"What-if" Anthologies: 21. Ultimate Warrior joins WCW 1992

Tuesday Night Titans
March 22nd, 1985
Hosts: Vince McMahon and Lord Alfred Hayes

Piper, Orndorff and Orton join the set. Before this a segment of Piper's Pit had all three talk trash about Hulk and Mr. T.

Piper brings in his "own" fortune teller who reveals that Orndorff wins over Hulk Hogan and Piper makes Mr. T retire from acting and wrestling.



Vince: Now that's just not right is this even a qualified fortunate teller?

Piper: Ha, why do you want to see credentials the fact is my credentials are enough I am the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion ha I think that's enough and Mr. T? How many matches has he won in the ring, ha let me tell you McMahon, zero that's right zero he's never been in the wrestling ring before especially against a high caliber opponent like me ha. He wants to fight for Rock'n Roll? He wants to fight for the Cyndi Laupers and the Hulk Hogans of the world ha forget about it he doesn't stand a chance.

Vince: Hulk Hogan has been training Mr. T day in and day out at the gym and everywhere across the country let's take a look.



Video package of Hulk training Mr. T to fight and in the ring as well.

Piper: Mr. T can train all he wants ha he picked the wrong trainer (laughs)

Vince: Hulk Hogan is a former WWF Heavyweight Champion who held the title for over a year...

Orndorff trashes Hogan saying that at Wrestlemania he'll be ready for him.

vInCe McMaHoN iSn’T a RaCiSt

But seriously, ffs Vince. 

Wrestlemania
March 31st, 1985
Madison Square Garden, NY
Hosts: Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura

The first Wrestlemania was only available on Closed Circuit Television and reached over a million viewers, the largest in CCTV history at the time.

This Wrestlemania lacked much promos in the event, here promos were included. A video package was quickly put together that showed the Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Piper and friends feud leading to Saturday Night Live with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T where Mr. T says he's going to win the Heavyweight Championship.

Hulk Hogan def. Paul Orndorff (w/Cowboy Bob Orton) via pinfall with the legdrop at 7:33.



Backstage Hogan celebrates with Mr. T and gets him pumped up about the match and says he'll be beside Mr. T the whole time. Meanwhile Orndorff is in the back upset till Piper and Orton confront him telling him he shouldn't have lost and now made things worse. Orndorff says he wants Hogan again, Piper slaps him in the face and leaves the room. Orndorff stood motionless not getting why he did it.

Rowdy Roddy Piper (c) (w/Bob Orton & Orndorff) vs. Mr. T (w/Hulk & Snuka) for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship



Liberache comes out first as the guest time keeper. Muhammad Ali makes his way out as guest 2nd referee to referee Pat Patterson. Piper comes out first as champion as Monsoon stresses that he likes coming out first. Bagpipe players introduce him and he comes out with heavy security followed by Orton. Orndorff is not seen but comes out later thinking it's okay and Orton says nothing to him as Orndorff tries to talk to him. Next comes out Mr. T to a huge pop with Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Snuka.

T and Piper are face to face they're now nose to nose as they start talking trash. They start to slap each other back and forth till Piper kicks T in the gut. Piper takes him down from behind, locking him down on the mat as T struggles to get out of the hold and finally does. Piper gets angry and they grapple, T pushes Piper and Piper doesn't believe it. They grapple again and T lifts him up and spins him around only to drop him. Piper spears T into his corner for Orton to get in a few cheapshots. Orndorff wanted to help but Orton tells him not too. Hulk tries to get to the other side with Snuka. T fights back against Piper. Muhammad Ali tries to keep the chaos outside of the ring in order.



Piper pushes T down and holds him on the ground with a hold, as T tries to break it. Hulk is near the apron as Piper lets go and slaps Hulk. Hulk tries to get which distracts the ref only for Orton to jump in and take cheap shots on T. Ali tries to control the situation. Piper now locks in the sleeper! T is struggling and it almost looks like its over till T grabs a rope and the ref breaks the hold on Piper. Piper argues with the ref till T goes for a roll up pin to two. Piper spears T again and it's a fist fight. T lifts Piper and gets him in a corner landing jabs right and left all over the place. T whips Piper into a corner and runs into the turnbuckle as Piper gets out of the way. Piper goes for another sleeper, T reverses it and gets his own sleeper hold in!

Piper struggles and goes nuts! Piper finally collapses but as he falls he slips down as T is distracted by Orndorff who is on the apron and T punches him down. Meanwhile Orton rolls Piper to the outside as he tries to wake him up. Orton tries his best to wake up Piper but Piper is out cold as the ref finishes the match with the ten count.

Winner: Mr. T via countout. Piper retains the WWF title

Mr. T celebrates as he jumps up and down knowing he won. MLB's Billy Martin announces that Mr. T won by countout. Piper is finally awake on the outside and is in shock as Orton takes him to the back with the World title. Hulk and Snuka celebrate with Mr. T and lift him up for the crowd who are on their feet. In a post-match promo backstage with a bunch of press and celebrities rooting for Mr. T, T says to Mean Gene that it was the greatest night of his life that even though he didn't get the championship he still beat Piper in his own game. Hulk says this war isn't over yet and one day that Championship will leave Piper.

It’s the best way out, title doesn’t have to change hands to an actor, he gets a moral victory, piper was humiliated as T used his own finisher against him and he almost lost, if the ref had counted to 3. It’s the best way and T had no interest in being a pro wrestler and was scared of getting in the ring anyway so the scenario imo is the best way

Edit: the most obvious factor is Piper or anyone at the time would never job to an actor 

Saturday Night's Main Event
Debut Episode
May 10th, 1985
Hosts: Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura

Roddy Piper (c) (w/Orton) vs. Paul Orndorff for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship



Orndorff quickly goes on the offensive and beats down on Piper in a corner as the crowd goes wild. Orndorff lifts Piper and throws him over the ropes over Bob Orton! Orndorff goes nuts as he leaves the ring and starts working on Piper with lefts and rights on the outside till Orton slams his cast over Orndorff's back. The ref kicks Orton to the back!

Back after a commercial break, Piper is on the offensive in the ring and he rakes Orndorff's eyes and drops him down for a headlock. Orndorff gets the crowd behind him and manages to break the hold for a german suplex. Orndorff goes for the piledriver, but Piper lands a backbody drop. Piper hits the ropes and goes for a big knee smash but Orndorff gets out of the way! Piper's knee is hurt and Orndorff starts kicking it down. He lifts Piper up and lands a powerslam. He tries to go for a bodyslam, but Piper counters and lands an atomic drop and a clothesline.

Orndorff lands a few punches and irish whip missing a clothesline for Piper to land a running high knee strike. Piper works on Orndorff in the corner and lands a bulldog. He gets in the sleeperhold for the win.

Winner: Roddy Piper via submission to retain the WWF Heavyweight Championship

Hulk Hogan (w/Mr. T) def. Cowboy Bob Orton (w/Piper) via pinfall with the legdrop. Hulk makes a challenge to Piper for the WWF title in a post-match promo.

END OF PART 15:

Roddy Piper's reign as WWF Champion is over as he held the title since February 18th to June 21st, 1985. A good short run for the top heel in the business with Hulk getting the strap back. Roddy doing the job for Hulk even though it wasn't "clean", probably was what was "best for business" back then since he refused to do it for years. In a sense perhaps he would've done it if Hulk made a deal that he would job to him if Piper was willing to return the favour?

The Aftermath:

Roddy Piper would continue feuding with Hulk on house shows, culminating in a final confrontation at The Wrestling Classic PPV. Instead of a singles match, it would be a Steel Cage Match to end the feud once and for all, but ends in a "draw" with both Hulk and Piper climbing over at the same time but because it's a draw, Hulk retained the championship.

WWE RAW
"Vince McMahon Appreciation Night"
June 11th, 2007
Hosts: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

RECAP: After losing the ECW title to Bobby Lashley at One Night Stand on PPV on June 3rd, Mr. McMahon showed signs of depression even as he showed anger at losing, it was becoming too much. Mr. McMahon became a shadow of himself. Was McMahon really losing it with the realization that he was now an old man and losing touch with the fans? He was a changed man.

Jesse Ventura, Bob Costas, Cpt. Lou Albano, Mick Foley, Stone Cold and Donald Trump appeared on screen in pre-taped interviews praising Vince McMahon.

Throughout the show Vince looked nervous and uncomfortable, almost paranoid as though someone was out to get him. Mr. McMahon enters the ring at the end of the night, to make a statement and drops the mic instead refusing to say a word. McMahon leaves with several stars looking at McMahon he enters into his limo...and it explodes!

WWE RAW
"Three-hour Special"
June 25th, 2007
Hosts: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

RECAP: On Smackdown more investigations were being done as Beck continued to ask questions from several stars. At Vengeance PPV due to Benoit missing the show when he was set to face CM Punk, it was out of character of him and there was worry backstage, the WWE decides not to touch on the McMahon storyline.

The first hour is dedicated to Chris Benoit with several WWE superstars coming out in honour of him. They talk about him live on air while two matches dedicated to him. The WWE announces that Smackdown will be a special two hour episode on the career of Benoit. The WWE doesn't hold a memorial of Vince McMahon on RAW, but Stephanie McMahon says that due to the current investigation surrounding the incident the "show must go on" as planned.



The second hour of RAW has Stone Cold Steve Austin make his way out to a pop. Austin talks about Benoit and says he'll miss him, but that since the show must go on, he's come out here because he got a phone call from a certain federal investigator Mr. Beck to meet him but since Austin has shown up honouring Benoit, he wants to meet with Beck right now. Beck comes out and gets in the middle of the ring.



Beck: I would like to first offer my condolences to the Benoit family, however I must continue to do my job in investigating the incident involving Mr.McMahon and his limo. Mr. Austin, I have watched the video tapes of the past and I'm astound at how much hatred there was between you and Mr. McMahon, please take a look.

A video package is shown showing highlights of the rivalry between Austin and McMahon and also a video of Austin using a toy gun.

Beck: Do you care to explain this gun? Also back in March you had an altercation where you flipped off Mr. McMahon.

Austin: First of all that was the past, sure we hated each others guts, but I have no reason to do blow up a damn limo

Beck: I'm sorry to say this but Steve Austin, we have reason to believe you you could be involved you see..

Austin: I didn't do it but since you've already made your decision about me...

Austin stuns Beck! Security run out and cops arrest Austin as he is taken away.

Beck is in the back later in the show trying to fix his tie and shirt and holding unto his neck. He's furious that Austin would do such a thing to an FBI agent. Coach approaches him and apologizes on behalf of the WWE for Austin's behaviour. Beck says they should've had Austin committed years ago. Coach says that he is willing to cooperate fully in the investigation.



In the second half of RAW, Stephanie comes out and says kind words about Benoit. She starts a eulogy of her father and says how much she misses her. As she continues Beck comes out now and gets on the mic. He says that he's been wondering where her mom and brother are and why they're not out here tonight. Stephanie says that she's representing them.

Beck: I have a gut feeling that Stone Cold Steve Austin may not have been responsible...

Stephanie: Well that's a relief.

Beck: Although he will be charged for attacking a federal investigator, I've summed up these past few weeks a list of possible suspects and to come to think of it, look at this. (shows footage on screen of Stephanie betraying Vince in the past and their match they had in 2003 but only showing Stephanie attacking Vince). But I believe the biggest news of them all, is your secret marriage (at the time it wasn't acknowledged). That's correct Stephanie McMahon, you and your husband have played off the idea that you're enemies, but I know that your husband, and get this is in fact Triple H (JR is like what in the world, Lawler shouts what!). That's right and because of this I have enough reason to believe that you and Triple H orchestrated this whole thing to take over the WWE.

Stephanie: Are you a conspiracy theorist, alright fine I am married to Triple H are you happy? But to do that to my own father? No matter our differences I was his daughter, I loved him more than you know. So how dare you just how dare you wait what in the world is this (agents come in the ring and arrest Stephanie!)

Stephanie starts struggling, meanwhile Triple H is in the back packing his backpacks and runs off to his car! Triple H manages to escape in time as more agents arrive for RAW to go off air.

WWE RAW
July 2nd, 2007
Hosts: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

RECAP: Smackdown was a two hour special on the best of Chris Benoit. This would be the last time they mention him after learning about the tragic story.

JR opens RAW talking about the arrest of Stone Cold and Stephanie McMahon. Stone Cold was released on bail, and Stephanie is a prime suspect. Triple H is on the loose as federal investigators have yet to pursue him. Triple H comes out and JR says "well look at what we have here".



Triple H: Okay I admit it, Stephanie and I are married and we hid the truth because this is business and we wanted to fool everyone out in the back including the McMahon family that we hated each other. But that doesn't mean we had anything to do with Mr. McMahon. I repeat, Stephanie and I are completely innocent and....

Linda McMahon makes her way out.



Linda: Triple H, with all do respect, we can deal with this later because I have something very important to say. Vince McMahon...is alive (Lawler shouts what!). After weeks of investigation, there was evidence of Vince's DNA found in the limo, which is why we all believed that Vince McMahon was killed in the limo. However I hired a PI and we found out that the DNA came from only one tooth. Where was my husband's body? It wasn't found. I believe he was hurt, that he had left the limo somehow in time, but was injured in the process. We rewatched the footage and noticed strange things about the puddle underneath the vehicle if you look closely, it was as though there was a timeframe skip, perhaps there was a problem with the camera feed, or someone made it look like Vince was killed. At first I thought it was Vince being Vince, screwing with the family and all the fans. But the truth is, I'm scared. I believe that Vince is out there...

Shane McMahon makes his way out and gets in the ring.



Shane: Mom...(shakes his head) Mom...dad...is dead...

Linda: No...I refuse I refuse to believe this and where is the federal investigator Mr. Beck? Why does he still have my daughter?

Shane: Mom...look we'll fight for Stephanie we will because we're family but you saw it everyone saw it...

Linda: It was just one tooth Shane!

Shane: Look mom this is crazy, and I can't believe you would think he's alive.

Triple H: Can I say something? Mom...(Linda looks angry) sorry Okay Mrs. McMahon, boss, I think Shane is right. I mean why would federal investigators be on the lookout to look for suspects? And...don't you remember the funeral?

Linda: That was not my husband.

Shane: We had a funeral mom, it was just us the family only before Stephanie was arrested. It was Dad mom...

Linda: (in near tears) No...(angrily) No I'm not crazy...

Shane: I'm sorry mom but I think you need help. (leaves)



Later Backstage Linda McMahon is talking to Mick Foley as he apologizes to the family but Linda says he can apologize to Vince because Vince is alive. She appoints Mick Foley as the new WWE Commissioner in effective immediately. She says he doesn't trust anyone not even her own family and that she knows her husband is alive. Foley says he's honoured by it. Linda says even if Foley doesn't believe it, she wants him to try to find out who tried to kill Vince and where he is.

Shane appears and brings out two white coats. They grab Linda as she starts shouting and screaming as Shane says the CEO is crazy.



At the end of the night Stephanie McMahon arrives in an FBI vehicle as she is let go. Triple H meets with her and they embrace. Hunter tells her that her mom has been committed to an asylum. Stephanie doesn't believe it and wants to find Shane, but Shane already left. Hunter tells Stephanie that Linda thinks Vince is alive. Stephanie looks confused...and in disbelief as RAW goes off air.