[WWW] Dave Meltzer 10.23.03 column

http://www.wrestlingobserver.com

10/23/2003 3:48:00 PM

Thursday news update: Smackdown preview, Ratings, WWE schedule, MLW,
Savage embarassed, Former huge short-lived TV star involved in title
switch and funny list of most important people in sports entertainment
 
by Dave Meltzer

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Tonight's Smackdown line-up:
*Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit vs. A-Train & John Cena
*Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas
*Eddy & Chavo Guerrero vs. Basham Brothers for tag titles
*Zach Gowen vs. Tajiri
*Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar & Big Show
The show opens with the introduction of the new General Manager, and
I'm presuming most of you already know who that is. Anyway, by the end
of the show, that turns into a real show of incompetency. Main event
tells a story all right. Several angles are getting kicked off.

--There are no WWE house shows this weekend until Sunday, due to
Saturday's wedding between Paul "HHH" Levesque and Stephanie McMahon

--Stu Hart's funeral is today in Calgary

--New NWA champ Jeff Jarrett will be working a three-way on Saturday
night in Cornelia, GA for Wildside's Fright Night show in a defense
against Rainman and A.J. Styles. Also Iceberg vs. Shawn Hernandez in a
age filled with weapons of mass destruction, Altar Boy Luke & Gabriel
vs. Azrael & Slash, and Terry Ray Gordy Jr. vs. Seth Delay for jr.
title

--The key thing on last night's TNA show was the official announcement
that the 11/30 PPV is now "rescheduled." More people are catching on
to this one than I imagined, as almost everyone who called last night
had already figured it out.

--Not a big deal, because the deaths of Hawk and Stu Hart were given a
graphic at the start of the show last night, but I did think TNA
should have had Mike Tenay say a few words about both like WWE had Jim
Ross do on Monday. Even if Hawk hadn't had his last PPV match with TNA
(which he did) and Stu's grandson wasn't on a recent show, they were
both a huge part of the industry's history. If an NFL player of
similar historical renown passed away, the announcers would mention it
at some point that weekend during the game.

--Randy Savage was on WMMR in Philadelphia yesterday doing his
challenging Hulk Hogan to a shoot deal. The host then played an audio
interview where Hogan explained that Savage has blamed his failed
marriage and failed relationships on him. Savage called Hogan a liar
and we're told it came off as a total embarrassment to Savage, which
wouldn't be the first time (thanks to Todd Gurule)

--A Memorial Fund has been set up in Mike Hegstrand's honor at Mike
Hegstrand Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 432, Indian rocks, FL 33785 and
flowers and cards can be sent to Dale Hegstrand (Mike's wife) c/o
Reese Funeral Home, 6767 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772.

--UPW from last night at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana before 220
fans (this was the show where up until yesterday, Roddy Piper was to
appear at, which shows where Piper's drawing power is nowadays): Skulu
(King Adamo in Z-1) b Lil Nate, Predator (Z-1) b Big Babi Slymm,
Matrix & Preston Scott b Nakoa & Saia, Hardkore Inc. b Team Squash,
Hardkore Inc b Los Chivos, Ballard Brothers b Hardkore Inc. Mike
Henderson won three-way over Shawn Riddick and Tommy Wilson, Ballard
Brothers b Ruckus & Apocalypse-DQ, Erica Porter b Desire (not TNA
woman), Frankie Kazarian b Andrew Hellman to keep light heavyweight
title, Tom Howard b Adam Pearce to win UPW title back due to
interference from Evan Marriott (the real one, not a wrestler using
the name). They announced Tom Howard vs. Sting for 12/17. (thanks to
Jake White)

--Rage in a Cage on Saturday night at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix
is headlined by Dan Severn vs. Homer Moore, which is actually a pretty
tough opponent for Severn

--Ch. 4 in the UK tonight at 10:40 p.m. has a show on backyard
wrestling (thanks to Grove Rohan)

--OVW has expanded its television to WB-17 in Lexington on Saturday
nights at 11 p.m.

--There is a funny item in the new WWE Magazine, listing the 20 most
important and powerful people in the sports entertainment world. Guess
who was No. 1? "The Entire McMahon family," followed by Austin and
HHH. Torrie Wilson was No. 15, ahead of Jim Cornette and Mick Foley,
who were also in the top 20. I wonder where Hulk Hogan, Bob Sapp and
Antonio Inoki ranked?

-- ACWA from Saturday night in Morganville, NJ: Don Montoya won Royal
Rampage, Ryan Wing b Montoya, Kevin Knight b Wing, Trinity Campbell b
Alicia, Sienna Blaze b Alere Littlefeather, Bobby Piper & American
Express b Orphan & Slayer & Father Ozzy, Campbell b Blaze, C.J.
Summers b Roman in a bullrope match

--Tom Prichard will be holding an advanced wrestling clinic and
evaluation for indie wrestlers for at least one year experience on
12/6 in Garfield, NJ at Bodyslam U. It starts at 8 a.m. and will run
all day. for more info, call 973-473-1599 or e-mail
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

--Jersey All Pro wrestling's 6th anniversary show on 11/8 at the
Meadowlands Expo Center in New Jersey has Raven & Sabu vs. Dan Maff &
Homicide, with Bill Alfonso managing Raven & Sabu, plus Dunn & Marcos
vs. Christopher Street Connection, Jerry Lawler vs. Al Snow, with Mick
Foley as ref, Slyk Wagner Brown & April Hunter vs. Dirty Rotten
Scoundrelz plus Derek Wylde, Roderick Strong and Ruckus. They appear
to be building a 12/13 show in Rahway, NJ headlined by Terry Funk vs.
Maff

--Bam Bam Bigelow is selling an original 17x17 ECW ring on ebay 

--Lita will be appearing on TSN's Off the Record on 11/6 (thanks to
Dave Bernier)

--Low Ki has canceled his 11/1 ROH appearance due to a schedule
conflict

--Masahiro Chono is officially off the 11/3 Yokohama Arena show due to
his neck injury. A replacement for him in a tag match involving Bob
Sapp will be announced on Saturday.

--Ric Flair will be appearing at the Peoria Civic Center on 1/15 as a
special guest during a Peoria Riverman vs. Dayton Bombers hockey game
(thanks to Joel Kolsrud)

--Tuesday night results from Arena Coliseo in Mexico City: Chamaco
Torres & Rayo Tapatio II b Koreno & Messala, Halcon Negro & Loco Max &
Mogur b Brazo de Oro Jr. & Brazo de Plata Jr. & Sombra de Plata, Angel
Azteca & Brazo de Oro & Brazo de Plata b Arkangel & Dr. X & Nitro-DQ,
Averno & Mephisto & El Satanico b Felino & Safari & Olimpico, Brazo de
Plata & Gigante Silva & Negro Casas b Black Warrior & Damian el
Terrible & Mascara Magica & Shocker

--Sunday results from Leon: Bengali & Gitano del Norte & Sika b Cats &
Mongol Chino Jr. & Super Vaquero, Flecha Azul & Los Orientales I & II
b Los Caifanes Rockeros I & II & Raiden, Ultimo Guerrero & Super Parka
& Rey Bucanero b Perro Aguayo Jr. & Angel del Espacio& Felino (thanks
to Kris Zellner)

--All Pro Wrestling runs its 6th annual Halloween Hell show at the
garage in Hayward, CA on Saturday night at 6 p.m. with Super Dragon
vs. Vic Grimes and a tuxedo-evening gown match with Chris Cole vs.
Cheerleader Melissa

--With Sunday Night Football not airing this past weekend due to the
World Series, the two hours of Raw on 10/13 placed No. 1 and No. 6.
Fairly Odd Parents on Sunday night finished second, and that was not
the same thing as the No Mercy PPV show.

--NWA East on 10/25 at the McKeesport Sportatorium with Nikita Allanov
vs. Justin Idol

--NWA Florida on 10/25 at the Leaman School in St. Petersburg is
headlined by Scoot Andrews vs. Steve Madison and Shane Twins vs. Rod
Steel & Mikey Tenderfoot

--Chris Sabin has pulled himself off the IWA shows this weekend due to
the eye injury suffered last Thursday. He did work last night, but is
scheduled to have stitches removed tomorrow. Tonight in Salem, IN has
B.J. Whitmer vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Ian Rotten vs. Cash Flo, J.C. Bailey
vs. Chris Hamrick and Tracy Smothers vs. Jaimy Coxx. Friday night in
Highland, IN is Sabu vs. Bailey, Smothers vs. Nate Webb, Colt Cabana
vs. Jacobs, Alex Shelley vs. Hamrick.