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Post by DTP. on Dec 28, 2013 0:33:05 GMT -5
 Prologue - Part I: An Overview of World Championship Wrestling
by Dan Tomlinson
We all know what horrible fate Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling suffered on March 23, 2001. On that fateful day, long time competitor of the Georgia-based professional wrestling organization, the World Wrestling Federation purchased its competition, putting the one alternative to the ultimate federation out of business forever, and therefore monopolizing the WWF. The same alternative promotion that only three years earlier had the World Wrestling Federation almost out of business itself. Ted Turner, a renowned yacht racer and billionaire always had a knack for professional wrestling, and appreciated what it was. In 1988, Turner decided to assemble what would grow to become WCW out of pre-existing Jim Crockett Promotions, a subsidiary of the National Wrestling Alliance. Turner wanted to create a competition that gave WWF owner Vince McMahon a run for his money. Stars such as Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, Sting, Ricky Steamboat, Lex Luger, Terry Funk and various others creating a borderline in this territory that gave the organization a premiere look whilst attempting to compete with the global-growing World Wrestling Federation. After many setbacks, from WCW suffering from various pitfalls such as NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair leaving the promotion and jumping to the WWF with the title, to inexperienced/unsuccessful staff members such as Jim Herd and Bill Watts taking over, it seemed as though WCW were finally beginning to join the dance, as they gained the biggest star that the WWF had throughout the 1980s and 1990s (during its expanding era): Hulk Hogan. Additionally, it was the amazing tenacity of one man known as Eric Bischoff, a man that was legitimately qualified to run the organization, a man that had worked his way up the ladder, from being a backstage interviewer, to a manager, and later, to becoming the head of the WCW division under Time Warner (which had bought TBS away from Turner).
Bischoff's ruthless managerial stance allowed WCW to grow, expanding its' television situation from revolving around long-running wrestling program "Saturday Night" to being also revolved around "Monday Nitro" and "Thursday Thunder". The landscape of the world of professional wrestling was changing dramatically, as WCW's Nitro competed with WWF's fellow Monday night program, RAW. The two flagship shows competed strong against one another in a battle to end the other promotion, or at least gain a better rating than the other. Bischoff brought in stars such as the WWF's Diesel, Razor Ramon, Alundra Blayze and various others and made them into Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Madusa and various others. He manipulated Bret Hart, Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior to jump from the WWF to WCW, he had connections to an unlimited amount of personalities and athletes in Hollywood, such as Jay Leno and Dennis Rodman. And to top it all off, he built up a masterpiece of an angle revolved around the once-in-a-lifetime thought of turning the beloved Hulk Hogan into a villain, and having Hogan, Nash and Hall - alongside a host of other stars form a cult which would become apart of pop culture, the New World Order. Bischoff created the star known as Bill Goldberg, and in under a year built him into an indestructible monster, building him into the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He brought in the innovative worldwide styles of wrestling from Japanese talents, as well as the first display of lucha-libre in American mainstream wrestling. This combination became popularized as being a "cruiserweight division", an exciting, faster product to contrast from the old-school stylings displayed in the main event. And to top it all off, WCW's flagship show Monday Nitro was destroying the WWF's Monday Night RAW in the ratings.
But what happened over time was a combination of factors. What precisely brought WCW to its' knees, and allowed the World Wrestling Federation to run all over it? Was it the beginning of a new boom for the WWF based in Stanford, Connecticut - a spanking new radical look of the product in which the WWF had previously cast on screens worldwide? The WWF's product had changed, stripping its' family-friendly appearance and abandoning its' clean demeanor into something else: racy, risky and radical. The product produced more realistic angles, presented a grittier appearance and adopted a complete makeover: sexuality, violence and publicity reached a new level of reliability for the WWF. Stone Cold Steve Austin was a star in which nobody had ever seen before, his beer-swelling, foul-mouthed and heart-on-his-sleeve appearance allocated every wrestling fan at that time to strive to be just like him. Especially with his nemesis, Vince McMahon - the evil boss, manipulating everything to convert Austin into his ideal employee - and wanting to do whatever it took to take Austin out of the WWF Championship hunt. This blue collar/white collar dynamic ended Nitro's big winning streak against RAW in what fans called the "Monday Night Wars, as after twenty-one months of WCW beating the WWF in the ratings war, Monday Night RAW defeated Monday Nitro.
Was it the new look that the World Wrestling Federation introduced that got fans worldwide talking and changing the channel? Was it the boom period that allowed fans to divide themselves or even share both promotions' value? Or was it the repetition of World Championship Wrestling instead? The product of Nitro from 1996 going into 1999 was extremely similar: old-school stars of the yesteryear dominated the product, as Hollywood Hogan defended the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against allcomers such as Sting, Ric Flair, Randy Savage, Lex Luger, Roddy Piper and various others. And the main rivalry that dominated WCW screens for three years was the binary opposition between the New World Order and World Championship Wrestling - and nothing changed. It was the same routine week after week, whilst something new was happening weekly with the competition between Steve Austin, Vince McMahon, the Undertaker and Kane, amongst other stars. WCW's repetitive ways also disabled the smaller wrestlers - the more talented, more youthful wrestlers like Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio Jr and Eddie Guerrero - from making their way up the roster to the uppercard. They were permanently on standstill whilst expired acts such as Lex Luger, Jim Duggan and others continued to showcase their unmarketable acts further on television.
Additionally came the power struggle between various figureheads such as Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, Sting, Goldberg, Ric Flair as a few examples: all of these powers were divided and changing the booking of creative angles and stopping ongoing storylines dead before they even had a chance to breathe. An expired product was to be revitalized in the spring of 1999, where WCW figureheads and executives decided to try and challenge the WWF product once more. Head booker of the creative team, Kevin Nash began analyzing RAW segment per segment and writing Nitro to reflect it. WCW attempted to push the envelope a tiny bit in terms of risque nature to compete with the WWF's ruthless, controversial portrayal on camera. Additionally, a new camera set up and overlook look to Nitro and the product was formed, including a new logo. World Championship Wrestling lived and died three times over, and this was it's latest regeneration to try and stop the previous bleeding ways of the company. WCW was motivated to get back in the hunt, and become renowned as being the place where the big boys played once more.
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Post by DTP. on Dec 28, 2013 0:33:17 GMT -5
Prologue - Part II: Previously in World Championship Wrestling
Written by Dan Tomlinson
Throughout 1998, business resumed as normal in World Championship Wrestling, as WCW launched its' new Thursday night telecast known as "Thunder" on the TBS Superstation. Already the WCW television schedule was packed, with Nitro airing on Mondays, Thunder on Thursdays, Saturday Night on Saturdays, as well as a host of syndicated programs such as Worldwide, Pro and Main Event at the weekend. The locker room began to grow further too, expanding in names from around the world as well as from the WCW PowerPlant. The roster was packed with over one hundred names on the workforce, and it was a sign of trouble and greed for the organization as it resumed it's big conquest to defeat the World Wrestling Federation in the ratings. Initially, this proved to be strong, as WCW walked into 1998 with the return of Sting, the debut of Bret "Hitman" Hart, the expansion of a third hour to Nitro on a weekly basis, the beginning of a dramatic power struggle in the New World Order, and the betrayal of WCW by long-time advocate for the company, Dusty Rhodes, who soon turned his back on WCW for the nWo. But nothing new was happening, whilst over in the WWF, ratings began to spike higher and higher, as Stone Cold Steve Austin began his gigantic tirade of the WWF over Shawn Michaels, Vince McMahon and others, whilst Mike Tyson was making his debut for the company in heated segments that generated amazing publicity for the WWF. Whilst Austin faced McMahon in the ultimate battle on the April 20, 1998 edition of RAW, Hollywood Hogan was walking around celebrating his latest win as WCW World Heavyweight Champion.
As 1998 drew to a close, morale was going down, as tension had began to heat up. Through 1998, we saw the rise of Goldberg, Scott Steiner, Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Chris Benoit and Raven in particular. But for other stars such as Chris Jericho, The Giant and Eddie Guerrero, WCW had turned them into laughing stocks. So much, in fact, that Giant officially refused to re-sign with the company, effective as of February 1, 1999. Chris Jericho would later do the same, refusing to extend his contract, and Jericho would be prepared to leave on June 25, 1999. Meanwhile, stars such as Sting and Randy Savage suddenly disappeared, citing injuries and needing time away from the ring. With Kevin Nash in charge of booking, he decided to give the indestructible Goldberg a big reality check, by ending the WCW World Heavyweight Champion's streak at 173-0 at "Starrcade" on December 27, 1998. Days later, WCW got themselves into a muddle when play-by-play announcer Tony Schiavone attempted to spoil the ending to a pre-taped edition of RAW, where Mankind was cited to win the WWF Championship from The Rock. Schiavone sarcastically claimed that it would put "butts in seats", and it sure did, as over 60,000 people changed the channel from Nitro to RAW to witness history. Meanwhile, a well-anticipated rematch between Goldberg and Kevin Nash from Starrcade was dashed, as Goldberg was arrested under what was supposedly a sexual harrassment warranty, courtesy of Elizabeth. Devastated, Hollywood Hogan returned to Nitro after a two month hiatus, and stepped in for Goldberg. Hogan was to fight Nash, but it all ended under strange circumstances. Hogan poked Nash in the chest, and the match was over. Hogan and Scott Hall reunited with Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner, and Lex Luger of all people joined the nWo. The previously divided nWo factions in Hollywood and the Wolfpack were now together as one once again, another sign that nothing had changed in WCW.
Rey Mysterio Jr began to make big strides in 1999, as he began to gain a reputation as a "giant killer". The smallest man on the roster put away such giants as Bam Bam Bigelow, and even Kevin Nash in consecutive weeks. However, with Kevin Nash in control, he decided to one-up Mysterio at February "Superbrawl" event, where he and Scott Hall of the Outsiders defeated Mysterio and Konnan, causing Rey to have to be unmasked. One of the most marketable things of Mysterio's was now gone up in flames.
Meanwhile, Ric Flair was the man in Hollywood Hogan's way as WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Flair had defeated Eric Bischoff to gain presidency in WCW on the final Nitro of 1998, and he decided that he wanted to get his hands on the WCW title one more time - despite alternating factors with the nWo and David Flair. The Four Horsemen were luckily around to back him up, and despite an unsuccessful effort at Superbrawl on February 21, 1999; Flair got one more shot at facing Hogan in a gigantic match at March's "Uncensored" event. Flair took on Hogan in a steel cage first-blood match, and if Flair lost this time around, he would lose his presidency as well as his career. Luckily, Flair managed to pick up the win with thanks for close ally, Charles Robinson.
In other news, after months of frustration, Bret Hart finally snapped on Nitro, on March 29, 1999, as he quit World Championship Wrestling after wounding Goldberg in the middle of the ring. Hart cited that he was fed up with how he was being utilized and claimed that WCW would be nothing without him, had they actually tried with him. Hart walked out of WCW with his head held high, whilst Goldberg was left seething in the ring.
In weeks following his championship victory, the now twelve time World Heavyweight Champion displayed a sudden change of heart, as Flair began to use tendencies that were uncommon for him, reinserting himself as the dirtiest player in the game. Flair was backed by the Four Horsemen, his managerial business partner, Arn Anderson, as well as corrupt referee, Charles Robinson, whom he named "Lil' Naitch". And Flair had a host of enemies, namely Kevin Nash, Goldberg, Hollywood Hogan and Diamond Dallas Page. Additionally, announcements everywhere went up that Sting was planning to make a big comeback on April 5, 1999. WCW began to promote a new era for the organization, a regeneration in the product as a whole, but will it help stop WCW from bleeding, or in fact just resume it? |
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Post by DTP. on Dec 28, 2013 0:33:30 GMT -5
 Prologue - Part III: "The Grandaddy of Them All"
Written by Dan Tomlinson
On March 28, 1999, at the pinnacle of their stardom in pop culture, the World Wrestling Federation set the stage for their annual tradition known as "WrestleMania". For fourteen years, WrestleMania had been the sight of numerous spectacles that were immortalized throughout history in the professional wrestling industry. From Hulk Hogan teaming up with Mr T at the first, to Hogan body slamming André the Giant at the third; from the Ultimate Warrior taking the torch passed down from Hulk Hogan at the sixth, to Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon's stand-out moments at the tenth. WrestleMania had become an annual occurrence that was known to make or break WWF superstars, and at the height of their overwhelming success did the World Wrestling Federation illustrate this further.
Since making himself the stand-out enemy of the evil Chairman, Mr McMahon, Stone Cold Steve Austin had done so much to go out of his way in order to make McMahon's life a living hell. Austin won the WWF Championship from Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania the year prior, and despite McMahon's intentions to mold Austin into a corporate role model for the company, Austin became an alternative role model: for sticking his middle finger up at his boss and planting him with one of his trademark Stunners. Austin resumed his role as the face of the World Wrestling Federation as champion, defeating Dude Love and Kane; both of which Vince McMahon put in his way. Then came the historic encounters with the Undertaker and Mankind over the summer of 1998, which further added to the WWF's fire as it built to ahead. At last, McMahon had his way. On September 27, 1998 at "Breakdown", McMahon staged a triple threat match between Austin and half-brothers, the Undertaker and Kane, in one plotted conspiracy to take the WWF Championship away from the ill-deserving "Texas Rattlesnake". Kane and Undertaker fought valiantly, as did Austin, but in the end, a tie-finish ended the match-up. The title was declared vacant, and Austin had been screwed. In response, Austin decided to make himself known as the former champion with aspirations of regaining the gold. Austin officiating the main event of "Judgment Day: In Your House" on October 18, 1998, pitting the two men that pinned the champion and caused the title to be vacated, the Undertaker and Kane. Austin once again put his foot in his mouth, cleaning house and ruining the match for Austin, declaring himself champion. As a result, Vince was forced to take another precaution, a fourteen-man tournament to determine the new champion.
Stone Cold was entered into the tournament against Vince McMahon's decision. Instead, Vince's son Shane pushed for Austin's inclusion, citing that he believed it was only fair that he be put in. Vince was still bitter, after previously having his leg broken by the Undertaker and Kane; and then being assaulted by Austin in his hospital bed...and on a different occurrence, brought to the ring and held at gunpoint and humiliated. Meanwhile, McMahon had it in for a rising star by the name of The Rock. Rock was a third-generation talent, streaming in charisma and personality, and the fans were really getting behind him. Rock declared himself a man of the people, and McMahon hated his arrogance. At the same time, the evil Chairman had began to groom Mick Foley - the former Dude Love. Foley, under the guise of Mankind was maniacal after so many bumps and bruises had warped his mind, and now Mankind was vying for not only the WWF Championship, but also for the attention of the boss.
On November 14, 1999, the WWF presented its eleventh annual "Survivor Series", pitting the fourteen man tournament to declare a new WWF Champion. Steve Austin against Vince McMahon's wishes, defeated McMahon's handpicked member of security, the Big Boss Man in the qualifying round, and followed up with a bye in the quarter-finals - caused by a time limit draw between superstars X-Pac and Steven Regal. Meanwhile, the Rock managed to beat the Boss Man in another flunked opportunity to eliminate one of McMahon's rivals from the match, as Rock beat him in under ten seconds. Rock followed suit, defeating Ken Shamrock in the quarter-final round. Mankind meanwhile, was given an easy start: dressed for the occasion in a tuxedo, with McMahon hoping for him to pull through as the new WWF Champion, Mankind pinned long-time scrub of the WWF locker room, Duane Gill, followed up with a victory against Al Snow in the quarter-final round. This led up to the semi-finals, where Steve Austin met Mankind in a ferocious bout. McMahon proved that he would do anything to stop Austin from taking the WWF Championship back, when it was the same man that pushed for Austin to be in the tournament: Shane McMahon, to screw him out of the match, whilst acting as a WWF referee. Austin was devastated, as Mankind was now going to the finals to meet The Rock, but it was not quite the match many anticipated.
In a shocking twist, Vince McMahon turned on his son figure, Mankind - the man he was wanting to win from the get-go, in order to pursue his one-time rival, The Rock. Rock defeated Mankind under a controversial decision, and Rock was printed as the new Corporate face of the World Wrestling Federation. Rock had a pay-per-view named after him, whereas Stone Cold fought vigorously for another shot at the big time. Rock grew more arrogant, whilst Austin grew more vicious and hungry. And the McMahons became happier, whilst also more focused on screwing Austin further. On January 25, 1999 at the "Royal Rumble", Vince McMahon himself entered into the 30-man Royal Rumble match. With a shot to challenge the WWF Champion at WrestleMania on the line, McMahon squared up against Stone Cold in the opening moments, and Austin destroyed him. The two brawled throughout the arena throughout the hour, but in a shocking twist, it was McMahon that fluked a victory against Austin, winning the Rumble himself!
Stone Cold was given one more chance to prove his worth, challenging Mr McMahon for the shot at The Rock at WrestleMania on February 14, 1999, at the fittingly titled "St Valentine's Day Massacre". Contested inside of a steel cage, Austin wiped the floor with McMahon, knocking the Chairman off of the cage wall through the announce table; driving McMahon's stretcher gurney into the side of the ring; and continuing to send him sailing into the cage walls for fifteen gruelling minutes. But that's when McMahon's master backup plan was revealed, and out of the ring emerged the former Giant, Paul Wight. Former WCW star sent Steve Austin into the cage wall with enough force that it split the door wide open, and Austin landed on the floor, sending him to WrestleMania.
Referring back to WrestleMania, the fifteenth annual supershow emanated from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and pitted the two biggest stars in World Wrestling Federation history against each other. Austin and Rock, two fierce rivals brought together by one bond: the WWF Championship. A hard-fought match from both men, which featured weapon shots, blood, Stunners, Rock Bottoms, crowd-brawling and table-breaking; the match came down to Vince McMahon getting involved personally. The Chairman hit the ring and tried to screw Austin on the biggest stage of them all. Luckily, McMahon's former protegé Mankind hit the ring and conquered McMahon's efforts, and with one swift Stunner, Austin was now the WWF Champion once again.
The World Wrestling Federation were about to resume their business as normal, with Stone Cold now reigning as WWF Champion, and with nothing for Vince McMahon to stop him with...really? |
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Post by DTP. on Dec 28, 2013 0:34:10 GMT -5
THE ALL NEW WCW.COM!  WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING: "WHERE THE BIG BOYS PLAY"
Last updated April 9, 1999| THE HEROES | THE VILLAINS | Barry Horowitz - Billy Kidman - Blitzkrieg - Bobby Blaze - Bobby Eaton
Booker T - Bret Hart - Buff Bagwell - Chavo Guerrero Jr - Chip Minton
Damien - Diamond Dallas Page - The Disciple - El Dandy - Glacier
Goldberg - Hak - Hector Garza - Jerry Flynn - Jim Duggan
Juventud Guerrera - Kanyon - Kaz Hayashi - Konnan - La Parka
Lash LeRoux - Meng - Mikey Whipwreck - Perry Saturn - Prince Iaukea
Randy Savage - Raven - Rey Mysterio Jr - Rick Steiner - Roddy Piper
Scott Armstrong - Scotty Riggs - Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker - Shane Helms - Steve Armstrong
Sting - Super Calo - Wrath
| Al Greene - Bam Bam Bigelow - The Barbarian - Barry Darsow - Barry Windham
Bobby Duncum Jr - Brian Adams - Bull Payne - Ciclope
Chris Adams - Chris Benoit - Chris Jericho - Curt Hennig - David Taylor
David Flair - Dean Malenko - Disco Inferno - El Vampiro
Erik Watts - Ernest Miller - Evan Karagias - Fit Finley - The Gambler
Hollywood Hogan - Horace Hogan - Hugh Morrus - Johnny Swinger
Kenny Kaos - Kevin Nash - Lenny Lane - Lex Luger - Lizmark Jr
Lodi - Mean Mike - Mike Enos - Norman Smiley - Psychosis
Ric Flair - Robby Rage - Scott Hall - Scott Norton - Scott Steiner
Sick Boy - Stevie Ray - Tough Tom - Van Hammer - Villano IV
Villano V - Vincent | | ON-AIR TALENT | THE NITRO GIRLS | Arn Anderson - Billy Silverman - Bobby Heenan - Charles Robinson - Dusty Rhodes
Eric Bischoff - Gene Okerlund - JJ Dillon - Jeremy Borash - Jimmy Hart
Larry Zbyszko - Mark Madden - Mike Tenay - Nick Patrick - Randy Anderson
Ricki Rachman - Scott Hudson - Sony Oono - Tony Schiavone | AC Jazz - Asya - Chae - Chameleon - Chastity - Elizabeth
Fyre - Madusa - Samantha - Storm - Tygress - Whisper
| | THE CHAMPIONS | THE FACTIONS | WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Ric Flair (March 14, 1999)
WCW US Heavyweight Champion: Vacant (March 18, 1999)
WCW World Television Champion: Booker T (March 14, 1999)
WCW World Tag Team Champions: Rey Mysterio Jr & Bily Kidman (March 29, 1999)
WCW World Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio Jr (March 15, 1999)
| Billy Kidman & Rey Mysterio Jr Chris Adams & Mike Enos Curt Hennig & Barry Windham Disorderly Conduct - Mean Mike - Tough Tom The Four Horsemen - Ric Flair - Arn Anderson - Chris Benoit - Dean Malenko - Asya High Voltage - Kenny Kaos - Robby Rage The First Family - Jimmy Hart - Hugh Morrus - The Barbarian
Meng & Jerry Flynn nWo - Hollywood Hogan - Kevin Nash - Scott Hall - Lex Luger - Scott Steiner Disco Inferno - Eric Bischoff - Elizabeth
nWo Black & White - Stevie Ray - Brian Adams - Vincent - Horace Hogan Raven & Perry Saturn Los Villanos - Villano IV - Villano V | | TELEVISION SCHEDULE | PAY-PER-VIEW CALENDAR | WCW Monday Nitro - Mondays from 7:57/6:57 CT on TNT [live weekly]
WCW Thursday Thunder - Thursdays from 8:57/7:57 CT on TBS [live bi-weekly]
WCW Saturday Night - Saturdays from 6:05 CT on TBS [taped]
WCW Worldwide - Saturdays [syndicated]
WCW Pro - Sundays [syndicated]
WCW Main Event - Sundays [syndicated]
| WCW Spring Stampede - April 11, 1999 - Tacoma Dome @ Tacoma, WA
WCW Slamboree - May 9, 1999 - TWA Dome @ St. Louis, MO
WCW Great American Bash - June 13, 1999 - Baltimore Arena @ Baltimore, MD
WCW Bash At The Beach - July 11, 1999 - National Car Rental Center @ Ft. Lauderdale, FL
WCW Road Wild - August 14, 1999 - Sturgis Motorcycle Rally @ Sturgis, SD
WCW Fall Brawl - September 12, 1999 - Veterans Memorial Coliseum @ Winston-Salem, NC
WCW Halloween Havoc - October 24, 1999 - MGM Grand Garden Arena @ Las Vegas, NV
WCW World War 3 - November 21, 1999 - Air Canada Centre @ Toronto, ON
WCW Starrcade - December 19, 1999 - MCI Center @ Washington, DC
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Post by DTP. on Dec 28, 2013 0:34:32 GMT -5
| WCW ON TOUR - ROAD TO SLAMBOREE 1999 - April 12, 1999 - May 9, 1999 - 27 Days | WCW ON TOUR - ROAD TO GREAT AMERICAN BASH 1999 - May 10, 1999 - June 13, 1999 - 34 Days | WCW Monday Nitro Live - April 12, 1999 - Yakima, WA @ Valley Sundome WCW Television Taping - April 13, 1999 - Boise, ID @ Idaho Center
WCW House Show- April 14, 1999 - Daytona Beach, FL @ Ocean Center
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - April 15, 1999 - Orlando, FL @ Orlando Arena
WCW House Show - April 16, 1999 - Miami, FL @ Miami Arena
WCW House Show - April 17, 1999 - Ft Pierce, FL @ St Lucie County Civic Center
WCW House Show- April 18, 1999 - Tampa, FL @ Ice Palace
WCW Monday Nitro Live - April 19, 1999 - Gainesville, FL @ O'Connell Center
WCW House Show - April 23, 1999 - Chattanooga, TN @ UTC Arena
WCW House Show - April 24, 1999 - Huntsville, AL @ Von Braun Civic Center
WCW House Show - April 25, 1999 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
WCW Monday Nitro Live - April 26, 1999 - Fargo, ND @ Fargodome
WCW Television Taping - April 27, 1999 - Bismark, ND @ Bismark Civic Center
WCW House Show - April 28, 1999 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Palumbo Center
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - April 29, 1999 - Stage College, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
WCW House Show - April 30, 1999 - Long Island, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
WCW House Show - May 1, 1999 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Union Spectrum
WCW House Show - May 2, 1999 - Norfolk, VA @ The Scope
WCW Monday Nitro Live - May 3, 1999 - Charlotte, NC @ Charlotte Coliseum
WCW Thursday Thunder Live - May 6, 1999 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
WCW Slamboree PPV - May 9, 1999 - St. Louis, MO @ TWA Dome
| WCW Monday Nitro Live - May 10, 1999 - Kansas City, MO @ Kemper Arena
WCW Television Taping - May 11, 1999 - Cape Girardau, MO @ Cape Girardau Civic Center
WCW House Show - May 12, 1999 - Springfield, MO @ Shrine Mosque
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - May 13, 1999 - Wichita, KS @ Kansas Coliseum
WCW House Show - May 14, 1999 - Des Moines, IA @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
WCW House Show - May 15, 1999 - Omaha, NE @ Aksarben Arena
WCW House Show - May 16, 1999 - Sioux City, IA @ Municipal Auditorium
WCW Monday Nitro Live - May 17, 1999 - Cedar Rapids, IA @ Five Seasons Center
WCW House Show - May 21, 1999 - Roanoke, VA @ Roanoke Civic Center
WCW House Show - May 22, 1999 - Johnson City, TN @ Freedom Hall
WCW House Show - May 23, 1999 - Knoxville, TN @ Knoxville Civic Coliseum
WCW Monday Nitro Live - May 24, 1999 - Greensville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center
WCW Television Taping - May 25, 1999 - Augusta, GA @ Augusta Civic Center
WCW House Show - May 26, 1999 - Savannah, GA @ Savannah Civic Center
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - May 27, 1999 - North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Coliseum
WCW House Show - May 28, 1999 - Tupelo, MS - Tupelo Coliseum
WCW House Show - May 29, 1999 - Mobile, AL @ Mobile Civic Center
WCW House Show - May 30, 1999 - Baton Rouge, LA - Riverside Centroplex
WCW Monday Nitro Live - May 31, 1999 - Houston, TX @ Astrodome
WCW House Show - June 4, 1999 - Cincinnati, OH @ Firstar Center
WCW House Show - June 5, 1999 - Columbus, OH @ Columbus Convention Center
WCW House Show - June 6, 1999 - Athens, OH @ Athens Arena
WCW Monday Nitro Live - June 7, 1999 - Cleveland, OH @ Convocation Center
WCW Television Taping - June 8, 1999 - Johnstown, PA @ Cambria County War Memorial
WCW Thursday Thunder Live - June 10, 1999 - Syracuse, NY @ Onondaga War Memorial
WCW House Show - June 11, 1999 - Buffalo, NY @ Marine Midland Arena
WCW Great American Bash PPV - June 13, 1999 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Arena | | WCW ON TOUR - ROAD TO BASH AT THE BEACH 1999 - June 13, 1999 - July 11, 1999 - 28 Days | WCW ON TOUR - ROAD TO ROAD WILD 1999 - July 11, 1999 - August 14, 1999 - 34 Days | WCW Monday Nitro Live - June 14, 1999 - Washington, DC @ MCI Center
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - June 15, 1999 - Macon, GA @ Macon Coliseum
WCW Monday Nitro Live - June 21, 1999 - New Orleans, LA @ The Superdome
WCW Television Taping - June 22, 1999 - Lake Charles, LA @ Lake Charles Civic Center
WCW House Show - June 23, 1999 - Alexandria, LA @ Rapides Coliseum
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - June 24, 1999 - Lafayette, LA @ The Cajundome
WCW House Show - June 25, 1999 - Auburn Hills, MI @ The Palace
WCW House Show - June 26, 1999 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Allen County War Memorial
WCW House Show - June 27, 1999 - Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Arena
WCW Monday Nitro Live - June 28, 1999 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
WCW House Show - July 2, 1999 - Shreveport, LA @ Hirsch Coliseum
WCW House Show - July 3, 1999 - Monroe, LA @ Monroe Civic Center
WCW Monday Nitro Live - July 5, 1999 - Atlanta, GA @ The Georgia Dome
WCW Television Taping - July 6, 1999 - Columbus, GA @ Columbus Civic Center
WCW House Show - July 7, 1999 - Montgomery, AL @ Montgomery Civic Center
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - July 8, 1999 - Birmingham, AL @ Jefferson County Civic Center
WCW Bash at the Beach PPV - July 11, 1999 - Fort Lauderdale, FL @ National Car Rental Civic Center
| WCW Monday Nitro Live - July 12, 1999 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Coliseum
WCW Monday Nitro Live - July 19, 1999 - Rockford, IL @ The Metrocentre
WCW Television Taping - July 20, 1999 - Madison, WI @ Dane County Expo Center
WCW House Show - July 21, 1999 - Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - July 22, 1999 - Moline, IL @ Mark of the Quad
WCW House Show - July 23, 1999 - Nashville, TN @ Municipal Auditorium
WCW House Show - July 24, 1999 - Little Rock, AR @ Barton Coliseum
WCW House Show - July 25, 1999 - Jackson, MS @ Mississippi Coliseum
WCW Monday Nitro Live - July 26, 1999 - Memphis, TN @ Mid-South Coliseum
WCW House Show - July 30, 1999 - Flint, MI @ IMA Sports Aren
WCW House Show - July 31, 1999 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
WCW House Show - August 1, 1999 - Battle Creek, MI @ Kellogg Arena
WCW Monday Nitro Live - August 2, 1999 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Sioux Arena
WCW Television Taping - August 3, 1999 - Mankato, MN @ Midwest Wireless Civic Center
WCW House Show - August 4, 1999 - Cedar Rapids, IA @ Five Seasons Center
WCW Thursday Thunder Taping - August 5, 1999 - LaCrosse, WI @ LaCrosse Center
WCW House Show - August 6, 1999 - El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center
WCW House Show - August 7, 1999 - Tucson, AZ @ Tucson Convention Center
WCW House Show - August 8, 1999 - Phoenix, AZ @ America West Arena
WCW Monday Nitro Live - August 9, 1999 - Boise, ID @ Idaho Center
WCW Road Wild PPV - August 14, 1999 - Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Rally & Race |
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snickelodeon
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Joined on: Nov 27, 2011 9:37:08 GMT -5
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Post by snickelodeon on Dec 28, 2013 13:39:11 GMT -5
Looks great buddy, got my interest.
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Deleted
Joined on: May 6, 2024 20:59:39 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2013 23:27:53 GMT -5
But Vince Russo said "if I have anything to do with it, that POS Hulk Hogan will never work here again" Do you really think Hulk Hogan would come back after that? I don't know, that is the only problem I've had with this diary so far. Good work otherwise!
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Post by DTP. on Dec 29, 2013 23:31:03 GMT -5
But Vince Russo said "if I have anything to do with it, that POS Hulk Hogan will never work here again" Do you really think Hulk Hogan would come back after that? I don't know, that is the only problem I've had with this diary so far. Good work otherwise!
Mildly misleading title, understandable mistake. This is centred around the new look that WCW were aiming for in April 1999, with the updated logo, set, etc. However not a lot changed...and that's where this diary begins. Before Russo arrived on the scene. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2013 23:32:59 GMT -5
Oh okay, my bad.
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Post by DTP. on Dec 29, 2013 23:52:55 GMT -5
 WCW Monday Nitro - Monday 5th April 1999
Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
Hour 1:
- Monday Nitro kicked things off with a vignette promoting the return of Sting, who hasn't been seen on WCW television since Halloween Havoc, last October. Sting returns tonight on Nitro!
- The new video package for Monday Nitro aired, featuring a new electronic synth-powered theme song, the Nitro Girls, and a collaboration of the best of WCW talent fighting in the ring. Following this, the Nitro Girls danced on the new stage for Nitro, as Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan introduced us to the all new World Championship Wrestling, promoting the return of Sting, the semi-final round of the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament to determine a new champion; and much more over the period of three hours.
- Billy Kidman & WCW World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr def. Juventud Guerrera & Blitzkrieg by disqualification to retain the WCW World Tag Team Championships in 8:25. With Guerrera and Blitzkrieg facing off on Sunday to determine the next number one contender to Rey Mysterio Jr's World Cruiserweight title, Juvi and Blitzkrieg were given a shot to challenge for the WCW World Tag Team Championships. Kidman and Mysterio worked cooperatively against a dysfunctional pair of challengers, but suddenly Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko hit the ring, jumping Kidman and Mysterio from behind! The members of the Four Horsemen continued to attack Mysterio and Kidman after the match, an indication that they want their titles back.
- WCW President Ric Flair was shown in his office, as Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko appeared, Flair congratulating them on their successful assault on Billy Kidman & Rey Mysterio Jr. Flair granted them a shot at the WCW World Tag Team Championships at Spring Stampede, this Sunday.
- Goldberg came to the ring for an interview with Gene Okerlund, as Goldberg seemed irate following the so-called defeat by Goldberg from Bret Hart last Monday. Goldberg talked about how Bret claimed to have quit World Championship Wrestling, but how he would find him, and he would be able to get his hands on him when he does. Goldberg talked about how since he lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Starrcade, he's been on the receiving end of a load of bullsh*t. Goldberg was then cut off by the theme of the Wolfpac, and out came Kevin Nash. Nash hit the ring and told Goldberg to stop complaining and listen, because in ten years time, everybody would be talking about him, not Goldberg, because it was "Big Sexy" who ended the streak! Goldberg seemed to get angry, as Nash told Goldberg that he isn't so satisfied with how Starrcade went down, because he didn't get to beat Goldberg on his own; Scott Hall got involved. Nash then invited Goldberg to a once in a lifetime rematch, this Sunday at Spring Stampede! Goldberg responded, saying that it would be a Christmas present to take down Nash at long last.
- New personality, Ricki Rachman promoted the WCW Hotline.
- Hak w/Chastity def. Sick Boy in a Hardcore match in 4:31. Hak was days ahead of his hardcore encounter with recent rival, Bam Bam Bigelow, and prepared tonight against former Flock member, Sick Boy. Sick Boy put up quite a fight, including a kendo stick, two trash cans and a lead pipe in his inventory of weapons, but Hak managed to overcome it, using his trusty kendo stick to fight back. Sick Boy found himself trapped in the stick-assisted Russian legsweep through a trash can for the victory. After the match, Bam Bam Bigelow hit the ring, intending to jump Hak with a steel chair, but Bigelow found himself sent over the top rope, as Hak and schoolgirl-dressed Chastity celebrated in the ring.
- A vignette aired, promoting "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner, who does battle with Meng later on tonight in the semi-finals of the WCW US Heavyweight Championship tournament.
- In his office, Ric Flair exchanged words with Arn Anderson, as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion seemed vexed about Goldberg and Kevin Nash's power to make themselves a match for Spring Stampede. Flair uttered that nobody outdrew the "Nature Boy", before walking out.
- Disco Inferno def. Mikey Whipwreck at 3:24. Inferno has been an annoyance to former Wolfpac associate Konnan recently, Inferno mocking Konnan's style and his new music video. Whipwreck meanwhile has been on a losing edge ever since debuting back at Uncensored. Whipwreck seemed to have an injured arm, which was bandaged going into this match. Inferno worked away at it, as Whipwreck got in some offense, but the Last Dance (formerly known as the 'Chartbuster') put Whipwreck away. Inferno had some more comments for Konnan after the match, denouncing Konnan as a thug that couldn't get the job done, and that Disco would prove this claim on Sunday.
- A vignette aired, promoting Meng, who does battle with Scott Steiner later tonight.
- Gene Okerlund introduced the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, President Ric Flair to the ring, as Flair walked out, strutting his stuff. Flair stood in the ring as Gene asked Flair why he requested this interview. Flair responded, talking about how there are so many exciting things going in World Championship Wrestling, especially with the "Nature Boy" in charge, as President and World Heavyweight Champion. Flair told Okerlund that he was here to extend a huge challenge to one Hollywood Hogan, who told Hogan that he wanted to take him on one more time, man-to-man, one last chance at his title! Flair told Hogan that he's serious, that he wants this match to happen, tonight on Nitro! The fans exploded, as Flair seemed serious, the fans in Las Vegas excited, when Hollywood Hogan's theme hit. Hogan hit the ring, telling Flair that he would love nothing more, the fans growing to Hogan's side, unorthodoxly. Hogan told Flair that tonight, he would end it all, because he will beat Flair, and that will be the last time anyone will see this poor excuse for a human being as WCW World Heavyweight Champion! Flair accepted, as the fans continued to get more and more excited.
| Hour 2:
- WCW World Television Champion Booker T def. Chris Jericho in the semi-final round of the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament at 9:18. Jericho and Booker fought hard for this match, both men wanting to go on to meet the victor in Scott Steiner and Meng later tonight, all for the WCW US Heavyweight title this Sunday. Jericho worked the spine of Booker, wanting to pick up some new momentum after a string of bad luck recently. Booker soon made the comeback, and after a brief exchange of close-falls by Jericho, Booker caught Jericho with an axe kick for the victory. Booker gloated, as Scott Steiner and Meng in separate areas were seen watching from a monitor backstage.
- Replays of Ric Flair challenging Hollywood Hogan to one last match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship tonight aired.
- Fit Finley ridiculed an obviously injured Mikey Whipwreck in the backstage area, challenging the poor rookie to a match this Thursday on Thunder. Finley vowed to make Whipwreck pay his dues.
- Kevin Nash was shown entering WCW President Ric Flair's office, leading to some confusion for the announcers, as Hollywood Hogan's ally in the nWo Wolfpac had just entered Four Horsemen territory, ahead of Flair and Hogan's match tonight!
- Psychosis def. Chavo Guerrero Jr at 7:15. A hard-fought lucha-libre encounter between two students of the game, as Psychosis and Chavo Guerrero Jr fought back and forth using the most innovative and agile style. Psychosis seemed to be ready to put Chavo away, but the oddball Guerrero fired back, surprising Psychosis. Psychosis showed signs of frustration, as Chavo continued to kick out of Psychosis' moves, including a top rope hurricanrana and a guillotine elbow drop - but the Guillotine Leg Drop finally put Guerrero down for the count. After the match, Chavo seemed genuinely aggravated by his loss.
- The Nitro Girls began to dance once again up at the entrance ramp.
- Sting is supposedly seen up above the ring in the rafters, prompting excitement from Tony Schiavone and the Las Vegas crowd...until it is revealed to be a production crew member, not the actual Sting.
- A video package aired, reviewing the tragic news that "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan had to retire from the ring last August due to cancer-related problems - before he returned last Thursday on Thunder, promoting his return tonight on Nitro.
- Jim Duggan def. Lizmark Jr at 4:02. Duggan fought well in his comeback match in World Championship Wrestling, as "Hacksaw" took on Mexican luchadore Lizmark Jr, the second-generation star from Mexico, hoping to make an impact in WCW. Lizmark attempted to pound away at Duggan, but Duggan fired back with the Three Point Stance, as always followed up with the Old Glory knee drop for the win. Duggan celebrated afterwards to a big homecoming ovation, surrounded in 'USA' chants.
- An advertisement aired, promoting WCW Spring Stampede, live on pay-per-view this Sunday night.
- Hollywood Hogan caught up with ally, Kevin Nash, who decided to visit Ric Flair earlier on tonight. Hogan asked Nash what he was doing meeting with his competition tonight, reminding Nash about the nWo's rivalry with Ric Flair. Nash told Hogan to back off, telling Hogan that it had nothing to do with the main event, or Hogan's chances of winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
- Prior to his match, Scott Steiner decided to run down the fans in Las Vegas, attracting large boos from the large crowd. Steiner promised to win this WCW US Heavyweight Championship for himself, because he is the best man for the job in the new WCW.
- Scott Steiner def. Meng in the semi-final round of the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament at 8:30. "Big Poppa Pump" has been on a role as of late, being a previous WCW World Tag Team Champion, a former WCW World Television Champion, and being a member of World Championship Wrestling for over ten years. Meng meanwhile had a similar resumé, being a former Tag Team Champion, and a veteran in the business. Meng and Steiner both hit high-impact moves on one another, as the fans heavily rooted for Meng against Steiner, but in the end, it was a belly-to-back suplex followed up by a pinfall with his feet on the ropes, which gave Steiner the win. Steiner then cowered from Meng at ringside after the match, but this Sunday it would now be Steiner doing battle with Booker T for the vacant US Heavyweight title.
| Hour 3:
- Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko w/Arn Anderson def. Raven & Perry Saturn in 10:45. In recent weeks, Raven and Perry Saturn have grown to actually become quite an odd couple, but both men have continued to rely on the others weaknesses, making them the ultimate tag team combination. After previous troubles between the two teams, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko of the Four Horsemen were given a shot at the WCW World Tag Team Championships this Sunday, making the former Flock members irate. A hard-fought brawl broke down when Benoit and Malenko targeted Raven and beat him down, but Saturn soon made the hot tag. All four men ended up brawling in the ring, but after a distraction from Arn Anderson, Malenko used a pair of brass knuckles on Saturn, leading to the Diving Headbutt from the "Canadian Crippler", leading to the Horsemen members getting a win. Afterwards, Benoit and Malenko announced that they were going to bring their WCW World Tag Team Championship belts back home to the Horsemen.
- A video package aired, previewing this Sunday's anticipated collision, a huge rematch between former WCW World Heavyweight Champions, as Goldberg finally confronts the man that ended his famous undefeated streak, Kevin Nash this Sunday, at Spring Stampede.
- The Nitro Girls danced once more, as the announcers began to preview Spring Stampede this Sunday in greater detail.
- Konnan def. Norman Smiley at 4:18. The man from south of the border, Konnan was in action tonight on Nitro, just days prior to his match with Disco Inferno, a man that has been a thorn in his side as of late, ridiculing his style and performance inside and outside of the ring, even his latest rap video that premiered several weeks ago. Norman Smiley showed tenacity in this match, firing away at Konnan with a more ruthless agenda, the former WCW US Heavyweight Champion soon firing back however, as he nailed the rolling clothesline before putting Smiley away with the Tequila Sunrise, as Smiley literally screamed out in pain.
- In the backstage area, Hak and Bam Bam Bigelow were getting into it six days before they were planned to, as the two exchanged kendo stick shots to one another in the backstage area. Bigelow used his size to his advantage, as the "Beast from the East" clubbed Hak several times before sending him into the side of an ambulance several times in a row. Chastity pleaded with Bigelow to stop, and just in time, security arrived to break up the two hardcore stars.
- An advertisement for the all-new WCW Thursday Thunder aired, previewing a battle royal match between the members of the nWo Black and White, with the winner being granted the position as the leader of the B-Team. Plus, Scott Steiner and Chris Jericho team up against Meng and Booker T, Rey Mysterio Jr meets Dean Malenko, and more on the TBS Superstation, this Thursday from 7:57.
- Ric Flair vs Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship ended in a no-contest at 11:29. These two legends in their own right, together holding up to more than a dozen World title reigns in combination battled horn-for-horn one more time, as the President of World Championship Wrestling, and the leader of the nWo Wolfpac have one of the longest running rivalries in professional wrestling. Flair was overpowered early on, as the fans rooted for Hogan more and more; but Flair was able to cheat to get ahead, chopping away at Hogan and going after his bad knee. The two men continued to battle for the most prestigious prize in our business, before suddenly Diamond Dallas Page hit the ring! DDP nailed Hogan with the Diamond Cutter, before then laying out Ric Flair as well! DDP, Flair and Hogan were scheduled for Sunday's Spring Stampede main event for the title, but DDP had just cleared out all opposition in this match!
- As Diamond Dallas Page stood tall over Ric Flair and Hollywood Hogan, Sting suddenly appeared levitating from the rafters! Sting landed in the ring to a huge ovation, although this time he was dressed in the red and white! Fans everywhere were confused by this, as Sting glared at Page, and Page glared at Sting! Sting soon pointed at the screens above the stage, it reading "Ric Flair. Hollywood Hogan. Diamond Dallas Page. Sting". The fans exploded, as Sunday's WCW World Heavyweight Championship match was now a four-corners match with the returning Stinger! WCW Nitro went off the air. |
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Post by DTP. on Dec 30, 2013 1:19:16 GMT -5
OUTSIDE OF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING...
The week of March 30, 1999-April 6, 1999
| WWF: RAW is WAR - March 29, 1999 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Continental Airlines Arena | WWF: Sunday Night HeAT: April 4, 1999 - Long Island, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
| - X-Pac def. Triple H by DQ
- WWF Tag Team Champions Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett def. the Legion of Doom
- Goldust def. the Road Dogg to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship
- Ken Shamrock def. Gangrel
- The Rock def. Billy Gunn
- Hardcore Holly def. Steve Williams to retain the WWF Hardcore Championship
- The Big Show def. Test
- Ivory & Tori def. WWF Women's Champion Sable & Jacqueline | - Kane def. WWF Tag Team Champions Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart by DQ in a handicap match
- The Big Boss Man def. Darren Drozdov
- Val Venis def. Steve Blackman
- Tori def. Jacqueline by DQ
| | WWF: RAW is WAR - April 5, 1999 - Long Island, NY @ Nassau Coliseum | ECW: Cyberslam - April 3, 1999 - Philadelphia, PA @ ECW Arena | - The Big Show def. Triple H & The Rock by DQ in a handicap match
- The Godfather vs WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust; double count-out
- Mankind def. Val Venis
- Ken Shamrock vs Viscera; no contest
- The New Age Outlaws def. Edge & Gangrel
- Al Snow def. WWF Hardcore Champion Hardcore Holly
- Kane & X-Pac def. Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart to win the WWF Tag Team Championships
| - The Dudley Boyz & Mustafa def. Balls Mahoney, Ian Rotten & New Jack in a Steel-Cage match
- Shane Douglas def. Justin Credible
- Taz def. Chris Candido to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Championship in a Falls Count Anywhere match
- Rob Van Dam def. 2 Cold Scorpio to retain the ECW World Television Championship
- TAKA Michinoku def. Papi Chulo
- Super Crazy def. El Mosco
- Nova def. Rod Price
- Jerry Lynn def. Yoshihiro Tajiri |
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AKing1979
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Oct 9, 2012 22:13:26 GMT -5
Posts: 304
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Post by AKing1979 on Dec 30, 2013 16:27:22 GMT -5
Man, you changed your username AGAIN?
Anyway and okay episode of Nitro to start this diary off. It was pretty close to what really happened that night but we'll let it slide since it's just your first show.
I'm curious to see where you take WCW in your alternate universe. Who's going to get the title? Are you going to keep Jericho around? I'm hhoping that after Goldberg gets his revenge against Nash he finally gets a title match at Slamboree instead of that meaningless match with Sting that could have been a Starrcade main event. I'm also wondering if you're going to do any hotshotting or actually building up to title matches on pay-per-view.
Just so many questions since we're all well versed in what went down in WCW in 1999, so hopefully you stick with this.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 1, 2014 22:33:06 GMT -5
 WCW Thursday Thunder - Thursday 8th April 1999
Richmond, VA - Richmond Coliseum
Hour 1:
- A replay aired to kick off the show from Nitro this past Monday, where Sting made his grand return to the ring, effectively making the WCW World Heavyweight Championship for Spring Stampede on Sunday a four-corners match, featuring Ric Flair, Diamond Dallas Page, Hollywood Hogan and Sting, the biggest main event in professional wrestling history!
- A video package then aired, kicking off WCW Thursday Thunder, as the camera cut to the Richmond Coliseum in Virginia for the final edition of Thunder prior to Spring Stampede! Mike Tenay and Larry Zbyszko welcomed us to the show, specifically promoting Spring Stampede.
- Jim Duggan def. Chris Adams at 4:42. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan made his return to in-ring competition last Monday night on Nitro after having to retire temporarily due to cancer, but Duggan was on a roll tonight, the patriot of the United States going up against a patriot of England, "Gentleman" Chris Adams. Adams and Duggan both had their respective country's flags with them and waved them before the match. After Adams put up a fight and wore down Duggan, Jim fired back, putting Adams down with the Old Glory knee drop!
- The announcers took us to a replay of Monday Nitro last week in Toronto, where Bret Hart officially decided to retire from in-ring competition and quit World Championship Wrestling after confronting Goldberg! They then discussed Goldberg and his business to be settled at last with Kevin Nash on Sunday night.
- An advertisement aired, promoting the history of Goldberg and Kevin Nash, three days away from their big rematch at Spring Stampede.
- Psychosis def. Shane Helms at 4:36. The masked luchador from Mexico was out to the ring to introduce the cruiserweight division tonight on Thunder against newcomer to World Championship Wrestling, the twenty-four year old Shane Helms. Psychosis managed to get the better of Helms early on, but Helms continued to try and fight the Mexican off with aerial acrobatics of his own, just for Psychosis to finish Helms with the Guillotine Legdrop.
- An advertisement for the WCW Hotline aired.
- Gene Okerlund was stood in the ring, as he introduced Konnan out to the ring for an interview. Konnan received a good reaction, as he got into the ring and was asked about his beef with Disco Inferno. Konnan said how he didn't respect Inferno, because he believes that he doesn't fit in the New World Order. Konnan considered himself a better member of the nWo, and he's not sure why Disco is with them because he absolutely sucks. Konnan called Disco an embarrassment, and that he was going to expose Disco at Spring Stampede.
- A replay from Monday Nitro aired, reviewing the challenge extended by Kevin Nash, which was accepted by Goldberg, setting up the long-anticipated rematch from Starrcade 1998, where Nash ended Goldberg's streak.
- Blitzkrieg def. La Parka at 9:25. One of the potential number one contenders to the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship headed to the ring next for action against La Parka, the chair-wielding skeleton man. Blitzkrieg used such agility and tenacity to put Parka away, but that's not despite La Parka managing to fire back at Blitzkrieg. Parka even attempted a corkscrew moonsault, which unfortunately missed. Blitzkrieg soon fought back, and managed to pick up the hard-fought win with an amazing corkscrew 450 splash! Blitzkrieg continued to impress, rising through the ranks of the cruiserweight division.
- A vignette aired, centred around Booker T. The WCW World Television Champion prepared to face Scott Steiner for the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship on Sunday night.
- A replay from Monday Nitro aired, reviewing Rey Mysterio Jr and Billy Kidman's WCW World Tag Team Championship defense against the dysfunctional pair of Blitzkrieg and Juventud Guerrera. However, midway into the match, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko interfered, jumping the champions. After the match Malenko and Benoit were granted a rematch for the titles, for this Sunday at Spring Stampede.
- Dean Malenko w/Arn Anderson def. WCW World Tag Team & Cruiserweight Champion Rey Mysterio Jr at 12:10. The multi-title holding Mysterio Jr took on one-half of the opponents this Sunday, as Dean Malenko started off with a lot of offense, working away at Mysterio. Malenko and Mysterio exchanged holds and moves in a flurry of fast, competitive action in the essence of their innovative matches in the summer of 1996. Malenko worked away at the bad knee of Mysterio, but the "Man of a Thousand Holds" fell to Mysterio's high-flying offense, to the point he had Malenko ready for the top rope Frankensteiner - just for Arn Anderson to distract Rey, leading to a superplex led by a cradle, scoring Malenko the win! Arn Anderson guaranteed victory for Malenko and Chris Benoit on Sunday to the camera. | Hour 2:
- A brief video package aired, reviewing the differences in the nWo Black & White between Stevie Ray, Brian Adams, Vincent and Horace Hogan. The four men have had problems in the past over leadership, which has plagued the B-Team in recent weeks. Tonight Vincent and Stevie Ray are scheduled for tag team action with Raven and Perry Saturn.
- Fit Finley def. Steve Armstrong at 3:22. The Irishman displayed some bully-ish tendencies towards young Mikey Whipwreck last Monday night, and it resumed tonight, as he took on a member of the historic Armstrong wrestling family. Steve Armstrong, a veteran was pushed and shoved around by Finley, who then even had the audacity to slap Armstrong around as well! Finley then put Steve down with the Tombstone Piledriver for the win.
- A vignette aired, centred around Scott Steiner. "Big Poppa Pump" will take on the WCW World Television Champion Booker T at Spring Stampede to determine a new WCW United States Heavyweight Champion.
- Wrath def. Johnny Swinger at 2:30. The impressive physique of Wrath was more than enough for the WCW PowerPlant student, Johnny Swinger, as Swinger attempted to nail Wrath at any given opportunity, but to no prevail, as Wrath was too fast and too powerful for Swinger. Wrath soonafter put Swinger down for the three count following the Total Meltdown.
- An advertisement aired, promoting WCW Spring Stampede this Sunday night.
- Raven & Perry Saturn def. Stevie Ray & Vincent at 5:08. The nWo Black & White haven't been doing so great recently, but this was their chance to get a victory at last, although against the unlikely team with all of the chemistry in the world, former Flock members, Raven and Perry Saturn. Saturn wearing a skirt, still managed to take down Vincent, and proceeded to wear him down - but then Stevie Ray got the tag and began to manipulate Saturn. The fans cheered for Raven to get the tag, and eventually he did. Chaos broke loose with all four men in the ring, but it all ended when Raven nailed Vincent with the Evenflow DDT for the three.
- After the match, Vincent and Stevie Ray began arguing as Gene Okerlund then got into the ring and told the two nWo Black & White members to calm down, as Brian Adams and Horace Hogan then came out to ringside as well. Ray was overheard telling Vincent that he didn't need to team with a bunch of losers, stating his past accomplishments, a former WCW World Television Champion, a former WCW World Tag Team Champion. Ray told the B-Team members that he had better things to do than team with the losers in the B-Team. Ray walked out on the B-Team, walking straight past Adams and Hogan.
- Juventud Guerrera def. Kaz Hayashi at 7:01. More cruiserweight action from the dynamic young stars in World Championship Wrestling, as Juventud Guerrera of Mexico took on Japan's Kaz Hayashi. After Blitzkrieg got a victory earlier on against La Parka, Juvi wanted to outdo his Spring Stampede opponent, and also prove himself to be the next WCW World Cruiserweight Champion in one sweep. After Hayashi used some high-flying offense, the less experienced Hayashi soon fell to a mistimed springboard, and Guerrera dropkicked him to the canvas, followed up with the Juvi Driver for three. Guerrera shouted in Mexican after the match, some fighting words for Blitzkrieg.
- The main event fireworks go off, signalling that our tag team main event is up next.
- Booker T & Meng def. Scott Steiner & Chris Jericho at 9:19. This match featured the four stars that were involved in the semi-final round of the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament that was contested last Monday on Nitro. Booker T and Scott Steiner were prepared going into this one for some action ahead of their scheduled match this Sunday at Spring Stampede. Meng and Booker made quite a team tonight, double-teaming Steiner before "Big Poppa Pump" and Chris Jericho took over, double-teaming Booker in an effort to weaken Booker before the big title match on Sunday. Meng soon made the hot tag, as Steiner and Booker brawled around ringside, and Meng managed to capture Jericho from the top rope, locking in the Tonga Death Grip and putting Jericho out for the win! Booker T and Meng celebrated after the match, as Scott Steiner stood on the aisleway with a determined look on his face, as Thunder went off the air. |
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Deleted
Joined on: May 6, 2024 20:59:39 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2014 14:02:17 GMT -5
This diary has an good back story, very detailed. I liked the first two shows they had solid matches and the detail was good! The spring stampede show is looking strong looking forward to the tag team match. Love the use of Outside of WCW it is a good touch. You could maybe also add ratings for each of the shows and compare it to how WCW is doing to make it look like a ratings battle as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this goes as there is a lot of talent and you this is a good time period. Wonder what you will do when the superstars started switching to WWF, would be interesting to see you keep them and see how they do in the business.
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underjohngrohs
Main Eventer
"Do I Have Everybody's Attention Now?"
Joined on: May 19, 2012 17:48:25 GMT -5
Posts: 2,959
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Post by underjohngrohs on Jan 4, 2014 1:29:07 GMT -5
well I'm really glad that you're doing this WCW, I wasn't a huge fan of wrestling til late 1999 when I started watching both WCW and WWE all together, but you have some creative ideas in your head, hoping they're good as your last diaries, loved Nitro, loved how everything went, But the ending with Sting dressed in red and white being involved in the title picture, hope Sting wins the title at Spring Stampede, excited to see Goldberg and Kevin Nash face off in Spring Stampede with Goldberg getting the Christmas present by beating Nash, glad to see you doing WCW in 1999, hoping Hogan turns face against the NWO and becomes Hulkamania once again, this should've started in May of 1999 with Nash accusing Hogan of being the weakest link of The New World Order, but I'm hoping Hogan breaks away from them as soon as possible, Thunder was okay, but with the lack of Sting, DDP, Flair, Nash, Goldberg, Hogan and others just doesn't make a good Thunder show, but anyway, hoping to see more, please stick with this man,
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Post by DTP. on Jan 4, 2014 20:33:40 GMT -5
WCW Saturday Night: Saturday 10th April 1999 [Kitchener, ON]
- Fit Finley def. Bobby Eaton in 4:29 after the Tombstone Piledriver.
- Norman Smiley def. Ernest Miler w/Sonny Oono in 4:29 after Smiley
rolled Miller up when he was distracted by La Parka's dancing at ringside.
- Konnan def. Juventud Guerrera in 7:33 after the Tequila Sunrise. Disco
Inferno tried interfering during the match, but Konnan took him out.
- Meng & Jerry Flynn def. Hugh Morrus & The Barbarian w/Jimmy Hart in
0:37 after Meng superkicked Barbarian. Meng attacked Morrus and Flynn
afterwards, Jimmy Hart escaped.
| WCW Worldwide: Saturday 10th April 1999 [Kitchener, ON]
- Scott Norton w/Jimmy Hart def. Bobby Blaze in 2:29 after the Shoulderbreaker.
Norton was apparently scouted back to WCW by Hart.
- Hector Garza def. Prince Iaukea in 4:45 after the moonsault.
- Scotty Riggs def. Lash LeRoux in 4:02 after the flying forearm.
- El Vampiro def. Super Calo in 3:12 after the Nail in the Coffin.
- Meng def. The Gambler in 0:16 after the Tongan Death Grip.
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Post by DTP. on Jan 4, 2014 21:18:44 GMT -5
 PWTorch Newsletter #543: WCW Newswire
- Bret Hart himself portrayed to the Canada press that he really quit World Championship Wrestling during the March 29 edition of Nitro. "Honestly, I'm all wrestled out, I'm not happy, and I'm tired of the way they're using me at WCW." During several interviews, Bret referred to WCW "booking him against clumsy workers" and know-nothing rookies, claiming that he should have been wrestling Hollywood Hogan thirty seconds after he debuted. Hart was scheduled to have groin surgery on April 6, and is expected to be out of action for four-to-six months. Meanwhile, sources state that the angle is not legitimate and that Hart is still with the organization.
- Torch readers gave WCW Monday Nitro a refreshingly positive review this week, mainly in part due to the brand new look and presentation to World Championship Wrestling's flagship show. In the coming weeks, WCW management to give more definition to its talent through vignettes (as featured lately for stars such as Scott Steiner and Booker T) and segments. This is obviously done to reflect the WWF, who have given a lot of its undercard talent more definition, allowing the fans to invest in their characters more. Additionally, Nitro displayed a different format in its matches, featuring more important matches at the top and tail end of each hour, to persuade viewers to stay tuned in and not to switch channels over to RAW is WAR.
- Meanwhile, WCW's Thursday Thunder remained the same, with an identical format. However, this is apparently going to change in the coming weeks. The main issue is that a lot of the uppercard do not enjoy wrestling two times a week on mainstream television. Additionally, with Nitro being three hours long, the creative team seem to be finding it difficult extending material over onto Thunder. Even Saturday Night has seemingly changed its' format, becoming a one-hour program featuring just four matches, as opposed to last week, which included eight in a forty-minute slot. Worldwide, WCW's second longest-running program in syndication will reportedly feature more matches, whereas WCW Pro and Main Event will take over as highlight shows.
- Scott Hall was remarried to his wife Dana two weeks ago and wishes to spend more time with his kids. Hall will reportedly return in June under a restructured contract. This new contract features Hall appearing for fifteen dates per month, assumingly featuring Nitro, Thunder, pay-per-views, and select C-level taping dates and big house shows. It should also keep Hall happy, after previously encountering a bout of alcoholism which was controversially parodied on television last fall.
- Chris Jericho appeared on WCW Live, WCW.com's radio show last week and indicated that he will not be renewing his contract which expires on June 25. Jericho stated that he has not received any negotiations from management about renewing his contract, but that could change at any moment.
- Several WCW stars will appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in the coming weeks. Listed presently are Diamond Dallas Page on May 5, Hollywood Hogan on May 12 and Goldberg on May 19.
- Madusa has extended her contract with World Championship Wrestling after management learned that her contract would be expiring shortly, and were afraid that she may return to the WWF whose women's division is becoming a big part of its' product (although mainly in T&A).
- Nitro received a 4.33 rating this week, which was due to a peak in the overrun period of the show (which featured the attack from Diamond Dallas Page during Ric Flair and Hollywood Hogan's title encounter, as well as the heavily hyped announcement from a returning Sting regarding Spring Stampede) at which it hit a huge 5.3 rating, jumping a big 1.0 gun from the previous hour. RAW still won this week however, scoring a 5.77. |
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snickelodeon
Superstar
Joined on: Nov 27, 2011 9:37:08 GMT -5
Posts: 956
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Post by snickelodeon on Jan 5, 2014 9:00:46 GMT -5
First off hats off for the great background work and presentation. It's the smartest looking diary on the board.
Hopefully this will replace 96 now because working on both with the same amount of detail will slow both down.
I love rebooking WCW before joining this board I rebooked WCW from April 00 when Russo/Bischoff took over and it lasted a couple of years. You can have a lot of fun fixing all of their mistakes, that's why I am enjoying TNA. You've choose a little bit of a weird starting point possibly. I'm very interested in following this and this series has my attention more than any other currently.
On to the shows...
Nitro you didn't change to much just a couple of very subtle and needed changes. I enjoyed reading Nitro it wasn't intended to be this new tear everything apart type show and start over. Your cleverer than that and u are working with what you have and if this was too last it would be good to see the company grow and the roster frsehen up.
I am not going to pick apart the shows because it's not the time for that give it a few more shows an that may start but for a first week I was impressed and will be keeping an eye on how this develops. Keep it going...
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Post by DTP. on Jan 23, 2014 12:02:18 GMT -5
PWTorch Newsletter #543: Upcoming Events
- World Championship Wrestling presents its sixth annual April event, Spring Stampede this Sunday night. The event emanates from the TWA Dome in Tacoma, Washington, and to my understanding tickets are still on sale for the event (as has been the case in recent months, with WCW's declining fanbase). The current card for the event looks like this:
- Ric Flair (c) vs Hollywood Hogan vs Sting vs Diamond Dallas Page for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in a Four Corners match.
- Goldberg vs Kevin Nash in the "Rematch of the Century".
- Scott Steiner vs Booker T for the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship.
- Rey Mysterio Jr & Billy Kidman (c) vs Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko for the WCW World Tag Team Championship.
- Disco Inferno vs Konnan
- Hak vs Bam Bam Bigelow in a Hardcore match.
- Juventud Guerrera vs Blitzkrieg in a number one contender's match. The winner challenges the WCW World Cruiserweight Champion at Slamboree on May 9.
Card, of course, is subject to change.
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snickelodeon
Superstar
Joined on: Nov 27, 2011 9:37:08 GMT -5
Posts: 956
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Post by snickelodeon on Jan 26, 2014 10:03:28 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to replying to this, maybe next Sunday?
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