayashi & Kengo Kimura, Rick Steiner & Keiji Muto b Hiro Saito & David Taylor, Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan b Takashi Iizuka & Junji Hirata, Scott Norton & Shinya Hashimoto b Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi
221
22210/31 Kamiioso (WAR): Osamu Tachihikari b Jun Kikuchi, Lance Storm b Takashi Okamura, Yuji Yasuraoka b Masaaki Mochizuki, Ultimo Dragon b Battle Ranger, Koji Kitao & Arashi b Fukuda & Kamikaze, Bam Bam Bigelow & Nobukazu Hirai b Genichiro Tenryu & Nobutaka Araya
223
22410/31 Yuse (Michinoku Pro - 350): Lenny Lane b Yoshito Sugamoto, Jinsei Shinzaki b Gran Naniwa, Gran Hamada & Naohiro Hoshikawa b Great Sasuke & Kato Kung Lee, Mens Teoh & Dick Togo & Shiryu & Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki b Super Delfin & El Hijo del Santo & Tiger Mask & Wellington Wilkens Jr. & Masato Yakushiji
225
22610/31 Narita (All Japan women): Miho Wakizawa b Fujii, Tomoko Watanabe & Genki Misae & Momoe Nakanishi b Kaoru Ito & Kumiko Maekawa & Saya Endo, Takako Inoue & Yumi Fukawa b Aja Kong & Yoshiko Tamura, Manami Toyota b Mariko Yoshida, Etsuko Mita & Toshiyo Yamada & Chaparita Asari b Mima Shimoda & Reggie Bennett & Kyoko Inoue
227
22811/1 Hiroshima Green Arena (New Japan - 7,000 sellout): Yuji Nagata b Kazuyui Fujita, Akitoshi Saito b Yutaka Yoshie, Jushin Liger & El Samurai b Shinjiro Otani & Norio Honaga, Tadao Yasuda & Takashi Iizuka b Akira Nogami & Kuniaki Kobayashi, Osamu Nishimura & Manabu Nakanishi b David Taylor & Osamu Kido, Kensuke Sasaki & Junji Hirata b Michiyoshi Ohara & Tatsutoshi Goto, Satoshi Kojima & Riki Choshu & Tatsumi Fujinami b Hiro Saito & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Masahiro Chono, Super Grade tag team tournament final: Scott Norton & Shinya Hashimoto b Keiji Muto & Rick Steiner 21:54
229
23011/1 Richmond, VA (WWF - 4,426): Sultan b Bob Holly 3/4*, Justin Bradshaw b Aldo Montoya *1/4, Bart Gunn b Billy Gunn-COR *, Stretcher match: Sid b Vader 3/4*, WWF tag titles: Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith b Godwinns *1/2, IC title: Hunter Hearst Helmsley b Marc Mero **, Cage match: Shawn Michaels & Undertaker b Mankind & Goldust **1/2
231
23211/1 Hammond, IN (WCW - 3,940 sellout): Syxx b Chavo Guerrero Jr., WCW cruiserweight title: Dean Malenko b Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero b Diamond Dallas Page, Nasty Boys b Psicosis & Juventud Guerrera, Lex Luger b Chris Benoit, WCW tag titles: Kevin Nash & Scott Hall b Harlem Heat-DQ, Sting won triangular match over Giant (COR) and Savage (DQ)
233
23411/1 Staten Island, NY (ECW - 400): Buh Buh Ray & Spike Dudley b D-Von Dudley & Rick Rage, Pit Bull #2 b Devon Storm, Mikey Whipwreck & Davey Tyler (David Cash aka David Jerrico) b Erotic Experience, Bill Alfonso b Tod Gordon, Steve Williams b Too Cold Scorpio, ECW TV title: Shane Douglas NC Louie Spicolli, Eliminators d Sabu & Rob Van Dam, Cage match: Tommy Dreamer & Sandman b Brian Lee & Raven
235
23611/1 Muronan (WAR): Jun Kikuchi b Takashi Okamura, Masaaki Mochizuki b Fukuda, Kamikaze b Osamu Tachihikari, Lance Storm & Yuji Yasuraoka b Battle Ranger & Ultimo Dragon, Koji Kitao & Nobutaka Araya b Nobukazu Hirai & Bam Bam Bigelow, Genichiro Tenryu b Arashi
237
23811/1 Iwate (Michinoku Pro - 479): Lenny Lane b Yoshito Sugamoto, Jinsei Shinzaki b Gran Naniwa, Super Delfin & El Hijo del Santo b Naohiro Hoshikawa & Gran Hamada, Shoichi Funaki & Taka Michinoku & Mens Teoh & Dick Togo & Shiryu b Masato Yakushiji & Wellington Wilkens Jr. & Tiger Mask & Great Sasuke & Kato Kung Lee
239
24011/1 Revere, MA (Century Wrestling Alliance - 1,100): Mohammad Hussein (Lou Fabbiano) b Jose Valenzuela, Knuckles Nelson b Steve Bradley-DQ, King Kong Bundy b Joel & Rocky Davis, Bull Montana b Salomon Horowitz, Paul Zine b Thomas Rodman, Tony Rumble b Tombstone, Strap match: Kevin Sullivan DDQ Vic Steamboat, Pink Assassin b Prankster, Salvatore Sincere b Steve Corino, Doink the Clown b Johnny Angel, Bundy b Tony Atlas, Cash Money Boys DDQ Johnny Grunge & Nelson
241
24211/1 Inwood, NY (Universal Superstars of America): Scott Putski b El Mascardo (Bert Centeno), Chip Scarborough b Butch Cassidy, Beer House Mike b Super Destroyer (Gino Caruso), Booty Man b Greg Valentine, Duke Snider b Vic Williams, Bodyguard for Hire NC Mike Sharpe
243
24411/1 Reading, PA (Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling): Jihad Hussein b High Voltage (not WCW), Troy Mest b Diablo Macabre, Cremator b Mike Mayhem, Glenn Osbourne b Maxx Crimson, Romeo Catino & Boogie Woogie Brown b Lance Diamond & Julio Sanchez, Lou Albano b Jud the Stud, Freight Train Jones b Mark Mest, Cheetah Master b Ace Darling, Barry Windham b Crush-DQ
245
24611/2 Landover, MD U.S. Air Arena (WWF - 3,383): Sultan b Bob Holly DUD, Justin Bradshaw b Aldo Montoya *1/2, Billy Gunn b Bart Gunn **, Stretcher match: Sid b Vader DUD, WWF tag titles: Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith b Godwinns 1/4*, IC title: Hunter Hearst Helmsley b Marc Mero **3/4, Cage match: Undertaker & Shawn Michaels b Mankind & Goldust ****
247
24811/2 Kallang, Singapore Indoor Stadium (Gaea - 7,000): Toshie Uematsu b Maiko Matsumoto, Bomber Hikaru b Makie Numao, Kaoru & Rina Ishii b Uematsu & Chihiro Nakano, Akira Hokuto b Sakura Hirota, AAAW jr. tag titles decide match: Sonoko Kato & Meiko Satomura b Sugar Sato & Chikayo Nagashima, AAAW world womens title decide match: Chigusa Nagayo b Devil Masami
249
25011/2 Middletown, NY (ECW - 700): Louie Spicolli b Stevie Richards, Handicap: Big Dick Dudley b Erotic Experience, Too Cold Scorpio b D.D. Tyler (Dave Cash), Buh Buh Ray & Spike Dudley b Axl Rotten & D-Von Dudley, Pit Bull #2 b Brian Lee, Mikey Whipwreck b Raven, Pit Bull #2 b Pittsburgh Steel Team, ECW TV title: Shane Douglas b Tommy Dreamer, ECW title: Sandman b Scorpio, ECW tag titles: Gangstas won triangle match over Sabu & Rob Van Dam and Eliminators
251
25211/2 Kushiro (WAR): Battle Ranger b Ishii, Takashi Okamura b Jun Kikuchi, Osamu Tachihikari b Yuji Yasuraoka, Lance Storm & Masaaki Mochizuki b Fukada & Kamikaze, Arashi b Nobutaka Araya, Genichiro Tenryu & Koji Kitao b Bam Bam Bigelow & Nobukazu Hirai
253
25411/2 Mogami (Michinoku Pro - 279): Wellington Wilkens Jr. b Yoshito Sugamoto, El Hijo del Santo & Super Delfin b Masato Yakushiji & Kato Kung Lee, Tiger Mask & Gran Naniwa d Shoichi Funaki & Taka Michinoku 30:00, Shiryu & Mens Teoh & Dick Togo b Naohiro Hoshikawa & Gran Hamada & Great Sasuke, Jinsei Shinzaki b Lenny Lane
255
25611/2 Flemington, NJ (Universal Superstars of America): Scott Putski b El Mascarado, 911 b Kodiak Bear, Chip Scarborough b Butch Cassidy, Jimmy Snuka b Gino Caruso, Booty Man b Greg Valentine, Bodyguard for Hire NC Hell Raiser
257
25811/3 Worcester, MA (WWF - 3,363): Sultan b Bob Holly DUD, Justin Bradshaw b Aldo Montoya DUD, Billy Gunn b Bart Gunn **, Stretcher match: Sid b Vader *1/4, WWF tag titles: Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith b Godwinns **3/4, IC title: Marc Mero b Hunter Hearst Helmsley-DQ ***, Cage match: Undertaker & Shawn Michaels b Mankind & Goldust ****
259
26011/3 Saginaw, MI (WCW - 3,618): WCW cruiserweight title: Dean Malenko b Chris Jericho, Nasty Boys b Juventud Guerrera & Psicosis, Syxx b Chavo Guerrero Jr., Lex Luger b Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero b Diamond Dallas Page, Sting won triangular match over Randy Savage (DQ) and Giant (COR), WCW tag titles: Scott Hall & Kevin Nash b Harlem Heat
261
26211/3 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (New Japan - 1,960 sellout): One-night tag team tournament: Yuji Nagata & Takashi Iizuka b Norio Honaga & Junji Hirata, Shinjiro Otani & Kensuke Sasaki b Akitoshi Saito & Tatsutoshi Goto, Michiyoshi Ohara & Akira Nogami b Yutaka Yoshie & Shinya Hashimoto, Jushin Liger & Keiji Muto b El Samurai & Tatsumi Fujinami, Kuniaki Kobayashi & Kengo Kimura b Tadao Yasuda & Osamu Kido, Otani & Sasaki b Nagata & Iizuka, Ohara & Nogami b Muto & Liger, Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Hiro Saito b Satoshi Kojima & Osamu Nishimura & Manabu Nakanishi, Nogami & Ohara b Sasaki & Otani to win tournament
263
26411/4 Grand Rapids, MI (WCW Monday Nitro tapings - 7,568): Marcus Bagwell b Brad Armstrong **1/4, Diamond Dallas Page b Ice Train **1/2, WCW cruiserweight title: Dean Malenko b Scotty Riggs *1/4, Chris Benoit b Hector Guerrero ***1/2, Madusa b Reina Jubuki (Akira Hokuto) *3/4, Chris Jericho b M. Wallstreet *1/2, Lex Luger b Booker T **1/2
265
26611/4 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (New Japan - 1,760 sellout): Yuji Nagata b Yutaka Yoshie, Osamu Kido b Norio Honaga, Junji Hirata b Kuniaki Kobayashi, Takashi Iizuka b El Samurai, Jushin Liger & Kensuke Sasaki & Keiji Muto b Hiro Saito & Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Masahiro Chono, 2 of 3 falls: Akitoshi Saito & Michiyoshi Ohara & Tatsutoshi Goto & Kengo Kimura & Akira Nogami b Tadao Yasuda & Osamu Nishimura & Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi & Shinya Hashimoto
267
26811/4 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (All Japan women - 1,450): Rumi Sekiguchi b Fujii, Tanny Mouth b Saya Endo, Mariko Yoshida & Kaoru Ito & Miho Wakizawa b Toshiyo Yamada & Momoe Nakanishi & Nana Takahashi, Reggie Bennett & Mima Shimoda b Etsuko Mita & Genki Misae, Yumiko Hotta & Yuka Shiina b Tomoko Watanabe & Kumiko Maekawa, Takako Inoue & Yumi Fukawa b Rie Tamada & Manami Toyota, Kyoko Inoue & Chaparita Asari b Aja Kong & Yoshiko Tamura
269
27011/4 Gainesville, FL (NWA - 150): Jerry Flynn d Joe DiFuria, Rob Van Dam b Fire Cat (Brady Boone), Black Hearts b Phi Delta Slam, Dory Funk b Greg Valentine, Steve Keirn b Hercules
271
272Special thanks to: Shane Hansen, Tim Noel, Dan Gosse, Joe Grana, Alex Marvez, Scott Hudson, Gregg John, Scott Despres, Mike Payne, Dean Ayass, Phil Jones, Dominick Valenti, Edie Bailey, Georgiann Makropolous, Dan Parris, Sarah Moore, Mike Mahoney Jr., Steve Prazak, Rich Palladino, Joe Grana, Roland Alexander, Jerry Lane, Jesse Money, Ed Mandel
273
274
275JAPANESE TELEVISION RUNDOWN
27610/13 MICHINOKU PRO: This was a taped special of the 10/10 Sumo Hall card. 1. Yuki Ishikawa & Alexander Otsuka beat Daisuke Ikeda & Satoshi Yoneyama in a Battlarts match. This was a shoot style match with the hard kicks combined with submission holds and a little bit of Japanese style traditional pro wrestling thrown in. It was pretty good for what it was. ***; 2. Dos Caras & Kuniaki Kobayashi & Dynamite Kid beat Mil Mascaras & Great Sasuke & Tiger Mask Sayama in 15:30. This match was edited down to about 3:00 of highlights, which, since it was the match with the most interest and drawing power on the show, pretty much tells you what you need to know about the match. At least what they aired looked fine. Obviously they edited so much out so as not to embarrass the legend of most of these guys. Dynamite looked to weigh about 145 pounds as he looked like a stick figure of the Dynamite Kid. He did do the fast suplex on the floor, but nothing else due to injuries. Even though Mascaras, at 58 or 59 with no physique and not much flying ability, is hardly what you think of as Mil Mascaras, he was actually very impressive for his age. Can you imagine Wahoo McDaniel or Billy Robinson in the ring at this point doing a few flying moves and a plancha to boot? Finish saw Mascaras accidentally hit Sasuke with his flying body press, Dynamite then gave him a tombstone piledriver and Caras pinned him after a power bomb; 3. Dick Togo & Mens Teoh & Shiryu & Taka Michinoku & Shoichi Funaki beat Gran Naniwa & Gran Hamada & Super Delfin & Tiger Mask & Masato Yakushiji in 32:56 when Togo pinned Delfin. An off the charts flying and high spots exhibition. This match didn't have the intensity or psychology that you'd expect from an All Japan mens or women match of the year. That said, it's a must-see nearly flawless match with one great move after another non-stop and it's as good a match for the Michinoku style as probably is humanly possible, for sure when you take Sasuke at 100% out of the mix. Michinoku & Funaki, who work for various indies as a tag team, were really impressive doing simultaneous moves. If they get more exposure and team together for another year, they have the potential to be one of the all-time great tag teams. Yakushiji is small, but his timing and moves are excellent. Naniwa, who is only 19, is probably destined to become one of the great workers of the next generation. Barring injury, Michinoku is almost a lock for that category even throwing in the fact he's very small. *****; 4. Jinsei Shinzaki (Hakushi) pinned Hayabusa in 15:16. This match can be described as the epitome of a match with no transitions and little in the way of psychology. Hayabusa did one incredible spot after another, doing things I've never seen even Too Cold Scorpio or Rey Misterio Jr. do, but they did nothing in between the spots. He did just an acrobatic spot, stopped, set up another, until finally missing. Shinzaki then did his spots and got the pin with a power bomb. A total nothing of a match, but noteworthy just because of Hayabusa's moves being state of the art. *1/4
277
27810/19 NEW JAPAN: 1. Liger & Rick Steiner & Muto beat Chono & Tenzan & Hiro Saito in 12:17 when Muto used the Steiner brothers high angle DDT off the top while Saito was on Rick's shoulders and Rick pinned him. Saito's head slipped out on the way down so the finish didn't look right, but overall a real good match. ***1/4; 2. Yamazaki & Iizuka beat Kobayashi & Nogami in 11:06 when Yamazaki used the wakigatamae (Fujiwara shoulder armbar) on Nogami. **1/4; 3. Kido & Hirata beat Regal & Taylor in 12:06 when Kido used the wakigatamae on Taylor. Only the last few minutes aired on television and the wrestling was fine but it was a dead match. *; 4. Choshu & Sasaki beat Nakanishi & Kojima in 12:32 when Choshu pinned Kojima after a lariat. Match was really stiff back-and-forth. Only negative to the match was Nakanishi who was really bad. By the latter stages of the match these guys were potatoing each other all over the place. **3/4; 5. Hashimoto & Norton beat Fujinami & Koshinaka in 13:06 when Norton pinned Fujinami after a lariat. The work was solid throughout the match but the finish came out of nowhere. **1/2
279
28010/26 NEW JAPAN: 1. Norton & Hashimoto beat Kimura & Goto in 11:35 when Hashimoto pinned Kimura with a DDT. They all worked stiff but it was pretty bad in spots, particularly when Goto was working with Norton. *1/4; 2. Kojima & Nakanishi beat Hirata & Nagata in 11:53 when Kojima pinned Nagata after an elbow off the top. Nakanishi was awful again and even Nagata couldn't save him. Another bad match. *1/4; 3. Yamazaki & Iizuka beat Chono & Tenzan in 14:22. It was just a typical match a lot of the way with Iizuka getting pounded on. It turned into a great match after Yamazaki mad the hot tag with good false finishes as they all did their hit moves on one another. Chono piledrove Yamazaki on a chair and Tenzan followed coming off the top rope with a head-butt for a strong near fall. Tenzan then went for a power bomb and hit the move, but while throwing Yamazaki down, Yamazaki reached through and grabbed the arm and turned it into an armbreaker for the submission finish. Finish was excellent. ***3/4; 4. Muto & Steiner beat Choshu & Sasaki in 9:24 when Steiner pinned Sasaki after a front suplex. Muto had his working shoes on and made the match. ***1/2
281
28210/27 ALL JAPAN: 1. The Kenta Kobashi vs. Toshiaki Kawada 60:00 draw for the Triple Crown title was edited down to 23:30. It's hard to rate the match since so much of the building was edited out but it couldn't hold a candle to some of their previous singles matches including their best match in Osaka last year. They did a ton of hot moves as expected, but the story of the last 10:00 was that they were selling that they were both exhausted (and considering the style, they probably were) so it was slow paced and didn't have a hot finish. Also, once they had gone that long, the fans pretty much saw the 60:00 draw coming. I'm not sure if the fans haven't gotten so smart that the 60:00 draw, which was the classic match finish a generation ago, simply doesn't work today, even though it did last year. Fans wanted to see Kobashi's first ever singles win over Kawada, and if it didn't come, would be happy having witnessed a world title change, but it seemed like seeing the 60:00 draw wasn't what they were looking for. The crowd reactions were good in spots, but definitely not on the level of the typical Budokan classic main event. But the promotion has lost a lot of heat over the past year and the morale of the wrestlers has taken a turn for the worst as well. That's significant when you have a company that has made its reputation on presenting the best main events in the world, because even the best wrestlers with bad morale and dealing with a promotion on the downswing aren't going to be able to consistently meet that standard. Part of the idea of doing this match was because K-1 was on network television with its biggest show ever the same night and took the spotlight away, even when it comes to most of the wrestling fans, and Kobashi and Kawada wanted to put something on that K-1 couldn't match. Well, it was clearly a lot better than Andy Hug vs. Masaake Satake.
283
284
285SEPTEMBER BUSINESS COMPARISONS
286WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION
287
288Estimated average attendance 9/95 1,940*
289
290Estimated average attendance 9/96 3,872*** (+99.6%)
291
292August 1996 5,520
293
294Estimated average gate 9/95 $23,230*
295
296Estimated average gate 9/96 $62,253*** (+168.0%)
297
298August 1996 $91,368
299
300Percentage of house shows sold out 9/95 3.7
301
302Percentage of house shows sold out 9/96 0.0***
303
304August 1996 6.7
305
306Average cable television rating 9/95 1.6
307
308Average cable television rating 9/96 1.4** (-12.5%)
309
310August 1996 1.9
311
312Major show 9/95 In Your House (5,146 fans/$62,392/est. 0.7 buy rate/est. $1.10 million PPV revenue)
313
314Major show 9/96 In Your House (15,000 fans/11,969 paid/$210,290/est. 0.48 buy rate/est. $960,000 PPV revenue
315
316Est. buy rate -31.4%; Overall est. event revenue +0.9%
317
318*Denotes all-time record low for promotion
319
320**Because of changes in television formatting, direct comparisons are misleading. Also denotes all-time record low for promotion
321
322***Overseas shows not included in averages
323
324WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING
325
326Estimated average attendance 9/95 2,140
327
328Estimated average attendance 9/96 3,454 (+61.4%)
329
330August 1996 2,492
331
332Estimated average gate 9/95 $18,750
333
334Estimated average gate 9/96 $40,403 (+115.5%)
335
336August 1996 $29,646
337
338Percentage of house shows sold out 9/95 0.0
339
340Percentage of house shows sold out 9/96 0.0
341
342August 1996 22.2
343
344Average cable television rating 9/95 1.9
345
346Average cable television rating 9/96 2.3 (+21.1%)
347
348August 1996 2.3
349
350Major show 9/95: Fall Brawl (6,600 fans sellout/5,100 paid/$72,000/Est. 0.48 buy rate/Est. $1.21 million PPV revenue)
351
352Major show 9/95: Fall Brawl (11,300 fans/10,714 paid/$153,914/Est. 0.65 buy rate/Est. $1.62 million PPV revenue)
353
354Est. buy rate +35.4%; Overall est. event revenue +38.3%
355
356ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
357
358Estimated average attendance 9/95 2,710
359
360Estimated average attendance 9/96 2,100 (-22.5%)
361
362August 1996 2,360
363
364Estimated average gate 9/95 $92,040
365
366Estimated average gate 9/96 $65,100 (-29.3%)
367
368August 1996 $80,240
369
370Percentage of house shows sold out 9/95 50.0
371
372Percentage of house shows sold out 9/96 60.0
373
374August 1996 70.0
375
376Average television rating 9/95 2.7
377
378Average television rating 9/96 2.0 (-25.9%)
379
380August 1996 3.1
381
382NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING
383
384Estimated average attendance 9/95 6,570
385
386Estimated average attendance 9/96 6,110 (-7.0%)
387
388August 1996 11,000
389
390Estimated average gate 9/95 $369,100
391
392Estimated average gate 9/96 $308,530 (-16.4%)
393
394August 1996 $600,000
395
396Percentage of house shows sold out 9/95 52.9
397
398Percentage of house shows sold out 9/96 100.0
399
400August 1996 80.0
401
402Average television rating 9/95 2.0
403
404Average television rating 9/96 2.0
405
406August 1996 2.3
407
408
409EMLL
410The main thrust this week was continuing the major angles involving The Head Hunters against the Mexicans and the Dandy vs. Black Warrior and Negro Casas vs. Bestia Salvaje singles angles. The main event at Arena Mexico on 11/1 was Hector Garza & Atlantis & Brazo de Plata vs. Hunters & Gran Markus Jr. This match didn't air on television because Brazo de Plata has been appearing on TV-Azteca (EMLL will use PROMELL wrestlers on its house shows and visa versa but if you appear on television for one network you can't work for the other which is the reason El Hijo del Santo hasn't appeared on TV-Azteca even though he works tons of PROMELL house shows). So instead they aired a match from 11/29 at Arena Coliseo with Hunters & El Satanico vs. Mexican heels Apolo Dantes & Dr. Wagner Jr. & Emilio Charles Jr. where Satanico ended up turning on the Hunters. Hunters were wearing the CMLL tag belts to the ring so don't know if they "stole" the belts after the match last week (which they lost via DQ) or if a rematch has subsequently been held but I'd assume the former. The other top match at Arena Mexico had Black Warrior & Felino & Scorpio Jr. beat Casas & Dandy & La Fiera due to outside interference from Salvaje who caused Casas to be pinned in the third fall.
411
412On television, they were pushing Jushin Liger & Shinjiro Otani as coming in November. Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Liger were scheduled but Takaiwa was injured. Chaparita Asari of AJW will defend her WWWA Super lightweight title this coming week in Mexico.
413
414
415PROMELL
416The war of words continued through the past two weeks. Antonio Pena held a press conference on 10/29 in response to last week's series of public appearances by the wrestlers who jumped and Mascara Sagrada. Pena also appeared throughout the week on various radio stations in Mexico, often with Perro Aguayo, talking about Konnan's past legal problems, talking about how he's been put in jail a number of times, been deported twice, the lawsuits that have been brought against him and basically portrayed him as a foreigner that came to Mexico and made a reputation by beating up Mexicans, that he proved himself to be a traitor and Aguayo mentioned that he himself has twice had to bail Konnan out of jail (true stories, after brawls with out of control fans). Konnan returned to Mexico from the U.S. and fired back saying that he was the one who was the catalyst in getting AAA exposed in the United States and that Pena would have dropped the ball, that he put the WCW connection together, that Pena used him to be his bad guy to fire wrestlers that Pena didn't want and Pena basically had used him over the years to do his dirty work. He said he left because TV-Azteca offered him the chance to produce his own television show and then asked where all the union dues the AAA wrestlers had been paying has gone. He then claimed Pena was an alcoholic, had turned to drugs, that he had held AAA together for the past eight months because of it, that Pena pushed wrestlers because they had relations with him, claimed Pena had sent people to Tijuana and Nogales to have him beaten up, talked about a strange incident involving Psicosis and said that if anything happened bad to him or his wrestlers that there would be retribution from the other side. Konnan then spray painted the AAA heavyweight title belt and threw it in a garbage can. He said that Pena was taking a percentage from the wrestlers earnings from WCW but never showed up for scheduled meetings with WCW and said that Aguayo was a relic from Jurassic Park. Aguayo was back on the radio claiming Konnan was a coward who had beaten up on wrestling fans. He also claimed the contracts that Pena had with the wrestlers who have jumped aren't valid because the contracts are with AAA, which as a corporation no longer exists since AAA had its name legally changed to PAP and the contracts aren't with PAP.
417
418Since that point there has been dialogue from Konnan with the AAA office where they basically claimed Konnan got the stories wrong and they didn't send anyone to have him beaten up in Tijuana or Nogales and claimed no knowledge of the Psicosis incident (this took place last week where Psicosis got a phone call in his hotel from one of Rey Misterio Sr.'s assistants saying that Halloween and Damian wanted to meet with him, but when he got in the car, they wind up in a deserted part of Tijuana with no Halloween or Damian in sight, and, fearing the worst, Psicosis punched out the assistant and ran away). They said that before tensions escalated they wanted to quell things down.
419
420Pena then went to Tijuana on 10/31 for a meeting with Damian, who is the most influential wrestler in that area in that most of the younger local talent will probably follow Damian's lead. However, Damian turned down Pena. Pena then held a press conference with the President of the local Televisa affiliate and the two said that they would put Konnan's promotion out of business within two months. Pena ran an AAA show in Tijuana on 11/1 which drew about 1,600 to the Palenque headlined by the local team, Los Pandilleros, beating the national team, Los Destructores in a triple hair vs. triple hair match. While that was the planned blow-off of the feud when Konnan was booking, Pena kept the plans intact and had his wrestlers lose the match as a way to woo the local wrestlers to his side, and apparently will be working with Rey Misterio Sr. During the match, Pandillero I missed a plancha and his headfirst on the floor and was hospitalized with a concussion legit.
421
422Gran Apaches I & II jumped from AAA to PROMO Azteca and Konnan has claimed he'd have four more major announcements, two of which will appear as a surprise on the 11/15 show which is his first television taping with the main event of Konnan & Rey Misterio Jr. & X vs. Psicosis & Panterita del Ring & X.
423
424
425AAA
426From all accounts, the workrate has been increasing on the recent television shows. Canek will be brought in as a heel to have a legends feud against Aguayo. Of the Tijuana main wrestlers, it appears that Misterioso will be the only one that sides with Pena.
427
428There is a good chance that Heavy Metal will be turned back babyface.
429
430There is some heat with Ultimo Dragon and Pena over Dragon working a major show at El Toreo for yet another rival promotion which was a television taping for ESPN international on 11/3 as part of a cage Battle Royal where the last man in would lose his mask. I believe the show was being promoted by Dragon's in-laws. And speaking of Irma Gonzalez and Irma Aguilar, the top womens wrestlers in Mexico of the early 60s were booked in a womens tournament on that same show where the loser would either lose her hair or mask.
431
432Fuerza Guerrera did show up at the 10/21 television tapings in Madero (replaced Pierroth Jr. in the eight-man feud with Villanos against Super Muneco & Payasos. Pierroth has not left the promotion although lots of people are thinking that's likely to happen). Guerrera also did a run-in starting a feud with both Aguayo and his son.
433
434Expect major pushes for Mosco de la Merced (as a new Juventud Guerrera), Histeria (as a new Psicosis) and Venum (as a new Rey Misterio Jr.). All three have potential, and Histeria is already quite good, but Mosco and Venum are still really green at this point. Histeria is wearing a costume exactly like Psicosis, except he's shorter and fatter so comes off like a bad copy (similar to if the new Razor or Diesel were actually good workers) even though he's actually a really good worker.
435
436
437ALL JAPAN
438Basically nothing going on until the tag tourney starts on 11/16.
439
440The 10/13 television show did a 3.4 rating.
441
442
443NEW JAPAN
444Scott Norton & Shinya Hashimoto captured the Super Grade tag team tournament beating Keiji Muto & Rick Steiner in the finals on 11/1 on Hiroshima before 7,000 fans. The finish came in 21:54 when Hashimoto pinned Steiner after a DDT. Most of the match saw Norton worked over before making the hot tag. The storyline of the tournament is that on 10/25 in Miyazaki during the match against Masahiro Chono & Hiroyoshi Tenzan, there were several miscues where they would hit each other, but they still came back to win the match and continued as a team this past week. After the match Hashimoto said he didn't want to team with Norton anymore and challenged him to a singles match so it appears this is to set up the winner of the Hashimoto vs. Riki Choshu match at the Tokyo Dome to make their first defense against Norton in early 1997. Final standings were: Norton & Hashimoto (6), Muto & Steiner (5), Choshu & Kensuke Sasaki (4), Takashi Iizuka & Kazuo Yamazaki (4), Chono & Tenzan (3), Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi (3), Tatsumi Fujinami & Shiro Koshinaka (2) and Steve Regal & David Taylor (1).
445
446Antonio Inoki announced he would be running a show on 12/1 at the Yoyogi Gym in Tokyo. If you recall several months back we talked about the formation of a 24-hour Samurai TV station which would be an ESPN-like station which would cover pro wrestling and kick boxing and air basically tapes of U.S. and Mexican promotions along with the smaller Japanese offices, and have a daily news segment covering the wrestling news like Sports Center and things like that. The station was supposed to debut in September, but was delayed until 12/1. So they are running a prime time live card to hype the first night in operation. Since New Japan has a major show that night in Nagoya, and also because the New Japan wrestlers are under contract to TV-Asahi and thus can't wrestle on this cable station, Inoki is putting together a show with independent wrestlers including Tiger Mask Sayama, Yoshiaki Fujiwara, Great Sasuke, Shinichi Nakano and Kazunari Murakami (the guy who beat Bart Vale on the Extreme Fighting show) along with other indie wrestlers and martial artists.
447
448Yamazaki suffered either a back or a rib injury on 10/29 and will be out of action for a while. He was scheduled to headline the 11/9 Korakuen Hall show for WAR against Genichiro Tenryu and it appears that match won't take place.
449
450They are hopeful that Koshinaka will return from knee surgery in time to work the 1/4 Tokyo Dome show.
451
452This group announced its major shows for the early part of 1997 as 1/4 at the Tokyo Dome, 2/8 and 2/9 in Sapporo, 2/16 at Tokyo Sumo Hall, 3/20 in Nagoya, 3/25 at Tokyo Gymnasium and 5/3 at the Osaka Dome.
453
454They also held a one-night tag team tournament on 11/3 at Korakuen Hall with Akira Nogami & Michiyoshi Ohara beating Sasaki & Shinjiro Otani in the finals. The top seeded team of Muto & Jushin Liger lost in the semifinals to Ohara & Nogami. With Koshinaka out, they are putting a lot more steam behind the remaining members of Heisei Ishingun as they headlined Korakuen Hall on 11/4 with HI members Akitoshi Saito & Ohara & Nogami & Tatsutoshi Goto & Kengo Kimura beating Tadao Yasuda & Nakanishi & Osamu Nishimura & Kojima & Hashimoto in a best of three fall match which went about 27:00.
455
456Koji Kanemoto is expected to return from reconstructive knee surgery at the 1/4 Dome show.
457
458The television show on 11/2 was pre-empted.
459
460
461OTHER JAPAN NOTES
462Dan Severn's opponent on the 11/17 U Japan show has been changed from Amoury Bitetti to pro wrestler Mitsuhiro Matsunaga. I don't know if they'll allow Matsunaga to bring in a barbed wire baseball bat on fire into the octagon, but it sounds like a ridiculous match. This match in the ads is pushed as the main event and Kimo vs. Bam Bam Bigelow has been pushed as the semi-final. Supposedly the idea of the show is to have UFC-type fighters destroy pro wrestling names. Although Gary Goodridge is billed as fighting Patrick Smith on the show, word we've received is that Goodridge isn't appearing on this show.
463
464The toll adds up in Pancrase as Manabu Yamada had another operation on his right arm and he'll be out of action for some time, while Katsoumi Inagaki had operations on both elbows so he'll be out for three months.
465
466Tokyo Pro Wrestling owner Kataro Ishizawa held a press conference on 11/1 with former IWA booker Akio Sato. They basically announced that Tokyo Pro would change its name and become a new promotion unifying various factions under Hiromichi Fuyuki (WAR), Tarzan Goto (IWA) and Yoji Anjoh (UWFI) which should basically wind up as a merger of TPW and UWFI since Ishizawa had already bought 33% of the UWFI stock, with Fuyuki, Gedo, Jado and Goto, Flying Kid Ichihara and Mr. Gannosuke all being a part of the new promotion.
467
468The 11/13 rematch with Svetlana Gunderanko vs. Shinobu Kandori at Korakuen Hall was canceled since Kandori broke her nose on 10/27. She was also supposedly in a taxi cab accident over the weekend which ended any chance of recovering in time to do the match.
469
470Next FMW tour is 11/6 to 11/16. On the first night in Shizuoka they'll have Head Hunters & Hiskatsu Oya vs. Wing Kanemura & Hido & Hideki Hosaka with the winners getting a shot at the Six man street fight champions Masato Tanaka & Koji Nakagawa & Tetsuhiro Kuroda on 11/16 in Osaka. Mr. Pogo returns to the ring on 11/6 against Crypt Keeper (Jose Estrada Jr.). Hayabusa faces Taka Michinoku on 11/16.
471
472Michinoku Pro is in the midst of its tag team tournament.
473
474Battlarts holds its tag team tournament from 11/27 to 12/4 to Daisuke Ikeda & Takeshi Ono, Yuki Ishikawa & Alexander Otsuka, Carl Greco & Katsumi Usuda Minoru Tanaka & Naohiro Hoshikawa and Shoichi Funaki & Taka Michinoku.
475
476Doink the Clown, who I assume is Ray Apollo, is coming to WAR on the next tour.
477
478GAEA ran a show on 11/2 in Singapore drawing a reported 7,000 fans to crown its first world champion as Chigusa Nagayo pinned Devil Masami for the newly created AAAW title. They also crowned AAAW jr. tag team champions with Sonoko Kato & Meiko Satomura beating Sugar Sato & Chikayo Nagashima.
479
480AJW has its tag tourney ongoing. As of 11/4, Kyoko Inoue & Chaparita Asari are far in the lead with 13 points while Reggie Bennett & Mima Shimoda, Etsuko Mita & Genki Misae, Tomoko Watanabe & Kumiko Maekawa and Aja Kong & Yoshiko Tamura are all tied for second with six points. Finals are 12/1 at Korakuen Hall.
481
482Steve Cox, Action Jackson and Rod Price are all on tour with Yoshiaki Yatsu's Social Pro Wrestling Federation.
483
484From the photos, Akira Maeda really looked out of shape for his return on the 10/25 RINGS show. Also, photos tell why David Khahareshivili, who won the gold at 209 in the 1992 Olympics in judo, didn't come back to Atlanta to defend his crown. He lost on the RINGS show to Yoshihisa Yamamoto, but from the photos, he'd be hard pressed to make it if there was a 309 pound weight class.
485
486
487USWA
488A correction from last week. The house on 10/28 in Memphis was $2,000 so it was closer to 400 paid than to the 800 we listed.
489
490The big angle this week was that Wolfie D turned heel on Brian Christopher. D hit Christopher with a garbage can to the head and knocked him out and poured the garbage all over him, then slapped him around with a newspaper from the garbage can and rubbed celery in his face. The Dundees then celebrated that Wolfie was back with them. This leaves the promotion with only Christopher as a top babyface. Christopher came back and did an interview talking with Jerry Lawler and said how Lawler has turned into nothing but a joke teller in WWF and USWA but when he was younger he used to be a butt kicker. He then told his father that he wanted him to become the old Lawler and his help in kicking some butts. The crowd went nuts wanting Lawler to turn face and chanted "kick butt" and Christopher got on his knees and begged Lawler to be his partner. Lawler screamed "No" at him saying he'd never team with a guy who got on his knees and begged and laughed at him. Lawler told Christopher to become a man and told him to get lost and bring back the Hooters girls.
491
492When the show opened, Lawler brought out two women from Hooters because he said they've been doing the same show opening for 20 years and he wanted to liven it up.
493
494Randy Hales did an angle where he got mad because people started rumors that he'd had a nervous breakdown, then acted like he was having one. Bert Prentice said he wanted to help Hales and Hales told Prentice he was a fat slob.
495
496Mike Samples claimed his dog Hercules was stolen and offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who could find his dog.
497
498The 11/4 Memphis show had Tony Williams vs. Crusher Bones, Tony Falk vs. Steven Dunn, Mike Samples & Wolverine vs. Flash Flanagan & Sean Venom, Miss Texas vs. Tasha Simone, Bill Dundee vs. Brickhouse Brown, Johnny Rotten vs. Jamie Dundee, Colorado Kid vs. Ric Hogan for the unified title and Christopher vs. D.
499
500
501ECW
502Shows over the weekend were 11/1 in Staten Island before an estimated 400 and 11/2 in Middletown, NY before an estimated 700 (this crowd may have been larger because Middletown is an arena where for some reason because of the size of it, it makes the crowd appear smaller than it really is). Staten Island show was in a building with no heat and was said to have been colder than it was outside inside which ruined the show. Apparently there was some heat with the athletic commission regarding the use of Tyler Fullington and all the blood. Top matches saw Steve Williams pin Too Cold Scorpio in a good match. Fans were chanting "You sold out" at Scorpio, who, like Johnny Grunge, rubbed his fingers to signify money and told fans that if they were offered $200,000 a year, they'd take the job as well. Shane Douglas kept the TV title beating Louie Spicolli in a bloodbath. Eliminators went to a 25:00 draw with Sabu & Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer & Sandman beat Raven & Brian Lee in a cage match with lots of blood. Middletown featured a major angle where Brian Lee choke slammed Pit Bull #2 off the top of a production truck through three tables. Apparently the angle was even nuttier than when Dreamer did similar things. They were really pushing Lee and his choke slam since he's on top at the November to Remember, as later in the show during a Douglas vs. Dreamer TV title match, Lee choke slammed Dreamer leading to his losing. Douglas then put Beulah in a full nelson and they wound up with Beulah and Francine going at it. They ran in one wrestler after another, with Lee choke slamming all of them. While this was going on, a fan threw a chair which hit Francine, but she was okay. Stevie Richards wasn't so lucky. When he was doing a run-in on Sandman, he got nailed with the cane in the neck and staggered away, then suddenly collapsed. He was paralyzed for a while and taken away in an ambulance (this wasn't an angle) and pretty much could only move his fingers for about a half hour, but recovered and was walking around fine by Monday night. Apparently earlier in the week Douglas was complaining that he didn't want the cane used anymore, because a few weeks back he collapsed after a cane shot to the neck as well. Supposedly Douglas refuses to work with Sandman if the cane is involved anymore. Main event on the show was a Gangstas vs. Eliminators tag title match which ended up with Sabu & Van Dam involved as well, but Gangstas wound up winning and keeping the titles.
503
504Williams missed the second night while Doug Furnas, who said good-bye to everyone last weekend, was advertised on the shows but wasn't there.
505
506Kurt Angle was almost clueless on the commentary during the Taz vs. Little Guido match. They tried to put it over like both WWF and WCW wanted him but he chose ECW. Most reports are that the real reason for the apology by Raven after the crucifixion angle was because Angle was so upset about it because he does so much work in the community and has a certain image and felt that it would reflect negatively on him being a part of a group that did something like this.
507
508
509HERE AND THERE
510Billy Graham had yet another medical mishap over the past ten days. On 10/24, the hip he had surgery on five weeks earlier dislocated. While in the hospital undergoing another operation, he suffered a collapsed lung and a chemical burn of his lungs and will have a lengthy recovery period.
511
512The next shoot PPV in the U.S. will be called MARS (Martial Arts Reality Superfighting) on 11/22 from Birmingham, AL. The commercials for this event have been airing on Monday Night Raw over the past few weeks with Renzo Gracie vs. Oleg Taktarov as the main event. They are billing them as both having never been pinned and never submitted, which is really weird since being pinned has nothing to do with any of this. The theme is Russian sombo vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with two other superfights having Mario Sperry (Brazil) vs. Alexander Zalusky (Russia, billed as sombo but really a big Greco wrestler with little submission experience) and Carlao Barreto (Brazil) vs. Alexander Rafalski. Idea of the tournament is to have eight participants, all from different countries with first round match-ups of Tom Erickson (USA, who is actually a better wrestler today than Dan Severn, Mark Schultz or Mark Coleman as he ranked second in superheavyweight behind Bruce Baumgartner over the past several years) vs. Alexander Khramovksy (Russia), Serge Narsisyan (France) vs. Roong Bunsimma (Thailand), Murilo Bustamante (Brazil, a legit big-name in that country) vs. Christopher Hazeman (Australia, a prelim RINGS wrestler) and Jin Yung Kim (Korea) vs. Yosunori Matsumoto (Japan).
513
514Johnny Grunge worked his first match back after knee surgery on 11/1 in Revere, MA for Century Wrestling Alliance. He teamed with Knuckles Nelson, since Rocco Rock hadn't recovered from his elbow surgery. The CWA show had an interesting mix with WCW booker Kevin Sullivan, WWF prelim wrestler Salvatore Sincere along with Doink the Clown, King Kong Bundy and Tony Atlas all appearing.
515
516Igor Zinoviev is undergoing surgery for a shoulder separation and herniated discs for injuries both going into and coming out of his EFC match with John Lober.
517
518Pancrase has no plans to do a house show in Las Vegas in 1997 as had been talked about in Japan.
519
520MEWF on 11/10 in Dundalk, MD with Head Bangers vs. Stevie Richards & Blue Meanie plus Johnny Gunn, Axl Rotten and more, and 11/16 in Hampstead, MD with Typhoon vs. Mabel, King Kong Bundy vs. Nikolai Volkoff, Tito Santana vs. Papa Shango plus Duke Droese, Mike Sharpe, Debbie Combs and Head Bangers and 11/23 in Upper Marlboro, MD with Demolition Axe, Axl Rotten and Boo Bradley.
521
522Blast from the past. Jack Victory, whose name hasn't been heard of in years (last we heard he was working at an Atlanta strip club), worked a match on 10/31 in Cartersville, GA. Reports are he has gained 70 pounds in all the wrong places since he last appeared on the scene, but he was bumping all over the place and still throws one of the best looking punches in the business.
523
524I caught the All Pro Wrestling show at their gym in Hayward, CA on 11/2. These guys work hard. It kind of has a 70s flavor when it comes to the base of the match, but you'll see a lot of the more modern wild suplexes and topes thrown in. They are doing a tag title tournament on 11/23. Mike Diamond, one of their students, blew out his knee doing a WWF try-out match at the last tapings against Barry Horowitz.
525
526George Mayfield of 243 Market St., Highspire, PA 17034 will be in Japan from 12/30 to 1/7 and can pick up merchandise for anyone who contacts him ahead of time.
527
528Clint Terrell at 501-835-0189 of Shorewood, AR is going to be running shows in his area after the first of the year and is looking for area talent.
529
530
531UFC
532It is basically a lock that the winner of the Ultimate Ultimate will face Dan Severn to unify all the titles in the February 7, 1997 PPV show which will be in Niagara Falls, NY. February 7 is one day after the New York law regulating UFC goes into effect, and one of the co-sponsors of the bill to regulate (thus end the legality question) in the state was from the Niagara Falls district. Besides that superfight, they will have two four-man tournaments, in an over-200 pound and in an under-200 pound division.
533
534Ultimate Ultimate is confirmed for Birmingham, AL (there had been thoughts of moving the show because Birmingham is also hosting the 11/22 Reality Superfighting show but it was decided to go ahead with the initial plans) at the State Fairgrounds Arena, which is the same site as the show this past July.
535
536The May 1997 PPV will have several singles matches and one four-man tournament. The idea is to create an over-200 and under-200 champion and that each PPV will have at least one, if not two, title matches, and either one, or two, four-man tournaments. Because promotions in the U.S. and Japan are allowing the top fighters to only fight once, SEG was having a hard time getting the big names to agree to enter events where they may have to do three fights in one night. In addition, most of the top fighters under 200 weren't interested in going into matches against opponents that would have substantial weight advantages over them. I suspect they'll alternate having an under-200 and over-200 title match on every other PPV show, so that every PPV show will have a superfight title match and a tournament.
537
538The final slot in Ultimate Ultimate hasn't been filled. There are three names under consideration, and once the final pick is made, bracketing should be announced, probably within the next week or two.
539
540Don Wilson is out as commentator for the next show and will be replaced by a roving reporter so backstage items like injuries won't be handled as clumsily as they were on the last show.
541
542Expect more personality features to push personalities and to create storylines within the concept starting with the next show.
543
544
545WCW
546Nitro on 11/4 from Grand Rapids, MI drew 7,568 fans and a Nitro record $102,340 house as it was only the fifth event of any kind in the new arena. The crowd made the show as it was super hot from the start. Marcus Bagwell pinned Brad Armstrong in 10:29 with a cross-body in a match where Bagwell did very subtle things to begin his heel turn as an insincere goody two shoes babyface. Diamond Dallas Page pinned Ice Train with the Diamond cutter when Hall & Nash attacked Train behind Teddy Long's back. Train actually didn't sell getting pounded on with the belt, but when he was distracted by arguing with Patrick, Page hit the cutter on him at 6:32 of a good match. The fact it was good says not only that Train has improved but just how good a worker Page is turning into. Dean Malenko kept the cruiserweight title beating Scotty Riggs in 3:20 when Bagwell was mad at Riggs for how he was doing and threw him into the ring to be pinned. Chris Benoit pinned Hector Guerrero in 12:03 with a schoolboy when Guerrero was distracted by Woman. A great ***1/2 match. Hector was using the Cien Caras hair-coloring treatment and with the black hair looked almost exactly like brother Eddie and wrestled as good if not better than Eddie. They did an interview with Jeff Jarrett (who is actually out of action for a few weeks with a messed up ankle suffered in a match five days earlier when his ankle buckled underneath him in a TV squash against John Tenta that aired on Saturday but the injury isn't being acknowledged since there are enough worked--Benoit and Anderson--and real, Flair, Horseman injuries already). Steve McMichael and Benoit were there and they basically pointed out Jarrett wasn't a Horseman. Madusa pinned Reina Jubuki (Akira Hokuto) in a womens title match in 3:14 with a german suplex. This was the beginning of a three-week-long tourney for a WCW womens title that Madusa will likely win. Watching the match at ringside was Zero (who was referred to as formerly being Chigusa Nagayo) with Sonny Onno, who faces Madusa next week. Zero is the name of the planes the Japanese used on the Americans in World War II, so it's a major offensive stereotype except that except for whomever came up with the name, nobody even knows it. Onno's act doing that Dick Tracy early 60s Japanese character would be the pits even if it wasn't racist. Basically Zero would be the equivalent of Hogan going to Japan and wrestling in Hiroshima under the name H-Bomb. As for the tournament, Hokuto is actually in as two different wrestlers, under the hood as Jubuki and without it as herself. Also in will be Kaoru of Gaea, who is a solid worker, Malia Hosaka, and two younger women from the Gaea office. Expect Madusa vs. Hokuto as the championship match on 11/18. Chris Jericho pinned M. Wallstreet with a small package and they did another Jericho, Teddy Long, Alan Sharpe (WCW p.r. guy who is playing the role of Patrick's lawyer--Patrick gives a better interview although Sharpe's interviews haven't been bad) and Patrick deal that went nowhere. Finale saw Lex Luger over Booker T in 8:27 of a match way better than you'd figure from these two when Col. Parker came to ringside, Booker T saw him and got mad and Luger schoolboyed Booker T. After the match it appeared Sherri was mad at Parker.
547
548NWO will be doing a PPV in January from Cedar Rapids, IA. Don't know how they'll be able to pull off a three-hour show.
549
550Nothing new on the Randy Savage front other than he's going to continue to work all the house shows for two months but isn't booked for any television under a new deal is signed. The hold-up is that Savage wants to work only 100 dates and apparently is looking for a huge raise as well.
551
552Besides the 60 man Battle Royal with the winner likely to face Hogan for the title at Starrcade (expect Sting to win if he's involved), also at World War III PPV will be Giant vs. Jarrett, Hall & Nash defending tag titles against Nasty Boys, Ultimo Dragon defending the eight junior titles against Rey Misterio Jr., and Malenko defending the cruiserweight title against Psicosis. It'll be real interesting to see how they explain the eight belts Dragon has, since one of them is the WWF light heavyweight and two others are the NWA junior heavyweight and welterweight. Also, supposedly Misterio Jr. is going to have his WWA welterweight belt at stake in that match which is weird, since that belt has also never been acknowledged in WCW.
553
554Flair finally had the surgery on his shoulder this past week. He may be out of action even longer than three months as the plan isn't for him to return until the Uncensored PPV in March. The plan was to run a major angle at a Nitro in Charlotte where Hall & Nash attacked his 19-year-old son David, which would lead to a match with the Horseman teaming with Kevin Greene (who will be re-introduced as Flair's friend, I guess, forgetting the McMichael angle from last year) against five members of the NWO. That plan may be dropped because word leaked out, which, if that's the case, is ridiculous. We've been through this before, but everyone with half a brain knew about Hogan's angles with Andre and Orndorff in 1987 and 1985 respectively way ahead of time. If it was today, WWF would probably just drop the angle dead because people found out about it because too many have the attitude it's more important to surprise and fool people than it is for angles to make sense and make money.
555
556Other weekend ratings for the weekend of 11/2 saw Main Event at 1.4, Saturday Night at 2.4 and Pro at 1.8.
557
558They are now going to do main event matches as dark matches after Nitro because fans in many of the cities have left unhappy about not seeing good matches. On 10/28, they did Psicosis & Juventud Guerrera vs. Halloween & Damian, and I was told they did a super match, but fans left as it was going on and paid no attention, so on 11/4 it was Luger vs. Giant (don't know anything about it other than it took place). On 11/11 in St. Petersburg, Hogan will defend against Luger.
559
560Disney tapings start this week. Besides the women from Gaea (Bull Nakano isn't coming because she went with JD instead of Gaea), coming in for the tapings from Mexico will be the regular crew plus the return of Super Calo, along with Halloween and Damian. Konnan tried to put together a deal to bring in Felino but as of last word, EMLL promoter Paco Alonso didn't want one of his best wrestlers going to the United States.
561
562Hogan had recent appearances on both Entertainment Tonight and scheduled for 11/6 on Regis & Kathy Lee, largely to build up the movie he's doing called "Santa with Muscles" that escapes (as opposed to being released) this weekend. They also have some sort of an angle set up for the NWO that will take place at the Cable Ace awards which is why Hogan keeps talking about it on his interviews.
563
564Saturday Night and some Main Event matches were taped on 10/30 in Rome, GA before 2,300 (1,200 paying $12,000). Only major items of interest were that Kevin Sullivan attacked ref Randy Anderson's son, Jarrett blew out his ankle, Benoit pinned Jericho, and Pat Tanaka injured his hip taking a bump from the Nasty Boys who did a run-in during a Tanaka vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. match.
565
566One of the reasons they did this angle with Sting is that in his contract, it called for a specified maximum amount of dates in the year and WCW only had a few dates left and they needed them for major house shows so they had to get him off much of the television and minor house shows.
567
568The current plan, which can change, is that in January, they'll go to tape the Saturday night show every other week with four-hour tapings instead of the weekly two-hour tapings, as a cost cutting measure.
569
570Weekend house shows saw Hammond, IN on 11/1 draw a sellout 3,940 paid and $52,028; 11/2 in Battle Creek, MI drew 3,604 and $50,877 and 11/3 in Saginaw, MI drew 3,618 and $50,795. Mains across were the triangles with Giant, Savage and Sting with Sting winning after Savage hit Giant with a chair, causing Savage to be DQ'd and Giant to be COR'd.
571
572Hammond, which drew the Chicago hardcores, did a phenomenal $27,000 in merchandise and Nitro did another $38,000 in merchandise.
573
574Nitro was built up to a supposed announcement of Eric Bischoff (who wasn't there) signing a Hogan vs. Piper match. They are going to stall that off for a while. It was planned for Starrcade, but I've heard talk it may be held off until SuperBrawl at the Cow Palace and that Piper will first get a pin on Giant before getting at Hogan.
575
576There will be no World Cup at this years Starrcade.
577
578Prelim estimated on Havoc buy rate are between 0.7 and 0.85, which would be an increase over last year and WCW sources are claiming it was double of what WWF did the previous week, although we don't have any WWF figures other than indications it wasn't good. The Extreme PPV the same weekend did like an 0.14.
579
580A correction from the 10/28 issue. Jimmy Graffiti was never named in a lawsuit in Anaheim. The WWF ceased booking Jimmy Del Rey (and Tatanka) based on an investigation into a claimed incident by Jerry McDevitt, but no lawsuit was ever filed. Del Rey wasn't out of the wrestling mainstream because of the incident, as he was working for ECW, then had shoulder surgery, and is now back in action with WCW.
581
582
583WWF
584The remaining match at Survivor Series will be an eight-man elimination with Savio Vega & Flash Funk (Too Cold Scorpio) & Yokozuna and a mystery partner against Vader & Faarooq & Razor Ramon & Diesel. In addition, Mark Henry suffered a broken leg in training bouncing off the ropes so his spot will be taken by Jake Roberts. This hasn't been said on television yet because there are still pre-taped angles where Henry is involved. I'm not sure that the $2.5 million invested in Mark Henry will go down in history as one of Vince McMahon's best money investments.
585
586Sunny was on MTV's "Singled Out" this past week.
587
588Weekend TV numbers saw Blast Off at 0.7, Live Wire at 1.0 and Superstars (which was a very good show with a great Bret Hart interview, but started off bad with a tag match with Razor & Diesel followed by Double J, which showing those two matches in succession really makes the company look bad) at 1.4.
589
590Weekend house shows saw 11/1 in Richmond, VA draw 4,426 and $78,303; 11/2 in Landover, MD drew 3,383 and $59,246 and 11/3 in Worcester, MA drew 3,363 and $54,706. Steve Austin and Vega missed the shows with them announcing injuries at the arena and it was announced and refunds were offered, which puts them well ahead of WCW in that regard. Billy Gunn beat Bart in two singles (Bart won via walk out in the other bout). Sid beat Vader in the stretcher matches by clotheslining Vader over the top onto the stretcher. Heard those bouts were horrible. They teased a tag title change in the Godwinns vs. Hart & Smith match to get a big pop, but it was later reversed and Hart & Smith won. Helmsley beat Mero in the matches when Mr. Perfect was there to interfere, while Mero won via DQ when Perfect wasn't on the road. Main were matches in a cage until one man can't continue with Michaels & Undertaker beating Goldust & Mankind. Reports from the second two nights were that the matches were **** (first night got a **1/2 report) with Undertaker tombstoning Goldust on a chair and he couldn't continue. They brawled all over the place, constantly going out the door and over the top which sort of kills the idea of the cage, but since the name of the game is to copy ECW, that's the new idea.
591
592Vader appears on "Boy Meets World" with the match with Jake Roberts from Anaheim on 11/15.
593
594Bret Hart will be on Sinbad on 11/9.
595
596The build-up for Hart vs. Austin has been some of the best WWF build-up work in a long time. Michaels vs. Sid has taken a major back seat.
597
598The Razor/Diesel gimmick isn't working, and Rick Bogner is looking really bad.
599
600George Steele is in a FILA tennis shoe commercial with Grant Hill.
601
602Has anyone ever seen the move called a "Japanese arm drag" done by a Japanese wrestler?
603
604If the ECW angle hasn't been dropped for the present, the next angle will likely take place at Survivor Series or Raw the next night.
605
606Bret Hart goes on the road in January and will only work PPVs until that point.
607
608The belief in hindsight is that Pillman's ankle didn't heal properly the first time because he never took the time off to let himself fully heal as he was constantly traveling and putting pressure on it too early going to all the TVs, doing ECW, negotiating, etc. Having it get infected didn't help. This time he's going to have to lay off it completely for months.
609
610
611THE READERS PAGES
612HART
613
614For someone with ambition of movie stardom, Bret Hart has taken one giant step backwards. No matter how superior his wrestling skill is, any WCW wrestler now has more market clout via the connection of Turner and Time Warner. The recent losses in WWF local syndication drastically shrinks Hart's promotional value. In this era when veteran actors take pay cuts to get roles in movies made by major studios, Hart has passed on a perfect sweetheart deal--he could have both cashed the giant paycheck and worked with the most influential company, which would have advanced his acting career as well in order to raise WCW's crossover audience and boost their return on their big wrestling investment. Lindsay Wagner still gets told congratulations today because 20 years ago she made Universal TV pay big bucks for her as "The Bionic Woman." Regardless of the reasons he chose WWF, Hart's can't be so very greedy for respect from the movie industry if he missed his spot to help Vince McMahon score a clean pin on Ted Turner.
615
616Name withheld by request
617
618WCW/WWF
619
620After reading the 10/7 issue regarding the battle between WWF and WCW, it seems more clear than ever that Vince McMahon is playing to WCW's strengths by limiting this war to a cable television ratings chicken fight.
621
622What's amazing is that WCW got him to do it. His reaction to the success of WCW television since the debut of Nitro has been totally opposite to the ones he had in past cases where WCW beat WWF on cable each and every week.
623
624During the summer of 1989, the TBS Main Event show was consistently drawing ratings more than a full point better than the WWF's main cable show, Prime Time Wrestling. McMahon didn't care about the WWF getting beaten on cable at that time because he knew he was blowing the NWA out of the water at the arenas, in merchandising and on PPV buy rates. Also, he knew nobody cared a lick that the NWA was winning on cable.
625
626None of that changed until Raw came around. The motivation for creating Raw wasn't so much to beat WCW in cable ratings, but for the WWF to keep its clearances on the USA network, since its ratings had been sagging.
627
628Then Nitro came around and WCW challenged McMahon's own concept. WCW succeeded because when the two companies finally met head-to-head, the attention of the wrestling fans was totally absorbed into the battle on Monday nights.
629
630Now, it's not significant who is doing better at the arenas or on PPV. The only thing that matters are the previous weeks Monday night ratings. Everyone had gotten caught up in this. Even McMahon.
631
632For a man who previously had been mainly focused toward the well being of his company, even to a fault in some people's eyes, his reaction has been uncharacteristic.
633
634McMahon had two options to take in response to the emergence of Nitro, especially now that Raw is beating beaten handily every week.
635
636He could conclude that the situation is no different than in the past when the opposition's superior ratings on cable had no substantial impact on what is most important, money. That is, build toward what would make the most money in the long run, not hotshotting to beat Nitro in a certain week.
637
638He has chosen recently to go on the defensive and panic. He's blatantly trying to copy WCW's success with the debut of the new Razor and Diesel and the eventual formation of his own "Outsiders" group.
639
640I can't imagine how cheap this must look to a casual fan. And that's what McMahon must take into consideration more than anything, because now it looks to the casual fan that the WWF is admitting defeat.
641
642Why is this happening? Because WCW succeeded in striking McMahon where he's most vulnerable. By making the fight personal. His ego has certainly been bruised by the raids, the ratings and by WCW's constant insistence that it is winning the war.
643
644Now it looks like McMahon believes that too, so he's doing what he can for his own ego's sake. Not building based on what will make money.
645
646If there ever was a doubt that ego rules the American pro wrestling industry, not talent, creativity, or profits, this era of the business is blowing that thought process to pieces.
647
648Jeff Lowe
649
650Wilmore, Kentucky
651
652wrestling news
653wrestling newsHOME   |   AUDIO ARCHIVE   |   NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE    |   SUBSCRIBE    |   THE BOARD   |    ABOUT US  |   CONTACT
654Need technical or billing help?:
655
656Open a Helpdesk ticket
657
658
659~~~~~~
660
661Wrestling Observer Newsletter
662
663PO Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228 ISSN1083-9593 November 9, 1998
664
665ECW NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER POLL RESULTS
666
667Thumbs up 13 (09.3%)
668
669Thumbs down 117 (83.6%)
670
671In the middle 10 (07.1%)
672
673 
674
675BEST MATCH POLL
676
677Jerry Lynn vs. Lance Storm 63
678
679Masato Tanaka & Balls Mahoney vs. Dudleys 8
680
681 
682
683WORST MATCH POLL
684
685Tommy Dreamer & Jake Roberts vs. Justin Credible & Jack Victory 41
686
687Blue Meanie & Super Nova vs. Danny Doring & Amish Roadkill 16
688
689 
690
691WCW HALLOWEEN HAVOC FINAL POLL RESULTS
692
693Thumbs up 36 (22.1%)
694
695Thumbs down 99 (60.7%)
696
697In the middle 28 (17.2%)
698
699 
700
701BEST MATCH POLL
702
703Bill Goldberg vs. Diamond Dallas Page 67
704
705Chris Jericho vs. Raven 24
706
707Billy Kidman vs. Disco Inferno 17
708
709Billy Kidman vs. Juventud Guerrera 9
710
711Bret Hart vs. Sting 8
712
713 
714
715WORST MATCH POLL
716
717Hulk Hogan vs. Warrior 126
718
719 
720
721Based on phone calls, letters and fax messages to the Observer as of Tuesday, 11/3. Statistical margin of error: +-very little
722
723 
724
725In a major stunner, Jesse Ventura (James Janos) was elected Governor of Minnesota on 11/3. Ventura made a victory speech at about Midnight Central time winning an election where he was a distant third in the polls until literally the day of the election.
726
727With 80 percent of the votes counted at press time, Ventura, representing the Reform Party, had 37 percent of the vote to 35 percent for Norm Coleman, the Republican mayor St. Paul, and 28 percent for Minnesota Attorney General Skip Humphrey, the grandson of 1968 Democratic Presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey. The newspaper polls the day of the election had Humphrey and Coleman deadlocked at 33 percent with Ventura at 31 percent. Ventura had been doing between 10 and 15 percent in the polls until good showings in debates and some creative television commercials led to a quick ascension as the election came up.
728
729Ventura, 47, who wrestled from 1975 to 1986, and gained even more fame after that point as the first heel color commentator on a national broadcast in decades with the WWF and later WCW, served a term as mayor of Brooklyn Park. The political infrastructure in Minnesota largely considered his candidacy a joke, but he was very popular among younger people who traditionally don't vote in elections as something of a protest candidate.
730
731He had gained a lot of national publicity in the final week of his campaign as the most serious third party candidate for a major office in the country, not to mention his colorful background.
732
733Ventura is believed to be the only big name pro wrestler ever elected to a political office of this level in the United States. Antonio Inoki served six years (1989-1995) in the Japanese Diet (equivalent to the Senate), and wound up in a major scandal which at one time there was talk that he'd be impeached. Currently, Hiroshi Hase, a former Olympic wrestler who was a big star as both a wrestler and assistant booker for New Japan during its rise to its top level, and who after a dispute with the company quit to occasionally wrestle for All Japan, is also a Senator, and a well respected one who it is believed will probably have a long and illustrious political career.
734
735Ventura has served many hats, from appearing in movies, to being a drive time talk show host, to broadcasting pro football games on radio. His campaign was controversial, including talking of legalizing prostitution and marijuana for medicinal purposes. He had on his radio talk show often talked of legalizing marijuana totally, but during the campaign, when asked about it, said what he does on the radio was to try and get ratings but what he's saying in his election campaign is real so to speak. Still, he came off as a direct talker to the voters as opposed to typical politicians that people have grown tired of, and he was in the right place at the right time and won an election few thought he had any sort of a chance in until just a few days earlier.
736
737There's a real dichotomy when it comes to looking at where World Championship Wrestling is today.
738
739Few would disagree with the assessment that WCW through not grooming new stars, an over reliance on the fading Hulk Hogan who is finally showing weakness when it comes to being a TV and PPV draw, and storylines that largely make no sense, has lost ground and for the first time can be labeled as trailing WWF.
740
741WWF beats WCW more often than not on Monday. WWF has beaten WCW in comparing the PPV buys all of the last three months, which was no surprise in August or September, but in October considering WCW was presenting Halloween Havoc and the Hogan vs. Warrior match, is a huge surprise. Few would argue that despite having the weaker talent, the overall WWF product both at live events and on television blows WCW away more often than not.
742
743And then something happens like this past weekend when WCW put tickets on sale on 10/30 for Nitros on 12/14 at the Astrodome in Houston and 12/21 at the TWA Dome in St. Louis. Despite huge WWF events being held a few weeks earlier in both markets, WCW did two of its three best on-sales in company history. St. Louis sold approximately 18,000 tickets for $600,000 on the first day (there are no accurate first day counts as the first official count WCW got was on 11/2 which including the weekend was 21,807 tickets for $808,858. This is well ahead of the pace of the Georgia Dome show on 7/6 which sold 15,641 tickets for $507,560 on its first day and wound up drawing 35,514 paying $906,330, buoyed by Hulk Hogan seeing the first day sales and volunteering to wrestle Bill Goldberg for the first time in a non-title off-TV match (which was changed to a title match on TV when WCW was losing every week in the ratings). Houston as of 11/2 had sold 16,908 tickets for $507,485. The way the buildings were scaled, neither will come close to the Atlanta mark as the Astrodome is set up for 22,000 and TWA Dome for 26,000, and at the present the decision is not to change configurations although that decision could change. The house shows, which despite only sending a small percentage of the big names on the road at any given time and Hogan never on the road, as compared with WWF which sends all its stars to every major market house show (and all but Steve Austin and Undertaker to small market shows), only trail slightly behind WWF, which has a lot to do with Zane Bresloff's work as promoter. But those numbers aren't going to stay close for much longer if WCW becomes established as the No. 2 group, not to mention all the no-shows and line-up changes at every WCW house show.
744
745Just as an example, over this past weekend, WCW ran three shows in small Texas markets. On 10/30 in Lubbock, they were 137 tickets shy of capacity in an 8,329-seat arena. On 10/31 in Midland, TX, they were 273 shy of capacity in a 5,733-seat arena and 11/1 in San Angelo, TX they sold out a 6,014 seat building. Total profit on the three events was in the $283,000 range which is a huge success running markets of that size. The shows advertised were to have Kevin Nash vs. Stevie Ray and Diamond Dallas Page vs. Bret Hart as the main events. Nash vs. Ray turned into the tag match with Konnan joining Nash and Ray joined by La Parka after Ray interfered in the Konnan vs. Parka match. This is the same deal they are doing at nearly every house show with mixed reviews. Some fans are mad because they never see the advertised singles main event, and the idea was largely created by main eventers that don't want to take a lot of bumps on the road so they turn the matches into tags. Others feel it works because fans get to see an angle to lead to a match on the spot. The Page vs. Hart matches didn't take place, because it was decided to do an angle to give Page a few weeks off (which took place at Nitro on 10/26), and with no Page, they also gave Hart the weekend off when he asked since house shows are of such low priority to both the company, and due to that realization, to the stars as well. They were replaced by Booker T vs. Wrath. While WWF rarely gives the card advertised either, because booking is done on the fly in both companies, they do send every major star that is healthy to all the major shows and even if the matches are different, you get basically "the package." While most reports are that WCW undercard matches live blow away WWF because the Mexican wrestlers have the work ethic, the main events on WWF shows are more motivated and work harder, and fans get nine or ten matches on their shows as opposed to six or seven with WCW.
746
747And while the other numbers are still very impressive, WCW is riding the wave of wrestling being in and living off their success created in 1997. WWF is creating the new success.
748
749The Halloween Havoc PPV was a fiasco due to the communications of going long, but that had nothing to do with the buy rate. Early estimates are an 0.78 buy rate, which is a total disaster for the first Hogan vs. Warrior match. This only confirms what everyone knew about Warrior, and to a lesser extent Hogan. The total gross on that figure would be expected to be $3.48 million, however a large percentage of that figure is going to have to be rebated because of all the problems. The rebates won't reach the $2 million figured last week because the buy rate came in so much lower than expected, but would still be in the $1.35 million range shared between WCW and the cable industry. To come out with a $2.8 million gross for the first Hogan-Warrior match is a total disaster, and the thinking going in is that Warrior would only be good for a few weeks of ratings and one huge buy rate. But there are other problems. WCW has now performed below expectations at every PPV show since the legendary Dennis Rodman/Karl Malone show in July (more on Rodman later). WWF has not suffered a similar decline so this can't be read as people tiring of ordering PPV events because of all that's given away on Mondays for free and the shows being used largely as a way to build TV ratings and not visa versa. The WCW decline in buy rates coincides with, starting with the Bash at the Beach, policy of not promoting most of the undercard matches and not even deciding a card until a week or two out. WCW has proven that simply advertising three or four main events, and not an entire card, isn't enough to convince consumers to spend their money.
750
751There were people who thought the residual effect of Rodman and Malone working of getting the WCW name over would benefit ratings and revenue after the fact, and the opposite has turned out to be the case. The Jay Leno appearance, considering it came with a $1 million price tag for charity, was a buy rate flop. WWF, using an Undertaker vs. Kane match and with Steve Austin only working as ref, one week earlier did an estimated 0.89 buy rate. And there is nobody on the WWF payroll whose contract is $1 million for 36 dates like Warrior in WCW, so it was imperative his name, and Leno's name, and Rodman's name spike buy rates huge, and after two tries with Warrior, there have been two failures, both on shows Hogan worked as well. Leno was a failure. Rodman and Malone was a huge success. Or was it?
752
753Rodman filed suit on 10/27 against WCW claiming he was defrauded in contract negotiations regarding the Bash at the Beach match. The lawsuit details haven't been reported extensively, and we've received differing numbers on the same basic theme. Rodman's claim is that he was guaranteed a bottom figure of either $750,000 or $1.5 million (that base figure has varied depending on the source), plus 50% of all revenue that exceeded $3.9 million. However, the contract Rodman signed listed him as getting 50% of all revenue that exceeded $5 million and he claimed he was defrauded by that contract and is suing to get the $550,000 difference. The idea of numbers being talked about in conversation and agreed on and different numbers being on the contract is as old as contracts in pro wrestling. And Rodman in a sense does have a lot of nerve suing, being that he no-showed the Georgia Dome Nitro designed for the final angle to hype late buys for the match, and then showed up in San Diego in no condition to perform. It is estimated that Bash at the Beach grossed $7.07 million between PPV and live gate. By those figures, Rodman's cut was either $1.79 million or $2.51 million not including the additional $550,000 he's suing for. While Karl Malone didn't get the same deal, you have to figure his cut at between $500,000 and $1 million, if not more, and Hogan's cut well into seven figures. With all that taken into account, the show was actually no more profitable than any other WCW PPV show this year. That's a far cry from WWF, who did pay Mike Tyson an estimated $3.5 million but grossed in excess of $11 million on the show. While these number make you question the Rodman deal, the fact is, the show was still profitable and the company is making huge money this year, probably going to gross in excess of $175 million, because this is an industry in a major boom period.
754
755WCW has been living off its star power on Mondays, and with Hogan, Bischoff, Sting, Warrior, Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page all not appearing and with their current hottest ratings draw Bill Goldberg never hyped as appearing (he did appear unhyped in the closing seconds of the show), WCW, relying mainly on Bret Hart, Scott Hall, Lex Luger and The Giant for star power got whipped bad by WWF's "total package" of stars on 11/2. While Hogan can take this as ammunition he's needed, his own ratings power has declined noticeably, and he's been in the main event for all three disappointing buy rates, for the first time, and if anyone was still clinging to the notion he was a bigger star overall in this industry today than Austin, the last month should bring a reality back into that. On 11/2, WCW was hyping its next PPV event. World War III. Nothing was announced on the show except a 60-man Battle Royal, a concept that has failed every time it's been presented. So why do it again? The same reason we'll probably watch another show next August in Sturgis.
756
757WWF won all eight quarters, most by a wide margin. Raw did a 4.81 rating (4.72 first hour; 4.89 second hour) and 7.0 share. Nitro did a 4.09 rating (4.76 first hour; 3.72 second hour; 3.82 third hour) and a 5.9 share. In the head-to-head two hours and six minutes, Nitro drew a 3.77 rating, so overall it lost the night by more than one full point. The respective quarters saw Raw open at 4.5 (McMahon/Shane confrontation) to 3.9 (Hogan-Flair 1994 clips, Horseman interview); Raw at 4.5 (DX vs. Brood) to Nitro's 3.7 (Norton vs. Hammer, Saturn vs. Eddie), Raw at 4.8 (Hawk vs. Droz, Kurrgan & Golga vs. Snow & Mankind) to Nitro's 3.6 (Konnan-Eddie confrontation, Bagwell & Steiner go ballistic), Raw at 5.1 (Regal vs. Goldust) to Nitro's 3.7 (Misterio Jr. vs. Psicosis and Jericho interview), Raw at 5.3 (Shamrock vs. Rock) to 3.6 (Malenko vs. Raven), Raw at 4.7 (Venis vs. Jarrett) to 3.9 (Jericho vs. Kidman), Raw at 4.5 (Bangers vs. Henry & Brown) to Nitro's 4.2 (Dillon angle with Steiner & Bagwell, Hall vs. T beginning), Raw at 4.7 (Hart-Severn angle, beginning of cage angle) to Nitro's 3.7 (ending of Hall vs. T, beginning of Luger vs. Giant) and finally Raw in the six-minute overrun at 6.0 (all the angles in the cage) to Nitro's 3.4 (ending of Luger vs. Giant).
758
759For the night, Raw had 5,327,000 viewers broken down as 437,000 Males 18-24, 1,484,000 Males 25-54, 441,000 Males 55+, 310,000 Females 18-24, 599,000 Females 25-54, 224,000 Females 55+, 770,000 Kids 11 and under and 1,101,000 teenagers. Nitro had 4,317,000 viewers which was 259,000 Males 18-24, 1,407,000 Males 25-54, 475,000 Males 55+, 104,000 Females 18-24, 599,000 Females 25-54, 269,000 Females 55+, 516,000 Kids 11 and under and 688,000 teenagers. You can see the pattern continuing where WWF is pulling away the younger viewers from Nitro in particular, and the turn around in women 18-24 in particular over the past two months is totally astounding.
760
761The NBC Secrets of Pro Wrestling show ended up doing a 7.0 rating, which was good for 63rd place for the week in network prime time ratings. The number isn't good, but it did bite a good chunk out of WWF's Sunday Night Heat, which was down to a 3.30. There was a lot of thought going in that the NBC special would in some ways affect the next day rating for the two live wrestling shows, probably in a positive manner, but the overall rating declined, but it was a WCW decline as WWF showed no decline from normal at all.
762
763Extreme Championship Wrestling is at an important crossroads. They are far too big, when it comes to being a PPV promotion and when it comes to payroll, to be considered a small-time company and judged on those standards. They are far too small to compete with the two big promotions on the American scene.
764
765Stuck in the middle and riding the current wrestling boom while trying to present an alternative has its problems. ECW will never have the budget to produce a pro wrestling spectacular like WWF or WCW. It, inevitably, will be drained of most of its best major league talent because the company is not major league, at least on the level of the big two. And it is too big to over the long haul survive at its level presenting minor league product. So it survives and has done very well for the most part, because the odds many times didn't even favor it surviving at all, largely based on younger wrestlers trying to make a name for themselves, having one hour of unique television that has become something of a cult-favorite, and generally good booking. But in a world where WWF doesn't have the depth to put on three-hour PPV shows without constantly being saved by Steve Austin and Mankind in the main events, and where WCW has been producing consistently terrible shows but surviving based on the residue of decades of exposure for its big players, and having a nearly unlimited supply of great young performers not being used to anywhere near their potential, maybe it's too much to expect from ECW to produce a three-hour quality PPV show.
766
767Sure, the company has hit twice. The first PPV was a big success. Its most recent one before this was even better, with an all-star line-up that would have almost needed a series of catastrophes to not be a good show. That didn't happen. The series of catastrophes was saved for the November to Remember, and that was a show without the good line-up to begin with.
768
769Without question, November to Remember was one of the low nights in ECW history. It was a bad show. Bad enough that nobody was making excuses for it or internally after the fact trying to pretend it was a good show. No talent depth. Too much overbooking. A lot of bad breaks. And a lot of bad wrestling.
770
771The bright spots were few. Lance Storm and Jerry Lynn both wrestled well, although all the outside distractions hurt rather than helped their match. Terry Funk was overacting early to turn heel, but it did build up to his confrontation later in the show with Tommy Dreamer being the best part of the show.
772
773The show on 11/1 at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans drew 5,800 fans, which was 4,700 paying approximately $90,000. The total in the building but not the gate was a new company record. Coming on the heels of mediocre at best shows from both WWF and WCW, ECW was in the position of being the cult favorite that doesn't blow it on PPV, but the same problems, a screwed up match here, an injury on live TV there, and matches that really shouldn't have been there except three hours has to be filled, resulted in essentially the same problems.
774
775The final story was to come out of the main event, where ECW champ Shane Douglas lost the main event for the Triple Threat, to establish his victor as the new top contender. But instead of it being Taz (who is being planned as his March PPV opponent), it was Sabu who "stole" Taz title shot by pinning Douglas after Taz had softened him up and set up Douglas vs. Sabu as the main event on the 1/10 PPV show from Orlando, FL. That story did evolve, although it didn't mean as much as planned because it was a weak main event leading up to it.
776
777Far more important than the show being good or not are rumors and stories about the future of the company. The word going into the weekend was that Bam Bam Bigelow had agreed to a three-year deal with the 90-day cycles removed for the first two years. World Championship Wrestling and it was questionable whether he'd appear for his main event match. Bigelow did appear. Paul Heyman claimed Bigelow had been heavily pressured by WCW not to make the show, and after the show said that he wasn't sure what Bigelow's status was with the company as far as if this would be his last match, when if not that he'd finish up, or even that he was definitely gone although he was aware Bigelow had agreed to the WCW deal on 10/29. It is generally believed this show was his last ECW match. Bigelow, 36, who has a wife who is seven months pregnant, had talked with both WWF and WCW, apparently looking for a big money deal to try to solidify his future. He is rumored to have been earning $2,000 per week with ECW, but he was not under contract to the company.
778
779Since this business to a great degree revolves around television exposure, and ECW is without television in the New York market, which is the key media market in the country, it is something of a news story that Fox Sports Net has lifted its unwritten unofficial ban against ECW as paid infommercial programming. At this point no deals have been reached, but it is no secret ECW will attempt to buy infommercial time on the MSG Cable Network, which would probably cost in the range of $250,000 per year, along with other regional Fox Sports networks. The expansion, which theoretically will pay off with greater mail order merchandise sales (which are largely responsible for keeping the company solvent) and PPV orders, brings with it a lot of up front costs, and will also require ECW to charge its own advertisers more so there are a lot of different types of negotiations that need to make sense across the board right now. The company is also paying off new production equipment and is readying for a major push in the Chicago market, along with attempts to break into television in the other major markets where they have no real exposure. The plan is to do one of its six PPV shows in 1999 from Chicago. The feeling is when all these moves come together and lead to a greater level of exposure, that's the time the real push comes to make Justin Credible the top heel and Rob Van Dam the top babyface, as Heyman wants to see the new audience see them grow into their positions rather than see them in the spot the first time they see the show.
780
781There was also this week's PPV problem, this having nothing to do with ECW. In a number of systems, and nobody has been able to fully explain why, there must have been a communication problem and the listing of this show fell through the cracks. We've heard about problems in Albany, NY, the San Francisco Bay Area and in North Carolina and probably more where you actually couldn't order the show because it wasn't listed, even though the Viewers Choice station in the market broadcasted the show.
782
783But the idea of presenting the "alternative" product really didn't pan out. With the exception of increasing the swearing at a level unforeseen on PPV up to this point, it came off as a bad copy of the WWF, ironic since many of the current WWF concepts were taken from ECW, right down to the totally overdone Monday night arrests of a top babyface and the multiple run-ins to the point they became numbing. It was pretty evident that Heyman himself wasn't confident in his line-up on paper, since he never advertised the first two matches, and tried to make a wild out of control show with constant run-ins to divert attention from the matches themselves, but it grew old by the time the important matches came on. The role of the announcer as "always being wrong," taken from the WCW concept of trying to continually surprise fans but in the long run destroy all credibility of the announcers (it's been doing to the point in WCW that nobody is ever surprised by the swerves anymore and is just surprised at the constant ineptness of the announcing crew), is so ridiculously overdone in WCW that when ECW does the same thing, it also seems like a copy. They also brought in as surprises, two WWF relics, Mabel and Jake Roberts, not to mention the unadvertised but expected regular One Man Gang, leading to a scene in the tag match with Roberts and Gang bouncing around that seemed right out of an Arkansas county fair wrestling show. While Mabel, brought in largely to get dropped by "Giant killer" Spike Dudley, did draw a big pop for his designed spot, Roberts, an apparent desperation move when other attempts to get a mystery partner fell through (Vader), was another story. Roberts, who had an afternoon indie booking, missed his flight in St. Louis and ended up being chartered into New Orleans at a cost of several thousand dollars. Roberts, 43, who looked like he hadn't slept since John Glenn went into orbit--the first time in 1962--literally arrived minutes before his match was scheduled to start, and had no time to even change into gear, and was in no kind of condition to work a major league match. To make things worse, Jack Victory broke his leg (and will probably require major surgery this week and the injury is being talked about as a possible career-ender) in the first minute of the match and although he tried, couldn't do anything. The match was a mess from that point, and it wound up with Credible, who Heyman has been trying to protect since he's grooming him for the top heel spot in the company, doing the job against the script to Roberts' DDT since Victory was in no position to take the punishment to set up the planned finish.
784
785The show opened with Victory doing an interview and being jumped by New Jack in the parking lot. Jack was cuffed and taken to jail. He later returned with no explanation. Joey Styles than ran down the show and Terry Funk showed up playing total heel, with Styles acting as if he was the babyface legend. Funk used his most crude language to set up his later confrontation with Dreamer, with the storyline being that Funk was hurt that Dreamer didn't ask him to be his mystery partner. Dreamer's version is that he didn't ask because he thought Funk was busy doing a movie and wanted to work a lighter schedule.
786
787Internally, the main event was considered a disaster and there were major problems, with wrestlers in the main event nearly coming to blows backstage after the match due to problems with Taz, Douglas and Van Dam. We don't have all the details, but Taz was really mad because the idea of the match was to build to the first Shane vs. Taz square-off after all the months of hype. But when it happened, there was no interest, because Van Dam was on the top rope readying to dive into the crowd on Bigelow. But Bigelow was nowhere to be found, wandering way too deep in the crowd so Van Dam had to stand on the ropes, and eventually get down because Bigelow wasn't in position, and do the spot later. Nobody came to blows but there were people who were afraid they would, and Douglas, who is having a hard time recovering from all his elbow problems and really couldn't do much in the ring, stormed out of the building after the show.
788
789Even though the company was coming off its biggest weekend in history when it came to house shows, morale was bad coming into this show because of the belief the card wasn't going to be good, and it was made worse by what the actual result was.
790
7911. Blue Meanie (Brian Heffron) & Super Nova (Mike Bucci) beat Danny Doring (Dan Morrison) & Amish Roadkill (Mike Depoli) in 10:54. This match was largely a backdrop for Funk to mess around, although it went too long. The guys worked hard and did a lot of high flying moves, but their work was real green and it came off as guys far from ready for the PPV stage. They tried to do comedy such as Meanie doing a "People's legdrop" (which wasn't bad except they did the same gag later in the show). Funk was slapping Meanie around and Meanie ended up punching Funk off the apron. Funk then jumped through a table for no reason. The camera work was atrocious in this match and also in the main event. While the transitions were real bad, everyone at least did one nice spot. Roadkill did a great splash off the top. Doring did a legdrop off the top. Nova did a splash off the top and Meanie did a moonsault on Doring but Roadkill saved him. Nova did a swinging DDT on Roadkill. Finish saw them do the Blue Light special on Doring, which is a combination of a Nova bulldog (well, something resembling a bulldog) and a Meanie pancake drop. Funk hit Meanie & Nova with some really lame shots with the broken pieces of table. The crowd sort of wanted to groan about the shots but it was Funk and at least they respected who he is. Funk was destroying Nova after the match until Paul Heyman came out and begged him to stop. Funk tackled one member of security and was jumped on by two others and hauled off. DUD
792
7932. Tommy Rogers (Thomas Couch) pinned Tracy Smothers in 7:51. These two got the unadvertised match because they had a really good TV match a few weeks back and are two veterans who work well. Smothers is a solid performer and Rogers is among the most underrated performers ever, but is totally not over with today's crowd even in the city where he had probably one of the two or three most famous matches of his career at a Superdome show (against the Sheepherders). The problem was this was a backdrop for everyone in the world interfering for no reason. It would have been far more effective if these guys were working without interference a hot five or six minutes and then the heels started interfering so the fans would get pissed off for a number of reasons. Instead, they were interfering from minute one and none of it meant anything. There was comedy in introducing Ulf Hermann, a huge German wrestler, as the newest member of the Full Blooded Italians, from Hamburg, Italy, although it appeared that nobody in the crowd got the joke. Smothers also came out with Tommy Rich and Little Guido, while Rogers came out with Chris Chetti. Rich and Rogers traded mic work with Rich running down the local football teams and Rogers sticking up for them, to establish the crowd, but even this easy trick didn't work as nobody cared. Rogers desperately needs a more modern haircut because it isn't his age (he's 37) that makes him look out of date and he's still in great shape, but it's the haircut that makes him look like an 80s relic. Hermann and Chetti were interfering from the start. They ended up fighting to the back leaving Rogers having to face Smothers, Rich and Guido. Rich tried to set up a spot where the fans would chant "Go Tommy Go," but they still didn't. Rogers dropkicked everyone and hit a powerslam on Smothers, but missed a splash off the top. Smothers got a near fall with an Oklahoma side roll. After trading near falls, Rogers got the pin with his Tomokaze. They teased a break-up of the FBI (the exact same spot done twice more on the show), but it was a swerve to distract Rogers and Rich hit him with the flagpole. They were all beating up Rogers until Chetti made the save and hit a double springboard moonsault on Rich and Rogers counted a pinfall. Hermann and Mabel came out and squashed Chetti, including Hermann doing a spinning vertical suplex on him. Mabel, who was really out of shape, even compared to his former standards, destroyed Chetti until the "We Want Spike" chant came. Spike got the huge pop and after a few spots, gave each guy low blows and Acid drops and ref Pee Wee Moore counted as he pinned both giants at the same time. *1/4
794
7953. Lance Storm (Lance Evers) pinned Jerry Lynn in 16:48. This was the only good match on the show, but the wrestling itself was made secondary since the only thing the crowd was into was Tammy Sytch bending over in her short skirt and giving butt shots. It was screwed up because she was always counting fast when Storm was down and slow when Lynn was down. For the story they were telling, this match should have been half as long because you can only pop so many times for Tammy bending over before it gets old once you've established the match as nothing but a reason to pop for Tammy. But they did have to fill a nearly three hour show and this was as good as it was going to get. Tammy was messing up on counts as well but it didn't affect the guys as they continued to work hard without missing a beat. At one point when the heat was down, Mikey Whipwreck, who was the other ref, lifted up Tammy's skirt. Pro wrestling must be the only sport where it matters what underwear you're got on. Storm tried a Silver King dive, but his leg got caught and he nearly killed himself. Storm also tried a Romero special (La Tapatia), which Joey Styles called a bow-and-arrow (which is an entirely different move), but didn't quite get that either. Lynn used a plancha. Storm did a backward superplex. Tammy Lynn Bytch shoved TLS. They shoved each other and it wound up with TLS stripping TLB down to her bra and panties. Black thong panties if you're wondering. Then everyone started giving everyone else low blows and stone cold stunners. This was a mess because Whipwreck tried one on TLS but stopped, perhaps realizing it wasn't time yet. This made Styles look bad because when he did it later, Styles was screaming about how Whipwreck made a mistake thinking it was TLS who had attacked him when it wasn't, except that he tried the move on her before the spot. TLS also did a couple of real lame looking stunners, including Storm having to sell one of them like it was a finishing hold. Anyway, Lynn got Storm in a small package, but Whipwreck, turning heel, turned the pile over and counted as Storm got the pin. **3/4
796
7974. Masato Tanaka & Balls Mahoney (John Rechner) beat Buh Buh Ray (Mark Lomonica) & D-Von (Devon Hughes) Dudley to win the ECW tag titles in 15:01. Before the match they set up an angle where Axl Rotten, who did a good promo except in hindsight none of it made any sense, said that Tanaka & Balls were hurt with crushed skulls and the commission was going to stop the match if they used chairs and that they probably shouldn't even be wrestling. This was a good tease of a heat spot if chairs were used, but then before the match ever started, it was as if they changed their mind, Rotten did a new promo saying it was ECW and they don't listen to the commission and the original storyline was dropped in the commentary for the most part. Styles didn't push the heat from the chairs but did say Tanaka & Mahoney had no chance to win, which in today's wrestling, basically told everyone that they were winning and didn't kill, but took down all the near falls in the other direction. D-Von tried a People's elbow spot. That gag had already been done. Basically, these four had a very good match with super heat in Philadelphia and the idea was to recreate it doing almost all the same spots. Since the match was just televised, doing the same match almost to the t didn't work, especially since this paled for whatever reason in execution. They worked hard and there were good spots. Tanaka springboarded off Balls to do a dive on both guys. Balls set up that amazing 350-pound plancha, but tripped and the spot was ruined. Buh Buh did do a running dive over the top. Tanaka hit ref Jim Molineaux with an elbow. Dick and Axl Rotten interfered, and it turned into the amateur hour stuff with Sign Guy and Joel Gertner which got pops but ruined the building of the match and kind of killed the finish. Axl hit Dick with a chair shot. Sign Guy and Gertner beat up Axl. Balls used his Nutcracker Suite (similar to a Michinoku driver) on Sign Guy but had trouble getting him up. Gertner hit Balls with a chair shot that he no sold. They did the same chair shot that Tanaka does in every match, but because of it coming so soon after the amateur spots, the crowd didn't pop like usual. Dudleys hit Tanaka & Mahoney with three chair shots to the head each, although another reason the pop wasn't like usual is the shots weren't as strong as usual and they'd just seen the same spot with sickeningly brutal chair shots on TV. Tanaka & Mahoney came back with chair shots but heel ref Jeff Jones, replacing Molineaux, after the count of two sold it as if his shoulder went out and couldn't count three. Rotten hit Jones with a chair. The Dudleys did 3-D on Tanaka but he kicked out. Dudleys started arguing. After some more chair shots on the Dudleys, they kicked out. Balls did the Nutcracker on D-Von while Tanaka did the swinging DDT on Buh Buh but they both kicked out again. Dudleys came back with double low blows. D-Von piledrove Balls on the chair while Buh Buh power bombed Tanaka on the chair but again they kicked out. A few more kick outs. Finally the Dudleys put two tables in the ring, and they had a hell of a time with one of the tables with all the wiring so the spot took forever to set up. This brought Sabu and Rob Van Dam out, mad about losing the belts last week in Cleveland, and they put the Dudleys through a table and Balls pinned D-Von and Tanaka pinned Buh-Buh simultaneously to win the title. *3/4
798
7995. Jake Roberts (Aurelian Smith Jr.) & Tommy Dreamer (Tom Laughlin) beat Justin Credible (Pete Polaco) & Jack Victory (Ken Rinehurst) in 12:26. Roberts was pretty well useless although he's still one of the smartest workers as he got the crowd to chant DDT whenever he wanted them to. Dreamer had to carry it and of course he worked his ass off, but his stuff looks bad. Victory took a bump over the top and broke his leg. This led to Jason basically becoming Credible's partner and doing spots. A million low blows. Rod Price and One Man Gang ran in. Gang splashed Dreamer and Jake. New Jack and Kronus came in with all the weapons to the big pop. They broke furniture over everyone's head. This spot is usually great after a good set-up, but this match was so awful that it just made a garbage match disintegrate into a lower level of garbage. Kronus did a 450 on Price, and instead of pinning him, had to get up and walk away since that wasn't the finish and nobody was anywhere close to breaking up the near fall. Victory and Kronus both bled, but it was never a focused part of the match and a lot of people didn't even notice it. Gang then splashed Kronus. Jack came off the top with a chair on Gang. Dreamer came off the top with a splash on Credible for a near fall and gave him a death valley driver, which they call a Spicolli driver. If things weren't bad enough, Lance Wright got involved. After a bunch of more low blows, Dreamer piledrove Chastity, smelling her crotch and nearly passing out, before doing the move. Roberts gave Nicole Bass a low blow and a DDT. Credible gave Roberts a low blow. By this point I was wanting to give my TV a low blow hoping that wound just end the match. A ladder showed up, apparently walking on its own power, to ringside. Dreamer threw Credible off the top rope onto the ladder and Roberts DDT'd him. Dreamer and Roberts both pinned Credible for the win. After the match Funk showed up and confronted Dreamer. Funk built it up great. I mean, who has more experience at this kind of an angle? He was slapping Dreamer around and Dreamer wouldn't fight him. Dreamer turned his back on him and Funk jumped him and beat him up. Real good angle. Actually the best part of the show. 1/4*
800
8016. Sabu (Terry Brunk) & Rob Van Dam (Robert Szatkowsky) & Taz (Pete Senerca) beat Shane Douglas (Troy Martin) & Bam Bam Bigelow (Scott Bigelow) & Chris Candido (Chris Candito) in 12:57. Before the match, the Dudleys attacked Sabu and Van Dam throwing Van Dam off the ramp and into the seats. They were destroying Sabu until the lights went out and Taz was brought in, pretty much positioning him as the star of the show. Taz suplexed the Dudleys around, including giving one the old Masa Saito corkscrew back suplex which Styles called the "Saito Tazplex." Makes you want to hit the mute button. There were some good athletic moves, largely by Van Dam and a few by Sabu, but as a match, this was a bunch of guys walking over each others' spots and the match never going anywhere. It didn't have good heat as far as sound, but the fans live were into it as the entire place was standing up and not making much noise. It was like a PAPSA main event six-man which was a mess but you see an awesome move here and there. In a pre-match interview with Taz, they built up to the spot where Taz would get Douglas in the Katahajime submission. When he did, Sabu came off the top rope with an Arabian facebuster, supposed to be on both although he really just hit Taz, and then Sabu covered Douglas for the win. Sabu and Taz argued after the match with little Bill Alfonso keeping both of them apart while Van Dam played the crowd. Taz wound up walking out on them. To borrow the phrase from the company, this match wasn't the show stopper, it was a total f'n mess. 1/2*
802
803Mitsuharu Misawa captured his record fourth Triple Crown title before the largest pro wrestling crowd ever at Tokyo Budokan Hall on 10/31 beating Kenta Kobashi in 43:22.
804
805The show, hyped by a unique approach for All Japan to building up a match on television, drew an announced sellout crowd of 16,300, the same announced crowd as in I believe all but one Budokan show dating back to the beginning of the decade, however live reports indicate with standing room fans everywhere, the crowd on this night was even larger than in the heyday of the promotion several years back where the big Budokan show often sold out the first day tickets were put on sale.
806
807Misawa vs. Kobashi was reported to us as the best match of the year from people live who had seen basically every major show in the U.S. and Japan this year, however in edited form starting 20:00 into the match when it aired on television the next night, it didn't come off as any better than any other top Budokan Hall match.
808
809The match started slow for about 16:00, before Kobashi posted Misawa and legdropped him on the apron. Kobashi used another legdrop in the ring and two back suplexes for near falls. Kobashi used a facelock, a sleeper and a Lion tamer style boston crab, but Misawa ended up making the ropes. Misawa came back with the elbows and used the elbow suicida dive. Misawa got near falls with more elbows, a german suplex and a Tiger driver along with an elbow off the top and a flying clothesline. Kobashi power bombed Misawa into the turnbuckles, used a DDT and a throw out (released) german suplex for near falls before delivering his big lariat finisher. Kobashi used a dangerous Tiger driver, Misawa's own move, on him for another near fall. Kobashi then set up his big spot that he pinned Misawa with one week earlier on television, the torture rack dropped into a reverse death valley bomb, but Misawa escaped. After seeing photos from 10/24 when Kobashi debuted the move on Misawa in the tag match, it's one of the scariest bumps imaginable. Kobashi used a legdrop off the top rope and then did a power bomb on the apron, winding up with both men fighting on the floor. In the ring, Kobashi hit a lariat for a near fall but Misawa came back with a series of hard elbows, a Tiger suplex and more elbows before finally getting the three count, at which point both men collapsed on the mat "from exhaustion."
810
811On All Japan TV, they hyped this match up as, with the exception of the Misawa-Toshiaki Kawada Tokyo Dome showdown, the biggest match of the year. The October show is traditionally the Anniversary show and generally considered along with the Champion Carnival finals in April and the tag team tournament finals in December as one of the three major events on the All Japan calendar. They didn't push this show as the anniversary show since they were pushing the Dome show on 5/1 as a 25th anniversary spectacular and it was too soon to hype something as an anniversary. The TV aired highlights of three classic Misawa vs. Kobashi matches from Budokan Hall (and in watching the 1995 and 1997 matches, there are no workers active today as good as Misawa and Kobashi were when they were at their best), including a 1990 match where a 23-year-old Kobashi faced Misawa in his Tiger Mask gimmick. In all the matches aired, the key note was Misawa winning clean. They had lengthy interviews with both wrestlers, and then basically hyped Kobashi's story since his 6/12 title win over Toshiaki Kawada for the Triple Crown and showed clips of his successful defenses in classic matches at Budokan against Jun Akiyama and Akira Taue. The key note in the story was that Kobashi had never beaten Misawa at Budokan Hall, the showplace of All Japan, nor in a Triple Crown title match, but that Kobashi was in the middle of his hottest run of his career including scoring two pins on Misawa in tag matches during this tour. This approach actually drew one of the highest ratings the show has drawn in its purgatory (Sunday night 12:45 a.m.) slot with a 4.5, and was successful enough that the 10/25 show which aired the tag match with Misawa and Kobashi on opposite teams from Korakuen Hall grew to a 4.7.
812
813Giant Baba also announced the teams of the 22nd annual World Tag League tournament, All Japan's biggest tour of every year. The tour opens 11/14 at Korakuen Hall and ends on 12/5 at Budokan Hall, and the teams will be The Head Hunters, Takao Omori & Yoshihiro Takayama (a really strange team since it's been Masahito Kakihara who has been carrying Takayama since his arrival in the company, they have been teasing the idea of creating a Kakihara & Maunukea Mossman tag team which would be a hot mid-level team), Giant Kimala II & Gary Albright (another strange team since Albright has been hooked up for most of the year with Takayama & Kakihara while Kimala II has been a regular partner with Jun Izumida), Kobashi & Akiyama, Johnny Ace & Bart Gunn, Misawa & Yoshinari Ogawa, Stan Hansen & Vader and Kawada & Taue (who won this tournament in both 1996 and 1997 and will attempt to join Dory & Terry Funk (1977, 1979, 1982) and Misawa & Kobashi (1993-95) as three time tournament winners. It's also interesting to note that Johnny Smith, who is the best foreigner inside the ring in the promotion, and regular partner Wolf Hawkfield aren't in the tournament.
814
815The key shows on the tour will be 11/14 TV taping at Korakuen Hall (Misawa's team vs. Vader's team, Kawada's team vs. Hunters, Kobashi & Akiyama & Kentaro Shiga vs. Ace & Gunn & Mossman), 11/15 Samurai TV taping at Korakuen Hall (Kobashi's team vs. Hunters, Omori's team vs. Ace's team, Taue & Kawada & Tamon Honda vs. Hansen & Vader & Mossman, Misawa & Ogawa & Izumida vs. Albright & Kimala & Kakihara), 11/17 in Osaka at the Namihaya Dome (Kawada's team vs. Omori's team and Kobashi & Akiyama & Shiga vs. Hansen & Vader & Mossman), 11/18 in Okayama (Kawada's team vs. Vader's team, Misawa & Ogawa & Satoru Asako vs. Kobashi & Akiyama & Shiga, Ace & Gunn & Mossman vs. Albright & Takayama & Kakihara), 11/20 in Kumamoto (Kawada's team vs. Misawa's team, Ace's team vs. Albright's team, Kobashi & Akiyama & Masao Inoue vs. Hansen & Vader & Mossman), 11/21 TV taping in Hiroshima (Kobashi's team vs. Vader's team, Misawa's team vs. Ace's team, Kawada & Taue & Honda vs. Albright & Kimala & Takayama), 11/23 in Hakata (Vader's team vs. Albright's team, Misawa & Baba & Ogawa vs. Taue & Kawada & Izumida, Kobashi & Akiyama & Shiga vs. Ace & Gunn & Mossman), 11/27 TV taping in Morioka (Kawada's team vs. Ace's team, Omori's team vs. Albright's team, Misawa & Ogawa & Honda vs. Vader & Hansen & Mossman)), 11/30 in Sendai (Misawa's team vs. Kobashi's team, Vader's team vs. Ace's team, Kawada & Taue & Inoue vs. Hunters & Kimala) and 12/2 Samurai TV taping in Matsumoto (Kawada's team vs. Kobashi's team, Misawa's team vs. Hunters, Hansen & Vader & Mossman vs. Albright & Takayama & Kakihara), 12/3 in Shizuoka (Kawada's team vs. Albright's team, Kobashi's team vs. Omori's team, Misawa & Ogawa & Honda vs. Hansen & Vader & Mossman), 12/4 Samurai TV taping in Chiba (Kobashi's team vs. Ace's team, Vader's team vs. Hunters, Misawa's team vs. Omori's team). As is usual in the All Japan tournaments, there are two points for a win and one point for a 30:00 time limit draw. The top two point-getters go to the finals and usually it's booked meticulously so four or more teams are still alive going into the final day.
816
817New Japan also this past week announced almost the complete line-up for its Super Grade tag team tournament, which this year takes place from 11/16 in Yokohama ending on 12/6 in Nagoya. Teams announced were Shinya Hashimoto & Tatsumi Fujinami, Satoshi Kojima & Keiji Muto (who appear to be the focus team of the tournament), Kazuo Yamazaki & Kensuke Sasaki, NWO Sting & Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi, Genichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka and one more unannounced team which will be sent by WCW. Masahiro Chono's goal had been to get back in the ring after his herniated disc in his neck for the tournament and as you can see, that isn't the case. Chono is headed to Germany on 11/8 to get treatment on his neck and it's touch and go whether he'll even be available for the 1/4 Tokyo Dome show which is basically the Japanese equivalent to Wrestlemania.
818
819This is the third issue of the current four-issue set. If you've got a (1) on your address label, it means your Observer subscription expires next week.
820
821Renewal rates within the United States, Canada and Mexico are $10 for four issues (which includes $4 for postage and handling), $19 for eight, $27 for 12, $36 for 16, $54 for 24, $72 for 32 up through $90 for 40 issues.
822
823Rates for the rest of the world are $13 for four issues (which includes $8 for postage and handling), $25 for eight, $36 for 12, $60 for 20, $84 for 28 up through $120 for 40 issues.
824
825All subscription renewals should be sent to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228. All letters to the editor, reports from live shows and any other correspondence pertaining to this publication should also be sent to the above address.
826
827Copyright 1998 Wrestling Observer. All material in this publication is considered copyright material and no portion of the Observer may be reprinted without the expressed consent of Dave Meltzer.
828
829Fax messages can be sent to the Observer 24 hours a day at 408-244-3402. Phone messages can be left 24 hours a day at 408-244-2455. You can also leave major show poll results or send live show reports to either number. We are always looking for reports from major offices, particularly after WWF or WCW Tuesday Night tapings so we can get the news and results from the taping into that week's issue. In particular, if you are planning on attending a WWF or WCW Tuesday night tapings, please contact us ahead of time and we'll hold up our usual Tuesday afternoon press deadline if we know in advance we'll be getting a report on the show upon its completion.
830
831The first Observer book in eight years is now completed. It's a 190-page collection of some of the best articles in the Observer over the past ten years, obituaries on the lives of Bruiser Brody, Paul Boesch, Buddy Rogers, Andre the Giant, Steve Schumann, Kerry Von Erich, Dino Bravo, Oro, Boris Malenko, Art "Love Machine" Barr, Eddie Gilbert, John Studd, Ray Stevens, Dick Murdoch, Fritz Von Erich, Jerry Graham, Brian Pillman, Louie Spicolli and Junkyard Dog. The book, called "Tributes," is available from the Powerbomb web site for $20 plus $3 for postage and handling in North America, $20 plus $5 for postage and handling for surface mail overseas and $20 plus $12 for postage and handling for airmail overseas. Payment should be in U.S. funds and preferably drawn on a U.S. bank. For all orders, which should be made out to Powerbomb, you can either write to Powerbomb at P.O. Box 1523, Carrboro, NC 27510 or check out the web site at www.powerbomb.com/tributes or e-mail to tributes @powerbomb.com.
832
833For the most up-to-date wrestling information, we have daily updates on the Wrestling Observer Hotline (900-903-9030/99 cents per minute/children under 18 need parents permission before calling). I'm on option one. Bruce Mitchell is on option two. Steve Beverly (Tuesday through Saturday) and Georgiann Makropolous (Sunday and Monday) are on option three. Bryan Alvarez is on option four. Steven Prazak (Thursday through Sunday) and Mike Mooneyham (Monday through Wednesday) share option five. Congrats to Steve Prazak who was married over the weekend.
834
835The new message scheduled is Monday--Meltzer on one, Mooneyham on five; Tuesday--Mitchell on two (Raw report), Beverly on three, Alvarez on four (Nitro report); Wednesday--Meltzer on one, Alvarez on four (WWF Tuesday Night Raw report every other week); Thursday--Mitchell on two, Prazak on five; Friday--Mitchell on two; Saturday--Mitchell on two, Beverly on three and Sunday--Makropolous on three, Alvarez on four.
836
837For PPV coverage, I'm on option seven approximately 20 minutes after the completion of the show and there are option eight reports up later that evening to get a different perspective. On option seven, we immediately run down the major angles and results before getting into the details of the show.
838
839Upcoming shows covered will be 11/15 WWF Survivor Series, 11/22 WCW World War III, 12/6 WWF Capital Carnage (we should have an option seven report up approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the show), 12/13 WWF Rock Bottom, 12/27 WCW Starrcade, 1/4 New Japan Tokyo Dome (option seven only, up by 2 p.m. Eastern time on 1/4), 1/10 ECW Guilty as Charged, 1/15 UFC, 1/17 WCW Souled Out and 1/24 WWF Royal Rumble.
840
841For those in the Phoenix area, I'm on between 10 and 11 a.m. every Wednesday on KDUS (1060 AM) running down the latest wrestling info and taking phone calls.
842
843MAJOR EVENTS CALENDAR 11/6 TO 12/6
844
84511/7 WWF Toronto Sky Dome aft. show (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
846
84711/7 WWF Buffalo Marine Midland Arena eve. show (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
848
84911/7 WCW Pittsburgh Palumbo Center (Goldberg vs. Giant)
850
85111/8 WWF Montreal Molson Center (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
852
85311/9 WCW Nitro Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
854
85511/10 Japanese Women Multi-Promotional third Junior All-Star Wars Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Kosugi & Sakai vs. Noumi & Wakizawa)
856
85711/13 EMLL Mexico City Arena Mexico (CMLL tag tourney finals)
858
85911/14 All Japan Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Misawa & Ogawa vs. Hansen & Vader)
860
86111/15 WWF Survivor Series PPV St. Louis Kiel Center (16-man WWF title tournament)
862
86311/15 PAPSA War Zone Tonala Rio Nilo Coliseum
864
86511/16 WWF Raw/Shotgun tapings Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
866
86711/16 WCW Nitro Wichita, KS Kansas Coliseum
868
86911/16 New Japan Yokohama Bunka Gym (Super Grade tag team tournament opening day)
870
87111/17 WWF Raw/Shotgun/Heat tapings Columbus, OH Shottenstein Center
872
87311/17 All Japan Osaka Namihaya Dome
874
87511/18 WWF Cincinnati Gardens (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
876
87711/18 All Japan Okayama Budokan Gym (Kawada & Taue vs. Hansen & Vader)
878
87911/18 New Japan Kyoto Furitsu Gym
880
88111/18 SuperBrawl X University of Guam Fieldhouse
882
88311/19 WCW Thunder Fort Wayne, IN War Memorial Coliseum (Hall vs. Nash)
884
88511/19 WWF San Diego Sports Arena (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
886
88711/20 FMW Japan only PPV Yokohama Bunka Gym (Hayabusa vs. Fuyuki)
888
88911/20 RINGS Battle Dimension tournament first round Osaka Furitsu Gym
890
89111/20 All Japan Kumamoto City Gymnasium (Kawada & Taue vs. Misawa & Ogawa)
892
89311/21 WWF Anaheim, CA Arrowhead Pond (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
894
89511/21 All Japan Hiroshima Sun Plaza Arena (Kobashi & Akiyama vs. Hansen & Vader)
896
89711/21 ECW Philadelphia ECW Arena
898
89911/22 WCW World War III PPV Auburn Hills, MI The Palace (three-ring Battle Royal)
900
90111/22 WWF San Jose, CA Arena (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
902
90311/23 WCW Nitro Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
904
90511/23 Battlarts Tokyo Sumo Hall (Road Warriors vs. Otsuka & Yone)
906
90711/27 Shooto Tokyo Korakuen Hall
908
90911/28 WWF Boston Fleet Center (Austin vs. Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
910
91111/29 WWF Heat/Superastros tapings Philadelphia Core State Center
912
91311/29 All Japan Women 30th Anniversary show Yokohama Arena (Toyota vs. Nagayo)
914
91511/29 Pancrase Osaka
916
91711/30 WCW Nitro Chattanooga, TN UTC Arena
918
91911/30 WWF Raw/Shotgun tapings Baltimore Arena
920
92111/30 All Japan Sendai Miyagi Sports Center (Misawa & Ogawa vs. Kobashi & Akiyama)
922
92312/1 WWF Raw/Shotgun/Heat tapings New Haven, CT Coliseum
924
92512/2 All Japan Matsumoto City Gymnasium (Taue & Kawada vs. Kobashi & Akiyama)
926
92712/3 WCW Thunder Memphis Mid South Coliseum
928
92912/4 New Japan Osaka Furitsu Gym
930
93112/5 All Japan Tokyo Budokan Hall (tag team tournament finals)
932
93312/5 Big Japan Yokohama Bunka Gym
934
93512/6 New Japan Nagoya Aiichi Gym (tag team tournament finals)
936
93712/6 WWF Capital Carnage England only PPV London Arena (Austin vs. Mankind vs. Undertaker vs. Kane)
938
939 
940
941RESULTS
942
943 
944
94510/11 Mexico City Arena Coliseo (CMLL): Los Rayos Tapatios I & II b Fugaz & Fiero, Solar II & El Filoso b Americo Rocca & Damian El Guerrero, El Hijo del Solitario & Torero & Mascara Magica b Fishman & Rey Bucanero & Karloff Lagarde Jr., Pantera & Brazo de Oro & Ringo Mendoza b Black Warrior & El Boricua & Ricky Santana, Blue Panther & Universo 2000 & Mascara Ano 2000 b Negro Casas & Lizmark Sr. & Emilio Charles Jr.
946
94710/11 Monterrey, NL (FILL): Panterita del Ring & Gitano del Norte & Principe Franky b El Engendero & La Mascara & Ares, Arandu & White Wolf & Head Hunters b American Destroyer & Zorro & Ricky Banderas & Tinielbas Jr., Felino & Pierroth Jr. & Pimpinela Escarlata b El Hijo del Santo & Antifaz del Norte & Tarzan Boy
948
94910/16 Leon, Guanajuato (PAPSA): AAA Pantera & Nino de la Calle & Arachnafobia b Jose Ramona & Medico Brujo & Hombre Lobo, Linda Starr & Alda Moreno & Princesa Sujei b Miss Janeth & Rossy Moreno & Xochitl Hamada-DQ, Oscar Sevilla & Dolar & Peso b Cuerno de Chivo & AAA Psicosis & Mini Psicosis-DQ, Kick Boxer & Maniaco & AAA Mosco de la Merced b Mascara Sagrada Jr. & La Parka Jr. & Ludxor & Perro Aguayo Jr.-DQ, Canek & Octagon & El Alebrije b Cibernetico & Abismo Negro & Electro Shock-DQ
950
95110/20 Mankato, MN (WCW Saturday Night tapings - 2,799): Perry Saturn b Tough Tom, Juventud Guerrera b Magnum Tokyo, Disco Inferno b Super Calo, Vincent b Johnny Swinger, David Finlay b Kendall Windham , WCW TV title: Chris Jericho b Psicosis, Davey Boy Smith NC Meng, Disciple b Lenny Lane, La Parka b Steve Armstrong, Van Hammer b ?, Lodi b Scott Armstrong, Sonny Onoo b Kaz Hayashi, Barry Horowitz b Barry Darsow-DQ, Al Greene b Mike Sanders, Jerry Flynn b Mean Mike, Chavo Guerrero Jr. b Ciclope, Konnan b Tokyo, WCW TV title: Jericho b Eddie Guerrero-DQ, Diamond Dallas Page b The Giant, WCW title: Bill Goldberg b Meng
952
95310/22 Folkestone, England (Hammerlock Wrestling - 225): Sebastian P. Sterling b Rick Levy, Pat Travell b Muscles Mansfield, Jonny Storm b Stefan Smith, Dean Champion b Justin Richards, Levy & Travell & Johnny Ryan & John Moores b Sterling & Mansfield & Fred Breen
954
95510/24 Hannover, Germany (IWW - 250): Wild Sheyene b Sonja-COR, Karsten Krestschmer b David Morgan, Indian Warrior b Gary Mountain, Bounty Hunter b Chris the Bambikiller, Robby Brookside b Jason Cross, Ian Rotten & Axl Future b Cannonball Grizzly & Bambikiller
956
95710/26 Cleveland (Cleveland All-Pro Wrestling): Sage b Goliath, Brad Vaughn b Kid Copperpot, Mark Fenress b Billy Liars, TNT b Rod Destiny, J'Rocc b Wayne Boo, Ulf Hermann b Michael Kovac, J.T. Lightning & 8-Pac b Tommy Rich & Tracy Smothers
958
95910/27 Beppu (New Japan - 2,550): Black Cat b Yutaka Yoshie, El Samurai b Shinya Makabe, Akitoshi Saito & Tatsutoshi Goto & Kuniaki Kobayashi b Kazuyuki Fujita & Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Shinjiro Otani, Dr. Wagner Jr. & Koji Kanemoto b Kendo Ka Shin & Jushin Liger, Mike Enos & Tadao Yasuda & Takashi Iizuka b Hiro Saito & Big Titan & Michael Wallstreet, Osamu Kido & Kazuo Yamazaki & Shinya Hashimoto b Michiyoshi Ohara & Kengo Kimura & Shiro Koshinaka, Junji Hirata & Tatsumi Fujinami b Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Brian Adams, Satoshi Kojima & NWO Sting & Keiji Muto b Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Kensuke Sasaki
960
96110/27 Mexico City Arena Coliseo (CMLL): La Flecha & Solar II b El Jeque & Fiero, Fugaz & Americo Rocca & Damian El Guerrero b Olimpus & Solar II & Kid Guzman, Oriental & Angel Azteca & Astro Rey Jr. b Mogur & Rencor Latino & Virus, Felino & La Fiera & Ringo Mendoza b Blue Panther & Mano Negra & Rey Bucanero-DQ, CMLL middleweight title: El Satanico b Negro Casas
962
96310/27 Kosen (All Japan women): Zap Isozaki b Miyuki Fujii, Takako Inoue b Momoe Nakanishi, Manami Toyota b Nanae Takahashi, Yumiko Hotta b Kumiko Maekawa, Zaps I & T b Emi Motokawa & Sachie Nishibori
964
96510/27 Koriyama (Michinoku Pro - 409): Beef Wellington b Mamoru Okamoto, Judo Suwa & Shima Nobunaga & Sumo Fuji b Masaru Seno & Yone Genjin & Tiger Mask, The Convict b Great Sasuke-DQ, Gran Hamada b Sasuke the Great-DQ, Super Delfin & Gran Naniwa b Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masato Yakushiji
966
96710/27 Fukuoka (Neo Ladies - 241): Saya Endo b Nakamura, Chaparita Asari b Tanny Mouse, Crusher Maedomari b Yoshiko Tamura, Etsuko Mita b Endo, Mima Shimoda & Misae Genki b Mouse & Kyoko Inoue
968
96910/28 Tokyo Yoyogi Gym (K-1 - 4,900 sellout): Naoyuki Taira d Alexander Otsuka, Nobuaki Tsunoda b Bart Vail, Jan Nokilya b Mitsuya Nagai, Andy Hug b Masaaki Miyamoto, Mike Bernardo b Sadau Gesonlit, Michael Tomson b Musashi, Stan Longinidis b Tsuyoshi Nakasato
970
97110/28 Shimonoseki (New Japan - 2,200): Yutaka Yoshie b Shinya Makabe, Mike Enos & Osamu Kido b Kazuyuki Fujita & Takashi Iizuka, Michael Wallstreet b Black Cat, Hiro Saito & Big Titan & Brian Adams b Michiyoshi Ohara & Tatsutoshi Goto & Kuniaki Kobayashi, Dr. Wagner Jr. & Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Shinjiro Otani b Kendo Ka Shin & El Samurai & Jushin Liger, Junji Hirata & Kazuo Yamazaki & Tatsumi Fujinami b Akitoshi Saito & Kengo Kimura & Shiro Koshinaka, Keiji Muto & Satoshi Kojima b Yuji Nagata & Kensuke Sasaki, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & NWO Sting & Scott Norton b Tadao Yasuda & Manabu Nakanishi & Shinya Hashimoto
972
97310/28 Hirosaki (Big Japan): Kishin Kawabata & Shunme Matsuzaki b Daikokubo Benkei & Black Shadow, Masayoshi Motegi b Shadow Winger, Ikuto Hidaka & Minoru Fujita b Tomoaki Honma & Fantastik, G.K. & Osamu Kawahara b Isao Takagi & Yukinojo Echigo, Mr. Pogo & Shadow WX & Gennosuke Kobayashi b Shoji Nakamaki & Ryuji Yamakawa & Jason the Terrible
974
97510/28 Ishimaki (Michinoku Pro - 357): Beef Wellington b Mamoru Okamoto, Shima Nobunaga b Masaru Seno, Great Sasuke & Sasuke the Great b Gran Naniwa & Super Delfin, Masato Yakushiji b Sumo Fuji-DQ, Tiger Mask & Gran Hamada b Convict & Yone Genjin
976
97710/28 Hagi (Arsion - 300): Ayako Hamada b Lady Apache, Mariko Yoshida b Jesse Bennett, Mikiko Futagami b Mike Akino, Faby & Mary Apache b Michiko Omukai & Yumi Fukawa, Tiger Dream (Candy Okutsu) & Aja Kong b Reggie Bennett & Rie Tamada
978
97910/28 Naberikawa (All Japan women): Kayo Noumi b Miyuki Fujii, Miho Wakizawa b Zap Isozaki, Zap T b Momoe Nakanishi, Takako Inoue b Nanae Takahashi, Zap I b Kumiko Maekawa, Yumiko Hotta & Manami Toyota b Emi Motokawa & Sachie Nishibori
980
98110/29 Matsui (New Japan - 3,000): Akitoshi Saito b Shinya Makabe, Takashi Iizuka & Yutaka Yoshie b Kazuyuki Fujita & El Samurai, Michael Wallstreet & Hiro Saito b Kuniaki Kobayashi & Kengo Kimura, Dr. Wagner Jr. & Kendo Ka Shin & Jushin Liger b Black Cat & Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Shinjiro Otani, Brian Adams & NWO Sting b Mike Enos & Tadao Yasuda, Michiyoshi Ohara & Tatsutoshi Goto & Shiro Koshinaka b Osamu Kido & Kazuo Yamazaki & Tatsumi Fujinami, Kensuke Sasaki & Manabu Nakanishi b Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Scott Norton, Shinya Hashimoto & Junji Hirata & Yuji Nagata b Satoshi Kojima & Big Titan & Keiji Muto
982
98310/29 Kasumiguira (All Japan - 1,700): Masao Inoue b Takeshi Morishima, Takao Omori & Akira Taue b Jun Izumida & Jinsei Shinzaki, Mitsuharu Misawa & Yoshinari Ogawa b Masahito Kakihara & Maunukea Mossman, Stan Hansen b Giant Kimala II, Gary Albright & Yoshihiro Takayama b Tamon Honda & Toshiaki Kawada, Johnny Smith & Wolf Hawkfield & Johnny Ace b Kentaro Shiga & Jun Akiyama & Kenta Kobashi
984
98510/29 Osaka (WAR): Shoichi Ichinomiya b Takashi Okamura-DQ, Rumi Kazama b Megumi Sato, Nobukazu Hirai b Jun Kikuchi, Yasha Kurenai & Yuji Yasuraoka b Miho Watabe & Masanobu Kurisu, Tadahiro Ishii b Masaaki Mochizuki, Terry Gordy & Nobutaka Araya b Genichiro Tenryu & Yoshikazu Taru
986
98710/29 Glen Burnie, MD (Mid Eastern Wrestling Federation): Ricky Blues b George Anthony, Mad Dog & Lucifer b Joe Thunder & Bobby Starr, Cat Burglar b Chad Austin, Duane Gill b Black Ninja, Doink b Bobby Starr, Paul Pastoric b Agent Orange, T-Bone Strong b Pinky the Flamingo Kid, Nikolai Volkoff b Morgus the Maniac, Executioners b Bad Crew, Danny Rose b King Kong Bundy-DQ
988
98910/30 Hiroshima (New Japan - 5,500 sellout): Takashi Iizuka & Kazuo Yamazaki b Tatsutoshi Goto & Akitoshi Saito, Tadao Yasuda & Manabu Nakanishi & Junji Hirata b Hiro Saito & Big Titan & Michael Wallstreet, Dr. Wagner Jr. b Kendo Ka Shin, Tatsuhito Takaiwa b Koji Kanemoto, Jushin Liger b Shinjiro Otani, Kazuyuki Fujita & Yuji Nagata b Don Frye & Brian Johnston, Tatsumi Fujinami & Kensuke Sasaki b NWO Sting & Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Brian Adams & Keiji Muto b Michiyoshi Ohara & Shiro Koshinaka & Genichiro Tenryu, IWGP hwt title: Scott Norton b Shinya Hashimoto-COR
990
99110/30 Tampa (WWF - 9,441 sellout): Edge & Gangrel b Matt & Jeff Hardy, Steven Regal b Faarooq, Head Bangers b Golga & Kurrgan, European title: X-Pac b Jeff Jarrett, IC title: Rock b Ken Shamrock-DQ, Animal & Hawk b DOA, Godfather b Jose Estrada Jr., WWF tag titles: New Age Outlaws b Mark Henry & D-Lo Brown, Four corners match/Gerald Brisco ref: Steve Austin won over Undertaker, Kane and Mankind
992
99310/30 Lubbock, TX (WCW - 7,787): Ernest Miller b Prince Iaukea, Psicosis & Ciclope & Damian b Juventud Guerrera & Silver King & Super Calo, Chavo Jr. & Eddie Guerrero b Disco Inferno & Alex Wright, Booker T b Wrath, Dean Malenko b Chris Kanyon, Konnan b La Parka-DQ, Konnan & Kevin Nash b La Parka & Stevie Ray
994
99510/30 Mexico City Arena Mexico (EMLL): Dr. O'Borman Jr. & Reyes Veloz I b Sombra de Plata & Atlantico, Torero & Pantera & Mascara Magica b Zumbido & Valentin Mayo & Karloff Lagarde Jr.-DQ, Apolo Dantes & Mascara Ano 2000 & Gran Markus Jr. b Shocker & Brazo de Plata & Emilio Charles Jr., Bestia Salvaje & Scorpio Jr. b Head Hunters, Atlantis & Lizmark Sr. b Villano III & Fuerza Guerrera, Salvaje & Scorpio Jr. b Lizmark Sr. & Atlantis, Mask vs. mask: Olimpico b Halcon Negro Jr. (unmasked as Jorge Herrera)
996
99710/30 Hakodate (Big Japan): Yukinojo Echigo b Jun Kasai, Fantastik b Black Shadow, Chiharu Nakano b Marcela, Daikokubo Benkei b Kishin Kawabata, Shadow Winger & Shadow WX b Minoru Fujita & Ikuto Hidaka, Tomoaki Honma & Katsumi Usuda b Masayoshi Motegi & Ryuji Yamakawa, Shunme Matsuzaki & Osamu Kawahara b Echigo & Isao Takagi, Mr. Pogo & Gennosuke Kobayashi b Jason the Terrible & Shoji Nakamaki, G.K. (Shinya Kojika) & Masked G.K. (Kamikaze) b Pogo & Kobayashi
998
99910/30 Ibashima (Michinoku Pro - 250): Beef Wellington b Mamoru Okamoto, Sumo Fuji NC Yone Genjin, Super Delfin & Convict (Sergio Torres) b Great Sasuke & Sasuke the Great-DQ, Judo Suwa & Shima Nobunaga b Masaru Seno & Gran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji & Naohiro Hoshikawa d Tiger Mask & Gran Hamada
1000
100110/30 Nashville (Music City/NWA TV taping): Shane Helms & Mike Maverick b Atomic Dog & Jammer, James Storm b Blackie West, Kuklha Kahn b Greg Billingsly, Colorado Kid b Charlie Parker, Todd Morton & Chris Michaels b Christian York & Joey Matthews, Billy Travis b Carl LeDuc, Shane Eden b Jammer, Rod Biggs b Terry Fox, Steven Dunn & Reno Riggins b Prodigy & Corey Williams, Ashley Hudson b Kyle Von Brauner, Notorious D.O.G. b San Francisco Treat, Flash Flanagan b Skinny Kenny (Arden), Brickhouse Brown & Wolfie D b Silky Boom Boom Dotson & Frenchy Riviera, Eden b Jason Lee, Jimmy Lane b Rockin Randy, Sir Mo b Superfly, Kurt Von Keller (Heinrich Franz Keller aka Tra Keller) b Billy Rotten, 200% Machine b Eric Freedom, Billy Black b Recon, Maverick & Helms b Centerfolds, Billy Travis b Nick Dinsmore
1002
100310/30 Hamilton, OH (Heartland Wrestling Association - 200): Brian Gilbert DCOR Cody Hawk, Shark Boy b Austin Augustus Ambrose-DQ, Kingdom James b Danny Dynamic, Chip Fairway & Hawk b Xtremist & Bobby Kane, Terik the Great b Chad Collyer, Al Snow b Brian Taylor
1004
100510/30 Cherry Point, NC (American Championship Wrestling): Mad Dog b Caprice Coleman, Pretty Boy Slater b Mark Vegas, Scotty Ventura b Mr. Jones, Mike Cannon b Caster Troy, Jay Eagle & Johnny Red Cloud b David Jericho & Phil DeCarlo, Venom b Rusty Riddle, Chazz Rocco b Demolition Ax
1006
100710/30 Baniff, Alberta (Can-Am Wrestling Federation): Steve Wilde b Tommy Lane, Dr. Hannibal b Taz (not ECW wrestler), Cuban Assassin b Ken Johnson, Blackhawk b Sueco Gonzales, Katana b Steve Rivers
1008
100910/31 Tokyo Budokan Hall (All Japan - 16,300 sellout): Tsuyoshi Kikuchi b Makoto Hashi 5:32, Haruka Eigen & Masa Fuchi b Rusher Kimura & Mitsuo Momota 10:26, Takao Omori & Tamon Honda & Jun Izumida b Johnny Ace & Johnny Smith & Maunukea Mossman 17:20, Giant Baba & Jinsei Shinzaki & Masamichi Marufuji b Gedo & Jado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru 16:16, Yoshinari Ogawa & Satoru Asako b Kentaro Shiga & Jun Akiyama 14:07, Gary Albright & Giant Kimala II b Stan Hansen & Wolf Hawkfield 9:32, Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue b Yoshihiro Takayama & Masahito Kakihara 15:05, Triple Crown: Mitsuharu Misawa b Kenta Kobashi to win title 43:22
1010
101110/31 San Antonio (WWF - 9,480): Gangrel & Edge b Matt & Jeff Hardy, Steven Regal b Faarooq, DOA b Animal & Hawk, European title: X-Pac b Jeff Jarrett, IC title: Rock b Ken Shamrock-DQ, Head Bangers b Kurrgan & Golga, Godfather b Bradshaw, WWF tag titles: New Age Outlaws b Mark Henry & D-Lo Brown, Four corners match/Sgt. Slaughter ref: Steve Austin won over Undertaker, Mankind and Kane
1012
101310/31 Memphis (Memphis Power Pro TV - 130 sellout/free taping): Grave Digger (Del Rios) & Dr. Frank (?) b Killer Clown (Kid Wikkid) & Jean Simmons (Derrick King), Bill Clinton (Lance Jade) b Bulldog Raines, Popeye (Brian Christopher) & Batman (Jerry Lawler) b Freddy Kruger (Carl Fergie), Wolfman (Tony Falk) b Snowman (Kevin Lawler), Popeye won Battle Royal
1014
101510/31 Kyoto (WAR - 1,000 sellout): Yoshikazu Taru b Jun Kikuchi, Miho Watabe b Megumi Sato, Nobukazu Hirai b Masaaki Mochizuki, Tadahiro Ishii & Yasha Kurenai b Shoichi Ichinomiya & Rumi Kazama, Yuji Yasuraoka b Takashi Okamura, Genichiro Tenryu & Akitoshi Saito b Terry Gordy & Nobutaka Araya
1016
101710/31 Sapporo (Big Japan): Shunme Matsuzaki b Jun Kasai, Masayoshi Motegi b Fantastik, La Chola b Marcela, Ikuto Hidaka & Minoru Fujita & Ryuji Yamakawa b Yukinojo Echigo & Katsumi Usuda & Isao Takagi, Osamu Kawahara b Black Shadow, Big Japan death match title: Shadow WX b Tomoaki Honma, Death match: Masked G.K. & Jason the Terrible & Masked X & Shoji Nakamaki b Gennosuke Kobayashi & Shadow Winger & Mr. Pogo & Daikokubo Benkei
1018
101910/31 Aizu (Michinoku Pro - 427): Shima Nobunaga & Judo Suwa b Naohiro Hoshikawa & Masaru Seno, Beef Wellington b Mamoru Okamoto, Convict & Yone Genjin b Great Sasuke & Sasuke the Great-DQ, Gran Hamada b Sumo Fuji, Super Delfin & Gran Naniwa b Tiger Mask & Masato Yakushiji
1020
102110/31 Kawato (NOW): Great Takeru b Yuji Kito, Emi Motokawa b Sachie Nishibori, Keizo Matsuda b Yoshiya Yamashita, Katsumi Hirano b Tudor the Turtle, Keisuke Yamada b Akinori Tsukioka, Masao Orihara & Takeshi Ono b Yuji Kito & Shinigami, Yuichi Taniguchi & Kendo Nagasaki b Masahiko Kochi & Yoshiaki Yatsu
1022
102310/31 Minokamo (JWP): Tomiko Sai b Erika Watanabe, Kayuko Haruyama b Kuragaki, Chikako Shiratori & Commando Boirshoi b Tomoko Miyaguchi & Watanabe, Dynamite Kansai & Kanako Motoya b Devil Masami & Yuki Lee, Tomoko Kuzumi & Hikari Fukuoka b Rieko Amano & Cuty Suzuki
1024
102510/31 Nashville (Music City Wrestling): Atomic Dog b Carl LeDuc, Todd Morton & Chris Michaels b Flash Flanagan & Steve Neeley, Frenchy Riviera b Sir Mo-DQ, James Storm b Rod Biggs, Bill Dundee b Ashley Hudson, Wolfie D & Brickhouse Brown & Ashley Hudson b Steven Dunn & Reno Riggins & Colorado Kid
1026
102710/31 Little Rock, AR (Intercontinental Pro Wrestling - 700): Treach Phillips Jr. b Jeff Jett, New York Nightmare b Gary Lang, Rude Dog b Bill Ash, 3-D b Jett & Nitetrain Crane, Tim Storm & Steve Sharp b 3-D, Mabel DDQ Butch Reed
1028
102910/31 Shelby, NC (NWA All-Star Wrestling - 249): Shane Helms b Joey Matthews, Christian York b Brad Holtin, Brad Anderson b Colt Steele, Big Daddy D b Madd Maxx, Tully Blanchard & Anderson b Border Patrol
1030
103110/31 Hayward, CA (All Pro Wrestling): Erin O'Grady and Vic Grimes co-won Battle Royal, Tony Jones b Rick Turner, Chicano Flame #3 (Michael Modest) b Maxx Justice, Boyce LeGrande b Chris Ward, O'Grady b Chicano Flame #2, Frank Murdoch b Jason Clay, Jimmy Ripp b Vinny Massaro, Modest b Boom Boom Comini to win APW title, Robert Thompson b Grimes
1032
103310/31 Hinton, Alberta (Can-Am Wrestling Federation): Phil Frezy b Seuco Gonzales, Teddy Hart b Blackhawk, Steve Gillespie d Steve Wilde, Massive Damage b Gary Williams, Black Bart b Vinnie Fever
1034
103511/1 Austin, TX (WWF Heat/Superastros taping - 10,001): Kit Carson b Action Jackson, Armando Fernandez (Tarzan Boy) b Scott Taylor, El Merenguero (Jesus Castillo) b Christobol Martinez, El Hijo del Santo b Super Loco (Super Crazy), Goldust b Babu, Rock b Marc Mero, Head Bangers b Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor, European title: X-Pac b Taka Michinoku, Matt & Jeff Hardy b Animal & Darren Drozdov, Stephen Regal b Bradshaw, Christian & Edge & Gangrel b Giant Silva & Kurrgan & Golga, Steve Blackman b D-Lo Brown, Jeff Jarrett b Val Venis, Four-way cage match/Gerald Brisco ref: Steve Austin won over Kane, Undertaker and Mankind
1036
103711/1 Chiba (Michinoku Pro - 2,974): Shiryu II won Royal Rumble, Beef Wellington b Mamoru Okamoto, Takeshi Ono b Masaru Seno, Original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) b Mohammad Yone, Kendo Ka Shin b Naohiro Hoshikawa, Jinsei Shinzaki & Takao Omori b Tamon Honda & Jun Izumida, Super Delfin & Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa & Tiger Mask & Masato Yakushiji b Great Sasuke & Sasuke the Great & Shima Nobunaga & Judo Suwa & Sumo Fuji
1038
103911/1 Kitakyushu (FMW): Hayato Nanjyo b Flying Kid Ichihara, Mohammad Yone & Hisakatsu Oya b Hido & Jado, Tomoko Miyaguchi b Rieko Amano, Tetsuhiro Kuroda b Super Leather, Atsushi Onita & Hideki Hosaka & Gosaku b Hido & Yukihiro Kanemura & Koji Nakagawa, Daisuke Ikeda & Hayabusa b Gedo & Hiromichi Fuyuki
1040
104111/1 Kobe (WAR - 1,050 sellout): Yoshikazu Taru b Shoichi Ichinomiya, Rumi Kazama b Megumi Sato, Nobukazu Hirai & Yasha Kurenai b Jun Kikuchi & Miho Watabe, Akitoshi Saito b Yuji Yasuraoka, Genichiro Tenryu b Terry Gordy, Masaaki Mochizuki & Takashi Okamura b Tadahiro Ishii & Nobutaka Araya
1042
104311/1 Uchiura (All Japan women): Zap Isozaki b Miyuki Fujii, Zap T b Kayo Noumi, Takako Inoue b Momoe Nakanishi, Zap I b Miho Wakizawa, Yumiko Hotta & Manami Toyota b Nanae Takahashi & Kumiko Maekawa
1044
104511/1 Wakayama (JD): Megumi Yabushita b Masami Iizuka, Esther Moreno b Echicera, Cooga & Nanoko Kanda b Yuko Kosugi & Toshiyo Muto, Fung Suzuki b Ryura, Lioness Asuka & Bloody b Jaguar Yokota & Sumie Sakai
1046
104711/1 Mexico City Arena Coliseo (CMLL): El Cafre & Enemigo Publico b Los Rayos Tapatios I & II, Lady Apache & Flor Metalica b La Diabolica & Tania, Super Kendo & El Hijo del Solitario & Atlantico b Mogur & Americo Rocca & Chicago Express, Pantera & Tony Rivera & Brazo de Oro b Mano Negra & El Signo & Valentin Mayo, Brazo de Plata & Lizmark Sr. & Atlantis b Villano III & Fuerza Guerrera & Universo 2000
1048
104911/1 Irwin, PA (Steel City Wrestling): Cue Ball Carmichael b Shirley Doe, Julio Sanchez b Frank Stalletto, Mike Quackenbush won three-way over Christian York and Joey Matthews, Cody Michaels NC Dennis Gregory, Big Neal b Rage, Don Montoya b Jimmy Cicero, Lou Marconi b Stevie Richards
1050
105111/2 Fort Lauderdale, FL (WCW Nitro - 15,727 sellout/14,222 paid): Alex Wright b Norman Smiley, Disco Inferno b Kaz Hayashi, David Finlay b Scott Putski, Ernest Miller b Scott Armstrong, Wrath b Kendall Windham, Scott Norton b Van Hammer, Perry Saturn b Eddie Guerrero-DQ, Psicosis b Rey Misterio Jr. **, Dean Malenko b Raven **, WCW TV title: Chris Jericho d Billy Kidman ***, Booker T b Scott Hall-DQ **1/4, Lex Luger b Giant-DQ DUD
1052
105311/2 Houston (WWF Raw/Shotgun tapings - 12,590 sellout): New Age Outlaws & X-Pac NC Christian & Gangrel & Edge, Kurrgan & Golga b Al Snow & Mankind, Stephen Regal NC Goldust, IC title: Rock b Ken Shamrock-DQ ***1/2, Val Venis b Jeff Jarrett-DQ, Head Bangers NC Mark Henry & D-Lo Brown 1/2*
1054
105511/2 Tokyo Korakuen Hall (LLPW): Miho Watabe b Keiko Aono, Noriyo Tateno b Megumi Sato, Shark Tsuchiya b Rumi Kazama, Eagle Sawai & Carol Midori b Harley Saito & Yasha Kurenai, Lioness Asuka & Sayori Okino b Shinobu Kandori & Junko Yagi
1056
105711/2 Hakodate (Big Japan): Ikuto Hidaka & Masayoshi Motegi & Minoru Fujita b Katsumi Usuda & Shadow Winger & Fantastik, Tomoaki Honma & Isao Takagi b Shunme Matsuzaki & Osamu Kawahara, Kishin Kawabata & Jason the Terrible b Black Shadow & Daikokubo Benkei, Mr. Pogo & Shadow WX & Gennosuke Kobayashi b Shoji Nakamaki & Ryuji Yamakawa & Masked G.K.
1058
1059 
1060
1061Special thanks to: James Haase, Steve "Dr. Lucha" Sims, Chuck Morris, Manuel Gonzalez, Joerg Wittmeier, Dominick Valenti, Brady Laber, Dan Parris, Jeremy Medeiros, Mohammad Chatra, Gene Restaino, Marc Pecoraro, Georgiann Makropolous, Steve Wilde, Michael Carpenter, Bobby Baum, Trent Van Drisse, Matthew Duffield
1062
1063 
1064
1065JAPANESE TELEVISION RUNDOWN
1066
106710/11 ALL JAPAN: 1. Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue retained their Double Tag team titles beating Kenta Kobashi & Jun Akiyama in 29:51. Typical All Japan style long match. It started slow and wasn't particularly good early. Kind of boring until they began working on Akiyama's ankle. The first 20:00 had good psychology and very good execution, but it was real slow paced. The last 10:00 were excellent with all kinds of big moves and near falls going back-and-forth and good, but not excellent heat. Kobashi & Akiyama were both very good individually, but didn't do match to distinguish them in their new role as a regular tag team. They did a combination back suplex and stuff power bomb on Taue. They started hitting their big moves on each other with a lot of saves of the pin. Finally Kawada blocked another attempted exploder suplex by Akiyama, hit a brainbuster and a high kick to the face and got the pin. It was really weird TV handling of this match. The TV has room for about 22:30 of wrestling with commercials so they had to edit some of the early portion out (unedited on video, these matches are always significantly better than they are on television). Just as they were building toward the finish, they went to a commercial break. They came back and literally did the last three moves leading to the pin. That was the weirdest time from an editing standpoint to go to the commercial. ***3/4
1068
1069 
1070
1071TELEVISION RATINGS RUNDOWN
1072
1073The latest update on all WWF and WCW performers that have appeared as a main focal point of a segment at least nine times since the two groups have been going head-to-head from 9-11 p.m. on 1/26. Ratings for the first hour of Nitro, for Thunder or Heat, and for Raw and Nitro programs when they aren't on head-to-head aren't factored in. Updated as of 11/2.
1074
1075 
1076
1077Performer Up/down Total pts Qtr percentage
1078
1079Roddy Piper 9-1-1 +43 +3.91
1080
1081Randy Savage 13-4-1 +65 +3.61
1082
1083Ric Flair 14-1-3 +64 +3.56
1084
1085Arn Anderson 6-1-2 +26 +2.89
1086
1087Steve Austin 39-21-5 +187 +2.88
1088
1089Warrior 5-3-2 +28 +2.80
1090
1091Bill Goldberg 22-10-2 +95 +2.79
1092
1093Hulk Hogan 33-21-1 +147 +2.67
1094
1095Sting 21-15-3 +96 +2.46
1096
1097Kevin Nash 29-14-3 +111 +2.41
1098
1099Vince McMahon 33-16-4 +126 +2.38
1100
1101Marcus Bagwell 14-5 +42 +2.21
1102
1103Lex Luger 23-12-3 +75 +1.97
1104
1105Undertaker 33-16-7 +107 +1.91
1106
1107Mick Foley 33-13-4 +86 +1.72
1108
1109Steve McMichael 8-5-2 +25 +1.67
1110
1111Brian Adams 9-5 +23 +1.64
1112
1113Kane 34-18-5 +91 +1.60
1114
1115Bret Hart 25-17-3 +70 +1.56
1116
1117The Rock 26-20-2 +75 +1.56
1118
1119Dallas Page 18-13-3 +52 +1.53
1120
1121Billy Gunn 30-13-7 +74 +1.48
1122
1123Scott Steiner 15-10-2 +38 +1.41
1124
1125Jesse Jammes 30-14-7 +70 +1.37
1126
1127The Giant 23-13-5 +55 +1.34
1128
1129Konnan 17-15-1 +44 +1.33
1130
1131Chris Benoit 12-7-3 +29 +1.32
1132
1133Perry Saturn 11-7 +23 +1.28
1134
1135Rey Misterio Jr. 6-3 +11 +1.22
1136
1137Chris Jericho 21-7-1 +35 +1.21
1138
1139Rick Steiner 8-5-1 +16 +1.14
1140
1141Juventud Guerrera 9-5-1 +18 +1.20
1142
1143Terry Funk 13-4 +19 +1.12
1144
1145Triple H 31-21-3 +60 +1.09
1146
1147Eric Bischoff 16-12-5 +34 +1.03
1148
1149Owen Hart 18-18-2 +35 +0.92
1150
1151Marc Mero 18-12-3 +29 +0.88
1152
1153Jacqueline 11-5-2 +15 +0.83
1154
1155Chavo Guerrero Jr. 8-8 +13 +0.81
1156
1157Darren Drozdov 6-7-2 +12 +0.80
1158
1159Eddie Guerrero 8-8-1 +13 +0.76
1160
1161Raven 7-9 +12 +0.75
1162
1163Stevie Ray 10-6-3 +14 +0.74
1164
1165X-Pac 22-18-5 +32 +0.71
1166
1167Shawn Michaels 9-7 +11 +0.69
1168
1169Mark Henry 13-9 +14 +0.64
1170
1171LOD Hawk 10-10-4 +14 +0.58
1172
1173Scott Hall 17-15-3 +19 +0.54
1174
1175Paul Bearer 17-10-1 +14 +0.50
1176
1177Billy Kidman 8-7-2 +8 +0.47
1178
1179Sable 17-12-1 +8 +0.27
1180
1181LOD Animal 8-10-4 +6 +0.27
1182
1183Dean Malenko 9-6-3 +4 +0.22
1184
1185D-Lo Brown 10-13-1 +4 +0.17
1186
1187Dan Severn 8-6-2 +1 +0.06
1188
1189Ken Shamrock 18-18 -3 -0.08
1190
1191Booker T 10-10-2 -4 -0.18
1192
1193Goldust Runnels 11-10 -4 -0.19
1194
1195Golga 6-6-1 -4 -0.31
1196
1197Faarooq 8-10-2 -8 -0.40
1198
1199Steve Blackman 10-10-2 -10 -0.45
1200
1201Curt Hennig 11-12-2 -12 -0.48
1202
1203Head Bangers 7-8-1 -8 -0.50
1204
1205Giant Silva 5-6-1 -6 -0.50
1206
1207Scott Norton 3-8-3 -10 -0.71
1208
1209Kurrgan 5-8-1 -11 -0.79
1210
1211Scorpio 4-6 -8 -0.80
1212
1213Luna 8-12-1 -18 -0.86
1214
1215Al Snow 5-5 -10 -1.00
1216
1217Davey Boy Smith 4-7 -11 -1.00
1218
1219Barry Windham 4-6 -11 -1.10
1220
1221Kaientai 6-5-1 -14 -1.17
1222
1223Vader 5-5-1 -13 -1.18
1224
1225Godfather 5-9-1 -19 -1.27
1226
1227Psicosis 3-5-1 -12 -1.33
1228
1229Jeff Jarrett 8-19-3 -54 -1.80
1230
1231Eight Ball 4-12-4 -43 -2.15
1232
1233Skull 4-11-4 -41 -2.16
1234
1235Ultimo Dragon 3-6 -20 -2.22
1236
1237Val Venis 7-16-2 -60 -2.40
1238
1239Bradshaw 3-11 -34 -2.43
1240
1241Bart Gunn 1-8-2 -34 -3.09
1242
1243Dennis Knight 1-8 -28 -3.11
1244
1245Mark Canterbury 1-9 -32 -3.20
1246
1247Brian Christopher 2-6 -26 -3.25
1248
1249Taka Michinoku 4-10-1 -49 -3.27
1250
1251Chainz 1-8-3 -42 -3.50
1252
1253PUERTO RICO: We haven't had much news since Hurricane George left the island in disarray about five weeks ago. Pro wrestling was canceled for two weeks after the hurricane and most of the foreign wrestlers have left. On 10/22 in Salinas, PR the top matches were Shane vs. Ray Gonzalez, Invader #1 vs. Victor and Mike Anthony (Mike Lozansky) & Invader #3 vs. Heartbreakers (Frankie Lancaster & Alex Porteau), Bret Sanders vs. Blaze and prelims. The next night in Manati was headlined by Invaders #1 & #3 vs. Gonzalez & Victor. Victor turned heel on 10/16 in Manati during a Gonzales Universal title defense against Carlos Colon (who is out of action doing an injury angle). Colon suffered the "injury" during this match but wouldn't submit. Rico Suave attacked Colon for the DQ and he was double-teamed until Invader #1 made the save. Heartbreakers then attacked the faces and then Shane (a babyface) and Victor ran in. Victor hit Shane, Invader #1 and the ref with a steel tube turning on everyone and gave the tube to Gonzalez who used it to finish the injury angle on Colon. Invader #3 is still working with a mask even though he lost a mask vs. mask match to Invader #2 in August
1254
1255Ricky Santana is headed back after being cut by EMLL.
1256
1257MEXICO: The big show of the week on 10/30 at Arena Mexico was headlined by Olimpico winning the mask vs. mask match over Halcon Negro Jr., who unmasked as Jorge Luis Herrera. Olimpico's father, who wrestled under the name Roy Aguirre, was at ringside cheering him on. It was apparently a real good match as fans were throwing both money and their ticket stubs into the ring as a sign it was a good match. In the first bracket of the CMLL tag team title tournament, it was Bestia Salvaje & Scorpio Jr. winning beating Atlantis & Lizmark Sr. in the finals. Atlantis & Lizmark had beaten Villano III & Fuerza Guerrera while Scorpio & Salvaje won their first round match over The Head Hunters
1258
1259The Group B of the tag team tournament which takes place on 11/6 at Arena Mexico has Blue Panther & Black Warrior, El Satanico & Dr. Wagner Jr., Felino & La Fiera and Shocker & El Hijo del Santo. The winners of this tournament face Scorpio & Salvaje for the title on 11/13. Pierroth Jr. returns on the show, again in the semifinal, teaming with Mascara Ano 2000 & Cien Caras against Head Hunters & Salomon Grundy plus Olimpico & Mr. Niebla & Tinieblas Jr. vs. Fuerza Guerrera & Halcon Negro Jr. & Villano III. It's also interesting that Mini Rey Misterio Jr. (Max Mini) and Espectritos I & II who are all under a WWF contract and Max Mini did appear at the tapings this week are booked for Arena Mexico, even though Paco Alonso ended up making the deal with WCW instead of WWF
1260
1261It must look pretty foolish in Mexico for them to be selling Santo as being so badly injured while he continues to wrestle all over the country. Shocker replaces Negro Casas as Santo's partner since Casas was suspended by the Distrito Federal commission after punching ref El Pompin when Satanico pinned him with his feet on the ropes to keep the CMLL middleweight title on 10/27 at Arena Coliseo. The title win was a trade-off because on 10/19 in Puebla, Casas beat Satanico in a hair match. Casas won't be allowed back until 11/11. I guess this is some sort of angle to allow him to wrestle elsewhere
1262
1263OCESA is looking at doing a big show on 11/20 at El Toreo in Naucalpan, although that date isn't official. Apparently Antonio Pena has threatened to move his 12/13 PAPSA big show from that building if that booking goes through
1264
1265PAPSA announced its big November show to be on 11/15 at the 20,000-seat Rio Nilo Coliseum in Tonala (near Guadalajara), the site of some of the biggest AAA shows in history. PAPSA also has a major show on 11/23 in Nuevo Laredo, which is the hottest wrestling city in North America right now and means they'll be running opposition to Cesar Johnson's local promotion
1266
1267Super Muneco and Mascara Sagrada both called the IWRG office on 10/27 and canceled their bookings for the weekend and the future claiming that CMLL threatened to not book them anywhere in the country if they worked the show. As mentioned last week, CMLL is putting the screws to IWRG and not allowing them to use any of their talent for using a fake Mr. Niebla character
1268
1269CMLL announced they would be running a 5 p.m. show on Christmas as a TV taping at Arena Coliseo
1270
1271It's being reported in Mexico that Super Delfin is headed to CMLL before the end of the year and indicated that he would work most of 1999 in Mexico, which probably says something about the financial situation in Michinoku Pro Wrestling
1272
1273Blue Demon Jr. vs. Depredator in a mask vs. mask match (that's a hard result to pick) headlines the 11/6 PAPSA show in Tijuana plus Octagon & Perro Aguayo Jr. & Latin Lover vs. Pentagon & Cibernetico & Abismo Negro. Apparently Tijuana has become a real hot spot again for all the promotions. Benjamin Mora is trying to put on a major show for 12/4 using some of the WCW talent booked through Paco Alonso
1274
1275Weekly Gong in covering the recent Raul Reyes 45th anniversary show with Mil Mascaras & Santo & Rayo de Jalisco Jr. as the babyface trio on top showed a photo from 1966 of a match with Mascaras & El Santo & Rayo de Jalisco as the main event trio. It was joked that 20 years from now, that Mil will still be main eventing and teaming with Santo III and Rayo III
1276
1277Ultraman Jr. is going to change his name to Star Man, apparently because the original now-retired Ultraman (Milo Ventura), had been complaining about a non-relative using the ring name
1278
1279Canek, as a shoot, was really mad at heel announcer Andre Maronas (actually, all the PAPSA announcers are heel announcers which really gets old, but PAPSA is drawing incredible houses with absolutely no talent and you can't knock that) when Canek made his first TV appearance in a long time and said, "Look, AAA is reviving the dead.
1280
1281Black Warrior retained the NWA light heavyweight title beating Tony Rivera on 10/30 in Netzahualcoyotl
1282
1283Chicago Express as a shoot had his car vandalized this past week. The general feeling in Mexico is that it was ordered by another top wrestler who will end up not facing any criminal problems from it because he's such a major star and the justice system is so corrupt and it was a Mexican against American crime
1284
1285The belief is that Alonso went with WCW instead of WWF because he recognized that WCW would give more of his wrestlers contracts than WWF would. A WCW contract, even if it's for $50,000 or $75,000, is great money for a Mexican wrestler and if Alonso is the conduit for such a deal, the wrestlers are pretty much locked in to stay with him to keep their deal
1286
1287There was a legit brawl backstage at the 10/24 OCESA show. It actually started in the ring as green Americans Heartbreaker and American Destroyer weren't selling right for Brazo de Plata, who started hitting them in protest. With the language problem, tempers flared and continued in the dressing room with Villano III helping out his countryman before Pierroth and the Japanese wrestlers calmed everyone down
1288
1289There was an interesting article in a 1997 magazine explaining the background and the start of Mascaras. In 1964, Aaron Rodriguez won the Mr. Mexico bodybuilding contest and trained at a gym where the wrestlers regularly trained at. In 1965, Valente Perez, who owned a wrestling magazine, came up with a fictitious superhero as a cartoon designed to increase circulation who fought bad guys and the gimmick was, in order to hide, wore a different mask in every cartoon story and was called Mil Mascaras. The Mexican movie studios at that time were looking to create a new wrestling idol as the movie drawing power of El Santo and Blue Demon was starting to fade from its peak a few years earlier. The cartoon was so over they brought the rights to the name and gimmick from Perez and began interviewing for a man to play the movie role. The concept was that the man would have a great physique, since the cartoon character did, and Santo and Demon didn't so it would be a new younger guy to work with them. Rodriguez got the job and was in his first movie before he ever had his first wrestling match, and eventually Rodriguez bought the name and gimmick from the movie studio when the studio had no more interest in doing Lucha movies. He was apparently a bullfighter before being a wrestler
1290
1291The grandson of Medico Asesino, who will wrestle as El Hijo del Medico Asesino Jr., will be debuting soon in Tijuana. According to the pub, he'll be a protege of Perro Aguayo who is said to be his godfather. It is said he's already wrestled in the Los Angeles area.
1292
1293ALL JAPAN: Most of the major news here was already covered. Besides Misawa vs. Kobashi, also at Budokan saw Akira Taue & Toshiaki Kawada over Yoshihiro Takayama & Masahito Kakihara in when Taue pinned Takayama with the nodowa, Gary Albright & Giant Kimala II beat Stan Hansen & Wolf Hawkfield when Albright pinned Hawkfield with a power bomb, Yoshinari Ogawa & Satoru Asako beat Kentaro Shiga & Jun Akiyama when Ogawa pinned Shiga after a back suplex, Giant Baba & Jinsei Shinzaki & rookie Masamichi Marufuji who apparently was being groomed in this match teaming with name guys beat Gedo & Jado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru when Shinzaki pinned Kanemaru with the praying power bomb and Takao Omori & Tamon Honda & Jun Izumida upset Johnny Smith & Maunukea Mossman & Johnny Ace when Omori pinned Smith with the Bombs Away kneedrop.
1294
1295NEW JAPAN: Scott Norton retained the IWGP heavyweight title beating Shinya Hashimoto via count out in 11:19 in the main event of the series ending show on 10/30 in Hiroshima before a sellout 5,500. Most of the match consisted of Hashimoto working on Norton's bad shoulder. When they were brawling outside the ring, Norton tackled Hashimoto who "hit his head" on the ringpost and was "knocked out" on the floor. Fans were stunned to see a New Japan match end with a count out finish so there may be more to the story. Norton was adamant going over there that he wasn't going to drop the title. Norton's next title defense will be on 12/4 in Osaka, which will also have Jushin Liger defending the IWGP jr. title against Tatsuhito Takaiwa. Takaiwa earned the shot by pinning Koji Kanemoto in 16:02 with a lariat. Satoshi Kojima & Brian Adams & Keiji Muto beat Genichiro Tenryu & Shiro Koshinaka & Michiyoshi Ohara in a match where Hiroyoshi Tenzan, the long-time rival of Kojima, along with Hiro Saito, were in the corner of the NWO team. At one point when Kojima was thrown out of the ring, Tenzan chopped him and Kojima chopped him back. The story is that the chops were a sign of mutual respect and friendship (sort of like the deal where Antonio Inoki slaps around proteges as a way of transferring his fighting spirit and power to them, which, for those of you who have seen the Bret Hart movie and don't get it, is what Stu Hart is actually doing to all those people who he's torturing). Muto used the figure four to make Ohara submit, and after the match, Tenzan took off his black and white t-shirt and presented it to Kojima, so at least at this point there isn't going to be a break-up in the NWO. There really can't be until Masahiro Chono returns and who knows when that will be. Liger beat Shinjiro Otani on the show, while Yuji Nagata & Kazuyuki Fujita beat Don Frye & Brian Johnston in 9:58 when Nagata used a heel hook on Johnston
1296
1297WCW will be sending Jerry Flynn to this group soon. Isn't New Japan lucky to have a relationship with WCW? Hey, they're continuing it so don't blame WCW for sending no-names when New Japan accepts them and in some cases (like NWO Sting), actually makes stars out of them
1298
1299Antonio Inoki held a press conference on 11/2 for his 12/30 show at Osaka Castle Hall. They announced they'd be debuting a new fighting surface, a circular ring. It was not said if there would be ropes or not. It was said to have been patterned after the surface used in the legendary 1989 Inoki vs. Shota Chochyashivili matches which it was a circular surface with no ropes. The only thing announced was the show would have a double main event with Naoya Ogawa facing an unnamed opponent and Don Frye vs. Murakami Kazunari, who beat Bart Vail to earn a heavyweight title shot on an Extreme Fighting PPV show and was knocked out by Maurice Smith in his title challenge
1300
1301There will be a retirement ceremony for long-time ref Pete Takahashi on 11/16 in Yokohama on opening night of the tag team tournament
1302
130310/17 TV show did a 4.0 rating.
1304
1305OTHER JAPAN NOTES: Atsushi Onita is doing yet another retirement angle this week. On 11/1, Onita issued a challenge to both All Japan and New Japan saying he wanted to wrestle against their top stars over the next year. This sounds like a grandstand deal just to get his name in the paper. Onita explained that he was doing it because business overall was down and it needed something like this to pick up interest, and also because his career only has 18 months left. In 1984, Onita's career in All Japan ended due to major knee surgery with wire put in his knees. Apparently he is due for the wires to be taken out and new wires put in which would end his career, but is holding it off for 18 months to go out big. At least that's what he says, because he's done so many retirement angles he's become known as Mr. Liar, and his supposed new promotion, USO, actually is Japanese for Liar. Onita's supposed final match in FMW will be the 11/20 PPV show, which may be a one-on-three match against Hideki Hosaka, Tetsuhiro Kuroda and Gosaku. Also on that show is Hayabusa vs. Hiromichi Fuyuki for the world title, Tetsuhiro Kuroda vs. Mr. Gannosuke, Bam Bam Bigelow (who I'm assuming won't make the date) & Chris Candido vs. Gedo & Jado, Shoichi Funaki & Taka Michinoku & Yukihiro Kanemura vs. Hayato Nanjyo & Mohammad Yone & Daisuke Ikeda, Hiskatsu Oya vs. Koji Nakagawa and a mixed tag with woman wrestler Kaori Nakayama & Ricky Fuji vs. Hido & manager Go Ito
1306
1307WAR ran three shows this past week using Terry Gordy as the only foreigner. The big match on the tour was 11/1 in Kobe with Tenryu vs. Gordy, as Gordy was the first wrestler to use the power bomb as a regular finisher (actually the first use of a power bomb was in an Antonio Inoki vs. Monster Man Eddie Everett mixed martial arts match in the 70s as a finisher) and Tenryu was the first Japanese to use it. With Gordy's condition, they couldn't even make it the main event on the show
1308
1309Michinoku Pro drew 2,974 on 11/1 in Chiba for its biggest show in the past few months. Apparently that wasn't considered a successful house. Main had Super Delfin & Gran Hamada & Gran Naniwa & Tiger Mask & Masato Yakushiji beating Great Sasuke & Sasuke the Great & Shima Nobunaga & Judo Suwa & Sumo Fuji in 33:01 when Tiger Mask pinned Fake Sasuke. I don't believe the fake Sasuke is Masao Orihara anymore since Orihara worked the IWA show on 11/1 in Tokyo. Satoru Sayama worked the show as Original Tiger Mask beating Mohammad Yone, while Kendo Ka Shin from New Japan beat Naohiro Hoshikawa with the armbar, and Jinsei Shinzaki teamed with Takao Omori of All Japan to beat the All Japan team of Jun Izumida & Tamon Honda
1310
1311Michinoku Pro and All Japan women are in the middle of tag team tournaments
1312
1313It is said that the break-even for the Battlarts 11/23 show at Sumo Hall is $220,000. As a way to defray costs besides ticket sales, gimmick sales and other traditional methods like video sales, they are going to have Alexander Otsuka & Mohammad Yone, who will wrestle the Road Warriors in the main event, paint names of sponsors on their ring attire and also their faces for a fee. That's commonplace in most regular sports (well, putting sponsors insignia's on clothes although I don't know of any sports where competitors paint their faces with sponsors logos)
1314
1315LLPW ran a show on 11/2 at Korakuen Hall with Lioness Asuka & Sayori Okino over Shinobu Kandori & Junko Yagi, who were four of the five (Yumiko Hotta being the other) women wrestlers who won at the recent L-1 show. They aired highlights from the L-1 shoot show on the AJW TV show on 10/25. When it comes to women, there are such few competing in combat sports so the Japanese trained pro wrestlers just because they are in condition athletes who have some shoot training as part of their training really have an advantage. With the exception of the Kandori vs. Svetlana Gundarenko match, which was a work, the wrestlers had no trouble in their wins although some matches lasted longer than others. Asuka was punching her foe out most of the way but it took her 9:25 to finisher her with a wristlock as she couldn't knock her out punching. Hotta had Angel Amoroso in a great armbar almost immediately and Hotta was playing to the crowd once she realized Amoroso was no threat. Okino wrestled against a much smaller Tae Kwon Do woman and did the basic Jiu Jitsu match of taking her down, punching her face till she turned, and then choking her. Yagi fought a Muay Thai fighter and was much bigger than her and was throwing punches and elbows from the mount and her match went only 1:54 before the ref stopped it. Becky Levi's fight went longer than you'd think against a women giving away probably 70 pounds, but Levi was always in control and was pounding her from the top until it was stopped
1316
1317AJW is having a two-night singles tournament in Okinawa on 11/5 and 11/6
1318
1319Michinoku Pro is running a major show on 12/13 in Osaka with Jushin Liger & Sasuke vs. Super Delfin & Gran Naniwa on top. It is said that Yone Genjin will retire next year.
1320
1321HERE AND THERE: There really hasn't been much of a reaction to the NBC Secrets of Pro Wrestling special. Chris Jericho and Mankind made vail references to it on Raw and Nitro but neither company reacted in any major public fashion, nor should they have. This was quite a contrast to 1985 when after the famous ABC 20/20 story, which "exposed" pro wrestling relying heavily on the shock value of David Shults slapping John Stossel and Eddy Mansfield cutting his forehead with a razor blade rather than actually investigating the industry, where literally everyone was talking about it. Besides the guys mentioned last week, apparently the other three wrestlers involved were Ben Albright, who wrestles under the name Vinnie Valentino (not the Crockett jobber from 15 years ago with the same name) for Oklahoma Pro Wrestling out of Tulsa, Bill Ash, who wrestles out of Paris, AR and has been around seemingly forever and is pretty well known inside the industry for being the leading boot maker for pro wrestlers, and Kerry Knowlton, a Tulsa chiropractor who wrestles out of Paris, AR as Doc Savage, who was the main guy in the piece. As mentioned last week, everyone wants to knock them and it was bad TV. They didn't expose anything most teenagers that watch wrestling haven't for the most part figured out, but it was probably 90% accurate. It's too bad for NBC that the credibility of the piece ended up nil even though it was largely accurate due to the stunt grannies and the booker passing out signs in the lobby fiction
1322
1323The Learning Channel is doing a two-hour special on wrestling on 11/15 at 9 p.m. Not sure if that's 9 p.m. Eastern or if they have a dual feed for the West Coast, but that is head-to-head with Survivor Series
1324
1325Some minor updates on the Roller Derby deal on Nashville Network. Nashville Network is toying with the idea of doing pro wrestling as a lead-in for the Derby on Friday nights although no deal is set. I haven't heard Dusty Rhodes' name mentioned as announcer for the Derby although rumors are flying of it, but do know that Chet Coppock, a fairly notable sportscaster out of Chicago who has done a little work over the years for WWF (he probably would have been hired as a pro wrestling interviewer except he's 6-6 so he'd make the wrestlers all look small) and when he broke into sportscasting spent a year or two as a very good Roller Derby announcer, and Ken Resnick, the former AWA and WWF announcer, are both up for the lead announcer role and they are looking for a heel role color guy
1326
1327Memphis on 10/31 did a Halloween show called the Masquerade Maul. Dave Brown came dressed as Jerry Lawler. Cory Maclin was the invisible man, since he took the day off. They billed the show as being a series of matches where the loser had to unmask, leading to a Battle Royal with all the winners of the matches and once eliminated you have to unmask. The wrestling was said to be real bad because guys couldn't do any real movement with their costumes to keep the masks from falling off. They had Grave Digger (Streak), Freddy Kruger (Carl Fergie), Bill Clinton (Lance Jade), Killer Clown (Kid Wikkid), Jean Simmons of KISS (Derrick King), Popeye (Brian Christopher), Batman (Jerry Lawler), Catwoman (Stacey Carter), Leatherface, Wolfman (Tony Falk), Snowman (Kevin Lawler), Spiderman, etc. Randy Hales wound up getting tarred and feathered by Spiderman (Brandon Baxter). It wound up in the Battle Royal with Popeye and Batman the last two. Popeye pulled out his spinach and won due to outside interference
1328
1329Norman Sirak has a mainly womens show on 11/8 at the Delaware, OH County Fair with Debbie Combs vs. Malia Hosaka plus Bushwhackers
1330
1331The Music City Wrestling ownership angle had a twist this week with the double turn of Bert Prentice and Bill Behrens. As the story goes, Prentice has sold the company to Behrens who took over on 11/1. Mark Davis is now the front man promoter in Nashville. At the 10/31 show, Wolfie D & Billy Travis & Brickhouse Brown attacked Steven Dunn & Reno Riggins, who had been heels up to this point, when they were given a plaque for NWA's Most Improved tag team. Colorado Kid saved to set up a six man. Travis actually didn't work the six-man and was replaced by Ashley Hudson and apparently there is bad blood within the company about that. During the match, Prentice attacked Dunn and basically returned to his previous guise as a gay manager called Honey Love. Behrens, who had been a heel up to this point, ran in and got destroyed by all the heels. Colorado Kid turned heel with Prentice on Dunn as he clocked the ref. Music City did a 21-match TV taping the night before using a lot of indie guys from the Tennessee area and the Carolinas
1332
1333IWF on 12/6 in Iselin, NJ at VFW Hall with a Battle Royal
1334
1335The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran a feature on Bruno Sammartino on 10/28. He called today's pro wrestling "an X-rated obscene sleaze show." They talked about him doing commentary for Sal Corrente's USCW out of Washington, PA. The reporter had Bruno watch Raw and Nitro, which he never does because he's not interested and also because he doesn't have cable. But he also said, "If I were to tell you that my day was all pure wrestling, I wouldn't be honest with you. Because there were crooked promoters. There were a lot of guys that knew they couldn't even compete with other guys. But to suggest that every match was like that wouldn't be true. There were a lot of tough guys who were tremendous wrestlers.
1336
1337PAPSA ratings on Galavision for 10/26 were a 2.0 in Los Angeles, a 1.0 in Chicago and asterisks (which means no discernable rating) in New York, Miami and San Antonio
1338
1339Cleveland All-Pro Wrestling on 11/22 has the FBI and Ulf Hermann. For more info call 216-671-1253.
1340
1341MMA: Multi-Channel News did a story on the most recent UFC, estimating the buy rate at 0.55 on a universe of 13 million homes, which if those numbers would be correct (and I'm skeptical of them), would be 71,500 buys and a $767,000 gross. I'm skeptical of the number of homes being cleared as leading into the show we were told a figure of about eight million, since not all that many cable systems were carrying the event and the total dish universe is exaggerated greatly in all trade magazines. The buy rate itself was a huge increase over the 0.4 that the show has generally been doing over the past year but no matter how its being figured, total buys would be way down because so few cable systems carried the show. Some of the reason, maybe even all of the reason for the increased buy rate, is due to the fact that it was mainly available to dish owners and dish owners by tradition buy PPV shows at a higher rate than viewers with only cable. As a comparison over a similar universe, ECW has been doing in the 9,000 buy range on dishes, WWF and WCW for regular shows around 30,000 to 40,000 and for the bigger shows even more, and this past UFC did about 23,000 so it's somewhere in the middle
1342
1343UFC officially announced nine PPV dates for 1999, which means between WWF, WCW, UFC and ECW next year there will be 39 PPV dates, and considering no doubt others will try we're talking basically a show almost every week. The dates booked are 1/15, 3/5, 4/3 (scheduled for Japan), 5/7, 6/18, 7/17 (scheduled for Brazil), 10/31, 11/19 and 12/17 (scheduled for Japan)
1344
1345With Mike Tyson signed to fight on 1/16 and UFC wanting to avoid conflicts with a Tyson fight because all the PPV barker channel hype will be directed at Tyson and their commercials will be cut back, I wouldn't be surprised to see UFC move its January date. In the past, UFC has changed dates to avoid being near Tyson PPV events
1346
1347In Brazil over the weekend, Mario Sperry got a tap out victory via choke over Royler Gracie, the brother of Rickson and Royce, to win an Absolute weight division Jiu Jitsu tournament in 4:30. Sperry probably had about 60 pounds on Gracie, but this is still the first time a member of the immediate Gracie family has tapped out in competition since the family became legendary in the U.S. with the advent of UFC in 1993
1348
1349John Peretti was talking to UFC lightweight champion Pat Miletich about making his first title defense on the next PPV against Andres Pedernairis, who is coming off the big win on 11/27 over Rumina Sato
1350
1351That match brings up an interesting note about this genre. Pedernaris won the match by basically kicking a field goal with Sato's head when he was down, which was legal under the Vale Tudo rules of the match, similar to Vanderlei Silva's win a few months back over Mike Van Arsdale. That tactic of kicking a field goal with a guy's head when he's down is illegal in UFC, so one thing besides the fact that upsets happen with frequency due to so many different type of tactics being allowable, but that the winner and loser of a specific fight can also be dependent upon the rules of the fight. Any slight change of rules can change the outcome
1352
1353Tank Abbott's appearance on the 11/18 SuperBrawl show in Guam has been canceled. Abbott pulled out of his match with Lance Gibson telling promoter T. Jay Thompson that he'd been told by Bob Meyrowitz that if he did the show, that there was a chance that UFC would never use him again. Thompson was furious since he made the deal to get Abbott through David Isaacs, who ran the UFC division for SEG before recently leaving the company and Meyrowitz, the CEO, started handling the UFC business affairs. The deal was made before Abbott's recent knockout loss in Brazil. Meyrowitz claimed he didn't know of such a deal and that Isaacs wouldn't have made the deal without consulting him. This got Thompson even madder since he felt that reaction was insinuating he was lying or making something up. There had been some business relations between the two companies in the past, as SuperBrawl footage of Vitor Belfort at one point and most recently of the first Frank Shamrock vs. John Lober match appeared on the PPV. Thompson had already cut a television commercial and commissioned t-shirts with Abbott on them. Meyrowitz has since claimed that the reason Abbott couldn't appear was that the Mixed Martial Arts Council headed by Jeff Blatnick mandated a 60 day suspension of any fighter who had been knocked out and it was in everyone's best interest for Abbott not to fight, which as it turns out is in the long run in everyone's best interest
1354
1355K-1 ran a small show on 10/28 in Tokyo before a sellout 4,900 headlined by Stan the Man Longinidis beating Tsuyoshi Nakasato. Andy Hug and Mike Benardo both scored first round wins leading to the Grand Prix tournament. Three former or current pro wrestlers were on the show. Alexander Otsuka, off the Marco Ruas win, replaced former UFC fighter Nick Sanzo and went to a five minute draw with Naoyuki Taira. Bart Vail, best known in martial arts for proclaiming a win over Ken Shamrock in a pro wrestling win as a knockout win in a legit match and making a rep for himself, who has to be close to 50 by now, was knocked out in 2:09 by Nobuaki Tsunoda, and Mitsuya Nagai, formerly of RINGS, was knocked out in the first round by a Giant from South Africa. K-1 closed a deal for the Grand Prix on 12/13 to air on television in China. Kazuyoshi Ishii returned from China and he's interested in breaking Chinese into K-1 for drawing cards figuring there are huge cities in that country and if he can create a native star, he could do incredible business
1356
1357Igor Zinoviev, who works as a bouncer at Score's, has expressed interest in getting into pro wrestling full-time. Actually many of the former UFC fighters are training with the idea of doing pro wrestling including Mark Coleman, Kimo and Mark Kerr.
1358
1359ECW: Paul Heyman spoke with Vader during the week. The subject of working the PPV, the role would have been as Tommy Dreamer's mystery partner, came up. Vader turned it down, saying that he brought it up to Stan Hansen who thought it wouldn't be a good idea politically for Japan. Vader and Heyman have spoken about doing occasional appearances for the company in 1999 as a recurring character. Due to Japan and Vader's desire to work a lighter schedule, they were talking along with lines of 10-15 total appearances for the year
1360
1361Masato Tanaka will return to Japan in December, but is scheduled to come back from January through June
1362
1363Frank Shamrock was at the ECW event in New Orleans to hear out Paul Heyman on a potential involvement. As of press time, no deal was reached
1364
1365ECW will be appearing on "Bravo" in England from 10-10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
1366
1367Magic Man from Michinoku Pro Wrestling (Jack Sinn) worked last week on the ECW show in Altoona, PA as a member of the FBI just in the corner.
1368
1369WCW: Nitro on 11/2 in Fort Lauderdale drew a sellout 15,727 (14,222 paying $346,364). It was a bad "ratings" show because it lacked the star power, but it was better than most Nitros have been probably for the same reason. Alex Wright pinned Norman Smiley in 4:35 with the neckbreaker. It was the best Smiley has looked in WCW and a good match. Disco Inferno pinned Kaz Hayashi with the Macarena piledriver (hilarious) in 4:38. Hayashi rocks. Sonny Onoo distracted Hayashi. Gene Okerlund interviewed Booker T, who now claims that the guy who injured him two months ago was Scott Hall and challenged him to a match. David Finlay pinned Scott Putski with a tombstone piledriver in 3:57. Raven did an interview and was browbeaten by Kanyon. Ernest Miller pinned Scott Armstrong in 28 seconds with the kick. Steve Armstrong ran-in and was pounding on Miller but he wound up distracted by Onoo and getting kicked. Miller talked about beating up the entire family and challenged The Bullet. Onoo is terrible but Miller is getting pretty entertaining as a heel. Wrath pinned Kendall Windham in 1:46 with the melt down. Ever notice that no matter who Windham wrestles, the matches are always terrible. Okerlund interviewed Bret Hart who said he pulled a groin and couldn't wrestle Lex Luger in the main event. Luger came out and attacked Hart and put him in the rack. Later in the show they were showing the trainer wrapping up Hart. They showed clips of the Hogan-Flair retirement match from 1994 until the Horseman came out to end the tape. Arn Anderson did a very good interview and then Flair did some cliches and really didn't say a hell of a lot. They need to do something major with these guys because they were so hot six weeks ago and have lost almost all their steam. Scott Norton destroyed Van Hammer with a power bomb in 1:59. Perry Saturn and Eddie Guerrero had a confrontation where they traded some big moves, including Guerrero escaping from a death valley driver into a huracanrana and Saturn doing a legdrop from Mars which Eddie kicked out. Now, this wasn't a match but a brawl, but Saturn still went for covers and the ref counted and Guerrero was kicking out. The LWO all ran in and were beating on Saturn. Konnan showed up and broke it up. Konnan told the LWO that Eddie was using them like Raven used the flock. Konnan then left with Alex Rodriguez. Marcus Bagwell and Scott Steiner came out and they chased J.J. Dillon all over the place. They went to a commercial. This was a mess. Psicosis pinned Rey Misterio Jr. in 8:36 with a power bomb off the top rope after Rey was distracted by the LWO. Slow paced and crowd was kind of dead. Some really good moves and they did nothing wrong, just worked too slow of a pace. Chris Jericho did an interview wearing a Goldberg t-shirt. He was putting over Goldberg and talking about how he also used to be a football player. Great interview. Dean Malenko beat Raven with the cloverleaf in 6:13. Raven's t-shirt said "Sandman" on the back. No heat but the work was solid. Lodi came out but Steve McMichael chased him away. Kanyon came out, which brought out Benoit. The camera completely missed Raven tap out since it was on outside stuff and the announcers never even made the finish clear. Hart ran out, not acting like he had a pulled groin or bad back, and destroyed Benoit with a chicken wing before Giant pulled him off. Jericho drew Billy Kidman in 8:33. You know, the TV title time limit expired. It wasn't as good early as you'd think, but the last 2:00 were real good with the near falls. Have you ever noticed how time limit draws are so much less exciting now as they were ten years ago when they would let you know time was running out and fans would be into all the near falls and the bell would ring and everyone would be gasping because of the build to the finish. Now the bell rings and everyone groans like they've been screwed. They tried the Bagwell & Steiner deal. For attacking J.J., Bagwell was fined $50,000 and Scott fined $100,000. Do you realize not one fan in the world believes that crap? Scott went on a major roid rage calling Roddy Piper a queer. They beat up Kenny Kaos like he was a jobber and put him in the camel clutch. Oh, he is a jobber. So what's he doing with the tag belt? And of all the guys in the company to elevate, why him? Booker T beat Hall via DQ in 7:15. Hall had his working shoes on, as this was his best match in WCW in a LONG time. T came off the top with the missile dropkick but Hall put ref Billy Silverman in his path. Charles Robinson then ran in and called for the DQ. Finally Luger beat Giant by the same run-in DQ finish we always see in 7:59. Giant's gut gets noticeably bigger by the week. Michael Buffer announced him at 7-1, 532. The announcers then kept saying he was 7-4 and 550. Nobody pays attention to anyone in this company. Match was as boring as you'd think. Bret interfered and Goldberg made the save. As Goldberg went to spear Bret, he moved and he ended up spearing Luger as the show went off the air
1370
1371Misterio Jr. vs. Hayashi was scheduled for 10/26 Nitro but was canceled at the last minute to give more time for the Horace Boulder segments. You can imagine the heat over that internally
1372
1373Thunder on 10/29 drew a 3.64 rating and 5.7 share, which is basically about average for the show
1374
1375Jim Neidhart was definitely fired. Don't know what the status of Davey Boy Smith is other than he walked out at the 10/22 tapings in Albuquerque and hasn't been back. Steve McMichael also missed some of the Texas house shows after no-showing Nitro on 10/26, but was back on 11/2. Everyone in the company is said to personally like McMichael, but recognize with his shortcomings, that he shouldn't be in the spot he is
1376
1377The betting line is still strong that Giant is headed to WWF. There is a lot of talk that one or two other major names may be headed there at the same time he goes and that this all may become official within a few weeks. Eric Bischoff doesn't want to do anything with the guys whose contracts are up over the next year unless they re-sign. He is giving Chris Jericho time and giving Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit roles. The other guy on that list is Misterio Jr. Juventud Guerrera signed a three-year contract extension at a figure said to be more than the $180,000 per year he was offered but less than the $240,000 figure he was asking for
1378
1379Sting was pulled from all bookings for the rest of the year so as it stands right now the story he was going to sell the injury until early 1999 is correct. Apparently he's been given time of to work on those same family problems that crop up at one time or another to nearly all wrestlers who spend so much time away from home
1380
1381Originally Diamond Dallas Page was going to take December off, but with Sting off, they apparently did the injury angle on 10/26 instead and he's back on the booking sheets starting 11/27, although he may do TV before that time
1382
1383Page and Jimmy Hart will be on MTV both at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on 11/7 as part of a Sports and Music Festival that was taped last week in Memphis
1384
1385The plan right now is to headline the 1/17 PPV show from Charleston, WV as Hogan vs. Flair
1386
1387Dating Game segments with the Nitro Girls air 11/5 and the segment with Disco Inferno, Chris Jericho (who won the date) and Billy Kidman airs 11/10. Bill Goldberg is on Regis & Kathy Lee on 11/11
1388
1389Jimmy Hart is working on a song to potentially be in the "Man in the Moon" soundtrack and movie. He was also mentioned on the David Letterman show about a week back. It was the top ten signs your campaign (election campaign) has gotten too sleazy and No. 5 was that you hire Jimmy Hart as your campaign manager
1390
1391Hugh Morrus is out with shoulder surgery
1392
1393Barbarian is also out with an injury
1394
1395Art Flores, the unnamed Eddie Guerrero LWO bodyguard is a childhood friend of Eddie's from Juarez. He wrestled in the early 90s under the name Predator and was bad. Guerrero sent him to train in American style at the Malenko school in Florida before getting him a job here. Guerrero actually wanted Meng to be his bodyguard since they were looking for a bodyguard for Eddie role. Bischoff turned it down because he only wants Mexicans in the LWO
1396
1397Bischoff has strongly entertained the idea of creating his own Four Horseman to feud with Flair's group. Barry Windham, Tully Blanchard and Ole Anderson would be three of the members. All have been talked with. It appears Windham is already in and the other two are being strongly considered if not already in. Perhaps Bigelow could be the fourth. Perhaps they'll bring in Sid and try and make it a shoot angle off the deal with Anderson in England
1398
1399Wrath is working with a pinched nerve
1400
1401Yokozuna was asked to do a run-in in the Hall vs. Nash match in Las Vegas to attack Nash. He was offered $10,000 just for the run-in and turned it down because he said he was too busy. Hall called him up, he's now living in Las Vegas and training at a wrestling school there, and started yelling at him to get his butt down to the building but he didn't come
1402
1403There has been talk, and it's even been reported in the Wall Street Journal, although nobody in WCW seems to know anything about it, as doing a "WCW Nitro Extra" as Tuesday night programming on TNT for time that was originally scheduled for NBA games
1404
1405We're hearing again talk of a proposed WCW Latino show on Telemundo, but the problems remain the same of Telemundo not wanting to have a show where its featured performers work as jobbers for the real stars on Mondays
1406
1407As far as the Vegas problems go with the time, the blame internally was placed at the feet of Jay Hassman, who works in the PPV department. Hassman then sent out a press release claiming that the show ran long due to unforeseen problems due to injuries, substitutions and matches going long. Actually, that isn't untrue, but misleading. The show did go seven minutes long because matches went long. But it was planned to go more than three hours and the communications breakdown and problems that ensued had nothing to do with injuries or matches going long but due to mind-numbing incompetence at some level
1408
1409When Randy Savage comes back, probably around January, expect a total character makeover as far as look and presentation
1410
1411Barry Darsow's second golfer gimmick appearance on WCW Saturday Night against Barry Horowitz saw Darsow challenge Horowitz to a putting contest rather than wrestle, and as Horowitz went to agree, Darsow hit him with his golf clubs. They also did a deal where Onoo challenged Hayashi. When Hayashi accepted, Miller blindsided him and Onoo pinned him so Onoo is claiming to be the best Japanese wrestler in WCW
1412
1413Everyone seems to expect Nash to win the WW3 Battle Royal and face Goldberg at Starrcade and end the streak. Aside from pacifying Nash, can anyone come up with one logical reason why that makes sense? Actually, based on advanced booking plans, Goldberg is still scheduled for title defenses after Starrcade but booking plans change every week
1414
1415McMichael is balking about signing a new contract unless he's given the guarantee they won't take him out of the Horsemen
1416
1417They are planning major house shows for 12/20 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, 12/29 Nassau Coliseum and 12/30 at the First Union (wasn't it Core States last week?) Spectrum in Philadelphia all with Goldberg vs. Flair (I don't like that mix for a number of reasons although I'm sure the idea behind it is for Flair to carry Goldberg and help teach him and groom him for longer matches and in that regard it makes sense but it doesn't stir the traditional emotion you'd expect from a main event match although nowadays business has changed to where it's the package and not the match anyway unless its PPV) for the title on top plus Page vs. Hart for the US belt, Nash vs. Giant, Lex & Rick Steiner vs. Hall & Scott Steiner, Booker T vs. Curt Hennig, Benoit & Malenko vs. Eddie Guerrero & Jericho, Konnan vs. Stevie Ray and Saturn vs. Finlay. For whatever this is worth, Flair's agreement his lawyers made with WCW specified that his first match back would be at Starrcade against Bischoff and there may be problems regarding the Kansas City date because that's contrary to the agreement. Also for whatever this is worth, Flair's case to get his agreement nullified and ruled not a binding contract comes up in December
1418
1419Goldberg has had recent articles in the Baltimore Sun and Jewish Exponent largely around the idea of him being this kick-ass Jewish monster
1420
1421Merchandise in Las Vegas for Havoc was $121,651 which was a whopping $11.41 per head
1422
1423Weekend house shows saw 10/30 in Lubbock drew 7,787 paying $134,060, 10/31 in Midland drew 5,182 paying $98,030 and 11/1 in San Angelo drew 5,702 paying $102,080. We didn't get merchandise figures for last week so from the period of 10/22 through 11/2, not including the PPV show, the total merchandise was $442,267 or $7.11 per head
1424
1425WCW Saturday Night on 10/31 did a 1.9 rating.
1426
1427WWF: Bracketing for the WWF title tourney are Undertaker and Kane both getting first round byes and meeting in the second round. Other first round has HHH vs. X (supposed to be Rock but Vince pulled him out in a TV angle although he may wind up back in this slot) and Goldust vs. Ken Shamrock in one bracket. The other bracket has Mankind vs. X, Jeff Jarrett vs. Al Snow, X-Pac vs. Stephen Regal and Steve Austin vs. Big Boss Man. At press time, the Kiel Center had sold out with 16,881 paying $436,935
1428
1429The 12/6 Capital Carnage England PPV card has been changed to Austin vs. Undertaker vs. Mankind vs. Kane with Boss Man as ref, Rock vs. HHH, Shamrock vs. Steve Blackman for IC title, X-Pac vs. Regal for European title, Outlaws vs. Mark Henry & D-Lo Brown for tag titles, Jacqueline vs. Sable for womens title and Val Venis vs. Goldust
1430
1431Raw on 11/2 sold out Houston with 12,590 paying $238,277. We don't have details on anything but the live show. It opened with Shane McMahon saying his father wasn't around that he was in charge and that Steve Austin would get a title shot at the 11/16 Raw. Vince then showed up in a limo and gave an overly strong heel interview. Vince said that the people would probably cheer if he were to die and everyone popped big. That was well beyond sick. He got super heel heat. He fired Shane from his position as an Officer in the company and said he could be re-hired as "a lowly referee" and if he didn't do that job well he could go back to the ring crew. It appears that Vince and the company recognize Shane was going to be hated as a kid handed power because he was the son of the owner so they are attempting to portray him as the only one with the balls to stand up to his father, as siding and being endorsed by Austin, and as "starting from the bottom" and having to work his way into power and having the fans watch him climb. He teased that before the end of the show, someone would pay Hard Times. He also said that Shane was nothing like him but instead he was just like his mother and said it really derogatorily. Apparently Linda McMahon will make her TV wrestling debut soon. Throughout the show they showed clips of Vince yelling at everyone in sight and the tease was who would be the person to pay hard times in the cage at the end of the show. Vince was really great as a heel after a few weeks of ridiculous overacting but he's still badly overexposed. DX (Outlaws & X-Pac) NC Brood (Gangrel & Edge & Christian) in 4:20 when Kane came in and choke slammed Edge and X-Pac. Billy had lipstick on his face and his belly. They did absolutely nothing to tease dissension so the idea of Billy going heel has been dropped. Apparently Billy didn't like it. My impression at this point is the combination of the Outlaws as an attraction is far greater than the sum of their parts. Road Dog was wearing a t-shirt that read "Look Ma, No Curse" in reference to his brothers who never win in WCW and a Dogg 4:20, which is a pot smoking reference. Amazing how much wrestling has changed when a wrestler actually flaunts smoking pot on TV. Undertaker a few weeks back had a meeting with the guys about keeping their drug use from being so public because he remembered what it did to the company in the early 90s when basically none of this crew was even around. General speculation is that steroid use has grown to about 35% (which would be lower than estimates out of WCW, but much higher than it was in WWF two years ago when they were testing) although steroids may be from a short-term standpoint the least of the real problems. Vince yelled at Michael Cole and Bossman choked him with his nightstick. Hawk showed up working as if he was stoned and Droz came out and was beating him up. Droz was hammering him until Animal showed up. Animal looked on in disgust. Finally Animal stopped Droz and started yelling at Hawk about throwing a 15 year legacy down the tubes. Fans booed Animal & Droz when they left. Vince yelled at Cornette for wearing out of date fashions and favoring Southern rasslin. Continued on page 15.
1432
1433THE READERS PAGES
1434
1435 
1436
1437QUESTIONS
1438
1439Technically, did Eric Bischoff's talk show last longer than Chevy Chase's?
1440
1441Why does Alex Wright treat Gene Okerlund so poorly? Shouldn't he have warm feelings for a German skinhead?
1442
1443Did Jeff Jarrett get the idea for his guitar smashing gimmick from the lead guitarist of the Who? It must be, because every time Jarrett walks into an arena, thousands of fans say to each other, "Who?"
1444
1445Why was there such excitement over which top movie star would appear on Nitro when all-time cinematic legends like Terry "Santa with Muscles" Hogan, Roddy "Hell Comes to Frogtown" Piper, Kevin "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze" Nash and Marcus "Return to Savage Beach" Bagwell are there taking a rare break from Tinseltown each and every week?
1446
1447Does "3:16" refer to the ratio between Sable's original breasts and her current ones?
1448
1449How much chrome and fiberglass damage would be caused if Scott Hall scraped his house keys along the finish on the Nitro Girls?
1450
1451Speaking of Hall, when you say that his rating is +1.52, is that the Neilsen ratings, or his blood alcohol content?
1452
1453How many rooms are there in the mansion that's owned by the guy who sells Spanish announcers' tables to the WWF?
1454
1455Did an enraged Jerry Lawler attack Jim Carrey for cheap publicity, or because he was still irate about coughing up $8 of his own money to see "The Cable Guy?"
1456
1457Does Sgt. Slaughter spot Tony Schiavone sneaking up on the outside, and worry about losing his prestigious "hugest chin in wrestling" crown?
1458
1459Does Meng want to form the TWO...except that as the sole Tongan in WCW, he'd be the only guy in the clique?
1460
1461Where can I buy a "Best of Larry Zbyszko turning around the waving at the fans" compilation tape?
1462
1463Did you notice that the windows of Mr. McMahon's Corvette held up longer against the pressure of a cement mixer than Jacqueline's top does against Sable?
1464
1465When will the Leprechaun wrestler sue WCW for its biased refusal to push Irish wrestlers?
1466
1467Is it true that Rick Rude had a malignant lump attacked to him until recently? I mean, besides Curt Hennig.
1468
1469For the millions of us suffering out here, when will the WWF finally provide badly-needed closure to the Marc Mero-Butterbean feud?
1470
1471If we all break down and simply concede that, yes Konnan and the Wolfpac are in fact bouty bouty, will he shut the hell up already?
1472
1473Does it bother Faarooq that he's less popular than Mr. Socko?
1474
1475When will Ding Dong #2 become eligible for the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame?
1476
1477Contractually, how many decades notice must WCW give Scott Steiner before administering a steroid test?
1478
1479Now that they have Reid Fliehr with his Moe haircut, and Goldberg slapping his face like Curly, when will WCW get a Larry lookalike to complete the Stooge trifecta?
1480
1481Does the single most thankless job in wrestling belong to the poor guy who has to run the WCW tape machine, "in case the match ends during the commercial?"
1482
1483Desmond Devlin
1484
1485Jackson Heights, New York
1486
1487VENTURA
1488
1489In a recent newsletter, you treated as laughable Jesse Ventura's candidacy for Minnesota Governor and made it sound as if Minnesotans had gone crazy if they gave him 10 to 20 percent of the vote or more, as is predicted.
1490
1491I can assure you that most Minnesotans are quite sane and that Jesse Ventura is not laughable. He may not be the most sophisticated political thinker, but he is a straight shooter, can more than hold his own in a debate and can give thoughtful and original answers to political questions. He is a fiscal conservative but is very tolerant on social issues.
1492
1493Our other two choices are a doctrinaire Republican, and a deeply entrenched DFLer from a well-known political family dynasty. That Ventura was a pro wrestler both helps and hinders his campaign, but I'm voting for him. Get used to it.
1494
1495Mark Maire
1496
1497Duluth, Minnesota
1498
1499DM: I have no knowledge of the other candidates but have had dealings with Ventura over the years, both positive and negative and enough to give me a good idea of him. He has a phenomenal delivery and a good wit dating from his days as one of the premier talkers in pro wrestling, and I expected he'd come off very well in a political debate format. Intelligent people who have spent time with him tend to see through the surface of him very quickly and in that environment the politicians he has to interface with will see through him immediately and have no respect for him. He shoots from the hip and has an incredibly high opinion of himself which is neither good nor bad. But he's not a deep thinker and doesn't think things out before he speaks or reaches conclusions. Because of his background in Hollywood and wrestling, he has a tendency be suspicious of things, but he also assumes things are cons that aren't and thinks every single thing in the world is politically motivated, ie. he's like a lot of people who have spent their lives in pro wrestling, looking for the con game when often there is no game. That quality has two sides to it because people like that aren't easily duped by some things, but in not being easily duped, they sometimes dupe themselves. He really doesn't care about making enemies, even if they are powerful ones, and I admire that quality in him because it was very unique in pro wrestling when he was part of the industry, but it's also not a good quality for a Governor. He has a hard time with people who disagree with his viewpoint and that's going to work against him, and with people who criticize him, and as Governor, he's in for constant criticism and people waiting to eat him alive if he should falter, and with his inexperience in politics at this level, he's going to make beginners mistakes. When he gets into a fight, he fights to win even if the odds in front of him look to be against him like in this election, and in starting out as a pro wrestler and actually making himself a viable radio personality and political candidate, which is a good quality for a person and a Governor. But, just as an example, in his job as a wrestling announcer, he was very content to let his great delivery and wit carry him and not care about changing and updating in an always changing industry. He was the color commentator everyone patterned themselves after in the 80s, but a few years later, he was already woefully outdated and blamed others for his problems generally caused by a lack of keeping up to date in an industry that was paying him an incredible amount of money for relatively little work. He isn't alone in this industry or industry in general among people who have "made it" on that score, but again, that's not a positive quality for a Governor. I'm not suggesting that because at the end he was poor at his job as a wrestling announcer after one time being the best, that has anything to do with being Governor. But those qualities that led to that happening are also qualities that wouldn't make me very confident of him being anything effective in that role unless the position is to play a very charismatic figurehead.
1500
1501Continued from page 14. Kurrgan & Golga beat Mankind & Al Snow in 4:35. Mankind couldn't find his sock so he ran away, leaving Snow against both and eventually he was pinned. It got atrocious with Snow trying to work with those clods. Vince tried to kick Shaquille O'Neal out of backstage. Stephen Regal NC Goldust in 4:51 when Kane showed up and choke slammed both. Regal's new gimmick is so campy bad that it cracks me up. It appears to be a spoof on the idea of a Man's Man rather than present him as one, to eventually lead to him going back to his snob personality. Whatever the deal is, Regal had no business in the ring on this night. It was an embarrassment as he was blowing spots all over the place like he was Davey Boy Smith in WCW. Terri Runnels showed up dressed as Marlena, as you know the story, now that she's pregnant and was dumped by her lover, she wants to get back with the husband she humiliated in front of the world. Those women will screw you every time. Maybe this was in response to that phone call Vince got from Dana Hall. Kane was about to choke slam "pregnant" Marlena but all the officials stopped him, so Kane choke slammed Tony Garea instead. This was not the night to be a 70s wrestling star, at least unless you were out of the business and running for Governor or something. Vince then gave Mankind a present of Austin's old WWF title belt handwritten World Hardcore champion on it. About a week ago, when WWF was in Greensboro, a fan gave Mick Foley a hand-made world hardcore champion belt so maybe that's where this idea came from. Vince said he'd lost a son but maybe he'd found one and Mankind called Vince "Dad." Rock beat Ken Shamrock via DQ for a chair shot in 7:57. Great TV match. It's really amazing just how good these two have gotten as workers given they both really only have a few years in. Vince said that if Rock didn't win the title he was out of Survivor Series, so Rock was out, started throwing furniture everywhere, and Vince called the cops and got him arrested. It's really sad that our jails every Sunday and Monday night are filled with innocent wrestlers while the career politicians and wrestling promoters go free. Val Venis beat Jeff Jarrett via DQ in 2:32 when Blue Blazer attacked Venis. Val is claiming there is no way he's the father of Terri's baby. Did he have a vasectomy? Is he secretly impotent? Did they really never have sex, you know the sex on TV was part of evil Vince's fake wrestling angle but the pregnancy is a real fake wrestling angle? Is Terri going to miscarry or is she lying about being pregnant? Are we going to reveal Terri is a secret lesbian? And then drop the angle the next week and she'll get back together with Val like nothing happened. Sorry, I'm having ECW angles that make no sense flashbacks. They did subtle teases that Val and Debra are going to wind up in a horizontal position some day soon. Only thing for sure about a program of Val vs. Jeff is that their quarter hours are going to get killed more often than not. Bangers NC D-Lo & Mark Henry when Kane came out and you know the rest. Bangers did a total DX spoof in the ring entrance that got no heat. Which was a prelude to the match which nobody cared about did Kane showed up. Thrasher appeared to have blown out a knee, which didn't help and it was pretty darn bad. Owen came out to confront Dan Severn, in a cervical collar. Owen beat up Severn, who was taken out in an ambulance. Steve Blackman attacked Owen until Blue Blazer saved Owen. So Owen isn't the Blue Blazer. No word at press time on who is. Phil LaFon worked as Blue Blazer in Mexico, and just left, and hooks for a reverse DDT the same way Blue Blazer did but that's only a guess. The cage lowered and McMahon tricked Patterson, Brisco and Slaughter into the cage and Bossman was destroying them. It was payback for them never coming back after leaving to get coffee on 10/19. Bossman was pounding on them with a stick while Patterson cried to Vince to get him to stop. He said he would if they pledged their undying loyalty to him. Somehow, I guess because it would kill the angle, they didn't and kept getting pounded until Austin, you know, the guy those three have been screwing every night for months, made the save. Jim Ross tried to explain the inexplicable. He wasn't saving them, he just climbed the cage to get at Bossman. Like he couldn't have done so at a more opportune time. Well, as he was pounding on Bossman, the ever ungrateful Patterson jumped Austin with the night stick and poor Austin was serving hard times. Finally, the top babyface, Shane comes down to save Austin. They did a tease on whether Vince would have Bossman pulverize Shane, but Vince saved Shane by calling Bossman off. Shane responded by flipping Vince off. Undertaker came out with Paul Bearer and attacked Austin in the cage until Kane came out and the show went off the air. Overall a pretty hot show
1502
1503WWF officials in response to the WCW televised claim about them insinuating the problems at Havoc were a ratings ploy, claimed that nobody in the company ever told anyone they believed Havoc's timing problem was a ratings ploy. They claimed they couldn't have said it because how would they have even known WCW was going to put the Page-Goldberg match on TV during that afternoon (since Bischoff hadn't 100% decided at that point to do it either)
1504
1505As it regards Davey Boy Smith, McMahon received communication from someone who represented himself as Smith's legal adviser wanting to open negotiations. According to WWF officials, McMahon said he wasn't interested in negotiating as long as Smith was under contract with WCW. There is no guarantee or even good odds that WWF would sign Smith even if he was available
1506
1507The Stone Cold Metal CD is at No. 173 on the Billboard charts with 8,176 units moved
1508
1509The last ratings from England which were 10/23 had Raw with 370,000 viewers to Nitro's 330,000
1510
1511We don't have a lot of details
1512
1513on this, but something went down during the week regarding Austin's concern with the direction they were planning on taking his character and plans were changed
1514
1515WWF is getting TV in Chile, upgrading in Germany to RTL2 at 11 p.m. Sundays starting 12/27
1516
1517Shawn Michaels is headed to Australia for a promotional tour from 11/18 to 11/25
1518
1519Undertaker will appear on the SciFi Channel's Poltergeist show in March
1520
1521Add Dallas Morning News to the list of papers working on a major wrestling feature
1522
1523Hard Copy is preparing a piece on the Lawler/Jim Carrey angle
1524
1525The Southwest Airlines in-flight magazine will be doing a cover story on Vince McMahon in the January issue
1526
1527It appears Mark Canterbury will have to undergo surgery for the herniated disc in his neck and be out at least three more months
1528
1529M&M Mars will be sponsoring Wrestlemania
1530
1531In Tampa on 10/30, 450-pound Bubba the Love Sponge, a DJ who has actually done some pro wrestling matches for WCW, did a run-in on the WWF show and gave Gerald Brisco a big splash after Brisco had earlier had him kicked out of the building
1532
1533Some of the road shows end with Austin and Earl Hebner drinking a beer together after Hebner counts as Austin wins the four way after Brisco or Slaughter get laid out. More Bret Hart movie based booking ideas
1534
1535Live Heat taping on 11/1 in Austin drew 10,001 paying $197,978. They also did some taping for Superastros debut show and also for Shotgun. The Astros show which I believe starts on Univision on 11/15, is hosted by Carlos Cabrera, Hugo Savinovich, Max Mini (unmasked as a comedy figure) and some Latino babe. They taped three matches, with Armando Fernandez (Tarzan Boy, real name Ojies Toscano) beating Scott Taylor, El Merenguero, doing a dance as his gimmick (Jesus Castillo of Los Boricuas under a mask) beating Christobol Martinez (no idea who), and El Hijo del Santo beat Super Loco (who I assume is Histeria in Mexico and Super Crazy in Japan) with a camel clutch. Max Mini was dancing with the woman during the breaks. For Shotgun, Goldust beat Babu when Tiger Ali Singh refused to lower himself to wrestle Goldust. Rock beat Marc Mero. Head Bangers beat Too Much. Christopher told Taylor before the match that he loved him. Christopher hurt his groin and Taylor put his head down there, you know where and Christopher shoved him away. Outlaws called Head Bangers the Butt Bangers. X-Pac beat Taka Michinoku to keep the European title. For the live show, Hardys beat Animal & Droz in 1:27 when Hawk and Droz were arguing and Animal fought the match by himself and was pinned. Regal beat Bradshaw with a cradle back suplex in 1:37. Regal didn't look that good, but looked world's better than on Monday. Brood beat Oddities when Gangrel pinned Golga in 2:07 when Golga was distracted as Edge stole Cartman. He got Cartman back. Golga got a few comedy pops. Blackman beat Brown in 1:23 when Thrasher shoved Brown off the top rope. Jarrett beat Venis in 2:25. Terri showed up late and said she was pregnant and Val blew her off. Shane McMahon gave a speech on his vision of the WWF is he was in control, you know, no lying, no stooges, no swerves. Fans didn't seem to care. There were catcalls and bullshit chants and little reaction to him as a face, although he got a great reaction the next night. Undertaker vs. Godfather never took place. Taker was pounding on Godfather and beating up refs until Kane made the save and the show went off the air
1536
1537Weekend house shows saw 10/30 in Tampa drew a sellout 9,441 paying $204,927 and 10/31 in San Antonio drew 600 shy of capacity with 9,480 paying $190,927. Merchandise for the week was $323,105 or $7.78 per head
1538
1539A note regarding Duane Johnson as a football player at Miami. We reported last week Johnson wasn't even a starter when he was purported in a newspaper story to be an All-American in college. Technically, Johnson did start several games with the Hurricanes due to injuries to regular starters as he was second string
1540
1541WWF offered ECW a plug for its PPV on the Heat show that led into the PPV, but ECW didn't respond
1542
1543Live Wire on 10/31 did a 1.7 rating and Superstars on 11/1 did a 1.5. After Heat's 3.3, the rest of the USA numbers were way down with Pac Blue at 1.7 and the rest even less than that going against some big-time network offerings.
1544
1545WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER November 9, 1998
1546
1547POST OFFICE BOX 1228 U.S.Postage Paid
1548
1549CAMPBELL, CA 95009-1228 Permit No. 5634
1550
1551San Jose, CA