– The WWE will be holding tapings for both RAW and SmackDown in Japan on February 4 and February 5 of 2005 at the Saitama Super Arena. The local media made a big deal about Vince McMahon coming to the shows and plugged that Torrie Wilson, Kenzo Suzuki, Hiroko, Booker T, Triple H, Kurt Angle, Tajiri and others would be at the shows. This will mark the first time WWE tapes television from Japan. Tickets go on sale January 3, 2005.
– Former WWE stars Chuck Palumbo and Rodney Mack are currenty scheduled to debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling on February 5 at the Giant Baba Memorial Show. Their bookings were reportedly set up by WWE’s John Laurinaitis (aka Johnny Ace). Johnny Stamboli recently debuted for the company portraying the new Great Muta character.
– Contrary to some rumors, the Dudleys are being held off TV solely in hopes of freshening their characters. They are not injured, nor do they have any heat backstage. There was some talk about an one-time-only ECW themed Pay-Per-View sometime early in 2005 where the Dudleys likely would’ve returned, but with Paul Heyman’s removal from the creative team, one could assume that idea will remain just that.
