Patty,
I really really enjoyed your follow up to our persistent calls for a story.

For those who haven't read it. Read Patty's answer to my Question about her time at WCW Magazine, in the Forum Post "Conduct for this Forum". It's worth a read. Guaranteed.

Anyway. There's gotta be more people than just me who wanna specifically pick Patty's brains for an answer or storey or too. So please post it here. I mean SPECIFIC Q&A FOR PATTY.

And to start off, How approachable (from your role in WCW) were Big Shots like; Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Lex Luger, Bret Hart and Randy Savage? And did they open up, or played their cards very close to their chests?

Tikus

Thanks Patty

Patty,

When you first atarted out in wrestling, how long before you were not seen as an outsider? Who were some of the more helpful, as in friendly, wrestlers who allowed you into the "club" sorta speaking? I won't ask you the worst as I know you wouldn't want to answer that one, and I couldn't blame you.

Thank you, Tikus, for posting this!

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Holy cow. I am on the hot seat!

Ok here goes.

To answer Tikus' question: "And to start off, How approachable (from your role in WCW) were Big Shots like; Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Lex Luger, Bret Hart and Randy Savage? And did they open up, or played their cards very close to their chests?"

That varies. Flair was open and friendly and had me riding around in limos and watching him go crazy in bars across America. Hogan was polite but very much to himself with me. I didn't form a friendship or bond of any kind. I may have been a little intimidated as well since he tended to have security or be off in a corner rather than mingling a lot. But he was polite and he was really cool with my sons.

Savage was friendly and really cool with my sons as well. He didn't give me any trouble when I asked for an interview and he seemed like a down to earth guy.

Bret is a tough one. The first night he was with WCW, he was at the bar with Jim Duggan and had been drinking quite a bit. A line had formed behind him of adoring fans so eager to get an autograph or a picture but he refused to turn around to look at them. I stepped in and told him he had a LOT of fans standing behind him and he basically said they could stand there all night because he wasn't turning around. He then told me Duggan was his only friend in the business...so I kind of have to chalk that night up to the booze and his still hurt feelings from WWE.

However, as time passed, he never did loosen up with me. He was very quiet and a loner. He would often eat alone at a table by himself reading while everyone else was hanging out in catering (All shows had food brought in, a real spread of all kinds, for the workers and staff). At the bars, Bret often sat with Eric Bischoff and had security guards standing near by to stop anyone from getting near him/them. Once I stepped too close and was admonished for getting too close to their table. I was ONLY going to the rest room! Sheesh.

Also, I had a bit of trouble with Bret when we asked him to write a column for the magazine. Others, like Jericho, Stevie Richards, Konan, etc. loved the exposure. They did it to get over and to be able to further their characters or to talk to the fans. They were not paid. Bret did one "From the Hart" column but then asked for payment for his assistant who apparently typed up the columns. We couldn't do that because it would have been unfair to the others before him and after him. He quit after the second column because we couldn't justify paying him to have is own personal column to say whatever he wanted - and he felt he deserved pay even with the kind of contract he was given. I was taken aback by that. Still am, actually. Maybe it was just a WWE mentality?

He was polite, never dissed me or caused me trouble. He was just very much a loner at the time and seemed very unapproachable.

Luger and I never were buddies. He was part of an elite group of Sting, Bagwell, Stiener, and a few others. They sat together, hung together, and rarely were open to talking to fans or anyone else. Luger, in his defense, did try to start conversations with me from time to time, but I just was so turned off by the way he acted in the company and toward others, that I had no interest in being his pal. He had a giant ego.

Remember, of course, that I was a woman in a man's world and I wasn't always seen as the editor but as just a "little lady" hanging around. However, people like Fit Finlay, Booker T, Chris Jericho, Eddie, Chris Benoit, Goldberg (incredibly nice to me), Kidman, Steiner, Saturn, DDP, Gene "hands all over" Okerlund, and many others were just really wonderful people to deal with.

I kind of answered TGO's question above. The guys above and even Nash (who I later learned was not the greatest guy in the world to deal with) and Hall were cool. Vampiro was awesome to me. Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, Scotty Riggs, Hugh Morrus, all the Nitro Girls (except one but I will not name her), Liz, Chavo, Big Show/Giant....the list is endless, they were all really cool to me.

When I first started, I was scared to death. Here was me in the back of an arena with all these major stars and Eric (He scared me at first but was fine with me) and I had to walk up to them and introduce myself and try to get them to take some time to talk to me. I hated it. I was scared of Benoit and made my publisher ask him if he had a few minutes. He came over to me and told me to come into the catering room which was empty and asked why I didn't ask him myself. I told him he seemed mean (lol). He laughed and said ask anything and from then on, he was awesome to me and FUNNY too.

Goldberg. ACK. At the time, he was majorly over and I had to interview him. There he was hulking backstage and I decided to bite the bullet and just ask him to talk to me. I expected him to blow me off. We ended up sitting on some steps talking for well over an hour. He was incredibly polite and always made time for me. He promised me he would never turn into an egomaniac like so many....but he did and that makes me sad.

Hall and Nash were hot and cold. Had to catch them on good nights or at certain times. Both essentially cooperated though. Waltman always did but he was out with a neck injury for a long time so I didn't get to know him as well as I would have liked.

Davey Boy Smith was a dream to work with. What a nice guy he was. How sad that he left us so soon.

Eddie Guerrero was the nicest guy I met. He was funny and cooperative and just a lot of fun to be around. He had his tempermental moments but I just stayed away when he was mad at someone. He never was mad at me. He was truly a good person along with Chavo and I had a lot of fun with him in the bars after shows. I didn't and don't drink so I recall everything probably clearer than anyone who was around at the time. Eddie was going through a lot and Chavo was always there to help him, calm him down, or just hang with him. Much respect and love for both of them. Eddie and Jericho were my two favorite people to deal with in the company (But Kidman, Riggs, DDP, and others were very close).

Sting was one of the elite and I didn't hang with him. But considering I dissed him my first night, I am surprised he even talked to me. I knew DDP because he had been my hook up as far as getting to know people and he was awesome to me. I saw him at the bar talking to some guy and I walked over and talked to him for a bit, ignoring the fan or whoever he was. Then I left.

As I walked away, two girls came up to me all giddy asking me if I would ask Sting for an autograph for me. I said I didn't know where he was. They said ....... right there. He was the guy I ignored with DDP. I didn't recognize him without makeup in the dark bar. Ughhhhhh.

I had to go back, swallow my pride, and introduce myself and apologize for ignoring him earlier. He was gracious. I was so embarrassed.

I must add that on the Bruise Cruise 99, I got to know some of the guys I stayed away from a lot better like Buff Bagwell, and they were all real laid back and nice. Sting was there but afraid to actually be on a cruise so he came onto the ship when it was at port and signed for fans and he was really awesome with them and me so...it took me a long time to get to know certain people but, in the end, I think I came away with a good understanding of who was naughty and who was nice <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That is enough of this post's "Story Time Theater".

Patty

...When I first started, I was scared to death. Here was me in the back of an arena with all these major stars and Eric..."

Hahahaha, that was too funny! All these major stars...and Eric.

Story Time Theater. I think we are on to something here. See? having Tikus and the Great One on has it's benefits. Stick with me Patty, and I'll make you a star! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for your really in depth post. I so aprreciate it. You allowed us a little window in time and made me forget I was just reading, I was watching the events unfold in my head. You have a gift!

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Funny you say that. When Undertaker switched personas from the dead guy to the American Bada$$, he had his very first signing at a monster truck rally not too far from me. I was asked by the organizers to be the only media present. I would have full access to UT and full photo privileges. Of course I agreed. I was working for the local newspaper writing a wrestling column at the time and also for PowerSlam and a bunch of other things so it was a good op.

When I got there, he was there hanging out at his trailer. I was no longer the rookie scared editor. I had been through it all in WCW so I went up to UT and asked him for a picture with him. He said sure and I said "Stick with me, I'll make you famous" to him. He said "Famous huh?" and I said yeah.

I swear to you it wasn't a couple weeks later that he started using the line "I'll make you famous" on TV. I often wonder if it just stuck in his head and he used that line. He used it for a long time too. I want royalties.

I was with him for over eight hours and it was an experience.

He was very quiet and polite and loved the kids. He rode his motorcycle on the track when the trucks weren't on it and seemed to have a good time. And it was HOT as heck out too.

But I still think he took that line from me. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


After 8 hours in the blazing sun and millions of autographs and a few rides around the track...

TGO & Tikus, what a TAG Team!

Hey Patty, that was excellent. Thanks for taking the time to give us a good idea into what was happening then. It's refreshing to read something from the inside, that isn't governed by Politics or Money, but just plain honesty. Cheers. Actually I gotta agree with Chris, it does take you right there when you read it. Made me wonder how I would react in soem of those circumstances. I can imagine it would take a while to get used to being around someone the Status of Hogan.

I'll leave the next Q&A for someone else

Tikus

TGO and Tikus...has it's possiblities. Like I said, Patty as JJ F'n Dillon, we may be onto something.

THIS is the kind of stuff we, as fans, appreciate most Patty. It is nice to get on and banter and share opinions and all, but the inside look you give us is priceless.

When 'Taker ripped off you ripped off line of "I'll make you famous", that HAD to make you feel good! Royalties aside. I wouldn't want to take that up with 'Taker, he is a legit American Bad A$$!



~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

I was pretty shocked when I heard him say that at first and I could be wrong but the timing and everything was pretty strange.

Every time he said it I popped. I am still just a fan at heart with a bit of markism going on. lol.

I talk a lot on my website about what went on in wrestling and what goes on but I don't ever want to give away things that could hurt the reps of certain people.

I don't mind dissing Lex some because he deserves it but others have changed and are not the wild guys they were and they don't need me to brng up what I saw but whooooo did I see an eyeful. lol

Lol Patty, was the seventh word fromthe end of your last sentence a clue?

We don't need dirt. Don't get me wrong, some "juicy" tidbits I bet are really interesting, but your light hearted memories are even more fascinating. I would be glad to hear more, if you have the gumption to write them.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Flair stories could take all night. I don't mind sharing them since everyone knows about him.

It is the other guys who were younger and wild and now have settled down that I wouldn't want to say anything about.

In wrestling, what goes on on the road, stay on the road.

Unless I publish a book then go live on an island. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I agree with the guys, Patty, thank you for taking the time to type up those stories, they're fabulous!

I always wonder what it is really like behind the scenes for women, be they journalists or the wrestlers/divas/T&A girls, whatever. You've given a pretty good idea of the way the guys treated you - now any fun stories about the Nitro Girls, Liz, the Team Madness girls?

Thanks!

You would have to move onto an Island if you said the wrong thing, Patty? I hear Australia is nice. And it's huge. I would consider it one big island! I think Cat would hook you up with a couch. You might be the Salman Rushdie of the wrestling world, but it would be fun! Kinda 007'ish.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Oh yeahhhhh.

Not many about Liz. She was quiet and rarely caused any trouble or even went out with the rest. The Nitro Girls were lots of fun and generally got along well until they had a difference of opinion with Kim. It was not a big deal, just they felt somewhat pushed around.

But for the most part it was quite fun to be with them. Chae and Nash, who publicly were together for a long time, started their lovefest with Nash licking the centerfold of the magazine with Chae in it in front of everyone in catering. Word spread to her and apparently she was flattered. Not sure if that is particulalrly flattering but whatever.

They were a very cute couple. He once said on TV something like he wanted to hurry the promo along because he wanted to eat a little Korean. Yikes.

Stacy and David Flair...mismatch.

Everyone thought Torrie Wilson was with Nash and suddenly she was with Kidman. That was a switcheroo. And now they are married so it did, indeed last. They got along really well and I was happy for Kidman. He had his heart broken by a girl at home and was really down for a while and finally found what he was looking for.

Lots of couples in WCW, some of which would amaze you.

It was musical patners backstage!

"Oh you didn't know?!!"

Australia is the island prison for Convicts (Criminals) ha ha ha.

I can say that and get away with it too.

Hey!!! I'm an Amoeba!!! "Adrien, I made it!"

Finally! You worked hard to be an amoeba. A one celled organism. Hmm...they make you work hard around this place to be a creature!

But now, Bali is like the island home away from the island home of Australian convicts now, right?!

Hang on, did that make sense, I confuse myself when I write things down...

Oh Patty, any interesting couples that you can tell us about without either a) freaking us out or b) getting yourself in big lots of trouble?

Did you meet Vince Russo? What was he like?

Boy, I leave for 20 minutes to feed the pigs and the boards light up! Yes, I knew Australia was the island prison, they teach that in school, or used to anyway, it's probably not politically correct now.

Tikus, Congrats to being an Amoeba, I went from newbie, must have been an amoeba, but I didn't notice until I was a jellyfish, soon to be a shark.

And I am with Cat, anything backstage that won't get you in trouble (and some that will) would be very interesting.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

One time, the janitor was mopping....

Oh you mean like workers and stuff? lol.

I will think back to all the glorious 12 hours days spend in the back of smelly arenas with nothing to do but to avert my eyes when a nekkid worker would walk out of the locker room and wait for the show to start and get back to you.

Ha ha Cat. Yep, you're right. That's why I feel so at home here. Plus the sharks are smaller and the water's warmer. Great for surfing.

TGO, you go all politcally correct on me and we're gonna have to split up the team. Not good.

Patty, Vince Russo story please!! (Good idea Cat)

Tikus

<img src="/images/graemlins/tongue2.gif" alt="" />

Oh, Tikus, you are getting double clotheslined for that! I might be a lot of things, most of them not good, but one thing I assure is I am not politically correct!

And get off it Patty! I know darned well that when a worker walked past you nekkid as a j-bird, if he was good looking, your eyes DID sneak a peak. Or three or four! You wouldn't be normal if you didn't. Even Mick Foley, in his book "Foley IS Good: And The Real World Is Faker Then Wrestling", talks about 2 Cold Scorpios Gigantic....I will stop there. So, unless you are better then Mick...Miss me in thechat yet? lol

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Shy, he so took that line from me! I swear. I remember it like it was yesterday and him repeating it to me with a laugh thinking, "That's my next catch phrase." Hahaha.

No, honestly, when I was in WCW, my one goal was to be thought of as a professional. I never crossed any lines or got too chummy with anyone (I did have some friends who I was closer to but never out of line with).

The only one I mistakenly saw was Scott Hall because he came out of the locker room that way to answer a question I had.

And Flair but everyone sees Flair that way.

Oh and uh...Malenko. Just the back of him.

And...well, nevermind. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Vince Russo stories? I try not think about him but I will tell you how GREAT he and Eric got along (NOT) when I get time.

TGO <~~~<< tapping watch face. Waiting. When she has time, baaa! The woman never sleeps!

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

I know. you think she has all of the time in the world if she doesn't sleep.
However, she doesnt seem to be feeling well today so maybe she took a Nyquil bomb and fell asleep.
Or *sniff* maybe she doesnt care about us anymore. *sniff*

Oh now, now.

I was writing a column on hazing! I told of some of what happened to me but there was more. Nothing serious or gross, thankfully. Luckily I made friends with some influential people who protected me in WCW.

But anyway that is where I was, writing for you all cuz I luv ya!

Ice? Tic? Lord? Amadeus? Cat? (and anyone else I may have forgotton) Ready? One, two, three "WE LOVE YOU TOO PATTY!"

~All Of US <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

We wuv you Patty, we really do!

(and we hope you feel better soon)

<img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />

Today is a new day, maybe she already does! Hopefully.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

It's a good thing you werent hazed today Patty. You would probably have to eat the Boogeyman's worms. lol. Or worse...listen to Edge talk <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Or join the Mr MacMahon "Kiss MY [censored] Club".

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Or feel the Koala Claw!!!!!!

Love ya too Patty. Hey we're just one big happy family <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Tik

LOL Tik. I might invent the "Koala Claw" and use it. Sounds innovative.

And we are one big happy family? What I am I? The dysfunctional trouble maker? LOL. I definatley get the feeling I should tone it down a bit, I might be losing some of you. I am a loudmouth, and I don't do the best at arguing points constuctivley. I come across as smart arsed and know it allish, but I am totally harmless, I assure you!

Wow, what prompted that?

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Ooh, deep and philosophical Great One, who'da thunk?!

Besides, why tone it down? Where's the fun in that?!!

Nah, every 'family' has a Great One, right?

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

LOL, Hey Cat, I appreciate your sentiment. Why don't you post a poll? lol. Ask if the group as a whole wants me to "Tone it down" And EVERYONE in our little, dysfunctional family has to vote.

LOL, this is gonna be kewl!

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

If you do use the K Claw, you gotta get it on tape for me. ha ha

Hey Tic

Ok, how should I do it? The old Baron Von Raschke claw? Or the famous Von Erich one? I was thinking more along the lines of a three-fingered claw to the...help me where I apply it!

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

I may be stepping slightly away from these boards for a bit now that they are going along so well. I think it is to the advantage of everyone to have me hover and moderate and not be on every post unless specifically needed. Other mods seem to work that way and I may be crossing the line of mod vs participant so...

I am here, will still post and all, just won't jump in on posts that are going along fine and don't need my input.

But I read every single post!

No Patty. That won't work.

I have worked hard to make us, this merry band of misfits, into a family, you as the patriarch (Spell?) If you cut down your direct involvement in any way, TGO will seek his entertainment elsewhere. I mean it.

~TGO <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Matriarch, unless there's a certain secret she hasn't been telling us...

And yeah, what he said. Well, not all of it.

LOL, Thanks Cat. Matriarch. I just stepped into it big, huh?

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

The Matriarch usually oversees her family which is exactly what I will be doing. Don't worry, I won't be able to keep my mouth shut when someone posts and I am sure I will contribute at least one post a thread, just won't continue on and on.

You won't notice a change.

Yes We Will. Why can't moderators be "participators" on a regular basis? Is that an official rule? No, I stand by what I said, if I notice a drop off in your participation, then I will leave. Oh, and just in case that's just fine with you, Tik's coming with me cuz we is a tag team.. And I'll bribe the others as well.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

I'm sorry but I have other obligations that I am neglecting, some of which are paid, and I have to manage my time.

I am here, and reading all the posts and will every day. I love this forum. I just have to remember to take time for the other things I have to do and there are so many things I have to do. I should have never even brought it up at all.

Leaving hurts the community and that would disappoint me but whatever.

I thought everyone was adult here. A forum is the sum of its parts not one person. We should all contribute and keep this place alive. It was dead for a long time and is finally alive and thriving. If people choose to leave, well, I can't stop them. It's quite strange that me just not posting 100 posts a day would cause such a reaction though.

I am now answering threads and posting new topics just as I said I would.

You are free to do what you want but I certainly hope the people posting here will remain and more will come. I work very hard to make the forum interesting and to keep BellaOnline's site updated.

First of all...

TGO will come out of character for this one.

I think you should understand that I was just trying to be an [censored] because that's what I do best. The way I do things and how I say things are often confused with what I mean because that is~ me being just that-an [censored]. That is I mean one thing, they are taken for another because I have the tact of a bull in a china shop.

I mean to put no pressure on you Patty, and I appologize to you and the people here.

Now, before this get's anymore sickening I'll put my TGO mask back on.

"TGO COMMANDS HIS TAG PARTNER, TIKUS, TO STAY, AND EVERYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER."

But I think I can speak for everyone on this, we do appreciate all you do, and how you do it, and...WE LOVE YOU!

Oops, my mask slipped, need to readjust it.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Yep, Ditto for Tik.

Patty, with us guys around, Please try not to be too sensitive. Half the stuff we say is tongue in cheek. Esp Big TGO. The Team's still here. I don't think no ones leaving. This site is the best thing I've stumbled over in ages and I'm not even looking anywhere else now I'm here.

Regular Patty posts are great. But we do understand you need to make a living. Personally I don't know how either you or TGO can survive without sleep.
I do this whilst working on the computer. And even then sometimes I'm typing not working, so it can be a real trap.

Please just promise to keep Patty Q&A alive. OK?

BTW, TGO, the Koala Claw is more like a very deadly Nipple Gripple, with claws. Oooooo, not nice. But a 3 fingured Baron Von Raschke would do nicely.

Tik'

And don't forget you owe us a Bischoff/Russo story.

Hey, was the other guy Elliot Greenburg (that came with the Vince Russo pacgage?)

Tikus

The Q & A will be here for any questions you have. And when we chat, you ask in "person".

It's tough not to take things seriously when I don't know who is behind the screen. You guys know me some but I only know a name and some typing.

In time, like at the Fringe, I will get to know you all and know the differences in personalities. It takes time to get there and I am only a shark and some of your are only amoebas!

We'll be just fine. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Tik, and that other guy <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Patty, you really need to take it a bit easier. If that means you step back a little from the forums, that's fine. If we have to trade an itty bitty bit little less Patty-ness in the forums for actually keeping this place going and the news coming, as well as the Fringe, as well as everything else that you do, then that's what has to be done!

Just make sure you get a little sleep in there as well!!

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Shaz/Cat <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Sleep....No idea what that is. And it is taking a toll, I have to say. But maybe after all the tests and things, I will get some answers to why I feel so lousy and what is going on. That will be a BIG stressor off of me even if it is something bad. At least I will know what it is rather than guessing and wondering.

Russo and Eric had a power struggle from day one. I was never a Russo fan and felt, if he came over, we would be dead in a year. We died sooner than that. I always suspected he was really sent to ruin WCW and they didn't know it. I seriously believed - and still do believe - he was paid by WWE to finish off WCW.

NO WAY could he believe the [censored] he came up with was good. He had been in the business for a long time. He and I were editors of the official magazines (me, WCW, him WWF)at the same time for a while (Hence our mutual dislike of one another) and he knew as well as anyone that the [censored] he put out there would turn people off.

Him wearing that lame helmet and winning the title. Pushing for Tank Abbott to win the belt. Giving David Arquette (Who I love and who was wonderful and sweet and awesome but sill) the belt. So many wacky things.

Eric walked out for a while and Russo was in control and it was mayhem. Total mayhem. Some people hated his guts while others thought he was the savior. The locker room was split and some best friends stopped speaking to each other because of Russo's arrival. Some ex-WCW guys sill believe Russo was a savior and Eric was the devil.

I see it as two people with two visions not able to work together. On the screen, they seemed chummy. Off screen they never spoke. When they tried, they screamed. They stormed off. They took their posses and left.

It was like West Side Story. I was on Eric's side as the lesser of two evils even though he made a HUGE strategic mistake by allowing anyone who was unhappy in WCW to leave and then first Raven walked and soon after, Eddie, Benoit (who was champ), Malenko, Saturn, and others left and jumped to WWE right away. That was the start of the big unraveling.

The New Bloods and the What was that faction? Millionaire Club? Well, the old guys...that was sort of what the split was really like backstage. The older guys were on Eric's side, the young on Russo's in general.

Booking took place on the fly sometimes in a tiny room a couple hours before the live show. There was a huge dry erase board up with matches, refs, and who went over as well as times the matches were to last. That would get erased and changed 50 times before show time.

The guys would only know they had 7 minutes and that one was going over. They didn't even know whether it was a clean finish or what. The refs would get instructions in their ears and tell them while the match was in progress.

Props to those guys who managed to put on a good match.

More later, I am still behind by years!

Thanks Patty, Great story so far. Looking forward to ptII.

Like Cat said, "Take it easy".
Coffee will only take you so far. Hey, why don't you take a vacation to Bali!

Tikus

I heard, I think it was from Bobby Heenen, that WCW decided to not tell the announcers the finishes, so they could act suprised. Heenen hated that because you couldn't prepare for things, and it backfired because sometimes the annoucers sounded awkward. Don't know how true it is though.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

That is true but only lasted a really short time. Then they were told what to say like WWE's guys are now via headsets, which is when Larry Zbyszko made the famous announcement that Foley was winning the belt on Raw and added "Yeah that outghta put butts in the seats"....

Eric was behind that and told him to say all that thinking it would stop people from bothering with Raw. But it backfired big time and millions turned the station to see Foley win the belt. Eric must have just about died when he saw the 15 minute ratings breakdown the next day.

But yeah, for a while, the announcers were not briefed on anything and the announcing suffered.

Patty, you mentioned in the hazing post that Ric Flair doesn't have problems with the rookies, its the veterans that he has problems with. Scoop? Gossip? Please?! Someone maybe unexpected that he doesn't quite like? I know about Foley and Hart, but not sure about anyone else.

Thanks!

Cat <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Patty,
Thanks for the insight into the backstage stuff. As much as we all love wrestling I think it's fair to say that the stuff that happens behind the curtain also holds our fascination. I personally think it does translate one way or another into the ring. In spite of some nay sayers who say they dont care about the "stories" people are into the subculture of what fame and fortune does to a person. If that weren't true there wouldn't be any National Enquirers. And you know enquiring minds want to know.
Now Patty that comes to my next comment and question. Would you be interested in writing a book? A compilation of road stories maybe without even naming names, let the fans guess whos who? And any chance a wrestlers wife would do a tell all? I think that would be the ultimate a wrestlers wife telling her survival story. And I mean the soon to be Mrs. Flair or former Mrs. Hall. Can you imagine?

Umm, soon to be Mrs Flair?

Is this wife No.3 or hasn't he married his 2nd one yet?

Patty, anything more on the Bischoff/Russo day would be great. Flair went from being pro Bischoff to very Negative. Any insider scoop or opinions that won't get you into too much hot water?

Tikus

Ummm, Patty, it looks like you opened up a can of worms by telling us a few outside stories! lol. You should ad a section to your site, Wrestlingonthefringe.com, entitled "Storytime archives!

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

I thought about writing a book. The things I saw were shocking and also some was very touching. I would never use names for many reasons. Plus, I am not sure I am ready to expose things that are considered private by many.

Flair hates Bischoff because of the way he was treated in WCW. Bichoff felt Flair was over the hill and he did everything he could to humiliate Flair. The heart attack angle, the psycho ward angle, jobbing him to jobbers, dissing him in the back. Much of that stemmed from the fact that Eric was real close with Hogan and it seems that he was as much of a mark as some fans. He thought of Hogan as the top veteran and Flair as a nobody. Clearly he wasn't thinking with his wrestling brain. Then again, he was messed up for a while on certain substances which clouded many of his actions.

Flair really despised how he was treated and how he was talked about by Bischoff to the other guys. At one meeting, I remember Bischoff said only two or three guys in the company drew any fans and he named them - leaving Flair out which was ridiculous because Flair was way way over in WCW even with lame storylines.

After beating Flair down mentally, Flair was starting to doubt himself and was going to retire but ended up in WWE where he got a lot of confidence back. When Flair and Bischoff were backstage, they nearly came to blows more than once in WWE.

I think, by the time Eric departed as GM, some of the hatred for each other had died down but I don't think Flair will ever respect or like Eric and he won't ever forget the [censored] Eric put him through.

I think Flair talks some about this in his book. He makes no bones about how awful his last WCW run was and how terrible he thought Eric was as the President of the company.

It is true. Eric was a real jerk to Flair. Then again, he was pretty much a jerk to almost everyone but his close buddies.

For the record, Ric will be marrying wife #3 once his divorce from Beth is finalized. His new wife is something like 24 years younger than him. You could see her at the Hall of Fame Ceremony looking big busted and very BLING!

Flair does go over that stuff in detail in his book, which is very good. It effected him so much that he was having a breakdown of some sort, and he would second guess everyone and everything, he even took to pinching himself. But he went to a sports psychologist (Spell?) and he claims that helped him a lot. Once Flair was in WWE and Bischoff came along, he locked himself inside a room with Eric and tried to fight him, but Eric ran around like a scared puppy.

For those of you who have not read his book "To Be The Man", I highly recommend it!

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

I read the book and Flair has a very selective memory. Eric is a black belt and NEVER ran away from anyone. I love Flair but parts of his book are his versions of what happened but not the real versions.

I guess they were real to him. Ioften wonder about Eric B.
He seems to have been made the scapegoat of all WCW problems. And yet I have to agree with a comment he once made that he took a struggling business that was losing money and made it into a multi $$$ company. To some degree that was true. But, was that just Ted's money?

Tikus

Well, that's true, I only know of Flairs side, though he does state Bischoff earned his blackbelt through some little hole in the wall school in some mall along with half a dozen other 12 year olds...I thought that was funny. But, to be fair, there is ALWAYS two sides to every story.

And Tik, I have heard from several places that Bischoff was successful because he had Ted Turners deep pockets, that the motto was to spend spend spend, and it finally caught up to him. But, that is just one side of a story too.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Patty, you made a comment that "maybe" Russo was sent in to kill off WCW. Certainly many feel that way.

Isn't that a bit of a stretch. I mean, sure Russo booked some really [censored] stuff. But is that just creativety out of control? Look at Vince's product at the moment?

But you had insider scoop me thinks

Tikus

Oh, I have no idea if it is true about Russo. It was always just a gut feeling I had. It seems like no one who was really trying to make a promotion successful would come up with what he did but who knows?

Eric did use Ted's money but we saw all the money in the world couldn't save WCW when the creativity stopped. The fact is, the NWO was brilliant (if possibly stolen in part from ECW) and the Goldberg angle also was darn good. The luchador division was a great idea and a refreshing change from the usual wrestling. Eric had a lot of good ideas, some not so good. There was no writing team like in WWE. It was really Eric who bounced ideas off some wrestler friends. So, I give him a lot of credit from taking WCW from nothing to the huge success it was. I also believe he burned out, lost his passion, and didn't plan ahead and that is why WCW died in part.

Russo was NO help in keeping it alive and Ted just got bored and sick of sending his money on a one way trip.

But Eric is underrated, IMHO. He was a jerk though, I have to admit. But still...some ideas were brilliant.

Bisch may have been a jerk, and he may have fizzled at the end. But he sure made himself, and a select few of his friends, one hell of a lot of money!

I can't stand him though. I liked him better when he comes on board and really tears things apart, put's everything in an uproar. After a couple of months and things settle down, he get's on my nerves.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

All I know was that he was the best GM ever on WWE tv, and RAW has a big gaping hole without him.

I agree princess. And Patty/TGO, I did think that was the way with Eric. Brilliant, but anyone can loose their passion, esp if they put themself in a bubble as Eric did.

To change the subject a little, One of the biggest mistakes wrestling companies make is when the Booker is also wrestling. Even worse, when he is also the promoter.

Anyway, anyone else got a question or request for some Patty insider? I don't want to be hogging all the question time.

Tikus

A few questions..

Does anybody know a time that Batista will be back? I've heard middle of May. Well it's the beginning of May and I haven't heard a thing about him coming back anytime soon. I've heard that he might show up at Judgement Day, which I think would be good. I have a feeling Rey Mysterio will end up getting beat by JBL so Batista can get the belt from JBL, I don't really see Batista going up against Rey IMO. Any timeline that we can expect?

My other question is about Kane and May 19th. I know it's a huge promo for his movie "See No Evil" but I've heard that this was also the date he heard his parents were killed from the fire he started the day before. Another thing I've heard is that it is the date that Katie Vicks died. Any of this true? Are they trying to incorporate something from this?

And my last question, is DX coming back without X-Pac? I've seen trips and Shawn Michaels both do the signature of it, and I know a lot of fans are wanting this to happen. Any clues to what is going to happen?

Thanks Patty, I've also been reading at your website <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Batista is due back the third week of May. But he will not go up against Rey. Rey is taking time off soon to heal some injuries.

As for May 19, I really don't think WWE wants to dig up the Katie Vick storyline (Haha. Dig up!).

As far a when his parents supposedly died, actually only his mother did. His father is Paul Bearer who was drowned in cement by Taker but apparently didn't die...

I don't think May 19 means anything but to drum it into our heads when his movie comes out unless they fabricate something.

Anyone read Kane's "autobiography"? I didn't but that told the story of Kane supposedly from the convoluted minds of WWE.

As for DX, I believe they are only teasing it but anything could happen. Waltman has a job with WWE if he is physically and mentally ready (which I am not so sure he is, mentally) but I don't think they will reform DX. I mean, it was fun and all the teasing and crop chops and two words for ya stuff pops a crowd but after two weeks, I think people would be bored. They have been there, saw that and who would be there with Road Dogg and Billy Gunn as well as Chyna gone? Just Trips and HBK...

I think we may see more teases and such but I don't think that the will revert back to that time. It could obviously happen though. You never know with WWE....

Hey, Patty just wondering...

Any plans to call up Krissy Vaine or Beth Phoenix to smackdown or raw?

I heard CM Punk was getting backstage heat for his relationship with Maria, can you elaborate?


Is that story about Johnny Ace signing two random swimwear model with no wrestling knowledge whatsoever after he spotted them in a magazine true?

True about the swimsuit models. Yeck.

CM Punk isn't getting heat about dating Maria but has some heat for some other backstage things.

About DX for you all:

BIG SPOILER FOR WWE'S PLANS WHERE DX ARE CONCERNED
By www.pwinsider.com

On the Canadian Viewer's Choice website, in a promo for the June Vengeance PPV, it states the following:

"DX, the degenerates that started the Attitude Era, will reunite at Vengeance � Are You Ready? Don't miss a minute of the live action as RAW presents WWE's Vengeance, Sunday, June 25th at 8pm ET/5pm PT, live and only on Pay-Per-View. A World Wrestling Entertainment Production. Go to wwe.com for more details. See It All On Viewers Choice!"

While I don't know for sure that this means DX will be reformed at or by this show, I do know that there has been a lot of talk of doing so internally, as evidenced by Shawn Michaels and Triple H's actions on recent TV. I also know that this wouldn't be the first time that someone in WWE marketing released something before they were supposed to. In addition to that, Triple H is now said to be receptive to turning babyface.

Well, when Vince Russo jumped ship from WWE to WCW he kinda ran into somewhat the same thing. While he wasn't the booker, but the head writer, he wrote himself into a wrestling role, and it had disasterous results. For instance I heard somewhere, forget now just where, but Russo would be on tv, after he was off camera he would run into the back and call his family and friends asking them if they saw him or not. That is a recipe for disaster because he was putting himself over good tv and the furtherance of storylines. That's just something I heard though, don't know how factual it is.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Don't know TGO, but sounds pretty believable.



So Patty,
What or who was your intro into wrestling?

Tikus

Don't let Patty outta the hotseat. Got any Specific Q&A for Patty?

Ok, by way of Tikus, coming from TGO, I would like to know the story of the very first time you met Eddie Guerrero? How soon did you guys get very close? Also, how well do you know Chris Benoit, and the first time you met him. Any special memories or personal anecdotes you could share? Eddie had a sense of humor. Did he play any practical jokes on you? Or did you help either of them fascilitate any ribs?

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

LOL. Eddie sure did play a joke on me but I can't really say what it was here. Only some people from chat know when I spilled the beans about his particular "talent" that I learned about when lured into the locker room.

But he was never malicious or anything. He was lots of fun when he wasn't mad. He definitely had a HOT temper (not at me, thankfully) and people stayed far away when he was ticked off.

When he wasn't, he was a sweetheart.

Tikus, how I got into wrestling is in my bio or in a column on the BellaOnline site. It is sort of crazy and really pure;y accidental. I never had any aspirations of wrting for a wrestling magazine. I was a published writer long before wrestling came along.

I will repeat it all here if you want but it is covered on the website.

I just happened to run into the publisher and things got crazy and then I was hired for a bit job ($75 a month). Next thing I knew, I was bumped to Associate Editor. Then Executive Editor.

What a great ride and I thank my publisher, Colin Bowman, for having faith that a woman could be at the helm of an official wrestling magazine and not turn it into a drool fest.

Though I did convince him to allow me to write "On the Fringe", my monthly women's column where I talked about who was hot and who was not.

That column gave me more trouble than anything else I wrote or did in WCW. Those guys got ticked when they were in the cold category. Even lukewarm guys were mad. Sheesh, it was all in fun and fan based. Except I threw in a few of my faves now and then.

Ahhh the good ole days. <img src="/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" />

I have to ask about a little incident that Seven mentioned in another thread, with Konnan...I figure since it's already been mentioned...

Well, I don't even TRULY remember it all. It had to do with a chat, a little head butting, and me slapping the attitude outta K-Dogg. Haha. Actually 7 probably remembers it better than I do. I am such a b*tch that it is second nature to slap down an attitude in my chat no matter who cops one.

Well, I have heard from a few places of this unique "Talent" Eddie displayed, but No one has ever given the particulars of it. I suppose if I dug around and asked the right people I could find out, but I somehow think I might not WANT to know, lol. Besides, a little air of mystery never hurt anyone.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Just mention "the cricket."

They'll know. <img src="/images/graemlins/angel.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/devil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

LOL, that's the one.

~Chris <img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" />

Patty,

This question comes from a few comments in other posts.
At one stage there were heaps of Wrestling Magazines, and I read and collected a few of them. My fav was PWI.

After the death of ECW and WCW, what was the fall out on those magazines? How did the one you worked for go (not WCW magazine, the other one)? And PWI?

Also, I'm sure most Mag Editors saw the wrting on the wall re WCW (and themselves), but did many really know what was going on before things finally came to a head, or were they suprised along with the rest of us?

Tikus

As far as magazines go, once WWE bought out the other two, they stopped just about everyone from being able to produce a wrestling magazine.

They allow PWI a little access because it is a mark mag. When I worked for WOW, we were not allowed to speak to anyone in WWE. I had to talk to them then say I heard, or it was reported even when they told me themselves. I could call relatives. Like I did an interview/column about Brian James. I wasn't allowed to speak to Brian so I called Bullet Bob and a few Armstrong brothers and put together a very good piece but would have liked to have had Brian (Road Dogg) speak. (That interview is on the net too. Patty Therre Wow Road Dogg may bring it up. It was a good piece about Brian in the war and how he killed someone and never was the same. I loved that story.)

WWE won't give ringside access to magazines. Only a couple Japanese mags. So when I worked for WOW or Wrestling World, we went through hell getting pics. I mean it was like a sting operation to get a pic of someone for a story.

Slowly, the mags were dying because they couldn't talk to most of the talent, couldn't get good pics, and couldn't compete with WWE - just as WWE wants.

With PowerSlam, they hate us because we sell better than they do in the UK/Europe area. The pics we use have to be obtained at press conferences, signings, whatever. We do a lot with TNA, Indies, and older not signed people so that is easy. We still have WWE people on covers (Trips was the last cover) but it is tough to do. I have a media pass but not for PS but for the newspaper I write for. I have to sign a waiver saying I will not use the photos for anyone but that newspaper, not even my own website. And I follow that to a T. WWE would sue me if I didn't.

It is almost impossible to sell a mag now. TNA may be able to put out a 4x a year one which they should do with pics, bios, stories etc. Problem being the roster changes so fast...

At WCW Magazine, we left in August 1999. We knew it was doomed. They took the mag in house and assigned new people to do what we did. It was slick I suppose but sales died. No one was surprised at all when WCW went under. It was expected by us for a long time. I held out hope that someone would buy WCW who wasn't WWE though.

I left before the collapse but was still writing for the website (Google WCW The Flipside Patty Therre) but just fluff junk. They paid well though.

It was a matter of time before WCW went down. I was just so hoping someone would come along with a true interest in making the company a success. Eric was THIS CLOSE to buying it but Vince scooped him again. Sigh.

I really don't believe anyone within WCW was too surprised to see it go down. the surprise was WWE actually obtaining it when it looked like a lock that Eric would own it.

Hey Patty...just wondering.

I heard Cena was acting all cosy with a WWE diva at Backlash, is he romantically involved with a co worker?

Also, will Spike TV ever be willing to increase the amount of time impact has to 90mins or longer? There show always seems so rushed and they could get more done with more time.


Thanks in advance.

Patty, my apologies for you getting two Questions at once.

I just wanted to know about the Promotion ROH that you mention from time to time. Until I joined this forum I'd never heard of them.

Also, What is the deal with Harley Race's Promotion?
I came accross his website some time ago whilst searching info on Randy Savage (which was how I found yours), is it a big deal or an good but dead in the water idea?

Thanks

Tikus

I can answer that bit (ROH), although I'm sure Patty will expand more, considering she is the font of all knowledge!! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ring of Honor is the third biggest promotion in the States, after WWE and TNA. It is where Samoa Joe made a name for himself, as well as Austin Aries, Christopher Daniels, Paul London, CM Punk, and a whole bunch of others.

It's named Ring of Honor because there was (is?) a code of honor, where the people in a match had to shake hands before the start of every match. I'm sure there's other reasons for the name, but that seems to be the biggie.

I'll leave the rest for someone else!!

Yep Cat said it all. Ring of Honor is an excellent promotion focusing on the best workers available and pure wrestling. They have a large fan base of smart fans. They did have a HUGE scandal though. Turns out the guy who owned half or more of it was Rob Feinstein. He owned RFVideo which sold tons of shoot videos and other wrestling videos. Well, in a true sting operation (I have used that phrase three times on this board and never used it before ever!!), Feinstein was found to be luring young boys to him for sex.

In fact, he showed up at a supposed young boy's home and was snagged by the cops and arrested. There is a website that poses as kids to snag child molesters and RF happened to get caught in it. Fans were obviously outraged and several wrestlers left the promotion not wanting to be connected with a guy who was messing with kids. The website www.pervertedjustice.com was the one who snagged him and the whole sick transcript of his talks with who he thought was a 14 year old boy were posted for all to see (probably still there archived)..

For a while it looked like ROH would die. But thankfully, the silent partner and Gabe Sapolsky (Booker and now, major owner) acted fast and ousted RF. They worked hard to rebuild the rep and it worked. Today RF is an afterthought (slimy one) and ROH is going strong. Mick Foley was so impressed with them that he did some shows and begged Samoa Joe to join WWE. He chose TNA (Go, Joe, Go!). The names of wrestlers who work or worked ROH looks like a who's who of the best of the best young talent.

Their site is www.rohwrestling.com.

The other question was answered by Cena himself who said he was NOT involved with a diva and it was just a rumor.

Chances are very good TNA will get more TV time. Their ratings are good, better than expected, and staying steady. I would say there is a 75% chance that we will see a 90 minute show before year's end if it keeps on getting the ratings it is now or gains more viewers.

Oh...one more. Ha! Harley Race's promotion is an offshoot of his wrestling academy. It is called World League Wrestling and isn't a huge thing but does churn out some fine workers.

WWE uses MLW workers as enhancement (er...jobbers) or in dark matches at times.

Actually, I took the initiative to check out that web site before I got the above answers. I was impressed. Do they have some sort of arrangement with TNA, or do TNA just snap up their talent?

I purchased quite a few Shoot Interview DVD's (Fuji, Foley, Horowitz and Reed), please tell me I haven't just blown my dough.

And just a thought Patty. I went to your Fringe Page to see about buying Vids and Books of it, but you only have links. Why don't you set up an online shop of your own? I'll buy from you, at least I would feel like I've given back something for all your work.

Tikus

Because that means investing in a bunch of videos and DVDs and then marking them up to at least get my money back, hoping people will buy them, sending them out, and all that goes with e-commerce.

It's too hard. I would rather have affiliates. If you click through a link or a graphic I put up and buy something, I get between 1 and 4% of the purchase price (sometimes less, never more).

I was going to have a wrestling shop once with photos, DVDs, and other things but the investment was high and the payoff may not have been there at all. Then I would be stuck with stock and no buyers.

I did make a load of money off my collectible WCW stuff I sold and still have tons more WCW and ECW stuff I could sell. I should go back to ebay. I have things that people want especially with ECW coming back.

As for Ring of Honor, TNA allows their workers to work ROH shows. They know that the most guys can't JUST do TNA and make a living so they allow it as long as it doesn't conflict with a TNA show. ROH and TNA don't really have an agreement per se. ROH approaches the wrestler they want to work a show and gives them a date and time (and often an opponent). If the worker wants to do the show, he goes to TNA and tells them and they check for any double booking. They OK it and the wrestler then confirms the date with ROH.

Even some WWE workers have worked ROH including Foley and Stevie Richards. It has a great rep with everyone for paying well, not screwing anyone, and for always leaving the door open for past workers who jump then hate where they jumped to.

And if you mean RFVideo...it is still run by Feinstein and still in business.

Have you seen the "Shoot Interview" DVD's? Any good?

I have a number of them and some are better than others. Raven has one out and naturally he is an interesting person to listen to. I have also seen others that were somewhat tame. It depends on the person and how much they REALLY want to shoot on people and promotions.

They are very low budget, almost laughably so, but you really don't need much when you have a guy just talking about everything and everyone. Now and then they have footage of that guy to go along with things but it's hard to come by for them since WWE owns like...everything on earth but ROH which isn't really taped often.

But yes, they're pretty good. Kid Kash's was just awesomely crazy and such a shoot especially on TNA and people in TNA!

I keep hearing about Raven and Sandman's shoot. I don't know that I want to know about their adventures, I'm only young and naive!

Man, I should've taken the ball on the ROH thing! IMO, the Foley shoot is amazing as well as every Raven one. Including BOTH Raven & Sandman's. Although I wouldn't suggest Raven & Sandman 2 to many women. It was quite humerous though. The Jim Mitchell shoot is overly hilarious & I need to get on the ball of buying it. Steve Corino always does an entertaining shoot. Samoa Joe has a good one as well as any of the ones CM Punk did (Samoa Joe & Colt Cabana).

I did not check out the other shoots mentioned, but amazing dvd's. Poor quality in the beginning production wise, but they did what they could. If you can't deal w/ poor lighting & off white balance, I would suggest starting from Hell Freezes Over to now. The Milestone Series has become an awesome dvd series. It's a lot like a television show with how it's put together. Plus it contains the incredible war with CZW.

But I own every ROH release besides 3/31/06, so if you like what you see, check it out for sure!

& to elaborate on the TNA/ROH thing, after the Feinstein thing, TNA took their contracted talent off of ROH which was Christopher Daniels & AJ Styles (ROH Regulars). CM Punk was signed at the time but they asked him & he said no because they didn't do much w/ him anyhow.

Recently they suspended Roderick Strong & Austin Aries for not getting on their immediate flight to the ppv (A huge snow storm delayed them), which I understand TNA's case, but those guys are tag champs & ROH had already took a huge cut because of other stars who left early.

Hope that sheds some light for people, man I typed a lot. HA!

Aries and Strong didn't miss their flight. They didn't take their flight as told by TNA because they didn't think the storm would cause any delays as TNA did.

They deserved to be punished since they were needed at the PPV and they went against TNA's orders although they did manage to do ROH and get back in time for TNA. Still, they were committed to TNA's PPV and I think they were wrong to ignore what TNA asked of them.

TNA has not banned guys from working TNA shows. They tried that and it didn't work so now TNA allows some workers to do the shows with permission and prior notice. TNA was getting ticked because the guys liked and praised ROH over TNA and I think they also got a bit greedy. But now there is a plan in place for these workers to work ROH but it isn't as simple as just taking a booking anymore.

ROH, at one point, decided against using TNA contracted talent because it was such a hassle but I think they relented and do use the talented again now.

I do see your point but they were also obligated to ROH in a different form. I mean I do agree with a punishment, but I think it was a little too harsh especially when worse has been done & yet others get away with more. But I do agree w/ them ignoring TNA's wishes was wrong. I still wasn't fond of it, but they did what they had to do.

& yes, they did stop using them because of the hassle & now things are a bit back to normal.

A few mentions were made on here about the Von Erich family. I've looked up a little about them, but just wanted to know - was there meant to be a deal with the WWE for the rights to the Von Erich's story, or their matches? And are there any other releases (not affiliated with the WWE)?

Thanks,
Cat

A brand new release all about the Von Erichs having nothing to do with WWE is coming out on June 15. I posted the website in my last news column (Not the very last one, the one before it).

It is called Heroes of World Class which was the elder Von Erich's promotion. The DVD focuses on the family and all the tragic losses as well as the promotion. It should be very good. I am in contact with the director and may have one to give away soon. I can't wait to see it.

That family is really the most tragic ever.

The link is here: www.therightpictures.com

Ooops, I forgot about that in the newsletter, my bad. Thanks Patty. It does look good.

And I agree, so much tragedy in the one family is just so, so unbelievably sad.

Very weird that five out of six brothers would die, some from suicide and some from very strange things. Just really weird. There is one left and how he can handle all that happened is beyond me. Poor guy.

Hey...

Is Benoit's time off anything to do with the new wellness policy? The timing seems suspicious...

Have WWE changed their no porn policy in regards to the womean they hire? I ask because both Candice and Mickie has done some x rated stuff in their past and they are both the most pushed women in the company..does WWE not know?

Have they? Where's that then? I mean, that's outrageous. It's terrible that these men feel that they have to take their tops off to earn a living (was it published online? Not that I'm interested, well only for research purposes obviously). I'm sure Giant Haystacks never got his pitchfork out for all and sundry to view.*

* at least if he did I never got to see it. And I wouldn't want to either!

I doubt it. I have no heard of a second test being administered and the first was just a baseline. It may have more to do with his contractual status than anything else.



I never knew they had a no porn policy. Several of the women they hired have done things. Ashley was in Playboy under another name before going to WWE and they knew it. I think WWE sees it as a plus unless the woman is so exposed they can't expose her more.

Hey Patty..some questions..

Will Stephanie McMahon be involved in the creative side of ECW?

Why was Randy Orton moved to Raw? Was it so HHH can keep an eye on him?

Will the Booker T/ Batista fight become an angle?

I have heard no mention or talk of Steph being involved with ECW creative. She and Heyman do not get along and I don't think that would work. She is due to have her baby soon and will probably take some time then return back to the "WWE" side of creative.

I really don't know the reason Randy was moved. I can surmise or suspect, but have not really heard why. It seems odd. Maybe they wanted him away from the Smackdown people he may have angered or maybe it is because Vince and HHH are there. I think SD really needs him more obviously.

Any fight could be an angle but I don't think we will hear shoot comments. Batista may fight Booker because he is the "King" but I don't know if they will go so far as to use real life as an angle this time. But we all know how WWE LOVES that stuff so I sure would not be shocked if they did.

First Patty, Welcome back (actually, you're not back yet, but you're not far away I think).

Two quickies.

1.What is the current status of the NWA? and Belt?

2.I recently bought a "Classic St. Louis Wrestling" DVD. Was good too I might add. They featured heavily a youngish fella called Spike Huber, and both hosts (Sam Muchnick & Larry Matysik I think) where crowing his praises at the end of the DVD as one of their hottest stars. This was at a time when they had the likes of Tony Atlas, Randy Savage, Terry Gordy, Tom Prichard, Tully Blanchard, Dominic DeNucci, Bruiser Brody, Nikolai Volkoff, Dick Murdoch, Kerry Von Erich, Greg Valentine and Bulldog Bob Brown.
But I never heard of Spike Huber before. From what I saw he was good. What the heck happened to him after St. Louis went down the tubes?

Tikus

PS. Just a side note. I had forgotten just how impressive Bruiser, Murdoch and Gordy were. Big men weren't they?

NWA is still plugging along.

You can see what they are up to here: http://www.nwawrestling.com/

Great stuff that St. Louis Wrestling is, eh?

Know anything about Spike?

Patty, do you have any info about Kid Kash and his suspension? I read that it was related to the tests, but noone else has gotten suspended so it should be big, right?

u look like lita in da pic of u nd taker

Who does?

I believe Kash did fail the blood test (Steroids I am sure) but more, his attitude was [censored] as usual. He refused to do certain things because he felt it was against his character (Whatever that was) and he was being his usual loud, pull no punches self.

I love me some Kid Kash but was hoping his attitude would settle down once he reached WWE. I guess he will always be David Cash no matter where he works or what his character.

I hope he will be back in a few weeks. His attitude simply cannot be as bad as Orton's!

** I want to state that I am not SURE he failed the blood test but I am SURE his attitude was what got him sitting on the sidelines for the 30 days or more he will be out.

Hey Patty, some questions...

What brand will Jeff Hardy be on?


What's Randy Orton's attitude been like since his return? When he first came back PWinsider said he hadn't changed, but then I read other reports that said he was working well with his colleages and I havn't heard of any backstage incidents. I also heard him and RVD were the only ones signing autographs after Vengeance in the car park, so he's making an effort with fans.

All these conflicting reports, what's going on?

I was told Jeff would return to SD to reunite Team Extreme with Matt (and Ashley) but I saw a commercial for him for Raw. I still believe the brothers will end up tagging. Maybe Matt will move back to Raw considering Lita is probably leaving and he has moved on, etc. But the plan was for him to join the Smackdown Brand last I heard.

I am not sure about Orton's attitude. The last WWE Magazine has a really jerky interview with him that made me want to slap him silly due to his attitude.

But he says he had an anger problem and he is past that. I have no idea if that is true but so far he is hanging on and I am sure he is being watched to be sure he isn't causing trouble. He's even getting a rub with Hogan so he may have straightened out enough for WWE to believe he will be around for the long haul.

One major problem he had was dealing with fans and got verbally abusive with them. I think he is trying hard not to do that anymore. After all, he is a smart guy and he values his job, I am sure. He was warned and he knows the next time could mean a release and I am sure he doesn't want that.

Hi ya Patty, Hope things are going well. I missed all you guys.

Anyway, to the question;
I was wondering during your times as Editor and Writer.
Have you ever written something, only to be confronted by the Wrestler/Manager/CEO and put in your place.
I'm sure we've all suffered from the dreaded Foot in Mouth disease, but when it's in Print it must doubly embarrassing.

Any Stories you can tell? Maybe one form your WCW Magazine days?

Tikus

It seems that Patty very seldom is on this site anymore, if at all. Also, I fairly new to this site. I've been on for a little less than a year & I notice the amount of posts, threads, comments & replies have dwindled to almost nothing in comparison to what it was when I first got on here.

So who's still with us. Mickeyboy? DPU? You, Me. Anyone else?

Me. Al pops by a lot, too. lilyeah, Elvira, Ice drop by every now and then. 'Tis a little quiet in the hallowed halls of the wrestling forum.

Though it was that way on the Fringe last time I could get the site to work for me too. Maybe everyone's just losing interest in wrestling full stop.

Yup still here, not as often as usual due to some RL things but still here...

Well the thing about Patty, is she has had so much going on in her life. She constantly has to deal with new family issues as well as many deadlines for other things she writes for. She is trying & I'm sure she'll do her best to keep up more often when permitted, but right now, it's just been real tough on her. I am pretty sure she reads all of the posts that she's missed though.

But I think it's funny I'm considered a mainstay even though I'm in & out. Sadly I only post when it doesn't have to do w/ wwe because I don't know much about what goes on in wwe these days. But I'm definitely here when you want to know about upcoming indy talent that I know of!

& trust me, I'd have tons more to say if you all picked up independent promotions like PWG, ECWA, JAPW, ROH, FIP, etc. It's not that I've lost interest in wrestling, just big company/mainstream wrestling.

I've really enjoyed the ROH stuff that I've scavenged from Lime Wire downloads. A fair bit of it is pretty old though.

Are they still in free Talent exchange with TNA? It's a really smart thing for both these companies to do. I just hope that TNA don't start to feel like they're to Big to deal with ROH. That would be a mistake.

Mikeyboy was talking about a Japanese Promotion that shows on his UK Cable (I think it was MB?), can't remember which Promo it was though. Sounded like pretty good stuff.

Hope Patty gets the time to pop in every now and then. I liked her insider stories. Still, family should come first, so I guess we'll have to soldier on for a while hey.

Tikus

The ROH/TNA relationship is basically ok now. However, ROH doesn't use too much TNA talent anymore as they now deal w/ the bookings through others and an increase pay. However Austin Starr (Aries elsewhere), Samoa Joe & Homicide will more than likely continue to work in ROH for some time. Might I ask what matches you've found on there & what was your favorite?

The best promotions in Japan that I know of are All Japan, New Japan, Zero One, Noah & Dragon Gate. I sadly have yet to follow any of it, but I plan to be able to soon. I hope to get the newest Noah dvd as well as Dragon Gate soon. & she'll always come back, she has a love for wrestling and her people.

I did Tikus? *scratches head* no think you've mistaken me for someone else..

Yair, my mistake. Was sometime ago and I forget who it was.

Anyway, I was trying to remember NOAH, but DPU mentioned them in her post. Good stuff! I haven't seen anything current though.

Tik'

Ya, I can't wait to pick up the newest Noah dvd. What had you seen from ROH? &...her?

I am backkkkkkkk.

I missed me. And you guys? Did you notice I was gone? <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

PS. HUGE Welcome back!!!!

I was pulled over by Eric backstage and asked not to put him in the HOT section of the bi annual "Who's Hot, Who's NOT" column I wrote. He said his wife was suspicious. Now, looking back, I laugh. His wife was the one who went to the strip joint and picked up women strippers to "cavort with" while Eric watched and she was in Playboy. Why would she care if the readers voted Eric as being hot? Haha. Now he is definitely NOT.

Roddy Piper raised the roof when he saw a mock up of the cover with Nash putting him in a sleeper hold. He refused to allow the magazine to print the cover saying it made him look weak. Eric agreed and we had to change the cover to one where Roddy looks "strong". *rolls eyes*

Big Show snapped when I called him a "big oaf" in print and was VERY angry. He went looking for me and, in fact, I think I printed a pic of him pretending to chokeslam me. That was the day I walked up to him and told him I wrote that and that he had to put it into context. I was talking about the CHARACTER he played, not him (OK, I lied but he is BIG). He settled down and only playfully killed me.

In Wrestling World, I turned in an explosive shoot interview with Vampiro. My Editor didn't believe Vampiro spilled those kinds of beans and was not going to print it. Luckily, I had it all on tape and sent a copy to him. He heard it, printed the story, and it made the sheets everywhere. And probably sealed Vampiro's fate for ever going to WWE.

Mostly I got flak from the guys, not management. The heat was usually on my publisher, especially for covers. Everyone wanted one and everyone wanted to look strong and unbeatable on the cover. Every month, we would hear loads of complaints from guys who felt they deserved the cover way more than who we picked.

Divas, they were! The women never complained! lol.

Thanks for the answer. Had me smiling. I remember you telling the Big Show story before. Ha ha.

Sooo, I'm guessing you've only recently been able to get back in as well. I've been trying for days, and had to re-register my password. Anyway, no Big hassle.

Once again. Very nice to have you back Patty. All the best for this year. (Same for the rest of our crew too)

Tik'

The new forums were down for a while, yes. I think they are going smoothly now and the colors will change soon too.

I am still getting used to them and not 100% sure I like them better but they are pretty neat.

Now we just have to round up the people who posted here before but drifted away and get another pay per view going.

The 2007 Patty Invitational

Can we bring back the Kangeroo?

Haha, if necessary. I have a few other tricks up my sleeve though