- WWE is blaming a lot of the problems between themselves and Steve Austin on Austin's lawyer, saying that the lawyer doesn't understand the importance of Austin remaining on WWE TV for his own marketting. However, Austin himself was not going to sign off on a new deal unless he had control of his external deals and reportedly WWE was willing to make some concessions in this area but only in areas that were not in competition to any existing WWE deals. Austin and Vince McMahon broke off talks on 4/16 in a positive manner by saying that they would work together again some day. The company also promised not to bury Austin publically on TV.
- WWE Backlash in Edmonton drew about 10,000 (with 13,000 in the actual building) paying $650,000 Canadian. That made it well short of a sell-out even though Jonathan Coachman called it as such during Sunday Night Heat.
- Johnny Laurinaitis will now take over Jim Ross' role as the talent department head. He will have full control of booking all live events and will more or less make all final decisions on the wrestlers themselves such as which performers to retain or release.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Subscription information available @ wrestlingobserver.com
