Chicago Sun-Times: Russo, Bischoff vow big changes to boost WCW

Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff, the new brain trust in the WCW, have promised sweeping changes in the WCW over the next few months. In interviews conducted with the two last week, both discussed the past and future of a dying company.

Russo called the recent WCW television shows "awful . . . terrible . . . an embarrassment and disgraceful." Russo said if he were a wrestling fan and not in the business, he would not have watched the shows either.

"The whole company is in need of a major overhaul," Russo said. "There is no focus, no leadership, and the whole company needs to start over."

Though he felt it could take up to one year to again be competitive with the WWF, "The WCW as you know it will be turned completely upside down," Russo said.

Bischoff commented on the future and the past and said he missed the wrestling business. "I love the challenge and have one in front of me now," he said.

Also revealed on the interviews, which can be heard on the hotline (see last item), were the plans for Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart_both of whom feel they have a lot to offer in the ring.

Bischoff and Russo were upset over the loss of the Radicals to the WWF, but they understand what caused the jump.

It also was learned Kevin Nash will be returning to the WCW this week but cannot wrestle for another four weeks; Goldberg will be at "Nitro" on Monday, and Sid could be stripped of the WCW title on "Nitro."

RATINGS: WCW took last week off to prepare for its big push, and the WWF ratings reflected the bye week. "The Best of Nitro" did a 2.3 first hour and all but fell off the map with a 1.3 when the WWF hit the air. "Raw" did its normal 6.4 for each of the two hours. The shows did go up against the NCAA championship game on CBS.

HEARD AROUND THE RING: The Undertaker reportedly is very close to returning to the WWF after a muscle tear. The Taker could be back as early as Monday. . . . Kane will be out for eight weeks with a broken hand. The Big Red Machine suffered the injury a few weeks ago but worked through the pain to stay in the fold for Wrestlemania. The angle with the Bossman and Bull Buchanen was done to explain the injury. . . . Sabu will be appearing for Stampede Wrestling and could be released from the ECW in June or July. . . . HHH is scheduled to hold onto the WWF title until "SummerSlam," when he will lose the strap to the Rock_and at that point the Rock will begin a feud with Steve Austin. In the meantime, Rakishi will be pushed to the No. 1 contender position and will meet HHH at an upcoming PPV. . . . Brian (Grandmaster Sexay) Christopher could be out indefinitely following an injury to his arm at the hands of the Big Show. . . . Look for Chris Chetti and Nova to become the ECW tag champions in the near future. Nova has been recording singles victories over Lance Strom at recent ECW house shows. . . . Following the comments of Hulk Hogan on "Thunder" last week, expect a feud between Hogan, Vampiro and Kidman over the next few weeks. . . . Pete Rose was paid $100,000 for his appearance at "Wrestlemania." . . . The WCW is interested in Marc and Rena (Sable) Mero; however, Sable is under a no-compete clause with the WWF and cannot appear in the WCW for at least 18 months.

HOTLINE: Current tag team champion in negotiations with the WCW, plus hear interviews with Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo on options 3 and 5 on the hotline: (900) 454-SLAM ($2 per minute).