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PWINSIDER Q&A: WWE EVER DROPPING ECW?, TNA AS THE NEW WCW, THE WENDI RICHTER-WWF SPLIT AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2007-12-11 10:00:16

Will WWE ever bag the ECW idea?  You know the product sucks when you have nothing but Smackdown Superstars on the show.

As long as the ECW on Sci Fi series is making WWE and the Sci Fi Network money, it will exist.  WWE sees the brand as a work in progress and the chance for more of their talents (Smackdown talents, of late) to have TV exposure.  It won't ever be anything similar to the original ECW, obviously, and they simply used the letters to help launch the third brand.  That said, I don't think the product "sucks."  It's not awe-inspiring awesome, but what product is in 2007?  There are usually one or two really good wrestling matches on ECW, and that's always a good thing.

When did TNA first premiere on TV? Do you see TNA slowly becoming another WCW?

TNA becoming another WCW-style national company is obviously their goal and despite their weaknesses, they have come closer to accomplishing that than any other start-up since 2001 and that is something no one can take away from them.  Everyone can point out moves that we would have made instead of mistakes that we (rightly or wrongly) see on the outside, but they are still around after five plus years.  A lot of other groups aren't.  

TNA debuted on PPV in June 2002 with their syndicated Xplosion program starting in some markets shortly afterwards.  They debuted on the Fox Sports Network with TNA Impact on 6/4/04 and moved to SpikeTV (following a short absence from national TV) on 10/1/05, remaining with the network ever since.

When the Fabulous Moolah (Lillian Ellison) passed away, one onf the things mentioned about her was when she wrestled as The Spider Lady against then WWF womens champion Wendi Richter for the title. She defeated Richter by pinning her with the help of the ropes much to the shock of Wendi Richter. I believe Richter ripped off the mask revealing it to be Moolah. It was reported that Moolah apologized to Richter for doing what  she did. I read where Wendi Richter demanded a raise in salery which led to the title change. This was way before the infamous Montreal "screwjob" with Brett Hart, Shawn Michaels & Vince McMahon. Is it because Richter asked for a raise that it happened? Did Richter ever confront Mr. McMahon about what happened? Was Richter fired, outright released or simply quit the company?

WWF and Richter were having contractual issues.  The belief at the time is that the company wasn't happy she didn't sign a new deal while Richter was looking for more money than she was offered, which makes sense since she was a major part of the early WWF national expansion.  After WWF maneuvered the belt off of her, Richter walked out of the company and never returned, so you could say she quit, but WWF wasn't sorry to see her go.  It was a business relationship that ended badly.

With Val Venis out with elbow surgery, do you think this will give some youngster the chance to pick up the ball and run with it?  Who do you think will benefit most from this golden opportunity?  I hate to see any performer injured, but Venus' constant politicking to hold down other talent has driven me crazy. 

Well, obviously Hornswoggle has been getting a lot more TV time, so you already know your answer.

If the Undertaker is supposed to be such a bad-ass then why does he wear mascara?

Anyone as tough as he is is entitled to wear anything they want, especially when it adds to the aura of their persona.

 

 

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