The Wrestling Booking Sheet online newsletter

Issue # 383

Date: Thursday November 4th, 1999 9:16 am

The Wrestling Booking Sheet

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TO MAKE WWF APPEARANCE
Reported at:: http://www.wwf.com
In the 10/29 edition of 'The Ross Report', Jim Ross announced that a
"major action-adventure star" would be making an appearance on the
11/11 Smackdown; WWF.com has announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger is
the superstar in question.

It's believed that Schwarzenegger will be promoting his upcoming movie;
I would imagine that an interview w/clips will be the extent of his
involvement, despite any possible teases that the WWF will put forth
over the next week. Below is the press release from WWF.com:

"WWF.com received word that Vince McMahon just got off
the phone with Arnold Schwarzenegger to finalize the details of
Schwarzenegger's involvement on next Thursday's (Nov. 11) SmackDown!
WWF.com will have much more on this enormous development!"

TERRY TAYLOR RETURNS TO WCW
Reported at:: http://www.wwf.com
After several weeks of speculation, Terry Taylor has left his assistant
booking position in the WWF and will be returning to WCW.

There were two main factors involved in Taylor's decision: the
no-compete clauses that all of the WWF front office staff were being
pressured into signing andTaylor's aspirations to being named head
scriptwriter of the WWF.

Taylor, who has worked in the wrestling business all of his adult life,
balked at signing a no-compete clause that stated that if he quit or
was even fired from the WWF, it would be a one year period before he
could sign with WCW (or any Time Warner company). While the clause
would likely be defeated in a court challenge, the time lost and
expenses incurred could deter a reasonable person from wanting to sign
one (especially since it would have been enforced even if the WWF FIRED
Taylor).

Taylor had lobbied for the head scriptwriting position, and it's
unknown if this idea was shot done due to Taylor's unwillingness to
sign the contract, or if McMahon simply did not feel that Taylor was
qualified for the position.

Taylor has often been recognized as a creative wrestling mind, with a
special knack for booking finishes (a weak point for WCW writers Russo
& Ferrara). It's believed that Taylor does have a positive working
relationship with both men, so it looks like we may see Taylor deeply
involved in the creative process of WCW. Below is the official press
release from WWF.com:

"Taylor and the WWF part ways
Terry Taylor will no longer be working with the World Wrestling
Federation. He has accepted a position with WCW. Everyone here at the
WWF would like to wish Terry luck in all his future endeavors.

WRATH LEAVES WCW
Reported by Wade Keller of The Pro Wrestling Torch Hotline & Mike
Samuda at:: http://www.wrestleline.com
Wrath (Brian Clark) has been released from his WCW
contract. Injured for most of 1999 with an ACL injury, Wrath has been
working under a 3-year deal with WCW for $325,000 per year. WCW had the
option to terminate the contract after a one-year review (I'm still not
sure if these deals are under 90-day-review or one-year review). Wrath
has been out of action for most of the year. Clark is said to be one
week away from receiving medical clearance to return to the ring, and I
would guess that the WWF would have some interest in signing the huge
performer (especially given their long standing fetish for size).

STEVIE RAY'S DEAL MAY BE REWORKED
Reported by Wade Keller of The Pro Wrestling Torch Hotline & Mike
Samuda at:: http://www.wrestleline.com
Keller also says that WCW management is not pleased with Stevie Ray who
complained about doing a job to Buff Bagwell. Apparently WCW has also
approached Stevie about reworking his contract, which pays him $750,000
per year.

Stevie Ray, who is arguably the worst pushed wrestler in the company,
is grossly overpaid at $750,000 a year; a lazy worker with poor
coordination, his very talented younger brother (Booker T) would be
much better off if allowed to return to the single ranks.
===========================================
VINCE McMAHON
Written by reader: ChicagoM0B

Though there can be a strong case that Vince McMahon "made" wrestling,
there could also be another strong case that he ruined wrestling. He
may have made pro wrestling a more lucrative business, but he also made
it more of a joke. Cartoonish characters, big stiffs constantly being
pushed to the top and lowering the standards in which many (most) fans
view matches, etc.

I know I may be the minority in this, and maybe it's simply the
contempt I have for him and what, in my eyes, he's done, but I think
he's done more to hurt the sport of professional wrestling then help it.
===========================================
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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