Wrestling Observer Newsletter Update

It's almost a foregone conclusion that with the rating the FOX special brought in that there will be another special. My feelings are that they provided a strong episode of content with a main event that was lacking that special bit of extra to make it a classic. This show had a huge advertising blitz from FOX and that's what I would associate the 1.5 with most (plus the name WCW). So any future specials with ratings increases would indicate a drawing brand or drawing stars.

The Bunkhouse Stampede iPPV had 1700 buys, down from Starrcade.

There's talk of a NOAH talent exchange to take place this summer. One idea is that whoever the WCW Champion and WCW Tag Team champions are in June would go to Japan to defend those belts and make them "World" titles. If that's to happen, I would imagine DOOMSDAY will be the champs at that time since Takeshi Morishma has been the driving force between the deal.

Austin Aries and WCW came to an agreement to end his wrestling contract. He's now signed to a WCW On-Air Personality contract, which is less than a wrestler's pay but still decent money. So that was how they reached a compromise on their disagreements.