Injuries continue to plague World Wrestling Federation headliners, with Kane and Diamond Dallas Page the latest stars forced out of the ring.
Kane (real name Glen Jacobs) was hospitalized Saturday night in Des Moines, Iowa because of a staph infection in his elbow. Kane also has a herniated disc. The WWF’s Web site (wwf.com) reported that Kane may be back as early as next week’s television tapings, but he likely will be kept from extensive action.
Page (Page Falkinburg) underwent surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Although out of action for roughly the next six weeks, Page should consider himself fortunate that the injury will mercifully end his feud with The Undertaker.
The Taker is touted as a locker-room leader, but his behavior while working with DDP was unprofessional. Apparently concerned about keeping his status as a WWF headliner, Taker refused to allow Page to get pushed as an equal. That was obvious in their last in-ring skirmish when Sara Undertaker scored a clean pinfall over DDP in a mixed match.
Other major WWF stars out of action include Triple H (hamstring), Chris Benoit (neck) and Rikishi (shoulder). Their absence has forced the WWF to give its undercard talent a chance to shine.
Rob Van Dam, Rhyno and Tazz are receiving significant pushes, which is no surprise considering all three are favorites of WWF official Paul Heyman from their days together in Extreme Championship Wrestling. The WWF also is benefiting from the talent acquired in the March purchase of World Championship Wrestling, with Booker T and Chris Kanyon quickly making an impact.
In other WWF news:
The debut of WWF Excess was a bomb Saturday night on TNN, failing to draw even a full rating point despite heavy promotion on WWF programming and a Triple H interview. The promotion may want to consider making Excess a showcase for younger talent normally not featured on Monday Night Raw and Smackdown, as the low rating may be reflective of an excess of WWF programming. The two-hour Excess show airs at 10 p.m. Saturdays and has taken the place of the Livewire and Superstar weekend programs that previously aired on TNN.
Wrestlemania XVIII will be held next spring at the Toronto Skydome. The WWF also reportedly is interested in returning to Houston, which hosted Wrestlemania XVII.
Rey Mysterio Jr. and Juventud Guerrera recently met with WWF officials about future employment. Mysterio Jr. may get hired in January when his contract expires with Time-Warner, the former owner of WCW that is still paying several top performers whose deals weren’t assumed by the WWF in its purchase of the promotion.
Guerrera, who is working in Mexico, might have a harder time getting hired because of a series of out-of-the-ring problems.
Ex-WWF champion “Superstar” Billy Graham has excerpts of his upcoming autobiography posted on his Web site (superstarbillygraham.com).
Graham (Wayne Coleman) was one of the top performers of the 1970s and 1980s, but may be best remembered for the damaging effects the longtime use of anabolic steroids had on his body.
The Super-Talk Smackdown radio show will begin airing from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays starting Sept. 22 on WINZ (940-AM).
Scott “T-Bone” Tovin and Manny “The Game” Munoz will serve as co-hosts.
Q & A
Q. Whatever happened to Mr. Wrestling II? — Danny Layman, Cleveland, Tenn.
A. II (Johnny Walker) made a rare non-wrestling appearance earlier this month at the Terry Gordy Memorial show in Birmingham, Ala. A major Southern star in the 1970s and 1980s, II will best be remembered for being a favorite of the family of ex-President Jimmy Carter from his exploits in Georgia.
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