11-15-2002, 09:04 PM
Quote:Jim Ross's latest Ross Report is up on WWE.com. This week's report featured the following:
Ross opened the report by apologizing for comments he made while announcing the Veteran's Day Raw. Ross said he was wrong when he said the only flag that should be flying was "Old Glory" and apologized for not knowing the facts. You have to appreciate he was upfront in acknowledging he was wrong.
Ross threw out some interesting facts regarding the WWE's events at New York's Madison Square Garden. This weekend's Survivor Series will be the promotion's 137th event since 1985. The WWE title has changed times 10 times in the building (including the old Garden venue I assume) since 1963 with the last time being when Sid defeated Shawn Michaels (and Shawn was booed out of the building) at Survivor Series '96.
Ross said that we don't know what to expect from the Chamber Elimination match, but the designs for the structure was "impressive." Ross ran over the competitors in the match and noted that Triple H hasn't won a Survivor Series bout in several years. He said that he hopes no one gets injured.
Ross noted what a tough injury Brock Lesnar has in his broken ribs and says that a situation like that is why the WWE likes to go after amateur wrestlers, since it is second nature to them to gut out the pain and do their best. He noted that the size of the Big Show is going to make it even tougher for Brock.
Ross put over the Three-Way match for the WWE Tag Team championships and said he is looking forward to the Ladies Hardcore match as well. Ross stated that he thinks this PPV will be one of their better efforts this year and that seats that were intially blocked off for production purposes are now released for sale.
Ross noted that the Smackdown announcing team was making comments about his beloved Oklahoma Sooners.
Ross sent out his best wishes to Kurt and Karen Angle, who are expecting their first child later this month.
Ross ran over the schedule for the Raw crew, who have three dates in India this week, then have to return to the States for Raw in Charleston, South Carolina.
Ross announced that the WWE has "verbally agreed to contractual terms" with Nathan Jones, who has worked for Zero-One in Japan and the WWA. Zero-One had announced last week Jones was going to WWE. Ross said that the plan is for Jones to start in early December.
Ross announced the signing of Toronto's Gail Kim, who is scheduled to start in early December. The WWE is working out her work visa issues right now. Ross notes that the female performers they have signed have been "quality talents" and says the promotion is looking for more women.
Ross says he's waiting to see who Raw is getting in exhange for the Big Show going to Smackdown. Does that mean Ivory wasn't a fair exchange?
Ross said that there will be a lot of upcoming media for Hulk Hogan's biography. I'm about half through the book and it's an interesting read to say the least.
Ross notes that the talent roster is happy to be getting closer to the holidays as there will be a lighter schedule for them.
Ross says he's looking forward to attending "whatever bowl game" Oklahoma plays.
The 12/16 PPV Armageddon will be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Ross plugs the Scott Steiner interview on Confidential Saturday night. Super Tuesday will repeat on TNN at 9 PM this Saturday, giving the WWE three hours to promote Survivor Series.
Chris Nowinski will be the subject of an ESPN College Gameday feature Saturday sometime prior to noon ET. Ross said that he, Ric Flair, and Jerry Lawler did interviews this past Monday for the piece. Ross said that "No decision has been made on whether WWE will offer a contract to Ernest Miller; however, his tryout was solid, in my view. Perhaps after the first of the year we will be seeing more of this charismatic athlete. By the way, if Ernest makes it here, he will make it because of his ability, not who he knows, as has been reported elsewhere on the Internet." Ernest Miller had been expected to appear at the All Access Wrestling event in Lafayette LA this past weekend but called at the last minute to cancel because he said he may have to go to Connecticutt. Miller had not been announced and was going to be a surprise addition to the show. Miller had also been expected to appear on the debut NWATNA broadcast on June 19, but called TNA the night before the show and cancelled saying he didn't want to do anything to hurt his chances of getting a spot with the WWE. Miller had not been announced for that show either, but would have been a surprise entry in the Gauntlet for the Gold match to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Ross put over how good Chris Kanyon looked good at the TV events this week, and said that he assumes Kanyone will be returning to TV as part of the Smackdown roster towards January. Ross says that there are several OVW regulars who are ready to move to the roster.
Ross puts over Tough Enough 3 but says, "I swear the Tough Enough 3 group needs a live-in psychiatrist. What a complex group!"
There will be a meeting to see the first design of the second WWE cookbook next week at the Simon & Schuster headquarters in New York. The book is scheduled for 5/03.
Ross said the BBQ sauce project is progressing and they hope to have the taste perfected in the next few weeks.
In injury updates, Brock Lesnar has a broken rib and probably need time off after the PPV. Ivory received several stitches Monday on her top lip, as we reported here on the site. Big Show's arm was cut when he was tossed into the steps by Brock Lesnar, but X-Rays showed no major damage. Shawn Michaels had his right knee examined by Dr. Jim Andrews on Tuesday, as an old injury was acting up. Andrews. prescribed exercizes to strengthen it. Big Boss Man had surgery on Thursday to repair a torn rotator cuff. Rey Misterio Jr. has knee surgery scheduled for 12/5. Mark Henry will be back in 4-6 weeks from an ankle surgery. Billy Gunn is still suffering some numbness in his hand but his shoulder is getting better. He is scheduled for another appointment with Dr. Andrews in early December. Justin Credible and Tommy Dreamer butted heads at the Raw taping Monday but are OK. for another examination. Tommy Dreamer and Justin Credible butted heads Monday night, but both are OK.
Ross invited everyone to watch the PPV this weekend.
After what Big show did to Brock, I hope Brock destroys his ass on the PPV.
