TEW Multiplayer: Monday Night Wars '97
 

Right as my ECW game started, SnDvl PM'ed me about starting a multiplayer game using the same mod I used for ECW, so that is what we're doing. I will control the WWF and he will control the WCW. No punches will be pulled, it's every man for himself. Bret Hart was the first victim, but the question is, who's next?

Hey that's my guy's line ;)

Should be a fun one Danny let's see what we can do.

Well a new era has begun for both WWF and WCW.

It's December 1997 and two new faces are brought in to be the head bookers for WWF and WCW.

I haven't gotten my goals from my owner yet but I see several things that need my attention right away. #1 being that my TV contract only has one season left, but I can't do anything until a month prior.
I have to set up my booking team as I am head booker so I choose the best of what I have; Dusty Rhodes, Eric Bishoff, Terry Taylor, Harley Race & Konnan. Finally I need to give my TV show some announcers. I choose a three man booth of Bobby Heenan, Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone.

A quick glance of my Champions shows

WCW World Heavywieght - Hollywood Hulk Hogan
WCW United States - Curt Hennig
WCW World Television - Perry Saturn
WCW Cruiserweight - Eddy Guerrero
WCW World Tag Team - The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner)

I take the first shot at WWF by offering Jerry Lawler a written deal to make my announce team better. I also put an offer to Sid Vicious who was a two time WWF champion. Looking over my roster the only person I might lose that would worry me is Chavo Guerrero Jr. who has a pay-per-appearance deal, but I don't think the WWF is waiting to sign him.

Just you wait. It's on.

file sent

from now on I'll add a bolded WCW at the top to help the readers see what fed is posting what so.....

WCW

so as to let Danny do some gamming I didn't do all my "advance booking" in the game yet, but I'll let you know what I'm doing here.

I'm happy with all my champions except Saturn as the TV champ...I'll be fixing that soon. I'd like someone else as US champ, but I'll deal with Hennig for now.

WWF

WWF World Heavyweight Champion: Shawn Michaels
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Steve Austin
WWF Tag Team Champions: The New Aged Outlaws
WWF Lightheavyweight Champion: TAKA Michinoki

BOOKING STAFF: Myself, Vince McMahon, Vince Russo, Gorilla Monsoon, Pat Patterson and Jim Ross.

HOUSE SHOWS: Thursday and Saturdays throughout the USA and Canada.

ANNOUNCE TEAM: Jim Ross and Jerry "the King" Lawler will handle all duties, which is Raw and all PPV's.

OVERVIEW

We're happy with our champions, though I'd like TAKA to get some competition. We've retired the European title, one I found absurd and it just cluttered our title picture. We do need better tag teams, so that's my first and most pressing need.

WCW

Main Eventers
Scott Steiner
Diamond Dallas Page
Ric Flair
Rick Steiner
Sting
Davey Boy Smith
The Giant
Bret Hart
Booker T
Lex Luger
Kevin Nash
Randy Savage
Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Scott Hall

Upper Midcarders
Ray Traylor
John tenta
Stevie Ray
Dean Malenko
Chris Benoit
Jim Duggan
Meng
Brian Knobbs
Steve McMichael
The Barbarian
Jerry Saggs
Konnan
Curt Hennig
Buff Bagwell

Midcarders
JUventud Guerrera
Rey Mystero Jr.
La Parka
Super Calo
Goldberg
Ultimo Dragon
Rick Martel
Chris Jericho
Glacier
Michael Walstreet
Perry Saturn
Psicosis
Raven
Alex Wright
Hugh Morrus
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
The Booty Man
Eddy Guerrero
Wrath
Scott Norton

Lower Midcarder
Sick Boy
Villano V
Rocco Rock
Silver King
Yuji Nagata
Hammer
Johnny Grunge
Bogus Sting
Disco Inferno
Blacktop Bully

Opener
Norman Smiley
Louie Spicolli
Ice Train
Lodi
Mortis
Billy Kidman
Prince Iaukea

Enhancement Talent
Fit Finlay
Johnny Swinger
Riggs

Occasional Wrestler
Tombstone
Jim Neidhart
Roddy Piper
Brad Armstrong
Steven Regal

Injurd
Syxx

Manager
Arn Anderson
Ted DiBiase
Sherri Martel
Rick Rude

(format courtsey of molson)

WCW

WCW Monday Night Nitro
Monday, Week 1, December 1997
Charlotte Coliseum

-Pre-Show Dark Match
Fit Finley defeated Johnny Swinger (E)

Pre-Show Dark Match
-Prince Iaukea defeated Norman Smiley (D-)

Pre-Show Dark Match
-Jim Neidhart defeated Riggs (D-)

-Show opening with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hollywood Hulk Hogan making his way to the ring. Hogan gives an interview putting down WCW and how big the nWo is and how he is going to destroy Sting at Starcade this year. (A)

-Six Man tag team action. Super Calo, Juventude Guerrera & La Parka defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr., Villano V & Silver King (D-)

-Buff Bagwell is doing an interview w/ Gene Okerlund bashing on Lex Lugar and hyping their upcoming match. (C+)

-Ultimo Dragon defeated Psicosis (D+)

-Chris Benoit defeated Billy Kidman (C-)

-Lex Luger defeated Buff Bagwell (C)

-Sting comes down to the ring and gives a response to Hollywood Hulk Hogan. (A)

-Harlem Heat defeated The Faces of Fear (C-)

-Curt Hennig defeated Diamond Dallas Page to retain the WCW United States Title (B+)

-As Page begins to get up after the loss Kevin Nash rushes to the ring and beats down on Page giving him several power bombs as the show goes off the air. (B+)

Overall Show Rating: B

Show Thoughts & Notes

-Scott Hall missed the show so we'll have to deal with him. I'll probally warn him for the 1st offense, but I know it won't be his last either so I'll keep an eye on him.

-I have a working agreement w/ AAA to bring in some of their luchadors in addition to the ones I have under contract but so far the Lucha Libre expreiment sucks...we'll see what the furture brings.

-Being that this was my first show I'm happy I got a B and the fans were okay with my match/angle setup I just need to have some better matches. I do believe I need to trim some of the fat and I'm sure Ted Turner will let me know that here real quick.

-My dark matches were a little below what I expected, but I guess that's what you get when you only put low guys together in a match. I like the WWF need some better tag teams so I'm going to look at pairing some guys up or hiring some old partners to reform a team again here in WCW.


(format courtsey of molson)

WWF Monday Night Raw
Monday, Week 1, December 1997
Cameron Indoor Stadium

Pre-Show Dark Match
D'Lo Brown defeated Flash Funk (D-)

Pre-Show Dark Match
Steve Blackman defeated Crush (C-)

- Raw opens with WWF Chairman Vince McMahon in the ring. He says he didn't screw Bret Hart; Bret Hart screwed Bret Hart. Owen Hart's music hits and he comes out saying he is going to make sure Vince feels the embarrassment Bret felt. Vince tells Owen he better not touch him, and in fact he has a proposition for him. On behalf of Shawn Michaels, Vince has ordered Owen Hart vs Triple H tonight. If Owen doesn't win, he will NEVER get a shot at Shawns WWF Heavyweight Title. Owen just smirks and nods to accept the offer (B+)

TAKA Michinoku defeated Super Crazy to retain the WWF Lightheavyweight Title (E+) Great chemistry between these two but I gave them too much time I believe. This crowd didn't seem up for it.

Shawn Michaels comes to the ring and runs down the crowd and Bret Hart. He promises that tonight Owen would've been better off leaving when Bret left, because at least Bret got to walk out of Quebec. (A)

The New Age Outlaws defeated LOD to retain the WWF Tag Team Titles. (D+) LOD is not a team anyone wants to see. Following the match Shawn Michaels and Triple H emerge and begin kicking the hell out of LOD. They then announce to the world that the New Age Outlaws are the two newest members of Degeneration X. (B-)

Rocky Maivia defeated Ahmed Johnson (B-)

Jeff Jarrett comes out and lets everyone know he thinks Steve Austin is nothing more then a punk bitch and he is demanding Austin show he isn't such a wuss by putting up his Intercontinental Title against him RIGHT NOW (B-)

Jeff Jarrett defeated Steve Austin after a guitar shot to win the WWF Intercontinental Title (B)

Vader beat Brian Christopher (D)

The Undertaker is backstage with his druids. As some sort of ritual is going on, it's interupted by Mankind attacking him out of nowhere and leaving him a bloodied mess (A)

Owen Hart defeated Triple H (B-) DX rushes out and begins to beat on Owen Hart, but soon after Ken Shamrock and Ahmed Johnson rush out for the save. The seven men battle it out as Raw ends.

Show Rating: C

Show Notes

Owen and Shawn are leading to an epic match at Decembers show, currently title Revenge is Sweet.

Mankind and Undertaker will rekindle their war that is destined for awesome heat.

Austin/Jarrett has potential to be a show stealer every time out and they work well.

We need more storylines, which will start seeing the light of day soon.

So when will Bret Hart, Sting, Benoit and Norman Smiley create a stable? I'm a bit shocked this didn't occur on the first show.

And I won't even start on Smiley getting jobbed in a dark match.

Pure insanity.

Wrestling News

-WCW crushed WWF in the head to head ratings pulling a 68.58 to 29.02 in the first head to head show.

-Rob Van Damn seems to be pretty popular as just about everyone offered him a contract, but he is too loyal to ECW and he turned everyone down including Vince McMahon and the WWF.

-Jerry Lawler rejected WCW's contract overtures and turned them down.

Those numbers are skewed. It's obvious people have hundreds of people over to catch Raw.

WCW

Got my owner's goals and I'm not happy with them

#1 Don't fall below just under $15 million dollars
#2 I can't hire anyone who is on roids and can't resign anyone on them
#3 Injured wrestlers cost too much money. Don't hire anyone with less than a B- in Resilience

okay I can handle #1 no prob as we have over $24 mil now. #2 is gonna be hard as I've got several problems on the roster now and there are some attractive people out there that would fit in well now, but I have to scratch them for the next 2 years. #3 isn't too bad, but any veteran worker out there is not off the radar so I need to look for younger talent..I guess the lucha stars are here to stay.

I put in requests to terminate the contracts of Medusa, Sonny Ono and Bogus Sting.

I have working agreements with both New Japan and AAA in Mexico, but neither has a lot to offer me so I put in an offer to ECW (they currently have one with WWF too so we'll see how that works) and I put a few offers out to be a parent company to try and get a developmental fed going.

Scott Hall was warned for no showing the last event and he took it well without any issues.

well to be fair I only used your USA network numbers ;)

WWF

Vince McMahon hands down his owner goals .. er goal.

We cannot hire nor resign any heavy drinkers. Could be a problem but we will see.

WCW

I fired the three workers previously mentioned

I hired Steve Williams

I offered 3 feds to be their parent company...I was turned down by OMEGA and Ohio Valley, but in a shocker ECW said yes....we'll see if they break off their working agreement with WWF

WWF

The WWF announced today they've cut ties with Gangrel, Kurrgan and Sniper, and wish them the best in all future endeavors.

What that's a good chunk of the Truth Commission ;)

I was going to get rid of Recon too, but he saw it coming.

WCW

I put out several offers for active workers and some development talent in the last few days, honestly too many to remember, but I did ask to speak to Taz and Lance Storm. My offer to talk to Sid Vicious is still out there, but I'm sure Ted Turner will refuse to allow me to offer a contract when it all comes around due to him being so injury prone.

(edit: I looked at Kurt Angle, but can't offer him as he has less than B- resilence)

Wrestling News

-current ECW World Champion Shane Douglas signed to be the head booker with JAPW so at the latest ECW card he dropped the title to The Sandman.

WCW

-What a shock I signed Sid Vicious, I guess since I offered him before the block I was able to keep the offer there. I also signed Lance Storm, Ekmo, Fatu and James Mitchell.

-I've decided to cut some fat and have requested termination proceedings with the following workers; Barry Darsow, Tombstone & Ray Traylor

-I put in a request to meet with Ron Killings and to re-up with Louie Spicolli

WWF News

The WWF has announced they've severed their working agreement with ECW which as caused ECW to wage war on the WWF. The first salvo was fired by the WWF as they've signed away D-Von Dudley, a young star on the rise from ECW. WWF also announced they've signed Christopher Daniels, who may be reporting to the WWF's developmental territory ECWA soon.

As I said in Molson's dynasty, I don't really follow wrestling anymore, but I used to. The depth of TEW along with the recognizable names makes these dynasties the funnest to read, IMO. The multiplayer aspect means its that much better. I'll be following.

WCW

-I signed Ricky Steamboat to be a road Agent, and brought in another Samoan in Kimo (I'll have Fatu & Ekmo tag up and Kimo be the third when needed) since I have Rick Rude and he's so good on the mic he'll be assigned as their manager/voice piece.

-James Storm, Chris Harris and Trent Acid were all signed to developmental deals and sent to ECW.

-I never offered RVD a contract, but now that ECW is my development fed I'll offer him to see if he want's to work for the big time now.

Thanks we hope you are enjoying it. I think both of us are having a pretty good time doing it so far. you can expect both of us to push for a 2nd show as soon as we can that is for sure.

It pains me as a die hard ECW fan (was at shows in Detroit when I was 13) that I am started a war with them and am trying to clean them out but F WCW.

WWF News

The WWF bolstered their Lightheavyweight Divison today by signing ECW star Ki Kash, as well as independant star Christian Cage. A few more names are being bandied about in regards to being terminated but nothing is finalized yet.

BASTARD!!!!

I tried @ Cage...Kash has "roid" issues so I couldn't offer him

it's on now man :)

WCW

-I sign Pat Tanaka, Mike Awesome and get Louie Spicolli signed to a written deal.

Nitro is up next.

WWF News

The talent raid of ECW continues as the WWF locks up Bam Bam Bigelow, and also indy star Adam Copeland. Copeland and Cage will be working house shows as partners, while Christopher Daniels will be looked at with Jim Cornette as his manager.

damn two more I was too late on.

I have three more guys I am going for, one is more important then the other two, and after that I am done for now ha.

I've got a few more I'm after too, but no one that I "want" only development type guys...I'm gonna lose some big names once their contracts come up due to the "roids" ban :(

WCW Monday Night Nitro
Monday, Week 2, December 1997
Thompson-Boling Arena, TN

Pre-show Dark Match

The Headshrinkers debut (Fatu & Ekmo w/ Rick Rude) and attack Public Enemy (E) Then Rude goes on to hype his new arrivals and how they will change the tag team scene in WCW (C).

-Perry Saturn defeated Rick Martel to retain the WCW TV Title (D+)

-Eric Bishoff came out and announced that Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko will be fighting Harlem Heat in a best of five series with the winning team getting a shot at the Tag Team Titles. (C+)

-A video is shown of the soon to be debuting direct from the WWF...Bret Hart!!! (B-)

-Davey Boy Smith & Jim Neidhart defeated Hammer & Sick Boy (D+)

-Roddy Roddy Piper was out talking about teaching someone a lesson when Jerry Saggs came out to fight him. (C+) Leading to Piper defeating Saggs (C+)

-Randy Savage burst into Eric Bishoff's office complaining about Bret Hart coming to WCW (B+)

-Buff Bagwell defeated Jim Duggan (C) after the match Buff posed down in the ring and challenged the whole WCW roster to a fight (C+)

-Benoit & Malenko defeated Harlem Heat (B-)

-A recap of last week's attack by Nash on DDP is shown (B+) leading to the main event. Kevin Nash defeated Diamond Dallas Page (A*)

Show Rating: (B)

Show Thoughts

Two B rated shows in a row, but both have slightly hurt me in the areas I'm running in I need to step it up to stay ahead of the WWF.

I started a series w/ Harlem Heat & Benoit/Malenko to go along with my current one of Hogan/Sting and Nash/DDP. Also started a small Hart/Savage storyline and began a Bagwell/Luger one as well. Final storyline that was started was one w/ Goldberg/Hennig that was started with Piper and The Nasty Boys to pick up steam next week.

WWF Monday Night Raw
Monday, Week 2, December 1997
Calihan Hall, MI

Pre-show Dark Match
Goldust defeated Test (C-)

Pre-show Dark Match
Marc Mero defeated Steve Blackman (D)

Owen Hart makes his way to the ring. Gone is the trademark smirk Owen sports, instead it's replace with an aggitated look. He's sick of these games with Shawn Michaels and lets Shawn know he's coming at him for blood (B+)

Farooq defeated Ahmed Johnson (D+)

Steve Austin hits the ring and tells everyone he's sick as hell with Jeff Jarrett and the way he won Austins WWF IC Title, and he'll be taking it back at Revenge is Sweet in two weeks. (B)

Rocky Maivia is backstage talking about how he is the future of the WWF and he's not going to let anyone hold him back (B-)

Rocky Maivia defeated Al Snow (C+)

Shawn Michaels comes out and tells Owen he will get his shot at Revenge; but it won't be until Revenge is Sweet and it will be for the WWF Heavyweight Championship. Michaels says he is a fighting champ, and he's about to show everyone Owen is just another Hart chump (B+)

Vader defeated Flash Flanagan (D+)

The Undertaker defeated Kane (B+)

After the match the Undertaker grabs a mic and tells Mankind this war of theres needs to end, and at Revenge is Sweet, he's challenging him to a Last Man Standing match! (B+)

Jeff Jarrett defeats Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw to make his first defense of the WWF Intercontinental Title (C+) As Jarrett celebrates his win Steve Austin comes through the crowd and decks Jarrett with his IC Title, then gets in his face and gives him the finger (B-)

Owen Hart is in the back with Ken Shamrock. They promise to watch one anothers back as neither one of them trusts DX (B-)

DX (Shawn Michaels & Triple H) defeated LOD (B-)

Mankind is shown backstage, rocking back and forth. He begins tearing out his hair and then starts punching himself. He picks up a nearby chair and hits himself with it repeatedly till he bleeds. He promises Undertaker that will be him at Revenge is Sweet (A)

Owen Hart & Ken Shamrock defeated the New Age Outlaws in a Non Title match (C+) After the match the rest of DX hits the ring and begins to pound on Owen and Shamrock as Raw goes off the air (B+)

Show Rating: B -

Show Thoughts

Undertaker/Mankind is a money feud that is going to be big for me in the ratings. I can only hope both men keep up this effort.

HBK vs Owen is moving nicely, with Triple H vs Shamrock also slowly picking up steam.

Can Vader be stopped?

Austin vs Jarrett is going to need more intensity but should be a great part of our triple main event.

WCW

probally the last of the signings for a while

-Ron Killings is signed to a development contract
-Kaz Hayashi is also brought in to help my lacking Lucha Libre stars

WWF Notes

The WWF has terminated the following: Flash Flanagan, Recon, the Godwinns and three other low lever guys I honestly don't remember. Shows how much I'll miss them.

Wrestling News

-RVD again stays loyal to ECW turning down WCW this time

-WCW again won the TV ratings 68.24 to 28.65

WWF News

The WWF continues their domination of ECW by hiring away mainstays Taz and Sabu to long term contracts. Both men are expected to debut sometime around the PPV Revenge is Sweet.

WCW

WCW has come to terms with the release of Ice Train. We wish him the best of luck in the future.

WCW

The war has drawn in some family as Bubba Ray Dudley has signed with WCW opposite of his "brother" who signed w/ the WWF.

That hurts the most so far, but we're not down and out. We'll see what this has in store next.

it was done to keep you from getting a good tag team...now I need to find a partner for him and make another "brother" from another mother

Ha as I figured, and I am in the same boat as you, though I have a couple of ideas.

to those reading we're almost back to another Monday :D

This sounds like a great game to play multiplayer.

WCW Monday Night Nitro
Monday, Week 3, December 1997
Tacoma Dome, WA

-Pre-show Dark Match
The Headshrinkers defeated Public Enemy (E)

-Pre-show Dark Match
Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated La Parka (D)

-Pre-show Dark Match
Lance Storm defeated Mortis (D)

-Eddie Guerrero defeated Alex Wright, Billy Kidman & Rey Mystero Jr retaining the WCW Cruiserweight Title (C)

-We cut to the back where The Nasty Boys have attacked Roddy Piper and left him lying on the ground. (C)

-Lex Luger defeated Buff Bagwell (C+)

-The Steiner Brothers defeated The Faces of Fear to reatin the WCW Tag Team Titles (C-)

-Benoit & Malenko defeated Harlem Heat (C+) to go up 2-0 in their best of five series.

-Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Hall (A)

-It was announced that Bret Hart would be making his in ring debut tonight taking on Randy Savage (B+)

-Bret Hart defeated Randy Savage (C+)
These two just didn't click, but this was the last in their storyline so it's okay and I'm glad it's over.

-Sting is making his way to the ring (B+) to take on Hollywood Hulk Hogan.

-Sting defeated Hogan by DQ (B+) After the match Sting celebrated in the ring (B+) and it was soon announced that Sting was the new #1 contender for the WCW World Heavyweight Title (B+)

Show Rating: C

Show Thoughts

My worst show thus far. I had booked Kaz Hayashi to take part in the 4-way, but he doesn't debut yet so I had to put in Alex Wright and that disappointed some fans, also they expected to see more angles this time which I skimped on...I guess I'll learn.

Luger & Bagwell pull off a C+ match, but I expect more from two vets and upper card wrestlers. I can only hope it gets better as they have a long way to go in their storyline.

Page and Hall pulled off the best match of the night and they were a ways down on the card...I'll have to remember that for the future though...if Hall keeps showing up :)

Hart & Savage weren't a good paring at all I'll have to see what Hart can do with some of my other workers and Savage might just be a worker without a spot for me for a while

WWF Monday Night Raw
Monday, Week 3, December 1997
Patriot Center, VA

Pre-show Dark Match
Super Crazy defeated Christopher Daniels (E+)

Pre-show Dark Match
D'lo Brown & D-Von Dudley defeated Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (E)

Kid Kash defeated TAKA Michinoku in a Non Title match (D-)

Vince McMahon comes out and announces that Owen Hart will take on Triple H tonight! (B+)

DX is show backstage hyping themselves (C)

Vader defeated Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw (C-)

Rocky Maivia defeated Goldust (B-)

Jeff Jarrett is shown in the back with a giant briefcase. He has promised that anyone who takes out Steve Austin is going to be a rich rich man. Jarrett tells Austin he won't make it to the PPV (B-)

Steve Austin defeated Savio Vega (D+)

Vince McMahon is back out to announce tonight Shawn Michaels will put his WWF Heavyweight Title on the line vs Ken Shamrock (B+)

Mankind & Kane defeated Undertaker & Ahmed Johnson (C+)

Owen Hart defeated Triple H with help from Ken Shamrock (C+)

A video is shown for Bam Bam Bigelow (D+)

In the back Undertaker is looking for someone when Mankind emerges from the shadows to lay a violent beatdown on Taker (B+)

Steve Blackman attempts to attack Steve Austin backstage but is beaten down instead (C-)

Shawn Michaels defeated Ken Shamrock for defense 1 of his WWF Heavyweight Title thanks to help from Triple H (B+)

Show Rating: B

Show Thoughts

We're getting big returns from the guys up top, but we need to work the lower card guys out more. Goldust is especially valuable and will need to maintain credibility as he's a true asset.

TV Ratings

WCW Monday Nitro 65.61
WWF Monday Night Raw 28.60

WCW

Scott Hall showed up late again last night to Nirto so I fined him this time

WWF News

It was announced on WWF.com today that the main event for this Mondays Raw will be an eight man tag match to take us home to Revenge is Sweet, where we will see the team of Owen Hart, Ken Shamrock, Steve Austin & the Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Jeff Jarrett and Mankind.

Also, Barry Windham was issued a warning for arriving late to Raw. As of now however no further disciplined is planned.

at least you have a tardy wrestler too now :)

Windham wishes he wrestled for me. He will see some time but he's not a significant cog like Hall.

WWF News

The WWF signed two young indpendant stars today to developmental deals, inking Rhino and Homicide to deals. Both will be reporting to the ECWA shortly.

Where are all the "divas?"

Wasn't this the golden age of Sable and Chyna?

I use Chyna, and Sable will get used, but otherwise you won't see women wrestling on Raw.

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, December 1997
Mariott Center, UT

-Pre Show Dark Match
Davey Boy Smith, Jim Neidhart & Fit Finley defeated Ekmo, Fatu & Kimo (D)

-Pre Show Dark Match
Rey Mystero Jr. defeated Psicosis (C+)

As the show opens up we see Eric Bishoff in the ring with two tables. DDP is on his way to the ring as we open up. Soon Nash makes his way down to sign the contract for the upcoming PPV Starcade. DDP signs first and hands the contract back to Bishoff. Nash looks it over and with a smirk signs the contract before throwing it back at Page. Nash then leaves the ring waving his finger at Page. (B+)

As Bishoff is making his was to the back Hulk Hogan confronts him and demands he change who the #1 contender is. (A)

Kaz Hayashi defeated Eddie Guerrero for the WCW Cruiserweight Title (B-)
Finally Hayashi makes his WCW debut and picks up an impressive win over Eddie.

Roddy Piper is in the back and is watching clips from last week as he was attacked by Knobbs & Saggs (the Nasty Boys). He goes on a rant about how in his day he was the one dishing out the beatings and he's going to start again. He challenges The Nasty Boys to a tag team match at Starcade vs. him and a mystery partner. (C)

Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Hugh Morrus (D+)
not an impressive debut for BR, but it was Hugh Morrus after all.

Sting hypes up the match tonight against Hogan and how this time it's for the gold (B+)

Bret Hart & Ric Flair defeated Raven & Perry Saturn (C+)

Camera's catch The Nasty Boys talkign to Curt Hennig (C+) as soon as Curt sees the camera he leaves. Knobbs and Saggs then accept Piper's challenge for Starcade (C-)

Harlem Heat defeated Benoit & Malenko (B-) gaining their first win in the series to make it 2-1 in favor of Benoit & Malenko.

Scott Hall defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a rematch from last week thanks to interference from Kevin Nash (B+). Page went storming after Nash chasing him to the back where Nash got into a waiting car and drove away (B)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan taunts Sting about their match tonight just befor heading to the ring (B+)

Sting & Hulk Hogan drew as the ref threw out the match unable to control either wrestler. (B+)

Show Rating: B+

Show Thoughts

well we came back strong after having our worst show ever with our best show heading into our PPV.

Very pleased with Kaz and his work so we'll see what happens with the cruiserweights.

The two matches that were thrown in for filler weren't great, but that's expected. Overall I was pleased with the show tonight.

Kevin Sullivan missed the show so I'll have to warn him tomorrow.

I hate women's wrestling so you wont' see any in WCW they are just eye candy to me.

Ya, he was a highlight of your undercard in that match with 1997-era Maivia, (who wasn't very over yet).

I always hoped the WWF would give him a short-term world title reign at some point - he was one of the few heels of that era that didn't just play the "generic cool heel".

Great read so far.

GOLD

WWF Monday Night Raw
December, Week 4, 1997
Conte Forum, MA

Pre-show Dark Match
Taz defeated D-Von Dudley (E+)

Pre-show Dark Match
Bam Bam Bigelow defeated Steve Blackman (D)

Pre-show Dark Match
TAKA Michinouku defeated Christopher Daniels (E+)

Shawn Michaels kicks off Raw with an offer for Owen to come get some right now. Owen mistakenly sprints from the back only to be blindsided by the New Age Outlaws who commence a beatdown (C+)

Kid Kash defeated Brian Christopher (E-)

We get a video recapping the entire Shawn/Owen saga till his point (B+)

Sabu defeated Al Snow in a hardcore match (D-)

Vader defeated Test (D-)

Justin Bradshaw is backstage looking to collect the bounty on Steve Austin but instead Austin gets the upperhand bloodying up Bradshaw (C-)

Vince McMahon announces Rocky Maivia will get a shot to make a name for himself tonight by taking on the legendary Terry Funk! (B)

Rocky Maivia defeated Terry Funk (C) Rocky celebrates by berating Funk and mocking the crowd (B-)

Jeff Jarrett is in the back, upset the bounty on Austin hasn't been followed through, but promises he will put him through hell at Revenge is Sweet (B-)

Goldust defeated Marc Mero (D+)

New Age Outlaws come out insulting the Legion of Doom (C+)

Owen Hart is on the mic now promising Shawn will pay tonight (C+)

The Undertaker is shown backstage beating the hell out of Mankind as revenge for last weeks brutal attakcs (B+)

Kane defeated Ahmed Johnson (D)

JR and the King talk about the team of Owen, Shamrock, UT and Austin saying they may be the most dominate force in years to grace a ring (B-)

Owen Hart, Ken Shamrock, The Undertaker and Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Mankind and Jeff Jarrett when Owen Hart pinned Shawn Michaels (B)

Show Rating: C+

Show Thoughts

Figured this show would struggle using my top 8 guys at the top of the card. Got other guys involved but its apparent who needs to be let go eventually.

TV Ratings

WCW Monday Nitro 69.31
WWF Monday Night Raw 30.97

both shows picked up their highest ratings to date.

WCW Starcade
Sunday, Week 4, December 1997
Alamodome, TX

-Pre Show Dark Match
Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Hammer (D)

-Pre Show Dark Match
Steve Williams defeated Jim Duggan (B-)

-Pre Show Dark Match
Rey Mystero Jr. defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. (C-)

The Headshrinkers defeated Public Enemy (E-)
**these guys really need some work it's back to the pre-show for them.

Kaz Hayashi defeated Eddie Guerrero to retain the Cruiserweight Title (C-)
**wow a whole letter different from the first time around. I'll keep working these two though.

Buff Bagwell hypes his upcoming match against Lex Luger (C)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Raven (B-)
**not bad for a meaningless match

Harlem Heat defeated Benoit & Malenko (C)
**these teams just aren't clicking somehow...very disapointing

Chris Jericho defeated Billy Kidman (D+)
**probally should have switched this match with the Page/Raven match

Sting professes his desire to be World Champion and that he will do whatever he has to to get the title off Hogan (A)

Lance Storm defeated Perry Saturn for the WCW Television Title (D)
**again another thrown together match, three hours is a lot of time to fill on a PPV. I've got big plans for Storm though so this is just the begining.

Curt Hennig defeated The Giant, Davey Boy Smith & Ric Flair to retain the WCW US Title (B-)
**I seem to be hit or miss with the thrown together matches.

Bret Hart defeated Konnan (B-)
**just realized I haven't used Konnan...good first match and these two work well together so we'll see if I can work something out between them.

Goldberg & Piper are walking towards the ring for their match. (B-)

Goldberg & Piper defeated The Nasty Boys (C-) After the match The Nasty Boys & Hennig attack Goldbert & Piper leaving them down and out in the ring (C+)
**what I expected for a match, this is more to build up the Goldberg/Hennig feud

Lex Luger defeated Buff Bagwell (C)
**two muscle head freaks who can't work...what to do now?

The Outsiders defeated The Steiner Brothers for the WCW Tag Team Titles (B)
**wanted to get as much gold around the nWo as possible to start building them up.

Hulk Hogan defeated Sting due to interverence by nWo members Randy Savage, Scott Hall & Kevin Nash to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Title (A)
***another solid main event match

Show Rating: C

Show Thoughts
What I expected for an overall rating as I didn't use enough angles, but it's a PPV and I wanted more matches this time. Now that I have a few good matches with different workers I can build up the fluff.

I seem to be very top heavy and it could bite me hard in the future so I'm trying to build up the lower guys...it just takes some time.

ha just noticed we both seem to have the same bit of problem

WWF Revenge is Sweet
Sunday, Week 4, December 1997
Currier Dome, NY

Pre-show Dark Match
D-Von Dudley defeated Crush (D)

Pre-show Dark Match
Christian Cage defeated Adam Copeland (E-)

Kid Kash defeated TAKA Michinoku, Super Crazy and Brian Christopher for the WWF LightHeavyweight Title (D-)

Taz defeated Steve Blackman (C)

Sabu defeated Terry Funk in a Hardcore Match (C+)

A video plays showcasing what has lead us to the following Steve Austin/Jeff Jarrett match (B+)

Jeff Jarrett defeated Steve Austin to make defense #2 of his WWF Intercontinental Title following inteference from Bam Bam Bigelow (C)

Bam Bam collects the bounty from Jeff Jarrett over Austins prone body (D+)

In the back Rocky Maivia is letting the PPV buying audience know he is the future of the WWF and he will leave the Currier Dome to head to MSG next month and win the Royal Rumble (B)

Rocky Maivia defeated Ahmed Johnson (C)

Goldust defeated Kane and Marc Mero to become #1 Contender for Jeff Jarretts Intercontinental Title (C+)

Triple H defeated Ken Shamrock following interference from Chyna (B)

The New Age Outlaws defeated the Legion of Doom to make defense #2 of their WWF Tag Team Titles (C)

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler hype the UT/Mankind Last Man Standing match up next (B-) The Undertaker defeated Mankind (B) Following the match Mankind gains his wits and attacks Undertaker as he makes his way up the aisle. Mankind piledrives him through a table (B)

Shawn Michaels is backstage hyping up his impending WWF Heavyweight Title defense vs Owen Hart (B+) which segways into a video surrounding the events leading to this match (B+)

Shawn Michaels and Owen Hart battled to a double countout as they fought all over the arena (A*) Shawn Michaels makes defense #2 of his WWF Heavyweight Title

Show Rating: B

Show Thoughts

The Main Event was awesome. These two guys can just go. Because of the inconclusive finish we'll have to see what Vince has in store for them tomorrow night on Raw, which will feature Jeff Jarrett defending against Goldust, and the next chapter in Mankind/UT and Austin/Bigelow.

1997 Year End Awards

Top 100 Wrestlers: Postponed, not enough wrestlers
Wrestler of the Year: Postponed
Young Wrestler of the Year: Postponed
Veteran of the Year: Don Caras
Female Wrestler of the Year: Akira Hokuto
Promotion of the Year: Postponed
Most Improved: Postponed
Match of the Year: Shawn Michaels vs Owen Hart (Revenge is Sweet)
Show of the Year: Monday Nitro, December 1997 ( I assume Week 4 )

These are kind of lame with not many choices but that Shawn/Owen match definetly deserved MOTY.

PPV Buys

WCW Starrcade: 24.79
WWF Revenge is Sweet: 15.28

Wrestling Notes

-Axl Rotten of ECW had a drug overdose yesterday and is in the hospital
-A small fed IWR has started in Mexico

Sounds right up WCWs ally. :)

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, January 1998
Carrier Dome, NY

Pre-show Dark Match
Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Mike Awesome (C+)
**these two showed great chemistry so I may have found a winner here.

Pre-show Dark Match
Ultimo Dragon defeated Disco Inferno (C-)
**another tandem that had great chemistry

The announcer's hype up the Bagwell/Luger matches we've seen and that these two will class again next week. (B-)

John Tenta defeated Wrath (D-)
**two big guys who don't sell equales a bad pairing and match

Lance Storm defeated Disco Inferno to retain the TV Title (C)
**more good chemistry...oops on double booking Disco

Goldberg & Piper defeated The Nasty Boys (C) as they headed to the back Knobbs & Saggs attacked them again (C).
**Goldberg & Piper are having a good tag run going and are getting good matches out of Saggs & Knobbs

Bret Hart defeated Steve McMichael (C+)
**I can't stand McMichael so he'll be my jobber to everyone until I decided to release him :)

Ric Flair defeated Raven (B)
**these two don't seem to click at all, but pulled off a hell of a match for it

A Video recap is show of the Harlem Heat / Benoit & Malenko series (C+)

Randy Savage defeated The Giant (B)
**neither guy sold much and the match suffered, but it still pulled a good rating so I can't be upset about that.

Hogan attacked DDP when Sting came to his aid (A*) Sting & DDP challenged Hogan & Nash on the spot for a tag match and headed out to the ring.

Hogan & Nash defeated Sting & DDP (B)
**Hogan used his creative control clause and did not allow me to give the victory to Sting or DDP

Show Rating: B-

Show Thoughts
-Well Scott Hall no showed again...I guess I fine him for the second time.

-A (B-) rated show and it hurts my popularity...go figure

WWF Monday Night Raw
January, Week 1, 1998
De Soto Center, MS

Pre-show Dark Match
D'lo Brown & D-Von Dudley defeated LOD (C)

Pre-show Dark Match
Crush defeated Flash Funk (D+)

Vince McMahon saunters out to the ring to start Raw and announces that because of the double count out last night, that Owen Hart and Shawn Michaels will meet one more time at the Royal Rumble, this time in a LADDER MATCH! (B+)

Sabu defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in a hardcore match after Steve Austin attacked Bam Bam (D)

Terry Funk is addressing the Southeast fans who've made him who he is today when Rocky Maivia comes out and tells everyone they need to quit living in the past and embrace the present. Rocky says he beat Funk last night and he's going to do it again tonight before laying Funk out in the ring (B-)

Taz defeated Ken Shamrock after Triple H distracted Ken Shamrock (C+)

Goldust is in the back talking trash about Jeff Jarrett (B)

Rocky Maivia defeats Terry Funk (B)

Steve Austin gets revenge one more time vs Bam Bam Bigelow backstage in a violent attack (D+)

Vader defeated Marc Mero (C)

Mankind is in the back telling everyone last night Undertaker may've struck first, but he didn't strike last, and he begins pummeling himself in the leg with a screwdriver (B+)

Jim Cornette spots Vader in the back and offers his services as a manager (C-)

Owen Hart defeated Kane (B+) As Owen celebrates his win he is blindsided by Shawn Michaels and his WWF Heavyweight Title belt (B+)

Steve Austin defeated Mankind (C+)

Jeff Jarrett defeated Goldust for defense #3 of his Intercontinental Title (C+)

Show Rating: B-

Show Thoughts

We have a nice presence in Terry Funk and will be using him accordingly.

Cornette and Vader should be a nice tandem.

Monday Night Ratings

WCW Nitro: 58.96
WWF Raw: 28.22 (+ 7.51 on TSN)

Internet News

Wrestling fans were polled and their choice is clear; Adam Copeland of the WWF is voted the young wrestler with the most potential currently out there. Copeland is currently on the WWF roster working dark matches as he awaits a call up to the Big Show.

WCW Monday Nitro: WCW goes international
Monday, Week 2, January 1998
Honshu, Japan

Pre Show Dark Match
Mike Awesome defeated Bubba Ray Dudley (C)

Pre Show Dark Match
Michael Wallstreet & Steve Williams defeated Public Enemy (D)

Kaz Hayashi defeated Eddie Guerrero to retain the WCW Cruiserweight Title (C+)

Bret Hart defeated Steven Regal (B-)

Ultimo Dragon defeated Yuji Nagata (B)
***token stars of Japan match

Harlem Heat defeated Benoit & Malenko (C)

Lex Luger defeated Buff Bagwell (D+)

The Giant defeated Steve Williams & Scott Norton by countout (C-)

The Outsiders defeated The Steiner Brothers to retain the WCW Tag Team Titles (C+)

Sting defeated Hulk Hogan by countout (B+)

Show Rating: B-

Show Thoughts
Well the experiment didn't go as bad as I thought it might with the first couple of matches, but I think I'll stick to the US market from now on and let some house shows happen in non-us places. I booked the most over guys in Japan I had, but angles don't work there due to a thing call "language barrier" hmm who would have thought that.

Scott Hall actually showed up this week...must have wanted to do a few saki bombers

WWF Monday Night Raw
January, Week 2, 1998
Carver Arena, IL

Pre-show Dark Match
Kid Kash & Crush defeated the Headbangers (D)

Pre-show Dark Match
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage defeated Christopher Daniels & Marc Mero (E)

Rocky Maivia opens up Raw lambasting everyone in the arena (B-)

Taz defeated Al Snow (D+)

Vader comes out to announce Jim Cornette is his new manager (C-)

Sabu defeated D-Von Dudley in a Hardcore Match (D-)

Ken Shamrock & LOD defeated DX (NAO & HHH) (C)

The Undertaker & Goldust defeated Kane & Mankind (B-)

Steve Austin comes out to hype up his involvement in the Royal Rumble and promising he'll win the title shot at WrestleMania (B)

Bam Bam Bigelow defeated TAKA Michinoki (D) As Bam Bam celebrates he's blindsided by Steve Austin (C-)

Owen Hart is backstage counting down the days until his Ladder Match with Shawn Michaels (B-)

Vader defeated Steve Blackman (C-)

Jeff Jarrett defeatd Test to make his 4th defense of the WWF Intercontinental Title (D+)

Shawn Michaels runs down Owen Hart knowing it'll cause Owen to hit the ring, which leads to another DX set up, but this time Terry Funk hits the ring to clear house (B-)

Funk says he's sick of guys like him getting no respect from punks like DX and Rocky, so he's challenging Michaels to a match right now (C)

Shawn Michaels defeated Terry Funk (B-) following it up is more DX antics as they pound the tar out of a helpless Funk (C+)

Show Rating: C

Show Thoughts

After Mankind/UT and Owen/HBK we lack good storylines, type to fix that.

TV Ratings

Nitro 62.42
Raw 26.83

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, January 1998
Palace at Auburn Hills, MI

Pre Show Dark Match
Sid Vicious defeated Brad Armstrong (D+)

Pre Show Dark Match
Louie Spicolli defeated Norman Smiley (E+)

Chris Jericho defeated Steve McMichael (C)

Arn Anderson is seen talking to Ric Flair about trying to reform the Horsemen (B-)

Dean Malenko defeated Raven & Michael Wallstreet in a 3-way match (C)

A video plays showing the feud between Sting & Hogan thus far (A)

The Giant defeated The Booty Man (D) Scott Hall came out and attacked The Giant during the match.

Goldberg & Piper defeated The Nasty Boys (C)

The Giant demanded a match tonight w/ Scott Hall (B+) and was granted his match

Hogan comes to the announce table and tells them he will not be facing Sting again. (B)

Bret Hart defeated Randy Savage (B-)

Eric Bishoff comes and and says that Hogan will in fact face Sting or he will be stripped of the WCW World Heavyweight Title (A)

Scott Hall defeated The Giant with a handful of tights (B-)

Show Rating: B-

Show Thoughts
Sure would like to figure out how to get a better than B- grade one of these times.

I'm still trying Sid in some differet angles so he's not ready for TV just yet.

I need to talk to my road agents again and figure out some better matches for next week before the PPV.

WWF News

The WWF has signed two more youngsters to developmental contracts: Mike Quackenbush and Doug Williams of the UK will be heading to the ECWA at the end of the week.

WCW News

Marty Jannetty & Robert Gibson have been signed to contracts. Rumors have it that these two will be forming a team in WCW called the Midnight Rocker Express.

WCW has also extended the contract of Juventude Guerrara.

WCW has signed the following workers to development contracts and assigned them to ECW; Reckless Youth, Nick Dinsmore, Rey Buccanero, Shannon Moore, Shane Helms, Steve Corino & Stevie Richards

WWF Monday Night Raw
January, Week 3, 1998
Newark Arena, NJ

Pre-Show Segment
Adam Copeland hypes up himself (E-)

Pre-Show Segment
Adam Copeland defeated Christopher Daniels & Christian Cage (E+)

Pre-Show Segment
D-Von Dudley cuts a promo hyping himself (E+)

Kama Mustafa defeated Steve Blackman (D)

D'Lo Brown & D-Von Dudley defeated Crush & Kid Kash & LOD (D+)

Owen Hart and Ken Shamrock are walking backstage when DX assaults them and throws them into a nearby car (B-)

Jim Cornette challenges Ahmed Johnson as the next victim for Vader (C-)

Vader defeated Ahmed Johnson (C+)

Sable comes out to announce she'll be gracing the cover of Playboy (C+)

Steve Austin hits the ring and runs down Bam Bam Bigelow with a verbal tirade (A)

Goldust is backstage talking about how Kane is a Big Red Retard (B-)

As Mankind is in the ring cutting a promo on how at Royal Rumble the Undertaker will feel his pain, a casket appears. Mankind slowly opens it up only to find Undertaker there. Mankind scampers away before he can be stuffed inside (B+)

Rocky Maivia defeated Marc Mero (C+)

Steve Austin & Terry Funk defeated Bam Bam Bigelow & Sabu in a hardcore match (B-)

Taz defeated Goldust following interference from Kane (B)

Jeff Jarrett hypes up his reign as WWF IC Champion (B-)

Vince McMahon announces tonight at the behest of DX, the New Age Outlaws will put their WWF Tag Team Titles on the line vs the team of Ken Shamrock & Owen Hart, if they make it back in time (B-)

Owen and Ken Shamrock emerge on the big screen, covered in blood. They say they were beaten but not destroyed and they're now out for some of DX's blood (B)

Owen Hart & Ken Shamrock defeated the New Age Outlaws to win the WWF Tag Team Titles (C) With the show coming to a close Shamrock snaps and applies the Ankle Lock to Billy Gunn. Billy pleads for the rest of DX to come out and help but they're nowhere to be found (B-)

Show Rating: C -

Show Notes

Awful. Thought we'd do far better but this is absurd. We need to fix this mess now.

Did you pick up Angle? You mentioned you were talking to him.

no I couldn't due to his resilance rating being below a B- don't know if the WWF is looking at him or not.

TV Ratings

Nitro 62.73
Raw 26.70

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, January 1998
Greensboro Coliseum, NC

Pre Show Dark Match
Marty Jannetty & Robert Gibson defeated The Headshrinkers (D+)
**my two new guys clicked well and looked good so they'll get some time
to work out the minor kinks then be let loose on WCW

Pre Show Dark Match
Steve Williams defeated Jim Duggan (C+)
***these two have had much better matches and still work well together. I don't know what happened here.

Lance Storm, Dean Malenko, Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit all battled to a time limit draw (C+)
***four of my best workers and all I got was a C+...this isn't good for me now.

Ric Flair defeated Raven (B)
***for two guys who don't click they seem to put on great matches.

Eric Bishoff comes out and announces the newest signing to WCW...Sid Vicious!!! (C+) he then announces a match between Vicious and DDP (B)

Sid Vicious defeated DDP (C+)
***not a bad show by Sid, but it should have been better.

The Outsiders defeated The Steiner Brothers to retain the WCW Tag Team Titles (B-)
***solid match for these four men seems I can always count on them.

Bret Hart defeated Konnan (B+) After the match the lights go out and after a moment they come back on and Bret is layed out in the middle of the ring (A)
**I don't know what it is about these two, but they just click sometimes. I'm very excited about what they can do.

Bishoff announces a Bill Goldberg vs Curt Hennig match for later tonight (B-)

Hogan makes his weekly appearance to put down Sting (B+)

Curt Hennig and Bill Goldberg battled to a time limit draw as the show went off the air (B)
**nice main event, but below what I think they should be.

Show Rating: B

Show Thoughts
well another bad show heading into the PPV...this is not looking good, but I think we can pull it off.

I tried to put together some great matches for this show and go away from my current storylines and it still didn't work...I need to read up on how to make all this better.

WWF Monday Night Raw
January, Week 4, 1998
Wachovia Center, PA

Pre-show Dark Match
Vader defeated Adam Copeland (D)

Pre-show Dark Match
Al Snow defeated Terry Funk (C-)

Ken Shamrock and Triple H are backstage arguing, soon leading to a wild pull apart brawl (B-)

Taz defated Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw (B-)

The New Age Outlaws come out and blast the Legion of Doom (C)

LOD defeated Bam Bam Bigelow & Sabu (C-)

Owen Hart tells Shawn Michaels that at Royal Rumble if he can't beat him for the WWF Title, he is going to retire from wrestling (B-)

Jeff Jarrett defeated Rocky Maivia & Steve Austin to make defense #5 of his WWF Intercontinental Title. (B+)

Goldust is in the back hyping his next feature (C)

The Undertaker defeated Marc Mero (C-) After the match Mankind attacks Undertaker and leaves him laying in a pool of blood (B+)

Shawn Michaels comes out and promises that he'll end Owens career at the Royal Rumble (B+)

Mankind defeated Ken Shamrock (D+)

Triple H defeated Goldust following interference from Kane (B-) As Trips celebrates hes bumrushed by Ken Shamrock (C+)

Shawn Michaels closes out Raw by coming to the ring with a huge grin. He promises Owen that the Royal Rumble will mark the end of his career and that Shawn has a HUGE surprise for Owen (B+)

Show Rating: B -

Show Thoughts

Read what WCW put, it's the same ordeal.

Monday Night Ratings

WCW Nitro: 60.54
WWF Raw: 28.06

UGGH!!!:(

either the wrestling is heading towards a downward swing or we just sucked big time on our last shows.

WCW / nWo Souled Out
Sunday, Week 4, January 1998
Safeco Field, WA

Pre Show Dark Match
Alex Wright defeated Ray Mystero Jr (C-)

Pre Show Dark Match
Bubba Ray Dudley defeated Louie Spicolli (D-)

Ric Flair, Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko defeated Fatu, Ekmo & Kimo (C-)
**I'm happy the three good workers carried this match and made it very decent.

A video recap of the Sting vs Hogan feud (A)

Ultimo Dragon defeated Kaz Hayashi for the WCW Cruiserweight Title (B-)
**I've got a few good cruiserweights so I may start an unconnected story line with them now.

A camera is in the back catching the limo of nWo members Hogan, Nash & Hall arriving (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Disco Inferno (C+)

A video recap of how Harlem Heat earned a title shot and of The Outsiders as champions (B+)

Buff Bagwell bursts into Eric Bishoff's office and demands a match against Lex Luger tonight. After some discussion and arguments he is granted his wish (B-)

Curt Hennig defeated Davey Boy Smith to retain the WCW United States Title (B)

Hogan does an interview back stage promissing Sting that tonight in the cage he will win and Sting will be finished. (A*)

Lex Luger defeated Buff Bagwell (C-)

Flair, Benoit & Malenko along with Arn Anderson decide it's time to reform the Horsemen and battle the nWo. (C+)

The Outsiders defeated Harlem Heat to retain the WCW Tag Team Titles (B-)

Sting responds to Hogan's threat (A) then heads towards the ring (B+)

Sting defeated Hogan in a cage match to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title (A*) After the match Sting goes into the crowd to celebrate with the fans (B+) As the card comes to a close ref Nick Patrick sees a foreign object in the ring. (E)
**I believe this is my first A* match and it's at the peak of the Sting/Hogan feud so I'm very happy with the results. Suprisingly Hogan didn't use his creative control clause to veto a Sting win here. I'm not happy with the last segment, but what can you do it's scripted into the storyline.

Lance Storm defeated Eddie Guerrero to retain the WCW TV Title (C-)
***oops...this was supposed to be earlier on in the card and I missed it..I think this hurt my next rating some.

Show Rating: C+

Show Thoughts
A C+ ??!!??!! my oops might have cost me a B on this one.

WWF Royal Rumble
January, Week 4, 1998
Madison Square Garden, NY

Pre-show dark match
Kid Kash defeated Christopher Daniels to make defense #1 of his WWF LightHeavyweight Title (E+)

Pre-show dark match
Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw defeated Steve Blackman (D)

Shawn Michaels arrives at the building as the rest of DX waits for him in the back (B)

Steve Austin defeated Bam Bam Bigelow (B-)

A video now airs hyping up the main event Ladder Match (B+)

Kane drew Goldust after a double DQ (B-)

Rocky Maivia cuts a promo on how tonight he's going to win the Royal Rumble (B)

Vince McMahon comes to the ring to announce that tonight Jeff Jarrett will defend his WWF Intercontinental Title vs Taz (B+)

Jeff Jarrett defeated Taz to make defense #6 of his WWF Intercontinental Title (C+)

Ken Shamrock defeated Triple H (B)

The Undertaker defeated Mankind in a Casket Match (B)

Steve Austin won the Royal Rumble (B-)

Owen Haet defeated Shawn Michaels to win the WWF World Title (A*) After the match the rest of DX come out with Jeff Jarrett and destroy Shawn Michaels (C+)

Show Rating: C+

Show Thoughts

The crowd wanted more angles, but I knew that'd happen. Regardless I thougth this was a tremendous effort.

January PPV Buys

WCW/nWo Souled Out: 22.61
WWF Royal Rumble: 16.58

WCW Notes

-WCW has extended contract extensions to Brad Armstrong & Roddy Piper. In addition WCW has started termination talks with Hammer, The Booty Man and Steve McMichael.

-Recently retired Tully Blanchard and WCW have entered contract talks to bring in the aging superstar as a Road Agent.

-Television contract talks are underway between WCW and TNT to renew their contract for WCW Monday Nirto. In addition WCW is in talks with several other networks to start a second wrestling show and has begun the process of having a weekly Saturday PPV.

-Finally, WCW is in negotiations with a major superstar who is currently under contract with another organization. Said superstar is a former champion and has helped lead the other organization. More to come stay tuned.

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, February 1998
Kemper Arena, MO

Pre Show Dark Match
John Tenta & Bubba Ray Dudley defeated The Head Shrinkers (D-)

Pre Show Dark Match
Alex Wright defeated Juventud Guerrera (D)

Sting is show again celebrating his victory last night over Hogan (B+)

Kaz Hayashi defeated Ultimo Dragon for the WCW Cruiserweight Title (C)
**yes it was a quick title change, but Ultimo is getting it back soon.

The announcers talk about what happened last night and the foreign object found after the Sting & Hogan match. Video evicence isn't conclusive on who brought it to the ring (B+)

Perry Saturn defeated Fit Finley (D-)

Hogan bursts into Bishoff's office demanding Sting be stripped of the title and it be given back to him. Bishoff says he's reviewing the tapes and will make an announcement later tonight. (B+)

The Nasty Boys defeated The Public Enemy in a tables match (D-)

The Four Horsemen, Flair, Benoit & Malenko, along with manager Arn Anderson say they will be announcing their fourth member soon. (C)

Bret Hart defeated Raven (B)

DDP hypes his match next week against Kevin Nash (B)

Curt Hennig defeated Roddy Piper to retain the WCW US Title (B-)

DDP sees Scott Hall backstage. Hall makes a smart ass comment to Page which earns him a quick fist to the face. A brawl ensues which brings out Kevin Nash, The Giant and several backstate personal to break up the fight (B+)

The nWo and Sting & The Steiner Brothers battled to a double count out (B)

As the officials regain control of the six men Eric Bishoff comes out and announces that due to inconclusive evidence the WCW World Heavywieght Title is beign held up and Sting is effectively beign stripped of the title effective now. (A)

Show Rating: B

Show Thoughts
-I think getting a B is good no matter what the end notes say or think :)

-I started a few new storylines that don't require me to jump through so many hoops and allow me more free form.

-The Nasty Boys/Public Enemy rating was the most disappointing this week as I think the two brawling tag teams would do well together...oh well.

WWF Monday Night Raw
Monday, Week 1, February 1998
Gampell Pavaillion (CT)

Pre-show Dark Match
Farooq defeated Mark Henry (D)

Pre-show Dark Match
Adam Copeland, Christian Cage & Kid Kash defeated Christopher Daniels, TAKA & Mr. Aguilia (E)

Raw kicks off with Owen Hart celebrating his WWF Title win last night in a MOTYC Ladder Match with Shawn Michaels. He promises he is going to make the Hart family proud and looks forward to his first challenge for his title (B-)

Taz defeated Ken Shamrock following interference from Jeff Jarrett (C+)

Rocky Maivia hits the ring and says he was screwed out of the Royal Rumble and demands that Steve Austin put his Title Shot on the line at No Way Out (B-)

Triple H is in the ring explaining that last night Shawn let DX down and because of it changes were made, that's why Jeff Jarrett is the newest member of DX. Vince McMahon comes out and says Triple H screwed Vinces hand picked Champion so tonight he is giving Shawn Triple H inside a Steel Cage! (B+)

Vader defeated Crush (D)

Chyna is seen in the back and is trying to tell Shawn to just go him, he is going to be in trouble otherwise, but Shawn shrugs it off (C+)

Mankind defeated Sabu in a tables match (B-)

The Undertaker, Goldust & Ahmed Johnson defeated Jeff Jarrett & The Outlaws following interference from Ken Shamrock (C)

Steve Austin appears and says Rocky has his match at No Way Out and he'll get his ass handed to him (A)

Steve Austin defeated Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw (B-) As Austin celebrates his win he is blindsided by Rocky who does a number on him (B)

Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels following Jeff Jarrett getting inside the cage and knocking Shawn out (B) Post match Vince McMahon comes out and says next week Shawn Michaels has to face Jeff Jarrett inside the ring for the WWF Intercontinental Title. If HBK doesn't win, he is gone from the WWF forever. Vince tried helping Shawn but Shawn screwed Shawn this time (A)

Show Rating: C+

Show Thoughts

Hard to fathom the C+ show, but we ned more storylines, I can attest to that. We'll keep grindin' and see what works.

Monday Night Ratings

WCW Nitro: 55.54
WWF Raw: 27.62

the gap is closing

WCW Notes

Roddy Piper was late to last night's Nitro so we warned him to not let it happen again.

WCW Notes

-WCW has renewed one of their two current television contracts. TNT2 has renewed for four seasons the replay of WCW Monday Nitro that aired on Fridays from 10 PM to 12 AM. Nitro was also picked up by Nipon TV on Tuesday nights from 10 PM to 12 AM. Negotiations are still ongoing for TNT and the live airing of Nitro on Monday nights.

-WCW has also announced the introduction of a new wrestling program. WCW Thursday Thunder to air live on ABC from 10 PM to 12 AM on Thursday nights. The show will also air on replay on Telemundo on Fridays from 10 PM to 12 AM.

-It has been reported that the well know superstar that WCW was offering a contract to was none othet than Shawn Michaels, WCW has no comment right now, but sources tell us that negotiations are on going.

WWF Notes

The networks hate our risque product, but ABC, caught up in the wrestling craze, have put into work a new WWF show entitled Smackdown, set for Saturday Nights at Midnight until 1:30. Because of the late time slot expect the most risque stuff WWF does to be aired then.