WWF Byte This! Report.
Show Date: April 27th, 2001
Report by Wayne Chraft
Hosted by: Dr. Tom Prichard & Kevin Kelly
Weekly Commentary by: Droz and Tazz
Special Guests: Triple H
- The next WWF PPV is Backlash. You can check out the WWF's official Backlash site by clicking here.
- Rundown of what occurred on Raw and Smackdown and what will happen on Sunday Night Heat.
- Time for "Outthink the Fink." The question was : Who was the individual that was instrumental in fracturing Andre the Giant ankle back in the 1980's? (Killer Khan)
- Droz joined the show.
- Droz talked about how the Right to Censor can only take so much abuse from Steven Richards and his "in your face" attitude. This is why they are having so many problems.
- Droz talked about how conditioning will play a huge part in the Submission match between Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit at Backlash. Kevin feels that Chris Benoit needs to win this match because Kurt Angle has already won WWF gold and established himself in the top tier. Many people think that Benoit can't win the big one, so he has to come through this Sunday.
- Droz predicts that Matt Hardy will hold on the the Euro title at Backlash.
- Droz spoke about how Spike Dudley looked like he got killed by Rhino this week. He has seen Spike get thrown into the crowd by Bam Bam Bigelow in ECW but it hurt him to watch Spike get nailed on Raw.
- Droz will be rooting for X-Factor and his boy, Albert against the Dudley Boyz on Sunday.
- Droz left the show and will be back next week. I recommend checking out Droz's column on WWF.com. You can do so by clicking here. You can also email Droz at droz@wwf.com.
- No Tales from the Hook with Tazz this week.
- Triple H joined the show.
Question: Backlash
This match is the prove who is the dominant force in the WWF.
Question: Steve Austin
Steve has always been one of the best in the business. When they were fighting in matches, they would push each other to the best of their abilities. Now, they do the same thing but are fighting for the same cause. They are the top 2 performers in the business and no one can stop them. He and Steve have to trust each other in that match at Backlash in order to get what they want, which are the tag belts.
Question: WrestleMania
He felt that it was one of the greatest WrestleMania events of all time. It was an amazing feeling to be out there in front of all those people. It is something that he will never forget for the rest of his life. Having Motorhead play his theme song was amazing as well. He has been a fan of theirs since he was a kid and to have them perform a song that is written about him is a rush.
Question: Groups performing wrestler themes
Motorhead performing his theme has opened the doors for a lot of people. Uncle Cracker is now involved, doing X-Factor's theme. Marilyn Manson is now also getting involved. So, Motorhead doing his song is almost a trend setter.
- At this point, they lost Triple H on the show but he returned shortly.
Question: Working with and helping out the younger guys
It is all about desire and passion for the business. He is all about helping others. He is not here to just take from this business. He wants to give back as well. Many guys come in, have their spotlight and then they are gone. If he can be the guy who is on top who can help the younger guys, that is what he wants to do.
Question: WWF acquiring WCW
It was a good thing because WCW was going to go out of business. However, competition is good for the business. Many guys won't have a 10 year run like the Undertaker. If there is only one company, guys won't have as many places to learn their crafts. Without change, the business becomes stagnant. He is a big fan of developmental territories where young guys can travel and learn something new each time. If there aren't territories, guys may be on TV who would have no idea what to do. In WCW, there were guys on TV who had no business being there and were not ready. He doesn't blame them for taking a spot when it is offered. WCW did an injustice to the business and to the guys when putting them out there too early.
Question: Independent promotions
He is a big believer in paying dues. Guys (such as amateurs athletes) are taken without paying their dues and then companies wonder why these guys don't have passion for the business.
He worked a job when he was working for barely any money. So many guys do not have the desire and passion for the business. They see wrestling on TV and think that this could be him. This isn't what he describes as desire. There is no sacrifice there. Guys from the old era where they worked in territories and paid their dues are the ones who have the passion. They would do anything just for a spot in the business. Nowadays, there aren't many guys like that around.
Question: Does he feel demoted holding the IC title?
He doesn't look at it as a demotion but a step up for the belt. He feels that he is still in the position he was when he was WWF champ. Austin and he are on top of this business right now.
Triple H put over guys like Edge & Christian and the Hardys for stepping up to the plate. This is a good time for some younger guys to move up because there is a lot of opportunity.
Question: Changing gimmicks
He talked about how he looked at a picture from when he was training with Killer Kowalski and he basically looked the same as he does now. It is more about what the person has and not always the packaging.
Question: Ric Flair
When people ask him who he admired in the business, he always says Ric Flair because Flair could work with anyone. This is his same goal. Flair could work with any different style. He feels that he has worked against Mick Foley but then also worked a different style against the Rock. Everytime he goes to the ring, he wants to tell a different story.
Question: Did the WWF do the storyline with Austin and him because the Rock left?
Everything they do in the WWF is to spice things up. This storyline has been thought about for a long time and not just because the Rock left. This is to show that anything to happen in the WWF.
He and Austin will do the heel thing the correct way. They are not trying to be the "cool heels." He has never gone out there and tried to be that way. He tries to get as much heat as possible whenever he is out there.
People ask him if he is resistant to turning face because he likes being a heel so much. He wants to do it when it is right. That time may never come.
Question: The Internet's criticism of him
These are all opinions from people who have no idea about the business. They are not behind the scenes. They just watch a TV show and act like they know about the business. So, he doesn't pay attention to what they say. He does admit that he does fight for what he believes in. He has heard that some people say that he uses backstage influence to get what he wants. He thinks that is coming from people who have no clue about it. The bottom line is that Vince McMahon is the boss. There is no way to convince Vince to go in an another direction from where he wants to go.
- Triple H put over his visit with Austin to the Howard Stern show this morning.
- Triple H left the show.
- Chyna will be on Byte This next week.
- The show wrapped up.