infinitehallway

<p>Wrestling Observer Notes</p><p> </p><p> With the sudden, drastic shift in the professional wrestling landscape many insiders are expecting a ‘talent arms race’ to break out, which would have a massive impact on the rest of the wrestling world, particularly ECW and the US Indy scene. The immediate effects of this are already beginning to show, as sources indicate that ECW mainstays The Dudley Boys have been offered contracts by one of the major companies, though Paul Heyman is trying to get them to stay. He is also hustling to get his main players under more permanent contracts, though the constantly cash-strapped promotion will hardly be able to match the financial clout of the Big Two.</p><p> </p><p> It is something of a surprise, however, that the biggest battleground for new talent in the first week of this brave new world of wrestling is not the US Indy scene or ECW, but rather Mexico. Three huge signings have taken place, and much to the surprise of many, they have not all been by WCW. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>WCW NOTES</strong></p><p> </p><p> WCW struck first by inking a deal with one of the biggest names in Lucha Libre, El Hijo Del Santo. Son of the most famous luchador of all time, Santo, it is rumored that he will be debuting as Santo Jr. (the English translation of his name) in the next few weeks. His position on the card is unclear at this time</p><p> </p><p> WCW have also signed so-cal indy darling Blitzkrieg, young luchador Perro Auguayo Jr, Jamie Noble, and CW Anderson to PPCW contracts. </p><p> </p><p> Jushin “Thunder” Liger is being brought in for a run on a pay per appearance agreement. </p><p> </p><p> There was a big commotion as the WCW Saturday Night TV taping. Before the show Kevin Nash decided to pick a fight with Tony Schivone of all people, eventually knocking Schivone for a loop. Nash was immediately brought to new owner Logan Jackson and hit with a heavy fine, as well as being told in no uncertain terms that his upper-card position was not a free pass to do whatever he wanted. Apparently the message was received as Nash was apologetic to Schivone after the incident, and even more surprisingly, didn’t complain about the decision. Schivone was happy with the decision as well, meaning Jackson appears to have successfully handled his first hurdle with the minefield that is the WCW locker room. </p><p> </p><p> Immediately after the show Jackson was faced with another decision, as Eddie Guerrero failed a drug test, testing positive for unspecified “hard drugs”. Guerrero was apologetic, and was thankful for the opportunity to go to rehab and get himself straight. Jackson issued a memo to the entire organization that rehab will be an option presented to all full-time employees, so long as they are not actively working while impaired and endangering their fellow workers. This leaves the fate of the Cruiserweight title up in the air. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>WWF NOTES</strong></p><p> </p><p> The WWF has not traditionally been big on bringing in talent from south of the border, but the current wrestling climate seems to be forcing their hand. The interesting note is both wrestlers they’re pilfering from Mexico are actually Canadian. Sean Morley, who has been working as Steele in CMLL has been hired and is expected to debut directly on the main roster. Current reports indicate they’re planning a “modern day Ravishing Rick Rude” gimmick for him. </p><p> </p><p> The other major signing is Ian Hodgkinson, who wrestles under the name Vampiro. He is a legitimate mega-star in Mexico, and his loss will be a huge hit to CMLL. WCW was rumored to be interested in him but real life heat between Hodgkinson and Konnan kept that from happening, as Konnan is WCW’s supplier of luchadores, and they could not risk that relationship. Plans for Vampiro, who will likely be renamed, are currently unknown, though he seems like a natural fit in to the Undertaker/Kane/Paul Bearer angle. </p><p> </p><p> Both of these signings can be attributed to a change of direction in light of the Montreal incident, as Vince McMahon has been reportedly decided to go in a more adult-oriented, even edgy style. Reports indicate this is in no small part due to the influence of former WWF Magazine head writer Vince Russo, who has no wrestling background to speak of, but has been instrumental in the more raunchy segments featuring the likes of D-Generation X, and McMahon has been pleased with the results. Russo is, however, a very divisive voice within the creative circle for the WWF, with Jim Cornette in particular being a vocal critic. It remains to be seen if Cornette’s role will diminish in light of this new, edgier direction.</p><p> </p><p> The WWF has brought in several other talents for OVW, including Nick Dinsmore, Rob Conway, Kimo and Ekmo, and in a surprise move Nelson Knight, the former Mabel. Knight was the definition of flop in his first run in the company and was let go due to his ever-increasing weight. </p><p> </p><p> Dr. Tom Prichard has been brought in to help Dory Funk train new workers, as well as help oversee OVW. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>THE MONDAY NIGHT WARS WEEK TWO CARD</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> WCW NITRO</p><p> </p><p> Chris Jericho vs. Juventud Guerrera vs. Ultimo Dragon vs. Kidman</p><p> </p><p> Saturn vs. Glacier</p><p> </p><p> Goldberg vs. Wrath</p><p> </p><p> Curt Henning vs. Lex Luger</p><p> </p><p> Ric Flair, DDP, Chris Benoit and Booker T vs. Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Randy Savage, and Hollywood Hulk Hogan</p><p> </p><p> WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW</p><p> </p><p> Goldust vs. Flash Funk</p><p> </p><p> The New Blackjacks vs. The Godwins</p><p> </p><p> Ahmed Johnson vs. Jeff Jarrett</p><p> </p><p> Vader vs. Kane</p><p> </p><p> Triple H vs. Mankind</p><p> </p><p> BONUS POINT: Who will have the higher rated show? </p><p> </p><p> Shows will probably not be posted until Sunday or Monday, so plenty of times to get those picks in!</p>

The Saturday Night B-Block, the place to “B” on Saturday Night! WCW Saturday Night results The show opens with Alex Wright taking on the debuting former WWF tag team champion Rick Martel. Decent little match here but nothing to write home about. Alex Wright gets the win after his bridging German suplex. Winner: Alex Wright Rating: 58 Next we get a a pre-taped promo from The Giant, running down Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. Nothing of note here, as the Giant is still not a very good promo. Rating: 71 Next up two lucadores trying to climb the Cruiserweight ranks as Ultimo Dragon takes on Psycosis. Solid back and forth match, helped by the great chemistry between these two. Neither man is super over with the crowd and there was no storyline coming in, so the match never hit a big peak, but was serviceable. Dragon gets the win with a Dragon Suplex. Winner: Ultimo Dragon Rating: 64 Following that we get a Buff Bagwell promo, who continues his issue with Lex Luger. Nothing much to report here. Rating: 63 This is followed with another pre-taped Raven promo aimed at Goldberg and Chris Benoit, both of whom he and his Flock have issues with. Another well-produced, well delivered Raven promo here, promising pain and suffering to his enemies. Rating: 76 Next up we see The Public Enemy take on John Nord and Barry Darsow, two ex WWF veterans who have somehow found themselves a home in WCW. Straightforward tag match with the heels getting heat on Grunge, who makes the hot tag to Rock. Easy win in the end for TPE. Winners: The Public Enemy Rating: 47 Next we get a Chris Jericho promo with Mean Gene. He cuts a typical white-meat babyface promo, “this is going to be my year” type of stuff that the crowd is not remotely interested in. Eddie Guerrero, our cruiserweight champion, comes out and mocks him, and the crowd doesn’t really care here either. Neither guy seemed to do well going unscripted. Rating: 67 Then we get a Curt Henning pre-tape, where he runs down WCW in general and Booker T in particular. They may be hinting towards a story here. Rating: 76 Speaking of Booker T he’s up next against Steven Regal in a solid match. These guys had a good bit of time and both got to show what they can do. This was a back and forth match with Booker getting the win after the Ax Kick. Winner: Booker T Rating: 71 Next we get a “Paid for by the New World Order” video with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. They do their usual spiel, running down Sting, Lex Luger, and the Giant, all set to the droning NWO music and shot in black and white. Nothing memorable here, but the usual solid mic work from the Outsiders. Rating: 95 Next up is our MAIN EVENT as Chris Benoit takes on Perry Saturn for the TV Title! These two got enough time to go out and do a slow burn, putting on a very even, well-balanced match. Benoit has been in a feud with Raven, so there was some backstory coming in to this one, with the commentators pointing out how Raven has been running his mouth about The Crippler but ducking him, refusing to get in the ring himself. Benoit lights up Saturn to start, letting out his frustration, before the former Army Ranger takes over after a good old fashioned thumb to the eye. Saturn throws him to the outside and they brawl around the ring, with Saturn keeping control. Saturn goes for the DVD once they get back in the ring but Benoit counters, nailing a SICK German suplex. They go back and forth for a few minutes, each unloading with big moves, before Benoit goes up top and misses the swan dive headbutt. Saturn again goes for the DVD, but Benoit counters in to the crossface and gets the win! Winner and NEW TV champion: Chris Benoit Rating: 73 The show ends with DDP and Randy Savage brawling all over the arena. The fight started in the locker room and spilled out in to the ring, then continued in to the crowd, who ate it up. Show goes off the air with the two of them still going at it, despite attempts to break them up! Rating: 97 Overall Rating: 80- A solid if unspectacular show in-ring wise, but some very good promos and segments, mainly involving the NWO, made this a very good episode of the Mothership. WWF SHOTGUN SATURDAY NIGHT Sunny kicks off the “hottest Saturday night spot in the world” with a little dance and some innuendo. Rating: 63 Opening match is TAKA over local talent Ace Steele. TAKA is still considered a jobber by the majority of the crowd and Steele is the definition of enhancement talent, so this match died a grizzly death despite having some quite good in ring work. TAKA gets the win after the Michinoku Driver. Winner: TAKA Rating: 14 We then get some pre-recorded comments from The Rock. He runs down Steve Austin and Ken Shamrock as only he can. Rating: 86 Next up we have tag-team action as the New Blackjacks (Barry Windham and Justin Bradshaw) take on the Godwins. Standard tag match here with Bradshaw playing face in peril and eventually making the hot tag to Windham. Announce team spent most of the match talking about how both of these teams are looking to advance up the tag ranks. Blackjacks take the win after a pair of lariats on Henry Godwin. Winners: The New Blackjacks Rating: 48 Next up we see Sable come out and hawk the WWF Calendar for 1998. Rating: 65 Our next match features “The Lethal Weapon” Steve Blackman taking on The Sultan. Nothing terrible here, which was a nice surprise, but nothing to write home about either. Blackman is a charisma suck, and while the Sultan has some potential his gimmick is woeful. Sultan uses his size to keep in control for the majority of the match, hitting a couple of impressive looking slams, before Blackman uses his striking to chop the big man down and take control. Match ends with Blackman getting the victory with his big roundhouse kick to the side of the head. Winner: Steve Blackman Rating: 55 Overall Rating: 57- Dull show but nothing downright insulting. Stay tuned for more news and notes, as well as Week Two of the Monday Night Wars!

The next few days were a haze of air travel and meetings, as Jackson made good on his promise to meet with every member of the WCW roster, from the opening match luchadores to the main event players. Most had come to him, at his Atlanta-area hotel room where he was overseeing the transfer from the CNN center to the leased office space that would serve as temporary headquarters. The meetings had been positive, but exhausting. Hogan had been the toughest meeting, just as Jackson knew it would be. He’d traveled, along with Bischoff, to Hogan’s Florida home that Thursday. Eric had laid the groundwork for him, or at least said he did, so Jackson went in feeling at least marginally confident. Hogan had a reputation for selfishness, but Jackson thought his long-term plan would appeal to the aging icon. He had taken a good deal of convincing, but after a couple of hours and a few drinks he seemed on board. Bischoff, on the flight home, had praised his new boss for his skills in handling the notoriously difficult legend, saying that he didn’t expect Hogan to agree with Jackson’s vision after just one meeting. The other ‘big names’ had all been much easier, all mainly concerned with knowing where they would fit in with the ‘new’ WCW. Flair had been the most paranoid, but Jackson was legitimately a huge fan, and assured WCW’s biggest icon he had nothing to worry about. Jackson was most surprised by the massive amount of discontent many in the middle and undercard positions expressed to him. It was enlightening and worrying. Jackson had a short-list of ‘next big things’ and every single one of them had a complaint of some kind, mostly about the tribalism of the locker room, or the ‘glass ceiling’ under the previous regime. There was nothing Jackson could do at the moment, but it jumped to the top of his list. The last meeting of the week was a bookend to his first. Bischoff knocked at the door of the hotel room and was summoned in. “Well it was an interesting week,” Jackson began. Bischoff nodded like a good underling, sliding effortlessly in to the role. “Most of the boys seemed cautious, suspicious, but once I started asking their opinions most of them opened up.” “Yeah,” Bischoff replied. “Most of the boys are going to be a little weary of saying too much. You’re an outsider, as far as the business is concerned.” Jackson made a face, so Bischoff hastily continued. “No offense. It’s just that…” Jackson held a hand up to silence him. “No, no, you’re absolutely right. I’ll need to prove myself to the boys in the locker room just like they will have to prove themselves out in the ring…” he said, growing contemplative. “Let’s get a couple more agents, make sure that everyone, even the, what do you call them, curtain pullers?” “Jerkers,” Bischoff corrected. “Curtain jerkers know that there’s someone, either an agent or you or eventually me, that they can come to. It doesn’t matter if they’re not ‘the draw’, their work, their concerns still matter. We can’t just say that, we have to show it.” Bischoff nodded. He’d been doing that a lot this week, and figured he’d be doing a lot more. “Have you talked to Hulk?” Jackson asked, catching Bischoff off guard. “Well, yeah. We speak just about every day. Why?” “Just wondering if he’s getting cold feet about Starrcade. I honestly expected him to need more convincing.” Bischoff had, in fact, spoken to Hogan about the finish to the year-end Pay Per View. Hogan was, as Jackson seemed to expect, having second thoughts. Bischoff had gone back and forth with him, trying to convince Hogan to trust the vision. He had met with only limited success. Bischoff smiled his patented camera-dazzling smile at his new boss. “No way boss, he’s all in!” NEXT: The Saturday Night B-Block!

Thanks! I'll look in to it.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Part 2 Continuing on from our previous issue, here are several news items that flew under the radar with the bigger stories going on: WWF • In the aftermath of the Montreal incident both Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith have left the WWF. Neidhart was on a per-night deal, so his release was a formality, and Smith quickly came to terms on a buy-out of his remaining contract. This has led to much speculation on the eventual fate of Owen Hart, with current reports indicating that the WWF would like to keep him, despite the obvious issues involved with that. More as it develops. • In direct response to WCW opening a developmental territory the WWF has formalized its existing relationship with Danny Davis’ Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion. Several contracts have been offered to wrestlers who have previously taken part in the Funkin’ Conservatory tryout camps, including Adam Copeland, Jay Reso, Matt Bloom, Andrew Martin, and Matt and Jeff Hardy. • Tammy Sych (Sunny) was late to the WWF’s all-hands meeting, which got her a stern warning from management. • Shawn Michaels, despite the magnifying glass he is currently under, appears to be unable to stop himself from spreading more discord in the WWF locker room, as he has continued his verbal war against Vader, causing many to distance themselves from the Colorado native. WCW • The first signings to Power Plant Pro Wrestling appear to be West Coast standouts Christopher Daniels, Michael Modest, and Donovan Morgan, as well as the Haas Brothers from the east coast. More are expected in the weeks ahead. • Bob Armstrong and Chavo Guerrero Sr have been brought in to help run PPCW • Several more luchadors are expected to be joining WCW after Starrcade, though many will likely be on per appearance contracts. Abysmo Negro has already been signed, as has Perro Aguayo Jr, though the latter may be heading for PPCW. • New owner Logan Jackson appears to be aware that the backstage situation in WCW can only be described as horrific, as he’s scheduled meetings with several top talent to try to get on good terms with them, while also bringing in several veterans such as Johnny Rodz and Michael Hayes to act as agents, with a view to improving locker room cohesion. • One major issue facing Jackson will be the tension between Kevin Nash and Paul Wight, better known as the Giant. This tension has intensified recently and Nash has begun waging a Shawn Michaels-like campaign against Wight. PICK EM RESULTS DHK1989- 8/10 ElectricX- 9/10 Alpha2117- 9/10 Levinux- 6/10

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter- The final weekend of November, 1997 will go down as one of the craziest, most shocking, and possibly most important weekends in Professional Wrestling history. In a business so often filled with histrionics there is no hyperbole in saying that the events of the last 48 hours could well have altered the entire course of the industry forever. In the main event of the WWF’s annual Thanksgiving week spectacular Survivor Series Bret Hart lost the WWF Heavyweight title in bizarre and controversial circumstances when veteran referee Earl Hebner rang the bell, claiming Hart submitted, when he obviously didn’t. Shawn Michaels was awarded the title and beat a hasty retreat to the locker-room, while Bret went in to what can only be described as a rage in the ring. Vince McMahon called for the bell to be rung from his position at ringside, and was the obvious target of Hart’s ire. The finish of the match appears to be either a real-life double cross the likes of which has not been seen in the business since the heyday of the territory system, or the greatest worked shoot angle of all time. The scene backstage in the immediate aftermath of the show, which went off the air with minutes of Pay Per View time still remaining, have been described to me as ‘pure chaos’ and ‘mass confusion’. Though we are unclear on the details of what exactly happened, multiple sources have confirmed that there was a physical altercation in the locker room after the show between Vince McMahon and Bret Hart. Hart is reported to have a broken hand, and McMahon sustained an injury to his ankle. Hart had one foot out the door to WCW, who have massive changes afoot as well, which we will get to in a moment, and this confirmed his WWF exit. The biggest question coming out of the night, at least among those I spoke to backstage, was that of who all was involved in the “screw-job”, as it has already started to be known. McMahon and Hebner are easy to answer, but the involvement of Shawn Michaels, Gerald Brisco, Pat Patterson (the agent for the match), and others is more up in the air. Michaels, we have learned, is denying any knowledge of the plan to everyone who will listen. The agents, as one would imagine, have been tight lipped. Bruce Prichard was running Gorilla Position for the show, and reports describe him as being ‘shocked and confused’, leading many in the back to believe he was not aware of the plan, as he is not that good of an actor. Regardless of who all knew in advance, McMahon was left with the threat of a complete insurection in the locker room in the immediate aftermath, as major stars Mark Calloway (the Undertaker), Steve Williams (Austin), and Mick Foley (Mankind) were all incredibly upset by the situation. Calloway in particular is said to have “planted himself outside of Vince’s office” and demanded an explanation. He apparently received one, as he showed up to RAW the next night with no issues, as did Austin. Foley, however, flew home the night of the pay per view, expressing that he didn’t know if he could work for a man who would do that to anyone, let alone his champion. McMahon apparently called Foley either that night or the next morning, and things were smoothed over. Foley was told to stay home from last night’s RAW, but is expected to be back moving forward. There is no reported heat on him. McMahon held a rare ‘all hands’ meeting the next day before RAW, where he addressed the situation for the entire roster. The mood of the room was described to me as “grim” and “resigned” by two different sources. The phrase ‘best for business’ was used several times, and at the end of the meeting there were no concerns raised (which doesn’t, of course, mean that none were held). Another topic of discussion at the WWF’s meeting was the other huge item of news from the weekend, this one relating to WCW, which somehow managed to do something even more shocking than double crossing their world champion. After checking with several non-industry sources I can confirm that Ted Turner and his TimeWarner company have divested themselves entirely of World Championship Wrestling, selling to 31 year old banking scion Logan Jackson and his consortium Infinite Hallwayb Media. It is unknown at this time the exact terms of the sale, but it estimated to be in the eight-figure range. Also unknown are the circumstances that led to Turner, a self-proclaimed die hard wrestling fan, electing to sell, but rumors indicate that pressure from within the company finally got to him, while others are saying there is some sort of situation in his personal life that is requiring an influx of funds. Whatever the reasons for the sale, it is official, Ted Turner no longer owns WCW. Not much is known about WCW’s new owner, though I have received a few reports of interactions people have had with him, mainly at small indy shows in the north-east. How he will approach running WCW is at this time a complete unknown, and looks like it will stay that way for the immediate future, as sources have reported to me that the plan is to keep “business as usual” until Starrcade, then begin any major changes after the new year, at least as far as creative or contracts go. There are, however, two changes that are being implemented immediately, according to sources. The first is the founding of Power Plant Pro Wrestling, WCW’s first official developmental territory. Early reports indicate there will be contracts offered to several indy performers in an effort to tie them down for the future, as well as ensure they are working and training regularly. Reports also indicate that several workers on the WCW roster are being considered as potential candidates to be sent down for seasoning. Reports that Les Thatcher is running the day to day in collaboration with Jerry Jarrett as booker are thus far unconfirmed. The second change is an expanded drug testing policy, with clear repercussions for failure. The talent were told this by Eric Bischoff in an all-hands meeting before Nitro, and while the exact terms and repercussions have not been made clear yet, Bischoff was apparently very clear in stating that it would apply equally to all talent, regardless of pay and position on the card. This is a nice thought and good PR, it has never been achievable in practice, and could be a sign of Jackson’s naivete. Bischoff’s position appears safe for now, although how it will change remains to be seen. The same can be said for much of the WCW roster, including top stars Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Sting, and Ric Flair, all of whom have expressed concerns privately about a change in ownership. We will have more on both of these major stories as they develop. UP NEXT: Pick Em results for week one and quick hit news!

Thanks for the feedback! I'm definitely a words-guy, but I can see if I can selectively punch these up going forward. Is photobucket still the go-to, or has imugur surpassed them?

WWF Monday Night RAW- Week One, December 1997 Live from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Show opens with the usual pyro and ballyhoo and this Ontario crowd is HOT. Lots of Canadian flags, signs for the Hart Foundation, and the crowd is already chanting “We Want Bret” before anything has even happened. To say they are irate as Shawn Michaels’ music hits would be a massive understatement, as the place ERUPTS in boos. HBK has to dodge garbage being thrown at him as he enters the ring and grabs a mic. “What, not happy to see me?” he snarks. The boos only intensify from there. Shawn then proceeds to cut a scathing promo on Bret, Canada, and the WWF fans in general. He says he is glad that he finally beat Bret bad enough to send him running for ‘the old folk’s home down south’. After a couple minutes of the usual shtick he then pivots, saying there’s one thing he wants to clear up. “Lots of people who think they’re pretty smart seem to think that the only reason I’m champion is because Vince and I made some sort of deal. I’m here to tell you that I am nobody’s puppet, I do nobody’s dirty work, and I’m nobody’s fall guy!” The live crowd doesn’t entirely know what to make of this barb, which was aimed primarily at ‘smart’ fans, but continue to hurl abuse at the Champ. Shawn then calls on Vince to come out and “clear his name” and tell everyone that Shawn wasn’t in on whatever plan he had cooked up. Vince’s music hits but no one appears. Shawn appears put out by this, and the commentators speculate on if this is for real or just an act. Shawn ends up saying he’ll “get the answers one way or the other” and heads to the back. Rating: 95 Back from break with Match One: Goldust vs. Bob Holly Pretty standard opening match, nothing special or exciting, but the two guys have great chemistry. These two have no rivalry going in to this one, so the crowd isn’t super in to it, but they are both solid workers and busted butt to put on a decent match. Goldust gets the win after a Curtain Call. Winner: Goldust Rating: 64 We then cut to the back where Marc Mero and Sable are getting ready for their match later. He tells her to “stop showing (him) up”, with all the acting ability of a piece of carved wood. Sable is hot, and the crowd cares way more about her than Mero, and it’s not close. Rating: 69- No comment. Back from commercial we have Match Two: The Nation of Domination (D’Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa) vs. The Headbangers Sub-par match that really showcases the shallowness of the WWF tag division and lack of in-ring quality in the WWF undercard in general. Very basic tag match with no real heat, though the commentators tried to get it over as “two young teams trying to move up the ranks”. Match is pretty even, as in evenly unimpressive, and the Nation get the win after a Lo-Down frog splash. Winners: Nation of Domination Rating: 53 We then head to a pre-taped vignette with The Undertaker, emanating from a dark room that could be a church of some sort, or maybe a funeral parlor. Slickly produced, this video is the perfect example of what the WWF do well. The mood is dark, ominous as you’d expect. Taker doesn’t look in to the camera, rather it shoots him from profile or behind as he talks. “Paul Bearer, Kane… you speak of the past as if it holds no power. You speak of of revealing secrets like there are no repercussions to your actions. Paul Bearer I would think that you of all people would know not to speak of things that are beyond your comprehension. But it appears your lust for revenge has blinded you to the truths you once knew, and instead you speak of these things that are so far beyond you. You can not undo what you have done, Paul Bearer. You have opened Pandora’s Box and unleashed The Darkness. I have sworn that I will not fight my own flesh and blood. I will not fight Kane. The fires that have scarred him have not burned hot enough to undo the bond of blood. But Paul Bearer, your fate will not be as kind. You have unleashed The Darkness. And The Darkness will consume you until you Rest… In… Peace…” Rating: 93 We come back from a commercial with Match Three: Savio Vega vs. Ahmed Johnson These two guys try to get a fiery brawl going but it never quite catches steam, as the crowd just doesn’t buy Savio as a threat. They do some so-so fighting around ringside before Savio cheats to take over and controls for a couple of minutes. Ahmed makes the come-back in short order and takes the win clean with the Pearl City Plunge. Winner: Ahmed Johnson Rating: 61 We then get a shot in the back of DX in their locker room, conspiring. Triple H and Shawn talk more smack about the Harts, this time taking pot-shots at Owen, and say they’ve got to get Vince to come out and clear the air. Chyna stands there, looking more menacing than either of the guys. Rating: 99 Suffice it to say the Canadian crowd HATES DX. We go to commercial and come back to be greeted by Sunny, who comes out hawking the 1998 Ladies of the WWF calendar, of which she is the cover star! Total filler segment, but hey, hot chicks. Rating: 65 Speaking of hot chicks, here comes Sable, accompanying her man for Match Four- Marc Mero vs. Bart Gunn Another relatively nothing match. Crowd doesn’t care about Gunn at all and only cares about Mero when he’s interacting with Sable. Short match that is really an excuse to get Sable out there, with Mero taking the win after his TKO. Winner: Marc Mero Rating: 53 We then cut to the back as we get a quick segment as the New Age Outlaws attack the Legion of Doom in their locker room. They lay out the legendary tag team with the Tag Titles then put the boots to them. Simple and effective way to continue their feud. Rating: 65 We go to commercial and come back to Paul Bearer and Kane, somewhere in the bowels of the arena. Bearer cuts his usual over the top promo on the Undertaker while Kane lurks menacingly in the background. “Undertaker you speak of darkness… you may think you know darkness, but you forget one thing. Ooooohhhhh yesssss… You forget that fire pushes back the darkness. Fire reveals all… You may say that you will not fight your flesh and blood, but the fire erases the flesh! The fire boils the blood! The fire has left nothing but hatred and rage, Undertaker. And the fire will consume you…” Rating: 79 MAIN EVENT: The Nation of Domination (The Rock/Farooq) vs. Ken Shamrock and Vader Somewhat thrown together main event here, but a solid performance from all involved, if nothing spectacular. Main stories advanced are the dissension in the Nation and the Rock vs Shamrock subplot. Rock and Shamrock were definitely the standouts in this one, and Rock is looking like a major player. Match had a good amount of time, everyone got their moments to shine. Finish came when Farooq nailed Vader with a chair while Rock was distracting the ref. Rock got the pin after that, following his Rock Bottom, and proceeded to celebrate like he won the whole match single-handedly, since he didn’t see the chairshot. Farooq was not best pleased, but was happy enough with the win. Winners: The Rock and Farooq Rating: 80 One more commercial and we’re back for our final segment, as Stone Cold Steve Austin hits the ring, mic in hand, and calls out Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Vince McMahon, and anyone who wants to fight. He calls HBK a paper champion who needs the bosses help to get it done, and demands Vince come out and explain himself. Once again the boss doesn’t show, but DX does, jumping Austin and laying him out to a chorus of boos as the show goes off air. Rating: 100 Overall Rating: 85 Up next: The Dirtsheets weigh in, and the first pick’em standings!

WCW Monday Nitro, Week One, December, 1997 Live from the Rupp Arena in Kentucky your hosts are Tony Schivone, Bobby Heenan, and Mike Tenay. They greet us with the usual pyro and then the NWO’s music hits, cutting them off. The whole crew hit the ring, led by Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. They all look in incredibly high spirits, especially Kevin Nash, returning after a short absence. Syxx is last out, carrying a Canadian flag. Bischoff takes the mic, practically beaming. “What a crazy night last night was, huh?” he says to a chorus of boos. He goes on to cut a promo about some “big news” about the NWO’s “newest signing” he will be ready to announce very soon. The crowd, not missing a beat, begins chanting for Bret Hart. Everyone in the ring plays this up, and Hogan takes the mic. “You know something, the NWO is world-wide, brother, and we are the top of the charts for professional wrestling. We only want the best of the best, and it seems like we may be adding the best here real soon, if you know what I mean, dude.” The usual NWO suspects run through a quick-but-not-really-quick spiel of their catchphrases, all not so subtly hinting that Bret will be joining, but no one using his name outright. They end the segment by belting out a horrific rendition of “Oh Canada” to ‘set the mood for their new man’. Segment rating: 100- The crowd was super hot for this, obviously picking up what they were putting down. Match One- Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Kidman Total spotfest here, but definitely an exciting way to kick off Nitro. Rey is obviously the more polished of the two perfomers, and the result in this one was never in any doubt. Kidman still got his fair share of offense in, but Rey was the star of the match, winning with his sprinboard ‘rana. WINNER: Rey Mysterio, Jr. Rating: 67 After a commercial break we have a pre-taped vignette of Raven, alone in a dark room, set to ominous music. “They say you should judge the mettle of a man not by his friends, but by his enemies. You look at Raven, you see my Flock, you judge us because we don’t look the way people should look. You look at my Flock and you hate us, you revile us, you say we don’t belong here in WCW. Well I invite you to look again. Look at my enemies! Bill Goldberg, you come in to WCW like a lion and fed on lesser prey. Chris Benoit, you call yourself the crippler, but you’re nothing but a sociopath in tights. It’s why I respect you. But don’t think for one minute Goldberg, don’t think for a single moment, Benoit, that this ends anything but badly for you. There is a reckoning coming to WCW. A reckoning starting at Starrcade. And no one is safe. Quote the Raven… Nevermore.” Rating: 90 We head back to the ring for Match Two: Dean Malenko vs. Juventud Guerrera Another cruiserweight contest keeps us rolling, this one a classic high-flier vs. grappler combination that has really been Dean Malenko’s bread and butter since joining WCW. Back and forth action here, with neither man gaining an upper hand until Juvi takes a shortcut, poking Deano-Machino in the eye. Juvi hits a couple of flashy moves and goes for the kill with the 450 but misses, landing on his own knees. Dean jumps right on the chance, hitting a knee-breaker and dragon screw before immediately locking in the Cloverleaf for the submission victory! WINNER: Dean Malenko Rating: 71 We then throw to “Mean” Gene Okerlund in the back, introducing “The Total Package” Lex Luger. Luger has words for Buff Bagwell, and it’s every Lex Luger promo you’ve ever heard in your life. He even does the thumb-and-index-finger-line thing. A couple of minutes in Buff runs in and attacks him to the shock of no one. He lays Luger out and poses. Rating: 72 Back from another break and we’re treated to a Glacier vignette. Blood still running cold. Nothing exciting to see here. Rating: 38 Match Three is next as Goldberg takes on Mortis. This is one step above a total squash, as Goldberg takes Mortis apart with some stiff kicks before hitting the Spear and Jackhammer. Mortis sold like a champ and made Goldberg look even more dominant. Winner: Goldberg Rating: 58 We then get words from Ric Flair, who has thoughts on the impending Sting vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan match. “Nobody knows the Stinger better than I do. We’ve been up and down the roads, beating the hell out of each other for ten years now. We’ve been teammates and we’ve been rivals. I know the man better than anyone in this company. But for the last year the man I know hasn’t been around. The Sting I know can’t do anything but fight for what he believes in! You get him fired up and there’s nothing that can contain him. Nobody! But for the last year he hasn’t been fighting, he’s been sneaking around the rafters, watching this NWO come and decimate WCW, the company we’ve fought for! Bled for! Beat the HELL out of each other EVERY SINGLE NIGHT for! But all this new Sting, this Crow, does is watch and point! I don’t know this Sting.” Flair stops, taking a deep breath, composing himself. “But I do know this, Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Sting and I have battled and bled and fought for a decade, but we’ve never hated each other. In that time I’ve seen him fight monsters and crazy people, but he’s never hated them. BUT HOGAN, KNOW THIS! When I look in to the eyes of that man, that new Sting I don’t recognize, I look in those eyes and I don’t see the man I know. I look in those eyes and I see the same thing you do Hogan! I see HATRED!” He’s gone full Flair now, staring and shouting straight in to the camera. “STINGER! I don’t know what’s going through that mind of yours, and I don’t care. This isn’t about you! This isn’t about me! THIS IS ABOUT TAKING BACK THAT TITLE ONCE AND FOR ALL! It’s about RIDDING WCW OF THE CANCER ONCE AND FOR ALL! HOGAN! I HOPE YOU’RE READY! BECAUSE IF I KNOW STING AT ALL, YOU ARE IN FOR THE FIGHT OF YOUR LIFE! WOOOOOO!” Rating: 92 We go to commercial and come back to the ring where Randy Savage has a microphone. He starts to cut a nonsensical promo, not about much at all, when DDP slides in to the ring after coming through the crowd and nails him with a Diamond Cutter! DDP doesn’t say anything, just throws up the Diamond Cutter sign and heads back through the crowd. Crowd was WILD for this. Rating: 99 Back to the ring for Match Four: The Steiner Brothers vs. The Flock (Sick Boy and Hammer) This was, not to put too fine a point on it, legalized murder. The Steiner’s teased a little bit of dissension, mostly due to the ringside presence of Ted Dibiase, but it wasn’t enough to give the Flock a chance at the match. Scott takes the win after a vicious Steiner-line on Hammer. Rick isn’t in the mood to celebrate with Scott and Ted, however. WINNERS: The Steiner Brothers Rating: 62 We take a break and come back and once again Mean Gene is conducting an interview, this time with Booker T. Gene asks for his thoughts on the future of WCW with the upcoming Starrcade PPV. Booker cuts a surprisingly decent promo about how Sting isn’t just doing it for the ‘old guard’, but for ‘the next generation’ of WCW, the guys like Chris Benoit, the guys like Goldberg, and the guys like himself. He says that Sting has always been “The Franchise” and that he’s going to kick Hollywood Hulk Hogan’s ass. This gets a big pop, but also draws out Hogan, who takes a mic and basically calls Booker T a tag-team wrestler who will never win anything without his older brother. They tease a possible confrontation, with Hogan saying “If you want to find out what the NWO is all about, Brother, keep running your mouth.” Rating: 94 Main Event: Scott Hall vs. Ric Flair They gave this one a lot of time, building slowly, and it was far and away the match of the show. They definitely tried to give this one a ‘big match feel’ and were mostly successful, the only real downside being that Hall and Flair had no real issue coming in, so the crowd seemed to be waiting for the inevitable interference, which was provided by Kevin Nash who hit a big boot and powerbomb while Hall distracted the ref, letting his partner get the win. Still a very good match, but the finish definitely felt choreographed. WINNER: Scott Hall Show ends with a HUGE post-match brawl, as just about every major player from both WCW and the NWO get involved, with the Giant pairing off with Nash, continuing their feud. The NWO have the upper hand until Sting appears, bat in hand, and lays everyone in Black and White out. The WCW crew try to embrace him, but he keeps his distance, instead just staring daggers at Hogan. Rating: 94 Overall Show Rating: 89

Thanks for the kind words and well wishes, folks. We are home from hospital so work can keep going, just intermittently. In the mean time I guess I should announce the rules and tease the prize for the PICK 'EM CONTEST. Pick em's will run from now til Wrestlemania. Each episode of Nitro/Raw and any PPVs will be in play, but not the Saturday Night B-shows. Each match correct is one point, and for a BONUS POINT predict who will have the better Monday Night show (based on OVERALL GRADE). All predictions will have to be in before that week's Nitro is posted, or the PPV if that's the case. I'll try to give a warning post a few hours in advance. (Consider this the warning for week one Monday Night Wars) The prize? Well, I'm not going to outright tell you, because that'd be a spoiler, but let me just say there is a worker I'm using the editors god-like-power to keep at bay for a while, and the winner of the Pick 'Em will get to decide where they land! This person could end up being a MAJOR PLAYER, so the winner's choice could possibly swing the tide of the Monday Night War! So get your picks in (and don't forget the bonus point!)

Was originally planning on having the cards up today but I am currently writing from the hospital following the birth of my first son! Momma and Baby are good, but diary will have to wait a bit. Keep those pick'ems coming!

<p><strong>WrestleGuide.com's Week One Monday Night War Preview! </strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong>WCW Nitro</strong></p><p> </p><p> Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Kidman</p><p> </p><p> Juventud Guerrera vs Dean Malenko</p><p> </p><p> Goldberg vs Mortis </p><p> </p><p> Steiner Brothers vs The Flock (Hammer and Sick Boy)</p><p> </p><p> Scott Hall vs Ric Flair</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>WWF Monday Night RAW</strong></p><p> </p><p> Goldust vs Bob Holly</p><p> </p><p> Headbangerz vs Nation of Domination (D'Lo and Kama)</p><p> </p><p> Savio Vega vs Ahmed Johnson</p><p> </p><p> Marc Mero vs Bart Gunn</p><p> </p><p> The Rock & Farooq vs Vader & Ken Shamrock</p>

<p>Ottawa, Ontario, Canada- Five hours before RAW, </p><p> </p><p> It had been a very long night. </p><p> </p><p> “He’s selling?” Vince echoed, not believing his ears. Prichard nodded. </p><p> </p><p> “I was with JR when he got the call from our guy inside. Turner signed everything over today. The tape library, the trademarks, everything.” </p><p> </p><p> “To who?” </p><p> </p><p> “Some young money mark. Banking family, old money. Don’t know much about him, really,” Prichard answered. </p><p> </p><p> “Well find out damnit! If we’re going to be at war we have to know who we’re fighting!” </p><p> </p><p> Prichard nodded and left Vince’s office, riding with JR and Patterson to Ottawa for the next night’s RAW, making calls the whole time. McMahon also made calls as he travelled to the next town, trying to smooth things over with Foley, Austin, and Calloway. </p><p> </p><p> “Take tomorrow off, Mick,” he said to the New York native. “Think about what’s best for your family and get back to me.” </p><p> </p><p> McMahon knew Foley would come to his senses. The last batch of calls on his plate, however, he was less sure about. </p><p> </p><p> Owen didn’t answer. Vince was relieved, but not surprised. He left a message saying to call him back, then did the same for Davey Boy, not bothering with Anvil, who was on a night-to-night deal anyway. He didn’t expect to see any of them at RAW. </p><p> </p><p> After a mere two hours of sleep McMahon and his team re-convened at the hotel to discuss what they knew.</p><p> </p><p> “He’s keeping Eric,” JR began. “They watched the show together last night.” </p><p> </p><p> Vince nodded slowly. This wasn’t great news. It meant this new owner, whoever he was, wouldn’t be flying blind. </p><p> </p><p> “What else do we know?” Vince asked.</p><p> </p><p> The answer was not a lot. There were some whispers that WCW was planning some sort of developmental arrangement with someone, but no word on who or where. </p><p> </p><p> “We should get Davis on the phone and put the OVW deal in writing. Make it exclusive,” Cornette offered. </p><p> </p><p> “Yeah, and start locking down some of the kids from the Funkin’ Conservatory camps.” Ross added. Brisco and Prichard nodded in agreement. </p><p> </p><p> “Fine. Get it done,” McMahon said to Ross. “Are they staying on Turner networks?” </p><p> </p><p> “We don’t know,” Ross answered. “My guy has heard it’s business as usual for now, but long term…” he trailed off. </p><p> </p><p> That was the story with just about everything about WCW’s mysterious new owner. Lots of rumor, no hard facts. </p><p> </p><p> Changing course, Vince went over the bullet-points Patterson had put together for that afternoon’s all hands meeting, those same bullet-points Vince was now dutifully reciting to the room full of wrestlers, production staff, and creatives. </p><p> </p><p> “The important thing to know is that I didn’t do what I did out of spite, or some grudge. I did it because it was what’s best for business,” he repeated for what felt like the thousandth time that day. He saw a few heads nodding in agreement, mainly younger heads, eager to have their shot to step up in to a main event spot. That’s how he had phrased it to Dwayne, when the youngster had approached him that morning, upset and worried. </p><p> </p><p> The meeting was easier than Vince expected, all things considered, right up until the very end. </p><p> </p><p> “What about what’s happening in Atlanta?” Jeff Jarrett asked. Vince held his poker face but swore internally. </p><p> </p><p> “We know about as much as all of you,” Vince answered honestly. “Turner’s sold up to some banker. Outside of that it’s all speculation.” </p><p> </p><p> Murmurers broke out and Vince realized that this was the first many of his roster were hearing of the news. He raised his hands to quiet them and continued. </p><p> </p><p> “All you need to know is that our job remains the same. It doesn’t matter the opposition. We are going to go out there and knock them dead tonight, and start building to Wrestlemania!” </p><p> </p><p> There was a smattering of applause, again mostly from the younger set, but Vince was relieved to see Mark Calloway nodding in agreement. He was the locker room leader, to use the boys’ parlance, and if Vince lost him thing would only get worse…</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Meanwhile, at Nitro-</p><p> </p><p> The wrestlers and producers all eyed Bischoff warily. These all-hands meetings had come to hold a somewhat bad reputation in the eyes of many, mainly due to Eric’s over-the-top, bombastic nature. Bischoff noted several cliques all grouped together, Hogan and his crew, Flair and his, Paul Wight off on his own, increasingly isolated. He’d have to warn Jackson that the backstage politics were severe and precarious, remind him that he needed someone like himself to keep things running smoothly. </p><p> </p><p> “I’m sure you all have heard by now why you’re here,” Eric began, trying to project a feeling of calm authority. “The rumors are true. As of yesterday afternoon WCW is no longer owned or operated by Ted Turner or Turner Networks.” </p><p> </p><p> There was no low murmur of surprise, no shocked reactions, just steely-faced nods and jaded indifference. </p><p> </p><p> “I want everyone here to know that as far as we’re concerned it’s business as usual. We have Starrcade at the end of this month, and that is our entire focus. Last night I met with Logan Jackson, our new owner, and he assured me that there will be no major changes heading in to Starrcade. Everyone’s spot is safe, nobody’s money is getting cut, everything is business as usual.” </p><p> </p><p> “But what about after Starrcade?” Beefcake asked, causing Eric to wonder just why in the world he was even there. He hadn’t been booked for weeks. Hulk probably clued him in.</p><p> </p><p> “After Starrcade there will likely be some reassessments. Mr. Jackson is going to be taking a hands on role with creative, but won’t be doing so alone. We haven’t sorted out the fine details yet but I expect it to look very similar to the booking committee format we’ve used before, just with someone new having the final say.” </p><p> </p><p> “Is he here?” Jericho asked from toward the back of the room. Eric smiled. Jericho was one of the people Jackson had singled out in their conversation the night before as a potential star. </p><p> </p><p> “As a matter of fact, he is,” Eric said. “He’s in one of the luxury boxes and will be taking in tonight’s show, so go out there and impress him!” He laughed, slightly, knowing how corny he sounded. </p><p> </p><p> “When do we get to meet the guy?” Flair asked solemnly. It took Eric a great effort to keep his smile in place, not to react to the ‘Nature Boy’. </p><p> </p><p> “Great question as always Ric, straight to the point,” Eric said, dripping with insincerity. “Mr. Jackson’s going to reaching out through Janie Engel to set up meetings with everyone, and he wanted me to emphasize this, everyone over the next week or so.”</p><p> </p><p> There were a few nods around the room, mainly from younger guys, but the veterans stayed stony-faced. </p><p> </p><p> “Any other questions?” Bischoff asked. </p><p> </p><p> He was answered by a wall of silence. He clapped his hands together. </p><p> </p><p> “Alright guys, go have a great show!”</p><p> </p><p> The room slowly emptied out, save for Bischoff and a lone man wearing a PRODUCTION CREW polo-shirt and WCW hat. Bischoff approached him slowly, smiling.</p><p> </p><p> “Told you they wouldn’t look twice at you,” he said to the man. Taking off his cap Logan smiled back. </p><p> </p><p> “You’re one for one, Eric. Good call,” Jackson replied. “Not going to lie, I’m a little surprised by the mood of that meeting.”</p><p> </p><p> Eric didn’t let his poker face drop.</p><p> </p><p> “Wrestlers aren’t great with change. Give it a few weeks, start to get to know them, and you’ll see they’re a good bunch.” </p><p> </p><p> Jackson nodded silently. Bischoff, not wanting to give him time to ruminate, pushed on. </p><p> </p><p> “C’mon, let’s go get some lunch then you can sit in while we put the show together. I know this great little barbecue place…” </p><p> </p><p> <strong>NEXT: NITRO AND RAW CARDS ANNOUNCED</strong></p>

So the reliability of the 'focus characters' is definitely going to be a consideration (this is pro wrestling, after all, a carny business...) I wasn't intending this to be a lie. As far as I've ever been aware WCW was making money for at least a couple of years while they were hot. But if you want to start doubting Sleazy E... I mean Easy E this early, you're just getting a jump on the rest of the class... Thanks for reading!

He's basically a stand in for me, highly fictionalized (because lord knows I'd never be able to afford a wrestling promotion!) Thanks for reading!

<p>Later that night- </p><p> </p><p> Eric entered the hotel room of Logan Jackson with no idea what to expect, yet somehow still found himself surprised. Jackson greeted him himself, and Eric found that his new boss did not fit the image of a banking-family scion he’d been holding on to. Jackson was average height, slender, and young. Eric thought he looked about 25 but it turned out he had just turned 31. He was dressed in slacks and a button down, sleeves rolled up, no tie. Eric had worn his standard- blue jeans, black t-shirt, and a leather jacket. Jackson smiled as he opened the door.</p><p> </p><p> “Eric, thank you for coming. I’m sure this has all been a shock for you.” </p><p> </p><p> Eric smiled, hoping he looked affable, well aware of his nature to come off as condescending to people he didn’t know. </p><p> </p><p> “Life is change, right?” Eric asked, following Jackson to the sitting area of the suite. He was greeted by the sight of a spread worthy of any Superbowl party- beer, wings, chips and guacamole, and more. </p><p> </p><p> Jackson chuckled, seeming slightly embarrassed.</p><p> </p><p> “I, uh, hope you’re hungry. I kind of went a little overboard with the pay-per-view prep…” </p><p> </p><p> Bischoff forced a laugh. </p><p> </p><p> “Sounds like a party!” he said, throwing his arms wide. “Cold beer and wings? What else do we need?”</p><p> </p><p> The two men sat down, each taking a beer. </p><p> </p><p> “So…” Jackson began. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions.” Bischoff nodded. “I just want to start off by saying that I love what you’ve done to get WCW to where it’s at now, and it’s vitally important to what I have plans that I keep you on board.” </p><p> </p><p> This was, to put it mildly, a huge relief to Eric. What that meant, however, was still of great concern. </p><p> </p><p> “Well thank you. I hope to get the chance to see it through.” </p><p> </p><p> Jackson nodded. </p><p> </p><p> “Well, your role won’t be exactly the same, but I definitely want you to know I intend to use you to the best of my, and hopefully your, abilities.”</p><p> </p><p> “And what does that entail?” Bischoff asked, hoping he sounded less worried than he felt. </p><p> </p><p> “Well, I’m not entirely sure what to call it besides ‘second in command’.” Jackson replied. “I want you to be my main liaison with the wrestlers, especially at first, as they get to know me. I know they won’t trust me much at first, so I’ll need you there to keep things running smoothly. I also need someone who knows the TV side of things, and I know you fit that bill, you and your boy Hervey.” </p><p> </p><p> “So you want me to keep doing what I’m doing, but you’ll be the final decision maker?” Bischoff surmised. Jackson smiled. </p><p> </p><p> “Pretty much. I don’t want to rock the boat too much at first. As far as I’m concerned it’s business as usual until Starrcade is in the books. After the first of the year we’ll start making some changes, start thinking about the future…” </p><p> </p><p> “Uh huh.” Bischoff said, unable to contain some of his skepticism. “So you’d take the lead on creative?” If Jackson took offense at the tone he didn’t show it. </p><p> </p><p> “Yes. I still intend to keep a creative team around, probably quite a few of the same people you have now. You’d be a part of it, of course, but at the end of the day I’ll be steering the ship. I have a vision for WCW, Eric, and I think we can make it a reality.” </p><p> </p><p> Eric was struck by the conviction in Jackson’s voice, as well as the look on his face. The younger man seemed to have air about him that Eric had only seen once or twice before, the look of the massively successful and entirely focused. Eric couldn’t help but be drawn in.</p><p> </p><p> “And what vision is that?” </p><p> </p><p> Jackson smiled wide. </p><p> </p><p> “I see the future of WCW as being more than just a pro-wrestling brand. I see it as being an entire industry on to itself. And I’m not talking about McMahon’s ‘Sports Entertainment’ side show, I mean a real, viable, world-wide presence. Multiple shows a week running under the WCW banner, companies within the greater company. I want you to picture this, Eric. A WCW network.” </p><p> </p><p> He spoke so quickly, so passionately that it left Bischoff reeling. He had expected the younger man to answer with some platitude, some empty dream of ‘kicking Vince’s ass!’ or something similar, not a serious, fully formed vision, let alone one that actually appealed to Eric.</p><p> </p><p> Eric sat silently, rolling his new boss’ words over in his mind as the Survivor Series began. They watched the show together over beers, each picking the other’s brain, Eric trying to find out more about Jackson’s philosophy on wrestling and vision for the company, and Jackson trying to get his first taste of ‘behind the curtain’ knowledge of the business. Despite his reservations, Bischoff was impressed. Jackson seemed to have good instincts for storytelling, especially for someone without any experience. There was a lot of potential there, Eric thought, enough that he could guide and mold his young boss, with any luck all the way to the bank.</p><p> </p><p> “I think that we need to start building for the future. Hulk Hogan is the biggest star the business has ever seen, and guys like Flair and Savage are all time greats, but we have to start thinking about what comes next,” Jackson said. </p><p> </p><p> Eric asked who he had in mind, and the two men spent the better part of an hour discussing who the “next big thing” in wrestling could potentially be. At one point Jackson produced a small piece of paper with several names on it, ones Bischoff faintly recognized but couldn’t pick out of a line up. </p><p> </p><p> “What’s this?” Bischoff asked. Jackson smiled. </p><p> </p><p> “These are going to be the first signings to Power Plant Championship Wrestling.” </p><p> </p><p> Bischoff just stared at him. Jackson pushed on.</p><p> </p><p> “We’re opening up a developmental territory. Someplace to send the young guys to get them reps without having to rush them on to TV before they’re ready. I’ve already started the process of setting it up.” </p><p> </p><p> Bischoff was once again at a loss for words. He was beginning to realize that this was no spur of the moment decision made by some rich kid looking to live his dream, but a highly planned business purchase. Despite his lingering, and in some case growing reservations, Bischoff was impressed. </p><p> </p><p> “We probably have a few guys on the roster now who could use those reps.” Bischoff replied. Jackson nodded. </p><p> </p><p> “For sure. Once we get past Starrcade we can draw up a list, get them down there. These are just a few guys from the indies I’ve been a fan of. We’ll need some experienced guys to help bring them along and flesh out the roster down there, as well. If there’s nobody we can spare we can bring them in from outside. Can you see why I need you, yet?” Jackson said with a laugh. “I don’t know everything, but I know enough to know I can’t do this without someone like you, Eric.” </p><p> </p><p> Bischoff nodded. He found the younger man’s candor and honesty. Years of being in the business would turn anyone jaded, so Bischoff found the almost naive quality encouraging. He’d be open to suggestion and feedback, Bischoff hoped, not an iron-fisted tyrant. There was just one more thing to discuss. </p><p> </p><p> “What are your plans for Hulk?” Bischoff asked. “You know he’s… not always the easiest to work with. You have to know how to… how to interact with him.” </p><p> </p><p> Jackson took a long drink of beer and sat back, a small smile forming.</p><p> </p><p> “Yeah, I’ve read as much,” he said. Bischoff bristled, about to launch in to a tirade against the dirt sheets, but Jackson continued. “That’s going to be your number one job, I think. Chief Liaison to the Hulkster,” he finished with a laugh. </p><p> </p><p> Bischoff nodded, thinking to himself that his position was as good as it could hope to be, given the circumstances. It had been the strangest 24 hours in recent memory, he decided, but it looked like he was going to survive this transition mostly unscathed. </p><p> </p><p> The strangeness wasn’t quite over, though. </p><p> </p><p> Bischoff and Jackson watched the main event of Survivor Series together, tossing ideas back and forth for how best to use their new signing. Eric was on the edge of his seat the whole match, wondering how it would play out. The finish left both of them stunned. Jackson gawked at the screen in disbelief while Bischoff sat forward intently, watching Bret spell out WCW with his fingers, a small smile spreading to his face. </p><p> </p><p> “What… just… happened?” Jackson asked slowly. Bischoff’s grin was spreading. </p><p> </p><p> “Vince just made the biggest mistake of his life.” </p><p> </p><p> <strong>NEXT: A Tale of Two Talent Meetings </strong></p>

Atlanta, GA- Four hours earlier. Eric Bischoff had not been expecting the call. Being summoned, out of the blue, to Ted Turner’s office for a sit-down with the big boss was always a sign that something was afoot. Something big. Eric wasn’t the type to worry, but he spent the ride over to CNN Center going over possible scenarios in his mind. He’d been fighting some of the Turner brass lately, going back and forth over their decision to add a second weekly show to their plate. He understood their reasoning, the business was as hot as it had ever been and WCW was finally turning a profit, but what they didn’t understand was that the roster wasn’t ready to take on that kind of burden. They had been going back and forth, the decision still up in the air. Would they really go straight to the big boss over it? There was the other, perhaps more likely possibility, that Ted had heard and developed reservations about their impending signing of Bret Hart. Barring any last minute complications Bret was expected to drop the WWF title to Shawn Michaels in the next two days, either at Survivor Series that night in Montreal or RAW the next night in Ottawa, freeing him to join WCW in time for Starrcade. Maybe, Eric thought with a small smile forming, Ted was calling him in to congratulate him on this latest coup. The elevator ride up to Ted’s office was just long enough for his usual unflappable confidence to sag, only slightly. After being greeted by Ted’s secretary Eric steeled himself and entered Turner’s office. Turner rose from behind his desk to greet him, extending a hand and offering him a chair. Eric smiled, still feeling a nagging sensation that something was right, and sat. “Thanks for coming on such short notice, Eric,” Ted began. Eric nodded amicably, all smiles, projecting the calm confidence he couldn’t quite bring himself to feel. “I wouldn’t call you in, but… well…” Turner trailed off. “This is just too big, and I want you to hear it from me.” Eric felt an entirely unfamiliar knot form in the pit of his stomach. This was not a congratulations call, that much was obvious. He did his best to remain calm. “What’s going on, boss?” he asked. Turner smiled, but it wasn’t the gregarious, good-ol-boy smile Eric had come to know, rather a small smile, almost rueful. “Well Eric, I knew the day would come at some point, but I didn’t think it’d be so soon. I’m getting out of the wrestling business.” Whatever Eric had been expecting it wasn’t that. He couldn’t have been more shocked if Turner had stood on his desk, dropped trow, and slapped Eric across the face with Little Teddy. Bischoff, a man who prided himself on never being at a loss for words, floundered. “What?” he asked, bringing a chuckle from the other man. “Well Eric, I wasn’t planning on it, at least not yet, but the board has been chomping at me for a long time now, and I got an offer I just couldn’t refuse.” “But Ted, we’re on top of the world. We’re making money! Hell, we’re practically printing money! You can’t cash out now,” Eric implored, finding his voice. Turner held up a hand to stop him. “I know Eric, I know,” he said. “But there are things happening outside of that. I uh, I can’t get in to specifics, lawyers, you know…” he trailed off. Eric sat in silence, staring at his apparently former boss. The knot in his stomach tightening as a terrible thought formed in his mind. “You didn’t… it wasn’t…” Eric stuttered out. Turner regarded him for a moment before realizing what the younger man was trying to ask. “Sell to New York? Hell no, Eric. I’m insulted you’d even ask that.” Eric let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Okay,” he said, more to himself than Turner. “So what exactly is happening?” Turner stood and stretched, suddenly looking more old, more tired than he had just a moment before. This pained him, Bischoff could tell. It wasn’t something he was happy to be doing. “Basically some young pup is following in my footsteps. He loves ‘rasslin and wants to take over the world with it,” Turner chuckled. “His family is old money, banking, but he’s put together a neat little outfit, got some real celebrity behind it. I think you’ll like him, I really do. You two seem to have the same type of… vision. I think you’ll take this even further.” A million questions were running through Bischoff’s head. Would he still be in charge? Hell, would he still even have a job? What about the network, will Nitro still be on tomorrow? Ted, seemingly able to see this, continued. “I’ve spoken with him and he was very insistent that I convince you to stay on,” he said. Eric nodded. “ I really think you should. I know it will be… different… for you, not being the one to call all the shots, but I really do want to see you put McMahon down and out for good.” Turner and Bischoff spoke, all told, for about half an hour. As they finished Ted shook Eric’s hand and handed him a business card in the name of Logan Jackson. “This is the new boss, huh?” Bischoff asked wryly. Ted chuckled and thumped him on the back. “Give him a call straight away. He told me he wanted you to come over and watch whatever show New York is putting on tonight. He’s staying at the Hilton.” As Bischoff took the long elevator ride down from Ted’s office he pondered what the future might hold. Stopping at his office he sat at his desk (for the last time? He briefly wondered) and called the number on the card. “Mr. Jackson?” he asked when the phone was answered. “I hear you want to watch some wrestling…” NEXT: First impressions, chaos, and a night no one will ever forget… OOC: So I’m just getting my new laptop set up with TEW after receiving some top notch tech support, so I’m very grateful this dairy required a little prologue action to give me some time to get ready and ahead. Stick with me, folks, the ‘rasslin (and sports entertainment!) is coming!

Vince McMahon sat alone in his office, an ice-pack on his ankle, one hand trying to rub some feeling back into his bruised jaw, desperate for a few moments of solitude. Since the end of the Pay Per View roughly three hours before Vince’s night had been a succession of new hells, starting with an angry Undertaker and culminating in getting sucker punched by his now former World Champion. Gerry Brisco had stepped on his ankle, adding insult to injury, and his phone had been ringing almost off the hook. It had been the right thing to do, he told himself. The only thing to do, really. This was the WWF World Championship, the biggest, most prestigious title in Sports Entertainment. It was symbolic of everything the McMahon family had built. It must be protected, no matter the cost. He had tried to explain it as best he could to the train of people who had barged in to the office, from Mark, fully out of character but fully pissed off, to Prichard and Brisco, who understood the reasoning but were furious they weren’t in the loop, to Ross, more concerned with the risk of a revolt in the locker room. “We’ll deal with all that tomorrow, Jim,” Vince replied, too exhausted to muster much conviction behind it. “I understand Vince, just thought you should know. Mick and Mark were both pretty hot, and of course there’s Owen and Bulldog…” Ross drawled. It was obvious the Oklahoman didn’t approve of the night’s events, but he possessed enough tact to hold his objections in check. “Mark and Mick will do what’s best for business,” Vince said decisively. He trusted Mark Calloway to the ends of the Earth, and while he was less sure about Mick Foley he was banking on Mick’s lack of other options, knowing he didn’t part well with WCW, and ECW couldn’t begin to offer him comprable money. Mick was one of the cheapest men he’d ever met, and had two small children to consider. He would likely take more convincing, but McMahon knew JR would be up to the task. “What about Owen and Bulldog…?” Ross asked. “Damnit Ross, we can sort out the rest of them tomorrow!” Vince snapped. Ross nodded and beat a hasty retreat, leaving McMahon once again alone. He had a plan, of course. This wasn’t a spur of the moment decision. For the last few weeks Vince and his select confidants had gone back and forth and back and forth, agonizing over the possible outcomes, before ultimately deciding such a drastic action was needed. They knew it wouldn’t only affect Hart, but the entire roster. There would need to be an all-hands meeting before RAW the next day. He’d already told Pat Patterson to start drawing up some bullet points. The boys trusted Pat, probably more than him, more than any of the agents, Vince knew. He had to protect Pat’s image, make sure none of the stink of this got on him, even though he was in the know. The same went for Shawn. Shawn had played his part well. His shock, even disgust had seemed real. The touch of Brisco having to tell him to “Hold the belt up” was perfect. It was something most of the viewing audience wouldn’t have noticed but ‘the boys’ couldn’t have missed. Vince knew the backlash toward his champion would be intense and potentially undermine his long-term viability, so projecting the image that Shawn was in the dark was vital. Vince had sent Finkel with a small note to Shawn to show up early the next day so they could meet in private before the all hands meeting. The only person who had the decency to not come knocking at the door that night had been Russo, though he had called. “Boss, if ya need me just call. I’m already at the hotel getting ready for tomorrow,” he had said, New York accent blaring through the phone. “Thank you, Vince,” McMahon answered. “See you tomorrow.” McMahon was starting to contemplate heading for the hotel himself when he heard yet another knock on the door. “God damnit what do you want?” He barked, patience now entirely gone. “Vince, it’s me,” came the voice of Bruce Prichard, opening the door enough to stick his head in. He looked pale, shocked, which struck Vince as odd. When he’d seen Bruce last, less than an hour ago, the Texan was all business, seemingly unphased by the night’s events. “We need to talk.” Something was clearly wrong. Something else. “Damnit Bruce can’t it wait? JR’s working on the boys, Pat’s putting together notes for the all-hands, Kevin’s handling the production crew, what else could there possibly be tonight?” Vince demanded, exasperation taking hold. Prichard shook his head. “I think you’ll want to hear this,” he said quietly. Vince gestured for him to get on with it. “We just got a call. Something is happening down south. Something big.” Next time: Something Happening Down South

Imagine, if you will, a world where WCW was not run by idiots, where the inmates never quite took over the asylum, and where AOL-Time Warner never were in the position to pull the plug on them. Imagine a world where Bret Hart wasn't wildly misused from Day One, and instead was able to actually contribute. Imagine a world, in short, where WCW stood a fighting chance. Imagine a world where Shawn Michaels didn't suffer his back injury at Royal Rumble 98. Imagine if he had been able to continue to take part in the ascendancy of the Attitude Era. Imagine a world where maybe, just maybe, Stone Cold Steve Austin's success wasn't guaranteed. You are about to step in to that world. In this diary I will be running both WCW and WWF in the Post Montreal mod. There will be some radical changes as I attempt to save WCW from its most grizzly of fates, but I will do my best to Role-Play Vince McMahon and keep the WWF as close to real life as possible, in the spirit and attitude if not every individual decision. I tried a diary like this once before, so for the two or three of you who actually read it some of the early days here may look a little similar, though I hope better written. There will be a good bit of backstory before we get in to the Monday after that fateful night in Montreal, so join me as we explore all that could have been...

<p><strong>The Wrestling Observer Weekend Update</strong></p><p> </p><p> Several <strong>WCW</strong> sources have confirmed to me that the new ownership group has begun holding meetings with top talent to discus the long-term vision of the company. The current tag-line being unofficially used is "The Sport of the New Millennium", and this will reflect an increased focus on the in-ring competition, stressing the skill and athleticism of the wrestlers. While the focus will not be entirely in-ring, ala the traditional Japanese style, it will see a decrease in the more sluggish, 80's WWF style work that has dominated parts of the card. </p><p> </p><p> One wrestler reported to be concerned about this is <strong>Hulk Hogan</strong>, who has been the focus of WCW since arriving in 1994. The current feud he is engaged in with <strong>Sting</strong> has been building for over a year, and there appears to be some concern that Hogan may attempt to back out of the planned finish due to his worries about his position going forward. <strong>Eric Bischoff </strong>is said to be acting as liason between Hogan and his camp and the new management, and a closed doors meeting is planned before this week's Nitro. </p><p> </p><p> One wrestler in line to benefit from the changes in direction seems to be <strong>Chris Jericho</strong>, who as we noted earlier in the week has bulked up considerably with a view to a bigger push. He has been hinting at a heel turn in recent weeks, and the current plan seems to be for him to feud with one of the Horsemen after <strong>Starrcade</strong>, likely<strong> Ric Flair </strong>or <strong>Chris Benoit</strong>. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>The Dudley Boyz </strong>are in line for a big push in the tag division upon their debuts. </p><p> </p><p> On the <strong>WWF</strong> side of the isle it is full steam ahead with their plan to make <strong>"Stone Cold" Steve Austin</strong> the biggest star in the business. He has caught the imagination of the fans in a huge way and <strong>Vince McMahon </strong>is hopeful that the Texan can help swing the tide in the Monday Night Wars. </p><p> </p><p> It is also worth noting that McMahon himself has been receiving a lot of heat any time he appears on camera since the Montreal Incident, and now that he's been "outed" as real-life owner of the WWF, we may see him step further in to the authority figure role, especially as a foil to Austin. </p><p> </p><p> Vignettes have been shot to lead up to the debut of <strong>Vampiro</strong>, who will be known as <strong>Azazel</strong>, a name he helped pick out himself based upon his interest in the occult and demonology. <strong>Bruce Prichard</strong> was the producer of the spots. The "demonic" nature of the character would be a natural fit for a program with <strong>The Undertaker</strong>, but considering Undertaker is locked in a long-term feud with <strong>Kane</strong>, this is unlikely in the short term. No word on who Azazel will be feuding with upon his debut. </p><p> </p><p> The WWF continues to re-think its plans for a light-heavyweight division. Current ideas on the table are attempting to partner with another, foreign, promotion. <strong>Jim Ross </strong>and Bruce Prichard are the two main voices arguing in favor of a strong LHW division, seeking to counter one of WCW's unique features, and while McMahon has never been one to feature "smaller guys" or work well with other promotions, they seem to be winning his approval. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Sable </strong>is being trained by <strong>Dr. Tom Prichard </strong>for an in-ring debut, possibly at the <strong>Royal Rumble</strong>. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Stay tuned for more news and ratings.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="WilburTrey" data-cite="WilburTrey" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46598" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Great start so far. I will be reading. <p> </p><p> The only thing I will suggest, is bolding result numbers, and or matches to kind of help them stand apart?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> Yeah, still working out the best way to go about formatting the shows. Thanks for the tip, and thanks for reading!</p>

The B Show Block for Week 2, December, 1997 Welcome back to Online Galaxy of Wrestling for our weekly recap of the Saturday Night B-shows! Up first is the WWF's offering, Shotgun Saturday Night. We are just over a week away from the Fed's final PPV offering of the year, Armageddon, and things seem to be shaping up for an epic conclusion for 1997! DISCIPLES OF APOCALYPSE vs LOS BORIQUAS The show opens up with a tag match, which they were trying to get over as a big brawl, but the crowd absolutely crapped all over Skull of DOA. Match dragged on way too long despite going less than ten minutes, and Savio picked up the win for his team. Real dud. RATING: 45 Back from break we get Sable out to sell some merch. Total cheesecake segment, but the crowd dug it. RATING: 64 STEVE BLACKMAN vs THE SULTAN Fairly dull match here. Neither guy is great in the ring, though Blackman continues to be under-rated. The Sultan REALLY needs a different gimmick, as he's dying out there with this presentation. Blackman picks up the win with his Axe Kick. RATING: 52 Back from break we get a pre-taped skit with Paul Bearer and Kane. Another slickly produced vingette here, dark and foreboding, looking almost like something out of Psycho by Hitchcock. Bearer cuts a promo on the Undertaker, talking about the sins of his past, the darkness in his soul, and the fiery wrath Kane is there to unleash. Yet another very well produced segment, something the WWF has been really amping up lately. RATING: 77 BRIAN CHRISTOPHER vs FLASH FUNK Our final match of the night was a bit of a train-wreck, as these two just did not click at all. Neither guy was bad, per se, they just couldn't get their timing down for anything, which was a real disappointment. RATING: 41 Show ends with a promo from the Nation of Domination, The Rock, Farrooq, Kama, and D-Lo Brown. This was basically a vehicle for The Rock to do more mic work and continue to "tease" the break up of the Nation. They're not being particularly subtle with the tension between Rock and Farrooq, but I guess they don't need to be. The Rock is going to be a STAR, and he looked the part here. RATING: 84 OVR 53 Very skippable show. The interviews/video packages were good, but nothing we aren't getting each Monday on RAW. Disappointing show. On the other side of the isle we have WCW Saturday Night, the Mothership, continuing the build to Starrcade and Sting vs Hogan. ABISMO NEGRO vs CHAVO GUERRERO JR Abismo Negro is another debuting luchador, and he has a good deal of buzz surrounding him due to his recent good performances and rising popularity in Mexico. Fun little lucha-match, with Negro getting a somewhat surprising win over the more established Chavito, and looking damn good while doing it. RATING: 63 We then get a pre-taped promo from Rick and Scott Steiner, talking about all the rumors and whispers flying around, saying they aren't seeing eye to eye. They say that those rumors are "bunk" and that the Steiner brothers are going to take 1998 by storm. This was fine. RATING 74 MORTIS vs FANTASMA Total squash here for Mortis. Less of a match and more of an exhibition for Mortis' flashy moves, which he seems to be going to more and more, something even the commentators take note of. Crowd could not possibly care any less about Fantasma. RATING: 50 In the back new interviewer Beulah McGillicutty is standing by with Booker T, who cuts a promo announcing he's entered in the US Title Tournament. He says Harlem Heat "isn't done" but he's going to focus on making it on his own. Decent promo. RATING: 61 LEX LUGER vs FIT FINLAY You'd think that Fit Finlay would be able to drag a decent match out of ol' Flexy Lexy, but you'd be wrong. This was a dull affair featuring the usual Luger spots and little else. Commentators spent the whole match talking about his feud with Buff Bagwell. RATING: 50 Next up we have Mean Gene holding the microphone for The Macho Man Randy Savage and Liz, who cut a promo on DDP. He says dodges all of Gene's questions like a good heel, instead ranting and raving about DDP. Fairly typical, but the crowd is really in to this feud. RATING: 92 KIDMAN vs BLITZKRIEG This was a spotfest to end all spotfests, both guys leaving it all in the ring and letting it all hang out. Match was surprisingly even, with Blitzkrieg getting his fair share of offense in before falling prey to the Seven Year Itch. This was all sizzle and no steak, just a bunch of crazy spots with no real flow or story going on. RATING: 45 Next we get a pre-taped vignette for the debuting Christopher Daniels, who will be using an evil preacher gimmick and calling himself "The Fallen Angel". The video is set in an old, gothic looking church, and sees Daniels reciting a promo out of a large, leather tome, talking about how he's coming to take the WCW cruiserweight division over, using all sorts of biblical imagery. He ends it with his catchphrase "And that's the Gospel according to the Fallen Angel". Not a bad video to introduce a character, but WCW is still behind the WWF when it comes to vignettes like this. Daniels seems suited to his gimmick, though. RATING: 45 We then get a more typical backstage promo from Konnan, telling Rey Mysterio he needs to see which way the wind is blowing. He tells Rey that he's gotten as far as he can on his own, and that if he wants to truly excel he needs back up, he needs a pack, he needs the NWO. RATING: 52 STEVE MCMICHAEL vs JOHN NORD Mercifully short squash match for Mongo here. This was exactly what you'd expect from these two- a poor wrestling match. Mongo wins with his big slam. RATING: 38 Back from break we see the NWO partying in their hotel room, talking about how WCW may think they have the upper hand, but they need to remember people have "a change of Hart" all the time, and not to get too ahead of themselves. RATING: 93 Chris Jericho is backstage and cuts a promo, saying he's going to turn his recent bad luck around and show the world what he's all about. RATING: 68 MAIN EVENT: CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP EDDIE GUERRERO © vs ULTIMO DRAGON Really fun match which was given the time to build slowly, and benefited from the time to heat up. Instead of going heavy with the high-flying they worked a more japanese junior style, and clicked very well. They traded big moves for near-falls before Ultimo fell prey to a brainbuster and Frog Splash, letting Eddie retain the Cruiserweight title. RATING: 68 OVERALL: 73 Fun little show with a solid main event. Show would have been better, but Nic Parry, a new addition to the commentary team with Tenay and Larry Z, really clashed with Tenay and dragged things down. It was really evident in the main event, where he seemed to be trying to prove he could call moves just as well as the Professor, which is of course ridiculous. Overall WCW's offering was definitely the better show, but I wouldn't call it can't miss. Stay tuned for more news, rumors, and results!

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Shocking news again tonight, and this time of a much more somber type. Legendary Joshi Puroresu star Bull Nakano has passed away in Japan. The 29 year old was reportedly involved in a freak accident, as a road crew lost control of a steam-roller and she was unable to get out of its path. Bull was widely considered one of the best female wrestlers in the world, having put on great matches with the likes of Manami Toyota, Madusa, and her mentor and sometimes partner Dump Matsumoto. Both the WWF and WCW have been mulling over re-launching a women's division in recent days, and Bull would have been on the top of either of their shortlists. Now, sadly, that will never happen. In other news from around the wrestling world, WCW's Chris Jericho seems to be bulking up in order to make himself look more like a main-event threat. Rumor has it the new management is high on the young Canadian, and wants him to be busted out of "the cruiserweight zone". Two of WCW's biggest stars have been flagged for using banned substances. Scott Hall has reportedly been sent to rehab after testing positive for hard drugs. This was far from Hall's first offense, although it was the first under the new regime's leadership, and he was told in no uncertain terms that he would not be getting any preferential treatment, and he needed to go to rehab and get clean if he wanted to remain employed. Many in WCW were expecting this to go over like a lead balloon, but word is Hall had his "come to Jesus" moment, to use the words of one old school wrestler with knowledge of the situation, an insider, if you wiiiiilllll, and was very grateful for the chance to get his act together. No word on how long he will be out for. The other major star to get popped was Macho Man Randy Savage, who tested positive for steroids. He was fined an undisclosed amount, which is going to be the new policy for first offenses of this nature. Word is he laughed it off, saying he was more than happy to pay whatever fine. On the other side of the Monday Night Wars several viewers noticed Dustin "Goldust" Rhodes' appeared to be working while intoxicated this past week against TAKA. Word has it that he has been fined for working in an inebriated state. There doesn't seem to be much heat in the locker room on him, which really says a lot about where the wrestling industry is, right now. Speaking of the WWF, reports indicate there is a bit of a power struggle going on within the creative team over the direction of the company. One side, led by former WWF Magazine editor Vince Russo, wants to continue to push in a more edgy direction, featuring more soap opera style stories, vivacious women in skimpy clothes, and less emphasis on in-ring action. On the other side of the equation stands several more "old school" stalwarts, including Pat Patterson, Jim Cornette (who is rumored to be Vince Russo's biggest and most vocal detractor) and Jim Ross. It remains to be seen what, if any, changes are going to be made to creative, but WCW's dominance in the ratings does not seem likely to abate on its own any time soon. Vince McMahon appears to be worried about the strength of his mid-card, as he appears to be cutting short the developmental stint of Sean Morely, a recent signing who has made a bit of a name for himself in Mexico. Vince Russo appears to be helming the creative for Morley, who is rumored to be slated to play a character based off of Ravishing Rick Rude, who left the company on less than stellar terms in the aftermath of Montreal. It is unknown if this will be another "Fake Razor" style angle, though it is doubted, as the last one went over like a lead balloon. Vampiro's debut is being held up as McMahon has not settled on a new moniker for the Canadian. McMahon did not know much about him, instead deferring to Jim Ross and Bruce Prichard, who both spoke highly of his work. Vampiro (or whatever his name will be) is expected to start off in a fairly high position on the card, but not fully in the main event. Stay tuned for more updates as we get them.

<p><strong>WWF Monday Night RAW</strong> for December, Week 2, 1997</p><p> </p><p> Live from the Sears Center in Chicago, IL, Monday Night RAW is LIVE. We open the show with the usual video package, pyro, and the announcers leading off, but they're interrupted by D-Generation X! Michaels, Helmsley, and Chyna make their way to the ring and cut a scathing promo, mocking pretty much the entire wrestling industry. They bury "the Old Folks Club down south", the "whiny Canadian contingent", and "the freaks at a bingo hall in Philly, before moving on to say Vince "needs us more than we need him" and say he "isn't about to get us to wear suits and toe any company lines". HBK then runs down Stone Cold Steve Austin, calling him "a bald, redneck, second-rate, 'never gonna-be'". Crowd is HOT at that. They do a few crotch chops and head to the back. Good promo to start the show. RATING: 88</p><p> </p><p> MARC MERO (w SABLE) vs BART GUNN</p><p> </p><p> Nothing special here, really, as Sable continues to draw more attention than Mero, though it appears they're going to continue to make it in to part of the story. Pretty basic match with Mero getting the win after the TKO. RATING: 55</p><p> </p><p> After the match Mero, finally noticing the fans reaction to Sable's attire, forces her to cover up with his entrance gear and drags her back up the ramp. Sable looked like a star in this. RATING: 68</p><p> </p><p> We come back from break and Sunny is in the back interviewing the Rock. He hypes himself up, saying that he's going to be the break-out star of 1998. Not exactly a barn-burner of a promo here, but it didn't really have a story behind it, so I guess that's to be expected. RATING: 69 </p><p> </p><p> NEW AGE OUTLAWS vs NEW BLACKJACKS</p><p> </p><p> Decent tag match here from two teams that seem to be growing together as partners. Commentators spent most of the match talking about the Outlaw's rivalry with the Legion of Doom, claiming that these "young punks are trying to take the torch, not wait for it to be passed to them", which just reiterates that Jim Ross is the best play by play man ever. Outlaws get the win with a Fame-Asser. RATING: 66</p><p> </p><p> To the shock of exactly no one, unless it was your first time watching wrestling, the LOD attacked post match, trying to hit Billy with the Doomsday Device, but Dogg breaks it up and they bail. Home-town crowd popped HUGE for the LOD. RATING: 78</p><p> </p><p> We head to break and then return to a pre-taped sit down interview between Jim Ross and Vince McMahon. Vince pretty much cuts a promo about his family's legacy being the WWF, and how he wasn't going to let anyone do anything to ruin it. First he talks about Bret, saying he would not risk having his champion show up on a "second rate program" just to spite him, and although it "killed me", he did what he had to do. He then moves on to Austin, saying that while Austin is "an incredible competitor", he "doesn't personify the values of the WWF". Vince says he "won't let Austin drag the WWF's upstanding image through the mud". Great segment here, as Vince was just heel enough to seem like a jerk, but still relatable. RATING: 90</p><p> </p><p> MANKIND vs FARROOQ </p><p> </p><p> No mention is made of Mankind's absence last week, with the announcers hyping this up as "two men looking to move in to title contention". This was a straight up brawl, which definitely played in to Foley's strengths, but Simmons held up his end of the bargain very well. These two laid in to each other, even brawling around the ring-side area some. Mankind looked to have the upper hand and was looking to land the Mandible Claw when the Rock ran in and laid him out with a chair, much to Farrooq's ire! Mankind gets the DQ win, but certainly doesn't end up looking like he was victorious. RATING: 78</p><p> </p><p> We go to commercial and come back to see DX entering Gorilla Monsoon's office. They're mocking him, acting like kids being sent to see the principal. They aren't laughing for long, as Monsoon informs them he's made a match pitting the two of them against Ken Shamrock and Stone Cold Steve Austin for the main event tonight! They throw a temper tantrum, but can do nothing about it! RATING: 75</p><p> </p><p> GOLDUST vs TAKA MICHINOKU </p><p> </p><p> Weird match-up here, and it just didn't work. Goldust looked really off here, as in messed up on something, and it really dragged the match down. TAKA did his best to bump around for him, but it just didn't work. Goldust gets the win. RATING: 63</p><p> </p><p> Next up The Undertaker comes out for a promo in the ring, where he talks about never wanting to fight his family, never wants to spill his brother's blood. He says he's made mistakes in the past, but those are between him and his brother, and he won't drag those skeletons out of the closet. The lights go off, however, and Paul Bearer and Kane are on the Titan-Tron, apparently in some funeral parlor somewhere. Bearer says that it is not for the Undertaker to decide which secrets are shared or which skeletons will be revealed, and that if he refused to fight Kane "all of the darkness in your soul, Undertaker, will be shown to the world." Taker ends up walking off, looking somewhere between worried and defiant. RATING: 86</p><p> </p><p> MAIN EVENT: TRIPLE H and SHAWN MICHAELS vs KEN SHAMROCK and STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN</p><p> </p><p> Crowd was excited for this. Story of the match was HBK going out of his way to avoid Austin at all costs, picking and choosing when to jump in very carefully. As a result HHH ended up working most of the match. Good stuff here, with lots of teasing of Austin getting his hands on Michaels. Match goes about fifteen minutes before spilling outside, where HBK used a chair to take over on Austin outside of the ref's vision, as Shammy and HHH were the legal men in the ring. Michaels and Austin brawled up the ramp, with Michaels actually getting the upper hand, leaving HHH behind in the ring to tap out to the ankle lock! Show goes off the air with HBK and Austin continuing to brawl as security tries to break them up. RATING: 82</p><p> </p><p> OVERALL RATING: 83</p>

<p><strong>WCW MONDAY NITRO RECAP: WEEK 2- DECEMBER, 1997</strong> live from Richmond, VA</p><p> </p><p> Welcome back to Online Wrestling Galaxy for another edition of WCW Monday Nitro! We continue our march to Starrcade, which is being hyped as the biggest PPV in WCW History!</p><p> </p><p> The show opens with the typical video and pyro, followed (once again) by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff hitting the ring to cut a promo on Sting. Hogan calls Sting "a coward" and "a quitter", who "ran for the rafters when the going got tough". Hogan says he's an Immortal and an Icon, and he's not afraid of any boogey-man. Bischoff then takes the mic and says that come Starrcade they're going to "end the Sting situation" once and for all, teasing that they've secured the services of an assassin to help ensure Hogan's continued dominance, "a Hitman, if you will". The announcers play dumb about who he could POSSIBLY be talking about, but the crowd starts chanting for Bret again. The NWO is all smiles as they leave the ring. RATING: 100</p><p> </p><p> REY MYSTERIO JR. vs KIDMAN</p><p> </p><p> First match of the night has Rey Mysterio Jr. taking on Kidman. Great back and forth match from two of the top cruiserweights in the business. Total spotfest, but the good kind, as both guys went all-out trying to land the biggest, craziest move. Finish comes as Kidman goes up for the Seven Year Itch SSP, but Rey moves, rolls to the apron and hits a Springboard Rana for the clean pin! RATING: 70</p><p> </p><p> Konnan comes out to the ramp to "congratulate" him, but Rey blows him off and storms right past him. Nothing much to this, just continuing the "offering Rey a spot in the NWO" story. RATING: 59</p><p> </p><p> We go to break and come back with a Ric Flair promo out on the stage with Mean Gene. This is classic Nature Boy, here, as he goes to town cutting a promo on the NWO, saying that Sting is going to "cut out the cancer in this company once and for all". This continues the trend we saw last week with Piper, as the "established stars" of WCW are throwing all their support behind Sting, even though he's a lone wolf. "I don't know what's going on in your head these days Stinger, but if you're even half the man I know you are, you'll go out there, at the grand-daddy of them all, and you'll walk that aisle, and you'll finish this once and for all!" Good promo. RATING: 82</p><p> </p><p> The announcers then let us know that the US Championship has been vacated due to an "injury" to Curt Henning, and an 8-man tournament is about to begin to crown a new champion!</p><p> </p><p> US TITLE TOURNAMENT QUARTER-FINAL: BUFF BAGWELL vs ULTIMO DRAGON</p><p> </p><p> Talk about a clash of styles. This was nice spot for Ultimo, give him a chance to get out of the cruiserweight shuffle, but he and Bagwell didn't click at all. With the focus of WCW supposedly shifting to a more "in-ring" based product, Buff may struggle to keep his cushy spot, so this was likely an attempt to get him in there with a good worker who might help him improve a little. Sadly there was no chemistry at all here, and the match was really disjointed. Buff picks up a clean win with an ugly looking Blockbuster. RATING: 54</p><p> </p><p> We then go to commercial break and come back with Roddy Piper in the ring, cutting another promo on the NWO. This time, however, the Outsiders walk out on the ramp and cut him off. They trade jibes back and forth "you're old!" "you're nothing but a head of hair!" and the like. They don't come to blows, however, as Nash says they've "got bigger fish to fry". RATING: 86</p><p> </p><p> We are back from break with another US TITLE QUARTER FINAL as GOLDBERG takes on STEVEN REGAL. </p><p> </p><p> This is very similar to the previous quarter final, get the less than good worker with someone who can help bring him along and make him look good, with almost the exact same results. No chemistry here, as Regal's stiff, British style was not clicking with Goldberg's rudimentary offense. Announcers spent most of this match musing on if Goldberg's undefeated streak can carry him to the US Title. Goldie picks up the win with the Jackhammer. RATING: 55</p><p> </p><p> We then head to the back for a Chris Jericho promo. He gives us the typical white-meat babyface promo of "I'm going to turn it around and win some gold!" but there isn't the usual fire behind it. Eddie Guerrero interrupts, mocking Jericho, and that gets Lionheart fired up. They have to be separated. RATING: 67</p><p> </p><p> CHRIS BENIOT vs KONNAN</p><p> </p><p> Next up we have the Crippler taking on Konnan. Benoit will be involved in another quarter-final match next week on Nitro, and gets "K-Dogg" as a tune up. Pretty good match here with Konnan holding up his end of the bargain. The match stumbled a little towards the end as Konnan seemed to hurt his leg. Benoit picked up the win with the Dragon Suplex. RATING: 74</p><p> </p><p> We then head to break and come back with a pre-taped promo from Lex Luger, who runs down Buff Bagwell. This was every Lex promo ever. "Buff, you may think you're the stuff, and that's all well and good : points with index finger and thumb : but you will NEVER be the Total Package". RATING: 69</p><p> </p><p> THE GIANT vs SCOTT NORTON</p><p> </p><p> Following that riveting interview we get this all-time classic. This was a pretty standard big-man match. Neither guy really wanted to sell, which definitely hurt the match, but the crowd is firmly behind the Giant, so they were at least marginally interested. Chokeslam gets the win. RATING: 63</p><p> </p><p> Post match the Outsiders hit the ring and lay out The Giant, waking the crowd back up. RATING: 84</p><p> </p><p> We go to break and come back to a backstage sneak-peak of Eric Bischoff on the phone with his "travel advisor", bickering about how much first class air-fair from Calgary is going to cost for Starrcade. RATING: 66</p><p> </p><p> MAIN EVENT: DDP vs RANDY SAVAGE</p><p> </p><p> Crowd was geeked for this one and the match was good but not great. They had around 20 minutes to go out there, so they went with a slow burn build to it, rather than a wild all out brawl fans were probably expecting. Fans also seemed to be tiring of DDP's shtick, so he probably needs some freshening up in the gimmick department. The work itself, however, was very good. Both guys got their big moves in, and DDP looked to have the upper hand when Hogan ran in for a cheap-o DQ finish, which the fans did not appreciate. Hogan and Savage put the beat-down on DDP for a minute or two until Sting comes out of the crowd to chase them off with his trusty bat. He doesn't help Page to his feet, however, and ignores the offer of a handshake. Show ends with Sting heading back through the crowd, still the lone wolf. RATING (MATCH) : 82 RATING (ANGLE) 95</p><p> </p><p> OVERALL: 86- A very good show on the Road to Starrcade. They're doing a good job building heat (or in some cases keeping it) for the major storylines. Fans are definitely ready to see Sting take Hogan down. </p><p> </p><p> Stay tuned for our Monday Night RAW recap!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>OOC: So, I'm still trying to find my groove stylistically here, as far as formatting and how much detail to go in to with the shows. I appreciate your patience as I get a good feel for this format, and appreciate views/comments/suggestions!</em></p>