WCW: Heart and Soul

Briskout · February 27, 2017

Fan Scorecard:

World Heavyweight Championship: Rob Van Dam {©}

-Steiner interferes.

United States Heavyweight Championship: Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

Vampiro can't pull out matches like Rey can, so why change?

World Tag Team Championship: True Heroes {©}

See above, although I think Knoble has been getting a deserved push.

Cruiserweight Championship: TAKA {©}

No buildup, Kidman isn't an ally of Flair so TAKA retains for now.

Sting

Like you said, they're both old. Sting is more over, so this is clearly a filler.

Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

I like this matchup and would like it in real life. Heels take the win because it's a multiman match.

AJ Styles

PPV rubber match coming up?

American Dragon

I don't like Shane Helms, so I'm biased.

Doomsday

Lol.

What will be match of the night? RVD/The Destroyer

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with?

Either someone available in game, which could be anyone, or January IRL which would lead to a member of the NWO. I don't see Hart bringing back Nash or Hogan, but Scott Hall is decently over and decently talented and should be done with his New Japan stuff.

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? Big Poppa Pump.

General diary comments/questions/critiques: This pay per view seems like a filler, not that that's bad! Filler PPVs build up to the big ones, so I'm not criticizing it at all. Interesting you used Steiner once in the whole post PPV build, which is why I think BPP interferes. Glad you figured out your Power Trip problem, I'm not sure how I'll handle it. Maybe HHH will tear a quad <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Happy0wns · February 28, 2017

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? Kidman v Taka

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? uh, Big Show

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Shane Douglas

Wolfman84 · February 28, 2017

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Edge

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Scott Steiner

franticloser · February 28, 2017

Fan Scorecard:

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night?RVD vs Doomsday

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Matt Hardy

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Kanyon

Beejus · February 28, 2017

RVD - DESOTROYAH is a great first challenge due to their history, but he won't be taking it home. I will not be surprised to see the psychology penalty hit hard here too.

Rey Misterio Jr - Just as DESOTROYAH, Vampiro is a great new challenge, but I don't see Salvation picking up either title.

True Heroes - Perhaps if the champs were still the Thrillers we would be seeing a title change, I would warrant just to reward the UFS winner. But you seem to pretty firmly have the Heroes backed, so there's no way this ragtag team is going over here.

TAKA - Empire are definitely ones to watch now that Eric has been revealed. I would even imagine that in the very near future, they will pick up another huge signing that will push the stable over the moon. Bischoff has completely legitimized them from an oddball little midcard group to a main event threat, but Candido and Taka just aren't there yet.

Sting - This is a solid veterans match, but Stinger pulls out the win.

Shane and Totally Buff - A heel win pushes all involved faces deeper into programs with them so they can all have things to do next month at SuperBrawl.

AJ Styles - You surprised me by giving Kaz the win last month, but I won't get fooled again! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

AmDrag - Danielson is definitely a top star in the making, and it won't hurt him to get the same level push that Punk was rewarded with.

Doomsday - Yeah, 3 Count make for some fun stories with their comedy bits, but that's going to be about all that amounts to.

MOTN: Vampiro vs. Rey

Titles: 0

Free Agent: Eddie Guerrero

Next champion: Booker T

Theheel · February 28, 2017

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

Don't see the new champ losing his first defense

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}. This is honestly where I see a potential change. Not sure how Salvaltion would be viewed going forward if both lose but that is what I'm going with

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©} Again I don't see the new champs losing and never was a fan of Wright

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

if it wasn't for the storyline I might pick Kidman but with Bischoff on board I can't see it happening

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Show stealer potentially

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

this could go either way but I'm going to take the underdogs in my mind

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

Im going to say AJ gets his win back and set up a rubber match

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

too much too soon for AD? By hook or by crook Helms will win

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

Toss up but I'll go with 3 count to set up a tomato can for the champs

What will be match of the night?- Sting vs Finlay

How many championships will change hands?- 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with?- Chris Jericho

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points)- Booker T

Satyr24 · February 28, 2017

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? RVD vs Destroyer

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Christian

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Kanyon

GingeyOne · February 28, 2017

Fan Scorecard:

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Cant wait to see that tombstone to tombstone reversal!

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? Kidman vs TAKA

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Matt Hardy

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Booker T

General diary comments/questions/critiques: Cant wait to hear the write up of WWF's recent changes and releases. Wonder what Bret will make of it.

sportsfanmas · February 28, 2017

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}/B]

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? Vampiro vs. Rey Mysterio

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Edge

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) I think Big Poppa Pump wins it back.

General diary comments/questions/critiques: Love this dynasty, it's one of my favorite ones to read right now.

Kijar · February 28, 2017

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Love me some Billy Kidman.

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

Shannon Moore or Die

What will be match of the night? Sting/Finlay

How many championships will change hands? 1

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Rhino

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Book

General diary comments/questions/critiques: RVD is the World Champ!? Why was I not here sooner lol Great stuff man.

The Final Countdown · February 28, 2017

January 2002: Pre-Sin News and Notes <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Hours before we opened the doors to let fans in for Sin, I finalized a deal to purchase the longest-running wrestling company in Japan. Back in the 80's, All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling (established in 1968) was putting on arguably the best wrestling product in the world. Many of their women, especially the Crush Gals team of Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka, were basically rock stars in Japan in that era. But those glory days are well behind them, and in recent months I'd been hearing that their debts were accumulating and they were in danger of closing up shop. I called up owner Takashi Matsunaga to begin negotiations on a buyout, and it was now official: WCW had purchased AJW. I had always been planning on introducing a women's division in WCW, and was strongly leaning towards doing so very soon and starting a tournament featuring our women currently in development, which would crown a new champion at Clash of the Champions in March. That will no longer be necessary, because AJW's titles are obviously part of the sale. Among their titles is the WWWA World title, which traces its lineage all the way back to Mildred Burke in 1937, and depending on how you look at it you could say it is descended from the original women's title created in the 1890's. This will eventually be rebranded as the WCW Women's World championship, but we'll definitely be playing up the heritage of this as the true, original women's championship. The bigger part of the deal was the option to inherit the contracts of AJW's roster. I didn't retain every single member of the roster, but I did select eight of their best to form the nucleus of our new women's division. There are some supremely talented women in that group, and I think they'll be capable of producing some high quality matches that will give our division immediate legitimacy. At first we'll simply incorporate the women's division into our current programming, but I think it's possible we could look to split the women off into their own distinct brand later, with a one hour weekly TV show and occasional PPV events every 2-4 months. With the AJW roster at the helm, we could run that brand in Japan every week to make the most of their talents as well as our rapidly growing popularity over there. We'll need to introduce their characters more thoroughly to our non-Japanese audience when we put them on TV, but I've made a list of the 8 women I acquired in the deal along with their rankings in the 2001 Power 500: #49: Manami Toyota #73: Kaoru Ito #77: Akira Hokuto (currently out with a shattered elbow, back in around 5 months) #92: Takako Inoue #102: Toshiyo Yamada #153: Etsuko Mita (current WWWA World Champion, out for the next two weeks with a broken arm) #203: Momoe Nakanishi #210: Shinobu Kandori</div></blockquote> King Corino cracked his tailbone during his match with Air Paris on Nitro. He offered to work through the injury so we could go ahead as scheduled with his match with Bob Backlund at Sin, but I decided to hold him out of the ring until he's 100% again. It necessitated a fresh contract with Bob since he was set to be finished with us before our doctors estimate Steve will be fully healthy, but that's no big deal. Ricky Steamboat has joined us on a full-time deal as a road agent. I'm paying him more money than I would've liked to, but road agent is too important a position to cheap out on and he was the most qualified person available. Now Dusty doesn't have to handle every single match, and we also have a contingency plan for when Dusty isn't available, which does occasionally happen due to his ownership of TCW. When I heard Jerry Lynn's contract was set to expire I quickly jumped in with an offer. Bringing him in to work with RVD would've been a natural fit, but Vince offered more money and a longer deal than I was really comfortable giving to Lynn considering he's 38 and doesn't have much charisma to speak of. He would've gotten more opportunities with us than he will in WWF, where he's basically a second class citizen despite holding their light heavyweight title. Oh well. I guess Vince finally remembered he has tag team titles. They shot an angle on Raw where Triple H turned face by attacking Austin in the ring as they were about to defend the titles against Too Cool, who "pinned" Austin to win the titles. Before he left, Jushin Liger took Vampiro aside and tried to help improve his attitude. It remains to be seen whether or not Vampiro will revert back to old habits, but the signs are promising so far. I briefly entertained the idea of keeping Jerry Lawler around to manage Corino. I even tested them out in a dark match before our first post-Starrcade Nitro, but I would've needed to see something special out of them to justify the kind of money it would've taken to make Jerry a regular, and that didn't happen. He's now gone from WCW, but it's always possible I could bring him back if the right situation comes along. Stevie Ray is also soon to be gone, which was why I wrote that angle where Booker attacked him. I'm sure Booker would've liked it if he were still around, but there just wasn't a place for him. The WWF did a bit of roster cleanup, releasing the Bushwhackers, Public Enemy and Corporal Kirchner. Seriously, why did they bring back Corporal Kirchner in the year 2001? New Japan ran their annual January 4th show at the Tokyo Dome. They headlined with Fujinami retaining the IWGP title against Osamu Nishimura, and Fujinami turned back the clock and delivered a performance straight out of his prime in the 1980's. It wasn't as good as Misawa's best matches over in NOAH, but it was still a great main event fitting of headlining NJPW's biggest show of the year. Ever since Misawa led the mass exodus of talent to form NOAH in '99, perpetual rivals NJPW and AJPW had been on friendlier terms than they'd ever been. Their pact of nonagression seems to be a thing of the past, which was probably inevitable with NJPW being the biggest promotion in the country but NOAH putting on so many classic matches that they won the company of the year award for 2001. It'll be interesting to see what happens with shared wrestlers like Mutoh, Liger and Jinsei Shinzaki. Kidman has changed to a more standard fan favorite character, and it's been okay so far. Nothing special, but nothing horrible either. I signed TAKA and Midajah to contract extensions. TAKA initially came in under a short deal but will now be with us long term. Chance Beckett shattered his elbow on an ECCW show and will probably be out for a year or more. That's a rough break for him, but not a significant problem for us since he was enhancement talent and only under a PPA agreement. Prior to the purchase of AJW, I signed Canadian female wrestler LuFisto to a developmental deal. Between the eight women who came over in the buyout and the six we now have down in Wildside, we should wind up with a pretty talented and deep women's roster. Vampiro really isn't a fan of TAKA. He continues to insist that he can't connect with the WCW audience. Maybe he was in the bathroom during TAKA's match at Starrcade. On the other side, no less an authority than Ric Flair had nothing but good things to say about Bryan Danielson's in-ring skill. Hugh Morrus has been fighting the flu recently. At least it hasn't spread to the rest of the locker room. <hr noshade size=3> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Agreed with most of the guys saying you should just pop in and alter the inner workings of the WWE, so I'm glad that's what you did. Booking for 2 major companies will take a tremendous toll on you and we don't want that, now, do we? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Booker T and Scott Steiner are big enough headaches, as it is.</div></blockquote> Scotty honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought he'd be. (Probably because I got rid of steroid testing.) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="michgcs" data-cite="michgcs" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms Sorry, but I can't ever take someone named American Dragon seriously <img alt=":rolleyes:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> Don't worry; it's not like that skinny nerd will ever win anything! He doesn't even drink SODA! http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/62608154.jpg~original <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Cro Cop Rules" data-cite="Cro Cop Rules" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> This event is giving guys who normally miss pay-per-views some nice air time, like Helms, 3 Count, Totally Buffed. Really excited to see the outcomes here, and I would love to see a Sting-Finlay match in real life.</div></blockquote> Yep; that's a byproduct of stars like Steiner, Booker, and Flair not having matches on the show. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Briskout" data-cite="Briskout" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> General diary comments/questions/critiques: This pay per view seems like a filler, not that that's bad! Filler PPVs build up to the big ones, so I'm not criticizing it at all. Interesting you used Steiner once in the whole post PPV build, which is why I think BPP interferes. Glad you figured out your Power Trip problem, I'm not sure how I'll handle it. Maybe HHH will tear a quad <img alt=";)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> It's definitely a "B" PPV. That's how I approached it at least; doesn't mean the grades reflected that. Maybe you should turn on Kenny Deaths and see if he has an unfortunate encounter with a wood chipper. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Kijar" data-cite="Kijar" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> General diary comments/questions/critiques: RVD is the World Champ!? Why was I not here sooner lol Great stuff man.</div></blockquote> Well he did only just win it. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

demondragonking · March 1, 2017

Props to you as normally I'm not much or a Real World diary reader, but after popping in here on a curious whim, yours is one I will continue to follow to see the outcomes of. Well done work all around. 8)

The Lariat · March 1, 2017

]World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? AJ vs. Kaz

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Brother Nero.

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Shane Douglas, possibly. I'd rank him among the top three heels at the moment.

Also, I'm gonna hope that you pick up Megumi Kudo soon. I'm sure she would be a fantastic addition to the women's roster and could work wonders.

crackerjack · March 1, 2017

World Heavyweight Championship: The Destroyer vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

No way.

United States Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}

No Way.

World Tag Team Championship: Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}

...... ....... No way

Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman vs. TAKA {©}

Billy is definitely deserving of a push though.

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

I'll poop my pants if otherwise

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

Totally Buff feel like the fall guys here

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

To the rubber match we go!

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Babyface gets the shot. Sucks it has to be Helms that jobs though.

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

Seemed like we got a soft face turn(?) for Doomsday. They are your next challengers

What will be match of the night? Eh, RVD/Destroyer

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? no answer - inside sources

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Booker T i guess

General diary comments/questions/critiques:

Briskout · March 1, 2017

Kudos on AJW and forming a women's division out of the best parts. I like the idea of using the WWWA title as the centerpiece of the division. Having a women's brand in Japan with television in the states might be the best approach. We definitely are going to be approaching women's wrestling different...

K-Nection · March 1, 2017

Well it is nice to know you have the premier Women's Division in the world! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

I'm really psyched to see how you handle it going forward! You pretty much have your own female version of NXT. Without opening the game can you send workers down to development for the sole purpose of learning a language? If you can that is what you need to do until you are ready to officially launch it.

michgcs · March 1, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> Don't worry; it's not like that skinny nerd will ever win anything! He doesn't even drink SODA! http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/62608154.jpg~original </div></blockquote> HE DOESN'T EVEN EAT MEAT! Who doesn't own a TV, anyway?! That guy's totally not gonna go far, man.

Kijar · March 1, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="crackerjack" data-cite="crackerjack" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Sting vs. Fit Finlay I'll poop my pants if otherwise</div></blockquote> This KILLED me haha <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> RIP AJW. Love the plans to vitalize your company's women's division. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

BHK6 · March 1, 2017

Sting

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers

AJ Styles

"Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday

What will be match of the night? True Heroes vs. Knoble/Wright

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Goldberg

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? Choosing Booker T again because I think he will be a five time, five time, five time, five time, five time champion. Suckaaaaaaaa

K-Nection · March 1, 2017

WCW where the Big GIRLS Play!

SomeLazyMagic · March 1, 2017

Fan Scorecard:

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? Main Event

How many championships will change hands? 0

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Raven

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Shane Douglas (Honestly just wanting to see the Extreme Horsemen in WCW)

General diary comments/questions/critiques:

Warhawk8492 · March 1, 2017

Sting vs. Fit Finlay

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms

Doomsday vs. 3 Count

What will be match of the night? Sting Vs Finlay

How many championships will change hands? None

Who is the free agent Arn Anderson is negotiating with? Goldberg

Who will be the next world heavyweight champion? (worth 3 points) Goldberg

General diary comments/questions/critiques: Awesome job so far

The Final Countdown · March 3, 2017

January 27th, 2002: Sin

http://i.imgur.com/aqgJF5Q.png

January 27th, 2002

From Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana

Attendance: 8,200 (sell-out!)

Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay, Bret "The Hitman" Hart and King Corino

http://i.imgur.com/y93UBAQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Xw5lCb.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/I7app7W.jpg

Official Theme Song: "Sin by Stone Temple Pilots

AJ Styles vs. Kaz Hayashi (w/Stacy Keibler)
http://i.imgur.com/Ht8KF88.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/s9FsjTY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/wYALDHD.jpg

Styles and Hayashi opened us up for the second PPV in a row. Just like at Starrcade, they delivered in that spot. There were still some occasional gaps in the match structure because neither of these guys have the experience or knowledge to hold a match together, but the action was strong. It wasn't an all-out spotfest, but there was plenty of good aerial work. The match was dragged down a bit by the color commentary of King Corino, who I put at the desk so he could still get on the show even though he was injured. He criticized most of the flying stuff as all style and no substance and said neither of these guys were TRUE wrestlers like him. It made sense for his character, but this wasn't the match for it.

Keibler played a big part in the finish at Starrcade, and she did so once again tonight. As AJ was standing on the top rope, she climbed onto the apron and started yelling at him. Last month this distracted him and gave Kaz enough time to recover, but this time he just gave her a little smirk and hit the Spiral Tap to win the match.

Grade: B

http://i.imgur.com/zAUQMDu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/LyKOnBY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/l0qRIIJ.jpg

Arn Anderson walked down the ramp after the match. (With the new year I've decided to bring back a modified version of the old elevated ramp WCW used in the early 90's, which we'll use on all of our PPVS going forward.) He was out to introduce the fans to Manami Toyota, who was sitting in the front row. He called her the most talented female wrestler in the world today and said she was going to be one of the leading competitors in the upcoming women's division in WCW, which would feature legitimate competition between the greatest female athletes in the sport rather than women who didn't know a wrist lock from a wrist watch rolling around on the mat and tearing each other's clothes off. This was a last-minute angle I threw in as a teaser for what's on the horizon. Bobby Heenan approached Arn as he made his way back up the aisle and asked him if Toyota was the free agent we'd heard him talking with on Nitro, but Arn told him that was not the case. While he was thrilled to bring in Manami, the individual he'd invited to the show tonight for further negotiations was from "up North." He was in fact expecting them to arrive very soon, so he excused himself to go await their arrival.

Grade: C-

American Dragon vs. "Sugar" Shane Helms
http://i.imgur.com/xJ35HqH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hlbUlLo.jpg

I had confidence that Dragon would do well in his PPV debut, and he did not disappoint. I told he and Shane to really go all out, and I thought both guys responded well to that direction. Dragon did lots of painful-looking submissions and suplexes with the occasional aerial move mixed in, while Shane worked a more aggressive heel style. Helms did a nice job continuing the story we'd built up, acting like a jerk and taunting Dragon whenever he had the advantage, making sure he knew that he was beneath him. It was a well worked match but Corino was again a detriment on commentary, spending most of his time insulting Dragon's mask and ring gear rather than actually contributing to the characters or story.

Dragon put together a late match rally and looked to apply his Arms Across America submission, but Helms was able to quickly get a foot on the ropes before the hold could be locked in. It wasn't too much later that Shane suckered his inexperienced foe into attempting and missing a diving headbutt, and a Vertebreaker subsequently ended the match. I see big things in Dragon's future, but in this match we established that he's young and still has a lot to learn (at least in kayfabe.)

Grade: B

http://i.imgur.com/0W0jqwA.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/I7app7W.jpg

Bob Backlund came down in between matches and confronted Corino. He claimed that the only reason Corino turned down his challenge is because he was afraid to step into the ring with him!

"As much respect as I have for Terry Funk and Jerry Lawler, neither of them are half the technical wrestler that I am! I was stretching opponents up and tying them in knots while you were still in grade school, and you know I could do the same to you, young man! You're just a great big chicken!"

My god, Bob was just cringeworthy here. Corino was much better as he got all red in the face and vehemently denied Backlund's claim.

"I refused to wrestle you because you aren't worth my time! Look at your career. You're the guy who's sandwiched in between the Sammartino and Hogan eras. Everyone who grew up in either of those eras thinks of it as the glory days of wrestling, but anybody who remembers your heyday would rather forget it! Unlike you, Backlund, I'm forging a REAL legacy, and I don't have time to waste on the likes of you! I'm not going to sit out here and listen to another second of this, so everybody watching at home who is about to be lost and disappointed because you're going to be deprived of my intellectual insights for the rest of the night, just know that you have Bob Backlund to blame!"

Corino threw down his headset and stormed off to the back. He was fantastic all the way around in this segment, as he was able to focus solely on his own character and storylines rather than being asked to comment on others. I'm glad I decided to do this angle early, because it means he isn't going to be around to hurt any of the other matches with subpar color commentary.

Grade: C

http://i.imgur.com/u0cJ04Z.jpg
Billy Kidman (w/Torrie Wilson) vs. TAKA {©} (w/Eric Bischoff)
http://i.imgur.com/jL0KtAH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/VMwitRH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ncMyE2p.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/eX0IXCy.jpg

It had already been well established by this point that Kidman does well in matches built around a series of high spots, and I saw no reason to go away from that formula here. TAKA was up to the challenge as well, and both guys looked in their element as they pulled off crowd-pleasing aerial acrobatics. Kidman popped the crowd with a nice dive through the middle rope, but the champion was not to be outdone: a beautiful top rope Asai moonsault to the floor was probably the highlight of the match.

Torrie Wilson went to check on Kidman following that move, but Bischoff ran over and chased her away, telling her to mind her own business and not get involved. That naturally didn't make Kidman happy, as he grabbed Eric by the lapels of his jacket. TAKA rushed to the defense of his manager, pulling Billy away and tackling him into the guard rail. Both guys lost track of the referee's count due to all the commotion, resulting in a double count out finish.

Grade: B

http://i.imgur.com/egREuu7.jpg

A camera was there to see Kanyon sitting in a deserted hallway with a blank look on his face. The camera man asked him if he'd figured out what his next step was, and all Kanyon could do was shake his head. He said he'd been so sure nobody was "betta" than Kanyon, but then he wrestled the biggest match of his life, a two out of three falls match for the United States title at Starrcade, and he lost. If the true answer to "who betta than Kanyon?" isn't "nobody", then what was he supposed to do with himself?

"I can answer that for you, Chris."

http://i.imgur.com/4Hgahfk.jpg

Kanyon squinted up at Father Isaac as he stepped into the hallway. Isaac had a sad look on his face while looking down at Kanyon.

"Chris, it grieves me to see you in such a state, but don't despair! Others may not see you for what you are, and you may even be doubting it yourself, but my faith in you has never wavered! I've always seen the potential in you, just waiting to be tapped. That's why I recruited you to my side five years ago. You did not reach the heights I knew you were capable of back then, but that was my own failing. I apologize for not leading you to the promised land in 1997, but I am a new man now. I redeemed myself. I found Salvation. And you can too. Join us, Chris. Remember your true face, and embrace it."

Isaac held out a bag, and after a moment's hesitation Kanyon took it. He opened the bag and pulled something out of it, and had an unreadable look on his face when he saw what it was. The camera zoomed in to reveal that it was his old Mortis mask.

Grade: B-

Sting vs. Fit Finlay
http://i.imgur.com/cxjgZpP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/5Xhxf90.jpg

As I expected, both of these guys were hurt by the fact that they aren't what they used to be physically. Also as I expected, they're both talented enough to make up for that to a large degree. Despite a combined age of 85, this was one of the better matches on the show. Finlay kept at his persona of a tough Irishman who loves to fight, punishing Sting with brawling tactics as well as sprinkling in the occasional mat wrestling hold. The story was all about Sting taking Fit's best shots and coming back for more as the fans cheered the 7-time world champion on.

In a cool spot, Finlay caught Sting out of the air on a Stinger Splash and planted him with his rolling fireman's carry. He then went for the kill with his Tombstone, but Sting kicked his legs to regain his feet and converted it into a Tombstone of his own for the victory.

Grade: B

http://i.imgur.com/zAUQMDu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/l0qRIIJ.jpg

Bobby wasn't giving up on getting "the scoop"; he led a camera man to the office of Arn Anderson to try and get an answer out of him. As they got close you could hear Arn talking to someone from behind the closed door, and it was clear he was talking to the free agent. Based on what we could hear, it was made obvious that negotiations were going very well.

Bobby knocked on the door, and Arn opened it just enough to poke his head out, preventing any outside eyes (or cameras) from seeing who his guest was. Bobby tried to get Arn to let him in, but he was refused. He then tried to get Arn to spill the beans on who was in there, or at least give him a hint, but Arn refused on the grounds that contract negotiations were a delicate business and he didn't want to risk anything going wrong. Bobby was desperate enough to try and rush past Arn and into the room, but he ran into and bounced right off of the chest of The Enforcer, falling down on his ass. Arn chuckled at the sight and slammed the door shut. I thought Arn was solid here in his role, but Bobby's comedic timing was not as sharp as it usually is.

Grade: C+

Doomsday vs. 3 Count
http://i.imgur.com/uY8UroB.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hjNw7kz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SSavu06.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/q9yvg1C.jpg

I thought it would be a good idea to cool the crowd off a bit before we got to the home stretch of the show, and Doomsday and 3 Count succeeded in that role. This was a fun little match, with 3 Count trying and failing to convince Brian Adams to claim their third green circle and dance with them. Karagis and Moore wanted nothing of a physical fight with Doomsday, but eventually realized they had no choice. They tried to use stick and move, in and out aerial attacks, but had only minimal success. Adams (who I thought showed some improvement in his general performance and even a little bit of technical wrestling) tossed Moore over the top rope and to the floor, and Karagis was finished after a double chokeslam.

Grade: C

Diamond Dallas Page and The Natural Born Thrillers vs. Shane Douglas and Totally Buffed
http://i.imgur.com/WWA8fPj.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/zbQxlTu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/9QpxTLI.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SlbyjcN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/3b4L6vE.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/zJ5f3EO.jpg

This was primarily a way to keep the DDP/Douglas feud going without putting them in a singles match, and a chance to get the Thrillers and Totally Buffed onto the show in the process. With that in mind I told all six to worry more about advancing the story rather than trying to have the best match they could. Not that Lex Luger was capable of much else. He was so much worse than everybody else in the match, with phony looking slams and crappy punches. It wasn't even like he was having an off night or anything; he just stinks.

Thankfully we did have Dallas and Shane there, and they were not only the best performers in the match, they took center stage as well they should have. The entire match was built around their confrontations, or lack thereof; Douglas played mind games by tagging in and out to avoid DDP. His main offense against Dallas was cheap shots, especially when he was the illegal man and could attack DDP when his attention was elsewhere. One such opportunity arose when Buff threw DDP through the ropes and onto the ramp. With the referee's attention drawn to an in-ring brawl between the NBT and Luger and Bagwell, Douglas saw his chance and picked up a steel folding chair.

http://i.imgur.com/jAnziwr.jpg

Before he could take a swing, Kimberly ran down the ramp and grabbed the chair. They had a tug-of-war over the chair, obviously won by Douglas, but when he turned back around with the chair he was met with a discus clothesline from DDP. After giving Kimberly a hug and asking her to return to the back, Dallas went back into the ring and took an unsuspecting Luger out with a Diamond Cutter to win the match.

Grade: B-

http://i.imgur.com/u4Nhu66.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/LuHGjH3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/OZDc3yZ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ncMyE2p.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/cCdOWIq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/FIVYBul.jpg

Roddy was quick to remind all of tonight's guests that any violence would result in a fine from the WCW front office, and on behalf of Piper's Pit he could not condone such behavior, wink wink. (He literally did wink.) He said we'd seen and heard a lot of things since Starrcade. We heard Eric Bischoff explain why he created this "Empire" and why he'd targeted Ric Flair, and we'd heard Flair say that when he got back from his office-imposed break, he was coming for Bischoff. The one thing we hadn't seen was what would happen when Flair and The Empire were in the same place at the same time, and what better place to find out than right here on Piper's Pit?

Candido spoke first, and honestly he may have been the best performer in the entire segment. He was absolutely great as he told Ric Flair that he shouldn't be upset at Eric; he should be thanking him! If he really loves WCW as much as he always claims to, he should recognize that no one ever did more to improve WCW than Mr. Bischoff! He'd changed the entire sport of wrestling forever, and for the better! And as much as people loved to pretend that Bischoff only cared about the likes of Hogan and Savage, his track record said different. Look at the modern WCW. Rey Misterio Jr? Booker T? Kanyon? All of them were taken from obscurity and became stars in Eric Bischoff's WCW! Look at the "other guys" and their top tier talent. Jericho? Benoit? Guerrero? Giant? All of them got their big breaks thanks to Eric, and then took Vince McMahon's money and ran! But that wasn't going to happen this time. He and TAKA were being given the opportunity of a lifetime, and they owed their loyalty to the man who made it all possible, Eric Bischoff! Together this Empire was going to lead WCW into the future, and the bitter old men like Flair could either get out of their way or get run over!

Ric said that he admired Candido's spirit, but he'd made a big mistake hitching his wagon to Bischoff. He would use Candido and TAKA as long as it suited him, and then he'd throw them out like used garbage the moment he was done with them. He'd done it before and he'd do it again. There's a reason guys like the ones Candido mentioned earlier, as well as Austin, Cactus and others, got the heck out of WCW.

"Bischoff, you may have these kids fooled, but I know what you really are! You are POISON! You took everything that was good about WCW and you KILLED IT, just like you tried to kill my career! But you failed! Not only did WCW survive even after you ran it into the ground, I'm still standing here! Despite everything you did to try and ruin me professionally and personally, the Nature Boy is still alive and well, still stylin' and profilin'! And if you think for one second that I'm going to sit back and let you have another chance at tearing down me OR WCW, you're an even bigger delusional bastard than I thought you were!"

Ric was pretty good here as well. Roddy tried to transition into Bischoff's rebuttal and did so rather awkwardly, but Eric was there to jump in before he could veer too far off track. He laughed at Flair's speech and said it was refreshing to see that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

"You're still the same old Nature Boy, always wanting to be the life of the party and the center of attention. But Roddy, if you want to get to the heart of why Ric and I have always been at each others' throats, here's the truth: it's because I'm the only one who had the foresight to see that Ric isn't as great as he thinks he is. With Ric Flair's name at the top of the marquee, WCW was forever a bridesmaid, a footnote in professional wrestling. So I went out and signed the man who was capable of taking WCW straight to the top. I signed the biggest star in the history of wrestling, Hulk Hogan! And with Hulk as our champion, and later the leader of the nWo, my ultimate objective of global domination was THIS CLOSE to being fulfilled before I had the rug ripped out from under me! But no matter how people try and frame it, the fact is that my vision for professional wrestling was correct! The suits at Turner got in the way and messed everything up, but bringing in Hulk was the right call, and so was creating the nWo! Hulk was better than Flair ever was, both in the ring and at the box office. The nWo was a bigger deal than your Four Horsemen ever were, and both of those facts eat you alive, Ric! I wasn't kidding when I said I was going to build another empire, and the first thing on our agenda is getting rid of you. Make no mistake, "Nature Boy"; there is no room for old has-beens like you in the new WCW, and our Empire will not rest until you are nothing but a distant memory!"

Ric had heard enough and tried to attack Bischoff, but Candido and TAKA were ready for him. Ric tried to fight off both men and did a decent job at first, but eventually they overwhelmed him. Candido held him in place for a springboard dropkick from TAKA, and after he was sufficiently weakened they both propped him up so Bischoff could get in a few slaps and a martial arts kick to the face. They left Flair lying in the ring, pleased with their night's work. I was pleased too; this was a very good segment, and aside from Piper everyone delivered.

Grade: B+

http://i.imgur.com/S0cu0uO.jpg
Alex Wright and Jamie Knoble vs. True Heroes {©}
http://i.imgur.com/eLttffP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/CCq92jB.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sOdsktm.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/SAWQKXw.jpg

They might be a makeshift team, but Knoble is one of our best young talents and Wright is a young veteran (seriously, how is he only 26? It feels like he's been in WCW forever.) Their skill offset their lack of experience as a team, and we already know how good a combination Storm and Punk are. The four of them put on a very entertaining tag team match which was very close to the same level as True Heroes' match with the Thrillers at Starrcade. It was more about athleticism and less about the tried and true tag team formula we used last month, but it was a very good match in its own right.

There was some great action here, and we gave Wright and Knoble plenty of offense and several near-falls. Wright seemingly had the titles won when he hit his German suplex on Punk, but Storm was there to make the save. In the end the teamwork of the champions made all the difference, as Punk whipped Knoble into Wright, cracking their heads together. That knocked Wright off of the apron and left Knoble wide open for the Heroic Finish and the first successful title defense for True Heroes.

Grade: B

http://i.imgur.com/mitTbCm.jpg
Vampiro vs. Rey Misterio Jr. {©}
http://i.imgur.com/kccSmqv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/9v49DN6.jpg

The pressure was on Vampiro here. His matches have been generally underwhelming, and Rey might be our most consistently great in ring performer. If this match underachieved, we knew who would shoulder the blame. I decided to tell them both to go all out and do everything they could to try and make this great. Fortunately for Vampiro, this went pretty well. While this isn't in contention for Rey's best match since I took over, it was one of the best matches of the night. Vampiro enjoyed throwing Rey around the ring, including a cool-looking gutwrench suplex off of the top rope. Rey did his usual exciting aerial offense, but it does have to be said that my all out instructions might have hurt him here. It felt like he was trying to do too much and fit in as many of his big spots as possible rather than working them in at the proper time. I guess I'll need to keep that in mind and tell him to slow down a bit in the future.

Rey went for a diving hurricanrana but Vampiro caught him, repositioned him and hit the Nail in the Coffin! Ref Charles Robinson dove into position and counted once...

twice...

...but Rey got a shoulder up just before the three! Vampiro shook his head in frustration and went to the top rope, coming off with a flying spinning heel kick. Rey ducked the ill-advised move, and when Vampiro got back to his feet he was treated to a springboard hurricanrana that ended the match.

Grade: B

http://i.imgur.com/sJZr1Hv.jpg

Rey's celebration was cut short when Booker T walked out onto the ramp holding a microphone. He was out to reveal his big plan on how he was going to get his world title back. And the way he was going to do that? He reminded everyone that he still had a guaranteed shot at the United States title from the first Ultimate Fan Series. While the United States title was a coveted prize, it was the World Heavyweight championship he had his sights set on.

"Let me clue all you suckas in on somethin! In March WCW's bringin' back the Clash of the Champions as a PPV event, and the main event is gonna be the reigning United States champion gettin' a shot at the World Heavyweight title! Since the office suits ain't gonna give me my rematch any other way, I'm just gonna have to take it by force! Rey, nothing personal, dawg, but you're in my way. At Superbrawl I'm comin' for your title, sucka, and then after I have that I'm gonna get my World Heavyweight championship back at the Clash! Now can...you...dig...THAT?!"

Grade: B

http://i.imgur.com/haJKoFv.jpg
The Destroyer (w/Father Isaac) vs. Rob Van Dam {©}
http://i.imgur.com/hSGqVHg.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4CP35O5.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/uj4FkBt.jpg

My expectations for Van Dam's Starrcade main event with Scott Steiner were sky high, so when the match wound up being merely good it was a big letdown. His previous two matches with a (then maskless) Awesome were fairly good but not exactly the kind of match we're looking for in the main event spot. Given all of that, I had no clue what to expect here. I went in basically just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. A lot was riding on this match, and I knew RVD felt the pressure of needing to prove he belonged in the main event. I was cautious about letting him get out of control with a bunch of high spots, and I definitely didn't think it would be a good idea to let this veer into the ECW-esque hardcore style they used in their two PPV matches last year. I basically told them not to try and do too much, and just wrestle a standard match. No weapons and no theatrics; RVD was to use his kicks and his flashy acrobatic stuff without diving into the crowd or using chairs or anything like that, and Destroyer was instructed not to use any weapons or break any tables. I was hoping that this would take some of the pressure off and let them just have a solid match without overthinking it.

Boy, did they over-deliver! This was a fantastic main event; our best since that Steiner/Mutoh match in August. It was right on the borderline between what I would consider a B+ and an A. Ultimately I went with a B+, but I was beyond thrilled with that. If Rob can keep up this level of performance then nobody's going to be able to second-guess whether he deserves to be in this spot.

One of my goals in this match was to establish The Destroyer as a big threat, and we did that by having him really punish Van Dam with power moves while also absorbing some of Rob's best shots and barely even budging. He launched RVD over the top rope with a gorilla press, then showed his athleticism by laying out with a running dive over the top rope! Not too many guys Awesome's size can pull that off, and it really sets him apart. He continued his attack with a suplex on the ramp (thankfully padded) and set up for the Destruction Bomb on it as well. RVD countered with a hurricanrana and hit Rolling Thunder on the ramp, then dragged Destroyer back into the ring. A second Rolling Thunder inside the ring wasn't enough to finish the match, and neither was a split-legged moonsault. RVD resorted to his coup de grace, the Five Star Frog Splash, and that was enough to finally finish The Destroyer.

Grade: B+

http://i.imgur.com/Wi1oegS.jpg

RVD barely had time to exhale before Scott Steiner appeared out of nowhere and dumped him on his head with a release German suplex! Scott gave him a pretty extended beating, with lots of kicks, punches and suplexes. Van Dam tried to fight back, throwing some (pretty weak-looking) punches, but he had little chance to prevail after having just gone through a grueling match. Scotty eventually locked on the Steiner Recliner, contorting RVD's neck and ignoring the pleas of officials. Once he released the hold, Steiner grabbed the microphone.

"You've been carryin' my title around long 'nuff, Rob-Van-Dam! I hope you enjoyed your little fantasy month of pretendin' to be a world champion, 'cause I'm takin' my belt back, boy!"

True to his word, Scott grabbed the world title and walked off with it. I complained on commentary about it not belonging to him anymore, but Tenay asked who was going to have the guts to tell him to give it back. Scott was good here, maybe because his message was simple and he didn't go off track as he sometimes has a tendency to do. (Even if those moments are usually entertaining in their own right.)

Grade: A*

Show Overall Grade: B+

Credit to K-Nection for providing a PPV poster for the second show in a row. EXTRA credit because he had to photoshop that mask onto Awesome!

I wasn't sure if everyone would understand what I was talking about with the ramp similar to what WCW used in the early 90's, so I wanted to find a picture. I'm not sure if this gives a good shot of the height, but it's the best I could find.

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/tumblr_o40tknJCMY1vn5u0to1_400.gif~original

KnowYourEnemy · March 3, 2017

Observing Wrestling January 2001: Help me Father Issac, I have SIN [ned]

And there he was, at the grandaddy of them all, at center-stage. Eric Bischoff dominated the wrestling, and WCW, news this week.

He revealed the mystery benefactor... himself. But with only two active wrestlers, both former WCW Cruiserweight Champions, THE EMPIRE looks rather tiny. Where's the beef?

One persistent rumor is that WWF Talent The Big Show may jump ship. Apparently furious at his recent "demotion" to Ohio Valley Wrestling, many think he'll reprise his role as "The Giant" in Eric Bischoff's stable. Astute fans will remember that his kayfabe father, Andre, was a key figure in Vince's WWF.

Fans noted that Chris Candido name-dropped Giant at WCW Sin in his promo. In particular, Chris referred to The Big Show under his WCW gimmick -- while Jericho, Guerrero and Benoit were listed under their Federation names.

However, we at Observing Wrestling have heard whispers "Rowdy" Roddy Piper will turn and join The Empire. Roddy Piper brought back a fed gimmick -- the Piper's Pit -- on WCW Television. He seemed rather partial in the dispute between Mr. Bischoff and "The Nature Boy" -- not even coming to Ric Flair's aid after Candido and Taka laid him out.

An unnamed source commented that "Hot Rod" stumbled in his promo at WCW Sin because he failed to hint at the future heel turn. This explains why he stumbled when passing the mic to Bischoff.

Eric Bischoff seems to have made his voice heard behind the scenes too. Steve Corino's spell on color commentary, chastising competitors that weren't "real wrestlers", reeked of Eric Bischoff's hands.

Several sources commented that Mr. Bischoff pitched a shoot program between WCW Superstar Booker T and Arn Anderson. Booker, according to an unnamed source, complained about jobbing to Sting in the Inaugural Stu Hart Invitational. His griping has become common in WCW locker rooms, and reportedly drew heat from current WCW President Bret Hart. Will Booker get over, or will his attitude lead to the angle getting squashed?

Match of the Year (So Far): Scott Steiner d. Keiji Mutoh to retain the WCW Championship, WCW Presents WCW vs. The World, A

Dud of the Year (So Far): Scott Stiener d. Sting to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, WCW Presents Calgary Stampede, B

Observing Wrestling "Impact Player" for WCW [Winter 2001]: Eric Bischoff. He's the most visible worker in WCW. He claims to have created the NWO, dreamed up Nitro and saved the company. Will history repeat? With the "mystery benefactor" angle involving former WWF wrestlers invading the company, Eric seems to have drawn from the same well. All the empire needs is some sweet custom merch. But, will the "Big Guys" go over again... and again in Bret Hart's WCW? Or, is a hero lurking somewhere just off screen?

LordofGustav · March 3, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss322/FCDiary/WCW/62608154.jpg~original</div></blockquote> *punches Michael Cole at the face* Sorry, i had to. By the way, that was an amazing PPV and now you're going to let the WWF know that women can be talented as wrestlers and not merely eye candy.

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