KingBoggs33

WWF News & Notes August 1991 Hogan Signs What May Be Wrestling’s Largest Contract The major industry story this week is Hulk Hogan leaving the AWA for the WWF, with those familiar with the negotiations claiming Hogan has signed what could be the largest contract ever offered to a professional wrestler. Exact financial terms have not been made public, although several people within the business believe the agreement includes a substantial guarantee, a percentage of major event revenue, and considerable protection regarding Hogan’s presentation. The signing is said to have been pushed personally by Vince McMahon, who believes Hogan gives the company access to an audience far beyond its current wrestling fanbase. McMahon reportedly views Hogan as someone who can attract children, casual viewers, sponsors, and mainstream media attention in a way no other wrestler on the roster presently can. The company isn’t treating this as a short-term attraction, either. The expectation is that Hogan will be positioned as one of the central figures in the WWF for as long as the relationship remains successful. There had been some concern that bringing in a star of Hogan’s magnitude could disrupt the existing hierarchy, particularly with Terry Funk, Ric Flair, Ted DiBiase, and Andre the Giant already occupying major positions. The current belief, however, is that McMahon sees Hogan as someone who raises the value of everyone working around him rather than simply replacing the established main event talent. Andre Heel Turn Reportedly Decided Late The decision to turn Andre the Giant and align him with Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Corporation was reportedly made very late in the planning process. Until shortly before the event, most of the creative discussion had Andre remaining sympathetic and eventually helping Jake Roberts against DiBiase’s group. The change appears to have been made largely because officials believe Andre can be protected more effectively as a heel. As a babyface, there would be greater pressure to place him in longer matches where he would be expected to make repeated comebacks and provide more physical movement. As part of DiBiase’s organization, Andre can be used as an intimidating presence, interfere selectively, work short stretches in tag matches, and remain a major attraction without being asked to carry the workload of a regular singles wrestler. Those backstage were said to be surprised by the turn, although the general reaction afterward was that it came across as one of the strongest angles the company has produced this year. The visual of Andre standing over Roberts alongside DiBiase’s group immediately created several new directions, particularly with the arrival of Hulk Hogan. Maxx Payne Expected to Debut Soon Maxx Payne is expected to begin with the WWF shortly after completing his remaining commitments. The primary interest in Payne reportedly comes from his overall presentation rather than any belief that he will immediately be pushed as a top-level wrestler. Officials like the fact that Payne can legitimately play the electric guitar and believe the music-based character may appeal to younger viewers. There has already been discussion about building his television introductions around live guitar performances and using the character for merchandising. The WWF has traditionally placed a high value on wrestlers who can be promoted through a clearly defined gimmick, and Payne is viewed as someone who could stand out immediately without requiring months of explanation. No major program has been finalized for him, although the company is expected to introduce him through vignettes before his in-ring debut. WWF High on Kerry Von Erich The arrival of Kerry Von Erich following his successful AWA run was not unexpected, as the WWF had shown interest in him for some time. Vince McMahon is reportedly very high on Kerry’s look, name recognition, and ability to receive an immediate reaction from crowds. The current plan is to position Von Erich as a strong semi-main event babyface who can occasionally be moved into the main event when needed. He isn’t expected to replace Hogan or immediately enter the WWF Championship picture, but the feeling is that he can work underneath major programs, challenge for secondary championships, and provide the company with another credible opponent for its leading heels. His confrontation with Earthquake was designed to establish him immediately, and the expected direction is an Intercontinental Championship match at SummerSlam. Officials believe Kerry’s popularity and athletic presentation make him an ideal opponent for Earthquake, particularly since the champion has been requesting a more prominent program. Company Unhappy with Bravo–Tugboat Match There was considerable disappointment backstage following the Dino Bravo vs. Tugboat match, which several officials felt was well below the standard expected for a major show. The match reportedly drew criticism for being slow, poorly timed, and lacking any meaningful crowd response despite being kept relatively short. The feeling regarding Bravo is that he understands he is nearing the end of his run and increasingly prefers easier bookings that require less physical effort. While Bravo remains dependable and has value due to his experience, there is a belief that his motivation has declined considerably. Tugboat also received criticism, with some officials reportedly frustrated that he hasn’t developed into a stronger singles performer by this point. His size and personality remain marketable, but management expected more improvement in his timing and ability to structure a match. If there isn’t noticeable progress, the likely outcome is that Tugboat will be moved into a permanent tag team role, where his limitations can be better hidden. No Final Decision on SummerSlam Championship Result There remains considerable internal debate regarding the finish of the Terry Funk vs. Ric Flair WWF Championship match at SummerSlam. As of this week, there doesn’t appear to be a unanimous decision regarding who will leave Boston with the championship. Those supporting Flair argue that he is the larger attraction and that putting the title on him would create several marquee matches immediately. The concern is that Flair signed only a short-term agreement, and some officials are reluctant to build long-range plans around someone who may not remain with the company beyond the duration of the deal. There is also reportedly uncertainty regarding whether Flair would agree to the type of schedule normally expected from the WWF Champion. Funk has received strong reviews for his work since winning the title, and nobody within the company appears to question his ability to deliver in the ring. The concern is whether Funk can attract the broader audience that Flair potentially could. There is also a booking issue, as the company doesn’t currently have an obvious lineup of heel challengers prepared for an extended Funk reign. Many of the leading villains are already tied into other programs, and Hogan’s arrival has complicated the main event structure even further. The finish may not be decided until very close to the show, with McMahon said to be listening to arguments from both sides. Tully Blanchard Signing Surprised the Locker Room The signing of Tully Blanchard reportedly surprised many wrestlers backstage, as there had been little indication that negotiations were taking place. WWF officials had been following Blanchard’s recent work in the AWA and concluded that he could be useful in several roles. The current plan is to use Blanchard primarily as a manager and occasional color commentator rather than as a full-time wrestler. The company believes he can add credibility to younger talent and has the verbal ability to carry television segments without needing to wrestle regularly. There may still be occasional matches when the situation calls for it, but nobody expects him to work a full schedule. Those familiar with the signing say Blanchard’s knowledge of match structure and television presentation also appealed to management. He is expected to begin appearing once the company has settled on the wrestler or group he will manage. Dusty Rhodes Expected to Have Major Influence The addition of Dusty Rhodes is considered one of the company’s most important moves, particularly behind the scenes. While his appearance as a commentator received a major reaction, the more significant development is that Vince McMahon intends to involve Rhodes in the creative direction of the promotion. McMahon reportedly has considerable respect for Dusty’s understanding of characters, interviews, and long-term storyline construction. Rhodes is expected to contribute ideas to television, help talent with promos, and potentially assist in laying out major programs. The exact extent of his authority remains unclear, but the belief is that his influence will grow if the early ideas are successful. The company also feels Rhodes can still perform at a high level when used selectively. He isn’t expected to return as a weekly wrestler, but there are discussions about putting him in occasional major matches where his name and interview ability can be used to build interest. His confrontation with the Million Dollar Corporation may have been the beginning of an in-ring direction rather than simply a one-night commentary appearance. Hogan Debut Leads to Immediate Sellout The effect of Hulk Hogan’s arrival was reportedly felt almost immediately at the box office. Following his surprise appearance, SummerSlam at Boston Garden sold out, with the remaining tickets moving much faster than company projections had anticipated. There was said to be considerable celebration at the WWF offices once the sellout was confirmed. Internally, the company now expects SummerSlam to become its most successful pay-per-view in recent memory. The combination of Hogan’s first major WWF appearance, Andre’s heel turn, the Funk–Flair championship match, and several newly signed performers has created significantly more interest than the company expected when the card was first being planned. The Boston Garden has a smaller capacity than several other venues the WWF could have selected, but the sellout gives the company the image of overwhelming demand and allows them to promote the event as one of the hottest tickets in wrestling. There is already discussion of opening additional closed-circuit locations and increasing promotional spending during the final weeks. The larger question is whether the excitement can be maintained once Hogan moves beyond his debut. McMahon reportedly believes this isn’t simply a temporary increase and that Hogan’s arrival can create sustained growth in television ratings, live attendance, merchandise sales, and pay-per-view business.

WWF will sign Virgil, Sam Houston and Tully Blanchard as a manager WWF will drop Rick Titan, Billy Jack Haynes and Black Bart

WWF Presents Rage In A Cage https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSsEAKE1wajQiYwUUuOfBa-wQ_w7EOVgjiZbsO9IcsqjsiW_3dx-_9oLL8BH1FBf9kEpK4-QN2fW-zQ/pub

What a hell of a show. Wrestlerock was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Be proud of this one man. You posted an awesome show. I loved Hogan "leaving" AWA on a high note. If this is the end what a match to go out on, and leaving the fans happy, but if he does leave. I think your AWA is going to be in great hands especially with The Ultimate Warrior coming in. I can already see Warrior/Kokina being a HUGE money maker for the AWA.

Breaking News The World Wrestling Federation has announced that The Ronin (Hiroshi Hase & Kensuke Sasaki) have been removed from their scheduled six-man tag team match at Rage in the Cage due to an ongoing contract dispute with the company. WWF officials declined to comment on the nature of the disagreement, only stating that the two sides were unable to reach terms before the event. Stepping in to replace The Ronin will be two seasoned veterans, "Cowboy" Bob Orton Jr. and "The Hammer" Greg Valentine, who will join Z-Man under the guidance of Gary Hart. They will now take on The Warlord and The Killer Bees in what promises to be a hard-hitting six-man showdown. While the circumstances surrounding The Ronin's departure remain unclear, the additions of Orton and Valentine give Gary Hart two dangerous veterans capable of turning the tide in one of the night's most anticipated tag team matches.

WWF Presents Rage in a Cage 07/27/1991 Main Event Steel Cage Match Nikita Koloff vs Jake "The Snake" Roberts Co-Main Event Tag Team Match Ric Flair/Jerry Lawler vs Terry Funk/Tito Santana WWF Tag Team Championship Power and Glory with Slick vs The Fantastics WWF IC Championship Earthquake(c) with Jimmy Hart vs Tatanka WWF Television Championship The Dynamite Kid(c) vs The Mountie with Jimmy Hart Six Man Tag Match Bob Orton/Greg Valentine/Z-Man with Gary Hart vs The Warlord/The Killer Bees Singles Match Tugboat vs Dino Bravo

I appreciate it. I wasn't sure how to handle the Andre situation because, in real life, he was barely able to get around by this point and was essentially wrestling on borrowed time. At the same time, this is a fantasy project where we're changing everyone's trajectory, so it's always a balancing act. I want to stay grounded in reality, but I also recognize that part of the fun of fantasy booking is giving people the moments they never got. It's definitely a double-edged sword. With Andre especially, we all know he sadly passes away in just a couple of years, and I don't necessarily want that real-world sadness to define his role in this universe. I think I've finally come up with an idea that lets me respect where he was physically while still giving him the swan song he deserved. My goal is for Andre to leave this project on the brightest possible note, and I think the story I've got planned will do exactly that. It also played a factor to why I ran Toronto for WM 8.

WWF News & Notes June 1991 • Jake Roberts' Injury Was Real The shocking attack on Jake "The Snake" Roberts that left him temporarily blinded was more than just another WWF storyline. Roberts was legitimately dealing with a shoulder injury, and WWF officials elected to write him off television in one of the most talked-about angles in company history. By all accounts, the gamble paid off. Ratings for both Monday Night Raw and Saturday Night's Main Event saw a noticeable increase during the build, proving the storyline generated exactly the type of buzz officials were hoping for. While Roberts is expected to return soon, don't expect him to be a full-fledged fan favorite or villain. Instead, the WWF plans to keep Jake walking the line between both roles. Current plans have him heading straight into a major program with Ted DiBiase. • Ted DiBiase's Debut Exceeds Expectations Speaking of Ted DiBiase, company officials were reportedly thrilled with the reaction to his surprise WWF debut. The reveal of The Million Dollar Empire instantly established DiBiase as one of the promotion's premier villains, and the expectation backstage is that he will remain near the top of the card for the foreseeable future. Officials reportedly see DiBiase as one of the cornerstones of the company moving forward, with his rivalry against Jake Roberts expected to dominate much of the summer. • Why Terry Funk Won the WWF Championship One of the more surprising creative decisions this month was placing the WWF Championship on Terry Funk. According to sources, officials ultimately felt that Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk represented a stronger marquee attraction for SummerSlam than Ric Flair vs. Tito Santana. Despite dropping the championship, company officials were said to be extremely pleased with Tito Santana's reign. Internally, Santana has been credited with helping the WWF expand its popularity in Mexico while proving himself to be a dependable and respected world champion during a critical period for the company. • Titan Sidelined for Several Months The injury suffered by The Titan on Monday Night Raw was legitimate and forced the WWF to make significant changes to its television plans. Those changes ultimately led to Dynamite Kid capturing the WWF Television Championship at Saturday Night's Main Event. While Titan is expected to miss several months of action, sources say he is aggressively rehabbing and has set a personal goal of returning in time for the Royal Rumble. • More Makeshift Tag Teams Coming? The success of the unlikely pairing of The Warlord and Junkyard Dog has reportedly encouraged WWF officials to experiment with additional tag teams made up of established singles wrestlers. While the company still plans to emphasize traditional tag teams, don't be surprised if several new pairings begin appearing over the coming months. • Concern Over Junkyard Dog's Conditioning Not all of the backstage news surrounding Junkyard Dog has been positive. Officials reportedly remain concerned about his conditioning and feel he is nowhere near the physical shape needed for a full-time schedule. While everyone acknowledges the value of JYD's name and popularity, there has reportedly been frustration that he has shown little interest in improving his conditioning. Those close to the situation say JYD feels he has already accomplished everything he set out to do in professional wrestling and isn't interested in dramatically changing his lifestyle at this stage of his career. • Why The Nasty Boys Left the WWF The departure of The Nasty Boys has become one of the more talked-about stories backstage. According to multiple reports, the incident stems from WrestleMania VII, where country music legend Willie Nelson was on hand to perform the National Anthem. The story making the rounds is that Brian Knobbs and Jerry Saggs jokingly presented one of the WWF Tag Team Championships to Nelson as a gift while visiting his tour bus. Once WWF officials discovered what had happened, the duo was reportedly forced to retrieve the championship. Nelson was said to be disappointed after believing the belt had genuinely been given to him. Although the WWF reportedly smoothed things over with Nelson, management was furious with The Nasty Boys, and shortly afterward they were sent to WCW. • Andre the Giant's Health Taking a Toll There continues to be growing concern regarding Andre the Giant's health. Sources indicate Andre has experienced a significant physical decline over the past several months, forcing the WWF to dramatically alter several long-term creative plans. Combined with Jake Roberts' injury, officials were forced to pivot away from what had originally been planned for the summer. Instead, Andre is expected to become involved in the Million Dollar Empire storyline as a way of explaining his reduced schedule. Going forward, don't expect Andre to wrestle often, and when he does appear, it will likely be in tag team or multi-man matches designed to protect him. It's being said Andre is trying his best to make at least to Wrestlemania VIII where he plans on retiring. • Nikita Koloff's Final Run The arrival of Nikita Koloff has been well received within the locker room. Those close to Koloff say he has made it clear this will likely be the final chapter of his in-ring career. Widely respected by his peers and still considered to be in tremendous physical condition, Koloff reportedly feels financially secure and wants one last meaningful run with the WWF before eventually retiring and dedicating himself to full-time ministry work. • Earthquake Wants More Competition Despite holding the WWF Intercontinental Championship, Earthquake is reportedly unhappy with his current role on television. Sources claim the champion believes the Intercontinental Title has always represented the "working man's championship" and feels frustrated by the lack of meaningful singles matches. WWF officials are said to understand his concerns and are already working to line up several higher-profile programs for the massive champion throughout the summer. • Big Surprises Ahead Behind the scenes, there is considerable excitement regarding the WWF's plans for the remainder of 1991. Company officials are reportedly preparing several major debuts over the coming months, with many believing SummerSlam could become one of the biggest events in company history. While names remain tightly guarded, expectations backstage are extremely high. • WrestleMania VIII Headed to Canada In one of the biggest announcements in company history, the World Wrestling Federation has officially selected SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario as the host venue for WrestleMania VIII. The event will mark the first WrestleMania ever held outside of the United States, signaling the WWF's continued expansion across North America. Company officials reportedly considered several major stadiums before settling on SkyDome, believing the state-of-the-art venue and passionate Canadian fanbase make it the perfect stage for what is already being described internally as the biggest event in WWF history. The decision comes as no surprise given the enormous plans already in motion. While several additional marquee matches are already being discussed. Officials believe WrestleMania VIII has the potential to become the highest-grossing event the WWF has ever promoted. Tickets are expected to go on sale the night after SummerSlam, and early projections suggest demand could shatter every attendance and gate record in company history.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Glad you all appreciated it. I am going to keep going with the one big show a month that was written like that SNME, and KotR, but I will do round ups and things like that to keep everything flowing to get us to these events.

WWF Presents Saturday Night's Main Event https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTLpeEcPBnK6ILR2DGXKkyFTtABJMFvSgCXD5Be9n_u3xZUJQzQUCDyi1dkBfmwcWyYYm_nhCKDxcNp/pub

WWF and WCW come to terms on a deal WWF sends The Nasty Boys WCW sends Nikita Koloff and The Mountie (Jacques Rougeau)

One of the biggest mysteries in WWF history is finally about to be solved. For months, the World Wrestling Federation has been searching for answers following the shocking attack on Jake "The Snake" Roberts. What began as a brutal assault has completely changed the landscape of the WWF. The attack left Roberts with severe injuries and doctors fearing he may never fully recover his eyesight. Since that night, rumors have run wild throughout the locker room as wrestlers, managers, and fans alike have tried to uncover the identity of the man responsible. Now, after conducting a lengthy investigation and reviewing every lead available, WWF President Jack Tunney believes he finally has the answer. At Saturday Night's Main Event, Tunney will make a special appearance on The Barbershop with Brutus Beefcake to reveal the identity of the individual responsible for the attack on Jake Roberts once and for all. Tunney has remained tight-lipped regarding the details, only stating that the evidence is conclusive and that the truth can no longer remain hidden. The announcement is expected to send shockwaves throughout the WWF, especially considering the growing speculation surrounding several prominent names over the past few months. With careers, reputations, and possibly even championships hanging in the balance, nobody knows exactly what to expect when Tunney finally reveals the truth. After months of questions, accusations, and uncertainty, the wait is finally over. At Saturday Night's Main Event, the man who attacked Jake Roberts will be revealed.

The WWF Tag Team Championship picture has been turned upside down over the past month. After spending months living in the shadow of Jimmy Hart's First Family, Slick finally got the breakthrough he had been searching for when Power and Glory defeated The Nasty Boys on the June 1st edition of Monday Night Raw to capture the WWF Tag Team Championships. The victory marked the biggest moment in the careers of Hercules and Paul Roma, while also giving Slick something he had wanted for a long time: championship gold. Since winning the titles, the champions have spent every week reminding the WWF that they are the new kings of the tag team division, boasting that they accomplished what no other team could by ending the reign of The Nasty Boys. However, the celebration didn't sit well with everyone. Over the last couple months, The Warlord has found himself locked in a bitter war with Slick's Army. After severing ties with Slick earlier in the year, Warlord quickly became a target for his former manager and his collection of hired guns. The numbers game repeatedly worked against Warlord until an unlikely ally emerged in the form of Junkyard Dog. Seeing Slick's Army constantly stacking the deck against his opponents, JYD stepped in and declared that he wanted to "take a bite outta Slick." What started as a simple act of loyalty quickly developed into a dangerous partnership as Warlord and Junkyard Dog began fighting side by side against Power and Glory, Dan Spivey, and the rest of Slick's forces. The rivalry reached a new level when the challengers began picking up victories on Raw. Despite Power and Glory's constant bragging, they struggled to put away the powerful duo of Warlord and Junkyard Dog. Several matches and confrontations ended in wild brawls that spilled all over the arena, forcing officials to intervene before things got completely out of control. Slick repeatedly claimed that Warlord was jealous of the success he found after leaving him behind, while Junkyard Dog fired back by accusing Slick of hiding behind his men whenever a fight broke out. With tensions continuing to rise, Jack Tunney finally made the match official for Saturday Night's Main Event. Now the WWF Tag Team Championships will be on the line as Power and Glory attempt to prove that their title victory was no fluke against one of the most physically imposing teams in the entire company. For the champions, this is an opportunity to cement their place at the top of the division. For Warlord and Junkyard Dog, it is a chance to humble Slick once and for all while bringing championship gold into their camp. With bad blood, personal history, and the WWF Tag Team Championships all at stake, this showdown has all the ingredients to become one of the biggest matches of the summer.