World Wrestling Federation

[KingBoggs33]

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.

[rainmakerrtv]

Always love a behind the scenes look. Wherever Dibiase goes, success comes to him. The Andre article is timely for me, given I have some people on my roster whose physical conditioning IRL is gradually slowing down or curtailing some of their performance. 

[KingBoggs33]

15 hours ago, rainmakerrtv said:

Always love a behind the scenes look. Wherever Dibiase goes, success comes to him. The Andre article is timely for me, given I have some people on my roster whose physical conditioning IRL is gradually slowing down or curtailing some of their performance. 

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.

[spaldoni]

I'm with Rain, I love behind the scenes reports 

Dibiase and Jake will be one of the top feuds in the game. I'm hoping Jake calls in some sinister allies to help fight the Empire. This has so much potential. 

I have to say, Tito had a very respectable world title run. I've always been a fan of his work in the ring and he deserved his moment 

AHHHHHH ok the Titan injury totally makes sense now. I thought he was going to have a long run with the TV title and was surprised when he dropped it. Another reason why I love these behind the scenes reports 

I always loved getting creative by pairing up wrestlers for a tag team. It's fun experimenting 

Sounds like JYD is a bit burnt out 

The reason for the Nasties leaving was one of the most creative ways out I've ever read LOL. 

If anyone deserves to leave on the highest note possible, it's Andre 

Nikita's in a good place and I'm sure will go out with a bang 

Earthquake spoke and the higher ups listened 

I have a feeling the months between SummerSlam and Mania will be off the charts. 

 

 

[kevinmcfl]

I agree with the others.  Behind the scenes info is always fun to read as we get a look at what the average fan never got to see when we were growing up.  We saw the matches, the angles and got all the scehduled matches for the big events but we never saw how and why we got there.  The injuries, the contracts, the demands, what works and doesn't work and untimately, how to make money, is cool to hear about.  Thanks

[KingBoggs33]

[KingBoggs33]

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

[ErictheDragon]

Love that Roberts and Koloff aren't wasting anytime. Lock them in that cage and let them tear each other apart.

[spaldoni]

Great looking card. Mega heat in the two main events. No doubt they'll deliver.  Also like seeing Gary Hart's men back in the spotlight 

[kevinmcfl]

Rage in the Cage is looking awesome!

[Control21]

WWF has been looking quite strong over the past month. I'm really looking forward to Flair/Lawler vs Funk/Santana. That's a very cool matchup on paper. I also love the behind-the-scenes stuff you are doing; keep it up!

[LowBlowPodcast]

Rage in the Cage is going to be a banger.... good use of each of the talents you have. 

[KingBoggs33]

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.

[kevinmcfl]

Like the little background piece of info and also like the fact that we get Orton and Hammer!

[spaldoni]

LOL, I mentioned it was cool seeing Hart's men back in the spotlight, now I know what's been going on behind the scenes. But hey, I'm all for Valentine and Orton hooking up with Hart. 

[KingBoggs33]

WWF Presents
Rage In A Cage 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSsEAKE1wajQiYwUUuOfBa-wQ_w7EOVgjiZbsO9IcsqjsiW_3dx-_9oLL8BH1FBf9kEpK4-QN2fW-zQ/pub

[LowBlowPodcast]

Epic show.

lots of fun surprises.

great write ups.

 

WWF reset the wrestling world with this event 

[ErictheDragon]

The Dream is back in the WWF baby! Just in time to cause somebody had to keep Callis in line.

Love how even the commentators couldn't hide how little they cared about Bravo v Tugboat.

I see Hart isn't too upset he had to replace the Ronin. And fair play, the new recruits prove their worth.

Funk and Santana make clear they aren't friends but they'll still come together to shut Flair and Lawler up.

Gotta hand it to the Mountie, he hung in there against Dynamite.

Spivey help Power & Glory to a Fantastic win.

Tatanka couldn't withstand the Earthquake but perhaps Kerry can.

After all that talk of being the perfect team, Flair and Lawler break at the first time they aren't on the same page.

Now that's how you end a PPV! Roberts beats Koloff! Andre turns on Roberts! Dusty goes to stand up to them and gets saved by a returning Hogan!

[kevinmcfl]

Wow... this was a great show. It just kept building and building and getting better and better.

I really enjoyed Dusty on the mic and found myself reading all of his work with his slow lisp... awesome job.

Format works perfectly for a pay-per view with all the promos.  I am so glad I took SMW and you did WWF and you are so good at these big shows and match write-ups.  All I have is a small promotion that never had pay-per view and just a few tv recaps of big matches.

Wow.. those last two matches.  Flair walking out on Lawler  gives us another great match for Summerslam and that main event was awesome.  From Andre just showing up to turining heel.  WOW Dibiase instantly became the #1 heel in our game.  Then Dusty stepping out from the announce table to Hogan coming in.  This is going to be awesome to keep following.

 

[spaldoni]

First off, props to you on all the promos. You sure know how to write them. 

The night starts off with a bang with the arrival of Dusty Rhodes! Him and Don will be gold together 

Not exactly a hot opener but Tugboat walks out with a win. We'll see how Bravo recovers from this 

There's something about a high octane Z-Man aligning with grizzled vets like Valentine and Orton that works so well. They prove it with a big 6 Man win. I believe Gary Hart knows what he's doing 

Dynamite and Mountie go the distance in a thriller. Rematch! 

Spivey proves to be a great enforcer as P&G retain. I love these guys 

After a scare, Earthquake is able to take the fired up Tatanka down. HOLD ON! Kerry Von Erich has arrived and wants that IC title! I can imagine the pop when Tom Sawyer played. 

It only took one miscue but it was enough for Flair to walk out and leave Lawler at the mercy of his enemies. Lawler wont let this go and this may come back to bite Flair at SummerSlam. 

It was all about the cage match and Jake and Nikita certainly delivered. Loved that DDT ending. This is where things went insane. The beatdown, Andre shocking the fans with the turn. It looked like the night was going to end on a big time downer. UNTIL, the return of Hulk Hogan! This is huge! So many possibilities here. A true game changer. Hulkamania is back in the WWF and all is right. 

Awesome show

 

 

 

[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.

[ErictheDragon]

Hogan's arrival has immediate affects on the WWF's bottom line though it also could be causing shakeup in their booking plans.