[HYPE] Wrestling At War, 1996

RUPERT MURDOCH is the definition of mogul. Since the 1950’s, the Australian native has acquired news outlet after news outlet, rising to the top of the world’s news industry. After becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1985, Murdoch could officially own a U.S. television station, starting with the acquisition of Metromedia, a television broadcasting company with stations in six large U.S. cities. This became the foundation for what is known today as the Fox Broadcasting Company, or more commonly known simply as FOX.

FOX would begin a meteoric-rise to compete with the Big Three during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, and did so with gritty, original programming that captured the changing atmosphere of the United States as it ticked closer and closer to the new millennium. And with that attempt to capture even more of prime time television’s market share came the creation of a crazy idea: sports entertainment. How could the station combine the elements of the sports they were attempting to buy up through major contracts with the country’s largest sporting associations as well as the company’s knack for providing quality entertainment that appealed to the 18-34 year old demography? Professional wrestling was chosen as that answer.    

But perhaps none of it would have happened if the pieces had not all fallen into place. 

Vince McMahon is convicted. And FOX executives see their opening.

 

The mass exodus of WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION wrestlers was ignited like a wildfire, and Murdoch's team was quick to act. The phone calls began, word was swift. Quickly the situation went from, "I have to get out of Stamford" to "I have to get my tape to FOX's people". Not to mention, the media professional wrestling found itself receiving was unlike never before. Although, none of it was good, there was a silent eye on professional wrestling, and FOX’s creation was truly beginning to unfold.

Off the heels of McMahon's downfall, FOX scooped up considerable World Wrestling Federation talent. The industry was taken aback when Rupert Murdoch held a huge press conference announcing the debut of HOLLYWOOD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING, to be starring the likes of SHAWN MICHAELS, his partner in crime KEVIN NASH, and LEX LUGER. Their biggest signing, however, was bringing in HULK HOGAN, who was fed up with his time spent apart of WORLD STAR WRESTLING (a company, he helped put on the map). And when Hogan jumped, it was truly a big deal, as he and the rest of the “big four” went on a primetime media tour to promote the new product, which they both described as the future of sports entertainment... 

Their first big pay-per-view was a major success in terms of sales, as HCW THE BIG BANG set off the promotion in style on the third Sunday of July, 1994. A cocky but stunning Shawn Michaels would become the first HCW World champion after defeating Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Lex Luger in a four-way main event hyped as 'The Showdown of Stars'. And while the ring-work was sloppy, things felt big. Things felt, really big. Debuting the next night on the USA Network, HCW MONDAY NIGHT HEAT was unlike any wrestling show the world had seen, with a major emphasis on the production quality, smooth flow of the show, and direction to keep the viewer glued to their television; not to mention the big matches on Monday nights.

To the rest of the industry, things felt like a coup. The old boys club was a bit shaken, but certainly not defeated. The NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE hadn't done much to acknowledge any threat or anything that has happened in or around Hollywood Championship Wrestling. On the other side of the street however, World Star Wrestling had taken their jabs at the new FOX-business venture, referring to it as a "joke of a wrestling promotion", with BRET HART taking specific shots at Hulk Hogan who had ditched the company for it.

 

But no matter what anybody said, or didn't say, Hollywood Championship Wrestling was catching on, and history may tell the old-boys club they should have perceived HCW as a threat from the beginning, possessing pockets of wealth greater than what the National Wrestling Alliance has to pool from. Not only that, but HCW presents a wide variety of wrestling matches and styles. From hardcore brawls, to fast-paced cruiserweight action, HCW had done well to provide it all.

Along the way, however, like most entrepreneurial ventures, HCW hit a rough-patch of the road, as several factors began to collide in extraordinary fashion. It was reported that FOX was getting sick of the industry's nuances. Executives weren't used to handling the egos involved, the logistics that were required, the travel suffered. It wasn't long before FOX executives were on the hunt for an Executive Vice President of Hollywood Championship Wrestling.

Every decision was to lay in the hands on one man.

 

One man, with a vision.

 

The company's current lead announcer, Bischoff was named to the position after relentless pitching of his vision to television company's executives involved in the project. Having previously worked for the NWA on a secondary level, Bischoff took a chance by accepting a contract offer from the yet to debut Hollywood Championship Wrestling. From day one, Eric has been the company's lead announcer, but now, he was its ultimate. 

Just for the record, Bischoff's reign seemed to have began around December of 1994. No immediate booking changes seemed to have take place, but his biggest impact became the turn of Hulk Hogan from the childhood hero legend he had become known for, to one of the biggest heels in wrestling history. At HCW's THE BIG BANG, STARMAGGEDON '95, the company's premier equivalent to the NWA's Starrcade and the WWF's WrestleMania, Hogan successfully took the turn when he defeated Shawn Michaels to earn his first HCW World Championship title. But to Hogan, it wasn't about winning the title. He had held plenty of them. 

 

For him, it was the principal of the matter. 

 

Shawn Michaels had already been teasing a face turn, ever since he won the belt off of Lex Luger, in February, whom had defeated Michaels for it back in November. But after his victory, Hogan didn't begin it like any other reign. Instead, he refused to have his hand rose, and proceeded to spit, chuck, and stomp on the World championship. Taking the microphone, Hogan began ranting on about how much he had put into this business, and how little he had gotten out of it. How much his body had endured, the schedule he was forced to commit to, and how ungrateful all these fans were for it. How they all wanted the "Sexy Boy" to keep the title. How Michaels had already begun referring to the World championship as his title. Well Hogan was going to one-up all of that, and soon enough everyone will be talking about the greatness of "HOLLYWOOD" HULK HOGAN. 

 

And after all this, Hogan refused the World championship. Instead, he declared himself, the HOLLYWOOD HEAVYWEIGHT champion, brother.

Five months later, Hogan still holds his "Hollywood" championship, and now has one man under his sleeve, Eric Bischoff. Revealed as the Executive Vice President of the organization just a month after his reign, Bischoff played mean towards Hogan, but in reality, slowly fell sway to one of the most capturing personalities in the industry. HCW's December payper-view, Mayhem on 34th Street, Bischoff officially revealed his alignment with Hogan, as the two successfully screwed Lex Luger out of his chance in taking the belt. 

 

Now the Bischoff/Hogan alliance has officially begun, and there may not be much the rest of the Hollywood roster can do about it...

'HOLLYWOOD' HULK HOGAN

IRWIN R. SCHYSTER

THE NASTY BOYS - BRIAN KNOBBS & JERRY SAGGZ

2 COLD SCORPIO

JC ICE

HCW MONDAY NIGHT HEAT on FOX

'A' Show - Held on Mondays

HCW PARADISE CITY - January PPV

HCW HELLBOUND - February PPV

HCW DEUCES WILD - March PPV

HCW SHOWDOWN IN LOS ANGELES - April PPV

HCW SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK - May PPV

HCW BASH AT THE BEACH - June PPV

HCW THE BIG BANG - July PPV

HCW ONE NIGHT IN VEGAS - August PPV

HCW SURRENDER IN SEATTLE - September PPV

HCW TOTAL SUPREMACY - October PPV

HCW UNCENSORED - November PPV

HCW MASSACRE ON 34TH STREET - December PPV

Hulk Hogan is one of the most famous pro wrestlers in the world today. Hogan career really took off with the AWA/WSW during the 1980's and was responsible for the AWA's top-tier run after Hogan first won the belt in late 1983. From then on, Hogan was essentially the face of WSW (alongside Bret Hart) and proved himself to be one of the most charismatic workers the industry has ever seen. By 1994, differences in booking, conflicts with the Hart Family, an expiring contract, and a connection with Rupert Murdoch led to Hogan's departure from WSW. He would turn to revitalizing his career by becoming a cornerstone in the establishment of Hollywood Championship Wrestling. Things really took a turn for Hogan in 1995, however, when he turned heel in his title victory over Shawn Michaels, refused the HCW Heavyweight Championship, and declared himself "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan. Since then, he has formed an alliance with HCW Executive Producer Eric Bischoff and has become the popular antihero of HCW.

Kevin Nash is an impressive big man who got his start in the NWA where they failed to utilize his untapped charisma. After receiving a strong contract offer from the WWF, Nash jumped ship and debuted in the WWF in 1991 and was in instant success. Under the moniker of Diesel, Nash quickly became a star. The Baltimore Screwjob changed the course of Nash's career, however, as he would ask for release from his contract immediately following the screwjob pulled over on his best friend Shawn Michaels. Jumping ship to the newly minted Hollywood Championship Wrestling, Nash is clearly one of the company's four pillar stones. Soon forming an on-screen alliance with his best friends Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman (collectively known as The Kilq), the three have helped HCW and professional wrestling break into mainstream popularity and pop culture relevancy.

"The Total Package" Lex Luger is known for his incredible physique and has been a very popular wrestler since his mainstream debut in 1988 with the WWF. Luger quickly became a main player with the WWF and was always a reliable star to fall back on when star power would fade. Luger was one of the media's prime targets for supposed illegal steroid abuse although hard evidence has never surfaced. He stayed loyal to McMahon throughout his trial, but the last straw finally broke with the Baltimore Screwjob in 1994. This led to Luger asking for his release from the WWF and joining up with the start-up Hollywood Championship Wrestling. Luger fit the mold of a top HCW star and has been established as one of the company's four cornerstones. While he has not been able to get his hands on the HCW Championship, he is a central part to the company's booking and is still a popular star today.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling today. At the same time, Michaels is one of the biggest troublemakers as well. His popularity seemed to reach an unfathomable point following the infamous Baltimore Screwjob. Of course, Michaels was departing for the brand new Hollywood Championship Wrestling where Michaels would become the company's franchise face and first HCW Champion. Since then, Michaels has been the center of the show, mostly colliding with Hulk Hogan for supremacy and teaming up with his off-screen best friends Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman, collectivelly known as The Kliq. Michaels has helped HCW make strides to compete with the rest of the American professional wrestling industry, and certainly entering the prime of his career. For HBK, the sky is most certainly the limit. However, it may be Shawn's demons which prevent him from becoming the biggest star the world of wrestling has ever seen...

Booker T is one half of the Harlem Heat, a tag team he and his real-life brother have had together since their debut into the world of professional wrestling. Booker T can be called the more charistmatic of the duo, willing to work more on the microphone and seemingly able to carry more of a connection with the fans. He can also be called the better worker and has an incredible amount of athleticism that helps Booker stand-out. The two eventually became the top tag team in the USWA by late 1993 as The Ebony Experience. Come 1994, the two were continuously sought after by all of the major companies, but would settle with the start-up Hollywood Championship Wrestling (most likely due to the money on the table). Since their debut in HCW, the two have become the stand-up tag team. For Booker T, however, he is going to have a tough time standing out as a singles competitor in the future if he remains with HCW...

Brian Knobbs is one half of The Nasty Boyz, a tag team with Jerry Sags. The two have been fairly successful throughout their careers but have been fairly mercantile throughout, never staying with one promotion longer than a few years. Their most recent stop is with Hollywood Championship Wrestling, where they are a cornerstone of the company's tag team division. However, neither man has ever had much talent in the ring and rely on connecting with the fans to put on a show.

Diamond Dallas Page got his start with WSW as a manager for a year before gaining acceptance into the Hart Dungeon. DDP would leave the Dungeon before graduating from it after conflicts with trainers, leading to his departure from the company. DDP would work the independents for another year before signing a contract with the NWA. As a member of the NWA, DDP achieved midcard success before again departing from the company in 1994 to join the upstart Hollywood Championship Wrestling. Feeling the company fit his mold as a performer and always looking for greener pastures, DDP joined HCW to a much-more hefty contract and some name recognition already in the bag. Upon arriving to HCW, DDP has become an instant fan favorite and could break into the main event scene given the right booking. However, DDP's booking has been largely inconsistent, seemingly being cut at the knees whenever he seems to gain any momentum.

John "Bradshaw" Layfield is an upcoming big man who is a former collegiate football player who got his start in pro wrestling in 1992. Layfield would spend some time in the independents, including a short-stint with the USWA before going on to spend some time in Japan. Returning some Japan, Layfield was offered a contract with HCW where instead of playing his usual Cowboy gimmick, Layfield debuted as John Bradshaw Layfield, otherwise known as JBL. Based off his personal interest in wealth and finance, JBL plays a modern-day Texan stock market wizard, with a financial IQ perhaps greater than his in-ring ability. The JBL character has been a great success and has done well carrying the midcard level. If JBL can continue to grow, he has main event potential down the road.

Jerry Sags is one half of The Nasty Boyz, a tag team with Brian Knobbs. The two have been fairly successful throughout their careers but have been fairly mercantile throughout, never staying with one promotion longer than a few years. Their most recent stop is with Hollywood Championship Wrestling, where they are a cornerstone of the company's tag team division. However, neither man has ever had much talent in the ring and rely on connecting with the fans to put on a show.

Marc Mero is an energetic, charistmatic worker with enough in-ring talent to create a perfect combination of performance and entertainment. Trained by the Malenkos in 1990, Mero got an in with the NWA in 1992, debuting as Johnny B. Badd, a flamboyant character alikened to pro wrestling's version of musician Little Richard. The gimmick caught-on quick due to Mero's energetic work, and Mero quickly became one of the NWA's best supporting babyfaces, although never reaching the pinnacle of the promotion. Mero's entry into HCW was a simple case of perfect timing, as his contract with the NWA was expiring right as HCW was opening its doors. Looking for strong performers with a recognizable face, FOX picked up Mero with a heafty contract and repackaged him under his given name with the nickname "Wildman" applied. Essentially playing the same character he did in the NWA, Mero continues to provide a strong babyface position on the HCW roster.

"Ravishing" Rick Rude is a native of Minnesota and got his start in pro wrestling with the AWA in the mid-1980's. During this time, Rude was someone the AWA could not keep away from the WWF, and Rude signed with Vince McMahon in 1986. From then on, Rude became one of the top heels in the company and would remain with the WWF until late 1992. After achieving a level of success many others only dreamed of, Rude took a year off to rest and work the independents as he saw fit. Entering 1994, it became well known in the industry that Rude was thinking about entering the industry full-time once again. Rude unexpectedly received a message from Rupert Murdoch, who expressed his desire to open up a new wrestling promotion. Rude agreed to a contract, under stipulation, however, that he would only wrestle big events. With that, Rude has been a reliable upper midcarder ever since.

Stevie Ray is one half of the Harlem Heat, a tag team he and his real-life brother have had together since their debut into the world of professional wrestling. Stevie Ray may not be the more talented member of the tag team, but can certainly hold his own enough to help make their tag team matches some of the most entertaining in the industry. The two eventually became the top tag team in the USWA by late 1993 as The Ebony Experience. Come 1994, the two were continuously sought after by all of the major companies, but would settle with the start-up Hollywood Championship Wrestling (most likely due to the money on the table). Since their debut in HCW, the two have become the stand-up tag team. For Stevie Ray, a singles run in HCW seems out of sight and out of mind for now and will remain relevant as long as he is together with his brother...

Robert Maillet is a Canadian professional wrestler who had never fully committed to the business until signing a contract with HCW in 1995 to fill the role of the company's boilerplate big man. Maillet has a very unique look, standing at 6'10" with a more naturally-built look than body-built. Debuting as the monster known as Syclops, Maillet wheres a white contact over his right eye to imply the use of just one eye, resembling the mythical cyclop-creatures from Greek mythology. The company has done a great job of not allowing his gimmick to hit the cheese-grate, instead describing Syclops as a man who lost the use of his left-eye as a child, resulting in his hermitization as a child. However, as he grew into the monster he has become, now Syclops seeks revenge on the world had banished him to a life of loneliness while growing up. Syclops is the most prominent member of the Dungeon of Doom, holding their most legitimate threat to the HCW Championship.

Ed Leslie is a veteran worker who got his start in the AWA due to his close relationship with Hulk Hogan. Leslie would find consistent work with the AWA for most of his career into the 1990's, albiet never known for his wrestling ability. By 1992, WSW cut ties with Leslie in attempts to continue to push their product forward, leaving Leslie on the independent circuit until the creation of Hollywood Championship Wrestling. With his best friend leading the charge as the big name to join HCW, Hogan got Leslie a job with the promotion and has since gone through a variety of gimmicks. Entering 1996, Leslie has found one that has seemed to have stuck in his character The Zodiac. Sporting black-and-white face paint and never saying much more than "Yes!" and "No!" , The Zodiac is namesake of the The Taskmaster who controls The Zodiac's every move.

Sean Waltman may be best known as the 1-2-3 Kid in the WWF where he gained initial fame when he upset Diesel on an episode of Monday Night Raw, essentially the first upset a jobber has ever had over a certified star on a prime time wrestling show. The angle quickly caught on and Waltman engaged with a feud. The two eventually became great friends, as Waltman began hanging around with Nash, Shawn Michaels, and Paul Levesque (collectively known as The Kliq). Following the Baltimore Screwjob, Waltman demanded release from his contract and jumped ship to HCW following both Nash and Michaels. Now calling himself X-Pac, Waltman has become a popular underdog and received a large rub due to his association with both Michaels and Nash.

2 Cold Scorpio is a graduate of the IWGP dojo during the mid-1980's, and wrestled in the IWGP early in his career. Returning to America, Scorpio worked the independent scene, including ECWA and USWA before signing a short-term contract with the WWF. Scorpio was once again a free agent in 1994 before signing a contract with the brand new Hollywood Championship Wrestling to help build their cruiserweight division. Scorpio enters 1996 holding the company's cruiserweight belt, which is titled the HCW West Coast title.

Barry Buchanan is a relatively green big-man who debuted in mid-1995 as a member of the USWA roster after receiving training through the promotion. The USWA's investment in Barry didn't pay off, however, as he was quickly picked up on a written contract by HCW in late 1995. Impressed with his physique and matching the template they were looking for, Buchanan quickly debuted as Bohemond, a follower of the Jackyl and one half of The Proselytes. Yet to speak in front of any crowd, Bohemond is the silent enforcer of the Jackyl's will.

Raymond M. Lloyd (born May 1964 in Brunswick, Georgia) is an American martial artist and professional wrestler who got his start working the independents. After a short break from the business, Lloyd was approached to join the new Hollywood Championship Wrestling. Lloyd accepted the offer and was repackaged as Glacier, a clear rip-off of the character Sub-Zero from the popular video game Mortal Kombat. While Glacier gets a decent response from the fans, his in-ring work is nothing spectacular and his gimmick does not seem to have much life left in its blood.

Mike Rotunda is a former collegiate amateur wrestler who entered the world of pro wrestling in the 1980's, landing in the NWA where Rotunda was a regular midcard worker for a few years. Following his stint in the NWA, Rotunda left to join the WWF in 1991 where he debuted as Irwin R. Schyster. Known as IRS in a short form, Rotunda played a former IRS tax collector who scolded all who came before him as to not paying their "fair share" in taxes. While the entire concept was on the gimmicky side, it was a relative success allowing Rotunda to remain on the WWF roster before he would jump ship to the upstart HCW where he accepted a higher-paid contract offer. With Rotunda followed the gimmick, as he debuted as Irwyn R. Schyster, able to essentially steal the gimmick from the WWF now entering turmoil following Vince McMahon's incarceration and the Baltimore Screwjob. Rotunda remains a steady midcarder in HCW.

Mustapha Saed is best known as the partner of New Jack and currently works in Hollywood Championship Wrestling. Seizing on the growing popularity of gangster-rap, Mustapha Saed connected with New Jack in the USWA to form The Gangstas, which quickly became the most controversial tag team in the entire industry. The pair were soon offered a contract to join Hollywood Championship Wrestling due to their controversial image and growing popularity. While Mustapha may not be as controversial as New Jack, his image as a psycho-maniac street thug along with his pairing with New Jack will allow him to remain relevant as long as The Gangstas can continue to connect with the crowd.

"The Original Gangsta" New Jack is perhaps professional wrestling's most dangerous man in the business. Seizing on the growing popularity of gangster-rap, New Jack connected with Mustafa Saed in the USWA to form The Gangstas, which quickly became the most controversial tag team in the entire industry. The pair were soon offered a contract to join Hollywood Championship Wrestling due to their controversial image and growing popularity. New Jack himself is forming an individual reputation for being a very dangerous worker in the ring and is the subject of various rumours regarding intentions to legitmately injure opponents in the ring he has personal problems with.

Rio, Lord Of The Jungle is a wild brawler who got his big break wrestling in North America with Hollywood Championship Wrestling. After a stint as a male stripper, Williams began training under Killer Kowalski in order to become a professional wrestler. After making his debut in 1992, he began performing on the independent circuit under the ring name Rio, Lord of the Jungle. He would eventually be recruited to join HCW's Dungeon of Doom under the moniker 'The Jungle Lord', where he essentially plays the exact same gimmick he performed on the independent circuit.

Ric Savage is an average big-man who has caught a break teaming with Bohemond as The Proselytes, devoted followers of the Jackyl. Savage has worked the American independent circuit for most of his career, occasionally landing a jobber role with some of the larger companies. Forming a tag team with Barry Buchanan in USWA during 1995 led to his signing along with Buchanan into HCW. Now known as Simon, he has shown some promise but much remains to be seen if he can maintain any sort of mainstream success...

The Barbarian is known for his diving headbutts, savate kick to the face and incredible strength. Growing up in Tonga, Sione was one of five teenagers sent by the King of Tonga to Japan to study Sumo wrestling in the mid 1970s. After migrating to the United States, he fell into the world of professional wrestling and eventually received training initially taking the moniker of King Konga in the NWA. Eventually changing his gimmick to that of The Barbarian, he would spend time in different promotions including the NWA and WWF. The Barbarian signed on with HCW later into the promotion's life, brought in as one of the members of The Dungeon of Doom. So far he has found some success but is certainly past his peak in terms of getting much more out of his career.