Backstage Raw Update

News

Some people in the company have been pushing for Michael Cole to replace Jim Ross and do play-by-play for both Raw and Smackdown. Ross signed a one-year deal late last year, which is unusual as most people are signed for three years. If he was to be replaced now they would need to pay him until the fall and he could not go to TNA immediately. He is opening a family barbecue restaurant in Norman, Oklahoma, with an eye to establishing a chain, working with experienced restauranteurs in his University of Oklahoma football social circle.

Jim Ross is expected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by Steve Austin. Ross, Jerry Lawler and Dusty Rhodes will all be treated as the ‘main eventers’ this year. The only other names in contention at a same level were Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage, neither of whom were considered this year. Larry Hennig will give the induction speech for Curt Hennig. As they don’t want too many deceased people inducted per year, Hennig’s involvement lengthens the odds for the Von Erichs and The Shiek, both of whom were strongly tipped to get in this year. Sabu was tipped to give the induction speech for his uncle The Shiek, and has managed to keep his job despite constant rumours otherwise, but Vince is said to have never liked Shiek in the first place. Honky Tonk Man is also unlikely to go in. This year’s emphasis will be on former WWF and WWWF people, not outsiders, with only one AWA candidate.

Triple H is slated to return in August, in time for SummerSlam.

Eric Bischoff, whose contract expires in July, nixed a scripted idea several weeks back to return to Raw. It was said to have not been any kind of long-term plan.

There is no plan to rush into the Ric Flair vs. Carlito feud but instead build slowly to the inevitable heel turn.

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