Week two of the question and answer period with WWF Canada President Carl Demarco went a little differently than week one. For one, the fans had sent in more questions, and more comments.
Every question and comment sent in during the set period — Tuesday to Wednesday morning — is sent to Demarco. However, circumstances such as this week’s WrestleMania press conference, dictate that he cannot answer every question. This week, we also strived to shorten the interview.
Below is the transcript of the 30-minute interview. I’ve given credit to the readers who sent in questions.
Q: How do you feel about the editing that TSN does to RAW? [Neil, Vancouver BC]
A: We support it. We work really closely with TSN. We have a great working relationship with TSN. Somethings that may be acceptable in the United States are not acceptable in Canada. We have to be sensitive and recognize that. That’s why we work very hard with TSN to make sure we don’t edit out too much, but to make sure that nothing is being aired in Canada that would offend people. It’s a difficult job to do, but we do take precautions. We have no choice because Canada is different than the U.S.
Q: Should there we a difference between the early [4 pm EST] and late [midnight EST] editions? Should there be more graphic content on the midnight show?
A: Well, you’ve got to remember that midnight our time is at 9 pm west coast time. We want to make sure that the show is suitable for the TSN viewers. And we fully support TSN on that.
Q: Are the Outlaws officially going to join DX? [from Hailebury, ONT]
A: They’re tagging up at the next pay-per-view, so stay tuned!
Q: Were the injuries to Chainsaw Charlie and Cactus Jack real? [Elizabeth N. Flanagan]
A: When the wrestlers go through the physical punishment of our business, injuries are always a big factor.
Q: Any idea when the WWF will be back in Ottawa? [Kevin Stuckless, St. John’s, NFLD]
A: We are looking at some dates. We will be back in Ottawa, I just don’t know the exact date at the present. There’s a possibility it will be May. Not a for sure, but it’s possible.
Q: What is the severity of Glen Kulka’s injury? How did it happen? And when will he be on TV? [Jason Davoodi, Chicago]
A: Glen has broken his leg. He had a match with the Jackal for an independent promoter in Regina, and unfortunately, injuries are a part of the business. He got a broken leg out of it. Welcome to the wrestling business. When people think that wrestlers don’t get hurt, or whatever the case is — Glen Kulka’s a great athlete, and here’s a classic example. They do get hurt. It will probably be several months before he can be back in the ring.
Q: Could you tell me who is on the card for the Winnipeg show? [Jaime]
A: If he’s from Winnipeg, he should be watching our TV show on Portage-la-Prairie.
Q: Did you catch Bret Hart on TSN’s Off The Record this past Monday? Did you get a chance to talk to him? [Topper Lee, Toronto]
A: No I did not, and I didn’t get a chance to speak with him. I just been so busy here.
Q: Last week we talk about where to go to become a wrestler. Where do you go to become a wrestling manager? [Brandon Eversoll, Idaho Falls, ID]
A: Well, there’s no real school, so that’s a good question. Traditionally what I’ve found is that people in the wrestling industry end up becoming managers.
Q: Is it good advice to get hooked up with a local, small promoter?
A: I think that’s a good way to start.
Q: Is there any hope ever of a joint supercard with the WWF and WCW? [ John White, Mount Vernon, OH]
A: [Laughing] Highly unlikely!
Q: Has the WWF looked into hiring Jackie? She could fit in well with the Nation of Domination and battle Chyna. [Radcliffe Dockery]
A: I too have been hearing the rumors everywhere about it. But right now, to my knowledge, I don’t know if there’s anything going on with her and the WWF.
Q: How does one go about getting employment with the WWF, be it as a cameraman, t-shirt salesperson, or whatever? [James T. Paterson]
A: Send a resume to our Human Resources department in Stamford, Conneticut. [Editor’s note: Titan Sports, Inc., 1241 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902]
Q: What ever happened to Yokozuna? [ JC90703]
A: He just did a Diet Coke commerical, so stay tuned and watch.
Q: Are we ever going to see the Nasty Boys back in the WWF? [ JC90703]
A: You never know what’s going to happen in the WWF.
Q: The Pitbulls? [ JC90703]
A: I don’t know who they are.
Q: Sid? [ JC90703]
A: Again, you never know what’s going to happen in the WWF.
Q: Has Johnny Ace signed with the WWF? [ JC90703]
A: I don’t know if he has. I’m aware of him and he seems to be a very good talent. Stay tuned.
Q: When is Adam Copeland going to make his TV debut? [ JC90703]
A: I don’t have any exact dates. I expect it to be in the next couple of months. Stay tuned because I think he’s going to be great.
Q: Did Shawn Stasiak sign? [ JC90703]
A: There was talk. I hear he was at the training camp and did really well.
Q: Is Tiger Ali Singh on bad terms with the WWF? [ JC90703]
A: That’s not true at all. Tiger’s on very good terms with the WWF. And his father. We’ve got the upmost respect for his family.
Q: How much do Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin make and when are their contracts up? I was curious if they’re in long-term deals. I don’t want to see them jump ship to WCW. [ JC90703]
A: I can’t tell you what they make, but I can tell you they have signed long-term contracts with the WWF. Highly unlikely that they’ll jump to WCW.
Q: What is the purpose of the NWA angle? Is it to discredit the lineage of the WCW World Title? [ JC90703]
A: That’s a good question. Jim Cornette. Ask him. Looks like he’s trying to build his own little stable there.
Q: Is Dan Severn signed with the WWF? [ JC90703]
A: I believe so.
Q: How is the Patriot doing? I heard he ripped something in his arm. [ JC90703]
A: Yeah, he did. I believe he had an operation. I haven’t heard. He’s a great wrestler and we hope to see him back soon.
Q: How come all the PPVs are on Sunday. Why can’t you have the odd one on a Saturday? It would be a lot more fun (party!). [Rick, Lethbridge, AB]
A: That’s a good question. Right now, we try to be consistent and stay on Sundays because that’s what we’ve built as a tradition.
Q: I was wondering why the WWF cancelled their house show that was scheduled for Saturday night March 7 in Halifax, Nova Scotia? Also, when the WWF finally returns to Halifax, will they have more Monday Night RAW’s from here, or maybe even have a Pay Per View event such as an In Your House? [Peggy Paquette]
A: It’s a part of the business. Scheduling always changes all the time. Yes, we’re looking forward to going back to Halifax and hopefully someday we will go back there. That Halifax live RAW was very memorable. Everyone had a real good time in Halifax doing that show.
Q: What is the basic outline of your job as WWF Canada President? [Brian Pszeniczny, London, ON]
A: I oversee everything regarding all business of the WWF in Canada.
Q: So what’s a day-to-day routine?
A: Everyday is different. One day I’m dealing with pay-per-view. One day I’m dealing with live events. One day I’m dealing with sponsorships, liscensing and merchandising, etc. So, each day’s different. It’s exciting. It’s the greatest job in the world.
Q: How do you see the WWF’s relationship with TSN? What about Eric Bischoff saying that TSN would move NITRO to the prime Monday night slot this spring? [D.B., Vancouver]
A: [Laughing] Our relationship with TSN is great. I’m very close with everyone there personally. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everybody at TSN. From the chairman of the company to the president to the guys in programming to the guys who work on Off The Record to the guys who work on SportsDesk. TSN’s a great organization and we’re very proud of the close, working relationship we have with them. It’s really good. Regarding Eric Bischoff saying they’re getting the Monday night show, well, clearly TSN has issued an official response to that denying that’s true. And they have sent us a letter to basically make it clear that these rumors that were being circulated — whether Eric Bischoff said them or not, I don’t know — are not true.
Q: When will the WWF be releasing another music CD?
A: There is one released already. And it looks like it’s going to go gold already. Called WWF Volume 2, available in all your local music retail stores. As a matter of fact, we’re doing personal appearances tied into a lot of our live events. On the day of the SkyDome show [Feb. 21] we’re going to be appearing at Honest Ed’s [Bloor & Bathurst] to promote the CD. At Honest Ed’s will be Owen Hart, Doc Hendrix, Mark Mero and Sable. We’re appearing in Vancouver with Owen Hart at, I believe, the Virgin Record store. There’s another personal appearance in Montreal. These aren’t just to promote the CD, but also the WWF apparrel line and the video business. Looks like the CD is going to go gold in Canada, and we’re really happy about that.
Q: Is the WWF going to return to Victoria, B.C., at a different arena, before the new arena is built? (The old arena is going to be torn down, and the new one will be put in its place.) [MiniHart9, Victoria, B.C.]
A: I know that it’s going to be torn down. We’re hoping that we’ll see a new arena there. It’s a great city. I was there personally there in Victoria last time. We had a great time. It was a very memorable trip there. We’re definitely looking forward to going back there. We sold out there the last time we were there.
Q: Will there be another pay-per-view or RAW in Vancouver? In Your House in Vancouver was good, but really great overall. [MiniHart9, Victoria, B.C.]
A: All of our pay-per-views are great. And Vancouver is being looked at for another pay-per-view. Good chance by the end of the year.
Q: Are there any more Canadian pay-per-views scheduled for this year, or the next? [MiniOwen9, Victoria, B.C.]
A: Yes, there will be some pay-per-views scheduled for Canada in 1998. Watch your WWF programming, you’ll see. We’re very committed to the Canadian market — we have been in the past and will continue to be.
Q: I was wondering who’s decision was it to move April’s IYH out of Edmonton to Greensboro, NC? I was extremely upset with this decision since I was planning on attending the event and the two RAW tapings after it. [Greg LaValley]
A: Unfortunately in our business, buildings are not available in certain cities. Financially, we have to make sure we have a whole string of cities available on a tour to make it financially feasable. We’re always changing dates. Everybody in the WWF was very impressed with Edmonton when we did our RAW there and we’re looking to go back. We love that city.
Q: Will the WWF ever tour South America? [Lima, Peru]
A: We’re already on television in South America and we’re expanding there. We’re world-wide. I think we will eventually [tour].
Q: Vince made the biggest mistake at Survivor Series by cheating the best there is, the HITMAN. I read that you said that since Bret left, business became better in Canada?? Haha! I do not believe it and a lot of other too. Have you ever heard the term ‘sour grapes’? [Najib Mozahem]
A: Well, I’ve got no sour grapes with Bret. He’s a friend of mine. And the fact of the matter is that this guy can’t accept business is better. That’s his tough luck. The fact is that it is.
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DE MARCO: You know, I’m surprised there aren’t more questions about Mike Tyson.
OLIVER: We took questions on Tuesday to Wednesday, before the press conference.
DE MARCO: Right now the whole focus for me — this is my little comment, since everyone has their little comments. Right now wrestling is hotter than ever. The Mike Tyson press conference was a huge success and it was very well covered in Canada. I’m predicting it’s going to be a huge financial success for us at WrestleMania. It was great to see that Mike Tyson is a huge fan. It’s also great to mention that Mike Tyson is interested in future events. He mentioned numerous times about WrestleMania 15. There’s no doubt we’ll go down in history we’ll go down as one of the greatest pay-per-views of all time.
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