Source: Herald-Citizen
The top story in the world of wrestling this week is a very serious injury to a popular TNA star. Scott Steiner suffered a neck injury during a match in Puerto Rico last weekend. He underwent surgery this week on his trachea and remains in ICU in a hospital in Puerto Rico as of Friday.
Because of the seriousness of the injury, he was kept under sedation for two days after the surgery. At this point the doctors will not clear him to fly back to the states for at least three more weeks. He and his brother, Rick, were scheduled for the upcoming Nashville pay-per-view Slamiversary. There’s no word on Rick’s participation in that event, and it’s too early to say what this injury will mean to Steiner’s career.
The much-awaited draft is this week in the WWE. One of the things that will be watched for is the top stars that will be brought to RAW full-time, because of the decimated roster from injuries.
Two names I feel confident will be coming to RAW are Chris Benoit and Booker T. Look for Booker T to return as that and not as King Booker. As for what they do with ECW or Smackdown is anyone’s guess, but with RAW being their leader, look for them to throw the best talent available to their live program each week.
Two names that have not seen much air time lately are Umaga’s manager, Alejandro Estrada and Daviri. Estrada has not been at ringside because of Umaga’s storyline with Vince McMahon, but look for him to return soon. Daviri has been taken off because of the sensitivity in his recent storyline with Iraq.
Executives with NBC were disappointed but not surprised with the ratings of last week’s Saturday Night Main Event. It was pushed back to the original time of several years ago and aired in the slot of SNL. The program drew a 2.2 rating where Saturday Night Live usually draws a 5.0 rating. NBC officials were also not happy that the show was taped a week prior to airing.
In an interview this week, Triple H confirmed he is still on track for a SummerSlam return after his latest injury. He also talked about his friend, Shawn Michaels, and was asked if this was the time that HBK may retire. Triple H said he would support Shawn in his decision, which would have to come from Shawn and his doctors. Triple H commented that if his career ended today or years from now, that HBK would go down as one of the best wrestlers in professional wrestling’s history. HBK has suffered numerous injuries over the years including a chronic low back ailment.
On my One Night Stand picks last week, I went a dismal 5-3. I was surprised with Vince’s loss, but perhaps he has finally decided that he should not be anywhere near the ECW product. I was slightly surprised that Batista did not win the Smackdown Championship, and I would not be shocked to see him on the move to RAW this week.
