The idea to give the Major Brothers new names came from a creative meeting in which Vince McMahon learned that the two weren’t really related. He said if that was the case then they shouldn’t bother saying they were brothers and that they ought to have new names. Michael Hayes initially wanted to call the team the Rated Rmy but they went with Edgeheads instead. The goal is to have them be the Edge & Christian to Edge’s Kurt Angle.
WWE has been in touch with Dwayne Johnson about inducting his father, Rocky, and grandfather, Peter Maivia, into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. Johnson would like to do it but his movie production schedule might prove problematic – as it did last year when his father was considered for an induction.
Bobby Heenan underwent a second operation on 18 December after his first one failed four days earlier. It again lasted for 11 hours and saw more bone taken from his legs and used to try and reconstruct his jaw, which was damaged by radiation therapy he received for his battle with throat cancer. As with last time, he was in a medically-induced coma for the rest of the week to allow healing to begin.
Randy Orton: Locker Room Hero? Despite his controversial behaviour in the past few years, Orton is said to have become quite popular backstage as he is the only one prepared to stand up to Shawn Michaels and Triple H. He stood up for Umaga at the show in Iraq when Michaels began having a go at him. Umaga had gotten some new tights made, despite the seamstress warning him that the colours he wanted were meant to be used by Triple H alone. Triple H is said to be more unpopular now than he was before his injury, mainly because of the way he treated Booker T during their SummerSlam match and for disparaging remarks he made about Chris Jericho in the first week after Jericho’s return. Booker was well-liked backstage and many have placed the blame on Triple H for him leaving WWE altogether. The perception is that Triple H buries people backstage and holds them back on-screen when they start getting heat, unless they are John Cena. Orton, meanwhile, has an attitude in that he thinks he is untouchable and so isn’t prepared to take any crap from Triple H or Michaels.
Also, Orton and his wife Samantha are expecting their first child.
Ron Killings has been offered a contract by WWE.
In the latest on WWE drug testing, the wrestlers will be tested once a year for marijuna. A failed test results in a $1,000 fine.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 07 January 2008 (subscribe here)
