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TOM ZENK AKA 'THE Z MAN' INTERVIEW Everybody did a good job of keeping things quiet until Monday night, says Eric Bischoff. I came into La Guardia, stayed in my hotel room for 6-7 hours to keep out of sight. Then I went to the arena and stayed in the limo until it was my time to go on stage. I was anxious to see how people were going to react.?
Why bother since no one recognized him anyway. And no wonder I sat at home and ate pizza for two years. Well the fat boy is back and raring to get stuck into Big Steph. Im ready for it. Bring her on.
And this time Easy E isnt being held back by the Turner suits!!
One of the things Ive noticed about how things work here in WWE is that they are blessed with many talented people who have been in the business a long time. They understand the wrestling business from the ground up; they know how the machine works. In WCW, we often ended up absorbing people from other parts of Turner. Some of these people ended up with us because, where they worked before, nobody wanted to fire them! Not exactly the best and brightest became the norm at WCW. They were there because they were there!
OK. The past is the past. This time, Eric has a well-oiled machine to back him up. This time Eric has free regin! Its time to shine and nothing to stop him! The cream always rises to the top! So lets see how much further Eric climbs up the WWE ladder, than the top guys of the old Bischoff era DDP, Nash, Hall, Bagwell, Dustin and the rest. Finally, we're gonna see what Erics really made of - AND NO EXCUSES !! (But a word of advice - dont outperform Steph the way Flair did to Vince). I'm giving Eric three months. Ending with a stink-face from Big Steph and her rikishi-sized ass.
A stink face for Eric from Big Steph's ass
When I brought Hulk Hogan into WCW, Austin came to me saying that he wanted to be Hogans tag partner. Well, we already had a whole story line planned that wasnt going to involve Austin. When I told him that, all of a sudden things got real difficult. Lots of injuries, lots of no-shows. It didnt hurt me to fire him. I think it actually improved his career in my mind.
(1) Pro WRESTLING 1. a human cartoon, 2. El Fake-o, 3. a rib, 4. polka dots and gold dust, 5. A night off, 6.a big joke, (the biggest joke, IMO, is on the working marks) - you fill in the blanks. 7. Lots of drugs, including steroids (only when legal of course) 8. money for nothing and your chicks for free (from the song), 9. A work, 10. Women, ... lots of women, the art of scoring, being a cocksmith, or acting like one, playing Mr.International. cheating on wives (if that's your thing) 11.noun � wrestler � (a) to be expert in the art of creating illusion (2) a phoney. i.e.. "I always wanted to be a wrestler" (a phoney)
(2) mark one who is conned, or susceptible to fraud; a pro wrestling fan.
(3) work - a prearranged production designed to appear real or authentic;
a put on.
(4) �working mark participant in a "work" who through cognitive distortion assumes the persona of the character he portrays and begins to believe the work - see Cactus Jack.
Seems to me, wrestling was cool when everyone knew it was only bs. Add in trained wrestlers with professional technique who CONNED you into believing their bs and you had a winning formula (remember the formula Vince?)
Things started going wrong when (a) the phoneys started believing their own BS (Nash, Hall, HHH, DDP, the list goes on) - and (b) guys with technique got pushed aside side by family, neighbors and friends. 'Working marks' like Nash, went on TV to tell us how cool they really were, while really cool guys, like RVD, got jobbed out and trashed.
Case in point Nash and Goldberg. Billy Goldberg the son of a doctor from Tulsa, suffered some of the same type of injuries as HHH while trying to make it with the Rams who drafted him in the 12th round. Shared a room with Kevin Greene at training camp. Tore an abdominal muscle - was it a steroid injury - who cares? Goldberg dont make excuses. Ended with Atlanta. Went over bigger than any wrestler in history. A little bit of creative writing and he would have pulled WCW out of the doldrums.Instead hes forced to do a job for Bischoff's buddy Kevin Nash.
Goldberg has a huge guaranteed contract. He cant act, but hes a hell of a character. How long before the lure of television causes him to come out? Billy's walking a fine line if he stays out too long. Hell be forgotten like Bischoff and start less than zero. Nash talks about the WCW being killed by business suits. Who did the most damage you buffoon, Vinnie Vegas, snatch? Nash should have been run out of the business long ago.
Bodybuilding is a weird sport in that there are no truly quantitative or objective standards. What is HHH being interviewed by any magazine about bodybuilding. All that nauseating bs about every Mr. Olympia. I guarantee you 50% of the adult male population who trained 1/2 hour, three times a week would look better than HHH if they had the same money and access to steroids. What contests did HHH ever win? None!! HHH is not a bodybuilder. HHH is a steriod abuser.
Remember the recent article in Playboy with HHH extolling his virtues as a street fighter. How could a short little cock with no boxing skills, whod blow up in seconds from steroids, kick any ass? A nose gore or slash would be his only chance. Still, it must be true because it's in the newspaper, right. Nah! all these phony articles are generated by the WWE publicity machine. HHH isn't an athlete. He isn't a tough guy. He is a mediocre talent who self promoted himself. So Daddy's little girl wants to be like Chyna. Steph has personality disorders like daddy. So shes got Chyna's man. A good catch. Is Steph going to box Joey Buttaf***o next - or perhaps a handicap match - Shane and Steph against Joey? My prediction a 30 second knock out. Shane in 10 seconds, Steph in 20. I don't think Joey is dumb enough to take WWE stock, so perhaps we can allow him two or three squeezes of Stephs boobs while shes still groggy.
Rags to rags.
"There are some people who are questioning whether it’s just a coincidence that X-Pac was hospitalized the same day that Nash went down since it is a well documented fact that in recent weeks, X-Pac seemed immune to punishment as long as Nash was around. Suffice to say his future with WWE is now very much in question....."
"The latest on DDP is that along with his wife Kimberly, he is planning on moving from Atlanta to Hollywood in hopes to make it as professional actors." WCW's three times three times WORLD CHAMPION.... What happened to commentory? What happened to the motivational speaking circuit?
WWE warns investors on 2003 forecasts
"STAMFORD, Conn., July 22 (Reuters) - WWE revenue had been expected to grow 7% in fiscal 2002 but World Wrestling now expects revenue and operating income to be flat with last year.
Domestic pay-per-view buys are expected to be about 5.6 million for the year versus the original guidance of 7.2 million buys. Domestic pay-per-view buys for the quarter are anticipated to be approximately 1.1 million buys. Live event attendance is trending lower than originally anticipated and is projected to be in the range of 2.2 million to 2.3 million for the year. Attendance for the quarter is expected to be about 0.6 million.
The Company has reduced its operating budgets by approximately million for the current fiscal year. A substantial portion of the reduction will be reflected in lower selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company has from time to time purchased its Class A common shares in the open market and also through private transactions. The Company has authority from its Board of Directors to purchase an additional .9 million of its Class A common stock. "
Your feedback
Thanks for all the comments - all the glory and blame goes to VKM. Big mailbag, starting with this fruitcake...
From: richardmcphee
It's been a long night in Michigan, and I have some downtime, I have heard through some fans and friends that Tom Zenk is talking shit about me and my coworker's at WWE, so who is the anominous WWE, wrestler you will no who when my rant is over.
I have been reading this shit on off day's for the last month and for somebody in the industry, like yourself taking potshot's and insults to your former profession, is pathtic.
It make's Z-man lol, look like a disgruntled baby. Why do you talk shit about me and various co-workers are you jealous that you never where a mainevent talent, never got a good push, where extremley shitty on the mic, never saved your money properly from the business, to be honest the last match I have seen of your's was when you fought scott hall at great american bash and you sucked.
Don't blame the stars of this business for the failure of the z-man. Tom you should no the rule's and the common coutesy of the business where did you get this attitude of the business. Then you insult our talent and workrate in the ring, week in week out I bust my ass for the fan's and hopefully give them there money's worth did you do the same in this business tom you should no this from your career injuries happen and for you to critize us for injeries, your a hyprocrite.
You are a bitter, ego driven man that feeds his own ego by hyping yourself up to yourself and your five internet marks, are you jealous you where never a world champion I was a world champion, are you angry that I am a millionaire and your not vince know's talent and your not.
It's sad to see a bitter former pro wrestler like yourself you remind me of jake roberts another asswhole who rags on the business that made him and sounds exactly like yourself also why don't you go suck the dick's of your friend's jim hellwig and ferris the honky tonk man you are all pices of shit so f*** off you jealous wannabe.
So this is the farewell z-man, post this shit so you can make yourself look stupid on your website. Me and the boy's in the lockeroom have been reading this shit and you have legitimate heat in the lockeroom but let's bygon's be bygon's mr keyboard warrior/wrestler why don't you come critique me and the boy's face to face at raw next week in greenboro caralin, your name has been put on the backstage list z-man come talk shit to our faces and I promise there will be no altercation between the boy's and yourself so to al the tom zenk jerkoff, marks and to the disgruntled jealous tom z-man zenk f*** off or step up I will continue this untill you stop talking shit p.s respect the industry that created us thw wrestling industry treat's us with honour not poison.
I always look forward to the rubes and sycophants on Wrestling Classics aka Nulty's 4th Reich, going after Zenk's columns because he doesn't show enough respect for the business - Bob Barnett.
Tom Zenk replies – “Respect as in VKM who exposed the business in court testimony to rid himself of the New Jersey athletic commission fee. Then putting his son Shane over on TV?”
Tom my man, draw back on that syringe for me as well. Fill her up with 3cc's of "quality vet-grade oil". Or perhaps you can just shove 2 Preloads of Sostenon into each EYEBALL. That's how I feel when I watch this crap called WWE. Monday nights another revolving soap opera of old farts and has beens having the same matches week in and week out. Gimme a break! Thursday nights, ohhhh let me get a bag of popcorn and a slurpie! The pure joy of watching The Rock, and an always injured HHH just makes me want to CRAP MY PANTS!
Ahh yes I do smell crap. It's called Tough Enough! Lets have Jackie, a greeny, face big boobed Trish Stratus (who needs a "veteran" women’s wrestler to carry her in a match anyhow) pair off on primetime WWE Raw. Great idea! Reminds me of G.L.O.W. Anyone remember that cheesy stuff? I'd rather watch The Croc Hunter speak some mad jiggabo than this crap.
As for The Croc Hunter, Goldust did a great job posing as the man in khaki. Never have I laughed so hard watching WWE lately. He and Booker T need some more air time.
Brock Lesnar? Yeah, it's Goldberg with a Manager. Put Paul Heyman behind a desk to commentate shows, or give the guy a chance to book some house shows. Hell, give him a Saturday Night time slot to use the "under used" ECW and WCW talent. What have they got to lose? a 1.1 on the ratings scale at most? And let "The Next Big Thing" have a tango with Decon Batista. Then the winner can have a go at the "lame gimmicked" Goldberg when he returns "to destroy all". HA!
Tag Teams? What's that? Oh yeah, Billy and Chuck. Don't forget Rico! Spare me. Dudley's, Hardy's, E&C, APA....All killed by VKM and his staff of Fruit Loops. Boy, I'd sure like to see a reunion of some greats. Dreamer and Raven could finally get a spot in the limelight once again. Nah, it'll never happen. Good bye Tag Team wrestling!
Wow, with a talent pool of 50+ wrestlers to use, we still have 2 crappy shows a week to hold them all back. Who shall we thank first? Oh yeah, VKM. Choke on a bone old man! Maybe his kids can do a better job than the old fart.
Maybe Easy "E" has some ideas. Good ole Paul Heyman never really got to say much did he? Jim Ross got most of his power taken away too. Maybe the Ego charged, anabolic Super Hero, HHH should run things! No, they couldn’t afford the "juice" bill nor the doctor fee's.
Maybe Undertaker could "die", or return once again to "The Darkside" with his "brother" Kane. Oh, and where's Paul Barer when you need that pale skinned fat boy?
Stone Cold, Stone Cold, Stone Cold. Drink another beer brother and be happy you got out before things got really ugly. Only save I could see that was possible for you, was to be "buddy-buddy" with Vince again; be named "General Manager" of Raw and raise all hell by pissing Vince off.
Well, thats all for me. I'm off to "Chop a LINE from here to Texas" with Stacy Keibler.
Good Day!
SHOULD VINCE McMAHON HIRE 'BIG POPPA PUMP'?
Scott Steiner, money motivated and confident, is eager to tackle the Federations top name stars head on. However the muscle bound mat man will have to be patient: the damaged nerves in his legs must be allowed to regenerate. He has engaged in talks with Federation officials - but no contract or story lines will be drawn up until Steiner receives a clean bill of health. Before Vince considers drawing up a contract for 'Big Poppa Pump', the question has to be asked: should the promotion take a chance on the maniacal muscle head? One example of this bad boy behaviour occurred at Slamboree 99, when Buff Bagwell bore the brunt of Steiner's aggression. Former tag team partners, they split up a couple of weeks before the PPV, and as wrestlers do, they ripped on each other in interviews to hype up their supercard clash. Unfortunately for Bagwell, Steiner took insults like 'Big Poppa Dump' seriously, and decided to vent his anger via a number of stiff punches in their PPV match. Bagwell was at Steiner's mercy: he had to stand there and take the pasting. Buffy was nursing bruises to the head and body afterwards. A volatile character, Scott showed little respect for authority in the old WCW, and was something of an opportunist and when it came to voicing his own, personal opinion about other members of the roster. In an interview on Nitro 7th Feb 2000, Steiner went into business for himself, when he called Ric Flair "a jealous old bastard" and accused him of playing a part in Steve Austin's dismissal from WCW in 1995. But the most explosive incident involving the Michigan muscleman took place on Nitro. His target: Diamond Dallas Page. Steiner cut an unscripted interview in which he buried DDP, his gimmick and his catchphrases. Really laying in the barbs, Steiner enraged many with his actions, not least Page who confronted Scott backstage and sucker punched him. Steiner's derogatory remarks were designed to provoke a response from Page. Whether or not he expected that response is unknown. But regardless, he was ready for it: Steiner shrugged off the blow, then floored Page and brutally smashed his face in, it was a minute before 7 men could get Steiner off Page. Vince must be slightly concerned about hiring a disruptive character like Scott Steiner. The WWF boss has rules which are enforced, and a code of conduct his wrestlers must follow. Simply put, in a world where its Vince's way or the highway, Big Poppa Pumpwould have to either conform or take the Bagwell route out of town. That said, the landmark final Nitro provided observers with a glimpse of the new Scott Steiner. Competing in tremendous pain, Steiner did everything he could to make Booker T look good, before he put him over clean, for the WCW World title. So Booker T could walk away with two straps leading to a smooth transition to WWF programming - just what VInce and the company wanted. Big Poppa Pump certainly has some impressive credentials. For a start, the self proclaimed 'genetic freak' boasts a physique second to none. In McMahon's size obcessed federation, Steiner wouldn't suffer from the Jericho syndrome. No one's ever going to say he's too small to headline. Muscles aside, Steiner was the back bone of WCW during its last 6 months. A 15 year veteran of the regional circuit, WCW, New Japan Wrestling, the WWF and ECW, Steiner is one of the most convincing performers in the business. Scott's full on, suplex and brawling based ring style is tailor made for the WWF. Its safe to say, that a healthy Scott Steiner could be very very good for the WWF. In my opinion Vince should give him a chance. Can Scott Steiner cope in the WWF environment?, I hope we get the chance to see.
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THE FINAL NAIL IN THE WWF COFFIN?
Well I am sorry to say this but the final nail has just been hammered into the coffin that is WWF. Like the WCW of the late 90's, the WWF is marching slowly but steadily to the graveyard and the Undertaker is riding the coffin to its graveside. The Powerbomb in recent months has become seriously bored and disillusioned with the 'Superstars of Wrestling'.
My biggest gripe is the introduction of the old guys back into the fold, wrestlers way past their prime being welcomed back into the WWF with open arms. Goldust, Mr Perfect, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and probably Hulk Hogan have all surfaced above the water or are about to. This signals a message to all the young wrestlers, your time ain't going to come, so you'd better go and find something else to do. As these old has-beens arrive we are forced to watch as these slow out of shape and past their prime wrestlers attempt to bring back the old days.
Goldust wasn't exactly a popular character first time round, so why would he be popular again, unless Vince is planning on teaming him up with Billy and Chuck. Mr Perfect, come on if you have to stay at least get in shape and brush up on your ring skills. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, well at least Hall has been over working in Japan, but then you have to deal with his baggage. Kevin Nash, well heis really been active since WCW hasn't he, what do we have to look forward to, 'Giants' of wrestling chokeslammin and powerbombing for two minutes then comes the 1 2 3. Yeah really entertaining stuff, not. As for Hulk Hogan, please no this can't be can it.
What does the fan want? Well this fan wants athletic wrestlers, who know how to wrestle, and guys who really want to wrestle. I don't want to see overweight, out of shape and fatigued has beens trying to relive their days of prime to collect their last big paycheck of their career. I want to see more younger wrestlers, from around the world, get some Japanese, Mexican even European wrestlers in. Wrestlers from these countries have high levels of wrestling skill and ability, people like Rios, Liger, the Great Muta, Meysterio Jnr, Masa Chono would throw themselves all around the ring for half an hour at least and they had good technical skill. But because the WWF only likes the big guys we are being deprived.
I can back up my argument, look at how popular Rob Van Dam has become in 6 months, so his in ring skill could do with brushing up. But all his basics are there and he is willing to give 100% for as long as it takes, look how popular The Hardy Boyz are, they also give 100% and put their body on the line. Vince is sitting on a gold mine here, split the WWF in two, and expanded the number of big guys if you want but bring in a light heavyweight division. Cover both ends of the market, think of the merchandise revenue Vince. But whatever you do, cut the old and tired guys and give the younger guys a chance. The oldies are not fun, interesting or much good anymore, cut before the fans start leaving the arena because of boredom.
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