WCW 1993 : A New World of Sport

[CactusHack]

WWF has begun the process of developing The Ultimate Warrior into their figurehead. 

Despite circling the drain and rumours that they are going out of business, Super World of Sports continues to sign wrestlers. Masaake Sataki is the latest wrestler to sign with the promotion.

New promotion Mid-Atlantic Wrestling has hired Richard P Naegele to the position of head booker. Naegele has been the Commissioner of ECWA since ’87. Naegele hires the following team to start his tiny roster: Bob Armstrong, Don Kernodle, John Tatum, Desiree Petersen, Allison Royal, Peggy Lee Leather, Sonny Rogers, American Kickboxer, Lady Amazon, Ripper Manson, GQ Stratus, Tony DeNucci, Dick the Brusier Jr, The Italian Stallion, Fantasia, Al Green, Reggie Bennett, Marcus Laurinaitis, Bill Irwin, Tommy Rich, JW Storm, Pez Whatley, Buddy Lee Parker, Melissa Coates, Gail Thatcher.

Sambo Asako has walked out of W*ING.

Scotty Flamingo has bulked up to a Light Heavyweight. The leader rich playboy is looking more and more like a future star.

During a dark match against Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart, Blake Beverley suffered a major concussion and will be sidelined for over a year.

One night after Blake’s injury, Owen Hart suffered broken fingers in a one on one match against Beau Beverly…

EZ Ryder suffered a torn Rotator cuff in a match against Tiger Ali Singh. He will be out of action for a year.

Combat Toyoda has started dating Hirofumi Miura

Border City Wrestling has been dropped by the Ontario based broadcasting network.

Legendary luchador El Matematico has announced his intent to retire this year. The 50 year old is a former UWA World Welterweight champion.

Tom Brandi is on the shelf for a couple of months, as he is currently dealing with a hernia.

CMLL renewed Solomon Grundy’s contract for 3M over an additional 3 years.

Sean Walltman has begun dating Japanese wrestler, Kaoru. The two work together in ULL.

Ron Garvin suffered a concussion during a tag team match and will be out of action for a few months.

George Wells announced his retirement. The 45 year old is a one time Stampede International Tag Team Champion with Gerry Morrow, and his biggest claim to fame is wrestling on the Wrestlemania 2 card, in a losing effort to Jake Roberts.

Doug Furnas and Dan Kroffat won the All Japan All Asia Tag Team Championships from The Holy Demon Army. This is their fifth reign.

Jumbo Tsuruta and Naomi Sano def. The Miracle Violence Connection to win the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championships for the first time.

El Bronco #1 defeated Gran Mendoza to win the WWC TV Title for the third time.

Ron Starr defeated his cousin Chicky to win the WWC Universal Championship for the first time.

Danny Boy Collins defeated Grasshopper to win the British Commonwealth Cruiserweight for the first time.

Butch Reed defeated Huracan Castillo Jr to win the vacant AWF World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

Masakatsu Funaki won the vacant PWFG Openweight title when he beat Yoji Anjo. This is his first reign.

Rockin Robin def. Candi Devine to win the LMLW Florida Championship for the first time

Jacqueline def. Penelope Paradise to win the LMLW International Championship for the first time.

Steve Strong defeated Boris Zhukov to win the AWF Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship for the second time.

JW Storm became the inaugural MAW Heavyweight Champion, defeating Tommy Rich to win the title.

Atsushi Onita defeated Mr. Pogo to win the FMW Brass Knuckles title for the fourth time.

The ECW Tag Team Champions changed hands as The Pitbulls regained the belts in a return match.

JT Smith became the ECW Heavyweight Champion for the first time, defeating Salvatore Bellomo.

Eric Embry and Rick Valentine have captured the WWC World Tag Team Titles for a second time.

Super Muneco def. Satanico to win the CMLL World Light Heavyweight championship for the first time.

Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Larry Cameron to capture the CWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

Mile Zrno and Shaun Koen defeated The Brotherhood to win the CWA Europameisterschaft Im Teamkampf championships for the first time.

Ray Hill has entered the wrestling world.

[CactusHack]

During Round Nine of the 93 season, WCW Main Event featured a continuation of a brewing rivalry between Jeff Jarrett's group of lackeys and the group of Booker T, Stevie Ray, Action Jackson and Tony Norris. Tommy Rogers also made his return to the ring after 9 months of recovery from his injury, defeating Dick Slater.  Misawa also scored a victory by defeating Jimmy Garvin in convincing fashion. Solar and Buddy Landel stole the show however, putting on an absolute nail-biter when they faced off. Landel - who picked up the victory here - is enjoying quite a bit of a surge in momentum lately with his recent exposure, and he's making the most of his matches.

JR's Indie Spotlight highlighted 22 year old Debbie Malenko, a former AJW Junior Women's Champion. Despite her young age, Debbie holds a one year title reign to her name already and shows the technical prowess of a much more seasoned wrestler. If she continues to hone her abilities, and powers through the difficulty of having a rough first season in LPWA, Debbie Malenko may be a future star on the women's scene. 36 year old British wrestler David Taylor was also featured. The former ASW British Heavyweight Champion has also previously found success as a tag team wrestler, having a title reign of the CWA European Tag Team Championship with Chris Benoit. David Taylor has recently been appearing on WCW Main Event, and more impressively had an incredible match against Ricky Steamboat on WCW World Wide. While his age may be a factor in where David could peak in his career, his technical prowess leaves himself as a dangerous threat to any opponent. Lastly, 24 year old Doug Gilbert was highlighted by JR. The younger brother of Eddie Gilbert, Doug is a three time USWA Tag Team champion - a title he currently holds alongside Eric Embry - and a former ICW Tag Team Champion. The young brawler is typically seen as more of a comedic character, but JR states that if he can tap into a more serious mentality, he may have a very prosperous career ahead of him.

At the Power Plant, Round Eight Night One was headlined by 'Wild Pegasus' Chris Benoit taking on 'The Tennessee Prodigy' Jeff Jarrett. The two plucky youngsters went the distance in a good match, however pundits believe that they were put in two high of a spot on the card, lacking the star power to main event a card. The most well-received match on the card was Eddie Gilbert taking on Mr. Hughes. Gilbert put in the best performance of the round for the ninth straight month, looking to sweep the season. He remained undefeated on the season, maintaining his top ranked spot. Right behind him is Rayo De Jalisco who also remained undefeated with a win over Jerry Lynn.

Shane Douglas had his first match after turning his back on the audience, cheating to defeat fan favourite The Patriot. Douglas looked much more comfortable playing the heel and his new willingness to stoop to underhanded tactics may help elevate the 28 year old. Speaking of underhanded tactics, Doug Gilbert was able to cheat his way to a huge upset victory over La Parka. La Parka's last three rounds have been a serious derailment of what was looking like a season worthy of promotion, as he's only secured 1 point over the last three contests and slips down to fifth place.

Lastly, Brian Lee was able to collect his first win of the season, ensuring no competitor in Division Three will go winless in 1993. He was able to knock off Sam Houston, who has now lost six of his last seven contests, and continues to trend downward.

Over in the tag team division, Round Nine was headlined by an all-latin main event as the team of Eddie Guerrero and Konnan took on Silver King and Negro Casas. Despite being an all heel match-up, the crowd dug the action as the talents of all four men were worthy of a main event spot. The last 2 and a half minutes of the contest saw a highly entertaining exchange of desperate attempts to score a victory, but ultimately the match ended in a draw that saw La Cultura Torcida drop out of first place.

While the main event was strong, it was outdone by a phenomenal contest between the teams of Blue Panther and Solar, and The Legacies (David Sammartino and Lance Von Erich). Solar and Blue Panther continue to have the strongest combined performances of any team on the roster, and they secured the victory to move into a three way tie with two other teams who where also victorious this round, as both Speed Eleven (Ulitmo Dragon and Great Sasuke) and The Southern Rockers (Rex King and Steve Doll) won their respective matches. Ultimo Dragon put on the best individual performance of the round.

And a growing feud between Harlem Heat / Action Jackson / Tony Norris and Jeff Jarrett's group of cronies continued to develop as Harlem Heat took on Disorderly Conduct in a match that went to a double disqualification when the heat between the two teams resulted in uncontrollable brawling that the referee had no choice but to throw out.

In women's action, the headline for Round Nine was never in question as two undefeated stars with immense talent collided when Akira Hokuto took on Bull Nakano. The two joshi stars went to war, and stole the show with a match being praised as the best match in LPWA history. Akira Hokuto took the win in 15 minutes and was awarded best performance of Round Nine in LPWA. Meanwhile, Magnificent Mimi continued her undefeated run with a victory over Jacqueline.

Other important notes were Debbie Malenko scoring her second win of the year after being featured on JR's Indie Spotlight, and Madusa wins her sixth straight in her bid to course correct after a terrible start, continuing her climb up the ranks in an effort to retain the LPWA Grand Prix Championship.

Up north in Canada, Round Nine was headlined by Mitsuharu Misawa taking on 'Heat Seeker' Chip Thompson (formerly known as Firebreaker Chip). Misawa remained perfect with his 9th straight win, claiming both the best match and best performance as he Misawa continues to dominate the division. His adversary, Rick Titan, defeated Buddy Landel in another strong match. Continued building towards a Titan vs Misawa final round of the top two stars for all the marbles. Other noteworthy points was a battle between partners as Sudden Impact's Chris Jericho and Lance Storm faced off in a technical war. Neither man was able to secure victory, as they went the full 20 minutes and shook hands immediately after the match.

[Nightshadeex]

Dangit! Missed the PPV predictions, I would have only missed two! Do El Gigante and Stan Hansen have good chemistry together?

 

Larry Zbyzsko vs Steve Williams
Sting vs Ricky Steamboat
Scott Steiner vs Rick Steiner
Powerhouse Simmons vs Kevin Sullivan
Lex Luger vs Big Van Vader - Draw
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Rick Rude
Arn Anderson vs Brian Pillman
Nobuhiko Takada vs Ric Flair

[CactusHack]

On 6/29/2023 at 8:06 PM, Nightshadeex said:

Dangit! Missed the PPV predictions, I would have only missed two! Do El Gigante and Stan Hansen have good chemistry together?

Nah, just average - Stan is just making it impossible not to push him, his performances are top 10 best in the company and he's gotten very over super quick. Initial plan was to do Dirty Dick Slater as Gigante's partner as I wasn't wanting to give Gigante a sustained push, but they had poor chemistry so I scrambled and signed Hansen.

[CactusHack]

Worldwide featured the highly anticipated debuted of Hulk Hogan! Hogan came out early in the show to cut a promo where he stated that WCW is the place to be if any wrestler wants to truly prove they are the greatest alive. Hogan says he's putting away the Red and Yellow and trading his iconic colours in for Pink and Blue, as he's here to be the face of the brand, brother. And while he can't just jump into the Grand Prix immediately, he can hold dominance over World Wide, brother, to prove to the world he can take all challenges. He confirms that as the biggest icon in wrestling, WCW has declared him the first entrant in the 1994 WCW season. His first WCW match is against Buddy Landel, who won the opportunity by winning JR's Indie Spotlight Battle Royale at Great American Bash. Landel and Hogan put on a very competitive match, with Landel looking impressive and determined to prove himself. Hogan took a rough bump on his head, and medical staff paused the match briefly, but Hogan Hulked up and hit the big boot and leg drop to win his first match in WCW. After the match, attendants came to help Hogan to the back. It was later announced that Hogan suffered a minor concussion and would be out of action for around a month while he recovered.

On top of that, Liger and Steamboat teamed up to take on the team of The Classic Era, and came out victorious in a phenomenal showcase. And Sting defeated Jerry Lawler in a match that saw Stan Hansen attempt to get involved. After Sting's victory over Lawler, Dusty Rhodes came out to make a special, major announcement. In just a few short weeks, Clash of the Champions will occur and WCW is suffering from a bit of championship overpopulation. So, the singles champions will collide in a one-night tournament to unify the following belts: The UWA World Championship (held by Stan Hansen), the WCW World Heavyweight Championship (held by Sting), the WCW Television Championship (held by Jushin Liger) and collection of belts held by Nobuhiko Takada: The WCW United States Championship, The UWFi Heavyweight Championship.

It's time, for Round Nine! The first match of the Grand Prix featured Larry Zbyzsko taking on Dr. Death Steve Williams. After Steve Austin walked out on The Dangerous Alliance at Great American Bash, the question here was how would the Alliance react? And the answer was simple, Rick Rude was furious and refused to talked with Paul E Dangerously, causing the stable to miss out on having Larry's back. Meanwhile, Dr. Death was supported by The Shooter's Club, as Shamrock, Severn, B Badd and new recruit/towel boy Masahito Kakihara were all present, alongside manager Jody Hamilton. Larry looked out of his element here, with the story being that between his poor record and the will-they-won't-they nature of the Dangerous Alliance, he's too distracted and demoralized to be successful at a high level. Meanwhile, Dr. Death is looking to bounce back, as it has been 5 rounds since his last victory, as he's been unable to finish matches and is seeing his spot in the Premier League slip way.

Larry puts up a good effort, but Steve Williams ultimately taps him out and improves to 11 points on the season.

Steve Williams (3-4-2) def. Larry Zbyzsko (1-8-0) in 15:20 by submission in their first ever match.

In the main event of Night One, it was the top ranked Sting taking on 'The Dragon' Ricky Steamboat. An interesting story began here, as the commentary team questioned how Sting would react as a new top-draw is in town with Hulk Hogan having made his WCW debut. JR questioned whether Sting can still be 'The Ace' of WCW as new big names flock to the promotion to be a part of the most prestigious combat sport tournament in wrestling. This point is no more evident than Sting's match not being the feature of Round Nine (with the honour going to Flair vs Takada) and his match at Great American Bash (War Games) taking the co-headline spot rather than the main event.

When these two faced off in 1992, they went the distance to a time limit draw. Sting is looking to maintain his momentum and hold onto his top ranked spot, which can be ensured by either a win or a draw. Steamboat is looking to get points immediately on the board as he's currently ranked right on the bubble, tied for seventh and dangerously close to a relegation seed. These two put on a classic of dramatic wrestling. Steamboat is taking more and more risks and snapping off pin attempts from the most unique of positions, getting near falls, big pops, but through it all Sting keeps his head straight and never seems to lose his positive spirit. As the match reaches its final stretch, Sting's facepaint is mostly completely sweated off and JR is praising the aging Dragon's stamina and ability. Steamboat started piling up the offence, and looked to hit Sting with his own move - a Stinger Splash - but Sting moved out of the way and immediately followed through with the Scorpion Death Lock. Steamboat tried to crawl to the ropes, but Sting dragged him back to the centre of the ring and The Dragon tapped out! Sting is beginning to put some distance between himself and his competition.

After his match with Steamboat, Sting was interviewed by Jesse Ventura to discuss his top ranked spot. He was interrupted by a very pissed off and motivated Rick Rude, who warned Sting that Round Ten will feature Rick Rude taking the top spot away from WCW's "Ace".

Sting (8-1-0) def. Ricky Steamboat (3-4-2) in 17:35 by submission. They had drawn their previous match.

Round Nine saw Tom Zenk change his personality after being destroyed by his best friend, Brian Pillman, at Great American Bash. Demanding to be called Z-Man going forward, Z-Man came out paranoid and disheveled, and defeated Al Perez in convincing fashion. The commentary team mentioned that he's on an island of his own, and if he doesn't branch out and make some new allies, he's going to burn himself out. Cactus Jack rebounded from losing his WCW Television Championship with a victory over Tully Blanchard, maintaining his first place ranking in the process. Jushin Liger successfully defended his new WCW Television championship - a title that will be on the line at Clash of the Champions if Liger can hold it until then (his last road bump will be Steve Austin). And The Great Muta remained undefeated on the season with a victory over the Samoan Savage.

Muta would reappear later in the round to cost DDP his match against Terry Taylor. DDP gets to face both members of Player Enterprises in rapid succession, as his Round Ten match will be against Muta and he'll be looking for revenge following this loss.

Week Two kicked off with 'The Battle of The Brothers' as The Steiner Brothers faced off for the first time ever. It's been a rocky road to get to this bout for the two, as they've been on-and-off with each other ever since Slamboree when they lost the tag team titles after Scott accidentally nailed Rick, leading up to the loss. Definite tension in the air here, and it's only amplified by Schiavone stressing that as it stands, both men are in relegation spots and are desperate for points to get out of their current seeds so that they can work towards returning to the Premier League for 1994.

The match started off respectful, primarily focusing on collegiate style wrestling, however during a pin attempt by Rick, Scott got mad because he thought that Rick had grabbed his tights and was cheating. This led to brotherly arguing, pie-facing, and the two devolving into a childish fight with referee Nick Patrick having no idea how to sort out the two brothers. Replay would prove that Rick didn't hook Scott's tights, but instead his head gear had snagged into them during the roll up attempt, creating the feeling of the tights being pulled. The two continued to fight and referee Nick Patrick continued to demand they wrestle properly. Scott went for a belly-to-back german, but Rick held the ropes and then managed to fall back on Scott, rolling through and pinning Scott's shoulders to the mat for a quick three count.

After the match, the two stared each other down and the tension was through the roof. Scott turned as though he was going to blow off his brother out of frustration, but Rick grabbed Scott by the wrist and swung him back, face to face, nose to nose. They hugged in the centre of the ring and left together. The following week, they sat down with Jesse Ventura on World Wide to discuss where they were at. The Steiner Brothers were candid, stating that the stress of this first singles run hasn't panned out exactly as they hoped, but before it started they had promised one another that they would always have each other's back. Losing the WCW Tag Team titles hurt more than their rankings in the Grand Prix ever could, and they are just glad to have resolved their personal dispute.

Rick Steiner (2-7-0) def. Scott Steiner (2-5-2) in 17:52. This was the first ever time they squared off against each other.

Kevin Sullivan comes to the ring, looking nothing like the man we've known. Confident and brash, he's already lost it all and he knows he has nothing further can be lost. He's on the offensive right away and this is a rough brawl. Sullivan's offence is direct and with purpose - he's out to inflict pain in any way he can. But the size and strength of Simmons continues to prove to be too much as the Powerhouse absorbs punishment and slams Sullivan at every opportunity.

Simmons hits his patented spinebuster and covers for the win, but Sullivan kicks out. The wind is sucked out of the arena as the Powerhouse Simmons always gets the win with that move, and Sullivan squirms out of the ring like a snake. Simmons chases after him and gets a face full of chalk powder for his efforts. Referee Randy Anderson admonishes Sullivan as Simmons requests a towel from the referee. Sullivan has recovered enters the ring with a spike, which Randy Anderson jumps at and starts a tug of war with Sullivan, forgetting to give Simmons a towel. Simmons still can quite see and he approaches the ref, trying to get the towel. Sullivan lets go of the spike as Randy pulls, and that propels him spike first into Simmons head! Sullivan steals the towel from Randy's shoulder as he's apologizing, and rolls up Simmons wrapping the towel around a leg for extra leverage! Sullivan... beats Powerhouse Simmons? Kevin Sullivan is no longer winless, and has scored a major upset over the man who finished fourth in 1992. JR reminds the audience that it takes an exceptional wrestler to make it to the Premier League level, and you cannot take any opponent lightly at this level.

Kevin Sullivan (1-8-0) def. Powerhouse Simmons (4-3-2) in 15:21. All time series tied at one win each.

In the main event of Night Two, two of the biggest names in professional wrestling collided as 'The Mastadon' Big Van Vader and 'The Total Package' Lex Luger went head to head. The men are neck and neck in the rankings, separated by only two points, and a win here would move either man within striking pace of the frontrunner, Sting. In 1992, when the two men faced off, Lex Luger was able to walk away with a victory after tricking Vader into a count-out loss on the outside. On this night, Vader was accompanied to the ring by Cactus Jack, while Luger was accompanied by Harley Race.

This was a sluggish war, with the two huge men plodding for positioning and not willing to let the other get an advantage. Vader worked Luger's lower back with a series of forearms to the spine, and bearhugs to limit breathing. Luger however shows off his strength with impressive lifting slams of the behemoth. Vader however never deviated from his attack on the lower back.

Luger tries to hoist Vader up for the Torture Rack, but the combination of Vader's weight and the damage he's done to Luger's back causes Luger to buckle. So he turns and tries to lift Vader for the Attitude Adjustment Piledriver, but he grabs his back in pain once more and the bell rings as time expires. Luger is distraught as he had Vader beat but his body failed him. After the match, Luger was livid, vocalizing that this was due to his PPV 'exhibition match' against DDP, demanding justice from Dusty.

Big Van Vader (6-2-1) and Lex Luger (5-2-2) went to a 20:00 minute time limit draw. Luger improves to one win, one draw all time against Vader.

After antagonizing The Outsiders over their first loss in Round Eight, The Fabulous Freebirds were beaten in Round Nine by Hall and Nash, when manager Jimmy Garvin attempted to get involved and it backfired. After the match, The Freebirds fired Jimmy Garvin from the band and announced they were holding open auditions for a new member. Relative unknown David Taylor debuted a new character, 'Sex Pistol' David Taylor and was given a trial period as the newest member of the Freebirds. Garvin comes back the following week looking to apologize to Gordy and Hayes, but they are partying with Sex Pistol and bunch of groupies, seemingly moved on from Garvin.

Meanwhile, The Colussi continued their winning ways, as Stan Hansen remained perfect on the season with a victory over The Classic Era. Scotty Flamingo held a lavish celebration ceremony to commemorate The Colussi's victory at Great American Bash where they became unified Tag Team champions. However, the celebration was cut short by The Terrors, who believe they are entitled to a championship title match as they defeated El Gigante and his former partner (Doink) back in Round 1. They destroyed Flamingo's ceremony and put him through a table. The Terrors would go on to defeat The Colussi's stablemates - Chaos By Nature. The Outsiders, having moved on from defeating The Freebirds, confronting The Terrors and stating they are next in line. The teams agree that the winner of their Round Ten match up would be the rightful next contenders to The Colussi.

Lastly, the unfortunate collapse of The Killer Bees, as the veteran team came up short against the rookie team of American Males. The zero and nine Killer Bees are the only team in WCW without a single point.

Rick Rude and Bam Bam Bigelow had opening match duties on the final night of Round Nine. The entire lead up to their match was a series of distractions from stable issues. Rick Rude was constantly asked about why Steve Austin walked out on The Dangerous Alliance at Great American Bash, while Bam Bam Bigelow was faced with questions surrounding the recent struggles of Player Enterprises. Rude refused to comment on Austin, stating that he isn't inside Austin's head and is furious about the group's mis-step - Rude believed that the groups momentum had swung so positively and they were on track for big things, and that wrench in the works is just another thing he will have to overcome en route to winning the 93 season. Bigelow on the other hand had additional pressure put on him as Teddy Long demanded a sweep of Round Nine from his stable.

The match featured Bigelow wanting to be a wrecking ball, and Rude consistently slowing the action down with submissions and holds, trying to drain the larger man's stamina and despite it seeming early on that Rude was barely weathering an onslaught, as the match passed the ten minute mark on the clock it became clear that Rude's efforts were succeeding as Bigelow was struggling to catch his breath. Bigelow trapped Rude into the corner and lined up a cannonball senton, but took a moment to catch his breath and that was enough time for Rude to prep himself to dodge, immediately picking up Bigelow and hitting the Rude Awakening for the win. Rude has clawed his way into second place, setting up a huge main event for Round Ten against Sting.

Rick Rude (7-2-0) def. Bam Bam Bigelow (4-4-1) in 14:51 by pinfall. They are even all time against each other, with one win a piece.

After turning at Great American Bash, all eyes were on Brian Pillman, wondering what led to Pillman joining forces with Flair. Ric introduced Pillman as "The Hollywood Blonde" when the interrupted the Pre-Show Panel one night, stating that they are the best in the game and will do things on their terms. Pillman said that while everyone else questioned why he was part of the Premier League and said he wasn't ready, Ric Flair was the only one who gave him a second chance. Flair says he's always been stubborn and it may have been difficult for him to acknowledge Pillman immediately, but he saw something special in Pillman. Pillman is the same sort of animal as Flair, and together they will restart the Four Horsemen as it's always meant to be - wheelin and dealin, party animals who are the best wrestlers in the world today. Arn Anderson can go fly a kite, Pillman is younger and faster and everyone knows that Ric Flair only walks with friends like him, sixty minute men who last all night long. Pillman says his new journey starts by taking out the old trash of Horseman's past when he brings Double A to Hollywood.

Flair was not at ringside for this match, but Pillman came out with new attire and a new entrance, playing up a cocky ladies man role. Him and Arn stole the show with amazing back-and-forth sequences, and a mix of hard hitting technique versus high flying showboating. Pillman fought dirty, completely embracing his new heel character at every turn. In the end though, a bewildered Z-Man emerged from the crowd and tried to bum-rush the ring. Security swarmed him, but it was a big enough distraction for Pillman to lose focus and Arn to hit the Double A Spinebuster for the big win. Z-Man was escorted out of the arena in handcuffs and Pillman attempted to contest the decision due to the distraction.

Arn Anderson (4-3-2) def. Brian PIllman (1-6-2) in 15:56. This was their first ever league encounter.

Three belts on the line, with the winner going on to Clash of the Champions for a mega-unification tournament. The legendary World Champion Ric Flair against the rising Japanese sensation, Submission Supreme Nobuhiko Takada. During a press conference where Teddy Long demanded a sweep from his team, Takada was the only member of Player Enterprises to not look confident, simply remarking "but I have Flair..." 

The match is officiated by the experienced Randy Anderson, while the commentary team of Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross provide their expert analysis for the viewers at home. As the bell rings, both competitors waste no time in demonstrating their prowess. Flair, ever the master of mind games, attempts to frustrate Takada with his underhanded tactics. Takada, however, shows resilience and the signs of a burgeoning face turn, refusing to be baited by Flair's antics. Throughout the match, the commentary team emphasizes the storied careers of both competitors, highlighting Flair's 'Dirtiest Player' persona and Takada's remarkable submission skills. The crowd is captivated by the clash of styles and the intense back-and-forth action.

With the match nearing its climax, the time limit becomes a factor. The intensity rises as both competitors push themselves to the limit. Flair resorts to his signature Figure Four leg lock, attempting to force Takada into submission. But Takada, fueled by his determination and the support of the crowd, fights through the excruciating pain, refusing to succumb.

As the final seconds tick away, Takada's screams of agony fill the arena. He digs deep, summoning every ounce of resilience to hold on until the time expires. The match ends in a 20-minute time limit draw, leaving both competitors battered and exhausted in the center of the ring.

The contest ends on a note of respect, as Takada shows reverence towards Flair, recognizing his status as a wrestling legend. Teddy Long is admonishing Takada, yelling that he was supposed to win, but for the first time since joining Teddy Long, Takada seems to be disregarding his manager. JR screams that Takada has all the potential and poise in the world to become the top name in wrestling, if he can continue to show the determination he showed tonight. 

Nobuhiko Takada (4-1-4) and Ric Flair (6-1-2) went to a 20:00 minute time limit draw in a match for 3 championship titles. Takada retained the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship, The WCW United States Championship, and the Pro-Wrestling World Championship. This was their first ever encounter.

[CactusHack]

he

July Week 3, 1993 - 9:01 AM

A press conference in Atlanta is held, where WCW is expected to report on quarterly earnings for Q2. Bischoff drones on and on regarding the successes of WCW over the past 18 months, calling it a real life underdog story.

Eric Bischoff

“... and of course, none of this would have been viable had it not been for the will of Ted Turner, who believed in the product and stuck behind WCW even during it's rough patches. WCW continues to push investment into it's subsidiaries, creating the largest ecosystem professional wrestling has ever seen. Over Q2, WCW reported just shy of $9M in gross profit, thanks in no small part to our child companies taking the WCW methodologies and applying them with success. I have with me today, two gentlemen responsible for operations of these child companies, Roddy Piper and Ole Anderson.”

 

Both Piper and Anderson stand up and take a bow to a round of applause.

Eric Bischoff

“One year ago, the WCW was called mad for pouring money into subsidiaries at a time when our profitability was still in question. Wannabe journalists had begun labelling me 'ATM Eric' due to the payroll I had accumulated. But I have believed from day one that WCW could be the biggest promotion in the world, and for it to do so, it needed a better foundation. It needed meat on the bones, it couldn't just be a top heavy facade. So today, I am glad to announce some new developments on the subsidiary side that will only continue to bolster our revenue. This past month, Power Plant Wrestling has grown in stature and has begun to expand beyond just the Mid-South. PPW will begin holding events in both the South East and South West states as it's reach has expanded. Power Plant Wrestling is well on it's way to become a household brand on it's own right, and I can say with confidence that Roddy Piper has been the correct man for the helm of this company.

"Meanwhile, right in our own backyard, the LPWA has expanded on it's own right. No longer viewed as a kitschy cult product, female wrestling is beginning to be perceived in North American as a legitimate product, thanks to the hard work and great product that Ole Anderson has put out with his team.

"Both of these product's continued success will continue to be the meat on the bones of WCW as we grow further and further into a global entity. And as we grow, so to will our investments and our goodwill towards the smaller companies in our own backyard. WCW has acquired another promotion that was on the brink of extinction in Southern States Wrestling, a tiny mom-and-pop operation that will gain a new lease on life as a development ground for wrestlers looking to get their first exposure and experience in the industry.

"Thank you all for coming out today, and remember, here at WCW we are intent in putting the 'World' in World Championship Wrestling."

Power Plant Wrestling has risen to Medium Size. LPWA has risen to Small Size.

P

Edited July 3, 2023 by CactusHack

[CactusHack]

ROUND 10 CARD

Prediction Grid:

Lex Luger vs Steve Williams
Powerhouse Simmons vs Big Van Vader
Arn Anderson vs Nobuhiko Takada
Larry Zbyzsko vs Kevin Sullivan
Scott Steiner vs Ric Flair
Brian Pillman vs Rick Steiner
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Ricky Steamboat
Sting vs Rick Rude

Contest Standings:

Swinny : 0/6 - 0%
Old School Fan : 46/84 - 55%
smw88 : 45/76 - 59%
Vandal : 18/30 - 60%
Lord Byron : 52/84 - 62%
KyTeran : 10/16 - 63%
1PWfan : 15/24 - 63%
Nightshadeex : 44/70 - 63%
DHK1989 : 53/84 - 63%
mmaaddict : 25/38 - 66%
DinoKea : 31/46 - 68%

[Old School Fan]

Lex Luger vs Steve Williams
Powerhouse Simmons vs Big Van Vader
Arn Anderson vs Nobuhiko Takada
Larry Zbyzsko vs Kevin Sullivan
Scott Steiner vs Ric Flair
Brian Pillman vs Rick Steiner
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Ricky Steamboat
Sting vs Rick Rude (It's high time someone knocks Rude down a few pegs)

[DHK1989]

Lex Luger
Powerhouse Simmons
Nobuhiko Takada
Larry Zbyzsko
Ric Flair
Rick Steiner
Ricky Steamboat
Sting

[smw88]

Lex Luger vs Steve Williams
Powerhouse Simmons vs Big Van Vader
Arn Anderson vs Nobuhiko Takada
Larry Zbyzsko vs Kevin Sullivan
Scott Steiner vs Ric Flair
Brian Pillman vs Rick Steiner
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Ricky Steamboat
Sting vs Rick Rude

[mmaaddict]

Lex Luger
Powerhouse Simmons vs Big Van Vader - DRAW
Nobuhiko Takada
Kevin Sullivan
Ric Flair
Brian Pillman
Ricky Steamboat
Sting vs Rick Rude - DRAW

[Lord Byron]

My picks:  Lex Luger, Big Van Vader, Arn Anderson, Kevin Sullivan, Ric Flair, Brian Pillman, Ricky Steamboat, and Sting...

[Bigelow Cartwheel]

My gosh, the beauty that’s gone into this. Great work.

Lex Luger vs Steve Williams
Powerhouse Simmons vs Big Van Vader
Arn Anderson vs Nobuhiko Takada
Larry Zbyzsko vs Kevin Sullivan
Scott Steiner vs Ric Flair
Brian Pillman vs Rick Steiner
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Ricky Steamboat
Sting vs Rick Rude

Come on, Sting!!

[CactusHack]

CMLL expanded, is officially considered the big promotion of Mexico.

Sumo Wrestler Koji Kitao has taken an MMA fight. He holds a professional record of 0-1.

Rookie female wrestler Ruth Morris has quit LMLW. The unpredictable young wrestler isn’t doing herself any favours by walking out on her first job.

Young Lion Tokimitsu Ishizawa renewed his contract with NJPW, for 100K over 3 years.

Young Lion Yugi Nagata renewed his contract with NJPW, for 208K over 3 years.

WWF renewed referee Jimmy Korderas to $580K over four years.

Medium sized Japanese promotion Super World of Sports is circling the drain as it continues to bleed money. Several workers within the promotion have expressed increased frustration with the company as bookings have dried up. It seems as though the bulk of the burden lies with CEO and Booker Genichiro Tenryu, who has himself under a $2.5M per year contract.

CMLL has signed 47 year old Perro Aguayo to an exclusive $3.5M over 18 month contract. CMLL had loaned the mega star from AAA several times over the past year and with their recent growth, a massive full time signing like this was inevitable - but make rock their relationship with AAA.

WWF have renewed The Iron Sheik to a $340K contract over 18 months. The 50 year old manager retired from the ring just two months ago.

Matt Borne (who portrays Doink the Clown in WCW) has gotten absolutely shredded during his recovery of a broken neck.

Felino lost his mask to Super Raton in a ladder match.

Boris Zhukov def. Dancing Wolf to win the AWF Americas title for the first time.

Misterioso def. Brazo de Oro to win the CMLL World Middleweight championship for the first time.

Atlantis def. Perro Aguayo to win the Mexican National Welterweight Championship for the first time.

Damage Inc (Mitsuhiro Matsunaga & Tarzan Goto) def. Hisakatsu Oya and Sambo Asako to claim the vacant FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team titles for the first time.

Rocky Moran def. Gary B. Ware to win the NWA British Commonwealth championship for the first time.

Dancing Wolf and Hercules Ayala won the vacant AWF World Tag Team Championships. This is their first reign.

Goto & Super Strong def. Bam Bam Bigelow and Osamu Kido to win the IWGP World Tag Titles for the first time.

Tomato Watanabe def. Reggie Bennett to win the IWA Women’s World Championship for the first time.

Anthony Michaels, Keisuke Yamada, Todd Pettengill, Princesa Blanca have all entered the wrestling world

[Nightshadeex]

Lex Luger vs Steve Williams
Powerhouse Simmons vs Big Van Vader
Arn Anderson vs Nobuhiko Takada - Flair Interference!
Larry Zbyzsko vs Kevin Sullivan
Scott Steiner vs Ric Flair
Brian Pillman vs Rick Steiner
Bam Bam Bigelow vs Ricky Steamboat - Hurts to not pick the Dragon
Sting vs Rick Rude - Draw

 

 

How many people do you have under contract throughout WCW and all the subsidiaries?

Edited July 16, 2023 by Nightshadeex

[CactusHack]

Two matches stole the show on WCW's B show over the course of round 10. The Lucha team of Solar and Blue Panther defeated Canadian duo Sudden Impact in a great match, and then Ultimo Dragon over came El Dandy. The international showcase for WCW continues expose more and more highly talented foreign names.

JR's Indie Spotlight highlighted 27 year old Penelope Paradise, a rising female star who captured the LMLW International Championship, USWA Women's Championship and WWoW Television championship over the course of 1992. Romantically linked to Jack Victory, Penelope is a charismatic young lady with a ton of swagger and goes under the moniker of 'Perfect in Pink'. JR also highlighted lucha libre star Solar - the 37 year old is a former champion across three separate weight classes in Mexico, and a submission specialist who is currently climbing the WCW ranks in the Power Plant. Lastly, JR put the spotlight on British 27 year old lightweight, Robbie Brookside. Robbie had captured a few titles in the UK during his formative years, including a tag team championship with Doc Dean as 'The Liverpool Lads'. The duo have recently been popping up in the Southern States promotion.

At the Power Plant, Round Ten Night One was headlined by the undefeated 'Hotstuff' Eddie Gilbert taking on 'The Tennessee Prodigy' Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett was accompanied by his entourage of Leatherface and Disorderly Conduct and the first place favourite was consistently distracted by Jarrett's cronies. Eddie was able to ward off Jarrett's goons and hit the Hot Shot, but Jarrett landed and rolled out of the ring, surviving the final bell. The draw meant that Rayo De Jalisco Jr's victory over Mr. Hughes puts him only a single point behind Eddie Gilbert for the top spot. Eddie continues to put on the best performances of the division, and his match against Jarrett was the best match of the round.

Elsewhere, in a battle of friends, Action Jackson defeated his occasional tag team partner Tony Norris.

The Power Plant's main event of Round Ten in the Tag Team Division was the team of La Cultura Torcida (Eddie Guerrero and Konnan) taking on The Southern Rockers. In a great match, the team of Konnan and Guerrero managed to claim victory and move to 23 points on the season. However there efforts were once again secondary as the more seasoned luchadors, Solar and Blue Panther, stole the show again with an impressive victory over the floundering Rock N Roll RPMs. With their decisive victory, Solar and Panther move to 24 points, giving them sole possession of first place for the season. With Southern Rockers losing their match, they fell out of their first place tie, as did Speed Eleven who were upset by Disorderly Conduct thanks to a distraction from 'The Tennessee Prodigy' Jeff Jarrett.

Ultimo Dragon took home the bonus for best performance of the round in his losing effort. This was his second straight best performance, and his eight of the season within his division.

Elsewhere, the team of Jesse Barr and Tom Davis continued their mid season push with their fourth win in their last five matches, defeating the favoured Simpson Brothers. And lastly, The Original Midnight Express continue their terrible season with another loss - critics are beginning to call for Dennis Condrey to call it a career as he looks awful in the ring at this point.

Over in the ladies division, Round Ten was headlined by Akira Hokuto taking the rising star Debbie Malenko. Despite being a complete unknown in the States to start the season off, Debbie performances have continued to win over the rabid fanbase of LPWA, and she won more fans over despite the losing effort against the undefeated Akira Hokuto. The match was the clear cut most well-received match of the round and by the end, the 22 year old Malenko was scoring believable near falls over the heavy favorite. Akira's development into the leading lady in the promotion continues to carry the show, as she won best performance of the Round for the seventh time this season.

Elsewhere in the division, Madusa's impeccable run to rebound from a terrible start hit it's first roadblock after six straight wins when she went up against the undefeated Magnificent Mimi. Neither lady was able to assert their dominance as they went the distance and Madusa dropped her first points since round three. And the Glamour Girls continue to descend down the rankings as both Judy Martin and Leilani Kai lost their respective matches.

Lastly, in a bit of a shock, Candi Devine was unable to pick up the win over lower-ranked Denise Storm as the two went twenty minutes to a draw. There was clear frustration developing with Candi, who started out the season with a 4-1-0 record, and has not been able to pick up a victory since. The usually bubbly babyface showed several heelish tendencies after her match.

In the great white north, the Canadian Grand Prix was co-headlined by two marquee matches. First, Buddy Landel maintained his current momentum with a win over Lance Storm. The two highly ranked stars put on an absolute clinic, and Landel has been very vocal since concussing Hulk Hogan that he's the biggest star that the promotion has, the only man capable of going toe-to-toe with the Hulkster. For the first time this season though, it appeared as Landel's mouth is starting to actually line up to his actions. Despite clearly being positioned as the co-main event behind Misawa and Buddy Hart, Landel and Storm came out of Round Ten having stolen the show with the best match.

Speaking of the other headliner, Misawa maintained his perfect season with a hard fought battle against Buddy Hart, putting an end to his 5 match win streak and furthering the rift that has developed between the top two ranked wrestlers, and everyone else. Misawa again put on the best individual performance of the round, and it seems as though there won't be any challengers to his throne as he looks to sweep the season both from a win-loss standpoint and a performance scoring standpoint. His adversary, Rick Titan, also maintained his perfect record with a dominant win over Blackheart Devastation.

Also worth noting, plucky rookie and youngest competitor across all WCW brands Rey Misterio Jr picked up a shock win over 'Heat Seeker' Chip Thompson. There is a certain sense of destiny tied to Misterio Jr, as the 18 year old continues to seriously impress in the ring despite his age and size.

[CactusHack]

9 hours ago, Nightshadeex said:

How many people do you have under contract throughout WCW and all the subsidiaries?

WCW has 103 workers
PPW has 71 workers
WFWA has 45 workers
LPWA has 44 workers
and new tiny promotion SSW has 30 workers.

There's a bit of overlap here and there (ie Announce staff and road agents) but total is roughly 280 workers. 152 workers assigned to the individual to divisions, and tons of jobbers assigned to developing through dark matches and b-show matches. A ton of the jobbers are just wrestlers that have positive impacts on the backstage for each of the subsidiaries. Like, I've got the Batten Twins in my new upstart despite no intentions of using them seriously because they both have positive people skills and were able to stabilize the backstage morale there, for very little overall impact to the bottom line.

I'm definitely going to have to trim at the end of the year though, as Heyman (sorry, Dangerously), Sting, Simmons and Pillman's contracts will all come due and renewing them will probably cost me an extra half-million per month. 

[sonny912]

1 hour ago, CactusHack said:

WCW has 103 workers
PPW has 71 workers
WFWA has 45 workers
LPWA has 44 workers
and new tiny promotion SSW has 30 workers.

There's a bit of overlap here and there (ie Announce staff and road agents) but total is roughly 280 workers. 152 workers assigned to the individual to divisions, and tons of jobbers assigned to developing through dark matches and b-show matches. A ton of the jobbers are just wrestlers that have positive impacts on the backstage for each of the subsidiaries. Like, I've got the Batten Twins in my new upstart despite no intentions of using them seriously because they both have positive people skills and were able to stabilize the backstage morale there, for very little overall impact to the bottom line.

I'm definitely going to have to trim at the end of the year though, as Heyman (sorry, Dangerously), Sting, Simmons and Pillman's contracts will all come due and renewing them will probably cost me an extra half-million per month. 

Jesus! Something's never change do they?

[CactusHack]

11 minutes ago, sonny912 said:

Jesus! Something's never change do they?

Meh, everyone wrestles and my mega stars are super low risk for injury / burnout due to the roster size. I can ensure Saturday Night's are bangers without too much risk of major injury derailing plans, and having depth to provide logical reactions if something does goes awry. I did the same tournament structure with TNA 2010 and had no real contingencies. Plan was for Lashley to go undefeated for the bulk to build up to a Styles vs Lashley mega match, only for Lashley to break his neck in the third round to midcard Rhino of all guys. Had to course correct by putting in Luke Gallows of all people and after I finished year one I had nowhere to go. I felt like there was no progression plan.

Plus - as a soccer nut, relegation / promotion structure is super engaging to me, but there needs to be levels to it. It's what gives depth and importance to the history, and makes every match matter that much more.

[Nightshadeex]

11 hours ago, CactusHack said:

Meh, everyone wrestles and my mega stars are super low risk for injury / burnout due to the roster size. I can ensure Saturday Night's are bangers without too much risk of major injury derailing plans, and having depth to provide logical reactions if something does goes awry. I did the same tournament structure with TNA 2010 and had no real contingencies. Plan was for Lashley to go undefeated for the bulk to build up to a Styles vs Lashley mega match, only for Lashley to break his neck in the third round to midcard Rhino of all guys. Had to course correct by putting in Luke Gallows of all people and after I finished year one I had nowhere to go. I felt like there was no progression plan.

Plus - as a soccer nut, relegation / promotion structure is super engaging to me, but there needs to be levels to it. It's what gives depth and importance to the history, and makes every match matter that much more.

I'm still having a lot of fun reading along with this. I can't wait for Misawa to be on the main roster.

[CactusHack]

WCW World Wide featured a main event to hype two upcoming singles matches in the Grand Prix, when the Steiner Bros teamed together to face Ric Flair and Brian Pillman. The match was electric, as all four men appeared to be looking to steal the show on this night. Flair and Pillman were teaming together for the first time since they paired up to rebirth the Four Horsemen. The wild back-and-forth action ended in a shock when former member of The Dangerous Alliance, Steve Austin, jumped the rail at ringside and clobbered Rick Steiner. After Ric scored the pin, Flair and Pillman raised Steve Austin's arms and posed to close the show, signalling that Steve Austin may be the third member of The Four Horsemen. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer rated this match 5 stars in the Observer, his first 5 star rating of 1993. The last five star rated match WCW had received was the 91 War Games match, which happened to include all four men present here. After the match, the group of Flair, Austin and Pillman beat down the Steiners. The Lonestar Cowboys attempted to make the save, but were beaten down as well.

Meanwhile, there was lots of build for Hogan's return to the ring after he suffered a concussion in his first match with WCW. He came out in his new blue and pink colour scheme and put over his first opponent, Buddy Landel, stating that WCW is no joke - the only hire talent that can compete at this level. He then says that he's here to call out the whole world, stating he is the face of World Wide, and he's here to bring WCW to the 'Hulk Hogan level'. 

Hulk Hogan: "You know, the United States has always been my home, brother. I've fought battles from sea to shining sea, and I've proudly represented the red, white, and blue. But it's time for Hulkamania to spread its wings and conquer new territories! I want the world to know that Hulk Hogan is not just an American icon but a global force to be reckoned with! So, listen up, brothers and sisters from around the globe! I'm issuing a challenge to every wrestler, every champion, every warrior out there! Whether you're from Japan, England, Mexico, or anywhere else in this big, beautiful world, I want you to step up and face the power of Hulkamania! Because I know that there are athletes out there who have what it takes to test the might of the Hulkster!"

"To all my Hulkamaniacs out there, get ready for a whole new era of Hulkamania! We're going global, brother! Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania World Wide runs wild on you?"

Player Enterprises answered his challenge and it seemed that they were teasing a Hulk Hogan vs Great Muta match, only for Terry Taylor to accept the match. The duo put on a terrific main event, as Taylor stretched Hogan beyond the standard Grand Prix time limit, only for Hogan to hit the leg drop and then submit Taylor with a Stretch Plum, to which the announce booth mentioned they would need to ask Hogan what he calls that hold. 

The other big focus was build to the 'Clash of the Champions', as the brackets were formalized for the one-night tournament. Sting would face Stan Hansen, while Jushin Liger would face Nobuhiko Takada. The winners would then meet in the main event on the same night.

In the opening match of Round 10, Big Van Vader and Powerhouse Simmons collided for a showdown. JR mentions that Simmons came up short against Vader last year, both in Grand Prix competition and in a World Championship match on Pay Per View, and wonders if he can rebound from his current losing skid and overcome a hurdle that has blocked his path to immortality. 

Vader, with his massive frame and unyielding aggression, took control early on, overwhelming Simmons with a relentless onslaught of strikes and power moves. However, Simmons, living up to his moniker of Powerhouse, refused to back down, absorbing Vader's punishment and firing back with thunderous blows of his own. As the match wore on, the intensity only grew, with the two warriors trading bone-rattling suplexes and earth-shattering slams. Each attempted to gain the upper hand, but the resilience of both competitors was on full display.

In a pivotal moment, Vader managed to catch Simmons off guard, sending him crashing to the mat with a brutal Vader Bomb. The impact echoed through the arena as Vader went for the cover. But Simmons, fueled by sheer determination, kicked out at the last possible moment, keeping the match alive. Undeterred, Vader pressed on, unleashing his signature Vader Hammer on Simmons, leaving him gasping for breath. With an ominous grin on his face, Vader ascended to the top rope, positioning himself for his devastating Moonsault finisher. In a display of sheer power, Vader launched himself through the air, crashing down onto Simmons with incredible force. The impact was enough to secure the three-count, and the referee's hand hit the mat for the final time.

The week following his match, Powerhouse Simmons sat in on Jesse Ventura and Magnum TA's "Inside the Squared Circle" segment and they discussed his recent string of losses. Simmons says that simply put, he has to be better to compete at this level. He's a former world champion, but right now, he doesn't feel like one. Sure, he's in the ring with the best wrestlers the world has to offer, but if he's not at the top of the rankings then there is more training to do.

Big Van Vader (7-2-1) def. Ron Simmons (4-4-2) in 14:58. Vader improves to 2-0-0 all time against Simmons.

Topping night one was Lex Luger taking on Dr. Death. Williams was accompanied by the entire 'Shooter's Club' group of Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, Johnny B Badd and manager Jody Hamilton, alongside their new recruit Masahito Kakihara. Williams is looking to move away from a relegation spot as he's currently tied with Ricky Steamboat for the cut-off spot, and holds the advantage due to defeating Steamboat in round one.

In a high-stakes showdown, Lex Luger and Steve Williams locked horns in an epic clash of powerhouses. The match started off with an explosive display of strength from both competitors, each trying to gain the upper hand. Luger's impressive physique and Williams' tenacious demeanor made for an intense matchup from the get-go. As the bout progressed, the action reached a fever pitch, with near falls and close calls keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. Luger and Williams showcased their technical prowess and brute force, leaving the crowd in awe of their athleticism.

However, just when it seemed like the momentum was swinging in Williams' favor, an unexpected outside distraction changed the course of the match. Suddenly, the team of True Grit appeared at ringside, attacking Johnny B Badd from behind before running backstage as Severn and Shamrock gave chase, causing a momentary distraction for Williams.

Seizing the opportunity, Luger took advantage of the distraction and delivered a devastating clothesline to Williams, sending him sprawling to the canvas. The referee, momentarily distracted by True Grit's antics, turned back to the action just in time to see Luger covering Williams for the three-count.

Due to the nature of Luger's victory, Dusty booked a tag team exhibition between Luger and Vader, and Williams and Simmons for World Wide, which the faces emerged victorious in. Lex Luger, extremely frustrated about continuing to get booked in matches outside of the Grand Prix, had a violent outburst backstage.

Lex Luger (6-2-2) def. Steve Williams (3-5-2) in 16:48. Luger improves to 2-0-0 all time against Dr. Death.

Round Ten saw Jushin Liger defend his WCW Television Championship against Steve Austin, who was supported by his new alliance of The Four Horsemen (sans a fourth) in a battle to determine who would compete in the 'Clash of the Champions'. The two stars of Division Two have identical records in the 93 season so far, but in their only previous match Liger came out victorious. With the notorious 'Dirtiest Player in the Game' Ric Flair in Austin's corner now, Liger opted to bring reinforcements to ringside as he was joined by Steamboat and the Lonestar Cowboys tag team. The two put on a clinic, going the twenty minutes to the time limit, without ever slowing down. Liger retained as a result of the draw and will go on to Clash of the Champions.

Meanwhile, The Great Muta was handed his first defeat in a Grand Prix match as Diamond Dallas Page rebounded from a loss against Terry Taylor to shock the previously undefeated Muta. Cactus Jack maintained first place in the division with a victory over Nikita Koloff in a violently hardcore match. And Tully Blanchard lost his third straight, distracted by the events occurring with The Dangerous Alliance that will be detailed in the summary of Rick Rude vs Sting.

Week Two kicked off with 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair in action against 'American Muscle' Scott Steiner. The duo were hot off their critically acclaimed tag team match on World Wide, and looked to steal the show once again. At ringside, brother Rick and Missy Hyatt accompanied Scott, while Austin and Pillman were in the corner of the Nature Boy. The younger Scott Steiner set out early to take control of the former world champion, using his strength and collegiate background to manhandle Flair and keep him neutralized during the early stages of the match. Flair quickly realizes that he's out-matched strength wise and starts to focus on playing mind games with Scott.

On the outside, Pillman starts flirting with Hyatt, which causes a bit of tension as Rick confronts him and Austin jumps in too. Scott gets distracted by the commotion and takes a chop block to the back of his knee. Honed in, Flair goes on the assault to Scott's leg and it's relentless. Scott tries to fight back, while playing the part of a wounded and cornered animal. Flair looks excellent here as he goads Steiner into meeting him in the middle of the ring, mocking his injury. Scott falls for the bait and despite taking down Flair, he ends up in the Figure Four with nowhere to go! Scott screams in pain and taps out. After the match, Rick and Missy Hyatt seem to be arguing.

Ric Flair (7-1-2) def. Scott Steiner (2-6-2) in 18:28. This was their first ever encounter in WCW's Grand Prix.

Prior to the match between Sullivan and Zbyzsko, dubbed 'The Battle at the Bottom', Kevin Sullivan sat down with Jesse Ventura to discuss the match. Sullivan was intense and unhinged, yet extremely soft spoken. He says that over the past couple of months, he had lost it all and now that there is nothing left to lose, he is finally free to inflict whatever chaos he deems fit. When asked about how he felt about picking up his first win last round, he look at Jesse and was bewildered, stating he hasn't won anything yet.

The match between the two was gritty and full of story, as Sullivan seemed only in inflicting pain and torture, while Zbyzsko would use his superior technique to attempt to create distance and slow down The Taskmaster. Larry had Sullivan in a body vice, and Sullivan started attempting to break Larry's fingers, causing Larry to release the hold. Sullivan then went to work, just battering Larry with everything he had, and JR sympathized with Larry. "You know, Sullivan may say he's lost it all, but Larry was a champion - a champion for christ's sake - last year, and a member of a prominent stable that is no more. You gotta feel for Larry, he's criminally good in between the ropes."

In the end, Kevin had bloodied Larry and put him away with the Devil Stomp. After the match, Magnum TA caught up with Sullivan and asked him about his new winning streak. Sullivan seemed insane and depressed, saying none of it matters.

Kevin Sullivan (2-8-0) def. Larry Zbyzsko (1-9-0) in 16:03 by pin. This was their first ever encounter in WCW's Grand Prix.

In the highly anticipated main event for night two, Nobuhiko Takada faced off against the crafty Arn Anderson in a battle of technical prowess and ring savvy. The atmosphere was charged with respect and admiration as both competitors entered the ring, knowing they were in for a true wrestling clinic. From the opening bell, it was evident that this match would be a display of technical mastery and sportsmanship. Takada, known for his precision striking and submission expertise, and Anderson, renowned for his calculated approach and expert grappling, engaged in a back-and-forth exchange that showcased their mutual respect for the art of wrestling.

Throughout the contest, Takada and Anderson countered each other's maneuvers with precision, leaving the audience in awe. The crowd was treated to a display of seamless transitions and well-executed holds, each wrestler attempting to gain the upper hand without sacrificing their respect for one another. As the match progressed, Takada's striking began to take its toll on Anderson, leaving him dazed and staggered. Takada expertly targeted his opponent's limbs, looking to weaken him and set up for a potential submission victory. Anderson, refusing to give in, showed his resilience and determination, absorbing the punishment and attempting to mount his own offense.

However, the damage inflicted by Takada's strikes proved to be too much for Anderson to overcome. Sensing that his opponent was in no condition to continue, the referee made the tough decision to stop the match, ensuring the safety of both competitors. In an act of true sportsmanship, Takada immediately checked on Anderson's well-being, showing genuine concern for his fallen adversary. Takada continues to be a force to reckon with as he is in the top third of the division, while Arn remains in the middle of the rankings.

Nobuhiko Takada (5-1-4) def. Arn Anderson (4-4-2) in 19:20 by way of referee stoppage. This was their first ever encounter in WCW's Grand Prix.

During Round Nine, The Terrors and The Outsiders agreed to add stakes to their match up, with the winner claiming the spot of number one contender to the Colussi's tag team titles. The two teams faced off in a battle of giants, and it was a chaotic scene as referee Mike Atkins struggled to maintain order. During a frantic finish, Scott Hall attempted to lift One Man Gang for a powerbomb, but collapsed while doing so. Hall grabbed his ankle and head official Randy Anderson ran down with some medics to tend to Hall - Hall pulled Atkins in and refused the attention of the medics. Meanwhile, Nash clobbered Gang with a chair and then Hall shoved Atkins backwards so that he could see the pin attempt. Nash pinned Gang, only for head official Randy Anderson to jump up on the apron and over-turn the decision, disqualifying The Outsiders.

Despite The Terrors having won the rights to a title match against The Colussi with their win over The Outsiders, The Outsiders have a match against the undefeated team in Round 11 and state that due to their record they should get a title shot anyway. Big argument. This results in a three way stand-off of giant men, as The Terrors, The Colussi, and The Outsiders all argue in the middle of the ring, while the much shorter by comparison Scotty Flamingo tries to maintain order in a comedic display. In a moment of hilarity, Flamingo extravagantly telling The Outsiders that they "gotta join my flamboyance" to which Hall responded, "dude, not that there is anything wrong with it, but I don't go that way. Kev?" To which Nash broke character, bobbing his head side to side and saying "meh, I dabble." Mostly everyone in the ring corpsed and by the next show the crowd was littered with risque signs about 'joining the flamboyance'.

Another key story in the tag division was the build up to True Grit versus The Shooter's Club. Since Shamrock had returned, Shooters had gone four straight without a loss. In the lead up to the match however, True Grit singled out and attacked the Shooter's stable mates one by one. They even showed up on Main Event and attacked Severn's former partner, Norman Smiley, to get into the heads of their opponents. When the two teams faced off, the match was shockingly good and ended with a surprise victory for the brash heels when Bull Gantner rolled up Shamrock for the three count. 

Elsewhere in the tag division, The Samoan Savages managed to score a massive upset victory over The Lonestar Cowboys, ending their undefeated streak. And the Killer Bees remained without a single point, suffering their 10th straight loss of 1993.

The final night of Round Ten kicked off with the second bout of Horsemen versus Steiners. Both men were flanked by their support. In between this match and Ric versus Scott, Tully Blanchard approached the Horsemen looking to join them. Flair ignored Tully, instead rallying Pillman and Austin to go out drinking and partying with girls.

From the outset, it was clear that Pillman had no intentions of engaging in a fair contest, resorting to cunning tactics and underhanded tricks. Rick Steiner, with his impressive amateur wrestling background, showcased his technical prowess, executing crisp takedowns and flawless mat maneuvers. Despite Pillman's attempts to rattle him, Steiner remained focused and determined to win on his own merits.

As the match progressed, Pillman's slimy demeanor became increasingly apparent. He taunted Steiner, bailing out of the ring whenever Steiner gained momentum and using the ropes for leverage in various holds. Pillman's cohorts, the opportunistic Steve Austin and the charismatic Ric Flair, lurked at ringside, providing distractions and interfering whenever the referee's attention was diverted.

Despite Pillman's attempts to gain an unfair advantage, Steiner remained relentless, countering his opponent's cheap shots with powerful slams and suplexes. The crowd rallied behind Steiner, applauding his display of true sportsmanship in the face of Pillman's cowardly antics. Things broke down when Z-Man Tom Zenk attempted to run in and tackled Flair. Security swarmed before anything further could happen. However, with Nick Patrick's attention diverted, just when it seemed like Steiner had Pillman cornered, Austin seized the opportunity to trip Steiner from the outside. The distraction allowed Pillman to capitalize, delivering a low blow behind the referee's back.

With Steiner temporarily incapacitated, Pillman executed a controversial roll-up pin, grabbing a handful of tights for extra leverage. The referee's count went unnoticed, and Pillman secured the victory in a tainted fashion.

Brian Pillman (2-6-2) def. Rick Steiner (2-8-0) in 15:16. This was their first ever encounter in WCW's Grand Prix.

As the Beast of the East made his way to the ring with his Player Enterprises brethren, JR and Schiavone discussed the importance of this match with both men in the middle of the rankings and looking to put distance between themselves and relegation. Both men have identical outcomes for their last four matches.

From the start, Steamboat showcased his remarkable stamina and agility, evading Bigelow's powerful strikes and using his speed to keep the bigger opponent off-balance. The crowd marveled at Steamboat's ability to outmaneuver his younger adversary, and it seemed like the veteran might just have the upper hand. Steamboat's strategy became evident as the match progressed - he aimed to outlast and tire out the imposing Bigelow, taking advantage of his experience to capitalize on any openings. Steamboat's game plan was working, as he managed to wear down the heavyweight with a series of well-placed kicks and quick strikes.

However, as the match neared its climax, a critical moment changed the course of the contest. While attempting a high-flying maneuver off the top rope, Steamboat slightly mistimed his jump, leading to a painful landing on his leg. The impact temporarily stunned Steamboat, allowing Bigelow to seize the opportunity. With his opponent momentarily weakened, Bam Bam Bigelow pounced on the opportunity, unleashing a barrage of powerful slams and punishing maneuvers. Steamboat, now battling through the pain of his misstep, fought valiantly to regain control, but the damage was done.

In a dramatic finale, Bigelow hoisted Steamboat onto his shoulders and executed a devastating powerslam, driving Steamboat into the mat with tremendous force. The referee's hand hit the canvas for the three-count, and the match was over - Bigelow emerged victorious. Bigelow jumps past Anderson and Simmons into seventh place in the Premier League.

Bam Bam Bigelow (5-4-1) def. Ricky Steamboat (3-5-2) in 16:34. They had drawn their only previous encounter.

The main event to finish off Round 10. Which ever individual comes out on top will be the top ranked wrestler in the Premier League. In the case of a draw, Sting would maintain his top ranking by virtue of points. This match was the main talking point for the entire round. During week one, both men sat in on Ventura and Magnum's 'Inside the Squared Circle' segment to discuss their upcoming match. Both men were super professional, citing that they've both been to extreme heights, and it's moments like this that they live for. Rude says he has the advantage as this is the biggest match of his career. There is more on the line here than ever before for him, whereas Sting has been here before. Magnum asks Rude how he felt about his former stablemate Steve Austin joining The Four Horsemen, and Rude snapped, flipping a table and storming off of the set and Paul E Dangerously chased after him, trying to calm his client down.

The following week, a press conference was held to hype the major main event. Rude was accompanied by his remaining stablemates of The Dangerous Alliance, when he shockingly announced that he was disbanding the faction for good. Rude says that he's been a man on a mission for a while now, and it's clear that he's outgrown the stable. He wishes everyone the best, but says it's time for him to be his own man. Dangerously is floored by this.

The match is officiated by the head referee Randy Anderson, while the commentary team of Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross provide their expert analysis for the viewers at home. The two opponents come to the ring unaccompanied, making their entrances with a ton of extra pageantry. The atmosphere developed is flawless - the crowd is fully invested in this one.

Nothing is held back - both men go all out to steal the show in their effort to claim the top spot. Sting flew around, hitting exciting arial maneuvers and building momentum. Rude hit a couple of his former finishing moves (DDT's and a Canadian Backbreaker Rack Drop) for near falls as JR commented that Rude is reaching deep into his bag of tricks here, and will need to if he wants to be the top guy.

Rick Rude goes for the Rude Awakening, but Sting reverses it, dropping Rude to the mat in prime position for the Scorpion Death Lock. Sting tries to lock it in, but Rude is writhing back and forth. Rude seems to get out, pulling away, but Sting steps forward to pull Rude closer - and Rude rolls up Sting! 1, 2.... 3! Rick Rude has overtaken the top spot in the 1993 Premier League! Sting is stands alone in the ring as Rude celebrates. Sting looks disappointed as JR wonders how Sting will recover from this loss, as tomorrow night he competes in a one-night tournament for all the gold!

Rick Rude (8-2-0) def. Sting (8-2-0) in 17:44  They are now split 1-1 all time against each other.

[CactusHack]

CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS CARD

Prediction Grid:

Sting vs Stan Hansen
Jushin Liger vs Nobuhiko Takada
Sting or Hansen vs Liger or Takada

Contest Standings:

Swinny : 0/6 - 0%
Bigelow Cartwheel : 3/8 - 38%
Old School Fan : 50/92 - 55%
Vandal : 18/30 - 60%
smw88 : 50/84 - 60%
DHK1989 : 56/92 - 61%
Nightshadeex : 48/78 - 62%
Lord Byron : 57/92 - 62%
KyTeran : 10/16 - 63%
1PWfan : 15/24 - 63%
mmaaddict : 30/46 - 66%
DinoKea : 31/46 - 68%

[CactusHack]

August Week 3, 1993 - 2:00 PM - Bankroll

Bischoff and Ted Turner are meeting at WCW headquarters. Kip Allen is nowhere's to be found.

Eric Bischoff

“... Thank you, Ted. Your unwavering support of our product will only continue to help see WCW reach heights never before imagined.”

 

Ted Turner

“I have always held the pro wrestling product in high regard - and with our current rise in ratings, we are within grasp of overtaking WWF programming at the top of the ratings. The past year has proved that WCW can be a prosperous and profitable asset to TBS, so this extra spend is only skimming a bit of profit off the top. Rest assured, Bischoff - I want WCW to be the most viewed wrestling show on cable television. So - go on, you have been give approval to license music from major acts. $100K in expenses per month, signed off on. You said this is what WCW needs to take it's next step in the marketplace, and you've been right so far.”

 

Eric Bischoff

“Of course Ted. I too want WCW Saturday Night to be viewed as the most important sports show on TV. Akin to Sunday Night Football even. And well... Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting... Elton John's classic single will be the first song I license - the new theme of WCW Saturday Night!”

 

 

 

Authors Note

Sigh... I feel like this is going to come off as lazy due to Collision opting to use the same song just a few weeks ago for launch. I wanted to wait until my company was in a strong enough position on the finance side to make this jump - was worried that Hogan's contract may make my profit margin too low for me to be able to increase the production quality by the extra 100k without having a monthly PPV to raise profit levels... C'est la vie, right? I considered changing songs, but... well... it's WCW Saturday Night - it just writes itself, now doesn't it?

Hitting the home stretch on the season though - I've been toying around to decide the 94 graphics. I've come up with what I think the layout and effect will be, but I've also been toying around on my numbers (mac excel) sheet to come up with a way to auto populate all the data (record, name, gimmick). Trying to figure out a happy medium to reduce effort required and still generate graphics I can be happy with.

[DHK1989]

Sting
Nobuhiko Takada
Sting

[Lord Byron]

My picks:  Sting, Nobuhiko Takada, Sting...