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WCW: Dangerous Territory


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Sting © vs. Steve Austin – WCW World Title

I think Austin is the favorite, unless we get a turn within the alliance. I don't really feel like that will happen tonight - if it does, it comes after Austin has the belt (ala Orton/HHH in 04)

 

The Thrillseekers © vs. Eddy Guerrero and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW United States Tag Team Titles and WCW World Tag Team Titles

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart

Dustin Rhodes © vs. Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Scott Steiner – WCW United States Title

Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader

Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko – Submission Match

Marcus Bagwell vs. Brian Pillman © – NWA World Title

Ultimate Warrior © vs. ??? – WCW Television Title

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World Championship Wrestling presents: The Great American Bash

Thursday, Week 4, July 1993

Announcers: Jim Ross, Paul E. Dangerously and Tony Schiavone

Ring announcer: Garry Michael Cappetta

Backstage: Eric Bischoff

Ross:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Great American Bash!

 

As red, white and blue fireworks exploded overhead, the camera panned across the tens of thousands in attendance at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

 

Schiavone:
It’s a capacity crowd of close to seventy thousand in attendance here in Oxford, Mississippi for the biggest attendance
ever
at a WCW event, and we’d like to thank everyone here and everyone tuning in worldwide for the biggest event of the summer!

 

Dangerously:
Every single one, of course, hoping to see a clean sweep for the Dangerous Alliance – including a new WCW World champion in Superstar Steve Austin!

 

Ross:
There may even be one or two folks hoping for just that, Paul, and we’ll get to our main event in good time. But we’ll start things off in the ring, where we’ll find out if the Ultimate Warrior will manage a fifth successful defence of the WCW Television title!

 

With Warrior in the ring and Cactus Jack lurking – and fidgeting impatiently – at ringside, a pounding bass riff came over the air...

 

 

...and a wild-eyed, wild-haired man in a keffiyeh appeared on the entrance ramp, looking around in apparent awe at the thousands upon thousands of fans in attendance.

 

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Ross:
And I’m informed that this is Sabu, nephew to the legendary Sheik, and apparently Sabu takes after his uncle...

 

Seemingly overcoming any nerves, Sabu sprinted down the ramp and launched himself over the top rope onto Warrior, catching the champion unawares.

 

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Ross:
...and he certainly has the Sheik’s reckless attitude of disregard for his own safety!

 

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WCW Television Title

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Ultimate Warrior © vs. Sabu

 

Warrior couldn’t get to grips with his opponent in the early going of the match. Any strategy that may have been employed by a rational fighter, and which could have been predicted by Warrior, seemed like an alien concept to Sabu. Ricocheting off the ropes like a pinball, Sabu struck at speed and from completely unpredictable angles, catching Warrior again and again and never relenting, never letting Warrior catch him and trap him with his unmatchable strength.

 

Dangerously:
If you can’t hit Sabu, you can’t beat him!

 

On the outside of the ring Cactus seemed entranced by his mentor’s opponent, until he called on Warrior to leave the ring and regroup. Perhaps seeing logic in Cactus’ suggestion Warrior did just that – but even on the outside of the ring Warrior wasn’t safe from Sabu. The challenger was on the top rope in seconds, and before Warrior and Cactus could even register it he threw himself at them, diving through the air to crush the mentor and apprentice against the guard rail – but with a howl of pain from Sabu that confirmed that the move did not come without cost.

 

Ross:
That’s why they call it high risk, folks.

 

Schiavone:
It looks like Sabu landed across the guard rail. He may have broken ribs, or bruised at least. Surely he can’t keep fighting?

 

Warrior made it back into the ring as the referee checked on Sabu, who pushed the official away as he crawled back to the ring. Cactus stayed close, but outside of reach, as he watched Sabu force his way into the ring seemingly by sheer force of will.

 

Ross:
All credit to Sabu, but good Lord, this can’t be good for the kid!

 

Clearly in pain, Sabu was much slower in his movements as the match resumed. Although still showing great spirit, his movement was more limited and clearly slower. That gave Warrior the chance to take control, and with his power and explosive offence he took full advantage of the opportunity, blitzing Sabu with clotheslines and suplexes before pressing him overhead into a huge slam, followed by a running splash for the pin.

 

Schiavone:
All credit to Sabu indeed. On another day, without the injury, this could have been a very different result – but as things stand the Ultimate Warrior emerges victorious!

 

Winner: Ultimate Warrior

 

*

 

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After the bell Commissioner Ventura walked down the aisle with a cheque, which Warrior passed to Cactus without looking at it. Before Ventura even had the chance to speak, Warrior took the microphone from him.

 

Warrior:
It is right and proper that a warrior offer due credit for a battle well fought, and in Sabu I faced an opponent both unknown to me and unpredictable in his approach to combat. On another day, you might have bested me – but tonight I have claimed victory, and to the victor go the spoils. If
ever
you need or desire advice, then we will help you as much as we can. A talent such as yours deserves, no,
demands
recognition, and it would be our honour as warriors to assist you in achieving that recognition.

 

Sabu, still clutching his wounded ribs, nodded his appreciation of Warrior’s words.

 

Warrior:
As to the matter of what title I will challenge for... The blood rushing through my veins, the muscles that grant me unconquerable strength, the raging heart within my chest that yearns for the greatest challenges... There can only be one answer. Whoever emerges victorious from tonight’s main event, whether it is Steve Austin, or my oldest friend Sting, will hold the WCW World title.

 

Warrior:
And
that
is what destiny holds for me – the ultimate challenge, the greatest opponent, the greatest fighter in the world, its
champion
. What greater challenge could there be, and what else could I choose?

 

Ross:
As though Sting and Austin don’t have enough on their minds, the Ultimate Warrior now lies on the other side of tonight’s main event!

 

*

 

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Backstage, the Horsemen and their associates stood by with Eric Bischoff. Chris Jericho and Lance Storm were dressed to compete, the others wearing expensive-looking suits, with Flair sporting large sunglasses as he uncharacteristically hung back behind the others.

 

Bischoff:
Gentlemen, ladies, it’s a long night ahead of you – the triangle match for all the gold up next, Ric Flair you face Big Van Vader tonight, Arn will face no fewer than three separate opponents with the United States title on the line, and last but by no means least Steven Regal is in a submission match with Dean Malenko. With all of you involved in matches, will you be able to provide support for one another?

 

Anderson:
Bischoff, that’s what Fifi and Tammy are for – Tammy will take care of the Thrillseekers and Regal, Fifi will walk down the ramp with Ric and I, but if you think that
support
is only given on the night of the match, you’re wrong!

 

Regal:
What Arn’s saying, Eric, is that we’ve been working for weeks towards tonight’s matches – and a chance for all five of us to walk out of the Great American Bash with gold, or with a strong claim to being next in line for a shot at it!

 

Jericho:
And not just any gold, Bisch! You’re about to see the best young tag team in wrestling become the best tag team, full stop! Any doubters, anyone who thinks we fluked our way to these United States tag titles... Well, tell ‘em, Lance!

 

Storm:
They’re wrong, simple as that. We’ve always had talent, but since joining the Horsemen and learning from all the experience Ric and Arn have, we’ve moved to a new level in the ring-

 

Jericho:
And out of it!

 

He pulled Tammy in close, and she giggled before planting a passionate kiss on his lips.

 

Anderson:
Settle down, boys! Save your energy for the ring – or for celebrating your win!

 

Regal:
Arn’s right. Now, we’ve got a big night ahead of us, Eric, so if you don’t mind-

 

Bischoff:
Wait, one last question: Ric, it’s not long since we saw you vandalised at the hands of Big Van Vader – indeed he shattered the plaster cast he received at the hands of the Horsemen over your head. Tonight-

 

Flair pushed forward to the front of the group.

 

Flair:
Tonight? What about tonight, Bischoff?

 

Bischoff:
Tonight you have Vader in the ring, for the first time, one-on-one, and-

 

Flair:
First time, and maybe the last time.

 

Flair reached up and removed his sunglasses, revealing heavy bruising around his eyes and cheeks.

 

Flair:
Getting hit by Vader... Bischoff, you have no idea. I’ve been in the ring with Harley, with Andre, with Brody, with the Road Warriors, with Baba out in Japan... Vader hits harder than any of them. What’s stopping him from being World champion right now, I don’t know, but it’ll happen. The only man who can prevent that is Vader himself. But that’s not my job, all I have to do is stop him tonight, but as God is my witness, for the first time in my career I’m going into a match that I don’t know if I can win.

 

Bischoff:
Well, then-

 

Flair held up a hand to stop Bischoff, not unkindly, but clearly not wanting to have his thoughts interrupted.

 

Flair:
It’s eighteen months since I was champion, Bischoff. Maybe I can’t do that anymore, maybe I just don’t have that in me – maybe fighting at that level isn’t something I can do, I don’t know.

 

Flair:
But I do know I won’t stop fighting! Not tonight...

 

Bischoff:
Unless?

 

Flair:
Yeah, unless. Unless he hits me again, which he will, and does it enough to beat me. Or unless he catches me with the Vader Bomb, but I know I can avoid that, as long as he takes to get into position. See, Vader’s a confidence fighter, Bischoff; It doesn’t take much for him to build up a head of steam and become unstoppable, but as long as I’ve been doing this, I know how to fight big guys, and Vader’s just a little too sure of himself when things go well. Maybe against ninety-nine percent of wrestlers that wouldn’t matter, but I can catch him if he gets cocky. This will be a tough fight, Bischoff, I won’t deny that at all... but I believe that I
can
win; it’s just for the first time in a long time I may need to be perfect and have my opponent have an off day. That’s how good Vader is.

 

Flair turned to leave and the Horsemen took their cue from him, but Bischoff had one more question.

 

Bischoff:
Ric, you’ve mentioned Vader’s strength, and you’ve mentioned the corner splash that he likes to use... I have to ask you, what about the Powerbomb?

 

Flair tensed, and Anderson and Fifi stepped closer to him, but he waved them off. He responded without turning back to Bischoff.

 

Flair:
If Vader powerbombs me, Bischoff, then he wins.

 

And with that he walked off, leaving Bischoff to hand back to the announcers.

 

*

 

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WCW United States Tag Team Titles and WCW World Tag Team Titles

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The Thrillseekers © vs. Eddy Guerrero and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine ©

 

Ross:
Three teams, two tag team titles, one fall to a finish – either the Thrillseekers or the Diamond Mine could become double champions, or Luchamerica could claim their first tag team gold in WCW.

 

Plenty of twists and turns to get to this match; The disdain that the Diamond Mine have shown every other team in WCW, the rapid progress of the Thrillseekers from, frankly, preliminary wrestlers to Horsemen, and the sheer audacity of Eddy Guerrero and Konnan to come into WCW and act like they belonged – and they’ve proven that they do! But the Diamond Mine have no time for either team, they’ve embarrassed Eddy Guerrero by unmasking him, by taunting him with the mask they stole from him, and there’s been so many attacks on all sides over the last several months... But now it’s time to see, for certain, which team is the best that WCW have to offer.

 

Vinnie Vegas was nearly as heavy as any two of his opponents and used that to his advantage early on, throwing Eddy Guerrero and Chris Jericho around with some ease. But the Canadian-Mexican pair showed impressive teamwork as they chipped away at the big man, targeting his left knee as restricted his mobility with drop kicks, chop blocks and baseball slides. But Vegas’ size made it impossible to keep him vulnerable for so long as he was able to reach from halfway across the ring to tag in Diamond Studd, who nearly caved in Guerrero’s chest with a big boot, before Nash heaved Jericho up into the air before sending him crashing into the ringpost with Snake Eyes, and only a save from Lance Storm kept the match alive.

 

Dangerously:
The Diamond Mine nearly had that – and now Jericho is as good as dead as far as this match is concerned.

 

Guerrero and Konnan fought hard to take Studd down, and Vegas as well when he tagged back in, but without a second man in the ring they couldn’t keep the advantage long enough against either of their titanic opponents to land any decisive blows. On the outside of the ring Rey Mysterio was trying to revive Jericho to get him back in the fight as Storm watched the action in-ring in frustration.

 

Ross:
DDP and Kimberly look like they’re ready to celebrate already!

 

Schiavone:
DDP looks like he’s been celebrating all week already – but then, he always does!

 

But Vegas and Studd couldn’t quite find a way to get pass Konnan, Guerrero and Storm, who played a spoiler role on the apron to distract the world tag champions as they tried to put either member of Luchamerica away for good.

 

Dangerously:
Let Storm interfere! Vegas and Studd would rather have him in the ring so they can take the US tag titles back.

 

Jericho eventually re-entered the ring, immediately tagging Storm into the match. Storm scrambled to the top rope and shocked Studd with a missile dropkick. With him in the match, Konnan and Guerrero had someone to work with, and again the Diamond Mine found themselves on the back foot, even when Jericho tagged in, bloody-nosed from the Snake Eyes. Clearly angry and wanting to make his point, Jericho exploded onto Vegas, hammering away at the bigger man who was forced into retreat before grabbing Jericho by the hair and hurling him over the top rope. Jericho, however, caught the top rope and landed on the ring apron, tagging Vegas with a hard right hand that sent him staggering into Konnan, who hauled him overhead with a belly to back suplex and a close two count.

 

Jericho and Storm rushed the ring, meeting Guerrero and Studd in the middle of the ring as Konnan and Vegas continued to fight. The largest member of Luchamerica was still dwarfed by Vegas, who shoved him away and into Jericho and Studd. The trio toppled to the mat, but Vegas couldn’t press his advantage as he looked down to find Rey Mysterio – all 175 pounds of him – clamped around his ankle. As Vegas tried to shake himself free, and the referee tried to restore order, Guerrero slid out of the ring, snatched one of the tag title belts from the timekeeper, and slid back into the ring as Studd clotheslined Storm over the top rope. With the referee still distracted, and Vegas looking down at his feet, Guerrero slammed the title belt into the back of the giant’s head, dropping him to the mat like a stone.

 

Dangerously:
Disgusting! Unbelievable! How can the referee allow that!

 

Schiavone:
The official didn’t see it, Paul – and you might say that after all the grief the Diamond Mine have given Guerrero and Konnan, this could be seen as sweet justice!

 

Konnan grabbed Studd’s feet and tipped him up and over the top rope in Storm’s wake as Guerrero booted Jericho in the stomach, doubling him over before Guerrero lifted him up and delivered a brainbuster onto Vegas’ chest, further punishing the big man. Guerrero kicked Jericho under the bottom rope before quickly climbing to the top rope. Pausing only to point to Konnan, who nodded as he kept his head on a swivel, looking for any opposing team member on the outside, Guerrero dived off the top rope with a splash onto Vegas. With Konnan patrolling the ring to prevent any outside interruption, and Page and Kimberly frantically trying to stir Studd after his crash landing over the top rope, the official dropped to the mat to count one... two... three!

 

Ross:
Luchamerica win! Guerrero and Konnan are the new World tag team champions!

 

Dangerously:
What a robbery! Guerrero and Konnan have cheated to win the belts!

 

Ross:
Maybe so, Paul, but as I’ve heard you say many time before... The end result is the only thing that matters!

 

Dangerously:
Don’t try and be me, Ross, you couldn’t handle it.

 

Mysterio joined Guerrero and Konnan in the ring to celebrate the victory as Storm and Jericho collected their US tag belts and shared a look with the new champions.

 

Schiavone:
That’s a story that’s going to be told soon, I think.

 

Ross:
And I’m looking forward to it, Tony. But right now, this team of young Latino stars have scored a huge upset, taken world tag team title gold, and also earned a huge measure of revenge. And to Luchamerica all that must feel absolutely amazing!

 

As Guerrero, Konnan and Mysterio walked up the ramp, soaking in the fans’ acclaim and celebrating their success, the Diamond Mine remained in the ring, plainly shocked by their defeat.

 

Schiavone:
For the former champions, having lost both their titles in just a few weeks, ‘amazing’ is probably not the word...

 

Winners, and new WCW World Tag Team champions: Eddy Guerrero and Konnan

 

*

 

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In a gloomy room backstage Big Van Vader worked over a heavy bag with brutal, unrelenting, strikes. Harley Race watched him with delight written across his face.

 

Race:
You keep working – it’s Flair, and it’s offering more resistance than he will!

 

Vader snarled in reply, his strikes somehow landing even harder, even faster as Race walked away, chuckling.

 

Bischoff:
Harley Race, if I can have a moment of your time?

 

Race:
Just a moment; It’s a busy night.

 

Bischoff:
Of course, thank you. We’ve already heard from Ric Flair and he thinks he can beat Big Van Vader tonight-

 

Race:
Then he’s a damned fool. But I saw his little bit of false bravado with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears, and I’ll give the man this: When Vader powerbombs Ric Flair tonight, it
is
over.

 

He turned back to his client.

 

Race:
Time to go.

 

With a thunderous left hook that seemed to echo through the stadium as it snapped the chain from which the bag was hanging. It flew across the room and crashed into the wall, then Vader followed Race out of the room.

 

Ross:
I hope Ric Flair is at the top of his game tonight. He’ll need it.

 

Dangerously:
You know what, Ross? I don’t think it’ll make the least bit of difference.

 

*

 

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Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader

 

Flair entered first, his elaborate robe and perfectly coiffed hair doing nothing to disguise the heavy bruising on his face. He bounced uneasily on the balls of his feet as Vader’s music played and his titanic opponent marched down the aisle, clenching and unclenching his hands as Harley Race followed in his wake, cackling as Vader climbed through the ropes. Flair didn’t hesitate, lunging forwards and kicking Vader in the side of the head. Vader rocked back, caught between the ropes, but with a wide sweep of his arm pushed Flair back, climbing through the ropes and following up with two right hooks and a left uppercut that sent Flair crashing to the mat. As Flair moved weakly, trying to lift himself up, Vader put one foot on his head and leaned forward.

 

Ross:
That’s four hundred fifty pounds weighing down on the Nature Boy’s skull!

 

Dangerously:
And he was hurt before this match even began! That’s what you get for daring to think you can get the better of Big Van Vader!

 

Flair’s struggles weakened as Vader kept him pinned to the mat. The referee swept in to check on him, but before he could so Vader released Flair and lifted him up.

 

Schiavone:
I don’t like where this is going...

 

Vader hurled Flair into the corner and followed in with an avalanche splash before grabbing the back of Flair’s head and hurling him to the mat, face-first. Flair was nearly motionless, just one arm moving, perhaps spasmodically as Vader deliberately climbed up to the second rope, looking out at the thousands upon thousands of hushed fans in attendance, before looking down at Fifi at ringside.

 

Vader:
When he wakes up, tell him we’re not finished!

 

Grabbing the top rope Vader hurled himself out into mid-air, dropping a Vader Bomb down across Flair’s back and ribs as the crowd groaned and cried out in sympathy.

 

Vader:
It’s time!

 

Vader reached down once more, lifting Flair up and setting him in position for a powerbomb.

 

Ross:
Flair said it – this is the end!

 

Dangerously:
As though that was
ever
in doubt, Ross.

 

Vader paused for a moment...

 

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...as Anderson, Regal, Jericho and Storm appeared at the top of the entrance ramp, Anderson standing with arms spread to hold the younger Horsemen back, his words barely picked up by the cameras as he shook his head slowly.

 

Schiavone:
“He has to do it himself,” that’s what Anderson said.

 

Ross:
I don’t know that Ric Flair would agree right now.

 

With a broad smile on his face, eyes fixed on Flair’s allies, Vader bent down slowly and lifted Flair up. He held Flair aloft for a long moment, allowing the Nature Boy time to focus on him as Vader snarled.

 

Vader:
I’m
the man!

 

Vader hammered Flair down into the mat with a powerbomb, an almighty crash booming through the stadium as Flair jerked, twitched and lay still. On the ramp, Jericho and Storm looked away as Anderson marched down the aisle, brushing past the celebrating Race to take Fifi, who was utterly distraught, into his arms.

 

Ross:
The referee should call this. Flair’s not getting up – he’s been utterly brutalised here tonight.

 

Vader, who had stood motionless the whole time with arms aloft and Flair out cold at his feet, now took two deliberate steps forward, planting one heavy foot on Flair’s chest with enough weight to make the Nature Boy’s body twitch slightly, before becoming still. Quickly, but clearly without any possibility of error, the referee dropped to the mat and counted to three.

 

Schiavone:
It could have been thirty.

 

Dangerously:
It could have been three hundred. Welcome to the new reality, gentlemen; This is the face of WCW in the 1990s – at least, when it’s not one of the Dangerous Alliance!

 

Vader kept one foot on Flair’s chest, smiling wickedly as Race climbed through the ropes to raise his client’s hand. Anderson beckoned for the others to join him, and the four Horsemen entered the ring to collect their fallen comrade... but Vader seemed to be in no hurry to release him.

 

Schiavone:
Vader’s making his point – but I think all seventy thousand people in attendance here tonight got it!

 

Vader relinquished Flair without any rush, his mask not hiding the smirk on his face as he stood over his fallen opponent, arms spread wide.

 

Ross:
If I were a Horseman, I wouldn’t be rushing to get inside arm’s reach of Vader. I’m sure he’d love to hand out some more beatings tonight.

 

His eyes never leaving Vader, Anderson dropped to one knee to take Flair’s arms and pull him off the mat. Still watching the big man closely Anderson handed Flair back to Regal and the Thrillseekers, who eased Flair out of the ring, the Nature Boy hanging limply in their arms.

 

Vader:
Try it!

 

Vader beckoned Anderson towards him, but Anderson shook his head, backing away.

 

Ross:
A smart move by Arn Anderson; He doesn’t need to fight Vader when his match for the United States title is up next.

 

Dangerously:
If Vader doesn’t move he might well end up taking part in that match!

 

Ross:
And I don’t think he’d mind at all – although I also think that he’ll be watching tonight’s main event very closely indeed. Vader just manhandled the record-setting seven-time World champion, and you can say what you like about Flair entering this match injured, Ric Flair has fought injured before, but I don’t think that in all my years calling his matches I’ve ever seen Ric Flair so comprehensively dismantled – destroyed, even.

 

Vader:
I’m the man! I’m the man!

 

Ross:
Is there anyone in WCW who can dispute that?

 

Winner: Big Van Vader

 

*

 

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As Flair was helped backstage and officials converged on the ring to try and convince Vader to leave, the camera cut to backstage where Marcus Bagwell stood by with Eric Bischoff.

 

Bischoff:
Marcus, in these last few weeks you’ve seen your mentor, Ricky Steamboat, and tag team partner, Sid Vicious, beaten and hospitalised by the Dangerous Alliance. Tonight you’re going it alone against Brian Pillman, but you have to know that there’ll be Alliance members in his corner – maybe Madusa, the Dangerous Alliance’s director of covert operations, or Rick Rude, the former WCW champion. Realistically, Marcus, how can you hope to come out on top tonight?

 

Bagwell rubbed his hands together pensively.

 

Bagwell:
Eric, I know I’m in for a tough, tough fight tonight. Brian Pillman is the NWA World champion – it’s not a title you get given because you have big muscles or long, blonde hair. It’s
always
been a fighter’s title, and Brian Pillman, as fast as he talks, as much as he and the Alliance play mind games, he’s one of the toughest fighters in the world. I’ve been wrestling for two years, and I don’t have a fraction of the experience of Pillman. But what I do have is an unquenchable desire to make right what they made wrong – to find justice for the suffering of others, and to make Pillman realise that he can’t just do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. And I may not win, but if I do I’ll take something from him that he truly values – and if not, I still intend to hurt him, the way he hurt Ricky, and Sid, and me!

 

*

 

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WCW United States Title

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Dustin Rhodes © vs. Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Scott Steiner

 

Gary Michael Cappetta didn’t even make it through the introductions, as Steiner rushed Rhodes and Anderson in the ring and wiped out the Horseman with a Steinerline after suplexing Rhodes almost out of his boots. But the referee wouldn’t count as the match hadn’t started yet – which didn’t stop Michaels coming off the top rope with an elbow drop to the back of Steiner’s head that knocked the Animal for a loop. Michaels followed up with a Teardrop Suplex on Rhodes for two, before delivering a savate kick that sent Anderson through the ropes. Michaels danced around the ring, gyrating a little for some young ladies in the front row, before being launched halfway across the ring with a belly-to-back suplex from Steiner.

 

Dangerously:
The Animal recovered quickly – and he’s not in the mood to dance!

 

The four men all had spells in control, but with three opponents to track it was nearly impossible for any of them to take out all of the others long enough to score a win. Rhodes seemed determined to emerge from the match still champion. After so many weeks of being targeted by Anderson, Steiner and Michaels, Rhodes put his size and leverage to good use, at one delivering a double bulldog to Michaels and Anderson, and later countering a Steiner vertical suplex with one of his own that sent the Animal to the outside of the ring – but despite his spirited defence of the title, Rhodes couldn’t quite find the solution he needed to defeat three opponents.

 

After the champion, Michaels came closest, landing savate kicks on Steiner and Anderson in quick succession before flooring Rhodes with another Teardrop Suplex – but Rhodes’ long legs allowed him to hook the bottom rope with the tip of one boot to break the referee’s count.

 

Ross:
In the midst of chaos, Rhodes can rely on his own height as a constant!

 

In his frustration Michaels failed to see Steiner come at him from behind, snaring him with a fallaway slam that sent the Rough Diamond flying out of the ring. But it was Anderson who capitalised, delivering a DDT to Steiner for two, before Rhodes broke up the pin.

 

Schiavone:
Still no closer to a winner – but you can tell that all four men are feeling the toll.

 

Dangerously:
And even just
two
sensible fighters out of the four would have realised that the smart plan was to team up and beat the others down. That would mean a clear path for them to settle this – and probably a lot less effort!

 

Schiavone:
Maybe, but they’re all sharing the load, Paul. Everyone’s taken their share of hits – and handed them out, as well!

 

Dangerously:
And where’s it got them, Schiavone? I’m telling you, the Animal has incredible potential, and I’m glad he’s part of the Alliance, but...

 

Schiavone:
Yes?

 

Dangerously:
Giving instructions to a lone wolf isn’t always the most productive use of the Alliance’s resources.

 

Steiner closed on Rhodes, kicking him in the gut before delivering a snap suplex. Anderson pounced on the fallen champion with a series of kicks and boots, before being joined by Steiner in beating Rhodes down.

 

Dangerously:
You see? He was listening after all – shame he’s chosen to side with that snake Anderson, but I’m not being picky! It’ll just be that much sweeter when Scott destroys the untrustworthy piece of garbage to take the win!

 

Ross:
You seem very sure, Paul.

 

Dangerously:
Why wouldn’t I-

 

Michaels exploded back into the ring, felling Anderson with a big right to the jaw that dropped Anderson bonelessly to the mat. Squaring up to Steiner, he lashed out with another right hand only for Steiner to grab his hand and snatch the roll of silver dollars from it.

 

Dangerously:
Brilliant! Now see the Animal show you how you make money
really
work for you!

 

With Michaels’ hand still clasped in his own, Steiner looked ready to strike – except Michaels punted him between the legs with a hard kick that had Steiner grimacing and doubling over, before Michaels followed up with a second kick to the head that toppled Steiner to the mat.

 

Rhodes, rising to his feet, was unable to defend himself as Michaels struck once more, delivering another savate kick that snapped Rhodes’ head back and sent him crashing to the mat. Michaels collapsed on top of the champion, just barely hooking one leg to hold Rhodes down as the referee counted to three.

 

Ross:
New champion! And as one door closes for the Diamond Exchange, another opens!

 

Michaels could barely rise to his knees after the fight he’d been through, but was quick to claim the United States title for his own as the referee handed it to him. Vinnie Vegas and Diamond Studd joined DDP and Kimberley in surrounding their ally in the ring, and Vegas and Studd lifted Michaels easily into the air, sitting him on their shoulders as he held the title aloft.

 

Ross:
Your new United States champion!

 

Dangerously:
If it couldn’t be Steiner, at least it went to a man with class and style.

 

Schiavone:
A man who cheats, you mean?

 

There are no disqualifications in a four corners match, Schiavone, ergo – that means ‘therefore’ – there’s no such thing as cheating. Michaels won fair and square. Scratch that – Michaels
won
, and that’s the only thing that matters.

 

Ross:
I’m sure the Rough Diamond would agree with you Paul, but right now...

 

The camera took in the view of Michaels, held aloft by Vegas and Studd as he paraded the title around the ring.

 

Ross:
...he’s on top of the world!

 

Winner, and new WCW United States champion: Shawn Michaels

 

*

 

Ross:
Folks, earlier tonight our colleague Eric Bischoff had the chance to catch up with the number one contender to the WCW World title, Steve Austin.

 

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Bischoff:
Steve, tonight you compete for the World title in the main event of WCW’s biggest ever show-

 

Austin:
And all these tens of thousands are here to see the Superstar climb to the top of the mountain, Bischoff!

 

Bischoff:
Well, just as you say, Steve. How have your preparations for tonight gone?

 

Austin:
They literally could not have gone any better. I’m in peak physical condition – and mental, too. Whatever games Sting thought he was playing, they failed – with the Dangerous Alliance backing me, with the leadership of Paul E. Dangerously, the guile of Rick Rude and Madusa and the backing of Scott, Brian and Owen... I’m going to the top, and nothing Sting can do can stop me.

 

Bischoff:
I’m glad that you brought up the ‘games’ of Sting. Did they have any effect on your preparations for this match?

 

Austin:
You know, for a lesser man, they probably would have done, Bischoff. But not me. See, Sting’s not a complicated man, he’s not someone who excels at this-

 

Austin tapped his temple.

 

Austin:
-but he’s got guts, and he tried to outthink the Dangerous Alliance. I admire that. I’m not discounting anything he’s done, anything he
can
do, but look around me, Bischoff.

 

Austin gestured at the other members of the Dangerous Alliance in the locker room – Owen Hart, Brian Pillman, Scott Steiner, Madusa and Rick Rude, all poring over printouts and watching videos of Sting’s matches.

 

Austin:
This isn’t a show we’ve put on for you. This is work that’s gone into every match we have tonight – the United States title four corners match, the NWA World title defence against Marcus Bagwell, Owen’s match against the Hitman... and the main event. All the preparation, all the knowledge we’ve won over the last months and years warring with WCW, Every test we’ve put Sting through, every win, every loss, every draw... Since the Dangerous Alliance formed our only goal was to dominate WCW and with it the entire wrestling industry. It all comes to a head tonight.

 

Austin smirked.

 

Austin:
And with it, the Superstar climbs to the top of the mountain!

 

*

 

Submission Match

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Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko

 

The initial exchanges between the pair were cautious, both men well aware of the technical skill of the other.

 

Schiavone:
A single mistake could be fatal in this match. Both men know about the science of inflicting pain.

 

Dangerously:
But both men know as well about how to counter that science. Don’t discount that – one mistake could be fatal, but only if their opponent can capitalise before they can recover.

 

It seemed that the first misstep was Regal’s, overcommitting on a suplex and allowing Malenko to float over, dropping behind Regal and taking him down with a leg sweep. Malenko tried to manoeuvre Regal into his Cloverleaf, but Regal was able to stretch for the ropes, just making them by the tips of his fingers.

 

Ross:
Regal has several inches on Malenko, don’t discount the advantage that could give him, leverage-wise.

 

With both weight and reach in his favour, Regal began to take control of the match. But Malenko was the faster of the two, and moved like quicksilver to find counters to Regal’s holds, only really suffering as Regal cinched in a cravate on the Kingdom man. With Malenko on the mat, it seemed that there was no escape – but with his hands free Malenko took the effective, although illegal, approach of gouging Regal’s eyes. Regal released the hold, reeling away in pain as the referee tried to find out what had happened.

 

Ross:
If the referee sees it, he could disqualify Malenko – that’s an option open to him, it’s only pinfalls that don’t count here tonight in this match. But it looks as though he’s asking Malenko what happened. And Malenko says Regal let go on his own...

 

Dangerously:
As though Malenko’s going to admit to cheating! Even if he
was
ever that stupid, Race would have trained that out of him.

 

Schiavone:
And what about members of the Dangerous Alliance?

 

Dangerously:
I wouldn’t need to train them – I wouldn’t bring in anyone that stupid to start with.

 

With Regal weakened, Malenko went to work with a series of moves laser-focused on the Brit’s back, striking with suplexes and backbreakers to weaken his core. Malenko landed a hip toss before floating over and catching Regal’s leg, flipping him onto his chest and rearing back with a single leg crab. Regal snarled defiance, fighting to keep his leg from bending too far back, and eventually breaking the hold when Malenko couldn’t hold him down.

 

Schiavone:
Regal is that much bigger, just getting one leg still leaves him with a lot of leverage.

 

Ross:
But I think that was part of Malenko’s plan. That wasn’t intended to force the submission – but it cost Regal a lot to escape.

 

Limping noticeably, Regal peppered Malenko with left hands, planting his fist flush on Malenko’s jaw four times in a row before the referee backed him off. Malenko was staggered, but Regal was slow to close in on his bad leg, giving Malenko enough time to back into the corner. Regal followed him in, but the referee again got between them, stopping Regal from attacking Malenko. Malenko reached over the official’s head and thumbed Regal right in the eye once more, making him bellow in pain and back away, hands clasping at his eyes instinctively. Malenko stepped around the once again bewildered referee and tackled Regal to the mat, wrapping his legs up in his arms and rolling him over into a Cloverleaf. With both Regal’s legs trapped, there was no chance for him to escape the hold – and Malenko made absolutely sure by leaning back hard on it, giving no ground at all as Regal yelled in pain, unable to move, unable to force his way out of the hold, unable to gain any purchase to leverage his way free...

 

...unable to do anything but submit and live to fight another day.

 

Schiavone:
A big victory for Malenko!

 

Ross:
By hook or by crook, the Kingdom man wins it. He softened Regal up, worked over his back and legs, and when the moment came he made the most of that groundwork.

 

Schiavone:
And it seems like it’s a good night for the Kingdom; I don’t think Harley Race could look any happier!

 

Ross:
And a good night for the Kingdom could spell bad times ahead for everyone else, given the strength and technical skills that Harley Race’s men have shown they have at their command!

 

Winner: Dean Malenko

 

*

 

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Luchamerica were celebrating their win backstage with some other fan favourites when their locker room door was kicked open.

 

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The Heat, Booker and Lash, entered the room, wielding crowbars which they pointed to keep Luchamerica and the others at bay.

 

Booker:
We didn’t come to start nothing, not today.

 

Lash:
Not today. But we did come with a warning.

 

Lash tossed his crowbar aside, and crossed his arms with a smirk.

 

Lash:
We’re coming for you, and those titles you worked so hard to get.

 

Booker:
And when we get you in the ring, you’re gonna work so hard to keep them – but it won’t matter a damn.

 

Lash:
‘Cuz when the Heat gets done with you, that gold will be ours, and all you’ll have left is the memories of one great night...

 

Booker:
...while the Heat starts its own dynasty at the top of the tag team division, breaking bones and crushing dreams.

 

Booker spun his crowbar deftly in one hand, reversing it and presenting it, handle first, to Eddy Guerrero. The new tag team champion took it cautiously, looking from the crowbar to the Heat.

 

Booker:
You want to bring these with you, go ahead. We didn’t know what sort of reaction we’d get, busting in here and ruining your night... But now we know.

 

Lash:
Yeah, now we’ve looked you in the eyes and seen what you’re about. We don’t need crowbars. We’ll just show up and fight, same as we have since the day we were born. It got us hear, and it’ll get us those belts.
Soon
.

 

Lash and Booker turned and left, Luchamerica looking at one another in bemusement in their wake.

 

Guerrero:
Those guys are
loco
. They talk so big, but then they walk away? Let’s see what happens when they get in the ring with the tag team champions. We should make that happen.
Soon
.

 

*

 

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NWA World Title

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Marcus Bagwell vs. Brian Pillman ©

 

Pillman made it clear from the bell that he wasn’t taking Bagwell seriously, laughing at the younger man with Rick Rude and Madusa as they accompanied him to the ring, and continuing to laugh as the bell rang and Bagwell charged forwards. Pillman sidestepped the charge and delivered a crunching kick to the side of Bagwell’s knee, taking out the younger man’s left leg and leaving him hobbled in the opening seconds of the match.

 

Pillman:
I warned you! You wanted this fight? You don’t want this fight! You’ve got nothing, kid, just like Ricky Steamboat!

 

Bagwell swung a big right hand at Pillman, but the champion evaded easily, laughing as Bagwell’s leg buckled under him when he tried to close the gap between them.

 

Pillman:
Just go ahead and forfeit, Marcus. You’re in the ring with a World champion, not some fading star who’s trying to keep himself relevant.

 

Pillman ducked under a lunge by Bagwell, grabbed the back of his head and dropped down with a Rude Awakening.

 

Pillman:
Trust me, Marcus. Open your eyes! I can tell – you’ve got talent! I know talent! I know what it’s like to have it rot and fester while the ‘big guys’ get the big matches!

 

He looked at Bagwell, barely stirring on the mat.

 

Pillman:
Ah, who’m I kidding? You hate me! You won’t listen to me...

 

Pillman kicked up, smiling widely as he looked down at Bagwell.

 

Pillman:
Not yet, anyway! The day’s coming, Marcus, that you’ll see what I saw, what made me join the Dangerous Alliance, what made me reach out and
take
what I deserved, rather than keep paying tribute to the old guard.

 

Pillman:
You’ll see...

 

Climbing through the ropes, Pillman pointed to Rude.

 

Pillman:
He blew the gates open, I charged through, but if I have to drag everyone else with me, I will!

 

As Bagwell struggled to get to his feet, Pillman catapulted himself to the top rope before launching off with a System Crash that earned him a three count that was loudly booed by the fans in attendance.

 

Schiavone:
Marcus Bagwell was game, but Pillman was in no mood to play nice tonight – if he ever is! Bagwell came into this match hurting, and will leave in still more pain, while the NWA World champion...

 

Pillman accepted his title belt and held it overhead with a wide smile on his face.

 

Schiavone:
...looks as fresh as a daisy.

 

Get used to it, Ross. Brian Pillman has very big plans for WCW and the NWA.

 

Pillman:
You’ll see, Marcus! And when you do, you’re welcome to join me on the crusade!

 

Winner: Brian Pillman

 

*

 

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Sting was backstage, head bowed in thought over the WCW World title clasped in his hands as Eric Bischoff cautiously approached.

 

Sting:
Eric, what is it?

 

Bischoff:
Sting, may I interrupt you for a moment please?

 

Sting raised his head, eyes opening to look at Bischoff.

 

Sting:
Of course. You want to ask me about tonight.

 

Bischoff:
Tonight’s match – and the other matches we’ve seen. Big Van Vader brutalising Ric Flair, Brian Pillman defeating Marcus Bagwell, and even your old friend Ultimate Warrior staking his claim for a World title shot... If you can get past Steve Austin tonight, the challengers you have waiting for you are many and diverse.

 

Sting:
They are, and make no mistake Eric, if I lose tonight those challengers don’t go away – I’ll just be someone fighting to earn another shot, not fighting to hold the challengers off.

 

Bischoff:
But you know that tonight-

 

Sting held up a hand, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

 

Sting:
Tonight, I have the ‘Superstar’. He’s been in WCW for two years, he’s already held the Television title, the NWA World tag titles and the United States title... and he’d be quick to tell you that he beat me for the US gold. He’s good – maybe
great
– and every time he gets in the ring he gets better. Maybe he’s not quite as good as he thinks... but I’m not sure
anyone’s
as good as Austin thinks he is. If anyone is, they
deserve
to be champion.

 

He looked down at the title, still clasped in his hands, before smiling broadly.

 

Sting:
But first they have to prove it by beating me. You know how that saying goes, Eric; To be the man...

 

Draping the title belt over his shoulder, he patted Eric on the arm.

 

Sting:
You know the rest.

 

He walked off as Bischoff handed back to ringside.

 

Ross:
Ladies and gentlemen, that’s our main event – but perhaps the most emotionally fraught match we’ll see tonight is up next – it’s brother vs. brother, Hart vs. Hart...

 

*

 

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Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart

 

Bret, as always, entered alone. Owen, in contrast, was backed up by Madusa... and Rick Rude... and his long-time partner Brian Pillman. But, standing across the ring from his brother, he gestured for the other Dangerous Alliance members to head to the back. Pillman, atypically subdued and serious, asked if Owen was sure, but as the youngest Hart nodded in assurance Rude and Madusa turned away, leaving Pillman looking conflicted for a moment, before clapping Owen on the shoulder and backing up the ramp.

 

Schiavone:
Owen’s confident. He wants this – I’d even say that he
needs
this.

 

Dangerously:
Don’t overreach, Schiavone. Owen’s as good as anyone in this ring... but I admit, he may know it in his head, but beating his brother would help him feel it in his gut too.

 

The opening exchanges were, understandably, tentative as brother and brother slowly tested one another with wristlocks and armbars, teasing one another’s defences and countering every attempt to press the advantage.

 

Ross:
This goes beyond rivalry, beyond partners, beyond training together – this is brotherhood, and these two men know each other possibly better than they know themselves.

 

Tensions escalated quickly as Owen delivered an open-handed slap to Bret’s face after being backed into the corner. Bret responded with a backhand that rocked Owen but, contrite, the older brother backed off rather than continue the attack. Owen, one side of his face a bright scarlet, responded by shoving his brother – and when Bret refused to rise to the bait, tackling him to the mat and firing in punches before the referee forced the break.

 

Bret was quick to get to his feet, and it was clear that Owen’s assault had sparked a fire in the Hitman. Smiling at Owen in acknowledgement of his brother’s wishes, Bret closed the gap between them before dropping to the mat with a neat go-behind, sweeping Owen’s legs from under him and swarming him, delivering slaps and elbow strikes to the back of his head.

 

Schiavone:
Here we go; Bret’s accepted that brothers can
fight
!

 

For the next several minutes the brothers put to use every trick that they had, displaying prowess on both sides that would have doomed a lesser opponent, but time and again the brothers came up to their feet, frustrated of progress as one or the other found a counter to whatever their opponent threw at them.

 

Ross:
They know each other too well. One of them needs to do something unexpected.

 

Dangerously:
That’s where all the training we’ve done with Owen comes in.

 

Schiavone:
You mean, he’ll be able to cheat his own brother?

 

Dangerously:
I’m offended, Schiavone. Look at the talent Owen’s had to work with and learn from – do you
really
think that he’ll only have learned to cheat?

 

With a snarl on his lips, Owen hurled himself at Bret anew, using his slight speed advantage to strike at Bret from all angles, hitting hard and fast as Bret was forced onto the back foot. Shifting gears, Owen took Bret to the mat with his own go-behind from the mat, messing up Bret’s hair with slaps before driving in a vicious elbow to the temple that rung Bret’s bell.

 

Dangerously:
Beautiful!

 

Owen locked down his advantage, keeping Bret on the mat and shifting focus from his right arm to his left leg, switching several times as he applied pressure to both limbs.

 

Dangerously:
Bit by bit, he breaks Bret down – and just try using the Sharpshooter when you don’t have a leg to stand on!

 

Patiently, and painfully, Bret worked his way free. Limping noticeably, he nevertheless rocked Owen with a flying clothesline, holding tight to his brother and dragging him upright to deliver a Russian legsweep. Limping to the corner, Bret levered himself up to the second rope, grimacing as he did so. Getting ready to jump off, he was intercepted by Owen, who’d had the time to recover thanks to his brother’s slowness.

 

Dangerously:
All of that hard work paying off, Schiavone – and no cheating!

 

Schiavone:
The match isn’t over yet, Paul.

 

Owen tried to hook Bret for a superplex, but Bret had his feet hooked around the turnbuckle and wasn’t moving. Frustrated, Owen hauled off to slug Bret in the face, but Bret got in first with a headbutt that sent Owen crashing backwards to the mat. With a weary expression on his face, Bret set himself on the ropes and leapt off with an elbow drop, only for Owen to be ready with a counter, trapping Bret’s arm and rolling through into an armbar.

 

Schiavone:
Which arm does he have? This could be it!

 

Ross:
It’s the left arm! It’s not the arm he’s been working on – and look!

 

As Owen tried to hook in the armbar, Bret rolled through in turn, tying his brother up in a la magistral cradle. Owen, however, put his agility to good use, rolling out of the cradle and tumbling into the corner. As his brother tried to get to his feet, Owen sprang up to sit on the top turnbuckle, grabbing Bret’s head and pushing off the top rope, tumbling over his brother’s head into a victory roll – but Bret dropped down with move, planting Owen hard on the mat and blocking any attempt to take him over. With his knees on Owen’s shoulders, and Owen’s legs hooked under his arms, Bret held his brother down for the count, immediately releasing him as soon as the referee’s hand hit the mat for the third time.

 

Ross:
What a match! And while it’s Bret who emerges victorious, it came down to one move, one counter, one
moment
that really could have gone either way!

 

Dangerously:
It could... but it didn’t. And now... well, let’s see how Owen deals with this.

 

Schiavone:
You sound unsure, Paul. That’s not like you.

 

Ross:
Just... Not now, Schiavone. Not now.

 

Winner: Bret Hart

 

*

 

qrsgDCo.jpgon556lI.jpg

 

In the ring, the referee moved to raise Bret’s hand but he was ignored as Bret went to check on his brother. Owen was sat on his haunches, staring into space in one corner of the ring. It took several seconds for him even to acknowledge his brother crouched down beside him.

 

When he did, Owen stared at his brother with a gaze that spoke of anger, despair... and resignation. Bret shook his head, holding up one finger as Owen looked away.

 

Bret:
One second, Owen. That’s all it was. If we fight again tomorrow, maybe you get me...

 

He stopped, lowering his hand, seemingly wishing he could take back the idea of fighting again.

 

The two brothers stared at one another.

 

Owen stood up. Bret rose too, maintaining a distance greater than arm’s length to his brother.

 

The two brothers continued to stare at one another, and then Owen looked away. When he spoke, his words came slowly, quietly.

 

Owen:
We said once. And that’s it. For mom and dad, for the family... Once.

 

The word hung in the air between Bret and Owen, the older brother watching carefully as the younger stood, hands on hips, shaking his head, his eyes fixed on the mat.

 

Bret:
Owen...

 

Owen:
Just...

 

Owen looked up into the sky, and then back to the mat, before forcing himself to look at his brother.

 

Owen:
The best man won on the night. I know how good I am, and how good you are, and that’ll have to do.

 

Owen held out his hand. Bret shook it without hesitation, before pulling his brother into a hug as the crowd cheered and applauded.

 

Ross:
Well, that’s just wonderful to see – perhaps, after all, they can just put this behind them now and go back to being brothers, being part of that Hart family.

 

Schiavone:
Paul?

 

Dangerously:
Let’s get to the main event.

 

*

 

 

3QAQ87s.jpgfw58PGi.jpg

 

Cappetta:
Ladies and gentlemen, coming down the aisle and weighing in at 252 pounds, he hails from Hollywood, California and is accompanied by the Dangerous Alliance’s Director of Covert Operations, Madusa... he is the Superstar, Steve Austin!

 

Dangerously:
There he is, your next World champion – and I can’t wait for you all to eat your words as you realise that everything we’ve said for the last two years has come true. Double World champions, and the most dominant group in all of wrestling.

 

Schiavone:
The Alliance is one-and-two tonight, Paul, and you had to gang up on a twenty-three year old kid to get that one.

 

Dangerously:
Schiavone, get it right – we didn’t
have
to gang up on Bagwell, but it sure as hell felt good to!

 

Schiavone:
Ugh, you’re just sickening.

 

Cappetta:
And his opponent, weighing in at 250 pounds, he hails from Venice Beach, California and is the WCW World champion... It’s Sting!

 

 

K3PiItT.jpg

 

Ross:
And listen to the crowd erupt!

 

Dangerously:
Yeah, let ‘em have their moment with their beloved Stinger – he’ll be carried out of here tonight, and they’ll never look at him the same again.

 

Schiavone:
You’re a hateful human being, Paul.

 

Dangerously:
Guilty! But I’m also damn good at what I do, Schiavone, and after Steve Austin wins the World title tonight everyone will have to acknowledge the Dangerous Alliance – my clients – as the greatest thing to happen to this business.

 

8RGKugi.jpg

WCW World Title

K3PiItT.jpgq8m9fFW.jpg3QAQ87s.jpg

Sting © vs. Steve Austin

 

With the crowd’s roar showing no signs of abating, Sting went to each corner in turn, mounting the middle rope and howling to each side of the stadium while Austin stood alongside the referee, showing no signs of impatience as Sting saluted his fans. Eventually, as Sting came to the centre of the ring to hand off the title belt to the official, he paused as Austin offered his hand in an apparent showing of good sportsmanship. Sting stared at him in surprise for a moment before accepting for a quick shake as Austin smiled at him.

 

Ross:
I admit that I wasn’t expecting that.

 

Dangerously:
No, and I doubt Sting was either. There’s a
lot
that he’s not expecting tonight, if we have our calculations correct – and, of course, we do.

 

Schiavone:
Such as?

 

Dangerously:
I don’t want to spoil the surprise, Schiavone. But I’ll say one thing, and that’s that the Superstar has found a solution to a niggling problem that’s been bothering him for a little while now.

 

Schiavone:
Is that ‘niggling problem’ that he’s never beaten Sting in such a high profile match.

 

Dangerously:
Hah! Very good, Schiavone. We’ll make an analyst of you yet!

 

The two men tied up at the bell, Sting showing superior strength to force Austin back into the corner. The break that followed was clean, with Sting backing away with his arms raised as Austin stayed in the corner, smiling at the champion. Sting looked disconcerted, as though he’d expected a cheap shot from the challenger.

 

Dangerously:
Thirty seconds in and Sting’s rattled. You have to love it!

 

Ross:
He’s not the World champion for nothing, Paul. Sting may have expected a different approach for this match from your man-

 

Dangerously:
The Superstar, Ross, get it right!

 

Ross:
-but I’d expect him to find his feet quickly.

 

So it proved, with Sting quickly moving through the gears as he bounced Austin around the ring, introducing him to the turnbuckles and ring ropes with a series of power moves that culminated in him launching Austin over the top rope and onto the entrance ramp with a military press. As Austin struggled to get to his feet, Sting went airborne with a running leap that saw him clear the top rope easily, crashing into Austin with a diving crossbody that sent both men tumbling up the ramp as the crowd roared their approval.

 

Ross:
Listen to that crowd! They’re getting what they want!

 

Sting howled to the fans as Austin stumbled back to the ring. Sting charged along the ramp towards his challenger, and at the last second Austin dropped his shoulder, elevating Sting into a Stun Gun across the top rope. The champion got hung up, and Austin showed considerable resilience in grabbing his legs and delivering a toe kick to Sting’s gut that left him struggling for air.

 

Ross:
The referee’s not counting the two men out – I don’t think anyone wants any kind of cheap finish tonight.

 

Dangerously:
Commissioner Ventura’s very sensibly agreed that this one goes to the end, Ross. We agree, of course – we want a definitive finish, or how else will Steve Austin become the champion?

 

Schiavone:
You’re not suggesting that Sting would want any other kind of finish?

 

Dangerously:
Stranger things have happened in wrestling, Schiavone... but no, I respect Sting’s integrity. But I’m glad that we have the assurance, just in case Sting’s friends like Marcus Bagwell or Dustin Rhodes choose to get involved – and who knows what the Ultimate Warrior might decide to do with that guaranteed title shot in his pocket?

 

Austin suplexed Sting back into the ring and followed him in, staling the wounded champion with caution, careful not to give him an opportunity to strike back as he kicked him in the side of the head. With Sting reeling from the sudden reversal of fortunes, Austin went to work, focusing his attacks on Sting’s head.

 

Ross:
It’s a sensible approach, the Stun Gun is Austin’s main weapon, and we’ve already seen him use it once.

 

Dangerously:
Very sensible indeed, Ross.

 

Austin slowed the pace of the match down with a chinlock, followed by a headlock as he taunted Sting, then rubbing his face into the mat.

 

Ross:
Austin may come to regret that...

 

Enraged, Sting powered out of the hold, lifting Austin off the mat and hurling him overhead with a back suplex. As Austin scrambled to his feet in one corner of the ring Sting launched himself through the air with a Stinger Splash. Crushed in the corner, Austin staggered forwards and faceplanted into the mat. Sting grabbed one of his legs and flipped Austin over, lining him up for the Scorpion Deathlock, but Austin kicked him off with his free leg, scrambling away from the champion to buy a few seconds to recover. Sting, however, was in no mood to give him that time. Almost before Austin could move Sting was on him once more, kicking Austin hard in the chest and delivering a splash for two as Austin tried to recover.

 

Schiavone:
Sting taking a page from the Ultimate Warrior’s playbook!

 

Austin slithered out of the ring after kicking out. Sting followed through the ropes, but Madusa sprung forward and grabbed the middle rope, snapping it into Sting’s face as he climbed through them. Sting recoiled, and the official was immediately in Madusa’s face, ordering her away from the ring. Madusa complied, hands up as she walked calmly away – and as the official watched her leave Austin swept Sting’s legs from under him, dropping him down with the middle rope between his legs.

 

Ross:
Oh, there’s been a malfunction at the junction there – and Sting will be feeling the effects for some time to come.

 

Schiavone:
I suppose you’re going to claim that was fair, Paul?

 

Dangerously:
Madusa’s the Alliance’s Director of Covert Operations, Schiavone; Sometimes those operations begin with an overt distraction, and if you have a problem with that, take it up with Commissioner Ventura.

 

Getting up on the apron, Austin charged at Sting, clotheslining Sting from out of the ropes and down to the arena floor. Austin spread his arms wide, laughing at the crowd’s reaction as they jeered him, before turning to Sting and lifting him off the ringside mat. Austin whipped Sting towards the ringpost, but Sting slapped on the brakes and instead Austin was launched towards the ringside barrier, crashing into it and sending the front row of fans diving for cover.

 

Ross:
A special treat for our ringside fans – an up close and personal view of the main event!

 

Dangerously:
Madusa will be in touch with them later so they can pay the extra fee.

 

Austin clung onto the barrier and endured a heavy beating from Sting, who unloaded with heavy right hands, rocking Austin against the steel railings. Eventually the champion rolled his challenger back into the ring, pausing only to howl to the crowd before rejoining the fray and clotheslining Austin just as he regained his feet.

 

Ross:
And it seems like Austin is struggling now. The self-proclaimed Superstar is on the back foot, and Sting doesn’t relinquish that kind of advantage easily.

 

Dangerously:
Have faith, Ross. Steve hasn’t given up yet, and that’s all you need to know.

 

Ross:
Got something up your sleeve, Paul?

 

Dangerously:
Always. Steve is prepared – that’s
two years
of planning, all going into tonight.

 

Sting sent Austin into the ropes, but Austin rebounded with a leaping body press, driving his fists into Sting’s head until the referee forced the break.

 

Ross:
Lou Thesz Press from Steve Austin – he knows the classics!

 

With the momentum abruptly shifted, Austin went back to work on Sting, again focusing primarily on his head, but also delivering a gutbuster and trapping Sting in an abdominal stretch, punching Sting in the stomach several times as the crowd roared their support for the imperilled champion.

 

Schiavone:
These are sound tactics by Austin, generally, but it seems a little strange that he’s shifted focus from Sting’s head to his core – especially as Sting is in such great shape that his core must be one of his strengths!

 

Dangerously:
Makes you wonder what we know that you don’t, doesn’t it, Schiavone?

 

Schiavone:
I’m certainly wondering what you
think
you know.

 

Austin kept the stretch locked in, but took the time to taunt the cheering fans. That distraction gave Sting the opportunity he needed to hiptoss Austin and break the hold, and as Austin came up in the corner once more Sting launched himself into a Stinger Splash seemingly on instinct – but Austin dropped out of the way, and Sting landed hard against the turnbuckles, drawing a howl from the champion that for once wasn’t intended to incite the Stingers in attendance.

 

Dangerously:
Still think that core’s a strength Schiavone?

 

Schiavone:
I’ll admit that right now Sting’s the one on the back foot.

 

Austin grabbed Sting and whipped him into the ropes, again trying for the Thesz Press. Sting caught Austin in midair, showing off his incredible strength to swing him up and over in a spinning powerslam that got a count of two. But Sting couldn’t capitalise immediately, nursing his wounded gut and allowing Austin to get to his feet first. Seemingly comfortable in the match, Austin offered a test of strength to the champion. Sting accepted, lacing his fingers through Austin’s and showing that he still had an edge by immediately trapping Austin in a knuckle lock, transitioning into a gorilla press once more.

 

Ross:
Battered core and all, he’s still as strong as anyone on the roster!

 

Sting looked shaky as he held Austin aloft, but dropped his challenger to the mat. However, once more he was left in pain, nearly doubled over from the exertion. As he rose upright, Austin charged at him, clotheslining him over the top rope and onto the entrance ramp. Sting hit the ramp hard, and Austin once again taunted the crowd as he regained the advantage. Turning back to Sting he immediately paid for his confidence as Sting grabbed the back of his head and dropped him across the top rope, neck first.

 

Ross:
A Stun Gun variant from Sting – and Austin
has
to learn at some point!

 

As Austin recoiled in pain, Sting backed up the ramp, looking for a run up to diver over the top rope again. Grimacing as he clutched at his stomach again, however, he changed his mind. Heading to one corner of the ring he climbed up to the top turnbuckle and leapt off, aiming a double axehandle at Austin – but Austin met the dive with a boot to Sting’s open gut. Sting doubled over and, before he could recover, Austin grabbed his head and dropped to mat, jolting Sting’s jaw on his shoulder.

 

Dangerously:
Superstar Stunner!

 

Sting recoiled, toppling to the mat as Austin crawled across to make the cover. The referee dropped to the mat and counted one... two... three!

 

The crowd watched in stunned silence as the bell rang to signal the end of the match – and the end of Sting’s seven month reign as World champion.

 

Ross:
Austin’s done it! Austin wins!

 

Schiavone:
New champion!

 

Dangerously:
That’s
what we knew, Schiavone!

 

Winner, and new WCW World champion: Steve Austin

 

3QAQ87s.jpg

lcGavxb.jpg2ytkyaJ.jpgon556lI.jpgRaIRMkk.jpgfw58PGi.jpg

 

With the match over, Austin tried to get to his feet, but whether through exhaustion or overwhelming emotion he struggled to rise... until his fellow members of the Dangerous Alliance, Rick Rude, Brian Pillman, Owen Hart, Scott Steiner and Madusa joined him in the ring, Steiner and Pillman helping him to his feet.

 

Dangerously:
All this time, all the research, all the work we’ve done – not just to identify Sting’s weaknesses, but Steve Austin’s as well. Steve has been using the Stun Gun since he debuted, but he knew it was time to move on, and together we developed a new move to maximise his strengths, his speed, his athleticism, his explosiveness, all distilled into one perfect move, the Superstar Stunner. And not even Sting could evade defeat!

 

The referee brought the WCW title over to Austin, who stepped forward from his allies to take it. He stared at it for several seconds, as though unsure that it was really in his hands, before a huge smile spread across his face and he lifted the title overhead.

 

Schiavone:
And listen to the fans – they’re not happy, but... Damn it, Austin deserves this.

 

Dangerously:
Say it again, Schiavone, I love to hear it.

 

Schiavone:
Fine, Paul. Austin deserves that title. The Dangerous Alliance, as you say, prepared him, but in the moment, in this match... Steve Austin pinned the champion in the middle of the ring.

 

Ross:
That he did and folks...

 

As Austin celebrated with his teammates, going to each corner with the title as Sting had done on his entrance to the ring before the match, other members of the roster appeared at the top of the ramp, silently appraising the new WCW World champion.

 

qrsgDCo.jpgZRduAZP.jpg3QZmhlp.jpg

 

Ross:
Bret Hart, Big Van Vader and The Ultimate Warrior. An eclectic trio – and I’m amazed that there’s peace amongst them, for all that they share a common goal right now. But I don’t think Steve Austin is in the least bit concerned with his upcoming challengers.

 

Dangerously:
That’s a problem for tomorrow. For tonight the Dangerous Alliance will celebrate the crowning of a new World champion, the new face of WCW, the Superstar – Steve Austin, WCW World champion!

 

Ross:
Folks, thanks for joining us on this record-breaking night. Dare I say it, but you may well be looking at the future of professional wrestling right now – and his name is Steve Austin!

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  • 2 weeks later...

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Nearly there.</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 wasn’t imagining, four-and-a-half years ago, that it’d take me this long to tell this story. I had an idea of the story I wanted to tell that, broadly, ran from July 1991 to December 1993. I’ve truncated it a bit, because there was no way I could carry on for another six months in-game, but most of it is 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;">

I haven’t become a father again during the course of this diary, as I did during two previous offerings, but I did change jobs – twice. The first one left me plenty of time to write, the second one... hasn’t. I now write for a living, not fiction, and certainly not about wrestling, but after spending my working day picking and choosing my words with a fair degree of care, I found myself completely unable to apply myself to writing outside of work. That was strange; I’ve been writing for fun for over twenty years, but the well now appears to be dry – at least for booking wrestling shows!</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;">

Even with the slightly shortened timescale, certain elements of the diary were always set in stone – the ascension of the Dangerous Alliance being the core one. Even as a kid in the early 1990s I thought they split way too soon, and here they got the long title reign for Rick Rude that never happened in real life, and the ascension of Steve Austin that went rather differently, and more slowly, in real life.</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;">

Other elements went more or less as I’d hoped – Owen Hart and Brian Pillman’s evolution almost went quicker than I would have liked, as they were two of my best wrestlers even before they captured the World tag titles. By the time they dropped them, Pillman in particular was simply one of the best wrestlers on the planet. If I’d stuck with the game, and had been playing for match/show ratings, Pillman would have main evented as many shows as possible.</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;">

Certain elements came from the readers – the booking committee segments threw up plenty of interesting feedback, of course. I appreciate everyone who took the time to share their views and ideas. If only there’d been a way to accommodate all 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;">

Other elements didn’t work so well. Randy Savage brought a much-needed introduction of star quality in the early months of the diary, but keeping the World title off the biggest name on the roster (which he was in the early months) was tough, and finding something else for him to do was tougher. You may have noticed he was practically – or even totally – absent once I stopped playing the game and didn’t have to find anything for him. Such is life. I’d have liked to do more with the Horsemen, as well – given time, Flair and Anderson’s story had more to tell, probably with Flair going wholly solo-</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;"><strong>Flair:</strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Because it’s always been the </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Four</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Horsemen, and you don’t need the Nature Boy when you’ve got Double A!</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 leaving Anderson to lead the three younger talents. The plan, at one point, was to lead into the Flair/Vader Starrcade ’93 match that happened in real life, which would have been the end of the diary. But we didn’t quite get there, so instead Flair got that match at the Bash... with consequences that we’ll come to shortly.</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’d have liked to have done more with Dustin Rhodes, too. In-game he was becoming one of the key roster members, but I also had a reason for cutting back his push with the radio interview he did where he trashed other members of the roster. If the diary had run longer, he’d have challenged Austin for the World title... but of course Austin would have retained. WCW picking a ‘leader of the new generation’ and then having him drop the World title after just a few weeks? Nah, that’d </div></div></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><div style="margin-left:25px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><div style="margin-left:25px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><div style="margin-left:25px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow">never happen</a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T_(wrestler)#WCW_World_Heavyweight_Champion_(2000%E2%80%932001)" rel="external nofollow"></a><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><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Bringing in Warrior, Hart and Michaels was an interesting mirror of the Radicalz’ arrival in WWF in 2000, in that they brought a massive boost to the company’s star quality without really changing the show quality, at least at first. Bret went on to become the lynchpin of the upper midcard while Shawn did the same in the midcard (and, had the diary continued, would have rapidly moved towards the main event). Warrior was another guy I didn’t have a huge amount for – but a brutal and dramatic (and rather silly) feud with Vader got both guys over, and the Warrior/Cactus tag team was also rather silly, but also a lot of fun.</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, as WCW moves into the second half of 1993, the main event would have been something like Sting, Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Ultimate Warrior and Dustin Rhodes on the face side, with Steve Austin, Brian Pillman, Shawn Michaels and Vader on the heel side. I think that’s a pretty good array of talent to have left it with – especially with the Horsemen, Luchamerica and Diamond Exchange just underneath. Imagine, a year further along, Eddy Guerrero and Steve Austin going at it for the World title, or a best-of-seven series between Ricky Steamboat and Shawn Michaels... but that’s another story, alas!</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, thanks to all who’ve stuck with the story or who’ve joined it along the way. I’m sorry that these last few months have taken so long to get out, but it’s pretty much done now – no more shows, certainly.</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’ll be a few more Ric Flair segments to round things off, because the diary’s always been his story, and as it’s WCW and it’s 1993 there’s one place it has to go, really... </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;">

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You're very welcome!

 

 

*

 

 

 

fbNfN33.jpg

Ric relaxed, enjoying basking in the glory of the Great American Bash.

 

A live attendance second only to WrestleMania III. Well over half a million pay-per-view buys confirmed, maybe the third or even second highest wrestling buy rate in history.

 

Life is good! Woooo!

 

TBS Headquarters was buzzing with the success of the show, which had made national headlines and even drawn some attention from ESPN – something Ric was only aware of happening with WrestleMania V.

 

We’re big time now – national news, soon to be world news!

 

Life is real good! Talking the talk, walking the walk, styling and profiling!

 

Knocking back the last of his glass of whiskey, Ric accepted more plaudits from CNN suits whose names he didn’t know, watched Eric and Dusty glad-handing with executives, Sting, Rude, Pillman and Bagwell charming some of the ladies while Austin, Luchamerica and Michaels showed off their titles to admiring crowds.

 

This is how you win over the people – no matter who they are, or what they do. Ted wants us to have a presence here, he wants people to know who we are, who I am... Well, I think we’re making a splash!

 

“Ric, congratulations!”

 

xArA1iv.jpg

 

Ted Turner had arrived at the party and made his way straight to Ric, extending a hand. The two men shook, and Ric beamed at the chairman of TBS.

 

“Seventy thousand in the stadium and half a million plus on pay-per-view, Ted; I think we’ve captured the public’s attention! Let’s see SummerSlam top that – what do they have, Luger against Yokozuna? I don’t see it!”

 

“Indeed. Indisputably, the momentum is with WCW right now, and I couldn’t be more pleased, Ric. And it’s on that topic I wanted to talk to you... In fact, the
board
wants to talk to you.”

 

“Any time, Ted. Right now, I feel like I could do to the world what Vader did to me!”

 

Ric laughed, and Turner smiled as he took Ric’s glass and set it to one side.

 

“Good. Now’s as good a time as any.”

 

Ric remained jovial as they crossed the floor, pausing to shake hands with Sting and Dusty, and even to have a photo taken with an older executive who claimed to have been at Starrcade to see Ric beating Harley Race for the World title. But his mood darkened as he realised that Turner was leading him into an area of the offices that Ric had never been before, where the furnishings were more expensive, the carpets deeper, and – even in his distracted state – Ric couldn’t help but notice that the secretaries were much more expensively dressed, and more attractive, too.

 

This was where the TBS executives hung out – and as Turner passed easily through the area and pushed open a heavy wooden door, Ric realised that they were heading into the boardroom. Ric took a deep breath before following Turner, who held the door open for him. The door closed softly behind Ric, and Ted walked around to the other side of the table.

 

“Sit down, Ric. We need to talk about WCW and its role at the centre of the TBS expansion.”

 

Ric’s smile faltered a little as he took in the others sat alongside Turner – five men and one woman, all wearing expensive suits and looking curiously at him.

 

I don’t think I’ve met any of these guys before. Or glad-handed them, either.

 

But they can’t exactly fire the Nature Boy, not after a gate seventy thousand strong!

 

Turner offered brief introductions, pronouncing the other six as three vice-presidents, an executive vice-president and a couple of others that Ric didn’t catch. But one important word did land solidly – quorum.

 

“This is a board meeting?”

 

“Yes. The board wanted to meet to discuss the future of WCW, and this is undoubtedly the high-water mark of your time in charge, Ric,” Turner replied. He smiled, but any reassurance the expression may have offered was swept away by the expressions on the other six faces that Ric could see – indifference, discomfort, and even hostility in the case of one of the vice-presidents.

 

“Mr Turner, I know that we discussed your concerns over the content of WrestleWar, and I’m sure you’ve seen that the last two months of WCW programming have been free of any significant bloodshed-“

 

Turner held up a hand.

 

“Ric, this isn’t about the Media Research Centre, they’ve moved on and found other content to complain about – at least for now. No, this is about, well...” Turner’s expression became sombre as he looked to either side along the panel of board members.

 

“It’s about you, Ric, and whether you’re the best man to continue taking WCW forwards.”

 

In Ric’s lap his fingers twisted around one another.

 

Ambush!

 

The Nature Boy’s been jumped before – it’s just another promo with no script to follow, and if there’s one thing the Nature Boy does better than anyone else, it’s cut a promo!

 

He smiled.

 

“Two nights ago WCW ran its largest ever show in front of seventy thousand paying fans with a gate of around a million dollars, Mr Turner, with half a million viewers on pay-per-view. No-one before me, not under the WCW banner, not for Jim Crockett Promotions, not anyone else in this business other than Vince McMahon has done that. And we can go bigger, I have no doubts about that. I won’t say that the sky’s the limit, but we can blow the roof off a lot of arenas, all around the world!”

 

“All around the world, you say,” the vice president with the hostile expression demanded. “What can you tell me about wrestling in Japan? Or Australia? Or any of the territories that we’re looking to expand into?”

 

Ric regarded the man for a long moment, trying to remember his name. Jack something, he thought, before dismissing it as unimportant.

 

“I’ve wrestled in Japan many times, most recently about two years ago in partnership with New Japan. Many members of our roster have experience working there, and there are several Japanese wrestlers like the Great Muta and Jushin Liger who’ve appeared on WCW TV over the years. Expanding into the Japanese market will be something that we want to do carefully, because of that established relationship with NJPW. But we’ll need to be clear that we’re coming in as WCW rather than riding on their coattails and being seen as their ‘little brother’; We’ll want fans to watch our show, of course, but we won’t be looking to run Korauken Hall after a month on the air there. I would expect that we’ll continue to work with New Japan to share the costs of running shows in a foreign country, but also it allows our wrestlers to work with talent that the Japanese fans already know, so there’s at least one side of any match that will be familiar to them and able to hold their attention. The language issue can be overcome, and several WCW wrestlers already speak at least a little Japanese. It won’t happen overnight, but with a few years’ effort we can become big in Japan.”

 

Ric settled back slightly in his chair. His hands remained clasped in his lap, but the knuckles were beginning to regain their colour. He looked at the vice-president, who seemed unmoved by the response.

 

“A few years’ effort to establish WCW in Japan, I see. And the other territories?”

 

“The WWF has opened doors in Europe. They tour their regularly, and we’ll need to avoid coming in too close to their shows – at least at first. But we have talents like Warrior, Savage and Sting who are, or who
will
be, big deals over there. Many European countries have English as a second language, and we have wrestlers who speak French, or German, or Spanish... We can handle that. Australia is the other country we’re looking towards, I believe, and there’s no language barrier there. The main issue is that there’s no real history of wrestling in Australia, just a few small companies that came and went without leaving much of an impression. I’ve wrestled there before, but I’d be surprised if many others on our roster have done – and we’ll have to determine whether it’s a market that’s ripe to be exploited, or if it’s going to need to be primed for some time first.”

 

Choke on that, Mr vice-president of whatever you are!

 

Come at the Nature Boy and give me your best shot, but don’t be surprised if I knock it out of the park. Woooo!

 

Ric smiled at the board members, none of whom smiled back.

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

“Our concern is that your approach depends on each new territory just accepting WCW as is – a wrestling company first and foremost,” said one of the people whose title Ric couldn’t recall.

 

“That’s what WCW has always been, and right now it’s the best in the entire world.”

 

“And it’s become very successful in a nation that knows professional wrestling... but I note that when the decision about where to hold the Great American Bash took place, every location on the shortlist was in the southern states.”

 

Ric blinked.

 

“That’s where our support is strongest,” he said, looking at the board members in turn, wondering why such a basic concept was seemingly being contested.

 

“We wonder whether a stronger statement might have been made by holding the Bash event in a market where we would have sold fewer tickets. Pay-per-view revenue would have remained the same, of course, and by holding the event in a growing market such as Seattle, San Francisco or Chicago it would have been a chance to make a real splash in that market,” said the female vice-president.

 

Ric nodded, accepting the point.

 

“It would, but the biggest shows need the hottest crowds, and ultimately it came down a choice between Atlanta, Charlotte and Oxford. And the folks at UMIss were very keen on having their stadium featured the way we did. We got a good deal, and we got a big venure for the show.”

 

“And do you think that WCW has gained in popularity as a result of that choice?” was asked by one of the other vice-presidents.

 

Ric bit back on his instinctive response, instead thinking furiously for a few seconds before replying.

 

“In isolation, it may have been more effective for a growing territory to be chosen as the venue for the Bash,” he said slowly. “But the Bash has become our end of the year show, our season finale if you will. We needed everything to pay off to produce the very best show that we could, and part of that is wanting to have a hot crowd who’re invested in the company and the wrestlers. A cold crowd can kill a show long before the main event. We’ll go to Chicago or Seattle or wherever with TV, I’m sure, and maybe even pay-per-views, but we’re some way away from running such a big show outside of our core markets. We tried running a big show in New York a few years ago – myself and Terry Funk in the main event, capping off a really heated rivalry, but the New York crowd was lukewarm and we didn’t even get five thousand through the gate that night. We couldn’t risk that for the Bash.”

 

“Perhaps not, but it highlighted an issue that has caused us some concern over recent months,” the first vice-president said. “Time and again, your choices have been conservative rather than aggressive, seeking to consolidate rather than expand. Despite Mr Turner warning you of the need for an aggressive approach, despite a clear expectation that WCW would embrace tactics that worked for the WWF in their becoming a globally recognised company, WCW remains a traditionally-booked and conservatively-scheduled
wrestling
company.”

 

“Yes, and I’ll repeat that two nights ago we brought in half a million buys on pay-per-view, sir,” Ric said, just keeping his mouth in check. “Once the broadcaster’s cut, facility fees and wages go out, that should be something like two million dollars in profit – plus what we made on a seventy thousand attendance on the day.”

 

“Indeed. Now, imagine what could happen with an aggressive expansion-“

 

“I don’t need to imagine. I lived through it,” Ric snapped. “Spending money the company didn’t have. Bringing in talent we couldn’t afford and then paying them to sit home because they were no good. Throwing money around because the WWF was hot and we didn’t have the first clue how to catch them. Reduced to wrestling in armouries and civic centres because we couldn’t draw enough fans to warrant a bigger venue. Giving two-for-one tickets to try and get enough people in to cover concessions. Giving away free gifts to kids to try and get their parents to bring them to the shows.
Cancelling
shows because we knew it’d cost us less than running them. Standing on the verge of bankruptcy before Mr Turner saved us.”

 

Ric looked around.

 

“Mr Turner’s money saved this company once. I didn’t want to have it happen again. You want to know what the plan is for preparing WCW for the worldwide expansion of TBS? Fine – it’s to put Austin over, big. He’ll sneak past the Warrior, then win his rematch against Sting in a two or three months’ time, maybe something like a cage or a last man standing match to make it decisive. Him, Shawn Michaels, Brian Pillman and Bret Hart will be the focus going forward – Bret’s the oldest at thirty-five but he’s new in the main event scene, and they all have plenty of mileage going forward. They can all talk people into the arena or get them watching TV and,” he held up a finger with a smile, “they’re all good-looking guys. Great for the cover of Teen Beat or even TV Guide – why not aim big, right? And you want Japan and Australia and wherever else to be aware of WCW? Then we’ll shoot region-specific commercials, just like we do when we’re running shows in different markets. We can get creative, even – use local celebrities as much as possible to put our guys over in those commercials.

 

“I’ve put Vader over and I’ll do it again, but later in the year I start itching for one last run and earn the shot against Austin at Starrcade, which’ll be in North Carolina, my home state. Everything will be geared up for another win for me, but Austin will take the win. He’s got his new Stunner finisher, this time he’ll beat me by submission to really establish him as having all the cards. Meanwhile, Bret wins the Battlebowl to set him up for Starrcade-”

 

“Thank you, Ric,” Turner said, holding up his hands. “May we have the room for a few minutes?”

 

Ric waited outside the room, hands in his pockets for want of anything better to do with them, unable to sit as he bounced on his toes, grateful that the hallway was quiet.

 

His cellphone sat in his pocket, and he considered bringing it out to call Arn for something to do, but decided against it.

 

I can be patient.

 

Two years I was World champion first time around, and still people didn’t believe in me. Then I dropped the belt to Harley and had to wait another six months to beat him and really become The Man. You’d better believe the Nature Boy can be patient!

 

“Ric?”

 

He turned to find Ted Turner standing in the office door, as the other members of the board filed out. One of the unmemorable ones was fiddling with a cellphone, a couple of them half-glanced in his direction before hurrying off, and the most objectionable of them tossed him a smile before brushing past him at a saunter. Ric bridled, but looking at Turner he allowed the irritation to pass, because the look on Turner’s face made his heart sink.

 

Turner gestured to the boardroom, inviting Ric to follow him back in, behind the heavy wooden door that Ric suspected made the room soundproof.

 

“We need to talk...”

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It was October, and Ric’s plans had changed.

 

Of course, they weren’t Ric’s plans anymore. After a token transitional period primarily focused on putting Austin over Sting once more at the August Clash, WCW was rocketing ahead into its new, faster-paced era.

 

Owen Hart had left the Dangerous Alliance. He wasn’t siding with his brother, exactly. Nor was he feuding with his former allies, exactly. But he was out to prove himself – again – and a clash with Brian Pillman seemed inevitable.

 

The Dangerous Alliance was becoming more vicious, and had crossed a line when Scott Steiner had gone after Shawn Michaels and the US title. The previously mutually-beneficial partnership between the Diamond Exchange and the Dangerous Alliance had immediately dissolved, and not all of a sudden Michaels, Vinnie Vegas and the Diamond Studd were babyfaces... sort of.

 

Ric shook his head – their wisecracking, innuendo-laden promos were certainly appealing to one section of the audience, at least, especially with Kimberly in their corner. Meanwhile Shawn, Vinnie – who had been growing his hair out – and Studd also appealed to another section of the audience...

 

Time was, a handsome wrestler was a bonus. Pushing guys because of the girls screaming for them... Well, I guess these guys can go. Well, Shawn can. And Studd’s okay. And I guess worse guys than Vinnie have done well. But I don’t think he’s got the same ceiling that the new boss does, just because some women are calling him ‘Big Sexy’.

 

Hey, every dollar is worth 100 cents, whoever hands them over!

 

Bret Hart’s momentum had stalled. It had been a gradual rise under Ric, all intended to see him succeed Austin as World champion – and be the foil to the Superstar going forward, the pure wrestler against the modern entertainer. But Bret had moved into a feud with Scott Steiner, which didn’t make much sense when Scott was, at best, number three in the Alliance.

 

Arn had had his shot at Austin. Horsemen versus Alliance – and the Alliance had won, in one month, with a trio of wins at Halloween Havoc. Maybe there was more ahead, but Rick Rude’s return to action alongside Steiner had yielded a US tag title win over the Thrillseekers, Austin had beaten Arn in the main event, and Ric had put Pillman over in an NWA World title match.

 

I didn’t mind that – Brian did the honours enough for me a few years ago... but that was supposed to be me putting Steve over at Starrcade. So I guess that’s not happening. And Regal’s had two televised matches since the Bash. The kid’s as smooth in the ring as they come, but there’s no TV time for him because we’ve got to fit in Jason Hervey doing an interview segment.

 

The kid doesn’t even have a set or anything – it’s just Hervey, backstage, doing interviews. What does that do for us? What does it do for anyone, except for Hervey cashing a check every week? And I know what he’s on – he gets more for a two minute interview segment than half the roster does for wrestling, when they’re allowed to!

 

Ric looked around the locker room. The Young Pistols, the York Foundation, Rey Mysterio, Mike Awesome, Marcus Bagwell... Just some of the talent who’d barely been on TV in the last few months. Even Konnan and Eddy Guerrero, the tag champs, were mainly on Main Event – and their proposed program with the Heat hadn’t materialised other than a short no contest on Saturday Night that happened when the Dangerous Alliance crashed the match and Scott Steiner obliterated everyone with Steinerlines.

 

Ric shook his head. The favoured few... It wasn’t making for a happy locker room, especially not with talk coming in once more of Hulk Hogan’s contract being up for negotiation, and the new man in charge being keen to bring him in.

 

Well, that’s Eric Bischoff for you. Big names = big noise, or so he thinks. I should have known better than to bring him on board.

 

Certainly shouldn’t have let him schmooze with the higher-ups without breaking out the old Nature Boy charm to put him in the shade!

 

Ric finished dressing. His match for the night was done, and he was free to go. Beating Dean Malenko in under ten minutes, probably while the commentators talked about Shawn Michaels’ recent appearance on Letterman.

 

Dean’s an easy match – but we could have gone twenty on pay-per-view and had the fans eating out of the palm of our hands. Bischoff probably thinks he was being generous giving us that long.

 

Bischoff probably thinks people don’t want long wrestling matches, but this is World Championship
Wrestling
!

 

Pulling on his suit jacket, Ric nodded to a couple of the guys and headed for the door, done for the night and free to leave. He wondered about waiting for the other Horsemen, but decided against it.

 

I spent so long picking the right guys, but we’re going nowhere. What’s the point?

 

And Jericho and Storm get all the attention from the ladies anyway!

 

Ric dropped his bag in the trunk of his car and climbed into the driver’s seat. Just before he turned on the engine, his cellphone rang. With a grunt of annoyance he took it out, ready to toss it into the back seat – Eric was the only one who called him nowadays, to remind him about booking team meetings. Ric attended when he couldn’t think of a good reason not to, which was about half of the time.

 

But, glancing at the display, Ric paused. The number on it wasn’t Eric’s.

 

Instead, the area code was for Stamford, Connecticut.

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OOC: No new dynasty, just a little coda to Ric's rise and fall - the flow of time 'correcting' itself in a way, with Ric heading north, Eric in charge, Nash and Hall on the rise... Different times, but the same paths. You can only change so much, after all, before history fights back!

 

 

*

 

 

 

fbNfN33.jpg487BHFM.jpg

 

Chicago was neutral territory for both men, and with both WWF and WCW running shows within an hour of the city that night it was easy enough for them to cross paths in a diner on the outskirts. When Ric arrived, the place was empty apart from Pat Patterson sat quietly in a booth by the door. He nodded to Ric, and hooked a thumb towards the back, before dropping a twenty on the table and heading out.

 

Well, this is all very cloak and dagger.

 

But at least it’s not in his office this time. I haven’t had to walk into his inner sanctum.

 

In the very back of the diner, Vince McMahon was finishing off a steak dinner with every sign of satisfaction, even if the meat did look blacker than Ric would have liked.

 

“Ric, sit down,” Vince said, half-rising as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Let’s talk!”

 

Ric settled into the seat opposite the WWF’s owner.

 

“Drink? Something to eat?” Vince offered. “I booked out the diner for the whole night, so we won’t be bothered.”

 

Ric shook his head. “I don’t have long. I made sure that Bischoff saw me flirting with some girl in the crowd, so he’ll buy me being out for a while, but he likes to keep me close.
Really
close, if you know what I mean.”

 

“He doesn’t trust you? Well, I don’t recall thinking much of Eric when he was interviewed with us, but apparently he’s learned to play politics.”

 

Vince smiled, but Ric didn’t return it. He worried that he’d already given too much away to Vince, that his unhappiness in WCW was too great to conceal.

 

“Ric, I won’t beat around the bush – we want you in New York. It’s past time you had a run with us, and we’re not planning on starting you out slow or anything like that. We want you in a programme with Hulk from day one.”

 

Ric raised an eyebrow.

 

Straight into it with Hogan? It makes sense, but...

 

But Hogan’s a heel, and I’m not going to be a face in New York, not even for one match!

 

“You... want to turn Hogan face again.”

 

Vince’s smile widened.

 

“And that’s the other reason we want you on board, Ric,” he said. Lifting a thick folder off the seat next to him, he passed it across the table. “Not just in ring, but behind the scenes. I may be... indisposed for a time next year. The company should be fine, believe me, I have the best lawyers around working day and night on this, but I’m up against the federal government.”

 

“The steroid charges,” Ric said, one eye on Vince, the other on the folder.

 

“Exactly. It’s a trumped-up pile of bullshit, honestly, but... It’s going to be a trial by jury, and while I’m innocent, I’m not prepared to walk into that courtroom without making plans for the worst case scenario. If it comes down to it, Linda will be in charge of the company, Bruce and Pat will cover booking and I’ll chip in from the big house. But before that happens, Ric, I’d like you on board as well. Everything you’ve done for WCW brought it forward at an incredible pace – and I admit that you’ve outstripped us, at least here in America. I know Bischoff was put in place because of his ‘vision’ for expansion... But he wouldn’t be able to do a damn thing if not for you.”

 

“That’s true,” Ric said, slowly. Vince reached across the table and opened the folder at one of the tabs sticking out of the paperwork within. Ric’s eyes focused on the dollar amount at the bottom of the page.

 

“In-ring pay, backstage work, performance bonuses, pay-per-view bonuses... It’s a generous offer, Ric,” Vince said. “And that’s if the WWF grows at half the rate WCW has done over the last two years, using the benchmarks you’ll find in section two. Help us get bigger faster, and the pay will improve as well.”

 

The wheels spun in Ric’s head. It
was
a generous offer, more generous than he’d expected – which probably meant that he could push for more, if this was the WWF’s starting offer.

 

Vince must be really worried about jail time.

 

He’s used to being the big dog in the fight. Jail time for distributing steroids? He could end up somewhere a lot nastier than some minimum security fraternity!

 

Now he returned Vince’s smile.

 

“We can talk numbers, Vince, but first let’s talk booking – booking the Nature Boy on his arrival in the WWF.”

 

“Of course, Ric. Here’s what we were thinking – it’s the Royal Rumble in just over three months, so you can negotiate your release and sit out a release clause if they try and put one in. Hogan comes in low teens, he’s too strong for some and too sly for others so we’re well into the twenties before new music hits.
Your
music. Hogan and Flair in the same ring
at last
, but you don’t go after him and he’s completely thrown by your arrival, he gets distracted, loses his edge and then he’s ganged up on and eliminated – and you’re the one who gets the decisive shot in to send him over.

 

“Now, you don’t win the Rumble – we want to put Perfect over Luger at ‘mania, but you’re going into a feud with Hogan that’ll be the perfect complement to the whole deal we’ll have going on, back in Madison Square Garden, the tenth Wrestlemania, the two greatest wrestlers of the last twenty years finally meeting one on one...”

 

Ric sat and listened, commenting occasionally as Vince outlined his future booking.

 

“And the belt?” Ric asked at last.

 

“Ric, I can absolutely see you as champion,” Vince said. “But it’s getting late, and I don’t want Bischoff getting suspicious of you. Take a look at the contract, pal, and get back to me in the next few days.”

 

They shook hands and Vince left. Ric looked quickly through the contract, checking the highlights before calling his lawyer.

 

I wonder what Eric’ll say when I hand in my notice? Will he try and argue me out of it? Will he be able to contain his enthusiasm?

 

Maybe I should walk into his office, open my robe, and show him exactly what I think of him!

 

Ric smirked.

 

That’d be good! But maybe I’ll just go with “Hey Eric, I quit! Whoooo!”

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OOC: No new dynasty, just a little coda to Ric's rise and fall - the flow of time 'correcting' itself in a way, with Ric heading north, Eric in charge, Nash and Hall on the rise... Different times, but the same paths. You can only change so much, after all, before history fights back!

 

I mean... I guess? I was actually expecting / hoping that if you did do something like this, you'd 'live up' to the name of the dynasty, and go with Paul E. Dangerously worming his way to the top. ;)

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<p>The dynasty title was always intended to have a double meaning - both the growth and development of the Dangerous Alliance under Paul E, of course, but also the expansion of WCW in the wake of the WWF, which crippled them once already under Jim Crockett and eventually killed them once Ted Turner wasn't in charge of the purse strings anymore in 2000/2001.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Paul E/Paul Heyman has been my favourite non-wrestler for nigh-on 30 years at this point, and even when I was struggling to write anything else here, I could always come up with plenty of Ross/Dangerously bickering.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

To make Paul E the booker of WCW, though... Well, perhaps another time. I'm suddenly wondering what Paul could have done as the booker of WCW in 2001, if that had somehow been a possibility...</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

*</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

One last note before I draw down the curtain on this. Ric's early 1990s WWF entrance music sounds like it was played on a £20 Casio keyboard, so using his modern theme below is an anachronism, but when

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/vSCfyKpI7o4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Ric Flair 1st WWE Theme"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="r6434EK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/r6434EK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p></div><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;">

In the Gorilla position, Ric could see Vince and Pat directing traffic. Hogan was in the ring, tangling with his old rival Earthquake having peppered Typhoon with right hands before clotheslining the Natural Disaster over the top rope.</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>Tenryu, Koko, Dibiase, Berzerker, Typhoon and... Earthquake makes six. Just like the old days! And the fans are starting to get into it.</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;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Which must mean...</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;">

He glanced over at Pat and Vince, the latter of whom gave him a thumbs up.</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>...cue that music.</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;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/-a7C9E5BLJY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Ric Flair Entrance Video"></iframe></div></div></div><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;">

Ric walked through the curtain, arms spread wide and a smile spreading across his face as the Sacramento crowd erupted in shock and delight. In the ring, the action came to a halt as the half-dozen men within the ropes turned as one to look at 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;">

As Ric walked the aisle, the Undertaker took advantage of the distraction to level Hogan with a big boot, and as though a spell was broken almost everyone piled onto Hogan, beating down one company’s legendary figurehead as another company’s approached the 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;"><em>We’re off to a good start – now to do my thing!</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;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>And no-one does it like the Nature Boy! Whoooo!</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="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The End</span></strong></p></div><p></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

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Paul Heyman in WCW 2001 would certainly be interesting. I don't know how logical it would have been in real life, given his financial straits, ties to Vince and the number of guys he'd left holding the bag in ECW, but at the very least I think you'd deftly manage to portray the divide between WCW originals and ECW newcomers, not to mention the ex-ECW guys that had moved to WCW over the course of the past year like Awesome and Storm.

 

There's definitely been no lack of WCW 2001 games though, with everyone from Bret Hart to Randy Savage getting their shot at saving ol' Dubya.

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