COLUMN: TOSSING SALT WORLDWIDE NEWS
Doug Maynard 12/05/2003
Hey hey hey! What up all? And welcome to the latest edition of "Tossing Salt". I'm your ever lovin' degenerate host, Doug M. I'm coming to you deep from the bowels of Wrestling Informer HQ, in my little basement office known as the Dojo of Info. It's been a weird week here in the big 'Burg. So much stuff is happening and I've got so many issues going right now, I think the WWE writing teams should come on down and take notes. Nah! On second thought, it's all too weird, even for the WWE.
But enough whining and crying and stuff from me. I'll save that for the chat groups. Ha! This is the Wrestling Informer, so it's time to suck it up and "inform". And that's what I aim to do. I've got all sorts of little nuggets of info to comment upon, plus the Time Warp, and I'm sure there will be a "Brain" quote or two before I'm done as well. So, let's do this right. But a quick note. All views and opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. You know how that goes. And now it's time for:
ASSORTED SPICES:
The big news coming from TNA this week is that the big PPV "Bound For Glory" has been postponed...again! As I understand it, the reason is that Hollywood Hulk Hogan's knee, that he recently has scoped, has not properly healed and is in worse shape than ever. Hogan is refusing to commit to any dates. He's also cancelled his appearance for the 1/04 New Japan Tokyo Dome event. That's the story that TNA is putting out anyhow, but I have to wonder just how legit it all is. This is pure speculation on my part, but Hogan knows that if he works a TNA PPV in February, any chance of going to Wrestlemania in March is nil. Vince McMahon would never go for that. Maybe the knee is messed up. Maybe Hulk can't wrestle Jarrett yet, and if that's the case, I'll gladly apologize, but I think Hogan has screwed over TNA in search of a big Wrestlemania payoff. All Hogan cares about is Hogan - he's the ultimate politician. The deal with TNA suited Hogan's purposes at the time, to regain his status after being fired/having quit the WWE. But with the big show (no relation to the wrestler of the same name) just around the corner, it seems as if Hogan now has his eyes on that golden ring, and TNA (and New Japan for that matter) be damned. As I said, maybe the knee is messed up and he can't work. But I'm just wondering how "messed up" it'll be in March? Not bad enough to pass up Wrestlemania.. Wait and see.
I came across an item concerning former ECW star Chilly Willy while scouring the net. It seems that Chilly Willy - real name William Jones, has been serving in the military over in Iraq, and recently received a purple heart for injuries received in combat. He was also awarded a commendation for service to his country. He has recovered from his wounds and is expected to return home in Spring of 2004.
It looks as if the Diesel has been derailed. The wrestling career of "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash appears to be over. He hasn't recovered well from the neck surgery that was performed by Dr. Jho and is still experiencing pain in his neck. His contract with the WWE is due to expire on 2/1/04 and at an estimated $700,000 a year, it's highly unlikely the WWE will resign Nash once that contract expires. But even if he doesn't wrestle, more than likely, Nash will remain with the WWE in some capacity, albeit a non-wrestling capacity.
Mmm-mmm-good! Ready for some of Good Old JR's BBQ sauce. It goes on sale later this month at a grocery store near you. There's going to be a big launch party for the spicy condiment on December 13th in New York City at the Kitch'n'Kafe. Jim Ross will be there, as well as possibly one or two WWE stars who want to get in good with the boss.
The latest word from Wrestlemania XX is that Vince McMahon is determined to make WMXX a massive event, but does not want it to be an "old timers show". So, while we will probably see numerous former WWE alumni all throughout the evening, the chances of the rumored Ric Flair - Rick Steamboat match, or a Hogan - Randy Savage match are pretty much slim. But John Cena stated in an interview over this past weekend that he'd be interested in doing a rapper versus rapper match against the Macho Man, so that one could be a possibility. Vince has stated that he wants the focus of WMXX to be the newer stars, and not the past, but when you think of the rub the "old timers" could give the new guys and help elevate their stars, I hope Vince has sense enough to make use of all the talent offered him, and not let his personal preference of the "new generation" over the "old school" cloud his judgment. To him, it may just be some old-timers, but I know I'd love to see Flair - Steamboat again much more than seeing Brock - Goldberg or Undertaker - Kane. And I really doubt I'm alone in that.
Here's a little something from Puerto Rico. PRWrestling.com has announced the first ever wrestling convention at the Pepin Cestero Arena at Bayamon on December 20th. The start time is scheduled for 4:00pm and the event will feature autograph signings, Q & A events, and a chance to meet all the top wrestling stars of Puerto Rico. Already scheduled to attend are El Invader #1, Ricky Bandares, Tommy Diablo, Chicky Starr, and many other top wrestling stars. The tickets are just $6, so if you live in Bayamon, PR, this is a great way to spend an evening, so go check it out. For more information, go to www.prwrestling.com.
BOBBY HEENAN QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
"I am so impressed with Sonny Onoo's new protégé, Yogi Nagata. Too bad his tag team partner, Boo Boo didn't clear customs."
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!!
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!!
DECEMBER 4th
1995 - Legendary midget wrestler Little Beaver dies in Montreal following a six month battle with emphysema. He was 61.
2000 - On an edition of Monday Night Nitro from San Francisco, CA - Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeats "Above Average" Mike Sanders for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship.
Happy Birthday to Max Baer Jr. (Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies) - 66
2000 - On a live RAW from E. Rutherford, NJ - William Regal defeats Crash Holly to regain the WWE European Championship.
1976 - Liz Taylor is married for the 7th time, to U.S. Senator John Warner (R-VA)
1993 - Philadelphia, PA - The team of Tazz & Kevin Sullivan defeats Tommy Dreamer & Johnny Gunn to capture the ECW Tag Team Championships.
DECEMBER 5th
Happy Birthday to "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko (50)
1951 - Dragnet premieres on TV
Happy Birthday to the "Exotic" Adrian Street (62)
1984 - Shreveport, LA - Brad Armstrong defeats Ernie "The Cat" Ladd to win the NWA Mid South North American Championship.
1938 - Danny McShain beat Leroy McGuirk at the Hollywood Legion Stadium to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship.
1997 - Waltham, MA - Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon defeated Little Guido & Tracey Smothers to win the ECW Tag Team Championships.
BOBBY "THE BRAIN" QUOTE # 2:
"I'd like to take this opportunity to sat hello to Gorgeous George and let her know how much I liked that movie she did with Tommy Lee."
And I guess that does it for tonight. Sorry this is so short, but I'm kind of pushed for time tonight. I've got a few hours now to go catch a little sleep and then it's back to the salt mines, or the convenient store from hell as the case may be. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at either Doug28352@yahoo.com or at DougMaynard@wrestlinginformer.net. And now, my eyes are starting to close on me, so I'm outta here. I'm Doug M. Until next time, take it light.
12.05.03
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