From: ag725@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Rick Scaia) Subject: [INFO] The News From Dayton -- 08/05/96 Date: 1996/08/05 Message-ID: <4u42sf$d7k@freenet-news.carleton.ca> Sender: ag725@freenet3.carleton.ca (Rick Scaia) Organization: The National Capital FreeNet Reply-To: ag725@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Rick Scaia) Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling Hey, kids! This is the 1st Anniversary Issue of "The News From Dayton." That's right... it was exactly 52 weeks ago that Alex Marvez's pro wrestling column started appearing weekly in the Dayton Daily News, and 52 weeks ago that I first started posting summaries of those columns... first under the heading "Weekly Dayton Daily News Column," and then come October, as "The News From Dayton." I'd like to take a quick moment to make sure the *proper* people get some acknowledgement, as I am really only the bringer of news, not the guy who finds it out for you. Of course, Alex Marvez gets a lionshare of the credit; if he had not decided to relocate to the mythical land of Dayton, OH, I would never have had reason to start up "The News." Also, thanks to Georgie, Newzfirst, Dave "The Lariat" Scherer, Marc Mero, MiCasa, and the guy who took over for me for two weeks earlier this year to make sure "The News" continued in my absence (hey Shawn, I've got another vacation coming up, bro!) who have all at one time or another (some in the past, some in the present) provided information, inspiration, or assistance through their online forums in the ongoing effort to bring you "The News." And thanks to all the readers, too, for making it worthwhile. Remember, "The News" on the web (available on my wrestling page -- http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ag725/HomePage.wrestling.html ) is updated during the week, and has lots of other goodies... even that damned "comprehensive" look at Titan's suit against WCW that has spawned a flamewar. As always, kicking off "The News" is a recap of Alex Marvez's weekly graps column from the Dayton Daily News: * Top story is the expansion of the "Outsiders" angle... it began with the mystery fourth man seen by Rey, Jr. on Nitro, and will eventually expand to include a total of five men. Likliest candidates to fill the fourth (and eventually fifth) slots at this point are Jeff Jarrett and Sean "1-2-3 Kid" Waltman. Marvez notes that Bret Hart is still an outside shot at coming in, though I doubt this for *many* reasons (number one, Titan is suddenly making Hart the centerpiece of conversation; number two, Bret Hart does not seem like the kind of guy who would be a good fit for a "mercenary heel" type of role). * Highlights from last weekend's Dayton Hara Arena show are the next item of business. In Dayton, Flair/Savage was the main event, but was in a steel cage, and thus had a different finish than as noted in last week's "News." In Dayton, the "Outsiders" got a huge babyface pop over Sting and Luger, though Alex did state (on AOL, not in his column) that for all the heat on this match (both in Dayton and Cinci), it was pretty weak; both cities saw a DQ win for the "Outsiders." The tag team title double switch, which concluded with the Harlem Heat winning the titles back from the Steiners in Dayton, was never acknowledged on WCW TV, which makes one wonder why they did it at all... just to make mediocre house show crowds (a half-empty building of 4500 in Dayton) think they saw something special? * Looks like Barry Windham will be brought into the WWF with a nickname like "The Stalker," and will be portrayed as big game hunter. This ties into a story that WWF Online was hyping, in which Jim Ross had the whole story about returning WWF champion who was a big game hunter. * Just when I was starting to think that maybe this whole Ahmed Johnson injury thing might be a work, Marvez says that it's all for real, and that Ahmed's injuries really *did* occur as a result of Simmon's potatoing Johnson in the kidneys in the RAW sneak attack; Ahmed went on to work in the Battle Royal later in the night, despite the ruptured kidney (and the almost trivial broken nose he suffered the night before). He is expected back for SummerSlam. * The Bruise/Blu Brothers are the returning WWF tag team that we've been hearing about. Actually, there is some word that they may not be doing the "Blu Twins" gimmick, and instead coming in as the Bruises. We shall see. In other ECW-to-WWF speculation, Marvez says that Titan is really interested in both Stevie Richards and 2 Cold Scorpio. * Alex answers questions from fans in his column... you can e-mail him at one of these two e-mail addresses: "Alex1Marv@aol.com" or "alex_marvez@dni.com". Alex also maintains the "Bodyslams" folder in the AOL Grandstand Wrestling Area, and interacts with the fans (when he's not to busy doing his REAL job: covering the Cincinnati Bengals for the Dayton Daily News). Now, onto other info swiped from other reliable sources on and around the 'net: * First, some interesting items from the WWF Online section of AOL... hottest rumor circulating was about the possibility of a Bikini Contest being added to the SummerSlam card, featuring all 6 of the best reasons to watch the WWF (to steal a great sentiment from an IYH sign). Actually, this morning on the Action Zone, this was confirmed, as a Bikini Contest pitting Sunny vs. Marlena vs. Sable was placed on the Free-For-All show. Now, tell me that's not a Three Way Dance you'd love to see and that ECW has gotta be envious of! ;) * Also from WWF Online are some hints and allegations... not actual news, but rumors they want planted, and which I will do my job to circulate. First, there is rumored tension between Jim Cornette and Clarence Mason; a split may be forthcoming. And second, there may be a chance that when Bret Hart does make his return, he will be willing to do anything to avenge his loss to Shawn Michaels, up to and including burying the hatchet with former family foes Owen Hart, Davey Boy Smith, and Jim Neidhart. * Mark Henry update: It is true that he signed an unprecedented (again, I say "unprecedented," but I am willing to be corrected) TEN YEAR deal with the WWF before competing in the Olympics last week. His competition came to an early end, when he suffered an injury to his back in his first lift; against doctor's orders (see, Henry's already learning some cheap ways to get heat!), he attempted a second lift, but the injury was only aggrevated, and Henry wound up placing 14th. Henry is an amazing speciman, at 6"3' and over 400 lbs. (but less than 25% body fat according to one article I read) with the agility to dunk a basketball on a regulation hoop, but remains an unproven commodity in the ring. Dulling some of my enthusiasm for his foray into graps is word that Titan wants to rush him into the ring by early Autumn of this year, instead of taking the time to train him properly. Late note: there is apparently a good possibility that Henry could be matched with a returning Captian Lou Albano as his manager. * In disappointing ECW news, it has been reported that Pitbull #1 suffered a bad neck injury at the last ECW Arena show, when trying to take a bump and protect his bad arm. It may be severe enough an injury (on top of the fact that Pit 1 has suffered though a number of injuries of late) to end his wrestling career. * I've read some interesting things about the September In Your House PPV, in Philadelphia, PA. First I will share with you, for entertainment value mostly, a concept proposed by Newzfirst on AOL... the event would be subtitled as "Double Trouble" and would feature all tag team matches; the main event would have Shawn/Lothario vs. Vader/Cornette, with Sid/Ahmed vs. Owen/Bulldog, Undertaker/Jake vs. Mankind/Goldust, Vega/Mero vs. Austin/HHH, Gunns vs. Godwinns (tag title), Bodydonnas vs. New Rockers, and Bushwhackers vs. Bradshaw/Zeb. One or two of the matches would be dark, while another would be the Free For All match. * However, from crack reporters on the scene in Philly, we can punch some holes in this sketchy concept. First off, we know that the IYH event will be subtitled "School of Hard Knocks" (I guess that "House of Hardcore" was taken....). While we do have confirmation that the double main event will have Shawn Michaels and Jose Lothario taking on Vader and Jim Cornette in one match, while Sid and Ahmed Johnson team to face Bulldog and Owen Hart, it has already been made clear to the Philly crowd that a Gunns/Godwinns match will be a one dark match, while HHH will face Yokozuna in another non-televised match. Personally, I think the Lothario/Cornette thing is one of the few Classic Cornette angles that have been stolen from SMW that is interesting and will play well. How well it will play in Philly is another question... A solid undercard will be needed to prevent an ECW outburst like we have seen at past televised events from Philly when the wrestlin sucked. * Ratings from Monday 7/29 once again saw both shows hurt by the Olympics. RAW posted a 2.1 to Nitro's 2.9. * After recent word that Chris Jerico would be jumping from ECW to WCW in time to appear at the Aug. 15 Clash (apparently facing Hugh Morris), it seems that WCW will have more debuts ready for either that show, or by later in the month. Doug Furnas, who works for All Japan Pro Wrestling, is coming in for the Clash; this opens up some interesting political undertones, as WCW is allied with All Japan's rival promotion, New Japan. Also, both Ted DiBiase and Sean Waltman are said to be available to debut within the month. * Here is the full line-up of WWF PPV dates and sites for the rest of 1996: - Summerslam Cleveland, OH August 18, 1996 - In Your House Philadelphia, PA September 22, 1996 - In Your House Indianapolis, IN October 20, 1996 - Survivor Series MSG, New York City November 17, 1996 - In Your House Lakeland, FL December 15, 1996 -- Rick Scaia | I'm on the Web now! Important to the Important People | http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ag725/ ag725@freenet.carleton.ca | Prepare to be Disappointed!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------