WWF pits Austin vs. the Rock

It's In Your House weekend. Tonight the WWF will put on itsBacklash pay-per-view from Providence, R.I.

The main event features the Rock challenging champion Stone ColdSteve Austin for the WWF title, but this title match is unlike anyother. Normally the champ has the belt, but ever since the nightafter Wrestlemania, the Rock has been holding Austin's smoking skullbelt hostage.

Not only is this Stone Cold's chance to get his custom strap back,but also a way to rid himself of the Rock and the Corporation. Theone wild card in the title match is guest referee Shane McMahon whohas vowed to do everything in his power to help the Rock become afour-time WWF champion.Also on the show, Mankind will face Paul Wight in a boiler roombrawl, the Godfather puts the I-C tile on the line against Goldust,X-Pac meets HHH, Ken Shamrock gets a chance at the Undertaker, and AlSnow challenges Hardcore Holly for the Hardcore title.RATINGS: Another win for the WWF in the national Nielsen ratingsthis past week as Raw defeated Nitro 6.1 to 4.1. Raw did hours of5.7 and 6.4 for its total, which included a 7.1 for the final 15minutes of the night, while Nitro drew 4.2, 4.0 and 4.1 hourlyratings for 4.1. The WCW show topped out at a 4.4 during the DDP vs.Goldberg finale.AROUND THE RING: Sad news to report as former WCW and WWFIntercontinental champion Ravishing Rick Rude died Monday night inAtlanta. . . . Chris Jericho remains the wrestling world's No. 1free agent-to-be. Reports indicate Jericho is leaning toward goingto the WWF when his contract expires in July . . . Former WWF tagchamp Chris Candito is close to signing with WCW and will be bringinghis wife, the former Sunny with him . . . Madusa has signed with WCWfor two years and will be doing a weekly interview segment on Nitro .. . After being fired by the WWF last Tuesday the Blue Meanie hadbeen brought back thanks to the thousands of e-mail complaints sentto the WWF offices by fans of the Meanie. . . . Tommy Boy recordshas signed a deal with WCW to release a CD featuring the entrancemusic of the WCW wrestlers . . . Injury update: Wrath has a torn ACLand will be out four to six months; Hollywood Hogan is recoveringquickly from recent knee surgery and will be back within three weeks;and Bret Hart should be back from groin surgery by late May to feudwith Goldberg. . . . Matches added to the Slamboree PPV include,Roddy Piper vs. Ric Flair, Sting vs. Goldberg and a three way dancebetween Hack, Bam Bam Bigelow and Brian Knobbs.HOTLINE: More details on the death of Rick Rude and full In YourHouse Backlash results call (900) 454-SLAM. Cost is $2 per minute.