It’s come down to the finish line in the story of how the wrestling industry is going to shake down.
Exactly what the future of World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling will end up being is up in the air, and it has never been a more harrowing time to be a full-time pro wrestler in the United States.
Most believe the two most likely companies that will wind up owning WCW before the next few weeks are up are either the World Wrestling Federation, or a company put together by Eric Bischoff. Many sources close to the situation seem to peg the WWF deal as being far more likely since at press time it appeared the Bischoff group had taken itself out of the running. The belief is that the WWF would run WCW as a separate company building up to a promotion vs. promotion feud, which wouldn’t occur right away, but with both groups under t
With its wrestlers in Australia and its front office personnel in a total state of uncertainty, media reports continued hot and heavy regarding a potential imminent sale of World Championship Wrestling.
While virtually all reports listed Mandalay Sports as the prime suitor, with a group headed by Eric Bischoff, most of the talk over the weekend involved a longshot in the deal which has been rumored for some time, the potential of the World Wrestling Federation buying out its long-time competitor, particularly after a story on 10/9 in Multi Channel News.
Based on sources very close to the details of the potential sale, no deal has been finalized at press time. Both companies, and perhaps others, are involved in various degrees of negotiations to purchase the company from Turner Broadcasting, which has owned the company since buying out Jim Crockett Promotions in late 1988. Those close to the negotiations expect a deal finalized within the next two weeks.
Whatever changes in the landscape temporarily that would result from the WWF going to a lower rated network appear to have been overstated.
It was thought that this would be the week for WCW to capitalize, as viewers, used to WWF on Monday nights, would switch to WCW when finding other programming on the USA Network. Even though, due to the court decision coming in late and Viacom not getting nearly the amount of publicity they had planned to hype the debut of Raw, the fact is WWF was able to push it all week on its own programming, there was still more advertising for Raw over the weekend mainstream then ever before, and the return of Steve Austin didn’t hurt.
The result was a number well under what was the Raw average, but had to be considered a good sign overall since it was better than most had predicted for the first show on the new station without nearly the promotion they had originally planned for.
The Delaware Supreme Court on 9/18 ruled 3-0 not to overturn the Chancery Court ruling that the WWF would be able to accept the Viacom deal, and thus ending its 17-year relationship with the USA Network.
The decision was more than one month in the making, which left much of the entire pro wrestling industry, and both networks, paralyzed to an extent, certainly as it pertained to wrestling programming. TNN had canceled ECW, and ECW had begun negotiations with USA Network, but as part of its agreements with both networks, WWF had exclusivity on the network. Since the WWF had signed the contract to start with Viacom, starting with Raw on TNN on 9/25 and the original court decision upheld that, they were contractually bound to the move.
In what was the most significant, and closest Monday night ratings race so far this year, a heavily criticized edition of Nitro on 9/11 scored the highest rating for the show in its regular opposed format since 1/10 and the closest margin between the two shows since 12/20.
Nitro finished with a 3.20 rating (3.47 first hour; 2.93 second hour) and a 4.8 share. Raw did a 5.90 rating (5.36 first hour; 6.38 second hour) and an 8.9 share.
Whether it was the return of Ric Flair, the wedding angle, the WWF being hurt badly by pre-emptions the past two weeks, or an overall positive trend for the company, doing a number like that, particularly with football competition thrown in, was from a pure ratings standpoint, the most impressive number the company has done all year. What was ironic is that it came on the same night where in Charlotte, all those same factors drew 1,657 paid, most of whom purchased tickets in the past week when it was clear Flair would return for the show, and even with that announced, that number for Flair’s return is Charlotte speaks volumes.
The pro wrestling industry in both the United States and Japan has never been in a more tumultuous period than it currently faces with only two companies, at least as it stands right now, having anything that could be close to regarded as rosy long-term futures.
The lack of substantial news as the new TV season is about to start makes the future of the U.S. scene, aside from the WWF, speculative, in some cases, to a scary degree. The WWF, which has been on fire for some time, if anything, looks to get stronger with the return to TV of Steve Austin in a few weeks, and as it gets stronger and increases its market share, it makes it that much more difficult for others to survive in that market and the others aren’t making money at it now.
As the bar raises once again, the question becomes when does the bar hit the breaking point.
SummerSlam was a spectacular show, with a great main event storyline going in, and even with a little tweaking of the main event itself due to Kurt Angle’s injury, a strong storyline paid off at the end while leaving the viewers still wanting more. But the match that stole the show was the tables, ladders and chairs match with Christian & Edge, The Dudleys and the Hardys.
There were numerous spectacular bumps from the top of the ladders, both in the ring, and over the top rope through tables. Although everyone involved was probably plenty sore the next morning, nobody was seriously hurt. Earlier in the show, Shane McMahon did a spectacular looking stunt bump, falling backwards some 30 feet into what was apparently a very safe crash bad in a garbage bin. It’s already a given that not just independent wrestlers, who imitate what they see in the big-time, but kids in their backyard, are going to imitate what the WWF does.
When someone passes away, whether it’s a celebrity or someone in our lives, a usual lament is that we didn’t appreciate them enough while they were alive. It’s typical human nature for us to not fully grasp how important someone is until they’re gone.
But in the sadness that has surrounded the death of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, it’s clear that wasn’t the case with him. The tributes to him have felt more like affirmations of what we already knew than revelations. Bobby Heenan was the greatest pro wrestling manager of all time. He was the best at his style of commentary. He was a unique personality that has never been duplicated — no matter how many other performers have been influenced by him.
My introduction to Heenan didn’t come when he was managing Nick Bockwinkel in the AWA or when he was leading the charge against Hulk Hogan in the WWF.
In our largest one year inclusion in history, seven new members were named to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in a balloting of performers, front office people, reports, historians and some well known wrestling experts.
Four of the newcomers were voted on by the largest voting panel to date and three others were chosen largely by lobbying from historians providing research as to why they clearly belonged.
Voted in were two wrestlers who have come very close in recent elections, Mick Foley, who came three votes shy last year, and Shinya Hashimoto, who came one vote shy last year, along with two others voted in on their first eligible ballot, Steve Austin and in something of a mild surprise, Akira Hokuto.
Foley, who already had strong credentials last year, only added to his resume over the past 12 months.
Courtesy of NXT recapper Arya Witner, enjoy the Best of Bryan & Vinny as they review WCW Monday Nitros from December 1995
As a bonus, this features all four Nitros that month, plus the December 4 Raw that they reviewed instead of the Best Of Impact episode that aired and the main two matches at Starrcade.
Highlights include:
The build (or lack thereof) to Starrcade 95
Four WCW world title matches featuring Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Lex Luger and The Giant
Charles Barkley and Refrigerator Perry on Nitro
The Giant vs Scott Norton
Vince McMahon urging you to invest in the WWF Hotline
1995 WWF silliness, like Make A Difference Fatu, Bob Backlund running for President, Dean Douglas, Brother Love, King Mabel and graffiti covered caskets!
Razor Ramon vs Dean Douglas
What’s more expensive? Shawn Michaels and Diesel life-size cutouts or a Crazzy Steve wall decal?
Shawn Michaels’ Post Concussion Syndrome storyline in 1995 and the seriousness of concussions.
Steve Austin this past week received medical clearance from Dr. Lloyd Youngblood to return to active wrestling in eight weeks, most likely at the October PPV.
Austin, who had been on the sidelines since November and had neck surgery in January that put his career in jeopardy, got what was regarded as a cautious okay after exams on his neck on 8/10 and on his knees on 8/12. After the neck exam, Youngblood suggested he stay out another two months to be on the safe side. The knee exam showed that with his time off, there had been no added deterioration and his legs themselves are the strongest they have been in years because he’s been very limited in his ability to do upper body exercises, so in training has concentrated on his legs.
The turmoil regarding the future of World Championship Wrestling continues with what apparently is a shake-up leaving Brad Siegel backing Vince Russo in complete control of the company.
At the same time, the losses continue to escalate, with July’s losses estimated at $7 million, the most, by far, of any month in the history of a company now on track to lose close to $80 million over the course of this year.
The main stories going around, seem to involve the prospective merger of AOL and Time Warner, and getting the company’s losses under control. Rumors are flying everywhere that the company is looking to dump most of the high priced talent, although at press time, nobody, with the exception of Roddy Piper, whose situation is up in the air due to legal reasons, has even been approached about either a buy-out or being let go.
Gordon Solie, an icon figure of this industry who announced more pro wrestling matches on television than any man who ever lived, passed away from brain cancer officially on 7/28 at the age of 71.
Solie was found that morning by his family, and it is being listed as the date of his death. It is believed his death may have taken place as early as late Wednesday night, as nobody heard from him on Thursday, and the house was exactly the same on Friday morning as it was on Wednesday night, when his daughter was over for dinner.
Solie’s distinctive voice and understated announcing rhythm was the trademark of pro wrestling in the Southeast for more than two decades and in some ways the symbol of pro wrestling in the 1970s. He commanded so much respect in the business that he was acknowledged, even for years after it was no longer the case, as the unquestioned best announcer modern wrestling ever had.
The country of Australia, apparently wrestling-starved, banged out amazing business when tickets went on sale for an October tour of World Championship Wrestling, which includes four television shoots.
On 7/21, the first show that went on sale, a Nitro taping in Melbourne on 10/13, sold out the Rod Laver Arena (capacity for a Nitro taping would be probably close to 10,000) with tickets priced from $300 Australian down to $65, sold out in less than three hours (reports of a 90 minute sellout are exaggerated, but only slightly). No figures were available at press time but because the majority of the seats were priced at $150, the gate, even in U.S. dollars (Australian dollar is worth 58 cents U.S.), may close in on the magic $1 million mark that no WCW event in history has topped (probably will fall closer to $900,000 but we haven’t been given breakdowns).
– Rick Valentine & Sailor White beat Raymond & Jacques Rougeau to win International Tag Team Title
– Richard Charland & Frenchie Martin & Mad Dog Lefebvre beat Gino Brito Jr. & Armand Rougeau & Domenic DeNucci
– Bob De La Serra beat Tony Ricco
– Henri Cardinal beat Tito Senza
– Denis Goulet drew Rocky De La Serra
Portland, Oregon:
– Dr. Tom Prichard and Brett Sawyer defeated Mike Miller and Mr Ebony (Tom Jones) to win the Pacific Northwest Tag Team Titles
1987
Norfolk, Virginia:
– The MOD Squad fought the Italian Stallion & Lazertron
– Sean Royal defeated Colt Steele
– Jimmy Garvin defeated Manny Fernandez
– Ivan Koloff defeated Kendall Windham
– Dusty Rhodes defeated NWA US Champion Lex Luger via disqualification
– Nikita Koloff & UWF Western States Heritage Champion Barry Windham defeated NWA US Tag Team Champions Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane via disqualification
– NWA Tag Team Champions Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated NWA TV Champion Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson
– NWA World Champion Ric Flair defeated Ron Garvin via disqualification
1991
Fayetteville, North Carolina:
– Big Josh pinned Thomas Rich
– Richard Morton pinned Robert Gibson in a steel cage match
– Tom Zenk pinned the Diamond Studd
– Johnny B. Badd pinned the Junkyard Dog
– Dustin Rhodes pinned WCW TV Champion Steve Austin
– Dick Murdoch & Dick Slater defeated Bobby Eaton & PN News
– Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyzsko defeated Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin
– Nikita Koloff defeated Sting in a Russian chain match
1993
SMW Fire on the Mountain, Johnson City, Tennessee:
– Jimmy Del Ray pinned Steve Armstrong
– Tony Anthony fought the Mongolian Stomper to a double disqualification
– The Big Bossman pinned Kevin Sullivan
– Chris Candido defeated Tim Horner
– Brian Lee defeated Tracy Smothers in a coal miner’s glove match
– Bob, Scott, & Steve Armstrong, Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson defeated Jim Cornette, Ron & Don Harris, Jimmy Del Ray & Tom Prichard in a steel cage match
Martinsville, Indiana:
– Erik Watts defeated Chris Benoit
– Yoshi Kwan defeated Frankie Lancaster
– Mark Starr defeated Big Sky
– 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Harlem Heat via disqualification
– Johnny B. Badd defeated Maxx Payne
1994
Hampton, Virginia:
– Brian Pillman defeated Bobby Eaton
– WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal defeated Brad Armstrong
– The Guardian Angel defeated Tex Slazenger (sub for Vader who was on a Japanese tour)
– The Patriot & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated WCW Tag Team Champions Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma in a non-title match
– Dustin Rhodes defeated Arn Anderson via disqualification
– WCW US Champion Steve Austin defeated Ricky Steamboat
– Sting defeated Ric Flair
1999
Toledo, Ohio:
– Balls Mahoney & Spike Dudley defeated Buh Buh Ray & D-Von Dudley to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship
WCW Road Wild, Sturgis, South Dakota:
– Rey Misterio, Jr., Billy Kidman and Eddie Guerrero defeated Vampiro and Insane Clown Posse
– Harlem Heat defeated Kanyon & Bam Bam Bigelow to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles
– The Revolution (Perry Saturn, Shane Douglas and Dean Malenko) defeated The West Texas Rednecks (Barry Windham, Curt Hennig and Bobby Duncum Jr.) (with Kendall Windham)
– Buff Bagwell defeated Ernest Miller (with Sonny Onoo)
– Chris Benoit defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a No Disqualification match to retain the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
– Sid Vicious defeated Sting
– Goldberg defeated Rick Steiner
– Randy Savage defeated Dennis Rodman
– WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Kevin Nash in a Retirement match
2000
– Rey Mysterio & Juventud Guerrera won the WCW World Tag Team Championship from Vampiro & The Great Muta
2011
WWE SummerSlam, Los Angeles, California:
– Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) defeated Alex Riley
– Kofi Kingston, John Morrison and Rey Mysterio defeated Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) and Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
– Mark Henry defeated Sheamus by countout
– Kelly Kelly (with Eve Torres) defeated Beth Phoenix to retain the WWE Divas Championship
– Wade Barrett defeated Daniel Bryan
– Randy Orton defeated Christian in a no holds match to win the World Title
– CM Punk defeated John Cena to win the WWE Title. Immediately after the match, Alberto Del Rio cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase and defeated Punk to win the WWE Title
