Hogan Knows WCW Best

Ken Shamrock defeated Dan Severn by submission at UFC 6, but everyone is talking about Tank Abbott, who, despite losing, came out of the show as the biggest topic of conversation. Abbott was basically a loose cannon all weekend, starting trouble with other fighters and generally being a nuisance. He’s also an undisciplined fighter, pretty much just a wild street fighter and people expected him to get schooled by skilled martial artists. But it didn’t happen. Instead, Abbott dominated his way through the tournament in quick fashion, but before the finals, it was believed he was totally blown up and exhausted and wouldn’t stand a chance of hanging with his opponent, Oleg Taktarov. In the end, Abbott lost, but he lasted 18 minutes with Oleg and in the end, Oleg still had to be hospitalized from the beating Abbott gave him.

Underground pitfighter Tank Abbott, fresh off an impressive UFC debut at UFC 6, he was backstage at the WCW Bash At The Beach Pay-Per-View, meeting with Executive Vice President Eric Bischoff. Word is that it was to negotiate a deal for Abbott for the K-1/WCW Mixed Martial Arts PPVs planned. After the Bash At The Beach PPV, he was taken out to dinner by Bischoff.

SMW star Al Snow worked a tryout match at the latest WCW tapings and was said to look great. He also has a tryout with WWF in a few days.

WCW’s Monday night show will be called “Wrestling Nitro”. The first episode on 9/4 is scheduled to be taped in Miami.

Hulk Hogan is reportedly pushing WCW to bring back El Gigante to join his team for the WarGames match at Fall Brawl.

Ed Leslie is attempting to try and legally get the rights to use the Brutus Beefcake name, arguing that even though WWF owns the name, since they don’t have a character using the gimmick, he should be allowed to use it. Greg Valentine is currently fighting the WWF on the same issue regarding his “The Hammer” nickname.

WWF will be filming another Jeff Jarrett music video, which will introduce a line dance called the Double J Strut.

WCW is reportedly interested in Jeff Jarrett, but he’s still under contract to WWF so that’s a pretty big hurdle to overcome.

There are a lot of questions about the current financial state of WWF after several high-ranking front office executives were let go over the past few weeks, with even some media outlets questioning the company’s long-term future. Even more questions arose when several employes were released this week as Johnny Smith, The Eagle, Scott Putski, TV announcer Stephanie Wiand and road agent Tony Garea were all let go and it’s expected more names are soon to follow. Shinobi, Kwang, PG-13, Duke Droese, The Headbangers and Tekno Team 2000 are all rumored to be on the chopping block. WWF has lost millions of dollars in the past few years from declining house shows, declining PPV buyrates, major legal bills from Vince’s steroid trial, and high real estate bills. WWF’s last resort options would be to sell a percentage of the company to outsiders and to move from Titan Towers to a cheaper office space. Looking at Jim Crockett Promotions in the 80s or UWFI in Japan today will show just how quickly a thriving, successful company can crumble.

World Wrestling Federation Summerslam is rumored to feature a match with Mabel and Kama “The Supreme Fighter” vs. Ahmed Johnson and NFL star William “Refrigerator” Perry , which they hope will generate the same kind of mainstream publicity as the Lawrence Taylor match did. It’s well known that both Perry and Steve McMichael want to be pro wrestlers. Perry is available now that his football career is over.

AAA is negotiating to bring in Cactus Jack and Sabu as a foreign heel tag team, managed by Terry Funk.

On ECW TV, they made multiple references to Ken Shamrock beating Dan Severn at UFC 6, because Severn is the previous NWA champion and Heyman wanted to rub it in the face of NWA promoter Dennis Coraluzzo.

WCW’s Halloween Havoc is expected to be headlined by Hulk Hogan vs. Vader, in a Spin The Wheel Make The Deal match.

WCW’s Starrcade may be headlined by Hulk Hogan vs. Sting in a face-vs-face match similar to the WM6 Hogan vs. Warrior angle.

WCW makes a play for ECW’s Chris Candido, Eddie Gilbert, Lance Storm and Steve Corino, but they refused Eric Bischoff’s offer. WCW has openly wanted Chris Candido, Eddie Gilbert, Lance Storm and Steve Corino in order to up the workrate on the new show, and so far, they haven’t managed to get any of them.

Australian Giant arrived on set for his new Troma musical horror movie, last night. The new film, expected to be a massive “Rotten Tomatoes” b movie hit, will see him away from wrestling for most of the next twelve months. He plays one of the leads in the movie.

5 Star Match! It’s rare that we see a genuine “five star” match, but the latest AJPW show delivered in a big way when Stan Hansen defeated Mitsuharu Misawa to retain the AJPW Triple Crown title. The match is bound to feature heavily in the voting for the Match of the Year awards. News has come in that champion Stan Hansen has picked up a Broken Arm and will be out of action for 2 months.

One of wrestling’s elder statesmen bid farewell to the industry, as the 66 year old American Chief Jay Strongbow officially retired.

Shane Douglas began his second reign as PWA Heavyweight champion, when he took the title away from Rob Van Dam at a PWA House Show.

Now officially retired, The Sheik has commented that he is looking forward to enjoying the business from a different perspective. It is unknown what role he will take, but friends have said that he will definitely be remaining in the industry in some capacity.

WCW Saturday Night – [Saturday] Week 1 [August] [1995]

The new Number One in Professional Wrestling…

These are the results from WCW Saturday Night, being held by World Championship Wrestling. It is being held in front of 19,103 people at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Tony Schiavone, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Eric Bischoff open the show telling us that tonight’s Main Event will feature a match between Sting and Bam Bam Bigelow for the WCW United States title.

Schiavone says that tonights episode could become the greatest and most explosive night in the history of our sport…

World Championship Wrestling is the new Number One in Professional Wrestling

For the Cruiserweight match we had Mikey Tenay and Chris Cruise replacing Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan at the broadcast booth.

Cruiserweight Match for the WCW Cruiserweight Title

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera

In a energetic Cruiserweight bout that had jaw-dropping high-flying and fast-paced moves, Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera in a 1 vs 1 Cruiserweight match in 12:06 by pinfall with a Top Rope Senton.

Rating: 77 B

Cruiserweight Division Vignette

The WCW Cruiserweight division offers fast paced adrenaline pumping show-stealing matches with high-risk maneuvers, amazing characters and stylish high flyers. WCW have some of the best athletes that implements various styles, as Lucha Libre, Japanese Junior Heavyweights, North American Cruiserweights and submission-based technicans.

Rating: 68 C+

Mark Starr & Frankie Lancaster vs. Arn Anderson & Curt Hennig

In an entertaining match, “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson & Curt Hennig defeated Mark Starr & Frankie “The Thumper” Lancaster in 4:31 when Curt Hennig defeated Mark Starr by pinfall with a Hennig-Plex.

Rating: 75 B-

“Mean” Gene Okerlund is promoting a WCW Hotline story on wrestling legend Cactus Jack that could sign with WCW…

Fire and Ice w/ Teddy Long vs. Southern Posse

Ice Train and Scott “Flash” Norton are utterly demolishing the hapless Redneck jobbers Rick Thames and Sonny Trout in a hard-hitting brawl.

In a hard-hitting brawl, Fire and Ice defeated Southern Posse in 5:45 when they defeated Sonny Trout by pinfall with a Flashback followed by a Train Wreck.

Rating: 76 B-

Backstage Confrontation

Fire and Ice are backstage, when they run into the Harlem Heat.

An argument breaks out, and they start brawling with each other.

“Harlem Heat is here to dominate the WCW tag team ranks, suckas got to know!”

“Ice Train and Scott Norton, we comin’ for You, Suckaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

A host of road agents and staff have to pull them apart.

Rating: 94 A

WCW Wrestling Hotline

Any scrub unlucky enough to find himself in the ring facing Bunkhouse Buck is likely to end up hog-tied, strangled, or sprayed with tobacco juice to add insult to injury once the brutal squash is over. Bunkhouse Buck is a brutal, sadistic rule breaker.

Ray “The Law” Traylor is like no lawman you’ve ever seen.

A man so hard, his veins bleed ice.

Truth and justice are what he’s fighting for.

With a baseball bat he rules the streets.

Ray Traylor vs. Bunkhouse Buck

It’s a no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners brawl.

In a superb brawl, the vigilante Ray “The Law” Traylor defeated Bunkhouse Buck in 8:03 by pinfall with a Spinebuster. During the match we also had Vader distract Ray Traylor.

The lawman turned vigilante Ray “The Law” Traylor ran roughshod over his outmatched opponent, then punished, tortured, and humiliated him after the matches were over just because he’s a punk that deserves it.

Rating: 75 B-

It’s WCW’s lovable, zany kooky kitty mascot Wild Cat Willie dancing and entertaining the crowd…

The Super Assassins Training Montage

The Super Assassins are two of the most awesome, massive, and powerful grapplers ever to enter the squared-circle. Those gargantuan monster heels runs roughshod over virtually all his opponents in brutal, old school, squash job fashion.

The two big, bad monster heels are displaying their incredible power by destroying not one, not two, not three, but four men at once while Jimmy Hart known as the manager of champions use his trademark megaphone to shout instructions to his Superstars.

Rating: 100 A*

WCW Power Plant Training Facility Promo

Scott Steiner’s tag team with his brother Rick is one of the all time greats…

Tag Team Match for the WCW World Tag Team titles

© The Steiner Brothers vs. Kurasawa & Meng w/ Woman

“The Most Evil Man in Professional Wrestling of All Time” Kevin and the 450 pound badass known as One Man Gang are two mean and dirty brawlers, who are very tough.

The Steiner Brothers are incredibly strong, and uses a wide array of Suplexes to dominate their opponents.

The two tag teams had an ultra-stiff match.

Kevin Sullivan did throw Rick Steiner to the floor and distract the Referee so that One Man Gang could beat up Rick on the floor.

One Man Gang mercilessly obliteraties Rick in sadistic, one-sided squash job fashion, before throwing him back into the ring.

Rick’s power and mat skill complemented Scott’s agility and helped the pair overcoming their opponents securing the win.

In a bout that had sensational wrestling and great heat, The Steiner Brothers defeated Kevin Sullivan & One Man Gang in 15:17 when Scott Steiner defeated Kevin Sullivan by pinfall with a Steiner Flatliner. The Steiner Brothers make defence number 2 of their WCW World Tag Team titles.

Rating: 83 B+

The Hulk Hogan Hotline

Ray Traylor vs. Vader Hype Video

A video promoting the feud between Ray “The Law” Traylor and Vader is aired.

Ray “The Law” Traylor is like no lawman you’ve ever seen.

A man so hard, his veins bleed ice.

Truth and justice are what he’s fighting for.

With a baseball bat he rules the streets.

And every perp he meets will taste defeat.

The book of law is the bible to him.

And any crime committed is a sin.

He keeps the peace with his baseball bat.

Judge, jury and executioner.

Crime’s his only enemy and he’s going to war…

The “Rocky Mountain Horror” is one of the most physical, stiff and intimidating workers in the World. A top draw wherever he has been, Vader has dominated in Japan, Europe, Mexico and the United States. He is one of the greatest big men in wrestling history and despite weighing around 450lbs, he is known to pull off Moonsaults. He is also known for his relentless string of squash matches where he leaves masses of obliterated jobber carnage.

Nikita Koloff, Ron Simmons, Sting, Cactus Jack, Ray Traylor, Hulk Hogan and Joe Thurman all suffered legit injuries at the hands of the “Rocky Mountain Horror”.

Can Sting, The Warrior and their mystery partner survive Vader’s Pain Game?

Rating: 100 A*

Mean Gene is promoting a WCW Hotline story on three major WWF stars who were headed to WCW…

It’s Disco Inferno annoying the audience with his disco dancer character, dancing on the way to the ring while the fans chant “Disco sucks!”.

Best there is… past, present and future! Ohhhhh yeahhhh!

Randy Savage vs. Disco Inferno

In a entertaining bout that had great wrestling and a good reaction from the crowd, “Macho Man” Randy Savage defeated Disco Inferno in 6:05 by pinfall with a Savage Elbow Drop.

Rating: 74 B-

WCW Wrestling Hotline

Clash of the Champions Control Center

It’s Champion vs. Champion!

Clash of the Champions Control Center segment hosted by Gene Okerlund.

After a break, we’re with Gene Okerlund

Mean Gene is interviewing “Macho Man” Randy Savage and “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright about the match against Horsemen members Ric Flair and Arn Anderson at The Clash Of The Champions.

Savage says he is ready to get a piece of Arn Anderson and Ric Flair right now.

Savage says nothing is going to stop him from ending “The Enforcer” and “The Nature Boy” at Clash Of The Champions.

“Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright says that he is young, but is prepared for his breakout moment. 

He is ready for Arn Anderson and Ric Flair.

Savage says he can’t be controlled. There is no stopping the madness!

“The madness is runnin’ wild! Ohhhhh yeahhhh!”

*finger snap*

“Outta Here!”

*Savage leaves*

Mean Gene runs down the card again.

“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:

Cruiserweight Match for the WCW Cruiserweight title

Eddie Guerrero vs. Sabu

Best of Five Match Series [Match 3]

Rick Martel vs. Steven Regal

Randy Savage & Alex Wright vs. Ric Flair & Arn Anderson

Steel Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight title

Ray Traylor vs. Vader

Rating: 95 A*

Gene Okerlund is teasing the whereabouts of the injured former WCW World Heavyweight champion Hulk Hogan and want the fans to call the WCW Hotline…

The announcers are discussing the Steel Cage Match that will take place between Ray Traylor and Vader at the Clash Of The Champions…

It’s time…for the Main Event of the evening!

The Franchise of WCW” Sting is ridiculously fast and agile for a guy his size and he is strong enough to slam super heavyweights such as Vader and John Tenta.

A big man, nearly 400 pounds, Bam Bam Bigelow stand out from the other monsters in the business by being particularly agile for his size, as well as his trademark look: tights with a flame motif to match the tattoo of flames on his skull.

Singles Match for the WCW United States title

Sting vs. Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Col. Parker

The bout was hard-hitting and reckless, with both workers taking a beating like few other top stars in wrestling history would allow.

“The Beast from the East” Bam Bam Bigelow is an incredibly talented performer, somehow capable of hurtling his mammoth frame around the ring in the manner of an acrobat without compromising his formidable power game.

Sting counters his opponents offense…

Hulk up, beat chest, punch, backhand, punch, Irish whip into corner, Stinger Splash, and time for the Scorpion Deathlock.

Sting has his opponent in the Scorpion Deathlock as the time limit expires.

In an unbelievable match, Sting drew with Bam Bam Bigelow in 20:00 when the time limit expired.

After the match we had Meng run in and attack Sting.

Meng is an unstoppable monster. He is the Scariest Man in the History of Wrestling.

Rating: 99 A*

Heenan’s pro-heel cheering on commentary during the bout had a great feel to it…

Post-Match Confrontation

Sting is engaged in a wild brawl with Meng and Bam Bam Bigelow.

Sting’s allies The Warrior and Ray Traylor then came out to the floor and brawled with The Miracle Violence Connection and Kurosawa as security and other wrestlers tried to break up the fight as the broadcast ended

Rating: 100 A*

The first episode of WCW’s Monday night show has tentatively been moved to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, and Hulk Hogan is scheduled to wrestle in the main event. WCW plans to try to put on at least one 20 minute “classic” match each week.

WCW’s plans to bring in quality workers for the Monday night show seems to be falling through. SMW blue chipper Al Snow has reportedly agreed to WWF’s offer and will be starting there soon. WWF made a big effort to get Snow, sending a limo to pick him up and just all around making him feel like they wanted him. Word is WCW offered more money, but WWF is widely seen as a better place for a new star to get over and they make new talent feel wanted.

The financial situation in WWF isn’t critical yet, but there have been more layoffs. As far as wrestlers go, Hakushi left by his own choice, despite his fantastic match with Bret Hart on Raw.

Recently retired NFL star Steve McMichael just signed with WCW and will start as an announcer, possibly on the new Monday night show, while also going to the WCW Power Plant training school to eventually become a wrestler. Steve McMichael was just cut by the Green Bay Packers and is retired now, and he was willing to do whatever he needed to do to get into wrestling. WWF had planned to bring in Steve McMichael, but WCW came up with a plan for him first, so he went there.

Vince McMahon’s son Shane did the ring announcing at a few of the B-level house shows this week, which were headlined by Mabel vs. Ahmed Johnson.

WWF had planned to bring in Steve McMichael and William “Refrigerator” Perry as an NFL-tag team to face Kama “The Supreme Fighter” and Mabel at Summerslam.  As for Perry, he signed a guaranteed contract, but WCW came up with a plan for Steve McMichael first, so he went there.

All Japan prepare for battle! A new tour is on the horizon for AJPW, who are deep in preparations. The tour, currently without a name, will begin next month, and there are strong rumours that a few new wrestlers will be making their debuts for the company at the very first show. Key workers like John Tenta, Johnny Ace and Dan Spivey will return for the tour. All Japan has also signed Bobby Duncum Jr., Johnny Smith, Rob Van Dam, Gary Albright and Tom Howard.

Alarm bells are ringing around Southern States Wrestling, 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 company will try to keep its top stars in place.

Steve “The Strangler” DiSalvo held a press conference announcing the formation of his own promotion, NWA Atlanta. He revealed that he had big plans for the new company, and hoped to be able to announce the first of several big name wrestlers who would be joining them within the next few weeks. The alliance may prove a smart move for them, as it ensures they have some friends to rely on for help in the difficult early months.

Dallas based Global Wrestling Federation were disbanded after being taken over by WWF. Max Andrews and Joe Pedicino were the original GWF promoters. The organization was a mix of established names and newcomers, many of whom would launch their national careers after appearances on the daily ESPN show. The original stars included The Patriot, Scott Levy and The Handsome Stranger (Marcus Bagwell) and Cactus Jack. Following a massive cutback of budget in 1994, Joe Pedicino and Craig Johnson left the
promotion.

Atlantis jumps ship from CMLL to AAA, while Octagon jumps from AAA to Promo Azteca.

WCW jobber Luther Biggs was brought before the Wrestler’s Court, accused of failing to pick up his share of the tab on the shared rentalcar. The judge, Vader, found him guilty and sentenced him to pay the full cost and reimburse his travel partners.

After negotiating with both the WWF and WCW, Public Enemy sign a three-year deal with WCW. The Public Enemy received a tryout with the WWF, wrestling a dark match against The Smokin’ Gunns. The team received an offer to sign with the company, but instead elected to go with a competing overture from World Championship Wrestling after being promised spotlight on WCW Saturday Night that hopes to continue deliver classic hard-hitting brawls in the mold of Cactus Jack vs. Vader and Cactus Jack/Kevin Sullivan vs. The Nasty Boys.

New Japan signs Masao Inoue from All Japan. He has mostly been working lower card matches in AJPW as an underling for Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue.

NJPW completed the signing of Hideki Hosaka last night. It is understood that he was one of the major targets for the promotion. An amateur wrestler in his scholastic years, Hideki Hosaka enrolled in Submission Arts Wrestling before moving on to W*ING and FMW.

AAA keep on adding young and exciting talent to it’s roster. Cibernetico, Villano IV, Villano V, Super Crazy, Perro Aguayo Jr., Mr. Aguila, Dr. Cerebro and Ultimo Guerrero have all joined the promotion.

AAA signs lucha legend Mil Mascaras as a Colour Commentator.

WWF has begun to airing vignette for the Nation of Domination, a tag team consisting of Farooq (Ron Simmons) and Kareem (Butch Reed).

Injury sidelines Jim Neidhart! Bad news came in for fans of Jim Neidhart last night, as it is being reported that he sustained a Broken Wrist during a match versus The New Blackjacks and that he will be required to take some time off in order to heal. The injury means that The New Foundation had to vacate the WWF World Tag Team titles.

Super J and Chris Kanyon begain their first reign as PWA Tag Team champions last night, when they won the match to decide worthy champions for the previously vacant titles.

New Japan saw a title change at the NJPW Dream Tour, as Koji Kanemoto lost the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship to El Samurai. This victory marks his third reign with the title.

ECW saw a title change at ECW Hardcore TV, as The Eliminators lost the ECW World Tag Team titles to Devon Storm and Eddie Gilbert.

Bad news came in for fans of Eddie Gilbert last night, as it is being reported that he sustained a Major Concussion during the match and he will be required to take some time off in order to heal.

Scott Norton was brought before the Wrestler’s Court, accused of being an hour late to pick up his assigned partner. The judge, Vader, found him guilty and sentenced him to pay for his pay for his travel partner’s meals for the next three shows.