The Wrestling Booking Sheet online newsletter

Issue # 370

Date: Wednesday October 27th, 1999 10:24 am

The Wrestling Booking Sheet

SMACKDOWN SPOILER
At the conclusion of this issue we have the Smackdown spoiler for
Thursday, 10/28 (taped 10/26 inSpringfield, MA). If you would rather
not know the results, please be sure to skip that section…

DAVE MELTZER ON EYADA.COM
Most of you have heard of Dave Meltzer & The Wrestling Observer, though
many of you have not been exposed to The Observer (you don't know what
your missing). Meltzer is also doing a free daily internet radio show,
which can be found at: http://www.eyada.com

The two hour show can be heard live from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM on the East
Coast, and 3:00 PM-5:00 PM on the West Coast. Meltzer & co-host Bryan
Alvarez discuss all of the breaking news stories of the day, and have
had quite a variety of featured guests (highlights include Chris
Benoit, Vince Russo, Terry Funk , & Jim Cornette).

The previous days show is available to listen to at any time; those of
you who really have a deep interest in the inner-workings of wrestling
really do need to check this out! Meltzer is generally considered the
top wrestling journalist in the history of the business (not an
exaggeration, and almost without argument), and you will benefit by
being exposed to his knowledge of the business.
===========================================
THE LAST LAUGH
Written by reader: mrsandman_99@xxxxs...

As I watched Nitro last night, I saw the guy with the sign "WCW Sucks"
and "WCW... where chumps wrestle". Really, why is that guy there? I
mean, sure he might think they suck but WCW got his $30...
===========================================
ECW & JAPAN
Written by reader: Kevin Bryce (KevinBryce)

I first discovered ECW about 18 months ago, after my friend came back
from America raving about it. I managed to get myself some tapes, and
as soon as I saw it I feel in love with it.

Ever since then the wrestling has got better, and for those who say
"Purists" can't turn to ECW, as its Hardcore are wrong. ECW have the
best pure wrestling product in America. The main part of their product
is wrestling, not angles, meaning the talent: RVD, Sabu, Lynn, Awesome,
Storm, Credible, Tajiri, Super Crazy, Guido, and Nova, get the chance
to show off their talent and have the best matches you will see in the
States.

The crowds for ECW are also the best, as they care more about wrestling
than seeing the Rock speak on the mic for 20 minutes, or Austin opening
a can of beer. The ECW fans pop for great moves, and are always
watching the action. I really hope ECW will tour England one day, as
there are many ECW fans over here who would love to see the best
promotion in the States live (A
TV deal would also be nice).

Two promotions "Purists" can definitely watch are NJPW & AJPW. These
two promotions produce great wrestling, and once you watch it, you
realize why its superior to American wrestling.
NJPW have the best Junior Heavyweights in the world, but their main
events could be better. The Junior stuff is amazing, Liger, Ohtani,
Kanemoto, Ka Shin, Sasuke (not there all the time), El Samurai, and
Takiawa. The singles and tag matches which this are involved in are
out of this world. Why WCW did not ask to loan this talent I don't
know. This guy's are so much better than Hogan, Luger, Nash, Hall, etc.

The only problem with NJPW is, they still use that waste of space
Atsushi Onita!!!

AJPW, what can I say? The main events are the best in the world, the
mid-card can be better. The Triple Crown title matches are amazing,
and Misawa, Kawada, Vader, Kobashi, and Ogawa (Junior) are
unbelievable. Misawa is the best worker in the world today, he is 37
years old and his body is hurting, but he still works his ass off, and
takes big bumps. His matches vs. Kobashi and his wars vs. Kawada have
been some of the greatest matches of all time!!! I have his battles
vs. Kawada on tape, and while both of these men are amazing, but Misawa
is special, really special.

All Japan have not had a DQ or a count out finish in 5 years, WCW and
WWF have to have one every 5 minutes.

The reason I prefer Japanese wrestling to the rest is because they
Always make the match look as real as possible. The amount of
Psychology which is used in a Triple Crown title match is amazing, and
it really works. I watch it and the match seems real!!! The titles
mean something as well, there is always a clean finish, and the titles
do not change hands every 5 minutes.

Even though NJPW and AJPW are rivals (similar to WCW and WWF), they do
not have to turn to T&A or mad angles, they compete against each other
with great wrestling. The way it should be done!!!

Japanese wrestling is also very stiff, I like that. The bumps these
athletes take are far worse than what the Americans take. The
punches, kicks, suplexes, everything is stiffer.
Thanks,
Kevin Bryce
===========================================
WHY MUST THERE BE A CHOICE?
Written by reader: jens.bergerhoff

Now I don't want to repeat everything that has been said over the
last few weeks in the Booking Sheet, but since I have a less
America-centric view on wrestling (living in Germany) I would like to
add the following - why is it in American wrestling that it is either
pure wrestling or pure gimmick storylines?

Now I enjoy the Rocks interviews as much as the next guy and the
Outsiders claiming to be Villano 8 and 9 (a long standing running gag
in our clique was that everybody was part of the illustrious Villano
family) sure was funny. But remembering a tag match between
Guerrero/Jericho/Benoit/Malenko on Thunder - a good match without a
story can still be one hell of a ride.

In my opinion what killed Nitro was first the worst booking I have
EVER seen coupled with some of the worst workers the sport has ever
seen at this point. Wrestlers like Hogan, Sid, Luger, and - yes -
Flair should not be wrestling. They either have nothing left due to
age (like Hogan and Flair) or never had any talent to begin with (like
Sid and Luger). The main eventers were mired up moronic storylines and
last minute booking and unlike the WCW
mid-carders couldn't erase that with in-ring action.

Taking that into consideration what WCW surely doesn't need is Russo
and Ferrara copying their own WWF product with the same wrestlers. I
personally have never cared for evening gown matches or the abuse of
women. In my opinion if you want to see a porno, go rent one!!! I
personally couldn't care less about all that T&A. Also the matches in
the WWF were in 80 percent of all cases of poor quality.

As I have stated before in this forum I am a fan of Japanese style
wrestling. Great technique coupled with a great feel for timing.
Anybody who has ever seen one of 20 plus minutes matches of the likes
of Muta, Otani or Kanemoto knows what I am talking about. I don't know
whether it is a thing about talent or whether the bookers in WWF simply
forbid the wrestlers to show their ability (like WCW has done with the
likes of Disco Inferno or Vampiro) I can't say. Apart from real
shockers likes some of the Hell in a Cell matches, most matches in the
WWF aren't worth the time.

What I would like to see from the two big American promotions would be
coherent storylines - without any of that moronic stuff that isn't
funny and isn't building up any intensity - paired with great matches.
If I ever force myself again to watching the likes of Fabulous Moolah
or Hulk Hogan wrestle I will probably shoot myself and spend all my
cash on Japanese tapes, even though I don't understand a single word.
Cheers,
Jens
===========================================
THE NEW WORK
Written by reader: Bduff01

I watch WCW and I see a lot of very strange things going on. I see
Buff doing an obvious job and then stating it was a job. Madusa is
upset at the demeaning angles she is booked in. Flair is sent out to
pasture. To top everything off, Hogan is so mad at the new writers that
he won't even show up to perform and he gives his 90 day notice. Could
it all be part of an elaborate work?

How about this. Russo and Ferrara are the new WCW version of The Lord
of Darkness, Vinnie Mac. They are weaving a plot where the WCW
wrestlers will eventually rebel against their evil oppressing
authority. Think about it. Russo is tired of being a force behind the
scenes, so he writes himself into the action as THE major heel. He
wants to play the McMahon role. He wants to know he has people in the
palm of his hand by walking out to deafening chants of 'A$$HOLE,
A$$HOLE".

That is why he trying to offend everyone as quickly as possible with
gratuitous T&A, demeaning angles, backstabbing Buff, getting rid of
Hogan and Flair, and everything else you have heard people complain
about in this newsletter and elsewhere.

Anyway, I'm hoping its an elaborate plot, and not just incompetence.
===========================================
DX: FACES OR HEELS?
Written by reader: COaker12

I would just like to address these comments made by Sting833 in
WBS #369: "For all of you out there who think the new DX is a great
idea, think again. They got a face reaction, which means that EVERY
main eventer in the WWF is a face. Rock, Austin, Triple H, and Mankind are
the only credible World Champs, and they're all faces. Same goes for
the guys just below that level, with The Big Show (talk about an crappy
turn. He's a good guy because his father is dying- now that's brilliant
booking... yeah, right) and Kane."

I attended RAW last Monday in Providence, RI, and yes, the new DX did
get a face reaction, but that was before the show went off the air.
its a shame the national audience didn't get to see what happened
afterwards as the Road Dogg and Triple H nearly started a riot with
ringside fans. Empty soda bottles went flying into the ring and one fan
even tried to get a piece of the Road Dogg, who issued a challenge to
the fans. I just wanted to clear that up for all of the WBS readers.
-Nick "the Stick" Delmenico
===========================================
EARLY CONCLUSIONS
Written by reader: crustacean.geo@xxxxs...

Firstly let me say that while I haven't watched any of the new
Russo-Ferrara WCW stuff that I think everybody is getting a wee bit
worked up about something that hasn't really happened yet. After all,
R+F have only been in complete charge of a few (maybe 2-3) of WCW
television programming.

While of course some "pure" wrestling fans are going to get a little
bit disappointed at the introduction of more story-lines and more
envelope-pushing, the simple fact of the matter is that this form of
sports entertainment is what sells in today's day and age.

I myself would love to see a long 30 minute bout between Ric Flair and
Ricky Steamboat, but the plain truth is that there are few people who
can carry such a long match these days. Benoit, Hart, Flair and
Malenko are the only ones who can in WCW IMHO.

While WCW should be applauded for their wrestling approach to date, the
down-turn in ratings heralds a turn to more story-based wrestling,
because the athletes these days are not as skilled as they used to be.

From reading the latest Nitro report it looks as if Russo and
Ferrara are not abandoning the wrestling to quite the extent that the
WWF is, so fans should be happy about that. What I'm basically trying
to say is give them a chance before you give up on the wrestling
business now. If you've been a fan for so long, why give it up now, WCW
and WWF still produce some absolutely amazing matches every once in a
while and I think that they are worth putting up with the rest for.

In case it isn't obvious to some of you, wrestling only survives and
gets mainstream TV coverage if it provides what the fans wants, and
hence makes money, the decline of wrestling in the early 90's is
testament to that, and the resurgence in the late 90's is the same.
Unfortunately for the purists the only way you will see a decent match
in today's day and age is on your VCR, buy a video and enjoy, over and
over again :-)
===========================================
SMACKDOWN SPOILER (Please skip if you would rather be surprised)
Reported by Anthony Schilero via the Wrestling Observer Hotline & Curt
Creighton at: http://www.ultimowrestling.com/rwin/index.shtml

WWF SmackDown & Heat Taping Results
Springfield, Massachusetts - October 26, 1999

Sunday Night Heat Results to air Ocotober 31, 1999
-The show kicked off with the Mean Street Posse defeating
the Headbangers, and apparently the Headbangers little push is over.
This may set up an angle to lead to another match between the two teams
in the near future.

-The Acolytes went to a no contest with the Hollys, as the
Hollys just walked out, and it was most likely a count out victory for
Farooq and Bradshaw.

-The Godfather defeated The Blue Meanie.
-Mideon defeated Sean Stasiak.

SmackDown Tapings Results to air October 28, 1999

-The opening segment featured DX coming down to the ring to cut a
promo. Vince McMahon came out, he and DX argued back and forth, DX said
they're in charge now, and that was that.

-Edge and Christian defeated Brian Christopher and ScottTaylor when the
Hollys, who were doing commentary at ringside, came in and attacked
Christopher and Taylor when the referee wasn't looking, and Edge and
Christian got the win.

-Stevie Richards defeated Chris Jericho. Richards was dressed as Chyna,
and Jericho was beating him badly, but then the real Chyna came in and
attacked Jericho, allowing Richards to get the pin.

-The Bulldog beat D'Lo Brown to win the European title when the Mean
Street Posse interfered and the Bulldog got the win.

-X Pac and Kane faced the Dudleys, but X-Pac and Kane broke up when X
Pac turned on Kane, and the Dudleys pinned him.

-The Hardy Boyz faced Viscera and Mark Henry. Viscera turned on Mark
Henry, allowing the Hardys to get the win.

-The Big Bossman defeated Al Snow when Prince Albert ran in and
attacked Snow. This could lead up to the Bossman and Albert against
Snow and The Big Show on Raw.

-Mankind beat Val Venis when Al Snow came down and threw Socko into the
ring, Mankind put on Socko, and put the Mandible claw on Val for the
win.

-The final segment saw DX come out and call out Austin. Suddenly, a net
fell from the ceiling and landed on DX. They broke free and attacked
Austin, but then The Rock ran in and beat up DX, and Kane came in and
chokeslammed members of DX.
===========================================
ADVERTISEMENT
Xtreme Pro Wrestling Gets Ready For First Supercard
Los Angeles' home team for pro wrestling presents "Halloween In
Hell."
Los Angeles -- October 26
On Friday night, October 29, Xtreme Pro Wrestling returns to the
Reseda Country Club for a night that promises to be "the most xtreme
night of wrestling yet!"

Xtreme Pro Wrestling, which began promoting shows this past July and
has quickly amassed a cult following, is known for their "hardcore"
brand of professional wrestling which takes traditional pro wrestling
to the extreme with vast quantities of sexuality and violence --
including special match ups and guest stars. For example, at a recent
show "The Real Deal" Damien Steele took on
Big Dick Dudley inside of a barbed wire topped steel cage. Steel won
the match when adult film star Jasmin St. Claire came up through the
ring and sprayed mace in Dudley's face. Continuing this trend, XPW
promises that "Halloween In Hell" will go beyond anything they've done
before.

Halloween In Hell will feature a double main event. In one half, the
first XPW World Champion will be determined in the first ever Battle
Zone match. Twenty competitors will battle it out for the title.
Wrestler's are eliminated when they are thrown over the top rope -- the
last man standing will be declared the first XPW World Champion. Even
with these rules, a match like this would be standard pro wrestling --
not extreme - so XPW officials have decided that the ring will be
surrounded by tables and a bed of barbed wire and that weapons will be
allowed in the ring!

In the second half of the main event, The West Side NGZ (Chronic, Bigg
Rott, and Dollaz) take on two time former Extreme Championship
Wrestling World Tag Team Champions, The Pit Bulls, in an anything goes,
falls count anywhere "Compton Street Fight."

Xtreme Pro Wrestling, L.L.C., a Los Angeles based company, produces
live wrestling shows, merchandise and videos. XPW Home Video's first
release "Hardcore Conception" is scheduled for release later this
month, with a television show set to debut in the LA market this fall.
XPW will also be opening LA's first premiere wrestling training school,
The Asylum, in December.

Fans of XPW can interact with the company on their web site at
http://www.xpwrestling.com
The site features news, results, photos, polling for fans favorite and
most hated wrestlers, message boards, and more.

Also scheduled for the card is:
Big Dick Dudley vs. "The Tall Cool One" Jake Lawless
"Mr. XPW" Donovan Morgan vs. Supreme
Carlito Montana vs. Pancho Killa w/Felony
Jimmy (the homeless guy) vs. Phenomenal Phil and
Kid Kaos vs. "Mr. 80's" Dynamite D

PLUS, Kronus makes his XPW debut, Missy Hyatt attempts to take "White
Trash" Johnny Webb to the XPW Title, Jasmin St. Claire does the same
for "The Real Deal" Damien Steele, and will Nicole Bass return to
Steele's Hierarchy?

FOR MORE DETAILS AND TICKETS: http://www.XPWrestling.com or
XPWX
===========================================
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

Any submissions sent in by readers or columnists become the property of The Wrestling Booking Sheet, and are subject to editing due to grammar, spelling, or content. Any information taken from The Wrestling Booking Sheet must be credited properly, with our E-Mail address listed. We have no problem if you want to use our stuff; just credit it properly.

"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

"The greatest challenge of adulthood is holding on to your idealism after you lose your innocence and believing in the power of the human spirit after you come crashing into the limits of the real adult world." - Bruce Springsteen