WWE has removed all references to Christopher Nowinski from the “Smackdown Your Vote” campaign on its website. Nowinski remains under contract but they are not expected to bring him back for anymore public appearances.
Rey Mysterio’s return has helped Smackdown recover in the ratings. The show is again the highest-rated English language primetime network show among Hispanics. It’s also the highest-rated amongst children under the age of 11, whose favourites are Mysterio and Hornswoggle.
Booker T is expected by many to return to WWE once his 60 day suspension is over. He’s not currently accepting any indie bookings and remains in discussions with WWE.
Ric Flair is still being paid his weekly downside guarantee and WWE remains hopeful of getting him back on-screen. The key is putting some kind of last major run in place for Flair to do, which a lot of the backstage powermongers want to have happen even though there is uncertainty about who they could put him over and how.
Steve O, despite backing out of SummerSlam, will be on the 01 October episode of Raw to promote his new USA Network show.
Ty Bailey is the new talent relations head for the developmental territories, replacing the fired Mike Bucci. His father Joe is the CEO of the Miami Dolphins and he was brought into WWE last year by Jim Ross and Gerald Brisco to try to improve the calibre of athletes they are bringing into developmental spots.
Jim Ross is planning another BBQ restaurant after the success of his first one in Moore, Oklahoma. He is also in contract negotiations with WWE and is expected to stay as the Raw announcer.
In keeping with the widely accepted notion that Stephanie McMahon and Triple H will be running the wrestling side of WWE’s business once Vince McMahon retires, Shawn Michaels is said to have as large a role as he wants within their management structure. Michaels accompanied Triple H on a trip to OVW to speak to developmental talent last week.
Billy Kidman has been working for the WWE Florida developmental territory, managed by Lacey Von Erich, Kerry’s daughter. Matt Anoai, formerly Rosey, has been working in OVW. He is being billed as Matea, teaming with Afa Anoia Jr as the Sons Of Samoa.
And finally, from the file marked “That’s Our Randy”, a bunch of WWE people were in a local bar after the Raw in Green Bay recently. A fan asked Randy Orton for a photo, which he complained about. He took the camera, ran upstairs and dropped it from the second floor but someone caught it and returned it to the fan. However, Orton had kept the camera’s memory card and so the fan brought the police in to get it back. Orton asked the fan if $100 would settle things and he agreed. Orton even autographed the $100 bill for him. He wrote “To Dipshit, Randy Orton”.
And, as you might have heard, Orton got married recently and missed this week’s Raw to spend time with his bride.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 24 September 2007 (subscribe here)
