Tuesday February 25, 4:45 pm ET

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 25, 2003–World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. announced that effective today, it will close its restaurant located in New York City.

“We have ceased the restaurant operation as of today, but we will continue to operate the retail store until April 27, 2003,” said Linda E. McMahon, Chief Executive Officer. “We will seek to sublease the facility and will work closely with the landlord’s organization in this effort.” (more…)

February 24, 2003

Bischoff wants the spotlight on a bigger star, the biggest star in the WWE, the biggest star in the history of this industry. A video of a helicopter’s flyover plays, finally flying over a building which emits light that fades into the face of… The Rock! The Rock comes out, with new video and music. He surveys the crowd and then walks into the Raw ring, to a mixed reaction to say the least. Finally, The Rock has come back to Toron… Toron… To run his mouth on all our candy asses. (more…)

For those wondering, the referee from last night’s Rock-Hogan II match was Sylvain Grenier, better known as Sly. He is a developmental wrestler and does have a contract with WWE. Recently he has done a couple dark matches in Montreal. Pat Patterson actually discovered him, and he has trained with the likes of Dory Funk, Rocky Johnson and The Rock. While waiting for his green card to come through, he has been wrestling at the NCW promotion. Having him take such a big part in the show last night shows WWE’s high expectations of him.
Credit: Rajahwwf

by Phil Speer

MONTREAL  Feb. 23, 2003 The Rock?s back was scratched up and red, the outline of Hulk Hogan’s belt clearly visible. Hogans face was covered in blood and still bleeding. Their match tonight  Rock-Hogan II  had just ended, and even though they were tired, bruised and swollen, they were elated.

I was happy with everything, Hogan said. It turned out great.

I hope they had a great time, The Rock said, referring to the fans. I had a great time.

The two icons had a bit of a challenge on their hands tonight. Their match immediately followed Stone Cold Steve Austin?s confrontation with Eric Bischoff, a segment of the show that had every fan ? from the front row to the cheapest of cheap seats ? on his or her feet. Whereas it was the second time fans had seen Rock and Hogan battle, it was the first time anybody had seen Austin since June.

Anytime you follow Stone Cold Steve Austin its hard, because he just rocks the house, brother,? Hogan said. ?Stone Cold was on the card, he rocked the house and he probably drained half the energy of the people out there.

With any other feasible match, the crowd would have fallen asleep. But fortunately this was Rock-Hogan II.

Hogan said, When we went out, people were yelling and screaming, and I was happy with it.

Another potential challenge tonight was living up to the off-the-charts, unforgettable performance they put on at WrestleMania X8. Although it was the first match for both Rock and Hogan since August, the fans expectations were high.

You could never duplicate Hogan-Rock I just because of the environment, the vibe (and) that it?s the first time it ever happened, Rock said.

Still, Rock said he felt absolutely no pressure; Hogan admitted he did a little bit, but other concerns were preeminent in his mind.

There was this overriding pressure tonight that made me not even worry about that type of pressure  actually getting through this match with my back, Hogan said. ?My back has been so damn bad. Five discs. They tried to burn it in California to get it to slide back in, which didnt work. Tonight, from about 4 p.m. on, I iced it every 20 minutes. The ice is the only thing that would take the pain out. As soon as I got in the ring, taking little short bumps off his punches, I was testing my back. Im sure itll be weird tomorrow. But right now, Im so happy because it doesnt hurt, and Ive only had one beer.

Im amazed how it feels. It might have just been that I needed to get in the ring and take a couple bumps. I might have just had to break up some calcium. Who knows

Hogan added that any potential confrontation with Vince McMahon or anyone else at WrestleMania XIX in Seattle was contingent on his back holding up tonight.

Everybody is saying, WrestleMania this, WrestleMania that. McMahon-Hogan, Hogan said. Without telling Vince, if I wouldn?t have made it through this match tonight, there would have been no WrestleMania. But now I can live to fight another day. Im so happy that I got through this, it?s unreal.

Hogan said he wasnt even worried about ring rust or not being in ring shape due to being idle since his match with Brock Lesnar last August on SmackDown!  his only concern was his back. Rock, meanwhile, made sure he didnt have ring rust by getting in a ring as often as possible.

I have a ring out on the West Coast and a ring down in Florida, Rock said. Throughout the film, on the weekends, whenever I had a second, I would get down there and get some action in for a couple of hours.

Like Hogan, Rock is looking forward to WrestleMania, whoever ends up being his opponent.

Im excited about WrestleMania, he said. Im excited about coming back. Some big things should happen at WrestleMania. Im excited about going up there  50,000 or 60,000 strong up in Seattle. Im excited just to come back in this capacity  as a heel.

credit: WWE.com

Match #8: The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan
Rock waits for Hogan to get distracted before he?ll enter the ring, but Hogan catches him and looks to try and gain the opening control. The Rock immediately goes to the outside. Hogan is inside the ring as the referee starts counting out The Rock. Hogan finally has had enough and goes outside after Rock. Rock runs back into the inside and gives a boot to Hogan. The Rock issues a big right hand to Hogan, follows with another. Hogan counters and bangs Rock?s head into the turnbuckle. (more…)