WCW: Heart and Soul

Hashasheen · May 20, 2020

<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>Thank you for the correction! I was going to go back and edit it in, but maybe I'll just leave it as is and have Bret learn it for himself the way I just did <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> The whole New Japan corporate thing in the early 2000s is very interesting. Inoki never actually owned the company outright, he had a sizeable minority stake up until the early 2000s, and then a billionaire who always supported Inoki in boardroom battles died and willed Inoki his share, making him the majority owner. Cue Inokiism, though not without resistance of other stakeholders, until Inoki orchestrated a sale of the whole company to Yuke's.

The Final Countdown · May 22, 2020

May 2004, Week 3 <img alt="5syC0e6.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5syC0e6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> May 17th, 2004 Worldwide taping: Shane Helms defeated Silas Young, Steenerico defeated Karl Anderson and Raymond Rowe and Matt Hardy defeated Michael Hutter. Attendance: 18,345 <img alt="lb7o4Bd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lb7o4Bd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Show Notes: -Though he didn’t ask for it, AJ Styles was protected in his loss by Devitt’s interference. “Not sure why Cash is still around. The crowd doesn’t care about him at all. You shouldn’t have re-signed him.” -Goldberg <img alt="JJBwRaP.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JJBwRaP.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> May 22nd, 2004 <img alt="yPmgCms.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yPmgCms.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Upcoming WCW PPV Event(s): <img alt="GSbEi9m.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GSbEi9m.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>June 13th, 2004 Goldberg vs. The Unnatural King Corino vs. CM Punk (©) for the World Heavyweight Championship Card subject to change. Please do not submit your predictions at this time.</div></blockquote> News Updates: <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>”Simon Inoki is on line 1, Mr. Hart.” Simon Inoki? Really? “Put him through,” I said as I picked up the phone. “Hello, Bret Hart speaking.” “Mr. Hart, this is Simon Inoki, son-in-law of Anonio Inoki, and new owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling.” I cracked a smile; as if someone in my position wouldn’t know who he was. I was glad I’d happened to browse the official WCW.com web forum to see what our fans thought of this news though. A user with the name Hashasheen mentioned that Simon was Antonio’s son-in-law, who had taken the name and inherited the company when he married Antonio’s daughter. It would have been embarrassing if I’d ignorantly called him Antonio’s son during this unexpected conversation! “Hi Mr. Inoki,” I said. “How can I help you?” “We can help each other, Mr. Hart,” he said. “Your company and mine used to have a strong working relationship. I wish to bring it back as part of my company’s new direction.” That wasn’t what I had been expecting. Given the aggressive attitude Antonio had taken with us, I figured his son would be eager to keep it going and possibly put even more focus on trying to sign away our talent and drive us out of Japan. I said as much to him. “We can’t drive you out of Japan,” he said. “We can’t drive Vince McMahon out either. My father thought that the only path forward was to try and go to war with both of the major American companies, but that would have ended with New Japan being crushed between two titans, especially with All Japan and NOAH breathing down our necks too. We can’t take on the world all by ourselves. We need friends, and you know better than anyone that Vince McMahon doesn’t play well with others.” “I’ll say. So what are you thinking, the occasional swapping of talent like before?” I wasn’t opposed to the idea. Since Misawa had ended our very brief partnership with NOAH we hadn’t had an agreement with any of the major Japanese companies, and a chance to bring that back seemed like a positive to me. “Yes and no,” he said. “I would definitely like to book some of the major American stars from WCW, as well as send our young lions to you when we feel they’re ready to go on their learning excursions, and of course we’d be willing to lend you New Japan stars when you think they can help you. But I think there’s more we can do together.” “I’m listening.” “Let me tell you about my idea for the junior heavyweight division…” </div></blockquote> Once he realized that it had been an honest mistake and not a deliberate snub, Petey Williams was happy to sign a new 2 year exclusive contract with us. Aguila, Volador Jr. and Kaoru Ito signed 1 year extensions. Magnum Tokyo has been hitting the gym hard as he works his way back, and he’s looking a lot more muscular as a result. Hailey Hatred’s time as enhancement talent on Renaissance is over. Elsewhere in the wrestling world: Prior to his call with me, Simon Inoki made a big splash in his first week of TV. While the Best of the Super Junior tournament raged on, Steve Austin won the IWGP Heavyweight title from Riki Choshu in the main event. That’s the obvious decision, and it’s about time someone made it. Austin will have some work to do to build that title back up, because most fans and experts seem to value it less than their junior heavyweight singles and heavyweight tag team titles these days. WWE ran their ECW Hardcore Heaven PPV in Houston. They had Kane retain the ECW title over Booker T for the second month in a row, in a 97 rated semi main event. They ceded the main event slot to Triple H, who got to retain the WWE title against his idol Ric Flair in a stinker of a main event (79.) Thanks to that letdown of a main event the show was an 84 overall. But hey, Rock and RVD showed up, did a backstage skit and left, so at least they’re using their talent properly! New Japan signed junior heavyweight Ikuto Hidaka to a 1-year contract. ABC was obviously not pleased with the rating Hardcore TV was pulling, because the show’s new home in the US is on the UPN network. That’s a massive step down in both size and prestige. The show will now be shown on TSN in Canada. <hr noshade size=3> So Simon Inoki taking over for the retiring Antonio was an AI thing, but it got my brain started on the big change I've previously hinted at. A change in ownership seemed like a logical time for radical shifts in company direction, and that got me thinking and led me to where I'm at now. I'm now controlling New Japan as a second player, owner/booker Simon Inoki, so Austin getting the title, the partnership with WCW, and all future decisions are being made by me. I won't be doing a separate diary for New Japan or anything like that, as I don't want to put too much on my plate. You'll continue to get updates on New Japan through the eyes of Bret, so not much will change presentation-wise. It's in the story and underneath the hood where things will actually change. It shouldn't lead to TOO much more work for me. I was able to run the TV show shockingly fast; turns out a 1 hour show with an 80% match ratio is a lot simpler to put together! I'll just have those and one PPV a month with New Japan. I might do a results screenshot for the PPVs, but other than that any New Japan news should come the same way it's been coming. I'm hoping it won't add too much to my workload, but I think it's going to make the game world itself more interesting, plus it creates all sorts of interesting possibilities for me.

Hashasheen · May 22, 2020

Cheers for the shoutout, lol.

I didn't realize that the in-game NJPW didn't run touring, but I suppose that makes sense given touring is kind of iffy in a Real Verse context.

I'll admit to being very curious as to how you run NJPW in the context of a WCW partner. I imagine there's a part of you that's very tempted to get whoever you can off their sizeable roster.

joshspicer · May 22, 2020

I was thinking that booking a Wrestle Kingdom could be a predictions reward but this all works out and plays well anyhow.

franticloser · May 23, 2020

Pretty awesome idea, love to see how this goes, kind of wish you got 2020 though as you can actually set it up to accept excursion wrestlers with it.

The Final Countdown · May 24, 2020

May 2004, Week 4

May 24th, 2004

Worldwide taping: Shantelle Taylor defeated Jennifer Blake, The American Outlaws defeated Shawn Spears and Mikey Whipwreck and Hayabusa defeated Adam Pearce.

Attendance: 17,723

Show Notes:

-I noticed Goldberg giving some pointers to Dan Maff backstage. Apparently he seems something in him and wants to mentor him.

-Regal helped his own protégé Bryan Danielson work on his selling in the ring before the show. Bryan’s already a fantastic worker, but it’s cool that he’s still humble enough to listen to advice from those with more experience.

-The newly-dubbed Women’s Revolution had plenty of ammo to complain about in their time in WWE, from WWE’s inferior women’s division to the fact that they made no attempt to re-sign them and keep the backbone of the division together. The gist is that they feel overlooked by WWE, and they’ve invaded Renaissance to show they’re just as good as the WCW women.

-The ladies with Helms and Buff were local women Shantelle Taylor, Jade Chung and Jennifer Blake.

-Samoa Joe and Funaki’s timing was all over the place.

-Meng’s bad ass gimmick got a great response, because of course it did.

-I decided to let Jericho and Kendrick do a completely improvised promo. Brian not only kept up with Chris, but was even quicker on his feet with the improv. Great work.

-NBC and Televisa were not happy with some of the fan comments in response to this show. It wasn’t even a bad show, but they’re expecting positive fan buzz on a weekly basis.

May 29th, 2004

Upcoming WCW PPV Event(s):

June 13th, 2004

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Steenerico vs. True Heroes (©) for the World Tag Team Championship

Steven Regal vs. Bryan Danielson (©) for the United States Heavyweight Championship

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

King Corino vs. CM Punk (©) for the World Heavyweight Championship

Card subject to change. Please do not submit your predictions at this time.

News Updates:

James Mitchell, aka Father Isaac, signed a 1 year extension.

We signed Alex Shelley to a developmental deal.

Elsewhere in the wrestling world:

Thanks to coming off as a distant third to WWE and us in terms of starpower, even in their own country, NOAH has been knocked back down to cult status.

All Japan held their Blue Army PPV from the sold out Budokan in Tokyo. Toshiaki Kawada won the Triple Crown for the fourth time, beating Hiroshi Hase in an 85 rated main event. That wasn’t good enough to top the match immediately before it though, where Keiji Mutoh stole the show in a 93 rated win over Shinya Hashimoto. Those two matches were both well above everything else though, which is why the show only rated a 78 overall. That’s still the best PPV they’ve run all year though, so I guess it’s a positive.

NWA: TNA held Slammiversary in Maryland. Marc Mero retained the TNA World title against Matt Sydal in a 56 rated main event, while the Observer awarded MOTN honors to Minoru Tanaka’s debut as a regular, a no contest against GQ that got a 59. He could be a really good pickup for them. The show overall was a 56, which is pretty much right in their recent average.

New Japan brought in Minoru Suzuki on a written deal and Ultimo Dragon on a PPA. In Dragon’s case he’s still booking down in the Mexican branch of Toryumon, so he understandably wouldn’t want to sign anything exclusive. I heard he was going to be teaming with his student Dragon Kid under the team name Double Dragon. Unfortunately he hurt his knee in Toryumon days before he would have re-debuted in New Japan and will be out for about a half a year, so I guess everything’s off now.

Tajiri’s looking really ripped lately. Wonder if he’s hoping to get an offer from WWE when his current deal with NOAH runs out? Or maybe he’s trying to make himself a more attractive option for New Japan?

Jimmy Snuka died.

National Battle Report: June 2004

USA

#1:

World Wrestling Entertainment

Top 5 Stars:

1) The Rock (1000 points)
2) Rob Van Dam (826)
3) Hollywood Hogan (825)
4) The Undertaker (809)
5) Triple H (795)

Total Points: 4,255

#2:

World Championship Wrestling

Top 5 Stars:

1) Bill Goldberg (986)
2) CM Punk (822)
3) Mortis (745)
4) Rey Mysterio Jr. (740)
5) Trish Stratus (702)

Total Points: 3,995

British Isles

#1:

World Wrestling Entertainment

Top 5 Stars:

1) The Rock (1000 points)
2) Hollywood Hogan (849)
3) Rob Van Dam (832)
4) The Undertaker (809)
5) Triple H (790)

Total Points: 4,280

#2:

World Championship Wrestling

Top 5 Stars:

1) Bill Goldberg (990)
2) CM Punk (819)
3) Mortis (745)
4) Rey Mysterio Jr. (742)
5) Trish Stratus (702)

Total Points: 3,998

Japan

#1:

World Wrestling Entertainment

Top 5 Stars:

1) The Rock (1000 points)
2) Hollywood Hogan (825)
3) Triple H (816)
4) The Undertaker (810)
5) Rob Van Dam (809)

Total Points: 4,260

#2:

World Championship Wrestling

Top 5 Stars:

1) Bill Goldberg (958)
2) CM Punk (852)
3) Mortis (746)
4) Rey Mysterio Jr. (743)
5) Chigusa Nagayo (731)

Total Points: 4,030

((NOAH qualified for the national battle, finished in third and fell back down to cult before their rankings could be tallied.))

Europe

#1:

World Wrestling Entertainment

Top 5 Stars:

1) The Rock (1000 points)
2) Hollywood Hogan (832)
3) Rob Van Dam (828)
4) The Undertaker (810)
4) Triple H (793)

Total Points: 4,263

#2:

World Championship Wrestling

Top 5 Stars:

1) Bill Goldberg (947)
2) CM Punk (822)
3) Rey Mysterio Jr. (742)
4) Mortis (740)
5) Trish Stratus (703)

Total Points: 3,954

Cheers for the shoutout, lol.

I didn't realize that the in-game NJPW didn't run touring, but I suppose that makes sense given touring is kind of iffy in a Real Verse context.

I'll admit to being very curious as to how you run NJPW in the context of a WCW partner. I imagine there's a part of you that's very tempted to get whoever you can off their sizeable roster.

Yeah, New Japan, All Japan and NOAH all run the weekly TV and monthly PPV schedule. The purist in me doesn't like it, but I'm very glad to be running that less intensive schedule now that I've taken over the booking of New Japan!

I'm going to try and balance it. I'll likely be using WCW guys in NJPW more often than the other way around, but I still don't want to overdo it. I want them to supplement the show and come in for the occasional big match or story, while the NJPW regulars are the usual focus.

Pretty awesome idea, love to see how this goes, kind of wish you got 2020 though as you can actually set it up to accept excursion wrestlers with it.

Yeah, that's one of the features of 2020 I'd like to have. I think I can do a reasonable job of simulating it with the partnership though. I'll just do some maneuvering where I sign the young lion to maybe a 6 month or 1 year contract to WCW to simulate their excursion.

DHK1989 · May 24, 2020

This Great American Bash card is looking awesome!

The Final Countdown · May 24, 2020

Summer 2004 Roster Breakdown: (Faces in blue, heels in red)

NITRO ROSTER

Main Event:
AJ Styles
Bill Goldberg
Bryan Danielson (United States Heavyweight Champion)
Chris Jericho
CM Punk (World Heavyweight Champion and World Tag Team Champion)
Lance Storm (World Tag Team Champion)
Matt Hardy
Rey Mysterio Jr.

Eddie Guerrero
King Corino
Mortis
Sean O'Haire
Shane Douglas
The Destroyer
The Unnatural

Upper Midcard:
Billy Kidman
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Konnan

Bobby Roode
Brian Kendrick
Johnny Parisi
Kaz Hayashi
Steven Regal
TAKA (Cruiserweight Champion)
Yang

Midcard:
El Generico
Hayabusa
Kevin Steen
Paul London
Shinsuke Nakamura (World Television Champion)

Colt Cabana
Great Sasuke
Harry Smith
Prince Devitt
Samoa Joe
Shane Helms
Tony Mamaluke

Lower Midcard:
Aguila
Teddy Hart
Volador Jr.

Cash
Chris Harris
James Storm
TJ Wilson

Opener:
Johnny the Bull
Lash Leroux
Magnum Tokyo
Rampage Brown

Dan Maff
Eric Young
Monsta Mack
Shannon Moore

Enhancement Talent:
None

Adam Pearce
Daisuke Sekimoto
Reno (recalled from developmental; yet to re-debut)

Announcer:
Mike Tenay
Tony Schiavone

Color Commentator:
Bret Hart

Don Callis

Road Agent:
Ricky Steamboat

Bob Orton Jr.

Personality:
Becky Bayless (Nitro interviewer)
Dusty Rhodes (on-screen President)
Maria Kanellis (Worldwide interviewer)
Roddy Piper (host of Piper’s Pit)

Active Tag Teams:
Calgary Bulldogs (TJ Wilson and Harry Smith)
Da Hit Squad (Dan Maff and Monsta Mack)
Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi and Yang)
Made in Italy (Johnny Parisi and Tony Mamaluke)
Steenerico (Kevin Steen and El Generico)
The American Outlaws (Chris Harris and James Storm)
The Dangerous Alliance (Sean O’Haire and Shane Douglas)
The Shooting Stars (Billy Kidman and Teddy Hart)
True Heroes (CM Punk and Lance Storm)
Volador Jr. and Aguila

RENAISSANCE

Main Event:
Chigusa Nagayo
Manami Toyota
Meiko Satomura

Akira Hokuto (World Champion)
Trish Stratus

Upper Midcard:
Melissa Anderson (World Tag Team Champion)
Nattie Neidhart (World Tag Team Champion)

Aja Kong
Amy Dumas
Daffney
Devil Masami
Etsuko Mita

Midcard:
Alexis Laree
Allison Corino
Madison Eagles
Momoe Nakanishi

Jacqueline
Kaoru Ito
LuFisto
Takako Inoue
Toshiyo Yamada
Wesna Busic

Lower Midcard:
Kyoko Inoue
Mariko Yoshida
Mary Apache

Sonoko Kato
The Beautiful Nightmare

Opener:
None

Shinobu Kandori

Enhancement Talent:

None

Mercedes Martinez

Announcer:
Joey Styles

Color Commentator:
Tracy Brooks

Road Agent:
Arn Anderson

Active Tag Teams:
Alexis Laree and Allison Corino
Chigusa Nagayo and Meiko Satomura
Daffney and LuFisto
Devil Kong (Aja Kong and Devil Masami)
Our Generation (Melissa Anderson and Nattie Neidhart)

On Vacation:
Sting

Out Of Action:
The Enigma (rehab)

Factions:
Salvation (Father Isaac, Mortis, The Enigma, The Destroyer and The Unnatural)
Team Madness (Randy Savage, El Generico and Kevin Steen)
The Dangerous Alliance (Paul Heyman, Sean O'Haire, Shane Douglas and Samoa Joe)
The Darkness (Akira Hokuto, Daffney and LuFisto)
The Womens Revolution (Trish Stratus, Amy Dumas and Jacqueline)

Managerial Assignments:
Bobby Heenan (Colt Cabana)
Buff Bagwell (Shane Helms)
Dawn Marie (Johnny Parisi and Tony Mamaluke)
Father Isaac (Mortis, The Enigma, The Destroyer and The Unnatural)
Paul Heyman (Sean O'Haire, Shane Douglas and Samoa Joe)
Randy Savage (El Generico and Kevin Steen)
Stacy Keibler (Kaz Hayashi and Yang)
Tammy Sytch (TAKA)
Torrie Wilson (Billy Kidman and Teddy Hart)

In Developmental:
Ace Steel
Alex Shelley
Austin Aries
Cody Rhodes
Gail Kim
Kenny Omega
Lacey
Lisa Marie Varon
Lizzy Valentine
Nigel McGuinness
Rebecca Knox
Shelton Benjamin

Creative Meeting:

Franchise Players:
1. Bill Goldberg
2. Chris Jericho
3. CM Punk
4. Rey Mysterio Jr.
5. AJ Styles

Next Big Things:
1. Shinsuke Nakamura
2. Alexis Laree
3. Dan Maff
4. Volador Jr.
5. Johnny Parisi

Hot Prospects:
1. Shinsuke Nakamura
2. Prince Devitt
3. El Generico
4. Dan Maff
5. Johnny the Bull

Talk the Talk:
1. Chris Jericho
2. CM Punk
3. Randy Savage
4. Dusty Rhodes
5. Paul Heyman

Show Stoppers:
1. Rey Mysterio Jr.
2. Chris Jericho
3. AJ Styles
4. Manami Toyota
5. CM Punk

Ring Generals:
1. Bryan Danielson
2. Chris Jericho
3. Eddie Guerrero
4. Rey Mysterio Jr.
5. Lance Storm

Who's Hot:
1. Etsuko Mita
2. Manami Toyota
3. Bryan Danielson
4. Alexis Laree
5. Shane Douglas

Who's Not:
1. Mary Apache
2. Sonoko Kato
3. Chris Harris
4. James Storm

Time Decline:
1. Meng
2. Aja Kong

Hidden Gems:
1. Nova
2. Jay Briscoe
3. Mike Sanders
4. Shawn Stasiak
5. Mistress Belmont

Hashasheen · May 24, 2020

I'm surprised that Carol Midori isn't decline.

Also, PUSH SEKIMOTO. Make him Bill Goldberg's new buddy.

The Final Countdown · May 24, 2020

I'm surprised that Carol Midori isn't decline.

Also, PUSH SEKIMOTO. Make him Bill Goldberg's new buddy.

She's not actually on the roster. Any time you see her it's as a one night only 'local talent.'

I want to push Sekimoto---just trying to figure out a role for him. I've been trying different managers and partners out on house shows but haven't found any positive matches yet, and I haven't come up with a good creative idea for him. Goldberg is being booked as a loner so that doesn't really work.

Hashasheen · May 24, 2020

I want to push Sekimoto---just trying to figure out a role for him. I've been trying different managers and partners out on house shows but haven't found any positive matches yet, and I haven't come up with a good creative idea for him. Goldberg is being booked as a loner so that doesn't really work.

Hm. Did you try him with Harry Smith or Steven Regal?

The Final Countdown · May 26, 2020

June 2004, Week 1

May 31st, 2004

Worldwide taping: Volador Jr. defeated C.W. Anderson, Shane Helms defeated Jack Evans and Steenerico defeated Shaun Ricker and Eric Young.

Attendance: 15,000

Show Notes:

-Steven Regal has taken on Rampage Brown as a protégé. I would have preferred he mentor someone who I actually have plans for, but it’s his choice I guess.

-I helped TJ Wilson work on his promos before the show.

“Nakamura’s doing really well on promos. I think they’re only going to help him get over quicker.” –CM Punk

June 5th, 2004

Show Notes:

“I don’t see much potential in Madison Eagles. Might want to push someone else.” –Amy Dumas

Upcoming WCW PPV Event(s):

June 13th, 2004

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Shane Helms vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (©) for the World Television Championship

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Steenerico vs. True Heroes (©) for the World Tag Team Championship

Steven Regal vs. Bryan Danielson (©) for the United States Heavyweight Championship

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

King Corino vs. CM Punk (©) for the World Heavyweight Championship

Card subject to change. Please do not submit your predictions at this time.

July 11th, 2004

Manami Toyota vs. Trish Stratus

Meiko Satomura vs. Akira Hokuto (©) for the Women’s World Championship

Card subject to change. Please do not submit your predictions at this time.

News Updates:

I watched the TV Asahi feed of the Best of the Super Juniors, pleased at how well it went. At the end of the night Koji Kanemoto held up not just his IWGP Junior Heavyweight title but also the WCW Cruiserweight and UWA Welterweight belts after defeating TAKA in a match to crown a Unified Junior Heavyweight champion.

Simon Inoki came to me with the idea of doing a title vs. title match, and I liked it for multiple reasons. I had actually been toying with eliminating the Cruiserweight title for several months. It made sense back in ’96 or ’97 when guys like Rey, Eddie, Jericho, etc. were working a very different style in that division while the old timers like Hogan and Piper were in the main events, but with the way our in-ring style has evolved there hasn’t been as much need for the cruiserweight title, and so many of the guys who would’ve made up the division are working in main event slots, meaning I had fewer options for the division challengers. It had almost become like an introductory point, for smaller guys to win early on before graduating up to the bigger titles.

Doing this unification match means we no longer have to try and keep cruiserweight feuds going constantly, and we can also bring in whoever the unified champion is on special occasions where it makes sense, or have it around for an extended period of time if it’s on a WCW guy. It’s also a good way for ourselves and New Japan to work together and exchange talent on occasion.

I think it’s a cool first step in rebuilding the working relationship between WCW and New Japan, and I’m excited to see what else we can come up with in the future.

We signed Japanese female wrestler Kyoko Kimura to a developmental deal and sent her to 5SSW. She’s inexperienced but my scouts over there think she could develop into a decent worker with some ring time.

Ayako Hamada is reporting to developmental as well. She’s young but already quite experienced, and we think she could be an asset on Renaissance eventually.

Nixxi Roxx will be coming in and working on a per date deal as enhancement talent.

Elsewhere in the wrestling world:

TNA ran their Sacrifice show in Georgia. The easy match of the night went to the 65 rated main event world title match, where Marc Mero retained his belt against Minoru Tanaka, Nicho and Matt Cross in a four way. That was among their better matches of 2004 so far, and was the primary reason they got a 60 overall grade for the show, which is their second highest both this year and in their history behind February’s Against All Odds.

Darkness Dragon suffered a severe neck injury wrestling Minoru Suzuki during Suzuki’s NJPW debut, and he’ll be out for about a year. It doesn’t sound like there’s any heat on Suzuki though, and no feeling that he did anything wrong; just a bad bump.

Hm. Did you try him with Harry Smith or Steven Regal?

I don't really want to split up the Calgary Bulldogs. Regal might be worth a try though.

Hashasheen · May 26, 2020

Rampage Brown with Steven Regal makes perfect sense, though. He could be Regal's heater vs. Daniel Bryan. And I could see Sekimoto rebranded as Shogun Sekimoto. Steal a page out of NJPW's book, and form the Royal Quest stable!

How exactly is your partnership with NJPW set up? I suspect you've formed a promotional alliance to create something like the Unified Junior Heavyweight Title, because deactivating the junior heavyweight title is pretty much a Riki Choshu move contemplated in 2000 as he looked to move up popular juniors into heavyweight contention that had serious backlash.

DHK1989 · May 26, 2020

Sad to see the Cruiserweight division go, but with WCW's structure changing over the past three years, it makes sense.

SkipMartin · May 26, 2020

Does this mean Bret will try out an early version of the Atlas Championship?

Kijar · May 27, 2020

Part of me died today (as the resident diehard lightweight division guy). I would've rather had you add Cruiserweight Tag belts, so maybe let's just ignore me anyway and trust your judgment call there

Very good reasoning. I'm just the kind of guy who enjoys undercard and tag feuds far more than the top, say 3, slots on the card.

joshspicer · May 27, 2020

So does this mean more cross promotion with New Japan, like having the Junior Heavyweight Title on WCW sometimes or like the Heavyweight Title on Starrcade?

The Final Countdown · May 28, 2020

June 2004, Week 2

June 7th, 2004

Worldwide taping: Volador Jr. and Aguila over The Heartbreakers, Prince Devitt over Johnny Curtis and Paul London and Hayabusa over Eddie Edwards and Matt Morgan.

Attendance: 11,770

Show Notes:

-Dusty entertained everybody by drawing a cartoon version of Ric Flair before the show. The drawing itself was garbage but it was fun to watch him try.

-Lots of instruction took place in the ring before the show. I worked on psychology with TJ, while Regal gave Bryan Danielson pointers on cutting a believable promo and also went over the finer points of selling with Rampage Brown.

-Storm was kept strong in his loss to Kevin Steen with the Corino interference. Lance and Kevin seemed to work really well together, so that might be something to keep in mind for the future.

-Bobby Roode switched to a cocky genius gimmick to go along with his new team with Cabana and Heenan, and it got a great response.

-Shane Helms’ ladies this week were Talia Madison and Bobcat.

-Punk and Corino both did a great job of improvising during their show-closing segment, really establishing the story of Punk trying to defend two titles in one night and how difficult it’ll be on him, something Corino hopes to capitalize on at the end of the night.

“I think you should give Shane Helms more promo time.” –AJ Styles

June 12th, 2004

Show Notes:

-Kyoko Inoue brought in the latest Japanese video game for the girls to play.

-Momoe’s gimmick is getting a little bit stale.

Upcoming WCW PPV Event(s):

June 13th, 2004

Official Prediction Scorecard

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Shane Helms vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (©) for the World Television Championship

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Steenerico vs. True Heroes (©) for the World Tag Team Championship

Steven Regal vs. Bryan Danielson (©) for the United States Heavyweight Championship

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

King Corino vs. CM Punk (©) for the World Heavyweight Championship

How many championships will change hands?
What will be the match of the night?
TIEBREAKER: What will be the match time for the main event (minutes and seconds)?
BONUS: Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion?

July 11th, 2004

Manami Toyota vs. Trish Stratus

Meiko Satomura vs. Akira Hokuto (©) for the Women’s World Championship

Card subject to change. Please do not submit your predictions at this time.

News Updates:

Daffney signed a 2 year contract extension.

Mary Apache is moving on. We’ll be using Nikki Roxx as essentially her replacement; you don’t want to keep the same people around all the time as enhancement talent.

Elsewhere in the wrestling world:

Antonio Inoki officially retired from the business after staying around for a month or so to help make the transition easier for Simon. New Japan is truly in a new era without their founder and biggest star in history.

Worldwide was taped at its usual time instead of right before the PPV as a pre-show because the network already had programming scheduled on Sunday this week.

(It’s totally not because I forgot to change the taping date around before I ran Nitro, I swear!)

Rampage Brown with Steven Regal makes perfect sense, though. He could be Regal's heater vs. Daniel Bryan. And I could see Sekimoto rebranded as Shogun Sekimoto. Steal a page out of NJPW's book, and form the Royal Quest stable!

How exactly is your partnership with NJPW set up? I suspect you've formed a promotional alliance to create something like the Unified Junior Heavyweight Title, because deactivating the junior heavyweight title is pretty much a Riki Choshu move contemplated in 2000 as he looked to move up popular juniors into heavyweight contention that had serious backlash.

I was considering bringing up someone else to be Regal's 'muscle'/lackey, but that could actually work...

It's an alliance, yeah. At first it was just a standard working agreement but I changed it to an alliance when I had the idea to unify the junior and cruiserweight titles. Talent trading is the only box I ticked when I set up the alliance though, so they're still going to be operating as separate companies with separate finances, no restrictions on where they can run shows, etc.

Does this mean Bret will try out an early version of the Atlas Championship?

After looking up what that is: no.

Part of me died today (as the resident diehard lightweight division guy). I would've rather had you add Cruiserweight Tag belts, so maybe let's just ignore me anyway and trust your judgment call there Very good reasoning. I'm just the kind of guy who enjoys undercard and tag feuds far more than the top, say 3, slots on the card.

In a way I think this'll help the undercard feuds because I'll have more freedom to use guys and build stories without needing to shoehorn in a cruiserweight title match every month. Plus when there are junior heavyweight title matches in WCW (and there will be), they're going to be a bigger deal.

So does this mean more cross promotion with New Japan, like having the Junior Heavyweight Title on WCW sometimes or like the Heavyweight Title on Starrcade?

You'll definitely be seeing the new unified junior heavyweight title pop up and defended in WCW on occasion. The IWGP Heavyweight title won't be; I would like to have that option, but it would need to be an alliance title in order for me to do that.

That doesn't mean you couldn't see the IWGP Heavyweight champion himself pop up in WCW, though...

joshspicer · May 28, 2020

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Shane Helms vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (©) for the World Television Championship

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Steenerico vs. True Heroes (©) for the World Tag Team Championship

Steven Regal vs. Bryan Danielson (©) for the United States Heavyweight Championship

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

King Corino vs. CM Punk (©) for the World Heavyweight Championship

How many championships will change hands? - 1

What will be the match of the night? - Punk vs. Corino

TIEBREAKER: What will be the match time for the main event (minutes and seconds)? 29:21

BONUS: Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? King Corino

Ry guy 64 · May 28, 2020

Dragons

Devitt

Eddie

Nak

New Dangerous Alliance

Jericho

Steenerico

Danielson

Goldberg

Punk

Main event will be the best match

1 title change

30 minutes 17 seconds

Corino

DGenerationMC · May 28, 2020

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

How many championships will change hands? 1

What will be the match of the night? Steven Regal vs. Bryan Danielson (©) for the United States Heavyweight Championship

TIEBREAKER: What will be the match time for the main event (minutes and seconds)? 18:16

BONUS: Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? Eddie Guerrero

Kijar · May 28, 2020

Okay, okay.

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

Torn.

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Konnan eats pin

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

A lot of similarities.

Because I'm obsessed with them

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

Right?

How many championships will change hands? Tag

What will be the match of the night? Corino/Punk

TIEBREAKER: What will be the match time for the main event (minutes and seconds)? 29:23

BONUS: Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? Lance Storm

I like this Corino run though, I hope I'm wrong

Ian carlisle · May 28, 2020

Official Prediction Scorecard

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

by DQ

How many championships will change hands? 0

What will be the match of the night? Regal v Danielson

TIEBREAKER: What will be the match time for the main event (minutes and seconds)? 35 Minutes and 35 Seconds

BONUS: Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion?

Danielson

DHK1989 · May 28, 2020

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

How many championships will change hands? One

What will be the match of the night? World Title Match

TIEBREAKER: What will be the match time for the main event (minutes and seconds)? 23:19

BONUS: Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? Eddie Guerrero

franticloser · May 28, 2020

The Shooting Stars vs. Jung Dragons vs. Made in Italy

AJ Styles vs. Prince Devitt

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero

Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan vs. The Dangerous Alliance (O’Haire and Douglas)

Chris Jericho vs. Brian Kendrick

Goldberg vs. The Unnatural

How many championships will change hands? 0

What will be the match of the night? Corino vs Punk

TIEBREAKER: What will be the match time for the main event (minutes and seconds)? 20:02

BONUS: Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? Lance Storm

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