According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Mike Bucci had a load of heat on him from all sides. Despite being the WWE liasion with OVW, head trainer Danny Davis had unofficially banned him from the developmental territory as he felt Bucci was trying to go behind his back. After Bucci called a meeting with OVW talent without informing Davis or Al Snow, Davis initiated the so-called ‘Bucci rule’, which meant any talent contacting Bucci without informing Davis would be dismissed. WWE were upset with Bucci about what they perceived as the lacklustre development of young talent in OVW of late. It has also been reported that Bucci conducted a seminar in Nashville in April and outright told the young talent from Memphis Wrestling in attendance that WWE hires based on looks and that they ought to take whatever they need (i.e. steroids) to get that look. Implicitly discussing steroid use is of course a major no-no so far as WWE management is concerned. When Bucci’s name came up on the Signature list, they felt they had to let him go. Bucci argued that his packages were received when he was a wrestler, not after he became a talent administrator, but that was not enough to save his job.
Cryme Tyme’s arguments with Cade & Murdoch and the referee over the finish of their house show match on 01 September continued backstage afterwards. They pressed the referee so much that John Cena had to step in and tell them to leave the guy alone. Rather than calm down, they then started on agent Barry Windham, who was in charge of producing their match. Gosport remains upbeat about his future in this statement: “Being a WWE wrestler has been a dream of mine since I was five years olf, and wrestling for the WWE is the greatest job in the world. Unfortunately, due to certain actions and events that I will not discuss, J and I were released. WWE is not an evil greedy corporation. It is a family. And in my heart, I know I will some day be a WWE superstar again and part of that family. But until then, I will continue to learn my craft and become the best I can be. God has shut a door in my life, but he is opening a window.”
Eugene (Nick) Dinsmore apparently tested positive for painkillers with an expired prescription (or he had no medical justification for the test result), so was fired and escorted out of the arena on September 1. He was a repeat offender (he was sent to rehab after passing out a few days after Eddie Guerrero died, having too many painkillers), so goodbye. (Note: He seems to be accepting bookings as “U-Gene Dinsmore” on the indies currently.)
Meanwhile, given their conduct in the past couple of weeks, more and more people are starting to see Stephanie McMahon and Triple H as the heirs apparent of WWE. The belief is that Stephanie will be the corporate leader once Vince steps down, while Triple H will be the talent leader and co-ordinator.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 10 September 2007 (click here for subscription information)
