Vince McMahon has been giving WWE’s commentators new directives lately. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he wants them to concentrate more on storylines than on calling wrestling holds than they are at present, in particular Joey Styles. He also wants them to not say anything whilst major angles are taking place, e.g. the Mayweather and Big Show confrontation at No Way Out, so they come across as more important to the viewers. Jonathan Coachman, meanwhile, has been getting heat backstage due to unfavourable comparisons with JBL’s colour commentary. At one recent event he also got into trouble for not moving out of the way when The Undertaker was brawling around ringside, which the commentators are supposed to do to sell the danger. As punishment, he wound up in the ring afterwards to take a Tombstone, plus a spear from Batista and a shillelaigh shot from Finlay.
The current policy for WWE 24/7 regarding Chris Benoit is that they will continue to edit out his matches and interviews from the old Nitro shows, yet if he is on screen without being a focal point then they can show him.
Ashley Massaro has been sent home for the time being. (As we reported earlier, she claims that is due to her hand injury.)
Kevin Thorn has been sent back to developmental. They are looking to bring him back under his real name, Kevin Fertig, without the vampiric gimmick.
When asked about Randy Savage being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Jim Ross said the chances were between “slim and none, and old slim just left town. That particular ship has sailed.”
John Cena’s filming duties on 12 Rounds should be completed by 12 March.
Civic officials in Orlando are already making plans to bring WrestleMania back to the city in a few years time.
One of the main reasons behind Dwayne Johnson wanting to induct his father and grandfather into the WWE Hall of Fame this year is that his grandmother Lia Maivia is in poor health and cannot travel long distances. However, she lives in Florida and so will be able to attend the ceremony to see her grandson induct her late husband.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 03 March 2008 (subscribe here)
