Hogan Knows WCW Best

AAA’s Konnan agrees to terms with WCW and is set to start wrestling there in February. Konnan has in the past been described as “the Mexican Hulk Hogan”, reflecting his mainstream popularity, his star quality, his charisma and entertainment skills.

Jean-Paul Levesque leaves WCW. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair spoke well of this newcomer earlier, seeing something in the making. Yet rather than listen to Flair on his potential, WCW just let Levesque’s deal run out.

The WWF lures former WCW midcarder Jean Paul Levesque into its camp with promises of a sizable push and the opportunity for greater career advancement. The wrestler cites the WWF’s recent track record of turning ex-WCW midcarders like Razor Ramon, Diesel and The Undertaker into headliners as the main reason for signing with WWF. Vince McMahon is said to be a fan of his look and presence. Levesque is rumoured to be renamed “Hunter Hearst Helmsley” and basically copying his aristocrat gimmick he had in WCW. There has been talk that indicates that Levesque is to begin a lengthy feud with “All-American” Lex Luger in the near future.

The WWF heralds in the new year by restructuring the hierarchy of its booking committee. Vince McMahon promotes Jim Ross to serve as his right-hand man in overseeing the promotion’s creative direction, and Ross immediately makes his influence known by placing a greater emphasis on clean finishes, athleticism, and internal storyline logic. New arrivals like Henry O. Godwinn, Mantaur, Phineas I. Godwinn and Phantasio, however, indicate that the McMahon gimmick-oriented philosophy remains indomitable. Below Ross on the Titan creative totem poll are Bruce Pritchard and Pat Patterson.

WWF and veteran Bob Backlund have parted company after his contract expired. Backlund has been unavailable to comment.

According to insiders, WWF have signed Kensuke Shinzaki. He could make an appearance as early as their next show as the mysterious Buddhist pilgrimn Hakushi. Rumours are swirling that newcomer
Hakushi will side with Jim Cornette and British Bulldog in their feud vs. Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart.

Barry Windham files a lawsuit against WCW on grounds of Negligence, for forcing him to wrestle with a severe knee injury at the “Slamboree” PPV in 1994. Windham is expected to return from his injury shortly and is rumoured to be on WWF’s shortlist.

Yokozuna is having some minor surgery and is expected to return in April as a free agent.

AJPW superstar Kenta Kobashi was awarded “Wrestler Of The Year”. This marks the first time has gained this honour.

All Japan Pro Wrestling landed the “Company Of The Year” award. The promotion had a great 1994 and will be hoping to continue their hot streak over the coming twelve months.

The 1994 “Tag Team Of The Year” award has gone to AJPW Unified World Tag Team champions Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa. This marks the first time that the duo have landed the trophy.

The “Match Of The Year” has been awarded to the match where Mitsuharu Misawa defeated Kenta Kobashi at a AJPW Showdown Tour in November.

The “Show Of The Year” award has gone to WCW Halloween Havoc, which was held in October headlined by Hulk Hogan defeating Ric Flair in a Steel Cage match to win the WCW World Heavyweight title.

After much deliberation, it is AJPW wrestler Richard Slinger who has been named “Young Wrestler Of The Year” for the first time, after a great 1994 including winning the AJPW All Asia Tag Team titles with Takao Omori.

The “Veteran Wrestler Of The Year” award has gone, for the second time, to American brawler Stan “The Lariat” Hansen. This caps a great 1994 for the experienced AJPW veteran.

The “Female Wrestler Of The Year” has been named as AJW and LLPW wrestler Manami Toyota, based on her performances over the past twelve months. This is the third time that she has won the trophy.

The 34 year old American Miss Elizabeth has capped off a great 1994 by being awarded Manager Of The Year for managing Ric Flair in WCW. It is the first time she has been given the honour.

The “Announcer Of The Year” award is always hotly contested, and this year was no different. However, after all the votes were counted, it was WCW Main Event announcer Gordon Solie who won the award, the fifth time he has been given the coveted title.

WWF and SMW employee Jim Cornette has cause to celebrate, having been named the “Colour Commentator Of The Year”. This marks his first time with the trophy.

The highly prestigious “Referee Of The Year” award has gone to WCW referee Nick Patrick, for an excellent twelve months of mat-slapping and enforcing the rules.

WCW veteran “Terrific” Terry Taylor moves on, after his contract expired. Taylor says that he has reached the point where age starts to take its toll and wants a lighter schedule by working in ECWA and MEWF instead of WCW.

WCW and retired wrestler Larry Zbyszko have parted company after his contract expired.

GWF Wrestling Superstars ends run. The tv show ended its contracted run on ESPN last night, and was officially declared “off air”, with no more broadcasters backing it.

Alarm bells are ringing around Paul Alperstein’s AWF, as strong rumours are circulating that the company is set to make wide-ranging cutbacks following a recent decline in business. Many wrestlers are preparing themselves for the worst, although it is said that the promotion will try to keep its top stars in place in an attemptto compete with WWF and WCW.

PWA New Year’s Wrestlelution report! Pro Wrestling America held New Year’s Wrestlelution in Unity Hall in Saginaw, Michigan and drew 400 fans. The feedback has been awesome, the small company has outshone some of the bigger companies’ recent efforts. Shane Douglas put in the star performance of the show after defeating Steve Corino to retain the PWA Heavyweight Championship. The vacant PWA
Light Heavyweight Championship was claimed, as 17 year old Mr. Aguila became the new champion after defeating Blitzkrieg.

The Rougeau situation was all over the newspapers in Montreal this week. Jacques Rougeau has gotten a lot of flak locally for being willing to come out of retirement so soon after the city gave him such a huge, emotional send off in October. Other members of the Rougeau family are also lashing out at him and taking WWF’s side, saying Rougeau showed no loyalty by trying to negotiate to bring WCW to the city after everything McMahon has done for their family.

Charles Wright (formerly Papa Shango) is rumoured to return to WWF repacked as a character named Kama, which is a rip off of UFC’s Kimo Leopoldo, who became an overnight star at UFC 3 by taking Royce Gracie to his limit. The gimmick is that Kama “The Supreme Fighting Machine” is a shoot fighter coming from a fighting event called Supreme Fighting Championship. Wright has begun to study martial arts for a month or so while WWF prepare for his debut.

Bret Hart’s agent released a statement last week saying that there has been no negotiations with WCW and that Bret has no plans to leave WWF. The statement was put out to clear up any rumors and Bret is happy with WWF.

The reason you don’t see Sid Vicious working the indie circuit is because he demands $1,500 plus first class round trip airfare to shows and it’s not worth it to most indies.

ECW recently tried to bring in Dan Severn to put over Taz,but UWFi and UFC star Severn declined. ECW is trying to  put ECW World Television champion Taz over as “The Human Suplex Machine”, but UFC star Dan Severn has nothing to gain by put over a TV champion in a regional promotion.

In an SMW angle, Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch have been threatening to kill Boo Bradley’s pet cat Boots if he didn’t obey them by hurting their rivals.

A recent show in Japan featured a “No Rope Barbed Wire Lumberjack Cobra” Match. It’s basically what it sounds and the ring was surrounded by cobra snakes.

The WWF ends the attempt to re-establishing the WWF Women’s Division. In 1993, the WWF reinstated its Women’s Championship, a title that had been vacant since 1990, and Madusa Miceli was brought in by the company to revive the women’s division as Alundra Blayze. The Women’s Division have been struggling due to lack of fan interest since the start and are now officially scrapped in an attempt to improve the WWF product and ratings in the ongoing war with rivals WCW. The promotion will instead try to improve ratings by focus heavily on celebrities, and by giving their main eventers and upper midcarders more tv time. Alundra Blayze is rumoured to be repacked as an “All-American” valet allied with Lex Luger.

There has been talk from within WWF that indicates that the current plan is for Shawn Michaels to begin a lengthy feud with Razor Ramon in the near future, with the storyline then due to be the focus of the company for at least the following six months.

Rumours are swirling that Jake “The Snake” Roberts and newcomer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat is pencilled in to be the big feud that WWF will promote over the coming months. According to some sources, the next WWF show will see the seeds planted for a lengthy and explosive rivalry.

There has also been talk that indicates that Bret Hart is to begin a lengthy feud for the WWF World Heavyweight title with Diesel in the near future, after taking care of midcarder Irwin R. Schyster.

It is confirmed that Catch Wrestling Association, about to embark on a new tour, have completed the signings of Dan Severn and Sid Vicious. CWA hope the fresh faces will help draw more fans.

Road Warrior Animal is back from his injury. He is rumoured to be in great physical shape and is expected to tour with New Japan.

There has been talk from within WWF that indicates that the current plan is for The Undertaker to begin a lengthy feud with Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Corporation in the near future. Evil taxman Irwin R. Schyster is imploring that everyone need to pay their taxes. Even if they are dead! The Undertaker is expected to feud with henchmen The Barbarian and King Kong Bundy, before finally go head-to-head with I.R.S. in “Death and Taxes”.

Other rumoured WWF feuds are “The Nature Boy” Buddy Landel vs. “Double J” Jeff Jarrett; the goofy big man Typhoon vs. “The Model” Rick Martel; Tatanka vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler; and The Smoking Gunns vs. The Headshrinkers.

These are the results from WCW Worldwide, being held by World Championship Wrestling.

Alex Wright vs. Dan Covell

In a bout that had decent wrestling but little heat, speedy high flier “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright defeated Dan Covell in 5:56 by pinfall with a Hangman’s Neckbreaker.

Rating: 65 C

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: 71 C+

Underdog Challenge

Frankie Lancaster vs. Nasty Ned

In “The Battle of The Underdogs”, Frankie “The Thumper” Lancaster defeated tough brawler Nasty Ned in 5:15 by pinfall with a fast Roll Up.

Rating: 47 D

Konnan Vignette

A vignette of Konnan with the Mexican Heavyweight Title. One of the hottest free agents that has been described as “the Mexican Hulk Hogan”, reflecting his mainstream popularity, his charisma, mic skills and hip-hop based gimmick.

Coming Soon to WCW…

Rating: 63 C

The Wrecking Crew vs. Buck Quartermain and Johnny Weiss

The ripped muscle boy Van Hammer is being intentionally stiff and taking liberties with jobbers Buck Quartermain and Johnny Weiss. In a squash match, Van Hammer defeated Johnny Weiss in 1:44 by pinfall with a Demolition Hammerafter trying to hit his opponent as hard as possible throughout the match.

Rating: 48 D+

Vader Roadkill Tour

A highlight video is shown to promote Vader and Harley Race.

There is no bigger bad ass than Vader. A big, stiff, powerful, muscular, athletic monster from the Rocky Mountains, anyone who gets in his way is destroyed and sent to the hospital for his trouble. Vader is an legend in Japan and due to Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan avoiding him and his title shot, his rage grows stronger than ever. No one can escape the Monster’s wrath.

Highlights of Vader destroying opponents in WCW and Japan are shown.

Rating: 100 A*

The Fantastics vs. The Barrio Brothers

In a bout that had good rasslin’, and decent heat, The Fantastics defeated The Barrio Brothers in 6:07 when Bobby Fulton defeated Ricky Santana by pinfall with a Rocket Launcher. During the match we also saw Bad Attitude (Bobby Eaton and Steve Keirn) watching The Fantastics from the ramp.

Rating: 67 C+

DDP’s Arm Wrestling Invitational

An in-ring segment in which Diamond Dallas Page, with the Diamond Doll, appeared with DDP’s Arm Wrestling Trophy.

Tonights arm wrestling match in the DDP’s Arm Wrestling Invitational will feature VanHammer vs. Maxx Payne. In a intense arm wrestling match, ripped muscle boy Van Hammer defeated gritty Death Metal fan Maxx Payne.

Rating: 82 B

Jim Duggan, Marcus Alexander Bagwell and The Patriot vs. Paul Orndorff, The Gambler and The Hustler

Here comes “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Marcus Alexander Bagwell and The Patriot with an American flag in one hand and Duggan’s trusty 2×4 in the other. You disrespect America, you disrespect “Hacksaw”. “Hooooooooooooooo!!!” “U-S-A!” “U-S-A!” “U-S-A!”

In a entertaining WWF-style cartoon match, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Stars ‘n’ Stripes defeated Paul Orndorff and The High Rollers in 7:48 when Jim Duggan defeated The Hustler by pinfall with a Scoop Slam. Jim Duggan and Stars ‘n’ Stripes make defence number 3 of their WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship titles.

With a frenzied voice and wild pantomimes, The Hustler vociferously protest to the referee. He claims that his trunks have been pulled by “Hacksaw” to score the victory.

Rating: 73 B-

Show Rating 74 B-

These are the results from WCW Main Event, being held by World Championship Wrestling.

Alex Wright vs. David Young

The ladies favorite dancing guy, “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright was in action against mullet wearing jobber David Young. The young German wins the match following a Springboard Top Rope Crossbody in 2:38.

Rating: 54 C-

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: 71 C+

Joey Maggs and Rikki Nelson vs. The High Rollers

In a decent bout, The High Rollers (The Gambler and The Hustler) defeated “Jumping” Joey Maggs and “Heartthrob” Rikki Nelson in 5:03 when The Gambler defeated Rikki Nelson by pinfall with The Wild Card.

You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk away, know when to……get your ass kicked?!?

Rating: 57 C-

WCW Special Report

An ‘Special Report’ of WCW/New Japan Supershow 4 narrated by Eric Bischoff which stated Hulk Hogan retained the WCW World Title against Antonio Inoki Januari 4th in Tokyo Dome at around the 16-minute mark; it was also noted that Sting and Masahiro Chono went to a 30 minute time limit draw; The Four Horsemen defeated Randy Savage, Brian Pillman, Dustin Rhodes and Ray Traylor in a 4 vs. 4 match; that The Great Muta defeated Hiroshi Hase.

Rating: 95 A*

The Patriot vs. The Terrorist

The Patriot is focusing on trying to unmask The Terrorist, since it’s one the most sought after secrets in the World of Pro Wrestling. In a decent bout, The Patriot defeated The Terrorist in 5:08 by pinfall with a Patriot Missile. However The Patriot fails to unmask The Terrorist as the sneaky villain wears double masks and manages to escape.

Rating: 61 C

Clash Of The Champions Control Center

Clash Of The Champions Control Center segment hosted by Gene Okerlund.

After a break, we’re with Gene Okerlund

“Mean Gene” interviews weasel-like manager Jimmy Hart and dominant monster heel “Big” John Tenta, about Tenta facing WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan at The Clash Of The Champions. Tenta says he had Sting beaten at Starrcade. However, it was a conspiracy to screw him over at the event by everyone. Jimmy Hart tells us they are going to get payback for what Sting did to them. Tenta thinks Sting squeaked his way to avoid a loss. Hart’s only fear is that Sting will survive, but knows that John Tenta will get the job done and end Hulk Hogan and Hulkamania at The Clash.

“Mean” Gene talk about the upcoming Clash Of The Champions and makes the announcement that the following matches will take place at Clash Of The Champions:

Johnny B. Badd vs. Paul Orndorff

No. 1 Contenders’ Tag Team Match

Fire and Ice vs. Badd Company

WCW World Tag Team Title Match

The Nasty Boys vs. Harlem Heat

Ray Traylor vs. Meng

Best of Seven Series Match 4

Brian Pillman vs. Steve Austin

Title vs. Career Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Title

Hulk Hogan vs. John Tenta

Rating: 100 A*

Scott Studd vs. Paul Orndorff w/ Toni

They call him Mr. Wonderful…

You know he is so Wonderful…

And he knows it too…

Orndorff’s valet Toni is carrying a mirror to the ring so that “Mr. Wonderful” could watch himself as he made his entrance.

The Paula chants from the fans are loud…

In a bout that had decent wrestling, but didn’t have much heat, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff defeated Teen Idol Scott Studd in 6:25 by pinfall with a Spike Piledriver. “Mr. Wonderful” was very heelish in his way, and played-up his superior physique bullying his opponent around.

Rating: 73 B-

Bobby Heenan’s pro-heel cheering on commentary had a great feel to it. Heenan like both “Mr. Wonderful” and his catchy theme song…

Interview w/ Paul Orndorff

Gene Okerlund had an interview with “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff introducing his stunning new valet Toni and hyping his upcoming singles match with Johnny B. Badd at The Clash, with “The Badd Man” then appearing and saying if Orndorff beat him then he would call him “Mr. Wonderful” and “The Prettiest Man In WCW”, but until then he was simply “Paula”.

Badd then took off his robe to reveal a “Paula” shirt underneath with Orndorff throwing his robe down in anger and challenged Badd to face him then and there.

Orndorff was held back by officials on the floor as the segment came to a close…

Rating: 95 A*

Fire and Ice w/ Teddy Long vs. Bunkhouse Buck & Bob Orton Jr.

In a entertaining brawl, powerhouse duo Fire and Ice defeated grizzled veterans Bunkhouse Buck & Bob Orton Jr. in 9:19 when Scott “Flash” Norton defeated Bob Orton Jr. by pinfall with a Flashback followed by a
Train Wreck.

Rating: 75 B-

Show Rating 79 B