More On Sabu's Firing, Steph's Promotion, Kozlov's Future

Written by Tom Wilkens on May 20, 2007 - 1:36:12 PM




source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Out of all the releases in the past week or so (not including Ariel), his wasn't planned ahead, although he had been on thin ice for quite some time. He had his job saved on at least one occasion thanks to Paul Heyman, and the general feeling was that he was only around because Heyman & RVD shielded him away from trouble, but with both of them gone (or in RVD's case, soon to be gone), he wasn't going to last much longer. Sabu showed up hours late, and as a mess, to the 5/15 taping in Baltimore. He was scheduled to put over Kevin Thorn on the show. He wasn't let go over refusing to do a job, but over being late and them feeling he wasn't in the condition to be put on television.

The WWE public relations department was told to get the word out like never before regarding Stephanie McMahon's new promotion, as she is being groomed as Vince McMahon's hand picked successor. The belief is that Vince is trying to show the stockholders that the future is on track even when he's no longer around.

Vladimir Kozlov is said to be "on the bubble." His contract is a lot higher than the typical developmental contract because Jerry Jarrett cut a good deal for him when he signed with WWE. He was being groomed for superstardom and then Vince McMahon was told that he wasn't close to being ready to wrestling in WWE, and then he threw a fit about it.