Dirt Sheets

[LowBlowPodcast]

We didn't have one of these - I have a fun couple of stories to push... so hopefully this works.

[LowBlowPodcast]

It what was supposed to be Triumph only confusion has reigned in the world of World Championship Wrestling out of Chicago. The confusion was not just from this weekend's past show "American Meltdown" but the happenings over the course of the summer. The biggest change was a shift in power and creative from Dusty Rhodes to Ric Flair. How is that? Rhodes was initially on as one of the top contributors to the promotion and creative of WCW. The problem occurred on multiple occasion when Rhodes would be show on television... WGN... covered in blood. The head honchos as WGN feel that wrestling is a main draw for them and Chicago can be a true center hub for the promotion... but not the way Rhodes was going. It was then that they explored other options and through the grapevine... Ric Flair's name came up and his contract was due... then the negotiations began.

Once Flair had verbally agreed, Rhodes caught wind, and needless to say that some wounds won't heal. Rhodes asked for more power but was instead offered a lucrative payout and deal to leave the promotion. Now, Flair is the one who is in the same role that Rhodes was in and has buddied up to WCW officials quite well... other than Jim Herd. The too keen on some of the same ideas. This would explain notable changes like Sherri moving to Bam Bam and dropping the Nasties, The Six-man Titles not being discussed and possibly dropped, the soon to be disappearance of the international division, and more importantly... getting out of these big stadium shows.

Flair prefers to run medium sized shows that can sell out but also show that the company is successful were Rhodes wanted the ambiance of the stadium... but that also meant empty seating. As it stands right now... only 15,000 tickets have been sold and word is that some of them are comps from WGN officials. With Flair in power... look for more direction in regards to the WCW Title and re-establishing the other singles titles... but maybe not the International Championship and the six-man titles. The tag titles are said to get the major push and main event spot going into Wrigley... the Cage Match will close the show.

Some other notable happenings were the movement of talent... Race and Orton being two of the biggest names along with the Road Warriors. Michael Hayes was also said to be on Dusty's side and he ended up in a different territory because of the deal. Rhodes has since gone on to have a stellar start with another promotion and the dust has settled... pun intended... Flair is in WCW... Randy Savage is champion... and WrestleFest at Wrigley is weeks away!

[LastStopTour]

[spaldoni]

They say change is good and that's exactly what the AWA needed when it was revived in 1986. This wasn't easy because everybody in the wrestling world knows that Verne Gagne is very, very, very set in his ways. It took a lot of people (Greg included) to get Verne to budge and realize that if the AWA didn't adapt to the changing times, they would perish. Slowly but surely, Verne started giving okays on new ideas. He stayed behind the scenes and went with Gerry Morrow as the on air authority figure. Morrow and Brenda Britton have added some much needed charisma to the TV shows. Over the past 2 years, the AWA has worked on balance. They wanted a blend of International appeal along with a hard hitting southern and rock n roll vibe. They even shelled out big money to celebrities to help get national exposure. After seeing the WrestleRock numbers, Verne held a meeting and finally admitted that change is good. This was a monumental step in the right direction for the AWA. Now that everybody is on the same page, the AWA is fully revived and excited for the future. 

[kevinmcfl]

If you don't stay ahead, you quickly fall behind.  That is the message Ted Turner had for both Jerry Jarrett and Ernie Ladd in a big meeting held this week in Atlanta.  Turner was referring to what seems to be a push by many of the wrestling territories to become "national" promotions.  He stated recent roster changes and huge pay per view shows by some of the other territories as his evidence.

Turner also explained that the names being used by Jarrett, Memphis Wresting or Championship Wrestling, gives his promotion "a small town feel."  When Jarrett tried to explain that "a small town promotion" is just what he was looking for and bigger doesn't always mean better, Turner quickly stated that that Superstation 17 was looking for the exact opposite.  He told Jarrett that Memphis must go back to using the Continental Wrestling Association name and logo if it wanted to continue on his station.  Jarrett quickly excepted as he really had no choice.  This quickly showed who was in charge of the meeting.... the man with the least wrestling knowledge.  Can a white collar business man run this wild, blue collar sport?  I mean if this works out, you might someday see a business mogul in the white house regardless of political knowledge.  

Ernie Ladd thought he was reading the room well when he suggested that he back to using the Universal Wrestling Federation, or UWF for short, as his name.  This seemed to anger Turner who said that he was not in the habit of paying off lawsuits and reminded him the Cowboy Bill Watts and the U.S. Federal Courts have already ruled that he is not allowed to use the name UWF.

When Ladd said that he was fine continuing with the name Mid-South then, Turner simply said that Superstation 17 will be showing Continental Wrestling Association shows only as he "again" wants a show to span the continent just as his television station does.  What exactly does this mean for Ladd, only time will tell.  Most feel that Memphis is going to expand into other Southern states and will add some roster pieces, mostly coming from Ladd's Mid-South territory.

Does this mean that Ladd and Jarrett will join together?  Maybe but Ladd has shown that he likes to work alone.  Maybe this was just due to his inability to work with Bill Watts and that he will function better with Jarrett.  It seems with Turner firmly behind the CWA, Ladd is just a puppet who will soon be begging for a job in the industry.  Whatever happens with Ladd, expect the roster in Memphis to grow as it seems that it will soon have all 3 hours to fill on the Superstation each week.

Stay tuned... Memphis might be losing its small town feel.  This will either make Jarrett's promotion one of the leaders in the industry or it will bring about its demise as we have scene from so many other territories in this Dawn of Wrestling Wars that has taken over the industry.

So when will all of this change occur?  Basically as soon as my head can figure out some direction.  Expect Memphis... ummmm,... the CWA to be back in a few weeks.  

[LastStopTour]

IPW: Heard it Through the Grapevine

- Bad News
Let's start with the bad news and get it out of the way. Word out of the IPW locker room is that things have gotten so bad in the office that Rip Tyler, the IPW Commissioner, has not only left IPW but has left the state as well and headed home to Alabama.

Tyler. who ran World Organization Wrestling just a year ago before the IPW enterprise, might be going home to dust off and reboot the WOW. Oliver Humperdink (and the ladies) who is chummy with Tyler might be joining him as the WOW promoted shows in Mississippi, Alabama and Humperdink's home state of Florida.

- Good?
While Memphis star Bill Dundee's Arkansas dates have been a positive for the promotion, house show dates beyond the next two weeks have been cancelled. Dundee's IPW tour was reduced to just two dates for television and shows later that evening.

Word is that Bill wanted more dates to work with son Jamie, but the recent Memphis restructuring and shake up kept wrestling stars closer to home.

- Ghost in the Machine, Part 2
The missing Bert Prentice's whereabouts have been found! The super promoter has been involved in talks in Memphis., along with Memphis Legend Jackie Fargo. Will he or they wind up on the Super Station?

- Ulterior Motives?
Jackie Fargo's appearance in IPW has been questioned as to what his motives might have been. Has he been trying to drum up some business to bring wrestlers back to the Memphis area or was it simply to be booked?

His ties to a good portion of the roster that has passed through the Mempho territory might speak to the former rather than the latter.

- From Bad to Worse
In the things couldn't get worse department, it appears that television station KAIT Channel 8 in Jonesboro has severed ties with the wrestling promotion at the end of August. Saturday tapings for the 5th, 12th and 18th appear to be the final live tapings with whatever's to come following that is anyone's guess. No one is speaking about it from either side though several wrestlers were notified in advance to find bookings elsewhere following those dates.

[spaldoni]

News from the AWA

 

The AWA was dealt with a crushing blow last week when the Ultimate Warrior abruptly left. It appears money does talk and Warrior was offered a vast amount from another promotion. Word is that the AWA was very disappointed as they had spent a lot of time hyping up Warrior and grooming him for a possible world title run. However, things have a strange way of working out. The day after Warrior left, Verne received a phone call letting him know that after weeks of negotiating, Kerry Von Erich had signed with the AWA. Verne got his committee together and said "We lost the Ultimate Warrior, fear not, we're going to strap a rocket to the Modern Day Warrior's back" 

More big news as it's been confirmed that both Paul Orndorff and Sgt. Slaughter have been seen walking out of Verne Gagne's offices. 

 

[LowBlowPodcast]

NEWS OUT OF THE WWF

It has been a couple of weeks since the new production crew for the WWF came into the fold and many changes have been made. The first being the talent roster. Big names like Roddy Piper, Terry Funk, Paul Orndorff, Sting, and others have been let go of their contracts while new faces like the Rockers, Twin Towers, and Great Muta have been signed. There seems to be some chicanery with the fact that this production crew left WCW and ended up with some of these top names coming along to the WWF. 

The interesting piece is how these talents fit into the new WWF. For instance, the Rockers and Twin Towers just main-evented a WCW pay-per-view inside a steel cage for the tag titles... in the WWF... they have been pushed as newcomers. Does the WWF believe in these talents or was this a way to just bring some buddies along?  There is a lot of hype around Muta and Shawn Michaels as two future stars for the WWF while the One Man Gang and Big Bossman are two guys who may just end up in the main event scene sooner than later.

Some other names including the Honky Tonk Man, Hercules, Terry Taylor, and Mike Rotundo also signed on with the WWF and will hopefully be on screen soon and in different roles. The WWF seemed to be focused on filling that mid-card with some of these guys on the cusp of super stardom if utilized properly.

Brother Love made his debut in the WWF over the last two weeks. The ever-present- talk segment - for the WWF is the Brother Love show now. Expect this to push angles with a heavy heel focus. No word on who Brother Love's special guest for SummerSlam is going to be though?

Expect SummerSlam to be a passing-of-the-guard event. Many feel this will be the last of the old WWF Generation and a New Era will be beginning from this event. Some of the stalwarts of the WWF should look to stay in place with Hogan at the top of the heap and the newly turned Demolition being top tag team. One guy to keep an eye out for though is Rick Martel. The fans have taken to Martel as IC champion and he's had a lot of good defenses thus far. His match with Tito Santana at SummerSlam will be a make or break moment for him as the light of MSG are brighter than any other and there's definitely a spotlight on him.

Speaking of the spotlight, it is hard not to notice Andre the Giant and how his role has changed over the years in the WWF. Andre has noted that his career is on the back end and would like to retire with peace and keep working with the boys. That seems to be true with the partnering of Jimmy Snuka. These two make a very fun and formidable team. Andre's ability to go one on one just doesn't seem to be there anymore so look for him to meld into this role and the WWF to use ever bit of star power he has left over the next couple of years.

For those of you paying attention... we want your feedback. The WWF sent out a special survey to individuals over the last couple of weeks as it pertains to the Survivor Series which will take place on Thanksgiving Night from the Meadowlands in New Jersey. The WWF wanted to know if people would like to see a night full of 5 on 5 survivor matches, 4 on 4 survivor matches, 5 on 5 survivors with the 10 tag team survivor, or a 4 on 4 survivors with an 8 team survivor series match. Right now the WWF is planning on the 5 on 5s... but is toying with the idea of co-captains and then have the tag teams split into the matches rather than in a big 10 team tag match. This would be to primarily push the storylines heading into the show rather than making it a one off with all the talent on the card. Let us know what you think?

One last bit of information that has been circling around WWF headquarters is the formatting of the television shows. WWF would like to know if you notice the difference between the two shows Prime time and Superstars when it comes to the formatting. There is also talk of changing Superstars to more of an episodic television broadcast from arenas in which Jesse and Vince are at ringside and host interviews with the talents. This would still be a taped show but allow for some more on the spot moments and an episodic feel rather than the taped matches over and over. What do you think?

[LowBlowPodcast]

Insane story coming out of the WWF...

As many readers know the WWF is a post production type broadcast with multiple matches taped and then produced for television. Well the same can be said about shows like Saturday Night's Main Event. Outside of the Hogan/Savage cage match, these are generally taped and then produced for NBC's broadcast. Well that happened over the weekend and then everything changed on Sunday.

 

We're being told that a huge angle was shot in front of the fans and was also alluded to on WWF programming this week... but the result of the angle ended up being the last straw in a series of events that may sever one of the strongest ties in the WWF... Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan.

 

It is of no surprise that Hulk Hogan and the WWF coincide with one another and have for the longest time. One of the biggest stars in professional wrestling and one of the smartest minds have taken the WWF to heights never imagined. Over the last five years, Hogan and McMahon have made the most powerful tag team in wrestling. One piece of that partnership was the contracts and how Hogan and McMahon had a handshake agreement but always upped the ante each year... well that seemed to have changed over the weekend.

 

It was reported that once the SNME taping portion of the show was held, Hulk Hogan stormed out of the building with his cohort and left the arena. McMahon was said to be visible shaken by the event and even went after him until Hogan left the building. Brisco and Patterson were said to be the ones to calm McMahon down. Reports from the WWF Headquarters have said that Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon were meeting on Monday the 18th at 7am eastern. We're waiting on reports from that meeting and will update you as soon as we hear any news.

[rainmakerrtv]

Although the PCW roster are enjoying their December break in Hawaii, considerable buzz has arisen over a young prospect fresh out of Stu Hart's legendary Dungeon who is heading to the West Coast. While this unnamed wrestler is under contract to another promotion, Don Owen has reached a special developmental arrangement with this promotion with regards to the new wrestler getting his first experience in the fast paced learning environment of Pacific Coast Wrestling. Not much is known of this young man, but Bret Hart is said to be especially enthusiastic on working with this student of his father. Looks like big things are headed to PCW in 1989!

[LowBlowPodcast]

Updated 2 on WWF situation

Hulk Hogan was just seen leaving the WWF offices being escorted by a number of lawyers. Jerry McDivett, chief counsel for the World Wrestling Federation, was even in attendance and said to be very upset once the meeting concluded. McMahon is said to be behind closed doors and only letting his inner circle into the mix.

The supposed SNME storyline/angle was shot in front of the crowd and I am told it was going to be a big surprise the WWF was going to unfold. Hulk Hogan starred in the movie No Holds Barred which will be releasing this summer and is said to be a pretty big gamble for the WWF. One of the characters from the movie was said to be recently signed by the WWF and was going to make a special appearance. This was also highlighted by the debut of Sherri Martel... who for now... it seems doesn't have a spot if the angle isn't shown.

Meanwhile, during the angle, Sherri revealed her leg from the box and then came out to seduce Hogan into thinking she was the gift only for this monster to come out of the box and destroy Hogan. This led to Randy Savage getting involved. Some fan were unaware of who the man was in the box but I will be seeing a friend later on who will fill me in. Hogan was destroyed in the ring up until Andre and Hacksaw came out and closed things down.

Hogan was supposedly very upset after the angle and holding his throat on his way back to the locker room. That is where this whole fiasco started... more to come

[LowBlowPodcast]

WWF Update No.3

Has the unthinkable happened?

After Hogan left WWF office today... he was spotted going to Vince McMahon's home. I am told he was welcomed by Linda McMahon. Vince then showed up around an hour later. Linda then left an hour after that.... Hogan and Vince were shown shaking hands and both leaving the property around 7:45 eastern.

I was able to speak with multiple people who said the man inside the box was none other than Stan the Lariat Hansen! He was supposed to be managed by Sherri and get into a program with Hogan... but for some reason things went sideways... that is for the time being.

It is worth mentioning that this situation had happened before and Hogan and Vince have been very close through the 1980s. It comes as no surprise there are creative differences... if that was the case... but I am guessing this was just a ploy by Hogan to get something he wanted... the title? time off? more money? another movie? Who knows... but I think this story has run its course since McMahon and Hogan shook hands. They will be in Baltimore tomorrow night and I plan on being in attendance for the show... it is headlined by Hogan and Andre vs Bundy, Rude, and Heenan in a 2 vs 3 main event.

There is also going to be a very exciting 10-man tag with Davey Boy Smith teaming with both the Rockers and Demolition against The Hart Foundation! Ultimate Warrior is taking on Haku. Rick Martel defends against the Big Bossman. Sorry for all the excitement today... just Hulk and Vince being Hulk and Vince.

[LowBlowPodcast]

WWF Update No.4

In perhaps the most shocking turn of events... last night we go to Baltimore for this huge card with Hogan and Andre vs Bundy, Rude, and Heenan. The crowd is bonkers all night. We get the Warrior beating Haku... the Rockers and Demolition exploding in the ring causing them the match, and then Rick Martel and Bossman tore it up to end in a double count out. Around intermission time, Finkel comes out to announce that the Main Event has been changed... here comes Bobby Heenan... he announces that Hulk Hogan had an "accident" getting his rental car and tonight it is going to be 3 on 1 versus Andre because he knows there is no one man enough to partner with him against his family!

The crowd is visibly shook... a ton of boos and throwing of debris into the ring. Finkle announced that the fans would receive a 50% refund on tickets if they wanted and to head to the box office. Heenan jumps back on and says he will take everyone's 50% and use it for hospital bills for Andre after their done with him.... Andre shows up in the entryway and says he has got someone in mind to help him... he'll see Heenan in the ring!

Okay so now everyone is trying to figure out WTF is going on. We get two more matches including Muta vs Koko that absolutely tears down the house. It is of note that there were about 25% of the fans who left. WWF made sure to pull everyone up and turn down the lights... We then come to the main event... here comes Heenan leading out Haku, Rude, and Bundy. The reminisce of the Heenan Family. Heenan is getting some serious heat now running down Hogan... then we see Andre the Giant come out and the fans pop. Andre says that he has found a partner who will help him with the Heenan Family and smiles...

Andre then turns and here comes... the Ultimate Warrior! They shake hands and then come out to the ring and the pop is good but not Hogan good. We get a mediocre 13-minute main event... neither Warrior nor Andre can carry the match but Rude and Bundy do their job.... then of course Heenan comes in for laughs. Andre with a huge toss on Rude out of the ring as he flies into Bundy and Haku! Here comes Warrior with a huge shoulder block on Heenan.... then the BIG SPLASH for the 3-count! Warrior and Andre worked the fans and that was all she wrote.

 

So I went ahead and started to work on the story... it seems as though Hogan did have travel issues and was not able to get to Baltimore but did make his appearances this afternoon. I am said Vince McMahon and Pat Patterson were in attendance for the appearance so it is hard to tell if there are tough feelings going on here.

Surely Hogan wouldn't be leaving the WWF... perhaps the top money making wrestling company in the world... or is it that he is the top money draw and without him it wouldn't be as profitable. Who holds the cards?  This is a crazy game of poker and I feel we're far away from either man folding their chips.

[LowBlowPodcast]

WWF update No. 5

Once again, we have some mixed situations coming out of the WWF. December 23rd, Hulk Hogan tagged with the Ultimate Warrior against Randy Savage and Rick Rude. He was said to be his normal self and running wild.

That day I was told that an agreement was made between Hogan and McMahon on a monumental level. Here is what I saw from a photocopy of the contract...

200 Appearances at $10,000 per appearance.

Pay Per View appearances are $50,000 plus 15% of total house gate and 15% of pay per view revenue

50% of all Hulk Hogan merchandise - 5% of all total WWF merchandise

40% of all Coliseum home video revenue and 60% of Coliseum Home Videos that are focused on Hulk Hogan.

3 Exclusive movie roles worth $250,000 each plus 15% of theater revenue and 25% of home video revenue.

Hulk Hogan will have final say in the creative process for the Hulk Hogan character.

Hulk Hogan will have a guaranteed WWF title reign around the release of his upcoming No Holds Barred movie for promotion (plus he's portrayed as champion in the film).

I was told that these were verbally agreed upon with a handshake between Hogan and McMahon... but nothing was signed.

[kevinmcfl]

If that gets signed Hulk and McMahon are tied at the hip.  Very interesting situation.

[LowBlowPodcast]

WWF update No. 6

A lot has changed since our last writing... firstly, the offer was verbally agreed upon and a handshake solidified the deal with Hulk Hogan and the WWF/Vince McMahon. That was the 24th of December, now on the 28th of December things have changed again. I am told that the WWF taping of Saturday Night's Main Event has been heavily re-edited. The WWF held shows in Stamford and Providence over the last two days... both were advertised for a Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage main event that turned into Savage defeated Jake Roberts after Hogan was "late to the building" and ended up helping Andre and Duggan defeated Rude, Bundy, & Haku.

The biggest issue coming out of the shows was the 28th of December Hogan was said to have another meeting with Vince McMahon that was scheduled at 9:30am EST but it was 10:00am when Hogan left the building. With him, his lawyers. I am told McMahon and Hogan could not come to terms after the contract was written up. Hogan's contract concludes on January 1st, 1989. The WWF is holding a special new years eve matinee on December the 31st in Madison Square Garden. Will that be the last stand for the Hogan/WWF/McMahon saga? Will McMahon be able to get a deal into place?

Saturday Night's Main Event will be on NBC this weekend on the 30th... 12/28 the WWF is in Pittsburgh, 12/29 the WWF is in Akron, Ohio... 12/30 Matinee in Atlantic City, and 12/31 Matinee is Madison Square Garden. Hogan is advertised for all four of these shows... with the happenings from SNME...Stan Hansen will not debut... Sherri Martel will not debut... what happens to these two? If Hogan signs... does he get everything he wants... most importantly the title from Savage? Folks... this is gonna be an interesting couple of days.

 

[Autistic Dragon]

Loving all the drama you're putting in these.

[LowBlowPodcast]

WWF update No. 7

12/28 - Hogan and Savage go rogue in the Lumberjack match. I am told that it was an extra measure to keep things on the level. There is some thought that Hogan might try to take the title from Savage... but we know Savage has enough in him to fight back...

12/29 - WWF is in Akron and Hogan vs Savage for the title was advertised and then cancelled... citing travel issues. Savage beat Santana and then Hogan came out to run him off and blame it on Heenan that he was late.

12/30 -  There is a Matinee show tomorrow in Atlantic City and the marquee says Hulk Hogan challenging Randy Savage for the WWF title. I have no clue if this will end up being the match or not... it seems like it is a gamble, no pun intended, every night from here on.

The biggest issue is SNME which will air tomorrow night... I have read the results of the show... but I have no clue what is going to happen. I have heard that the show has been heavily post-produced... will the angle with Sherri and Hansen even air? How will they cover it up? This is going to be one of the most interesting shows of the year and what a way to finish 1988.

In additional news, the contract that was written about earlier in the week is said to be up in smoke. McMahon and Hogan couldn't agree on some of the specifics. The way many people see it... Hogan earns from 8-10 million dollars a year with all of his wrestling, advertising, merchandise, ppv buys, house gates, and bonus'. If the WWF were to get out of that contract they would have that 8-10 million available to work with... but the bigger problem is the 15-18 million that Hogan generates. Plus, 1989, the WWF is said to have 4 big pay per views, 5 Saturday Night's Main Events, 1 NBC Friday Main Event, and even a pair of network specials. Without Hogan, the ad revenue is down, the attendance is down, the merchandise is down. Is it fair to say that he is the most valuable commodity in professional wrestling? I think so...  and then... is there a chance that he doesn't wrestle for the WWF after this weekend? Where would he go? Who can afford him?

Outfits like the NWA and WCW do have good capital and Hogan joining them would be a complete coup. He would take them to the next level. the AWA and Pacific Coast are both long-shots but the money may not be there. Someone said that Hogan wants in on the business side because he knows his value... could one of these four companies come up with something that would allow him partial ownership? One has to think that Hogan's addition would also lead to more ad revenue and pay per view opportunities. The last option... Japan. Hogan has strong ties to New Japan... he has a positive relationship with Baba and All Japan... could he be the ultimate get for one of these two... would Hogan make the same kind of money? It is hard to say. I spoke with a colleague that said Hogan should start his own company... tour the world. He has the name value to draw the houses but in today's market... it is television and without it... well it doesn't equal anything.

I am going to be watching SNME as it goes down tomorrow... I will have a written report from the Matinee in Atlantic City and the NBC event tomorrow night.

[Autistic Dragon]

News from the NWA.

Jim Crockett Jr hasn't been shy at occasionally stepping outside the bounds of his official territory into neighboring states such as West Virginia as long as they aren't also being claimed by another promotion. If sources within Jim Crockett Promotions is to be believed, Mr Crockett is planning to not only continue this policy but push it further than ever in 1989.

As readers are already aware, The NWA will be holding its first show of the new year in Sarasota Florida's Robarts Arena, marking its return to the Sunshine state after a lengthy absence. Likewise the recent collapse -previewed by a months long hiatus- of the Memphis territory has Crockett planning a return to Alabama, another state in which the NWA has made previous, if sporadic appearances. One source claims there tentative plans to host the 1989 Crockett Cup in the "Heart of Dixie" but nothing concrete as of yet.

However it seems Mr Crockett has two other unclaimed territories in his sights. First there are apparently serious plans in place to hold "at least" one major event in the city of Baltimore, Maryland in the coming year. Even more surprising though is talk of negotiating with the AWA for permission to run shows in Western Tennessee, particularly the Knoxville area. This would mark the first time that the NWA would operate in part of an active territory.

Mr Crockett apparently decided on this as -from his perspective at least- the AWA doesn't focus on Tennessee as much as it does the Midwest states and what attention it does pay being focused around the Memphis area. News of Jerry Jarrett departing to take the helm of WCW has reportedly bolstered confidence in this endeavor as it is believe that Verne Gagne may prove more open dividing the state without Jarrett in his ear.

While much of this is still up in the air right now it cannot be denied that Jim Crockett Jr has big plans for the NWA in the new year. We shall provide updates as to the status of those plans as they come forth.

[LowBlowPodcast]

WWF update No. 8

Crazy long night and with new years it has been crazy... plus I just got back from the MSG show...

Let's go to yesterday - the cage match with Hogan and Savage... a nasty blade job by Hogan was really the story of the show as Hogan made it about himself. The inclusion of Bossman and One Man Gang was to add some size I guess. Either way, Savage retained in a messy match.

 

We go to SNME which was a decent enough show... the three big things... one... the Muta vs Tito Match was not scheduled to happen and was added in late. Secondly, the Rockers winning two straight - that was a time decision - the match itself was three full falls but the second was edited out. Lastly, the Stan Hansen and Sherri angle was completely scrapped... the fans responded well to it in person but that is done and gone now and I am told Hansen has already given his notice to the WWF because of the botch.

 

It was noted that last night Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon were seen at dinner together and it appears as though everything was mutually respectable. That leads us to today... MSG...

The show itself was highlighted by Andre winning a big battle royal.

The WWF title was on the line in a lumberjack match... Hogan and Savage put on a great 18-minute contest. The finish was something else... Savage hit an elbow drop and it was a prime moment for Hogan to hulk up but instead he stayed down for the 3-count. Hogan stayed down and Savage won the contest in front of the MSG crowd and all the lumberjacks. Hogan got up selling his throat like Savage came down hard... but as the smoke cleared... we saw Heenan celebrating with Savage while the ring cleared... then Hogan grabbed Savage and Heenan and double headbutt!  Heenan fell back into the ring and Hogan sent him to the ropes for a huge boot and then a bodyslam! Heenan sold like crazy and then Hogan posed for the crowd... he seemed to have some sentiment...

There has been no new news on the contract situation... as it stands right now I would guess that Hogan will be on the road tomorrow... but there's a chance he won't... I don't know what that chance is. Hogan was seen coming out of MSG and going right into his limo... fans were crowding around him but no answers...

I guess we will see what happens in the next couple of hours.

[spaldoni]

AWA NEWS 

 

It seems that Verne Gagne is looking to take the AWA all around the world. The AWA has some pretty lofty goals for 1989 and Verne has acquired the best International talent to help him achieve those goals. Tony St. Clair can open doors in the UK. Carlos Colon is a very powerful man in Puerto Rico. El Canek has a lot of influence in Mexico. Gerry Morrow has ties in Canada. And of course, Jumbo Tsuruta can work some major deals in Japan. Verne has put together all the pieces and is ready to take the AWA to new heights.  

[LowBlowPodcast]

Stamford, CT

11:30am est

Titan Sports and the World Wrestling Federation would like to wish Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea), a fond farewell after his contract expired on 12/31/1988.

Hulk Hogan has long been a staple in the world of professional wrestling and has been instrumental in taking the WWF to heights never before imagined. 
 

The loss of Hulk Hogan to WWF programming will be felt by many but the new and upcoming talent will be sure to excite WWF fans all over the world.
 

Be sure to tune in weekly for WWF Superstars and Prime Time Wrestling for all the latest action of the WWF and call your local cable providers for the Royal Rumble live on pay per view January the 27th!

[rainmakerrtv]

And the axe finally drops.

[LowBlowPodcast]

WWF update No. 9

Between the MSG Matinee Show yesterday and 12:00pm est, Hulk Hogan (along with his lawyers) and Vince McMahon (with his lawyers and team) were together in various places. I am told that leaving dinner everyone seemed to be in good spirits and McMahon and Hogan even hugged one another. The next meeting was held at an Oyster Bar in which Linda McMahon and a couple others like Bruce Prichard and Gerald Brisco were present. This meeting was said to be very cordial but when the meeting moved behind closed doors, with only McMahon (Vince) and Hogan, the tide changed. Hogan left the club, even after being stopped by Linda McMahon. They were said to have some words and then Vince McMahon came out and he and Hogan had words before Hogan left the club in a limo with his team, that also included Linda Hogan.

 

This morning there was a meeting at 8:00am est at the WWF Headquarters in Stamford, CT. All the different powers to be were there and it was said to be an amicable decision for Hogan's contract to end and then not be renewed or extended (depending on who you'll believe). It appears, for all intents and purposes, that Hulk Hogan has left the WWF (for the time being).

 

I have had an opportunity to speak with some talent about the news and they were completely shocked and some even applauded the decision. There is no doubt that Hogan held a lot of power backstage but also when it came to payoffs. Some wonder if his absence will allow others to make more money... but the next question... will there be enough money for others to make now that he's gone?  It is no doubt that the WWF was running high with Hogan vs Savage as a headline and crowds were really coming in numbers to see these matches... but now without Hogan... what happens? We'll find out tomorrow night when the WWF is set to be back on the road, the Hogan vs Savage Main Events have been scrapped and now it is Savage vs Andre/Duggan/Tito or Warrior depending on the town. I am excited to have a special interview with Andre the Giant in the coming days and I am told he will have a lot to say on the matter with regards to Hogan and his leaving... fans this is a whale of a way to start off 1989!

[spaldoni]

More News from the AWA 

 

The AWA was dealt with a major blow, because Kerry Von Erich has left. Kerry gave his notice 2 weeks before SuperClash. Word is he received an offer from another promotion that he simply couldn't refuse. Verne had high hopes for Kerry and hoped he could convince him to stay. The two were talking all the way up until SuperClash. An agreement couldn't be reached. After SuperClash, Verne and Kerry parted with a handshake. This no doubt hurts the AWA, especially with their plans to go worldwide. Kerry Von Erich was going to play a major factor in those plans.

No doubt about it Verne is extremely disappointed but isn't panicking. He's going full steam with his global plans and international stars as well as banking on his big names Nikita Koloff, Paul Orndorff and Sgt. Slaughter. 

Also, the AWA is counting on familiar and recognized names like Bob Armstrong, the Guerreros, Fantastics, Leo Burke, Austin Idol and Dory Funk Jr. to do their part in keeping the old school homegrown fanbase intact. 

Another reason the departure of Kerry stings is because the AWA is currently trying to close an exclusive TV deal with Sports Channel America, which is in affiliation with Cablevision. SCA recently secured an exclusive deal with the NHL and wants Pro Wrestling to be a part of their programing. Cable companies want star power and Kerry Von Erich was exactly the kind of name they wanted to advertise. This could be a deal breaker. 

The AWA had a tremendous 1988 and knows that in order to play with the big boys, they need to keep moving forward. Can they do it? 

Stay tuned.