The W
June 7, 2009 - birthdaybritney.jpg
Views: 178985236
Main | FAQ | Search: Y! / G | Calendar | Color chart | Log in for more!
28.3.24 0425
The W - Pro Wrestling - On This (Yester)Day: WCW Nitro - May 27, 1996 - Razor's Edge
This thread has 7 referrals leading to it
Register and log in to post!
Thread rated: 5.07
Pages: 1
(2142 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
User
Post (14 total)
cfgb
Bierwurst








Since: 2.1.02
From: Ottawa, Ontario

Since last post: 571 days
Last activity: 31 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.96
You’ll note during this series that I haven’t brought up ratings between WCW and WWF. Truthfully, I never really bought into the “ratings” the way certain company presidents seemed to base their life on it. They were however relevant, and the early success of Nitro (in which they traded ratings leads with the WWF back and forth) led to them getting more air time. Ted Turner was so pleased with the program he gave them a second hour, which would give them an extra hour unopposed. Their petty game plan was to put Vince McMahon out of business, and for better or worse, they were prepared to do whatever it took to get the job done.
 
TONY SCHIAVONE can’t WAIT but gloat about the program being the BIGGEST PROGRAM IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING. Hour #1 features Schiavone, and LARRY ZBYSZKO. Oh good, we’re getting into the C-level announcers. Perhaps we should expand to 3 hours and put Chris Cruise in a prominent role. Also, Shark gets a title shot. DON’T CHANGE THAT CHANNEL!
 
THE AMERICAN MALES vs. RIC FLAIR (with Woman and Elizabeth) and ARN ANDERSON
 
This is a warm up for the Great American Bash, where Flair and Anderson will take on Team NFL. Larry suggests Mongo just invoke his pre-nup and toss Debra to the side. The Horsemen take Riggs to the floor to work him over, while Bagwell stands on the apron like a doof and watches it happen. Back in, a brawl erupts, with Bagwell dropkicking Flair all over the place. Ric is dumped to the floor, Anderson isn’t far behind, and now we clap! Flair goes to his VIP section and grabs some champagne, which seemingly has the same effect as Super Mario grabbing a magic mushroom, because he’s back baby! And we’re taking a commercial break.
 
Back live, Bagwell is beating up both Horsemen all by himself. Riggs and Anderson tag in and square off. Arn clips Riggs, and starts working over the leg. Flair’s VIP section bring champagne to the announcers, and as Tony lambasts them for it, he certainly isn’t holding back from indulging. Riggs is having his leg torn to shreds by both members of the Horsemen, and is going to be gimping for a week. Flair hits a single leg atomic drop, and Arn drives his knee into Riggs repeatedly. Riggs does the only thing he can do, hitting an enzuigiri with the good leg, and that sends Anderson sprawling to the floor. Flair freaks out, and starts fighting with the referee. Riggs gets the hot tag, and Bagwell runs through his whole move set: Scoop slam, dropkick, backdrop. Missile dropkick on Flair gets 2, and Riggs avalanches Arn. Bagwell goes to finish with a small package but the referee is getting Riggs out of the ring, and in the confusion, Arn simply rolls them back the other way for 2. Riggs won’t stay out of the ring, as we get more shenanigans. Bagwell tries to finish with the Fisherman’s Buster, but Riggs’ stupidity again has the referee busy, and Arn punts Bagwell like a football to break. Riggs dropkicks Flair, and the referee warns him for the 100th time. Woman pokes Bagwell in the eyes, Arn DDT’s Buff, and Flair gets the pin at 9:58. Flair celebrates by dumping a glass of champagne on his head. **1/2
 
“MEAN” GENE OKERLUND meets the Horsemen down by the VIP Section. Arn reminds Mongo that at the Great American Bash, there’s no protective gear in their world. Flair brags about all the sex he’s had with Liz and Woman all weekend, and tells Mongo that while he’s been playing Football, Flair’s been making up for lost time with Debra.
 
Here is a very special video montage of Kevin Greene and Mongo McMichael lifting weights. Oh.
 
STEVE DOLL vs. THE MAULER (with Colonel Robert Parker)
 
Well, I don’t know about you, but I sensed there was a big WWF return coming tonight, and here’s Mike Enos joining Robert Parker’s stud stable. I can barely contain my excitement in Blake Beverly making the jump to WCW. Doll is launched across the ring with a second rope fallaway slam, while Larry can’t help but stare deeply in Mauler’s eyes. Enos charges at Doll, and both guys go tumbling to the floor. Doll is sent head first to the ring post, and we have to take a commercial break because this Prime Quality Match just needs that EXTRA time.
 
Back live, the fans are losing their stuff, because … wait a sec, RAZOR RAMON is walking around!!! He jumps the guard rail, and steals a microphone from ringside. The wrestlers in the ring sort of just take off, because they have no idea just what in the hell is going on.
 
“You people, you know who I am. But you don’t know why I’m here. Where is Billionaire Ted? Where is the Nacho Man? That punk can’t even get in the building. Me? I go wherever I want, whenever I want. And where oh where is Scheme Gene? Cuz I got a scoop for you. When that Ken Doll look-a-like, when that weather man wannabe comes out here later tonight, I got a challenge for him, for Billionaire Ted, for the Nacho Man, and for anyone else in uh, WCW, yuk yuk. Hey, you wanna go to war? You want a war? You gonna get one.” And with one flick of a toothpick at the camera man, Razor disappears back into the night.
 
It cannot be understated just how huge a moment in professional wrestling this was. People had jumped from company to company, with Lex Luger and Madusa being the two biggest recent examples on WCW programming, but it was the way it was presented. He wasn’t introduced as WCW talent. He came through the crowd, looking like Razor Ramon, and waging war against WCW via the WWF’s own scumbag tactics from the Wrasslin’ Warroom sketches. The implication was that the WWF had enough of WCW trying to make a mark for themselves, and Ramon was here on behalf of the company to do something about it; to put WCW back in their Southern regional place, and let the real company do the world wide thing. This was one of the most brilliantly executed pieces of business you’ll ever see, at the right time in the right place. No company could get away with this today; because of the rapid spread of information on the Internet. In 1996? This couldn’t miss.
 
SGT. CRAIG PITTMAN (with Teddy Long) vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE
 
Larry calls DDP the new “American Dream” for his rise from outhouse to penthouse leading to a fantastic incredulous “WHAT?!?” from Tony. DDP does Pushups to show off to Pittman, who one ups him with one handed pushups. DDP tries to kick him in the gut while he’s down, but Pittman moves and DDP does the cartoon “slip on a banana peel” spot. DDP accuses Pittman of pulling his hair, and then pokes Pittman in the eyes anyway. Headbutt backfires since it more or less knocks DDP out cold – Pittman has a hard head, you see. Pittman goes for Code Red, but Page is upside down. Long checks in, and Page grabs Long so he can use the leverage to get to the ropes. Once released, he shoves Long into the guard rail. Pittman checks in on his manager, and walks right into a Diamond Cutter at 3:00. *
 
Here’s a very special look at Crazy Randy Savage, but of course, you’ve been reading these recaps so you know what’s up.
 
Backstage, THE SHARK is no longer sharing a locker room with the Dungeon of Doom, and “MEAN” GENE OKERLUND wants to find out why. Shark is near tears, talking about his exodus. “THEY THREW ME OUT!” He promises to hurt Sullivan, win the World Title, and eat Jimmy Hart.
 
Elsewhere, Hulk Hogan is on vacation. This is the same video we saw on Saturday Night.
 
ERIC BISCHOFF and BOBBY HEENAN take over the announce booth; Mongo remains in training, and Pepe’s picture is now appearing on milk cartons around the world. Also, Bischoff has decided not to “dignify” the interruption in the first hour. You keep it classy Bischoff.
 
THE SHARK vs. THE GIANT (with Jimmy Hart) (for the WCW World Heavyweight title)
 
The Shark has earned this title shot on account of, what, his 1 win this year that very likely came on Prime? I’d have to check the archives (spoiler: I won’t) – but I would set the over/under on wins at 1.5 for 1996. Shark tries to clubber, but he can’t budge Giant. Giant kicks away, but Shark comes off the second rope with a sledge and has the Giant swaying. He goes to slam Giant, but can’t. Giant then slams Shark with ease, and looks to finish, but Shark desperately claws at the eyes. Giant’s head is scraped across the top rope, boots him in the face, and dives off the second rope with a clothesline that takes Giant down! Hart gets on the apron, and in the distraction, Giant hits the usual for the win at 4:01. BIG BUBBER hits the ring and cuts half of Shark’s hair off. Stop that! This is humiliating! Don’t you realize he’s not a shark? He’s a man! 1/2*
 
MAXX vs. LEX LUGER (for the WCW World Television title)
 
Bischoff continues to “not acknowledge” Razor Ramon’s appearance by talking non-stop about it. The Art of Subtlety – by Eric Bischoff, available now on Amazon.com. This is such a high profile match that Bischoff can’t help but change the topic from Ramon, to Mongo appearing on Jay Leno tomorrow night. Also, some guy named “Rey Mysterio Jr” is coming to the Great American Bash to get a Cruiserweight Title shot. Well, I’m sure he’s no Brad Armstrong, but we’ll give him a chance. Back to Razor Ramon; Bischoff continues to iterate that they will not talk about this anymore. If it appears I’m completely ignoring this match, it’s because I am – if Bischoff can’t be bothered, neither can I. Luger hits a loaded forearm that’s so powerful “it once dropped Yokozuna!” crows Uncle Eric. Rack finishes at 5:46. *
 
“MEAN” GENE OKERLUND wants a quick word with his sham of a #1 contender, Sexy Lexy. Luger reminds us he doesn’t make the matches, so he doesn’t care about what happened to Page. He vows revenge for being chokeslammed through a table. Hard words ahead: “PAYBACKS ARE A YOU KNOW WHAT!!!” And I guarantee he means it.
 
“HARDWORK” BOBBY WALKER vs. BRAD ARMSTRONG
 
Winner of this match is a top contender to the Cruiserweight title, loser is the top contender to file a lawsuit alleging racism. Bobby Walker hits a crossbody block off the top rope, but only gets 2. A headscissors is worked, but Armstrong escapes. Walker leaps up to the top, and promptly slips and crotches himself. He repeats the spot though, and a top rope missile gets the upset pin at 4:28. I’d suggest Walker is terrible and his push needs to stop, but I wouldn’t want to get sued. *
 
“LORD” STEVEN REGAL (with Jeeves) vs. ALEX WRIGHT
 
Regal isn’t having any of Wright’s backflip into the ring, and shows off his guns to the fans to make sure they know which Euro is boss. Of course, Wright takes the early control of this match, and Regal finds his deepest levels of disgust, usually reserved for boorish Americans. Wright snaps off a pair of headscissors takeovers, and Regal bails because he needs to threaten to throw up all over the fans in the front row. A plancha takes us to commercial break.
 
Upon return, the Lordship has asserted his domination. A thumb to the eyes is caught by the referee, but that doesn’t stop Regal from proclaiming “I DIDN’T DO IT!” Shaggy eat your heart out. They trade European uppercuts, but neither is Dave Taylor, so I’m not shaken. Regal palm thrusts Wright in the face, and tries to loosen some teeth with more European uppercuts. Wright ducks the second one, and hits an overhead belly to belly. Regal takes back over, and gets admonished for using closed handed fists. Regal clarifies: “I KNOW WHAT I DID!” Referees need to be kept in line sometimes. Wright hulks up and hits a European uppercut so hard that makes Bischoff create noises I’m not comfortable with. I’m talking full blown excitement dripping down the back of his pants. Three more European uppercuts, because this is European, and in Europe, you throw uppercuts. Wright hits a kick that Bischoff calls by three different names (Jump spin kick, back standing wheel kick, and jumping wheel kick), but it doesn’t work and Regal wins with a bridge pin at 7:18. **
 
“MEAN” GENE OKERLUND demands a word with his Lordship. Regal calls Gene a miserable little toad much to my delight. Regal insults the entire main event roster, then takes a shot at Razor Ramon reminding him where he is and who he’s dealing with. He has a challenge for Sting; he wants a match at Great American Bash, and if he wins, he hopes he gets a little esteem around here and a World Title shot against the “circus freak” of a World Champion.
 
STING vs. SCOTT STEINER
 
The guys shake hands, and we’re off. Sting hiptosses Steiner clear across the ring, but Scott shakes it off quickly. Overhead military press slam is given with ease, and Scotty works a headlock. Sting shoves it off, and dropkicks Steiner in the mush. Steiner whips Sting to the corner, but Sting stops himself, and bounces off the second buckle with a flying back elbow. Clothesline sends Scott to the floor, and Sting is right behind him with a plancha. Back in, Steiner takes control and flattens Sting with a tigerbomb. A belly to belly serves to drive the last of Sting’s breath out of him, and Sting rolls to the floor. Steiner heads up to the top buckle, and comes flying down with an axehandle. Back in, avalanche hits on the first go, but Steiner goes to the well a second time and this time runs right into a big boot. Sting tries to get something going, but winds up getting launches with a belly to belly overhead, which gets 2. Scott applies an STF, and Sting is fading fast. Sting fights out, but gets locked in a cross armbreaker. Maybe Scott Steiner needs lessons from Sgt. Craig Pittman since his Code Red seemingly gets the job done every time. Steiner releases, blows a vertical suplex, because Sting lands right behind him and plans him with a Death Drop! Sting’s awake now, and hits the Stinger Splash. A second one misses, and Steiner launches him with a Dragon suplex!! LEX LUGER wanders down, which also draws out RICK STEINER to watch Scott’s back. Steiner calls for the Frankensteiner, but Sting hooks the ropes, and goes in for the kill with the Deathlock, but they’re in the ropes. Scott tries for a tombstone, but Sting reverses mid-move, and hits it for 2! Sting goes for a big splash, but Scott blocks with the knees. Both guys are running on fumes, but keep on coming. Steiner tries a suplex, but Sting reverses and suplexes Scott to the outside. On the floor, Luger gets involved now, and rolls Scott into the ring – but Rick is right there to get in Luger’s face. They start trading punches, so Luger goes to the safety of the ring… right into Scott Steiner’s awaiting arms, and the referee throws this out at 10:20. THE LOCKER ROOM empties to keep the Steiners and Luger/Sting separated since tempers are at a fever pitch. Great match. ****
 
The announcers wrap things up, and discuss the fallen friendship between the Steiners and Sting, but RAZOR RAMON comes back to the announce booth.
 
“Hey lookie here. Ken Doll, you got such a big mouth. And we? We are sick of it.”
 
“Who’s we?”
 
“You know who. This is where the big boys play? What a joke. I tell you what, you go tell Billionaire Ted, you tell him get 3 of his very, very best. Maybe uh, maybe the Nacho Man. Oohhhhh no. Maybe he get the Stinger? Ooooooh … I so scared. You go get anybody you want. Because we…”
 
“What do you mean we?”
 
“We are taking over. You want to go war? You want a war? You got one. Only, only let’s do it right. In the ring, where it matters. Not on no microphones. Not in no newspapers or dirt sheets. Let’s do it in the ring, where it matters. If uh, if Billionaire Ted and his big boys got any guts? Because we are coming down here, and like it or not, we are taking over.”
 
*Toothpick to Bischoff’s face. Fade to black.*



The Shooting Star Press blog
Promote this thread!
BigDaddyLoco
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 327 days
Last activity: 327 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.81
This was so amazing when it happened. I really thought the WWF had enough. It was even better that it was Razor who swaggered in first.
Whitebacon
Banger








Since: 12.1.02
From: Fresno, CA

Since last post: 119 days
Last activity: 8 days
ICQ:  
#3 Posted on
I'd watched the B-(and C and D) shows sporadically before this, as well as the occasional Nitro, but I distinctly remember coming home from either a baseball game and turning this on, catching Razor interrupting the match in the first hour and having my 13 year old mind completely blown.
redsoxnation
Scrapple








Since: 24.7.02

Since last post: 3923 days
Last activity: 3923 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.85
We? We? Carribean Legend Savio Vega must be coming.
It's False
Scrapple








Since: 20.6.02
From: I am the Tag Team Champions!

Since last post: 2199 days
Last activity: 581 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.37
In retrospect, how much different would history have been if Vince had simply issued a Cease & Desist the moment this happened?



lotjx
Scrapple








Since: 5.9.08

Since last post: 1681 days
Last activity: 1520 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.12
    Originally posted by It's False
    In retrospect, how much different would history have been if Vince had simply issued a Cease & Desist the moment this happened?


I am not sure how Vince won that lawsuit since when I watched Nitro, WWE didn't even pop into my head when the NWO was going on. I still think it was a rather pointless lawsuit.

(edited by lotjx on 29.5.13 0610)


The Wee Baby Sheamus.Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
Dr Unlikely
Liverwurst








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 2171 days
Last activity: 1778 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 9.27
It's impossible to tell, even in retrospect, how much of it was intentional and how much was luck that they just capitalized on, but the booking leading up to Hall's arrival ended up being perfect to set up a company ripe for the age old business tactic of takeover-by-wrestling:

-The Alliance To End Hulkamania seemed to fail on its face, but Hogan is indeed in exile at this point
-Meanwhile, the Alliance itself has turned the Dungeon of Doom and the Horsemen, the two largest WCW factions, against each other
-Benoit, the most able Horsemen - and in theory, the guy that Flair would send after anybody trying to come take over his company - has become sidetracked in his growing feud with the Taskmaster and is increasingly disconnected from Arn and Flair
-Sullivan, obsessed with Benoit, is starting to lose his hold over the Dungeon and may be starting to see his control of The Giant slip as the Giant seemingly becomes more independent
-Flair is focused only on ruining Savage's life, and whatever he and Arn are into with football players may seem like a brilliant plan in Flair's mind, but is perhaps going to come up woefully short for what he's about to face
-Savage is banned and driven mad, even by Savage standards
-Sting's only remaining ally is the least trustworthy man in all of wrestling, and Luger's antics have pretty much cost Sting potential allies in the Steiners or the Harlem Heat

Some other things quietly going on at the time that may or may not go anywhere, but certainly were threads worth exploring:
-Diamond Dallas Page suddenly receives backing from an unknown source and is launched into a spot where he might be the #1 contender for the title immediately before the one-time Diamond Studd arrives to launch some kind of takeover
-Jimmy Hart - who has managed Hogan, Luger and the Giant, three key people who have been at the center of all the unrest leading to this point - has seemingly been pretty active in stirring up unrest between the Horsemen and Dungeon and with everything that Luger has done that has led to an isolated Sting
-"Blood Runs Cold" threatens to change WCW forever
-Jay Leno debuts (in name form)
-COBRA

    Originally posted by cfgb
    “You people, you know who I am. But you don’t know why I’m here. Where is Billionaire Ted? Where is the Nacho Man? That punk can’t even get in the building. Me? I go wherever I want, whenever I want.


Hall bringing up the fact that Savage can't get into the building while Hall not only got in, but managed to stay in for most of the show is a nice bit of foreshadowing that I hadn't considered at the time. Based on events as presented, my money would have to be on DDP as the mole at this point, with his former protege Scott Hall recruiting DDP at his lowest to open the gate for whatever Hall had planned just as DDP might have had the #1 contender role. We'll see if any other evidence presents itself that might strengthen that case.

So at this point, if Hall is indeed leading some kind of invasion, who would be ready to fend it off? I think, given all the circumstances, your WCW defenders would be drawn from a pool of Sting, Steven Regal and Konnan, with Luger and The Giant's loyalties in question. Sting and Regal has been (accidentally, I guess) built as a potential alliance, with Regal now seeking Sting's respect and being the first person to call out Hall.

Also, I really did not remember Hall making his WCW (re)debut before Misterio showed up on TV. I'm interested to see how many other things I've compressed, time-wise, during this run.
lotjx
Scrapple








Since: 5.9.08

Since last post: 1681 days
Last activity: 1520 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.12
I talked to DDP and yes, he was going to be in the 4th guy and possible mole. After he saw how many people were in it, he was glad he was on the outsider.



The Wee Baby Sheamus.Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
Stefonics
Frankfurter








Since: 17.3.02
From: New Jerusalem

Since last post: 2395 days
Last activity: 261 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.88
    Originally posted by lotjx
      Originally posted by It's False
      In retrospect, how much different would history have been if Vince had simply issued a Cease & Desist the moment this happened?


    I am not sure how Vince won that lawsuit since when I watched Nitro, WWE didn't even pop into my head when the NWO was going on. I still think it was a rather pointless lawsuit.

    (edited by lotjx on 29.5.13 0610)

Vince issued a Cease and Desist? I think what It's False was saying was that, in retrospect, history would have been much different had Vince simply issued a Cease & Desist the moment Hall walked on to Nitro, in Razor Ramon character. I think. But you're talking about a lawsuit that was filed after Bash at the Beach. Which no one won or lost because it was settled out of court, years after the fact.
cfgb
Bierwurst








Since: 2.1.02
From: Ottawa, Ontario

Since last post: 571 days
Last activity: 31 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.96
    Originally posted by Stefonics
      Originally posted by lotjx
        Originally posted by It's False
        In retrospect, how much different would history have been if Vince had simply issued a Cease & Desist the moment this happened?


      I am not sure how Vince won that lawsuit since when I watched Nitro, WWE didn't even pop into my head when the NWO was going on. I still think it was a rather pointless lawsuit.

      (edited by lotjx on 29.5.13 0610)

    Vince issued a Cease and Desist? I think what It's False was saying was that, in retrospect, history would have been much different had Vince simply issued a Cease & Desist the moment Hall walked on to Nitro, in Razor Ramon character. I think. But you're talking about a lawsuit that was filed after Bash at the Beach. Which no one won or lost because it was settled out of court, years after the fact.


There was paperwork filed pretty quickly, which is why at Great American Bash you'll see the awkward exchange between Bischoff and the Outsiders where Uncle Eric asks if they work for the WWF, and they get a strained "...no."

There was all sorts of ridiculousness over the years, including the suit that was filed against WCW because Bischoff was advertising that Vince McMahon would NOT show up at Slamboree, and the WWF contended that in pro-wrestling lore, it's accepted when you state someone isn't showing up, it means they're going to show up - and therefore WCW was advertising that Vince McMahon would be a part of Slamboree.



The Shooting Star Press blog
SKLOKAZOID
Bierwurst








Since: 20.3.02
From: California

Since last post: 1692 days
Last activity: 822 days
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.38
    Originally posted by Dr Unlikely
    Also, I really did not remember Hall making his WCW (re)debut before Misterio showed up on TV. I'm interested to see how many other things I've compressed, time-wise, during this run.

Yeah, that's just how deep WCW's talent roster was at the time, before the nWo made things so claustrophobic. They actually had really well set up divisions and sections in their cards where the talent got to do their own thing without messing with other people's programs (OPP). The Cruiserweight division was such its own world that it almost felt like watching a different show.

The Cruiserweight division was mostly unaffected until Syxx got involved, as was the tag division until Hall and Nash had to win the titles at Havoc. Benoit and Sullivan pretty much got to do their thing while all of this was going on. It probably was the deepest I've ever seen a wrestling roster, which I think is no coincidence why Nitro was such a ratings success at the time.


This was really awesome when it happened. We had NO idea how WCW would handle Hall and Nash. There were even rumors that Nash would be Glacier since he couldn't be Diesel.

I do feel like they were winging a lot of this, especially since Hall's character was mostly built on referencing the WWF parodies of WCW and still carried over a lot of his Razor Ramon qualities (although the toothpick was pure Diamond Studd). And the "new World order" name came more from Hulk Hogan's speech, and they co-opted that as the name of their "invading wrestling organization" which was clearly implied as the WWF from Hall's interview.

The WWF did try legal action right away, and partially succeeded as WCW altered things, but WCW played it so obscure that it didn't wind up effecting what would ultimately be a very successful time for them. Vince had to turn to just a little more than lawsuits to stop this train.

(edited by SKLOKAZOID on 29.5.13 1925)
ekedolphin
Scrapple








Since: 12.1.02
From: Indianapolis, IN; now residing in Suffolk, VA

Since last post: 490 days
Last activity: 14 days
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.21
Is it true that the eventual settlement of the lawsuit included giving the WWF some kind of strong bargaining position should WCW ever come up for sale?

This show was still about nine months before I started watching wrestling, but I do remember, shortly after Bash at the Beach, one of my friends telling me that Hulk Hogan was a bad guy now. Even a non-wrestling fan such as myself at the time, couldn't believe it.



"I'm sorry, I'm not much of a hugger."
"Not yet you're not."
--Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, SmackDown 1/18/13

Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials!

Co-Winner of Time's Person of the Year Award, 2006

BigDaddyLoco
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 327 days
Last activity: 327 days
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.81
    Originally posted by SKLOKAZOID

    The WWF did try legal action right away, and partially succeeded as WCW altered things, but WCW played it so obscure that it didn't wind up effecting what would ultimately be a very successful time for them. Vince had to turn to just a little more than lawsuits to stop this train.

    (edited by SKLOKAZOID on 29.5.13 1925)


Vince and the gang had no how to combat this which is clearly evidenced later when they decided to tease everyone that Razor Ramon and Diesel were in fact negotiating with the WWF which of course brought us the worst debuts of all time. It was amazin how thing the WWF roster would become by any standards.

I don't think the WWF really figured things out until they dropped most of the cartoony parts, started a show called Shotgun Saturday Night which was done in small clubs, which sort of lead them to taking pages out of ECW's playbook which allowed Austin to run amok and then DX.

Of course the road from the Hall debut in WCW to WrestleMania XIV and the XPac speech the next night was never a sure thing at all. If anything it is amazing how fast the WWF was able to comeback from the lowest of lows they were about to sink to.

ekedolphin
Scrapple








Since: 12.1.02
From: Indianapolis, IN; now residing in Suffolk, VA

Since last post: 490 days
Last activity: 14 days
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.21
    Originally posted by BigDaddyLoco


    I don't think the WWF really figured things out until they dropped most of the cartoony parts, started a show called Shotgun Saturday Night which was done in small clubs, which sort of lead them to taking pages out of ECW's playbook which allowed Austin to run amok and then DX.

    Of course the road from the Hall debut in WCW to WrestleMania XIV and the XPac speech the next night was never a sure thing at all. If anything it is amazing how fast the WWF was able to comeback from the lowest of lows they were about to sink to.




In fact, I'd argue that Eric Bischoff gave Vince McMahon a good kick in the butt that he desperately needed. If not for WCW giving the WWF a reality check, there might not have been an Attitude Era, and we'd still be subjected to cartoon characters on WWE programming-- if the company was even around at all.

On the other hand, if WCW hadn't had the stated intention of trying to force the WWF out of business, maybe they'd still be around. Who knows.



"I'm sorry, I'm not much of a hugger."
"Not yet you're not."
--Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, SmackDown 1/18/13

Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials!

Co-Winner of Time's Person of the Year Award, 2006

Thread rated: 5.07
Pages: 1
Thread ahead: WWE Raw #1024 5/27/13
Next thread: WCW Prime: May 27, 1996
Previous thread: Impact #463 - 05/23/13
(2142 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
Formerly Sleuth, it's a mystery cable channel arm of the NBC family of networks
Related threads: WCW Saturday Night: May 25, 1996 - Make It A Double - WCW Prime: May 13 & 20, 1996 - WCW Nitro: May 20, 1996 - More...
The W - Pro Wrestling - On This (Yester)Day: WCW Nitro - May 27, 1996 - Razor's EdgeRegister and log in to post!

The W™ message board

ZimBoard
©2001-2024 Brothers Zim

This old hunk of junk rendered your page in 0.356 seconds.