*!Wrestling News for Week Ending July 12, 2003!*

July 8-12th, 2003

The following is from BretHart.com, the official website of Bret Hart:
Regarding Shawn Michaels' comments on the July 7th Raw from Montreal where he stated that he apologized to Bret Hart, brethart.com (Bret's official web site) would like to clarify that Bret Hart has never received any apology whatsoever from Shawn Michaels. For a man who claims to have found God to outright lie to millions of people is disappointing to say the least. Then again, it really isn't surprising when you consider that this is the same Shawn Michaels who swore to God, on video tape, right after the Survivor Series '97 screw job, that he wasn't in on it only to admit, years later that he was in on it all along. If anyone is aware of any apology that Shawn ever made to Bret that was not part of an angle please send us a copy.
This week's edition of WWE RAW scored a 4.2 cable rating, with a 7 share, according to Nielsen Media Research. That is up from last week's 3.6 and is the highest rating the show has received since 5/12.
For those wondering, the reason D-Von Dudley was not at weekend house shows or Monday's RAW is because of the death of his father. He should return to television sometime next week.
Fire destroyed professional wrestler turned writer Mick Foley's Navarre home Monday night.
Officials with the state fire marshal's office on Wednesday said the cause of the blaze was unknown.
"Unfortunately, because of the extensive damage to the home, we will probably never be able to determine the cause of the fire," investigator Thomas Bosco said. "It started high in the attic area and did not seem suspicious in nature."
Foley was not residing at the unoccupied home, which was listed for sale, said Holley-Navarre Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Les Slocum.
When firefighters arrived at Foley's home in the 2000 block of Costa Verde Court at 10:30 p.m. Monday, they found the home fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from departments in Navarre, Midway and Florosa battled the blaze until 3 a.m. Tuesday.
"It was totaled," Slocum said.
He estimated the damage at $300,000.
Flames shooting through the roof of the single-story, Mediterranean-style home, located east of the Navarre Beach toll bridge and south of U.S. 98, were visible from Pensacola Beach, Slocum said.
Foley, who once held the world championship belt in what is now known as World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., is known to fans as Dude Love, Cactus Jack and Mankind.
He also wrote two biographies, "Foley Is Good and the Real World is Faker Than Wrestling" and "Have a Nice Day! A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks" which proved almost as popular as his wild antics in the ring that earned him a following and many broken bones.
Surprising to some, Foley's books opened to good reviews, and he has finished his first foray into fiction with "Tietam Brown," a tale of a troubled, motherless boy coping with life in upstate New York.
Slocum said Foley had not resided in the home that burned Monday for about three years. The real estate agent handling the sale was unavailable for comment.
But a receptionist at Realty Association of Santa Rosa Inc. confirmed that the home was listed for sale and that Foley was the owner.
According to the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's Web site, a Michael F. Foley and Colette Foley purchased the home in 1997 for $299,400.
Foley could not be reached for comment. His home phone number in St. James, N.Y., is unlisted.
WWE has signed top independent wrestler Paul London to a developmental contract. London, who is an exceptional talent, had been working for NWA-TNA, Ring of Honor and the ZERO-ONE promotion in Japan. He is expected to start in Ohio Valley Wrestling as soon as possible.
Batista will be out of action for another 2-3 months until he is able to return to the ring.
Mark Jindrak, who is rumored to become the fourth member of Evolution, has yet to impress officials since being brought up to the main roster.
WWE has signed John Heidenreich to a developmental contract. He had been under contract with the company previously, but he was released during one of the many budget cutting periods. After his release, he began working for the ZERO-ONE promotion in Japan and periodically came back to OVW on his own, which earned him some extra points with officials.
Carly Colon, who was recently signed to a developmental contract and is currently working in OVW, is expected to debut once creative thinks of a way to use him. He is expected to join the Smackdown roster due to it being the top rated show among Latinos.
Buff Bagwell recently contacted WWE official John Laurinatis (aka Johnny Ace) regarding the possibility of returning to the promotion. Laurinatis claimed there was some interest, but the timing was off. In other words, they don't want anything to do with him. Bagwell was said to be surprised that they didn't want him, since he believes that all it takes to make it in this business is to have a good look and nothing else.
There is a rumor that Crash Holly may have exchanged words with at least one member of the creative team, which is what led to his release from the company.
WWE now has possession of all the ECW footage.
There are discussions about giving Maven a push because of his strong promo skills.
The first meeting between Goldberg and Triple H is scheduled to take place at the 7/20 house show in San Jose, CA. Due to Goldberg's arm injury, this match is up in the air at this point. Goldberg had tubes put in his arm along with the infection being cut out on Tuesday, and will not have the tubes drained until tomorrow. Sources have not ruled out an by Goldberg at Monday's RAW, however, it's highly doubtful that he'll be able to wrestle.
Pierre Oulette received a dark match tryout at Monday's RAW. Some of you may remember Oulette for his run as one-half of The Quebecers, who held the WWF World Tag Team Titles on several occasions.
Developmental wrestler Nova tore his PCL during a match in Ohio Valley Wrestling and will be out of action for about four months as a result.
The rep on Orlando Jordan is that he handles himself very well in the locker room, but is still very green when it comes to his ring work.