The Wrestling Dirt Sheets!

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The Wrestling Dirt Sheets!

[KingBoggs33]

World Championship Wresting News and Notes for October

Nash and Hall Leave WCW, Open Door for Hart Foundation’s Rise In a major shake-up, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall have shocked WCW by opting not to extend their contracts, turning down guaranteed money in the process. The duo, who were instrumental in the rise of the New World Order and WCW's dominance over the past year, are reportedly seeking new opportunities outside of the company. Their departure has left a significant void in the roster but has also paved the way for Bret Hart and the Hart Foundation to step into the spotlight. Bret, Owen Hart, and Davey Boy Smith’s recent arrival in WCW is now being seen as a direct response to Nash and Hall's exit, with the Hart Foundation positioned as top-tier talents to help stabilize the company. While the loss of Nash and Hall is a blow, WCW officials believe the Hart Foundation will bring a fresh dynamic and credibility to the product as locker room leaders and in-ring performers. The backstage sentiment is that Nash and Hall’s departure could signal a broader shift in WCW, with the company moving away from relying on high-priced veterans and focusing more on pushing its younger stars alongside proven names like the Hart Foundation.

Hogan's Contract Situation in Limbo Hulk Hogan's WCW contract is reportedly set to expire after Starrcade, and there is significant buzz within the company about his interest in testing free agency. While Hogan may be open to fielding offers, both Ted Turner and Eric Bischoff are determined to keep him under the WCW banner. With Hogan still being one of the top draws in the business, losing him could be a major blow. Negotiations are ongoing, but nothing is certain at this point.

Dusty and Dustin Rhodes Resolve Longstanding Heat The longstanding tension between Dusty Rhodes and his son Dustin appears to have come to an end. Sources say that both men recently sat down for a heart-to-heart, and the issues that had been plaguing their relationship have been ironed out. With Dusty currently serving as WCW Commissioner, this reconciliation could lead to more opportunities for Dustin in the future.

Jim Neidhart Released After Failed Drug Test In a shocking development, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart has been released from WCW after failing a drug test. Neidhart's departure has left a spot in the Hart Foundation faction, which has quickly been filled by the up-and-comer Test. Test, already showing great promise, is expected to be a key player alongside Bret Hart, Owen Hart, and Davey Boy Smith as the group continues its dominant run in WCW.

WCW to Focus on Youth Movement WCW appears ready to turn its focus to a younger crop of talent in the coming months. Expect major pushes for rising stars like Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio Jr., Chris Jericho, and Bill Goldberg. With these names already gaining significant traction, WCW is looking to inject fresh energy into its programming, and these talents could be at the forefront of the company's plans heading into 1998.

Battlebowl Returning to Replace World War 3 WCW has decided to bring back the Battlebowl concept for its November pay-per-view, replacing the costly World War 3 event. The decision to scrap the three-ring format for World War 3 was reportedly made due to financial considerations. Battlebowl will feature a unique format where tag teams are randomly paired, leading to a battle royal where the winner not only receives the prestigious Battlebowl ring but also a guaranteed WCW World Title shot at Starrcade.

Bret Hart Back to 100%, Hart Foundation as Locker Room Leaders After a few weeks on the sidelines with a broken hand, Bret Hart has fully healed and is ready to return to action. Alongside Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith, Bret has become a respected locker room leader in WCW. The trio is seen as a stabilizing force backstage, guiding both the younger talent and the more established names. Expect the Hart Foundation to play an even more prominent role on-screen as WCW moves forward.

WCW Forms Working Agreement with Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling WCW has officially entered into a working agreement with Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling, a partnership designed to help develop younger talent who need more seasoning before stepping onto the big stage. This deal will allow WCW to send up-and-coming wrestlers to Smoky Mountain Wrestling for further experience, with the goal of sharpening their skills in front of smaller, but dedicated audiences. The arrangement is seen as a win-win for both promotions. Smoky Mountain will benefit from WCW’s roster depth, while WCW can ensure that its future stars receive valuable ring time and mentorship under Cornette’s seasoned eye. With WCW increasingly looking toward the future and its youth movement, this agreement is expected to play a crucial role in developing its next generation of stars.

Triple H Emerging as a Creative Prodigy, Backed by Dusty and Flair – A Shocking Development In a surprising twist, Triple H is being hailed as a creative prodigy within WCW, despite only being seen as a mid-card talent and an expendable member of the Kliq during his time in WWF. For someone still considered young in the business and not yet a top-tier star, Triple H's influence on the creative process has raised eyebrows backstage. His insights on match structure and storytelling have earned him the respect of veteran minds like Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair, who are huge supporters of his vision. This development is particularly shocking given the fact that it's 1997, and Triple H has yet to break out of the mid-card scene in WCW. Many still remember him as a lesser-known member of the Kliq, but his creative acumen is making waves. With Rhodes and Flair backing him heavily, it’s possible that Triple H’s growing influence could lead to more significant roles for him both on-screen and behind the curtain. His trajectory is one to watch closely in the coming months.

Halloween Havoc 1997: A Complete Sellout, Set to Be a Huge Show for WCW WCW’s upcoming Halloween Havoc pay-per-view is officially a complete sellout, and all signs point to it being one of the biggest shows in the company’s history. With a stacked card featuring top-tier matches like Hollywood Hogan vs. Diamond Dallas Page for the WCW World Title, Bret Hart leading the Hart Foundation against The Four Horsemen, and Eddie Guerrero defending the Cruiserweight Title against Rey Mysterio Jr., Halloween Havoc is poised to be a massive success. The buzz surrounding the event has reached a fever pitch, and WCW is pulling out all the stops to deliver a blockbuster show.

Eric Bischoff Steps Out of the Spotlight, Focuses on Growing WCW Behind the Scenes In a notable shift, Eric Bischoff has no plans to continue appearing on camera as an on-screen talent. Bischoff, who played a pivotal role in the rise of WCW, is now focused solely on working backstage to secure major deals and help grow the company’s footprint. Sources say the decision to add Dusty Rhodes as the on-screen Commissioner was to free up Bischoff’s time, allowing him to concentrate on larger strategic efforts for WCW’s future. With Bischoff fully committed to expanding WCW’s business operations and Rhodes stepping in to run the show on camera, this move signifies WCW’s intent to ensure continued success both in the ring and in the boardroom.

[Autistic Dragon]

Smoky Mountain Wrestling new for October.

Backstage restructuring: Since resuming ownership of SMW back in August, Jim Cornette had made clear his intentions to take advantage of the wrestling boom gripping the nation. Mr Cornette has been actively courting potential investors and there have been rumors of him seeking potential TV deals to increase the number of homes SMW is in every week.. Facing this increased workload, it seems Mr Cornette has decided to delegate some of his responsibilities and it has been confirmed that he has brought in a new booker to handle the onscreen product allowing him to focus on behind the scenes business.

SMW seeking partnerships with larger promotions: Another method Mr Cornette is employing to expand SMW's reach is pursuing relationships with more prominent names in the wrestling business. It has been recently announced that Smoky Mountain Wrestling as reached a agreement with World Championship Wrestling where the latter will send talent it has determined to be in need of seasoning to compete on SMW programming and events. Interestingly, rumors abound that Cornette is pursuing a similar agreement with the World Wrestling Federation. While the rivalry between WWF and WCW presents an obvious obstacle to both promotions agreeing to send talent to Smoky Mountain events, Mr Cornette has worked for both market leaders in the past so some are saying the idea should not be *totally* discounted.

Influx of talent: Lastly it's been reported that SMW has gone on a "shopping spree" bringing in a host of talent not yet signed to any company. The names attached to this shopping spree are a mix of established names without a contract, those who have managed to generate some degree of buzz on the (largely depleted) independent scene with a few lesser known talents. This has apparently been done to convince would-be investors and TV stainos alike that SMW is serious at competing in the pro wrestling landscape.