The Ross Report
By Jim Ross
June 30, 2000

Random thoughts, opinion and news from under the black hat...

"The World Wrestling Federation's new TV partnership is going to afford many more opportunities for the company than ever before. Viacom/CBS brings with it MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and UPN among other assets the WWF will be able to utilize. Should be an awesome long-term partnership. With CBS working closely with the WWF and NBC owning half the XFL, WWFE has improved its position in the marketplace tremendously. This was a slobberknocker of a decision!

An XFL press conference is scheduled in Orlando for Monday, July 3, the same day the WWF is in Orlando for RAW IS WAR.

J.R. and Jerry "The King" Lawler's XFL audition held up very well to other auditions, according to WWF TV executives. My take on it is that we are a long shot simply because we are perceived to be the "rasslin" guys by network blue suits.

Bob Holly suffered a broken arm wrestling with Kurt Angle on SmackDown! when King Kurt's moonsault went awry. Bob had surgery in Florida Thursday to place pins and a steel plate in his arm and will be unable to compete for about eight weeks. Hardcore will be back on TV, however, long before that. Bob is a very tough, hard-working hand who could be a top-level performer in the WWF.

Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Debra joined yours truly Wednesday morning for a photo shoot at my home for the upcoming WWF Superstars Cookbook, due out in the fall. Stone Cold has really been training hard and has lost significant weight since his last TV appearance in April. The Texas Rattlesnake really looked great and was in a very upbeat mood. Steve will be evaluated in late August regarding his spinal surgery and then a decision will be made as to when or if he returns to in-ring competition. Based on what I saw, no one should count out this superstar.

Stone Cold spent several hours this week at WWF New York, all unscheduled and on his own. Austin "worked the room" and signed autographs for many of the surprised WWF fans. Not a week seems to go by where several WWF superstars don't drop by WWF NY and enjoy the food and party atmosphere.

Mick Foley's return as WWF Commissioner is going to provide some of the most entertaining pieces of business we will ever see on RAW and SmackDown! Mick is one of the top two or three "mic-men" in the entire business from where I sit and he will be given plenty of opportunities to display his significant verbal skills.

Brian Christopher (Grand Master Sexay), Sho Funaki and Taka Michinoku have all signed new contracts with the WWF.

Vic Grimes and The Blue Meanie have both been released. I hope both these young men don't give up because I do feel that in time they both can contribute a great deal to the product/business in the right environment. They are both good people.

The WWF is not negotiating with Barry Horowitz.

Several WWF folks will be in Las Vegas next weekend, including Chyna, Jerry Lawler, The Kat, the Hardy Boyz and J.R. for the annual VSDA video convention.

Tazz's return has been well received and it looks like the slimmed-down New Yorker is headed away from being a fan favorite. I truly believe this guy can become a big-time player here.

Lots of Divas in and out of WWF NY this week including Ivory, Lita and Jackie. All were doing photo shoots for WWF.com.

Tori separated her shoulder at Madison Square Garden last Saturday but still took the table ride from the Dudleys the next night at King of the Ring. Lots of guts and pride from this beauty, who will be out of action for at least a couple of weeks.

Kane and Trish Stratus will be making personal appearances Saturday in Toronto for WWF Racing.

Looks like Chris Benoit is headed towards a shot at The Rock in the next few weeks.

I like the chemistry between Triple H and Chris Jericho. Should be some big-time matches.

It would be good to see more light heavyweight action, especially involving the title, on WWF broadcasts. We sure have a great deal of talent in the light heavyweight category. I'm not one who prescribes to the concept that being labeled as a light heavyweight is the kiss of death. De La Hoya and Mosley aren't doing too bad in boxing and neither are heavyweights.

Good to see Stevie Richards get some airtime. This is a superb opportunity for this Philadelphia youngster who has been snakebitten with a variety of injuries in his career.

The responses the Undertaker has been getting since his return have been excellent. Fans seem to really like his persona.

Big Show is due back in about two weeks from knee surgery. I hope he's ready and we see his very best on a consistent basis.

Look for D'Lo Brown and Mosh/Chaz to team up on a regular basis. The team may be called "Lowdown." These are two bright, young competitors who have been presented a golden opportunity to become a significant duo in the WWF could really be a sleeper team.

I'm sick of the whole John Rocker saga. Living in Connecticut, the media are killing us with this never-ending story as Rocker's Braves play the Mets at Shea Stadium this weekend. Rocker seems to be as dumb as a box of rocks from where I sit.

Received a nice note from Oklahoma Sooners head football coach Bob Stoops a few days ago. This guy is a brilliant coach and a class act!"

J.R.