A plethora of Topics to Consider

Item 1: TV ratings. Despite a double WCW title switch last week, Raw beat Nitro for the 26th consecutive head to head encounter. This Monday (the 10th) TNT pre-empts Nitro in favor of the NBA playoffs. Raw will be live from Orlando, Florida, and could easily shatter the all time ratings record of 6.51 set back on March 29th.

Thus far in 1999, Raw is averaging 5.85, compared to Nitro's 4.47. Sunday Night Heat continues to sizzle with an average of 4.21. Thunder is struggling with a 3.47 average. The show posted its all time record low with a 2.5 rating on 4/29 opposed to the WWF/UPN “Smackdown” special which earned a strong 5.8 composite.

WCW has delivered some entertaining Nitro's in recent weeks, but have failed to make up ground to the red-hot Raw show. Television ratings are largely based on momentum, and clearly the WWF has that on their side. The question is, will Raw break Nitro's 83 consecutive head to head ratings victories?

Speaking of television, Stone Cold Steve Austin makes a cameo appearance on "Nash Bridges," in the season finale Friday, May 14th. Austin will reprise the role of renegade detective Jake Cage. "The Rattlesnake" is also slated for a June appearance on Oprah.

Item 2: Pay-per-view. While WCW trails in television ratings, they can pat themselves on the back for producing the best pay-per-view of 1999 so far, as "Spring Stampede" was spectacular. However, due to poor storylines and development of the card, the show only earned an approximate 0.6 buy rate, or 225,000 buys, which would be the lowest since last year's World War III event.

As a comparison, Wrestlemania XV generated a 2.32 buy rate, or approximately 865,000 buys.

Item 3: Chris Jericho. Should I stay or should I go? A 80's hit for the rock group The Clash, is also the question Chris Jericho ponders. His WCW correct expires July 27th, and the WWF has made signing Jericho a top priority. According to a source, Ralphus has been heard telling others that Jericho has already re-signed with WCW, although most insiders believe he will jump ship.

Jericho’s recent contract demands include a base yearly salary of $1,000,000 per year, an U.S. title reign, and two main events on Nitro.

Item 4: ECW. More bad news for ECW, as still more paychecks has bounced in recent weeks. The over all stability of the promotion remains in question. Heyman has again assured his wrestlers that they will be fully compensated, however, some are growing more skeptical. Heyman is considering a loan from the WWF, and a possible talent exchange agreement.

Item 5: Jim Ross. The April 12th live Raw show from Detroit marked the return of "Good Ol" JR, Jim Ross back to the booth. Despite suffering from Bells Palsy, Ross is by far the best wrestling announcer of all time. Ross returned to his pay-per-view duties at "Backlash."

Item 6: Video games. Acclaim Sports announced that "WWF Attitude" will be shipped at the end of May and be in stores by June 3rd. "WWF Attitude" is the follow-up to the top-selling wrestling title of 1998, "War Zone," and will showcase 40 WWF Superstars, over twice as many as in "War Zone," and a new pay-per-view mode among a host of new features. "WWF Attitude” is scheduled to ship in July for the Nintendo 64.

The Gameboy version of "WWF Attitude" is scheduled for a May 31st release.

ECW is also hoping to complete a deal with either Acclaim or Take Two Interactive to produce a video game based on the promotion. Selling the video game rights would improve ECW's financial situation.

Acclaim, according to reports, has expressed an interest in not only obtaining the video game rights, but also investing in the company; either providing Heyman with a loan or buying into the promotion.

Item 7: Rick Rude. The sad death of "Ravishing" Rick Rude on April 20th ponders the question why pro wrestlers die at such an alarming rate. Rude, who retired from a serious back injury in 1994, had apparently been in training for a possible return to the ring.

The WWF featured a segment on Rude’s time in the WWF this weekend on “Superstars,” which was concluded with Vince McMahon thanking Rude for his contributions.

On the injury front, "Hollywood" Hogan had successful knee surgery on April 20th, and should return to action in four to six weeks. Wrath (Bryan Clark) has a torn ACL, and is expected to miss up to six months.

[ HOME | [ LEGENDS/FREE AGENTS | [ WWE ROSTER | [ WWA ]