WWE (WWF) - FAQ
How was the WWF formed?
It all started with an argument about the NWA champion Buddy Rogers
bookings. As champion Rogers bookings were controlled by two promoters in
the Northeast, Vince McMahon Sr. and Toots Mondt. McMahon and Mondt would
rarely let Rogers defend the title outside of the Northeast and soon after
other NWA promoters became upset with the situation and demanded that Rogers
drop the title. McMahon, Mondt, and Rogers didn't want the title change and
decided to break away from the NWA ,but Rogers would still drop the title so
he wouldn't lose his $25,000 deposit on it. (It was required that the
champion make a deposit on his title so he wouldn't walk out without losing
it.)
Rogers lost the title to Lou Thesz in Toronto on January 24, 1963, and in
April of the same year he was declared the first WWWF world champion. The
story was that he won the title in a tournament in Rio de Janeiro but in
reality there never was one.
When did the WWWF become the WWF?
In the middle of 1979. Only the name was changed however, not ownership and
staff.
There was one major change though. The North American title was replaced
with the Intercontinental Title.
Who is George Zahorian?
He was a doctor who attended WWF events in Pennsylvania for the state
athletic commission. In 1991 he was convicted for selling steroids and
other controlled substances. During his trial Zahorian testified that
during the time period of November 1988 and March 1990 he sold steroids to
Vince McMahon and many wrestlers included Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper.
Zahorian was sentenced to three years in federal prison and in February 1995
he was released. Zahorians trial was highly publicized and hurt the WWFs
image badly.
Were there sexual harassment charges files against the WWF in 1992?
Not really. In 1992 former ring announcer Murray Hodgeskins, former ring-boy
Tom Cole, and former referee Rita Chatterson came forth with allegations
that they were sexually harassed by WWF officials. They made a couple
appearances on talk shows ,but never files criminal charges. Soon after the
group disappeared and were never heard of again.
During the talk show interviews the group named bookers Pat Patterson and
Terry Garvin, ring attendant Mel Philips, and Vince McMahon as their
harassers and said they were given the option sex for push. The WWF never
publicly denied the claims and soon after Patterson, Garvin, and Philips
were all fired. Pattersoon returned to his position after a couple of
months.
Was the WWF ever part of the NWA?
Yes. From 1971 to 1983 the WWF was indeed a part of the NWA. In 1983 Vince
McMahon Jr. bought the WWF from his father and broke away from the NWA soon
after and took the WWF national.
Who are the booking team in the WWF?
First off Vince McMahon has final say over the direction of the product but
doesn't attend all the booking meetings. Jim Ross and Bruce Pritchard make
all day to day decisions. Stephanie McMahon, Paul Heyman, and Dennis Brent
are in charge of storylines and interviews. Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco,
and Shane McMahon also work with the booking team at times but are not
actually on it.
Was Jack Tunney really the president of the WWF?
Jack Tunney was a wrestling promoter in Canada who inherited the family
business from his uncle Frank Tunney. In 1984 Jack decided he no longer
wanted to promote cards with a mix of WWF, NWA, and other wrestling talent
and decided to promote only WWF cards north of the border.
Tunney controlled the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, and also covered
southern Ontario and Buffalo, NY. Tunney would usually promote 40 or more
WWF shows per year, making him a very important man in the expansion of the
WWF, and keeping WCW out of key Canadian markets well into the 90s.
To reward Tunney for his work and to present Canadian fans with a familiar
face as the WWF tried to expand northward, Tunney was named the WWF's
figurehead President in the mid-80s. He did not have any backstage power,
other than what a regular promoter had ,but was thrown onto TV whenever a
major decision had to be announced.
Tunney's position grew smaller over time, and by the early 90's he was
rarely seen on TV. In 1995 Tunney decided to retire from the position and
Gorilla Monsoon was given the role of on-screen WWF President.
Did the WWF sue WCW?
Yes. Titan Sports (now WWFE) sued Turner Broadcasting Systems (now AOL/Time
Warner). The lawsuit was filed after Scott Hall and Kevin Nash appeared on
Nitro saying they were going to take over WCW. Although the WWF's name was
never mentioned during the Nitro broadcasts it was clearly understood they
were talking like they came over from WWF and were going to "invade" WCW.
The suit was believed to be settled in 2000 but the results are unknown.
This is the actual complaint filed by the WWF:
THE LAWSUIT
Professional wrestling promoter (Vince McMahon) brought action against rival
promoter (Eric Bischoff), alleging copyright infringement, trademark
infringement, tortious interference with contract and violations of
Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices, in connection with rival's employment of
two wrestlers who portrayed copyrighted characters.
THE FACTS AS STATED IN THE COMPLAINT Titan Sports, Inc., etc., ("Plaintiff")
is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in
Connecticut. Plaintiff promotes live, and on cable, syndicated, and
pay-per-view television, professional wrestling under its registered service
mark "World Wrestling Federation" ("WWF"). TBS is a Georgia corporation
which owns and operates several cable networks, including Turner Network
Television ("TNT") and WTBS. WCW is a Georgia corporation and a majority
owned subsidiary of TBS.
WCW competes directly with WWF in televising professional wrestling,
associated merchandising, and licensing programs. Bischoff is a citizen of
Georgia, an officer and employee of TBS, in charge of WCW's operations and
serves as a television announcer for WCW programming. Plaintiff contends
that success in the professional wrestling business depends upon the
development of interesting wrestling characters and story lines. Characters
must have names, personalities, histories, relationships, personas, and
visual appearances that appeal to consumers. Plaintiff alleges that WWF
programming combines character-driven story lines with skillful wrestling
while WCW has no reputation for creativity. TBS proposed interpromotional
matches in order to associate WCW with WWF, but Plaintiff rejected this
idea.
After wrestling unsuccessfully with WCW, Scott Hall contracted to wrestle
for Plaintiff. Plaintiff created a wrestling character for Hall called
"Razor Ramon," alias "The Bad Guy," with a distinctive Hispanic accent,
slicked back hair in a ponytail with a curl in the front, a toothpick in his
mouth, a vest, and multiple chains around his neck. Plaintiff registered the
service mark "Razor Ramon" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The
contract provided that Plaintiff retained exclusive ownership of the
character's name and likeness and the exclusive right to distribute
copyrightable materials based on the character. Hall warranted that he would
not enter other agreements conflicting with Plaintiff's contract rights.
Plaintiff developed Razor Ramon into one of its most popular characters. He
has appeared in television broadcasts, live events, a two-hour videotape,
several magazines, and is the subject of merchandise devoted to the
character. He won WWF's Intercontinental Championship at least four times.
The character is well-recognized by wrestling fans.Plaintiff developed
another character using wrestler Kevin Nash who wrestled unsuccessfully with
defendant WCW. Nash and Plaintiff entered into a contract with provisions
similar to Hall's contract. Nash's character was "Diesel," alias "Big Daddy
Cool." Diesel's trade dress included a goatee beard and moustache, black
leather pants, a black leather vest decorated with silver studs and tassels,
a black low cut tank-top shirt, a black fingerless glove on the right hand,
black elbow pads, black wrist bands, sunglasses, and black leather boots.
Diesel is visibly different from the characters previously portrayed by Nash
at WCW.
Diesel was added to Plaintiff's story lines and appeared in television
broadcasts, commercial videotapes, magazines, and became the subject of
merchandise. Like Razor Ramon, Diesel also became widely recognized and
popular, winning the WWF Heavyweight Championship in 1995.In 1993, Plaintiff
promoted Razor Ramon and Diesel on its "Monday Night Raw" television
program, which was broadcast weekly at 9:00 p.m. EST. In 1995, defendant TBS
began broadcasting a competing program "WCW Monday Nitro" at the same time.
Plaintiff alleges that TBS's broadcast continually disparaged WWF, while WCW
agents circulated false rumors of Plaintiff's impending bankruptcy in order
to lure wrestlers to WCW.In 1996, enticed by WCW's promise of lucrative,
guaranteed contracts, Hall and Nash contracted to wrestle with WCW.
After the contracts were executed, Plaintiff alleges that defendant Bischoff
planned to capitalize on the goodwill of the Razor Ramon and Diesel
characters. Hall and Nash were to appear on WCW's broadcast as Razor Ramon
and Diesel, supposedly representing WWF in an interpromotional battle.
Before the broadcast, WCW's 900 hotlines told consumers that Razor Ramon and
Diesel were considering leaving WWF for WCW, although in reality, they had
already done so. Defendants expanded the introductory broadcast to two
hours, starting before Plaintiff's competing broadcast. Hall appeared in the
persona of Razor Ramon, although the broadcast did not refer to him by name.
The end of the broadcast falsely conveyed that interpromotional matches
would thereafter air on TNT. Fans sent letters evidencing their presumption
that Hall was performing as Razor Ramon for WWF on TNT. Plaintiff attempted
to dispel the rumors by broadcasting that Hall and Nash were no longer
associated with the WWF. Nevertheless, Hall appeared on two further WCW
broadcasts, perpetuating the false presumption. Bischoff also indicated that
the interpromotional matches would be seen on an upcoming pay-per-view
program. Hall and Nash did appear on the pay-per-view program as the
characters Razor Ramon and Diesel. Defendants, however, did not refer to
them by any name.
Titan Sports, Inc. v. Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc., 981 F.Supp. 65 (D.
Conn. 1997)
Who is John Stossel?
He's a reporter for the ABC program 20/20. In 1985 the show did a piece
"exposing" wrestling's secrets. Wrestler David Schultz(known as Dr. D. to
wrestling fans) was interviewed by Stossel and when Stossel asked Schultz if
wrestling was fake, Schultz got furious and slapped Stossel a couple times.
Stossel sued the WWF for the incident and received a rumored $280,000 for
damages.
Schultz was outcasted from wrestling after the interview and hasn't wrestled
a match ever since. He states to this day that WWF officials told him to
Assault Stossel.
What's with all the Pat Patterson jokes?
The joke come from the fact that Pat Patterson is indeed a homosexual. It
is one of wrestling's worst kept secrets and many jokes (like Jim Ross' on
Raw) are made because of it.
What was the Brawl for All?
The Brawl for All was a shoot tough man boxing tournament created by Jim
Ross to giver lower card wrestlers some TV time. Many injuries resulted and
put out almost all the competitors out of action for a large amount of time
and many replacements were needed.
One great moment of the tournament was when Bart Gunn knocked out Dr. Death
Steve Williams out in the third round of their match and then went on to win
the tournament.
Bart Gunn went on to face real tough man Butterbean at Wrestlemania 15 ,and
was knocked out in less than 30 seconds. Gunn left the WWF soon after and
made it big in Japan.
Who was the Gobbledeegooker?
To make these simple the Gobbledeegooker was one of the worst ,if not thee
worst surprises in WWF history.
For weeks leading to Survivor Series 1990 a huge egg was shown on WWF shows.
Most fans thought it would be a debuting wrestler or a returning one.(King
Kong Bundy was rumored.)
When Survivor Series finally arrived and the egg finally hatched everyone
watching was shocked when a man dressed as a turkey popped out named the
Gobbledeegooker. The gooker then ran to the ring and began dancing with
announcer Mene Gene Okerlund. Fans hated the surprise and the gooker wasn't
seen on WWF programming again except for his return at Wrestlemania 17 in
the Gimmick Battle Royal.
If you're wondering who got the pleasure of being the gooker it was Mexican
legend Hector Guerrero.
Why did the WWF move WrestleMania 7 from the LA Coliseum to the LA Sports
Arena?
Slow ticket sales is the real reason even though WWF said it was because
security concerns for Sgt. Slaughter's safety since he was doing his Iraqi
gimmick at the time. Their were some concerns for Slaughter's safety but it
wasn't enough to change the arenas but slow ticket sales did.
Why did the WWF change their name to the WWE?
The WWF have been in a court battle with the World Wildlife Fund since 1994 over the rights to the "WWF" initials. Both parties came to
an agreement in which the World Wrestling Federation would use the "WWF" intials for limited use only. However, with the WWF becoming insanely popular in the late '90s the "limited use" agreement became a
hard thing to obey which caused the World Wildlife Fund to take the WWF to court yet again.
As they years went by it appeared as if the World Wrestling Federation would overcome the court battle and not have
to deal with the matter anymore. The court battle became very intense in late 2001 which many thought the World Wildlife Fund would win but only get writes to the "wwf.com" domain name.
Then in early May of 2002,
the judge ruled in favor of the World Wildlife Fund for the rights to the "WWF" initials. Many believe the reason the judge ruled in favor of the World Wildlife Fund was due to the fact that the organization had been
founded in 1961 while the World Wrestling Federation changed to the "WWF" initials in 1979. The WWF then changed their name to the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) as a result of losing the case.
The official
website for the WWE can now be found at WWE.com instead of WWF.com.
WWE has 3 big PPV's of the year: Wrestlemania, Summerslam, and Survivor Series. Now my question is: will Raw and Smackdown come together for them big PPV's?
Correction, they have four. Royal Rumble also counts. Yes, RAW and SmackDown will join together for those PPVs.
Why did the WWE replace King of the Ring with Bad Blood, a title of a previous house show?
The reason was because they wanted to split up PPVs for RAW and for SmackDown. Badd Blood was an In Your House PPV in October of 1997. It was the PPV where they announced the passing of Brian Pillman.
Why was there a RAW and Smackdown roster split in the first place?
Because the WWE had purchased WCW, plus ECW stars coming in. Too many people on the same roster and not enough time to have them all on the same show. It was done essentially to make more TV time for more wrestlers, and to help in creating new stars for the future.
Who has had the longest IC title reign in WWE?
Honky Tonk Man had the longest IC title reign from June 2, 1987 until August 29, 1988. A close second place would be Pedro Morales, from November 23, 1981 until January 22, 1983.
Do you think they should bring back the WWE titles and WCW titles for both brands to split or just WWE titles, or just WCW titles?
No, the way it is seems to be good. Championship titles already mean less and have less prestige than before, adding more titles to the mix would be a bad idea.
Jim Ross said at Judgment Day there were 51 superstars that held the IC title. My question is how many became future WWE champions?
There are 13 wrestlers who held the Intercontinental championship and later became WWF/WWE champions. Although only two people held the world title before becoming IC champions, Pedro Morales held the "WWWF" title in 1972 and later won the IC title in 1980. There is also Kane who held the WWF title in 1998 and later became IC champion in 2001. Here is the list of IC champs who later became WWF/WWE champions: (in order)
1) Macho Man Randy Savage; 2) Ultimate Warrior; 3) Bret Hart; 4) Diesel; 5) Shawn Michaels; 6) Steve Austin; 7) The Rock; 8) Triple H; 9) Kurt Angle; 10) Chris Jericho; 11) Chris Benoit; 12) Randy Orton
Which year was it WWWF, then WWF and WWE?
World Wide Wrestling Federation (April 1963 - March 1979)
World Wrestling Federation (March 1979 - May 2002)
World Wrestling Entertainment (May 2002 - present)
Why has King Of The Ring been replaced with Bad Blood? Will they have it later this year on a different month?
It's because they want to have PPVs for each brand (RAW and SmackDown). Since the King of the Ring was the least biggest PPV out of the top 4 (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series) they decided to remove it. They kept PPVs like Backlash, Judgment Day, etc, because those are not "large PPVs" if you know what I mean and they would fit perfectly for a single brand PPV. To answer your question, The King of the Ring is no more. Personally, I think it was a dumb idea to remove the KOTR PPV, but it's the WWE, it's not the first stupid decision they've ever made.
Why was the 10 man tag team match at Wrestlemania X cancelled and who was supposed to be involved?
It was cancelled due to time constraints. Although the match took place the following night on RAW.
The Headshrinkers, Rick Martel, Jeff Jarrett, & IRS (Irwin R. Schyster)
defeated
1-2-3 Kid, Bob "Spark Plugg" Holly, Smoking Gunns & Tatanka
Has WWF and WCW ever had a pay per view on the same night?
No, however they have had supercards on the same night. Back in the 1980s, the WCW (NWA at the time) would have pay-per-view events scheduled, and the WWF would purposely schedule a PPV then on the same night. This was the sole reason the WWF created the Survivor Series. To bump off Starrcade. The WWF would then say that if the cable companies didn't cover their events over NWA, that they would not allow them to air WrestleMania on their cable outlets later in the year. The cable companies of course wanted WrestleMania, so most of them would drop the NWA PPV and air WWF's, causing the NWA to reschedule many times. The WWF were basically trying to monopolize PPV. Many of the first Clash of the Champions that NWA/WCW put on were on free TV and went head to head with WrestleMania which of course was on PPV.
I heard a while back wwe opened some type of theme park called WWE Niagra Falls or something like that. They had rides named after moves like piledriver coaster exe. I never really saw it get promoted What ever happened to it? Did it ever open?
Last year, WWE Niagra Falls theme park opened and was heavily promoted. Due to safety vioalations, they had to shut down within the first week. They still do have a WWE Niagara Falls, just no theme park.
Was there really a North American Belt in the WWWF?
Not in the WWWF. The WWF North American Heavyweight title was brought in 1979 and was given to Ted DiBiase. It didn't take long before the belt was abandoned in 1981.
I remember the XFL being cross-promoted on WWF programming, but it was never shown on UK television. What was it, and what became of it?
The XFL was a football league the WWE and NBC started, but it wasn't successful at all, it folded. It was never shown on UK TV probably because they had no television deal. The WWE lost a lot of money with their investment in that league.
Now that the WWE owns WCW, (not to say that they would ever do this) would it be possible for them to use WCW characters? For example, can they take a wrestler and give him Sting's gimmick (costume, make-up, name, entrance, etc.) kinda like the fake Diesel and fake Razor Ramon?
If the wrestler doesn't own/have the rights to his name, then yes the WWE can do it. I am certain that Sting has the rights to his name, meaning they can't have someone else come in as Sting. Back when the WWE brought in the fake Razor and Diesel, they were able to do it because Hall and Nash didn't buy out the rights to their character names and their music was copyrighted by the WWE.
At Royal Rumble 92, Ric Flair won the vacant WWF/E title. I recall the undertaker beating hogan for the title at Survivor Series 91, and Hogan winning it back approximately a week later. What happened after hogan won it back to make the title vacant?
Hogan won the title back from Taker at "Tuesday in Texas" which was a PPV put on by the WWF the Tuesday following the Survivor Series (which was held the Thursday before). On a side note, this was a horrendous match with many mistakes, do not go out of your way to see it. The reason the title was declared vacant shortly after Hogan won it was because it was a controversial finish. Hogan blinded Undertaker with ashes that were in the urn, and then rolled him up for the pin. So as the storyline went, this finish added in with the controversial way Undertaker won the title at Survivor Series, made it necessary to hold up the title.
Could you tell me if the Intercontinental title has changed, or is it the same? To me, it looks a whole lot bigger, and now has a nameplate.
You are correct. The reincarnated Intercontinental Championship belt is larger than it was before.
Have WWE got the rights to use footage from the ECW library yet?
Yes they now have the rights to do whatever they want with the ECW library. They own it all.
What was the event card and match results for WWF Over The Edge 1999, and besides the death of Owen why was there hardly a trace of that night? I mean no offical video, or results in the WWF Magazine.
-Kane & X-Pac defeated D-Lo Brown & Mark Henry to retain the tag titles
-Al Snow defeated Bob Holly
-The Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) was scheduled to win the IC Title from The Godfather.
-Nicole Bass and Val Venis defeated Debra and Jeff Jarrett.
-Billy Gunn defeated Road Dogg
-The Union defeated the Corporate Ministry in an elimination match
-The Rock defeated Triple H
-Undertaker defeated Austin to win the WWF title.
The tragic death of Owen Hart is the main reason why there's hardly a trace of that night. No other reason. It's done out of respect I believe. They don't want to make money off a PPV where one of their wrestlers had died. I am not sure about results not being published in magazines or anywhere, but I know they aren't selling the PPV.
Was the Wrestlemania III attendance really 93,173? I've heard from several credible sources that it was a work, and that the actual number is closer to 78,000. Can you guys clear that up?
That's an excellent question. At times I use to believe it was 93,173 and now I believe it's less. First of all, here is what it says on Silverdome.com (The Pontiac Silverdome's official website):
The two highest attended events at the Silverdome were in 1987 when 93,682 people visited the stadium to hear Pope John Paul II conduct mass and 93,173 fans packed the stadium for Wrestlemania III in 1987.
Football, Soccer, Supercross, Monster Jams: 80,325
Political Rallies, Religious Crusades: 90,000
Concerts: 22,000 to 55,000
Some sources have said that this isn't the legit attendance for WM III. It was 78,000, some say under 80,000, but around that.
Here is a detailed answer written by WV's co-webmaster Ryan Droste:
OK....this has been debated for so many years, but the number is definitely 78,000. I think Dave Meltzer was the first one to call this to peoples attention. Here's the facts as to why it was 78,000 (I'm writing this with Meltzer as a source). First of all you have to understand that the WWF back in those days routinely lied about attendance numbers on TV to make them bigger than they were. Zane Bresloff was the man whom promoted WrestleMania III for McMahon in Michigan. He and Dave Meltzer had a conversation on the phone years later about WrestleMania III. Bresloff was quoted as saying something to the effect of that the WWF has been quoting that 93,000 attendance number for so long, he thought they were starting to believe it themselves. Meltzer asked him whether or not 93,000 was the real attendance figure, and Bresloff said no. He later sent Meltzer a fax of the official statement from the building from back in 1987. This gave the attendance as being just over 78,000 with 2,3000 comps. Meltzer had never even questioned the 93,000 number before, and the actual gate (money made from ticket sales) was the same on the fax as the number given to Meltzer by the WWF back in 1987 when he didn't even question the 93,000. Meltzer also was doing an article on WWE history where he had to research attendance, and officials let him go through records of all of their major shows (all the stadium WrestleManias, SummerSlam '92, etc.) In almost all the cases, the attendance numbers he found on the official records were different from the announced attendance figure on TV. They recently started announcing figures that weren't as inflated and pretty much accurate, starting with their big Royal Rumble at the Alamodome in 1997. Meltzer asked Vince McMahon himself why they used to inflate the numbers, because the shows were sold out themselves and the real number was impressive enough. Why add a few thousand? Vince was quoted as saying what appears on television people should consider for entertainment purposes. This actually isn't exclusive to WWE, as other forms of sports and entertainment often lie about the actual attendance to make it sound impressive. Such companies I could name as examples would be Pride and K-1. So in conclusion, the reason the WWE gave this inflated 93,000 attendance number was because they wanted to proclaim and all time indoor attendance record, and they had to beat an attedance number done by the Pope, while at the same time having an attendance figure that nobody would ever beat.
What Tag team had the longest run as champs in the WWF/E?
Demolition have had the longest tag team title reign. They held the tag team titles from March 27, 1988 to July 18, 1989. Approximately 16 months.
Has the WWF/E World title ever changed hands in any other country apart from the U.S. and Canada?
Yes and no. Antonio Inoki defeated Bob Backlund for the WWF title on November 30, 1979 in Japan, but the title change wasn't acknowledged in the U.S. On December 6, 1979, Backlund defeated Inoki in a rematch for the title in Tokyo, Japan, but the match was ruled to be a no contest due to outside interference and the belt was given back to Antonio Inoki, but Inoki didn't accept the title. Other than that, no there wasn't any other WWF World title change outside of the U.S. or Canada.
Now, this I am very curious about. Now I know that Raw rating as of late are in around 3.0-4.0. Now what I am curious about and I'm sure many people are is...back in 1997-2000 what were the ratings for Raw..I know its a big range...but I'm hoping that someone can give me a rough estimate.
One of our affiliate sites, Wrestling Information Archives, has all the RAW ratings from 1995 to Current. Go to http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfraw.htm to view them.
What's the highest rated segment in the history of RAW?
The highest rated segment on RAW was in 1999. It was the "Rock, This is Your Life" segment involving Mick Foley and The Rock. That segment drew an 8.4 rating.
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