The Wrestling Booking Sheet online newsletter

Issue # 306

Date: Saturday September 11th, 1999 11:00 am

The Wrestling Booking Sheet

CRAIG LEATHERS IN CHARGE OF THE CREATIVE END
Reported by Patty Therre at: http://www.wrestlingonthefringe.com
Longtime WCW Television Producer Craig Leathers will be assuming
Bischoff's end of the creative duties. While the scope of the position
is still undetermined, this propels Leathers into one of the top powers
in the business.

FURTHER DETAILS ON BISCHOFF'S SUCCESSOR
Reported by Dave Scherer at: http://www.1wrestling.com
Bill Busch, who has been appointed the ACTING Executive VP of WCW, will
probably be holding the post for the immediate future. Busch has been
a finance man in the Turner organization for nine years; Busch does not
have a wrestling background, and will probably not be involved in the
creative end of the business.

THURSDAY RATINGS
Reported by Dave Scherer at: http://www.1wrestling.com
The ratings for 9/9 saw Thunder draw a 2.1 cable rating with a 3.6
share. The highest quarter hour was a 2.3. The lowest was a 1.9. Low
number but up .2 from last week.

Smackdown did a 3.6 broadcast rating with a 6.1 share. It was down a
tenth from last week and the UPN network only finished fifth this week.
===========================================
"Straight Shooting"
By : Fritz Capp (pwbts)

09-11-99

http://pwbts.com
PWBTS 2000

A lot has happened this past week to be sure. But I am afraid I have to
start this week’s column on a sad note. Brian Hildebrand passed away
this week due to cancer. While I only got to meet Brian in person one
time I have to say that it will always stay with me. Here was a man who
was literally in the business for many many years but yet did not have
one touch of ego in him. That is very rare in this sport to say the
least. There have been many people writing their thoughts the past
couple of days, each one sharing moments that they spent with Brian.
This is a testament to how many people he touched. My condolences once
again go out to Brian’s family and friends in their time of grief and
loss.

While on the subject of Brian it is being said that one Travis Beaven,
who is the technical contact for the soon to be launched
WrestlingObserver.net website, is attacking people for writing their
feelings on Brian. Most notable are his attacks on the 1wrestling.com
crew. While it is no secret that I do not get along with these guys,
what I saw on the 1wrestling.com site was a tribute to a fallen
comrade. Dave Scherer had 7 pages (I believe it was 7) that had
absolutely no news at all, just letters from everyone who had been
touched by this gentle soul of a man. It was a very moving read to say
the least.

What Beaven is saying is that "The Internet mourning is very much a
status symbol, and not anything based in true feelings... other than
the feeling to get over with the fans by appearing sensitive. The death
of someone in wrestling has been common this year... and as a result
its become a very... refined process. I find that fact... deeply
troubling." That was a quote from Beaven. Now what I find troubling is
someone is going out of their way to attract "cheap heat" in time of a
tragedy. Brian Hildebrand knew many people and was liked or loved by
all. I do not know one person in or out of the business that knew Brian
who didn’t think that he was something special. If this is the kind of
person that Dave Meltzer has to run his site I can guarantee that I am
one who will not be visiting it when it comes online. I have no time
nor patience for morons like this, and I hope none of you reading this
does either.

Well, it finally happened. Eric Bischoff has been relieved of his
duties in WCW. From what I see everyone is full of hope that WCW can
now be booked properly. Don’t get your hopes up too high too fast,
though. While Bischoff may have let the inmates run the asylum the
inmates are now used to that and it will take a strong hand to put
everyone back in check. By a strong hand I mean that Bill Busch, who is
now serving as acting Executive Vice President of WCW, will have to
take control of the current situation immediately and tell these guys
that game time is over and it’s time to get back to work because it is
going to take a lot of hard work and ingenuity to bring them back to
the precipice of greatness that WCW once held. Only time will tell I
guess.

It is no secret by now that the news story that Benoit and Malenko
refused to job to each other and that is why Sid did a run-in and
ruined a great match was a bogus story. Also most of you by now have
read what I posted around the Internet as to the truth behind the
posting. For those of you who did not get to read that let me give you
the short version. One of the Internet’s most respected reporters
caught up with the guys at a local watering hole after that particular
Nitro show. It was there that he started telling the guys that he wrote
for a wrestling website which is akin to painting a bulls eye on your
back at target practice. The reason that is like that is that most of
the guys do not like the Internet. To be honest it hurts the business.

Anyway, one of WCW’s jokesters decided to give him some "exclusive"
news and he did just that. Well this reporter went back to his "casa"
(which is Mexican/Spanish for house/home) and posted this news which
was the Benoit/Malenko story which again was totally false. This shows
that anyone can be worked once. This was also proven a few weeks back
when almost every name reporter fell prey to a prank by posting news
they received in e-mail without checking it out first. Believe me,
there are less names on the "did not get caught" list then there are on
the "got caught list." Anyway I told a few people that I would name the
person who had this person running back to his "casa" with this bogus
news. Well Glen......no wait a minute...the majority of you wouldn’t
know him by his real name...so let’s just say this and still keep it a
bit of a mystery...or at least not make this too easy....his gimmick is
named after the dance craze that swept the nation during the 70's and
he is quite conceivably one of the better workers currently in WCW. The
one thing that really makes me wonder about this reporter is that if he
is so "in the know" how could he not realize that this was utter bull.

Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko are students of the sport and have always
held a high regard to what they are supposed to do. I find it hard to
believe that anyone would think that they would just "refuse" to "do a
job" that they were required to do.

With the changing of the guard, so to speak, in WCW what does this mean
for the $1,000,000.00 contest that they were promoting this past Nitro?
While it is true that the WWF did this also a few years ago to up a
pay-per-views buyrate I have to think that this was another attempt by
Eric Bischoff to try another quick fix. What baffled me was why didn’t
they start the contest during the show that they had the chance of
having the most viewers considering that the WWF was pre-empted?
Wouldn’t that have had more impact and created more viewer ship by
having the contest already underway when they went back to going head
to head with the WWF?

Hopefully this will also mean the end to Lenny Lane’s gay gimmick. It
is disgusting to say the least. And now WCW is also adding a Liberace
type character? Are they going after the alternative viewership
considering they cannot keep the true wrestling fan tuned in? I am
sorry people, but this has never been a gimmick that I liked. What I
find amusing is that one so-called reporter/columnist said that this
was the best thing to happen to Lenny. That is like saying that the Red
Rooster gimmick was the best thing to happen to Terry Taylor. It will
take Lenny a long time to shake this character if it continues on for
much longer. How many of you will see Dustin Runnels and still see the
Goldust gimmick in the back of your mind?

Vincent as a redneck? I’m not even going to touch that one! Way too
easy and controversial.

Did anyone else notice that Tony Schiavone called WCW "sports
entertainment" on this past Nitro? I though Ted Turner got into the
"rasslin" business?

I didn’t like it in WCW and I have to say I am not real crazy about it
in the WWF either. I will admit when I used to go to ECW and Dreamer
would piledrive Francine and her breasts came out of her top I kinda
enjoyed that. Guess I’m as sick as everyone else, huh? Anyway, what the
hell is going on with all these promotions allowing all the women to be
trashed and smacked around by guys. Jarrett is killing these women. The
small difference between WCW and the WWF is the WWF is having Jarrett
take out women who are trained to take bumps. But that doesn’t change
the heart of the angle. And what the hell was Moolah thinking when she
agreed to take that guitar shot to the head? I mean, Jackie can wrestle
with the best of them but Moolah is 583 years old and has no business
what-so-ever taking bumps like that anymore.

The following is from Matt McCormick of PWBTS :
As many of you know, I've been working on a PWBTS Chatroom, that can be
connected to via IRC or java chat. And now...I'mmmmmm DONE! :-) Anyhow,
the PWBTS Chatroom is now available to IRC users at the following
server:
irc.webmaster.com
#PWBTS

By this weekend, we will have the chat link up to connect via your web
browser. WE WANT YOUR IDEAS! Send me what you would like to see in this
chatroom. What events you would like to see. Special chats. Anything!
Just email me at the link above and voice your opinion.

UltimateTV is having a poll to see what people are likely to watch on
Thursday nights. To have your vote added to the mix go to
http://www.ultimatetv.com/interact/poll/

The WWF is getting ready to go the next step and go public. According
to various news sources they plan to sell 66.7 million shares
outstanding after the stock sale, including the 10 million Class A
shares and 56.7 million Class B shares. At $15 a share, the company's
initial market capitalization would be $1 billion. That estimate
assumes the Class B shares have a value equal to Class A stock offered
to new investors, though Class B shares have 10 times the voting power.
This arrangement will let third-generation wrestling promoter Vincent
McMahon and his wife, Linda McMahon, who own all of the Class B shares,
maintain 98.3 percent of World Wrestling's voting rights even though
the company is selling 15 percent of its equity to the public. The
initial public offering, saying it plans to sell 10 million Class A
shares for $14 to $16 each.

The WCW Hotline is reporting that WCW management is not looking for Ric
Flair to return to the ring. Flair has 17 months left on his contract,
and WCW reportedly wants Flair to be a "goodwill ambassador" during
that time period. What a waste!

I could go on and on but I’m outta here for now. Remember wrestling is
nothing more than it appears to be.

Fritz Capp
PWBTS 2000
http://pwbts.com
===========================================
THE ROCK
Written by reader: TripleBV13

I am also an African American and I agree with Mike R. on alot of what
he had to say but...Is he forgetting about the most electrifying man in
sports entertainment?

The Rock is Black/Hawaiian, and I think that counts to me. He's the
first Black WWF World Champion. They haven't even mentioned that even
though they did the angle with Ahmed and Farrooq arguing about that
awhile back but that's ok. Of course they'd never let us claim The
Rock. He's just too big of a star. Sad...
Greg II - TripleBV
===========================================
ROUNDING THE SQUARED CIRCLE
ECW ON TNN - SEPTEMBER 10, 1999 - QUEENS, NY

BY SAMJERRY
Visit My Home Page At: http://members.aol.com/samjerry

The program began with a clip of Raven's return to ECW. Raven came into
the ring as The Dudley Boyz were tearing Tommy Dreamer apart. He hit
them with a Double DDT, pinned them, thereby winning the ECW Tag Team
Titles for himself and Dreamer. Francine was in the ring trying to
figure out why Raven would help Dreamer, since they had been mortal
enemies. The crowd welcomed Raven back and he went out and made nice
with them

After the ECW opening, Joey Styles and Joel "The Quintessential Stud
Muffin" Gertner were at the announcers position. Styles must have
gotten a big raise to put up with Gertner. Gertner said we will see Rob
Van Dam defend the ECW TV Title v. Jerry Lynn, and more on the Dreamer
- Raven feud. Joey had difficulty getting a word in as Gertner
continually ran his mouth. It was a pattern that we would see the
entire program. He gave the cards for upcoming House Shows through
early October and hyped the ECW Merchandise Catalogue and Magazine.
Just think, if you have a spare $5,000 laying around, you can become
the biggest ECW fan in your neighborhood.

The first match pitted "Steve Corino's Rookie Monster" Rhino v. Super
Crazy (SC), The Insane Luchadore. It was aerial skills v. power; an
F-15 v. an Abrams Tank; a mosquito v. a gorilla. I think you get the
picture. Hell, even that rocket scientist in Ames, Iowa could figure it
out ... I think. The crowd chanted "Super Crazy" as he came to the
ring. Some of the action we saw by each included: Rhino: Punches, more
punches, still more punches, etc., etc., etc.; chops, and more chops;
an Elevator Drop (He lifted Super Crazy over his head and dropped him
face first); and a couple of Power Slams. Super Crazy: Springboard
Moonsault Press; Springboard Missile Drop Kick; Springboard Leg Lariat;
Tilt-A-Whirl Flying Head Scissors; Moonsault onto Rhino out in the
crowd; Tornado DDT; and a Springboard Moonsault. He missed his patented
First, Second and Top Turn Buckle Moonsaults when Rhino got his knees
up on the first one. Throughout the match Gertner kept speaking in
Spanish, completely pissing Joey off. Joey told him that he could stop
ordering dinner, that there was food backstage. Super Crazy won the
match when he blocked an attempt at a Rhino Bomb and turned it into a
Huricanrana and pinned Rhino. Corino came out from under his rock and
into the ring. He gave Rhino a ration of sh*t about getting beat by
someone half his size. Rhino finally had enough and backed Corino into
a corner and threatened to kick his sorry ass all the way back to
Philadelphia. Rhino then went to the center of the ring and extended
his hand to Super Crazy. I quickly called my bookie and asked him the
odds of Rhino being sincere. After he got up off the floor laughing, he
hung up. Smart guy, because as soon as Super Crazy extended his hand,
Rhino Clotheslined with a Bradshaw type Clothesline. Super Crazy hit
the mat faster than Gertner could scarf down a side of beef. Corino
came over and nodded to Rhino. Another Corino setup. who would have
guessed? Corino stood over Super Crazy and mocked him. We went off to
find out about every video tape ECW ever made ... again.

Winner - Super Crazy
Loser - Super Crazy - Learned a valuable lesson: You screw with a
bull, you get the horn
Lose - Steve Corino - Taz will eventually get his hands on him - It
won't be a pretty sight.

The next match was one taped the last time Masato Tanaka was in the
USA. It was v. Mike Awesome and was one hell of a match. The amount of
punishment Tanaka absorbed was un-F'N-real. The match was used to hype
next Sunday's PPV, Anarchy Rulz, Main Event, where Taz will defend the
ECW Championship v. Tanaka. The match was picked up in progress as
Gertner called Tanaka "the most ferocious man Taz ever face," and Joey
sating it was Taz' plan to keep Suplexing Tanaka on his head until he
could slap The TazMission on and make him tap out. Both men hit major
power moves. Awesome, who is 6'8" did a dive over the top rope onto
Tanaka who was in the first row of fans discussing the monetary
exchange rate. This got us an "Oh, my G-d" from Joey. He followed up
with a Flying Clothesline off the top turn buckle. Note to all
Luchadores: Pay attention and see how these moves should be done. Back
in the ring and Awesome nailed a German Suplex as we went off to buy
some more tapes and other crap.

When we got back, they were fighting on the floor, where we saw Dueling
Chairs. using Steel Chairs, manufactured by The Acme Table and Steel
Chair Company, Division of The Acme Corporation, with Tanaka striking
the first and deciding shot. His victory was shorted lived as he
charged Awesome, but got Back Dropped into the crowd. He resumed his
discussion of economic conditions between the USA and Japan, however,
Awesome put an end to it with a Springboard Plancha. Joey wet his pants
describing how a man as big as Awesome could perform moves like that.
Gertner moved away to avoid the puddle, but followed up in his
admiration of Awesome's awesome moves. Back in the ring Awesome hit
Tanaka with three monster chair shots to the head, but couldn't pin
him. Joey wondered if Taz would be able to. Keep the faith Joey, Taz
will find a way. Gertner said Tanaka is the only man to ever kick out
of a 3-D Dudley Death Drop. OK guys we get the picture, Taz is shaking
in his boots.

Next up was an Awesome Bomb, followed by Awesome going out and setting
up an Acme Prime Wrestling Table, manufactured by The Acme Table and
Steel Chair Company, Division of The Acme Corporation, at ringside. He
then came off the top turn buckle with a chair shot to Tanaka's head
and went for an Awesome Bomb, trying to put Tanaka thru the table with
it. Best laid plans of mice an 6'8" monsters sometimes go awry. This
one did as Tanaka slipped off, however, took a Clothesline as he did.
Awesome tried a second time, believing the old adage "Try, Try again."
He failed a second time as Tanaka again slipped off again. At this
point Gertner said when he advised The Dudley Boyz in matches involving
Tanaka, his words were to make Tanaka tag his partner in because you
can't beat him. Based on this, Taz might as well hand the Belt over and
save himself the trouble. I don't think so. I think he will show up.
After failing to pin Awesome, Tanaka hit him with a Roaring Elbow, but
he kicked out of a pinning attempt. Joey was speechless, if you can
believe that. Tanaka laid two closed chairs on the mat and hit Awesome
with a Tornado DDT coming off the turn buckle and pinned him. Even
though Tanaka can't be beat, apparently Awesome can ... and was.

Winner - Masato Tanaka
Winner - The fans and crowd - This was an "Awesome" match - Pun intended
Winner - The Acme Table and Steel Chair Company
Loser - In a match like this, there are no losers, just survivors

Gertner again told us every place ECW will be coming to thru early
October. They will not be coming to Ames, Iowa.

The next match pitted Rob Van Dam (RVD), accompanied by his Manager
Bill Alfonso, defending the ECW TV Title v. Jerry Lynn. Prior to the
match, we saw a clip from their match at Hardcore Heaven '99, during
which Lynn suffered a broken nose and a concussion, but continued on
and almost won. Van Dam finally won with a Five Star Frog Splash. This
match was another in the series of unreal matches between the two of
them. Joey said that Lynn may very well be the only man who can take
the Title from RVD, and its not if, but when. This match was chock
full of high flying action and took place in the ring, at ringside and
in the crowd. Van Dam hit several aerial move off the guard rail and
turn buckle. Lynn scored his share of aerial moves as well. They
exchanged all kinds of mat movs, with each man countering or reversing
the others moves. Van Dam made good use of a chair as he kicked it into
Lynn's face several times, hit him with a Tumbling Senton Splash and
nailed him with a Leg Drop, both times with the chair covering Lynn's
face. For his part, Lynn made use of the chair as he kicked it into
RVD's face and hit him with a Tornado DDT onto it. Both men were down
and hurting when The Impact Players, Lance Storm and Justin Credible
hit the ring. Storm hit Lynn with a Pile Driver and Credible hit RVD
with That's Incredible. They were joined by Jason and Storm's personal
Bytch, Dawn Marie. Joey was beside himself that they broke the match
up, saying ECW matches end with a winner, unlike the crap we see on
Monday. Storm went into his "Calgary is great routine" and Credible his
"That's Incredible" one. They left as Joey cursed them for interrupting
the match.

Winner - None - Match interrupted but outside interference
Losers - The fans - We didn't get a winner
Winner - The fans - What we saw was Out-F'N-Standing

We saw clips of Storm and Credible beating up: Shane Douglas, and
running him out of ECW; Sid Vicious, who Joey called 'The Master of the
Imaginary Winning Streak'; Jerry Lynn on numerous occasions; Tommy
Dream; The Dudley Boys; and Sabu, who they got banned from
participating in the USA.

ECW Owner Paul Heyman appeared in a clip shot earlier. He said ECW on
TNN deserved better than what just happened and said there will be a
rematch next week. Joey "guaranteed" (there's that word again) a winner.

Gertner gave ECW's House Show schedule ... yet again ... ZZZ

The show closed with more clips of the Raven - Dreamer feud, with word
that Raven will speak next week for the first time since returning to
ECW from WCW.
===========================================
The staff of The Wrestling Booking Sheet
Editor: Steve Appy
Columnist:Mark George
Columnist: SamJerry
Columnist: Fritz Capp
Columnist: Rick Phelps
Columnist: Cindy Barnes
Columnist: Josh Hewitt
Columnist: Swami
Columnist: Tom Misnik
Columnist: Nate Pelley Columnist: Robert Troy (Osiris) Columnist: Tom Kirkbride Columnist: Ryan S. Oaks Columnist: Darren Kramer

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"When you're young and you pick up a guitar, it feels so powerful. It feels like you pulled the sword from the stone. I used to believe that it could save the world. But I don't really believe that anymore." - Bruce Springsteen

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