WCW '94: War of the Thrones

Beejus · November 27, 2014

WCW Hotline: October 1995, Week 3

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/WCW-94/WCWHotline.jpg

WCW Hotline

3rd Week of October 1995

Option 1: Halloween Havoc Control Center!

Option 2: Havoc program!

Option 3: Departures!

Option 4: WCW Monday Nitro preview!

Option 5: Last week’s ratings!

Option 6: “The Professor’s” lesson of the week!

Option 7: WCW Saturday Night preview!

Option 8: Mean Gene’s rumor corner!

Option 9: A gift from the WCW Catalog!

Option 1: Halloween Havoc Control Center!

Halloween Havoc is drawing nearer! Call your cable company to order now!

Option 2: Halloween Havoc program!

If you want your own copy of the Halloween Havoc program, all you have to do is order the show! Then send a copy of your cable bill for proof of purchase, and you can have a program without having to be on hand in Detroit!

Option 3: A few departures!

The Cuban Assassin, Flash Flanagan, and Shane Sewell have all left World Championship Wrestling. We wish them the best, and hopefully their time spent in WCW will help them in their future careers.

Option 4: WCW Monday Nitro preview!

Hollywood Hogan faced off with the Hawk at Fall Brawl, and on Nitro from Wisconsin he will take on the Animal! Also, two title matches as Ultimo Dragon defends the Cruiserweight title against Rey Mysterio Jr. and Terry Gordy gets his rematch for the United States title from Diamond Dallas Page! Come and see where the big boys play at 7pm on TNT, 10pm on TSN!

Option 5: Last week’s Neilson ratings!

WCW Nitro pushed the envelope last week with some shocking developments, and the fans responded by tuning in in droves, bringing the rating on TNT up to a staggering 7.98! On TSN it raised to a 1.90! Meanwhile, Raw drew a sad, pathetic 4.74 on USA, and 1.10 on TSN. Saturday Night rose to a 6.34 on TBS, and WCW Main Event gained a 0.62.

Option 6: Eric Bischoff presents: Monday Night Waste!

Always nice to see McMahonland try to fight back, but fall just short. They tried their own bait-and-switch for this show. Really, who would expect that when you hype a match with such a history as Yoko and Undertaker, that instead of the real deal, Brian Lee would be out there as the UnderFaker? That angle was dead in the water before it even started, and here it is still going on over a year later! Vinnie Vegas and his heartbreak buddy defeat Tonto and Bam Bam in the main event, as the systematic jobbing of Bigelow seems to continue. He literally hasn’t won a match in the WWF since August, when he defeated Jeff Jarrett on his way out of the company. Call me, Bammer; WCW know how to treat people!

Option 7: WCW Saturday Night preview!

A huge main event will see “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson take on Steve Austin! Also, Ron Simmons takes on the Horsemen’s own Owen Hart, and much much more! Make sure this Saturday, you’ve tuned to TBS at 6:05 PM ET!

Option 8: “Mean Gene” Okerlund’s rumor corner!

Brian Pillman and his New World Order have been strangely quiet as of late. One must wonder just what they must be scheming behind the scenes, but my sources are saying they may be looking for recruitment in order to better fight the might of the Kings of Wrestling! What would the Four Horsemen think of a defector?! I don’t know if this is true or not, but let’s just say it would rock these factions to their core if it were to happen!

Option 9: A special gift from the WCW Catalog!

Halloween Havoc isn’t the only thing good about Halloween time – trick or treating is great as well! Call now to order your children a Sting mask in time for the big night!

Dawn · November 27, 2014

Congratulations on post 900, Beej!

Fan Scoresheet (Comments not necessary, but always appreciated!)

Hollywood Hogan w/The Queen vs. Lex Luger vs Brian Pillman

Comments: The KoW is the only way to go.

Ric Flair w/Bobby Heenan vs. Antonio Inoki w/Magnum TA

Comments: There isn't a benefit on a Inoki win, in my view.

Randy Savage & Roddy Piper w/Nick Bockwinkel vs. Steve Austin & Cactus Jack

Comments: Pipes makes his team lose, as the friction continues about him.

Arn Anderson w/Bobby Heenan vs. Dustin Rhodes w/Magnum TA

Comments: Damn, this is tough to predict...AA has been built up like a champion, but I think that Dustin is going to get the win here, somehow. If not, I see a rematch at Starrcade, with Dustin winning there. But HH should be a big enough PPV for a win of such magnitude.

Chris Jericho w/Rick Rude vs. Sting

Comments: I can totally see Sting not appearing for the match and Jericho winning by forfeit like a Rollins - but I'm going with my gut.

The Wonderful Destruction Crew w/Jimmy Hart vs. The Steiner Brothers

Comments: My brain says that The Steiners will win so bad, but my gut says that the WDC wins after a Scott heel turn, and after a coin toss, my gut won again.

The New World Order vs. The Road Warriors

Comments: Gotta build em' up.

Eddy Guerrero w/Bobby Heenan vs. Bobby Eaton w/Stan Lane

Comments: I agree with Matt - Eaton is going to give Eddie a beating so ugly he will look like a bloodied government mule - but Eddie will beat dat hamhock somehow.

Lance Storm w/Larry Zbyszko vs. Dean Malenko

Comments: This here is pretty unpredictable too, but a face win to start off the feud on the PPVs really nicely might be cool.

Fun Fan Signs:

Tiebreaker Questions:

1. Will Sting get involved during, after, or not at all for the World Heavyweight title match? During.

2. Will anyone turn? Yep, Scotty Steiner.

3. Who will lose the fall in the Steiners vs. WDC match? Ricky Steiner.

4. What match will start the show? Bobby Eaton vs. Eddie Guerrero.

5. What will be the best match of the show? My gut wins again with a HUGE darkhorse prediction - Flair vs. Inoki. Inoki might be freaking old already - I don't know, but he is going to pull out his best against Naitch here.

Beejus · November 29, 2014

WCW Monday Nitro - October 16th, 1995

“Last week on WCW Monday Nitro!

A surprising cage match opened the show, and afterwards the enigma that is Sting added a few more questions to the table! Arn Anderson helped his best friend Ric Flair defeat Barry Windham, in one of the best televised matches of the year! What are you waiting for? Keep the channel right here on Monday Nitro!

Monday, October 16th, 1995

Held at: La Crosse Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin (Great Lakes)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 10,000 (sell out!)

Show Runtime: One Hour (Five Minute Overrun)

Rating: B

This show lost our popularity in 1 region.

The show kicks off with a very good match for the WCW United States Heavyweight title, as Diamond Dallas Page has a rematch with the man he took the belt from, Terry Gordy. The match doesn’t last very long though, until a disqualification as Smash and Bubba Rogers run in for an attack! Gordy is upset and gets into a slight shoving match with the two, but he walks off bitterly when Colonel Parker pulls him away. California Kip comes out, and he has a microphone. He tells Page that he’s proud of him for working past the Stud Stable – but now that he has a title, that puts him in the crosshairs of the Kings of Wrestling. Kip says that he “would make a great champion for the United States”. As Rogers holds DDP up, Kip picks up the title and asks Page to just move out of the way, and give him the US title! Page denies, trying to fight, but Bubba sends him to the ropes and hammers him with a Bubba Slam! Kip lays the belt down around the fallen champion, and says he’ll be seeing him again soon!
Match Time: 6:32
Ratings: C+ (match) / C+ (angle)

The World Cruiserweight championship is next, as champion Ultimo Dragon takes on the young Rey Mysterio Jr. The two start off with a good chain sequence, but the match is almost immediately usurped by the presence of Syxx at ringside. He starts yelling at Mysterio, and Dragon is able to use the distraction to get some hard kicks to Rey’s ribs. Syxx gets pulled away by Juventud Guerrera, and the two trade first words and then punches, and they spill into the ring! The bell sounds at this point, and the crowd aren’t pleased with the quick outcome. However, Nick Bockwinkel hits the stage, and he says that these people came to see a good cruiserweight match – if Syxx and Juventud want to get involved, then let’s restart this thing as a tag team matchup! So now it’s Rey and Guerrera against Ultimo and Syxx, and this match goes a little longer, but isn’t for the title. That ends up being a good thing for the Dragon, as he is the victim of a fast cradle by Rey for the three count!
Match Time: 2:44 / 6:43
Ratings: D+ (first match) / D (Nick) / C (tag match)

To get people to keep thinking Saturday Night is a thing you want to watch, a graphic comes up to say that Arn Anderson will be taking on Steve Austin in the main event!
Rating: B-

Due to all the shenanigans in the last match, this one ends up short, but it would have been that way anyways, as “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes wastes no time in making Disco Inferno look more like a lame duck than a disco duck. Running bulldog gets the victory.
Match Time: 4:39
Rating: C

Our main event of the evening is a non-title match between Road Warrior Animal and Hollywood Hogan. Randy Savage comes out and joins in on commentary, but this match is all about the star power anyways. The match tends to drift into just these two trading power moves, and the end sees Hogan use a cheap low blow and then placing his feet on the ropes in order to sneak out a victory. As Savage walks out of the arena laughing, Lex Luger makes his way down to the ring to interrupt the celebration! Luger gets a microphone and he tells Hogan congratulations – because now he’s officially cheated his way into defeating himself and both Road Warriors, because he can’t do anything by himself anymore. Hogan gets a microphone of his own, and he retorts that he doesn’t know what Lex is talking about; he’s just competing to the level that his opponents should be regarded at. In all those years of being the best by defeating the best, he doesn’t have to be at his best against WCW’s finest because he’s only here to take all the money from them. Lex fires back that he’s been where Hogan used to fight to his best before, and it wasn’t anywhere near the level of competition that WCW offers, where the big boys play! Luger says that on the 29th of October at Halloween Havoc, we will be seeing a new World Heavyweight champion, someone who is better than Hogan in every way, “The Total Package” Lex Luger! Hollywood laughs this off, saying that only one man knows how to climb the ladder to get to the top of any company he wants, and that’s Hollywood Hogan!

The fans are pumped as these two go face-to-face, but they get even more excited when the ring gets surrounded – it’s the New World Order! While Hogan and Luger look on one another intensely, into the ring flies Brian Pillman! He hits both men with a springboard tackle, and the rest of the nWo strike! Luger and Hogan are beaten and shoved out of the ring, and then The Road Warriors hit the ring! Hawk and Animal have a good go at it, but Hawk ends up with Jeff Jarrett’s guitar wrapped around his head! Hall and Vader stomp their foes down to the floor, and “Mean” Gene Okerlund joins them in the ring. He asks them just what they think they’re doing! Hall does most of the talking, while Jarrett laughs in the background at all their fallen foes, Vader growls and grunts, and Pillman runs around the ring, laughing and stomping on prone people. Hall says that this was a message from the New World Order; all anyone has talked about for the past two weeks are Hogan or Luger, but they’ve been ignoring the next WCW champ, “The Loose Cannon”! Scott also says that if the Road Warriors want to keep sticking their nose in the nWo business, they’ll knock their faces off, paint and all! Gene admonishes them, but the group laugh him off, before Okerlund points up – and there in the rafters is Sting! He does or says nothing, just staring blankly down at the ring, holding the WCW World Heavyweight championship!
Match Time: 10:17
Notes: Hogan was masterful at interacting with the crowd, while Luger worked the crowd well. Hogan looked good during the attack, but Jarrett underperformed, getting lost in the shuffle. Mean Gene was superb when off-script, with the crowd in the palm of his hand, but Hall didn’t do well off-script for a change.
Ratings: B (match) / A* (confrontation) / B- (attack) / C (interview) / B (rafters)

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/WCW-94/WCWlogo.jpg

------------------------

This show seems short, because I put segments that flow together. Let me know what you all think of doing WCW shows this way, as I already do it like that in my WWF game. Three shows remain from now until Halloween Havoc!

Oh, in case he didn't see it in the chat on skype, CPB is awesome for putting me up for some DOTM nominations this month!

Beejus · December 6, 2014

WCW Television: October 21st/22nd, 1995

Taped on Thursday, October 19th, 1995

Held at: Madison Center in Madison, Wisconsin (Great Lakes)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Terry Funk

Attendance: 10,000 (sell out!)

Show Runtime: Two Hours (three minute overrun)

Rating: B

This show lost our popularity in 4 regions.

Matches
“Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman pinned Stevie Ray after hitting him with a spraypaint can. ©
The Giant pinned Cousin Denny with the Chokeslam. (D-)
The Flying Spyder flash pinned Rio the Renegade after moving away from a charge in the corner. (E+)
Dean Malneko made Art Barr submit to the Texas Cloverleaf. (D)
Vader squashed Scott Armstrong. ©
Owen Hart flash pinned Ron Simmons after a distraction from Johnny B. Badd. ©
Steve Austin defeated Arn Anderson by disqualification after Roddy Piper attacked him. (B+)

Segments
Involving the Kings of Wrestling, New World Order, and Spinning the Wheel: The Kings of Wrestling (Hogan, Savage, and Piper) cut a promo on Lex Luger, Cactus Jack, and Steve Austin, promising victories at Halloween Havoc (A) followed by a recap video of the end of Monday Nitro (B). Brian Pillman then cut a promo on Hogan and Luger, saying that he is the fastest and most hungry of the ladder match, and so he will be the new champion and the man Sting turns to in the end (B). Lex Luger and the Road Warriors also spoke with Gene Okerlund, where the trio said that they won’t stop until they are victorious in their matches at Havoc (C+). Later in the evening, Steve Austin cut a promo where he said Roddy Piper would wish he had sat down with him for a beer instead of make an enemy of him (B). The end of the night became a huge brawl, as Steve Austin and Roddy Piper’s fighting in the ring led to Randy Savage and Cactus Jack getting involved, and with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson in the area, Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham joined as well, leaving people brawling all around the building as we went off the air (B-).
Who Has Authority: In other KoW news, Eric Bischoff had an interview along with California Kip, Bubba Rogers, and Devon King, where they talked about Diamond Dallas Page and Ted DiBiase (C-). Later in the evening, DiBiase spoke with Gene Okerlund, saying that he’s the man who has all the pull around here, and as such he’s making a triple threat tag team match for Nitro: Hollywood Hogan, Lex Luger, and Brian Pillman find partners and will square off against one another.
No Friends: Mike Tenay talked to Ron Simmons, who said that he was respectful and polite in turning down Johnny B. Badd’s offer to be partners, but now he’s done the worst mistake he could by making it personal ©. Badd was seen talking to Harlem Heat as well throughout the night, and seemed to be making the same proposal to “stick together” as he pitched to Ron. They weren’t quite as forthcoming with an answer as Ron was ©.
Everything Else: Chris Jericho spoke with Gene Okerlund, saying that he can’t wait to get Sting in the ring – but only if he has the guts to even come down from the rafters to meet him ©. Dr. Karnage with Biohazard talked to Mike Tenay, and Karnage promised carnage for the Flying Spyder (D). Lance Storm assaulted Dean Malenko following Dean’s win (D). Gene Okerlund also had an interview with the junior members of the Four Horsemen, Bobby Heenan doing the talking for Owen and Eddy as he says that the future looks bright for the historic stable (C+).

<iframe width="220" height="124" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AahYei4Zuw0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
WCW Main Event
Announcers: Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay, and Gary Michael Cappetta
Rating: C+

Ricky Steamboat joins us from his home, talking about how his family values will give him all the motivation he needs to keep winning matches here in WCW. (B+)
Nitro recap video: Hollywood Hogan and Lex Luger face-to-face. (B+)
The Patriot d. Tracy Smothers with the Star Spangled Elbow Drop (D)
2 Cold Scorpio d. Sgt. Buddy Parker with the Tumbleweed (C-)
Saturday Night recap video: Steve Austin takes on Arn Anderson (B-)
Psychosis squashes Scott Armstrong with a Guillotine Leg Drop (E+)
Saturday Night recap video: the show ending brawl (C+)
Eddy Guerrero squashes Hysteria to retain the WCW TV title ©
Nitro recap video: Hogan and Luger are attacked by the nWo, as Sting looks on from above! (B)
Stevie Ray d. Earl William Clayton with a Harlem Slapjack (C-)

Gimmick and Turn Notes
Ricky Steamboat has changed to a “Family Guy” gimmick, which rated 91.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/WCW-94/WCWlogo.jpg

I wanted to try something new for Saturday Night, since the show is getting pushed to the backburner in favor of Nitro but is not yet a B show either. So I would like to make it easier to write (not as if it's insanely difficult) while still making it more important than Main Event. I would like you to let me know what you think of it, please.

Only one week of shows remain until Halloween Havoc!

The Final Countdown · December 6, 2014

I think what you're doing is just fine. As you said, Nitro is clearly the flagship now and should get the most focus. I was honestly surprised you kept the Saturday Night writeups as detailed as they'd been prior to this week. I assume you're eventually going to look to make Saturday Night a full-fledged B-show, and Main Event will be fazed out (unless you really want to have two B-shows for some reason.)

Beejus · December 6, 2014

WCW Hotline: October 1995, Week 4

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/WCW-94/WCWHotline.jpg

WCW Hotline

4th Week of October 1995

Option 1: Halloween Havoc Control Center!

Option 2: A special video on WCW programming!

Option 3: In Your House in the bag!

Option 4: WCW Monday Nitro preview!

Option 5: Last week’s ratings!

Option 6: Monday Night Waste!

Option 7: WCW Saturday Night preview!

Option 8: Mean Gene’s rumor corner!

Option 9: A gift from the WCW Catalog!

Option 1: Halloween Havoc Control Center!

Halloween Havoc is drawing nearer! Call your cable company to order now!

Option 2: A special video on WCW programming!

We can report being sent a strange video presentation that we can only describe as sinister! We will show it to you all this week on Nitro and Saturday Night, and you can see what you think of it!

Option 3: In Your House is in the bag!

An attempt to make people remember a time when they used to be top company was the October version of WWF In Your House. Hey, didn’t they used to have a World champion? Bam Bam Bigelow breaks his losing streak by defeating The Heartburn Kid in the main event, and the only title that changed hands was the unimportant women’s title, as turncoat Sherri wins it from Madusa. Also, Sparky Plugg cost Diesel the Intercontinental title in his match against Bret Hart. We hear their buyrate was a 1.76, so it appears everyone decided to save their money for Halloween Havoc!

Option 4: WCW Monday Nitro preview!

Ted DiBiase has made a HUGE tag team main event for this week’s episode of Nitro, as the three men fighting for the World championship at Halloween Havoc will grab a tag team partner and do battle! Come and see where the big boys play at 7pm on TNT, 10pm on TSN!

Option 5: Last week’s Neilson ratings!

A strong showing for Nitro this week as we get a 7.52 rating on TNT, compared to a 4.46 on USA for Raw! TSN was just as competitive, as Nitro had a 1.85 and Raw a 1.08. WCW Saturday Night rose to a 6.44 on TBS, and Main Event stays roughly the same at 0.61.

Option 6: Eric Bischoff presents: Monday Night Waste!

Is the world ready for Sparky Plugg: Main Eventer? It appears Vince just knows more than we do, because he just put him over The Undertaker. There… are no words. I’m just going to let this stand on its own. I don’t even think you need me to shill WCW after an announcement like that.

Option 7: WCW Saturday Night preview!

Only one night away from Halloween Havoc, you won’t want to miss the Texas Blackjacks take on the Heavenly Bodies! Make sure this Saturday, you’ve tuned to TBS at 6:05 PM ET!

Option 8: “Mean Gene” Okerlund’s rumor corner!

Rumor has it that the WWF are looking to start a new hot feud for the foreseeable future. Don’t miss it when former Intercontinental champion Diesel takes on the incredible Sparky Plugg!

Option 9: A special gift from the WCW Catalog!

Halloween is upon us, so order now to get your children their very own Flying Spyder mask!

------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks, TFC. I would have changed SN's appearance before, but I couldn't think of a way that I wanted to until now. I want to change it to a B-show, but as of yet channels keep blocking me on it, so for awhile yet I will be running with the two A shows. Fortunately I've been able to stave off any major popularity loss thanks to just running good shows, albeit even with no serious storyline matches.

TeflonBilly · December 7, 2014

I like the new write-up for SN, the way it groups the angles by storyline keeps it neat. It works as kind of a B+ show.

ElGringo · December 7, 2014

This show seems short, because I put segments that flow together. Let me know what you all think of doing WCW shows this way, as I already do it like that in my WWF game. Three shows remain from now until Halloween Havoc!

I think having segments that flow together so well is best. Makes the show a seamless reading experience (Hogan is a devious little sod, btw).

Also, grrr at the Hotline idea! Wish I'd come up with that

Beejus · December 7, 2014

WCW Monday Nitro - October 23rd, 1995

Had this one mostly written last night, but didn't get to finish it until now. Enjoy the last Nitro before Havoc! Also if anyone wants to get in on Havoc predictions, there's still time! Click the link and let me know who you think will come out on top! There's always a fun prize at the bottom of this box!

“Last week on WCW Monday Nitro!

The New World Order made sure that their involvement in Halloween Havoc was recognized as the four men attacked Hollywood Hogan and Lex Luger! Sting looked on from the rafters, was he approving or disapproving of the nWo’s tactics? The only way to find out is by keeping the channel right here where the big boys play on Monday Nitro!

Monday, October 23rd, 1995

Held at: John E. Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana (Great Lakes)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 11,500 (sell out!)

Show Runtime: One Hour (plus five minute overrun)

Rating: B

This show lost our popularity in 1 region.

Nitro opens with a video, showing Ted DiBiase as he announces the main event for tonight. It shows a picture of Hogan, Luger, and Pillman as he lists each man’s name, but the ending image in the video is of Sting, with the words “What corner will Sting be in?!” in bold letters across the screen.
Rating: B

The World Tag Team championships are on the line at the opening of the night, as The Wonderful Destruction Crew take on a team who were victorious last week in tag team action, Rey Mysterio Jr. and Juventud Guerrera. This one is a good match, but it’s not very long as the challengers are more singles competitors than they are teammates, as opposed to the champions. Bubba Rogers comes out to the ring, but he doesn’t do anything but watch on, as Orndorff hits his Wonderful jumping piledriver on Guerrera to get the pin and retain the titles. Gene Okerlund meets the KoW members at the top of the ramp, and Paul does the talking as he says that the Steiner Brothers hopefully watched that match, because that’s exactly how it’s going to end up for them. He says to Rogers that they didn’t need him at ringside, but the result would have been the same either way: the Wonderful Destruction Crew in the winner’s circle.
Match Time: 7:23
Ratings: C+ (match) / B (interview)

Just a quick squash match up next, as Cousin Marky falls to “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson. Anderson just takes over from the start on the hillbilly, and no matter how much Hillbilly Jim tries to pump the crowd up, Arn just never lets up until he plants Mark with the DDT. Anderson takes a microphone then, and he talks about Halloween Havoc in just one week. He says that Dustin Rhodes has six days to say his prayers and make all things right in his life, because in the street fight, he’s about to meet his maker. “The Brain” joins in, calling Dustin “Corky” (dated Wonder Years reference) and saying that he’s going to be actually uglier than his winkled, fat old man by the time that Anderson is done with him. Dustin Rhodes doesn’t take kindly to all of this trash talk, and he hits the ring, brawling with “The Enforcer”! Security rush the ring to pull the two apart, but like Jesse Ventura notes, there will be no one pulling them apart at Halloween Havoc!
Match Time: 7:15
Notes: Bobby helped Anderson in the talking section, but Anderson struggled on his own.
Ratings: C (match) / B (angle)

We now get a strange video package. It shows dark, Victorian imagery, such as a bell tower at night tolling, a church being illuminated by lightning, and a gravesite. Words flash across the screen saying that “Sometimes, a broken man is the best man for the job.” It shows the back of a man standing on top of a rooftop, but it’s all blurry and out of focus. It starts to zoom in, but before we can see him very well, the feed cuts off, and it says “Halloween Havoc, justice will be served.”
Rating: F+

It’s almost main event time, but first we have a slew of quick promos from the three men as they choose their partners. Hollywood Hogan, who is alongside Eric Bischoff and The Giant, and he chooses “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Hogan says that with his partner Savage, his Giant watching for intrusions, and his manager Queen at his side (giving her a sneer as she paints her fingernails, not paying any attention) the Kings of Wrestling can’t lose, jack! “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman is shown, and he has the New World Order drawing straws. Long straw goes to Vader, who smiles broadly; Pillman laughs, saying that “The Monster” will rise tonight, and they will knock off all the people who have held them back, in the name of the black and red. They will make them all fear the sound of the sirens. Lex Luger doesn’t seem to know who to take to the ring with him, saying that he would have hoped that his friend Sting would have come to aid him, but he hasn’t spoken to him since this whole mess got started. Instead, someone else volunteered; Cactus Jack walks in, looking more deranged than usual, saying that it takes a crazy man to join in on a tag team match while not knowing who his opponents are and having no experience at all with his partner… but that’s exactly what he is! Bang bang!
Notes: Hogan was masterful at improvising, and looked fantastic. Savage enjoyed the freedom to be off-script and performed well. Brian also improvised well, though Luger did not. Giant looked lost between the two veterans.
Rating: B

Gary Michael Cappetta is up to give some special introductions for the main event. First, the sirens introduce the team representing the New World Order, “The Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman and “The Monster” Vader. Next, the strains of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” bring out the formerly-known Mega Powers of Hollywood Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage, who have an unmotivated Queen at their side. Finally, Megadeth play twice to introduce the strange bedfellows of
and
, both of whom charge the ring quickly as this match gets underway! Tommy Young gets everyone outside the ring, and the match ends up as a great one, as free television goes. None of these men are your standard tag team competitors, but they each have just enough tag team experience in their careers to know how to do things with a partner. A lot of things happen during the course of the match, as Roddy Piper finds himself involved, which also brings out Steve Austin; the Road Warriors charge out when the nWo team start bending the rules; and after Tommy Young gets knocked out by Pillman pulling him in the way of a Savage double axe handle, among the chaos, Lex Luger gets attacked by Jeff Jarrett! Even Ichii Yazaki finds himself at ringside briefly, as he escorts The Queen backstage, away from the frenzy. Hollywood Hogan doesn’t take kindly to that, and he charges off to confront the young masked man. As the nWo and the trio from Chicago brawl outside, along with Piper and Austin trading blows, there’s not many men left in the ring – and that gives Brian Pillman the chance to get a steel chair and smash Randy Savage with it! He disposes of the weapon and makes the cover, and the New World Order steal this win! Hogan is furious! He re-enters the ring, and he grabs Pillman, but Luger also climbs back into the ring! These three will do battle this Sunday, but they’re looking to do so right now!

But down from the rafters – Sting rappels down and separates them! He points at each of them with his bat, forcing them into opposing corners! Luger tries pleading with Sting, but all he gets is a bat poking into his chest. Hogan leaves, upset, but Brian sits back in the corner and laughs at the whole situation. What will happen this Sunday in the high stakes ladder match?! Who will be the champion – and what will happen with Sting?!?
Match Time: 17:06
Ratings: C+ (intro) / B+ (match) / B (aftermath)

Gimmick and Turn Notes
I ran an announcers segment pre-show, because there were some stale gimmicks to change out. The results saw Tony Schiavone change to a Sportscaster (Realistic) gimmick, which rated 96, and Gene Okerlund has changed to a Journalist (Wholesome) gimmick, which rated 83.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/WCW-94/WCWlogo.jpg

-----------------------------

Thanks for the feedback Tef and Gringo. And yeah, I'm sure you aren't the only one who wishes they'd thought of the Hotline first I honestly kinda copied it from another long, long dead diary that I read over on the EWB... but I hope that I've adapted it well enough that by now it's somewhat "my own" so to speak.

SkipMartin · December 7, 2014

Yazaki > Bowser! Kidnapping Queens > Princesses!

Beejus · December 11, 2014

WCW Television: October 27th, 1995

Taped on Thursday, October 26th, 1995

Held at: Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Terry Funk

Attendance: 10,834 (sell out!)

Show Runtime: Two Hours

Rating: B-

This show increased our popularity in 2 regions, but lost our popularity in 11 regions.

Matches:
Harlem Heat d. The Oddballs when Booker T pinned Sgt. Craig Pittman after a Towering Inferno (C+)
Chris Jericho d. Sgt. Buddy Parker with the Liontamer (D+)
The Giant d. The Patriot with a Chokeslam (D-)
Lord Steven Regal d. Scott Armstrong with the Regal Stretch (C-)
Johnny B. Badd d. Rey Mysterio Jr. after a distraction by Syxx (B)
The Texas Blackjacks d. The Heavenly Bodies when Dustin Rhodes pinned Tom Prichard with a running bulldog (C+)

Angles:
Interviews:
Gene Okerlund interviews the Four Horsemen, who discuss Antonio Inoki, Dustin Rhodes, and Bobby Eaton ©; Gene Okerlund interviews Johnny B. Badd, who came out after Harlem Heat’s match to talk to them again as well as insult Ron Simmons and his opponent tonight, Rey Mysterio Jr. (C-); Chris Jericho cut a promo in-ring to say that Sting needs to start paying attention to the man who’s going to be in the ring with him rather than keep hiding in the rafters worrying about Hogan or Luger or Pillman (C+); Tony Schiavone does a call-in interview with the Steiner Brothers, who promise to bring the World Tag Team titles home with them tomorrow night ©; Gene Okerlund interviews Dustin Rhodes along with Ricky Steamboat, Bobby Eaton, and Barry Windham to talk about the Horsemen (C+); Jesse Ventura interviews Ichii Yazaki, who doesn’t speak, but The Queen steps in to talk for him, saying that what Hogan tells her doesn’t matter because she is allowed to have more than one client (D+); Hollywood Hogan, Randy Savage, Roddy Piper, Eric Bischoff, and Nick Bockwinkel are along with The Giant, and they insult Lex Luger, Cactus Jack, Steve Austin, and Ted DiBiase (B-); Eric Bischoff holds an interview with the Wonderful Destruction Crew and Bubba Rogers, Paul doing the talking as he says the Steiners will have a sour homecoming (B-); The New World Order have a promo to pronounce their dominance over Lex Luger, the Road Warriors, and to say they will be very happy to welcome Sting to the fold (B-); Gene Okerlund interviews Dr. Karnage along with Biohazard, who laughs that when The Flying Spyder is there for Halloween Havoc, he will have a huge trick for him and a huge treat for the Dungeon of Doom (D); Gene Okerlund hosts an interview with Lex Luger, Cactus Jack, and Steve Austin, who say they will be victorious at Halloween Havoc (B+)

Segments:
Hollywood Hogan and The Queen have an argument about Ichii Yazaki, where she says that there is no reason for Hogan to worry that she won’t be there for him, but he tells her that she needs to start checking her priorities better ©; a Nitro recap video highlights the end of the show where Hollywood Hogan, Brian Pillman, and Lex Luger were held apart from fighting by Sting (B); a pre-Havoc Main Event will feature a US Tag Team title match as the Armstrong Brothers defend against Harlem Heat, and The Flying Spyder will speak (D+); another strange video shows strange footage, leading to the words “The Hero You Don’t Want, The Hero You Deserve: coming at Halloween Havoc” (F+)

Gimmick and Turn Notes
Bobby Eaton’s gimmick has changed to an Old School Face (Wholesome), which rated 88.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/WCW-94/WCWlogo.jpg

-------------------------

The nice thing about this new SN writeup is that I pretty much have it written before I even book the show Main Event will, as always, be the pre-show to the PPV, and that means Halloween Havoc will be the next show! I hope you're all as excited as I am for it, because I plan for it to be a great one!

BHK6 · December 17, 2014

Hollywood Hogan w/The Queen vs. Lex Luger vs Brian Pillman

Comments: Honestly, don't think Pillman will win here but I just want to see him win here.

Ric Flair w/Bobby Heenan vs. Antonio Inoki w/Magnum TA

Comments: Got to keep Flair strong so he can lose to Dustin next PPV

Randy Savage & Roddy Piper w/Nick Bockwinkel vs. Steve Austin & Cactus Jack

Comments:

Arn Anderson w/Bobby Heenan vs. Dustin Rhodes w/Magnum TA

Comments: Has to beat AA so he can beat Flair next PPV.

Chris Jericho w/Rick Rude vs. Sting

Comments: Sting's big return he has to kick some butt.

The Wonderful Destruction Crew w/Jimmy Hart vs. The Steiner Brothers

Comments:

The New World Order vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

Eddy Guerrero w/Bobby Heenan vs. Bobby Eaton w/Stan Lane

Comments:

Lance Storm w/Larry Zbyszko vs. Dean Malenko

Comments:

Fun Fan Signs:

Tiebreaker Questions:

1. Will Sting get involved during, after, or not at all for the World Heavyweight title match? During

2. Will anyone turn? No

3. Who will lose the fall in the Steiners vs. WDC match? Paul

4. What match will start the show? nWo vs Road Warriors

5. What will be the best match of the show? Main Event Ladder Match

Satyr24 · December 17, 2014

Hollywood Hogan w/The Queen vs. Lex Luger vs Brian Pillman

Comments:

Ric Flair w/Bobby Heenan vs. Antonio Inoki w/Magnum TA

Comments:

Randy Savage & Roddy Piper w/Nick Bockwinkel vs. Steve Austin & Cactus Jack

Comments:

Arn Anderson w/Bobby Heenan vs. Dustin Rhodes w/Magnum TA

Comments:

Chris Jericho w/Rick Rude vs. Sting

Comments:

The Wonderful Destruction Crew w/Jimmy Hart vs. The Steiner Brothers

Comments:

The New World Order vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

Eddy Guerrero w/Bobby Heenan vs. Bobby Eaton w/Stan Lane

Comments:

Lance Storm w/Larry Zbyszko vs. Dean Malenko

Comments:

Fun Fan Signs:

It's Wonderfool

Tiebreaker Questions:

1. Will Sting get involved during, after, or not at all for the World Heavyweight title match? Nope

2. Will anyone turn? Scott Steiner

3. Who will lose the fall in the Steiners vs. WDC match? Rick

4. What match will start the show? Eddy Guerrero vs. Bobby Eaton

5. What will be the best match of the show? Hollywood Hogan w/The Queen vs. Lex Luger vs Brian Pillman

lnic · December 19, 2014

Hollywood Hogan w/The Queen vs. Lex Luger vs Brian Pillman

Comments: Really want Pillman to pull it out but don't see that happening

Ric Flair w/Bobby Heenan vs. Antonio Inoki w/Magnum TA

Comments: Woooo Flair is the man

Randy Savage & Roddy Piper w/Nick Bockwinkel vs. Steve Austin & Cactus Jack

Comments:

Arn Anderson w/Bobby Heenan vs. Dustin Rhodes w/Magnum TA

Comments:

Chris Jericho w/Rick Rude vs. Sting

Comments: Poor Jericho

The Wonderful Destruction Crew w/Jimmy Hart vs. The Steiner Brothers

Comments:

The New World Order vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

Eddy Guerrero w/Bobby Heenan vs. Bobby Eaton w/Stan Lane

Comments:

Lance Storm w/Larry Zbyszko vs. Dean Malenko

Comments: Be a good match

Fun Fan Signs: Hey Dustin Shouldn't You Be GOLDEN?

Tiebreaker Questions:

1. Will Sting get involved during, after, or not at all for the World Heavyweight title match? After

2. Will anyone turn?

3. Who will lose the fall in the Steiners vs. WDC match?

4. What match will start the show? Storm vs Malenko

5. What will be the best match of the show? Inoki vs Flair

Beejus · December 28, 2014

WCW Halloween Havoc 1995 + Main Event pre-show

[Editor's Note: I changed up my format a little for PPVs, and I hope you all think it's fine because I really enjoy it. I think it just looks very neat and clean. I might throw some tweaks at it here and there, but that's about all. If you don't like it, well, I hope you won't mind it too much, because it's probably going to stick around for at least one PPV a month. Nothing else will change. Anyways, on with the show!]

<iframe width="220" height="124" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AahYei4Zuw0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
WCW Main Event
Announcers: Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay, and Gary Michael Cappetta
Rating: B-

Nitro/Saturday Night recap video: soundbytes from Hollywood Hogan, Brian Pillman, and Lex Luger air over the footage from Nitro of them being held apart by Sting (B+)

The Ruthless Roundtable (Regal, Clayton, and Finlay) defeat The Patriot and The Hillbilly Cousins when Regal made Cousin Marky submit to the Regal Stretch ©

Mike Tenay has a sit-down interview with The Flying Spyder, who talks about how he used to be a mild-mannered high school student, until he met Dr. Karnage, who experimented on him to try and create “the perfect specimen”, but he escaped and has been trying to shut down the Dungeon’s lab for good! (D)

The Armstrong Brothers retain their US Tag Team titles over Harlem Heat when Stevie Ray, frustrated, smashes BG with a steel chair, drawing a disqualification! (C+)

Hollywood Hogan, California Kip, and Smash arrive at the Joe Louis Arena (B)

Owen Hart defeats Barry Windham after Bobby Heenan trips Windham, giving Owen a chance to lock in the Sharpshooter (B)

The New World Order hit the ring right as Main Event was about to go off the air, and as they talk about their upcoming matches at Halloween Havoc, they say that WCW cannot silence them – the pay-per-view will have to start with them in the ring! (B)

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/havoc.jpg

WCW Halloween Havoc 1995

Sunday, October 29th, 1995

Held at: Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan (Great Lakes)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 21,000 (sell out!)

PPV Buyrate: 4.31

Show Runtime: Three Hours

Rating: B+

This show increased our popularity in 35 regions.

The show opens completely cold, as “The Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, “Outsider” Scott Hall, (no nickname yet) Jeff Jarrett, and “The Monster” Vader are still in the ring, just as they said they would be. Security are trying to get them to leave, and finally they concede; only after Brian points up to the rafters, making a motion that has to be for his “friend” Sting.

Rating: B-