Chicago Sun-Times: Hogan, Piper ready to rumble

In a match added Thursday to the Judgment Day pay-per-view tonight, Hulk Hogan will face Rowdy Roddy Piper. The bad blood between these icons dates back 20 years. In fact, things got so bad that the WWE had to invent a new platform for such a huge match, and Wrestle-Mania was born.

Now, more than 19 years after WrestleMania I, the two men who set the stage for the success of the WWE will meet again. Almost. The suspended Hogan is playing the role of Mr. America--and not fooling anyone in the process. Piper is proud that he never has been pinned by Hogan. He also will have Sean O'Haire in his corner, meaning he doesn't seem likely to lose.

But a match of the magnitude of Hogan and Piper is one that requires more than three days of hype, so I expect a muddled finish to this one, with the two facing off in an epic battle at SummerSlam.

AROUND THE RING: The Play-boy magazine featuring Torrie Wilson sold more than 1.2 million copies. Playboy and the WWE are happy with the results because they were expecting sales of about 800,000. ... Don't look for the Legion of Doom to be signed by the WWE after their performance last week on Raw." Word is many WWE workers were upset over the LOD's refusal to sell Kane's chokeslam or Rob Van Dam's frog splash. ... Chavo Guerrero tore his biceps muscle and will miss about six months. I hear that Chris Benoit might do double duty at the Judgment Day PPV and join Eddie Guerrero in the ladder match. ... Despite the comments made by Tazz last week on SmackDown," I would be absolutely shocked if the Big Show was able to defeat Brock Lesnar for the WWE championship tonight. ... Also set for the Judgment Day PPV is a world-title match between former best friends HHH and Kevin Nash and a battle royal for the Inter-continental title featuring former Intercontinental champions. Al-ready confirmed for the match are Booker T, Christian, Chris Jericho, Kane, Test, Van Dam, Goldust and Lance Storm. ... I have to say the split GM angle on Raw" has been a success to this point. Ratings were up almost a full point last week. ... Fred Blassie's new book is the top-selling wrestling book on the market.

HOTLINE: I have the latest news about the Rock's return to the WWE and about two former tag-team champions coming back to Raw." Call (900) 990-SLAM. The cost is $2 per minute.