Heyman Faces Extreme Defections

On November 16th, Bam Bam Bigelow debuted on WCW’s Nitro, just days after canceling a tour in Japan arranged by ECW boss, Paul Heyman. Bigelow had verbally agreed to a new contract to remain with ECW, however, due to miscommunication between Bam Bam and ECW management, Bigelow jumped ship.

Two weeks later, the Blue Meanie made his World Wrestling Federation debut on Sunday Night Heat before a favorable Philadelphia crowd. Many insiders feel Super Nova will follow his tag team partner to Titan land, and join the J.O.B. Squad.

Chris Candido, and real life love Tammy Lynn Sytch (Sunny in the WWF), posted a message on America Online expressing interest in making the jump to one of the “big two.” The message read, “We are taking the month of December to contemplate many offers. We are leaving for the Canary Islands (of off Spain) and then to Tahiti. When we return we have meetings with the "big two.” We will either take them up on their offers or return to ECW, as the full time assistant booker.”

ECW announcer Joey Styles posted the following statement on the ECW web site on Saturday: “First of all, anyone who believes that Candido and Sytch are taking a month long tropical hiatus must also believe that Kane and the Undertaker do indeed have supernatural powers. Even if it were true, the WWF made clowns of Candido and Sytch; remember the Bodydonnas? In any case, Paul Heyman has told me and others that they are both under long term agreements.”

The duo is not scheduled to appear on the “Guilty As Charged” show, as Heyman suspended both after missing scheduled Japanese dates. The couple claimed to be attending to Candido’s ill grandmother.

According to Mark Madden on the WCW Hotline, Mikey Whipwreck, real name John Watson, has officially signed a two-year contract with WCW. He is expected to join WCW after ECW’s pay-per-view “Guilty As Charged,” on January 10th. He is booked in a three-way dance against Jerry Lynn and Lance Storm. Upon his WCW debut, Whipwreck is expected to feud with cruiserweight champion Kidman.

Whipwreck is a former ECW champion after beating Sandman in October 1995. He is also notable for beating Steve Austin in ECW in 1995.

Whipwreck posted the following message on America Online, “I have agreed to a two year deal with WCW. Leaving ECW was not a decision that came without a lot of time and thought. For the past 5 years ECW has been a great place to work and I had a lot of fun being there.”

ECW valet Chastity signed a reported two-year contract with World Championship Wrestling last week. She will play the role of Raven’s sister. The storyline will continue with Raven’s mother coming in to try to get her son out of his current funk. At a last resort, the Sandman will finally make his WCW debut to continue the crusade. Raven hopes to re-create the flock consisting of all former ECW stars.

Styles confirmed the departures of Whipwreck and Chastity, commenting, “Mikey Whipwreck and Chastity are about to sign agreements with WCW and there is even a rumor that Lance Wright may follow them.”

Tommy Dreamer recently mentioned on a radio program that he would consider leaving ECW once his current contract expires. It is reported that Dreamer holds shares in the company and could be the biggest blow to ECW should he leave. Terry Funk is expected to the return to the WWF in the early part of 1999, and Mabel and the One Man Gang are only signed to short term contracts.

The current ECW tag team champions the Dudleys have been offered WWF contracts as have New Jack and Shane Douglas. The Dudleys and New Jack could jump right after "Guilty as Charged".

Rob Van Dam is another name currently being thrown around by both the WWF and WCW. Apparently Van Dam has moved to Los Angeles and is ready consider offers from both companies. It is believed his current contract expires sometime in 1999.

Styles commented on the current situation in ECW, “In regards to ECW being in dire straits: I fail to understand this assumption. We have wrestlers making six-figure incomes to work three nights a week, thus enjoying a normal family life as well. We have released a successful album, and are about to do the same with a new magazine. We have been shopping around the rights to the first ECW video game for over a year, creating a bidding war for said rights. The list of television stations that air our weekly program has grown year after year, and we will be producing six pay-per-views in 1999, up from four in 1998. We are always looking for a national cable or broadcast television network with the smarts to partner with us before we grow to be as big as WCW and the WWF.”

Heyman did receive some good news regarding pay-per-view. ECW is extremely close to being picked up on Viewers Choice Canada.

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