Every Tuesday and Friday we give you the scoop on what's happening in and out of the wrestling ring. Somedays it's even funny!

I've been in a Milpitas Street Fight.

Chairshots
01-18-02

Smackdown Thoughts
I didn't catch Raw this week or Smackdown last week so I made sure to watch Smackdown last night. It was a pretty good show all things considered. Of all the things that are wrong in the WWF right now, I will give them credit for something I used to rag on them a lot about. They have started hyping the pay per view matches far earlier than six days before the event.

Last week Ric Flair and Vince McMahon added some mustard to their feud. The Royal Rumble possibilities are always built nicely as we wonder what order the participants will enter the ring, who will eliminate whom and ultimately who will win. The Rock and Chris Jericho were outstanding in their confrontation on Smackdown. I really believe that Jericho may have cut the best promo of his life last night (except for the one where he made fun of the luchadores in WCW). At this point, I'm looking forward to Royal Rumble and who the winner of the Jericho/Rock match will be. Kudos to WWF for that.

Split Postponed
Vince McMahon and the WWF have again postponed the plans to split the WWF into two divisions until after WrestleMania. Until Monday, all reports had correctly stated that the split was scheduled to take place right after the Royal Rumble. (It had already been delayed from the once-planned Jan. 7 date in order to not step on Triple H's return). The Alliance wrestlers, who were recently told they'd be back on TV after the Rumble, have now been told they won't be back on TV until after WrestleMania. I'm all for the WWF taking their time on this. If they screw it up, it will look really bad.

Booker T on Stern
Booker T was on the Howard Stern radio show Wednesday morning. Here are some highlights:

Howard made Booker do his interview from inside Robin's booth because Howard was afraid the Booker might hurt him. I guess Booker was miffed about a confrontation he had with Stuttering John last week.

He is currently dating Sharmell (formerly Paisley in WCW.)

Booker talked about getting in trouble during his childhood and how he was in prison (gave no details on the arrest). His brother (Stevie Ray) straightened him out and got his life together.

Howard asked Booker if he ever had sex with a white chick. Booker said yes but he prefers black chicks.

Booker mentioned that he currently has two lawsuits against him. One was a fan got in his face overseas and Booker hit him (no mention of WWF or WCW). He is also getting sued over the name "Spinarooni." (Who the hell would sue over the use of the name "Spinarooni?")

Surprisingly, Booker said that he would retire from wrestling in two years and move on in his life. He wants to work with and help children once he retires. He is also writing a book (God, another one) about his life.

Goldberg Disses WWF
Bill Goldberg was interviewed The Desert Sun about his upcoming appearance in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic golf tournament. During the interview, Goldberg said he is not interested in working for the WWF. "I personally believe that everything I stood for when I got into the ring would be compromised and succumbed to the circus-like atmosphere that's out there, and that's putting it mildly," Goldberg said. "I would be an imbecile if I gave up half my money to work for a company I didn't respect." Personally, I think Universal Soldier 2 did more to scar the human psyche than the WWF has ever done. Goldberg also discussed his golf game, the NFL, and Deion Sanders. To read the entire article, click here.

Jim Ross Breaks News
Jim Ross was the subject of a media conference Thursday night. The following items were among the highlights:

Ross said he disagrees with people who are criticizing the WWF for negotiating with Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hulk Hogan. He also pointed out that no contracts have been signed yet. (SCREW YOU BOB RYDER, SCREW YOU!)

On Hall, Nash, Hogan: "Negotiations are still ongoing. I'd like to give people a better update, but that's where we are. Nothing has been signed." (JIM ROSS HAS TWO WORDS FOR YOU AND YOUR "EXCLUSIVE NEWS" BOB RYDER…SUCK IT!)

Ross said he doesn't believe that the WWF locker room leaders (Austin, Undertaker, Kane, and others) will put up with "any games" from incoming wrestlers.

Ross discussed Chris Benoit's injury and said the fusion in his neck is healing well, according to Dr. Joel Youngblood. Ross said Benoit has done "light rolls in the ring" and light jogging. He hopes Benoit will be able to return by Wrestlemania, but said it is only "a loose goal."

"We have had no formal talks with Scott Steiner or his representatives," Ross said. Ross said they want to make sure he is physically sound before they enter into negotiations.

Ross also said he expects the characters of Godfather and Val Venis to be tweaked. "Hopefully they will be very entertaining with eyebrows up." My eyebrow is up because I know the WWF isn't going to bother to explain why the two former RTC members went back to their old gimmicks. Lazy, lazy writing.

Ross said there are no plans for wrestlers such as D-Lo Brown and Mark Henry, who work in the developmental territories, to appear in the Rumble match.

Ross said "the (WWF) brand will definitely split." He predicted that the split will take place after Wrestlemania, but said that was only a guess.

When asked about having to join Vince McMahon's ass kissing club on Raw, Ross said it was a way to establish Undertaker as a heel. Ross said he wouldn't have booked it if the decision had been up to him, but it was the writing staff's prerogative.

The WWF has not had any negotiations with Randy Savage. He said that doesn't mean they weren't interested in him, though.

On Goldberg: "I don't think the business runs through his veins. I don't think he has the passion for this product... That's not saying anything negative about Bill." Ross said he doesn't believe Goldberg will get back in the ring until after his Time Warner deal expires. Ross doesn't know if it would be worth it to pay Goldberg the type of money it would require to sign him. "He has guaranteed millions of dollars to do nothing right now."

Ross said the rumors of the Hardys and Lita being in the dog house have been blown out of proportion. "They're in good standing," Ross said. Ross admitted that Jeff Hardy has been late for work "a couple of times," but said "it wasn't a big deal." Ross said they were given some time off to recharge their batteries. The Hardys will return at the Rumble.

Ross said he had yet to read Goldberg's comments in the Desert Sun. Ross said Goldberg hasn't complained about the WWF product during their conversations.

Jeff Jarrett is an "excellent" talent, but said no one from the WWF has discussed a contract with him. Ross said Jarrett "held us up for money" before his final WWF appearance. Ross said there was more to the story of Jarrett's departure, but he didn't want to get into it (the other part of the story being that it was Ross's fault for letting Jarrett's contract expire the day before Jarrett was booked for a match). Jarrett "is not unwelcome" in the WWF: "Past experiences are to be left there. If he's ever interested in coming back here, I'm sure we'll be talking."

Ross believes the creative team is more interested in the cruiserweights than ever before. He predicted that the cruisers will be pushed more after the roster is split. Ross talked with Rey Mysterio Jr. just after Christmas. There is interest in Mysterio, but the WWF will probably wait until after the split to sign him.

Ross put over Steve Austin as the greatest WWF Champion due to how strong the business was during his initial run on top. Ross also said Austin is the first person to arrive at the building and the last to leave. "I think he's done as much as any human being could ever do for this company," Ross said.

Dustin Runnels will be playing Goldust at the Rumble. Goldust's appearance is currently structured as a one-time event. I guess this means Goldust won't be winning the Royal Rumble. Damn. He was my top pick. Ross added that Curt Hennig will also appear as Mr. Perfect.

J.R. believes Eddie Guerrero will return to the WWF once he gets his life straightened out. "His life and how he leads his life is much more important than how pretty his huracanrana is... but I'd love to see him back." Me too.

Quickies
Lita has a tattoo in the inside of her lip, which says "PUNK." She's has had it for about seven years. That's much more "extreme" than wearing ripped bandanas and showing off your thong.

Stone Cold Steve Austin will host "MADtv" in February. Triple H's appearance on the Fox show did very well in the ratings and Austin is expected to deliver good numbers also. About the only funny thing on the show that Triple H hosted was the guy that impersonated Stone Cold. Maybe they will meet in some wacky fashion.

At Wednesday's Ohio Valley Wrestling taping, it was released that second-generation talent Randy Orton (son of Bob Orton Jr.) would wrestle his last match for OVW that night as he has been called up to the WWF full-time. He then lost his final match to fellow developmental talent Prototype (dumb name.) Orton has been wrestling on the undercard of recent WWF tours. Orton will probably show up after the split.

"E! True Hollywood Stories" is working on an episode about the life of Vince McMahon. I always thought his life was kind of dull. With just the buying the WWF from his father, eliminating all competition, the steroid scandals, his publicized affair and the Monday night wars, I really don't see how they are going to fill an hour.

IGN is reporting that a professional wrestler who must remain nameless may be in talks to join The Matrix: Revolutions. The unnamed wrestler already has a couple of films under his belt and has had some free time lately due to a hiatus in his career. He will reportedly play a bad guy who cannot be stopped physically and whose brain extends beyond their head - into computer chips, etc. My money is on Goldberg.

Tajiri has been removed from the list of participants for the WWF Royal Rumble. He will be in Japan on Sunday promoting the WWF's upcoming show there (scheduled for 3/1).

Royal Rumble Predictions
Royal Rumble is usually my favorite WWF pay per view of the year. I really like the gimmick and the WWF has always found a way to keep it fresh. This year has a hot Unified title defense and a star-studded line up of Rumble participants. It's also the official start of the "road to Wrestlemania." Let look at the card and see what's what:

Spike Dudley & Tazz vs. Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley (WWF Tag Titles): The last thing we need to see is another Dudley tag win, but Spike and Tazz are not the team to put over the Dudleys. Spike and Tazz are both talented guys, but they lack chemistry and the fans could give a flying frick about them as a tag team. Dudleys win the titles back and their snore fest of a title reign continues.

Trish Stratus vs. Jazz (WWF Women's Title): Jazz has been built up to be a monster hell (for a woman) and Trish is really just a T&A champ. Jazz wins and takes the title to Wrestlemania.

Edge vs. William Regal (Intercontinental Title): The WWF hasn't really done a lot with Edge after he won the King of the Ring and Intercontinental Title. He's basically moved from one token feud to another. Now he's fighting a guy he beat cleanly at the last PPV. Is the WWF even trying anymore? I'm hoping this feud ends, so Edge retains title over Regal after an old school style match. The only real question here is will Regal's nose bleed?

Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon (Atlanta Street Fight):
Having never been to Atlanta, I have no idea what an Atlanta Street Fight involves, but my guess is that it's a fight that prevents the audience from realizing that two over 50 year old men are fighting each other. Don't expect a clean finish because this match will probably happen again at Wrestlemania to justify the company split. Maybe Shane will return and help his Dad win. Flair gets no love.

Chris Jericho vs. The Rock (Unified World Title Match): There is no doubt about it, this is the match of the night. As stated by Jericho on Smackdown last night, everyone thinks he's just a transitional champ and that the Rock will win at Royal Rumble. The truth is that in order to stay popular wins the fans, Jericho needs the title and the Rock doesn't. Jericho cleanly pinning Rock is probably too much to ask for, so this is one case where I'm hoping for a screwy finish that sees Jericho retain the title. In my dream world right now, Jericho and Triple H are the main event at Wrestlemania with Stephanie in Jericho's corner after she turns on Triple H at the February PPV.

Royal Rumble Match:
As fun as the Royal Rumble is, the WWF has added the "winner gets a title shot at Wrestlemania" stipulation and that means right away, we can figure out who won't be winning. Does anyone really think that the main event at Wrestlemania is going to be Chris Jericho vs. Scotty Too Hotty? How about The Rock vs. The Godfather? I don't think so. Possible winners for the Rumble match are Steve Austin, Triple H, Kurt Angle, Undertaker and maybe Booker T. Steve Austin has already won the Rumble 3 times, so he's too predictable. Kurt Angle and Booker T are big name wrestlers, but not big enough money generators to be in the Wrestlemania main event (this year.) Undertaker is on the downside of his career, but it's possible that the WWF may give him on last big run. However, with his recent return I think Triple H is the only real possibility for being the Rumble winner. Again, if Jericho is champ at the end of the night, then a Jericho vs. Triple H feud is fine and dandy in my book. Triple H vs. Rock is still a big time main event match, but it's been done before and both men are baby faces right now.

Wrestlemania Predictions With all that taken in to consideration, here is what I predict the card for Wrestlemania will be.

Triple H vs. Chris Jericho (with Stephanie) for the Unified World Title.

Rock vs. Kurt Angle

Steve Austin vs. Undertaker

Vince McMahon vs. Ric Flair

Edge vs. Booker T (Intercontinental Title)

Dudley's vs. Hardeys (again)

Jazz vs. Jackie for (Women's Title)

Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Benoit

Kane vs. Pete Rose (Inferno match) Of course all this goes out the window if the WWF signs Kevin Nash, Scott Hall or Scott Steiner before then. Looking at that card, you can see why the WWF needs to split its roster. All those big names don't leave much room for guys like Christian, Hurricane, X-pac, Tajiri, Big Show, etc…

I however am out the window now. Catch you all on Tuesday with post Royal Rumble and Raw fallout.

Michael Goodson