Jim Ross States, “Let The Rampant Speculation Begin!”

Each week, WWF Executive Vice President of talent and play by play announcer, Jim Ross writes a weekly column on the federation’s official web site. On Friday, Ross wrote “expect roster cuts to begin soon. Let the rampant speculation begin.”

The comment has already heated up the Internet, leading fans, reporters, and employees in the business to speculate on whom will receive their releases from the WWF. The recent signings of ECW stars Justin Credible, Jerry Lynn, Rhino, and Tajiri have prompted the company to closely evaluate their current roster.

The Ross announcement about future cuts may be a maneuver to free up roster spots to court potential WCW free agents Buff Bagwell, Kanyon, and Chavo Guerrero Jr., all having contracts set to expires in the coming months. Here is a list of wrestlers on the WWF bubble, and my speculation as to whom the company may release:

Chaz: Age: 31. Chaz (Chaz Worthington) in currently in his third WWF gimmick. When the company split up the Headbangers, Chaz received a short lived single’s push with a valet named Marianna. Chaz is presently teaming with D-Lo Brown as Lo Down, but the team simply is not working. Former tag partner Thrasher has already been released.

Gangrel: Age: unknown. Gangrel (David Heath) has been apart of the WWF roster for the past three years, yet, has only received one push when the short-lived Brood group was formed. Gangrel’s wife Luna was fired over a year ago, and since that time, he has been sparingly used.

Mark Henry: For nearly the past twelve months, the former Olympic weight lifter has been training with the WWF’s second tier training territory Ohio Valley Wrestling in Louisville. Ross himself has been keeping regular tabs on his weight loss progress. The federation signed Henry to a ten-year contract in August of 1996, but appear to have run out of ideas for the three hundred plus pounder.

Steve Blackman: Age: 37. Blackman lacks the charisma and mic skills to be an effective in ring performer. The company has already pushed him as a sports entertainer with zero charisma. His ring persona is limited the to hardcore division.

The Big Bossman: Age: 38. The Bossman (Ray Traylor) under went knee surgery last September, and spent months at home recovering. The WWF recently brought him back to work house shows, but at the present, the company has no immediate plans for him. Traylor was brought back to the WWF in the fall of 1998 to serve as Mr. McMahon’s head of security.

The Big Show: The Show (Paul Wight) is another project the company inked to a lucrative, but an ill-advised ten-year contract. The company has been unable to decide on how to push the massive Wight, who has been pushed as both a monster heel, and as a comedy act. Due to his lengthy contract, the company will likely opt to retain him.

The Goodfather: Age: 39. The Goodfather (Charles Wright) has been upset since the promotion changed his gimmick from the Godfather, to a member of Right To Censor. Wright is the third oldest active wrestler on the company’s roster (behind Haku and Faarooq). Wright’s lack of in ring ability leads many to believe that he may soon get the ax.

Tiger Ali Singh: While being under the age of 30, Singh (Gurjit Singh Hans) simply has not gotten over in the WWF. His first push as the foreign version of “The Million Dollar Man” didn’t work, nor is his current role as manager of Lo Down.

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