Every Tuesday and Friday we give you the scoop on what's happening in and out of the wrestling ring. Every Monday a brand new Book It.

The NWO are wussies.

Chairshots
4-09-02

Raw Thoughts
How awesome is Brock Lesnar? He hasn't had a single match or even said a word, but I think I love him. I mean that in a very manly way. He's got an awesome look, destroys cruiserweights (and Rikishi) and can take a chairshot to the face. There is nothing more I want from a superstar. The WWF is truly following the Heel-building 101 formula and it's working.

Kevin Nash was suspended last night by Ric Flair so that Nash will have time to heel from a torn bicep. I understand that he needs time off, but the NWO has really turned into a bunch of wussies. Flair tells Nash to go home and in response Nash says he will sue? Lawsuits are hardly the act of renegades and outsiders.

Rob Van Dam vs. Undertaker was a great match. I expected it to end about three times before it actually did. Nice booking work that builds good feuds between RVD/Eddie Guerrero and Austin/Undertaker. I'm all for a Bradshaw push, but he looks silly in those boots.

How many times has Kane been unmasked now? It's no longer an effective plotline unless we start seeing his face. As for Kane's new character, I'm still not sure a happy, flirting Kane is the way to go. I liked it better when he used the voice box, but I understand how limited that makes his promos.

As the author of Book It, I just want to say kudos to the writing staff for some long term planning last night on Raw. Since Flair can't book the number one contender for Backlash, he set his top stars in motion for a number one contendership at Judgment Day. It makes perfect sense and by the time Judgment Day rolls around, there should be a lengthy back-story to back up the match. I like that.

The second Raw since the roster split was above average. I still haven't decided which roster I like better yet. More than likely I'll decide which one I dislike more so as long as they can keep me guessing, that's a good thing.

Owen, Are You There?
Moving on to news that's just plain freaky, Bret Hart is scheduled to appear on "Contact: Talking to the Dead," a one-hour ABC on Apr. 22 at 10 p.m. The show's host, George Anderson, claims he can communicate with Helen and Owen Hart. Isn't it amazing how Bret has managed to piss away all the respect and credibility he had so many years ago? I really used to like that guy and now I just can't stand what he has become. The show goes head to head with Raw so you'll have to set those DVR's.

WWF Signing More Talent
The WWF has been on a rampage lately to sign up more wrestlers. I have no idea why since they already have more than enough, unless they are planning to cut some of the more useless wrestlers and replace them with fresh faces. That's a great idea if they do. Guys like Goldust, Big Bossman, Bull Buchanan, Haku, Hugh Morris and Mike Awesome are a total waste of company dollars and I say that as a shareholder.

In the recent scramble to sign new talent, the biggest name they have just acquired is former ECW wrestler Nova. One can only wonder if the WWF will go with old schooll Nova in the Cape and Makeup or the more recent hardcore Nova. The timeline for Nova to appear is mid-May.

Other names rumored to have been offered contracts are indy wrestlers Travis Tomko, Race Steele, Chad Collyer, Doug Basham, Seven and also Matt Morgan. I've never heard of the other guys, but Matt Morgan was the Tough Enough contestant that left the show last week due to injury. I guess he's healed and the WWF likes what they saw out of him, even if he didn't win Tough Enough.

Ratings
Smackdown last week scored a 4.1 rating which is up from last week's rating. That was to be expected since it didn't have to go up against college basketball. Raw scored the same rating last night that it did last week. There has been no ratings drop off since the roster spilt.

Ross Report
Jim Ross made his weekly WWF.com update last week. Here are the highlights:

Kevin Nash will be out of action for eight to ten weeks due to a small tear in his bicep. Nash will be appearing on TV "...long before he is 100 percent healthy," but said he will not be able to attend scheduled house show appearances.

Perry Saturn will have surgery to repair a torn ACL on Tuesday and will be out four months.

Rey Mysterio Jr. has agreed to terms, but the WWF is still waiting for him to return his signed contract.

Chris Benoit has not been cleared to wrestle, but has been working out in Ohio Valley Wrestling and the Heartland Wrestling Association facilities. Ross labeled Benoit's return date as "close."

Maven broke a finger while wrestling Bob Holly at Smackdown, but he will not miss any time.

Chris Kanyon is a month away from returning.

Mark Jindrak had surgery to repair a torn PCL and meniscus, which will keep him out for three months.

Mike Awesome is scheduled to receive his doctor's clearance but will probably report to OVW or HWA to shake off ring rust before returning to WWF action.

Hulk Hogan is working through cracked ribs.

Vince McMahon, Stacy Keibler, and Mark Henry are going to Australia next week to promote the upcoming tour.

Ross reported that developmental talents Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, Rob Conway, Nick Dinsmore, Doug Basham, Jamie Knoble, Shannon Moore, Steve Bradley, and the Island Boys are, "ready to go from where I sit." I guess that means they are ready.

The WWF will be watching the Mr. Perfect and Shawn Stasiak team at house shows to see if they make for a solid tag team. "Perfect and Bossman seemed to have no chemistry together (last) Monday night," Ross said. Go read Book It from yesterday right now.

We should be seeing more of Tommy Dreamer, Raven, D-Lo Brown, and Justin Credible soon.

Michael Goodson