Chicago Sun-Times: Piper, Bearer make NWA-TNA debuts

It was the most eventful episode of "NWA Total Nonstop Action" on Wednesday night PPV when not only did Rowdy Roddy Piper appear with his tirade against Vince Russo, but Paul Bearer made an appearance at the end of the show that raised many eyebrows across the wrestling world.

Nobody is quite sure what role Bearer will play in the company with his signature wrestler the Undertaker under contract with the WWE, but it should be a big one in the coming months. One possibility is that Paul could bring back the old Undertaker character by utilizing Brian Lee, who already is in the NWA and has some experience in that role. Lee was the fake Undertaker that Ted DiBiase brought to one of the most memorable "SummerSlam" main events in 1994.

Whoever Bearer latches onto in the NWA will become a main focus in the company in short order. As for Piper, he made a surprise return to the ring just in time to promote his new book, and he took the opportunity to take some shots at the current state of wrestling and Russo in particular.

A feud between Piper and Russo could be enough to get the NWA some serious consideration from fans who until this point have not paid much attention to the Wednesday night shows.

AROUND THE RING: Both Rowdy Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan have books out, and Classy Freddie Blassie and Jerry "The King" Lawler have books due out in a few weeks. ... The Godfather has been released by the WWE but could be brought back if they feel a spot is there for him, and Ron Simmons has decided to retire from the WWE and will accept a position as a road agent for the company. ... An angle between Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson was cut from last week's "SmackDown" show by most networks. A toned-down version of the story may be shown next week.

HOTLINE: I will give you two matches added to the "Armageddon" PPV that will not be announced until next week, plus up-to-the-minute news on Steve Austin's return to the WWE, and Chyna marrying X-Pac. And that's not all you'll hear on the hotline--(900) 990-SLAM ($2 per minute).