Tuesday February 25, 4:45 pm ET

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 25, 2003–World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. announced that effective today, it will close its restaurant located in New York City.

“We have ceased the restaurant operation as of today, but we will continue to operate the retail store until April 27, 2003,” said Linda E. McMahon, Chief Executive Officer. “We will seek to sublease the facility and will work closely with the landlord’s organization in this effort.” Continue reading »

February 24, 2003

Bischoff wants the spotlight on a bigger star, the biggest star in the WWE, the biggest star in the history of this industry. A video of a helicopter’s flyover plays, finally flying over a building which emits light that fades into the face of… The Rock! The Rock comes out, with new video and music. He surveys the crowd and then walks into the Raw ring, to a mixed reaction to say the least. Finally, The Rock has come back to Toron… Toron… To run his mouth on all our candy asses. Continue reading »

For those wondering, the referee from last night’s Rock-Hogan II match was Sylvain Grenier, better known as Sly. He is a developmental wrestler and does have a contract with WWE. Recently he has done a couple dark matches in Montreal. Pat Patterson actually discovered him, and he has trained with the likes of Dory Funk, Rocky Johnson and The Rock. While waiting for his green card to come through, he has been wrestling at the NCW promotion. Having him take such a big part in the show last night shows WWE’s high expectations of him.
Credit: Rajahwwf

by Phil Speer

MONTREAL  Feb. 23, 2003 The Rock?s back was scratched up and red, the outline of Hulk Hogan’s belt clearly visible. Hogans face was covered in blood and still bleeding. Their match tonight  Rock-Hogan II  had just ended, and even though they were tired, bruised and swollen, they were elated.

I was happy with everything, Hogan said. It turned out great.

I hope they had a great time, The Rock said, referring to the fans. I had a great time.

The two icons had a bit of a challenge on their hands tonight. Their match immediately followed Stone Cold Steve Austin?s confrontation with Eric Bischoff, a segment of the show that had every fan ? from the front row to the cheapest of cheap seats ? on his or her feet. Whereas it was the second time fans had seen Rock and Hogan battle, it was the first time anybody had seen Austin since June.

Anytime you follow Stone Cold Steve Austin its hard, because he just rocks the house, brother,? Hogan said. ?Stone Cold was on the card, he rocked the house and he probably drained half the energy of the people out there.

With any other feasible match, the crowd would have fallen asleep. But fortunately this was Rock-Hogan II.

Hogan said, When we went out, people were yelling and screaming, and I was happy with it.

Another potential challenge tonight was living up to the off-the-charts, unforgettable performance they put on at WrestleMania X8. Although it was the first match for both Rock and Hogan since August, the fans expectations were high.

You could never duplicate Hogan-Rock I just because of the environment, the vibe (and) that it?s the first time it ever happened, Rock said.

Still, Rock said he felt absolutely no pressure; Hogan admitted he did a little bit, but other concerns were preeminent in his mind.

There was this overriding pressure tonight that made me not even worry about that type of pressure  actually getting through this match with my back, Hogan said. ?My back has been so damn bad. Five discs. They tried to burn it in California to get it to slide back in, which didnt work. Tonight, from about 4 p.m. on, I iced it every 20 minutes. The ice is the only thing that would take the pain out. As soon as I got in the ring, taking little short bumps off his punches, I was testing my back. Im sure itll be weird tomorrow. But right now, Im so happy because it doesnt hurt, and Ive only had one beer.

Im amazed how it feels. It might have just been that I needed to get in the ring and take a couple bumps. I might have just had to break up some calcium. Who knows

Hogan added that any potential confrontation with Vince McMahon or anyone else at WrestleMania XIX in Seattle was contingent on his back holding up tonight.

Everybody is saying, WrestleMania this, WrestleMania that. McMahon-Hogan, Hogan said. Without telling Vince, if I wouldn?t have made it through this match tonight, there would have been no WrestleMania. But now I can live to fight another day. Im so happy that I got through this, it?s unreal.

Hogan said he wasnt even worried about ring rust or not being in ring shape due to being idle since his match with Brock Lesnar last August on SmackDown!  his only concern was his back. Rock, meanwhile, made sure he didnt have ring rust by getting in a ring as often as possible.

I have a ring out on the West Coast and a ring down in Florida, Rock said. Throughout the film, on the weekends, whenever I had a second, I would get down there and get some action in for a couple of hours.

Like Hogan, Rock is looking forward to WrestleMania, whoever ends up being his opponent.

Im excited about WrestleMania, he said. Im excited about coming back. Some big things should happen at WrestleMania. Im excited about going up there  50,000 or 60,000 strong up in Seattle. Im excited just to come back in this capacity  as a heel.

credit: WWE.com

Match #8: The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan
Rock waits for Hogan to get distracted before he?ll enter the ring, but Hogan catches him and looks to try and gain the opening control. The Rock immediately goes to the outside. Hogan is inside the ring as the referee starts counting out The Rock. Hogan finally has had enough and goes outside after Rock. Rock runs back into the inside and gives a boot to Hogan. The Rock issues a big right hand to Hogan, follows with another. Hogan counters and bangs Rock?s head into the turnbuckle. Continue reading »

The Rock was training for his upcoming match with Hulk Hogan at the UPW school yesterday. Many expect Rock doesn’t have to worry about the most technical match based on how their match went last year. Rock is known for bouncing back with very little ring rust, so he should be in normal ring shape come Sunday.

Source: WrestlingObserver.com

The Rock?s new tattoo
had a lot of people talking Tuesday night at the SmackDown tapings, as many people have wondered why he got it done since it could possibly limit his roles that he could be offered in Hollywood. However, I personally feel that if they want Rock to do the roles bad enough, they will be able to use computers to make the tattoo not appear in the movies.
Rajahwwf

Smackdown
No opening we go straight to The Rock who comes out to a large pop. The Rock gets in the ring and after a few minutes he says “Finally…The Rock has come back to….Indiaaaaaaaaaaaa Who gives a crap!” Big heat right there, but The Rock says “No I’m not talking about Indianapolis, I’m saying that who gives a crap about what The Rock has to say.” Rock talks about being true to the WWE, that’s why he is here. He questions the fans who are chanting “Rocky Sucks” and then he mentions that he doesn’t care what the people say because he will always be entertaining us. Then he gets a phone call and he tells us to be quiet so he can take of this.

The Rock tells the person on the phone that he’s tired of being around all of these hicks. Once again big time heat, but the Rock said he meant hickory trees and how Indianapolis is full of them. A “Rocky Sucks” chant goes out so The Rock asks why they say that. He asks if it’s because he “sold out” or is it because he has gotten a “big head” Rock goes on to mention that Larry Bird has a big head but we all love him.

The Rock then tells us to make up our minds to either boo The Rock or cheer The Rock and that their decision will effect what happens at No Way Out. The crowd boos so The Rock says fine, but The Rock is going to confront Hogan later on.

Hulk Hogan comes out to the expected huge pop then The Rock comes out. The Rock said that he did some thinking and that he realizes bad things were said and that an apology is in order. So The Rock tells Hogan to apologize for calling The Rock a “Rockin Jabroni”. The Rock says that The Rock is the reason for the birth of Hulkamania and that Hulk Hogan was a nobody until The Rock challenged to a match Wrestlemania X-8. Hogan tries to go after The Rock, but The Rock backs away. The Rock wanted to shake hands with Hogan to wish each other luck this Sunday, however The Rock spat Hogan in the face with water and left the ring.

credit rajahwwf

Smackdown Spoilers
Show opens with “If ya smell…….” as The Rock comes out on stage. Rock walks back and forth a few times before getting in the ring. After a debated crowd mixed with boo’s and cheers, The Rock grabs a microphone. “Finally….” crowd boo’s. (Deeper voice) “FINALLY….” crowd boo’s. “Finally, The Rock has come back To Indianaaaaaaaaaa…….who gives a crap.” The Rock wants the crowd to make a decision. Oh wait, Rock has a call on his cell-phone. It’s his personal assistant. The Rock will be back with you in just one minute. Hell yeah The Rock is going to fly out of here tonight. What did you think, The Rock was going to spend another night with all these hicks? Whoa whoa whoa, not you guys, hickory tree’s. There’s a lot of hickory tree’s in Indianapolis. Rock hangs up, back to the crowd. Rock wants the crowd to make a decision. The Rock hears “Rocky” chants, The Rock hears “Hogan” chants, The Rock hears boo’s, The Rock hears cheers. The Rock wants the people to make a decision. Do they really want to boo The Rock? Let The Rock check again, do they really want to boo The Rock? Alright, you made your decision. At No Way Out, you are going to get the jabroni beating, pie eating, climb a tree, scratch an itch, make Hulk Hogan The Rock’s little bitch, people’s champ…The Rock! “If ya smell….” whoa whoa whoa. You made your decision. You don’t chant “Rocky sucks” for 10 minutes and then sing along with The Rock. Only The Rock can say it now, “what The Rock, is cooking!”

Now it’s time for the showdown between The Rock and Hollywood Hulk Hogan.

The Rock does the majority of the talking. Messing with the crowd for boo’ing him like before, while taking stabs at Hulk Hogan here and there.

Rock says he’s thought long and hard, and an apology is in order. The Rock has contemplated, and his mind is made up. Hulk Hogan, go ahead and apologize to The Rock. No apology. The Rock gives Hulk Hogan one more chance to apologize, Hulk Hogan says “hell no.”

The Rock goes on to talk about how he’s the reason Hulk Hogan is popular again. Rock challenging Hogan last year brought Hogan back from the dead and allowed him to do commercials with the “muppet puppets” again. Maybe he don’t remember, so allow The Rock to remind him. “The millions” half the crowd finishes, the other half boo’s. Rock tries again, same results. He gives up.

The entire time Rock would trash-talk Hogan, Hogan would get ready to attack Rock, but Rock would stop him. Rock finally tries to shake Hogan’s hand and be a gentleman. He’s just trying to entertain the fans, Hogan knows that. He respects Hogan, and the two greatest icons are going to get it on this Sunday on PPV. Rock sticks his hand out to Hogan for a handshake, Hogan goes to shake, Rock pulls it back, Hogan punches Rock. Rock walks away laughing it off.

credit: Top-rope

The Rock was on the Steve & DC Radio show in St. Louis Friday morning.
The purpose of his appearance was to call and surprise the female winner of a Valentine’s Day contest, who’d be receiving a $2000 diamond ring. The contest involved a man writing a letter about his love for his wife, to win her the ring. I personally listened to the segment and it was interesting and pretty funny.

The Rock confirmed that he’s signed on to star in the remake of “Walking Tall”. However, the main character’s name will be changed from Buford Pusser to a new name.

The Rock ended the segment commenting that the Goldberg/Rock match at Mania does not look like it’s going to happen. The Rock mentioned that he’s tried everything to get Goldberg to sign, but negotiations don’t look good. Steve Austin vs. The Rock is the likely match at this point.

Final plugs were for No Way Out and Helldorado, which opens in September.

Credit: Rajah wwf

Columbia takes piece of Rock
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) – Columbia Pictures is in final talks to pick up international rights to Universal’s untitled South American action-adventure starring Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson and Seann William Scott (news).

The Peter Berg (news)-helmed picture is in post-production after wrapping principal photography weeks ago. The budget, which was greenlit at roughly $75 million, has climbed due to special effects work. Formerly titled “Helldorado,” it stars Scott (“American Pie”) as the scion of a powerful family who enlists a mercenary played by the Rock to search for a gold mine in the Amazon.

Credit: Reuters/Variety