Article on Hogan, Austin, McCool on NBC

Source: Palatka Daily News

By Andy Hall

Can’t believe everything one reads on the Web (or in newspapers), but in fairness to the Web (and us), that’s often because things change on a moment’s notice.

For example, contrary to Web reports, Palatka’s Michelle McCool Alexander will not be part of an upcoming World Wrestling Entertainment tour of Israel — but those same sites are dead-on about her appearing on Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC.

She’ll take part in a Bikini Bull Riding Contest along with other “divas” as part of Saturday’s 8 p.m. broadcast.

“Will the former teacher, Michelle McCool, make the grade, or fail miserably?” teases the WWE site in promoting her part of a show that also will include appearances by Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan along with the Hulkster’s singing daughter, Brooke.

The “teacher” character (she is, indeed, a former teacher) came along her McCool’s return to Smackdown in recent weeks after spending almost a year with WWE’s Atlanta-area affiliate, Deep South Wrestling, and it’s her first “heel” turn after siding exclusively with the good guys in her first Smackdown tour.

Bespectacled and “armed” with a yardstick, McCool declined to remove her robe for a recent Smackdown bikini contest, dismissing the other divas as unworthy competition. She’s due to appear on Smackdown again tonight (11:30, Channel 30 in Jacksonville), reportedly engaging in a backstage catfight that was taped last Tuesday.

“Without really talking about my character, I don’t mind saying this: Playing a ‘heel’ character has, thus far, been pretty entertaining,” she said in an e-mail. “Playing someone so opposite of myself can be challenging at times, but also really fun. The fans seem to really enjoy the change.”

Saturday will be the first major network appearance for McCool, who is, naturally excited. She’s yet to go overseas with WWE, however, and apparently won’t be joining other “superstars” in Israel, despite earlier reports.

“As of right now, I am not attending the tour in Israel, but that is always subject to change,” she said.