WCW: Heart and Soul

[BHK6]

World Heavyweight Championship: The Unnatural {©}

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round: Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Los Guerreros del Cielo Internacional)

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#2 Rated R Superstars vs. #7 VIP Pass): Goldberg (RRS)

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#3 The Golden Company vs. #6 Uncrewed's Crew): Matt Hardy (UC)

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#4 The K-Nections vs. #5 The Limitless): Bobby Roode (K-Nections)

 

Eddie Guerrero

 

World Tag Team Championship: The Dangerous Alliance vs. True Heroes {©} - Draw, double count out or DQ

 

United States Heavyweight Championship: Rob Van Dam {©}

(If Styles doesn't win the title, he can never get another shot as long as RVD is champion)

 

World Television Championship: Brian Kendrick {©}

 

UWA Welterweight Championship: Jamie Knoble

 

What will be match of the night? Main Event

 

How many championships will change hands? 1

[Uncrewed]

<p>World Heavyweight Championship: <strong>"The Hellraiser" Steve Austin</strong> vs. The Unnatural {©}</p><p> </p><p>

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#1 The Dead Jesters vs. #8 Los Guerreros del Cielo Internacional): Christopher Daniels (Dead Jesters) vs. <strong>Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Los Guerreros del Cielo Internacional)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#2 Rated R Superstars vs. #7 VIP Pass): <strong>Goldberg (RRS)</strong> vs. King Corino (VIP)</p><p> </p><p>

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#3 The Golden Company vs. #6 Uncrewed's Crew): TAKA (GC) vs. <strong>Matt Hardy (UC)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#4 The K-Nections vs. #5 The Limitless): <strong>Bobby Roode (K-Nections)</strong> vs. Kaz Hayashi (Limitless)</p><p> </p><p>

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. <strong>Eddie Guerrero</strong></p><p> </p><p>

World Tag Team Championship: The Dangerous Alliance vs. <strong>True Heroes {©}</strong></p><p> </p><p>

United States Heavyweight Championship: "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. <strong>Rob Van Dam {©}</strong></p><p>

(If Styles doesn't win the title, he can never get another shot as long as RVD is champion)</p><p> </p><p>

World Television Championship: Paul London vs. <strong>Brian Kendrick {©}</strong></p><p> </p><p>

UWA Welterweight Championship: Jamie Knoble vs. <strong>Great Sasuke {©}</strong></p><p> </p><p>

What will be match of the night?- Austin/Unnatural</p><p> </p><p>

How many championships will change hands?- 1</p>

[Wolfman84]

World Heavyweight Championship: "The Hellraiser" Steve Austin vs. The Unnatural {©}

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#1 The Dead Jesters vs. #8 Los Guerreros del Cielo Internacional): Christopher Daniels (Dead Jesters) vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Los Guerreros del Cielo Internacional)

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#2 Rated R Superstars vs. #7 VIP Pass): Goldberg (RRS) vs. King Corino (VIP)

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#3 The Golden Company vs. #6 Uncrewed's Crew): TAKA (GC) vs. Matt Hardy (UC)

 

Ultimate Fan Series, Opening Round (#4 The K-Nections vs. #5 The Limitless): Bobby Roode (K-Nections) vs. Kaz Hayashi (Limitless)

 

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

 

World Tag Team Championship: The Dangerous Alliance vs. True Heroes {©}

 

United States Heavyweight Championship: "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. Rob Van Dam {©}

(If Styles doesn't win the title, he can never get another shot as long as RVD is champion)

 

World Television Championship: Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick {©}

 

UWA Welterweight Championship: Jamie Knoble vs. Great Sasuke {©}

 

What will be match of the night? Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

 

How many championships will change hands? 3

[K-Nection]

<p>Me eveytime I see a new post on this dynasty.....ha ha</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="giphy.gif" data-src="https://media.giphy.com/media/fDO2Nk0ImzvvW/giphy.gif" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Happy0wns]

:c hewwo?

[franticloser]

TFC you alive man?

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="franticloser" data-cite="franticloser" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>TFC you alive man?</div></blockquote><p> I guess that's my cue to pop in here, huh? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> I'm alive and well. As for this diary? That's...debatable, I guess?</p><p> </p><p> So here's the situation. I'm miserable and fed up with my job in retail, so over the past couple of months I've made a genuine effort to try and make money via writing. Too early to tell how that's going to turn out long term, but I'm hopeful.</p><p> </p><p> That has meant that my free time has largely gone into other writing projects, leaving me without the time or desire to work on this. As much as I'd love to focus on this, writing about The Unnatural isn't going to pay for my health insurance. <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Even setting that aside, I also feel like the format, particularly with PPVs, is in need of streamlining. I would like to continue on with this, as I feel like there's still plenty of potential stories I could tell, but it'll be dependent on my free time/my ability to develop a smoother process for my PPV writeups. With any luck I'll make enough money with my other writing that I'll be able to leave my 'normal' job, which would certainly free up more time for me to focus on more enjoyable activities, like this one.</p>

[franticloser]

<p>Well I fully understand your feelings on that. I am fed up with my job and finally after not being in school since 2005 took the plunge to get an AA in Culinary and Restaurant Management so I can actually do what I want to do. </p><p> </p><p>

Good look to you! If you ever need a sounding board or beta reader PM I would love to help out.</p>

[Dead_Jester]

<p>Retail sucks dude, been in it in some form through most of my working life and I totally sympathize with being fed up with it.</p><p> </p><p>

As good as the diary is you need to look after yourself first and foremost.</p><p>

Make sure you look after yourself dude.</p>

[Nobby_McDonald]

Retail is a pain in the arse. I now work in distribution and both enjoy it far more and also get more time with my family (and with a 4 year old daughter, that's a god send).

[K-Nection]

I completely get what you are saying! I left a very comfortable (restaurant management) job in 2015 after 10 years because I couldn't bare to do it anymore. I worked retail part time to supplement myself while I taught myself how to video edit. I'm proud to say I only work that retail job one day a week now and its only for the purpose of getting out of the house rather than a necessity because I'm now doing what I love full time.

[The Final Countdown]

Hello again!

 

So just to update you on where I'm at, I left my old job last week and am now focusing on writing full-time. That means I do have more time to spend on this, at least theoretically. But since before this was my primary writing project, and now I'll be spending several hours a day every day writing other things, any continuation of this is going to need to evolve into a format that is quicker and easier for me to put together. I'm thinking that'll include a lot less fancy formatting, as well as shorter descriptions of the segments in general. I might treat it like a stream of consciousness thing, where it's just Bret reacting to each segment and giving his thoughts on how successful it was. I have no clue how any of this will work out, but I hope you're willing to find out with me.

 

I'll post what was previously written for SuperBrawl, however much that was (I honestly don't remember) today or tomorrow, and then I'll see about trying a new format out for the remainder of that show.

[Danny_H22]

Speaking for myself, however you plan on proceeding with this story, I will be following. It’s great to have you back!

[franticloser]

Congrats on being able to go after your dream full time! Glad to see you back and can't wait to see where you take this.

[The Final Countdown]

February 15th, 2004: SuperBrawl XIV, Part I

 

 

February 15th, 2004

 

From Seattle, Washington

 

Attendance: 39,000

 

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

 

 

 

Jamie Knoble vs. The Great Sasuke {©}

http://i.imgur.com/CCq92jB.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg

 

This felt like a good, fast-paced way to get the show started. Knoble and Sasuke seemed to naturally bring out the best in each other, performing their offense smoothly and elevating their performances. Unfortunately there were some issues with the flow of the match despite me having the road agent work closely with them to put it together, so that did hurt things a bit. Still, Sasuke's work was good and Knoble's was nearly great, so this was a solid way to open SuperBrawl XIV.

 

This was an even, back and forth match with each guy employing a different strategy. Sasuke got plenty of near-falls, including a really close one after his Thunder Fire Powerbomb, but Knoble succeeded in grounding him with mat wrestling and got a guillotine choke locked in. Sasuke struggled, but Knoble had the hold in tight and forced a tap out to win the title!

 

 

Grade: 81

 

http://i.imgur.com/GoltiY2.jpg

 

Christopher Daniels made his entrance for his scheduled match against Chavo Guerrero Jr, but there was no sign of Chavo when his music played. It kept playing, but still no Chavo. Mike and I wondered if Chavo was just not bothering to show up because their UFS series was already mathematically decided, like Daniels said he should on Nitro. Daniels seemed to have the same thought, and he found it hilarious. As he laughed in the ring, Mike said he was getting word that Chavo had been spotted in the back and we were going to hurry to get a camera back there.

 

The camera arrived to see Chavo still in his street clothes, carrying his bags and walking towards the exit. Becky Bayless tried to get an impromptu comment from him, but he ignored both her and the camera and walked out.

 

 

Grade: 81

 

http://i.imgur.com/h1ELRYf.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/racEiy5.jpg

 

Having seen what just happened, Kevin Steen and El Generico hurried to Dusty Rhodes' office to ask for an impromptu match to fill the now free time. They happened to come in as Dusty was in the middle of a separate conversation with Made in Italy, who didn't appreciate the interruption. The two teams bickered for a bit, but it gave Dream an idea. "We advertised ten matches tonight, and we're givin' the people ten matches!" He told both teams to get their gear and get ready, because he was putting them against each other later on tonight in a bonus tag match. Steen didn't do too great during this segment, but I thought Dusty was very likable.

 

This was a very late addition because of my decision to not do the Daniels/Chavo match for story purposes. I like what we did with Chavo and think it opens up some interesting possibilities, and I was also happy to get both of these teams on the show.

 

 

Grade: 66

 

Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick {©}

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

 

We went back to an old rivalry here, as these two TWA graduates have been at odds really since they came to WCW. I had Ricky Steamboat work with these guys pretty closely to put the match together, but unfortunately this was the worst of their three singles matches on the main roster. I didn't expect that since Kendrick's stock in the company and with the fans has gone up quite a bit over the last several months, but I guess it is what it is. The match wasn't terrible or anything; London was okay, and Brian was good.

 

London showed off some increased technical abilities, and it played into the story of the match pretty well. Kendrick had been expecting a more aerial attack from his opponent, and was frustrated by London's unanticipated strategy. This match came within a couple of minutes of the fifteen minute TV title time limit, but Kendrick finally solved his pesky challenger with an elbow to the jaw, and then a Sliced Bread to make his second successful title defense.

 

 

Grade: 77

 

Ultimate Fan Series Opening Round: #3 The Golden Company vs. #6 Uncrewed's Crew (series tied 2-2)

TAKA (w/Tammy Sytch) (GC) vs. Matt Hardy (UC)

http://i.imgur.com/ncMyE2p.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg

 

Our first of three "win or go home" UFS matches had a heavy favorite judging by the online chatter, but this was actually a match result I debated for quite some time. I can see why most people thought Hardy was a shoo-in based on his main event with Dustin last month, but TAKA has become a pretty credible heel threat in his own right. Plus there are lots of moving parts in the UFS; it isn't just about this one match or even this one series, but how the result impacts the entire UFS booking plans. Even the day of the show, I was still not completely sure who was going to win here.

 

Not only was this a toss-up in my head, but it was presented as a toss-up between two very evenly matched wrestlers. I let them call it in the ring, and despite some issues with the psychology they had a great match. Hardy did a great job, adapting to working with a smaller opponent by working a different style, using a lot more power moves and throws than he would against most opponents. TAKA was even a little bit better, executing some great aerial spots but also mixing in just enough cowardly heel to stop the fans from getting behind him. With both guys coming through, this was far and away the best match on the show to this point.

 

The seesaw nature of the match kept up the whole way through, with both guys hitting some big spots and racking up the near falls. There were some finisher teases and counters sprinkled in throughout, and it came back in one final burst as TAKA picked Hardy up for the Michinoku Driver only for Matt to slip out. Once Matt regained his footing, he spun TAKA around and drove his face into the mat with the Twist of Fate to win the match and the series for Uncrewed's Crew.

 

 

Grade: 91

 

http://i.imgur.com/BSCxEF8.jpg

 

AJ Styles' last chance at RVD's US title was up next, and as he was warming up near the curtain Bobby Roode and Ric Flair walked up to wish him luck and offer to watch his back so the Dangerous Alliance couldn't screw him over again. AJ seemed to consider it for a moment, but eventually he shook his head and said this was something he needed to do on his own. Flair and Roode were disappointed, but promised to respect his wishes. "I just don't hope you come to regret it, kid, because if going it alone tonight backfires, it'll be too late to do anything about it," Flair cautioned him.

 

 

Grade: 95

[The Final Countdown]

<p>SuperBrawl XIV, Part II</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/mitTbCm.jpg</span></p><p>

I knew what to expect from AJ Styles and Rob Van Dam. I just gave them time, let them do their thing and watched the magic. They both were awesome, with RVD probably being the best individual performer up to this point. Flair’s warning about going it alone played into the finish, as a Heyman distraction opened the door for RVD to retain his title. Per the storyline, AJ can no longer challenge for the title until RVD loses it. <strong>Grade: 99</strong></p><p> </p><p>

The decisive match between the Rated R Superstars and VIP Pass was also a collision between former Empire members Goldberg and King Corino. This match was more about story than action. Both guys did pretty good, but a lack of selling from Goldberg made this simply a good match instead of a great one. Prince Devitt tried to interfere, but Goldberg fought him off and beat Corino with the Jackhammer to send the Superstars to the Semifinal. <strong>Grade: 84</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Salvation did a backstage interview with Becky Bayless where Unnatural said that unity is strength, and that’s why he would defeat Steve Austin in the main event. When Becky asked if we would see the masked man from Nitro again tonight, he refused to answer. Also, why the hell did I have the masked man show up on Nitro instead of waiting for the PPV? I know it was only a few days ago, but I’m baffled by that decision. <strong>Grade: 100</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

The grudge rematch from Starrcade between Rey Mysterio Jr. and Eddie Guerrero was excellent. Not a contender for MOTN, but that’s just because there was some amazing stuff on this show. It was a slow build with lots of lucha offense mixed with some brawling to sell their rivalry, but in the end Eddie avenged his Starrcade loss after a stealthy low blow behind the ref’s back. <strong>Grade: 95</strong></p><p> </p><p>

The bonus match between Steenerico and Made in Italy was next to calm the crowd, and it did that job effectively. Pretty standard tag fare, with Parisi getting the pin for his team. <strong>Grade: 76</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Up next was the rubber match between The K-Nections and The Limitless, with Bobby Roode and Kaz Hayashi representing the squads. This was one that went down to the wire, but in the end Hayashi got the duke. The bigger concern for me was a scary-looking neck bump he took, but I’d have to wait until after the show to find out more. <strong>Grade: 81</strong></p><p> </p><p>

We cut to a backstage promo from Austin, who was his usual fiery self as he guaranteed he would stomp a mudhole in The Unnatural and win the title no matter how many members of Salvation he had to take down on his way. Great stuff from an all-time great babyface, and it started to get the crowd pumping again. <strong>Grade: 100</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/S0cu0uO.jpg</span></p><p>

What a sensational match this was! Sean O’Haire was the closest thing to a ‘weak link’, but he was great; it was just that the Heroes are the best tag team in the world in my humble opinion, and Shane Douglas did a great job too. The Dangerous Alliance duo battered the champions for large stretches of the match, but the experience of the Heroes allowed them to snatch a victory from Douglas. <strong>Grade: 99</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/haJKoFv.jpg</span></p><p>

This match had a ton of hype behind it. We’d kept Austin out of the title picture for the last year, but here was his big shot in the main event of a major PPV, and against a red-hot heel on the biggest run of his career. There were big expectations, and both guys lived up to them. It was a classic title match, but based on the storyline I think everyone knew there would be some kind of interference at some point. After a ref bump, all eyes turned to the entrance ramp. Mortis, The Destroyer and the masked man all ran out, but Austin fought them all off. The masked man took a huge bump over the ropes and onto the ramp, and then Destroyer and Mortis both ate Stunners. But Mike and I sold our shock as the masked man recovered and got back to his feet, showing an incredible tolerance for pain. Then the mask came off. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="tsnkic4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tsnkic4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Jeff Hardy, decked out in facepaint, came back into the ring and caught Austin by surprise with an inverted Twist of Fate. From there an Unnatural Selection delivered the exclamation point on a successful title defense. <strong>Grade: 99</strong></p><p> </p><p>

After the match Unnatural told Jeff, or “Enigma” as he called him, to finish Austin off. With the rest of Salvation setting Austin up and holding him in place, he delivered a Swanton that drove Austin through a table to close the show! <strong>Grade: 100</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Show Grade: 98</strong></p>

[DHK1989]

That Jeff Hardy heel turn caught me off guard!

[JMike]

Oops! Everything I know is a lie! Guess it proves once and for all that it’s Matt time.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Hello again!

 

So just to update you on where I'm at, I left my old job last week and am now focusing on writing full-time. That means I do have more time to spend on this, at least theoretically. But since before this was my primary writing project, and now I'll be spending several hours a day every day writing other things, any continuation of this is going to need to evolve into a format that is quicker and easier for me to put together. I'm thinking that'll include a lot less fancy formatting, as well as shorter descriptions of the segments in general. I might treat it like a stream of consciousness thing, where it's just Bret reacting to each segment and giving his thoughts on how successful it was. I have no clue how any of this will work out, but I hope you're willing to find out with me.

 

I'll post what was previously written for SuperBrawl, however much that was (I honestly don't remember) today or tomorrow, and then I'll see about trying a new format out for the remainder of that show.

 

Real life always comes first TFC and I'm glad that this will be back with (some?) regularity in some form. :thup:

[Nobby_McDonald]

Enigma. I like it.

[The Final Countdown]

February 15th, 2004: Post-SuperBrawl

 

"Best of luck, Steve. No hard feelings."

 

Steve Austin shook my hand, and we clanked beers in a little salute.

 

"Thanks, Bret. Sorry to cut and run, but I gotta do what's best for me."

 

"I understand," I told him, and I really did. He got an offer for both money and length that I just wasn't prepared to match, no matter how big a star he is. With his age and the state of his neck, I felt it was too big a risk.

 

"Thanks for everything you did for us this year," I told him. "It was quite a run."

 

"Yeah, it sure as hell was. Never thought I'd come back to WCW after Bischoff fired my ass, but it was a hell of a year. Keep kickin' ass, Hitman."

 

"We will," I said, clapping him on the back.

 

The bidding war between us and WWF for Steve's services had been the talk of the internet and the dirt sheets for weeks. Vince and I butted heads, matching each other's offers and sweetening the pot however we could to try and secure the services of arguably the biggest star in wrestling history. We both knew we were in the midst of a serious fight, and after the ground we'd gained on them over the last year or so, Steve Austin had the potential to swing that fight back into WWF's favor just like he did in 1998.

 

But a funny thing happened. Vince and I were so focused on each other that we forgot there were other players in the game. And one of those players snuck in the back door and turned the entire industry on its head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

New Japan Pro Wrestling has had a topsy turvy last few years. They’ve had moments of growth, but they just as quickly seem to get knocked right back down. Inoki has been feeling the pressure not just from us and WWF encroaching his territory, but the other Japanese groups like NOAH, All Japan and Zero-One breathing down their neck. Apparently feeling desperate, he not only matched if not exceeded the kind of money we were offering Austin, he also tacked on more years than either of us were comfortable matching.

 

Inoki has gone all in. He doesn’t have the kind of resources WWF or even we do, yet he’s pumping massive amounts of money into acquiring Steve Austin. Maybe Steve will lead them on a big rise like he did for WWF, and like he helped us do over the past year as he stood up and fought WWF on an even footing. But if he doesn’t make that kind of difference, this deal might very well wind up sinking the entire company.

 

<hr noshade size=3>

 

Prediction Scores (out of a possible 11 points):

 

DavidCorperial: 9

BHK6: 9

 

SagaJoestar: 8

DHK1989: 8

Deanohbk: 8

Satyr24: 8

Franticloser: 8

Happy0wns: 8

Rateddc: 8

CobheadJake: 8

James The Animator: 8

Sportsfanmas: 8

Uncrewed: 8

 

Odan: 7

Kijar: 7

DGenerationMC: 7

JMike: 7

K-Nection: 7

WilburTrey: 7

Crackerjack: 7

Scarletspeed7: 7

XMultiGames: 7

GingeyOne: 7

 

ElectricX: 6

Evileddie10: 6

Nobby_McDonald: 6

Wolfman84: 6

 

Jaysin: 5

Forrest01: 5

Dead_Jester: 5

Danny_H22: 5

 

 

Standings in prediction contest after 3 shows:

 

BHK6: 28

 

Dead_Jester: 21

 

K-Nection: 21

franticloser: 21

Uncrewed: 21

 

JMike: 20

WilburTrey: 20

DHK1989: 20

Rateddc: 20

James The Animator: 20

DavidCorperial: 20

 

Satyr24: 19

DGenerationMC: 19

evileddie10: 19

GingeyOne: 19

 

Danny_H22: 16

SagaJoestar: 16

 

Nobby_McDonald: 15

Happy0wns: 15

 

Wolfman84: 14

Cro Cop Rules: 14

odan: 14

crackerjack: 14

sportsfanmas: 14

CobheadJake: 14

 

bonnie: 13

Kijar: 13

deanohbk: 13

 

Forrest01: 12

ElectricX: 12

 

Scarletspeed7: 7

XMultiGames: 7

kinnikuniverse: 7

 

Jaysin: 5

[DGenerationMC]

Damn, there goes my Austin-Punk dream feud out the window.

[franticloser]

Took awhile but I knew Jeff would be joining the dark side! Also Austin to NJPW is a rather interesting wrinkle. Wondering how long he holds up with their style.

[DHK1989]

Sad Steve's leaving WCW, but glad he's not going back to WWE.

 

http://giphygifs.s3.amazonaws.com/media/AQOpT2cYxqsjS/giphy.gif

[olivertaylor276]

Steve Austin vs. Bob Sapp in the Tokyo Dome! Book it, Inoki! Is Choshu still the champ over there?