WCW: Dangerous Territory

The Final Countdown · December 31, 2017

<p>Sorry to hear about your image hosting issues. I was in the same boat when Photobucket went down. </p><p> </p><p> It sounds like we did things in much the same way too, because when I was using Photobucket I would copy and paste from templates and then just put in the file names of the pictures. When I switched over to Imgur, what I did was create a Word document with alphabetical links to all my worker pictures, and then I paste whatever links I need when I'm putting a show together. There were some growing pains as I adjusted to it, but now I think it might actually be more efficient than what I used to do. </p><p> </p><p> That Warrior meeting was <em>fantastic</em>, and I am now 100% in favor of him being brought in even if just to see more of his antics behind the scenes. I do think Vince should throw a monkey wrench in at the very end and demand a second worker in addition to Lex though.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Thanks, TFC. I'm currently binge-reading your TGAAB WWF diary (currently just finished KOTR '89) and couldn't resist using the same Vince photo I think you used in that diary - a little tribute to James Hill and co!</div></blockquote><p> Yep, 'smirking announcer Vince' was a crowd pleaser in TGAAB!</p>

smw88 · December 31, 2017

<p>Just wanted to say I love that negotiation scene with warrior.</p><p>

I too feel your pain with the hosting sites.</p>

KnowYourEnemy · December 31, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> I've spent 2 hours trying to find a user friendly alternative, but every one I've tried (variously imgbox, cubeupload, imagehosting, ezphotoshare, imgbb, imgur, urimagez, freephotoupload, Google photos, imgrpost, kiwi6, imagevenue, vgy, picload and postimg) either renames the image, adds in some sort of unique URL modifier or just flat-out isn't suitable for hotlinking.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Ugh. It's difficult to quantify how difficult "not having reliable image hosting" has hurt this board. I haven't had any major problems with imigur -- the organization system works well enough not to slow things to a crawl-- but I do miss having the file urls.</p>

Theheel · December 31, 2017

<p>Been following along for awhile now. I always loved WCW/NWA and Ric Flair in general back in the day. So seeing him truly in charge is fun.</p><p> </p><p>

Gotta say the scenario with Warrior is very intriguing. Having him talk in 3rd person and the way you portrayed him is exactly how I could see him being.</p>

James Casey · December 31, 2017

I'd love to see Sting and Luger traded for Bret and Shawn, if only because we get to see the guys play "for the other team". I know the two are close in real life -- maybe Sting wants to follow his friend?

Honestly, with Hayes, I would've seen the "backstage reasons" as a reason to send him over. It creates uncertainty and controversy among the boys, and it would add intrigue to the locker room talks. Plus, he could always have some "inside information" to use down the road.

Flair knows he's on time decline, but does Vince?

Ugh. It's difficult to quantify how difficult "not having reliable image hosting" has hurt this board. I haven't had any major problems with imigur -- the organization system works well enough not to slow things to a crawl-- but I do miss having the file urls.

I think imgur is 'most likely' to get used. The main issue would be with the show pictures; If I can keep them in some kind of order, then great, but otherwise...

Hayes to WWF? Well, let's say that he was really, really, biblically unhappy about dropping the TV belt to Tigre. Would he want to quit WCW over that? We'll have to see.

Just wanted to say I love that negotiation scene with warrior.
I too feel your pain with the hosting sites.

Been following along for awhile now. I always loved WCW/NWA and Ric Flair in general back in the day. So seeing him truly in charge is fun.

Gotta say the scenario with Warrior is very intriguing. Having him talk in 3rd person and the way you portrayed him is exactly how I could see him being.

That Warrior meeting was fantastic, and I am now 100% in favor of him being brought in even if just to see more of his antics behind the scenes. I do think Vince should throw a monkey wrench in at the very end and demand a second worker in addition to Lex though.

Thanks guys, I loved writing Warrior/Hellwig. I was worried about trying to capture his voice, but it evolved quite nicely.

There'll be a pretty lengthy post going into the rationale behind the various signings, but as for writing Warrior... It was a lot of fun Trying to work out the motivation for him signing (and I had a rule that it had to make at least some sort of sense in-universe) was a challenge, but a bit of research helped that along, and really helped inform Warrior/Hellwig's character.

I've watched a few of Warrior's shoot videos over the years, but really they left me feeling a bit sad for him. I preferred the version I remembered from my childhood, so didn't go back to them for this project.

Moving on, the first part of the Bret Hart negotiations!

James Casey · December 31, 2017

“I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting to be told by Vince that my contract might be bought out by WCW,” Bret Hart said, as he took a seat opposite Ric.

“The last time we talked, Hitman, I told you what a big fan of yours I was. I’ve been watching you ever since, hoping we’d have the chance to talk like this again. I admit, it’s a little unorthodox... but I’m serious about bringing you back to WCW with me.”

“I understand and appreciate your interest, Ric, but I’m settled with the WWF, and I didn’t wake up today thinking about moving south.”

“Your family’s still in Calgary?” Ric asked.

“That’s right, so Atlanta is even further afield. Julie and the kids...” he shook his head. “I don’t see enough of them as it is. Moving further away from them can’t work, Ric, I’m sorry.”

“We’d pay better than the WWF does, I can tell you that now, and there’s less travel. Our house shows stick closer to home, so you can probably be home three, four nights a week if you want when we’re not running a pay-per-view. As for the money... What’re you on, fifteen thousand a month?”

Hart nodded.

“We can top that, no question.”

“You told me that once before, Ric, then when I called back to get it in writing, Jim Herd told me I was worth one-fifty a year.” Hart stared hard across the table, and Ric nodded sympathetically.

“That was Herd. Business is up, and I’m in charge now. Ted Turner trusts me, and I trust you to be worth more than you’re earning for Vince – and that’s just the starting salary! Get over, and we can renegotiate.

“And property’s cheaper down south. You can move the family down, get the kids into a great school system , you’ll be home more, your kids will see more of you, your wife will see more of you...”

Hart frowned, and Ric wondered if he’d inadvertently hit a sore spot.

“My own kids are doing great down there – Megan and Reid are about the same age as your kids, I think. And, of course, your brother’s already down there, and he’s happy. His wife’s expecting their first any day now!”

“It

would

be great to see more of Owen... but I can’t make that kind of decision on my own,” Hart said. “I need to speak to Julie, and we need to be sure it’d be the right move for us, and the kids.”

“I understand, and I don’t need an answer right away, take a couple of days to think about it. But something else for you to think about, Bret... We want

you

, not the Hart Foundation, not Bret Hart and Rick Martel, we want Bret Hart, the Hitman, the Excellence of Execution.”

Ric punctuated his words by pointing a finger right at Hart, who sat a little straighter in his chair. “WCW is where wrestlers show, above all else, what they can do between the ropes, and what you can do in the ring pretty much makes you ideal for WCW.”

Ric stared intently at Hart.

“We’re not so different, you and me. We’re not the biggest, but we’re two of the best. We’re tough enough to go a long, long way in this business, but you’ll go a lot further in WCW than you will here, Bret. WCW has big plans, and we want you to be a part of that, a much bigger part that you’d be in a company where Hogan’s sat on top for the last nine years.”

“You’re bringing Warrior in,” Hart said.

“Yes we are, and we hope to bring in Shawn Michaels as well.”

“Shawn?” Hart looked surprised. “Really?”

“Not a fan?” Ric asked, surprised in turn. “You guys go great opposite one another.”

“I’m just surprised that you’re taking him, but not Marty.”

“Vince wants to keep Jannetty. We’d have liked to bring them both in, but I think Shawn can be a success on his own.”

Hart shrugged.

“Do you want me to work with Owen?” he asked.

“Well, there are a lot of avenues open for you. Working with or against Owen, having no involvement with him at all, going after gold... I want you as a singles guy, Bret, but if you want to work with your brother I’d understand.

“Frankly, your match quality is pretty well guaranteed however we use you,” Ric went on. “And we want to give you opportunities to improve on the microphone as well. We see you becoming established, over time, as a main event level talent... But you’re not there yet.”

Hart frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“You have the tools, you don’t have the name value... And I’ll be frank with you, Bret, until you’ve been on top, there’s no guarantee that’s where you’re meant to be. The fans might not take to you there, and that’s on you and me both to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

“So what you’re saying is... You’re offering me a chance to reach the top.”

“A good chance, yes. No guarantees, but if you can make it happen we’ll work with you every step of the way.”

Hart stood and walked over to the dining room window. He stared out for over a minute, before turning back.

“After being here for the last six years and had every step forward be met with a push back, that sounds like a pretty good deal to me.”

Ric beamed, and for the first time Hart smiled.

“Let me talk to Julie, and I’ll let you know.”

The two men shook hands, and as Hart left, Flair sunk into his chair.

First Hellwig, now Hart... Is WCW really that much of a hard sell?

Next: Ric and the Rocker...

Bluestillidie00 · January 1, 2018

In-game, how are you executing these? Presume most WWF guys are on PPA, so are you just poaching them, and then "swapping" your guys, if WWF sign them up in game?

James Casey · January 3, 2018

<p>I used the editor to run down Hart and Michaels' contracts. I think Warrior's was up, or close enough - I may have shaved a few days off in the editor, but I wanted to run this series of posts immediately after SuperBrawl.</p><p> </p><p>

Luger's contract is up in a few weeks. Assuming the WWF moves for him, I won't stand in his way. If they don't, I'll let him walk and he likely won't be back in this diary - but I expect Vince to move as soon as his contract is up!</p>

James Casey · January 3, 2018

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"></div></div></div><div style="text-align:left;"><p><em><span style="font-family:Arial;">OOC: I've gone back and started fixing some of the busted image links. It's not likely to be quick progress, but hopefully it'll be a start...</span></em></p><p>

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</div></div></div><img alt="fbNfN33.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fbNfN33.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="MrTXn8P.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MrTXn8P.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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Ric had a few minutes to gather his wits before Shawn Michaels entered the room.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, well, well, the Nature Boy himself wants to bring lil’ old Michael Hickenbottom back to the south, huh?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Michaels grinned as he stuck his hand out. Ric shook it and tried to project confidence. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Yes I do.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“And no Marty? Too bad for him – I’m sure Vinnie Mac can find something for him to do.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Ric was impressed with Michaels’ self-confidence, but couldn’t help but be sidetracked. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Vince has plans for Marty Jannetty.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Sure he does, like he’s had plans for Bret Hart since ‘85, but Bret’s on his way south too, isn’t he? Vince knows he needs someone to bump for the Warlord and Hulk. Marty can do that the way Bret has the last few years. Meanwhile, I’ll be down south kicking it with the Dangerous Alliance, or whatever you’ve got lined up for me.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Ric smiled, and now felt the confidence rising. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“I’ve had a harder time selling the idea to Warrior and Bret.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, I’ve got a lot less baggage than they do, Ric. I’m a young guy, no family, no kids, only answering to myself and Marty – and if I’m coming south and Marty’s staying here, not even him. So long as you pay me a fair wage, I’m good. I’ll even be closer to home. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“As for the other two, well, Warrior’s got two screws loose, and Hart’s had all the hope kicked out of him over the years...”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Michaels looked contemplative for a moment, and his tone became serious. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“He’ll do well in WCW, if he moves. He misses his family, and if he brings them to Atlanta and if you’re for real about giving him a push, he’ll do anything you want him to.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The cocky grin returned. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Me too, for that matter. Want me to warm up the crowd? I can get them piping. Cool the crowd? I can leave them lukewarm or I can kill ‘em dead. You want me to blow the roof off the joint, I can do that. You’re looking at the guy who’s going to lead wrestling through the 1990s, whether I’m in WCW or the WWF. If I stay in the WWF, I’ll be working with Marty and it’ll be a while before I get a singles run. If I come south, you’ll want to build me up... but I don’t want to be a part of a team again, Ric, or I may as well stay here and keep working with Marty. If I come to Atlanta, give me a manager, give me a stable, hey, I’ll even put on a suit and be part of the York Foundation... But let me get in there with your best guys, one on one, and you’ll soon see that I’m the showstopper that WCW has been crying out for.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Ric grinned now, as he realised how enthusiastic Michaels was about the move.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Shawn, I like your style, I like it a lot. I can’t promise you that you’ll never be put in tag matches, but I’m not bringing you in with the idea you’d be a tag wrestler.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“And if you’d got Marty?” Shawn asked, his tone reverting to serious. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Then we’d be having this discussion with the both of you, talking about how we’d want you to have a short run and most likely split because of how valuable you’d be as singles performers. Full disclosure, Shawn, we wanted Curt Hennig as well, because we want to add depth to the singles ranks right now, but with no Curt and no Marty-”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Then this showstopper’s got a lot less competition ahead of him,” Michaels finished, switching back to the supremely cocky smile that Ric could already see in the centre of a WCW ring. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:10px;">They chatted for a few minutes, talked and agreed terms and shook hands. Flair smiled as Michaels left, confident that at least one of the three was looking forward to coming to work in WCW because they </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:10px;"><em>wanted</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:10px;"> to work in WCW.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>Next: Flair, Hart, redux...</em></span></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p>

James Casey · January 4, 2018

The travel budget stretched to a decent hotel, all things considered, and Ric was enjoying a soak in his suite’s hot tub when the phone rang.

“Mr Flair, I have a Mr Hart for you.”

“Put him through... Owen, is that you?”

“Actually Ric, it’s Bret. Can you talk now?”

“Sure thing. Did you talk to your family?”

“I did. Julie likes the idea of getting away from- of moving. She can bring the kids down over the summer – it’ll give me and Owen a chance to find a place for us and scout the local schools.”

“Then you’re in?”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

“Bret?”

“I’ve been here for seven years, Ric,” Bret said. “That’s a big investment, a lot of time out of my life and my career... Ric, I never intended to be a wrestler. I did it for my family, and I’m proud of what I’ve done, of what I’ve accomplished, and of what I can do, but you need to know, if I’m coming south, I’ve learned a lot from being around Hogan and the others. I need to make big money to set my family up.”

“We can’t start you on big money, Bret, not main event money-“

“I know, I know, I heard what you said... And it’s true. I’m not there, not yet, but Ric, I’m coming in to hit hard, to push myself hard, to cut through your roster... You say it’s a performer’s paradise?

“I want it to be that, Bret. There’s always going to be space for big, tough guys in wrestling, but in WCW I want the focus to be on skill over all else. It worked for me.”

“Being the Nature Boy worked for you, Ric-”

You’re not wrong! Wooooh!

“-but yeah, you stayed on top for a long time with the belt. I can go, Ric. I know how good I am, how well I can go when I don’t have to put someone else over, and that’s what I want. I want a chance to go, like Rick Rude and Savage both got.”

Ric sank back in the hot tub, closing his eyes as he felt the hot waters swirling around him.

“If you come to us, Bret, you won’t be staring at the lights, not often. I can’t guarantee you the main event, but I can guarantee you’re not coming just to put others over. Everyone has to lose sometimes – I put Koloff over, and I’ll do the same for others, same as Sting, same as Luger, same as Arn... But you’ll be coming into the top half of the card, and if you work hard it’ll be the top third, the top quarter...”

“I’ve heard ‘work hard’ since 1984, Ric.”

“And you have, and you’re a better wrestler now than you ever were then. Bret, I remember back in the day when Jim Crockett would point out the Hart boys to me at the annual NWA conference. We talked about bringing you in full-time – you and your brothers, or some combination of you guys... But you weren’t as good as we had already. These last few years, yeah, you’ve made the breakthrough. You’re a great competitor, and with some work on the microphone, you’ll be a star. I want you to get there, brother, and I’ll put in the time with you, same as I have with Owen, to make you even more comfortable on the mic than you already are.”

Ric sank back in the tub, and for the first time in the conversation he smiled.

“Tell me, Hitman, did Vince ever do that for you? Did he ever promise you a ticket to the stars? Because that’s what I’m doing now. You want to stand out on the microphone? I’ll teach you everything I know – and help you find your own style, because you don’t want to be finishing every promo with a ‘Whooo’ now, do you? I know you’ve got it in you, Bret, and you just need to find it and bring it out. Do that, and there’s no question that the main event is yours.”

“I have to admit, it’s nice to hear such a positive take on my potential,” Hart allowed. “What can you offer me a month?”

“Let’s start at that two hundred a year we talked about a few years back. That’s a nice step up from where you are now, plus less travel, plus the savings on the cost of living... And then we’ll get to work on making the Hitman an unmissable part of WCW television, and in a few months’ time let’s see where we are.”

“And property’s cheaper down there...” Hart said. Ric remained silent, sensing that the other man was thinking aloud. “One other thing, Ric. I want the right to break my contract on short notice.”

“What? How short?”

“Two weeks. I’ve never refused to lose to someone, never complained about it before... And now I’m in the WWF midcard where I’ve been for the last five years. Ric, if you’ve got plans on me moving south to take the same role in a smaller company when you’re selling me the move as the chance for me to break out, well, I want the right to walk if you don’t stick to your word.”

Me, go back on my word? How dare... Who’s he been talking to?

“Bret... You’re putting me in a difficult position. How do I know you won’t screw me over?”

“You have two weeks notice, and anyone who’s worked with me with tell you I’m a professional, Ric. My brother’s with you, I’m talking about bringing my family down... Let me get over, and I’ll repay your investment with interest, Ric. Let me be the Hitman, let me show what I can do... Let me be as good as I know I can be. Give me that, and I’ll be the most loyal, the hardest working, the most professional member of your roster you could ever hope for.”

Give him everything and he’ll be happy and make nice? Well isn’t that good of him!

“Bret... I understand where you’re coming from. Six, nine months ago, before I got the book here, I was burnt out like I think you are now. Getting out from under Jim Herd was the best thing that could have happened to me – even if I do have a whole host of additional worries now! But I think that coming south will work for you. I’ll make sure the contract has a break clause in it, and I’ll go one further. If you’re not happy by the end of the school year, you can walk with that two weeks’ notice, no questions asked and no risk of disturbing your family.”

“Then... I guess I’m in. I am, I’m in...” Hart seemed to be weighing the words in his mind even as he said them. “I’m in,” he said again, a little more certainly. “Send me the contract, I’ll look it over, but if it’s on the terms you say, I’ll come down and work as hard for you as I ever have here or in Stampede.”

“Brother, that’s all I could ever want from you.”

Ric hung up the phone and slid under the surface of the water, letting the hot water wash over him as the events of the last day raced through his mind.

Hart and Michaels, good, Warrior... well, we’ll see...

But think of the matches! Think of the technical classic Flair against Hart will be, think about Michaels bumping for the Nature Boy, think about us going over Warrior – clean!

Bursting back up though the surface, he beamed at the walls of the bathroom.

“Whooooo!”

Next: Reactions from the booking team...

James Casey · January 6, 2018

The four other members of the booking committee stared at him.

“So... how much is this going to cost us?” Hayes asked.

Ric hesitated. He disliked discussing finance with the others, not least because Hayes was an active competitor who had a high opinion of his own worth.

And his contract’s up next month – but let’s see him out-negotiate the Nature Boy!

“Two year’s salary for each of them for Vince to release them now,” he replied.

“Which is?” Crockett pressed.

“It comes to... 1.6 million.”

Crockett sat back in his chair. Graham whistled softly. Bischoff looked around the room.

“Is that a lot? It doesn’t seem like a huge amount.”

“Yes, Eric, it’s a lot of money,” Crockett replied, his face looking pinched. “Does Ted Turner know about this?”

“He does, and he’s okay with it.”

Well, technically he said it was a gamble and I’d have to show it was justified... But he signed off on it.

Crockett closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“We’re paying nearly three and a half million dollars to put Ultimate Warrior over on our shows until 1995,” he said. “Guaranteed money, no get out clause, no option to renegotiate, no escape. Ric, you’ve become too obsessed with chasing the WWF if you think that having Ultimate Warrior in WCW is in any way acceptable.”

“Jim, I-“

“No. I’ve tried to be supportive, Ric, I have! I know that I’m here as an advisor and you can tell me to go hang at any time, but this is madness! You’ll bankrupt WCW this way, and what’s worse is that you’re doing the exact same thing that I did five years ago, trying to fight Vince McMahon on his own terms when I showed quite clearly that it won’t work!”

Crockett glared at Ric across the table. Graham looked as though he’d happily let the floor swallow him up at that point, Hayes shook his head as he looked at the table, although whether he agreed or disagreed with Crockett wasn’t clear. Only Bischoff looked confident – but then, he’d got more than his wildest dreams.

Ah, what’s the worst that can happen? Think Ted’s going to fire the Nature Boy?

He might take the book away – and then I’m losing to Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels to prove they’re worth the investment... while Warrior stays on top for forever and a day to prove he’s worth it, too!

He looked around the room, only finding comfort in the expression of Bischoff – and even then, the megawatt smile wasn’t as reassuring as Ric hoped. With a frown, he pushed on.

I’m in too deep now.

“Well, now we’ve got to decide how to best use them...”

Next: OOC, and then onto the booking team meeting...

The Final Countdown · January 6, 2018

Bischoff looked around the room.

“Is that a lot? It doesn’t seem like a huge amount.”

Easy E's mid '90s fiscal responsibility is already in effect, I see.

James Casey · January 6, 2018

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Easy E's mid '90s fiscal responsibility is already in effect, I see. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> *nods solemnly*</p><p> </p><p> *</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">OOC Post</span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Shawn Michaels, Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> I admit, there’s an element of fantasy booking here. Could I get the three of them to WCW? I suspect I could get Warrior, whose deal was set to expire in-game in a few weeks anyway (around the same time as Luger’s, so it’s pretty much a straight swap).</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Michaels and Hart had 15 and 6 months left on their deals, but I was struck by the idea that bringing them into WCW right now worked perfectly for what I wanted to do with the company when I was writing the Bischoff piece. Perfect/Hennig was on the list as well, but has increased in overness to main event level in WWF, so I felt I couldn’t justify taking him from them – no matter how much I wanted to!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> In real life, Warrior left the WWF in summer 1991 due to disagreements over payments made by the WWF when he was headlining the company. The letters exchanged between Warrior and Vince are (assuming they’re legitimate) out there and make for interesting reading. The relationship with Vince is reflected in the mod (at least, he and Vince have simmering tension – I can’t recall if it was there in the base mod, I added it, or if it’s generated naturally) and serves in-game as the catalyst for his departure. As for Warrior’s backstage personality, apparently, he’s going to be similar to Worf from Star Trek in how highly he values honour, but at the same time won’t sell himself short. Is Warrior Hellwig, and is Hellwig Warrior? This remains to be seen.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> In terms of matches in the WWF, Warrior appears to be their least-used performer. With just 7 matches in 8 months, including none in August, October or November, Warrior has competed less than such luminaries as Henry O. Godwinn, Virgil and Hercules – and Herc left the Federation in September! To pick the obvious comparison in WCW, Sting has competed in 39 matches in the same time.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Hart felt that he was unappreciated in WWF a lot during the 1990s, and even after his runs as IC champion in 1991 and 1992 he thought he was viewed as expendable. In the game, he’s not been IC champion, even though I gave him a small overness boost and set him up to feud with Mr Perfect at the start of the game. He really was stuck in an aimless (if title-holding) team with Rick Martel in-game, and in the absence of any sort of real push would have much less value to Vince than he did in real life at this time. It’s not hard to imagine him jumping at the opportunity to work under Flair.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Incidentally, in November 1992 Bret worried that he was going to get the push from the WWF, and feared the worst when called into a meeting with Vince. In fact, the meeting was to tell him that he’d be beating Ric Flair for the World title, but Hart’s low opinion of his position in the Federation at that time is instructive. Even in between World title reigns, he thought he wasn’t always given the exposure and respect he was due. Reading Hart’s autobiography is recommended for anyone who was a fan of the WWF at that time... albeit that I felt it was a tough read in places, given how much I idolised him when I was younger.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As of late February 1992, Hart has worked 15 matches in 8 months for the WWF. His only match in January was being a part of the Rumble, and he hasn’t won a match since January. Workers with more matches than Hart since the game started include Dick Slater, Pat Tanaka and the Bushwhackers. He’s not a key part of the WWF roster, based on that. His obvious counterpart in WCW is Owen, who’s had 49 matches in that time.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As for Michaels... Well, I’ve had to assume he was at least somewhat of a pain backstage in the early 1990s, although in that locker room possibly he was lost in the noise. The Rockers certainly got canned when first signed by the WWF in the late 1980s due to poor backstage behaviour (supposedly a misunderstanding). They got a second chance (obviously) and seem to have shaped up for a time as it’s not until the mid-1990s that reports of Michaels’ ego start to emerge. They just got on with stealing the show most nights – their match against the Orient Express at Royal Rumble 1991 being a case in point. One interesting story I’ve come across is that Sherri Martel was the person who first fine-tuned Michaels’ political sensibilities. Having been around Randy Savage for two years, she knew which buttons to press and levers to pull... but for Michaels in this timeline, that hasn’t happened and maybe never will.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Backstage, Jannetty was seen as the breakout member of the team, which is why Vince wanted to keep hold of him in-game. Why, I don’t know – even as a kid I thought Michaels was the ‘better’ Rocker, but possibly that’s why Michaels was the one to initiate the breakup on-screen, as it meant he got a boost from the angle whereas Jannetty was expected to make it work just from fan support and in-ring performances. What exact combination of personal issues, booking and the Heartbreak Kid catching on lead to Jannetty being, well, the Marty Jannetty of the Rockers split will likely be debated for a long time, but indisputably Michaels came out the better.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> In ring, Shawn’s been the busiest of the three incoming workers, with a whopping 20 appearances over the last 8 months – the same as Kato and less than Sid Justice and Marty Jannetty, who’s had 25 matches. Michaels has had a reasonable run, winning 13 of those matches with his only singles defeats coming against Ted Dibiase. Still, he’s gained about 3 points in overness in the US in that time – compare to Brian Pillman’s 20 point gain, or Owen Hart’s 30 points. Going back to Pillman as Michaels’ WCW analogue, Flyin’ Brian has 52 matches since 1st July.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> All of which goes to show that it’s not too much of a stretch to think that Vince would be happy or indifferent to lose these three from his roster. Is it still cheating on my part? Yes – I wouldn’t do it in a private game. But in service of the story... Well, that’s another matter. I try and avoid this, and I’ve tried to make it sting a bit (Warrior is a positively toxic backstage presence, and I lose Luger rather than re-signing him) but I won’t try and pretend it’s not a chance to write three of my favourite workers at the one time in history all three were close to their respective peaks.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The money it costs is irrelevant. Ted’s WCW was never short of cash, nor shy of spending it, but for what it’s worth 800k is about what the game had the three on for a year – Warrior earning about 40k a month, Hart 15k and Michaels about 10k. Randy Savage in WCW is comfortably the top earner on 40k a month, Rick Rude is on about 35k, Sting at about 27k with his new contract (and he’s become more popular since re-signing). We’re switching to monthly PPVs from now on (albeit that the Clash name will continue to be used for non-Big Five shows) so can expect to make about a million a month in profits. Handing over 6 weeks profits to Vince for getting Hart, Warrior and Michaels? I can live with that.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Now, I suppose, I have to work out what to do with the three of them.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Well, I say </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>I</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> have to work it out...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Next: How do you solve a problem like Warrior (and Hart and Michaels)?</em></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div>

to4sty · January 6, 2018

<p>I just want to pipe in here and say this is a fantastic read.....this is probably only the second dynasty i’ve read where I care more about the behind the scene elements and writing that I do about the actual results of the matches or the shows at all, and that’s not a knock on the actual booking or results, because the shows have been excellent, it’s more of a compliment to your writing, because I can’t wait to see the next booking meeting/negotiation/whatever happens in the back....(for the record I think the first diary I read that I was more interested in the storytelling aspect was many years ago and I can’t actually remember what it was called, I was only a dirty lurker back then....the “narrator” was called The Kid though and did a p*ss test for Mr. Perfect).....but I digress, keep up the good work sir</p><p> </p><p>

Oh and for the record I don’t think getting either Bret or Warrior around this time would be too far fetched, Warrior as you say was not on the best of terms with Vince at this time, and I believe WCW were sniffing after Bret in late 91 anyhoo, in fact I’m sure I read somewhere (possibly in Bret’s book) that The Mountie’s IC win was because of the real risk of Bret leaving, so fantasy booking or not it’s not out of the realms of possibility</p>

The Final Countdown · January 6, 2018

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>(for the record I think the first diary I read that I was more interested in the storytelling aspect was many years ago and I can’t actually remember what it was called, I was only a dirty lurker back then....the “narrator” was called The Kid though and did a p*ss test for Mr. Perfect)</div></blockquote><p> The Kid and the Business, by Boomking. Boom's behind the curtain scenes were <em>awesome.</em></p>

James Casey · January 7, 2018

<p>Definitely one of the greats, although as many tests as the Kid had to take, I hope he hydrated regularly <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

For me, it was up there with that the one and only <a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32110" rel="external nofollow">John Awesome</a> diary, if (a bit) less NSFW!</p>

James Casey · January 8, 2018

<p><em>OOC: So, here we are, time for some decisions. One note: Due to their WWF contracts, none of the trio can appear on the coming weekend's shows, but they will be eligible to appear thereafter.</em></p><p> </p><p>

<em>All input welcome - old reader, new reader, whatever. A reminder: The majority vote makes the decision. I can't play any further without your say in what happens next! Either post your answers here, or PM them to me </em><img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><em>

</em> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><img alt="fbNfN33.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fbNfN33.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><img alt="6OpCjJ2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6OpCjJ2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="yLYFp2N.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yLYFp2N.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="vXZABmg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vXZABmg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="mpCQrl0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mpCQrl0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>The booking team on... Warrior, Hart and Michaels</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">“...so, that’s where we are,” Ric said. “Three names, all established to a greater or lesser degree. This isn’t the same as deciding whether to rename the Long Riders or whether or not the Malenkos need someone to work the mic for them: This matters, now, and for the foreseeable future.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Okay, first things first, do we go with the names they have?” Hayes asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Actually, yes we do,” Ric nodded. “I pushed Vince to let us have the Ultimate Warrior name as part of the deal, Bret uses his real name and Michaels has gone by that name since long before the WWF. That keeps it simple, I think.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, let’s start with the artificially inflated guy in face paint...” Crockett said, a disdainful look on his face. “What do we do with Warrior?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“We let Warrior be Warrior,” Bischoff said at once. “The interviews, the energy, the dynamism... It’s what made him such a hit, and I don’t think we should interfere with that. We want the Warrior to be exactly what brought him to success in the past.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Agreed,” Hayes said, with a shrug. “I mean, what else do you do with the guy? The question is whether the fans will accept him or not, and we may be best off starting him as a heel, maybe put him with the Alliance as their enforcer, their weapon of last resort. Otherwise the fans could turn him heel just by their reaction given that he’s not a great wrestler, Ric. You may have noticed.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“I had, Michael, thanks.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Ric gave Hayes a smile that was all teeth.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“And you’re right. The fans will make or break Warrior, and the length of his contract and everything else is on me... But we can decide where and how he starts, and we could even throw him out there as a heel trying to modernise WCW – an anti-traditionalist in role as well as style.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“But my take is that he’s better off as a face to start. He could come in on his own and just be himself, or he could be aligned with Sting, go straight up against the Dangerous Alliance as Sting’s secret weapon, maybe even be kept back until War Games in May...”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“If we’re paying the guy 47 grand a month, he should be wrestling,” Crockett growled. “Throw him against anyone half-decent and make it clear to him he needs to learn, or he’ll get all of his wins on Sunday nights.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“He could actually do well like that,” Bischoff said, with a thoughtful look. Crockett looked at him in surprise. “No, I agree. If we’re saying he has to improve, let him fight anyone and everyone, face or heel, to show he’s the ultimate warrior in fact as well as name – even up to and including Ric and Sting. Against the best in the business he has to improve. Look at who he was fighting in the WWF – Hogan, who’s limited, Andre, who’s immobile, Hercules, Dino Bravo, Warlord... Only Savage and Rude were great opponents and, well, they’re with us. We have a lot more talent up top, heck, even in the midcard. Have the York Foundation insult him by offering to buy him off, and you have a couple of months of matches right there against some great wrestlers.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Keep feeding him strong opponents, mix in some preliminary guys for added momentum, tag him up with Sting or Steamboat or Savage on the on the house show circuit... He’s an expensive project, but if his talent in-ring could get anywhere close to his intensity, well...”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Bischoff spread his hands wide and smiled.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“...he’ll make this company a lot of money.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Put him against everyone? Make him a tweener, you mean?” Hayes asked. Bischoff shrugged.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Sure. The fans will decide, like you say, and maybe they’ll boo him against Sting or Ric and cheer him against Rude or Austin, but by putting him against anyone and everyone, he’ll improve. Well, he </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>should</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> improve.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Okay, well, we’ve got a lot of ideas for Warrior – maybe too many!” Ric said, trying to soothe the atmosphere in the room. Looking around the table he saw Crockett, vehemently opposed to anything involving Warrior, Hayes, concerned that Warrior would be a liability, Graham, happy to find any consensus and jump on board, and Bischoff, who only saw the glamour. He couldn’t remember a more contentious discussion since he’d taken over the book.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“How about we set that aside for now and discuss someone less controversial: Bret Hart!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Ric watched as Graham sagged slightly, the tension draining from the room as attention turned to the Hitman.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Now we’re talking,” Hayes beamed, actually rubbing his hands together in glee.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“I’m delighted that we got Hart,” Crockett said. “Full credit to you, Ric. And I trust there’s no question about how we use him?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“How’s that?” Bischoff asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, as a babyface, of course,” Crockett said, a slightly patronising tone to his voice. “Have you seen how popular he is on the WWF shows? The crowds love the Hitman – in that cartoon world, he’s real.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Bischoff smiled as though he were holding four aces.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“And that’s a huge part of his appeal, I agree, together with him being one of the best wrestlers around. Now, what about him being normal and a great wrestler makes him stand out in WCW?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Bischoff looked around, nodding as he took in the struck expressions of the other members of the booking team.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“I respect what he can do, and I’m as excited as anyone that he’s going to be a part of WCW going forward. I think he can be a great investment for the company, a cornerstone for the next five years or more, and a future World champion. I’m not arguing the point here to be awkward, guys, but he needs more of a hook – and I think that’s going to be playing off Owen. Whether he comes in as a heel on his brother’s side, or a face fighting his brother and trying to bring him back to the light, I think we’re missing something if we don’t use that.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“That could work,” Crockett said, begrudgingly. “I do take your point about him maybe needing more to stand out... But Hart is an exceptional wrestler, one of the best in the world. I know that we say that about a lot of members of the roster, but he </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>truly is</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> one of the current greats, which is why I’m so pleased to have him here. I don’t want to burden him with a feud with Owen, at the moment, when with the greatest of respect to Owen he’s a midcard talent. I want us to aim higher than that with Bret.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“If anything, it might be interesting to have him ignore Owen,” Graham said, quietly.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“What do you mean?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, if we bring him and slot him into the Dangerous Alliance feud on Sting’s side, the natural assumption is that we’re building to Eric’s idea of a feud with Owen at some point.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, yeah,” Bischoff said.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“But maybe we give that a swerve. We have Bret completely ignore Owen – won’t even look at him in angles, won’t face him in matches, if there’s a tag match he’d tag out instead of fighting Owen... Whether it’s because he’s disappointed in Owen, doesn’t want to fight his brother, or doesn’t think Owen’s on his level... Well, there’s a lot that could be done with that.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“That’s an interesting idea, Mike, thank you,” Ric said. “We have a lot of ideas for Bret, too. Face on his own, face with Sting, heel with the Dangerous Alliance... Playing off what Jim and Eric have said between them, I have one other option. Bret could work as a heel based on the fact that he’s just that good, a big-time star who has come to WCW to face the very best and is certain he can beat them all.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“You think that could work?” Bischoff asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“It’s always worked for me,” Ric replied. “So, four options... Now for the junior member of the trio: Shawn Michaels.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Alright,” Bischoff beamed. “The heartbreaker!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Is that what they call him?” Crockett asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Have you seen this kid? He makes Brad Pitt look ordinary. How Vince didn’t push him to the moon, I don’t know.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“The kid’s got an ego, I remember that,” Hayes said. “We crossed paths in Texas a couple of times, and he was saying then that he was going to the top as fast as he could.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“And what were you saying, PS?” Ric asked, smiling.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Probably the same,” Hayes admitted with a laugh. “But I had some basis for that!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Okay, I’m going to float a couple of concepts we’ve discussed for Warrior and Hart... A face on his own, or a face with Sting. You know, we can’t really put all three of them against the Alliance...”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“A pretty boy with a swagger... Look, I’ll say it, Michaels needs to go heel,” Bischoff said.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“I think so. It would be interesting to set him against Hart quite early on. Those two work incredibly well together,” Crockett said. “But not right at the start. Let them become established here first.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“We keep them apart, though – one face, one heel?” Graham asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Unless they’re both on the same side and Warrior’s on the other,” Ric said. “We probably can’t send them all one way or the other.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Graham looked as though he was about to say something more, but when Ric waited for him to speak, he withdrew into himself.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“So, Michaels has more potential as a heel. Does that mean the Alliance? They already have Owen, Pillman and Austin. I guess Austin and Michaels could make a decent team, but...”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Something different?” Hayes asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, maybe Michaels goes it alone. Can he carry it on his own?” Crockett asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“He’s never been a singles guy, so it’d be sink or swim,” Ric replied. “Perhaps it’s something we can try, but maybe it’d be better to give him a manager.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“What about Dallas?” Hayes asked. “Picture this: Michaels... as part of the Diamond Mine with Page, Studd and Vegas. They’re already the closest thing WCW has to a real edge with the drinking and the Diamond Dolls... We could make Michaels the singles guy in the group, have him as this cool, cocky guy, kind of a young Ric Flair in a way,” he finished, smiling around the group. “Naitch, what do you think?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“I think I still am the young Ric Flair... In my head, anyway,” Ric replied, to laughter from the others. “And then some mornings I get up and my knees barely bend and I can’t turn my head... So maybe there’s some merit in me looking for a successor while I’m still young enough to put him over.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Eventually! After he’s made the Nature Boy look good a few times first! Whooooo!</em></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Ric grinned to himself, and looked around the room.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“This has been a pretty productive meeting, I think. We can break for lunch, and come back afterwards once we’ve had some time to think about which ideas work best. Now, any last thoughts, concerns, brilliant ideas?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

His gaze settled on Hayes, who was now looking uncharacteristically serious. “PS?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“It’s just... Like you say, Ric, we have three guys coming in here, and they’re not small fry. They’re going to make a splash. With all these guys coming in at the same time, it’s going to seem like some kind of invasion! My only concern is that if we push these guys, all of them at the same time, we’re going to make it seem like WWF guys coming in are automatically better than WCW guys. I mean, how often have Savage or Rude lost since coming here?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

He fell silent, staring contemplatively ahead of him as the others considered his words.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“There’s one other possibility,” Graham said. Ric turned his attention onto the younger man with an encouraging smile. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Michael’s right in saying that our fans will know exactly who these three are, and there’s the chance that they could reject them out of hand for arriving as a group, even if we don’t present them that way. If the fans turned on them... That could cause real harm to their prospects.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“So what are you suggesting?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Well, Michael said it,” Graham went on, squirming a little in his seat. “They could be an invasion – you can’t say they’ve come from the WWF, but you can imply it – say they’ve come south, come to start a war, to establish a beachhead, whatever. They can be a third front in the war between WCW and the Dangerous Alliance, or they could hold fire and form up once that’s run its course and they’re established in WCW.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Ric looked around the room. Bischoff looked excited by the idea, and Hayes was clearly turning it over in his mind. Only Crockett looked immediately uncomfortable with the idea.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Jim?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“An invasion comprising all WWF talent... The impression if they’re successful is that the WWF is superior to us; Their rejects coming in and defeating, even dominating us? I don’t like the idea of that.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Thanks, Jim,” Ric said. He looked around the room. “Gentlemen, this is a big decision – three big decisions, in fact. I wasn’t expecting us to get Warrior, I admit, but get him we have, and Hart and Michaels really are born to be WCW wrestlers, especially Hart.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“I want them all to have an impact – now, and in the future. They could be big, very big, and added to the talent we already have they could well make the difference. And while I take the point that right now they’re WWF wrestlers, if we treat them right that will be forgotten, and they’ll be WCW stars who make our existing talent into stars by association. It’s important that we get these decisions right. So, let’s break for lunch and when we come back let’s decide...”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>What role will the Ultimate Warrior have in WCW?</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>...heel, aligned with the Dangerous Alliance?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...heel, the anti-traditionalist?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...tweener, the ‘ultimate warrior’?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...face, aligned with Sting etc?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...face, aligned with no-one?</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>...heel, aligned with Owen and the Dangerous Alliance?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...heel, aligned with no-one?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...face, aligned with Sting etc but won’t engage with Owen?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...face, aligned with no-one?</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>What role will Shawn Michaels have in WCW?</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>...heel, aligned with the Dangerous Alliance?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...heel, aligned with the Diamond Mine?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...face, aligned with Sting etc?</strong></p><p>

<strong>...face, aligned with no-one?</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>...or book the trio as invaders?</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>...or something else?</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

</p>

sportsfanmas · January 8, 2018

<p>I kinda like the idea of booking the trio as invaders. That would be my first option.</p><p> </p><p>

Aside from that, my second option would be as follows:</p><p> </p><p>

Warrior as a tweener</p><p>

Hart as a face, aligned with nobody</p><p>

Michaels as a hell with the Diamond Mine</p>

to4sty · January 8, 2018

<p>For me, the only problem with an "invasion" would be the combination of men that are coming.....Bret, Shawn......and The Warrior.....don't get me wrong, I love the Ultimate Warrior, I've always been a Warrior fan, but (because presumiably he is the most over) as the figurehead of an invading faction? I don't see it......Bret and Shawn work great together.....Bret, Shawn and maybe Savage would have worked great together.....Bret, Shawn, Piper....Bret, Shawn, Bulldog.....but the Warrior just seems off in that trio to me......</p><p> </p><p>

So for the Warrior, I'd love to see a heel run from the Warrior, especially in front of a WCW crowd that, as you rightly pointed out, would probably boo him out of the building....a big match build up to Warrior vs. Sting, Blade Runners explode? Count me in for that.....and a solo heel run.....no Dangerous Alliance, no York Foundation or Diamond Mine.....he just comes out, tells the world he's the biggest star in the business and no body can stop him....then he backs it up in the ring. You're paying big bucks for him, need to get your money's worth.....</p><p> </p><p>

Bret needs to be a face, and he should be aligned with Sting against the Dangerous Alliance, mainly to try and bring his baby brother Owen back over from the dark side.....he gets the rub from Sting and the matches he could have with Rude, Austin, Pillman etc would be phenomenal....</p><p> </p><p>

As for Michaels, I know hindsight is 20/20 and it's the obvious choice now with the men involved (Hall & Nash) but how can you not put Michaels in with the Diamond Mine? Yes it's the obvious choice because it's "the kliq" but it's also the logical choice because of the exact reason Hayes said, the Diamond Mine are the cocky, edgy, bad boys......where better to put a freshly minted arrogant heel pretty boy like Shawn Michaels?</p>

Theheel · January 8, 2018

<p>Ok interesting things to think about with this.</p><p> </p><p>

First off I don’t like them aligned together as an invasion group from WWF. </p><p> </p><p>

I think I would have Bret come in as face but with some definite aggrogance around his persona in regards to his superior technical ability. The arrogance is subtle and can fade or built as you see how he goes. My thinking is you get him into a program after some time building him up to become US Champion. I like the ignoring off Owen part as that come go several ways. 1. Letting Owen be his own man 2. Waiting until the DA kicks him out for some reason to come and save him are just some of the ways you could go. 3. Would even be to have ultimately replace Owen in the DA or 4. Even having Bret come in to be the leader either feuding with power with Rude or when Rude left taking over. I’m rambling a bit but of all your signings this one has so many possibilities.</p><p> </p><p>

I like the idea of Shawn coming in as Ric’s protege. Being a the cocky heel of course as that was what he was best at during this time period. I often remember comparing him as a young Ric Flair early on. Of course as with all protégés they eventually have to turn on the mentor but that could take quite a few months to happen. I could have a lot of fun writing a Flair-Michaels combo.</p><p> </p><p>

Now with Warrior. Hmmm I guess I would put him in as a face and even have him work with Sting some against the DA and see how that goes with the fans. If it doesn’t work then he can turn on Sting in a tag match, but he does so with a manager. Not with one like on your roster right now but more like a Harley Race was with Luger or even how Gary Hart (always under appreciated in my book) was with him in WCCW. </p><p> </p><p>

So going in you have 2 faces and 1 heel with easy paths to turn if need be. </p><p> </p><p>

Now next thing is FIRE Crockett or maybe you should have included him in the trade to the WWF</p><p> </p><p>

Just my 2 cents, I don’t think you can really go wrong with these 3</p>

The Final Countdown · January 8, 2018

<p>A hard pass from me on them as an invading faction.</p><p> </p><p>

I like the idea of Warrior as a tweener, the 'Ultimate Warrior' who just wants to fight everyone. Him as an anti-tradtionalist heel could be fun too.</p><p> </p><p>

Bret joining the Alliance could easily overshadow Owen. I'm a fan of him aligning with Sting but refusing to acknowledge Owen. It's an interesting little wrinkle, and lends itself to so many possibilities.</p><p> </p><p>

Shawn Michaels with the Diamond Mine is a perfect fit. Obviously there's the Kliq connection, but leaving all of that out, the cocky early '90s heel Michaels would have been right at home with those characters.</p>

Bluestillidie00 · January 9, 2018

Maybe have Savage be the ringleader of the invasion, came in before to scout the opposition, and refused to join a group because he was waiting for the WWF guys to turn up?

KnowYourEnemy · January 9, 2018

What role will the Ultimate Warrior have in WCW?

Warrior should be a face, allied with Sting etc.

I really like the idea of Warrior in the "tag team division". In WCW, the tag team titles are important and main event level. They could have runs against many top teams -- like the Steiners, Rock N' Roll [stocks & Shares] Express, Calgary Connection -- and against stables and invading forces -- like the Dangerous Alliance.

What role will Bret Hart have in WCW?

Bret should be a heel, aligned with no-one.

I've always wanted to see Bret live up to the "Hitman" nickname. A true "stretcher" and "tough guy", the heels hire him to get rid of opponents. Maybe he doesn't win every match -- but when he doesn't, he takes it out on the other guy. Uses those skills to injure them, even if it means getting disqualified. At first, maybe he's getting paid to work for DDP or the York Foundation, but eventually, he's getting "work" from the Dangerous Alliance.

What role will Shawn Michaels have in WCW?

Michaels should be a face, aligned with no-one.

Michaels can't really be with the Dangerous Alliance, not with Rude using a similar gimmick. I'd like to see him start as a Face. I'd pair him with a valet, like Baby Doll, work the Teen Idol or "Heartbreak Kid" gimmick, and have him work his way up the ranks.

He'd be a great mid-card champion, maybe holding the six-man titles or the television title or at some point the Cruiserweight if it gets introduced. Rick Rude and Shawn Michaels would make a natural feud, but this needs a slow build.

I really hope he isn't paired with The Diamond Mine. At this point, the Kliq hasn't formed yet, and I want to see who Michaels develops backstage relationships organically -- odds are, he won't have the same dynamics with Hall and Nash in real life. Plus, Michaels is an odd fit for a "big man stable" like the Diamond Mine.

James Casey · January 9, 2018

<p>I'll leave <a href="http://greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2268090&postcount=342" rel="external nofollow">the vote up until tomorrow at least</a>, but in the meantime...</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://tew2016.com/images/images/wcwsaturdaynight.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="plggoJ2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/plggoJ2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p>

<strong>WCW Saturday Night</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Nikita Koloff vs. Rick Rude © – WCW World Title – Steel Cage Match</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Scott Steiner vs. Brian Pillman</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Dustin Rhodes vs. Cactus Jack</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Sting, Randy Savage and Lex Luger vs. The Diamond Mine</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Ron Simmons vs. Scotty Flamingo</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Beat The Champ: El Tigre Blanco © vs. Owen Hart – WCW Television Title</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Marcus Bagwell vs. Arn Anderson – non-title</span></p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-family:Verdana;">And for those that missed it:</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span></span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><strong>What role will the Ultimate Warrior have in WCW?</strong></span></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">