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Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we give you the scoop on what's happening in and out of the wrestling ring. Somedays it's even funny!
Chairshots
7/7/01
Catch Up
Due to the holiday and a down website I failed to report on Monday’s happenings. A mediocre at best Raw drew a 4.6 rating, down from last week's 4.7. Raw is back in the neighborhood of what it was drawing before Nitro went off the air, after having jumped well above that for a few weeks, and then dropped well below it last month.
Pop Quiz
Remember when the WWF bought WCW and no one ever mentioned how much the WWF paid? I found out. Take a guess. Keep in mind that WCW has a rich history, made over 100 million dollars a couple of years ago and was rumored to be on track to make 200 million the following year. Also, remember that the purchase included the entire WCW tape library. Go ahead and guess. The answer is below.
The Scorpion King Gets a Date
The Rock's debut as a Hollywood leading man in "The Scorpion King" now has a firm release date. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on April 19, 2002, which will give it weeks of head start on the other sure-fire hits (Spider-Man, Star Wars: Episode II and Texas Rangers starring James Van Der Beek.)
More WWF Injuries
WWF.com reported that both Al Snow and Steve Blackman are injured with sciatica. Sciatica creates intense pain in the lower back and legs. It often sends jolts of pain down the back and leg and it simulates the feeling of watching an Al Snow vs. Steve Blackman match. Rest is the only cure for it. Blackman said the pain started for him about 10 weeks ago. Snow's started while he was filming "Tough Enough" and got worse when he was training Shane McMahon for his "King of the Ring" match with Kurt Angle. Jim Ross reported in his Ross Report today that Spike Dudley suffered a hairline fracture of fibula in one of his legs during his Smackdown match on Tuesday. The injury will keep him out of action "for a few weeks." The injury happens right at the end of the tag match against the Dudleys as Devon counters the Dudley Dog.
Buff Sucks
WWF officials are irate at some of the things that happened in the last week involving Buff Bagwell and others. Sources say Bagwell was involved in a fight with Shane Helms last week at the WWF training center that is said to have started when Bagwell told Helms he would never be a big star (like Buff) because he was too small. Other sources say Bagwell slapped Helms and said he didn't have the balls to do anything about it. Punches were thrown, and Bagwell walked away with a cut that required 12 stitches. This proves Buff sucks in a real fight just as much as he sucks in fake ones. Bagwell is also getting heat because his mother made several calls to the WWF talent office complaining about his travel arrangements. Okay, I know he could kick my ass in real life but since I’m safe here at my computer -- Buff is a pussy.
More Ross Report
Jim Ross reported that the Booker T vs. Buff Bagwell match on Raw "did not deliver the in-ring performance we would liked to have seen." No kidding, Jim? He went on to praise the WCW matches that aired on Smackdown, as well as the WCW Tag Title match that will air on Heat. Goodfather pulled two hamstrings and will be off for "a week or two." Steve Austin's back problems and will keep him off this weekend's shows. He may be able "to be more physical at TV" next week, according to Ross. Undertaker & Kane vs. Mike Awesome & Dallas Page will be featured on this weekend's house shows. Jim Cornette had hernia surgery on Tuesday. Ok, I know he could kick my ass in real life but since I’m safe here at my computer -- Jim Cornette is a pussy.
Ratings
Smackdown’s final rating was 3.8, up slightly from last week. The rating once again gave UPN a fourth place finish ahead of Fox and the WB Network. Last night's edition of Tough Enough scored a 2.0 cable rating, with a 3.4 share. That is down from last week's 2.2, but is still a very solid number.
Tough Enough Episode #2
Here are my picks based on last nights show:
Male Winner: Jason left the show last night and he was my second choice. He had a great physique, but lacked the dedication to put up with the hard road life of the wrestling business. I’m sticking with Chris as my main pick as he both has the look and says he is willing to make sacrifices in family and love life to succeed.
Female Winner: Pauline remains my pick to be the female winner. She didn’t do much on last nights show, but the more interviews I see with the other female contestants, the more I realize they are not WWF material.
Next to go: Darrel dodged a bullet when Jason volunteered to leave the show. He’s still the most disruptive and immature player in the game. The sooner he leaves, the better.
Pop Quiz Answer
The WWF bought WCW for 7 million dollars. Kind of sad, isn’t it? You know what’s worse? Eric Bischoff couldn’t come up with 7 million dollars to buy WCW before the WWF did. Christ, I could have come up with 7 million dollars.
Talk to you Monday.
