We Built This Forum (On Our Diaries)

[DMN in the House]

In the tradition of other non-sensical backstories, the EWB String Quartet, present to you, accompanied by the one and only PanchoVilla, the newest hit song in EWB lore.

We Built This Forum (On Our Diaries)

We built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

Built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

Say you don’t know me or recognize my face

Say you don’t care who goes to that kind of place

Knee deep in the hoopla sinking in your fight

Too many shitty diaries eating up the night

naiwf writes the Oracle, read to the topic, don’t you remember

We built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

We built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

Built this city, we built this city on rock and roll

Someone always playing moderation games

Who cares they’re always changing Vault names

We just want to write here someone stole the right

They call us irresponsible ban us off the site

naiwf writes the Oracle, read to the topic, don’t you remember

We built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

We built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

Built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

It’s just another Sunday, in a tired old diary

Javert has got the power, oh then we just lost the beat

Who counts the whoring underneath the pinned topics

Who rides the wave of ECW diaries

Don’t tell us you need us, ’cos you're all tools

Looking for nirvana, coming to be schooled

(I’m looking out over that last dead split

Out on another gorgeous sunny Saturday, not seein’ what awaits us)

Don’t you remember (’member)(’member)

(what’s your favorite worker, in your favorite diary

The forum by the Vault, the forum that rocks, the forum that never sleeps)

naiwf writes the Oracle, read to the topic, don’t you remember

We built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

We built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

Built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

Built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

Built this forum, we built this forum on our diaries!

(we built, we built this forum) built this forum (we built, we built this forum)

(repeats out)

1990... World Wrestling Federation - Adam Copeland's Stalker. National Wrestling Alliance - thegodcomplex. American Wrestling Association - TheRaySays. New American Pro Wrestling - sycodmn.

No matter what we say, or what we do, you'll read, because we're the best at what we do. Face it kiddies, you need us. We're like crack. No matter how many times one of us burns you, you'll always come back for more.

Welcome to your next fix.

[Guest Faded Sanity]

Damn you for putting that song in my head.

I'll be reading.

[DMN in the House]

Taken from NAPW's Fan Newsletter

New American Pro Wrestling

Wrestling, the Way It Should Be!

New American Pro Wrestling is a rarity in these days of over the top characters and 'wrestlers' that don't know a wristlock from a wristwatch. NAPW is the future, a place where the best athletes and wrestlers in the world come to compete in a place where the sport of professional wrestling is still respected. A place where competitors follow 'The Code', and where things are determined in the ring, between combatants. Housing some of the best young talent in the world, New American Pro Wrestling follows in the footsteps of puroresu promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling, from which we take our names.

New American Pro Wrestling primarily runs the West Coast, from Portland to Tijuana, and is now available on television, via your regional stations. The first episode of New American Television is scheduled to air Saturday, January 6th, 1990, check your local listings for time and channel.

In other NAPW news, the New American Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion was recently crowned, as Bob Backlund won the prestigious title in a tournament in Japan. While we are not able to show you clips of this match, due to agreements with Japanese promoters, the champion will be in the house for the first ever New American Television, taking a seat next to host Mike Tenay.

Also, the New American Pro Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Championship will be on the line in a seven man tournament featuring the best Juniors from around the world. We will have first round action from that tournament on New American Television, as The Pegasus Kid takes on Sabu and 'The Love Machine' Art Barr takes on the young Rey Mysterio Jr..

For those unfamiliar with 'The Code', we re-print it here, direct from the NAPW Rulebook:

The Code

- Matches in NAPW will follow a strict time limit. Unless otherwise stipulated, television matches shall have a time limit of 15 minutes (non-title/tournament), 30 minutes (Jr. Heavyweight Title/Tournament Matches), or 60 Minutes (Heavyweight Title). Matches on our monthly 'large' shows will have no time limit, unless stipulated.

- Matches in NAPW may be won by pinfall, submission, knockout, or referee's decision. The referee's decision IS FINAL.

- Competitiors in NAPW may bring a 'second' to the ring with them, wether that be a valet, a liscenced manager, or a fellow wrestler. 'Seconds' shall be on a two strike rule, where by the referee my have them removed from ringside after a second infraction.

- Competition in NAPW must be resolved IN THE RING, unless stipulated. Pinfalls, submissions, or knockouts will not be allowed outside the ring. There are also no count-outs, all action must come to a conclusion. The only possible finish to a match outside the ring is referee's decision.

- Champions in NAPW have a 30 day window in which they MUST defend their title against the number one contender. While they may also defend against other competitors, if the title is not defended against the number one contender, said match will be scheduled by the NAPW Competition Committee, and the title held up until said match.

- Outside interference is NOT allowed. Infractions of this rule will result in a month's suspension.

- The Code may be amended at any time, per majority decision by the NAPW Competition Committee.

- NAPW Competition Committee decisions are FINAL.

NAPW Competitors

NAPW Heavyweight Champion

Bob Backlund

NAPW Junior Heavyweight Champion

Vacant Pending Tournament

'The Snowman' Al Snow

Anthony Durante

'The Love Machine' Art Barr

Axl Rotten

Black Tiger

Brickhouse Brown

Curtis Thompson

Dan Kroffat

Dean Malenko

Doug Furnas

Gary Wolfe

Iceman Parsons

Jim Steele

Johnny Smith

Konnan

The Pegasus Kid

Rey Mysterio Jr.

Rick Bogner

Sabu

Sam Houston

Scott Casey

'Special Delivery' Jones

'Cowboy' Stan Hansen

T.D. Madison

Tony Atlas

War Machine

Official Tag Teams

The Cam-Am Connection - Dan Kroffat and Doug Furnas

Bayside Bombers - Anthony Durante and Gary Wolfe

The Blackbirds - Brickhouse Brown and Iceman Parsons

'The Love Machine' Art Barr and War Machine

NAPW Staff

New American Television Announcer - Mike Tenay

Edited April 27, 2005 by sycodmn

[efwa4life]

I have a quick question...

The referee's decision IS FINAL....

- NAPW Competition Committee decisions are FINAL.

←

[Guest Florida Cub]

Someone always playing moderation games

Who cares they’re always changing Vault names

We just want to write here someone stole the right

They call us irresponsible ban us off the site

It’s just another Sunday, in a tired old diary

Javert has got the power, oh then we just lost the beat

Who counts the whoring underneath the pinned topics

Who rides the wave of ECW diaries

Don’t tell us you need us, ’cos you're all tools

Looking for nirvana, coming to be schooled

Edited April 17, 2005 by Florida Cub

[jayden]

Really loved the NAPW backstory. This is undoubtedly a diary that I'm going to mark out big time for it. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever of that.

I thought the code was really interesting and there's a lot of intricacies there that will no doubt come into play and give NAPW a slightly unique feel. The one that really caught my eye was the "two strike rule" for seconds. I can already imagine some great use of that ruling. Limiting yourself by not allowing any run ins is great too. Not only does it mean that you won't be drawn into a mid to late 90's scenario where match after match has more and more run ins (not that I really imagined you would in a 1990 diary) but the suspension's that will be handed out for such offences again have a lot of potential to add to a really heavy feud.

The roster is intriguing, with the Junior Heavyweight's having a huge amount of talent, yet very little personality. Will be interesting to see you try and get them over simply on what they do in the ring.

You've also got plenty of decent Heavyweight Contenders to push towards the belt once you decide to take it off Backlund.

This is going to be great.

[Guest lukaszkurek]

Quick question.

If a wrestler's "second" continues to disript and get dismissed in every match, can that lead to an eventual suspension?

I like the Love/War Machine pairing.

[LUKIE]

Ooohh...

Dmn does a Puro-esque American fed. Gotta read...

[ClaRK! Kent]

Very much liked the backstory, sycodmn, it looks a lot different to what you're usually doing and that's good, it'll be interesting to see where you take this. Interesting choice of rules, it reminds me a lot of ROH which is good, and it's very old-school in nature so you're in keeping with the time at least. The rule on title defences means you'll have a competitive atmosphere, and I'm sure we'll see infractions of the rules regarding valets often. The whole idea of the strict rulebook is great, because it means you can use it to gain your heels a lot of heat very quickly, so it's smart booking sense in that respect.

TGC has the NWA and ACS has the WWF, so you've got the right promotions assigned to the right people there at least. Good move, I'll especially be looking forward to seeing how the NWA goes because I'm a big mark for TGC's work.

The song was good, although it will be in my head all day now, bastards. Aren't you scared of Javert's Thought Police, though?

Backlund being alongside Tenay for your first TV show is an interesting idea, gives me the idea that you'll be using a 'guest host' sort of system, which will be interesting at the very least. You've got some charismatic people on that list, as well as your silent workrate types, so that'll be a good concept to use.

Can the people who have posted nothing feedback in this thread kindly say something worthwhile or fuck off? This sort of thing killed the last big-split we tried to do here, and it's annoying to realise that I'll probably have to wade through mountains of postwhoring in order to get to shows and whatnot. If you want to postwhore, actionpad and Baby Hewey always like readers/verbal fellatio.

RK!

Edited April 18, 2005 by Raven's Kid

[kingtut307]

I'm really looking forward to the AWA/NAPW portions of this diary, especially how syco does a more "old school"/RoH type of promotion as oppossed to SoCal wrestling.

[TheRaySays]

In 1960, after a dispute over the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the Minneapolis Boxing and Wrestling Club, Inc. withdrew from the National Wrestling Alliance and struck out on their own as the American Wrestling Association.

In 1985, the AWA made its broadcast cable debut on the ESPN network. With this exposure as well as certified superstars like Greg Gagne, Sgt. Slaughter, Larry Zbyszko, Nick Bockwinkel, The Hennigs, and The Road Warriors, the AWA brought a spirit of competition and tradition to a sport quickly losing its credibility.

Now, with the advent of the Team Challenge Series, the AWA is poised to revolutionize the industry yet again.

AWA World Heavyweight Champion

Larry Zbyszko

Larry Zbyszko is the only "Living Legend" in professional wrestling today. He retired the legendary Bruno Sammartino in a brutal cage match and ended the illustrious career of former AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkel as well. Now, Larry is the man on top in AWA, and he invites anyone to come to "Larry Land" and try to knock him down. Will Larry put an end to another legend, or will he be the one to find himself driven out of the sport that he eats, drinks, and breathes?

AWA World Tag Team Champions

The Destruction Crew ("Mean" Mike Enos & Wayne "The Train" Bloom)

The Destruction Crew have been blazing a path of devastation through the tag ranks of the AWA since winning the straps in early October of last year. With their hardhats and sledgehammers, they're willing to chisel away at the legacies of their predecessors and put their own names in the record books.

AWA World Women's Champion

Candi Devine

Candi Devine has held the AWA World Women's Title since retiring the iconic Wendi Richter. Candi can't get TOO comfortable with the strap, however, as The Magnificent Mimi has made quite a stir and is gunning for her title with all guns blazing. Candi has proven that she's willing to do whatever it takes to retain the lifestyle to which she's grown accustomed, so don't be surprised to see a dirty trick or two emerge from her designer label sleeve.

The Team Challenge Series

The AWA Team Challenge Series is the most revolutionary concept in professional wrestling in decades. With three teams competing for victories and points (3 for a victory in under five minutes, 2 for a victory, 1 for a draw, and bonus points per match stipulations), one MILLION dollars lies at stake for the team with the most points by the end of Super Clash IV in April.

Baron's Blitzers

20 points

CAPTAIN: Baron Von Raschke (face)

Candi Devine (heel)

"Yukon" John Nord (face) - a.k.a. The Berzerker, Nord the Barbarian, The Viking

Ox Baker (heel)

Paul "Hard Rock" Diamond (face) - a.k.a. Kato, Max Moon

The Russian Brute (heel)

Scott "Flash" Norton (face)

The Trooper (face) - a.k.a. Del Wilkes, The Patriot

Tommy Jammer (face)

Larry's Legends

13 points

CAPTAIN: "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko (heel)

Jake "the Milkman" Milliman (face)

Kokina Maximus (heel) - a.k.a. Yokozuna

Masa Saito (face)

"Mean" Mike Enos (heel) - a.k.a. Blake Beverly

Sheik Adnan Al-Kaisie (heel) - a.k.a. General Adnan Al-Kaisie

Texas Hangman Killer (heel)

Texas Hangman Psycho (heel)

Wayne "The Train" Bloom (heel) - a.k.a. Beau Beverly

Sarge's Snipers

9 points

CAPTAIN: Sgt. Slaughter (face)

Col. DeBeers (heel)

"The Illustrious" Johnnie Stewart (heel)

Magnificent Mimi (face)

"Sensei" Pat Tanaka (heel) - a.k.a. GOKU-DO

Unknown Soldier (face) - a.k.a. "Top Gun" Ricky Rice

AWA All Star Wrestling for Monday, January 1st, 1990 COMING SOON!

[Miami Vice]

The backstory alone was fantastic! Jefferson Starship would be proud! This looks good, I just hope it doesn't go the same route as most of these "Top Writer Splits" and craps out after two shows.

[Cole]

I enjoy'ed the song and the first two promotion backstorys. Hopefully with only four writers this will last longer then the NWA Split(S).

I'm really looking forward to the next two backstories as I've followed both of those promotions. Hopefully they'll be some good promotion wars aswell away from the in ring/show product.

[kingtut307]

When I read "AWA Team Challenge Series" I think big, empty pink rooms with no fans and Turkey on a Pole matches.

I hope you can turn them around...I've been on an AWA kick lately.

[Guest lukaszkurek]

I'd like to see a parody of the Superbowl Shuffle a la AWA 1986.

This diary reminds me of the rerun wrestling shows, that advertise being the way wrestling should be. These guy have strict rules, and everybody has a manager, so you've captured the feel of those classics. Industry-wise, the big WWF expansion is picking up steam, so it will certainly be interesting how a classic promotion deals with up and coming ones. It's a bit like New Blood vs. Millionaire's Club but on a grander scale.

[TGC]

Professional wrestling was one of the earliest shows to be broadcast on Ted Turner's WTBS station based out of Atlanta. When Turner began transmitting his station across the country to cable companies, Georgia Championship Wrestling became one of the most popular shows on the station. Due to the larger audience, the promoter changed the show's name to World Championship Wrestling in 1983. In 1984, the TV time was bought by Vince McMahon for his expansion of his WWF promotion. The WWF control of this timeslot lasted less than a year as Vince ended up selling the time to Jim Crockett Promotions. Crockett tried to run a national promotion but was plagued by misfortunes. Bad booking decisions, the loss of Magnum TA in a car accident, acquisition costs of several other wrestling promotions, and the guaranteed contracts all combined to put the promotion on thin ice financially. After major losses on Crockett's first two ventures into Pay Per View, Starrcade '87 and Bunkhouse Stampede, Jim Crockett Promotions had to sell or go bankrupt. Ted Turner, not waiting to lose one of his highest rated programs, showed interest in buying the promotion. It almost didn't happen when Ric Flair nearly quit over problems with booking decisions made by Dusty Rhodes. Without Ric Flair, Turner would not have bought the promotion. The promotion sided with Flair, and Jim Crockett Promotions became the Turner owned World Championship Wrestling promotion in November 1988. At the time of the sale WCW remained affiliated with the NWA. After the departure of Jim Crockett, Jim Herd was given control over WCW. Herd came from a non-wrestling background, not knowing how much politics played into things backstage. He put Ric Flair in charge of booking as Dusty left.

In terms of the action, in mid-January 1989, Ric Flair and Barry Windham had been ganging up on "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert. A match on WCW's Saturday show pitted Flair and Windham against Gilbert and a mystery partner. The crowd went wild when Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, newly arrived from the WWF, joined Gilbert and pins Flair in the ring. A feud is born between Flair and Steamboat. Fans are treated to several great matches between the two over the next four months with Steamboat winning the title at the February Chi-Town Rumble, a classic best two out of three falls match at an April Clash of Champions show, and Flair regaining the title in May at the WrestleWar Pay Per View. The show ended with Flair being attacked by Terry Funk, who was one of the ringside judges. The war between Funk and Flair would carry WCW through the rest of 1989.

Meanwhile, Jim Herd was acquiring a lot of talent for the promotion. Sting was already there, and he had a wild feud with a newcomer by the name of the Great Muta. Other newcomers were Flyin' Brian Pillman, Tom Zenk, Scott Hall, Mean Mark Callous, The Samoan Swat Team, and a new team wrestling together for the first time at the Great American Bash by the name of the Steiner Brothers. While the WWF was better known to the general public, the serious wrestling fans were watching WCW.

As the year went on Ricky Steamboat would leave in August as he and Herd couldn’t come to terms. Amazingly, Steamboat was gone less than a year after joining and only a few months after the classic matches between him and Flair. This became an omen of things to come later. It also threw off the booking as Lex Luger had turned heel in June to feud with Steamboat.

The feud between Flair and Funk was the focus of a hot Great American Bash show in July. The show ended with a wild fight between Flair, Funk, the Great Muta, and Sting. These four wrestlers would be intertwined for most of the remaining year, including the first Halloween Havoc featuring the Thunderdome cage match. An angle with Terry Funk putting a plastic bag over Ric Flair's head went too far and was never shown again on television. The feud between Funk and Flair ended when Flair defeated Funk in a retirement "I Quit" Match in November which began a feud between Flair and Gary Hart's J-Tex Corporation (Muta, Buzz Sawyer, and the Dragon Master). Funk retired after this match, becoming a commentator. Flair called The J-Tex Corporation out on WCW Saturday Night and the crowd went wild when Ole and the recently returning Arn Anderson (from the WWF) joined Flair to drive off Hart's men. The Four Horsemen had returned to the NWA/WCW as faces.

Other feuds during the year had the Steiners Brothers finally end Rick Steiner's war with the Varsity Club. Jim Cornette started managing the Dynamic Dudes (Johnny Ace and Shane Douglas), upsetting the Midnight Express. Cornette turned on the Dudes during the November Clash of the Champions to a huge ovation from the crowd. Rick Steiner gained a girlfriend by the name of Robin Green who later became Woman when she had a masked team attack his brother, Scott. The team was named Doom, a masked team that the fans instantly recognized as Butch Reed and Ron Simmons.

The year ended with Starrcade '89: Night of the Ironman, a round robin tournament between singles wrestlers Sting, Flair, Luger, and The Great Muta and a tag team tourney with the Road Warriors, The Steiners, Doom, and The Wild Samoans. Sting and the Warriors were the winners as the Horsemen teased a turn on Sting.

All of this leads us into 1990, a year when the Turner owned WCW, the flagship of The National Wrestling Alliance, looks to close the gap even more and become the one true leader in the professional wrestling world.

Current Roster

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair

NWA US Champion Lex Luger

NWA TV Champion The Great Muta

NWA World Tag Team Champions The Steiners

Sting

Arn Anderson

Ole Anderson

Sid Vicious (injured)

Terry Funk (retired)

The Road Warriors (with Paul Ellering)

The Midnight Express (with James E. Cornette)

Brian Pillman

Doom (with Woman)

The Varsity Club (with Kevin Sullivan)

The Dragonmaster (with Gary Hart)

Z-Man

Buzz Sawyer (with Gary Hart)

Cactus Jack Manson

The Skyscrapers Dangerous Dan Spivey and Mean Mark Callous (with Teddy Long)

Eddie Gilbert

The Freebirds (with Missy Hyatt)

The Junkyard Dog

Dynamic Dudes

The Samoan Swat Team Samu, Fatu, and The Samoan Savage (with Sir Oliver Humperdink)

Ranger Ross

Rip Morgan

The Mod Squash Basher and Spike

The Super Destroyer

Tommy Rich

Bob Cook

The Cuban Assassin

Denny Brown

Italian Stallion

Jason Knight

Kendall Windham

Larry Santo

Rip Rogers

The State Patrol Sgt Buddy Lee and Lt James Earl

The National Wrestling Alliance Title History

The NWA World Heavyweight Title

Name(# of reigns)/Date/Location/Notes

Orville Brown October 1948 (1)

Lou Thesz November 27, 1949 (2)

Whipper Billy Watson March 15, 1956 Toronto, Ontario, Canada (3)

Lou Thesz (2) November 9, 1956 Saint Louis, Missouri (4)

Dick Hutton November 14, 1957 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Pat O'Connor January 9, 1959 Saint Louis, Missouri

Buddy Rogers June 30, 1961 Chicago, Illinois

Lou Thesz (3) January 24, 1963 Toronto, Ontario, Canada (5)

Gene Kiniski January 7, 1966 Saint Louis, Missouri

Dory Funk Jr. February 11, 1969 Tampa, Florida

Harley Race March 24, 1973 Kansas City, Missouri

Jack Briscoe July 20, 1973 Houston, Texas

Giant Baba December 2, 1974 Kagoshima, Japan

Jack Briscoe (2) December 9, 1974 Toyohashi, Japan

Terry Funk December 10, 1975 Miami, Florida

Harley Race (2) February 6, 1977 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dusty Rhodes August 21, 1979 Tampa, Florida

Harley Race (3) August 26, 1979 Orlando, Florida

Giant Baba (2) October 31, 1979 Nagoya, Japan

Harley Race (4) November 7, 1979 Amagasaki, Japan

Giant Baba (3) September 4, 1980 Saga, Japan

Harley Race (5) September 9, 1980 Ohtsu, Japan

Tommy Rich April 27, 1981 Augusta, Georgia

Harley Race (6) May 1, 1981 Gainesville, Georgia

Dusty Rhodes (2) June 21, 1981 Atlanta, Georgia

Ric Flair September 17, 1981 Kansas City, Missouri (6 and 7)

Jack Veneno January 15, 1983 Santo Domingo, Dominica (8)

Ric Flair January 16, 1983 San Juan, Puerto Rico (8)

Victor Jovica February 8, 1983 Couva, Trinidad (8)

Ric Flair February 11, 1983 Manati, Puerto Rico (8)

Harley Race (7) February 10, 1983 Saint Louis, Missouri

Ric Flair (2) November 24, 1983 Greensboro, North Carolina

Harley Race (8) March 21, 1984 Wellington, New Zealand

Ric Flair (3) March 23, 1984 Kallang, Singapore

Kerry Von Erich May 6, 1984 Irving, Texas

Ric Flair (4) May 24, 1984 Yokosuka, Japan (9)

Dusty Rhodes (3) July 25, 1986 Greensboro, North Carolina

Ric Flair (5) August 7, 1986 Saint Louis, Missouri

Ronnie Garvin September 25, 1987 Detroit, Michigan

Ric Flair (6) November 26, 1987 Chicago, Illinois

Ricky Steamboat February 20, 1989 Chicago, Illinois

Ric Flair (7) May 7, 1989 Nashville, Tennessee

*Notes*

1. Orville Brown was the reigning Midwest Wrestling Association's World Heavyweight Champion and was awarded the NWA World Heavyweight title when the MWA was absorbed into the NWA.

2. Lou Thesz unifies the NWA World Heavyweight title with the National Wrestling Association’s World title on July 20, 1948. He received the NWA World Heavyweight title on November 27, 1949 when Orville Brown was injured in a car accident and couldn't defend the title. Lou Thesz then went to unify the titles of the American Wrestling Association World title on July 27, 1950 and with the World title recognized by Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium wrestling on May 21, 1952. [Credit for this information goes to Great Hisa's Pro-Wrestling Title Histories.]

3. Wins by Count-Out.

4. Lou Thesz loses the title to Edouard Carpentier by disqualification on June 14, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois, but NWA rules prohibit the title change because the NWA World title cannot change hands due to an injury and the belt was given back to Thesz. Lou Thesz then went on to defeat Edouard Carpentier in a rematch by disqualification on July 24, 1957 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. [Credit for this information goes to Great Hisa's Pro-Wrestling Title Histories.]

5. Promoters in the northeast of the United States refuses to recognize Buddy Rogers' one-fall loss to Lou Thesz, thus breaking away from the National Wrestling Alliance to form a new promotion called the World Wide Wrestling Federation (now known as the WWF) and naming Rogers as the first WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. Lou Thesz defeated Rogers in a rematch on February 7, 1963 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

6. Ric Flair wrestled to a double count-out against WWF World Heavyweight Champion, Bob Backlund, on July 4, 1982 in Atlanta, Georgia.

7. On February 9, 1982 in Tampa, Florida, the Midnight Rider defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World title, but the Midnight Rider returned the title belt when NWA President, Bob Geigel, asked the Midnight Rider to unmask and reveal who he is. The Midnight Rider was Dusty Rhodes in disguise. [Credit for this information goes to Great Hisa's Pro-Wrestling Title Histories.]

8. Unofficial NWA World title changes in the Caribbean. Info of the title changes came from Great Hisa's Pro-Wrestling Title Histories.

9. Ric Flair wrestled against AWA World Heavyweight Champion, Rick Martel, to a double count-out on October 2, 1985 in Tokyo, Japan.

The NWA United States Heavyweight Title

Name(# of reigns)/Date/Location/Notes

Harley Race 1975 (1)

Johnny Valentine July 3, 1975 Greensboro, North Carolina (2)

Terry Funk November 9, 1975 Greensboro, North Carolina (3)

Paul Jones November 1975

Blackjack Mulligan March 16, 1976 Greensboro, North Carolina

Paul Jones (2) October 16, 1976 Greensboro, North Carolina

Blackjack Mulligan (2) January 1977

Bobo Brazil 1977 Norfolk, Virginia

Ric Flair July 29, 1977 Richmond, Virginia

Ricky Steamboat November 11, 1977 Richmond, Virginia

Blackjack Mulligan (3) February 1978

Tim Woods March 1978 Greensboro, North Carolina

Ric Flair (2) April 9, 1978 Charlotte, North Carolina

Ricky Steamboat (2) December 18, 1978 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ric Flair (3) April 1, 1979 Greensboro, North Carolina (4)

Jimmy Snuka September 1, 1979 Charlotte, North Carolina (5)

Ric Flair (4) April 19, 1980 Greensboro, North Carolina

Greg Valentine July 26, 1980 Charlotte, North Carolina

Ric Flair (5) November 24, 1980 Greenville, North Carolina

Roddy Piper January 27, 1981 Raleigh, North Carolina

Wahoo McDaniel August 8, 1981 Greensboro, North Carolina (6)

Sgt. Slaughter October 4, 1981 Charlotte, North Carolina (7)

Wahoo McDaniel (2) May 21, 1982 Richmond, Virginia

Sgt. Slaughter (2) June 7, 1982 Greenville, North Carolina (8)

Wahoo McDaniel (3) August 22, 1982 Charlotte, North Carolina

Greg Valentine (2) November 4, 1982 Norfolk, Virginia

Roddy Piper (2) April 16, 1983 Greensboro, North Carolina

Greg Valentine (3) April 30, 1983 Greensboro, North Carolina

Dick Slater December 14, 1983 Shelby, North Carolina

Ricky Steamboat (3) April 21, 1984 Greensboro, North Carolina

Wahoo McDaniel (4) June 24, 1984 Greensboro, North Carolina (9)

Wahoo McDaniel (5) October 7, 1984 Charlotte, North Carolina (10)

Magnum TA March 23, 1985 Charlotte, North Carolina

Tully Blanchard July 21, 1985 Charlotte, North Carolina

Magnum TA (2) November 28, 1985 Greensboro, North Carolina (11)

Nikita Koloff August 17, 1986 Charlotte, North Carolina (12)

Lex Luger July 11, 1987 Greensboro, North Carolina

Dusty Rhodes November 26, 1987 Chicago, Illinois (13)

Barry Windham May 13, 1988 Houston, Texas (14)

Lex Luger (2) February 20, 1989 Chicago, Illinois

Michael Hayes May 7, 1989 Nashville, Tennessee

Lex Luger (3) May 22, 1989 Bluefield, West Virginia

*Notes*

1. Harley Race defeated Johnny Weaver in a tournament final to win the title.

2. The title was vacated when Johnny Valentine ended his career in a plane crash on October 4, 1975.

3. Terry Funk defeated Paul Jones in a 16-man tournament to win the title.

4. The title was vacated when Ric Flair won the NWA World tag team title on August 12, 1979.

5. Jimmy Snuka defeated Ricky Steamboat in a 12-man tournament final.

6. The title was vacated in September of 1981 when Wahoo McDaniel was injured by Abdullah The Butcher.

7. Sgt. Slaughter defeated Ricky Steamboat in a tournament final to win the title.

8. The title was awarded to Sgt. Slaughter when Wahoo McDaniel was injured.

9. The title was vacated in July of 1984 because of Tully Blanchard's interference in the title change to McDaniel.

10. Wahoo McDaniel defeated Manny Fernandez in a tournament final to win the title.

11. The title was stripped from Magnum TA on May 29, 1986 for attacking NWA President, Bob Geigel.

12. Nikita Koloff defeated Magnum TA in a Best-out-of-7 Series. Nikita Koloff defeated Wahoo McDaniel on September 28, 1986 to unify the NWA National Heavyweight title.

13. The title was vacated on April 15, 188 when Dusty Rhodes was suspended for attacking Jim Crockett.

14. Barry Windham defeated Nikita Koloff in a 7-man tournament final to win the title.

The NWA World Television Title History

Name(# of reigns)/Date/Location/Notes

Jake Roberts March 1984 (1)

Ron Garvin April 7, 1984 Baltimore, Maryland

Jake Roberts (2) June 17, 1984 Atlanta, Georgia (2)

Ron Garvin (2) July 1, 1984 Atlanta, Georgia (3)

Bob Roop September 1984

Ron Garvin (3) December 28, 1984 Saginaw, Michigan

Bob Roop (2) January 1985 (4)

Dusty Rhodes March 16, 1985 Charlotte, North Carolina (5)

Tully Blanchard April 28, 1985 Charlotte, North Carolina

Dusty Rhodes (2) July 6, 1985 Charlotte, North Carolina (6)

Arn Anderson January 4, 1986 Greensboro, North Carolina (7)

Dusty Rhodes (3) September 9, 1986 Columbia, South Carolina

Tully Blanchard (2) November 26, 1986 Greensboro, North Carolina

Nikita Koloff August 17, 1987 Fayetteville, North Carolina (8)

Mike Rotunda January 26, 1988 Raleigh, North Carolina

Rick Steiner December 26, 1988 Norfolk, Virginia

Mike Rotunda (2) February 20, 1989 Chicago, Illinois

Sting March 31, 1989 Atlanta, Georgia (9)

The Great Muta September 3, 1989 Atlanta, Georgia (10)

*Notes*

1. Jake Roberts wins the NWA National Television title from Ron Garvin on November 6, 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia. Was recognized as NWA World Television champion after March of 1984.

2. The title was immediately held-up because Jake Roberts used a foreign object.

3. Ron Garvin defeated Jake Roberts in a rematch by a count out to win the title.

4. World title status was removed from the title and was reduced to the National Television title in March of 1985.

5. Dusty Rhodes defeated Tully Blanchard to win the NWA (Mid-Atlantic) Television Title, and title is recognized as the World Television Title.

6. Dusty Rhodes was stripped of the title on October 19, 1985 for not defending the title after having his leg broken by Ric Flair, Ole and Arn Anderson on September 29, 1985 in Atlanta, Georgia.

7. Arn Anderson defeated Wahoo McDaniel in a tournament final to win the title.

8. Nikita Koloff defeated Terry Taylor on November 26, 1986 in Chicago, Illinois to unify with the UWF World Television title.

9. The title was held-up on July 23, 1989 following a match against the Great Muta in Baltimore, Maryland.

10. The Great Muta defeated Sting in a rematch for the title.

The NWA World Tag Team Titles

Name(# of reigns)/Date/Location/Notes

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson (1) [Mar-1975] N/A (1)

Steve Keirn & Tiger Conway, Jr. (1) 03-Nov-1975 Charlotte, NC

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson (2) 17-Nov-1975 Charlotte, NC

Wahoo McDaniel & Rufus R. Jones (1) 25-Jan-1976 Charlotte, NC

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson (3) 03-Feb-1976 Raleigh, NC

Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) & Dino Bravo (1) 05-May-1976 Raleigh, NC

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson (4) 28-Jun-1976 Greenville, SC

Ric Flair & Greg Valentine (1) 25-Dec-1976 Greensboro, NC

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson (5) 08-May-1977 Charlotte, NC

Dusty Rhodes & Dick Slater (1) 23-Sep-1977 Atlanta, GA

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson (6) 30-Sep-1977 Atlanta, GA

Ric Flair & Greg Valentine (2) 30-Oct-1977

Paul Jones & Ricky Steamboat (1) 23-Apr-1978 Greensboro, NC (2)

Baron Von Raschke & Greg Valentine (3) (1) 07-Jun-1978 Raleigh, NC

Jimmy Snuka & Paul Orndorrf (1) 12-Dec-1978

Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones (2) (1) 28-Apr-1979

Ric Flair (3) & Blackjack Mulligan (1) 08-Aug-1979 Greensboro, NC

Baron Von Raschke & Paul Jones (3) (2) 22-Aug-1979 Raleigh, NC

Ricky Steamboat (2) & Jay Youngblood (1) 22-Oct-1979 Raleigh, NC

Ray Stevens & Greg Valentine (4) (1) 29-Mar-1980 Charlotte, NC

Ricky Steamboat (3) & Jay Youngblood (2) 10-May-1980 Greensboro, NC

Ray Stevens (2) & Jimmy Snuka (2) (1) 22-Jun-1980 Greensboro, NC

Paul Jones (4) & Masked Superstar (1) 27-Nov-1980 Greensboro, NC

Ray Stevens (2) & Ivan Koloff (1) 22-Feb-1981 Greensboro, NC

Paul Jones (5) & Masked Superstar (2) 22-Mar-1981 Greensboro, NC

Gene Anderson & Ole Anderson (7) 01-May-1981 Richmond, VA (3)

Ole Anderson (8) & Stan Hansen (1) 28-Feb-1982 Atlanta, GA (4)

Sgt. Slaughter & Don Kernoodle (1) 17-Sep-1982 (5)

Ricky Steamboat (4) & Jay Youngblood (3) 12-Mar-1983 Greensboro, NC

Jack Briscoe & Jerry Briscoe (1) 18-Jun-1983 Greenville, SC

Ricky Steamboat (5) & Jay Youngblood (4) 03-Oct-1983 Greenville, SC

Jack Briscoe & Jerry Briscoe (2) 21-Oct-1983 Richmond, VA

Ricky Steamboat (6) & Jay Youngblood (5) 24-Nov-1983 Greensboro, NC (6)

Don Kernoodle (2) & Bob Orton, Jr. (1) 08-Jan-1984 Charlotte, NC (7)

Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood (1) 04-Mar-1984 Charlotte, NC

Jack Briscoe & Jerry Briscoe (3) 04-Apr-1984 Spartanburg, SC

Wahoo McDaniel & Mark Youngblood (2) 05-May-1984 Greensboro, NC

Ivan Koloff (2) & Don Kernoodle (3) (1) 08-May-1984 Raleigh, NC

Dusty Rhodes & Manny Fernandez (1) 20-Oct-1984 Greensboro, NC

The Russians (Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff) (1) 18-Mar-1985 Fayetteville, NC (8)

Rock 'n Roll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) (1) 09-Jul-1985 Shelby, NC

The Russians (Ivan Koloff & Nikita Koloff) (2) 13-Oct-1985 Charlotte, NC

Rock 'n Roll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) (2) 28-Nov-1985 Greensboro, NC

Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey & Bobby Eaton) (1) 02-Feb-1986 Atlanta, GA

Rock 'n Roll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) (3) 16-Aug-1986 Philadelphia, PA

Manny Fernandez (2) & Rick Rude (1) 06-Dec-1986 Atlanta, GA (9)

Rock 'n Roll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) (4) 26-May-1987 Spokane, WA (10)

Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (1) 29-Sep-1987 Misenheimer, NC

Barry Windham & Lex Luger (1) 27-Mar-1988 Greensboro, NC COC

Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (2) 20-Apr-1988 Jacksonville, FL

Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) (1) 10-Sep-1988 Philadelphia, PA

Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) (1) 29-Oct-1988 New Orleans, LA

The Varsity Club (Mike Rotunda & Steve Williams) (1) 02-Apr-1989 New Orleans, LA (11)

"Fabulous Freebirds" (Michael Hayes) & (Jimmy Garvin) (1) 14-Jun-1989 Ft. Bragg, NC(12)

Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner (1) 01-Nov-1989 Atlanta, GA

*Notes*

1 Won the titles in a fictitious tournament. Some sources say Wahoo McDaniel and Paul Jones won the titles in 1975, and then the Andersons won them back again, but who knows? These early title changes are up to some speculation.

2 Flair/Valentine were stripped sometime in April-1978 (15-Apr assumed), and a tournament was held. Paul Jones and Ricky Steamboat defeated Masked Superstar and Ken Patera in the final of a 10-team tournament.

3 Titles were vacated in December after Gene was injured in October. 15-Dec assumed.

4 Defeated Jerry and Jack Briscoe in the Eastern Division of tourney; awarded the titles by forfeit when the Western Division winners Wahoo McDaniel and Don Muraco split.

5 Were awarded the titles, but supposedly beat Giant Baba/Antonio Inoki in a tournament.

6 Vacated when Steamboat announced his retirement.

7 Defeated Dory Funk, Jr. and Jimmy Valiant in a tournament final.

8 Krusher Khrushchev joins the team, and all three men defend the titles in

different combinations.

9 For a time, Ivan Koloff substitutes for an injured Rick Rude.

10 Said to have defeated Rick Rude and Manny Fernandez. Match possibly fictitious.

11 Stripped after Varsity Club attacked special referee Nikita Koloff.

12 Defeated Midnight Express in an 8-team tournament final.

NWA United States Tag Team Titles

Name(# of reigns)/Date/Location/Notes

Ivan Koloff and Krusher Khrushchev September 28, 1986 Atlanta, Georgia (1)

Ron Garvin and Barry Windham December 9, 1986 Spartanburg, South Carolina

Ivan Koloff and Dick Murdoch March 14, 1987 Atlanta, Georgia (2)

Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) May 16, 1987 Atlanta, Georgia (3)

The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton) April 26, 1988 Chattanooga, Tennessee

Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) (2) July 10, 1988 Baltimore, Maryland (4)

The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton) (2) December 7, 1988 Chattanooga, Tennessee (5)

Kevin Sullivan and Steve Williams December 26, 1988 Norfolk, Virginia

Eddie Gilbert and Rick Steiner February 28, 1989 Columbia, South Carolina (6)

*Notes*

1. Ivan Koloff and Krusher Khrushchev defeated The Kansas Jayhawks (Dutch Mantel and Bobby Jaggers) in a 10-team tournament final for the titles.

2. The titles were vacated in April of 1987 when Dick Murdoch was suspended.

3. Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) defeated Ron Garvin and Barry Windham in a 6-team tournament final.

4. The titles were vacated in September 10, 1988 when Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane) won the NWA World Tag Team titles.

5. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers and Bobby Fulton) defeated Eddie Gilbert and Ron Simmons in a 7-team tournament final for the titles.

6. The titles were vacated in April of 1989.

(credit goes to DDTDigest.com, and The Wrestling Information Archive for help in compiling this)

Edited April 18, 2005 by thegodcomplex

[TheRaySays]

AWA All Star Wrestling – Monday, January 1st, 1990

on ESPN

After the budget SFX video intro, Lee Marshall welcomes us “BACK to the Showboat Sports Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada… Where the AWA Team Challenge Series comes to you in front of a capacity crowd where anyone can win and anything can happen!” Too bad that capacity crowd is mostly geriatrics slowly making their way down the aisles of slot machines, but at this point, the AWA’ll take any crowd it can get.

Match 1: “The Thumper” Frankie DeFalco vs. Scott Putski

Scott Putski is led to the ring by his legendary father, “The Polish Power” Ivan Putski. Ivan’s wearing a polo shirt four sizes too small, making his steroid-pumped physique all the more impressive. Scott’s obviously younger and considerably less sun-beaten although still greased with liberal amounts of cocoa butter.

Meanwhile, DeFalco paces the ring impatiently in his bowling jacket with “The Thumper” written on the back in glittery script. Referee Wilf Caron helps DeFalco out of the jacket while the Poles make a circuitous route around ringside, shaking hands with and smiling at anyone who wanders too close. Eventually, Scott climbs into the ring, and the opening bell rings to get this underway.

Bischoff explains that neither of these men are on a TCS team. DeFalco, because none of the three would have him, and Putski because he’s making his AWA debut. In some clumsy and ham-handed foreshadowing, Marshall reminds us that Sarge’s Snipers are three competitors under the other two teams, and will have the first crack at new blood.

We get an opening lock up, and DeFalco promptly gets thrown onto his posterior. Scott strikes a flexing bodybuilder pose, drawing applause from his beaming father and no one else. DeFalco brushes himself off and motions to lock up again, but it’s a feint, and he fires off a kick to the midsection, then tries an underhook for a hip toss. In overwrought comedic fashion, Scott Putski just stands there as DeFalco grunts and groans with effort, unable to budge him. After a delay for us to stifle our laughter, Putski reverses, sending Frankie DeFalco sprawling towards the corner.

Scott Putski marches over and kisses his bicep as DeFalco scuttles back into the corner, begging off. Referee Wilf Caron calls for the clean break, so Scott Putski turns aside, and gets cheap shotted from behind by DeFalco and a limp forearm to the shoulders. Putski spins around on his heel and angrily unloads rights and lefts, driving DeFalco back into the corner. The referee tries to get another clean break, but Putski isn’t willing to give it this time, having learned his lesson.

Scott grabs the middle ropes and leans forward, driving his shoulder into the midsection of a squirming Frankie DeFalco. The referee starts to lay a count on the break, threatening to disqualify Putski. “Not a great way to make your debut, Lee,” chides Bischoff, “letting your temper get the best of you and picking up a loss via disqualification.” Putski breaks the count at four with an Irish whip that sends DeFalco rocketing across the ring to slam back-first against the far turnbuckles. He slumps there for a bit while Scott Putski marches around the ring huffing and puffing.

Putski eventually fetches DeFalco and takes him down the side of the ring to push him against the ropes and whip him across. Putski squares up his stance and meets him with a big shoulder block that levels DeFalco. He jerks DeFalco up and sends him to the ropes again, this time running him down with a big clothesline. Third time is NOT the charm for DeFalco as he gets sent into the ropes and caught on the rebound for a military press. Putski does a few cocky reps before slamming a protesting DeFalco to the canvas.

As DeFalco writhes, clutching the small of his back, Putski circles him with one arm cocked. DeFalco staggers up to his feet and gets hit with The Polish Hammer square in the chest! Scott Putski takes a flexing lateral press for 1… 2… 3.

WINNER: Scott Putski, in a decisive if lackluster squash.

O:41. C:32. M:51. (Scott Putski debuted his new Family Guy gimmick. It got a positive response.)

The Polish Cavalry Rides Again!

Ivan climbs into the ring to hug his son and raise his hand in victory, and there’s little evidence of Polish pride in the audience, because they couldn’t really care less, but suddenly everyone comes to attention as “The Stars N’ Stripes Forever” starts to play. The Sarge makes his way down the aisle and to the ring. The Putskis seem uncertain how to respond, until Slaughter salutes them. They return the gesture and we have handshakes all around.

Eric Bischoff can’t help himself and has to climb into the ring with a microphone to steal some spotlight. “Sarge! Sarge! Does this mean what I think it means?!”

Slaughter turns and lifts his mammoth chin, undoubtedly glaring down his nose at Bischoff. “That depends what you think it means, Maggot! Aaaand that depends what these two proud gentleman have to say, but I know that I would be honored and privileged to have The Polish Powers… BOTH of them… on Sarge’s Snipers!”

Bischoff thrusts the microphone in Ivan’s face, practically blocking Scott out of the shot. “Me’n Scott… On da Schnipers? You ain’t gotta ask us twice, Brudder!” Ivan slaps his son on the chest. “A lil’ bit-a power…” He slaps his own chest, harder. “A lil’ bit-a ‘sperience… and a WHOLE lotta Polish Pride… You got it!”

Eric reclaims the microphone as Sarge stands between the Putskis and raises both their arms for tepid cheers. “Folks, that’s big news! Sarge’s Snipers are still one man short, though. Don’t go anywhere, because we’ll be right back!”

54. (Ivan Putski debuted his new Family Guy gimmick. It got a positive response.)

– Commercials –

Ivan leads Scott back to the locker room, grinning like the proud papa he is. “You see dat? We need ta get ‘im better bums than dat guy!” I try to maintain my composure. I’m not too keen on someone coming into our locker room and ranking out our talent, even if it is just Frankie “The Thumper” DeFalco getting mocked and even if it is a supposed ethnic legend doing the mocking.

Scott gets in on the action. “I was thinkin’…” Uh-oh. This smells like trouble. “Since we’re on Team Slaughter now…” Yeah, that’d be Sarge’s Snipers, but thanks for paying attention. “Maybe we should be more pro-USA and stuff, y’know? I mean we’re proud to be Polish, but we’re also proud to be American, and maybe I can show that by going up against Col. DeBeers or somethin’?”

I take a deep breath. “DeBeers is ALSO on Team Sl… er, Sarge’s Snipers, so that wouldn’t make much sense right now.”

“Oh yeah,” he says crestfallen. “But man, was that cool or what? I hardly broke a sweat.”

That was part of the problem. The kid had hardly broken a sweat, and already he was getting on my nerves. What was it going to be like when I asked them to lose? Or how was I going to explain the program that I DID have in mind for them? I repeat my motto, a mantra of late… “Cross each bridge as we come to it.”

Edited April 18, 2005 by TheRaySays

[Guest concretedog]

Can the people who have posted nothing feedback in this thread kindly say something worthwhile or fuck off? This sort of thing killed the last big-split we tried to do here, and it's annoying to realise that I'll probably have to wade through mountains of postwhoring in order to get to shows and whatnot. If you want to postwhore, actionpad and Baby Hewey always like readers/verbal fellatio.

←

[TGC]

I feel the need to comment on the show of one of my cohorts here in this split. Ray, that was an absolutely abyssmal show, and that's what made it so damn good. I knew from our talks what to expect in terms of that roster, but man oh man when you actually read a damned show you get a real feel for how utterly fucked you may be in the long run when your biggest pops of the night are for Sgt Slaughter.

I liked the debut of The Polish Putzes, I liked Col DeBeers promo, I laughed at Larry Land and his promo, and I actually enjoyed the Main Event quite a bit, but what I LOVED were the brief cut aways to the real drama unfolding behind the scenes. Speakig of which, Adam Clarke found religion huh? Well isn't that a kick in the ass. And that gimmick, I hope to god, no pun intended, that it's the one you told us all about on MSN. I hope I hope I hope.

Good first show for our cause. I thank you for setting the bar so damned high.

TGC

[TGC]

In March of 1989 I joined the NWA affiliated World Championship Wrestling owned by Ted Turner. I was brought in by Jim Herd as a talent scout and to help him head up the major acquisitions he wanted to make to further bolster the ranks of World Championship Wrestling. It doesn’t hurt to become good friends with the boss, whether he’s personally liked or not by most of the boys. For the most part I did my job with little worries or concern with what went on in the booking side of the promotion. Occasionally over a business meal or trip I would drop a comment or fifty to Jim about the state of the programming and in ring action. I never made it sound as if I had anything but the utmost respect for all involved in that aspect of the company and business, and this was true.

Jim always listened to me, showed support for my ideas or criticisms, and told me, in a fatherly way, that he’d drop a note to the booking committee about some of the things I had mentioned to him. I always knew that it would amount to nothing, but on the rare occasion I would turn on the product to see one of my ideas being utilized, in one form or another, on a show. It always made me feel good, despite the fact that I knew that in all reality Jim was probably simply selling these ideas as his own. In the long run that didn’t matter, what mattered was what Fritz and Verne had both told me over the years was at least somewhat true.

“Kid, you got an eye and a heart for this business.”

I knew people all over the business, from bookers in AWA and WWF to the owner of a small promotion just starting up out of California. I had made friends with some of the new talent Jim and I had brought in, such as Pillman, Zenk, Callous, and Hall, while I was slowly being accepted in by some of the “legends” and personalities that had populated this sport, and the NWA, for years such as Flair, Ross, Funk, Cornette, and The Andersons. In late 1989, despite my friendships and my hard work ethic, I was still shocked when I was asked to come sit in on some booking meetings by Cornette and Ross. This was after the booking committee had blown off the two biggest feuds of the latter part of the year in Flair/Funk and Sting/Muta, and after Jim had killed negotiations with Steamboat a mere six months after he had signed with us to begin with. Word in the back was that the company had hit a high point in 1989, and that 1990 was looking to be a little less than spectacular.

I disagreed. We had Sting in the reformed Horsemen with Flair, Arn, and Ole, we had an exciting Tag Team division headed up by the Steiner Brothers that featured some of the best teams, and names, in the sport today, and we had a young, energetic, and ready to prove themselves under card that was raring to go. In my opinion, we had it all; we just had to make sure we didn’t drop any balls in the booking.

Of course, being asked to sit in on some meetings and being a part of the team were two different things. I sat in and on the rare occasion I was asked my opinion on things, but for the most part I simply sat, listened, watched, and learned. I was flabbergasted to hear the concept and the decision on how to book Starrcade, a decision when I was asked to speak my mind and give my opinion of I was vocal about thinking it was a bad one. I was even more surprised when I heard that Muta and the hot team of Doom were going to be buried as a part of The Iron Man series of matches. This call had been made by Herd, who was renegotiating with all three men, and apparently unsuccessfully as well. I had seen him do this time and time again, and each time I was surprised and shocked that this was his preferred method of handling the negotiations. Why would anyone be more willing to resign, in many cases for LESS, when they were being killed on our television shows and Pay Per Views?

In any event, Starrcade 1989 went off as planned, and it went off badly. Whereas Doom and Muta were allowed to come out looking bad, nobody else was. The Steiners couldn’t look like the supreme team in the NWA, despite being the NWA Tag Team Champions, so The Road Warriors were booked to win the Tag Team Iron Man series. Flair was willing to put Sting over cleanly, something that came as a shock to nobody as Sting was the “anointed” one by Flair himself, but he wasn’t willing to do it to Luger at all. However, so as not to make the NWA United States Champion look bad, despite killing the NWA Television Champion throughout the night, Luger and Flair went to a draw. The attendance was low, fan interest was low, and the Pay Per View numbers were abysmally low.

1989, the year that had been so good for us ended so badly. Perhaps the rumor mongers in the back had been correct after all?

The last week of 1989 saw a restructuring of the booking team. It was only mildly reorganized, with a name dropped here and added there really, but it was seen as a move to strengthen the team after the bad Starrcade. I was shocked beyond belief when I was added, permanently, to the team that was also now just myself, Jim Ross, Kevin Sullivan, Ric Flair, Terry Funk, and Jim Cornette as its members. Flair, Cornette, and Sullivan were in charge of the matches at all shows, while Ross and Funk oversaw the television production. Flair, Ross, Cornette, and myself now dealt with acquisitions as well, as Jim had handed that responsibility off for a reason I didn’t understand at all.

With this restructuring came a few small other changes in the product leading into the New Year. Norman The Lunatic was released following a failed “random” drug test, while Dave Sullivan asked for his release as a result of some personal issues. Kevin Sullivan had pushed for him to stay and simply remain off TV and off the house show circuit, but Dave had insisted that he needed to move along for now. He was granted his release by Jim Herd. Meanwhile Worldwide and Power Hour, two syndicated shows that aired around the country in various timeslots, were combined to be one show with one set of announcers and hosts, those being Gordon Solie and Bob Caudle, as opposed to two separate shows with differing hosts and commentators that featured many if not all of the same matches. Finally, the next big show, Clash of The Champions X: Texas Shootout was already booked and ready to go on February 6 in Corpus Christie. Within a few weeks the booking was set in place and motion for the New Year and everyone was excited about the direction World Championship Wrestling was headed in.

This is the story of that year and my role in it.