The Ross Report

The Ross Report - 2nd February, 2001 

The World Wrestling Federation has signed Peter Polaco, aka Aldo Montoya and Justin Credible, to a multiyear contract. No official start date has been established for the 27-year-old. Creative plans are currently being discussed for him and a name change from Justin Credible may be in the works. Peter worked this deal out with me personally without any input from his friends Triple H and Shawn Michaels, contrary to some Internet reports. Polaco improved greatly at Extreme Championship Wrestling under Paul Heyman's creative guidance and we are happy to have him back in the Federation, even though he is still available for ECW duty if needed by Heyman.

Mideon (Dennis Knight) was given his notice last Friday evening.

Absolutely no truth to the rumor that the Big Boss Man and Billy Gunn have been released. Where that one started, I don't know.

I really had a good time in Louisville, Ky., at the belated Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) Christmas Chaos event. The Louisville Garden was close to a sellout and the OVW talent really worked hard. Jim Cornette and Danny Davis did a superb job with the event and should be commended. Chris Benoit's match with Nick Dinsmore was excellent. Mark Henry (330 pounds, down 85!) proved he has earned another opportunity with the Federation. Leviathan reconfirmed he has unlimited potential in his match with Kane; however, the OVW monster still needs more time there.

Sheldon Benjamin and Brock Lesnar, two amazing athletes who were former amateur stars to University of Minnesota, are as close to "can't-miss" prospects as we have. Lesnar, the 2000 National Heavyweight Champion at Minnesota, tips the scales at 290 and executed a perfect shooting star press in his tag match Wednesday night! Both these men have excellent character, work hard and look to be following in fellow amateur great Kurt Angle's footsteps. Sylvester Terkay and Ron Waterman, two more tough former amateurs, are physically awesome but now need to focus on the "sizzle" part of their matches and interviews. Both are bright and should be able to develop the charisma side of the game. Seven-footer Russ McCullough, who looks too much like Kevin Nash, has really improved and the former college and NFL offensive lineman has certainly increased his chances on being called up, perhaps as early as the fall/winter of this year. Damaja is filling out well and needs to continue to spend quality time in the gym, but I think this kid (early 20s) will make it. He busts his butt in practice and continues to have an excellent attitude. B.J. Payne and Slick Robbie D also had good nights and with continued hard work can make it to the "big dance" some day.

In Memphis, with Randy Hales and Terry Golden reportedly working together more smoothly, our situation has greatly improved. Bobby Eaton is on board as an instructor and he is one of the very best workers ever. The Haas Brothers are looking good, as are Scott Vick and Steve Bradley. The Dupps seem to be doing much better also, according to reports. There is no reason all six of these performers should not be able to make it to the Federation roster within the next 12 months or less with extra hard work and improved interview skills.

Chyna's book promotion is well underway and has been extremely well organized by the Federation, more so than any other book published with the company and ReganBooks. Check out "If They Only Knew" today.

Although not promoted as aggressively as Chyna's book, our "Can You Take the Heat?" is still selling well and could soon go to its fourth printing! We may do another cookbook next year. I'm also preparing to get organized for a book project (or two) that I want to write in the future. I've got lots of stories, experience and thoughts I've accumulated over the past 25 years about this crazy business that I think would be a fun and interesting read. I'm just in the organizational stages but this is something I've been thinking about for years. Stay tuned. I knew all those notes I never threw away dating back to before Mid-South Wrestling would come in handy someday.

Chyna will be at WWF New York this Monday and will appear from there live on RAW IS WAR, which originates live from Atlanta's Georgia Dome. More than 20,000 are expected Monday in Atlanta.

Negotiations with Shawn Michael's representatives are ongoing. Hopefully, a deal will be finalized within the next few days and we can get HBK back on television soon thereafter.

I like feedback from our fans, buy every now and then it would be nice to hear something remotely resembling positive. This week's trend comes from devout followers of ECW's Paul Heyman (who I admire greatly and have for years) and the lack of delivery for SmackDown! Xtreme. SmackDown! Xtreme was simply a marketing tool created by UPN to counter-promote powerhouse programming of "Friends" and "Survivor." I thought we did a damn solid show. I will agree, however, we need to reshuffle the deck and become more creative and unpredictable with our storylines. As we speak, steps are in place to do that. The creative staff that now includes Bruce Prichard and Michael Hayes is working tirelessly to do just that. It's not as if our ratings and box office numbers are in the toilet. Plus, all of Paul's fans are clamoring for him to join the Federation. I agree, but that's not our call or decision. It's Paul Heyman's decision and his alone. I'll drink his Kool-Aid, but he's got to be on board to serve it up!

D-Von Dudley's shoulder continues to bother him. He will not miss any ring time.

The Rock has a minor neck injury but will be in North Carolina for house shows this weekend.

X-Pac starts back to work this weekend. There is no guarantee when he will return to TV, however.

William Regal's neck injury is improving, but he will continue to be held out of combat until further notice.

Tiger Ali Singh has a minor concussion and a neck problem that will prevent him and Lo Down from appearing at TV and house shows until further notice.

Perry Saturn continues to suffer from nagging lower back pain.

Dean Malenko will probably be cleared to return to work within the next two weeks.

Eddie Guerrero is cleared and ready to return to the Federation. His hamstring and groin are much improved.

Gangrel is expected to receive doctor's clearance to return to work in mid-February from a neck problem.

The Big Show continues to work on his physical conditioning and weight. Show is weighed every Friday and will continue to be weighed regularly as long as he is in the Federation. Contrary to what some folks say, Show has lost considerable weight, from 483 to 414. His goal is 375. Show knows now better than any time in his career that he has a helluva long way to go, that he broke in the business back-asswards and spent the early, formative years of his career listening to the wrong people. Changes are in order and necessary. Either he makes them, as he is currently trying to do, and succeeds in the Federation, or he fails to make changes and leaves the company permanently. Boy, lots of former employees of the Federation and other organizations sure are trying to catch on with the Federation. Some have absolutely no chance in hell of earning a living with this company.

Even though our own company has kept it somewhat of a secret, I hope you will check out the Jerry "The King" Lawler and J.R.'s contribution to the first XFL NBC broadcast tomorrow night. We will contribute reports from Orlando, where the Rage play Chicago.

The XFL has been overanalyzed by media critics from where I sit. Don't you think folks should reserve judgement until a game is actually played? Maybe even two or three games! Just because "the devil himself, Vince McMahon" created this doesn't automatically make it bad. I think the product should stand on its own merits, bottom line. Lots of good, hard-working people are busting their asses to make this a fun event to watch on TV and in person. Give it a chance before it's butchered!

RAW's 5.4 rating on TNN Monday night was really strong, especially when one is familiar with TNN's non-RAW ratings, which are usually about 400 percent less than RAW. Seems to me that TNN could promote us more, especially LiveWire and Superstars!

I'll admit I'm not an avid MTV watcher -- although I do enjoy the MTV Video Music Awards -- but I must say, in my humble opinion, maybe it's the format but the straw that stirs the drink seems to be missing on Sunday Night HEAT.

Some of my friends and family are wondering how I am going to keep up with this combined WWF-XFL schedule for the next 10 weeks. Well, it will not be easy but we have a great talent relations department staff at the Federation, which really makes this have a chance of working. The Federation is my No. 1 professional priority, period. Our low profile role on the XFL is more of a labor of love of the game of football, which my friends and critics know I love very much. So I look at this as a fun adventure that should provide a fun chapter or two in the book I want to write someday. Plus, I'm physically taking better care of myself and recently got a clean bill of health, so I believe I'm ready for the challenge. I plan on absolutely nothing adversely affecting my work with the Federation.

Chyna's Playboy sold more than 1.3 million copies! You do the math! That's a lot of money from where I come from. Her sales eclipsed those of Sable's a few years ago, which were also very impressive. I would say Chyna is one of the most eligible bachelorettes in America these days!

Terri will audition for a new TV show being developed by the Federation which does not revolve around sports entertainment.

J.R.'s BBQ sauce is on the back burner, to my dismay. The ingredients are costly and steps are slowly being taken to solve the problem. The sauce does taste great and has been very well received by those who've tried it. It's available at WWFShopZone.com, and I hope you will try it and let me know your thoughts. I truly believe in this project and will continue to do all I can to get rolling again.

As I write this, I am on a plane to Orlando to broadcast Saturday night's Orlando vs. Chicago XFL season opener. "The King" and I, along with Jonathan Coachman, will do the broadcast and file reports/updates into the primary NBC game, New York vs. Las Vegas. Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks, our game will be televised to selected markets. There was talk of us doing a Sunday game early on but that was killed because of Federation Pay-Per-Views. The King and I are determined to do the very best job we can and hopefully move up from the obscurity of our current TV assignment. I like the competitive nature of this "beast."

Take care. See you next week.

J.R.

(Thanks to Jim Ross and WWF.com)