EWR Diary/Dynasty: WCW 1996

[PsychoCop]

Howdy. I'm PsychoCop, yes, I'm Psychotic, no I'm currently not affiliated with any police establishment. I'm also known as Meatloaf in the Extreme Warfare Revenge message board.

Anyway, just for kicks, I made a diary/dynasty about WCW in 1996. I have it up in the EWB Diary Board, and, well, I pretty much decided to post it here as well.

Might be better if you guys didn't read the one at the EWR Board because it's already at the month of March... and I plan on reposting everything from the start of January here on the FBB Forums.

If you feel that me doing this is dumb and stupid... well, too bad for you. :)

So...without further ado... the backstory!

1995 was a memorable year for WCW. Monday Nitro, their premiere weekly show, was launched to go head to head against the WWF's Monday Night RAW. Hulk Hogan and most of the established WWF old names were making a splash in Atlanta. Yes, things were looking up in WCW, specially when everyone believed that Eric Bischoff was a shoe-in as the WCW person-in-charge.

That's until they brought in me, The Meatloaf. With my cocky attitude, I caused a major stir backstage. Criticizing guys that needed to work harder, telling talentless slobs that they were talentless. I was appointed as the NEW big cheese in WCW, and I was intent on making an impact.

But of course, I wasn't alone. I had the "three musketeers" alongside me. Bill Banks, Bill Watts and Eric Bischoff. Together the four of us were trying to tame this WCW roster full of egos and names.

We were coming off a semi-successful STARRCADE, and 1996 was going to be one of the big years in wrestling...I could feel it in my bones.

Up Next... THE JANUARY SHOWS!

[PsychoCop]

WCW Monday Nitro
January 1, 1996

Show Opening

Tony Schiavone: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to WCW Monday Nitro! It's a new year, and a new beginning for World Championship Wrestling! I am Tony Schiavone, and with me is Eric Bischoff!

Eric Bischoff: Yes, Tony, it is indeed a new beginning for WCW, as of last week, the board of directors have just recently elected the newest WCW President, and it is none other than Larry Zybysko!

Tony Schiavone: Larry Zybysko is one of the hardest working men in WCW, and it is only fitting that he's been appointed as the new WCW President! What an evening we have in store for everyone tonight!

Eric Bischoff: Sting and Luger will be in action tonight! We will also see a WCW US Title defense from One Man Gang, and our main event... The Immortal Hulk Hogan will take on Lord Steven Regal!

Tony Schiavone: I can't wait, Eric, and to start things off tonight we are going to see some action from... hold on-

Ric Flair, World Champion

The trumpet instrumentals start playing, and you know what that means. It's the Nature Boy, walking out to the ramp, headed for the ring... with the robe around his body and the gold strap around his waist.

Tony Schiavone: It's Ric Flair! Ladies and gentlemen, he's not scheduled to be on tonight, but here he is, fresh from winning the WCW World Title against Randy Savage at Starrcade!

Eric Bischoff: Ric Flair is the epitome of a World Champion, Tony... he's got everything... he's got class... he's got fame... he's got the good looks. Ric Flair, IS the Nature Boy, and he's here tonight!

Flair walks into the ring, and parades for the entire crowd. He receives major heel heat from the people in the arena, he then stops and starts talking.

Ric Flair: Atlanta... WHOOOOOO! Georgia!

Heel heat, and few cheers here and there.

Ric Flair: I want everyone to take a look... take a look at the WCW World Champion! WHOOOOO! It's not everyday that you people get to see a bonafide champion... and tonight is the night that you do! WHOOO!

Last Night, at Starrcade, I proved to everyone that I'm better than that good for nothing hack, Randy Savage. Macho Man, last night, while you were groping and moping for something to hold on to after I've beaten you to an inch of your life... the Nature boy was HIGH-STYLIN' and PRO-FILIN' his way onto winning the WCW World Title!

Definitely huge heat from the crowd, Flair's playing them like a fine-tuned banjo.

Ric Flair: And there is no chance, Savage, no chance whatsoever, that YOU are going to get near this title belt right here! You hear me, Macho Man? No Chance!WHOOOO!

Rating: 97

Zybysko makes it Flair vs. Savage at Clash of the Champions!

WCW Nitro music starts playing, and Flair is taken by surprise. He looks incredulously at the person interrupting his speech...

Tony Schiavone: IT'S LARRY ZYBYSKO! IT'S THE NEW WCW PRESIDENT!

Eric Bischoff: Larry looks like he's got something to say!

Larry Zybysko: Ric Flair... I hate to burst your bubble... but I'm here to tell you, and each and every one of the fans here in the arena and those watching at home... that YOU WILL defend the WCW Title against "The Macho Man" Randy Savage... that YOU WILL step into the ring with Savage one more time... and that it will occur at the end of the month... at CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS!

The crowd goes nuts at the announcement, and Flair is going berzerk-o inside the ring.

Ric Flair: Zybysko... you can't do this... I'm the CHAMP dammit! I'm the CHAMP!

Larry Zybysko: I can, Flair, and I've already signed all the necessary paperwork... have a nice evening!

Ric Flair looks like he's just busted a nut inside the ring. He's thrashing the ropes out of frustration.

Tony Schiavone: WHAT A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT! WHAT A WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR! FLAIR VS. SAVAGE, ONE MORE TIME, AT CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS! YOU HEARD IT FIRST, HERE ON WCW MONDAY NITRO!

Rating: 92

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Chris Kanyon vs. Michael Wallstreet

Good opening match for the evening, with Chris Kanyon showing some pretty good moves. Wallstreet basically assumed the losing heel role, as Kanyon grabs a decent win. Too bad the crowd wasn't into this one at all.

Tony Schiavone: What a big win from one of the upcoming stars of WCW, Chris Kanyon!

Overall: 55
Crowd: 44
Match: 67
Winner: Chris Kanyon via Pinfall (4:23) *1/2

Jimmy Hart and Ric Flair talk business

Cameras cut backstage in front of Jimmy Hart's dressing room. The door opens, and out walks Ric Flair, with a big grin on his face. Jimmy Hart walks out as well, and Flair extends a hand to Hart. They both shake, and Flair leaves the scene chuckling to himself.

Eric Bischoff: Ric Flair's pulled some kind of deal with Jimmy Hart tonight... and it doesn't look good!

Tony Schiavone: I'm betting that Flair's got a whole lot of things under his sleeve!

Rating: 86

COMMERCIAL BREAK

One Man Gang vs. Brian Pillman for the WCW US Title

One Man Gang was just one night fresh from winning the US Title at Starrcade. Pretty interesting fact that Jimmy Hart isn't accompanying OMG. A long match that would have been good, if not for OMG's refusal to sell Pillman's moves. Pillman gets the upset via a sunset flip, and wins the US Title. One Man Gang is irate, but he doesn't do anything. Pillman is celebrating in the ring with his newly won title.

Tony Schiavone: PILLMAN WINS! PILLMAN WINS! WE HAVE A NEW WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION!

Eric Bischoff: And amazing victory for the former Hollywood Blond!

Overall: 61
Crowd: 68
Match: 45
Winner: Brian Pillman via Pinfall (12:12) **

When the Giant attacks!

Randy Savage is walking backstage, when Jimmy Hart walks up to him. Hat gets into Savage's face, and before you know it, Savage has Hart by the collar. Out of nowhere, THE GIANT runs in and hammers Savage in the back! Savage collapses into a crumpled heap, as Hart and the Giant start putting the boots the Macho Man. Savage is spared from more damage by Hulk Hogan, who runs in with a steel chair. After a few chair shots, The Giant and Jimmy Hart are sent packing, while Hogan looks after his fallen friend.

Tony Schiavone: The Giant has just ambushed Randy Savage! I'm betting that this was all Flair's idea!

Eric Bischoff: Thankfully, Hulk Hogan cam to the rescue just in time! The Hulkster has just saved Savage tonight!

Rating: 80

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Sting & Luger vs. The Nasty Boys

Nothing like some old fashioned Main Event vs. Lower Midcard action for the folks at home. The Nasty Boys keeps things interesting with a few near pinfalls, but does anyone actually think they're going to win? I think not. Luger locks in the Torture Rack on Saggs to grab the victory.

Tony Schiavone: Luger and Sting win once again, and it's only a matter of time before they get a shot at the WCW Tag Team titles!

Eric Bischoff: The Harlem Heat will be gladly waiting for them, Tony, you can bet on it!

Overall: 72
Crowd: 79
Match: 58
Winner: Sting and Luger via Submission (13:23) **3/4

Lord Steven Regal is king of the hill

Steven Regal is backstage, alongside Mean Jean Okerlund.

Mean Jean: Lord Steven Regal, tonight you get into the ring with the most popular man in wrestling history, The Immortal Hulk Hogan. How do you feel about your chances headed into this match?

Steven Regal: Mean Jean, you don't have to ask me such a putrid question. Of course, I expect to defeat Hogan tonight, because I'm simply better than him. I've got more class and refinement than him and his Hulkamaniacs combined.

Mean Jean: You do realize what your saying, don't you? You're going up against one of the biggest stars in WCW tonight!

Steven Regal: You know what, Mean Jean? I grow tired of all this rabble. I'm going to get into that ring, and prove to everyone why I'm LORD Steven Regal, and that this Hogan fellow is nothing more but a lowly peasant!

With that, Regal walks away, leaving Mean Jean alone.

Mean Jean: There you have it folks, confident words from a confident man, back to you Tony and Eric!

Rating: 78

Hulk Hogan vs. Lord Steven Regal

Standard Hogan match you have here. It seems like they rehearsed this one over 20 times. Regal spent most of the time on top, taunting Hogan and the fans... until Hogan starts Hulking-up... which usually spells doom for all his opponents. The Giant starts running down the ramp, and climbs on to the apron, Hogan gives him a quick punch to the face, which stops him short. Hogan finishes off Regal with the Big Legdrop and gets the win. 2 on one against Hogan now... and Savage runs in for the rescue. It's a 4-man brawl in the ring.

Tony Schiavone: It's FOUR WAY MASSACRE RIGHT NOW! Hogan, Savage, Giant and Regal!

Eric Bischoff: Hold on... it's Jimmy Hart! He's calling someone from behind the curtains...

Overall: 70
Crowd: 80
Match: 50
Winner: Hulk Hogan via Pinfall (16:11) **1/2

How many horsemen? FOUR HORSEMEN!

At Jimmy Hart's signal, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson run to the ring. Soon, Hogan and Savage are swamped and are severely outnumbered. Hogan and Savage are beaten up severely. The Giant holds Hogan up to his feet, while Regal and Arnderson hold Savage up. Flair grabs a microphone, and starts talking.

Ric Flair: Hogan... Savage... WHOOOO! Tonight spells the beginning of your end! WHOOOOO! Tonight, the both of you are going to realize that Ric Flair is THE MAN... that Ric Flair is THE CHAMP! WHOOOO!

With that, Flair raises the World Title... and hammers Savage in the face with it... Savage is bleeding, and broken... The Giant then lifts up Hogan and chokeslams him down onto the mat with a shuddering thud. Hogan isn't moving, and Arn Anderson adds in a few more kicks to the back. The fans are booing Flair and company. Flair, Giant, Regal, Arn Anderson and Jimmy Hart then raise four fingers in each hand, as the show draws to a close.

Tony Schiavone: RIC FLAIR HAS JUST REFORMED THE FOUR HORSEMEN! AND WHAT AN ENSEMBLE HE HAS CAST! ARN ANDERSON, LORD STEVEN REGAL AND THE GIANT!

Eric Bischoff: HOGAN AND SAVAGE ARE DOWN! SAVAGE IS BLEEDING PROFUSELY RIGHT NOW... AND HOGAN LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN IN A TRAIN WRECK! FLAIR HAVE BROUGHT THE HORSEMEN BACK! WHAT A WAY TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR! WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT!? TUNE IN NEXT WEEK, ONLY HERE ON MONDAY NITRO!

Rating: 86


Overall Card Rating: 78
Nitro TV Rating: 5.61
RAW TV Rating: 5.42
Meatloaf's Comments: A pretty decent show to start 1996. A big note is the fact that we beat RAW by .19 this week, which is definitely a good thing. There will be some drastic changes with wrestler appearances during shows. Management is highly considering using most of the mid-card stars who aren't big hits with the fans as stepping stones for the younger, more talented guys.

Other Sidenotes: The WWF just released a plethora of potential stars... AC Conner (aka D-Lo Brown), Flex Kavana (aka The Rock), Christian Cage (aka Christian), Adam Copeland (aka Edge)... there's a big slump coming up, and you can expect the WWF to start releasing weight. I am tempted to sign at least one of these young talents to the WCW fold.

[BigDPW]

I like the first show... Nice to see some EWR Diaries up here now!

[bertogarce]

Very interesting dynasty! I'll be reading. Makes me long for the days when wrestling was actually worth watching, with the likes of Brian Pillman and Double A still active.

[DolphinFan1]

PsychoCop, I have been playing this game for about 2 weeks now. How did you start the game in 1996? Great Start.

[PsychoCop]

Originally posted by DolphinFan1
PsychoCop, I have been playing this game for about 2 weeks now. How did you start the game in 1996? Great Start.

thanks all for replyin.

I downloaded a 1996 scenario from RaveX, I'm sure you can find the website in the EWR Forums.

[PsychoCop]

WCW Saturday Night
January 6, 1996
SHOW REPORT BY MICKEY O'TOOLE

Jimmy Hart introduces The Monolith

Jimmy Hart came out of the curtains to start the show. He was blabbing on about how he already had the biggest man in wrestling in The Giant, and that now he had two of the biggest men in wrestling. He introduces us to The Monolith... this guy is ridiculously HUGE. He's way past the 7'2" mark, and he is so frikkin' scary. Hart then blabbers on, promising everyone that the Monolith is going to be the future of WCW.

Rating: 60

The Monolith vs. Renegade

This was probably one of the quickest matches in recent WCW history. The Renegade was no challenge to this monster. A few powerslams and a wicked chokeslam later, The Monolith stood tall with his first win of his WCW career.

Overall: 45
Crowd: 46
Match: 45
Winner: The Monolith via Pinfall (1:10) DUD

Ric Flair's recorded interview segment

A pre-taped interview from Flair. Run of the mill feud enhancing interview segment. Ric Flair still gives the best promos. he doesn't fail to impress me.

Rating: 91

Dean Malenko vs. Big Bubba Rogers

Dean Malenko owned Bubba Rogers throughout the match. Pretty good grappling going on, but the crowd wasn't into it at all. Malenko won via the Texas Cloverleaf... a wicked submission hold.

Overall: 54
Crowd: 37
Match: 72
Winner: Dean Malenko via Submission (5:15) *

Hulk Hogan's recorded interview segment

Typical Hogan here. He definitely pumped up the crowd via this pre-taped interview segment promoting his feud against The Giant.

Rating: 94

Harlem Heat vs. The American Males for the WCW Tag Team Titles

Good, decent match between these two teams. Booker T and Marcus Bagwell were the most promising of the four. Scotty Riggs looked like he was lost for most of the match... maybe he's into something? Stevie Ray hits a Harlem Hangover on Riggs to retain the titles.

Overall: 67
Crowd: 65
Match: 70
Winner: Harlem Heat via Pinfall (12:35) **1/2

Diamond Dallas Page wants a shot at the U.S. Title

Page is out, and he looked real fit. He did a great promo regarding Brian Pillman's US Title reign. DDP is definitely a guy that I'm going to watch... he's so good at what he does, I'd bet that he'd make a great FACE as well.

Rating: 76

Johnny B. Badd vs. Chris Benoit for the WCW Television Title

Sweet, long match between these two. Johnny should go look for another gimmick, though. The Lil' Richard look is really unsettling. This Benoit guy can wrestle... he's got the goods, and hopefully WCW won't screw things up. Johnny defends the belt via a quick rollup on an exhausted Benoit, which wraps up tonight's show.

Overall: 70
Crowd: 62
Match: 79
Winner: Johnny B. Badd via Pinfall (18:20) **1/2

Overall Rating: 69
WCW Saturday Night TV Rating: 1.37
WWF Superstars TV Rating: 5.47

Meatloaf's Comments: Match ratings were pretty bland, but we still managed to get the show done. Competing with WWF Superstars during Saturdays is hurting us, maybe a move into the prime-time slot will be best for Saturday Night... not sure. For anyone who's asking... The Monolith was the wrestler known as KURRGAN back in the WWF, he was a free-agent pick-up of mine. All-in-all, a decent show, could have been better, though.

Other Notes: I think I'll stick with this kind of format for WCW Saturday Night shows. I'm going to do interview write-ups for Nitro, and summary write-ups for WCW Saturday Night and WCW Main Event.