World Wrestling Entertainment and its top star are splitsville.
Once again unhappy with the story lines presented to him, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin walked out on WWE hours before this week’s Monday Night Raw telecast from Atlanta. Austin’s abrupt departure caused WWE owner Vince McMahon to panic and book himself to defeat Ric Flair in the Raw main event.
McMahon thus regained “100 percent” control of WWE from Flair, who had served less than three months as Raw’s figurehead owner. But by doing so, McMahon eliminated every reason for the recent roster split that placed most WWE talent exclusively on either Raw or Smackdown telecasts. McMahon also gave away a Raw-Smackdown unification match against Flair on cable television that could have drawn significant pay-per-view money in the future.
Austin, who rivals Hulk Hogan as the biggest star in WWE history, has made no secret about his displeasure with the promotion’s writing team. Austin was angry about having to work earlier this spring against Scott Hall, whose substance-abuse problems later resulted in his firing, and left the promotion for a week in late March after Wrestlemania XVIII before smoothing things over with McMahon.
Austin (real name Steve Williams) indicated last year that he would quit wrestling if he wasn’t having fun, as he is financially set for life and doesn’t lead a lavish lifestyle. Austin, though, angered fellow WWE wrestlers with his unprofessional behavior in leaving so close to a live Raw telecast.
Although it remains unknown whether the Raw and Smackdown crews will remain separate entities, WWE has now clearly botched three attempts within the past year to create two separate promotions.
WWE had hoped a split would result in dual revenue streams for live shows and lead to the elevation of new talent, as major stars would be limited to one show each week. Instead, Raw and Smackdown were never able to develop their own identities because of regular cross-promotion. WWE’s dwindling fan base also hasn’t taken to the split, as evidenced by significant declines in television ratings and live show attendance.
With Austin’s status with the company still uncertain and Davie resident Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson unable to resume a full-time schedule because of his movie commitments, WWE is set to give four undercard performers — Brock Lesnar, Edge, Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit — the chance to become headliners. WWE also may intensify its efforts to sign Bill Goldberg and Scott Steiner.
Shamrock spurns offer
Ken Shamrock recently spurned a WWE contract offer to sign with National Wrestling Alliance/Total Nonstop Action, which makes its pay-per-view debut at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Huntsville, Ala.
Shamrock’s decision was based upon his other career in mixed martial arts competition. Shamrock is returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championships, where he began his MMA career in the mid-1990s.
Shamrock signed a three-match UFC contract and is slated to headline a September pay-per-view show against Tito Ortiz.
WWE reportedly didn’t want Shamrock competing in MMA fighting and expected him to work 12 shows a month, which was more than he wanted. Because NWA/TNA is solely a pay-per-view entity, Shamrock only has to wrestle every two weeks.
“I want to prepare properly for [Ortiz],” said Shamrock, referring to one of the world’s best MMA fighters. “With WWE, you’re traveling so much and doing so many matches. There’s no time to really focus on other training.”
Shamrock, 38, said he plans to retire from MMA bouts after his three UFC fights and resume his pro wrestling career on a full-time basis.
Shamrock wrestled in WWE from 1997 to 1999 before being forced from the ring by a neck injury. When his WWE contract expired while he was still injured, Shamrock resumed his MMA career with the PRIDE promotion in 2000.
Although he hasn’t wrestled since leaving WWE, Shamrock is deservedly the favorite to win the NWA world title in Wednesday night’s Royal Rumble-style tournament. Other participants include Scott Hall, Marcus Bagwell, Rick Steiner and Jeff Jarrett. NWA/TNA also is bringing in former world champions Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race and Dory Funk Jr. as guests for Wednesday’s show.
NWA/TNA, which is owned by Jarrett and his father Jerry, hopes to make inroads in the virtual monopoly held by WWE. To succeed, Jeff Jarrett said the promotion needs 30,000 to 60,000 orders at $9.95 each week.
For information on NWA/ TNA, visit www.nwatna.com.
DDP done wrestling
Diamond Dallas Page (real name Page Falkenberg) is retiring from wrestling because of a serious neck injury. DDP’s decision came after a meeting Tuesday with McMahon in Greenville, S.C. Falkenberg felt he would be too old (47) to continue wrestling after the lengthy rehabilitation process associated with corrective disc surgery.
Falkenberg hopes to work in another capacity for WWE.
Heenan interviewed
Legendary manager and announcer Bobby Heenan will discuss his battle with throat cancer on this week’s WWE Confidential (11 p.m. Saturday, TNN). Heenan also has completed an autobiography that will be published later this summer by Triumph Books.
Upcoming shows
Future of Wrestling has a show at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Hollywood Greyhound Track, 831 N. Federal Hwy., Hallandale Beach. Admission is free. FOW’s next show at the Davie Bergeron Rodeo arena (6591 SW 45th St.) is slated for 7:30 p.m. June 29 and will be headlined by a 30-man table elimination match. Call 954-748- 5555 or visit www.futureof wrestling.com. …
The Warlord vs. The Punisher headlines a Florida Championship Wrestling show at 7:30 p.m. June 22 at the Florence De George Boys and Girls Club, 1220 SW 133rd Ave., Davie. The show is a fund-raiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County. Call 954-983- 0422. …
The upstart Hardkore Championship Wrestling Inc. holds an eight-man tournament to crown its champion at 7:30 p.m. July 13 at Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe St. Tickets are $12. Call 954-460-2645 or visit www.hcwextreme.cjb .net.
Q & A
Q. Where is The Ultimate Warrior? — Patrick Nearing, Sherwood, Ohio, and Richard M. Jones Sr., Detroit
A. The Warrior is contemplating a comeback and has discussed a contract with NWA/TNA, according to a recent posting on his Web site (www.ultimatewarrior.com). The Warrior last appeared for World Championship Wrestling in 1998.
More of the Ken Shamrock interview can be found at www.wrestlingobserver.com. Questions can be sent to Alex Marvez, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, or e-mailed to amarvez@sun-sentinel.com. Please include your full name and city of residence. No phone calls will be accepted and letters will not receive a written reply.
