Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 05:12:57 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <199703311012.FAA08869@freenet5.carleton.ca> From: ag725@freenet.carleton.ca (Rick Scaia) To: nfd@aimnet.com Subject: The News From Dayton -- 03/31/97 Reply-To: ag725@freenet.carleton.ca Sender: owner-nfd@majordomo.aimnet.com Precedence: list THE NEWS FROM DAYTON For the week of March 24, 1997 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hart and Austin "Save" WM13 / RAW Taping Highlights Read on for more on today's Headline Stories! This Edition Published: Monday -- March 31 -- 4:00am --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The News From Dayton is compiled weekly by: Rick Scaia (ag725@freenet.carleton.ca) However, I do not work in a vacuum... by virtue of being much more dedicated to to regular, insider updates on breaking news than I am, the following informative online personalities and forums provide key corroboration and details on the stories I report here the NFD counts on them to make sure only the most reliable information is printed here in the News From Dayton: Alex Marvez and his Weekly Dayton Daily News Wrestling Column The Wrestling Lariat The Newzfirst Folder (on America On-Line) and the brand new WrestleSite The Bagpipe Report and MiCasa's Daily News WWF On-Line (on America On-Line) and of course... My Many Top Secret Sources Whose Names I Cannot Divulge --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The News -- For the Week of March 31, 1997 The News From Dayton, as always, remains a combination of the weekly Dayton Daily News pro wrestling column, penned by Alex Marvez, and other pieces of information I feel are unique and worth passing on to you, the Home Viewer. If you are reading the NFD on one of the RSPW newsgroups, or anywhere on the web other than the revamped News From Dayton Web Site, or if you are linking directly here without checking out the main News From Dayton Headlines Page, I strongly encourage you to make the jump to the NFD on the web at http://homepages.udayton.edu/~scaiarij/wrestling/nfd.htm I think you'll find the trip worthwhile, as there are many exclusive features to the NFD Web Site, along with updates on breaking news, so that you don't have to wait a full week for the NFD's take on the latest rumors. THE ALEX MARVEZ COLUMN.... * Alex gets right to the point in recapping the WWF's WrestleMania 13 PPV by saying, "If one match makes a pay-per-view show, then consider WrestleMania 13 a success." He goes on to clarify that statement by calling the Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin submission match "the best [match] this year in terms of action and storyline." Alex also positively reviews the rest of Bret Hart's heelish actions at the show, from attacking Austin after the match to interfering in the title match and helping the Undertaker beat Sid. While I'd say there was a bit more than just that one match which "saved" WM13, I think it's safe to say Alex is right to single out the latter half of the show as being much more notable than the first half. * Next, Marvez recaps Hart's continuing voyage to heel status here in the United States by running down the high points of Hart's latest Monday Night Tirade. Hart ended that 20 minute segment by destroying Shawn Michaels, a segment that saw a quarter hour of RAW top the opposing quarter hour of WCW Nitro for the first time in five weeks. Hart will continue to be a focus of WWF television in coming weeks, as he attempts to reunite his family (Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith). * In news broken last week in the NFD Weekly, Alex reports that the WWF returns to Dayton (for the first time in four years) with a Saturday night card at the Nutter Center (venue for the 1993 King of the Ring PPV). No matches are announced, but all the WWF's top stars are scheduled to be there. For ticket information, call 937-775-4789. * In a shocking revelation, Marvez next reveals that Scott Hall has been SUSPENDED from WCW. This comes on the heels of extremely reputable information sources stating that Hall is entering rehabilitation for a drug habit, or is injured, or is taking some personal time, or is even trying to pull a power play with WCW officials. The most reputable sources were sticking to the rehab story... however, Alex now reports that Hall's disappearance is actually due to a suspension, with his return date unknown at this point. This will be effecting the Spring Stampede PPV tag match pitting Hall and Kevin Nash against the Steiners (at house shows, Syxx and Randy Savage have been alternately filling Hall's slot), as Hall is not expected back in time for that show. Also, the WCW's next Dayton house show (April 18) will likely be effected, as Hall was scheduled to team with Nash against Lex Luger and the Giant. As a matter of fact, that card has already undergone major changes; originally, Dean Malenko was to defend his US Title against Eddie Guerrero in a Ladder Match. Guerrero's injury forced a change, as Chris Jericho was inserted into that spot. Now, however, the US Title Ladder match has been completely scrapped, as Malenko has been pulled; Jericho will now face Jeff Jarrett in a match on the April 18 Dayton show. Ticket information is at 937-278-4776. * Alex Marvez's column appears every Sunday in the Dayton Daily News. In addition to sharing his wrestling thoughts there, Alex is also once again lurking about the America OnLine Grandstand Wrestling Area, and can be e-mailed with questions at "alex_marvez@coxohio.com". Also, Alex can also be heard on Mondays and Fridays on WING-FM (102.9) at 7:20 a.m. talking about wrestling and other sports. IN OTHER NEWS... * I guess the top "Other News" is a quick recap of the taping of tonight's "RAW is WAR"... so if you don't want to know what happens, skip to the next bulleted section! The top match and angle of the night was a showdown between Owen Hart and the British Bulldog over Bulldog's European Title... after some hardfought action, Bret Hart came down to ringside and broke the two up. He got on the mic, and said that the three Hart family members (Bulldog is brother-in-law to Bret and Owen) should be split up by people with other agendas and no family values. In essense, he reformed a NEW Hart Foundation. Already, speculation abounds that either Brian Pillman or Jim Neidhart will be the fourth and final member of the group. In other action, Undertaker teased taking back Paul Bearer as his manager, and then attacked Bearer... this was broken up as Mankind, Undertaker's opponent April 20 on PPV, showed up and THREW FIRE in the face of the 'Taker. Also on the show, Bret Hart took on IC Champ Rocky Maivia in a match that went to a now contest as run-ins and wild brawling took place. First, Steve Austin ran in to get at Bret; then Owen and Bulldog showed up; finally, the Legion of Doom (who challenge Owen and Bulldog for the tag titles on April 20) ran-in. This was a hot finish to a show which also featured a Steve Austin interview, Hunter Hearst Helmsley taking on Goldust, and another chance for the Mexican stars of AAA to showcase their talents. * Ken Shamrock is being groomed slowly for a feud with Bret Hart, apparently. There are still rumors that Dan Severn could be starting with the WWF very soon, and that might be another potential foe for Shamrock down the line. Right now, reports from NewzFirst say that Shamrock is looking very good in his work-outs with WWF trainer Tom "Zip" Pritchard. Others are reporting that the WWF is negociating with SEG (the company behind UFC) for footage of Shamrock in the Octagon for use in hyping him. Shamrock will also be getting his first chance to hype himself, as he appears in a chat on the WWF area of America Online this Tuesday (4/1). * Speaking of UFC tie-ins... Tony Halme has been confirmed as one of the competitors in the May Ultimate Fighting Championship PPV. Halme may be best known to wrestling fans as "Ludvig Borga," a top WWF heel in mid 1993 (he was the first WWF star to beat Tatanka, for instance, and headlined shows against Lex Luger). Halme has also competed in Japan (he teamed with WCW's Scott "Flash" Norton on several NJPW tapes I've got) regularly. Since leaving the WWF, after an injury, Halme has surfaced occasionally on various combat PPVs of varying legitimacy. The last time I saw him he was portraying "The Viking" on an absolutely terrible PPV called "Fight Zone." This event tried to come off as having "real" fights, but actually had angles and other BS that were as bad as any embarassingly poor pro wrestling angle you can think off. Anyway, word is that Halme has been courted heavily by both WCW and the WWF in recent months, and that a WWF return might be possible, adding yet another UFC veteran to Titan's roster.... * On the heels of the Scott Hall story, there are now some people saying that Lex Luger is looking for a reduction in the number of his appearances, possibly to deal with personal issues. I can't confirm any of this, but enough people are saying it that I figured I'd toss it in here to fan the fire.... * There are also some people saying that when Shawn Michaels returns, he'll also be looking for a lighter workload... now, the way I've heard it, Michaels will be worked back into the mix slowly, working only TV and major house shows for the first part of his return, before they test him with a full schedule. But people are saying that Michaels is actively campaigning for a "part-time" schedule when he comes back, which, again, I can't confirm at all... * Speaking of Michaels, I was checking out MiCasa's page and noticed an interesting comment he made about Michaels' comments last Monday... he said that everything Michaels accused Bret of is something Michaels has been accused of in the past. And that is a thought that crossed my mind when I was watching on Monday, but completely forgot about till reading MiCasa's page. It's kind of funny actually, when you put Michaels' comments in perspective. It's been widely reported that Michaels has, in the past, been VERY sensitive to crowd responses to him... has been an nearly obsessive perfectionist in terms of making sure he comes across as the "best worker" in his matches.... has been a "mark" for his own press at times... and so when Bret Hart starts getting a little pissy at fans, it's *Shawn Michaels* who comes out and defends the fans rights to cheer and boo who they please and who says that Hart is "obsessive" and calls Bret "mark man"? That's the kind of irony that's so thick you can cut it with a knife, ladies and gents.... Just thought I'd do a quick editorial there; hope you don't mind. * While my mind's on Bret Hart, the WWF has announced that Hart's appearance on "The Simpsons" will now take place on April 27, instead of the previously reported April 13 date. That's too bad... I was kinda looking forward to enjoying a special wrestling-flavored "Simpsons" before settling in for ECW's "Barely Legal." :) * BTW, on the subject of ECW (damn, am I the master of segues this week, or what?!?), this week's show did a nice job of summarizing the quest of Terry Funk to wear the ECW World Title one last time (Funk has to survive a Three Way Dance against Stevie Richards and the Sandman just to get to a title match with Raven on the PPV...), and also featured an ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC preview of the Michinoku Pro 6-man which will be reprised on the Barely Legal PPV (I said a couple weeks ago that Ultimo Dragon *used to be* my favorite high flyer... well, the Great Sasuke is my *current* fav). The show this week ended with yet another tease of the Sabu/Taz PPV main event. * The final number for the February In Your House buyrate is just over 0.6, which is actually pretty good for an IYH. Somebody else (and I'm sorry for borrowing this number and forgetting exactly where I read it) is reporting an early buyrate of 1.2 for WrestleMania, which is very good considering recent trends, but not so great compared with WrestleManias of the past... * A couple quick talent move rumors... first, Disco Inferno surfaced over the weekend, wrestling as "The Boogie Man" under a mask at an indie show in Pittsburgh. He was unmasked, and revealed. No word on whether this means Disco may have signed over his gimmick to the WWF (and thus could not use it for a non-WWF-sanction indie booking), or was just a fluke occurance. Many sources are reporting that Disco *is* now with the WWF, but I have yet to confirm that... one thing that does appear to be confirmed is that Disco will *not* be HonkyTonk Man's protege. That role will, in all likelihood, be filled by the USWA's "Too Sexy" Brian Christopher, who just happens to be Jerry Lawler's son (and thus, is Honky's second cousin). Christopher is a super talent (decent worker, good interview), but I'm not sure that this is the gimmick that I want to see him saddled with upon his "big league" debut... and speaking of a big league debut: Rob Van Dam is being courted by both major feds, but is apparently in much closer contact with the WCW folks (where he actually got his start as a TV jobber about 3-4 years ago). He was backstage at a couple recent WCW events... and I gotta admit that even though I'm not a big fan of Rob's, his "best fit" in the big two would be as a WCW Cruiserweight. Just as long as they don't waste him as part of the inane karate fighter sub-plot they've got going on with Glacier and Adam Bomb. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The News From Dayton is Copyright 1995, 1997 by Rick Scaia. This document, as well as all other contents of the pages in the NFD WWW hierarchy, are the intellectual property of Rick Scaia. Please refer to the "Thanks and Acknowledgements" page for full copyright information. In short: You are not to reproduce the content or style of these pages for financial gain. -- Rick Scaia | I'm on the Web now! RSPW Posse Minister of OFFENSE | http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ag725/ ag725@freenet.carleton.ca | Prepare to be Disappointed!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - List: nfd - Majordomo v1.94.1 - Aimnet, Santa Clara, California, USA