July 31, 2006 Observer Newsletter: SmackDown roster, WWE TV in Canada
Just before the Great American Bash PPV, the WWE Smackdown side, already decimated by injuries to JBL, Mark Henry and the sabbatical of Chris Benoit for a number of reasons including surgery, as well as Kurt Angle and Randy Orton being moved to ECW and Raw respectively, saw the roster decimated by a variety of issues.
Both Bobby Lashley, 30, and Dalip Singh (Great Khali), 33, were diagnosed with liver problems and have been removed from the active wrestling roster for the time being. Both were pulled from their matches at the Great American Bash PPV, although both were to appear on the show. WWE reported Lashley had an elevated liver enzyme count, but did not publicly acknowledge Singh’s similar problem.
Although Vince McMahon made the decision on 7/22 to pull Singh from wrestling Undertaker on the show in favor of Big Show, the WWE didn’t make the announcement and were likely going to shoot an angle during the broadcast.
Subscribers can read this issue here.
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.