WCW '94: War of the Thrones

The_CoC · February 1, 2016

Official Prediction Card

WCW (Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat, and Jake Roberts) vs. KoW (Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Scott Hall, and Jeff Jarrett)

Extra Point: Who wins the fall? Piper

Comments:

Steve Austin vs. Arn Anderson

Comments: Austin is ready to explode!!!

Lex Luger vs. California Kip

Comments: The future is now for Kippy

Brian Pillman and Cactus Jack vs. The Kings' Monsters

Comments: Pillman and Jack are to crazy to get along.

Dave Finlay vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments: Regal wins by shenanigans.

Ron Simmons vs. Paul Orndorff

Comments: DAMN

The Flying Spyder and King Puma vs. Surge and The Willow

Comments: Mah God DA HARDYZZZZ

Ultimo Dragon vs. The Annihilator

Comments:

Will Hulk Hogan's interview find him siding with:

A. WCW, brother;

B. KoW, brother;

C. Neither, brother.

Worldwide matches:

BG and Brad Armstrong vs. ???

Comments:

The Young Pistols vs. The Ladykillers

Comments:

Tiebreaker: How long will the main event last? 30:01

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

11 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

There is only ONE Nitro between now and Spring Stampede!

The Final Countdown · February 1, 2016

WCW (Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat, and Jake Roberts) vs. KoW (Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Scott Hall, and Jeff Jarrett)

Extra Point: Who wins the fall? Ol' RP

Comments: If you're nearing the endgame for the diary I could see a certain amount of sense in WCW winning and Bischoff subsequently getting the hell beat out of him, but a match with one of these four would be more compelling. Randy already had his chances against Dustin and I don't think Hall or JJ are at that level at this point, so I'll go with Roddy.

Steve Austin vs. Arn Anderson

Comments: The Enforcer is an obstacle to be removed.

Lex Luger vs. California Kip

Comments: Rack 'em!

Brian Pillman and Cactus Jack vs. The Kings' Monsters

Comments: The power of Pillmania won't be enough to take down these monsters, brotherdudejack.

Dave Finlay vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments:

Ron Simmons vs. Paul Orndorff

Comments:

The Flying Spyder and King Puma vs. Surge and The Willow

Comments: How have you not done a gag where Puma insists that he just pinned his opponent like 8 times in a row, but the referee was just too slow to see it?

Ultimo Dragon vs. The Annihilator

Comments:

Will Hulk Hogan's interview find him siding with:

A. WCW, brother;

B. KoW, brother;

C. Neither, brother.

Worldwide matches:

BG and Brad Armstrong vs. ???

Comments: No clue who ??? could be, to answer BG's question: no, I didn't remember you had the titles.

The Young Pistols vs. The Ladykillers

Comments:

Tiebreaker: How long will the main event last? 17 minutes

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

TheBigBad1013 · February 3, 2016

Official Prediction Card

WCW (Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat, and Jake Roberts) vs. KoW (Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Scott Hall, and Jeff Jarrett)

Extra Point: Who wins the fall? Piper

Comments: I definitely see the Kings picking up the win here. Dustin has been booked as a great champion so far and this seems like a great opportunity to give the Kings a win without hurting Dustin in any way.

Steve Austin vs. Arn Anderson

Comments: Could see a cheap win for Arn here, but I think Austin takes it and keeps on rolling.

Lex Luger vs. California Kip

Comments: I don't see Luger dropping this one.

Brian Pillman and Cactus Jack vs. The Kings' Monsters

Comments: This is a tough one. Pillman and Cactus are a great team, but so are the Monsters. Can a team as crazy as Pillman and Cactus Jack manage to get on, and stay on, the same page? I'm guessing yes.

Dave Finlay vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments: Should be one hell of a wrestling match.

Ron Simmons vs. Paul Orndorff

Comments: Much more of a future in Simmons than in Orndoff.

The Flying Spyder and King Puma vs. Surge and The Willow

Comments:

Ultimo Dragon vs. The Annihilator

Comments:

Will Hulk Hogan's interview find him siding with:

A. WCW, brother;

B. KoW, brother;

C. Neither, brother.

(To me, the most interesting possible outcome here is if Hogan chooses to stand on his own here. That would really open things up even more than they already are.)

Worldwide matches:

BG and Brad Armstrong vs. ???

Comments: Gotta go with ???

The Young Pistols vs. The Ladykillers

Comments:

Tiebreaker: How long will the main event last? 18:25

Beejus · February 4, 2016

In the World: March 1996

Company Name: World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
Owner: Ted Turner
Booker: Eric Bischoff/Harley Race
Size: International
Prestige: 100
Momentum: 85
Ranking: 1st
TV Shows: WCW Monday Nitro; WCW Saturday Night; WCW Pro; WCW Worldwide
PPV Coverage: Entire World

Titles
WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Dustin Rhodes (held since January week 1, 1996)
WCW United States Heavyweight Champion: Lord Steven Regal (held since March Week 2, 1996)
WCW World Television Champion: Chris Jericho (held since March Week 2, 1996)
WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Dean Malenko (held since November Week 3, 1995)
WCW World Tag Team Champions: KoW Monsters (held since February Week 4, 1996)
WCW US Tag Team Champions: The Armstrong Brothers (held since July Week 3, 1995)
The Battlebowl Ring: Dustin Rhodes (held again next Battlebowl PPV)

Event: WCW Uncensored 1996, held Sunday, Week 2
Rating: B
PPV Buyrate: 4.90
Main Event: Dustin Rhodes defeats Randy Savage in a steel cage match to retain the WCW World Heavyweight title (78)
Match of the Night: The Road Warriors defeated Arn Anderson/Owen Hart in a street fight (96)

Workers Signed: *Devon's mystery stalker*; Mike Rotunda.
Workers Re-signed: Paul Orndorff; Bobby Heenan; Sting.
Workers Leaving: JPL.

Company Name: World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
Owner: Vince McMahon
Booker: Vince McMahon
Size: National
Prestige: 89
Momentum: 81
Ranking: 2nd
TV Shows: WWF Monday Night Raw; WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event
PPV Coverage: USA

Titles
WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Jerry Lawler (held since July Week 3, 1995)
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Bret Hart (held since August Week 4, 1995)
WWF European Champion: Koko B. Ware (held since March Week 3, 1996)
WWF World Tag Team Champions: Sparky Plugg and Mo (held since September Week 3, 1995)
WWF Women’s Champion: Sherri Martel (held since October Week 3, 1995)
WWF Royal Rumble: Yokozuna (two time winner) (competed again in January)
WWF King of the Ring: Yokozuna (competed again in June)

Event: WWF WrestleMania XI, held Sunday, Week 4
Rating: B
PPV Buyrate: 2.62
Main Event: Jerry Lawler defeated Shawn Michaels to retain the WWF World title (83)
Match of the Night: The Ultimate Warrior defeated The Undertaker (85)

Workers Hired: Paul Levesque.
Workers Re-signed: Jerry Lawler; Gerald Brisco.
Workers Leaving: Irwin R. Schyster.

Company Name: New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
Owner: Seiji Sakaguchi
Booker: Antonio Inoki
Size: National
Prestige: 89
Momentum: 77
Ranking: 3rd
TV Shows: NJPW World Pro Wrestling
PPV Coverage: Japan

Titles
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Akira Taue (held since March Week 1, 1996)
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Koji Kanemoto (held since November Week 1, 1995)
IWGP World Tag Team Championship: Masa Saito and The Great Sasuke (held since November Week 1, 1995)
G1 Climax: Mitsuharu Misawa (held again in August)
Best of the Super Juniors: Jushin Thunder Liger (held again in June)
Super Grade Tag League: Riki Choshu and Mitsuharu Misawa (held again in October)
Young Lion Cup: Shinjiro Otani (held again next March)

Event: NJPW Dream of Fighters, held Tuesday Week 3
Rating: B
PPV Buyrate: 1.49
Main Event: Shinjiro Otani defeated Yuji Nagata to win the Young Lion Cup (82)
Match of the Night: Yuji Nagata defeated Koji Kanemoto (86)

Worker Signings: None.
Worker Extensions: Yuki Ishikawa; Shinya Hashioto; Akitoshi Saito.
Workers Left: None.

Company Name: All Japan Pro-Wrestling (AJPW)
Owner: Giant Baba
Booker: Giant Baba
Size: National
Prestige: 88
Momentum: 77
Ranking: 4th
TV Shows: All Japan Pro Wrestling 30
PPV Coverage: Japan

Titles
AJPW Triple Crown Champion: Stan Hansen (held since December Week 4, 1995)
AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Champion: Yoshinari Ogawa (held since December Week 1, 1995)
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Champions: Toshiaki Kawada and Johnny Ace (held since November Week 1, 1995)
AJPW All Asia Tag Team Champions: Kentaro Shiga and Masanobu Fuchi (held since March Week 1, 1996)
Champion Carnival: Kenta Kobashi (held in April)
Real World Tag League: Kenta Kobashi & Tamon Honda (held again in December)

Event: AJPW Last Warrior Excel, held Saturday Week 2
Rating: B
PPV Buyrate: 0.30
Main Event: Kawada and Ace defeated Ogawa and Aoyagi to retain the AJPW Unified World Tag Team titles (79)
Matches of the Night: Kenta Kobashi defeated Tsuyoshi Kikuchi; Tamon Honda defeated The British Bulldog (80; tied)

Workers Hired: None.
Workers Re-signed: Kyohei Wada.
Workers Leaving: None.

Company Name: Smokey Mountain Wrestling (SMW)
Owner: Jim Cornette
Booker: Jim Cornette
Size: Regional
Prestige: 39
Momentum: 48
Ranking: 3rd in USA; 10th in World
TV Shows: SMW TV
PPV Coverage: None

Titles
SMW Heavyweight Champion: Bull Pain (held since October Week 4, 1995)
SMW Beat the Champ Television Champion: Bobby Fulton (held since January Week 4, 1996)
SMW Tag Team Champions: The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) (held since January Week 4, 1996)

Event: SMW Mass Slaughter 2; held Friday, Week 2
Rating: C
Main Event: Bull Pain defeated Steve McMichael to retain the SMW Heavyweight title (60)
Matches of the Night: Brian Blair and Greg Valentine defeated The Acts of God (Erik Watts/Chris Youngblood); Jim Duggan defeated Pat Tanaka (64, tied)

Workers Hired: None.
Workers Re-signed: None.
Workers Leaving: None.

Company Name: Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
Owner: Tod Gordon
Booker: Paul Heyman
Size: Regional
Prestige: 46
Momentum: 68
Ranking: 5th in USA; 15th in World
TV Shows: ECW Hardcore TV
PPV Coverage: None

Titles
ECW World Heavyweight Champion: Mikey Whipwreck (held since July Week 3, 1995)
ECW World Television Champion: Pitbull #2 (held since December Week 4, 1995)
ECW World Tag Team Champions: The New Legends (JT Smith & Damien Stone) (held since January Week 4, 1996)

Event: ECW Living Dangerously 1996; held Sunday Week 1
Rating: C+
Main Event and Match of the Night: Mikey Whipwreck defeated Johnny Grunge to retain the ECW World Heavyweight title (74)

Workers Hired: None.
Workers Re-signed: Ian Rotten; The Tazmaniac.
Workers Leaving: Jason.

Company News

Rise/Fall: SSW fall to local size.

New Companies: None.

Out of business: None.

New Workers:

Teddy Hart; Masakazu Fukuda; Charlie Haas; Adam Firestorm; Jeffery Psycho (created announcer).

Worker Retirements: Boyd Pierce.

Worker Deaths: None.

The Final Countdown · February 4, 2016

Not sure how I never noticed this before..

WWF World Tag Team Champions: Sparky Plugg and Mo (held since September Week 3, 1994)

Good lord. And people think the tag team division is bad today...

Beejus · February 5, 2016

Not sure how I never noticed this before..

Good lord. And people think the tag team division is bad today...

Right?! It bothers me some, actually. I changed it, I actually had the wrong year down (Bob and Mo have only had the titles since September of 95, not 94) but they won the belts from The Barbarian and Nikolai Volkoff, who won them from the Headshrinkers. These weird teams make no sense. Bob and Mo defended their belts at WM11, defeating the created team of The Exploders: Bob Horowitz and Reno Riggins.

Part of the problem, however, is that when I started this game, it was way before the patch that made AI companies activate more pre-set teams. So Fatu and Samu are not listed as a team in the WWF, because they were set to "None" at the start of the game.

Mattitude90 · February 5, 2016

Official Prediction Card

WCW (Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat, and Jake Roberts) vs. KoW (Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Scott Hall, and Jeff Jarrett)

Extra Point: Who wins the fall? Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Steve Austin vs. Arn Anderson

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. California Kip

Comments:

Brian Pillman and Cactus Jack vs. The Kings' Monsters

Comments:

Dave Finlay vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments:

Ron Simmons vs. Paul Orndorff

Comments:

The Flying Spyder and King Puma vs. Surge and The Willow

Comments:

Ultimo Dragon vs. The Annihilator

Comments:

Will Hulk Hogan's interview find him siding with:

A. WCW, brother;

B. KoW, brother;

C. Neither, brother.

Worldwide matches:

BG and Brad Armstrong vs. ???

Comments:

The Young Pistols vs. The Ladykillers

Comments:

Tiebreaker: How long will the main event last? 21:43

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

11 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

There is only ONE Nitro between now and Spring Stampede!

Warhawk8492 · February 5, 2016

WCW (Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat, and Jake Robertsvs. KoW (Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Scott Hall, and Jeff Jarrett)

Extra Point: Who wins the fall? Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Steve Austin vs. Arn Anderson

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. California Kip

Comments:

Brian Pillman and Cactus Jack vs. The Kings' Monsters

Comments:

Dave Finlay vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments:

Ron Simmons vs. Paul Orndorff

Comments:

The Flying Spyder and King Puma vs. Surge and The Willow

Comments:

Ultimo Dragon vs. The Annihilator

Comments:

Will Hulk Hogan's interview find him siding with:

A. WCW, brother;

B. KoW, brother;

C. Neither, brother.

Worldwide matches:

BG and Brad Armstrong vs. ???

Comments:

The Young Pistols vs. The Ladykillers

Comments:

Tiebreaker: How long will the main event last? 28:11

Sturcke · February 6, 2016

Official Prediction Card

WCW (Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat, and Jake Roberts) vs. KoW (Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Scott Hall, and Jeff Jarrett)

Extra Point: Who wins the fall? Jeff Jarrett

Comments: Been reading this for a while, I think Double J gets a push.

Steve Austin vs. Arn Anderson

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. California Kip

Comments:

Brian Pillman and Cactus Jack vs. The Kings' Monsters

Comments: Pillman and Jack are on a different level.

Dave Finlay vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments:

Ron Simmons vs. Paul Orndorff

Comments:

The Flying Spyder and King Puma vs. Surge and The Willow

Comments:

Ultimo Dragon vs. The Annihilator

Comments:

Will Hulk Hogan's interview find him siding with:

A. WCW, brother;

B. KoW, brother;

C. Neither, brother.

Worldwide matches:

BG and Brad Armstrong vs. ???

Comments:

The Young Pistols vs. The Ladykillers

Comments:

Tiebreaker: How long will the main event last? 40:01

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

11 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

There is only ONE Nitro between now and Spring Stampede!

Beejus · February 7, 2016

WCW Monday Nitro - April 1st, 1996

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

WCW Monday Nitro

April 1st, 1996

Held at: RiverCentre in St. Paul, Minnesota (Mid West)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 9,000 (sold out!)

Show Runtime: Two Hours

Rating: B

This show increased our popularity in 14 regions.

Last week on Monday Nitro!
The show opens with a video package highlighting the end of last week's Nitro, where Eric Bischoff – his back against the wall due to Magnum TA's huge announcement that he may have to face Dustin Rhodes – announces that Hulk Hogan will make an appearance for Spring Stampede! Following the opening video and pyro display, Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay, and Jesse Ventura welcome everyone to Monday Nitro! Tony takes a moment to explain that in some previous press releases, Spring Stampede was announced as taking place on April 14th, but that date has been changed; Spring Stampede will come to everyone live THIS Sunday night, only six days away on Easter Sunday! Jesse says that he can't wait to see Spring Stampede, but (as he blows a party popper toward Tony) he says that tonight is a big night as well, because one of the Kings of Wrestling's founding members is leaving! Tenay says that tonight in St. Paul, the place that the AWA called home, perhaps one of the most decorated men from that defunct promotion will hang it up tonight as Nick Bockwinkel is leaving. Tony wonders what the KoW may have planned for the evening, but the one thing we know for sure is that Bockwinkel's monster, Wrath, will get a chance at the World's champion, Dustin Rhodes, tonight! Jesse also says that he is planning to have a “big exposé” tonight on The Body Shop, which is why he is allowing Mike to take over for the first hour of the show, so that he can go prepare his notes. As Jesse heads backstage, Tony and Mike send us to the ring for some cruiserweight action!

Rating: C

WCW World Cruiserweight Championship: “Iceman” Dean Malenko vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Tony wonders if we are going to see Syxx out here for this match, given all the scouting he had been doing on Dean Malenko and Rey Mysterio Jr. the past few weeks. However, if Syxx did have any intentions upon watching the match, Dean didn't give him much of a chance to come out to ringside, as he did a good job of grounding Chavo. Guerrero comes back with a short burst of technical acumen, taking Malenko down with a headlock takeover followed by a surfboard stretch, but in the end Dean is able to block Chavo from locking in the Gory Special, take him down to the mat with a gutbuster, and lock in the cloverfeaf for another successful title defense.

Match Time: 4:51
Notes: The match was held back by short length.
Rating: C

The Party is On
After that, we head back to the Kings of Wrestling's dressing room, which is decorated with balloons and streamers. California Kip and “Sting” are shaking hands with Nick Bockwinkel, as Vader and The Giant patrol the area. Eric Bischoff and Harley Race talk to Nick, Bischoff asking him if he's sure he wants to leave like this; after all, by the end of the night he may be managing the World champion. Nick tells him that tonight, in St. Paul, it's just finally time “for this sixty-one year old body to rest”. Race says it will be a shame to lose his presence in the KoW, but that they will make him proud. Roddy Piper gets everyone's attention, offering a toast to one of the founders of the Kings of Wrestling. He says that “in many ways, this group has always been Nick's baby, and he gave up everything to raise it,” saying that they dedicate this evening completely to the esteemed career of Nick Bockwinkel.

Notes: Piper's performance was very good.
Rating: B-

Steve Austin vs. “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright
Before the match, “Mean” Gene Okerlund meets up with Steve Austin in the hallway. Gene asks Austin for some thoughts on both tonight and Spring Stampede this weekend, saying that he is facing two highly talented members of two very decorated groups within WCW all in the same week! Austin tells Gene that he doesn't care if he has to face fifteen men from the Himalayas along with their goats – whether it's Arn Anderson or Alex Wright, it don't matter. Because both men are stepping into the ring with Steve Austin, and that means they're in for the fight of their lives, and once he drops them “on that stack of dimes they call a neck” with the Stunner, it'll be time for a few beers and then on to take down Ric Flair too, and that's the bottom line!

The match itself is very good, but it is not without some Horsemen shenanigans; Eddy Guerrero sits in on commentary alongside Schiavone and Tenay, putting Austin down at every chance he gets while cheering on Wright. Alex's speed advantage is very apparent from the opening bell, as he keeps away from Austin while hitting him when he gets an opening. Steve finally catches him, and he pummels Wright in the corner, however Alex is able to thumb him in the eye while Randy Anderson was breaking the two up. From there, Wright goes back to his fast paced offense, but throws in some of his technical skill as well, taking Austin over with a series of arm drags that gets Austin off balance. Wright nearly scores the pin after a high standing dropkick, but it is not to be. Eddy says that while he does cheer Wright to win this match, if Alex loses he will not be surprised, because “after all, he wasn't even in consideration to be a Horseman”. The crowd are solidly behind Austin, as they cheer him on, willing him out of every possible predicament that Alex can try to put him in, finally paying off as Austin catches Wright with a Lou Thesz press! Austin hits a pointed elbow to the forehead, but only scores a two count. Wright pushes away from the Stunner, and looks to hit his bridging german suplex. However Austin is able to block it, and he reaches back to grab him and still hit the Stunner! Three slaps of the mat later, and this match is over.

Tony can be heard asking “What are you doing?” and we find out what he is talking about as Eddy Guerrero slides into the ring almost as soon as the bell rings. He hits Austin with a standing dropkick of his own, before starting to taunt the downed redneck. Eddy looks to continue some punishment, but Austin begins fighting back! Wild right hands swing the fight into his favor – but that's when he is chopblocked from behind by Owen Hart! Together, the two junior members of the Horsemen pummel Austin down to the mat, until security come out and force them to the back. Tony and Mike question if Austin may be injured, as the Horsemen have done all they can to harm Austin en route to Spring Stampede!

Match Time: 11:57
Notes: Austin performed some masterful fan interaction, while Gene improvised well.
Ratings: B- / B / C+

California Dreamin'
We head backstage following a commercial break, where Mike Tenay is standing by alongside California Kip and Woman. Kip is all smiles as he says that he's glad Spring Stampede is this coming Sunday, because he is so excited to get “Lex Loser” in the ring again. Kip says that he has beaten Lex twice (and gives Tenay dirty looks when Mike points out they were by count out and disqualification, not pinfalls) saying that this time, it'll prove without a shadow of a doubt that California Kip is the new total package! Kip says that he has one more ace up his sleeve, and that's the man in his corner for the matchup; and with that, he brings in Sting! But is it really Sting? Tony seems unconvinced, but Mike is pushed out of frame by the blank stare of the man next to Kip. Kip then says that it's time to get back to the party, as Tenay heads back out to his commentary duties.

Rating: B-

Party Pooper
Out in the aisle awaits “Mean” Gene now, and after he talks about fans wanting to call the WCW Hotline this coming week for all the backstage news about Spring Stampede, he welcomes out none other than the WCW World's Heavyweight champion, “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes! Gene asks Rhodes what he thinks about Nick Bockwinkel leaving the Kings of Wrestling and WCW tonight, and regarding the match that Eric Bischoff set up for him tonight against the monstrous Wrath. Dustin says that he has a ton of respect for what Nick accomplished in this city, in this building that he stands in tonight, comparing the history of Nick Bockwinkel in the St. Paul Civic Center to the same kind of history his father used to make in the Greensboro Coliseum. Rhodes says that unfortunately, tonight will not be his evening; because he does not plan on losing his title to Nick's monster tonight, instead he “will be playing the party pooper” because tonight, just like at Spring Stampede, will be a night for “The Natural” and not for the Kings of Wrestling! He says that he's beaten Randy Savage, he's beaten Vader, and he's come back from every beating that they have tried to inflict upon him – and this will be no different.

Rating: B+

Rick Martel vs. Steve Skyfire
Just a short squash match here, as Martel doesn't let the young Skyfire even get out of the proverbial gates here. Tony and Mike mostly discuss the rest of the night during this, as Rick puts on a clinic that ends just as abruptly as it began with the Quebec crab.

Match Time: 3:29
Notes: Match was penalized for length.
Rating: C

The Twilight Express w/Stan Lane vs. Harlem Heat
While this match isn't quite the same level of squash as the previous match, Harlem Heat waste little time here. Bobby and Terry are certainly two very game veterans, and with Lane at their side they are able to put together a great string of offense here, but it's all about the Heat here. Once things get serious, the Towering Inferno comes almost out of nowhere to put Taylor down for the count.

Match Time: 6:55
Rating: B-

The Body Shop
Jesse “The Body” Ventura is now out in the ring, and he says that it is time for another great edition of The Body Shop! Jesse says that as much as he doesn't care for the man as a person, he is all about the ratings, and so he set up this interview through Eric Bischoff to bring out none other than “The Outsider” Scott Hall! Hall comes to the ring with Kimberly Page at his side, as Jesse welcomes him to the Body Shop. Ventura wastes no time in the hard-hitting questions, asking about the marriage of Dallas and Kimberly. Hall talks instead of Kim, saying that he and Kim were good friends (winking into the camera) since long before she ever met Dallas. He says how when DDP started telling Kim to stay backstage, that was just a way of shoving her into the backseat because he couldn't handle the fans cheering for her instead of him! Kim nods and agrees to all of this, as Scott tells how she came to him to vent her problems like she always has over the years, “and, well, one thing has always led to another with me and Kimmy”. Jesse asks if there's any message that the two want to send to Dallas, and Hall says that Page needs to just stay home – and if he doesn't, then he knows where to find Kim; “down there.” The two walk away as Tony calls them “utterly disgusting” and we head to a commercial.

Notes: Hall worked the crowd into a frenzy out there, the freedom to improvise his biggest advantage.
Rating: B-

First Hour Recap
Another round of pyro goes off as we enter into the second hour of Nitro! Tony and Mike are rejoined by Jesse, and the three talk about the upcoming main event of Dustin Rhodes and Wrath. Jesse seems to feel that the emotion of the night may be enough to propel us to a new champion, while Tony and Mike both think that Nick Bockwinkel may definitely want to end the evening on a high note, and likely has something up his sleeves.

Rating: C+

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and “Blackjack” Barry Windham vs. The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude
Rick Rude's young Ladykillers are in for a tough task tonight, as they take on two of the men in the huge eight man tag team match this Sunday at Spring Stampede. Sexton and Scott make use of all the things that they've been taught, but they are easily distracted by a beautiful lady in the front row. Rude yells at them to pay attention, but that is when Steamboat's big comeback hits, and he makes the tag out to Windham. “The Blackjack” runs wild all over both of his young opponents, planting both men with hard clotheslines. He hurls Steel over the top with a running clothesline, then turns around and pushes Impact, crotching him on the top rope! Windham goes up, and he drills Sexton to the mat with his patented superplex, floating over and scoring the one, two, three.

As Rude chastises his men for not keeping their mind on business when they were in such a big match, Gene Okerlund comes out to meet “The Dragon” and “The Blackjack” in the aisle. He asks the two about Spring Stampede, reiterating that Eric Bischoff has put the seed into people's minds that the team of Dustin, Ricky, Barry, and Jake Roberts cannot work together with a shot at the World's title up for grabs. Steamboat says that in most circumstances, that's true; however, he knows that if he wanted a title shot, with Dustin holding the belt, all he has to do is ask and Rhodes will talk to Magnum TA and set up a title match for him, and the same goes for Windham, and probably the same goes for Roberts. Barry agrees, saying that while he would do anything to get a taste of that gold again, he will fight for WCW this Sunday with a clear conscience. Steamboat closes, saying that “The Dragon” will be ready to breathe fire all over the Kings of Wrestling this Sunday!

Match Time: 7:50
Notes: The match was penalized for length, though the performance of Steamboat stood out as being good.
Ratings: C+ / B-

“Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman vs. Shane Helms
Just barely a match, as Pillmania literally runs wild on young Helms. Brian takes over at the start and doesn't let up until hitting the Loaded Gun jumping DDT for a win, probably not even breaking a sweat.

Match Time: 1:42
Notes: The match was penalized for length, but Pillman looked good out there.
Rating: C

Good Things Come in Total Packages?
“Mean” Gene is back in the aisle again, and this time he brings out his guest at this time, “The Total Package” Lex Luger! Gene says that Lex heard earlier tonight that California Kip was going to have Sting in his corner at Spring Stampede, but Luger laughs it off, saying that there is no way that is the real Sting! Luger says that he may not know what Sting has in his mind, but he's been friends with Sting for so long that he knows in his heart that Sting will not join the Kings of Wrestling. The focus then turns to Kip, as Gene questions Lex about Kip calling himself “The New Total Package” but Luger scoffs at that. “You can't be a new total package when the only total package is still here!” he claims. He says that “All of the good things come in The Total Package!” and you can just hear the crowd groan as Luger doesn't even realize that the teenagers in the audience are laughing at him for his gaffe. Gene loses his composure completely, and he just does what he can to close the segment, bringing up the Steiner Brothers. Luger says that he talked to Rick and Scott backstage, bridged some gaps with them, heart to heart, and if Kip wants to have Sting in his corner at Spring Stampede, Luger will do him one better, and “in my corner will be Rick and Scott Steiner Brothers!” Rick and Scott come out and the three men raise their arms to big cheers from the crowd as Gene leaves the area, letting Lex and the Steiners to head to the ring for Luger's upcoming match.

Luger's opponent doesn't come out alone, though, as “The Smasher” Barry Darsow is out alongside partner “The Beast” Brian Adams! Harley Race leads his Chain Gang to the ring, but they are met in the aisle by the Steiner Brothers! Rick and Scott get into a staredown with Brian and Barry, and it looks like we could have a brawl on our hands! However, “Handsome Harley” is one of the great minds of our business, and he sneaks through to talk to Mark Curtis. Mark goes to Gary Cappetta, and Race smiles as the announcement is made that anyone who does not have a manager's license for tonight must leave the ringside area! The Steiners are forced to leave by security, but so is Adams, leaving only Race at ringside.

Notes: Lex screwed up his promo when off-script, and it threw Gene off as well.
Ratings: B- / B-

“The Total Package” Lex Luger vs. “The Smasher” Barry Darsow w/Harley Race
There is only one problem with all of this: that while Barry Darsow is a deadly, vicious opponent and a very large man on his own account, Lex Luger is on such a roll of momentum and crowd support that there is no way that anything is phasing “The Total Package” tonight. Race interferes on Darsow's accord where he can, but Lex Luger charges back with fire and vigor, drilling Barry with a powerslam, a charging forearm smash, and then heaving him up into the Torture Rack! With Mark Curtis right on point, Harley can do nothing but watch as Barry is forced to signal his submission.

Match Time: 7:20
Rating: B

Coming up on WCW Saturday Night
Before our main event, we go to a video graphic advertising this week's episode of WCW Saturday Night! Lord Steven Regal will be in action, we will hear from Cactus Jack, and in non-title action our Cruiserweight champion Dean Malenko will take on “Macho Man” Randy Savage!

Rating: C+

Redneck Revenge
Owen Hart and Eddy Guerrero are all smiles backstage as they head to the parking garage, talking about how they destroyed Steve Austin. They joke that he probably won't even make it to face Arn on Sunday, as they enter the Horsemen's limo, Eddy saying “Hello mamacitas!” to the waiting ladies that always accompany the Horsemen. However, sounds start coming out of the limo as it shakes back and forth – and out of the limo falls Eddy face first! He scratches and screams, but gets pulled back in and the door slams shut! Tony asks what is happening in there, and the answer comes when the door opens again and Steve Austin steps out! He seems a bit worse for wear, but when the camera zooms into the inside of the limousine, Owen and Eddy are both laid out! Jesse says that the most important thing is, what happened to the girls that should have been in there? Tony offers that maybe they could smell Bobby “The Weasel” back at the hotel room and didn't show up anyways.

Rating: B

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes vs. Wrath w/Nick Bockwinkel
The match has a bit of pageantry to start, as Nick Bockwinkel is given a hero's welcome into the arena, Tony saying this is definitely “The house that Bockwinkel built”. The Minnesota crowd are respectful for Bockwinkel, but most seem to be booing him due to his allegiances with the Kings of Wrestling. Also, Wrath comes out along with his mentor, the man who found him and brought him to the KoW, and he stands watching the entryway for his opponent.

“The Natural” makes a beeline for his more musclebound opponent, his head first strategy doing minimal damage however as Wrath easily shoves Dustin away. Wrath dominates the matchup for the opening few minutes, as he throws the champion around from one side of the ring to the other as a chant of “Nat-ur-al!” echoes through the Rivercentre. Wrath scores a huge shoulderblock, but only gets a count of two from it. Wrath locks on a bearhug, trying to squeeze the will out of Rhodes. Dustin finds his way out by biting though, and despite complaints from Bockwinkel on the outside of the ring, Tommy Young does not disqualify him. Dustin fires back with a series of clotheslines, rocking the monster from the KoW before hitting him with a flying tackle! Wrath is staggered, and Dustin picks him up and hits a big bodyslam! Wrath is down, and Bockwinkel gets up on the ring apron! But Rhodes saw him, and he shoves him back down to the floor! Wrath charges, but Rhodes ducks and hits the ropes on the other side, before drilling Wrath with a surprise bulldog! Wrath starts to stand back up, as Tony is shocked, saying that nobody has ever gotten right back up from Dustin's bulldog, even as groggy as Wrath seems. But by the time he has staggered to his feet, Rhodes is on the second rope, and he leaps off, hitting another bulldog! This time, Rhodes is able to go for the cover, and a dazed Wrath is unable to kick out, as Rhodes scores another big title defense over the Kings of Wrestling.

Match Time: 10:05
Ratings: C+ / B

A KoW Style Farewell
Dustin Rhodes leaves the ring, offering to shake Bockwinkel's hand on his way out, but Nick pays no mind, so Rhodes leaves. After Dustin has left the arena, Roddy Piper comes out of the back, flanked by Vader and The Giant. Jesse says that this must be bringing the party out here, as the three men enter the ring. Piper, excited, shakes hands with Nick, moving forward and kissing Bockwinkel on the forehead. He screams to the front row to stand up for Nick Bockwinkel, but a surprising voice is heard…

It's Larry Zbyszko, out of the back with a microphone. He commends Nick for all the things that he has done in his career, listing off all of his AWA World championship reigns, former WCW commissioner, and founding member of the Kings of Wrestling, “well earned, I might add”. Larry says that, unfortunately, there is only one opponent that no man can defeat, “and that is Father Time.” He says that many people would indeed call this “the house that Bock built” along with guys like Verne Gagne, the Road Warriors, Larry Hennig… and Larry Zbyszko. Larry says that if anything, perhaps more people would think that Bockwinkel built the Rivercentre than any of the other names mentioned; “And well, with all due respect? That just won't do.” He suddenly attacks Nick, knocking him to the mat with a punch! Piper, Vader, Giant, and Wrath seem shocked – but Piper tells Giant to get him! The Giant fells Bockwinkel with a huge punch, as the fans begin booing loudly! Roddy kneels down over Bockwinkel, and the camera catches him telling Nick that he may have helped start it, but he's too soft to finish it! Piper starts punching Nick now, and there's a huge mugging going on in the middle of the ring! Wrath seems conflicted, as Bockwinkel brought him to his position right now, but Piper gives him an order – and he levels Nick with a clothesline! Tony questions if Bockwinkel has any friends back there who would come out and help with this, but Jesse says that nobody is coming; when Nick sold his soul to form the Kings of Wrestling, he sold out all of WCW!

It feels like quite a while, but the pleas of the crowd finally are answered, as Dustin Rhodes and Lex Luger emerge from the back! By this time, Nick's suit has been ripped up and Piper and Zbyszko have spraypainted Bockwinkel's bare back with the “KoW” letters, but the two fresh fan favorites coming out are the sign for the KoW to leave. Dustin and Lex check on Bockwinkel, as Jesse says that “if you don't have friends, I guess enemies of your enemies will have to do” and Tony tells fans that this Sunday is Spring Stampede, and it appears that even when we thought the KoW was losing a man tonight, instead they have just gained a potentially more dangerous one in Larry Zbyszko. Goodnight, everybody!

Notes: Piper's performance was good, but Wrath performed poorly alongside all these legendary figures. Larry's new gimmick, a weaselly old school heel, was met with great response, garnering an A, however he looked dreadful out there.
Rating: B+

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/logo2.jpg

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

There's the final WCW show for Nick Bockwinkel. I put it in St. Paul purposely for that reason. Nick's contract was up, and re-signing him or not was left up to SkipMartin for a SuperBrawl prize.

The Hotline will be posted alongside Spring Stampede itself, so this has been the final episode that will be posted before the pay per view. So if you haven't yet, get in predictions now! I don't think there will be too many more, but as of now, this is the list of people who have predicted so far:

AMarc9-8

TheBigBad1013

The_CoC

crackerjack

The Final Countdown

Happy0wns

KnowYourEnemy

Mattitude90

Satyr24

Smasher1311

Sturcke

Uncrewed

Warhawk8492

So best of luck with that guys, I hope to have Spring Stampede done as quickly as I can!

Dawn · February 8, 2016

The PPV date changing on short notice? Vintage WCW!

SkipMartin · February 16, 2016

Not doing predictions this time around as I have won enough. (<_<)

But I am interested in the main event. I have no doubts that Steamboat and Windham won't turn their backs on Rhodes, but Jake Roberts being the same team does raise an eyebrow or two. I don't know about who I would pick as the victor if KoW were to take the W either. Savage has already had two shots, Hall is wrapped up in the feud with DDP, I don't know if Jarrett is over enough, and I expect Hogan to have a bigger bone to pick with Piper.

Beejus · February 21, 2016

WCW Spring Stampede 1996

https://www.youtube.com/embed/jGQilFRc1oY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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

WCW Spring Stampede 1996

April 7th, 1996

Held at: America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona (South West)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 16,210 (sold out!)

PPV Buyrate: 5.00

Show Runtime: Three Hours

Rating: B+

This show increased our popularity in 24 regions.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/roddypiper.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/randysavage.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/jeffjarrett2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/scotthall2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/woman.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/harleyrace2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/kimpage2.jpg

The show features a cold opening as a black and white view, as the four men of the Kings of Wrestling in tonight's main event are having a final pep talk meeting. Randy Savage screams “tonight's the night, yeah!” as he says that one of them will be getting a World title shot at World War 3, and the others will be there to back them up as the KoW take back what's theirs! Scott Hall makes a dig at Dallas Page, saying that he knows all about taking back things that was once his, laughing with Kim about it as she rests in his lap. Jeff Jarrett also adds that he isn't on this team for no reason, claiming that he's the most technically sound second generation star in the history of wrestling, and would make a great WCW World champion just like any of the rest of the KoW, ha ha! Savage shoves Jarrett, telling him to “get fired up, yeah dig it!” Roddy Piper tells Savage to run with that emotion, because they need it. He tells Jarrett to run with all the skills he can bring, because they'll need it. He tells Hall to bring everything he's got, because they'll need it. Piper says now that they've kicked Nick to the curb, Piper is the only founding member of the KoW left, so it's time for “President Piper” to send his men into battle and win this war once and for all! Woman smiles evilly as Harley nods, saying that we are looking at the winning team, and that the WCW team are just “too much individual, not enough collective” to ever completely win out over the Kings of Wrestling. Savage is screaming in the distance and yells “snap into it!” as the camera cuts out.

Notes: Randy was superb here, his performance fantastic. Roddy also came across well. Scott enjoyed not being scripted, and he performed well because of it.
Rating: B+