With Michael Hayes moving into the head writer role on Smackdown, WWE has brought “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin in to be a part of the creative team. He has been with the company since No Mercy, according to PWInsider. In other news, after being hospitalized earlier in the year, Pat Patterson is back on the road as an agent/produer.
Also recently back after health issues is Trinity, who was hurt early in her ECW run at a house show. Speaking of Trinity, now that she’s back on the road, Dave Meltzer is speculating that Francine was no longer needed, which is why she was released today. Vince McMahon had reportedly not been a fan of her look.
PWInsider says that backstage at the Tuesday ECW/Smackdown tapings, there was “a lot of talk” about the Strip Poker segments being embarrassing to the workers. Also backstage, some Jacksonville Jaguars football players were visiting the show.
In other news:
– In Lance Storm’s latest Q&A commentary, he makes the following remarks about JBL’s announcing skills:
For the most part I enjoy his commentary. I thought he was a little over powering at first but he seems to have settled in and found his groove. I enjoy sorting out comments that are just in character and those you know are more of the shoot nature. I enjoy the Cole/JBL combo much more than Cole/Tazz. The Tazz/Cole combo felt too comedic and light hearted, JBL gives a more competitive, serious feel to it.
– A RAW dark match took place before the three-hour show on Monday, with Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Eugene beating Chris Masters & Charlie Haas, according to WrestlingObserver.com.
– SLAM! Wrestling has a story previewing the upcoming Eddy Guerrero tribute golf tournament.
– Jim Ross’s latest blog entry talks about Dr. Death and Terry Gordy’s tag team work in Japan and WCW among other things. As always, it’s a good read.
– WWE.com has articles on Tony Chimel, an “exclusive video” from Benoit’s return and this item on the WWE 24/7 Hulk Hogan special.
