From: hekunze@watmsg.waterloo.edu (Herb Kunze) Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling Subject: Wrestling TidBits - 07/18 Message-ID: <1991Jul18.180536.1710@watmath.waterloo.edu> Date: 18 Jul 91 18:05:36 GMT Sender: news@watmath.waterloo.edu (News Owner) Organization: University of Waterloo Lines: 96 - TSN's WCW Power Hour show has commentary especially for the Canadian audience. Jim Ross usually mentions Wayne Gretzky at least two times in the hour ;-). On this week's show, Jim mentioned something to do with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Paul E. kept the topic alive by insulting the RCMP a bit. Then Jim said something like: "Have you heard anything about that guy who's impersonating an RCMP officer? The RCMP has filed a lawsuit." They went on and on about how stupid it was for this guy to imitate an RCMP officer. In the mean time, the WWF has agreed to pull the Mountie from all of it's Canadian live shows and TV shows. Of course, he still worked the WWF taping in Calgary this week. - Rick Martel, currently working an SWS tour, will probably not return to the WWF. Medical reasons are being given as the explanation. It was reported at the George Zahorian trial that Rick was having some kidney problems that were linked to his steroid usage. - Oz (Kevin Nash) is gone from WCW. Apparently, they had some contractual problems with Nash and fired him because he was unwilling to bend. - Roddy Piper has made some comments involving his linkage to the steroid trial of George Zahorian. It seems that people want WWF representatives to answer the accusations of ex-WWF employees Billy Graham and Bruno Sammartion. When asked about the statement by Bruno that 90% of the WWF guys were using steroids, Piper said that he didn't "believe that figure was close." (Yeah, probably a little higher, right? ;-)) Piper is trying to justify his use of steroids by saying that he needed them to compete, to fight injury, and that they did enhance his ability. It's expected that Piper will quietly be removed from his wrestling work and will become solely (not "Solie" ;-)) a commentator. - Steve Williams may not be coming into the WWF so soon after all. He and Terry Gordy recaptured the All Japan belts from Stan Hansen & Dan Spivey. Steve is also Herb Abrams' UWF champion. - Ric Flair turned down an offer to return to WCW. This offer would have him finish out the current contract at his current rate and then take on a new much smaller contract. I really think we can blame Dusty Rhodes for this situation. It would seem that he has been working towards getting rid of Flair by using him improperly - I've got to believe that he's done this on purpose, seeking revenge on Flair for his previous firing as booker. The promoters who still own the National Wrestling Alliance name have come forth to say that they still recognize Ric Flair as the NWA champion. Flair owns the World belt. This means that Flair could work legitimately as the NWA champion anywhere in the world, even though there really is no NWA any more. Ideally, Vince could bring Flair into the WWF a short time before WrestleMania, not change his character a bit, and just say that he is the NWA champion, and that the NWA is an organization with some loyal followers, most of whom are WWF detractors. Set it up as an outside challenge: Flair's fans and Flair have been going on for several years saying that Flair is the man, and Flair has finally decided to make a challenge at the big league and Hulk Hogan. The WWF, being an open and receptive organization, has agreed to allow Flair to compete in the WWF, while deciding upon whether or not to accept his challenge to Hulk Hogan. Have Flair beat a name or two, constantly challenging Hogan. Have Hogan come forth saying he wants the match, too. Finally, the championship committee can announce it as the main event at WrestleMania. Flair would lose, barely, and they could carry the program through the summer. The marks would have to conclude that the WWF is better than its competitor. The mark magazines would have to concede something, too. Flair has not released any definite statement on his future. - New Japan star Pegasus Kid has unmasked as Chris Benoit. This is no surprise to anybody. He lost a mask match against Jushin Riger, who will form a tag team with Benoit. - Scott Steiner will probably be out until Januray 1992. The WCW World Titles have been declared vacant and a tournament will take place to crown new champions. The tournament matches will all air on World Championship Wrestling, beginning this weekend. - Finally, on a personal note I had an experience this morning that made me respect Cactus Jack Manson even more than I already did. You know that bump that Cactus takes off the apron to the floor? The most famous instance where he took the bump was at a Clash of Champions where he fought Mil Mascaras. He stands on the apron facing the ring and launches himself backwards with legs and arms outstretched, landing on his butt many feet away from the ring. Well, this morning I lost my footing in the shower and launched myself backwards through the shower curtain into the middle of the bathroom, landing on my butt. It took me several minutes to get up, several more to get moving again, and I haven't been able to walk straight all day. Jack, you are even more crazy than I thought you were. ;-) Herb... As always, comments, criticisms, and questions are encouraged and appreciated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Herb Kunze : "Whether you like it or you don't like it, Applied Math Department : learn to live with it, 'cause University of Waterloo : it's the best thing going today! hekunze@watmsg.waterloo.edu : Woooooooh!" hekunze@violet.waterloo.edu : - Ric 'Nature Boy' Flair