RVD, Angle join ECW wagon
June 4, 2006
BY BLACKJACK BROWN
About the only thing missing from the ECW relaunch is some marquee talent to draw mainstream attention and get some Sci-Fi Channel viewers who don't watch wrestling on board. As Paul Heyman revealed Monday night, Vince McMahon awarded ECW one draft pick from "Raw'' and one draft pick from "SmackDown.'' From Raw, Heyman made the obvious selection and took Rob Van Dam. As for the "SmackDown'' choice, Heyman went off the board and took Kurt Angle. Some thought it was so Angle could work a reduced schedule and heal from numerous injuries, but in fact the ECW crew will work just as grueling a schedule as the "Raw'' and "SmackDown'' brands. With the pressure on ECW to put on a big show at One Night Stand in two weeks, another big-time match has been announced: Rey Mysterio will face Sabu in their first-ever encounter.
AROUND THE RING: Ric Flair has signed a one-year deal to stay with WWE. ... Paul Burchill is injured and will be off TV for a few weeks. When he returns, the pirate gimmick will be dropped. ... Sounds like Rhino could be on his way back to WWE. ... Mark Henry is expected to win the WWE title from Mysterio at the Great American Bash and be forced to defend it against the returning Batista. ... Heyman is interested in bringing in Mordecai and Test as major heels in the new ECW
June 4, 2006
BY BLACKJACK BROWN
About the only thing missing from the ECW relaunch is some marquee talent to draw mainstream attention and get some Sci-Fi Channel viewers who don't watch wrestling on board. As Paul Heyman revealed Monday night, Vince McMahon awarded ECW one draft pick from "Raw'' and one draft pick from "SmackDown.'' From Raw, Heyman made the obvious selection and took Rob Van Dam. As for the "SmackDown'' choice, Heyman went off the board and took Kurt Angle. Some thought it was so Angle could work a reduced schedule and heal from numerous injuries, but in fact the ECW crew will work just as grueling a schedule as the "Raw'' and "SmackDown'' brands. With the pressure on ECW to put on a big show at One Night Stand in two weeks, another big-time match has been announced: Rey Mysterio will face Sabu in their first-ever encounter.
AROUND THE RING: Ric Flair has signed a one-year deal to stay with WWE. ... Paul Burchill is injured and will be off TV for a few weeks. When he returns, the pirate gimmick will be dropped. ... Sounds like Rhino could be on his way back to WWE. ... Mark Henry is expected to win the WWE title from Mysterio at the Great American Bash and be forced to defend it against the returning Batista. ... Heyman is interested in bringing in Mordecai and Test as major heels in the new ECW