Hogan Knows WCW Best

WWF Survivor Series Report! World Wrestling Federation held Survivor Series last night at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, and drew 19,028 fans. The feedback has been awesome, the show is getting fantastic reviews. Bret Hart put in the star performance of the show retaining his WWF World Heavyweight title against Jerry Lawler. WWF saw a title change, as the previously vacant WWF Intercontinental title was won by Samu. The Smoking Gunns defeated Well Dunn to retain the WWF World Tag Team titles.

Several wrestling experts think that WCW blue chipper “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright definitely has the feel of a future star, and is somebody who could potentially carry the whole company on his back. Wright is a German grappler signed by WCW in 1994. Straight away, there were high hopes that he’d be a major star of the future, the WCW management started to push him relentlessly. Everyone from Ted Turner, Eric Bischoff and Ric Flair, to many others at WCW and Turner Broadcasting are interested in making Wright a main event player.

Negotiations are under way for a potential George Foreman vs. Mike Tyson boxing match to take place next year. It affects wrestling because the promoters aren’t going to offer the match on PPV, but instead are going back to the old closed-circuit TV way. The boxing promoters are trying to leverage the PPV companies into changing the split to a 70/30 deal by withholding the Foreman vs. Tyson fight from them. If it works, then this would likely lead to a change for wrestling promoters also and would result in enormous financial gains for companies like WWF and WCW.

Vince McMahon leads the entire WWF roster on a guided tour of Titan Towers, the WWF’s headquarters in Stamford, CT, before sitting them down for a five-hour meeting. The highlight of the conference is an hour-long speech from Vince, who makes the then-shocking disclosure that the company is currently running a money-losing operation. Federation Head of Talent Relations J.J. Dillon, Linda McMahon, and Jim Ross also make extended speeches, discussing booking, hiring policies, and other administrative matters. In an effort to facilitate harmony between the office and the wrestlers, Linda airs a lengthy video detailing the day-to-day operations of all the separate departments at Titan Towers. WWF management also introduces a new, more stringent drug testing policy.

Takao Omori and Richard Slinger began their first reign as AJPW All Asia Tag Team champions, when they took the titles away from Doug Furnas & Dan Kroffat at AJPW Showdown Tour. Furnas and
Kroffat managed seventeen successful title defences prior to this defeat.

As part of the out-of-court settlement over the When Worlds Collide name. ECW ended up getting Brian Pillman, Kevin Sullivan, Steve Austin and Jeannie to work one show. The show ended with Jeannie revealed to be working for Ric Flair, which led to Shane Douglas giving her a Piledriver and calling her a slut and cutting another anti-Flair promo.

WCW cancelled their traditional yearly Thanksgiving show at the Omni in Atlanta due to low advance ticket sales.

New champion in New Japan! NJPW saw a title change last night, as Akira Nogami lost the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship to Black Tiger at NJPW Counterpunch Tour. This victory marks his first reign with the title. Akira Nogami managed seven successful title defences prior to this defeat.

Michinoku Pro wrestler Kensuke Shinzaki is expected to debut for WWF soon as a Buddhist pilgrim, possibly at Survivor Series.

The Tazmaniac began his second reign as ECW World Television champion last night, when he took the title away from Pitbull #1 at the ECW Hardcore TV tapings.

Ricky Steamboat’s WCW contract is expiring at the end of the year and a bidding war between WCW and WWF are expected.

Rumors are running wild that Ultimate Warrior is returning to WWF soon. WWF magazine even teased an “Ultimate Surprise.”

“The Nature Boy” tite win. Buddy Landel began his first reign as SMW Heavyweight champion last night, when he won the match against “Primetime” Brian Lee at SMW Thanksgiving Thunder to decide a worthy champion for the previously vacant title. Smokey Mountain Wrestling held Thanksgiving Thunder last night at Macon Coliseum in Georgia, and drew 5,918 fans. The feedback has been that the show was awesome. Dan “The Beast” Severn was said to be the star of the show.

Manabu Nakanishi known as Kurosawa in WCW is out of action with a Ruptured Spleen and is expected to be back in 37 days. Nakanishi picked up the injury during the New Japan Counterpunch Tour.

WCW and WWF in bidding war for Konnan. Konnan has in the past been described as “the Mexican Hulk Hogan”, reflecting his mainstream popularity, his charisma and mic skills and is rumoured to move to WCW or WWF in 1995.

WCW Saturday Night – [Saturday] Week 1 [December] [1994]

These are the results from WCW Saturday Night, being held by World Championship Wrestling. It is being held in front of 18,162 people at Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

Fan Interactive Night. You Choose The Main Event

And we’re LIVE! from Washington!

It’s another live “Interactive Edition,” with fans giving an option to vote for the face and heel wrestler who would participate in the main event by calling the WCW Hotline throughout the show; hosted by Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan and Eric Bischoff.

Eric Bischoff announced that “Macho Man” Randy Savage is in the building, with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan being skeptical…

You Choose The Main Event From Locker Room Blue

“Mean” Gene Okerlund is stationed in the “Blue” (Face) Locker Room containing the following faces; Brian Knobbs, Brian Pillman, Dustin Rhodes, Jerry Sags, Johnny B. Badd, Maxx Payne and Ricky Steamboat.

The wrestlers are stating why they should be in the main event.

Rating: 93 A

You Choose The Main Event From Locker Room Red

Eric Bischoff is positioned in the “Red” (Heel) Locker Room with Arn Anderson, Booker T, Ric Flair, Steve Austin, Stevie Ray, The Great Muta and Vader.

The wrestlers are stating why they should be in the main event.

Rating: 95 A*

Fire and Ice w/ Teddy Long vs. Badd Company w/ DDP

In a bout that had decent wrestling but didn’t have much heat, powerhouse duo Fire and Ice defeated Badd Company in 5:37 when Fire and Ice defeated Paul Diamond by pinfall with a Flashback followed by a Train Wreck. Scott Norton and Ice Train overpowered their opponents and owned them with big power moves.

Rating: 75 B-

Randy Savage Vignette

A vignette of “Macho Man” Randy Savage stating the galaxy might not be big enough for both he and WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan and that they’d test the waters at Starrcade.

“Oooh-Yeah!”

Rating: 94 A

Bobby Heenan was still skeptical until the vignette was aired…

Terry Taylor vs. Paul Orndorff

Prior to the bout, Terry Taylor wore a “Paula” t-shirt. Orndorff left the ring to join Tony Schiavone & Bobby Heenan on commentary and protest the t-shirts and “chants” mocking him. Commissioner Bockwinkel appeared after Mr. Wonderful threatened not to wrestle and said Orndorff would be fined if he didn’t wrestle as he initially agreed to do.

Mr. Wonderful was very heelish in his way, and played-up his superior physique bullying his opponent around. Orndorff received several chants of “Paula” from the crow. In a good match with red hot heel heat, narcissistic bu.lly “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff defeated reliable veteran “Terrific” Terry Taylor in 6:21 by pinfall with a Spike Piledriver.

Rating: 74 B-

Cruiserweight Division Vignette

Eric Bischoff hypes an upcoming tournament to crown a WCW Cruiserweight Champion and that former WCW Light Heavyweight champions Brian Pillman, Brad Armstrong and Jushin Thunder Liger might be involved in it. The tournament will also feature some of the best high-flying talents from Mexico and Japan.

Rating: 63 C

Highlights of Dustin Rhodes vs. The Blacktop Bully

Footage from the previous week when Dustin Rhodes and The Blacktop Bully argued, with the loudmouth fan shoving the back of Rhodes’ head and being arrested by police.

Rating: 88 B+

Interview w/ Dustin Rhodes from The Blue Locker Room

Gene Okerlund conducted an interview with “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes, who apologized to the fans for losing his cool and getting into it with the fan last week. They also talks about Dustin’s upcoming Falls Count Anywhere Match with Meng. His opponent might be an unstoppable monster and “the Scariest Man in the History of Wrestling”, while Dustin’s just an average working class guy like his father. But whatever it takes Dustin will avenge Dusty by defeating Meng. Tonight his opponent doesn’t matter. He takes on all challengers.

Rating: 92 A

Ray Traylor vs. Tombstone

Ray Traylor didn’t have an easy time against Tombstone in his return. The 6 ft 8 Tombstone worked on Traylor with several blows and was able to avoid a Splash in the corner. However, Traylor hit a stiff Spinebuster to pick up the win. Ray Traylor defeated Tombstone in 1:34 by pinfall with a Spinebuster.

Rating: 56 C-

Interview w/ Ray Traylor

After the match, Mene Gene conducted an interview with Ray Traylor. Ray Traylor is dressed in black and he wears a long black leather coat. He talks about the past and the present going hand in hand; and complains about Commissioner Bockwinkel taking away his nightstick and cuffs after he did beat down Vader and Harley Race.

He has answered every challenge and question laid before him since then, and next year, it’s a new “Take No Prisoners Attitude” for Ray Traylor. He puts over WCW for bringing in the best wrestlers from all over the World, but Ray Traylor is still the toughest man to answer the challenges in WCW.

He calls himself Ray “The Law” Traylor and says that from now on, he will operate his own “Vigilante Justice” in WCW, just like “Only Law West of the Pecos” Roy Bean did.

Rating: 100 A*

Jim Duggan vs. Meng w/ Col. Parker

Duggan delivers his “Five Moves of Doom”, but Meng is an unstoppable monster and is completely no-selling everything. In a superb match, “The Face of Terror” Meng defeated fan favorite “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in 6:27 by submission with a Tongan Death Grip.

Rating: 74 B-

Interview w/ Ricky Steamboat From The Blue Locker Room

Gene Okerlund had an interview with WCW United States champion Ricky Steamboat. “The Dragon” is ready to wrestle tonight, but hopes to get his hands on The Great Muta, Steve Austin or Ric Flair.

“Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman interrupts the interview. He has this crazy look and screams and spits about his hatred of Steve Austin. He says that he would happily embarass Austin in the ring tonight. Pillman also mocks Ric Flair and Arn Anderson by calling them relics from the past. He asks Flair for his autograph for his grandmother. The he starts to laugh maniacally and walks away.

Rating: 100 A*

Interview w/ The Four Horsemen From The Red Locker Room

Eric Bischoff had an interview with The Four Horsemen. They’ve just arrived in a limousine after spending last night partying and living the jet-set life in the glamorous Monte Carlo. Pillman is just a jealous punk and they wouldn’t mind giving him the beating of his life tonight.

Menacing monster heel Vader interrupts the interview. He is in an foul mood and just wants to beat the hell out of someone. He calls both Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan cowards and challenges them both to a match and said it could be anywhere and WCW don’t even have to sanction it.

“‘Who’s the Man? Vader is the Man! I fear no man and I feel no pain!”

He is the only man to hold versions of the World Title on four Continents, making him the closest thing professional wrestling has ever had to a true World champion.”

Rating: 100 A*

Hulk Hogan & Sting vs. The Blue Bloods

In a bout that had superb wrestling and good heat, WCW superstars Hulk Hogan and Sting defeated The Blue Bloods (Steven Regal & David Taylor) in 7:46 when Hulk Hogan defeated David Taylor by pinfall with an Leg Drop.

Rating: 73 B-

Starrcade Control Center Control Center

Starrcade Control Center segment hosted by Gene Okerlund.

After a break, we’re with Gene Okerlund

Gene Okerlund conducting an interview with “Macho Man” Randy Savage, who promise to confront Hulk Hogan at Starrcade and either shake his hand or slap him in the face.

“Oooh-Yeah!”

*finger snap*

“Outta Here!”

*Savage leaves*

“Mean” Gene talk about the upcoming Starrcade and makes the announcement that the following matches will take place at Starrcade:

Loser Leaves WCW Match

Johnny B. Badd vs. Honky Tonk Man

WCW World Tag Team Title Match

Fire and Ice vs. Harlem Heat

Falls Count Anywhere Match

Dustin Rhodes vs. Meng

Sting vs. John Tenta

Best of Seven Series Match 3

Brian Pillman vs. Steve Austin

Steel Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Title

Hulk Hogan vs. Curt Hennig

Rating: 98 A*

 Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair w/ Elizabeth

Crowd’s hot and the match has a ton of energy and drama! In an unbelievable match, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair defeated Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in 15:32 by submission with a Figure Four Leglock after some underhanded tactics.

Rating: 79 B

A Statement from the Commissioner

In a pre-tape, Commissioner Nick Bockwinkel announces that he’s appointing the Ray “The Law” Traylor as the Special Referee for the Falls Count Anywhere Match at Starrcade between “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes and “The Face Of Terror” Meng.

Rating: 93 A

Show Rating 90 A

Inside sources claim that WCW consider changing Hulk Hogan’s look. There are discussions about making Hogan a less garish character as he has been hearing a lot of booing coming from live crowds. The same red and yellow magic of before don’t seem to do the trick in the mid-90’s, and a change is clearly needed to freshen up Hogan’s stale babyface act. It may be surprising for some pro wrestling fans, but both WWF and WCW have distinctly different fan bases. Generally, many WCW enthusiasts much prefer the hard-hitting matches prevalent in Atlanta, more than the Hogan-led variety show Vince McMahon offers. Actual wrestling are important in WCW instead of just cartoony WWF-style entertainment. Therefore, some fans are more than a tad frosty towards Hulk Hogan since he first crash landed in WCW. A pocket of the core fan base who follows the promotion feel that signing Hulk is a step in the wrong direction, and a move away from the more Southern, regional feel the promotion had presented for many years. Of course, a lot of fans are willing to embrace the idea of Hogan helping WCW rival the WWF. That fact don’t stop some boos from ringing out whenever Hulk performs. One alternative that WCW considers to make Hogan less cartoony and less stale, is a darker version of his character dressed all in black. These changed could help Hogan to develope a feud with the unstoppable monster heel, Vader.

At the latest WCW tapings, Rick Rude showed up wearing a suit and were introduced to the crowd and signed autographs. It won’t make TV, as it was just for the live crowd. Rude has been trying to settle his lawsuit with the promotion and was there negotiating to come in.

Randy Savage don’t cost WCW a Penny.In July “Macho Man” Randy Savage was told by Vince McMahon that he has had been phased out and that his days as a full-time in-ring star with the WWF were done and that he isn’t welcomed at WWF. Frustrated and feeling insulted, Savage decided to reach out to WCW. Eric Bischoff was very interested, who realised WCW were getting a world-class, motivated piece of talent for free. When his contract with WWF expired, Randy Savage headed to WCW, a company more than prepared to offer him a major role as an in-ring performer. It seems that WCW has managed a tremendous
coup by signing him, since his salary is offset by his promotional deal with Slim Jim, who sponsors Savage in return for his help with advertising.

On the WCW hotline, Gene Okerlund has been claiming that WCW is in negotiations with Ultimate Warrior and Bret Hart. But, since Bret Hart has been very critical of both Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. And with Hogan and Flair basically running the company, it probably wouldn’t work out well for him even if he was to jump ship.

Brian Pillman is expected to get a renewed push soon as a heel cruiserweight champion.

Brian Pillman recently filmed an episode of Baywatch.

Expect new talent showing up in WWF soon. Among the names are Kensuke Shinzaki, and Louie Spicolli, while Brian Lee is expected to return with a new gimmick soon. Also, there have been rumors of bringing in indy star Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch, trying to recreate a Blond Bombers type tag team with Candido and another wrestler, managed by Sytch.

Roddy Piper has made an tryout as colour commentator for syndicated tv show WCW Worldwide.

Former WCW World champion Ron Simmons ended weeks of speculation when signing a written contract with New Japan. Losing the former football player might be a big blow for indie sensation Extreme
Championship Wrestling as Simmons have been of the top draws since leaving WCW for ECW.

Last night’s AJPW Showdown Tour saw a new Match of the Year candidate when Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa defeated Akire Taue and Stan Hansen to retain the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship. The excellent bout is sure to feature heavily in a lot of end-of-the-year polls.

Oscar ended weeks of speculation last night when he signed a contract extension to keep him with WWF.

The Rougeaus and Vince McMahon have reportedly had a major falling out. Jacques and Raymond Rougeau are trying to put together a show in January at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on behalf of WWF. The stadium wanted $280,000 up front to rent the stadium and for setup fees, but WWF refused. The Rougeaus managed to negotiate the price down to $154,000 and just as he was ready to sign off on the deal, when McMahon changed his mind and said he didn’t think the time was right or that the city was hot enough to try to run a show at the 60,000 seat stadium. The media picked up on it and painted The Rougeaus as the good guy because they planned to donate $1 from every ticket sold to a children’s charity in the city and they painted Vince McMahon as the evil Christmas grinch who hates kids. So The Rougeaus contacted Jimmy Hart to talk about bringing WCW in to work the stadium instead and Raymond Rougeau even talked about coming out of retirement to team with Hogan for the show. No word on if that will happen yet. All of this has created a lot of bad feelings between The Rougeaus and McMahon.

The ever modest Jerry “The King” Lawler has made the bold declaration that he is carrying the entire WWF by himself, and without him, there would be no promotion. Understandably, his comments have not endeared him to other members of the roster or the The Kliq.

Yokozuna’s contract expires soon and WCW is reportedly interested in bringing him in.

The contract status of Dink with WWF was clarified last night, when an announcement on the company website confirmed that he had signed an extension, keeping him with the promotion long-term.