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.

I dare to mention full frontal nudity, fully in front of Stacy Kiebler.

Chairshots
4-16-02

Raw Thoughts
More and more, Smackdown is becoming the better of the two WWF shows. That's hardly a surprise, as one look at the roster shows that Raw has the weaker undercard. Anytime guys like Goldust and Shawn Stasiak are getting pushes, you can count on me thinking about watching Ally McBeal.

So far the best thing to come out of the roster split is that the writers seem to have more time to develop the main event story lines. Take for example the opening segment with Ric Flair, Stone Cold and the NWO. All the participants had logical and compelling reasons to be in the ring. That's a refreshing change.

One man worth watching.

However, the writers are still not giving enough attention to the under card. While D-Von Dudley is reinventing himself on Smackdown, Bubba Ray is doing the one man Dudley show on Raw. Been there, seen that. I've also seen the gimmick with the hardcore title switching hands in rapid succession before, too. Why not give a reason for guys like Tommy Dreamer and Steven Richards to be on TV in something other than a cameo appearance?

Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero is still the match I'm most looking forward to this weekend at the pay per view. Eddie has yet to show the charisma in his interviews he's had in the past, but he has found a way to make the veins in his arm stand out like Bane.

One of the other matches I'm looking forward to this weekend is Brock Lesnar vs. Matt Hardy. Paul Heyman plays such a great slimeball but he does it to get his wrestler over. Paul provided the explanation/motivation for the Lesnar vs. Matt match rather than Lesnar vs. Jeff or both Hardys. I know Paul hates to be on TV but I would love to see Heyman develop a stable of wrestlers like Bobby Heenan used to have.

Chick Fight
Both Dawn Marie and Kim Neilson wrestled at WWF house shows over the weekend. Both women signed WWF developmental deals recently and it is expected that they will be called up to the active rosters soon.

I gots an owie.

Pain for Kane
Kane tore a bicep on Saturday at the WWF house show in Odessa, Tex. He is undergoing surgery today to repair it. Because of the injury the planned Kane & Bradshaw vs. X-pac & Hall match for this Sunday has been changed to Bradshaw vs. Hall. No estimate yet on the time he'll miss.

Review of Rock Hosting Saturday Night Live
Not funny.

Rock on Leno
In keeping with the not funny shows on NBC theme, The Rock will be a guest on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" tonight.

Ross Report
Jim Ross posted his Ross Report last Friday which for lack of any better news I will now recap:

While filming a stunt for her up coming appearance on "Dark Angel," Lita suffered a stinger. She will not miss any time.

Brock Lesnar's daughter was born this past Wednesday in his home state of Minnesota. Brock immediately consumed the child and then smashed his way out of the hospital.

Perry Saturn underwent surgery on his torn ACL this past Tuesday and will undergo four months of physical therapy. This is so going to delay my Book It idea for Time Traveling Perry.

Hi, Kids! I'm Randy Orton!

WWF Intercontinental champion Rob Van Dam is working on a sore knee that is going to be checked out. He's obviously not currently taking anytime off. Ross noted that Maven and Randy Orton have been getting good grades from road agents. Ross says that no decision has been made as to what brand Orton will eventually work on.

Ross states that Stacy Keibler is "in line" for more TV time with her new role as Vince McMahon's personal assistant. The subject of full frontal nudity was not mentioned.

Chris Benoit is scheduled to see Dr. Youngblood this Thursday and may be released for an in-ring return. Don't be shocked to see Benoit at Backlash this weekend.

Rhyno is scheduled for a follow-up exam on his neck injury at the end of April and "should be" able to return in 2-3 months after that exam. That would put him on track for a return in time for Fully Loaded.

Ross puts over D-Von Dudley's new persona and mentions that his father is a minister. D-Von's, not J.R.'s.

D-Lo Brown will be working the Raw shows this weekend.

Ross mentions that the Cruiserweight division on Smackdown will begin to formulate over the next few weeks and that "several new faces" are expected to appear. (coughreymysteriocough)

Ross talked about the last week of WWF television shows and said they were "solid" in his opinion. He mentions several wrestlers that he feels are ready to move up including Lance Storm ('bout time), Test (not again), and Booker T (ready to turn face).

Goldberg ANGRY!
Goldberg apparently broke his arm during a celebrity car race Friday night. Goldberg wrecked his car and had to go to the hospital. When asked what happened by another celebrity, Goldberg said that his gearbox broke and it pissed him off so he started pounded on the gear shifter. That's how he managed to break his arm in two places. Goldberg, you are neither a race car driver or a genius.

That's it for today. See you Friday.

Michael Goodson