The 411 News Report 11.30.00
Posted by Ashish on 11.30.2000
After a very wild day in the news yesterday, things have calmed some today.
After a very wild day in the news yesterday, things have calmed some today. Not too much new information is available on the WCW sale story. It appears that Eric Bischoff is still close to buying the promotion, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Brad Siegel returned to WCW offices today, so obviously his rumored L.A. meetings with Bischoff are over. Whether the deal to sell WCW ever is completed is a valid question. Stories have broke countless times now that a deal is pretty much done, only to end up never happening. Due to that, it's safe to say that most people are not putting as much stock into the latest rumors as they did back when the WWF/WCW talks were going on. This has become one of those stories that you just can't fully believe until you see it officially happen. WCW needs to be careful and not lot all the outside wrestling politics cause them to put on bad shows. They have done that in the past as bookers have seemed to lose focus during times of backstage changes. Whether Bischoff takes over or not, WCW they have a decent product going right now and they need to focus on that.
In more WCW related news, many wrestlers are apparently upset with management. WCW, in an effort to lower costs, recently changed their wrestler salary system. Many wrestlers were signed to new, lower salary deals. WCW promised pay increases based on how many shows a wrestler worked. When the Thunder taping was moved to Monday as part of Nitro, wrestlers were told that it would count as two shows, however, it appears now that the Monday taping is only being counted as one show. This is a valid complaint by WCW workers and one that could lower morale at a time when bad backstage atmosphere could ruin whatever momentum WCW has built over the past month or so. With the promotion in such bad shape, WCW has and will have a hard enough time keeping wrestlers happy. Telling them false information on salary-related things will not please anyone. Paul Heyman and ECW are on the brinks of disaster due to countless financial problems and much of the ECW roster may be gone within a few months. WCW needs to be very careful with this situation.
Scott Steiner's back problems continue to nag him and appear to only be getting worse. Steiner apparently is very sore after matches, more so than ever before. WCW cannot afford to lose him for any amount of time right now as both Sting and Booker T. are already injured and Goldberg is wrestling despite a shoulder injury. With Steiner being in the WCW spotlight right now, it will be very hard to get him away from the ring but I'm sure there is concern on his part and by WCW about how bad his back really is. WCW has just had horrible luck in terms of injuries. With two main eventers out, it will be interesting to see if WCW gives anyone new a shot at rising to the main events. Sid is more or less a seasonal wrestler and will not be around for too long which will open up another spot. Goldberg will also probably be sidelined at some point in the next 8-12 months due to his injuries. Looking at the WCW roster, Lance Storm is probably WCW's best bet at a main event push, but he isn't really ready. General Rection looks to be on his way up there soon even though he probably should not get such a push.
Tonight on Smackdown, the WWF will continue to build to Armageddon. The main event for WWF Armageddon will be announced and the show will also apparently mark the 1 year anniversary of the HHH/Stephanie "marriage." Scheduled matches include: Kane & Chris Benoit taking on Chris Jericho & Billy Gunn; Bull Buchanan & The Goodfather defending the WWF Tag Team Titles against Road Dogg & K-Kwik; The Radicalz face The Hardy Boyz & Lita; plus more. The WWF product has gotten somewhat stale lately, hopefully they will be able to deliver a solid edition of Smackdown. Smackdown scored its lowest rating ever last week (mainly due to the Thanksgiving holiday), it will be interesting to see the rating for this weeks show.
Going back to the Bischoff/WCW deal. It appears that Eric Bischoff's group, if they take over WCW, wants to move all the Nitro/Thunder tapings out to Las Vegas every Monday. This would lower production and travel costs. They would do this until the promotion is in a better position. If you remember, the WWF used to do a similar thing by running RAW out of NYC every Monday. It's safe to say that Bischoff would probably have some other extreme ideas and changes if he takes over.
Buff Bagwell was up to his usual antics at the Thunder taping on Monday when he threw a fit about his match with Scott Steiner. Apparently a spot where Buff was set to get in offense on Steiner was missed and therefore never happened, upsetting Bagwell. Bagwell has one of the worst attitudes in all of pro-wrestling. It's a wonder that WCW puts up with so much from a mid-carder. Bagwell also has a very high salary right now, much higher than what he is worth.
Rikishi will be the special guest on WWF Byte This tonight. He is a guy who has really been elevated fast over the past few months. Should be interesting to see what he has to say. Goldberg will be working a Yahoo Chat tonight at 11PM ET. The main reason for the chat is to promote his new book, but he should have a lot to say about WCW and pro-wrestling in general.
Site news: Widro's WCW THUNDER REPORT from last night is up. Also, a NEW QUESTION has been posted in 411wrestling.com's contest to give away a Playstation! Be sure to participate by clicking HERE. Don't miss out on this chance to win! Also remember that we will be giving away a SEGA DREAMCAST next week! (Both the Playstation and Dreamcast come courtesy of 411gamesworld which just happens to be the #1 place to buy your video games from online.)
