WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

July 2002: Road to Japan Supershow, Part I <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg July 15th, 2002 From the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia Attendance: 6,500 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> Earlier in the day: Security prevents Ric Flair from entering the building, and he's stunned to hear that it's per the orders of his good friend Arn Anderson! (C+) Psychosis used his Guillotine Legdrop to beat Ernest Miller in the opening round of the TV title tournament. (C-) Short vignette: Booker T arrives at the building, ready to celebrate his victory/injuring Rey Misterio Jr. (B) Scott Steiner rants to his brother about the news that The Unnatural won't be in Newcastle tonight; he promises to "rearrange that geek's ugly face!" next week. (B) Akira Hokuto picked apart local Aussie Madison Eagles as Daffney laughed at ringside. Etsuko Mita sat in on color to promote the announcement that Hokuto will challenge her for the Women's title at the Japan Supershow on August 11th (due to Hokuto pinning the champ in the tag match last night.) (C-) A Hardys celebratory promo is interrupted by Lance Storm. Lance claims Punk was injured (kayfabe) by the "reckless style" of the Hardys, and promises that True Heroes will be back to reclaim their titles soon. (B) Billy Kidman advanced in the TV title tourney after hitting a beautiful Shooting Star Press on Shawn Stasiak. (C+) Shane Douglas comes to the ring to gloat about beating Mark Jindrak for the second straight month and says that there's no one on the horizon who is even a threat to his US title reign. He's attacked from out of nowhere by The Destroyer, who lays the champion out with a Destruction Bomb. Father Isaac picks up the microphone and cautions Shane against thinking he's top dog, "because you never know when a bigger dog will emerge to put you in your place!" (B-) Shane Helms was the cruiserweight, but it was Hugh Morrus who came off the top rope with his No Laughing Matter moonsault to get the win and set up a Semifinal match against Psychosis next week. (B) The Empire barge in on a Natural Born Thrillers interview for WCW.com. Bischoff says that they made a mistake and threw away a career-making opportunity, and now they have to face the consequences. (B+) Brief vignette: Booker T is having a celebratory beer backstage; pours the last of it on the floor in tribute to "the broken career of Rey Misterio Jr." (B) In the final opening round tournament match, Fit Finlay outlasted Konnan and spiked him with the Tombstone to get the win. © DDP interview: he has no idea why Kimberly showed up last night, but he wants answers just like everybody else. © In the locker room: Chavo berates American Dragon for his failure to help him win the cruiserweight title last night. He demands a rematch against AJ since he only lost because of his "foolish understudy." Dragon says Chavo should've been able to beat AJ by himself if he's so great, and suggests he's more worthy of a title shot after his big win over TAKA. AJ has an idea: next week, it's Dragon vs. Chavo in a #1 contender's match! (B-) Our main event featured Sting against Mortis. The match was wrestled to a deadlock until the referee was inadvertently taken out with a Stinger Splash. Mortis grabbed a chair and prepared to strike, but RVD ran down and hit a Van Daminator! The ref recovered in time to count Sting's pin. (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg Booker strutted out to the ring in a suit and bragged about proving that he's the best WCW has to offer. "All you suckas doubted me! You gave MY main event spot to a couplea tag teams, but ain't nobody gonna remember the Hardy Boys winning the tag titles last night! The only thing you need to remember from Bash at the Beach is what I did to Rey Misterio Jr! He thought he was gonna take my title, but the only thing he took was a trip to the hospital, ya dig? So let that be a message to Arn Anderson and to all you people who voted against me: Booker T IS WCW, and don't you ever forget it again! Cause if you do, and if I got to put some more fools in the hospital to remind you that I'm the top man in this whole company, that's just what I'll do!" Booker did well tonight, coming across with just the right mixture of arrogance, anger and insecurity I was hoping for. His promo led to... http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Anderson.jpg Arn Anderson coming out. Arn agreed with Booker that his title defense last night was very memorable, but scolded him for focusing on injuring Rey rather than simply trying to beat him and retain his title. He revealed that Rey had suffered some rather serious internal injuries (again, kayfabe) and would be out of action for an undetermined amount of time, thanks to Booker. Booker laughed off the charge and said Arn only had himself to blame for putting his champion and top star in that position in the first place by allowing the fans to give his main event position away. Arn said that there will be no such problems at the Japan Supershow, because Booker will indeed be in the main event as he defends his title. "And seeing as we'll be in Japan, it seemed only fitting to go outside the regular WCW roster and find one of the best and most respected competitors Japan has to offer. That's just what we've done, because this man has achieved great success both in Japan and right here in WCW. Not only is your challenger a three time IWGP Heavyweight champion, but he also beat none other than Sting to win our own United States title. That's an international superstar if I've ever heard of one. The only thing that's missing from his resume is the WCW World title itself, and now he'll have the chance. On August 11th, Book, you'll defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Kensuke Sasaki!" Arn's delivery was great here. He played the strict but fair disciplinarian, admonishing Booker without coming across as being biased against him. Sasaki is a star in Japan and a great worker besides, and I have high hopes for the match he and Booker will be able to put together. Unfortunately he's basically an unknown in Australia, so the announcement of him as the challenger meant nothing to this audience and basically sank the entire angle. Grade: C+ Show Grade: B http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Etsuko Mita beat Madison Eagles in a non-title match. (C-) The Empire's Chris Candido and TAKA squashed The Mamalukes. (C+) The four Semifinalists in the TV title tournament cut pre-taped promos. (C-) With Chavo watching on color, American Dragon defeated Shannon Moore. (B-) Vignette: In response to Scott Steiner's threat on Nitro, The Unnatural tells him to "bring it on, Mr. Pump." (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B- </div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg July 22nd, 2002 From Phoenix, Arizona Attendance: 6,000 Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> The opener featured Kidman's high flying against the brawling of Fit Finlay. It was Finlay who succeeded in grounding Kidman to move on to the finals of the TV title tournament. (B) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Flair.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Sting.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Anderson.jpg Out in the parking lot, Ric Flair was again being held out of the building by security. Sting was out to try and calm him down. Sting did a good job as a calm voice of reason, trying to convince Ric to leave so they could get this all straightened out before he did something he'd regret. Flair was having none of that, yelling that he wasn't leaving until his "so-called best friend" Arn Anderson came out, looked him in the eye like a man and told him why he refused to allow him in. Ric was pretty bad tonight, falling into the incomprehensible ranting pitfall he sometimes has. Mike Tenay was similarly poor on commentary as he tried and failed to get across the long time friendship between Flair and Anderson. It all led to Arn walking out to do as Flair wanted, and speak to him man to man. Flair demanded to know if Anderson had been duped by Eric Bischoff just like the members of The Empire, a charge that Arn flatly denied. He told Ric that he was holding him out of the building for his own good. Flair screamed at Arn, telling him he owes Bischoff a beating after the things he'd said about his personal life and his family at Bash at the Beach, and he didn't need Arn's pity. Arn shook his head and said pity had nothing to do with it. Ric was approaching this thing all wrong, and Arn wanted him to wake up and realize that. "If you were just dealing with Eric Bischoff, that'd be one thing. But you aren't. Bischoff's got an entire group of men surrounding him, men who are united, men whose only response to him telling them to jump would be to ask him how high. The Ric Flair I know would be smart enough to know that's not a problem he can handle by throwing himself straight into the fire like some brainless wannabe superhero. Bischoff's the puppeteer, and you're doing exactly as he wants just as sure as Candido, Corino and TAKA are. He's set the trap, and you're willingly walking right into it. You're too smart for that, Ric. You've never been the biggest, the strongest or the fastest, but you're darn sure one of the smartest men I've ever met in my life. Start acting like it, and think about how you would've handled this problem ten or twenty years ago. You spend the next week thinking about that, and next week we can talk." Flair still wasn't happy, but you could see the wheels turning in his head as he allowed Sting and security to lead him away from the building entrance. Grade: B+</div> Christopher Daniels didn't have much trouble defeating young Jack Evans. (B) After the match, Daniels grabs the mic and says he wants any cruiserweight Japan can throw at him for the Supershow. (C+) Manami Toyota and Melissa Anderson defeated Shinobu Kandori and Katarina when Toyota pinned Katarina with the Ocean Cyclone Suplex, much to Kandori's disgust. © Booker T cuts a backstage promo about showing the world that WCW is his company at the Japan Supershow, all but ignoring Kensuke Sasaki, who he only mentions in passing. (A) Hugh Morrus fought Psychosis to determine who will meet Finlay to determine the new TV champion. Psychosis missed a Guillotine Legdrop, and that spelled the beginning of the end for him. © Shane Douglas comments on The Destroyer in a backstage promo: "I don't know what you think you accomplished last week, but you've gotten my attention now, big man, and that's bad news for you!" (B-) A brief vignette shows Scott Steiner searching for The Unnatural backstage, where a terrified staff member told him he'd seen the former Dustin Rhodes in another area of the building. (B) The Natural Born Thrillers seemed like heavy favorites in a match against The Jung Dragons, but a surprise attack from Chris Candido and King Corino aided the Dragons in scoring a big upset win on O'Haire while Palumbo chased the Empire members off. (B-) A backstage confrontation between RVD and Mortis sees Mortis telling Van Dam that he wants to make him see how much better he could be as a brother in Salvation, and he'll do so one-on-one in Japan. RVD accepts the challenge. (A*) We cut to a commotion backstage, where Scott Steiner is out cold and face down on the ground, with The Unnatural standing over him. He'd lured him into a trap and taken him out with an ambush! (A*) AJ Styles joined the announce team for the #1 contender's match between American Dragon and Chavo Guerrero Jr. It was a lengthy back and forth match blending technical wrestling and aerial skills, with the mentor and student holding nothing back. Dragon had Chavo right where he wanted him after a belly to back superplex, but the bell rang before he could follow up. The 30 minute time limit had expired, meaning the match ended in a draw and no number one contender had been decided. (B+) The Hardys come to the ring to thank the fans for making their WCW careers so amazing so far. They say it's been an honor and a rush of adrenaline to be part of a company where tag teams can live up to their fullest potential and main event major pay per views. They look forward to having another great match at the Japan Supershow, where they've been told they'll be defending their titles against the top team in Japan: the reigning IWGP Tag Team Champions, Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan. (D+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Hayabusa defeated Mike Sanders. © Etsuko Mita and Eric Bischoff cut a promo on Mita's title defense against Akira Hokuto. (C-) The Flex Express was out in full force as Lex Luger dominated the physically inferior Jack Evans. (D) Hugh Morrus and Fit Finlay are interviewed about the upcoming finals of the TV title tournament. © Jamie Knoble forced Alan Funk to tap out in the main event. (C+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: C </div> </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Danny_H22" data-cite="Danny_H22" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've officially caught up on 61 pages and I must say, wow! You've done an unbelievable job here! I messed around with TEW and EWR in the past but never managed to stick it out long term, but you've really inspired me to give it another go. Thank you. I might also have to join in with some predictions for future events Good luck in the future</div></blockquote> Thanks! I'll never forget being inspired to jump into TEW by Wildfire1234's old NWA diaries, so it's always cool to hear I've provided similar inspiration to someone else. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="smartman" data-cite="smartman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Actually, the lack of psych penalty has been nerfed (FINALLY!!!!!!!!!). I finally dove back into a game after the change, and I had an Undertaker/Kane match from the Montreal Aftermath mod get that note and still scored a 95. Not to mention that it just seems weird to me to not slow build a 20+ minute match. What does not using that note mean? The wrestlers are hitting a ton of impact moves, but just slightly below what All Out would be? There's going to be a build up to the finish. And coming in almost dead last is why I don't do predictions very often.</div></blockquote> Yeah, I'm aware of that. The first match between the Hardys and True Heroes got the psychology note and still got a 99 score, which obviously never would've happened before. I just meant that I worried that there would be a harsher penalty for it in matches using slow build. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I really stunk that prediction contest up <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> It's about time, considering how dominant you've been! I'm sure you'll still bounce back and earn a spot in the UFS anyway! <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> The big shock is, of course, AJ Styles. Wouldn't have figured that he would be pulling in that kind of grade at this stage, but then again this is about the time that in real life he was the face of TNA. All he needs is serious challengers such as Chavo to bring the best out in him apparently. Too bad Jindrak is out for a few months, too. It didn't seem as though you had any big plans for him in the near future, but he could have grown nicely in the time that now he will be laid up.</div></blockquote> I doubt he'd be able to pull off A rated matches at this stage if I wasn't running a perf > pop product. With my product though, he can already do great things with the right opponent. The future looks pretty bright if I can get the likes of AJ, Dragon and Punk up to bonafide main event popularity. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DiamondKnucklez" data-cite="DiamondKnucklez" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I just started following this today and I got to say, this is one hell of a diary. I'm catching up now with 2001 alone and it's great. Definitely glad to hear your still keeping up on it.</div></blockquote> Yep, I don't plan on going anywhere any time soon!
- May 29, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

July 2002: Bash at the Beach Wrap-up and Hall of Champions <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WCW.jpg</div> Kanyon lifted everyone's spirits before the PPV by organizing a video game tournament--and for added entertainment value, he played while never removing his Mortis mask. I doubt he did well in the tournament, but it sounds like a good time was had by all. Plus Shane Helms provided some food to enhance the experience. We really do have a great locker room. None of this stuff was happening when guys like Hogan and Nash were here playing some games of their own: the political, backstabbing kind. A couple of injuries from the show: Ric Flair's nose was broken. It won't keep him out of action for any length of time. The news is worse for Mark Jindrak, who hurt his spine on an awkward bump. He'll probably be out for a couple of months. I praised Booker and Rey for an excellent match. I also thought Matt Hardy could use some encouragement after a rough night, so I gave him a pat on the back and apologized for asking him to go so hard for so long. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WWE.jpg</div> WWE ran Vengeance the same night. Obviously they did higher attendance and a much larger audience watching at home, but our show was superior for the second straight month. Their main event in which Hogan retained his title over Shawn Michaels (who surely lost his smile when Vince told him he'd be doing the job) was admittedly a good match, slightly better than our own main event and on par with Booker vs. Rey. Nothing else on the show was anywhere near that good though. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/USA.jpg</div> ROH held their first show, 'Lost Cause' (did Russo name this show? Talk about an ominous name for a debut.) It was fine for the level they're at. Hy-Zaya beat Mace Mendoza to become the first ROH World champion in the main event, but the runaway match of the night came in the semi main when Insane Dragon and Danny Doring beat Ian Rotten and Joel Maximo in a tag match. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Prediction Scores (out of a possible 13): Warhawk8492: 13 jscotty: 12 Uncrewed: 11 Purotastic: 11 chrismday: 11 shawn michaels 82: 11 odan: 11 sportsfanmas: 11 BHK6: 11 Jackets: 10 bonnie: 10 cbacon87: 10 Satyr24: 10 SIser187: 10 The Lariat: 10 Cro Cop Rules: 10 GnarlsFunk: 10 Greggyb: 9 Happy0wns: 9 Ian carlisle: 9 Rateddc: 9 Beejus: 9 evileddie10: 9 crackerjack: 9 Wolfman84: 9 franticloser: 9 LordofGustav: 9 Briskout: 9 DGenerationMC: 8 Dead_Jester: 8 smw88: 8 deanohbk: 8 Kijar: 8 GingeyOne: 8 smartman: 8 Nobby_McDonald: 8 K-Nection: 7 michgcs: 7 </div></blockquote> <div style="text-align:center;">Hall of Champions: World Heavyweight Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/World.jpg Booker T (5th reign) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg Won: May 19th, 2002 from Rob Van Dam at Mayhem in Worcester, Massachusetts Previous Champions (since March 2001): Rob Van Dam: December 30th, 2001-May 19th, 2002 (140 days) Scott Steiner: July 15th, 2001-December 30th, 3001 (168 days) Booker T: March 26th, 2001-July 15th, 2001 (111 days) World Women's Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Womens.jpg Etsuko Mita http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mita.jpg Won: January 9th, 2002 against Zap I during the AJW Glass Grave Yard tour in Annaka, Japan after Aja Kong vacated the title when she left AJW ((Mita was the reigning WWWA World champion when AJW was bought out by WCW. The title was adopted into WCW with its lineage intact, and Mita was recognized as WCW's Women's World Champion.)) Previous Champions (since January 2002): None United States Heavyweight Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/US.jpg Shane Douglas (2nd reign) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Douglas2.jpg Won: April 1st, 2002 from Rey Misterio Jr. at Monday Nitro in Pikeville, Kentucky Previous Champions (since March 2001): Rey Misterio Jr (#2): October 14th, 2001-April 1st, 2002 (169 days) Kanyon: August 5th, 2001-October 14th, 2001 (70 days) Rey Misterio Jr: May 13th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (85 days) Booker T: March 18th, 2001-April 30th, 2001 (44 days) Cruiserweight Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Cruiser.jpg AJ Styles http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Styles.jpg Won: April 21st, 2002 from TAKA at Slamboree in Tokyo, Japan Previous Champions (since March 2001): TAKA: December 30th, 2001-April 21st, 2002 (112 days) Jushin Liger: August 5th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (147 days) Shane Helms: March 18th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (140 days) World Tag Team Champions: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Tag.jpg The Hardys (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/MHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/JHardy.jpg Won: July 14th, 2002 from True Heroes at Bash at the Beach in Melbourne, Australia Previous Champions (since March 2001): True Heroes (Lance Storm and CM Punk): December 30th, 2001-July 14th, 2002 (196 days) The Natural Born Thrillers (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire): January 14th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (351 days) </div> <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Cro Cop Rules" data-cite="Cro Cop Rules" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> Oh, and I would mark if you signed Dr. Death <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> His pop in America may be low (not sure what his stats look like) but he could be good for your Japan tours.[/b]</div></blockquote> His popularity in the US isn't terrible, honestly. He'd probably autopush as a midcarder, if not possibly upper mid. His in ring skills are good but not great, which is probably accurate for 2002. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Happy0wns" data-cite="Happy0wns" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I gotta say Soundgarden has always been on my list of artists I've always wanted to see live. So to hear about Chris dying... it was the worst. Nice touch to the PPV.</div></blockquote> My buddy actually had tickets to see them as part of a festival three days after he died. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Wolfman84" data-cite="Wolfman84" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Great show TFC. One of my favorite covers of all time is Chris Cornell version of Billie Jean. Gone too soon and will be sadly missed.</div></blockquote> LOVE that cover. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Awesome show!!! I love how your TV title means something!!! AJ and Chavo tearing the house down was awesome!!! Almost all your titles have surely been elevated with that showing.....well except the US belt lol.</div></blockquote> I was pleasantly surprised by that cruiserweight title match. I guess I just need to give AJ more time and not have him go all out. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Shane is a great champ with absolutely no competition it seems. Maybe there is a certain Patriot that can bring the title "back" to America by flexing his way to a title match.... </div></blockquote> After having to carry Jindrak two PPVs in a row, now you want him to carry the worst worker in the company? You must hate Shane Douglas! <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Also here is something I always hold close when booking Main Events in TEW. If it is 15 minutes or shorter I will use something that contains the Go All Out note. If it is 16 minutes or longer I will use the Slow Build note. I feel that going all out for anything longer than 15 minutes would be tiring to watch let alone trying to pull off.</div></blockquote> I believe I did twenty minutes exactly for the first Hardys/Heroes match, to avoid the cap for the match being too short. I've almost completely stayed away from slow build in this game as I'm not sure how badly the match would suffer if my guys didn't have enough psychology to pull it off. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Kijar" data-cite="Kijar" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>RIP to Chris Cornell. Absolute legend. Great show, TFC. Truly. Congrats to the Hardyz, and also to Booker and Rey for getting that point above them. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> I'm sure Booker is pleased about it. He can rub that in Double A's face. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />
- May 24, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

July 14th, 2002: Bash at the Beach <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/BATB02Poster.png:original July 14th, 2002 From Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia Attendance: 16,820 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Tenay.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Hart.jpg Official Theme Song: "Outshined" by Soundgarden <iframe width="560" height="315" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sNh-iw7gsuI?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/sNh-iw7gsuI?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Anderson.jpg </div> The show opened with Arn in the ring to announce the results of the poll. He was given a script to stick to, and maybe that's why he came off sounding so dreadfully dull and robotic. He sounded like he was reading straight off a teleprompter as he announced that the winner, with 59% of the fan vote on WCW.com, was the No DQ tag team title match between the Hardys and True Heroes. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg</div> Booker (thankfully) came out to cut him off. The champ stormed into the ring and called this a massive conspiracy. "First ya'll took my title from me even though I wasn't pinned and never quit. Then you refused to give me my rematch for ten months. Now that I've finally got my belt back, now you're givin' my main event spot to somebody else? This is BS, man! You, the fans, the Hardys, all of you are tryin' to screw me over, and I ain't gonna stand for it! I'm the FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME, FIVE TIME WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World, and everybody better start showin' me the respect I deserve!" <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Rey.jpg</div> Rey came out to tell Booker to stop whining. He himself was disappointed at missing out on the main event, but the fans had their say and they voted the other way, and he respected that. All that mattered now was taking the world title and shutting Booker's mouth. There wouldn't be any so-called conspiracy once Rey pinned Booker tonight, and whether it was the main event, the middle of the card or the opener, Rey was going to realize his lifelong dream and win the world title. This set off a back-and-forth argument, and the outcome was both men agreeing that since they weren't the main event, they should just go right now. Arn agreed and summoned a referee, and the first action of the show was now going to be for the world title. This angle got the crowd excited for the title match and was a nice way to start the show off strong. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/World.jpg Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Booker T {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Rey.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg </div> I think most of the fans were surprised to see this match right out of the gate, but I thought this was an interesting way to take the poll into account and give the show a unique feel. Just because this was now the opener didn't mean that Rey and Booker weren't going to treat it like a main event, or we wouldn't give them a good amount of time to work with. I think it's possible that Booker might have been legit upset at not being in the main event, because his performance was nowhere near what he's capable of. Rey was more than ready to pick up the slack though. He performed fantastically tonight and really drove this match to a high level. I wasn't expecting to say that Booker needed to be carried, but that's essentially what happened in this particular match. Thanks to Rey's effort this was still a fantastic match. I even thought he was able to draw some more technical wrestling and flying skills out of Booker. The story of the match was that no matter what Booker tried, he just couldn't keep Rey out of the air for any significant stretch of time. His attempts to ground Rey with holds were unsuccessful, and the quicker challenger evaded Booker's strikes and slipped out of his throws and slams. Mike and I commented that Rey was wrestling the match of his life, and he could sense the title within his grasp as with each successive aerial move it took Booker longer to kick out and recuperate. Rey snapped off a tiltawhirl headscissors, then went to the apron for his big Springboard Hurricanrana. But that's when Booker launched an extremely effective counterattack: he caught Rey with a Harlem Sidekick that knocked him off the ropes and sent him crashing down to the floor. All Rey's momentum crashed and burned with that landing, and Booker had all the control. He went right out to the floor and began punching Rey in the face, yelling at him that he was the champion and this company revolved around him. He pulled Rey up by his hair and rammed his face into the ring post, and then against the steel steps several times. Not stopping there, he slammed Rey down onto the floor with a Book End! Booker rolled back into the ring, and with Rey unmoving, he could've won the match by countout. But he wasn't satisfied. Between not getting the main event spot he felt he deserved and then being pushed to the limit by his challenger, Booker was furious and in the mood to inflict even more punishment. He broke the referee's count by going back out to the floor, then pulled back the padding to expose the concrete beneath. Rey was still out of it after the first Book End and could do nothing to prevent what was coming next. With a sickening thud, Booker hit a second Book End, this time on the concrete! Referee Nick Patrick abandoned his ten count to come out and check on Misterio. Finding him unmoving and unresponsive, he called for the bell and awarded the match to Booker via ref stoppage. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: A</div> Booker continued to beat on Rey even after the bell, stomping him in the chest and punching him in the face. He was finally pulled away by security so the medical staff could check on Rey. As they carefully loaded Rey onto a stretcher, Booker rolled back into the ring and grabbed the microphone. "You see that right there? That's what happens when you disrespect the champ! WCW, you betta start treatin' me like the champion I am and givin' me the respect I earned. 'Cause if you don't, there's gonna be a whole lot more chumps gettin' stretchered outta here!" This angle played off of the match finish perfectly. Booker got all kinds of heat, and Rey did a fantastic job selling the seriousness of his attack. Tenay's attempt on commentary to get over the heinousness of Booker's actions wasn't all that effective, but that's just nitpicking. Overall, this was great, great stuff. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: A*</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Diamond Dallas Page vs. Buff Bagwell http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/DDP.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Bagwell.jpg</div> This wasn't technically a cooldown match, but it might as well have been. I knew the crowd would need some time to decompress after that match and angle, and that's what this match was for. DDP and Buff worked a pretty basic match and focused on continuing the story we'd set up. Playing off of the buildup, DDP refused to go for any pins early on and instead yelled at Buff that this wasn't going to end until he told him why he'd ambushed him for seemingly no reason. It wasn't a onesided squash, but Dallas took the bulk of the offense as planned, and as he should. It all led up to... <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Kimberly.jpg</div> Kimberly stepping out onto the entrance ramp towards the finish. DDP looked stunned to see her, but she merely smiled and waved at him. His preoccupation nearly cost him the match, but he battled back and hit the Diamond Cutter to finish Buff as Kimberly clapped. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: C+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Jamie Knoble vs. "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Knoble.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Daniels.jpg</div> In direct contrast to the simple and story-driven match that had just ended, this was a match put together with exciting high spots in mind. I told Knoble and Daniels to give it their all and put on an athletic spectacle, and both of them rose to the occasion. There wasn't a ton of high flying done (though there were a few aerial spots, including a really impressive <a href="http://pa1.narvii.com/5751/279855bd22e96b3d332a37d892cdffa7584f633c_hq.gif" rel="external nofollow">Arabian Moonsault</a> to the floor by Daniels), but they still worked a really fast pace and maintained it the entire way with neither guy getting tired. I think both of them viewed this match as a chance to make a statement. I'm a fan of Knoble, and I know he's got several supporters in the locker room as well, but he's kind of fallen by the wayside in recent months as we've focused on other guys (it didn't help that we were all set to begin a long-term storyline centering around him and Alex Wright, and then Alex got injured.) This was a chance for him to showcase himself on a big show. As for Daniels, this was the most important match in his career to date. Honestly, you could argue that no one had more on the line tonight than Daniels. It was up to him to impress me and prove he's worth the effort we're putting in and we should continue to try to elevate him, and he did exactly that. The back and forth match reached its conclusion when Daniels slipped out of a submission and hit the Angel's Wings for the victory. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/OHaire.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Palumbo.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Bischoff.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Taka.jpg </div> It was time for the Thrillers to give Eric Bischoff their answer. Eric was confident as they assembled in the ring, saying that he knew the Thrillers weren't dumb. They realized that as dominant as they'd been in the past, they could go to a totally different level of dominance, fame and fortune if they joined The Empire. Palumbo acknowledged that Bischoff was one of the most influential and powerful men in wrestling history, and in the present day we'd seen what he'd done for the careers of the other members of The Empire. They'd given his offer some serious thought, and now they'd reached an answer. He handed the microphone to O'Haire, who told Eric that he was right. "You're right, Eric. We were the most dominant tag team in WCW history--so why do we need your help? We'll get those titles back, and we'll do it without you or your Empire controlling us!" Eric's smile disappeared. He stayed at ringside and shook his head as the Thrillers left, telling them they'd just made a huge mistake and blown the biggest opportunity of their careers. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Etsuko Mita (w/Eric Bischoff) and Manami Toyota vs. Chaos http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SBischoff.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mita.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Toyota.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Hokuto.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Daffney.jpg </div> This was the first of back-to-back matches in which there was a subplot about whether or not partners would be able to trust each other. As I noted earlier, Mita and Toyota actually work really well together as a team even if the storyline says the opposite. They seemed to know exactly what to do in order to play up their dissension, and that really might have been the best part of the match. Toyota is also just a really great worker in general, and her performance established her as the clear star of this match. Both members of Chaos worked Toyota over for quite a bit, setting up for the classic tag team formula. She hit a double underhook suplex on Daffney to create an opening for the hot tag. Just when she was reaching the corner, Mita hopped off of the apron and walked to the back with Bischoff. Now stranded, Toyota was the victim of a double team onslaught before Hokuto finished her with a Northern Lights Bomb. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: C+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Hayashi.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Yang.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Keibler.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Heenan.jpg </div> Stacy Keibler and the Jung Dragons were backstage for an interview with Bobby. Ordinarily the bulk of the talking would've been left to Stacy, but this time I decided to just have her smile and strike a pose in the background so we could see how Yang and Kaz handled themselves. They weren't exactly great. I kept it scripted, but I still thought Kaz was very underwhelming and Yang performed poorly. Keibler was the best part of the segment even without speaking; her nonverbal performance was good. The gist of the interview was that the Jung Dragons were pleased to see the tag team title match in the main event tonight. That raises the profile of the belts, which will make their eventual title win even more noteworthy. No matter if it was the Hardys or True Heroes who held the gold after tonight, they were going to have to deal with the Jung Dragons sooner or later. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: C</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">The Steiner Brothers (w/Midajah) and Rob Van Dam vs. Salvation (w/Father Isaac) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SMidajah.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SSteiner.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/RSteiner.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/RVD.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Unnatural.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mortis.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Destroyer.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SIsaac.jpg </div> Mike and I were quick to play up the history between Scott Steiner and RVD and question whether we'd see a repeat of the previous match where Etsuko Mita walked out on Manami Toyota. The answer was no. We made a point of establishing that RVD and Scotty don't like each other, but were willing to set their differences aside so they could focus on their rivalries with Salvation. We made sure to highlight the individual battles between RVD and Mortis and Scott and Unnatural, since those two programs were the foundation of this entire match. Rick was really off of his game tonight, executing some sloppy suplexes and being out of position a few times. He was the low point of the match. On the opposite end of the spectrum was RVD. The Australian fans popped big for Van Dam's kicks and aerial spots. He was the star of the match for sure. Everybody bar Rick held their end up well enough though, and gave us a very good six man tag. I debated the best finish to run here. Even the day of the show I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do, but eventually I made a decision. The match ended when, after Father Isaac organized a group huddle on the floor, all three members of Salvation grabbed chairs and commenced an all-out assault for an obvious disqualification. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B+</div> The steel chair assault continued after the bell, with Isaac grabbing the microphone and saying that winning or losing a match is of little consequence as long as you achieve what you really entered the ring for. I'm not sure the fans really understood what the hell he was trying to say. Unnatural got his turn on the microphone, and he told Scott Steiner that this was a punishment he'd brought upon himself with his own greed and self-adoration, and this was what awaited him until he became a more humble man. Mortis took a different tack with RVD, saying that this was further proof of why he needed to accept Salvation into his life and join their family. This angle was a success largely because of how much the fans cared about RVD (and Scott to a lesser degree.) They didn't care about Rick nearly as much, especially since he was just kind of a third wheel in all of this, so the attack probably would've worked better if we'd taken Rick out of the picture and focused fully on RVD and Scott. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B+</div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Cruiser.jpg Chavo Guerrero Jr. (w/American Dragon) vs. AJ Styles {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SDragon.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Chavo.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Styles.jpg</div> A lot of cruiserweight matches are designed around flashy high spots executed at a relentless pace. We went a different direction in this one, largely because I've noticed that AJ doesn't do too well when being told to go all out. He's at his best when I give him minimal instruction and let him work at his own pace without the pressure of trying to fit in as many exciting spots as he can. I gave he and Chavo the freedom to wrestle this as they saw fit, and since they weren't going to be going quite as fast and quite as hard I gave them a bit more time than I usually do to the cruiserweight matches. This wound up being a great decision, because this match was tremendous. It was just a half a notch below the Booker/Misterio opener, and one of the best cruiserweight matches in WCW history. The story here was that Chavo grew progressively more frustrated as his attempts to cleanly outwrestle AJ met with only mixed success. After sending Styles over the top rope with a back body drop, he gave American Dragon a significant look and immediately started arguing with the referee to occupy his attention. That was an obvious signal for Dragon to get in a cheap shot, but instead he merely picked AJ up and rolled him back into the ring. The match continued on as normal, and eventually AJ hit the Styles Clash to retain his title. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: A</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Flair.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Sting.jpg</div> Sting approached Ric Flair as he warmed up in his locker room and again offered to watch his back tonight. He said that they both knew The Empire were more than willing to fight dirty, so it only made sense for him to be there and even the odds. Flair refused. "You think I don't know their game, Stinger? I INVENTED that game! The Horsemen and I were using those same tricks before Steve Corino hit puberty! If they wanna try and outsmart the dirtiest player in the game, they can bring it on! But this fight isn't about The Empire, and it isn't about you, Stinger. It's not even about Corino. Corino's just the guy Eric Bischoff is hiding behind. This is about me and Bischoff! He spent years using his power to try and destroy me, professionally and personally, and now that he got fired for running WCW into the ground, he's brainwashed these kids into doing his dirty work for him. Tonight I'm going to go through Corino, and anybody else from The Empire if I have to, until I get my hands on Bischoff. I'm going to slap the taste right out of that smug SOB's mouth! But I'm going to do it alone. We tried working together at Slamboree, and it didn't work. I want you to promise me that you're going to leave the building so you're not even tempted to come to the ring, because I appreciate the support, but it's time for me to take care of this problem myself. Tonight it's time for me to walk that aisle, by myself, and show Eric Bischoff that Ric Flair is still the man! WOOOOOOO!" Sting reluctantly agreed to honor Flair's wishes. He shook his hand and wished him luck before leaving. Ric was fantastic here. He delivered a vintage Flair promo that did exactly what it needed to do. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Davey Boy Smith vs. Lex Luger (w/Mean Gene and Katarina) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Bulldog.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Luger.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SOkerlund.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SKatarina.jpg </div> Time for the cooldown match. They were asked to calm the crowd and let the fans relax before the last few matches. Mission accomplished. Davey was really off of his game tonight, but an off night for him is still much better than Lex's baseline performance. His delusional patriot comedy act has gotten over with the hardcore fans, but holy crap is he bad in the ring. He couldn't lace my boots in our WWF days, but he was practically Lou Thesz back then compared to where he's at now. Katarina did do her part in helping the act with some entertaining and well-timed poses to go along with Lex's frequent flexing. The match ended when Davey won clean with the Running Powerslam. Lex and his entourage will remain on TV, but I need to limit his actual ring time as much as possible. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: D+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">"Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. King Corino (w/Eric Bischoff) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Flair.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Corino.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SBischoff.jpg</div> You know what to expect with a Flair match by now. We relied on his psychology and focused on telling a story to offset his physical limitations as much as possible. The man still knows how to put a match together like few others, but he simply can’t execute anymore. Corino basically had to carry him through, which is kind of sad to see. I felt especially bad for Ric when he took a whip into the post and didn’t properly protect his face, which resulted in a broken nose. He gutted his way through and finished the match, but he was hurting. True to his word, Flair saw most of Corino’s tricks coming and stopped them cold. He lived up to his “dirtiest player in the game” moniker with some dirty tactics of his own, and it was thanks to a stealthy low blow that he had Corino down on the mat and got him into the figure four. The Empire had a defense ready for that very situation though. As the referee crouched down to check on Corino, Bischoff jabbed Flair right in the throat with the baseball bat he now always carries around with him! That obviously broke the hold, and Corino won the match moments later with a piledriver. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B- http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Candido.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Taka.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mita.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Sytch.jpg</div> The rest of The Empire joined Corino and Bischoff in the ring after the match to celebrate. They didn’t attack Ric any further though. Instead Candido grabbed the microphone and said there was no reason for them to beat up Ric any further, because he was a beaten man already. He handed the mic off to Corino, who said that he’d already run off several so-called legends who tried to hang on past their expiration dates, and Flair was just the latest to discover that they are now living in the era of The Empire. Bischoff took the mic last, and he spent a long time insulting Flair. He talked about the years of hatred between them, and blamed it all on Flair, who he called a failure at everything. ”Everyone likes to pretend that mean old Eric Bischoff tried to ruin Ric Flair’s life, but let’s be honest about this, Ric. You don’t need any help from me, because you’re an old pro at ruining your life! You are a failure, Ric. You failed to keep the NWA prominent against the rise of Hulkamania, you failed to make WCW number one despite the financial backing of Ted Turner, and you failed to stop me from dragging this company out of the past, into the future and revolutionizing this entire business! But those are only the beginning of your failures, aren’t they? You’re a financial failure, because even though you were once the top star in the sport, you blew all of your money on limos and beer and Rolexes! You’re a failure as a father, because you were too busy partying and being the “Nature Boy” to actually be there for your kids! And you’re obviously a failure as a husband, because your wife just left you on the curb like the broken down piece of old furniture you are! “Go ahead and blame me, Ric, but I’m not the bad guy here. I’m the hero of this story! While you continue to come out here and embarrass yourself by hanging on for whatever scrap of attention these people still show you out of sheer pity, I am helping to establish the next generation of superstars that will take WCW to new heights! Everything evolves, Ric, and professional wrestling has evolved past you. You’re finished, even if you haven’t realized it yet. You obviously aren’t going to accept that on your own, so this won’t stop until we’ve finally driven the message home.” <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B</div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/US.jpg Mark Jindrak vs. Shane Douglas {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Jindrak.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Douglas2.jpg</div> Why did we do a rematch here after Shane beat him clean last month? Simply put, it’s because I didn’t have anyone else I wanted to use in this spot. Mark looked nervous out there and worked pretty sloppy, so it was up to Douglas to carry him as best he could. Shane was solid as usual, but Jindrak’s poor performance meant that this wasn’t as good as their match last month. Douglas survived some power-based offense from the challenger and made him tap out to the Crossface for the second PPV in a row. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B-</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Kidman.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Miller.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Finlay.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Morrus.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Konnan.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Stasiak.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Psychosis.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Helms.jpg </div> A brief video aired in promotion of the return of the TV title, with a tournament starting tomorrow on Nitro. The eight participants (pictured above) were announced, as were a couple of wrinkles to give the title a little flavor beyond “midcard title that heavyweights can hold.” -All title matches will have a 15 minute time limit. -Upon recording ten successful title defenses, the champion can choose to vacate the title and challenge for the US title, or hold on and try to reach 15 defenses. If fifteen defenses are made, he’ll automatically vacate the title and receive a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: D</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Tag.jpg No DQ: The Hardys vs. True Heroes {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/MHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/JHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Storm.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Punk.jpg </div> At last, it was time for the main event. What a massive opportunity this was for all four guys, following on the heels of their unforgettable classic last month. I knew all four would be chomping at the bit to try and make this match just as memorable, if not even better. With that in mind I told them to go out and steal the show. This was a mistake on my part. For one thing, I gave them about 25 minutes to work with, which was just too long for an all-action match like this one and also made it difficult for them to tell a great story. For another, I don’t think Matt reacted well to the pressure of this spot and struggled with trying to go all out, which made him something of a weak link in this particular match. Even then he wasn’t really BAD though; it’s just that the other three handled the pace fine and had great performances, and Jeff was just sensational. The crowd loves him and his flashy, risk-taking style results in memorable matches. Maybe he’s not a technical master, but he’s a superstar and the fans treat him as such. Anyway, with those few negatives weighing it down, this match never approached the match of the year contender level of their first match. It was still great and delivered just fine in the main event spot (though the Booker-Rey opener was ever so slightly better), but I think most would consider it a mild disappointment compared to what we know these teams are capable of doing together. As for the action itself, both teams used the no DQ environment to get creative with their offense. The Heroes introduced a chair into the match and wore both Hardys out with it for awhile, until Jeff ducked a shot and knocked both of them down with a Whisper in the Wind. The Hardys used the chair as well, with Jeff setting it up in the ring for a one man version of their Poetry in Motion double team, and Matt dropping Storm across it back-first with a Splash Mountain Bomb for one of the match’s many near-falls. Probably the best use of any weapon was when Punk smacked Matt in the knee with the ring bell. That set up the Heroes working over Matt’s leg for a long time, while Jeff could only watch in the corner and cheer his brother on. Lance locked on a half crab right in the center of the ring and we teased a tapout, but Jeff saved his brother with a missile dropkick. Matt hit a swinging neckbreaker and then crawled to his corner for the hot tag. The crowd popped big for Jeff’s house of fire in which he flew around the ring with spot after spot on both Storm and Punk. Matt reentered the ring to knock Storm over the top rope with a (limping) clothesline, and then he and Jeff brought a table out from underneath the ring and set it up inside. With Matt holding Punk on the table, Jeff came off the top and hit the Swanton Bomb! That smashed the table, and more importantly it allowed Jeff to cover Punk for the three count! The Hardys won the WCW World Tag Team Championship, much to the delight of the fans in Melbourne! <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: A</div></div></blockquote> <div style="text-align:center;">Show Overall Grade: A</div> I’d stopped doing the PPV theme songs, but had to bring it back at least for this one show. I’ve never been a huge music aficionado or anything, but Chris Cornell is my favorite vocalist ever. I wanted to honor him in my own small way. Credit to K-Nection for the poster. If you’re wondering: Booker/Rey: 91 Chavo/AJ and Heroes/Hardys: 90
- May 23, 2017
- 2,912 replies
The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

The Final Countdown replied to Adam Ryland's topic in The Dog Pound

If I'd known Roidy Magoo was going to be in the main event, I dang sure wouldn't have bought a ticket for MITB next month. I'm already on the hook for that, but I think that might be it for me and WWE.
- May 22, 2017
- 36,179 replies
WCW: Dangerous Territory

The Final Countdown replied to James Casey's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

I expect Pillman and Austin to win the vote, but I'm going to differ slightly with my own vote. Pillman I am definitely on board with. He's a perfect fit. I'm not voting for Austin though, partly because I'd like the group to feel a little more different than it did in real life, and also because I think he's doing just fine on his own. I was going to go the enforcer route, but using Madusa in that role is more interesting for reasons you mentioned in your post. Instead I'm going to agree with Mike Graham and go for PS. I think he could be a good fit and bring something different to the group, plus he needs something to do. So yeah, Pillman and Michael Hayes get my vote.
- May 17, 2017
- 1,060 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

July 2002: Pre-Bash at the Beach News and Notes <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WCW.jpg</div> Bryan Clark is gone. He was the weak link in virtually every Doomsday match, and he had low morale to boot. I have a couple of ideas for Brian Adams going forward, so he'll be sticking around. For the moment I'm giving him some time off though. I was really impressed by how well Chavo and Christopher Daniels worked together during their match on the July 8th Nitro. I've got other plans for them at the moment, but they could be a great option for the tag division down the road. Manami Toyota and Etsuko Mita made for a great team too, which is ironic since the story is they're rivals who are only begrudgingly working together against a common foe. Not sure if anything lasting will come of that, but we'll see. Booker T and Rey Misterio Jr. didn't work well together at all, either in storyline or in reality. That's fine, since they're both singles stars and this is likely the only time they'll ever team up. Norman Smiley suffered ligament damage in his knee during his match with Shawn Stasiak on the July 1st Nitro. Our doctors expect him to miss about a month. Mike Sanders approached me to say that his momentum is in the toilet, and he'll be dead in the water unless I start booking him stronger. Has he not realized that he's been dead in the water for about a year? Both RVD and CM Punk told me I need to give American Dragon more promo time to help his ongoing storyline with Chavo. That's coming; it's just that right now the focus is on Chavo challenging AJ Styles for the title. Scott Steiner badmouthed Elix Skipper, saying that the fans don't give a crap about him and he doesn't get why I haven't fired him yet. More surprising was some negative feedback from CM Punk, who has been mostly positive with his comments on other wrestlers. He's obviously not a fan of Cash though, as he called him 'a giant, boring waste of time.' Lacey made only one successful title defense down in Wildside before they had her drop it to Mercedes Martinez in a three way that also included Momoe Nakanishi. Mercedes is far more polished than Lacey, but she's also much further along in her development and thus much closer to being called up. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/NJPW.jpg</div> NJPW ran the 'Dominion' PPV on July 11th. It was a very good show, though not quite as good as 'Wave Rising Formation' in February or their annual Tokyo Dome show on January 4th. Tatsumi Fujinami retained the IWGP Heavyweight title against Koji Kanemoto in a great main event. The show also featured Taiyo Kea successfully defending the Junior Heavyweight title against Minoru Tanaka in a match that was also great (the main event was better though.) <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/AJPW.jpg</div> The dirtsheets are saying that Motoko Baba and Steve Williams have had some sort of falling-out, possibly over Williams pushing to win the Triple Crown from Tenryu in their match at Blue Justice in May but being denied. A feud with the owner only ends one way, Doc. Maybe he'll wind up in NOAH or NJPW in the future. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/TNA.jpg</div> The company held their third event, 'Desolation', on July 8th. It was basically on the exact same level as their second show, but would've been much better if they'd run the exact same stuff in a different order. Jeff Jarrett over Matt Sydal in the semi main event was light years better than any other match on the show, and the mediocre main event title match where BJ Whitmer and Ice Train fought to a double DQ couldn't even hope to compare. If Double J and Sydal had headlined, the show would've been way better. Ted DiBiase also cut a strong promo. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/USA.jpg</div> Abdullah the Butcher has taken a fork to another man's forehead for the final time: he officially announced his retirement recently after 43 years in the business. Dusty told me a funny story from a recent TCW show. Monty Brown used a guitar in one of his matches, and Mike Graham (who works as a manager in the company) yelled at him in the locker room, saying he was never going to draw a dime in this business doing stunts like that. I guess Monty took exception to that; he threatened to grab another guitar (a non-gimmicked one) and bash Graham in the head with it. Needless to say, there's major heat between the two now. <hr noshade size=3> I'm just about to start putting the PPV together in-game, so the main event poll is closed. (I mean, you can still go in and vote for it if you want, but it wouldn't accomplish a whole lot!) <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Don't forget that this is the beginning of the biggest prediction contest of 2002: a six month marathon, BATB through Starrcade, to determine the next field in the UFS (and also who gets to book the Royal Rumble in-game.) Don't miss out on the fun! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I really liked the segment with Booker on week 3 talking about how pissed he was about possibly losing "his main event" to the Tag title match. It put across that he isn't just paranoid about the title, he's paranoid all over about having his spot. It came off almost very much like how the WWF booked Austin in 2001, but since that didn't happen in this universe then you're free to use it!</div></blockquote> Yeah, I thought that worked nicely and was a natural progression of his character. He's finally got the title back, but now he feels like his status as champion is being disrespected. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>RVD and Steiners - So apparently, TFC just takes any group brought together in the UFS and ends it with them feuding, whether during the series or afterwards <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> Unless it's Lance Storm and CM Punk. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="evileddie10" data-cite="evileddie10" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> Will the Natural Born Thrillers accept Eric Bischoff's offer and join The Empire? Only one will, Sean O'Haire is break out star, O'Haire heel turn, Devils adovacte gimmick with Bisch perhaps?</div></blockquote> That gimmick had SO much potential. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>General diary comments/questions/critiques: Keep CM Punk CM Over.</div></blockquote> No worries there. <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> "Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. King Corino I hate to say it but Naitch doesn't have much time left. He will most likely be furious and will only lay down to Corino if the Empire practically hits him with a truck but that is why you have factions like this in the first place to fall back on.</div></blockquote> That depends on what the game looks at. Flair has more popularity overall, but Corino is actually well ahead of him in Australia. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Manami Toyota and Etsuko Mita vs. Chaos This is almost the same situation RVD and the Steiners are in <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I'm going to say that this is your cool down match before the main event but i think it will be a DQ win</div></blockquote> Yep! That was totally accidental too, and I didn't even really pick up on it until I was writing up the go-home Nitro. <img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Those stories will be going in different directions though, so at least there's that. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Purotastic" data-cite="Purotastic" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>General diary comments/questions/critiques: Can't wait to see what happens next!</div></blockquote> Lex can go PLENTY of places! He's got the Flex Express!
- May 17, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

July 2002: Road to Bash at the Beach, Part II <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg July 1st, 2002 From Perth, Australia Attendance: 7,500 Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> The opening match between Norman Smiley and Shawn Stasiak had no winner declared thanks to Booker T, who attacked both men and threw them out of the ring before grabbing the microphone. (D+) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg Booker stood in the ring and said that he was sick and tired of these games the WCW front office was playing with him. It wasn't bad enough that they'd denied him his title rematch for almost a year. Now that he'd gotten his title back, they were doing everything they could to try and derail his title reign. "I pinned Diamond Dallas Page right in the middle of the dang ring at the Great American Bash, but is anybody talkin' about that? No! All anybody talked about was the tag team title match between the Hardys and the True Heroes! And now that punk sucka Arn Anderson is trying to take MY main event spot away from me at Bash at the Beach, with the help of you fans! Well that's not happening! I'm the world heavyweight champion, and I AM THE MAIN EVENT! Arn Anderson, you betta get those geeks runnin' the website to pull that poll down right now, because there ain't no way I'm gonna sit back and let you take the main event away from me!" Booker was fantastic tonight. He pulled off his angry rant exceptionally well, insulting Arn, the fans and his Bash at the Beach challenger Rey Misterio Jr. Eventually someone came out to respond, but it wasn't Arn or Rey. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Punk.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Storm.jpg Instead it was True Heroes. The tag champs came into the ring, and at first they only made Booker angrier by saying that the tag team titles belonged in the main event thanks to them. They then tried to get on his good side by saying that if he was looking for someone to blame, he didn't need to look any further than Matt and Jeff Hardy. Storm did well tonight in his straightforward style, talking about how the Hardys were getting a title shot on back to back PPVs and contrasting that with how long Booker had to wait for his own title rematch. Punk's general performance was good as well as he backed Storm up. The champions succeeded in getting Booker even angrier, and giving him a target for that anger. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/JHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/MHardy.jpg The Hardys came out to confront the Heroes. Jeff was fine, telling Storm and Punk that they had no idea what they were in for taking on the Hardys in a no DQ match. Matt was awful tonight, tripping over his own words and mangling the intended message of how they were going to push themselves to a whole new level of extreme at Bash at the Beach. He didn't react well to the failure either, and it dragged his performance down even further. The two teams continued to argue until Booker made his presence felt by attacking Jeff from behind. He started brawling with Matt, and the Heroes stood back and laughed until they were dragged into the fight by the Hardys. Booker did not discriminate, attacking the Heroes as well. The segment ended with a wild melee, officials rushing out to try and break it up as we cut to a commercial. Grade: B+</div> The reunited Jung Dragons, now with Stacy Keibler in their corner, used their aerial skills to topple the much bigger Doomsday. Yang Time spelled the end for Bryan Clark, and Brian Adams left ringside alone after the match while shaking his head. (B-) Chavo Guerrero Jr. and American Dragon approach AJ Styles on a house show so Chavo can taunt him about beating him last week on Nitro. He also notes that he's been rewarded with a cruiserweight title shot at Bash at the Beach, and says he'll show his young student how to get it done and become a champion! (C+) Shane Douglas looked to be well on his way to outwrestling Animal for a non-title victory, but Mark Jindrak attacked him for a DQ finish. (C+) Davey Boy Smith boards the "Flex Express" to challenge Lex Luger to a match at Bash at the Beach. Lex accepts, saying he'll beat him for the red, white and blue. Gene then points out that BATB will be in Australia, but Lex is too busy flexing in Davey's face to respond. (C-) The Empire come to the ring and agree to accept Flair's challenge of a match. "If you're so eager to finally begin your long-overdue retirement, we'll be more than happy to help you!" Bischoff states. Flair appears in the aisle and says he can't wait to beat up whoever Empire sends at him. Sting comes down and suggests that they make it a tag team match, but Flair says they've already been there and done that. "This is my fight, and I'll fight it alone!" he insists. King Corino laughs and says that sounds great; to coin a phrase, he'll "beat the OLD man" at Bash at the Beach. (A) Bischoff stayed at ringside, joining Mike and I on commentary for the next match. He watched on in approval as the Natural Born Thrillers dominated the team of Mike Sanders and Elix Skipper. (C+) DDP interrupts a Buff Bagwell interview and says that if Buff isn't going to tell him why he attacked him, maybe he'll be more willing to fess up after a Diamond Cutter or two. Buff laughs and says Dallas is welcome to try. (B-) Alexis Laree and Melissa Anderson tried their best, but Chaos was too much for them. Hokuto finished Alexis off with a Northern Lights bomb. © After the match, Daffney tells Etsuko Mita and Manami Toyota that they can both get what they want--at the same time! Chaos will fight them both in a tag team match at Bash at the Beach! (C-) Jamie Knoble and Shane Helms had a cruiserweight showdown. It was a competitive back and forth match, but guest commentator Christopher Daniels was ultimately disappointed when Knoble locked on the guillotine choke for the win. (B) RVD and the Steiners appear on Piper's Pit. Roddy pushes the idea that RVD and Scott Steiner will be as likely to tear into each other as they are Salvation. Neither exactly denies it, but Scott says that as long as RVD stays out of his way and leaves "that painted freak" Unnatural to him, they won't have any problems at Bash at the Beach. Salvation appear on the video screen, mocking their foes for their disunity and saying that they have no hope of defeating their brotherhood. (A*) It was a huge night for Psychosis to make a statement and revitalize his career. He knew Rey Misterio Jr like the back of his hand, and the two longtime rivals pulled out many of their old tricks in pursuit of victory. Psychosis pushed Rey to the limit, but Rey had the wherewithal to avoid the top rope legdrop and picked up the victory soon thereafter with the springboard hurricanrana. (B) Arn Anderson makes an announcement from his office. Due to the out-of-control situation we saw earlier, he's making a big main event for Nitro next week: Booker T and Rey Misterio Jr. against the Hardys! (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> American Dragon defeated Cash with the Dragon Suplex. (B-) WCW.com exclusive: after Nitro, an angry Shane Douglas says he'll give Mark Jindrak his US title rematch, but only if Jindrak can beat an opponent of Shane's choosing next week on Nitro. (C+) Billy Kidman used the Shooting Star Press for an easy victory over Alan Funk. (C+) True Heroes made short work of The Mamalukes in a tune-up for their rematch against the Hardys. (B-) Pre-taped promos: Ric Flair and King Corino promote their singles match at Bash at the Beach. (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B- </div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg July 8th, 2002 From ETSA Park in Adelaide, Australia Attendance: 3,200 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> RVD and The Steiners attempted to work out the kinks in their temporary partnership with a tune-up match against 3 Count and Alan Funk. The distrust between RVD and Scott Steiner was obvious, but the trio was still able to win the match pretty easily. (B-) Post-match: Salvation appear on the video screen and cut a promo about Sunday's match. "We've just seen the dissension present in your unstable partnership. What hope can you possibly have to defeat us when you'll have to look over your shoulder, wondering if one of your partners might stick a knife in your back?" (A*) AJ Styles and Jamie Knoble teamed up against their respective Bash at the Beach opponents, Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Christopher Daniels, in a fast-paced cruiserweight match. Daniels earned himself some bragging rights in the division, as well as some momentum for Sunday, by pinning Knoble to win the match. (B) The Natural Born Thrillers reveal that they've thought Eric Bischoff's offer over, and they'll give him their answer at Bash at the Beach. (B) Shane Douglas comes to the ring and introduces his hand-picked opponent that Mark Jindrak must defeat to earn another US title shot. "I had to find someone just as talented and just as intimidating as you, Marky Mark, and I found that man!" Out came the Disco Inferno. © Douglas sat in on color and taunted Jindrak throughout the next match. Jindrak mowed Disco down for the win and will receive another title shot on Sunday. (D+) Davey Boy Smith and Lex Luger cut pre-taped promos about their match. Davey doesn't understand what's going on in Lex's head, but he started this fight and now Davey will finish it. Lex promises to follow in the footsteps of men like Paul Revere and George Washington and send Davey Boy running back to England. (C+) Two of the top cruiserweight contenders met in a very important match for future title considerations when American Dragon took on former champion TAKA. Technical skill won out over agility this time, as a Dragon Suplex gave the masked man the victory. (B) The Empire cut a promo on Ric Flair. Corino says that they've already beaten him down physically; now it's time to take his pride. (B) Psychosis earned a full-time contract with his performance against Rey Misterio Jr. last week, and this week he used his flying legdrop to defeat Air Paris. (C+) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Sting.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Flair.jpg We did a segment where Sting approached Ric Flair in the back and asked him if he was really good to go. He'd been keeping his medical diagnosis a secret from everyone, including Sting, and Sting just wasn't sure if he was ready to get back in there so soon. Sting was pretty good here. I thought he played his part well, showing concern for Ric while avoiding being condescending. Ric didn't see it that way though. "You too, Stinger? You've stood across the ring from me, what, five hundred times? A thousand? You should know better than anyone that it's going to take a hell of a lot more than a bat to the arm to keep Ric Flair down! Bischoff and Corino think they're going to put the Nature Boy down? They think they're going to take my pride? I'M RIC FLAIR! If I say I'm gonna go out there and take that Corino punk to school, that's exactly what I'm gonna do! And after I'm done with him, I'll slap that son of a (censored) Bischoff right across the face! Watch me!" If Sting was pretty good tonight, Ric was fantastic. He did his fired up routine, but didn't go too far with it and sound like a crazed old man, which does happen with him sometimes. He brought the intensity, but remained the Nature Boy rather than a raving lunatic. Sting offered to accompany him to ringside to make sure it remained a one on one match without any outside interference from The Empire, but Ric assured him that he could handle it himself. Grade: A</div> Manami Toyota and Etsuko Mita don't like each other much, but they both have a grudge against Chaos and know they'll have to work together to beat them on Sunday. They teamed up tonight and put their differences aside to defeat Shinobu Kandori and Takako Inoue (though Mita didn't exactly look thrilled when Toyota recorded the pin.) (C+) Booker T and Rey Misterio Jr. were at each others' throats before the main event. Rey told him to get over the ongoing fan poll; whether they were in the main event or not, Rey's sole focus was taking that title away from him. Booker told him there was no way that was happening. "I'm the champ, I'm the star, I'm the main event player, and you ain't gonna change that, sucka!" (A) Booker and Rey's feud carried over into their main event with the Hardys, with poor teamwork, staredowns and tags made with rather more force than necessary. Despite their great individual skills, they had no chance to beat a team like the Hardys without working together. They caught a break though; as the referee tried to keep the bickering partners apart, True Heroes attacked the Hardys. Storm struck Matt with a superkick, while Punk rammed legal man Jeff's head into the post and rolled him back into the ring. They'd been positioned in a way that only Booker T saw it all go down, and he shoved Rey out of the way and covered Jeff for the pin. (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> The Jung Dragons defeated The Mamalukes. © DDP and Buff Bagwell cut promos about their match at Bash at the Beach. (B) Hayabusa used the Phoenix Splash to beat Mike Sanders. © Chris Candido mopped the ring with Lash Leroux in a one-sided squash. (C+) Bobby Heenan gives the hard sell for Bash at the Beach, going over the major matches to look forward to. © <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: C+ </div> </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/BATB.jpg</div> Fan Scorecard: World Heavyweight Championship: Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Booker T {©} United States Heavyweight Championship: Mark Jindrak vs. Shane Douglas {©} No DQ match for the World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys vs. True Heroes {©} Cruiserweight Championship: Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. AJ Styles {©} "Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. King Corino Rob Van Dam and The Steiner Brothers vs. Salvation Manami Toyota and Etsuko Mita vs. Chaos Diamond Dallas Page vs. Buff Bagwell Davey Boy Smith vs. Lex Luger Jamie Knoble vs. "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels What will be match of the night? How many championships will change hands? Will the Natural Born Thrillers accept Eric Bischoff's offer and join The Empire? General diary comments/questions/critiques: </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Purotastic" data-cite="Purotastic" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Good to see Psychosis brought in. I always liked him.</div></blockquote> I would've preferred Juvi, but Vinnie Mac spoiled that idea. We'll see how ol' Hypnosis does.
- May 17, 2017
- 2,912 replies
The Official ROH Discussion Thread

The Final Countdown replied to Wrestling Century's topic in The Dog Pound

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="cappyboy" data-cite="cappyboy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26106" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Wait. Will Ospreay still exists in Ring of Honor? You sure wouldn't know it if the TV show is all the RoH you're able to watch.</div></blockquote> One of the problems with taping so much TV at one time; guys like Ospreay who are only available on certain dates will pretty much disappear off the show. They're doing a taping on June 4th and both Ospreay and Scurll will be in Japan for the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, so they'll be missing from ROH TV for a while.
- May 15, 2017
- 1,409 replies
WCW: Dangerous Territory

The Final Countdown replied to James Casey's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

Really good show.
- May 14, 2017
- 1,060 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

June 2002: News and Summer 2002 Roster Update <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WWE.jpg</div> King of the Ring was held in Milwaukee on June 30th. No world title match this month, though Mr. Perfect went to a double countout with Headshrinker Samu in a European title match, and Rikishi retained the Intercontinental title against Vampiro in the WCW reject's PPV debut for Vince. Undertaker won the KOTR tournament, beating Bradshaw in the first round, Kane in the Semifinals (which narrowly eclipsed Triple H against Christian in the other Semifinal as the best match on the show), and then Hunter in the finals. That's the second straight year that he's lost in the finals. Chris Jericho beat Boy Toy Michaels in the main event, which wasn't anywhere near as good a match as you would expect. They had a much, much better match on Smackdown in May. Because of that disappointing main event, there's no denying that Great American Bash was the better show this month. Curt Hennig is getting divorced. That's sad, but unsurprising in this business. The Rock won an online poll for the most entertaining wrestler in the world. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WCW.jpg</div> WWE's signing of Juvi led me to investigate some other luchadors to possibly bring in. Firstly, there's Psicosis coming back full-time. I also signed both Aguila/Essa Rios of WWF fame and Volador Jr, a really talented 21 year old that I think has a ton of potential. I've sent both of them down to Wildside as a team, and they should be called up to give our tag division some more depth later in the year. Our deals with MTV Europe to air Nitro and Saturday Night are expiring in a month, and I've made the decision not to renew with them. I've arranged better deals for Nitro, which will reach wider audiences on Channel 5 in Britain and Sky Euro throughout the rest of Europe. Our deal for MTV Europe to air our PPV events technically still has 3 months remaining on it, but we're under no contractual obligation to provide them a minimum number of events, so I've also upgraded there with Telewest in Britain and Sky Euro (who required us to guarantee six PPV events as part of the deal.) I'm allowing the Saturday Night deal to expire, both on MTV Europe and the USA Network. Thus begins the fazing out of that show's contracts to make room for the women's show we want to launch later in the year. I do think having a B show is a good idea though, so I'm hoping we'll be able to convince networks that we can handle 3 TV shows and we can bring it back in the future. I was pleased with the success of Yang's heel turn. I think reuniting the Jung Dragons is a good move for everybody: it gives Kaz, Yang and Stacy something to do, and it gives us some needed depth in the tag division. There were a couple of title changes down in our developmental territory. Wildside put their heavyweight title on Reno, who dethroned Rick Michaels. Reno has seen some modest improvement in his brawling ability, but he's still pretty limited in-ring. They also needed to crown a new women's champion since we called LuFisto up to the main roster (she's yet to appear on our TV, but has worked some dark matches.) Lacey beat Nattie Neidhart to win the vacant title. That was probably a smart decision, because Nattie's improved about as much as she can in Wildside and her call-up isn't too far off. Lacey is likely to be down there much longer, so she's a good choice to carry the title. Scott Steiner thinks Christopher Daniels' act is crap. He said it in a much more blunt and expletive-filled fashion, but the point is he thinks I should fire Daniels. Not going to happen. I saw Shane Douglas watching Doomsday's match with The Empire on the June 24th show and shaking his head at Bryan Clark's selling. He's not alone; Clark has been the low point of basically every Doomsday match since the team returned from injury last year. CM Punk must have enjoyed working with Jason Jett in their squash match on Saturday Night, because afterwards I heard him telling Jason that he's a fan of his in-ring work. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/NOAH.jpg</div> NOAH held their next big PPV, 'For the Warriors Fell', on June 21st. Akira Taue retained the GHC Heavyweight title over Naomichi Marufuji in what was a good main event, but the runaway match of the night happened right in the middle of the card when Jun Akiyama beat Kenta Kobashi in an instant classic. It was a good show, but imagine how much better it would've been if Akiyama or Kobashi had the title and that match headlined. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/USA.jpg</div> XPW ran a show called 'No Escape' (ironic) on June 30th, then folded the very next day. Rob Black, we hardly knew ye. The final match in XPW history saw Shaggy 2 Dope retain the XPW World title over Tony Jones. Perfect. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mexico.jpg</div> AAA, who are currently narrowly winning their war with CMLL for the top spot in Mexico, have begun a working agreement with Marco Moreno's International Wrestling Revolution Group. That's interesting since IWRG already has a partnership with CMLL. AAA might have felt it was worth overlooking just so they could form an alliance with someone. It's their only current one, while CMLL has agreements with NJPW, Michinoku Pro, Osaka Pro and the Mexican branch of Toryumon. AAA held the tenth annual TripleMania, their biggest show of the year. It was okay; slightly better than CMLL's big show a few days earlier. Dos Caras retained the Campeon de Campeons title against Latin Lover in the main event, but there were several matches earlier in the show that were better. The clear match of the night was Hector Garza winning the Mexican National Heavyweight title from Sangre Chicana. CMLL's 'Juicio Final' PPV was okay. Villano III retained the World Light Heavyweight title in an okay main event, but Atlantis beating Brazo Hermoso to keep the Middleweight title two matches earlier was a much stronger bout. <hr noshade size=3> <div style="text-align:center;">Summer 2002 Roster Breakdown: (Faces in blue, heels in red) </div> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Main Event:</div> Davey Boy Smith Diamond Dallas Page Ric Flair Rick Steiner Rob Van Dam Scott Steiner Sting Booker T (World Heavyweight Champion) King Corino Lex Luger Mortis Shane Douglas (United States Heavyweight Champion) </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Upper Midcard:</div> Chuck Palumbo Hugh Morrus Jeff Hardy Matt Hardy Rey Misterio Jr. Sean O'Haire Buff Bagwell Chris Candido CM Punk (World Tag Team Champion) Lance Storm (World Tag Team Champion) The Destroyer The Unnatural </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Midcard:</div> AJ Styles (Cruiserweight Champion) American Dragon Billy Kidman Brian Adams Bryan Clark Ernest Miller Hayabusa Jamie Knoble Konnan Mark Jindrak Norman Smiley Road Warrior Animal Chavo Guerrero Jr. Disco Inferno Fit Finlay Shane Helms Shawn Stasiak TAKA </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Lower Midcard:</div> Big Vito Johnny the Bull Cash Christopher Daniels Kaz Hayashi Mike Sanders Psychosis Shannon Moore Yang </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Opener:</div> Jason Jett Lash Leroux Alan Funk Elix Skipper Evan Karagis </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Enhancement Talent:</div> Air Paris Flash Flanagan </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Women's Division:</div> Alexis Laree Manami Toyota Melissa Anderson Toshiyo Yamada Akira Hokuto Daffney Etsuko Mita (World Women's Champion) Katarina Waters LuFisto Shinobu Kandori Takako Inoue </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Announcer:</div> Mike Tenay Tony Schiavone </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Color Commentator:</div> Bret Hart Tracy Brooks Bobby Heenan </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Road Agent:</div> Dusty Rhodes Ricky Steamboat</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Personality:</div> Arn Anderson Gene Okerlund Roddy Piper</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">On Vacation:</div> None</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Out Injured:</div> Alex Wright (torn quad)</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Active Tag Teams:</div> 3 Count (Evan Karagis and Shannon Moore) Chaos (Akira Hokuto and Daffney) Doomsday (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi and Yang) The Natural Born Thrillers (Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo) The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) The Mamalukes (Johnny the Bull and Big Vito) True Heroes (CM Punk and Lance Storm) </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Factions:</div> Salvation (Father Isaac, Mortis, The Destroyer and The Unnatural) The Empire (Chris Candido, Eric Bischoff, Etsuko Mita, King Corino, TAKA and Tammy Sytch) </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Managerial Assignments:</div> Eric Bischoff (King Corino, TAKA and Etsuko Mita) Father Isaac (Mortis, The Destroyer and The Unnatural) Kimberly Page (None) Midajah (Scott Steiner) Stacy Keibler (Kaz Hayashi and Yang) Tammy Sytch (Chris Candido) Torrie Wilson (Billy Kidman) </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">In Developmental:</div> Aguila Allison Danger Boby Roode Brian Kendrick Chris Harris Colt Cabana David Flair Harry Smith James Storm Johnny Parisi Kaoru Ito Kid Romeo Lacey Mercedes Martinez Momoe Nakanishi Nattie Neidhart Paul London Reno Teddy Hart TJ Wilson Tony Mamaluke Volador Jr.</div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Creative Meeting:</div> Franchise Players: 1. Booker T 2. Rob Van Dam 3. Scott Steiner 4. Ric Flair 5. Sting Next Big Things: 1. Jeff Hardy 2. CM Punk 3. AJ Styles 4. Alexis Laree Hot Prospects: 1. American Dragon 2. Melissa Anderson 3. AJ Styles 4. Johnny the Bull 5. Alexis Laree Talk the Talk: 1. Ric Flair 2. Roddy Piper 3. Dusty Rhodes 4. Booker T 5. Diamond Dallas Page Show Stoppers: 1. Rey Misterio Jr. 2. Jeff Hardy 3. Rob Van Dam 4. CM Punk 5. Manami Toyota Ring Generals: 1. Rey Misterio Jr. 2. Lance Storm 3. American Dragon 4. King Corino 5. TAKA Who's Hot: 1. Chavo Guerrero Jr. 2. Fit Finlay 3. Shane Helms 4. Jamie Knoble 5. Sean O'Haire Who's Not: 1. Mike Sanders 2. Big Vito 3. Ernest Miller 4. Johnny the Bull 5. Animal Time Decline: 1. Ric Flair 2. Lex Luger 3. Sting 4. Diamond Dallas Page 5. Fit Finlay Hidden Gems: 1. Nova 2. El Generico 3. Kenny Omega 4. Simon Diamond 5. Jorge Estrada</div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm so psyched for Bash at the Beach! It is already looking like a stacked card! I wonder if Vince is paying attention to WCW starting to nip at their heels?</div></blockquote> Those top two matches especially are pretty big. I have high hopes for this show. They declared war on me, so I'm going to say yes. This time Vinnie Mac's going down though! But don't worry, you'll one day be able to watch old episodes of Raw on the WCW Network. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="LordofGustav" data-cite="LordofGustav" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Any chance that you can push Psychosis?</div></blockquote> He'll probably slot into the cruiserweight division after this re-debut match with Rey. We'll see how he performs. If his matches are good, he could become one of the bigger stars in the division.
- May 12, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

June 2002: Road to Bash at the Beach, Part I <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg June 17th, 2002 From the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa Attendance: 7,002 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> Show-opening in-ring promo between Booker T and Rey Misterio Jr. to promote their title match at Bash at the Beach. Both men agree they have unfinished business, referencing their US title match at SuperBrawl, Booker costing Rey the US title by interfering in his match against Shane Douglas as well as his involvement in both of Rey's World title matches against Rob Van Dam. They also reference the "pick your poison" where both guys will choose an opponent for the other over the next two weeks. It starts next week, with Rey telling Booker he'll be facing the man who beat him to end his last reign as world champion: Scott Steiner! (B+) The first match of the night saw the Natural Born Thrillers run right through 3 Count. Eric Bischoff stepped out into the aisle to watch the match and nodded his head at what he was seeing. (B-) Mark Jindrak confronts Shane Douglas backstage and requests a rematch, believing he was close to winning the title and can do it with one more chance. Douglas laughs in his face and tells him to accept that they're on two completely different levels. (B-) Yang gave a strong effort, but Chris Candido grounded his flying and beat him with the fisherman buster. (B) Post-match, Candido and the rest of The Empire mock Ric Flair for returning last night. "You should've stayed at home and tried to live off of what was left of your sad, pathetic legacy. Now we're going to have to destroy whatever is left of the once-great Nature Boy!" Bischoff proclaims. (B+) In the locker room, a chat between AJ Styles and American Dragon is interrupted by Chavo Guerrero Jr. Chavo tells his protége that he's very disappointed in him for his failure last night, and even more now that he's standing here talking to the guy who beat him like they're old buddies. He challenges both of them to a tag team match next week, and introduces the man who will help him teach Dragon a much-needed lesson: Shane Helms! (B-) Christopher Daniels didn't have any trouble beating former WCW wrestler Lenny Lane. Jamie Knoble watched the match from the announcer's table and made it clear he was interested in testing the skills of the self-proclaimed "God's gift to the cruiserweight division." (C+) Stacy Keibler and Kaz Hayashi approach Yang as he unwinds following his earlier defeat. Keibler says both men have been struggling recently, and suggests they reform the Jung Dragons and pursue tag team glory. Yang doesn't appear to totally trust Keibler, but says he'll think about it. (D+) In a match between two world-class technical masters, Lex Luger forced Big Vito to submit to the Torture Rack with Gene and Katarina watching on. (D) Luger cuts a post-match promo in which he calls Davey Boy Smith "despa-despicable" for invading America, and promises to send him packing just like the fathers of this country sent that disgusting tea into the Boston Harbor. Afterwards, there's a shot of Davey watching on a monitor and shaking his head in confusion. (C+) Toshiyo Yamada is the much more experienced and seasoned competitor, but she seemed thrown off by the eccentric Daffney, who defeated her with the Banshee Knee. (C-) Post-match, Daffney trash talks Yamada as Akira Hokuto goes on the attack. Manami Toyota rushes out to save her occasional partner and dares both members of Chaos to fight her, but Daffney just laughs as she and Hokuto leave. (D+) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Punk.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Storm.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/JHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/MHardy.jpg True Heroes took to the ring to boast about withstanding the challenge of the Hardys and retaining their tag team titles last night, and it wasn't long before Matt and Jeff came out to confront them. Jeff wasn't good as he tried to call them cowards, but the way he delivered it came across as whining and unsympathetic, which obviously wasn't what we want out of a babyface promo. The Heroes mocked him a bit for that. Storm wasn't anything special, but wasn't bad either as he called up a replay of Jeff using a closed fist during the match and said that that had been clear grounds for a disqualification. After the referee allowed that to slide, the Heroes naturally assumed that the rulebook had been thrown out the window and so merely attempted to fight fire with fire. Matt responded to that on behalf of the brothers, and he was honestly the strongest performer of the entire segment this time. He avoided Jeff's mistakes and didn't really whine. Instead he confidently said that no matter what flimsy excuse the Heroes wanted to make, they got themselves disqualified because they knew the Hardys had their number and were about to take their titles, and that's exactly what will happen when they get another shot at the titles. Punk shot that down, and he was a solid performer on the microphone as usual even if Matt was a bit better this time. "Good luck with that. Unfortunately for you, you failed to take the titles last night. The record books might say that you won, but it was your job as the challengers to pin us or make us submit, and you couldn't do it! That means that you go to the back of the line while we move on to new, more worthy challengers!" "That's not your decision to make, Punk." All attention turned to the new voice that had joined the conversation. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Anderson.jpg Our commissioner stood in the aisle, and he had a microphone of his own. "Punk, Storm, congratulations on your success last night. You found a way out, you found a loophole and you exploited it. I can't even get angry with you for doing so, because fifteen or twenty years ago I might very well have done the same thing. I didn't wear a white hat, and I didn't allow a little thing like the rules to get in my way. As the onetime Enforcer of the Four Horsemen, I have to tip my cap to you. But as the commissioner of World Championship Wrestling, it's my job to give these fans the best professional wrestling in the world. If you want to be a champion here in WCW, you're going to have to earn it, and if you think you proved anything last night you are sadly mistaken. While it is ordinarily true that we don't grant immediate title rematches, the Hardys were victorious last night. In my mind that means they're still the #1 contenders to the world tag team championship, and so I can announce right here and now that there will be a rematch for the titles at Bash at the Beach!" The fans popped for that, the Hardys high fived each other and the Heroes shook their heads and complained. Arn turned and walked back towards the curtain, but suddenly turned around like he'd just remembered something. "Oh, I almost forgot. To make sure we don't have a repeat of last night, this rematch will have no disqualifications!" Grade: B</div> 24 hours after coming up just short in his world title shot against Booker T, DDP dominated Alan Funk and beat him with the Diamond Cutter. © Post-match interview with Heenan: Bobby tries to ask DDP about the current state of his career, but he's suddenly attacked and laid out by a chair-wielding Buff Bagwell. (B) Post-Great American Bash footage: Sting welcomes Ric Flair back, but asks him if his arm is fully healed from the bat shot. Ric tells him not to worry about it, because the Nature Boy is back to style and profile! (B) Our main event featured Hugh Morrus and Konnan butting heads with Mortis and The Unnatural of Salvation. While Morrus and Konnan kept it competitive as usual, Mortis secured the victory for his team with the Flatliner. (B+) The Steiners run in and attack Mortis and Unnatural after the match. They cut off The Unnatural in the aisle as Salvation tries to retreat, and batter him against the guard rail. Mortis makes it almost to the curtain when RVD steps out, throws a steel chair right at his face and connects with the Van Daminator! He does his "R-V-D" thumb pose and the Steiners continue to beat on Unnatural as the show ends. (A) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Fit Finlay gave Lenny Lane a beating in a one-sided match. (C+) Christopher Daniels interview; he says he'll confront Jamie Knoble on Nitro. (C-) Hayabusa won a cruiserweight bout against Cash. (C+) AJ Styles and American Dragon cut a promo about their match against Chavo and Shane Helms on Nitro. (C+) Rick Steiner defeated Mike Sanders. © <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: C </div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg June 24th, 2002 From Trusts Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand Attendance: 4,886 Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> The show opener saw The Empire duo of King Corino and Chris Candido outwrestle the physically superior Doomsday, with Candido pinning Bryan Clark. (B) The Empire's post match promo is interrupted by a chair-wielding Ric Flair. The Nature Boy grabs the mic and challenges anybody from Empire to fight him any time, any place, and he'll show them he's still got plenty of fight left! (A) Davey Boy Smith's match against Shawn Stasiak was interrupted by Lex Luger, who attacked Bulldog and put him in the Torture Rack for a dq. (C-) In an interview with Bobby Heenan, Christopher Daniels accepts Jamie Knoble's challenge and says he'll prove that he truly is God's gift to the cruiserweight division. © <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Bischoff.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/OHaire.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Palumbo.jpg We aired footage recorded at a recent house show, where Bischoff approached the Thrillers in the ring after a victory in a tag team match. He applauded them on their win and revealed that The Empire was always on the lookout for new talent, and he'd had his eye on them for some time. "You guys were the most dominant tag team in the modern era. For nearly an entire year you ruled WCW's tag team division before True Heroes came along. Now you've made it clear that you want to get those belts back, but I'm sure you're frustrated that Matt and Jeff Hardy have leapfrogged you in the contender's rankings. They haven't even done a fraction of what you guys have done in WCW, yet they're the ones challenging for the titles on two straight PPVS! That should be you guys! You're the most decorated and accomplished team in WCW today, and it's about time you got treated as such! "I can help you there. You guys want those belts back, while I want to add more talent, more gold and more influence to my Empire. It's a win-win situation, gentlemen. Join The Empire, and I guarantee you I'll help you become bigger, better and RICHER stars than you ever were on your own." The Thrillers talked amongst themselves off-microphone but didn't verbally respond to Eric. The angle didn't call for that, and O'Haire and Palumbo come off better when they don't have to speak anyway. Eric did a good job with his delivery here. It came across as a powerful and persuasive speech. He told the Thrillers to take some time and think it over, and he was sure they were smart enough to make the right decision. Grade: B+</div> The argument between Torrie Wilson and Stacy Keibler at Great American Bash led to a rematch between Kidman and Kaz Hayashi tonight. A back and forth aerial showcase was crashed by Yang, who attacked Kidman behind the ref's back and opened the door for Hayashi to finish him with a back senton. (B) DDP confronts Buff Bagwell, demanding to know what his problem was. Buff laughs it off and says he got "a great incentive" to attack Dallas with the chair last week. (C+) Pre-taped promos reveal that Rob Van Dam and The Steiners will take on Salvation in a six man tag at Bash at the Beach. In addition to hyping their feuds, both teams make note of RVD and Scott Steiner teaming after their battles over the world title, adding an extra wrinkle of intrigue to the match. (A*) Melissa Anderson served as the opponent for Akira Hokuto's first match in WCW since 1997. The niece of Double A was a very tough obstacle, but Hokuto defeated her with the Northern Lights Bomb. © Manami Toyota appears in the aisle after the match and says she wants a piece of Chaos, but Etsuko Mita and Eric Bischoff come out and say that they have an axe to grind with Chaos as well for ruining the match at Great American Bash, and the champ's desires supersede whatever Toyota wants. Daffney stands beside Hokuto in the ring and laughs at the drama. (C-) Shane Douglas' interview for WCW.com is interrupted by Mark Jindrak, who walks right up to him but doesn't say anything. Douglas laughs and tells him to beat it, because the champ is too busy to deal with a peon like him. Jindrak remains silent, but slaps Douglas right across the face before walking off! (C+) As promised, American Dragon teamed with AJ Styles against Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Shane Helms. All four guys got a chance to showcase their offense here, and the Dragon/Chavo story advanced with Chavo talking about "tough love" and "hard lessons" when he went on the offense against his pupil. Chavo got the win for his team in the end, and he did it by pinning the reigning cruiserweight champion with a frog splash. (B+) Arn Anderson informs the Hardys and True Heroes that their match at Great American Bash was so good, the rematch was being considered for the main event spot at Bash at the Beach. "We couldn't decide, so in the end we'll leave it up to the fans. Right after this show a poll will open on WCW.com, where we'll allow the fans to decide whether the tag title rematch or world title match should be the main event." (B+) The main event featured Booker T in non-title action against Rey Misterio Jr's hand-picked opponent, Scott Steiner. Mike and I spent a lot of time talking about the intrigue here, as Steiner defeated Booker to end his last title reign and also has a guaranteed world title match to his credit after leading his team to victory in the UFS. It was more of the same action between these two, but The Unnatural showing up at ringside threw Scott off just enough for Booker to hit him with a Harlem Sidekick to the back of the neck and roll him up for the 3 count. (B+) After the match, Rey comes out to hear who Booker has chosen as his opponent for next week. Booker hypes the opponent as one of the biggest rivals of Rey's career, a man who knows him better than just about anybody and knows just how to beat him, just how to hurt him. He introduces the opponent: <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Psychosis.jpg Psychosis! (A) Show Grade: A http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> In women's action, a tornado DDT propelled Alexis Laree to victory over Shinobu Kandori. © Backstage promo: Stacy Keibler celebrates the reunion of the Jung Dragons. (D) With Christopher Daniels watching on color commentary, Jamie Knoble defeated 3 Count's Shannon Moore via submission. (C+) Bobby Heenan interviews Psychosis, who says he doesn't care about Booker T, Rey Misterio Jr or their title match. He's here to make a statement and earn his way back to WCW full-time. (C-) True Heroes squashed the team of Jason Jett and Lash Leroux. (C-) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: C- </div> </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> <a href="http://www.strawpoll.me/12942117" rel="external nofollow">Here's the poll to decide the main event of Bash at the Beach.</a> The TV title poll is still open, but the result is pretty obvious at this point. The Yay's ran away with it. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That was a great show. Curious to see what comes out of here. The Tag match being 99 after a DQ finish was great and keeps me interested to see a rematch (or two) happening. I'm also wondering what Kimberly will be up to, but I guess betraying DDP will probably be a part of it. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Loving all these storylines so far. Can't believe Lex made it to the PPV this time. His segments are gold. "The Internet" (meaning us at GDS) loves them, so even if the grades aren't gonna be that big, you still have to keep that ball going.</div></blockquote> Hey, where is Kimberly? Why hasn't she shown up the past two weeks? <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I considered having Lex miss it. Part of me thought it would be funny for him to be stranded over in Japan until I return there (probably in August.) It's a good thing Lex's new character is a hit and I'm having so much fun writing him, otherwise I would've jumped at the chance to fire him when he failed that drug test. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Nobby_McDonald" data-cite="Nobby_McDonald" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The Hardy Heroes stoke the show.</div></blockquote> They really did! That's why I'm running the poll that could potentially give their rematch the main event spot. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="RKOwnage" data-cite="RKOwnage" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I echo what everyone else has said. Great show! Also, Hokuto, the Harbinger of Havoc? Someone up north might not like this little "game" you're playing <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> Heh, I never made that connection. As much as I would love to take potshots at Mr. Best for Business, Hokuto's not the right person to do it with. Aside from that, anyone who watches current NJPW can tell you that Triple H parody gimmicks are a recipe for disaster. <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />
- May 11, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

Sorry to bump this with no advancement of the story, but I've created a poll on possibly bringing back the TV title. If I do so it'll be defended regularly on Nitro/Saturday Night, but never on PPV. <a href="http://www.strawpoll.me/12909636" rel="external nofollow">Vote here</a> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Lariat" data-cite="The Lariat" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Ayako Hamada needs to lead LIDJ. You know, if she's in that mod.</div></blockquote> A) She is. B) I would love to bring her in. I always thought she was very good, and I also had a little bit of a crush on her back at this time. She's only active in Mexico and Japan though, so that's not an option right now.
- May 6, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

Prediction Results <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Prediction Scores (out of a possible 14): Cro Cop Rules: 12 cbacon87: 11 Dead_Jester: 11 crackerjack: 10 franticloser: 10 Purotastic: 10 Wolfman84: 10 Jackets: 10 Ian carlisle: 9 K-Nection: 9 Satyr24: 9 Rateddc: 9 Beejus: 9 SIser187: 9 Nobby_McDonald: 9 RKOwnage: 9 KnowYourEnemy: 9 BHK6: 9 The Lariat: 9 Uncrewed: 8 DGenerationMC: 8 Warhawk8492: 8 deanohbk: 8 Happy0wns: 8 jscotty: 8 shawn michaels 82: 8 bonnie: 8 evileddie10: 8 Bluestillidie00: 8 GingeyOne: 8 smw88: 7 Kijar: 7 Briskout: 7 LordofGustav: 7 odan: 6 michgcs: 6 chrismday: 6 sportsfanmas: 6 Armando Payne: 5 </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Final Standings in prediction contest after 3 shows: 1. Dead_Jester: 33 (20:26) 2. K-Nection: 33 (22:13) 3. Rateddc: 32 evileddie10: 31 Beejus: 31 jscotty: 30 franticloser: 30 crackerjack: 30 Uncrewed: 29 Satyr24: 29 KnowYourEnemy: 29 deanohbk: 28 The Lariat: 28 BHK6: 28 cbacon87: 28 Happy0wns: 27 smw88: 26 Nobby_McDonald: 26 Cro Cop Rules: 25 michgcs: 24 chrismday: 24 DGenerationMC: 24 Wolfman84: 24 Briskout: 23 Armando Payne: 22 Kijar: 22 Warhawk8492: 22 Ian carlisle: 22 sportsfanmas: 21 LordofGustav: 21 GingeyOne: 21 Purotastic: 21 SIser187: 18 Larrikn: 12 Jackets: 10 RKOwnage: 9 shawn michaels 82: 8 bonnie: 8 Bluestillidie00: 8 The Lloyd: 6 odan: 6 </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> I'll PM finishers #1-3 with their prizes soon. The contest to decide the teams for the next UFS begins with Bash at the Beach and runs through Starrcade. This year there will actually be nine prizes, because someone will get to run the Royal Rumble as well. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="bonnie" data-cite="bonnie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Long time reader, first time predictor!</div></blockquote> Welcome! <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> I feel a little like I threw Jindrak to the wolves by giving him a US title shot, but there just weren't really many options to go with when it came to handing out title shots.[/i]</div></blockquote> Yeah, not much else. I guess you could've thrown him a tag title shot with somebody (Stasiak?) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yeah I think Brett needs to consider bringing back the TV title or maybe even a Japanese Title (since WWE has the European. I think you mentioned some Japanese companies that closed maybe you can buy one of those belts and bring in the champ on a PPA to drop it to one of your roster and continue the lineage)....I know he has the cruiserweight belt but it don't help out guys who are lower carders that are over the weight limit. I felt handing Alex Wright a U.S. Title shot was too much but also giving him a Tag Shot was a throwaway as he didn't have a regular partner (Really wanted TFC to pick up Al Snow and revive the gambler gimmick to tag with him <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />).</div></blockquote> I'm trying to avoid introducing any more titles than I need. I guess I COULD bring back the TV title and make it a Nitro/Saturday Night exclusive belt for lower card guys to fight over, but I dunno. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Armando Payne" data-cite="Armando Payne" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> Cruiserweight Championship: American Dragon vs. AJ Styles {©} *To the tune of American Males theme tune* AMERICAN. DRAGON. AMERICAN. DRAGON. AMERICAN. DRAGON. AMERICAN DRAGON. AMERICAN DRAGON. Now in saying that, I really, really, really love predicting Schmoz finishes in title matches as you know. And I'm kinda predicting now to finally pull the switch on Chavo turning on AMERICAN DRAGON as soon as The American Male has AJ locked into submission, AJ's gonna tap, everyone's gonna pop, new champion and then Chavo comes in beats them both up with the Cruiserweight belt, hits A-MERRY-CAN DRAGON with the Gory Bomb, puts the championship over AJ Styles, hits him with the Frog Splash then picks up the belt and holds it.</div></blockquote> That HAS to be the first time anyone has ever put Bryan Danielson and Scotty Riggs together. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>27:56 (I was going to vote for like a 45 minute time limit draw because this question spooked me, I thought you were foreshadowing a time draw because of asking for a first time in a while the time of the match and usually when a time comes out of the blue it foreshadows a time limit draw.)</div></blockquote> It was the first time I've asked this question for awhile because I only use it as a tiebreaker on the final show of a prediction contest, in case anyone in prize position winds up with the same score (like Dead_Jester and K-Nection did.) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="RKOwnage" data-cite="RKOwnage" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> General diary comments/questions/critiques: I just finished reading this from the beginning. Wow, what a ride. I'm glad I could catch on right at the end of one of the prediction cycles. Everything has been awesome so far. And I mean everything. Including Stevie Ray on the microphone!</div></blockquote> Welcome aboard! Fun fact: Stevie Ray has been hired as a color commentator in Feinstein's ROH! Fun fact #2: this mod gives Stevie Ray a 0 in color commentary! <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have no qualms about getting things wrong when matches and stories unfold like that! Probably one of my favorite shows you have run yet and that is a huge accomplishment!!! Hardys vs. True Heroes being a MOTY canidate is insane!!! I guess one of the 4 men in the match broke the psych wall?.....</div></blockquote> Nope, the psych penalty was in effect. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>WHOA-- 99 even with the DQ ending? That's great work from the two teams!</div></blockquote> My product isn't penalized for DQ finishes, so that didn't hurt me. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Armando Payne" data-cite="Armando Payne" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Considering what's going on in the women's division with the aftereffects of the Women's Championship, may I consider you pairing up Alexis Laree and Manami Toyota and calling their pairing The Bullet Club? Considering they're against Chaos an' all.</div></blockquote> So I guess I also would need to sign Cutie Suzuki as the head of Suzuki-Gun? And find a luchadora to lead Los Ingobernables de Japon? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />
- May 5, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

June 16th, 2002: Great American Bash <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/GAB02Poster.png June 16th, 2002 From the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa Attendance: 14,366 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Tenay.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Hart.jpg </div> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Cruiser.jpg American Dragon (w/Chavo Guerrero Jr.) vs. AJ Styles {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SChavo.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Dragon.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Styles.jpg</div> The show started with a cruiserweight title match between two of the brightest young stars in the entire company. I viewed this as almost a test run of sorts, a chance to see how these guys work together. They opened the show tonight, but I could easily see this same match headlining a PPV in the future. I think there were flashes of that potential here, as the in-ring action was nothing short of fantastic. Between AJ's agility and high spots and Danielson's technical wrestling, you could argue that this might have been the best pure match on the show (or maybe second best, but more on that later.) It was held back from being truly great because the crowd only showed mild interest, but I expected that. Both guys are only at middle of the pack status at this point, and they're both babyfaces besides. This was a good match and a nice way to kick off the show, but I fully believe that these guys will have much more memorable matches with each other down the road. Chavo constantly (and loudly) critiqued the match throughout, which distracted both guys at various points. He did not factor into the finish though, as the beginning of the end came when AJ broke Dragon's grip on an attempted Dragon Suplex and caught him with a back flip kick. From there he was able to go to the top rope and deliver the Spiral Tap to retain the title, which left Chavo shaking his head on the outside. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Yang vs. "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Yang.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Daniels.jpg</div> My attempts to get Christopher Daniels more over through talking segments met with only minimal success, so it was time to put him in the ring with a fellow cruiserweight and see what he could do. The initial results were promising. This was one of the shortest matches on the show, and that left both guys free to concentrate on delivering plenty of high spots to please the crowd. Both Yang and Daniels did well in that sort of match, and they delivered exactly what they were asked to. Yang got the upper hand with some mat wrestling (which I thought came across better than it had in any of his previous matches) and went for his Yang Time finisher, but Daniels rolled out of the way. He quickly capitalized with Angel's Descent and won the match. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Keibler.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Hayashi.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Anderson.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Torrie.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Kidman.jpg </div> We ran a segment where Stacy Keibler and Kaz Hayashi cornered Arn Anderson in a backstage hallway. Stacy cited her appearance on the official Great American Bash poster as proof that she and Kaz are valuable to WCW and deserve more opportunities to show it. Torrie Wilson and Kidman overheard and took issue with that. Torrie said everyone knew the poster would've been better if she'd been on it instead, and she also rubbed Kidman's recent Nitro victory over Kaz in Stacy's face. Tempers flared, but Arn and Kidman kept the ladies apart. Stacy didn't do well off-script here and Kaz's nonverbal reactions were pretty bad too, but Arn did very well in his supporting role of trying to be the voice of reason. I'm not sure if this will lead to anything further aside from maybe a rematch tomorrow on Nitro; this was mainly an excuse to get all of these people onto the show. I also wanted to draw attention to the poster to set up something else for the future, so this helped with that as well. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: C+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Alexis Laree vs. Daffney http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Laree.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Daffney.jpg</div> I told these two to go all out and do their best to impress the fans. I thought Alexis did pretty well with that, but on the other hand the grueling pace seemed to take its toll on her as she was looking tired by the time the match entered the home stretch. This was the worst match on the show, but I was fine with how it turned out considering where both women are at in this stage of their careers. We played off of the previous misting by Daffney that was the impetus for the feud, as Daffney teased the mist more than once during the match. It never happened though, and Daffney didn't need it either: she suplexed Alexis near the corner and hit the Banshee Knee for the clean win. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: C-</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Doomsday vs. The Natural Born Thrillers http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Adams.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Clark.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/OHaire.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Palumbo.jpg </div> A footnote here: initially the Thrillers were penciled in to wrestle Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble on this show as the latter's first PPV after they would've become a full-time team on Nitro weeks before, but Doomsday slid into the match after Wright suffered his torn quad. Get well soon, Das Wunderkind! Eric Bischoff joined Mike and I on commentary for this match, and when asked why he was there he simply said "Empire business." As for the match itself, I thought the best thing for these two teams was the same wild, brawling type of match they've done before. I think that was the right decision and the match wound up being pretty good, as the two teams offered the fans something different than anything else on the show. They beat the crap out of each other and really laid their shots in. Bryan Clark was the big negative. He's in decline physically and I already knew he would be the worst performer in the match, but his performance was actually worse than usual. Thankfully O'Haire was able to pick up Clark's slack and then some. He was the clear star of this match, thoroughly outshining everyone, including Palumbo. Ironically it would be Palumbo who scored the fall when he came off of the top rope with a diving shoulderblock on Clark. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Bulldog.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Heenan.jpg</div> Davey came out for an in-ring interview with The Brain. He thanked the fans for welcoming him back at Mayhem last month and said that even though he didn't win that match, simply stepping into that ring was one of the biggest victories of his career. He talked about how it had been a rough few years for him, but didn't really go into specifics. That was by design. I didn't want to focus too much on those very real and very serious issues in this segment, because it was due to take a ridiculous turn. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Luger2.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Okerlund.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Katarina.jpg</div> The Campaign came to the ring, with Lex leading the way in a gaudy red white and blue tracksuit. I kept everything carefully scripted here because most of the people who had speaking roles were spotty at best at delivering solid improv. Lex stuck to his script, which called for him to go on a wildly out of touch rant. "This is the Great American Bash, Davey! How DARE you stand in this ring on this night of all nights and try and fool these people into thinking that you're some kind of hero! But Iowa is not fooled, Davey! Iowa remembers the atrocities you Brits committed against our forefathers until we fought our way out from under your oppressive rule and gained our independence! The Flex Express had a long trip back over from Japan, and I'm not about to come all that way and listen to your propaganda! This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, and you aren't welcome here! So I suggest you pack up your things, have a cup of tea and go back where you came from!" I think Lex's cocky, delusional patriot gimmick came across very well here and the fans reacted as intended, laughing at Lex and not taking him seriously. Davey continued on with the script, acting baffled by Lex's behavior. He pointed out that the American Revolutionary War ended over 200 years ago, and everybody else had kind of moved on by now. America and Britain were allies and friends now (he even referenced their old Allied Powers tag team in the process.) Lex would not listen to any of Davey's logical points and vowed to fight off the modern-day British invasion on behalf of the country he called home. Heenan and Gene bantered in the background while this was going on. Bobby tried to get specifics from Gene on how they'd made it across the ocean on a bus, but Gene just shook his head and muttered '"don't ask." Gene was very underwhelming here, as he didn't really do enough to play up the absurdity of the scenario. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: C</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">#1 Contender's Match: Rey Misterio Jr. vs. The Destroyer (w/Father Isaac) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Rey.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Destroyer.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SIsaac.jpg</div> This is the third time we've run this match, but the first since Mike Awesome adopted his new masked gimmick. There was no US title on the line this time to provide a boost, but that was more than offset by the fact that both of these guys have seen their popularity rise in the eleven months since their last match at Bash at the Beach. The result was a very good match, which was better than either of their previous PPV bouts and better than anything on the show to this point. Tenay and I plugged that the winner of this match will challenge for the world title next month in Australia at Bash at the Beach. You really can't do anything other than a David vs. Goliath format with this matchup considering the massive difference in size, so that's exactly what this was. Destroyer caught Rey on a springboard and tossed him to the mat, but the attempted Destruction Bomb was countered into a hurricanrana. Rey hit three springboard legdrops in a row, and that was enough to finish the match and make him the new #1 contender. Visually, I thought that was a better finish than Rey pinning this huge opponent with a rana, and it also protects Destroyer a bit as Rey had to deviate from his normal arsenal to put him down. Regardless, Rey wins the match and moves on to a world title program. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B+</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/DDP.jpg </div> DDP cut a promo about tonight's main event. It was pretty basic stuff: he recapped sneaking into Booker T's celebration and laying him out with a Diamond Cutter. "You gettin' paranoid yet, Book? You holdin' that title belt real tight to your chest? I bet you are, because you got a look into your future Monday on Nitro. You know that after all that time you obsessed over getting that world title back, it can be taken away from you with a snap of the fingers, or should I say the snap of the Diamond Cutter? That's all it'll take, Book. One moment, one opening, one Diamond Cutter, and that belt is mine. Bang." Nothing groundbreaking here, but the feud is so hot and the crowd is so invested that they reacted huge to this while watching it on the big video screen. As Dallas walked away from the backstage set, the camera caught a momentary flash of someone standing in the background. It was a blink and you'll miss it type of thing, and most viewers at home probably would've needed to go back, pause it and stare intently at the screen to make it out who it was. All it took was one hardcore fan to do so and post their findings on the Internet, though, for it to become clear. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Kimberly.jpg Grade: A*</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">"Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner (w/Midajah) vs. The Unnatural (w/Father Isaac) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SMidajah.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SSteiner.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Unnatural.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SIsaac.jpg</div> Steiner ran at Unnatural right at the bell and floored him with a clothesline before getting in mount position and forearming him across the face repeatedly. That set the tone for what this match was going to be all about. Scotty battered his opponent with strikes, threw him around the ring with suplexes and trash talked him all the while. That's not to say it was a one-sided squash or anything; Dustin got some offense in, usually by capitalizing on a mistake Steiner made in his eagerness to inflict pain. The story was that Scott could have gone for and potentially gotten the win several times, but he was more concerned with trying to hurt Unnatural. That all led up to Unnatural poking him in the eye to thwart a Seiner Screwdriver, and then rolling him up for a pin seemingly out of nowhere. This was a solid match which would have been better if it had been a bit more give and take rather than Scott dominating for most of it, but it was done in this way both to appease Steiner and to advance the storyline. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Womens.jpg Manami Toyota vs. Etsuko Mita {©} (w/Eric Bischoff) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Toyota.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mita.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SBischoff.jpg </div> As far as talent goes, this is the best matchup we've presented in our women's division. As such, I told them to go all out and do their best to show the fans what our take on women's wrestling is all about. I thought both women rose to the challenge and upped their game accordingly. This was a great, back-and-forth athletic match. They wrestled with a smoothness that WWE's women could never hope to match while also executing moves you'd never see the scantily clad sports entertainment women use. Really the only thing the match was lacking was a true superstar reaction and investment from the fans, but I'm confident that that will come in due time. Both women teased their established finishers (Toyota's Ocean Cyclone and Mita's Death Valley Driver) multiple times but were unable to hit them. A big high point of the match came when the two women traded punches, chops and headbutts while standing on the ropes, each trying to get the upper hand and deliver a big move. Toyota eventually gained the advantage and connected with a sunset flip powerbomb off of the top rope. Both women sold that for a bit before getting back up to their feet. And then... <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Daffney.jpg</div> Daffney suddenly entered the ring and spat her green mist in the faces of both women! <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B- http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Hokuto.jpg</div> Daffney was joined after the match by a woman wearing strange all-white garb, who Mike and I identified to the fans at home as Akira Hokuto. Daffney grabbed the microphone away from the ring announcer and gave Hokuto a bigger intro, calling her the "harbinger of havoc". She talked about the official warning she'd been given by the front office about using her mist. They'd told her that they wanted good, clean and orderly wrestling on their shows, especially from the women since women's wrestling didn't have the best reputation thanks to certain other wrestling organizations, and acts like spitting mist in women's faces caused only disorder. But, far from being chastised, she took it as a compliment. Both she and Hokuto thought that the women's scene would be a lot more interesting with less order and more chaos. And that's exactly what they were going to bring to WCW's women: Chaos! (That's the name of their team, if you haven't pieced that together yet.) Hokuto did not just stand there and do nothing during Daffney's monologue. She put a beating on both Toyota and Mita the entire time, laying Mita out with a gutwrench powerbomb and dropping Toyota with a Northern Lights bomb. I thought the initial fan reaction to Hokuto's mysterious gimmick was above average even if her performance wasn't great, and Toyota sold the attack really well. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: C-</div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">Sting vs. King Corino (w/Eric Bischoff) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Sting.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Corino.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SBischoff.jpg</div> As has become customary for any PPV matches involving Sting or Ric Flair, this match was focused more on telling a story as opposed to having a great match. Sting's physical decline took its toll and diminished the match a bit, but I thought they did a good job at working around his limitations and telling an entertaining story. It was all about Sting attacking Corino's back and softening him up for the Scorpion Deathlock, while Corino spent his time targeting Sting's neck in a clear setup for the piledriver. Sting also kept an eye on Bischoff at ringside. Eric had his bat in hand, but Sting was aware of him and never gave him a chance to use it. Corino went for the piledriver, but Sting countered with a back body drop. A furry of punches and backhand strikes backed Corino up into the corner, and Sting hurled him halfway across the ring with a hip toss. Corino got up and staggered back into the corner, where Sting pursued him for the Stinger Splash, only for Corino to sidestep at the last second. Sting crashed into the turnbuckles hard, and Corino quickly delivered the piledriver for a surprisingly clean pin. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Candido.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SSytch.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Taka.jpg</div> The rest of The Empire (minus Etsuko Mita) came to the ring to congratulate Corino on his big win. It didn't stop there though; after a bit of bragging, Bischoff said he was in the mood to hit another grand slam. Candido and TAKA held Sting up, and Corino kept his arm extended as Bischoff made a big production of picking up the bat and taking a few practice swings. Before he could take a real swing at Sting's arm... <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Flair.jpg</div> Ric Flair ran down to the ring, holding a steel chair! The Empire scattered to the floor as Ric swung the chair around indiscriminately, and as they retreated Ric dropped the chair and grabbed the microphone they'd dropped in the ring. This was the angry, intense, screaming side of Flair, who told Bischoff that he'd have to do a hell of a lot better than he did at Slamboree if he wanted to finish the Nature Boy. Better men than him had been taking shots at him for the last thirty years, and he was still standing. If The Empire wanted a war, Flair would give it to them! "You think hitting my arm with a bat is going to finish me? I broke my back in a plane crash in 1975 and doctors told me I'd never wrestle again, and here I am in 2002! You wanna drive the Nature Boy out of WCW? Give it your best shot, jackass! WOOOOOOOO!" I wasn't thrilled about him using profanity but such are the risks of handing Ric Flair a live mic, especially when the subject is someone he legitimately dislikes. I guess "jackass" isn't TOO bad though, and it did end this angle on an emphatic note. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: A</div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Tag.jpg The Hardys vs. True Heroes {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/JHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/MHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Storm.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Punk.jpg </div> We'd been teasing this match for months, literally from the moment Matt and Jeff first appeared on Nitro on January 28th. Now it was finally time to put both teams in the ring and see what they could do. I had high hopes here. All four of these guys are great individually, both teams have great chemistry, and obviously Matt and Jeff have tons of experience working together. Given all of that, I told them to go out and try to steal the show. Did they succeed? Yes. Hell yes. Oh my god, without a doubt, yes. This match was nothing short of fantastic. The two teams delivered a nonstop barrage of exciting tag team wrestling that made these belts feel like a bigger deal than at any point in WCW history. The Hardys did lots of flashy aerial moves and double teams, while Storm and Punk wrestled a technical match, with the occasional cheap shot mixed in to get some heat on them. Everything these four guys did worked, and they had the fans on the edge of their seats the whole way. (Some might call it the ultimate thrill ride, but that sounds pretty dumb if you ask me.) I'm not ashamed to admit that even I was completely sucked in by this instant classic. A minor nitpick would be a lack of an epic story told within the match, but I don't think it hurt anyone's enjoyment of the work these two teams did. In my opinion, Matt did also struggle a bit at times with the pressure of trying to steal the show, but the other three guys had no such issues and that more than made up for it. All four guys were awesome tonight, but Jeff Hardy's performance was on another level even in comparison to the other three, which is saying quite a lot. The fans were electric for every single thing Jeff did, whether it be a high spot like when he took both members of True Heroes out with the Whisper in the Wind, or even something as simple as playing to the sympathy of the crowd as Punk and Storm got heat on him. As long as Jeff stays clean, the sky is the limit. With him leading the way, this was not only a slam dunk match of the night, it was the best match in our history and one of the best matches anywhere in the world so far this year. After over twenty minutes of thrilling action, the Hardys ended a streak of mat-based dominance from the Heroes when Jeff hit an enzuigiri on Storm. He made the tag to Matt, who came in and went to town on Storm, hitting him with a series of big moves and wisely keeping him well away from his corner where he could tag in Punk. Matt struck with the Twist of Fate! Charles Robinson counted once... twice... ...Punk broke it up, by hitting Matt right across the back with a steel chair! The fans were understandably bummed at the dq finish, but I'm sure they quickly perked up when they realized that this finish was a natural set-up for a rematch. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: A</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/SSteiner.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/RSteiner.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Midajah.jpg </div> Scott Steiner barged into the WCW.com live chat area, with Midajah and his brother Rick trailing behind him. He tossed a producer aside, picked up a computer monitor and slammed it on the floor, smashing it into pieces. (The old WCW would've wasted thousands on a state-of-the-art monitor for this spot; we just used one of our old, broken ones.) He got right in the face of the camera man on hand to record the chat session (for website clips) and delivered an intense promo towards The Unnatural. "You pinned me tonight, ya freak, but big deal! I coulda beat you any time I wanted to, but I wanted to beat you up instead! And that's just what I did! And I'm gonna keep doin' it, because I ain't done with you yet, boy! You made the biggest mistake of your whole life when you attacked me last month, and this ain't over until I say it is! It ain't over until I beat you up so bad, you'll beg Vince McMahon to take you back and let you dress in drag again!" The usual Scott Steiner insanity here, but I thought he did a good job staying focused on the feud with Dustin instead of veering too far off into an unrelated tangent like he often does. He came across like a really intimidating presence here. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B-</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/US.jpg Mark Jindrak vs. Shane Douglas {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Jindrak.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Douglas2.jpg</div> This match was always intended as a buffer between the tag title showcase and the main event, and after how amazing the Hardys vs. True Heroes match wound up being, that looked like a very good decision. Obviously this match wasn't going to come anywhere close to the one that preceded it, but it didn't need to. All we were looking for here was a solid match, one that would bridge the gap between the two featured matches without losing the crowd. They accomplished that, and Douglas deserves most of the credit. He knew he had to carry the limited Jindrak if this was going to be any good, and he did. This match was technique against power, and in this case I don't think anybody was really surprised when Douglas outwrestled Jindrak and made him submit to the crossface. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/RVD.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Piper.jpg</div> As Piper promised, he had RVD as his guest on Piper's Pit in Rob's first appearance since losing the title to Booker T last month at Mayhem. Unfortunately, this was another poor performance from Roddy. He took more of a humorous tone as he asked Rob what was next in his career, which was very out of place. RVD did a better job and propped the segment up nicely. He dropped some of the laid-back, 'dude' aspects of his character and was more serious as he admitted that losing the title had been a big blow to him. But he wasn't going to go down the same path Booker T went and go off the deep end. He wasn't going to become bitter and whine all the time like Booker. Instead, he was going to bounce back, show his one of a kind skills and work his way back up the ladder until he was champion again. As he was talking, the lights suddenly went out. When they came back on... <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mortis.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Isaac.jpg</div> RVD was laid out in the ring, and standing over him was Mortis and Father Isaac. Isaac said that RVD's talk of redemption and recovery was a wonderful fantasy. But reality would be much harsher on him so long as he continued on his current course. I thought Isaac was very good here, and Mortis did pretty well too when he was handed the microphone. He didn't say much, but he was effective. "You call yourself one of a kind? The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives, and Salvation is the strongest pack around. You have two choices, Rob: join us and be born anew, or stand alone and be doomed to fall." <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: A</div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/World.jpg Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T {©} http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/DDP.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/vs.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg </div> It was main event time. After that unforgettable tag match, I felt it was virtually impossible for this to go down as the match of the night. I was just hoping for a great match that would allow the show to end on a high note, and I had no complaints in the end. DDP's age is clearly catching up to him. He was gassed by the time this match ended. Luckily Booker had his working boots on. Book did a fantastic job here, essentially carrying Dallas and making sure the match didn't fall apart in the home stretch. Working off of the TV build, the Diamond Cutter was a key focus of the entire match, with the idea that both men believed one opportunity at that move could mean the end of the match (and in Booker's case, his title reign.) As such, Dallas went for the move frequently, even just a minute or so into the match. It got a good reaction every time, and Booker sold his wariness of the move extremely well. At one point he ducked through the ropes to regroup after narrowly escaping the move, and DDP pursued him out there. That set off a brawl on the floor, which included probably the most memorable spot in the match: DDP went for the Diamond Cutter, but Booker countered with a back suplex on the floor. Booker dominated when the match returned to the ring but could not put DDP away. Eventually Dallas ducked underneath a Harlem Sidekick and went on a run of offense, but his Diamond Cutter attempt was fended off when Booker saved himself by holding onto the top rope. That proved to be the fatigued DDP's last gasp, as Booker soon hit the Book End to retain the title at 20:53. <div style="text-align:center;">Grade: B+</div></div></blockquote> <div style="text-align:center;">Show Overall Grade: A</div> The tag title match was a 99, if you're curious. Thanks once again to K-Nection for the poster.
- May 5, 2017
- 2,912 replies
The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

The Final Countdown replied to Adam Ryland's topic in The Dog Pound

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Jericho wins Youtube segment of the year <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/8kq2iMnLn8U?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Chris Jericho receives a Raw goodbye from Kurt Angle: Exclusive, April 30, 2017"></iframe></div></div></div></blockquote> This was great. It's funny how WWE has probably a half dozen generic, interchangeable interviewers. Say what you want about Sean Mooney, but I never confused him with Mean Gene! <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />
- May 3, 2017
- 36,179 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

June 2002: Pre-Great American Bash News and Notes http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WWE.jpg I'd always been planning on bringing in Juventud Guerrera to bolster the cruiserweight division at some point, and in early June I made him an offer. Vince must have been tipped off about it and decided to screw with me, because WWE jumped in with their own offer to Juvi the very next day. They offered him more than four times as much as I'd offered him initially. Even if I'd matched it and they backed off, he would've been one of the two or three highest paid guys in the company. I wasn't about to do that, so he's now property of WWE. Well that sure didn't take long; WWE snapped up Vampiro. He's their problem now. It didn't take very long for ABC, displeased with the ratings Smackdown was drawing, to move the show to a late night time slot. That had to wound Vince's pride at least a little bit. Turns out that the Minnesota Stretching Crew dropping their Southern tag titles in WWE developmental territory OVW was a sign. That was the last OVW match for Brock Lesnar, who was just called up to the main roster. Lesnar was an amateur wrestler in college and is a real freak athlete with a superstar look to him, but it remains to be seen how far he'll be able to rise with how stacked the WWE roster is. Terri Runnels is pregnant with what will be her second child. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WCW.jpg Lots happened before Nitro on June 3rd: -Toshiyo Yamada set up some kind of video game tournament which served as nice bonding time for the women's division. -Ricky Steamboat told some old war stories to an attentive Yang. -Shinobu Kandoi was apparently supposed to bring the drinks for the women's video game session but forgot to do so. Dusty Rhodes caught wind of it and made sure she went to the store and got drinks for all the women after the show. Kandori has a reputation as a legit bad ass, but she laughed the incident off and shook Dusty's hand afterwards. I pulled the plug on our working agreement with Japanese women's group GAEA before we had even a single exchange of talent. This was a reactionary move on my part, because the WWE's signing of Juvi has me paranoid that they'll look to target other talents simply to keep them away from me. Two members of our women's division are under PPA agreements with both us and GAEA, so I couldn't attempt to lock them up to written contracts as long as that partnership was still in place. I made the call to sever the relationship and approach the women about signing written deals with us, but I have no hard feelings towards GAEA. As long as owner Chigusa Nagayo doesn't take this decision too badly, it wouldn't surprise me at all if we rekindle the partnership later in the year. Lex recently tested positive for hard drugs. He's lucky his gimmick has become a cult hit among our internet fans, otherwise I would've at least suspended him, if not fired him. His story would've been dead in the water if I took him off TV right now though, so he got off with a fine. If it happens again I'll probably have to get tougher on him. Word came to me that Scott Steiner was bragging to some of the lower members of the roster about how much money he makes and how they won't make as much in their entire lives as he will in one year. I guess some of the boys were irritated about it, but I didn't think this was serious enough for me to need to step in and do something about it. Mark Jindrak officially turned face when he punched Shane Douglas on the June 3rd Nitro. The turn went fairly well, but I do have my doubts about his ability to play a face. The Steiners have gradually been positioned as faces over the last month as well without any major differences in their characters other than who they're fighting, and I think it's been a complete success judging by the crowd's reactions to them against Salvation. Ernest Miller isn't happy about the way I've utilized him. Understandable, but there are only so many featured spots to go around, and he's just not high on my list of priorities. Scott Steiner bashed Lash Leroux, calling him a "stupid ginger with no charisma, just like all gingers!" I've been seeing Kidman and Yang hanging out a lot backstage recently, so I guess they've struck up a friendship. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/TNA.jpg TNA held their second show, 'Epic Event', on June 4th. The main event saw Yuki Ishikawa retain the NWA World title against BJ Whitmer, who was crowned as TNA's World champion on the first show. So they've beaten their own world champion two shows in and established that the NWA title is superior to theirs. Yep. The show itself was an improvement over the first one though, so at least there's that. I'm counting this as TNA news since Marc Mero is there: he and Sable have divorced. Not really a surprise. Nicole Bass is pregnant. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/NJPW.jpg NJPW held their annual Best of the Super Juniors tournament in the sold-out Budokan on June 8th. The main event was Tatsumi Fujinami retaining the IWGP Heavyweight title against Osamu Nishimura in a decent match, but it was the tournament final that stole the show in the semi main event spot. It was a heavily lucha-flavored final at that, because Negro Casas beat Dr. Wagner Jr. to win the tournament for the first time. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/USA.jpg Ring of Honor has brought in hardcore wrestler and former head of IWA Mid-South Ian Rotten as their head booker. That sounds like an extremely odd fit. MLW's got a head booker of their own in Rudy Boy Gonzalez. Can't say I know the guy, but he's been around the business for twenty years. He was largely an enhancement guy in the ring, but he was the main hands-on trainer at the Boy Toy's Texas Wrestling Academy. That school churned out the likes of Bryan Danielson, Brian Kendrick and Paul London (all members of our company and/or developmental system), so if he's as good a booker as he was a trainer, MLW may be in good hands. Kamala has retired from an active in-ring role. Perhaps a new fat guy will step up to fill the painted belly void? My youngest son has been talking about some kind of new computer wrestling game called 'Extreme Warfare Revenge'. I guess it's a text game where you pretend you're in charge of a wrestling company? Sounds fun. <hr noshade size=3> Yep, in TGAAB Orndorff was head and shoulders the best option WCW had to build around. I'm not sure he main evented one PPV the entire time. TNA's roster isn't bad. I like some of the guys ROH has in their lower card, but I'm going to gag if Ian Rotten puts the world title on himself. They're a bit busy trying to cross an ocean via bus at the moment. Way to steal the joke I was going to make, bro. Guess that's the price I pay for consolidating my comment responses. He's money on the microphone for sure. Jeff Hardy is pretty much God tier for in-ring performances right now though. You can blame Wolfman for that. Punk will probably behave himself, unless people keep using their prediction prizes to hook him up with different women! Smart! Get your feet wet before the next UFS contest starts with Bash at the Beach. You'd better get used to Jeff Hardy being pushed. His in-ring performances are almost always 90 or higher, he's the first person listed on my Next Big Things and his Star Quality is at least seven points higher than everyone in the company other than Punk. Basically, you'd better buckle in tight. The game lists his overall record so far as 20-7. Not exactly JTTS territory, amirite? I know what you mean.
- April 30, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

June 2002: Road to Great American Bash, Part II <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg June 3rd, 2002 From the Curtis Menard Sports Center in Wasilla, Alaska Attendance: 5,000 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> The cruiserweights opened the show in tag team action, with AJ Styles teaming with Hayabusa against American Dragon and Chavo Guerrero Jr. There was plenty of time spent building the Styles/Dragon matchup for the PPV, but the end came when Chavo tagged himself in and pinned Styles with a Frog Splash. (B-) Booker T and The Empire talk strategy in the locker room ahead of the night's main event, where Booker teams with King Corino against DDP and Sting. Booker tells Corino to stand back and follow his lead, which The Empire doesn't exactly appreciate, but Bischoff spots the camera man and slams the door closed before anything further is seen. (B+) Mark Jindrak built some momentum for his US title match by beating the veteran Animal. (D+) Shane Douglas comes to the ring and insults Jindrak to his face, telling him he shouldn't bother even showing up for their match at the Great American Bash. Jindrak gives him one hard punch to the face that knocks Douglas down to the mat, and the champion retreats back up the aisle while holding his hand to his jaw. (B-) Aboard the Flex Express: Lex says that now that they've added a member of the fairer sex to the campaign, it's time to make a big splash, and what better time to do it than the Great American Bash? "Put the pedal to the kettle, Gene--our fellow patriots are waiting for us!" (C-) Daffney used her Banshee Knee to defeat The Nanook (Nattie Neidhart under a mask in a guest spot from developmental.) (D) After the match, Alexis Laree comes to the ring and says she hasn't forgotten about Daffney spewing that disgusting mist in her face last month. She challenges Daffney to a singles match, and it's accepted. (D) During a chat session for WCW.com, Stacy Keibler laments the fact that her client Kaz Hayashi beat AJ Styles at Starrcade, yet AJ is now the cruiserweight champion while Kaz is struggling to build momentum. "We need a makeover," she admits. (C+) The Destroyer lived up to his name, dominating Big Vito and beating him in about 3 minutes. © After his win, The Destroyer and the rest of Salvation go to the back and corner Rey Misterio Jr, making an obvious threat about the strength in numbers they have at their disposal. The message is made less ominous when the Steiners come in for the save. Security is on hand to get the situation under control, but that doesn't stop both groups from shouting threats at each other. (A*) Manami Toyota is being interviewed by Bobby Heenan when Etsuko Mita and Eric Bischoff interrupt. "You may have been well respected in Japan, but without the might of The Empire behind you, you'll never get to the top in WCW!" Bischoff promises. Toyota isn't intimidated, telling Mita she'd better be ready for the match of her life if she hopes to retain the title at the Great American Bash. (B-) Sting and DDP cut a promo about the main event, and unlike their opponents they seem to be on the same page. Both of them are looking forward to getting their rivals in the ring and will have no problem working together. Sting also revealed that Arn Anderson had signed a singles match between himself and Corino for the Great American Bash. (A*) Yang and Jamie Knoble took on Christopher Daniels and TAKA in the penultimate match of the night. Yang wanted a piece of his Great American Bash opponent, but it was TAKA who was the difference maker after hitting the Michinoku Driver on Yang. (B-) Doomsday and the Natural Born Thrillers cut green screen promos for their match at Great American Bash. Both teams agree it will be a physical battle, and only the strongest team will survive. © A brief Davey Boy Smith video is aired. © <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/JHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/MHardy.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Punk.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Storm.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Piper.jpg The Hardys and Heroes were guests on Piper's Pit. The idea behind this angle was for the Heroes to claim that the Hardys are sideshow freaks who don't have the talent to even be in the same ring with them. The Hardys would respond that Punk and Storm shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that their willingness to take any risk necessary meant that they couldn't win a straight-up match, and Piper would constantly fan the flames with well-placed comments to keep both teams agitated. That was the plan. Unfortunately, this was a time where my willingness to let my guys go out there without the safety net of a script backfired. Jeff was pretty poor, with some bland and uninspiring lines. Roddy wasn't great either; his comments that were supposed to raise everybody's ire were generally lame. Matt was even worse. He was really bad, stumbling over his points and saying pretty much nothing of consequence. He was visibly angry with himself for messing up, which hurt his performance even more. Storm didn't drag things down, at least not verbally, but you could see he was flustered by how off-track everything went. Thankfully for us all, CM Punk took control of the segment. He was really good here, maintaining his poise throughout and basically single-handedly saving the entire thing from going off the rails altogether. He veered off of the original plan and adapted to the situation, which is what the best of the best do. "Cat got your tongue, Matthew? I can see your lips moving, but nothing's coming out of either one of your mouths except for hot air. That's all you are, Hardys: you're a mirage. Your entire career has been built off of fooling these people into believing you're something that you're not. Because you may be fearless, and you may get all these preteen girls to plaster your posters all over their walls, and you may sell merchandise like few others, but one thing you're NOT is a world championship caliber tag team! Piper knows it, just like everybody in the WCW offices knows it, and that's why they sent him out here to try and cover for you. But it's finally dawning on you two just what you've gotten yourselves into, and that's why you're so nervous out here tonight. You know that at the Great American Bash, the joyride's coming to an end. At the Great American Bash, you're going to have to step into this ring and WRESTLE against the greatest tag team in the world today. Lance and I are going to outwrestle you, we're going to embarrass you, and we're going to expose you for the frauds that you are!" Grade: B+</div> Booker and Corino may have been in disagreement about strategy, but they'd need to work together against Sting and DDP. Much of this match was spent getting over the idea that Booker is wary of being hit by the Diamond Cutter, but in the end Corino entered the ring illegally and piledrove Sting, which allowed Booker to cover him for the win. (B) Booker T poses with the belt after the match and declares that since WCW isn't showing him the respect he deserves and rolling out the red carpet for him as the champion, he'll roll out his OWN red carpet and throw a party for himself next week on Nitro! (A*) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Fit Finlay defeated Jason Jett. (C+) Shinobu Kandori used her judo skills to beat The Nanook. (C-) Alexis Laree and Daffney are interviewed about their Great American Bash match. (C-) Billy Kidman beat Cash in a high flying main event. (B-) Scott Steiner and The Unnatural give lengthy pre-taped promos in which a singles match between the two is made official for the Great American Bash. (A) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B- </div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg June 10th, 2002 From the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, Arkansas Attendance: 5,600 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> The show opens with Booker T backstage, and he invites everyone to watch the celebration he's throwing for himself tonight. "Only my true supporters are invited to celebrate with me--which means it's gonna be a party of one, 'cause nobody believed in me but me!" (A) They'll be opponents on Sunday, but tonight AJ Styles and American Dragon teamed up to defeat the dancing duo of 3 Count. They got along fine and worked together, but you could see that both guys were trying to send a message to the other through Karagis and Moore. (B) The Flex Express has reached a difficult obstacle to overcome: how does a refurbished school bus cross an ocean? Lex cites 'some Atari computer game' he played with his kids: "The way you won that game was by fording the river, and that's just what we're gonna do!" Gene points out that this is an ocean, not a river, but Lex will not be swayed from his Oregon Trail logic. (C-) Doomsday meets the Natural Born Thrillers on Sunday, and tonight they met in singles action when Bryan Clark took on Sean O'Haire. Clark tried to outbrawl and overpower his opponent as he usually does, but O'Haire's combination of size, strength and athletic ability made that a poor strategy. O'Haire showed some of that strength by planting his near 300-pound opponent with the Widow Maker for the win. (C+) Roddy Piper teases a special Piper's Pit at the Great American Bash, where his guest will be Rob Van Dam in RVD's first appearance since losing the title to Booker T. What's next for the former World Heavyweight Champion? (B) True Heroes effortlessly dispatched Air Paris and Lash Leroux. (B-) CM Punk cuts a post-match promo for the team in which he says this Sunday's physical beating will be even more embarrassing for the Hardys than their verbal annihilation last week. Matt and Jeff appear on the video screen for a response from Iowa, where they're making public appearances in promotion of the PPV. They admit that Punk has few peers on the microphone, but Sunday won't be about talking. "When that bell rings, you two will find out exactly what the Hardys are made of!" Matt promises. (B+) #1 contender Manami Toyota took on Daffney, who has a big match of her own against Alexis Laree set for the Great American Bash. Daffney acquitted herself well against her much more experienced opponent, but late in the match things were going against her and she prepared to spit the blinding mist at Toyota as the referee was out of position. Alexis Laree raced to the ring and alerted the referee in time for him to stop it though, and Toyota went on to win with the Ocean Cyclone. (C+) Etsuko Mita and Eric Bischoff step into the aisle after the match to taunt Toyota. Mita says that Toyota got more recognition and adulation than she deserved in Japan, while Mita's own contributions and talents were ignored. Bischoff says that the attention is right where it belongs now that Mita has the backing of The Empire. Toyota responds that she earned everything she got in Japan, and she'll earn the World Women's Championship as well this Sunday. (C+) Davey Boy Smith defeated local wrestler Eric Priest in a dominant showcase match. (D+) Cameras are allowed into a meeting between Stacy Keibler and Kaz Hayashi. Stacy says she's got a plan on how to rejuvenate Hayashi's career. (C-) Christopher Daniels sat in on commentary and ran down his Great American Bash opponent, but Yang hit his Yang Time finisher to defeat Elix Skipper. (C+) Handheld camera footage shows Shane Douglas trying to ambush Mark Jindrak at the end of an Iowa autograph signing to soften him up for their match at Great American Bash, but Jindrak fights him off and slams him on top of the table he'd just been signing autographs on! (B-) Chris Candido and TAKA of The Empire got a nice victory over Hugh Morrus and Konnan when Candido hit the fisherman buster on Morrus. (B) A vignette promotes the match between Sting and Chris Candido at Great American Bash, with comments from both men. Sting says Corino and all of Empire have payback coming to them after trying to shatter Ric Flair's arm with a baseball bat at Slamboree, and he's just the man to do it. Corino points out his reputation for humbling legends, Flair included, and says it'll be a genuine pleasure to do the same to Sting. (A) A six man tag main event saw Rey Misterio Jr. teaming with the Steiner Brothers against all three members of Salvation. With the hatred between the Steiners and Salvation and the high stakes for Misterio and Destroyer's match on Sunday, it was no surprise when this match combusted. All six men wound up fighting in the ring, and referee Nick Patrick threw the match out as a no contest. (B) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg It was time for the Booker T championship celebration. He demanded that the ring crew lay out a red carpet the entire length of the aisle for him to walk down and refused to enter the ring until one of them held the ropes open for him. That set the tone for this entire segment, in which Booker berated everyone from the front office to the fans for not believing in him and supporting him on his quest to regain the championship that should've been his all along. Since WCW wasn't giving him the respect he deserved and didn't throw him the coronation he earned when he became a 5-time world champion, he was forced to throw his own celebration. He spent a lot of time berating anyone and everyone, and I think the fans just got bored with it after awhile. Booker struggled with it, and Tenay and I also ran out of things to say. It was kind of important that he keep going though, because throughout the segment one staff member after another kept presenting him with one thing or another that he demanded, whether it be food or drinks or a fancy napkin to wipe his hands. All this led up to a man entering the ring carrying a large tray of silverware which shielded his face from view. He walked right in front of Booker and stopped, which triggered a rant where Booker yelled at him for ruining his celebration and threatened to destroy the man's career as a caterer. The man tossed the tray aside, revealing his face for the first time. http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/DDP.jpg Yeah, I'm sure most fans saw where this was going, but Page's reveal got a nice pop. Booker only had enough time to make a shocked face before Dallas dropped him with the Diamond Cutter. DDP picked up the mic that Booker had just dropped and cut a promo. The point was simple: one Diamond Cutter was all it was going to take. One Diamond Cutter at the Great American Bash, and that title was his. This segment ended on a major high note, and it was basically all Dallas' doing. His delivery was strong and he really came across like a star, with the crowd popping for the reveal, popping even bigger for the Diamond Cutter and reacting well to his promo to close us out. Grade: A* Show Grade: B+ http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Hayabusa defeated Eric Priest. (C+) Alexis Laree and Daffney are interviewed about their match on Sunday. © Kaz Hayashi defeated Big Vito. © Jamie Knoble forced Mike Sanders to submit. (C+) The Unnatural promises that Scott Steiner's pride will be stripped away from him at the Great American Bash. (B) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: C+ </div> </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/GAB.jpg</div> Fan Scorecard: World Heavyweight Championship: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T {©} United States Heavyweight Championship: Mark Jindrak vs. Shane Douglas {©} World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys vs. True Heroes {©} Cruiserweight Championship: American Dragon vs. AJ Styles {©} World Women's Championship: Manami Toyota vs. Etsuko Mita {©} #1 Contender: Rey Misterio Jr. vs. The Destroyer Sting vs. King Corino "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner vs. The Unnatural Doomsday vs. The Natural Born Thrillers Alexis Laree vs. Daffney Yang vs. "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels What will be match of the night? How many championships will change hands? Will Lex Luger make it to the show? TIEBREAKER: How long will the main event be? (minutes and seconds) Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? (worth 3 points) General diary comments/questions/critiques: </div></blockquote>
- April 30, 2017
- 2,912 replies
The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

The Final Countdown replied to Adam Ryland's topic in The Dog Pound

Sounds more like a Kevin Dunn thing to me. Wasn't he the one who decided to use that Peter Gabriel song in 2006?
- April 30, 2017
- 36,179 replies
The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

The Final Countdown replied to Adam Ryland's topic in The Dog Pound

Just got back from an NXT house show. It was fun and I had a good time, but if there's one thing I'm taking away from it, it's that Aleister Black's got a bright future if creative doesn't fail him. I was familiar with the name Tommy End but had never seen him before Takeover, and I wasn't all that impressed with him there. Tonight was a different story. He just felt like a star from the moment he stepped onto the ramp to the moment he left.
- April 29, 2017
- 36,179 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

May 2002: News and Notes <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WCW.jpg</div> Bad news for Alex Wright: he tore his quad during his Saturday Night match with Shawn Stasiak on May 20th and will be out of action for around six months. This really couldn't have come at a worse time for Alex, because he was set to be a major part of a new storyline that would begin the very next week at Nitro. This storyline would've included a match at the Great American Bash, so I've had to shuffle some things around and set up a replacement match. Locker room pariah Vampiro requested his release, agreeing to forfeit all of the money he was still owed over the year-plus still remaining on his contract. That suited me just fine, so we're both free: he's free to seek employment elsewhere, and we're free of the money we owed him. He has a unique look and isn't a bad performer, which was why I intended to feature him a fair bit as the leading member of Salvation. His attitude is just garbage though, and the fact that not a soul in the locker room liked him only made things worse. Rey Misterio Jr. must be highly motivated to stick around in the main event scene. He's been looking really ripped recently, and I'd say it's boosted his star quality even further, to the point that he has more of a superstar look than all but a select few guys in the company. In an out of character interview, RVD said he likes working with bigger opponents because it makes it easier for him to do his high flying with the confidence that his opponent will protect him. CM Punk is encouraging me to give Matt Hardy some more promo time to hopefully enhance the Hardys/True Heroes program. Hugh Morrus likes TAKA's work and thinks I should make sure he doesn't get lost in the shuffle after dropping the cruiserweight belt. Big Vito told me I need to book him more strongly so he can start to build some momentum. Has he not figured out that I have no plans to do anything with him? Scott Steiner thinks Jamie Knoble isn't connecting with the fans and I should write him off. Sorry Scott; not going to happen. Booker T has been impressed with American Dragon's performances in his recent promos and is encouraging me to give the kid more time on the microphone. A recent web article published after Katarina made her TV debut touted her as a future breakout star. Hopefully they're right, but she probably won't be wrestling for us right away (at least on TV.) <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WWE.jpg</div> The WWE signed a bunch of new TV and PPV deals recently, greatly expanding their coverage in many areas. The one that caught my eye the most was Smackdown moving to ABC in the company's return to network TV for the first time since Saturday Night's Main Event was cancelled. That one could be really bad for us, but nobody said this fight was going to be easy. The first PPV of the WWE era, Judgment Day, was held on May 27th in Memphis (no Jerry Lawler though.) There were no title changes on the show, and there weren't any matches featuring the likes of Angle, Rock, Undertaker or The Boy Toy either. It was very much a one-match show, with Hunter giving the rub to that young up and comer Hollywood Hogan in the main event. Hogan's title retention was a very good main event, but our own RVD/Booker main event was better. Our Mayhem show as a whole was better as well, so hopefully the fans are paying attention. Lita suffered a minor staph infection in her match on the May 20th Raw, which should keep her out about a month. Dean Malenko suffered some kind of internal injury working with Saturn in a tag against the APA on the Judgment Day pre-show, and is expected to miss a month as well. In a radio interview, Eddie Guerrero said he doesn't enjoy wrestling against guys smaller than himself. You wouldn't have known it watching his matches against Misterio. <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/NOAH.jpg</div> The episode of NOAH's weekly TV taped on June 1st featured an instant classic five star main event in which Akira Taue defeated Mitsuharu Misawa (Taue's GHC Heavyweight title was not on the line.) <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/TNA.jpg</div> The group ran their first show, 'Retaliation' (great name for a first show, Russo!) on May 27th. The main event featured a match between BG James and BJ Whitmer to decide the first TNA World champion. BG is the bigger name so you'd have expected him to win, but he was only there on a one night loan from NWA New Jersey, so Whitmer won the title in the match of the night. They also crowned tag team champions (Ace Steel and Kent Kohl, going under the team name The Globetrotters), who beat Jay Bradley and Matt Cross. Frankie Kazarian beat Sean Royal (NOT the guy from the time-traveling New Breed tag team, although it would be funny if someone did an angle with that team since 2002 was the year they supposedly traveled back from) to win the X Division title, which I guess is going to be their midcard title. They have a women's division but no belt, though they do have NWA Women's champion Selina Majors, and they had her retain that title against Sara Del Rey. The show would've been considered a massive flop for a group of our size, but it was fine for the level TNA is at. Jeff Jarrett did not appear on the show in any way, which is odd since he's easily their biggest star. Here's a look at their initial roster list: In-Ring: Ace Steel Amber O'Neal Austin Aries Barrabas Jr. BJ Whitmer Bonnie Maxon Bruiser Mastino Chase Stevens Chris Parks The Demon Eddie Colon Egotistico Fantastico Frankie Kazarian GQ Ice Train Jay Bradley Jeff Jarrett Jimmy Rave Kent Kohl Kory Chavis Marc Mero Matt Cross Matt Sydal Mike Bennett Nicole Bass ODB Ray Gordy Rick Michaels Ruckus Sara Del Rey Sean Royal Selina Majors Shawn Daivari Sonjay Dutt Travis Tomko Non-wrestlers: Alicia Webb Chastity Jeremy Medeiros Jim Fannin Joel Gertner Julius Smokes Paul Turner Ted DiBiase Todd Keneley Tommy Rich Vince Russo (ugh) <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/AJPW.jpg</div> AJPW ran their 'Blue Army' PPV on May 27th. Genichiro Tenryu retained the Triple Crown over Dr. Death Steve Williams in the main event, but they were completely outshined by the semi main event where Hiroshi Hase and Jushin Liger beat Masanobu Fuchi and Mike Barton. That match was far better than anything else on the show. It wasn't as good as a lot of their recent shows have been, but was still a good showing for them. Some of the sheets are saying that retired AJPW legend/authority figure Stan Hansen and main event star Tosahiaki Kawada are no longer on speaking terms. I wonder what happened there? <div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/USA.jpg</div> Killer Kowalski has officially left the business after over fifty years. Rumor has it that Rob Black's XPW may be going under soon. I don't think that would be much of a loss for the business. I'll put Rob Black's wrestling acumen this way: Juventud Guerrera is a regular there, but their heavyweight champion is Shaggy 2 Dope of the Insane Clown Posse. That stupid clown even beat Juvi to retain the title last month. Circle of life: one company is in trouble, two more open up. Rob Feinstein of RF Video has started up Ring of Honor, which will be based out of the Tri State region and is going to be heavily centered around exciting modern-style matches. They immediately announced a partnership with Gabe Sapolsky's Pro Wrestling IRON, which makes sense considering their similar focus. A guy named Court Bauer also announced a new group in the South East called Major League Wrestling, and based on the web article it sounds like they're going for a sort of mix of the ECW and Japanese styles. <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>LOL at Vampiro being everyone's punching bag. Great job at the Lex-Katarina segment. I like how you're subtly shoring up the women's roster with ladies who can go in the ring (Kat, Melissa, Mickie). I like Double A's decisiveness in giving Misterio and Destroyer a #1 contender's match, too. Nice touch.</div></blockquote> He's no one's punching bag now. <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> If you count Katarina, there are currently nine women in the division. There's still one out injured and another seven down in developmental. I don't have the TV time to manage all of that, so what I'm trying to do is gradually call women up and begin sprinkling them in so most of them should hopefully have somewhat established characters by the time I can get the women their own show. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DGenerationMC" data-cite="DGenerationMC" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Danielson-Styles is making my reader's mouth water a bit.</div></blockquote> Should be pretty good, but I have a feeling it's going to be a lot better in a couple of years when they're both hopefully main event level. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Love that Lex segment! I'm pretty sure some Kristi Myst fans were let down but they still rather be seeing her in her bread and butter anyway.</div></blockquote> We know what Gene prefers. <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>AJ vs. Dragon should be amazing....I would love to see in a high production value......closest we ever got was this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D02lTFtR0Ck" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D02lTFtR0Ck</a></div></blockquote> They had a couple of matches in ROH that I'd say had (marginally) better production values, but I get your point. I remember seeing AJ standing on the stage during the post-show of Bryan's "retirement" and just shaking my head at the thought that Bryan was done right as AJ finally made it there. Oh, what might have been. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>DDP vs. Book should be a good one! I'm guessing this is a giant thank you to DDP for not strangling Punk for obvious reasons lol.</div></blockquote> That's part of it, yeah. He actually has great morale in-game since that entire incident was created by me and thus didn't upset him, but it felt like something that made sense for the story. I also think he's capable of delivering a solid main event match with Booker. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Rey vs. The Destroyer should be good too! I like how your rumble bookings always mean something (the way they should). WWE always squanders most of their storytelling opportunities when they do them.</div></blockquote> I didn't have that match planned out before Mayhem, but it felt like a logical progression. Same thing with AJ vs. Danielson as an extension of Chavo being upset with how AJ eliminated him. Even when I wrote that elimination, I didn't have anything planned beyond it. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Hardys vs. True Heroes should be awesome! Also for some reason I don't remember AJ and Sting getting their Tag Team shot?....Did I miss it somewhere?</div></blockquote> No, they haven't gotten it yet. I didn't forget it either. I just haven't felt there was a suitable time to do it yet, but it'll happen eventually. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This could definitely be DDP's chance at a final moment at the top, especially after winning Mayhem, but sadly he will be handed to Booker T for his first defense. But I would like to see a DDP title reign. The Lex segment was great, I laughed the whole time. Seems like the women's roster is slowly beginning to take shape. Interested to see what comes out of the Scott vs Unnatural feud.</div></blockquote> Lex may not be able to give me good matches or promos, but I'm having fun writing him! It's always interesting to see the ways each UFS affects things going forward. Last time we got the True Heroes team, the elevation of AJ Styles and a big part of Booker's logic for his heel turn, now we've got the Steiner/Unnatural fallout.
- April 27, 2017
- 2,912 replies
The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

The Final Countdown replied to Adam Ryland's topic in The Dog Pound

A few months ago, I jokingly said to a friend of mine that Vince would probably give Nakamura the Orient Express theme that like 75% of the Japanese guys have historically gotten. Obviously they've progressed a bit, but Vince is still Vince. The Jinder Mahal booking is far worse than Nak's IMO. If they truly do want to make a star for India to get behind, how about making him an interesting character who just happens to be Indian? Nah, let's just rehash the anti-American foreign heel stereotype we've been relying on for sixty years instead. For as much as Vince hates the "southern 'rasslin" style, in many ways it feels like he's the last one clinging to a lot of those outdated concepts.
- April 27, 2017
- 36,179 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

May 2002: Road to Great American Bash, Part I <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg May 20th, 2002 From the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, Massachusetts Attendance: 5,000 (sell-out!) Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> AJ Styles beat Elix Skipper in non-title action to start the show. During the match, guest color commentator Chavo Guerrero Jr. complained about AJ 'unfairly' eliminating him from last night's Mayhem match after what Chavo described as a heinous group attack. (B-) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/DDP.jpg DDP got a nice reaction from most of the fans as he made his entrance, and you could tell that he enjoyed it. He thanked the fans for greeting him warmly last night, and even thanked the few who booed him as well because nothing motivated him more than proving his doubters wrong. He talked about how it had been a rough few months for him, both professionally and personally. He referenced his breakup with Kimberly without really going into details, and some of the smarkier fans started a "CM Punk" chant. That threw Dallas off, and he stumbled quite a bit for the rest of the promo until he finally moved on to discussing what came next. "Personal problems aside, nothing can match the rush I get every time I walk through that curtain and step into this ring! Last night, from the moment I walked out until the moment I pinned Corino to win the Mayhem match, it was like everything wrong in my life went away. That rush, man--nothing beats it! And now I've got a shot at the heavyweight champion of the world. Booker, I know you're riding high after finally getting that belt back last night, but you've been here four times before, so you know the drill. You and I both know that winning the belt, that's the easy part. Now comes the hard part, because now every single guy in that locker room has their sights set right on you! But they'll all have to wait their turn, because I'm first in line. And all it'll take is one Diamond Cutter for me to win that championship for the fourth time!" http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg Booker stepped out into the aisle with the world title over his shoulder. He got the belt back, but he wasn't very happy. He explained that after almost a year of being screwed out of what was rightfully his, finally he'd taken it back last night! By all rights he should've received a red carpet parade tonight, but instead WCW didn't give him a dang thing. Instead they chose to give DDP the time that should've been his, and it made him sick. "Ain't nothin' changed around here! I got my belt back, but those suits still wanna give my time to somebody else! But you ain't the story, Page. This ain't about you. It ain't about your personal life falling apart, because nobody cares about that. It ain't about you winning the Mayhem match last night, because the only thing that mattered last night was Booker T getting the belt back! Now I'm a five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time WCW champion! And you think you're gonna take it away from me at the Great American Bash, after all the crap I had to go through to get it? Ain't no way, sucka!" Dallas invited Booker to come to the ring and "don't sing it, bring it", but the champ said he didn't have time for this and walked to the back. Booker did really well here and more than did his part in putting this angle over the top. Grade: A*</div> Christopher Daniels competed in the ring tonight, albeit not against a fellow cruiserweight. He still showed he wasn't all talk, because he used Angel's Descent to defeat Vampiro. (B-) Arn Anderson announces that due to their performances in the Mayhem match, Rey Misterio Jr. (the iron man of the match) and The Destroyer (most eliminations) will meet in a match at the Great American Bash to decide the next challenger for the World Heavyweight Championship. (B) Post-Mayhem footage: a furious Scott Steiner shoves the on-site doctor away and screams to the WCW.com camera crew that "Dustin's a dead man!" (B-) Daffney and Takako Inoue defeated local talent Lizzy Valentine and Japanese freelancer (on excursion in the US) Kaori Yoneyama in a tag match when Daffney hit Valentine with a move we're calling the Banshee Knee (a top rope knee drop preceded by her signature scream.) (C-) Unnatural responds to Scott Steiner's anger: "Feel free to rage and make threats, but it is yourself who you should be angry with. You brought this upon yourself with your selfish behavior, and there's no changing this river's flow now." (B) More WCW.com behind the scenes footage from Mayhem: Rob Van Dam unlaces his boots in his locker room after his defeat to Booker T, looking dazed and confused. Bobby Heenan tries to get some post-match comments, but RVD doesn't respond. (B+) Davey Boy Smith took down 'Above Average' Mike Sanders with the running powerslam. (C-) Onboard the Flex Express: Lex and Gene are still pressing on with the Call to Action Campaign 2002, but for some reason the Japanese populous hasn't taken to it. Gene suggests some eye candy to draw people's attention, and when Lex says that's a great idea and starts making plans for a public flexing display, Gene specifies that he means adding a female to the campaign. (D+) The Empire cut a promo on tonight's #1 contender's match against The Hardys, with Candido and Corino saying they should've just been given the title shot after last night's performance (over twenty minutes in the match for Candido and runner-up honors for Corino), but if Arn Anderson's going to make them jump through hoops they'll just have to make an example out of Matt and Jeff. (B) Mark Jindrak approaches Shane Douglas in his locker room and tells him he'll be using his UFS title shot at the Great American Bash. Douglas laughs and mocks Jindrak for even thinking he has a prayer against him. (C+) Billy Kidman defeated Kaz Hayashi in a high-flying cruiserweight bout, which earned a smile from Torrie Wilson and a shake of the head from Stacy Keibler. (B) Arn Anderson calls both Etsuko Mita and Manami Toyota to his office to inform them they'll be wrestling for the World Women's Championship at Great American Bash. Toyota is obviously pleased, but Mita and manager Eric Bischoff aren't happy. Eric says that Toyota is undeserving and this is just another example of Anderson punishing The Empire for "ridding WCW of that cancer you call a best friend, Ric Flair!" (B-) Natural Born Thrillers promo; they've been wrestling as individuals a bit more recently as they chased Shane Douglas' US title, but they're still a dominant tag team and welcome the challenge of anyone who doubts it. (B-) Mortis confronts Rey Misterio Jr. and challenges him to a match next week as a preview for what awaits him against The Destroyer at Great American Bash, Rey accepts. (A) The Hardys met Corino and Candido of The Empire to decide who will challenge True Heroes at Great American Bash, and CM Punk sat in on color commentary to observe. There was some great action here, but The Empire came to realize that the Hardys' team experience would be tough to overcome and began resorting to shortcuts. Bischoff tried to slip Candido the baseball bat, but Sting came running out from the back! Bischoff fled, and Candido fell victim to a Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combo. (A) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: A http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> Melissa Anderson pinned Kaori Yoneyama after a spinebuster. (D-) Mortis cuts a promo promising pain and anguish for Rey Misterio Jr. during their match on Nitro. (B-) Alex Wright went down and grabbed his leg while attempting a leap frog, and was pinned by Shawn Stasiak immediately thereafter. (More on this later.) © Manami Toyota and Etsuko Mita comment on their title match upcoming at the Great American Bash. (C-) Johnny the Bull gave a great effort, but in the end was outwrestled and forced to submit by American Dragon as Chavo Guerrero Jr. watched on at ringside. © <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: C </div> </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;">http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Nitro2.jpg May 27th, 2002 From the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland, California Attendance: 5,443 Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </div> In the opener, #1 contender DDP kept his momentum rolling after hitting the Diamond Cutter on Shawn Stasiak. (B-) Booker T attacks DDP after the match, laying him out with a belt shot and continuing to beat on him until Arn Anderson leads a force out to break it up. (A*) <div style="text-align:center;">Spotlight Segment: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Luger2.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Okerlund.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Myst.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Katarina.jpg Luger and Gene held "open auditions" for the female addition to the campaign that Gene suggested last week, and it brought us to two finalists: Kristi Myst, who used to be with XPW but is probably more known for her career in the porn industy, and Katarina Waters from the British indy scene. Lex went through some shtick as he told both women what a life-changing opportunity this would be for the lucky winner. He was pretty bad tonight, but Gene was much worse. He was playing sort of a lecherous old man (without being too trashy about it), but he was just awful in everything from his facial expressions to his delivery as he awkwardly tried to talk Lex into letting both women join the campaign. Lex asked both women to introduce themselves and give their background. He was appalled when Katarina told him she was born in Germany and raised in England. "Didn't you see the colors on the bus, ma'am? This is the Flex Express, and we represent the red, white and blue, YEAH! When I rode that helicopter down onto the USS Intrepid and bodyslammed that no-good sumo wrestler on our nation's birthday, do you think the pilot was Gerbritish? NO! I don't know why you thought you were fit to join our Call to Action Campaign 2002, but as long as Miss Myst here was born in the land of the free and the home of the brave, the position is hers!" Kristi confirmed that she's an American, which made Lex smile. He complimented Gene on a great job of scouting, and Gene remarked that he was a big fan of Kristi's work in the film industry. Lex was further impressed and asked if she'd been in any movies he might've seen. Gene suddenly got embarrassed and mindful of the camera. He leaned in and whispered in Lex's ear, and Lex was suddenly horrified. He looked back and forth between both women and slowly shook his head. "Welcome aboard," he said to Katarina, as the German-born Englishwoman was still a better choice than the former porn star. This kind of skirted the line of the sleazy TV I'm not a fan of, but we were careful to keep this silly rather than scandalous. This was a one-off appearance for Myst anyway, so it won't be an issue going forward. Katarina is sticking around as part of the Luger entourage though. Grade: C</div> Christopher Daniels took on a cruiserweight this week, albeit one rather low on the totem pole, as he defeated Air Paris. (B) Daniels boats about his greatness during an interview with Bobby Heenan until Yang interrupts and challenges him to a match at the Great American Bash so we can find out how great he actually is. Daniels accepts. © Chavo Guerrero Jr. interrupts American Dragon's locker room warm-ups to tell him he's very disappointed that he accepted a spot in a #1 contender's match for the cruiserweight title tonight instead of recommending it go to Chavo instead. Dragon shrugs it off. (C-) #1 contender Manami Toyota joined with regular partner Toshiyo Yamada to take on World Women's Champion Etsuko Mita and Shinobu Kandori. Toyota pinned Kandori with the Ocean Cyclone as Mita scowled on the apron. (B-) Doomsday approach the Natural Born Thrillers backstage and tell them that if it's a fight they want, Doomsday will give it to them. (C+) True Heroes had no problem running through The Mamalukes in non-title action. (B-) Punk and Storm cut a promo on the Hardys after the match, calling them one trick ponies and sideshow freaks who will be embarrassed at the Great American Bash. Afterwards there's a shot of Matt and Jeff watching on a backstage monitor, looking amused and unimpressed. (B) Konnan versus The Unnatural ended in a disqualification when Scott Steiner attacked Unnatural, battering him until Dustin caught him with a low blow and ran off. (B) The Empire cut a pre-taped promo in which they promise retribution against Sting for ruining their chance to earn a tag title shot last week. (B+) American Dragon and Jamie Knoble did lots of ground wrestling, exchanging holds and counter holds in this cruiserweight #1 contender's match. The masked man won the match with a dragon suplex, earning a shot at AJ Styles whether his mentor Chavo liked it or not. (B) Shane Douglas relentlessly mocks Mark Jindrak in a live show chat on WCW.com, saying that he's just a muscle freak with no talent and he's got no chance at the Great American Bash. Jindrak barges in and glares at him, daring him to fight then and there. Shane vacates the premises with a smirk. (B-) Arn Anderson is checking on an angry DDP in the trainer's room when Sting comes in. Sting suggests a blockbuster tag team main event next week, with he and DDP teaming up against Booker and any member of The Empire. Arn and DDP both like the idea, and the match is made. (A) Rey Misterio Jr. and Mortis was tonight's main event. They rekindled their old chemistry in a back-and-forth athletic contest, but the match was marred when The Destroyer came down and launched Rey head-first into the ring post while Father Isaac distracted the ref. It was easy after that for Mortis to hit the Flatliner and pin Rey. (B+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: B+ http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Saturday.jpg Taped immediately after Nitro Announce Team: Tony Schiavone and Tracy Brooks </div> A Vertebreaker gave Shane Helms the win over Jason Jett. (B-) Yang and Christopher Daniels are interviewed about their match signed for Great American Bash. © Hayabusa's daredevil high flying was way too much for Alan Funk to handle. © Chris Candido used the fisherman buster to defeat Norman Smiley. (B-) American Dragon and AJ Styles profess their respect for each other during an interview, but both men agree that they'll give it their all at Great American Bash with the cruiserweight title on the line. (C+) <div style="text-align:center;">Show Grade: C+ </div> </div></blockquote> <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="smartman" data-cite="smartman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Actually, he's referencing CW Anderson who was mainly noted for being in MLW as a member of Corino's Extreme Horsemen. I actually liked the guy from the few matches I saw, but he never did anything after that that I saw. Ken Anderson would be a hoot depending on what his personality is. Most have him at Bagwell-level douchebaggery so I wouldn't recommend that.</div></blockquote> Yeah, I picked up on that later. Obviously I read through too fast and missed the Obvious Capitalization Beejus used to Show Who He Was Talking About, but I'm surprised I didn't think of CW on my own. I watched MLW every week and so saw that whole Extreme Horsemen run. I was even thinking of MLW earlier that same day, for reasons I won't go into for fear of an accidental spoiler. I wouldn't expect CW to show up here either though. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yeah, TFC-- Cousin Wrestling Anderson seemed like a pretty big clue LOL <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> ...Shut up you. <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Wolfman84" data-cite="Wolfman84" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So Booker T is officially a five time WCW champion? Great Mayhem show TFC and must say I did not expect DDP to return so fast. My bold predictions is Steve Austin doesn't debut/return to WCW into Starcade.</div></blockquote> That's 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, actually. <img alt=";)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="GnarlsFunk" data-cite="GnarlsFunk" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I originally started reading this just to make sure my basic idea for my own WCW lives dynasty wasn't a rip on one that was so popular. 3 or 4 days later I've read the whole damn thing. Great work, I've enjoyed it throughly. And will continue to follow. Whether I ever actually post my game on the board or not is up in the air. But I'm super excited to start playing again as I had taken a break from the game and the board for a while. Question for you. How far out did you actually plan when you started and how far out do you plan now?</div></blockquote> I didn't have nearly as much planned out when I started as I usually do. Even now, while I have a couple of matches penciled in for Starrcade and have the potential main event narrowed down to just a handful of options, I don't have as clear a long-term picture as I usually do. My rule of thumb in this and every other dynasty I've run is that I essentially book month to month. After I finish a PPV, I jot down a match lineup for the following month's PPV and start piecing together the TV shows from there. I do have plans and ideas that stretch well beyond that, but I don't really write anything down further than a month at a time. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I finally managed to read the whole deal. It is a great diary as the parts I had read before indicated. But iirc, (and I might be wrong, since it might have been mentioned way in the back pages) you are still not national, right? So I assume that's why Austin didn't sign and you did a good job of explaining why in character? Now that I finally finished reading everything, I might try my luck at getting a shot at the next UFS. Keep up the great work.</div></blockquote> Yep, still at Cult. You came in at a good time if you want to try to qualify for the next UFS. The Great American Bash ends the current prediction contest, and then the contest for the UFS starts the next month.
- April 27, 2017
- 2,912 replies
Hate the Game

The Final Countdown replied to Beejus's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

I was somewhat surprised that you came back to this, but I'm not complaining! Sometimes a little break really is all it takes to rejuvenate your interest. I liked the way the Tully vs. Steiner fight was laid out (and good call on making it a fight/angle instead of an actual match.) The Flair bit is interesting too. Wonder why he left?
- April 24, 2017
- 383 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

Mayhem Match Stats: Order of Entry: 1. AJ Styles 2. Lance Storm 3. Chavo Guerrero Jr. 4. Alex Wright 5. Konnan 6. Davey Boy Smith 7. Billy Kidman 8. Matt Hardy 9. The Destroyer 10. Norman Smiley 11. Buff Bagwell 12. Disco Inferno 13. Rey Misterio Jr. 14. The Unnatural 15. Mortis 16. Sean O'Haire 17. Brian Adams 18. TAKA 19. Chris Candido 20. Bryan Clark 21. Sting 22. Shane Helms 23. Fit Finlay 24. Jeff Hardy 25. Hugh Morrus 26. CM Punk 27. Kaz Hayashi 28. Cash 29. Diamond Dallas Page 30. King Corino Order of Elimination: 1. Chavo Guerrero Jr, by AJ Styles 2. Konnan, by Davey Boy Smith 3. Alex Wright, by The Destroyer 4. AJ Styles, by The Destroyer 5. Lance Storm, by Matt Hardy 6. Davey Boy Smith, by The Destroyer 7. Billy Kidman, by The Destroyer 8. Norman Smiley, by The Destroyer 9. Disco Inferno, by The Destroyer 10. The Destroyer, by Rey Misterio Jr. 11. Buff Bagwell, by Matt Hardy 12. Matt Hardy, by Mortis 13. Bryan Clark, by Mortis 14. Brian Adams, by The Unnatural 15. TAKA, by Sting 16. Mortis, by Sting 17. The Unnatural, by Sting 18. Sean O'Haire, by Jeff Hardy 19. Shane Helms, by Rey Misterio Jr. 20. Hugh Morrus, by Chris Candido 21. Fit Finlay, by Sting 22. Cash, by Diamond Dallas Page 23. Kaz Hayashi, by Jeff Hardy 24. Jeff Hardy, by CM Punk 25. Chris Candido, by Sting 26. Sting, by King Corino 27. Rey Misterio Jr, by King Corino 28. CM Punk, by Diamond Dallas Page 29. King Corino, by Diamond Dallas Page Eliminations: The Destroyer, 6 Sting, 5 Diamond Dallas Page, 3 Matt Hardy, 2 Rey Misterio Jr, 2 Jeff Hardy, 2 Mortis, 2 King Corino, 2 CM Punk, 1 The Unnatural, 1 AJ Styles, 1 Davey Boy Smith, 1 Chris Candido, 1 Total Time: Rey Misterio Jr, 38:46 Chris Candido, 22:33 Sting, 18:56 The Unnatural, 17:27 Matt Hardy, 17:20 Sean O'Haire, 16:40 CM Punk, 16:32 Lance Storm, 15:47 AJ Styles, 15:20 Mortis, 14:49 Diamond Dallas Page, 13:23 Jeff Hardy, 11:41 King Corino, 11:23 Alex Wright, 10:33 Davey Boy Smith, 09:44 Fit Finlay, 09:39 Billy Kidman, 09:11 The Destroyer, 08:15 Brian Adams, 07:46 TAKA, 07:32 Shane Helms, 07:27 Chavo Guerrero Jr, 07:06 Konnan, 06:55 Kaz Hayashi, 05:20 Hugh Morrus, 05:14 Buff Bagwell, 05:09 Norman Smiley, 04:05 Cash, 02:39 Bryan Clark, 01:27 Disco Inferno, 01:11 <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>One thing that would be really cool is you could bring in Davey Jr. and have him tag with his father. That is a tragic thing the world never got to see in RL that would be cool to pull off.</div></blockquote> Harry's in developmental, so if Davey's still around by the time he gets called up I think it's a safe bet they'll work together in some form. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Armando Payne" data-cite="Armando Payne" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think you pumped me up pal, I got 5 instead of 7, right? (I predicted Booker T to win, Etsuko Mita to win, Lex Luger to no-show, King Corino to be runner-up and King Corino to be in the final 4.) Where's the other 2 I got right? Hopefully now I can predict them all correctly and enter the Championship Challenge Series.</div></blockquote> Nope, it's 7. You got a point each for getting the MOTN and title change questions right.
- April 23, 2017
- 2,912 replies
WCW: Heart and Soul

The Final Countdown replied to The Final Countdown's topic in Total Extreme Wrestling 2016 Dynasties

May 2002: Mayhem Wrap-up, Hall of Champions http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/WCW.jpg American Dragon would've been one of the last people I ever expected to be brought before the wrestler's court, but that's exactly what happened before Mayhem. I think Dusty knows he's a good kid though, and he took it pretty easy on him. After the show I praised RVD for the performance of the night and not complaining about dropping the title. I also gave Booker a hug and told DDP how much I admired him for having such a positive attitude and doing whatever was asked of him despite any personal issues. Jeff Hardy gave Bryan Danielson a pat on the back and told him he was going to be a big star down the line. I agree completely. <hr noshade size=3> Hall of Champions: World Heavyweight Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/World.jpg Booker T (5th reign) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Booker2.jpg Won: May 19th, 2002 from Rob Van Dam at Mayhem in Worcester, Massachusetts Previous Champions (since March 2001): Rob Van Dam: December 30th, 2001-May 19th, 2002 (140 days) Scott Steiner: July 15th, 2001-December 30th, 3001 (168 days) Booker T: March 26th, 2001-July 15th, 2001 (111 days) World Women's Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Womens.jpg Etsuko Mita http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Mita.jpg Won: January 9th, 2002 against Zap I during the AJW Glass Grave Yard tour in Annaka, Japan after Aja Kong vacated the title when she left AJW ((Mita was the reigning WWWA World champion when AJW was bought out by WCW. The title was adopted into WCW with its lineage intact, and Mita was recognized as WCW's Women's World Champion.)) Previous Champions (since January 2002): None United States Heavyweight Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/US.jpg Shane Douglas (2nd reign) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Douglas2.jpg Won: April 1st, 2002 from Rey Misterio Jr. at Monday Nitro in Pikeville, Kentucky Previous Champions (since March 2001): Rey Misterio Jr (#2): October 14th, 2001-April 1st, 2002 (169 days) Kanyon: August 5th, 2001-October 14th, 2001 (70 days) Rey Misterio Jr: May 13th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (85 days) Booker T: March 18th, 2001-April 30th, 2001 (44 days) Cruiserweight Champion: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Cruiser.jpg AJ Styles http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Styles.jpg Won: April 21st, 2002 from TAKA at Slamboree in Tokyo, Japan Previous Champions (since March 2001): TAKA: December 30th, 2001-April 21st, 2002 (112 days) Jushin Liger: August 5th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (147 days) Shane Helms: March 18th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (140 days) World Tag Team Champions: http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Tag.jpg True Heroes (Lance Storm and CM Punk) http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Storm.jpghttp://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/Punk.jpg Won: December 30th, 2001 from The Natural Born Thrillers at Starrcade in Tokyo, Japan Previous Champions (since March 2001): The Natural Born Thrillers (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire): January 14th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (351 days) <hr noshade size=3> <hr noshade size=3> There's probably more chance than usual for an error in the prediction scores, so feel free to doublecheck your totals and alert me if you think there's a mistake. So the gameplay reason for no Austin is that he thinks WCW is too small for him. Fair enough, as he's a global icon in this mod and I'm only at Cult. Yet EWP is in the single digits in all of Europe except for Central Europe, where they're at 37 popularity. My lowest popularity anywhere in the game world is a 40 in a few regions of Europe. I'm guessing the game is set up for a worker to ignore the size requirements for touring companies? Or maybe it's because they aren't based in his home area? This is pretty much a spot-on combination of the world and US title match finishes. Ironically, I've been going through the OSW playlist for the first time recently, generally while I'm working on this. I have a feeling my writing of Tito Santana would've been very different if I'd been watching OSW during TGAAB. No heat with Vince, and I don't think he's in decline either. Nope, nothing yet. I think I've run a half dozen shows at the most in Japan so far though. Even if I had gotten Austin right now, I'm not sure it would've turned the tide as completely as you're suggesting. The WWF is still putting on really good shows without him, and they'd still be beating me in any National Battles if we were currently in them. I'm also not sure how well he'd do in my product with its focus on performance rather than popularity, as well as its increased match danger and intensity. He'd be a massive addition for sure, but I think it'd be quite some time before I could surpass WWE even if I had him. So obviously I'm not going to have the option of signing him until I hit National. I've only just upgraded my TV and PPV coverage in the USA so I'm not sure how dramatically that will increase my rate of growth, but however long it takes, we'll see what happens with him in the meantime. I'm sure you aren't surprised to see her here. She may be a Cheerleader, but in your diary it's me who is leading the cheers for her. I'm trying to refrain as much as I can from making any new signings right now, as my roster is pretty big for my size and TV time. Nice! Welcome! Yeah, I have no idea if they were or not. He just seemed like the most qualified guy on my roster to talk about him, and the lineage of the NWA title seemed like the best way to draw the connection. I realized while writing that segment that there was an angle I was meaning to do with Dusty, and I really should've done it already. Maybe I can find a way to squeeze it in soon and still make sense. Eh, whoever's beating him will probably gain more out of it on Nitro than Saturday Night. I've been holding Daniels out largely to try and build his popularity up a bit first through angles, but it's not really working like I wanted. I think I need to throw him into the deep end pretty soon, and this angle was pretty much the beginning of that. Yeah, it just kind of popped into my head as I was trying to think up a new name for her, because as much as I like her as a performer I've always disliked the name Cheerleader Melissa. It seemed like an interesting way to do. I thought you were talking about the Machine Gun at first, but now it occurs to me you're probably referring to KENNEDDY........KENNEDDY! (I wouldn't expect to see him show up here, to be honest. He's more sports entertainer than wrestler.) I probably wasn't clear enough on this. I was GOING to let Gene's contract expire; it literally got all the way down to the final day to begin negotiations. Then I decided on a whim that I should make the driver of the bus an actual character Lex can interact with, and the idea of using Gene in the role seemed good. Hiring an old man to drive him around the country (the world?!) on a crappy old school bus with a crummy DIY stars & stripes paint job is what the Flex Express is all about, baby! So yeah, the role will be a regular one, so Gene is signed to an extension and will be sticking around for awhile. I'm kind of debating whether I'm going to address the logistics of driving a school bus across an ocean. I think it would be funny to have Heenan or somebody ask him about it, and just have Lex totally no sell it. "What do you mean? We made great time! I have 4% body fat, YEAH!" Every wrestler worth his salt knows you always bring your gear with you! Badge of honor. Yep, that was part of it. The other part was just me wanting to have another option for some variety instead of writing up 29 pins/submissions in one match. It allows me to get a bit more creative in spots, like when Cash tried to attack DDP on the ramp and got KTFO'D with a Diamond Cutter. NEVER use a picture of him with the devil horns. I hated those things with a fiery passion. It took me a bit to get used to it, but it definitely gave me more room to work with. The biggest drawback was probably my feeling that I needed to be more protective of eliminating people too quickly, since they were getting pinned/submitted/TKOed rather than simply being thrown over the top rope. The active field subsequently got a bit more bloated than I'd prefer at times. Not really. The difference is pretty obvious though. I would bet that the RVD/Steiner match from Starrcade would've been better than this if the psych penalty worked the same way back then. Punk's obviously got a full plate at the moment. Corino could've been a legit option, but I wouldn't have wanted to put him against heel Booker at the moment. Initially my plan for the first Mayhem match was for Booker to win it and then win the title next month at GAB, but I decided to move things up. I'm not really sure if Austin would've won it even if I'd signed him. I never put much thought into it because I already knew he wasn't coming in. In reality maybe, but he's alive and well in Heart and Soul, brother! (As is WCW itself.)
- April 23, 2017
- 2,912 replies

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