James Casey

15 months into a game playing as RPW on the 1997 mod, and I've finally broken 0.01 for TV ratings - my TV show jumped from about 4k viewers to 7.5k off the back of a good monthly event. I've barely played TEW in over a year, and only a handful of shows on 2020 at all, so I'm almost having to learn to play from scratch, especially as RPW's product is so different to what I'm used to running. But I'm having a lot of fun booking an hour of TV a week and just concentrating on gradually improving my small indy roster - that just happens to include Tom Gilmore, Rich Money, Brent Hill, Chris Morrisette and Steve Flash, among other CV stalwarts.

Thanks!

I'm negotiating a broadcast deal for my monthly events. Just to be clear, where the revenue split says 10/20/30% etc. to the company... The company is my company, not the broadcasting company, is that correct?

To answer my own question, AMW went bankrupt in November after about 9 months in the red. They were a Small company, and had received financial warnings 8 weeks and 4 weeks before they were declared bankrupt. Naturally, I now have XFW who've raised all their production levels to match mine, with music one level above mine. They have 400k in the bank and are turning a profit every month off the back of weekly attendances of 1,200 where I'm hurting from fortnightly 300 attendances. I wonder if switching to weekly TV shows would hurt or help? I'll have to check back whether that's going to cost me twice as much in production costs as I know someone set that out a while back.

That sounds like a bug - although maybe the MMA company doesn't have a concussion protocol!

Thanks Historian. I've gone up 1-2% now, so slow progress even with weekly shows - but it is happening. Any idea how long a company needs to be in the red to go bankrupt? I have 2 months ahead of me before I dip into the red. AMW have been in the red since February (it's now September) but they actually turned a four figure profit last month. Even if they crash in the next two months, PPPW have Production Values and Music equal to mine - although they've recently doubled their production costs and trebled their worker costs, so they're running into the red at the same point we are.

<p>Is there any way to gain popularity when you're not winning a regional battle?</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> In my RPW game on the 97 mod I typically finish behind DAVE in the Mid Atlantic and Tri State battles. Fair enough - they have Vengeance, who's worth about 150% of any wrestler I have under contract. But between that and being behind AMW on one production category, my shows are penalised every time and I'm only just hovering over the 35 threshold to drop from Small to Tiny.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> I have Dark Eagle (hopefully!) coming in to push up our show ratings beyond 50 which we seem to now be hitting fairly consistently, but we're taking heavy losses each month trying to offset AMW's crazy production levels. And yes, I know that AMW are fated to go bankrupt eventually (they're losing about 100k a month vs. our 50k) but I'm currently fighting to stand still until they do, and while they're still solvent I can't drop my production levels as I'll still be losing money.</p>

Thanks!

<p>Great, thanks folks!</p><p> </p><p> A couple of other questions: I'm playing the 97 mod as one of the companies in the East Coast Wars. AMW have higher production levels than us on 3 points out of the 4, while DAVE and XFW both have 1 category higher. Are my show ratings being penalised 5 times for each (3+1+1), 3 times for this (total number of categories) or 1 time (I'm not top of the pile)?</p><p> </p><p> Also, my company runs TV twice a month, broadcasting live once and taping the following week's show the same night. Are my per show costs for workers, production etc. being paid twice a month, or am I getting charged per show, even with two on the same night?</p>

<p>Very small question, as someone coming back to the game after an extended break:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> I know that <strong>somewhere</strong> there's a calendar that shows the upcoming month and identifies any workers who're booked on other shows, but I can't find it. Can someone point me towards it, please?</p>

Playing as WWE, I assume? Morgan is the obvious choice - build him as much as possible beforehand to benefit from positive momentum but he surely has the highest star quality of the three. As gratifying as it would be to feed Goldberg to Noble or Nunzio, the fans in real life wouldn't buy them as challenges to Goldberg so either of them beating him (and I know Nunzio had a rep as a tough guy in real life) wouldn't put them over so much as have them be seen as a fluke - to truly elevate them you'd need to translate that shock result into their new norm. Whereas Morgan is a believable brute who can destroy Goldberg as a career highlight, or have it be the start of a sustained push to become a Batista-like heavyweight main event mainstay.

<p>The dynasty title was always intended to have a double meaning - both the growth and development of the Dangerous Alliance under Paul E, of course, but also the expansion of WCW in the wake of the WWF, which crippled them once already under Jim Crockett and eventually killed them once Ted Turner wasn't in charge of the purse strings anymore in 2000/2001.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Paul E/Paul Heyman has been my favourite non-wrestler for nigh-on 30 years at this point, and even when I was struggling to write anything else here, I could always come up with plenty of Ross/Dangerously bickering.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> To make Paul E the booker of WCW, though... Well, perhaps another time. I'm suddenly wondering what Paul could have done as the booker of WCW in 2001, if that had somehow been a possibility...</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> *</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> One last note before I draw down the curtain on this. Ric's early 1990s WWF entrance music sounds like it was played on a £20 Casio keyboard, so using his modern theme below is an anachronism, but when </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/vSCfyKpI7o4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Ric Flair 1st WWE Theme"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> *</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="r6434EK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/r6434EK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> In the Gorilla position, Ric could see Vince and Pat directing traffic. Hogan was in the ring, tangling with his old rival Earthquake having peppered Typhoon with right hands before clotheslining the Natural Disaster over the top rope.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Tenryu, Koko, Dibiase, Berzerker, Typhoon and... Earthquake makes six. Just like the old days! And the fans are starting to get into it.</em></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Which must mean...</em></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> He glanced over at Pat and Vince, the latter of whom gave him a thumbs up.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>...cue that music.</em></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/-a7C9E5BLJY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Ric Flair Entrance Video"></iframe></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Ric walked through the curtain, arms spread wide and a smile spreading across his face as the Sacramento crowd erupted in shock and delight. In the ring, the action came to a halt as the half-dozen men within the ropes turned as one to look at him.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As Ric walked the aisle, the Undertaker took advantage of the distraction to level Hogan with a big boot, and as though a spell was broken almost everyone piled onto Hogan, beating down one company’s legendary figurehead as another company’s approached the ring.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>We’re off to a good start – now to do my thing!</em></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>And no-one does it like the Nature Boy! Whoooo!</em></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div> <p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The End</span></strong></p></div><p></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--></p></div><p></p>

OOC: No new dynasty, just a little coda to Ric's rise and fall - the flow of time 'correcting' itself in a way, with Ric heading north, Eric in charge, Nash and Hall on the rise... Different times, but the same paths. You can only change so much, after all, before history fights back! * Chicago was neutral territory for both men, and with both WWF and WCW running shows within an hour of the city that night it was easy enough for them to cross paths in a diner on the outskirts. When Ric arrived, the place was empty apart from Pat Patterson sat quietly in a booth by the door. He nodded to Ric, and hooked a thumb towards the back, before dropping a twenty on the table and heading out. Well, this is all very cloak and dagger. But at least it’s not in his office this time. I haven’t had to walk into his inner sanctum. In the very back of the diner, Vince McMahon was finishing off a steak dinner with every sign of satisfaction, even if the meat did look blacker than Ric would have liked. “Ric, sit down,” Vince said, half-rising as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Let’s talk!” Ric settled into the seat opposite the WWF’s owner. “Drink? Something to eat?” Vince offered. “I booked out the diner for the whole night, so we won’t be bothered.” Ric shook his head. “I don’t have long. I made sure that Bischoff saw me flirting with some girl in the crowd, so he’ll buy me being out for a while, but he likes to keep me close. Really close, if you know what I mean.” “He doesn’t trust you? Well, I don’t recall thinking much of Eric when he was interviewed with us, but apparently he’s learned to play politics.” Vince smiled, but Ric didn’t return it. He worried that he’d already given too much away to Vince, that his unhappiness in WCW was too great to conceal. “Ric, I won’t beat around the bush – we want you in New York. It’s past time you had a run with us, and we’re not planning on starting you out slow or anything like that. We want you in a programme with Hulk from day one.” Ric raised an eyebrow. Straight into it with Hogan? It makes sense, but... But Hogan’s a heel, and I’m not going to be a face in New York, not even for one match! “You... want to turn Hogan face again.” Vince’s smile widened. “And that’s the other reason we want you on board, Ric,” he said. Lifting a thick folder off the seat next to him, he passed it across the table. “Not just in ring, but behind the scenes. I may be... indisposed for a time next year. The company should be fine, believe me, I have the best lawyers around working day and night on this, but I’m up against the federal government.” “The steroid charges,” Ric said, one eye on Vince, the other on the folder. “Exactly. It’s a trumped-up pile of bullshit, honestly, but... It’s going to be a trial by jury, and while I’m innocent, I’m not prepared to walk into that courtroom without making plans for the worst case scenario. If it comes down to it, Linda will be in charge of the company, Bruce and Pat will cover booking and I’ll chip in from the big house. But before that happens, Ric, I’d like you on board as well. Everything you’ve done for WCW brought it forward at an incredible pace – and I admit that you’ve outstripped us, at least here in America. I know Bischoff was put in place because of his ‘vision’ for expansion... But he wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing if not for you.” “That’s true,” Ric said, slowly. Vince reached across the table and opened the folder at one of the tabs sticking out of the paperwork within. Ric’s eyes focused on the dollar amount at the bottom of the page. “In-ring pay, backstage work, performance bonuses, pay-per-view bonuses... It’s a generous offer, Ric,” Vince said. “And that’s if the WWF grows at half the rate WCW has done over the last two years, using the benchmarks you’ll find in section two. Help us get bigger faster, and the pay will improve as well.” The wheels spun in Ric’s head. It was a generous offer, more generous than he’d expected – which probably meant that he could push for more, if this was the WWF’s starting offer. Vince must be really worried about jail time. He’s used to being the big dog in the fight. Jail time for distributing steroids? He could end up somewhere a lot nastier than some minimum security fraternity! Now he returned Vince’s smile. “We can talk numbers, Vince, but first let’s talk booking – booking the Nature Boy on his arrival in the WWF.” “Of course, Ric. Here’s what we were thinking – it’s the Royal Rumble in just over three months, so you can negotiate your release and sit out a release clause if they try and put one in. Hogan comes in low teens, he’s too strong for some and too sly for others so we’re well into the twenties before new music hits. Your music. Hogan and Flair in the same ring at last, but you don’t go after him and he’s completely thrown by your arrival, he gets distracted, loses his edge and then he’s ganged up on and eliminated – and you’re the one who gets the decisive shot in to send him over. “Now, you don’t win the Rumble – we want to put Perfect over Luger at ‘mania, but you’re going into a feud with Hogan that’ll be the perfect complement to the whole deal we’ll have going on, back in Madison Square Garden, the tenth Wrestlemania, the two greatest wrestlers of the last twenty years finally meeting one on one...” Ric sat and listened, commenting occasionally as Vince outlined his future booking. “And the belt?” Ric asked at last. “Ric, I can absolutely see you as champion,” Vince said. “But it’s getting late, and I don’t want Bischoff getting suspicious of you. Take a look at the contract, pal, and get back to me in the next few days.” They shook hands and Vince left. Ric looked quickly through the contract, checking the highlights before calling his lawyer. I wonder what Eric’ll say when I hand in my notice? Will he try and argue me out of it? Will he be able to contain his enthusiasm? Maybe I should walk into his office, open my robe, and show him exactly what I think of him! Ric smirked. That’d be good! But maybe I’ll just go with “Hey Eric, I quit! Whoooo!” <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

It was October, and Ric’s plans had changed. Of course, they weren’t Ric’s plans anymore. After a token transitional period primarily focused on putting Austin over Sting once more at the August Clash, WCW was rocketing ahead into its new, faster-paced era. Owen Hart had left the Dangerous Alliance. He wasn’t siding with his brother, exactly. Nor was he feuding with his former allies, exactly. But he was out to prove himself – again – and a clash with Brian Pillman seemed inevitable. The Dangerous Alliance was becoming more vicious, and had crossed a line when Scott Steiner had gone after Shawn Michaels and the US title. The previously mutually-beneficial partnership between the Diamond Exchange and the Dangerous Alliance had immediately dissolved, and not all of a sudden Michaels, Vinnie Vegas and the Diamond Studd were babyfaces... sort of. Ric shook his head – their wisecracking, innuendo-laden promos were certainly appealing to one section of the audience, at least, especially with Kimberly in their corner. Meanwhile Shawn, Vinnie – who had been growing his hair out – and Studd also appealed to another section of the audience... Time was, a handsome wrestler was a bonus. Pushing guys because of the girls screaming for them... Well, I guess these guys can go. Well, Shawn can. And Studd’s okay. And I guess worse guys than Vinnie have done well. But I don’t think he’s got the same ceiling that the new boss does, just because some women are calling him ‘Big Sexy’. Hey, every dollar is worth 100 cents, whoever hands them over! Bret Hart’s momentum had stalled. It had been a gradual rise under Ric, all intended to see him succeed Austin as World champion – and be the foil to the Superstar going forward, the pure wrestler against the modern entertainer. But Bret had moved into a feud with Scott Steiner, which didn’t make much sense when Scott was, at best, number three in the Alliance. Arn had had his shot at Austin. Horsemen versus Alliance – and the Alliance had won, in one month, with a trio of wins at Halloween Havoc. Maybe there was more ahead, but Rick Rude’s return to action alongside Steiner had yielded a US tag title win over the Thrillseekers, Austin had beaten Arn in the main event, and Ric had put Pillman over in an NWA World title match. I didn’t mind that – Brian did the honours enough for me a few years ago... but that was supposed to be me putting Steve over at Starrcade. So I guess that’s not happening. And Regal’s had two televised matches since the Bash. The kid’s as smooth in the ring as they come, but there’s no TV time for him because we’ve got to fit in Jason Hervey doing an interview segment. The kid doesn’t even have a set or anything – it’s just Hervey, backstage, doing interviews. What does that do for us? What does it do for anyone, except for Hervey cashing a check every week? And I know what he’s on – he gets more for a two minute interview segment than half the roster does for wrestling, when they’re allowed to! Ric looked around the locker room. The Young Pistols, the York Foundation, Rey Mysterio, Mike Awesome, Marcus Bagwell... Just some of the talent who’d barely been on TV in the last few months. Even Konnan and Eddy Guerrero, the tag champs, were mainly on Main Event – and their proposed program with the Heat hadn’t materialised other than a short no contest on Saturday Night that happened when the Dangerous Alliance crashed the match and Scott Steiner obliterated everyone with Steinerlines. Ric shook his head. The favoured few... It wasn’t making for a happy locker room, especially not with talk coming in once more of Hulk Hogan’s contract being up for negotiation, and the new man in charge being keen to bring him in. Well, that’s Eric Bischoff for you. Big names = big noise, or so he thinks. I should have known better than to bring him on board. Certainly shouldn’t have let him schmooze with the higher-ups without breaking out the old Nature Boy charm to put him in the shade! Ric finished dressing. His match for the night was done, and he was free to go. Beating Dean Malenko in under ten minutes, probably while the commentators talked about Shawn Michaels’ recent appearance on Letterman. Dean’s an easy match – but we could have gone twenty on pay-per-view and had the fans eating out of the palm of our hands. Bischoff probably thinks he was being generous giving us that long. Bischoff probably thinks people don’t want long wrestling matches, but this is World Championship Wrestling! Pulling on his suit jacket, Ric nodded to a couple of the guys and headed for the door, done for the night and free to leave. He wondered about waiting for the other Horsemen, but decided against it. I spent so long picking the right guys, but we’re going nowhere. What’s the point? And Jericho and Storm get all the attention from the ladies anyway! Ric dropped his bag in the trunk of his car and climbed into the driver’s seat. Just before he turned on the engine, his cellphone rang. With a grunt of annoyance he took it out, ready to toss it into the back seat – Eric was the only one who called him nowadays, to remind him about booking team meetings. Ric attended when he couldn’t think of a good reason not to, which was about half of the time. But, glancing at the display, Ric paused. The number on it wasn’t Eric’s. Instead, the area code was for Stamford, Connecticut. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

You're very welcome! * Ric relaxed, enjoying basking in the glory of the Great American Bash. A live attendance second only to WrestleMania III. Well over half a million pay-per-view buys confirmed, maybe the third or even second highest wrestling buy rate in history. Life is good! Woooo! TBS Headquarters was buzzing with the success of the show, which had made national headlines and even drawn some attention from ESPN – something Ric was only aware of happening with WrestleMania V. We’re big time now – national news, soon to be world news! Life is real good! Talking the talk, walking the walk, styling and profiling! Knocking back the last of his glass of whiskey, Ric accepted more plaudits from CNN suits whose names he didn’t know, watched Eric and Dusty glad-handing with executives, Sting, Rude, Pillman and Bagwell charming some of the ladies while Austin, Luchamerica and Michaels showed off their titles to admiring crowds. This is how you win over the people – no matter who they are, or what they do. Ted wants us to have a presence here, he wants people to know who we are, who I am... Well, I think we’re making a splash! “Ric, congratulations!” Ted Turner had arrived at the party and made his way straight to Ric, extending a hand. The two men shook, and Ric beamed at the chairman of TBS. “Seventy thousand in the stadium and half a million plus on pay-per-view, Ted; I think we’ve captured the public’s attention! Let’s see SummerSlam top that – what do they have, Luger against Yokozuna? I don’t see it!” “Indeed. Indisputably, the momentum is with WCW right now, and I couldn’t be more pleased, Ric. And it’s on that topic I wanted to talk to you... In fact, the board wants to talk to you.” “Any time, Ted. Right now, I feel like I could do to the world what Vader did to me!” Ric laughed, and Turner smiled as he took Ric’s glass and set it to one side. “Good. Now’s as good a time as any.” Ric remained jovial as they crossed the floor, pausing to shake hands with Sting and Dusty, and even to have a photo taken with an older executive who claimed to have been at Starrcade to see Ric beating Harley Race for the World title. But his mood darkened as he realised that Turner was leading him into an area of the offices that Ric had never been before, where the furnishings were more expensive, the carpets deeper, and – even in his distracted state – Ric couldn’t help but notice that the secretaries were much more expensively dressed, and more attractive, too. This was where the TBS executives hung out – and as Turner passed easily through the area and pushed open a heavy wooden door, Ric realised that they were heading into the boardroom. Ric took a deep breath before following Turner, who held the door open for him. The door closed softly behind Ric, and Ted walked around to the other side of the table. “Sit down, Ric. We need to talk about WCW and its role at the centre of the TBS expansion.” Ric’s smile faltered a little as he took in the others sat alongside Turner – five men and one woman, all wearing expensive suits and looking curiously at him. I don’t think I’ve met any of these guys before. Or glad-handed them, either. But they can’t exactly fire the Nature Boy, not after a gate seventy thousand strong! Turner offered brief introductions, pronouncing the other six as three vice-presidents, an executive vice-president and a couple of others that Ric didn’t catch. But one important word did land solidly – quorum. “This is a board meeting?” “Yes. The board wanted to meet to discuss the future of WCW, and this is undoubtedly the high-water mark of your time in charge, Ric,” Turner replied. He smiled, but any reassurance the expression may have offered was swept away by the expressions on the other six faces that Ric could see – indifference, discomfort, and even hostility in the case of one of the vice-presidents. “Mr Turner, I know that we discussed your concerns over the content of WrestleWar, and I’m sure you’ve seen that the last two months of WCW programming have been free of any significant bloodshed-“ Turner held up a hand. “Ric, this isn’t about the Media Research Centre, they’ve moved on and found other content to complain about – at least for now. No, this is about, well...” Turner’s expression became sombre as he looked to either side along the panel of board members. “It’s about you, Ric, and whether you’re the best man to continue taking WCW forwards.” In Ric’s lap his fingers twisted around one another. Ambush! The Nature Boy’s been jumped before – it’s just another promo with no script to follow, and if there’s one thing the Nature Boy does better than anyone else, it’s cut a promo! He smiled. “Two nights ago WCW ran its largest ever show in front of seventy thousand paying fans with a gate of around a million dollars, Mr Turner, with half a million viewers on pay-per-view. No-one before me, not under the WCW banner, not for Jim Crockett Promotions, not anyone else in this business other than Vince McMahon has done that. And we can go bigger, I have no doubts about that. I won’t say that the sky’s the limit, but we can blow the roof off a lot of arenas, all around the world!” “All around the world, you say,” the vice president with the hostile expression demanded. “What can you tell me about wrestling in Japan? Or Australia? Or any of the territories that we’re looking to expand into?” Ric regarded the man for a long moment, trying to remember his name. Jack something, he thought, before dismissing it as unimportant. “I’ve wrestled in Japan many times, most recently about two years ago in partnership with New Japan. Many members of our roster have experience working there, and there are several Japanese wrestlers like the Great Muta and Jushin Liger who’ve appeared on WCW TV over the years. Expanding into the Japanese market will be something that we want to do carefully, because of that established relationship with NJPW. But we’ll need to be clear that we’re coming in as WCW rather than riding on their coattails and being seen as their ‘little brother’; We’ll want fans to watch our show, of course, but we won’t be looking to run Korauken Hall after a month on the air there. I would expect that we’ll continue to work with New Japan to share the costs of running shows in a foreign country, but also it allows our wrestlers to work with talent that the Japanese fans already know, so there’s at least one side of any match that will be familiar to them and able to hold their attention. The language issue can be overcome, and several WCW wrestlers already speak at least a little Japanese. It won’t happen overnight, but with a few years’ effort we can become big in Japan.” Ric settled back slightly in his chair. His hands remained clasped in his lap, but the knuckles were beginning to regain their colour. He looked at the vice-president, who seemed unmoved by the response. “A few years’ effort to establish WCW in Japan, I see. And the other territories?” “The WWF has opened doors in Europe. They tour their regularly, and we’ll need to avoid coming in too close to their shows – at least at first. But we have talents like Warrior, Savage and Sting who are, or who will be, big deals over there. Many European countries have English as a second language, and we have wrestlers who speak French, or German, or Spanish... We can handle that. Australia is the other country we’re looking towards, I believe, and there’s no language barrier there. The main issue is that there’s no real history of wrestling in Australia, just a few small companies that came and went without leaving much of an impression. I’ve wrestled there before, but I’d be surprised if many others on our roster have done – and we’ll have to determine whether it’s a market that’s ripe to be exploited, or if it’s going to need to be primed for some time first.” Choke on that, Mr vice-president of whatever you are! Come at the Nature Boy and give me your best shot, but don’t be surprised if I knock it out of the park. Woooo! Ric smiled at the board members, none of whom smiled back. “Is there a problem?” “Our concern is that your approach depends on each new territory just accepting WCW as is – a wrestling company first and foremost,” said one of the people whose title Ric couldn’t recall. “That’s what WCW has always been, and right now it’s the best in the entire world.” “And it’s become very successful in a nation that knows professional wrestling... but I note that when the decision about where to hold the Great American Bash took place, every location on the shortlist was in the southern states.” Ric blinked. “That’s where our support is strongest,” he said, looking at the board members in turn, wondering why such a basic concept was seemingly being contested. “We wonder whether a stronger statement might have been made by holding the Bash event in a market where we would have sold fewer tickets. Pay-per-view revenue would have remained the same, of course, and by holding the event in a growing market such as Seattle, San Francisco or Chicago it would have been a chance to make a real splash in that market,” said the female vice-president. Ric nodded, accepting the point. “It would, but the biggest shows need the hottest crowds, and ultimately it came down a choice between Atlanta, Charlotte and Oxford. And the folks at UMIss were very keen on having their stadium featured the way we did. We got a good deal, and we got a big venure for the show.” “And do you think that WCW has gained in popularity as a result of that choice?” was asked by one of the other vice-presidents. Ric bit back on his instinctive response, instead thinking furiously for a few seconds before replying. “In isolation, it may have been more effective for a growing territory to be chosen as the venue for the Bash,” he said slowly. “But the Bash has become our end of the year show, our season finale if you will. We needed everything to pay off to produce the very best show that we could, and part of that is wanting to have a hot crowd who’re invested in the company and the wrestlers. A cold crowd can kill a show long before the main event. We’ll go to Chicago or Seattle or wherever with TV, I’m sure, and maybe even pay-per-views, but we’re some way away from running such a big show outside of our core markets. We tried running a big show in New York a few years ago – myself and Terry Funk in the main event, capping off a really heated rivalry, but the New York crowd was lukewarm and we didn’t even get five thousand through the gate that night. We couldn’t risk that for the Bash.” “Perhaps not, but it highlighted an issue that has caused us some concern over recent months,” the first vice-president said. “Time and again, your choices have been conservative rather than aggressive, seeking to consolidate rather than expand. Despite Mr Turner warning you of the need for an aggressive approach, despite a clear expectation that WCW would embrace tactics that worked for the WWF in their becoming a globally recognised company, WCW remains a traditionally-booked and conservatively-scheduled wrestling company.” “Yes, and I’ll repeat that two nights ago we brought in half a million buys on pay-per-view, sir,” Ric said, just keeping his mouth in check. “Once the broadcaster’s cut, facility fees and wages go out, that should be something like two million dollars in profit – plus what we made on a seventy thousand attendance on the day.” “Indeed. Now, imagine what could happen with an aggressive expansion-“ “I don’t need to imagine. I lived through it,” Ric snapped. “Spending money the company didn’t have. Bringing in talent we couldn’t afford and then paying them to sit home because they were no good. Throwing money around because the WWF was hot and we didn’t have the first clue how to catch them. Reduced to wrestling in armouries and civic centres because we couldn’t draw enough fans to warrant a bigger venue. Giving two-for-one tickets to try and get enough people in to cover concessions. Giving away free gifts to kids to try and get their parents to bring them to the shows. Cancelling shows because we knew it’d cost us less than running them. Standing on the verge of bankruptcy before Mr Turner saved us.” Ric looked around. “Mr Turner’s money saved this company once. I didn’t want to have it happen again. You want to know what the plan is for preparing WCW for the worldwide expansion of TBS? Fine – it’s to put Austin over, big. He’ll sneak past the Warrior, then win his rematch against Sting in a two or three months’ time, maybe something like a cage or a last man standing match to make it decisive. Him, Shawn Michaels, Brian Pillman and Bret Hart will be the focus going forward – Bret’s the oldest at thirty-five but he’s new in the main event scene, and they all have plenty of mileage going forward. They can all talk people into the arena or get them watching TV and,” he held up a finger with a smile, “they’re all good-looking guys. Great for the cover of Teen Beat or even TV Guide – why not aim big, right? And you want Japan and Australia and wherever else to be aware of WCW? Then we’ll shoot region-specific commercials, just like we do when we’re running shows in different markets. We can get creative, even – use local celebrities as much as possible to put our guys over in those commercials. “I’ve put Vader over and I’ll do it again, but later in the year I start itching for one last run and earn the shot against Austin at Starrcade, which’ll be in North Carolina, my home state. Everything will be geared up for another win for me, but Austin will take the win. He’s got his new Stunner finisher, this time he’ll beat me by submission to really establish him as having all the cards. Meanwhile, Bret wins the Battlebowl to set him up for Starrcade-” “Thank you, Ric,” Turner said, holding up his hands. “May we have the room for a few minutes?” Ric waited outside the room, hands in his pockets for want of anything better to do with them, unable to sit as he bounced on his toes, grateful that the hallway was quiet. His cellphone sat in his pocket, and he considered bringing it out to call Arn for something to do, but decided against it. I can be patient. Two years I was World champion first time around, and still people didn’t believe in me. Then I dropped the belt to Harley and had to wait another six months to beat him and really become The Man. You’d better believe the Nature Boy can be patient! “Ric?” He turned to find Ted Turner standing in the office door, as the other members of the board filed out. One of the unmemorable ones was fiddling with a cellphone, a couple of them half-glanced in his direction before hurrying off, and the most objectionable of them tossed him a smile before brushing past him at a saunter. Ric bridled, but looking at Turner he allowed the irritation to pass, because the look on Turner’s face made his heart sink. Turner gestured to the boardroom, inviting Ric to follow him back in, behind the heavy wooden door that Ric suspected made the room soundproof. “We need to talk...” <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Nearly there.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> I wasn’t imagining, four-and-a-half years ago, that it’d take me this long to tell this story. I had an idea of the story I wanted to tell that, broadly, ran from July 1991 to December 1993. I’ve truncated it a bit, because there was no way I could carry on for another six months in-game, but most of it is here.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> I haven’t become a father again during the course of this diary, as I did during two previous offerings, but I did change jobs – twice. The first one left me plenty of time to write, the second one... hasn’t. I now write for a living, not fiction, and certainly not about wrestling, but after spending my working day picking and choosing my words with a fair degree of care, I found myself completely unable to apply myself to writing outside of work. That was strange; I’ve been writing for fun for over twenty years, but the well now appears to be dry – at least for booking wrestling shows!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Even with the slightly shortened timescale, certain elements of the diary were always set in stone – the ascension of the Dangerous Alliance being the core one. Even as a kid in the early 1990s I thought they split way too soon, and here they got the long title reign for Rick Rude that never happened in real life, and the ascension of Steve Austin that went rather differently, and more slowly, in real life.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Other elements went more or less as I’d hoped – Owen Hart and Brian Pillman’s evolution almost went quicker than I would have liked, as they were two of my best wrestlers even before they captured the World tag titles. By the time they dropped them, Pillman in particular was simply one of the best wrestlers on the planet. If I’d stuck with the game, and had been playing for match/show ratings, Pillman would have main evented as many shows as possible.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Certain elements came from the readers – the booking committee segments threw up plenty of interesting feedback, of course. I appreciate everyone who took the time to share their views and ideas. If only there’d been a way to accommodate all of them!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Other elements didn’t work so well. Randy Savage brought a much-needed introduction of star quality in the early months of the diary, but keeping the World title off the biggest name on the roster (which he was in the early months) was tough, and finding something else for him to do was tougher. You may have noticed he was practically – or even totally – absent once I stopped playing the game and didn’t have to find anything for him. Such is life. I’d have liked to do more with the Horsemen, as well – given time, Flair and Anderson’s story had more to tell, probably with Flair going wholly solo-</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Flair:</strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Because it’s always been the </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Four</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Horsemen, and you don’t need the Nature Boy when you’ve got Double A!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> -and leaving Anderson to lead the three younger talents. The plan, at one point, was to lead into the Flair/Vader Starrcade ’93 match that happened in real life, which would have been the end of the diary. But we didn’t quite get there, so instead Flair got that match at the Bash... with consequences that we’ll come to shortly.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> I’d have liked to have done more with Dustin Rhodes, too. In-game he was becoming one of the key roster members, but I also had a reason for cutting back his push with the radio interview he did where he trashed other members of the roster. If the diary had run longer, he’d have challenged Austin for the World title... but of course Austin would have retained. WCW picking a ‘leader of the new generation’ and then having him drop the World title after just a few weeks? Nah, that’d </div></div></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><div style="margin-left:25px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><div style="margin-left:25px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><div style="margin-left:25px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow">never happen</a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Bringing in Warrior, Hart and Michaels was an interesting mirror of the Radicalz’ arrival in WWF in 2000, in that they brought a massive boost to the company’s star quality without really changing the show quality, at least at first. Bret went on to become the lynchpin of the upper midcard while Shawn did the same in the midcard (and, had the diary continued, would have rapidly moved towards the main event). Warrior was another guy I didn’t have a huge amount for – but a brutal and dramatic (and rather silly) feud with Vader got both guys over, and the Warrior/Cactus tag team was also rather silly, but also a lot of fun.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> So, as WCW moves into the second half of 1993, the main event would have been something like Sting, Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Ultimate Warrior and Dustin Rhodes on the face side, with Steve Austin, Brian Pillman, Shawn Michaels and Vader on the heel side. I think that’s a pretty good array of talent to have left it with – especially with the Horsemen, Luchamerica and Diamond Exchange just underneath. Imagine, a year further along, Eddy Guerrero and Steve Austin going at it for the World title, or a best-of-seven series between Ricky Steamboat and Shawn Michaels... but that’s another story, alas!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> So, thanks to all who’ve stuck with the story or who’ve joined it along the way. I’m sorry that these last few months have taken so long to get out, but it’s pretty much done now – no more shows, certainly.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> There’ll be a few more Ric Flair segments to round things off, because the diary’s always been his story, and as it’s WCW and it’s 1993 there’s one place it has to go, really... </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--></p>

World Championship Wrestling presents: The Great American Bash Thursday, Week 4, July 1993 Announcers: Jim Ross, Paul E. Dangerously and Tony Schiavone Ring announcer: Garry Michael Cappetta Backstage: Eric Bischoff Ross: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Great American Bash! As red, white and blue fireworks exploded overhead, the camera panned across the tens of thousands in attendance at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Schiavone: It’s a capacity crowd of close to seventy thousand in attendance here in Oxford, Mississippi for the biggest attendance ever at a WCW event, and we’d like to thank everyone here and everyone tuning in worldwide for the biggest event of the summer! Dangerously: Every single one, of course, hoping to see a clean sweep for the Dangerous Alliance – including a new WCW World champion in Superstar Steve Austin! Ross: There may even be one or two folks hoping for just that, Paul, and we’ll get to our main event in good time. But we’ll start things off in the ring, where we’ll find out if the Ultimate Warrior will manage a fifth successful defence of the WCW Television title! With Warrior in the ring and Cactus Jack lurking – and fidgeting impatiently – at ringside, a pounding bass riff came over the air... ...and a wild-eyed, wild-haired man in a keffiyeh appeared on the entrance ramp, looking around in apparent awe at the thousands upon thousands of fans in attendance. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->Ross: And I’m informed that this is Sabu, nephew to the legendary Sheik, and apparently Sabu takes after his uncle... Seemingly overcoming any nerves, Sabu sprinted down the ramp and launched himself over the top rope onto Warrior, catching the champion unawares. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->Ross: ...and he certainly has the Sheik’s reckless attitude of disregard for his own safety! WCW Television Title Ultimate Warrior © vs. Sabu Warrior couldn’t get to grips with his opponent in the early going of the match. Any strategy that may have been employed by a rational fighter, and which could have been predicted by Warrior, seemed like an alien concept to Sabu. Ricocheting off the ropes like a pinball, Sabu struck at speed and from completely unpredictable angles, catching Warrior again and again and never relenting, never letting Warrior catch him and trap him with his unmatchable strength. Dangerously: If you can’t hit Sabu, you can’t beat him! On the outside of the ring Cactus seemed entranced by his mentor’s opponent, until he called on Warrior to leave the ring and regroup. Perhaps seeing logic in Cactus’ suggestion Warrior did just that – but even on the outside of the ring Warrior wasn’t safe from Sabu. The challenger was on the top rope in seconds, and before Warrior and Cactus could even register it he threw himself at them, diving through the air to crush the mentor and apprentice against the guard rail – but with a howl of pain from Sabu that confirmed that the move did not come without cost. Ross: That’s why they call it high risk, folks. Schiavone: It looks like Sabu landed across the guard rail. He may have broken ribs, or bruised at least. Surely he can’t keep fighting? Warrior made it back into the ring as the referee checked on Sabu, who pushed the official away as he crawled back to the ring. Cactus stayed close, but outside of reach, as he watched Sabu force his way into the ring seemingly by sheer force of will. Ross: All credit to Sabu, but good Lord, this can’t be good for the kid! Clearly in pain, Sabu was much slower in his movements as the match resumed. Although still showing great spirit, his movement was more limited and clearly slower. That gave Warrior the chance to take control, and with his power and explosive offence he took full advantage of the opportunity, blitzing Sabu with clotheslines and suplexes before pressing him overhead into a huge slam, followed by a running splash for the pin. Schiavone: All credit to Sabu indeed. On another day, without the injury, this could have been a very different result – but as things stand the Ultimate Warrior emerges victorious! Winner: Ultimate Warrior * After the bell Commissioner Ventura walked down the aisle with a cheque, which Warrior passed to Cactus without looking at it. Before Ventura even had the chance to speak, Warrior took the microphone from him. Warrior: It is right and proper that a warrior offer due credit for a battle well fought, and in Sabu I faced an opponent both unknown to me and unpredictable in his approach to combat. On another day, you might have bested me – but tonight I have claimed victory, and to the victor go the spoils. If ever you need or desire advice, then we will help you as much as we can. A talent such as yours deserves, no, demands recognition, and it would be our honour as warriors to assist you in achieving that recognition. Sabu, still clutching his wounded ribs, nodded his appreciation of Warrior’s words. Warrior: As to the matter of what title I will challenge for... The blood rushing through my veins, the muscles that grant me unconquerable strength, the raging heart within my chest that yearns for the greatest challenges... There can only be one answer. Whoever emerges victorious from tonight’s main event, whether it is Steve Austin, or my oldest friend Sting, will hold the WCW World title. Warrior: And that is what destiny holds for me – the ultimate challenge, the greatest opponent, the greatest fighter in the world, its champion. What greater challenge could there be, and what else could I choose? Ross: As though Sting and Austin don’t have enough on their minds, the Ultimate Warrior now lies on the other side of tonight’s main event! * Backstage, the Horsemen and their associates stood by with Eric Bischoff. Chris Jericho and Lance Storm were dressed to compete, the others wearing expensive-looking suits, with Flair sporting large sunglasses as he uncharacteristically hung back behind the others. Bischoff: Gentlemen, ladies, it’s a long night ahead of you – the triangle match for all the gold up next, Ric Flair you face Big Van Vader tonight, Arn will face no fewer than three separate opponents with the United States title on the line, and last but by no means least Steven Regal is in a submission match with Dean Malenko. With all of you involved in matches, will you be able to provide support for one another? Anderson: Bischoff, that’s what Fifi and Tammy are for – Tammy will take care of the Thrillseekers and Regal, Fifi will walk down the ramp with Ric and I, but if you think that support is only given on the night of the match, you’re wrong! Regal: What Arn’s saying, Eric, is that we’ve been working for weeks towards tonight’s matches – and a chance for all five of us to walk out of the Great American Bash with gold, or with a strong claim to being next in line for a shot at it! Jericho: And not just any gold, Bisch! You’re about to see the best young tag team in wrestling become the best tag team, full stop! Any doubters, anyone who thinks we fluked our way to these United States tag titles... Well, tell ‘em, Lance! Storm: They’re wrong, simple as that. We’ve always had talent, but since joining the Horsemen and learning from all the experience Ric and Arn have, we’ve moved to a new level in the ring- Jericho: And out of it! He pulled Tammy in close, and she giggled before planting a passionate kiss on his lips. Anderson: Settle down, boys! Save your energy for the ring – or for celebrating your win! Regal: Arn’s right. Now, we’ve got a big night ahead of us, Eric, so if you don’t mind- Bischoff: Wait, one last question: Ric, it’s not long since we saw you vandalised at the hands of Big Van Vader – indeed he shattered the plaster cast he received at the hands of the Horsemen over your head. Tonight- Flair pushed forward to the front of the group. Flair: Tonight? What about tonight, Bischoff? Bischoff: Tonight you have Vader in the ring, for the first time, one-on-one, and- Flair: First time, and maybe the last time. Flair reached up and removed his sunglasses, revealing heavy bruising around his eyes and cheeks. Flair: Getting hit by Vader... Bischoff, you have no idea. I’ve been in the ring with Harley, with Andre, with Brody, with the Road Warriors, with Baba out in Japan... Vader hits harder than any of them. What’s stopping him from being World champion right now, I don’t know, but it’ll happen. The only man who can prevent that is Vader himself. But that’s not my job, all I have to do is stop him tonight, but as God is my witness, for the first time in my career I’m going into a match that I don’t know if I can win. Bischoff: Well, then- Flair held up a hand to stop Bischoff, not unkindly, but clearly not wanting to have his thoughts interrupted. Flair: It’s eighteen months since I was champion, Bischoff. Maybe I can’t do that anymore, maybe I just don’t have that in me – maybe fighting at that level isn’t something I can do, I don’t know. Flair: But I do know I won’t stop fighting! Not tonight... Bischoff: Unless? Flair: Yeah, unless. Unless he hits me again, which he will, and does it enough to beat me. Or unless he catches me with the Vader Bomb, but I know I can avoid that, as long as he takes to get into position. See, Vader’s a confidence fighter, Bischoff; It doesn’t take much for him to build up a head of steam and become unstoppable, but as long as I’ve been doing this, I know how to fight big guys, and Vader’s just a little too sure of himself when things go well. Maybe against ninety-nine percent of wrestlers that wouldn’t matter, but I can catch him if he gets cocky. This will be a tough fight, Bischoff, I won’t deny that at all... but I believe that I can win; it’s just for the first time in a long time I may need to be perfect and have my opponent have an off day. That’s how good Vader is. Flair turned to leave and the Horsemen took their cue from him, but Bischoff had one more question. Bischoff: Ric, you’ve mentioned Vader’s strength, and you’ve mentioned the corner splash that he likes to use... I have to ask you, what about the Powerbomb? Flair tensed, and Anderson and Fifi stepped closer to him, but he waved them off. He responded without turning back to Bischoff. Flair: If Vader powerbombs me, Bischoff, then he wins. And with that he walked off, leaving Bischoff to hand back to the announcers. * WCW United States Tag Team Titles and WCW World Tag Team Titles <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> The Thrillseekers © vs. Eddy Guerrero and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © Ross: Three teams, two tag team titles, one fall to a finish – either the Thrillseekers or the Diamond Mine could become double champions, or Luchamerica could claim their first tag team gold in WCW. Plenty of twists and turns to get to this match; The disdain that the Diamond Mine have shown every other team in WCW, the rapid progress of the Thrillseekers from, frankly, preliminary wrestlers to Horsemen, and the sheer audacity of Eddy Guerrero and Konnan to come into WCW and act like they belonged – and they’ve proven that they do! But the Diamond Mine have no time for either team, they’ve embarrassed Eddy Guerrero by unmasking him, by taunting him with the mask they stole from him, and there’s been so many attacks on all sides over the last several months... But now it’s time to see, for certain, which team is the best that WCW have to offer. Vinnie Vegas was nearly as heavy as any two of his opponents and used that to his advantage early on, throwing Eddy Guerrero and Chris Jericho around with some ease. But the Canadian-Mexican pair showed impressive teamwork as they chipped away at the big man, targeting his left knee as restricted his mobility with drop kicks, chop blocks and baseball slides. But Vegas’ size made it impossible to keep him vulnerable for so long as he was able to reach from halfway across the ring to tag in Diamond Studd, who nearly caved in Guerrero’s chest with a big boot, before Nash heaved Jericho up into the air before sending him crashing into the ringpost with Snake Eyes, and only a save from Lance Storm kept the match alive. Dangerously: The Diamond Mine nearly had that – and now Jericho is as good as dead as far as this match is concerned. Guerrero and Konnan fought hard to take Studd down, and Vegas as well when he tagged back in, but without a second man in the ring they couldn’t keep the advantage long enough against either of their titanic opponents to land any decisive blows. On the outside of the ring Rey Mysterio was trying to revive Jericho to get him back in the fight as Storm watched the action in-ring in frustration. Ross: DDP and Kimberly look like they’re ready to celebrate already! Schiavone: DDP looks like he’s been celebrating all week already – but then, he always does! But Vegas and Studd couldn’t quite find a way to get pass Konnan, Guerrero and Storm, who played a spoiler role on the apron to distract the world tag champions as they tried to put either member of Luchamerica away for good. Dangerously: Let Storm interfere! Vegas and Studd would rather have him in the ring so they can take the US tag titles back. Jericho eventually re-entered the ring, immediately tagging Storm into the match. Storm scrambled to the top rope and shocked Studd with a missile dropkick. With him in the match, Konnan and Guerrero had someone to work with, and again the Diamond Mine found themselves on the back foot, even when Jericho tagged in, bloody-nosed from the Snake Eyes. Clearly angry and wanting to make his point, Jericho exploded onto Vegas, hammering away at the bigger man who was forced into retreat before grabbing Jericho by the hair and hurling him over the top rope. Jericho, however, caught the top rope and landed on the ring apron, tagging Vegas with a hard right hand that sent him staggering into Konnan, who hauled him overhead with a belly to back suplex and a close two count. Jericho and Storm rushed the ring, meeting Guerrero and Studd in the middle of the ring as Konnan and Vegas continued to fight. The largest member of Luchamerica was still dwarfed by Vegas, who shoved him away and into Jericho and Studd. The trio toppled to the mat, but Vegas couldn’t press his advantage as he looked down to find Rey Mysterio – all 175 pounds of him – clamped around his ankle. As Vegas tried to shake himself free, and the referee tried to restore order, Guerrero slid out of the ring, snatched one of the tag title belts from the timekeeper, and slid back into the ring as Studd clotheslined Storm over the top rope. With the referee still distracted, and Vegas looking down at his feet, Guerrero slammed the title belt into the back of the giant’s head, dropping him to the mat like a stone. Dangerously: Disgusting! Unbelievable! How can the referee allow that! Schiavone: The official didn’t see it, Paul – and you might say that after all the grief the Diamond Mine have given Guerrero and Konnan, this could be seen as sweet justice! Konnan grabbed Studd’s feet and tipped him up and over the top rope in Storm’s wake as Guerrero booted Jericho in the stomach, doubling him over before Guerrero lifted him up and delivered a brainbuster onto Vegas’ chest, further punishing the big man. Guerrero kicked Jericho under the bottom rope before quickly climbing to the top rope. Pausing only to point to Konnan, who nodded as he kept his head on a swivel, looking for any opposing team member on the outside, Guerrero dived off the top rope with a splash onto Vegas. With Konnan patrolling the ring to prevent any outside interruption, and Page and Kimberly frantically trying to stir Studd after his crash landing over the top rope, the official dropped to the mat to count one... two... three! Ross: Luchamerica win! Guerrero and Konnan are the new World tag team champions! Dangerously: What a robbery! Guerrero and Konnan have cheated to win the belts! Ross: Maybe so, Paul, but as I’ve heard you say many time before... The end result is the only thing that matters! Dangerously: Don’t try and be me, Ross, you couldn’t handle it. Mysterio joined Guerrero and Konnan in the ring to celebrate the victory as Storm and Jericho collected their US tag belts and shared a look with the new champions. Schiavone: That’s a story that’s going to be told soon, I think. Ross: And I’m looking forward to it, Tony. But right now, this team of young Latino stars have scored a huge upset, taken world tag team title gold, and also earned a huge measure of revenge. And to Luchamerica all that must feel absolutely amazing! As Guerrero, Konnan and Mysterio walked up the ramp, soaking in the fans’ acclaim and celebrating their success, the Diamond Mine remained in the ring, plainly shocked by their defeat. Schiavone: For the former champions, having lost both their titles in just a few weeks, ‘amazing’ is probably not the word... Winners, and new WCW World Tag Team champions: Eddy Guerrero and Konnan * In a gloomy room backstage Big Van Vader worked over a heavy bag with brutal, unrelenting, strikes. Harley Race watched him with delight written across his face. Race: You keep working – it’s Flair, and it’s offering more resistance than he will! Vader snarled in reply, his strikes somehow landing even harder, even faster as Race walked away, chuckling. Bischoff: Harley Race, if I can have a moment of your time? Race: Just a moment; It’s a busy night. Bischoff: Of course, thank you. We’ve already heard from Ric Flair and he thinks he can beat Big Van Vader tonight- Race: Then he’s a damned fool. But I saw his little bit of false bravado with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears, and I’ll give the man this: When Vader powerbombs Ric Flair tonight, it is over. He turned back to his client. Race: Time to go. With a thunderous left hook that seemed to echo through the stadium as it snapped the chain from which the bag was hanging. It flew across the room and crashed into the wall, then Vader followed Race out of the room. Ross: I hope Ric Flair is at the top of his game tonight. He’ll need it. Dangerously: You know what, Ross? I don’t think it’ll make the least bit of difference. * Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader Flair entered first, his elaborate robe and perfectly coiffed hair doing nothing to disguise the heavy bruising on his face. He bounced uneasily on the balls of his feet as Vader’s music played and his titanic opponent marched down the aisle, clenching and unclenching his hands as Harley Race followed in his wake, cackling as Vader climbed through the ropes. Flair didn’t hesitate, lunging forwards and kicking Vader in the side of the head. Vader rocked back, caught between the ropes, but with a wide sweep of his arm pushed Flair back, climbing through the ropes and following up with two right hooks and a left uppercut that sent Flair crashing to the mat. As Flair moved weakly, trying to lift himself up, Vader put one foot on his head and leaned forward. Ross: That’s four hundred fifty pounds weighing down on the Nature Boy’s skull! Dangerously: And he was hurt before this match even began! That’s what you get for daring to think you can get the better of Big Van Vader! Flair’s struggles weakened as Vader kept him pinned to the mat. The referee swept in to check on him, but before he could so Vader released Flair and lifted him up. Schiavone: I don’t like where this is going... Vader hurled Flair into the corner and followed in with an avalanche splash before grabbing the back of Flair’s head and hurling him to the mat, face-first. Flair was nearly motionless, just one arm moving, perhaps spasmodically as Vader deliberately climbed up to the second rope, looking out at the thousands upon thousands of hushed fans in attendance, before looking down at Fifi at ringside. Vader: When he wakes up, tell him we’re not finished! Grabbing the top rope Vader hurled himself out into mid-air, dropping a Vader Bomb down across Flair’s back and ribs as the crowd groaned and cried out in sympathy. Vader: It’s time! Vader reached down once more, lifting Flair up and setting him in position for a powerbomb. Ross: Flair said it – this is the end! Dangerously: As though that was ever in doubt, Ross. Vader paused for a moment... ...as Anderson, Regal, Jericho and Storm appeared at the top of the entrance ramp, Anderson standing with arms spread to hold the younger Horsemen back, his words barely picked up by the cameras as he shook his head slowly. Schiavone: “He has to do it himself,” that’s what Anderson said. Ross: I don’t know that Ric Flair would agree right now. With a broad smile on his face, eyes fixed on Flair’s allies, Vader bent down slowly and lifted Flair up. He held Flair aloft for a long moment, allowing the Nature Boy time to focus on him as Vader snarled. Vader: I’m the man! Vader hammered Flair down into the mat with a powerbomb, an almighty crash booming through the stadium as Flair jerked, twitched and lay still. On the ramp, Jericho and Storm looked away as Anderson marched down the aisle, brushing past the celebrating Race to take Fifi, who was utterly distraught, into his arms. Ross: The referee should call this. Flair’s not getting up – he’s been utterly brutalised here tonight. Vader, who had stood motionless the whole time with arms aloft and Flair out cold at his feet, now took two deliberate steps forward, planting one heavy foot on Flair’s chest with enough weight to make the Nature Boy’s body twitch slightly, before becoming still. Quickly, but clearly without any possibility of error, the referee dropped to the mat and counted to three. Schiavone: It could have been thirty. Dangerously: It could have been three hundred. Welcome to the new reality, gentlemen; This is the face of WCW in the 1990s – at least, when it’s not one of the Dangerous Alliance! Vader kept one foot on Flair’s chest, smiling wickedly as Race climbed through the ropes to raise his client’s hand. Anderson beckoned for the others to join him, and the four Horsemen entered the ring to collect their fallen comrade... but Vader seemed to be in no hurry to release him. Schiavone: Vader’s making his point – but I think all seventy thousand people in attendance here tonight got it! Vader relinquished Flair without any rush, his mask not hiding the smirk on his face as he stood over his fallen opponent, arms spread wide. Ross: If I were a Horseman, I wouldn’t be rushing to get inside arm’s reach of Vader. I’m sure he’d love to hand out some more beatings tonight. His eyes never leaving Vader, Anderson dropped to one knee to take Flair’s arms and pull him off the mat. Still watching the big man closely Anderson handed Flair back to Regal and the Thrillseekers, who eased Flair out of the ring, the Nature Boy hanging limply in their arms. Vader: Try it! Vader beckoned Anderson towards him, but Anderson shook his head, backing away. Ross: A smart move by Arn Anderson; He doesn’t need to fight Vader when his match for the United States title is up next. Dangerously: If Vader doesn’t move he might well end up taking part in that match! Ross: And I don’t think he’d mind at all – although I also think that he’ll be watching tonight’s main event very closely indeed. Vader just manhandled the record-setting seven-time World champion, and you can say what you like about Flair entering this match injured, Ric Flair has fought injured before, but I don’t think that in all my years calling his matches I’ve ever seen Ric Flair so comprehensively dismantled – destroyed, even. Vader: I’m the man! I’m the man! Ross: Is there anyone in WCW who can dispute that? Winner: Big Van Vader * As Flair was helped backstage and officials converged on the ring to try and convince Vader to leave, the camera cut to backstage where Marcus Bagwell stood by with Eric Bischoff. Bischoff: Marcus, in these last few weeks you’ve seen your mentor, Ricky Steamboat, and tag team partner, Sid Vicious, beaten and hospitalised by the Dangerous Alliance. Tonight you’re going it alone against Brian Pillman, but you have to know that there’ll be Alliance members in his corner – maybe Madusa, the Dangerous Alliance’s director of covert operations, or Rick Rude, the former WCW champion. Realistically, Marcus, how can you hope to come out on top tonight? Bagwell rubbed his hands together pensively. Bagwell: Eric, I know I’m in for a tough, tough fight tonight. Brian Pillman is the NWA World champion – it’s not a title you get given because you have big muscles or long, blonde hair. It’s always been a fighter’s title, and Brian Pillman, as fast as he talks, as much as he and the Alliance play mind games, he’s one of the toughest fighters in the world. I’ve been wrestling for two years, and I don’t have a fraction of the experience of Pillman. But what I do have is an unquenchable desire to make right what they made wrong – to find justice for the suffering of others, and to make Pillman realise that he can’t just do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. And I may not win, but if I do I’ll take something from him that he truly values – and if not, I still intend to hurt him, the way he hurt Ricky, and Sid, and me! * WCW United States Title <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Dustin Rhodes © vs. Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Scott Steiner Gary Michael Cappetta didn’t even make it through the introductions, as Steiner rushed Rhodes and Anderson in the ring and wiped out the Horseman with a Steinerline after suplexing Rhodes almost out of his boots. But the referee wouldn’t count as the match hadn’t started yet – which didn’t stop Michaels coming off the top rope with an elbow drop to the back of Steiner’s head that knocked the Animal for a loop. Michaels followed up with a Teardrop Suplex on Rhodes for two, before delivering a savate kick that sent Anderson through the ropes. Michaels danced around the ring, gyrating a little for some young ladies in the front row, before being launched halfway across the ring with a belly-to-back suplex from Steiner. Dangerously: The Animal recovered quickly – and he’s not in the mood to dance! The four men all had spells in control, but with three opponents to track it was nearly impossible for any of them to take out all of the others long enough to score a win. Rhodes seemed determined to emerge from the match still champion. After so many weeks of being targeted by Anderson, Steiner and Michaels, Rhodes put his size and leverage to good use, at one delivering a double bulldog to Michaels and Anderson, and later countering a Steiner vertical suplex with one of his own that sent the Animal to the outside of the ring – but despite his spirited defence of the title, Rhodes couldn’t quite find the solution he needed to defeat three opponents. After the champion, Michaels came closest, landing savate kicks on Steiner and Anderson in quick succession before flooring Rhodes with another Teardrop Suplex – but Rhodes’ long legs allowed him to hook the bottom rope with the tip of one boot to break the referee’s count. Ross: In the midst of chaos, Rhodes can rely on his own height as a constant! In his frustration Michaels failed to see Steiner come at him from behind, snaring him with a fallaway slam that sent the Rough Diamond flying out of the ring. But it was Anderson who capitalised, delivering a DDT to Steiner for two, before Rhodes broke up the pin. Schiavone: Still no closer to a winner – but you can tell that all four men are feeling the toll. Dangerously: And even just two sensible fighters out of the four would have realised that the smart plan was to team up and beat the others down. That would mean a clear path for them to settle this – and probably a lot less effort! Schiavone: Maybe, but they’re all sharing the load, Paul. Everyone’s taken their share of hits – and handed them out, as well! Dangerously: And where’s it got them, Schiavone? I’m telling you, the Animal has incredible potential, and I’m glad he’s part of the Alliance, but... Schiavone: Yes? Dangerously: Giving instructions to a lone wolf isn’t always the most productive use of the Alliance’s resources. Steiner closed on Rhodes, kicking him in the gut before delivering a snap suplex. Anderson pounced on the fallen champion with a series of kicks and boots, before being joined by Steiner in beating Rhodes down. Dangerously: You see? He was listening after all – shame he’s chosen to side with that snake Anderson, but I’m not being picky! It’ll just be that much sweeter when Scott destroys the untrustworthy piece of garbage to take the win! Ross: You seem very sure, Paul. Dangerously: Why wouldn’t I- Michaels exploded back into the ring, felling Anderson with a big right to the jaw that dropped Anderson bonelessly to the mat. Squaring up to Steiner, he lashed out with another right hand only for Steiner to grab his hand and snatch the roll of silver dollars from it. Dangerously: Brilliant! Now see the Animal show you how you make money really work for you! With Michaels’ hand still clasped in his own, Steiner looked ready to strike – except Michaels punted him between the legs with a hard kick that had Steiner grimacing and doubling over, before Michaels followed up with a second kick to the head that toppled Steiner to the mat. Rhodes, rising to his feet, was unable to defend himself as Michaels struck once more, delivering another savate kick that snapped Rhodes’ head back and sent him crashing to the mat. Michaels collapsed on top of the champion, just barely hooking one leg to hold Rhodes down as the referee counted to three. Ross: New champion! And as one door closes for the Diamond Exchange, another opens! Michaels could barely rise to his knees after the fight he’d been through, but was quick to claim the United States title for his own as the referee handed it to him. Vinnie Vegas and Diamond Studd joined DDP and Kimberley in surrounding their ally in the ring, and Vegas and Studd lifted Michaels easily into the air, sitting him on their shoulders as he held the title aloft. Ross: Your new United States champion! Dangerously: If it couldn’t be Steiner, at least it went to a man with class and style. Schiavone: A man who cheats, you mean? There are no disqualifications in a four corners match, Schiavone, ergo – that means ‘therefore’ – there’s no such thing as cheating. Michaels won fair and square. Scratch that – Michaels won, and that’s the only thing that matters. Ross: I’m sure the Rough Diamond would agree with you Paul, but right now... The camera took in the view of Michaels, held aloft by Vegas and Studd as he paraded the title around the ring. Ross: ...he’s on top of the world! Winner, and new WCW United States champion: Shawn Michaels * Ross: Folks, earlier tonight our colleague Eric Bischoff had the chance to catch up with the number one contender to the WCW World title, Steve Austin. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Bischoff: Steve, tonight you compete for the World title in the main event of WCW’s biggest ever show- Austin: And all these tens of thousands are here to see the Superstar climb to the top of the mountain, Bischoff! Bischoff: Well, just as you say, Steve. How have your preparations for tonight gone? Austin: They literally could not have gone any better. I’m in peak physical condition – and mental, too. Whatever games Sting thought he was playing, they failed – with the Dangerous Alliance backing me, with the leadership of Paul E. Dangerously, the guile of Rick Rude and Madusa and the backing of Scott, Brian and Owen... I’m going to the top, and nothing Sting can do can stop me. Bischoff: I’m glad that you brought up the ‘games’ of Sting. Did they have any effect on your preparations for this match? Austin: You know, for a lesser man, they probably would have done, Bischoff. But not me. See, Sting’s not a complicated man, he’s not someone who excels at this- Austin tapped his temple. Austin: -but he’s got guts, and he tried to outthink the Dangerous Alliance. I admire that. I’m not discounting anything he’s done, anything he can do, but look around me, Bischoff. Austin gestured at the other members of the Dangerous Alliance in the locker room – Owen Hart, Brian Pillman, Scott Steiner, Madusa and Rick Rude, all poring over printouts and watching videos of Sting’s matches. Austin: This isn’t a show we’ve put on for you. This is work that’s gone into every match we have tonight – the United States title four corners match, the NWA World title defence against Marcus Bagwell, Owen’s match against the Hitman... and the main event. All the preparation, all the knowledge we’ve won over the last months and years warring with WCW, Every test we’ve put Sting through, every win, every loss, every draw... Since the Dangerous Alliance formed our only goal was to dominate WCW and with it the entire wrestling industry. It all comes to a head tonight. Austin smirked. Austin: And with it, the Superstar climbs to the top of the mountain! * Submission Match Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko The initial exchanges between the pair were cautious, both men well aware of the technical skill of the other. Schiavone: A single mistake could be fatal in this match. Both men know about the science of inflicting pain. Dangerously: But both men know as well about how to counter that science. Don’t discount that – one mistake could be fatal, but only if their opponent can capitalise before they can recover. It seemed that the first misstep was Regal’s, overcommitting on a suplex and allowing Malenko to float over, dropping behind Regal and taking him down with a leg sweep. Malenko tried to manoeuvre Regal into his Cloverleaf, but Regal was able to stretch for the ropes, just making them by the tips of his fingers. Ross: Regal has several inches on Malenko, don’t discount the advantage that could give him, leverage-wise. With both weight and reach in his favour, Regal began to take control of the match. But Malenko was the faster of the two, and moved like quicksilver to find counters to Regal’s holds, only really suffering as Regal cinched in a cravate on the Kingdom man. With Malenko on the mat, it seemed that there was no escape – but with his hands free Malenko took the effective, although illegal, approach of gouging Regal’s eyes. Regal released the hold, reeling away in pain as the referee tried to find out what had happened. Ross: If the referee sees it, he could disqualify Malenko – that’s an option open to him, it’s only pinfalls that don’t count here tonight in this match. But it looks as though he’s asking Malenko what happened. And Malenko says Regal let go on his own... Dangerously: As though Malenko’s going to admit to cheating! Even if he was ever that stupid, Race would have trained that out of him. Schiavone: And what about members of the Dangerous Alliance? Dangerously: I wouldn’t need to train them – I wouldn’t bring in anyone that stupid to start with. With Regal weakened, Malenko went to work with a series of moves laser-focused on the Brit’s back, striking with suplexes and backbreakers to weaken his core. Malenko landed a hip toss before floating over and catching Regal’s leg, flipping him onto his chest and rearing back with a single leg crab. Regal snarled defiance, fighting to keep his leg from bending too far back, and eventually breaking the hold when Malenko couldn’t hold him down. Schiavone: Regal is that much bigger, just getting one leg still leaves him with a lot of leverage. Ross: But I think that was part of Malenko’s plan. That wasn’t intended to force the submission – but it cost Regal a lot to escape. Limping noticeably, Regal peppered Malenko with left hands, planting his fist flush on Malenko’s jaw four times in a row before the referee backed him off. Malenko was staggered, but Regal was slow to close in on his bad leg, giving Malenko enough time to back into the corner. Regal followed him in, but the referee again got between them, stopping Regal from attacking Malenko. Malenko reached over the official’s head and thumbed Regal right in the eye once more, making him bellow in pain and back away, hands clasping at his eyes instinctively. Malenko stepped around the once again bewildered referee and tackled Regal to the mat, wrapping his legs up in his arms and rolling him over into a Cloverleaf. With both Regal’s legs trapped, there was no chance for him to escape the hold – and Malenko made absolutely sure by leaning back hard on it, giving no ground at all as Regal yelled in pain, unable to move, unable to force his way out of the hold, unable to gain any purchase to leverage his way free... ...unable to do anything but submit and live to fight another day. Schiavone: A big victory for Malenko! Ross: By hook or by crook, the Kingdom man wins it. He softened Regal up, worked over his back and legs, and when the moment came he made the most of that groundwork. Schiavone: And it seems like it’s a good night for the Kingdom; I don’t think Harley Race could look any happier! Ross: And a good night for the Kingdom could spell bad times ahead for everyone else, given the strength and technical skills that Harley Race’s men have shown they have at their command! Winner: Dean Malenko * <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Luchamerica were celebrating their win backstage with some other fan favourites when their locker room door was kicked open. The Heat, Booker and Lash, entered the room, wielding crowbars which they pointed to keep Luchamerica and the others at bay. Booker: We didn’t come to start nothing, not today. Lash: Not today. But we did come with a warning. Lash tossed his crowbar aside, and crossed his arms with a smirk. Lash: We’re coming for you, and those titles you worked so hard to get. Booker: And when we get you in the ring, you’re gonna work so hard to keep them – but it won’t matter a damn. Lash: ‘Cuz when the Heat gets done with you, that gold will be ours, and all you’ll have left is the memories of one great night... Booker: ...while the Heat starts its own dynasty at the top of the tag team division, breaking bones and crushing dreams. Booker spun his crowbar deftly in one hand, reversing it and presenting it, handle first, to Eddy Guerrero. The new tag team champion took it cautiously, looking from the crowbar to the Heat. Booker: You want to bring these with you, go ahead. We didn’t know what sort of reaction we’d get, busting in here and ruining your night... But now we know. Lash: Yeah, now we’ve looked you in the eyes and seen what you’re about. We don’t need crowbars. We’ll just show up and fight, same as we have since the day we were born. It got us hear, and it’ll get us those belts. Soon. Lash and Booker turned and left, Luchamerica looking at one another in bemusement in their wake. Guerrero: Those guys are loco. They talk so big, but then they walk away? Let’s see what happens when they get in the ring with the tag team champions. We should make that happen. Soon. * NWA World Title Marcus Bagwell vs. Brian Pillman © Pillman made it clear from the bell that he wasn’t taking Bagwell seriously, laughing at the younger man with Rick Rude and Madusa as they accompanied him to the ring, and continuing to laugh as the bell rang and Bagwell charged forwards. Pillman sidestepped the charge and delivered a crunching kick to the side of Bagwell’s knee, taking out the younger man’s left leg and leaving him hobbled in the opening seconds of the match. Pillman: I warned you! You wanted this fight? You don’t want this fight! You’ve got nothing, kid, just like Ricky Steamboat! Bagwell swung a big right hand at Pillman, but the champion evaded easily, laughing as Bagwell’s leg buckled under him when he tried to close the gap between them. Pillman: Just go ahead and forfeit, Marcus. You’re in the ring with a World champion, not some fading star who’s trying to keep himself relevant. Pillman ducked under a lunge by Bagwell, grabbed the back of his head and dropped down with a Rude Awakening. Pillman: Trust me, Marcus. Open your eyes! I can tell – you’ve got talent! I know talent! I know what it’s like to have it rot and fester while the ‘big guys’ get the big matches! He looked at Bagwell, barely stirring on the mat. Pillman: Ah, who’m I kidding? You hate me! You won’t listen to me... Pillman kicked up, smiling widely as he looked down at Bagwell. Pillman: Not yet, anyway! The day’s coming, Marcus, that you’ll see what I saw, what made me join the Dangerous Alliance, what made me reach out and take what I deserved, rather than keep paying tribute to the old guard. Pillman: You’ll see... Climbing through the ropes, Pillman pointed to Rude. Pillman: He blew the gates open, I charged through, but if I have to drag everyone else with me, I will! As Bagwell struggled to get to his feet, Pillman catapulted himself to the top rope before launching off with a System Crash that earned him a three count that was loudly booed by the fans in attendance. Schiavone: Marcus Bagwell was game, but Pillman was in no mood to play nice tonight – if he ever is! Bagwell came into this match hurting, and will leave in still more pain, while the NWA World champion... Pillman accepted his title belt and held it overhead with a wide smile on his face. Schiavone: ...looks as fresh as a daisy. Get used to it, Ross. Brian Pillman has very big plans for WCW and the NWA. Pillman: You’ll see, Marcus! And when you do, you’re welcome to join me on the crusade! Winner: Brian Pillman * Sting was backstage, head bowed in thought over the WCW World title clasped in his hands as Eric Bischoff cautiously approached. Sting: Eric, what is it? Bischoff: Sting, may I interrupt you for a moment please? Sting raised his head, eyes opening to look at Bischoff. Sting: Of course. You want to ask me about tonight. Bischoff: Tonight’s match – and the other matches we’ve seen. Big Van Vader brutalising Ric Flair, Brian Pillman defeating Marcus Bagwell, and even your old friend Ultimate Warrior staking his claim for a World title shot... If you can get past Steve Austin tonight, the challengers you have waiting for you are many and diverse. Sting: They are, and make no mistake Eric, if I lose tonight those challengers don’t go away – I’ll just be someone fighting to earn another shot, not fighting to hold the challengers off. Bischoff: But you know that tonight- Sting held up a hand, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Sting: Tonight, I have the ‘Superstar’. He’s been in WCW for two years, he’s already held the Television title, the NWA World tag titles and the United States title... and he’d be quick to tell you that he beat me for the US gold. He’s good – maybe great – and every time he gets in the ring he gets better. Maybe he’s not quite as good as he thinks... but I’m not sure anyone’s as good as Austin thinks he is. If anyone is, they deserve to be champion. He looked down at the title, still clasped in his hands, before smiling broadly. Sting: But first they have to prove it by beating me. You know how that saying goes, Eric; To be the man... Draping the title belt over his shoulder, he patted Eric on the arm. Sting: You know the rest. He walked off as Bischoff handed back to ringside. Ross: Ladies and gentlemen, that’s our main event – but perhaps the most emotionally fraught match we’ll see tonight is up next – it’s brother vs. brother, Hart vs. Hart... * Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart Bret, as always, entered alone. Owen, in contrast, was backed up by Madusa... and Rick Rude... and his long-time partner Brian Pillman. But, standing across the ring from his brother, he gestured for the other Dangerous Alliance members to head to the back. Pillman, atypically subdued and serious, asked if Owen was sure, but as the youngest Hart nodded in assurance Rude and Madusa turned away, leaving Pillman looking conflicted for a moment, before clapping Owen on the shoulder and backing up the ramp. Schiavone: Owen’s confident. He wants this – I’d even say that he needs this. Dangerously: Don’t overreach, Schiavone. Owen’s as good as anyone in this ring... but I admit, he may know it in his head, but beating his brother would help him feel it in his gut too. The opening exchanges were, understandably, tentative as brother and brother slowly tested one another with wristlocks and armbars, teasing one another’s defences and countering every attempt to press the advantage. Ross: This goes beyond rivalry, beyond partners, beyond training together – this is brotherhood, and these two men know each other possibly better than they know themselves. Tensions escalated quickly as Owen delivered an open-handed slap to Bret’s face after being backed into the corner. Bret responded with a backhand that rocked Owen but, contrite, the older brother backed off rather than continue the attack. Owen, one side of his face a bright scarlet, responded by shoving his brother – and when Bret refused to rise to the bait, tackling him to the mat and firing in punches before the referee forced the break. Bret was quick to get to his feet, and it was clear that Owen’s assault had sparked a fire in the Hitman. Smiling at Owen in acknowledgement of his brother’s wishes, Bret closed the gap between them before dropping to the mat with a neat go-behind, sweeping Owen’s legs from under him and swarming him, delivering slaps and elbow strikes to the back of his head. Schiavone: Here we go; Bret’s accepted that brothers can fight! For the next several minutes the brothers put to use every trick that they had, displaying prowess on both sides that would have doomed a lesser opponent, but time and again the brothers came up to their feet, frustrated of progress as one or the other found a counter to whatever their opponent threw at them. Ross: They know each other too well. One of them needs to do something unexpected. Dangerously: That’s where all the training we’ve done with Owen comes in. Schiavone: You mean, he’ll be able to cheat his own brother? Dangerously: I’m offended, Schiavone. Look at the talent Owen’s had to work with and learn from – do you really think that he’ll only have learned to cheat? With a snarl on his lips, Owen hurled himself at Bret anew, using his slight speed advantage to strike at Bret from all angles, hitting hard and fast as Bret was forced onto the back foot. Shifting gears, Owen took Bret to the mat with his own go-behind from the mat, messing up Bret’s hair with slaps before driving in a vicious elbow to the temple that rung Bret’s bell. Dangerously: Beautiful! Owen locked down his advantage, keeping Bret on the mat and shifting focus from his right arm to his left leg, switching several times as he applied pressure to both limbs. Dangerously: Bit by bit, he breaks Bret down – and just try using the Sharpshooter when you don’t have a leg to stand on! Patiently, and painfully, Bret worked his way free. Limping noticeably, he nevertheless rocked Owen with a flying clothesline, holding tight to his brother and dragging him upright to deliver a Russian legsweep. Limping to the corner, Bret levered himself up to the second rope, grimacing as he did so. Getting ready to jump off, he was intercepted by Owen, who’d had the time to recover thanks to his brother’s slowness. Dangerously: All of that hard work paying off, Schiavone – and no cheating! Schiavone: The match isn’t over yet, Paul. Owen tried to hook Bret for a superplex, but Bret had his feet hooked around the turnbuckle and wasn’t moving. Frustrated, Owen hauled off to slug Bret in the face, but Bret got in first with a headbutt that sent Owen crashing backwards to the mat. With a weary expression on his face, Bret set himself on the ropes and leapt off with an elbow drop, only for Owen to be ready with a counter, trapping Bret’s arm and rolling through into an armbar. Schiavone: Which arm does he have? This could be it! Ross: It’s the left arm! It’s not the arm he’s been working on – and look! As Owen tried to hook in the armbar, Bret rolled through in turn, tying his brother up in a la magistral cradle. Owen, however, put his agility to good use, rolling out of the cradle and tumbling into the corner. As his brother tried to get to his feet, Owen sprang up to sit on the top turnbuckle, grabbing Bret’s head and pushing off the top rope, tumbling over his brother’s head into a victory roll – but Bret dropped down with move, planting Owen hard on the mat and blocking any attempt to take him over. With his knees on Owen’s shoulders, and Owen’s legs hooked under his arms, Bret held his brother down for the count, immediately releasing him as soon as the referee’s hand hit the mat for the third time. Ross: What a match! And while it’s Bret who emerges victorious, it came down to one move, one counter, one moment that really could have gone either way! Dangerously: It could... but it didn’t. And now... well, let’s see how Owen deals with this. Schiavone: You sound unsure, Paul. That’s not like you. Ross: Just... Not now, Schiavone. Not now. Winner: Bret Hart * In the ring, the referee moved to raise Bret’s hand but he was ignored as Bret went to check on his brother. Owen was sat on his haunches, staring into space in one corner of the ring. It took several seconds for him even to acknowledge his brother crouched down beside him. When he did, Owen stared at his brother with a gaze that spoke of anger, despair... and resignation. Bret shook his head, holding up one finger as Owen looked away. Bret: One second, Owen. That’s all it was. If we fight again tomorrow, maybe you get me... He stopped, lowering his hand, seemingly wishing he could take back the idea of fighting again. The two brothers stared at one another. Owen stood up. Bret rose too, maintaining a distance greater than arm’s length to his brother. The two brothers continued to stare at one another, and then Owen looked away. When he spoke, his words came slowly, quietly. Owen: We said once. And that’s it. For mom and dad, for the family... Once. The word hung in the air between Bret and Owen, the older brother watching carefully as the younger stood, hands on hips, shaking his head, his eyes fixed on the mat. Bret: Owen... Owen: Just... Owen looked up into the sky, and then back to the mat, before forcing himself to look at his brother. Owen: The best man won on the night. I know how good I am, and how good you are, and that’ll have to do. Owen held out his hand. Bret shook it without hesitation, before pulling his brother into a hug as the crowd cheered and applauded. Ross: Well, that’s just wonderful to see – perhaps, after all, they can just put this behind them now and go back to being brothers, being part of that Hart family. Schiavone: Paul? Dangerously: Let’s get to the main event. * Cappetta: Ladies and gentlemen, coming down the aisle and weighing in at 252 pounds, he hails from Hollywood, California and is accompanied by the Dangerous Alliance’s Director of Covert Operations, Madusa... he is the Superstar, Steve Austin! Dangerously: There he is, your next World champion – and I can’t wait for you all to eat your words as you realise that everything we’ve said for the last two years has come true. Double World champions, and the most dominant group in all of wrestling. Schiavone: The Alliance is one-and-two tonight, Paul, and you had to gang up on a twenty-three year old kid to get that one. Dangerously: Schiavone, get it right – we didn’t have to gang up on Bagwell, but it sure as hell felt good to! Schiavone: Ugh, you’re just sickening. Cappetta: And his opponent, weighing in at 250 pounds, he hails from Venice Beach, California and is the WCW World champion... It’s Sting! Ross: And listen to the crowd erupt! Dangerously: Yeah, let ‘em have their moment with their beloved Stinger – he’ll be carried out of here tonight, and they’ll never look at him the same again. Schiavone: You’re a hateful human being, Paul. Dangerously: Guilty! But I’m also damn good at what I do, Schiavone, and after Steve Austin wins the World title tonight everyone will have to acknowledge the Dangerous Alliance – my clients – as the greatest thing to happen to this business. WCW World Title Sting © vs. Steve Austin With the crowd’s roar showing no signs of abating, Sting went to each corner in turn, mounting the middle rope and howling to each side of the stadium while Austin stood alongside the referee, showing no signs of impatience as Sting saluted his fans. Eventually, as Sting came to the centre of the ring to hand off the title belt to the official, he paused as Austin offered his hand in an apparent showing of good sportsmanship. Sting stared at him in surprise for a moment before accepting for a quick shake as Austin smiled at him. Ross: I admit that I wasn’t expecting that. Dangerously: No, and I doubt Sting was either. There’s a lot that he’s not expecting tonight, if we have our calculations correct – and, of course, we do. Schiavone: Such as? Dangerously: I don’t want to spoil the surprise, Schiavone. But I’ll say one thing, and that’s that the Superstar has found a solution to a niggling problem that’s been bothering him for a little while now. Schiavone: Is that ‘niggling problem’ that he’s never beaten Sting in such a high profile match. Dangerously: Hah! Very good, Schiavone. We’ll make an analyst of you yet! The two men tied up at the bell, Sting showing superior strength to force Austin back into the corner. The break that followed was clean, with Sting backing away with his arms raised as Austin stayed in the corner, smiling at the champion. Sting looked disconcerted, as though he’d expected a cheap shot from the challenger. Dangerously: Thirty seconds in and Sting’s rattled. You have to love it! Ross: He’s not the World champion for nothing, Paul. Sting may have expected a different approach for this match from your man- Dangerously: The Superstar, Ross, get it right! Ross: -but I’d expect him to find his feet quickly. So it proved, with Sting quickly moving through the gears as he bounced Austin around the ring, introducing him to the turnbuckles and ring ropes with a series of power moves that culminated in him launching Austin over the top rope and onto the entrance ramp with a military press. As Austin struggled to get to his feet, Sting went airborne with a running leap that saw him clear the top rope easily, crashing into Austin with a diving crossbody that sent both men tumbling up the ramp as the crowd roared their approval. Ross: Listen to that crowd! They’re getting what they want! Sting howled to the fans as Austin stumbled back to the ring. Sting charged along the ramp towards his challenger, and at the last second Austin dropped his shoulder, elevating Sting into a Stun Gun across the top rope. The champion got hung up, and Austin showed considerable resilience in grabbing his legs and delivering a toe kick to Sting’s gut that left him struggling for air. Ross: The referee’s not counting the two men out – I don’t think anyone wants any kind of cheap finish tonight. Dangerously: Commissioner Ventura’s very sensibly agreed that this one goes to the end, Ross. We agree, of course – we want a definitive finish, or how else will Steve Austin become the champion? Schiavone: You’re not suggesting that Sting would want any other kind of finish? Dangerously: Stranger things have happened in wrestling, Schiavone... but no, I respect Sting’s integrity. But I’m glad that we have the assurance, just in case Sting’s friends like Marcus Bagwell or Dustin Rhodes choose to get involved – and who knows what the Ultimate Warrior might decide to do with that guaranteed title shot in his pocket? Austin suplexed Sting back into the ring and followed him in, staling the wounded champion with caution, careful not to give him an opportunity to strike back as he kicked him in the side of the head. With Sting reeling from the sudden reversal of fortunes, Austin went to work, focusing his attacks on Sting’s head. Ross: It’s a sensible approach, the Stun Gun is Austin’s main weapon, and we’ve already seen him use it once. Dangerously: Very sensible indeed, Ross. Austin slowed the pace of the match down with a chinlock, followed by a headlock as he taunted Sting, then rubbing his face into the mat. Ross: Austin may come to regret that... Enraged, Sting powered out of the hold, lifting Austin off the mat and hurling him overhead with a back suplex. As Austin scrambled to his feet in one corner of the ring Sting launched himself through the air with a Stinger Splash. Crushed in the corner, Austin staggered forwards and faceplanted into the mat. Sting grabbed one of his legs and flipped Austin over, lining him up for the Scorpion Deathlock, but Austin kicked him off with his free leg, scrambling away from the champion to buy a few seconds to recover. Sting, however, was in no mood to give him that time. Almost before Austin could move Sting was on him once more, kicking Austin hard in the chest and delivering a splash for two as Austin tried to recover. Schiavone: Sting taking a page from the Ultimate Warrior’s playbook! Austin slithered out of the ring after kicking out. Sting followed through the ropes, but Madusa sprung forward and grabbed the middle rope, snapping it into Sting’s face as he climbed through them. Sting recoiled, and the official was immediately in Madusa’s face, ordering her away from the ring. Madusa complied, hands up as she walked calmly away – and as the official watched her leave Austin swept Sting’s legs from under him, dropping him down with the middle rope between his legs. Ross: Oh, there’s been a malfunction at the junction there – and Sting will be feeling the effects for some time to come. Schiavone: I suppose you’re going to claim that was fair, Paul? Dangerously: Madusa’s the Alliance’s Director of Covert Operations, Schiavone; Sometimes those operations begin with an overt distraction, and if you have a problem with that, take it up with Commissioner Ventura. Getting up on the apron, Austin charged at Sting, clotheslining Sting from out of the ropes and down to the arena floor. Austin spread his arms wide, laughing at the crowd’s reaction as they jeered him, before turning to Sting and lifting him off the ringside mat. Austin whipped Sting towards the ringpost, but Sting slapped on the brakes and instead Austin was launched towards the ringside barrier, crashing into it and sending the front row of fans diving for cover. Ross: A special treat for our ringside fans – an up close and personal view of the main event! Dangerously: Madusa will be in touch with them later so they can pay the extra fee. Austin clung onto the barrier and endured a heavy beating from Sting, who unloaded with heavy right hands, rocking Austin against the steel railings. Eventually the champion rolled his challenger back into the ring, pausing only to howl to the crowd before rejoining the fray and clotheslining Austin just as he regained his feet. Ross: And it seems like Austin is struggling now. The self-proclaimed Superstar is on the back foot, and Sting doesn’t relinquish that kind of advantage easily. Dangerously: Have faith, Ross. Steve hasn’t given up yet, and that’s all you need to know. Ross: Got something up your sleeve, Paul? Dangerously: Always. Steve is prepared – that’s two years of planning, all going into tonight. Sting sent Austin into the ropes, but Austin rebounded with a leaping body press, driving his fists into Sting’s head until the referee forced the break. Ross: Lou Thesz Press from Steve Austin – he knows the classics! With the momentum abruptly shifted, Austin went back to work on Sting, again focusing primarily on his head, but also delivering a gutbuster and trapping Sting in an abdominal stretch, punching Sting in the stomach several times as the crowd roared their support for the imperilled champion. Schiavone: These are sound tactics by Austin, generally, but it seems a little strange that he’s shifted focus from Sting’s head to his core – especially as Sting is in such great shape that his core must be one of his strengths! Dangerously: Makes you wonder what we know that you don’t, doesn’t it, Schiavone? Schiavone: I’m certainly wondering what you think you know. Austin kept the stretch locked in, but took the time to taunt the cheering fans. That distraction gave Sting the opportunity he needed to hiptoss Austin and break the hold, and as Austin came up in the corner once more Sting launched himself into a Stinger Splash seemingly on instinct – but Austin dropped out of the way, and Sting landed hard against the turnbuckles, drawing a howl from the champion that for once wasn’t intended to incite the Stingers in attendance. Dangerously: Still think that core’s a strength Schiavone? Schiavone: I’ll admit that right now Sting’s the one on the back foot. Austin grabbed Sting and whipped him into the ropes, again trying for the Thesz Press. Sting caught Austin in midair, showing off his incredible strength to swing him up and over in a spinning powerslam that got a count of two. But Sting couldn’t capitalise immediately, nursing his wounded gut and allowing Austin to get to his feet first. Seemingly comfortable in the match, Austin offered a test of strength to the champion. Sting accepted, lacing his fingers through Austin’s and showing that he still had an edge by immediately trapping Austin in a knuckle lock, transitioning into a gorilla press once more. Ross: Battered core and all, he’s still as strong as anyone on the roster! Sting looked shaky as he held Austin aloft, but dropped his challenger to the mat. However, once more he was left in pain, nearly doubled over from the exertion. As he rose upright, Austin charged at him, clotheslining him over the top rope and onto the entrance ramp. Sting hit the ramp hard, and Austin once again taunted the crowd as he regained the advantage. Turning back to Sting he immediately paid for his confidence as Sting grabbed the back of his head and dropped him across the top rope, neck first. Ross: A Stun Gun variant from Sting – and Austin has to learn at some point! As Austin recoiled in pain, Sting backed up the ramp, looking for a run up to diver over the top rope again. Grimacing as he clutched at his stomach again, however, he changed his mind. Heading to one corner of the ring he climbed up to the top turnbuckle and leapt off, aiming a double axehandle at Austin – but Austin met the dive with a boot to Sting’s open gut. Sting doubled over and, before he could recover, Austin grabbed his head and dropped to mat, jolting Sting’s jaw on his shoulder. Dangerously: Superstar Stunner! Sting recoiled, toppling to the mat as Austin crawled across to make the cover. The referee dropped to the mat and counted one... two... three! The crowd watched in stunned silence as the bell rang to signal the end of the match – and the end of Sting’s seven month reign as World champion. Ross: Austin’s done it! Austin wins! Schiavone: New champion! Dangerously: That’s what we knew, Schiavone! Winner, and new WCW World champion: Steve Austin With the match over, Austin tried to get to his feet, but whether through exhaustion or overwhelming emotion he struggled to rise... until his fellow members of the Dangerous Alliance, Rick Rude, Brian Pillman, Owen Hart, Scott Steiner and Madusa joined him in the ring, Steiner and Pillman helping him to his feet. Dangerously: All this time, all the research, all the work we’ve done – not just to identify Sting’s weaknesses, but Steve Austin’s as well. Steve has been using the Stun Gun since he debuted, but he knew it was time to move on, and together we developed a new move to maximise his strengths, his speed, his athleticism, his explosiveness, all distilled into one perfect move, the Superstar Stunner. And not even Sting could evade defeat! The referee brought the WCW title over to Austin, who stepped forward from his allies to take it. He stared at it for several seconds, as though unsure that it was really in his hands, before a huge smile spread across his face and he lifted the title overhead. Schiavone: And listen to the fans – they’re not happy, but... Damn it, Austin deserves this. Dangerously: Say it again, Schiavone, I love to hear it. Schiavone: Fine, Paul. Austin deserves that title. The Dangerous Alliance, as you say, prepared him, but in the moment, in this match... Steve Austin pinned the champion in the middle of the ring. Ross: That he did and folks... As Austin celebrated with his teammates, going to each corner with the title as Sting had done on his entrance to the ring before the match, other members of the roster appeared at the top of the ramp, silently appraising the new WCW World champion. Ross: Bret Hart, Big Van Vader and The Ultimate Warrior. An eclectic trio – and I’m amazed that there’s peace amongst them, for all that they share a common goal right now. But I don’t think Steve Austin is in the least bit concerned with his upcoming challengers. Dangerously: That’s a problem for tomorrow. For tonight the Dangerous Alliance will celebrate the crowning of a new World champion, the new face of WCW, the Superstar – Steve Austin, WCW World champion! Ross: Folks, thanks for joining us on this record-breaking night. Dare I say it, but you may well be looking at the future of professional wrestling right now – and his name is Steve Austin! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

June – July: Towards The Great American Bash While there was plenty of intrigue coming out of Clash of the Champions, the only place to start the road to the Great American Bash was with the new number one contender to the World title, Steve Austin. And, unsurprisingly, he was the first out of the blocks on the Saturday Night after the Clash, marching to the ring with a clipboard in hand and a smirk on his face. “Sting, get down here and sign this contract! Let’s make this official – the last day of your reign is going to be July 25th, which is also going to be the first day of my reign, lifting the World title in front of tens of thousands of disappointed Stingers who’ll at least have the consolation of being there in person for the crowning of the Superstar, the leader of WCW throughout the 1990s and beyond!” Sting wasted no time in making his way down the aisle, but rather than join Austin in the ring he walked around it, shaking hands and exchanging hugs with his Stingers in the crowd as Austin grew more and more impatient in the ring. “Get in here!” Sting took his time completing his circuit before eventually mounting the ringsteps and stepping up onto the apron. And there he stopped, leaning on the top rope as Austin beckoned him into the ring. “Are you ready to stick to your word, champ? You said if I beat you at the Clash, the next title shot is mine. I beat you right in the centre of the ring, one-two-three, so get in the ring and sign this contract. Your ass is mine, Sting, and in less than a month that belt will be mine too!” Sting eventually climbed through the ropes and stood across the ring from Austin. “You talk a lot, Austin. I’m sure that’s what got you into the Dangerous Alliance – that and your skills. I’ve always said that you had great talent, and the matches I’ve had with you in the past have been some of the toughest of my career. And when you had the chance to take this title off Rick Rude last year, you chose to keep it on him which, in the twisted world you and the rest of the Alliance live in, actually makes you loyal. I’m impressed. “But you’re impatient.” Sting smiled as Austin glared at him. “You see, my head’s still ringing from you smashing me in the face with your buddy’s title belt on Thursday, and I’m not cleared to compete tonight. So sure, we’ll get to the match at the Clash and I’ll sign your contract... when I’m ready. When I can see straight.” He tapped his temple, where an ugly purple bruise was visible underneath the bright makeup. “You got me good, Steve, but I’ve seen the tape. You got me with a foreign object, and you beat me, one-two-three... But you didn’t do it clean, did you? And because you were impatient, because the most important thing was that you won rather than how you did it, well, now you don’t know what’s going to happen when we go one-on-one. I know what’s happened when we’ve fought in the past, Steve; Four matches, and you’ve not won any of them. And you’re getting better, every day, every match, and one day you’ll be World champion, I don’t doubt that. “But at the Great American Bash?” Sting chuckled. “I don’t know – and because you’re impatient, neither do you!” Sting tossed the contract aside and left the ring, leaving Austin to glare mutedly at his back as he walked away. Ross: Mind games from the World champion. He calls the shots, and Austin got reminded of that. Dangerously: For now, Ross. For now. Ross: We’ll see. * Neither Bret nor Owen Hart would be drawn on their match at the Clash at the following weekend’s TV, but a poll of callers to the WCW Hotline confirmed that it was the hottest topic among WCW fans, and after a further week’s silence the youngest Hart brother walked down to the ring with a microphone in hand. “It’s clear to me now what has to happen. To become my own man, to become the King of Harts, I need to do what I’ve never done, push past my final boundary – Rick walked away to take in everything he learned, Brian broke the rules to become NWA champion and Steve dropped the champion to take the final step to the top of the mountain. My final boundary... is that I’ve never broken the family bond. Bret, I wanted you in the Dangerous Alliance, I lobbied for you, I stopped Paul and the others from taking too much from you when you turned us down, and I steered the Alliance clear as much as I could of whatever you were doing because of that bond. But that time has ended. So... “You and me, Bret, one on one at the Great American Bash. “If we do this now, if we prove now which one of us is better, then maybe, just maybe that’s all it has to be – the winner goes on, the loser walks away and accepts defeat, and we stay out of each other’s way, brothers and nothing more. “Because Bret, this is all that’s left. I have to know... and I think you do, too.” * Two belts lighter after the Clash, the Diamond Mine were furious and vicious as they despatched local competitors the following weekend. On Main Event the duo grabbed microphones after demolishing their opponents in a few short minutes. “Jericho, Storm, you’ve had your fun,” declared the Diamond Studd. “In all of WCW – in the entire world! – there’s no team to match up to the Diamond Mine. And to have a couple of flyweights running around with our United States tag belts? That’s not right!” “It’s not right, and it’s not funny – and I know funny!” Vegas snarled. “It took five of you to beat us, and you still only did that because we were so shocked by seeing Eddy Guerrero’s ugly face up close!” “Get out here, punks. Bring us our title belts and lie down like these punks did – make it easy on yourselves!” But rather than the Thrillseekers, it was Luchamerica who answered the call. “You don’t get it, do you homes?” Eddy demanded. “The Thrillseekers got their belts – they’re done with you! But us? We’re not done with you, not by a long, long shot. You took my mask, my identity, and that was just the biggest insult you’ve thrown our way over the last several months. Vegas, Studd, we’ve got big plans for you and the titles you do still have – until we take them from you!” Vegas and Studd laughed off the idea of giving Luchamerica a title shot, but the following week saw the Latino stars take down the Lightning Express, before distracting the Diamond Mine during a match against the Young Pistols and costing them a countout loss. As the two heavyweights realised too late that they’d lost, and that Luchamerica had evaded them, the Thrillseekers had hopped the guard rail and picked up the WCW tag titles, posing for fans with both sets of titles as Tammy clapped and beamed. That led to a six man tag team match with Arn Anderson and the Thrillseekers against the Diamond Mine and Shawn Michaels, but that descended into chaos as Luchamerica once again made their presence felt, Guerrero and Konnan splitting off with Studd and Vegas, only for Jericho and Storm to dive into the fray from the ring apron. As the six men traded blows Rey Mysterio quickly scaled the turnbuckles and dived from ten feet up onto the whole group, scattering them like bowling pins – other than Vegas, who grabbed him by the throat and, with an almighty throw, launched him into the crowd sending fans and chairs flying. Schiavone: Good God almighty! Rey Mysterio just got launched like a dart! As the others slowly got to their feet, the fight resumed and the referee called the match off – not that doing so stopped the sextet from brawling back up the aisle and into the backstage area. And eventually the chaos was only broken up by Commissioner Ventura’s intervention. “Enough! Look at the six of you – two titles, lots of hatred, lots of reasons to fight, so let’s do it! At the Bash let’s make it Thrilseekers, Diamond Mine and Luchamerica in a triangle match with both tag titles on the line!” * But the chaos spilling out of the six man match wasn’t contained backstage; As Michaels and Anderson continued to slug it out in the ring, Scott Steiner slid under the ropes and caught Michaels from behind with an overhead release German suplex. Anderson tried to catch Steiner before he could recover, but was met with a Steinerline that dumped him on his head. “Gimme a damn mic!” Steiner snarled at the ringside officials, who quickly supplied the Animal with a microphone. “Now these pieces of trash are down, Dustin Rhodes get your ass out here and I’ll put you down too!” Rhodes wasted no time in replying and the two men threw fierce punches and kicks at one another as referees tried to separate the duo. Commissioner Ventura, fresh off setting up the tag titles match, marched out to the ring as Michaels, freshly back to his feet, dropped Rhodes with a savate kick. Anderson, taking advantage of the distraction, spun Steiner around and rocked him with a series of punches before Michaels launched himself at the pair of them. “I love this job! But enough’s enough, and there’s business to attend to tonight. Steiner, Anderson, Michaels – all of you are fighting just for a chance at Rhodes, and I love that too, and it might be July but it could be Christmas too, because with over sixty thousand WCW fans heading Oxford for the Great American Bash I’m in the mood to give every single one of them a big present! It’s going to be a four corners match for the United States title!” Ross: That’s huge! Dangerously: Get it right, Ross. That’s three victims for the Animal! * Never let it be said that the Dangerous Alliance don’t have multiple contingency plans in place. With Ricky Steamboat chasing after Brian Pillman, and the Dragon proving himself relentless as he adopted Pillman’s prior tactic of hunting the NWA champion down at every show he wrestled on, the Alliance threw a spoke in the wheel by costing Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious the NWA tag titles in a match against the cowboy duo of Brett Colt and Kip Winchester. “Let’s see you come after the champion all on your own, Steamboat,” Rick Rude declared at an IWCCW show, revelling in his role as Pillman’s adviser before the champion took on the former title holder Mike Samson. “I know Ventura’s happy for you to come and try and get our attention, but Bagwell and Vicious have responsibilities back in WCW, so if you try anything, you’ll face Brian, me, and any other member of the Alliance who happens to be along for the ride!” Steamboat bided his time, sitting ringside for several of Pillman’s matches as the champion toured the country, before one night at a WCCW show the jibes from the various Alliance members proved to be too much and Steamboat charged the ring, taking down Pillman with a dropkick before Rude and Steve Austin piled on top of him. The Alliance trio beat Steamboat down ruthlessly, eventually laying him out with a spike piledriver on the title belt that left Steamboat motionless on the mat as the fans in attendance rained down boos and jeers – and Pillman, Rude and Austin gloried in their response. Marcus Bagwell was quick to respond to his mentor’s brutal treatment the following Saturday Night. “Brian Pillman, I’ve spent nearly two years learning at the feet of Ricky Steamboat. I was the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year, I’ve been Television champion twice and held the NWA tag titles with big Sid – all because of Ricky, and what he’s taught me. Everything I’ve achieved, I owe to him. “That’s a debt that I may never be able to repay, but at the Great American Bash I can do something that I’m sure will put a smile on his face – I can take the NWA World title from you, Brian. I can take something that means as much to you as my mentor means to me.” Pillman and Austin responded immediately, coming down to the ring and flanking Bagwell, who belatedly realised that he’d left himself vulnerable to the Alliance’s superior numbers. “You’ve done nothing to deserve this title, kid, but out of the goodness of our hearts the Alliance might grant you a shot at the Bash. All you have to do is beat me and Steve in a tag match!” Pillman said. “Not like I have anything else to do right now, not with Sting still running scared of me,” Austin added. “So go get your big buddy and we’ll do this tonight,” Pillman said. “Who knows? Maybe you’ve learnt enough from that old fool to actually beat us.” Vicious and Bagwell came to the ring for the match, but barely had the bell rung before Pillman dropped Vicious with the title belt to the face, before Rude ambushed Bagwell from behind and laid him out with a Rude Awakening. Austin and Pillman then set Vicious up for a spike piledriver on the title, Pillman leaping off the top rope to deliver the crushing blow as Rude made the helpless Bagwell watch. “Well done,” he said. “You won the match, you get your shot at the Bash... All. Alone. Steamboat and your partner can watch from the hospital as Brian tears you apart before the biggest crowd in WCW history.” Pillman dropped to his knees in front of Bagwell, the NWA World title pressed up against their victim’s face. “Beautiful, isn’t it? Enjoy it, kid. This is as close as you’re ever getting to it – unless I decide to do to you what we did to your friends!” Pillman cackled as WCW officials rushed to the ring to separate the two sides and tend to Vicious, who hadn’t moved. Dangerously: Beautiful! Divide and conquer – and so much the better if you take out the strongest and most experienced opponents first. Ross: I suppose you’re proud of yourself, Paul? I don’t see how you possibly can be... Dangerously: Grow up, Ross. This is wrestling, not kindergarten. And the Dangerous Alliance has a loose cannon in Brian Pillman that only we can control! * Steven Regal and Dean Malenko had a fine match at the Clash, but neither man seemed wholly satisfied with the outcome – as Regal said when interviewed, “Anyone can score a pinfall, especially with a handful of trunks. But the true test of wrestling prowess, as Dean Malenko knows full well, is in wearying and worrying your opponent until you can force them to surrender. The Horsemen did it to the Kingdom in the War Games match, and I know Dean fancies himself quite the submission wrestler. So at the Great American Bash, I challenge him to show me if he’s as good as he thinks he is – meet me in the ring for a submission match!” Malenko responded with Race by his side. “I pinned you, I’ll make you submit too. Simple as that,” he said. Race had more on his mind. “No lead pipes. No chairs. No brass knuckles – none of that garbage that the Horsemen needed in War Games. And your actions will have consequences, Horsemen, believe me. Regal, Dean will show you at the Bash exactly what would have happened in the cage if you’d not decided to cheat. And Flair... Don’t worry, I’m staying outside the ring. But there’s a lot of firepower aimed at the bullseye on your back. And just when you’re not ready, I’m pulling the trigger!” * Cactus Jack couldn’t make it to five defences of the Television title, losing out to Terence Taylor and Alexandra York’s laptop in that fifth defence. Taylor, however, couldn’t even get one score on the board before falling to the Patriot, who was felled by Robert Eaton in Patriot’s own first defence to give the Foundation the title once more. And then the Ultimate Warrior took an interest in the belt. Eaton enjoyed his time as champion for just twenty-four hours. His defence lasted just three minutes as the Warrior overpowered the former Beautiful Bobby, putting him down with a gorilla press slam and running splash to claim his first title in WCW. Schiavone: Mike Awesome was a dominant Television champion – and now we have an ultimate champion! With subsequent victories over Richard Morton and Robert Gibson, as well as Michael Hayes and Joe Malenko, Warrior approached the Great American Bash needing one more victory to secure a guaranteed title shot... * Bret Hart didn’t respond to his brother’s challenge immediately, but a couple of weeks later he walked out during Saturday Night with a microphone in hand. “I didn’t decide this lightly, Owen. I never wanted to fight you... but maybe you’re right. After eighteen months, I’ve fought WCW’s best and beaten almost all of them... and when I fought Sting, we drew. Another night, I’d have been a few seconds faster, and I’d be standing here the World champion, and things would be different... “When I came to WCW I promised myself I’d take any challenge – and challenge anyone who I didn’t know if I could beat. I said this was just business. I didn’t get dragged into other people’s fights, and didn’t ask anyone else to fight mine. I was here to fight, but on my terms, not anyone else’s. I picked and chose my opponents wherever I could, always with the ultimate goal of moving up the rankings to get that title shot because I believed I was good as anyone wrestling today, and better than most. “I only had one rule, Owen, and that was that I wouldn’t fight my brother. But you’re right, I’ve wondered, wondered how good you are, really. Because I’ve been watching you, Owen, and I know you’re not just good, you’re fantastic. Truly, I don’t know if you’re as good as me, but I know that there’s not much in it, and that makes you my rival for titles. If we don’t do this now, me and you, maybe we’ll always wonder ‘what if’, or maybe in a few months’ time Commissioner Ventura decides we have to do this on his terms, not ours. I know it’ll hurt our family to see us fighting... but I don’t see a future where we’re both chasing gold in WCW and it doesn’t happen. At least now we’re saying when and how – and when it’s done then maybe, maybe, we can walk away, put this behind us, and go back to being family.” Hart paused, lost in thought for a moment. “I hope so, brother. I really do.” * Ric Flair was in his element as the Bash approached, still delighting in his team’s victory in War Games, as well as the Thrillseekers’ United States tag title victory and impending double title match, Steven Regal’s upcoming submission match and Arn Anderson’s United States title match, as he confirmed to Tony Schiavone in an interview. “And all that’s missing at the Bash is something for the Nature Boy to do! Maybe I’ll step to the Warrior for the Television title, maybe I’ll throw out an open challenge and see who wants to take on the stylin', profilin', limousine ridi-“ Before Flair could finish he was ambushed from behind by a huge figure who clubbed him over the head with a crunching forearm. As Schiavone scrambled for cover the camera refocused on... ...Big Van Vader, driving his fist and arm repeatedly into the helpless Nature Boy, chunks of a plaster cast falling away with each strike. Ross: Vader! No-one’s seen him since War Games – and now we know why! Vader’s attack eventually relented and he dragged the bloodied Flair upright, showing his crimson face to the camera. “Flair! You want something to do at the Bash? Then you can suffer at the hands of Big Van Vader!” With one final swing Vader crushed the last of the plaster cast over Flair’s head, before dropping him to the ground and flexing his now-unrestrained hand. “You Horsemen broke my arm. I’m not stopping at one bone!” Harley Race gleefully led Vader away as the other Horsemen rushed to the aid of their fallen leader. Dangerously: You reap what you sow, Ross. It was absolutely Flair’s idea to bring weapons into the War Games match, and Vader paid the price. I hope Flair’s enjoyed celebrating that victory because there always comes a time when you have to reap what you sow... * Just one matter remained to be resolved with the Great American Bash just a few days away – the signing of the contract for the WCW World title match between Steve Austin and the champion, Sting. Rather than appearing at the start of the final Saturday Night before the Bash, Austin waited until the end of the show, with all other matters concluded, before walking down the aisle. This time, he was accompanied by Rick Rude, Brian Pillman, Madusa, Scott Steiner and Owen Hart – the Dangerous Alliance supporting their stablemate as he sat on one side of a desk, with Commissioner Ventura invigilating. “Sting, you wanted to teach me a lesson? Well, lesson learnt – I’ve been dealing with Dangerous Alliance business, helping Brian, Scott and Owen prepare for their big matches, and you’ve been healing up from me beating you last month. Now, I know you’ve been cleared to fight on Thursday, so get down here and sign the contract. I can headline WCW’s biggest ever show all by myself and still sell out the stadium – but I know how disappointed all your Stingers will be if you’re not there to shake hands with them before I put you down for the count and take your title!” He held up the contract to the camera, showing his signature already in place. “And I know you’re tight with Ricky Steamboat, Sting. What happened to him a couple of weeks ago was just business for the Dangerous Alliance... but for my sake, I’ll admit that I enjoyed putting him on the shelf. Being patient may be something I can get used to!” Sting’s music played and the World champion walked down the aisle, WCW World title secure around his waist. His face bore no sign of bruising, and Jim Ross noted that the champion had never looked in better shape. Dangerously: And well he might, Ross. He’s had a month to work out, and he’ll need to be at peak performance to keep up with the Superstar! Sting shook hands with Ventura and settled into his seat, a thinly veiled look of distaste on his face as he looked across the table at Austin and his allies. “Well done,” he said. “Hurting Ricky Steamboat... Well, I know Marcus is going to make Brian pay for that this Thursday. It seems like getting beaten by me earlier this year was enough to make you stay out of the ring, Rude, but I’ll bet that the Dragon will give you your comeuppance some day soon anyway. “As for you, ‘Superstar’...” He shook his head. “I’ve been fighting the Dangerous Alliance for two years now. I’ve been in War Games with you, I’ve been in the ring with Rude for 60 minutes, I’ve fought you all with gold on the line or for nothing more than honour-“ “Last time we fought with gold on the line, I walked out with the United States title after I pinned you!” Austin interrupted. “There you go, being impatient again,” Sting said. “You say you learned your lesson? We’ll see. Two years of fighting you has taught me patience and given me resilience – things I didn’t have when I first won this title. It took me a year of chasing Rude to get this title off him, I’m in no mood to make it easy for you to take it off me, and unless you really have learned something, this title-“ He pointed at the belt, which lay on the table between them. “-is going nowhere.” Grabbing the contract he scribbled his name across it. “There, done. See you Thursday.” He stood up, picked up the title, and turned to leave. As he did so Steiner grabbed the table and shoved it out of the way, making Ventura move quickly out of the way. Sting didn’t turn, didn’t move except to raise his microphone to speak. “Two years, and you think I wouldn’t expect this?” At his word... ...Dustin Rhodes, Marcus Bagwell, the Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vaulted the guard rail from various points around the ring. Less energetically, but with eyes only for one member of the Dangerous Alliance, Bret Hart emerged from backstage and walked down the aisle, stopping halfway the ring, but his attention fixed on the Alliance group. “Try it, go ahead. I won’t even turn around.” The crowd cheered Sting’s words as Austin looked to Madusa and Rude for guidance. Before the Alliance’s advisers could say anything, Steiner took matters into his own hands, spring athletically over the top rope and diving off the ring apron onto Rhodes. Schiavone: Well, if anyone was going to be a hothead, Scott Steiner was the safe bet! Pillman went after Bagwell, perhaps sensing that his young challenger was still not at one hundred percent. Rude and Owen got amongst Warrior and Cactus, the adviser and Television champion almost nose-to-nose, although no blows were exchanged. As Madusa followed Steiner to ringside, Austin was left alone in the ring with Sting, who still had his back to the Superstar. “Wondering what I’ve got up my sleeves? Who’s left? Who’s not shown themselves yet? Maybe I brought in a hired gun you don’t know about? Maybe I’m just good enough I can stop you even when I can’t see you?” Austin started forward, then stopped himself, fists clenched, checking his movement as Sting stood before him. “No? Not ready to jump an unarmed opponent with their back to you? Not willing to come after me when it’s one-on-one and I’m vulnerable?” Sting turned back to face Austin. “Probably smart – or maybe you missed a golden opportunity to hurt me before the match on Thursday.” As the fighting and posturing at ringside continued, Sting climbed through the ropes and dropped to the floor. “Austin, it’s you and me on Thursday, one-on-one for the World title. Keep it that way, or find out how many friends I have and how many people want to spoil the Dangerous Alliance’s plans.” He walked up the aisle, slapping fans’ hands on the way as Austin stayed in the ring, glowering silently at his back. As Sting passed Hart, the Hitman didn’t acknowledge the champion – instead his gaze remained fixed, not on his brother, but on the number one contender to the World title. Schiavone: All part of the plan, Paul? Dangerously: Shut up, Schiavone. The plan is for the Superstar to become World champion at the Great American Bash – and that’s it! Ross: And folks, we’re nearly there. Be sure to call your cable operator and join us live this Thursday night for Sting vs. Steve Austin and so many other great matches – don’t miss it! * WCW The Great American Bash Sting © vs. Steve Austin – WCW World Title The Thrillseekers © vs. Eddy Guerrero and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW United States Tag Team Titles and WCW World Tag Team Titles Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart Dustin Rhodes © vs. Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Scott Steiner – WCW United States Title Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko – Submission Match Marcus Bagwell vs. Brian Pillman © – NWA World Title Ultimate Warrior © vs. ??? – WCW Television Title <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

World Championship Wrestling presents: Clash Of The Champions XXIX Thursday, Week 4, June 1993 Commentators: Jim Ross, Paul E. Dangerously and Tony Schiavone Ring announcer: Gary Michael Cappetta WCW Television Title Cactus Jack © vs. Joe Malenko With his brother otherwise engaged, Mike Awesome dethroned and Big Van Vader still recovering from War Games, it fell to Joe Malenko to try and retake the Television title for the Kingdom. Looking trepidatious against the manic Cactus, Malenko did his best to take the bigger man to the mat and control the fight there. But Cactus showed that he has some technical skills of his own – if not ones he uses often – as he countered a hip toss into a rolling body scissors, nearly tearing Malenko’s arm out of its socket as he wrenched on it. Malenko somehow found the leverage to roll Cactus onto his back for a two count, forcing the release of the hold, but if Malenko thought he’d escaped he was soon set right as Cactus kept hold of his arm, dragging him back in for a Double Arm DDT and the pin. Schiavone: Four defences now for Cactus Jack – and on the outside, Ultimate Warrior looks delighted with his pupil! Ross: And small wonder, Tony. Cactus Jack makes for a surprisingly reliable champion! Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko Schiavone: Big brother Joe had issues in tonight’s opener, but I suspect that Dean has found himself an opponent who’s quite a bit more predictable than Cactus Jack. Ross: Maybe so, Tony, but Regal’s style is very much infuenced by the European catch-as-catch-can style, and that’s not quite what Malenko is used to. Dangerously: Professor Boris Malenko knew all about the European style, Ross. His boys won’t have gone uneducated. Call it catch wrestling, call it chain wrestling, call it what you will – Regal and Malenko had the fans in Jacksonville showing their appreciation for their technical skill. The match was largely contested clean as a whistle, with both men proving themselves to be superior technicians, employing almost immediate counters to holds from which less-skilled wrestlers would have had no chance to escape. Schiavone: They may not be the faces on the posters, but these two young prospects are winning the fans over with this display of their abilities! Regal had the advantage of Ric Flair and Fifi at ringside, while Malenko had Harley Race in his corner. Race and Flair nearly came to blows at one point, before Fifi got between the pair and beauty calmed the beasts – at least momentarily! The kerfuffle at ringside distracted both in-ring competitors, but Malenko recovered quicker, rolling Regal up and grabbing a handful of his trunks to hold him down for three. Dangerously: A young prospect, Ross, but Dean Malenko has got a lot of experience and it showed tonight! Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels Fifi was back at ringside for this match, but was outnumbered by DDP and Kimberly, the latter of whom went nose-to-nose with Fifi before the bell. Normally demure, Fifi showed no sign of backing down until Anderson ordered the Horsemen’s valet back into his corner. DDP and Kimberly seemed to see that as a victory – until Anderson pre-empted the bell with a hard right that caught Michaels flush on the jaw and knocked him on his rear. That set the tone for the match with Anderson using his guile and experience to keep Michaels from establishing any clear momentum, but Michaels proved to be as fast and slippery as ever as he came close to taking Anderson’s head off with a savate kick, grazing Anderson’s head as he ducked at the last split-second, getting knocked through the ropes to ringside. That prompted DDP to get involved, with Kimberly distracting the referee, letting Michaels’ manager kick Anderson in the gut and get in a burst of punches before Fifi ran around the corner and slapped him in the face. That was the cue for Kimberly to break contact with the official and come around to defend her husband, tackling Fifi to the floor as the fans cheered the action and Paul E yelled in delight on commentary. Dangerously: Can we please get these two separated? Get Arn and Michaels back in the ring and let the match finish! DDP tried to ambush Anderson again, but this time the referee caught sight of him and ordered him to leave ringside. DDP objected loudly, but Michaels left the ring to usher him away – and accept the roll of silver dollars from his manager as Page left the ringside area, with Fifi and Kimberly being strongarmed out of the area in his wake by security. Michaels got back inside the ropes just ahead of Anderson and swung at him with the roll of dollars, but Anderson ducked under the swing and booted Michaels in the gut, setting up a DDT, only for Michaels to push him off and swing for the Enforcer again. Anderson blocked the punch and whipped Michaels into the ropes, hefting the Rough Diamond up and around with a Spinebuster – only for Michaels to land the silver dollar punch on his way to the mat! Schiavone: Both men are down! Both men are down! The referee stood over the duo, neither of whom so much as stirred. Catching sight of the silver dollars lying beside Anderson and Michaels the official picked them up, looked from one fallen body to the other, and called for the bell. Cappetta: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has ruled that this match is declared a no-contest! Schiavone: How about that? Both men are down – and what does this mean for the United States title after tonight? Ross: We’ll have to wait and see who’ll be the next challenger to the title, but first let’s see who’ll be the champion facing that challenger! WCW United States Title Dustin Rhodes © vs. Scott Steiner Steiner made his entrance with Madusa on his arm, looking for all the world like a Greek god come to life; Rhodes, taller but lighter than his opponent, had to work hard in the early going to keep Steiner at range with kicks and punches. Ross: If Scott Steiner can get his hands on Rhodes – or any opponent! – then he’ll send him for a ride. It’s a shame to say about a young man I’ve known for several years, but Scott Steiner just has a taste for violence. Dangerously: Yes he does, and it’s what’s going to make him and us a lot of money. Ross: Tell me, Paul, when did you move the company headquarters to Jonestown? Steiner began to grow frustrated as Rhodes kept him at bay and was too eager in trying for a belly-to-belly suplex when he reversed an Irish whip by Rhodes. Rhodes floated over and, as Steiner turned on the spot Rhodes levelled him with a lariat. With a determined look on his face, Rhodes hauled Steiner upright and whipped into the corner, mounting the turnbuckles and looking to the crowd for support before firing in a series of punches as the fans counted along. Rhodes: Not so tough when we’re face to face, are you? But abandoning his stick-and-move tactic proved costly as Steiner came out of the corner with Rhodes held up in the air by his legs. Falling backwards Steiner sent Rhodes crashing face-first into the top turnbuckle, snapping his head back. Schiavone: Oh, what impact! And that could turn this match around in that one single move! Steiner was groggy, but Rhodes seemed out cold. Had Steiner been quicker to make the cover, he might have become the United States there and then, but he took too long to get the pin and Rhodes was just able to get his shoulder off the mat. Ross: Rhodes survives – for now. Now it was Steiner dragging Rhodes off the mat, and hurling him overhead with a belly-to-back suplex. Rhodes tried to fight back, but the Steiner Animal was now inside his reach and overpowered the Natural, suplexing him and slamming him again and again, driving his back into the mat over and over before locking him into a camel clutch that Rhodes only escaped by dint of his long legs, the toe of his boot just catching the bottom rope. Dangerously: Go again! Drag him off the ropes and go again! Steiner had the same idea, hauling Rhodes off the mat once more and trying to plant him with a belly-to-back suplex, but Rhodes hooked one long leg through Steiner’s to block the move, at least momentarily. Steiner released the hold and spun Rhodes around, but the Natural delivered a tornado lariat that put both men on the mat, Steiner staring at the lights with a shocked expression on his face as Rhodes tried to gather his wits. Schiavone: This could be a turning point in this match. Can Rhodes capitalise, or will Steiner make this an anomaly? Both men struggled to make it to their feet, Steiner pulling himself up on the ropes as Rhodes pushed himself up on shaking legs. Steiner pushed off the ropes, lunging at Rhodes with a Steinerline, but Rhodes moved out of the way at the last moment, before catching Steiner with a back suplex of his own, using his long legs to bridge up for a near fall. Steiner powered out and was quicker to his feet but Rhodes stayed low, double legging Steiner to the mat. Ross: A sharp takedown from Rhodes, and Steiner may take offence to his opponent dipping into an amateur wrestling move, given his success at the University of Michigan. Steiner was an All-American, but Rhodes has clearly learned a trick or two over the years! Rhodes was quick to move out of range of Steiner and return to striking, but his shots were fewer and further between and didn’t land with the same sting as before. But, too, Steiner was struggling, and neither man seemed able to land the telling blow after the punishment they’d exchanged. While both men scored near falls, neither was able to capitalise on the advantage when they held it, and eventually the bell rang to signal the time limit draw. Schiavone: Well, these things do happen – two matches ending in inconclusive fashion, and likewise the situation around the United States title is unclear right now... WCW United States Tag Team Titles The Thrillseekers vs. The Diamond Mine © Unlike the previous matches, this never seemed likely to be a very close match – Storm and Jericho were simply overpowered from the bell. But if Vinnie Vegas and Diamond Studd have an obvious fault, it’s overconfidence. In a situation where they could potentially have won quickly by focusing on their staggering size advantage, they opted to toy with their opponents – and an enziguri from Storm on Studd opened the door for the young Canadians to enjoy a spell in control of the match as they built up momentum with lightning quick strikes, while working over Studd’s long legs with a series of kneebars and leglocks. Ross: If they can take away Studd’s legs, that’s the Diamond Death Drop gone from his arsenal. Dangerously: There’s still everything Vegas can do, Ross. The big man probably weighs more than these two kids on his own! Studd showed impressive resilience in surviving the well-oiled teamwork of the Thrillseekers, who were benefiting both from the presence of Tammy and of Ric Flair at ringside, the managerial duo nullifying DDP and Kimberly in the champions’ corner. With the champions on the back foot, Vegas took advantage of his and Studd’s height advantage to reach almost halfway across the ring and tag himself in. That might have spelt the end of the match as Vegas looked furious and focused but as Studd rolled out of the ring to recover... ...he was ambushed by Luchamerica, vaulting the crowd rail and hitting Studd from three directions at once, as Flair distracted the referee. With Studd laid out at ringside, and DDP and Kimberly complaining to an unlistening official, Storm and Jericho drilled Vegas with dual dropkicks to his left leg, once again focusing on nullifying their opponents’ size and leverage advantages. Unable to turn to his partner or use his size to best effect, Vegas was whittled down to size and left kneeling before Storm drilled him with a savate kick, knocking him back into Jericho who hooked his arms into a full nelson before driving him face-first into the mat. As Luchamerica stood guard over Studd, and DDP and Kimberly pitched a fit at ringside, Jericho covered Vegas to record the win – and lift the United States tag team titles! Schiavone: Incredible! Dangerously: Incredible is right! How about Commissioner Ventura comes out here and revokes this result? Schiavone: Get real, Paul – you know better than anyone that Commissioner Ventura wants smart and tough wrestlers here in WCW and between the resilience of these two young Canadians, the guile of Ric Flair... Luchamerica joined Jericho, Storm, Tammy and Flair in the ring. They ignored the foursome’s celebrations to stand over Vegas, taunting their fallen rival. Schiavone: ...and a certain amount of revenge from Luchamerica, the Thrillseekers are the new champions – and I can’t wait to see what they do next! Sting, Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat vs. Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Brian Pillman Schiavone: Paul, anything to say about encouraging Owen Hart to fight his brother? Dangerously: It didn’t have to be like this, Schiavone. We wanted Bret in the Dangerous Alliance, and we could have done incredible things together. But he decided not to join us, and out of respect to Owen we didn’t press the point as hard as we could have done – but now it’s time for Owen to step out of his family’s shadow once and for all, however that has to come about! If there was a narrative surrounding Bret and Owen Hart, so too did one hang on the rivalry between Brian Pillman and Ricky Steamboat, and all the more around Sting and Steve Austin. It took time for the fans to get to see any of those direct rivalries, however, as none of the members of the Dangerous Alliance seemed eager to engage with their opposite numbers – and, on the other side, Bret also avoided his brother, only tagging in when Pillman or Austin were in the ring. Ross: This is more like a dance than a fight right now, but I get the feeling that’ll change soon enough. Dangerously: No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy, Ross – unless it was drawn up by Madusa and yours truly! First contact, if you like, came when Austin jumped Sting from behind, driving a knee into the World champion’s spine and sending him into the turnbuckles. Capitalising on the wounded champion Austin laid in the boots, leaving Sting looking for help from his corner. But neither Hart nor Steamboat could reach him to make the tag, and when Steamboat looked ready to jump in and intervene Hart held him back with a warning look at the other members of the Dangerous Alliance. Dangerously: Hart’s got his brother’s brains – but Owen’ll show him by the end of the night who the crown jewel of Canada truly is! True to form, the World champion found a way past Austin, blocking a kick to the gut and downing the Texan with a dragon screw. Diving for the corner he tagged Bret into the match as Austin rolled into his corner and tagged Owen in. The crowd, already vocal, grew still louder as the brothers stepped into the ring together. Circling the ring outside of arm’s reach their eyes never left one another. Owen beckoned his brother forward – but made no move to step forward himself. Bret, for his part, gestured at Pillman and Austin, making it clear who he wanted in the ring... but Owen refused to tag out, and when the pair had completed a circle of the ring, Bret tagged Steamboat in without engaging with his brother. Schiavone: That seems to put Sting and Steamboat at a disadvantage. If Bret won’t face Owen, they have to pick up the slack for their partner. Dangerously: And they can’t, Schiavone. No three men could beat the Dangerous Alliance even with every odd stacked in their favour. Make it an even fight, and it’s no contest. Give the Alliance an advantage and you may as well give up before the match begins – the outcome’s the same either way! As the match continued, Sting found himself under fire by all three members of the Alliance. Steamboat ignored Hart to jump into the fray, and with a shake of his head Bret followed, whipping Pillman up and over with a big back suplex before being caught with a boot to the head from Austin. Stunned, Hart couldn’t block the boot to the gut that followed, but Austin was tackled by Steamboat before he could press any further. Meanwhile Sting, saved from his attackers, crushed Owen in one corner of the ring with a Stinger Splash. Before he could capitalise, though, he was tackled from behind by Pillman, one World champion bearing the other to the mat. Ross: He was a nose tackle for the Bengals, folks; Brian Pillman may be giving up a few pounds to Sting, but don’t tell me that Sting didn’t feel that! As Pillman rained in punches on Sting and Austin battled with Steamboat, Bret slowly pulled himself up on the ropes to find Owen staring at him from across the ring. With a shake of his head, Bret went to help Sting, but Owen moved to intercept, putting himself in Bret’s way. Owen: This has to happen, Bret! Bret again shook his head – and Owen slapped him across the face. Owen: We do this now, and it ends now. We go home to Calgary, we show the family that it was just business. That’s all it has to- Before Owen could finish, Steamboat grabbed him from behind and delivered a German suplex. Bret deftly sidestepped the onrushing Pillman and sent him into the turnbuckles, chest first. As Pillman staggered back, Bret snared him with a Russian leg sweep, bringing him crashing to the mat. And, amidst the chaos, with the referee completely unable to watch all six men at once, Madusa passed Austin the NWA World title, which he drilled into the face of Sting. Ross: Oh, that’s real great! Dangerously: For once I agree with you, Ross. Referee! The official turned to see Austin covering the WCW World champion, and with Owen and Steamboat scuffling outside the ring, and Bret distracted by Pillman’s attempts to scratch his eyes out, no-one was able to come to Sting’s aid as the referee counted one... two... three! Dangerously: He’s done it! Austin wins! Not that it was ever in doubt, of course! Ross: Well, I hope you’re happy with yourself, Paul. Do you really think that proves Austin deserves a title shot? Austin got to his feet, beaming widely as he stood over the still-unmoving Sting. Dangerously: I’d say that’s exactly what it means, Ross. Sting laid out the challenge, Austin accepted – and Austin won! So come the Great American Bash Steve Austin will challenge Sting for the WCW World title... The exuberant Austin was joined in his celebrations by Owen and Pillman, as Bret and Steamboat tended to Sting. Dangerously: ...and you’ll see exactly the same thing then – except Steve Austin will have the WCW World title in his hands! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hashasheen" data-cite="Hashasheen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You consistently impress me with finding new dimensions of WCW for Ric Flair to work through and mature with, for lack of a better term.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> > Ric Flair</p><p> </p><p> > mature</p><p> </p><p> Hmmm... <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> *</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>May – June: Towards Clash Of The Champions XXIX</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3QAQ87s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3QAQ87s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">If there was any doubt about Steve Austin’s intent after WrestleWar ’93, with Madusa at his side he was the first man before the cameras the following Saturday Night to put it to rest.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Sting, I’ve crossed the line, and I’ll keep crossing lines to get what I want – the Superstar standing on top of the mountain here in WCW!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="hwJ6wbi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hwJ6wbi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Sting’s response was immediate – but measured.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You want me, Austin? You can have me – but as for this title around my waist... No. Not yet, because you want it so badly that you jumped me in the middle of an outstanding match, so there’s someone else who wants a shot at you first... Bret Hart!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="qrsgDCo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qrsgDCo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Hart’s usually impenetrable expression was, for once, open and clear – the anger on his face as he entered the ring enough to make Austin step back.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “My first World title shot of my career – and you put your ego ahead of my opportunity. When I came to WCW I promised I’d do whatever it takes to get ahead, I wouldn’t get involved in petty rivalries, and I wouldn’t let my heart rule my head... but for you, Austin, I’ll make an exception!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Austin tried to shrug Hart’s claims off, but Sting held firm.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “No. You want to fight me, we can do that tonight Steve. But if you want the title on the line, it’s you and Bret – and the winner gets the next shot at the gold.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I have a better idea,” Austin replied, after Madusa whispered in his ear. “Because the Dangerous Alliance has one another’s backs, so let’s make this a tag match. My team wins, I get that title shot. Your team wins, I’ll step aside and you two can go at it again... if you think you can exist on the same side!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As Hart and Sting looked at one another, professional rivalry clearly still bubbling under between them...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="2ytkyaJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2ytkyaJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> ...Brian Pillman walked down the aisle and took up position next to Austin, flaunting the gold around his waist as he did.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “We don’t work alone,” Pillman said. “And as the </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>new</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> NWA World champion, I’m all in favour of the Alliance getting even more gold-“</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="osRcosk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/osRcosk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>former</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> NWA World champion was quick to join the debate.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You and I have unfinished business, Brian. Any plans you make, I’m going to be there until I get the chance to take back that title you stole from me.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Stole? </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Stole?</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">” Pillman laughed. “Dragon, all’s fair in love and gold, but it looks a lot like it’s three on two now – and I know three great guys like you don’t want that.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “That’s right,” Austin said, with a cold smile. “So let’s make this a six man match. The Alliance has one another’s backs. </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Always.</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="on556lI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/on556lI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Owen Hart walked down the aisle. Unlike his partners he said nothing as he took his place beside Austin and Pillman – but his presence in the ring nevertheless sparked an immediate reaction on the other side, as Bret Hart dropped his microphone and walked away.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="phYsT7k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/phYsT7k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dYLgtcd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dYLgtcd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="fOAo68e.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fOAo68e.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ALWOufW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ALWOufW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2el7v5F.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2el7v5F.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dW8sz0N.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dW8sz0N.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="eHvu9kn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eHvu9kn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3p1PrYY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3p1PrYY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2e0k7KS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2e0k7KS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Coming off the back of War Games, the Horsemen seemed to be riding high – and the Thrillseekers were the first to seek to capitalise on the momentum of emerging victorious from the brutal environment.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Diamond Mine, last time we crossed paths it wasn’t you who beat us – it was weeks of getting jumped by Mike Awesome. Well, Micky Snoresome and his buddies got put to sleep in War Games, and I think we’ll be fighting fit and ready to go, one hundred percent, by Clash of the Champions. So, let’s go again, and see If you can do the job against Canadian technical excellence backed by Horsemen knowhow!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Vinnie Vegas and Diamond Studd eventually stopped partying long enough to respond – at least, we think it was Vegas, as whoever was standing beside Studd in the video they sent in talked like Vegas, stood seven feet tall... and was wearing El Tigre Blanco’s mask.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “A couple of Canucks want to see if they can </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>really</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> mix it with WCW’s greatest superheavyweights? Hell, why not – we beat the luchador flyweights, why not go north of the border next time?” Vegas asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “That’s right. Jericho, Storm, bring Regal if you want,” Studd added. “Bring the fossils from last decade if it’ll make you feel better, but </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>definitely</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> bring Tammy and Fifi – so when we beat you in two minutes they can leave with us and make our night worthwhile!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Diamond Mine didn’t otherwise bother addressing the unmasking of Eddy Guerrero – nor did Luchamerica want to speak about it... but actions spoke a lot louder than words, and the luchador trio were borderline brutal in their treatment of their opponents in the wake of WrestleWar, and a lot of that treatment was being dished out by the former El Tigre Blanco...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="yVAviz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yVAviz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="BiyIlky.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BiyIlky.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="WvKD1gB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WvKD1gB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="RaIRMkk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RaIRMkk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Arn Anderson, for his part, made clear his own desire to bring gold into the Horsemen fold. Having already been spotted watching Dustin Rhodes facing challengers on several occasions, Anderson entered the ring, microphone in hand, when Rhodes weathered the onslaught of Mike Awesome to hand the big man his first loss in WCW.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Dustin, you get better every time I see you in this ring. I want-“</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Before Anderson could make his challenge, he was interrupted by the arrival of Shawn Michaels, the Rough Diamond every bit as brash and bold in his entrance as in his attitude.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Arn, it’s 1993. You had a great run, but let’s be honest – it’s time to let young blood run wild! The fans don’t want to see you chasing after gold again-“</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Michaels paused as the crowd reacted negatively to that statement.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “-and even if they do, they’ll love it a lot more when the US title is around the waist of WCW’s own boy toy right here!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Anderson and Michaels traded barbs as Rhodes shook his head, leaving the ring with his title secure...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> ...and getting flattened with a Steinerline to the back of the head, before Scott Steiner dragged his body off the ground and hurled him nearly halfway up the aisle with an almighty belly to back suplex.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Someone get security! This is a damn mugging! Dustin Rhodes just barely survived Mike Awesome – and now the Steiner Animal is loose!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Steiner didn’t press his advantage, perhaps because of the sudden influx of security separating him from Rhodes, or perhaps because of the arrival of Commissioner Ventura.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="8OuOaKU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8OuOaKU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I’m a simple man. I see someone take an opportunity with two hands, and I’ll use my own two hands to applaud. Steiner, you came out here and made your case without needing to jaw about it like Arn and Michaels up there in the ring, and I’ll bet dollars to cents that Rhodes will want a shot at you when he wakes up. So at the Clash you get the next title shot – but as for you two in the ring... Well, I heard the fans when you two were arguing, and they were interested in what you had to say. So at the Clash you two will fight as well, and whoever wins that one will get the first shot </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>after</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> the Clash!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Did I ever mention how much I like our Commissioner?</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Not in my hearing, Paul.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Well I do. Apparently even a blind squirrel will find a nut sometimes...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="qOIM3UB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qOIM3UB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="XtjeDny.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XtjeDny.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Horsemen’s other young talent, Steven Regal, impressed many with his performance in War Games – but the Kingdom’s Dean Malenko wasn’t one of them. Giving a number of interviews about how little he thought of Regal for resorting to using weapons, Malenko eventually drew a response from the young Brit.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Dean Malenko, you say an awful lot but it takes you a </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>very</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> long time to get to the point. For the last several weeks you’ve been running me down, besmirching my good name, simply because I brought weapons to a war! Well, don’t worry sunshine, at the Clash Of The Champions I’ll be stood in the middle of the ring with nothing but the hands and feet God gave me. Why not come and find out for yourself what they can do to an uppity twerp like you?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Malenko was quick to accept – and Harley Race had a warning for Regal and his Horsemen allies.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “No lead pipes, no brass knuckles, just guts, heart and skill – and you </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>know</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> there’s no way you can stand against my Kingdom!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="BLRhkmT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BLRhkmT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="1MVUCjp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1MVUCjp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Mike Awesome had nine defences of the Television title when he took on Dustin Rhodes after WrestleWar ’93 – but that’s where his streak stopped. After losing to Rhodes Awesome simply obliterated Mike Droese the following night to the point of getting disqualified. He repeated the feat twice the following week, devastating Brian Armstrong and Todd Champion on successive nights before Commissioner Ventura stepped in.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Awesome, I’m not here to pay medical bills – you’re throwing away money that should be yours by right. Get disqualified again, and I’ll strip you of that title. Get past your little pity party man, or you’ll </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>really</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> have something to be sorry about.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Awesome did put in a less brutal showing the following week – but unfortunately for him he did so against Cactus Jack, with the Wildman delivering his own brand of controlled chaos, backed up by his mentor, the Ultimate Warrior, who seemed only too ready to resume hostilities with Harley Race if Awesome’s manager interfered. Whether the tension at ringside distracted the champion or simply that he couldn’t keep Cactus under control, Awesome eventually fell to a Double Arm DDT – and Cactus Jack was the new Television champion!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>That</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> is what people will see when they tune in to TBS? Ted Turner just saw his share price drop fifty cents!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="on556lI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/on556lI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="piiCnu9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/piiCnu9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> With just a few days to go before the Clash, the six-man match between Sting and Steve Austin’s teams remained unconfirmed – indeed, Bret Hart could not be drawn at all on whether he intended to take part in the match whether he was approached by Sting, Steamboat, Commissioner Ventura or any of WCW’s backstage interviewers.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Eventually, Owen Hart commandeered the ring, backed by his allies in the Dangerous Alliance.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I’ve been a member of the Dangerous Alliance for two years. In that time Rick’s been WCW champion, Brian’s been NWA champion, Steve’s been the United States champion and he’s got Sting in his sights... Brian and I had the tag gold, but I’ve been a support act, I’ve been half of a team, I’ve been in the shadows, I’ve been an </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>afterthought</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">... and I need to break free of that. And if there was </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>anyone</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> that I thought would understand where I’m coming from, it’s you, Bret. We both know what it’s like – it’s what we grew up with!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Hitman walked slowly down the aisle, climbing through the ropes with visible reluctance. He didn’t pick up a microphone, didn’t even glance at Rude, Austin or Pillman – he just stared at Owen, waiting for him to continue.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Growing up in Calgary, the legacy we had to uphold, all those hours, days, </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>months</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> in the Dungeon... and then walking away, knowing we had to forge our own paths if we wanted to be seen as our own men, to get the chance to stand on our own. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You came to America and made your name, and I knew you made the right choice – so I followed in your footsteps, Bret, but I knew I had to do it in my own way, too. So I went to Mexico and Japan before I came to WCW. I didn’t want to tread on your toes, maybe I didn’t even want to be compared to you, but I had to know how good I can be. And I still do, Bret, and that means facing the very best in the world. I know I can hold my own, but I need to know if I can </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>win</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> those matches, Bret. And if I want to face the best... that has to include you.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “We’ve been here in WCW together for eighteen months, Bret, and you seemed fine all that time ignoring me, pretending like I wasn’t there, wasn’t a question you’d have to answer some day. Did you really think that, think that I’d never want to find out for sure? If so, I’m sorry to disappoint you, Bret. When I came here, when I joined the Dangerous Alliance, I made a promise to myself that I was done worrying about what my family thought. I’d do whatever it takes to forge a path to the very top. I’d do whatever it takes to win, I’d fight anyone... and that includes you, </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>brother</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As the fans in attendance Bret stared at Owen for several long, long moments before clasping Owen’s hand to pull the microphone towards him, responding quietly.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I’ll take the match, Owen – but I won’t fight </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>you</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">. The Dangerous Alliance is your path right now, but there’s nothing that says I have to </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>cross</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> your path, even if I have to walk it alongside you for a time.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> And with that he walked away once more, clearly deep in thought as Rude, Austin and Pillman congratulated Owen on getting the Dangerous Alliance the match that they’d wanted, even as Owen looked every bit as far away as his brother.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">So this Thursday night it’ll be brother versus brother, as though this match didn’t have enough hanging on it! I don’t know what Stu and Martha Hart will be feeling, knowing that their boys could well be tying up with so much at stake. Folks, be sure to call your cable provider and join us for Clash Of The Champions XXIX!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="53ZpK1D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/53ZpK1D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>WCW Clash Of The Champions XXIX</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Sting, Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat vs. Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Brian Pillman</p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>The Thrillseekers vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW United States Tag Team Titles</p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Dustin Rhodes © vs. Scott Steiner – WCW United States Title</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels – #1 contender to WCW United States Title</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Cactus Jack © vs. Joe Malenko – WCW Television Title</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--></p>

“...’I call it the aristocrats!’” Hayes declared, before laughing loudly as Bischoff and Dusty joined in. Crockett looked askance at Ric, who opened his mouth to suggest that Hayes might not want to tell that joke outside of the booking team meeting. But before he could say anything, the door opened. “Ric, a moment of your time, please.” Ric exchanged surprised glances with Dusty before getting up and leaving the room, falling into step alongside Turner as the two walked through the corridors of CNN Center. Turner exchanged polite greetings with people as they walked, while Ric drew a few hellos, but not for the first time Ric was aware that, as big as WCW was, it was still just one part of the Turner empire. As they entered Turner’s office, its owner waved Ric into a one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Drink, Ric?” Turner asked, crossing to the cabinet behind his desk. “Please.” Turner poured them both a glass of whiskey, and handed one to Ric. “Tell me about WrestleWar,” he said, sitting down. The glass sat before him on the desk, but Turner’s attention was solely on Ric. “Well... it was a great show, Ted. We got tremendous reviews, the buyrate was great for a show that doesn’t have the name recognition of the Great American Bash or Starrcade, and the crowd was hot all night, which always helps things seem more dramatic and important. When the Alliance came after Bret and Sting, or when Harley quit in the War Games match, the roof nearly came off the joint!” “Yes...” Turner picked up his glass and stared at the contents for a long moment before setting it down. “Ric, have you heard of an organisation named the Media Research Center?” “No, I haven’t.” “They’re a conservative media watchdog and have some important people in their rolodexes. Their chairman is, well, let’s say that he’s passionate about his cause. And one of their causes at the moment is WrestleWar – specifically, the main event.” “What about it?” Ric asked. “Ric, two years ago you sold me on the idea of you as the new head booker for WCW based on, among other things, the idea that you could capture the glamour of the WWF and steal a march on them. Today, the champion of the WWF is Lex Luger – a wrestler you thought so little of that you didn’t even make a counter-offer when the WWF approached him on the expiry of his contract. You made a very big deal of bringing in the finest members of the WWF roster – that is, the finest in-ring talent – but we also have the Ultimate Warrior earning an awful lot of money to deliver a dozen clotheslines in midcard tag matches. We’ve talked often about wanting to promote the future of this business... but in our last pay-per-view you won the match for your team by making Harley Race submit, calling back to a feud that ended a decade ago. And – and this is where the MRC comes in – you did it to cap a match where eight men bled heavily or, to use the language of the MRC in their verbose condemnation of the match, ‘bloodshed on a scale that would strike any reasonable viewer as taking place grotesquely, wantonly and with an abandon more appropriate to an overworked abbatoir’.” Turner picked up his glass and drank, shuddering slightly as the whisky went down. “We’ve responded in the usual manner, of course – pay-per-view is intended to be watched by adults, the match was called War Games, it took place on an event called WrestleWar and there were warnings on the part of the announcers before the match and throughout about the extent of violence. We also have a certain amount of leeway because this kind of match is not typical of our product – and nor must it become so!” Flair sat back in his chair, the rebuke landing with force. “Understand, Ric, that the 1980s are behind us. Reagan’s America is gone. The territories are gone. The days of forty-something and fifty-something men blading one another’s foreheads are gone. Professional wrestling must move on, or it will be left behind. “Harley’s retired. As a one off – as a one off, Ric – this Sunday’s events were acceptable. A throwback, a tribute, a retrospective... Call it what you will. But Harley Race and Ric Flair are not the future of WCW, do I make myself clear?” “As crystal, Ted. And that was never the plan,” Ric replied, his mind working fast. “I’m pleased to hear it, Ric. If I thought, for example, that there was an intention to spend the next six months devoting considerable television time to revisiting a decade-old rivalry in order to build to Flair and Vader at Starrcade...” Turner fell silent, and Ric felt his cheeks flush. He took a quick drink to conceal the telltale reaction. “Ted, Mr Turner, you entrusted me with the future of this company. Have you had any reason to be unhappy?” Ric set his drink now, unwilling to risk surrendering any control of his faculties. “By and large, Ric, no. But there’s always potential for things to be better, and sometimes the view is better from outside than at the top. I’ve never hesitated to grasp an opportunity when it presents itself, and you should know that we – TBS – are negotiating for time on television networks in a number of markets, including Japan, Australia and several European countries. We know from the WWF’s excursions that Europe can be a very profitable market for professional wrestling, Ric. Australia is an obvious expansion as there’s no language barrier. And we believe that Japan can accommodate a western presence alongside their native promotions.” “Is this ‘we’ still TBS, sir?” Turner’s expression didn’t change. “WCW is a flagship programme for TBS, Ric, and we need to be certain that it will remain so as we expand. It has to be the very best WCW that it can be.” “And do you think I can’t take it there?” “I think it was important for us to have this conversation, Ric. Expansion is important, critical even. Nationally, WCW is as big as it probably can be, and a massive amount of credit for that goes to you, but we may need to change gears to take on foreign markets, Ric. Is that something you think you can manage?” “Of course,” Ric replied firmly. “Good. Because Ric,” Turner fixed him with his gaze. “This is a tremendous amount of money we would be spending to make this move to transform TBS into a global network –millions and millions of dollars, it would make WCW’s annual budget look like I bought a toy boat for my bath rather than Courageous. Any misstep could be catastrophic and...” Turner looked at his desk and picked up his glass, toying with it for a moment. “Ric, my name may be on the company logo, this may be Turner Broadcasting... but I have a board of directors that I have to answer to. So long as WCW was my pet project, it didn’t attract too much attention. But for it to be positioned as a figurehead brand in the network expansion, and for the man in charge to be bleeding like a stuck pig and beating a fifty year old man with a lead pipe... That doesn’t look good in the trade magazines, Ric, and it makes you a hard sell to keep in place. You’re out on the road all week, when you come in here you lock yourself away in a meeting room with your booking team. And when I laud you for drawing tremendous ratings and critical praise both in the wrestling press and the mainstream... only for you to position yourself in the top match of the pay-per-view...” Turner raised his eyes to Ric again. “I’ve given you considerable leeway, Ric, and I’ve been handsomely rewarded. But the time has come to pull on the reins. You, and WCW, are under the microscope. You’ve told me before that backstage politics is a cutthroat business, but you have to realise that doesn’t just apply to wrestling. Everything that happens in this business is backstage politics, Ric, and to borrow an example from your world, you’ve not even walked around the locker room and introduced yourself to everyone. Believe me, that matters, and being very good at your job – which you have been – only gets you so much leeway.” “I see,” Ric replied. “I should have realised.” “I should have told you, but for a long time it’s suited TBS to pretend you don’t exist. Your raised profile means that’s simply no longer possible. And while I have a lot of pull in this company, Ric, I don’t have enough simply to guarantee your position. If you rub the wrong people the wrong way, then all your success won’t save you. You have a new challenge, Ric, and I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to succeed even if you do everything right.” Ric stood without saying anything. Nodding to Turner he walked out of the office, he closed the door behind him. Letting go of the handle he watched his hand shaking until he clenched it into a fist. I need a drink. And tomorrow, the Nature Boy comes to work! Woooo! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

Write if you enjoy it. I did, and wrote until I ended up writing for work - which sadly means I'm out of steam when it comes to writing for pleasure! Building up a buffer is a good idea, though. Firstly you'll get a feel for if you enjoy writing the storyline or not. Secondly, your first efforts will likely be pretty shaky (it took me two years of writing to catch on here on the board, and part of that was just the lack of quality - and I'd been writing stories for over five years before that) and you'll probably appreciate the chance to go back and edit before throwing it up for public view. Try and have an idea for where you want to go with your diary. It doesn't need to be massively detailed - and really it's better if it's not, as unless you're playing as WWE you don't have any guarantees about who will/won't be available to write for. In my most successful diary I wanted to tell the story of Rip and Jay Chord (this was in 2007 when Jay was a future worker) so you might imagine my frustration when I tried to sign Jay and he walked out on negotiations, costing me six in-game months of stories! But I got him in the end, and that failed negotiation inspired me to do better with my existing talent. In my WCW diary I wanted to rebook the rise and fall of the Dangerous Alliance, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it, but I never imagined having Nikita Koloff as World champion along the way, nor that Brian Pillman would turn into Mr 5*, nor that - of all people - WWF would raid me for Rick Steiner. Be prepared to be flexible, as the game can trip you up or give you an unexpected bonus at any time. One thing that may help is finding ways to involve your readers. In my WCW diary, I made them part of the booking team - Koloff's title reign came when readers voted for him ahead of Lex Luger or Sting. Shame he sucked, but I loved writing it! In another diary I invited readers to contribute chants and signs for their favourite wrestlers (and, as this was PSW, they could be pretty edgy!) which made the readers a part of the in-game crowd. Plenty of people run prediction contests, others have readers RPing in-universe journalists... Whatever floats your boat, really!

World Championship Wrestling presents: WrestleWar ‘93 Thursday, Week 4, May 1993 Ross: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to WrestleWar... if ‘welcome’ is the appropriate term for what you’re about to see. Schiavone: By the end of tonight we’ll see ten of WCW’s finest and toughest going to war, and I absolutely include Harley Race in that, never mind if he’s retired! Dangerously: But we have more than just War Games ahead of us tonight, including very good news for the Dangerous Alliance! Schiavone: Well, that doesn’t sound ominous at all... Folks, we know that the WCW Special Forces have taken an interest in this young man coming down the aisle now to challenge Mike Awesome. He’s very proud of his heritage, very proud to be an American, and very confident that he can be the one to defeat Mike Awesome for the Television title. Ladies and gentlemen, this young man is known as the War Eagle, Chris Chavis! WCW Television Title “War Eagle” Chris Chavis vs. Mike Awesome © Harley Race being at ringside might have intimidated others, but Chavis was pumped up and took the fight straight to Awesome, hammering him with chops and shoulder blocks. After a few minutes, the Patriot, Todd Champion and Firebreaker Chip walked down the ramp to watch the youngster throwing everything at Awesome, staggering the explosive champion with a double axehandle from the top rope. But as hard as Chavis hit, and as many blows as he landed, Awesome wouldn’t stay down for three – and when Awesome found his range with a big boot to the face, he quickly delivered a crushing series of moves capped with an Awesome Bomb to pick up the win. Dangerously: More money for Awesome – and the Kingdom! Is that nine successful defences now? Schiavone: Nine is correct. One more, and Awesome will have two guaranteed shots at the title or titles of his choice! * WCW World Tag Team Titles El Tigre Blanco and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © It was speed against size from bell to bell, with the Diamond Mine getting the better of most of the exchanges – but Blanco and Konnan showing there’s truth to the old adage about the size of the fight in the dog being more important than the size of the fight in the dog! Whenever one of the luchadores was in danger, the other managed to evade their opponent and make the save. A huge clothesline from Diamond Studd to Konnan seemed to have the match won – but El Tigre Blanco made the save with a diving splash that knocked the wind out of Studd. Before Blanco could press the advantage, though, Vinnie Vegas jumped him from behind – and yanked his mask off! Schiavone: No! Studd recovered quickly and rolled Blanco up, the referee counting the three as Blanco tried to keep his face covered. But with the Diamond Mine celebrating their victory and flaunting Blanco’s mask, and Konnan consoling his partner, Blanco seemed to come to the conclusion that his mask was gone, lowering his hands. Dangerously: I know him! That’s Eddy Guerrero! Ross: Gory Guerrero’s youngest son – he knows full well what a mask means to a luchador, and what an insult it is for the Diamond Mine to have taken it from him! Guerrero got to his feet, glaring at Vegas and Studd as they alternated lifting their titles and waving his mask in the air. Ross: The White Tiger is unmasked... and standing in the ring is the scion of one of the great wrestling families. And if the Diamond Mine think they’ve beaten Eddy Guerrero by embarrassing him tonight, I suspect he’s got other ideas! * Dustin Rhodes stood in the centre of the ring, United States title gleaming around his waist. Rhodes: I’m proud to stand here as your United States champion – a title carried by my father just a few years ago, and now a title I want to carry with the same pride and honour. Every champion knows that their days are numbered, and some try to duck and dodge any challenges to drag out their time as champion. But I won’t be that kind of champion. I’m seeking challengers and tonight all I’m looking for is for someone to be the first to step through these ropes and put up their fists! Two newcomers were quick to emerge from backstage, walking down the ramp with their focus laser-like on Rhodes and his title – Rhodes, looking slightly taken aback by their appearance, nonetheless beckoned them through the ropes. Rhodes: Well then, who- ???: Shut your mouth! You want a fight? You got a fight – right now, and you can kiss that belt goodbye, sucka! Rhodes held his ground, looking from one to the other. Rhodes: Do I even get to know your names? Or which one of you I’m fighting? I’m open to challenges, fellas, but I’m not taking on two guys at once – at least, not until I know a bit more about what you can do. ???: This is my brother, Lash. I’m Booker. You can call us the Heat – but first, you can call me United States champion! Rhodes smiled. Rhodes: Fire is good, Booker, but let me give you some free advice from someone who came in to WCW hot, and took a lot of lumps before I learned to cool it down a little... Save your anger for- Booker slapped Rhodes across the face, spinning the champion around. Booker: I don’t need your advice! You know nothing about me and Lash, and all you’ll get to know tonight is how my fist tastes in your mouth! Lash: Referee, ring that bell! WCW United States Title <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> Dustin Rhodes © vs. Booker Rangy and agile, Booker had the champion on the defensive in the early going, catching him from all angles and even coming off the second rope with a massive dropkick that might have earned the challenger a huge upset, had Rhodes’ own long legs not allowed him to get one foot under the ropes. Dangerously: The folly of an open challenge! You’d never see a member of the Dangerous Alliance being so short-sighted with gold on the line! Regrouping, Rhodes fired back with a ring-shaking powerslam that had Booker reeling. Taking control of the match with a running lariat, he bombarded Booker with a series of suplexes before catching him with a bulldog to secure the win. Ross: Dustin Rhodes is still plenty young – but a match like that will have taught him a lot about being a champion here in WCW. Anything can happen here, and if I were Dustin Rhodes, I’d be careful about offering title opportunities where Booker and Lash can hear! * The Dangerous Alliance were gathered backstage in their locker room, the three men all focused on Madusa as she stood before them. Madusa: Recent months have been a challenge for the Alliance. For the first time in a very long time no member of the group holds gold here in WCW, but in part that may be because our numbers have reduced. Arn chose to return to the Horsemen, and Paul and I decided that we would not press that point out of respect to everything that Arn gave the Alliance during his time with us. Pillman: We know this, Madusa. Madusa: I know. But what you don’t know is, well... She beamed as the door opened... ...and Rick Rude entered the room. Madusa: ...things are about to change! Rude: Gentlemen. Long time, no see. Austin, Pillman and Hart rose to shake hands with Rude, although Austin seemed somewhat reluctant to do so. Austin: Enjoy your vacation? Rude: I did. I needed it. All of you will find out how hard it is to be the World champion – to be the number one target for anyone and everyone. It was hard, and I learned a lot, but not as much as I learned from losing the title. Next time I have that belt I’ll be even more prepared, ready to dominate for even longer. Austin frowned, and seemed ready to say something, but Rude cut across him before he did. Rude: But that’s in the future. This is an Alliance – and I take that seriously. All of you helped keep the title in the Alliance, and I’ll do the same for you. Brian, that starts tonight when you put out the Dragon’s fire. You going to the other NWA shows? A stroke of genius – and I want to help you burn even brighter when you have that title around your waist. He turned to Austin. Rude: Steve... that United States title was stolen from you. If you want it back, we’ll get it back. You want to aim even higher, the Alliance has your back. I have your back, because I know you can make the next step and be the Superstar you’re destined to be, the man who acts as the spearpoint as the new world order takes hold. Turning to Hart, he placed one hand on the youngster’s shoulder. Rude: And Owen... He raised a finger under Hart’s nose, even as he smiled at him. Rude: ...it’s time to find your next level. Whatever that means. He turned to address the group once more. Rude: Now, tonight we’re here for Brian. And after this we’ll work together to get even more gold for the Alliance. Gold means money, and money means power, and between the four of us, Madusa and Paul there’ll be no-one to challenge the Dangerous Alliance! * NWA World Title Ricky Steamboat © vs. Brian Pillman Schiavone: Weeks, even months of mockery – and now Ricky Steamboat will give Brian Pillman what he wants. But can Pillman handle the Dragon? In the opening exchanges, the answer was no – the veteran champion put the upstart to rights as he fired away with chops and armdrags, before a flying crossbody earned the Dragon a close two count. Madusa, at ringside, seemed beside herself as she watched her charge being taught a lesson. But then Pillman took advantage of a misstep by the referee to gouge Steamboat’s eyes as the official was out of position, buying himself some time. Dangerously: Marginal gains, gentlemen. Would you ever have seen Flyin’ Brian doing something like that? Ross: Maybe not, Paul, but Ricky Steamboat is the most upstanding of men – and he came into this match as the champion! Dangerously: He won’t leave it with the title, Ross! Pillman roared back into the fight, targeting the wounded Steamboat with quickfire dropkicks and a huge backdrop that saw Steamboat launched high into the air. He hit the mat hard, back arched in pain before Pillman used the second rope as a springboard to deliver a diving splash for a two count of his own. Pillman kept up the pressure with a series of clotheslines, culminating in a flying elbow smash off the ropes that sent Steamboat crashing through the ropes to the entrance ramp. Steamboat struggled to get to his feet, but even as he rose Pillman vaulted to the top rope, thousands of flashbulbs popping as he stood above everyone for a fraction of a second before launching himself at Steamboat. Dangerously: System Crash! Night night Ricky Steamboat! Schiavone: Only if your boy can get him in the ring, Paul. Steamboat seemed to be out – but out halfway up the ramp after the flying attack. The referee was counting as Pillman tried to drag Steamboat back into the ring, but Steamboat was dead weight, and eventually the Dangerous Alliance’s loose cannon had to leave him behind to break the count. Back in the ring Pillman argued with the official, who stonewalled him by pointing to his shirt, emphasising his position as the match official. Pillman snarled, but backed off rather than risk the disqualification... but outside the ring Madusa had made her way around to Steamboat and seemed set to brain him with a blackjack – only for Marcus Bagwell to reach out of the crowd and snatch it from her hand. Madusa yelled at the young man, the ruckus drawing the official’s attention as Steamboat dragged himself back into the ring. Climbing out of the ring he remonstrated with both Madusa and Bagwell, ordering both away from ringside. As they complied – with reluctance on both parts – Scott Steiner slid into the ring... ...and floored Steamboat with a Frankensteiner. As the referee returned to the ring Pillman had Steamboat covered, and the official had no choice but to drop to the mat and count the pin, ending Steamboat’s reign and crowning a new NWA World champion! Dangerously: What did I tell you? What did I tell you? Ross: Well, I did wonder what deal you and Scott Steiner had settled on, Paul – but I don’t mind telling you, this makes me sick! Dangerously: Like I care – because Brian Pillman, NWA World champion makes every member of the Dangerous Alliance that much more rich! As Pillman celebrated in the ring, and the crowds jeers and boos threatened to drown out his music, Steiner climbed back into the ring and shook hands with the new champion. Ross: Scott Steiner’s brother was driven out of WCW by a serious injury suffered at the hands of Brian Pillman – how can he consider working with the Dangerous Alliance? Dangerously: Money talks, Ross. And in our hands it talks fluently, loudly, and above all else it talks convincingly. * WCW World Title Sting © vs. Bret Hart Schiavone: Bret Hart went through four opponents to earn this title shot; Sting’s a fighting champion, but even as often as he’s competed this month, I think it’s fair to say that he’s had the easier ride over the last month. Certainly Hart was the more cautious of the two competitors in the early going, taking a more defensive tack as Sting tried to put the Hitman away early. Ross: There’s been a lot of talk about the Sharpshooter and the Scorpion, but many more hits like that and Sting will take this by pinfall in the centre of the ring! Hart maintained a cautious approach even as the champion continued to score points. However, he also spent a lot of time out of the ring, making Sting expend time and energy chasing him around the ring. The crowd response was mixed – Stingers roaring on the champion, but also clearly some support for the challenger as well. Hart remained implacable, not showing any tension as Sting continued to try and take the match quickly. Dangerously: ‘Hitman’ isn’t a name he was given – he earned it; Trust me, gentlemen, Bret Hard is an ice-cold assassin. I may not think that it’s smart to take ten hits to land one... but the Excellence of Execution may only need one. Sting, cardio machine that he is, didn’t tire quickly. But Hart landed his shots in places that hurt, catching Sting in the chest and the throat, tearing the breath from his lungs and making it harder to suck down much-needed oxygen as the momentum shifted inexorably in the challenger’s favour. Ross: The champion has endured more than almost anyone I can think of in this business, but Hart has taken Sting’s best shots so far – and Sting may not get another chance to land any more! But Hart’s focus was broken when... ...the Dangerous Alliance emerged from backstage as a group, taking up a position halfway down the ramp, grouped around the new NWA World champion, Brian Pillman. The momentary distraction was enough to let Sting drill Hart with a snap bodyslam, rocking the challenger and allowing Sting to take control of the match. Ignoring the Alliance, Sting tried to lock Hart into the Scorpion Deathlock, but Hart was close enough to the ropes to force the break – and as Sting backed off, Hart quickly scored with a double leg takedown and turned Sting onto his front, cinching in his own Sharpshooter as the crowd roared in a mix of support and exasperation at the sight of Sting caught, his stretching fingers still inches from the ropes. Schiavone: This could be it! Sting knows how much the Scorpion hurts – even if there’s a difference in height and the pressure points the two men are focusing on, I’d wager that the pain is the same overall! Ross: Don’t forget the power advantage Sting holds. Maybe Hart has the better technique, but Sting might be able to power out of this if Hart doesn’t have it locked in perfectly- As Ross said it, Sting was able to twist just enough to grab at the bottom rope. Hart released the hold, hands on hips and looking annoyed for the first time as Sting clutched at the rope to ensure a period of respite. On the ramp, the Dangerous Alliance moved closer and Hart turned to glare at them for a moment – but turned back quickly to Sting, unwilling to look away from his opponent for long. Schiavone: Hart knows how dangerous Sting is. He won’t give Sting any chance to recover, and nor should he! As Sting pulled himself to his feet, Hart closed in and landed a German suplex, but Sting was able to break the bridge before the referee could begin his count. As the two opponents rose to their feet Sting kicked out seemingly on instinct, catching Hart in the gut and setting up a snap suplex. Sting floated over into the cover, but Hart kicked out on two. As Sting tried to catch his breath, Hart quickly rolled him up into a cradle that Sting just barely escaped, and for the first time Sting was the one bailing out of the ring, trying to find respite as Hart followed close behind. The two traded punches on the arena floor and Sting got the better of the exchange as he landed a hard right to Hart’s jaw that had the challenger reeling. Pulling himself onto the entrance ramp he seemed ready to leap off it and onto Hart, but realised that he’d put himself within reach of the Alliance – who were now moving even closer. As the referee clambered through the ropes and ordered the Alliance to back off, Hart climbed up onto the ramp and stood side-by-side with Sting, glaring at the Alliance and seemingly daring them to try the pair. Dangerously: Real smart! It’s five on two, you idiot! And to think we asked him to join – talk about your lucky escapes! Ross: I’m sure Bret Hart thanks his lucky stars every night, Paul. With so many bodies, the referee couldn’t hope to keep track of everyone – and a seeming feint by Pillman drew the ire of Sting, who lunged at his fellow champion and slugged it out with him and Owen. The referee tried to separate them, leaving Rude to send Austin and Steiner after Hart. Before the Hitman could do anything to defend himself he was flattened by a Steinerline and, as Sting sent the Calgary Connection backing off in a strategic retreat, Hart was subjected to a Stun Gun from Austin. The Alliance pair pitched Hart through the ropes before backing up the ramp to join their allies, leaving Sting and the referee to return to the ring, warily keeping one eye on the Alliance even as they disappeared, most of them laughing, through the curtain. Sting reacted in disgust to the sight of Hart down on the mat. Remonstrating with the referee, he seemed to be demanding that the match be thrown out due to the interference. But referee Nick Patrick refused, pointing out that Sting had attacked Owen and Pillman – and whatever had happened with Hart, Patrick hadn’t seen it. Schiavone: I hate to say it when we all know the truth, but the referee is right on the money; He can’t make a call here. The match must go on! Throwing his hands up in the air, Sting covered Hart to try and end the match – but Hart kicked out on two. Grabbing Hart’s hand, Sting forced his shoulder back onto the mat and hooked his leg, but again Hart somehow got a shoulder up. Sting let out a growl of frustration before yelling at Hart to stay down, but Hart only responded by trying to get to his feet. Sting looked to the crowd as though seeking guidance, but now the crowd was split down the middle in their support for the two men. Ross: It’s been an incredible match, spoiled by interference – but take nothing away from the effort they’ve put in! Schiavone: Any comment on why the Alliance chose to interfere, Paul? Dangerously: Do I have to spell it out to you, Schiavone? We don’t like Bret Hart. Schiavone: I didn’t think that you liked Sting, either. Dangerously: No-one likes Sting, Schiavone. But right now, we like Bret Hart that little bit less. In-ring Sting had decided on a course of action. Dragging Hart into the centre of the ring he grapevined Hart’s legs around his own and turned him over into the Scorpion Deathlock, using his long legs to twist Hart and put as much pressure as he could muster on the challenger’s back. Hart cried out in pain, reaching for the ropes, but they were nowhere near. In his weakened state, Hart couldn’t move the heavier, stronger Sting who seemed rooted to the spot... but equally Hart refused to submit to the hold as Sting bore down on it, unrelentingly. With a howl that rang with effort and exasperation in equal measure Sting somehow found a little more pressure to apply... and Hart, riven with pain and exhaustion, sank to the mat, his head dropping, his arms splayed wide as the referee checked on him and, with a shake of his head, called for the bell. Schiavone: Hart wouldn’t quit – but even he has his limits! Ross: Austin and Steiner with the assist tonight, not that Sting wanted it! Dangerously: Maybe we’ll send him a bill, or maybe we’ll write this one off as a promotional expense. You never know when the Dangerous Alliance will choose to exert their influence on the world of wrestling. As though on cue, Steve Austin vaulted the crowd barrier and slid into the ring. As Sting wearily accepted the title belt from the referee Austin went low with a chop block to the World champion’s knee, dropping Sting like a stone. Schiavone: That knee was surgically repaired four years ago! Dangerously: Yes it was – and believe me, the doctor did great work. Great... but not perfect. Austin entwined Sting’s legs with his own, applying a variant of the figure four leglock as he stood over Sting, twisting on the trapped limbs as Sting tried to break the hold, his struggles lacking in effectiveness following the gruelling battle he’d just survived. Dangerously: Choose your moment, and strike so hard there’s no chance of a counterattack. Sting’s got no fight left in him – and soon enough you’ll see Austin stood over Sting again, and this time he’ll have the World title around his waist! As Austin released the hold and walked up the aisle, a broad smile on his face, he was passed by an array of officials and medics hurrying to help the suffering Sting and the barely-moving Hart. Ross: I suppose we have to acknowledge the effectiveness of the Dangerous Alliance’s tactics. Right now you control the NWA World champion, and you’ve left the WCW World champion and his challenger lying. If there were any questions about the strength of the Dangerous Alliance, you seem to have answered them. Dangerously: Of course – and with our business concluded for the evening, all that’s left is to enjoy the sight of the Horsemen and the Kingdom beating one another senseless in our main event. It’s good to be me, gentlemen, it really is. * War Games The Horsemen vs. The Kingdom Both teams entered as a single collective, first the Horsemen, for whom Arn Anderson stepped inside the cage, and then the Kingdom, with Dean Malenko the first man to enter the match. Ross: A veteran for the Horsemen – and all the experience of War Games is on their side. Flair and Anderson have been in this match many times, but not even Harley Race has been in this match before. Schiavone: But don’t assume that the Horsemen have all the experience edge. Lance Storm, Chris Jericho, Steven Regal... these kids only have a few years in the business between them. Either Malenko brother has more than all three put together. And you can’t assume that Jericho is fit to fight. Just look at how many times over the last month Mike Awesome’s jumped him and left him lying! Ross: It’s seemed like every week Awesome’s been the last man standing, and you can tell that Jericho’s feeling the effects. And that’s for certain a bad sign for the Horsemen, as Jericho will have a bullseye on his back the second he sets foot in the ring. Dangerously: Back, neck, leg – Awesome wasn’t picky. Anderson and Dean fought a cagy opening, with Malenko showing his awareness of the old Anderson aphorism about a three-legged table; Focusing on Anderson’s left leg, he tried to soften him up for the Texas Cloverleaf. Ross: It’s never too early to win a match... but there’s a long way to go before any submission will count tonight. Malenko did, however, hold the advantage as his first ally entered the ring – his brother, Joe. With no-one on his side in the cage, Anderson had to rely on guts and experience to hold the brothers at bay. He had some success, but the instinctive understanding on the part of the Malenkos gave them the clear advantage and he suffered a double flapjack into the cage that split his forehead in two, leaving the Enforcer bleeding heavily as his first teammate entered the ring. Schiavone: I was expecting Ric Flair to come in and assist his long-time friend, but it’s Lance Storm! Ross: This young Canadian is as good in the ring as anyone I’ve seen at his age, but this is a gamble by the Horsemen! Anderson is hurt badly, and Storm has four minutes before any more help arrives... and he knows that in two minutes he’ll also have to contend with either Race, Awesome or Vader! Storm moved quickly, doing everything he could to keep the Malenkos off-base as Anderson tried to recover from his wounds. Storm did well, flying off the ropes and taking both men down with a double clothesline. Anderson came back into the fight with a knee drop on Dean, before spiking Joe with a DDT as he tried to come back into the match, the buzzer sounding at the same time. And Big Van Vader entered the cage. Even with both Malenkos down, Vader joined the match with a smile on his face. Flattening Storm with a meaty clothesline as the youngster charged at him, Vader stalked the bleeding Anderson with a sadistic grin. Anderson retreated into the second ring, putting the ropes in the middle of the cage between himself and Vader. Vader looked as though he was considering pursuing Anderson... but thought better of it and turned his attention back to Storm, who had been dragged off the mat by the Malenkos. The brothers handed Storm off to Vader, who lifted him easily into the air, ready to powerbomb Storm, but Anderson jumped the big man from behind, dealing a clubbing blow to the kidneys. Vader barely flinched, but tossed Storm to the mat before turning to face Anderson, who now found himself at a three on one disadvantage... ...which is when the buzzer sounded once more, and Ric Flair entered the ring, a steel chair in one hand. Ross: The Enforcer just got his backup – and it’s the Dirtiest Player in the Game! Dean Malenko charged at Flair, and was swatted aside with the chair. Joe ate a spinebuster as he lunged at Anderson. Anderson and Flair then turned their focus to Vader, who spread his arms wide, beckoning them forward. The Horsemen spread out, splitting Vader’s focus – but rather than wait for them to act, Vader lunged at Anderson with a huge right hand that sent Anderson stumbling back into the ropes. As he rebounded Vader grabbed the back of his head and hurled him across the ring and into Flair, who only just managed to drop the chair before Anderson crashed into him. Vader laughed as he took two quick steps and dropped a 450 pound elbow on top of Anderson, crushing Flair underneath his teammate. Dangerously: It’s all Vader; We could be about to see the first ever War Games victory by one man! Ross: Get a hold of yourself, Paul. Even Vader can’t defeat five men. Dangerously: He doesn’t have to. He can destroy the three in the ring, and then take his time with Regal and Jericho when they come in. Schiavone: You have a point, Paul. Dangerously: Of course I do, Schiavone. Vader was knocked back a couple of steps by a big dropkick from Storm, who took advantage of catching the masked man unawares to deliver a vicious backhand blow to Dean Malenko, sending him tumbling through the ropes and into the cage wall. But Joe grabbed Storm from behind and tied his arms up. Vader charged at the pair but Storm managed to drop out of the hold, sending Vader ploughing through Joe. Vader barely seemed to notice, but he definitely noticed as Storm swung for the fences with the steel chair, buckling it over the masked man’s back. Dangerously: Vader felt that! Vader stood with hands on knees as Storm swung again, the steel chair twisting again as Storm hammered it down on Vader’s back, driving him to one knee. Schiavone: Could Storm put the monster down? Is it possible? Before Storm could swing again, Dean grabbed the chair and pulled it away from him. Storm tried to catch his opponent but Dean deftly sidestepped him and hauled him overhead with a belly to back suplex. As Vader caught his breath in the corner Dean went to work on Storm, only to be dragged off the young Canadian by Flair, who wisely bore Malenko to the mat and locked in a body scissors, allowing him to regain his breath even as he squeezed it out of Dean. Joe and Arn, meanwhile, traded punches on their knees as the buzzer sounded... ...and the Television champion Mike Awesome entered the match. Ross: Vader and Awesome – and we know that the six-time World champion Harley Race will close out the match for the Kingdom. But will he even be needed? Flair released his grip on Dean to go after Awesome, ducking under a big boot and trying to take Awesome down by going after his standing leg. Awesome, however, tore his leg out of Flair’s grip and kicked him in the face before he could move out of range. Flair was prone on the mat as Awesome delivered a series of stamps before Storm broke free of Joe Malenko to tackle Awesome away from the Nature Boy. Dangerously: The Horsemen have been playing catchup almost since the first minute! The buzzer sounded once more and Steven Regal climbed through the ropes and into the ring, the young Englishman sizing up the environment carefully. Schiavone: Storm and Flair fighting Awesome, the Malenkos tangling with Arn Anderson... I guess that leaves only one man to fight – Vader! Vader crossed his ring and climbed through the ropes to go after Regal, but paused as Regal held up a microphone. Regal: Now, now, let’s wait one moment sunshine. You and I can get to it in just a minute if you want to, but consider this... Regal brought his other hand out from behind his back, revealing a length of steel pipe. Regal: ...you can have the first taste of this, or you can let me have a go at your teammates, and maybe one of them will take it off me. What do you say? Vader smiled beneath his mask. He beckoned Regal towards him, but behind his back Flair broke away from Awesome to drive a knee into Vader’s kidneys. Vader barely seemed phased but turned to Flair as though ready to swat a fly out of the air – which gave Regal the opportunity to dart forward, lashing out with the steep pipe and cracking it across Vader’s arm. Vader howled in pain, recoiling as he clutched at his arm and dropping to the mat. Ross: This could be huge! And it’s the Horsemen who’ve brought the weapons into this match – and Vader who’s had the worst of them! Dangerously: And don’t think that’s an accident or a coincidence, Ross. Flair is the dirtiest player in the game, and he’s proud to admit it! He knew that weapons would help his team, and he’s got the kids using them. It’s smart – and the Kingdom might be in trouble unless Race brings an arsenal in with him! Regal lined up another blow, pipe cocked like a tennis racquet. Before he could dart in on the impaired Vader, Awesome turned him inside out with a lariat, only for Flair to catch him with a low blow that left the youngster doubled over. Ross: Well, that’ll hurt any man. The Horsemen regrouped as the buzzer sounded and Race entered the ring warily. The six-time World champion had dusted off his old trunks and barely looked a day older than his last reign – but even at his peak “Mad Dog” would have struggled to fight four men on his own, let alone two of them being Flair and Anderson. But Race wasn’t wholly alone – even wounded, Vader seemed ready to fight, while the Malenkos had recovered enough from their own battles to line up with their teammates... and the pair helped Awesome to his feet, giving the Kingdom the one man advantage, even if Awesome was moving gingerly. Ross: And on the outside, Chris Jericho is watching. The Horsemen have saved him for last – and no wonder after his repeated suffering at the hands of Mike Awesome. But if they were hoping that the Kingdom might be worn down by the time their fifth man joined the match, it doesn’t look like that will be the case. With both sides having had a chance to catch their breath the battle rejoined, Regal and Storm clashing with the Malenkos, Arn going after Vader while Flair resumed his long-running feud with Race. Ross: The greatest champions of all time, only in WCW! By now blood was flowing freely, not just from Anderson, but Joe Malenko and Storm had been cut open, and Dean now joined them as Regal raked his face along the cage wall, drawing a loud reaction from the fans – before Mike Awesome grabbed Regal from behind and hurled him overhead with an almighty back suplex. As Dean sagged on the ropes, Awesome bent over Regal before recoiling suddenly, clutching at his head as blood spurted from it. Schiavone: What was that- What’s that on his hand?!? Regal got gingerly to his feet, nursing his neck, a glinting set of brass knuckles on one hand, and Joe Malenko only just avoided a swing from the Brit by dropping to the mat. Vader shoved Anderson to one side and closed in on Regal, who stood ready to punch the masked man, only for him to be sent crashing to the mat as Race whipped Flair into him, giving the Kingdom a slight edge as the buzzer sounded and Jericho took a deep breath, before slowly climbing the stairs and entering the cage. Cappetta: We are now entering... The Match Beyond! The cage doors were locked by the referees at ringside, leaving Jericho in one ring as the action continued in the other. Visibly limping, Jericho entered the crowded ring only to be immediately collared by Vader, the masked man easily twice the weight of the young Canadian. Jericho tried to take advantage of Vader’s bad arm, but the masked man retaliated with a hard headbutt that dashed Jericho to the mat. Schiavone: Easy as that. Ross: That young man has had a rough, rough month. Dangerously: And he’s going to have an even rougher night. Vader and Awesome lifted Jericho off the mat. Even wounded as they were, they easily overpowered the youngster, Awesome doubling Storm over with a boot to the gut when he tried to save his partner. Vader and Awesome hurled Jericho over the top rope and he crashed headfirst into the steel cage, sliding uglily down the mesh and landing in a heap between the ring ropes and cage. Dangerously: No escape, only surrender. And now all ten men are in, anyone could give up at any time. My money’s on Jericho! Ross: Sadly, I can’t argue the logic. He was injured before the night began, and already he’s bleeding after just a couple of minutes inside this match. Vader dragged Jericho back through the ropes and set up for a body slam on the young Canadian, but was knocked back by Storm with a dropkick. Off balance, Flair delivered a chop block that sent the big man crashing backwards with Jericho still in his arms. The impact shook the ring as nearly 700 pounds hit the mat, knocking Joe Malenko off his feet as well and allowing Anderson to break free of the double team that the brothers had trapped him in. Anderson tackled Race, taking the veteran to the mat as Awesome dragged Jericho off Vader and hurled him across the ring. Ross: Such strength by Awesome, but with Vader stunned the Kingdom don’t have any sort of advantage. Vader’s incapacitation didn’t last long, and the masked man was soon back on his feet, trading blows with Anderson. But Jericho, at last, was ready to fight and he came after Vader with an armbar. On a normal night, that would have done little or nothing – but with Vader injured, the simple hold proved effective as Vader was immobilised by the hold, which Ross noted was applied perfectly to maximise the pain Vader was feeling. Schiavone: The Horsemen influence – not just about cheating, but technical excellence, too! Bellowing through the pain, Vader grabbed Jericho’s hair and snapped his head back, sending him crashing to the mat. Before he could capitalise, however, Anderson crashed a steel chair down on the back of his head, knocking Vader to his knees. Dropping the chair on the mat, Anderson DDT’d Vader right onto it, and the masked man bled as he lay, unmoving and apparently unaware, on the mat. Ross: But the match continues! Even with Vader down, the referees won’t stop this. And the Kingdom have worked Vader over, one by one. Every man got their shots in, and even with all the talent and experience the Kingdom have, they’re now at a disadvantage. Dean Malenko seemed to sense that, dragging Jericho into the second ring as Joe, Race and Awesome tried to keep the other Horsemen occupied. Regal was neutralised by Awesome, who trapped the Brit in one corner and unloaded with punches. Race and Flair tangled once again, as Dean’s brother tied Storm up with an octopus hold. But that left Anderson free, and he turned from one pair to the next, sizing up where he was needed most – before delivering a chop block to Race, felling the former World champion just after he split Flair’s brow in twain with a hard right hand. As Regal wrapped the mangled remains of the steel chair over Joe’s back, releasing Storm from the hold, Awesome grabbed the British youngster and chokebombed him on the mat, before jumping over him and tackling Anderson to the mat as Storm grabbed Joe and the two weakly traded blows in their exhaustion. Anderson held onto Awesome as Flair delivered a second chop block to Race’s bad knee, buckling it from the side and dropping his long-time rival to the mat. Dangerously: Look, in the second ring! Away from the chaos Dean Malenko had, almost unnoticed, laid into Jericho with such viciousness that the young Canadian’s face was now a vibrant crimson mask, his blood staining the ring mat as Malenko turned Jericho over into a Texas Cloverleaf. Ross: This could be it! No-one else seems to have remembered that your opponent has to submit! Schiavone: Flair’s remembered! Amidst the fallen and the brawling, Flair had Race’s bad leg in hand and was twisting it into the figure four leglock. Dangerously: Vader down! Storm down! Anderson and Awesome fighting, Joe Malenko and Lance Storm occupied with one another, and now either the youngest man in the match or the oldest will have to surrender! Jericho, for his part, seemed almost too weak to understand the position that he was in. His movements were slow, but they were enough that the referees held out on calling him unfit to continue. Jericho may be so badly beaten that he doesn’t realise how badly beaten he is! Schiavone: And Flair has the figure four locked in – Race has felt this many, many times before. Does he know how to escape? Jericho bellowed in pain, and Storm looked to his teammate in sympathetic pain, but could do nothing as he fought to keep Joe Malenko from breaking up the figure four. Vader was beginning to stir, and Race, his face screwed up in pain, bellowed for his charge to get up and save him. As Awesome unloaded on Anderson, the Enforcer hung on for grim life, keeping Awesome trapped in one corner as Race slammed his fists into the mat, holding out as long as he could, waiting for Vader, for Awesome, for either Malenko... ...as Dean looked on in frustration, unwilling to release Jericho even as Vader dragged himself across the prone Regal... ...and Joe went low on Storm, doubling him over with a boot between the legs, seemingly freeing him to save Race, but even in agony Storm was able to grab Joe around the leg, stopping him just short... ...as Jericho pounded on the mat, screaming in pain as Dean sat fully back on the hold... ...but as the referees checked on both Jericho and Race alike, it was Flair who struck once more, his questing fingers finding the pipe Regal had brought into the ring. The Nature Boy swung for the fences, the pipe crashing down on Race’s leg as the former World champion cried out in agony, and as the referee checked on him, as Vader’s hand fell just short of his manager, as Flair lifted the pipe again and seemed ready to swing a second time... ...Race submitted, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the bell rang. Schiavone: Incredible! More than 30 minutes, eight men bleeding in the ring, untold injuries – Vader and Race, especially, but who knows how many others? Dangerously: It was a war, Ross... As Race and Flair were separated, and Dean Malenko sagged to the mat, releasing the Texas Cloverleaf, medical professionals entered the ring in droves to check on the health of the ten combatants. Dangerously: ...and in war, there are casualties. The Dangerous Alliance and Sting’s Squadron suffered last year, and this year it was the turn of the Kingdom and the Horsemen. None of these men will ever be the same, but I’ll hand it to the Horsemen, by hook or by crook, they’ve come out on top. The guile of Flair and Anderson proved enough, and their young partners – Regal, Storm and Jericho – will have learned a lot about themselves tonight. Know thyself, and after tonight, these young men are a lot closer to exactly that. Ross: Ladies and gentlemen, you could easily think you’re seeing the aftermath of a car wreck, but this was one of the most brutal, one of the most vicious, one of the bloodiest matches I’ve ever seen. Thank you for joining us for WrestleWar ’93, the Horsemen will emerge from War Games the winners... but only time will tell if it’ll be worth what’s cost them! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->

April – May: Towards WrestleWar ‘93 Night after night, town after town, show after show, the intense rivalry between the Horsemen and the Kingdom only continued to grow in intensity. Frequent brawls between the two sides spoiled a number of matches between the two groups, while Flair, Race, Vader and both Thrillseekers also exchanged increasingly heated interviews. Eventually Commissioner Ventura made the call many fans were clearly waiting for: “Horsemen, Kingdom, settle this in War Games!” As the month wore on, the details of the match crystallised – all five Horsemen would compete, but rather than bring in a fifth man for the Kingdom, Harley Race announced that he’d enter fifth for his side. “I can still remember the feel of my fists on your skull, Flair, and for damn sure I have a few good lessons left in me to teach the punk kids you’re hanging around with nowadays!” If the inclusion of a retired wrestler might have raised eyebrows under normal circumstances, the Horsemen were not at their best approaching War Games – Chris Jericho had suffered badly at the hands of Mike Awesome, and the following month had treated him none too kindly with beatings at the hands of the Diamond Mine, Scott Steiner and Vader himself following. Only intervention on the part of Commissioner Ventura – and Jericho agreeing to sign a hold-harmless waiver agreeing not to blame WCW for any further injury he suffered in the match – saw him getting clearance to compete inside the unforgiving cage. “It’s War Games – the Match Beyond! And it’s never anything less than one of the most brutal contests of the year!” * With War Games set to headline WrestleWar ’93, Sting and Commissioner Ventura laid out a path to possible glory for sixteen competitors – members of the Diamond Exchange, Luchamerica, Dangerous Alliance and York Foundation would join Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack, Sid Vicious, Marcus Bagwell, Bret Hart and Barry WIndham across the four week tournament. Diamond Studd seemed to have a big early advantage as Warrior and Vegas fought to a tie in their match, giving Studd a bye to the semi-final in the top half of the draw. He would face Bret Hart, the Hitman having overcome the York Foundation’s technician Terence Taylor by submission in the first round, before surprising heavyweight brawler Scott Steiner after a bruising encounter to make it to the last four. On the other side of the bracket Windham overcame long-time rivals Brian Pillman and Owen Hart in consecutive matches, putting his height and strength to good use against his smaller opponents. In the semi-final, however, he came up against Shawn Michaels, with the Rough Diamond putting his fellow Texan to the sword with a dizzying display of speed and technical savvy, adding Windham to the scalps of Konnan and Sid Vicious – in part thanks to the intervention of DDP and his trademark roll of silver dollars. The Diamond Exchange tried to help Studd in the semi-final as well, seeing an all-Exchange final as the ideal way of getting revenge on Sting – and securing a World title shot as well! But while Michaels has – perhaps surprisingly – been focused on business in recent months, the attitudes of Studd and Vinnie Vegas have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. After jumping Hart behind the referee’s back and opening up a cut over one eye, DDP and Vegas basked in the crowd’s boos as Studd took control of their victim. Hart wouldn’t stay down regardless of whatever Studd threw at him – and kept escaping from attempts at a Diamond Death Drop, but it seemed clear that he was merely delaying the inevitable. Studd’s allies tried to get involved again and hurry things along, but this time the trio of Konnan, El Tigre Blanco and Rey Mysterio rushed through the crowd to tackle them, with Mysterio launching off the barricade to take DDP down with a flying headscissors while Konnan and Blanco went high and low on Vegas, bringing the big man crashing to the ground. Inside the ring Hart took advantage of Studd’s distraction to boot him in the gut, and before he had the chance to recover Hart delivered a piledriver that put the bigger man down – and booked the Hitman a date with Michaels in the final! Assistance from the Diamond Exchange had therefore helped Michaels and hindered Hart on their respective roads to the finals. Hart’s injuries from his gruelling matches, though healing, seemed to give Michaels a clear advantage early in their match, and he put it to good use as he powered around the ring at high speed. Hart, who’d tasted Scott Steiner’s vicious wrath after scoring the win in a gruelling contest with a victory roll, took time to find his feet against Michaels. When he did, though, he worked hard to ground Michaels, slowly wearing down his back and legs to deplete his speed. Even then, Michaels was dangerous, but Hart doubled down on his assault, weathering the storm not just from Michaels but from the wily DDP when he found himself outside and on the referee’s blindside. “That sneaky Dallas Page! How dare he get involved?” Ross demanded. “I think after seeing Vinnie Vegas lose last month, he’s taking this chance at another shot at the champion very personally indeed. That can be a good thing for a manager when their client gets screwed,” Dangerously replied. “I think- Wait, what’s Austin doing out here?” Schiavone asked. Steve Austin had walked out from the backstage area and stood halfway down the aisle, watching with arms crossed as Hart tried to drag himself back into the ring. “Oh, don’t even get me started.” “The Superstar’s still in a mood, then?” Ross asked. “And one he’s going to take out on all of WCW, trust me.” Michaels kept the official occupied, even grabbing his head and holding it in place as the Rough Diamond jawed at him. Showing remarkable tolerance, the official allowed this – and allowed Page to grab Hart’s head and drop to the floor, yanking Hart down with him. “Nice! Simple, but effective – I know Page has been studying tapes to improve, and that’s one from Japan,” Dangerously declared. “And Hart is feeling it, no question. This could be a countout victory for Michaels here.” It might well have been... but the official seemed very reluctant to end such an important match in that way. And when Michaels objected and tried to get in his face again, the official retaliated by shoving the Rough Diamond down on his backside, drawing a huge cheer from the crowd. “He’s had all he can stands, and he can’t stands no more!” “Shut up, Schiavone!” Austin had closed in on Hart and was watching him closely as he lay on the mat, barely moving even as the referee began – slowly – to count him out. With Michaels conferring with DDP, Hart managed to get to his knees. He noticed Austin standing close by, but seemed to decide that the Superstar was the lesser threat, at least right then, turning his back on him to roll under the bottom rope as the referee’s count reached eight. Michaels was right on the Hitman, firing in kicks and punches as best as he could, but Hart seemed at least a little refreshed by the long break on the outside and was able to block or counter much of what Michaels threw him, reversing the Teardrop Suplex into a bulldog before delivering a Russian legsweep heading to the turnbuckles to deliver a diving elbow drop. With Michaels stunned, the Hitman rolled upright and grabbed his legs, turning him over into the Sharpshooter. “And for DDP this must seem all too familiar!” “And Michaels is a foot shorter than Vegas – there’s even less chance of Page interfering again!” Hart leaned back as far as he could, putting all his weight into the hold as Michaels bellowed in pain... and in agony, surrendered the match and his chance at a World title shot! “What a match! Hart snatches victory from the jaws of defeat!” Ross declared. “Credit where credit is due,” Dangerously said. “He earned it. He earned it.” “And to earn this shot Hart has overcome the wild fury of Cactus Jack, the power of Scott Steiner, the speed of Shawn Michaels and the guile of Diamond Studd – four very different challenges... and four elements of wrestling that Sting excels at! Can the Hitman put it all together to become World champion? Join us this Thursday night on pay-per-view to find out!” “Hold on, Jim – it seems like the Hitman has something to say!” Tony Schiavone was right, as Hart was demanding the microphone even as Gary Michael Cappetta warned him that there wasn’t much TV time remaining. “That’s fine, this won’t take me long,” Hart said. “Sting, you’re a worthy champion, and it’ll be a pleasure to tie up with you with the World title on the line. But as much as you’ve impressed, and as great as you are at beating people with your Scorpion Deathlock... you’ve not been challenged by the Excellence of Execution, and you won’t be able to escape my Sharpshooter!” * With their extended break behind them, the Diamond Mine were quick to accept a US tag title challenge from the Thrillseekers soon after the Clash – but DDP’s glee on announcing the match proved to be prophetic, as Chris Jericho was clearly still hurting from being beaten by Mike Awesome. The Diamond Mine overpowered their smaller opponents, but as they celebrated their – tainted – victory, they found themselves confronted by the duo of Konnan and El Tigre Blanco, demanding a title shot of their own. “And why should we fight a couple of little shrimps like you?” Studd demanded. “Because we can do stuff like this until you agree, amigo,” Blanco replied, pointing behind them. They turned and Rey Mysterio Jr leapt off the top rope, delivering a double dropkick that sent the bigger men stumbling back into a pair of dropkicks from Konnan and Blanco, leaving the double champions sprawling. “We’ll keep coming,” Konnan warned them as they rolled to the outside. “And hey, being so small and all, maybe you won’t even see us – until we’re right in front of you!” Enraged, Studd and Vegas ranted and raved about the “vanilla midgets” in subsequent interviews, but continued ambushes by the Luchamerica trio had them on the back foot, and even a trios match when they tried to add to their collection of gold by teaming with DDP to challenge for the Six Man titles proved futile, as Konnan caught Vegas with a quick roll up for the pin after an exciting contest. Eventually, Luchamerica’s interference in Studd’s semi-final match with Bret Hart tipped the scale in their favour. “Luchamerica, you want us?” Studd yelled, as DDP struggled to control the raging Vegas. “You got us! But don’t say you weren’t warned – we don’t play when our gold is on the line, amigos, and you’re gonna find out what it means to fight a pair of raging super heavyweights!” * Steve Austin has a grievance, and its origin is clear – the Superstar was omitted from the World title tournament as he already held the United States title... except now he’s no longer the United States champion! Having defended the title successfully for months, Austin’s skills have only been growing in that time, and he entered his latest defence against Dustin Rhodes in fine form. The Natural is, to most observers, a future world champion – but even with his incredible talent and drive, most considered him the underdog against Austin. The two Texans thrilled the Saturday Night audience from the bell with a wild brawl, and Austin seemed to have the match won when he drilled Rhodes with a Stun Gun. But the long-legged Rhodes was able to get a foot on the bottom rope just in time to beat the count, to Austin’s annoyance. As Madusa counselled calm at ringside, Austin opted for fury in the ring, blitzing Rhodes with clotheslines and kicks before pinning him in the corner and unleashing a barrage of stomps before yelling at him to stay down. Rhodes didn’t stay down. Erupting out of the corner with a clothesline, Rhodes took the fight to Austin with clubbing punches and a huge back suplex. Austin tried for a second Stun Gun to counter Rhodes’ charge, but Rhodes grabbed the ropes to block the move, leaving Austin looking still more enraged as yet another attempt to finish a match with his signature move came up short. “Steve, calm down!” Dangerously called from the commentary booth – too far away to be heard. Seeing her client in trouble Madusa leapt up to the ring apron to try and catch his attention. Austin turned to her, but whether to take her advice or tell her to leave was unclear – Rhodes delivered a dropkick from behind that sent Austin crashing into Madusa. As Madusa took a tumble to the floor, Rhodes grabbed Austin and delivered a running bulldog, hooking both Austin’s legs to score the three count and become the new United States champion. “Rhodes has done it! Dustin Rhodes is the champion!” “This is ridiculous! What’s the referee doing! He should be checking on Madusa! Rhodes attacked Steve from behind, that rotten coward! Void the match! Give Austin back his title! Ventura, I’ll sue WCW for every penny in Ted Turner’s pockets!” “Sit down, Paul – and maybe start thinking about how you’re going to advise your client about rebounding from the biggest loss of his career!” * Mike Awesome is the Television champion – that doesn’t seem like such a big shock considering his dominant victory over Chris Jericho for the title at the Clash... but Awesome was supposed to surrender his title after five successful defences. He refused. With Commissioner Ventura stood in front of him, and Harley Race cackling at his man’s actions, Awesome refused to give up the gold. “Someone wants this, they have to take it from me – by force. Until that happens, keep sending challengers, Ventura. And I’ll keep taking WCW’s money, and earning guaranteed title shots!” Ventura seemed nonplussed, and for once in his life, unwilling to tackle a problem head on. Instead he backed away after giving Awesome his winners’ check... leaving the Television title in the hands of Mike Awesome – and the Kingdom. And while Awesome will have to fight twice at WrestleWar, with the second of those being War Games, the dominant nature of his victories in his eight defences to date suggest that the Kingdom’s enforcer may not be too tired before entering the Match Beyond... * Persistence can pay off; Brian Pillman will get his NWA World title shot at WrestleWar – but at what cost? The Dangerous Alliance’s loose cannon resumed his appearances at NWA member shows, demanding Ricky Steamboat put the title on the line. At each show he clashed with wrestlers and officials, disrupting shows and daring anyone to set foot in the ring with him. Those who rose to his challenge showed that the NWA can call on an incredible array of talent – but by hook or by crook Pillman emerged unscathed. Ultimately, Steamboat demanded that Commissioner Ventura make the match for WrestleWar. “This has gone on long enough. I’m proud to be NWA champion, proud to represent not just WCW but every other company that sends its best and brightest up against me as I tour the country and even the world, defending this title. To have a punk like Pillman disrespecting that, acting out like a petulant child because he doesn’t get what he wants... No, I won’t stand for that. Maybe I shouldn’t give him the shot, but I’m the NWA champion, and I don’t back down. On behalf of myself, and on behalf of everyone he’s looked down on and laughed at, I accept his challenge – and I intend to make sure he regrets his actions!” Has the Dragon ever been so worked up about a match? Can Pillman live with the consequences of his actions? Be sure to order WrestleWar, only on pay-per-view, to find out! WCW WrestleWar ‘93 War Games: The Horsemen vs. The Kingdom Sting © vs. Bret Hart – WCW World Title El Tigre Blanco and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW World Tag Team Titles Ricky Steamboat © vs. Brian Pillman – NWA World Title Plus: Mike Awesome defends the WCW Television title, and Dustin Rhodes has made a United States title open challenge!

Major success: Andre turns on Hogan, Austin/Tyson pull apart, Mankind's backstage interviews with JR (cumulatively, at least), Hogan allies with the Outsiders Success: Mick Foley debuts Mr Socko, Rock's 'Fruity Pebbles' promo on Cena Minor success/defeat: Typical post-match attack/promo Defeat: Billy Gunn praying to God (saved from a major defeat as he wasn't on-screen), Booker T in the supermarket brawl with Austin Major defeat: Earthquake destroying Hulk Hogan, DX packing the Spirit Squad off to OVW I don't believe that success/defeat should necessarily be balanced in a segment; Hogan didn't lose anything near as much as Andre gained in their segment, for example, and no-one lost anything in the Austin/Tyson segment. Equally, Earthquake annihilated Hogan and put him on the shelf for months, but didn't become a massive star off the back of that. Still, balance should be considered - a typical promo probably will be a minor gain for the winner, and a minor loss for the loser. That's not always the case; You can have a couple of promo masters who'll both benefit more from the interaction than they'll lose from getting chewed out, so both might get minor successes from that.