(NXT) A Reading From The Book of Borden

[Stinger]

Alright, Stinger. I've read many of the columns you have written over the years, and have seen how you have evolved as a writer. I have found that some of my favorite columns of yours spring from a spiritual or mythological core. In this first round I want to see something along those lines, but taken in a different direction.

I'm not imposing word limits, or making you mention specific people (with a single exception, as noted in a moment) or anything like this. I am, however, giving you the chance to both entertain and educate me. This first round is where I am going to test your creativity.

As you know, I have never in my life seen a single episode of WCW programming. The only things that I have seen from that promotion are the matches that WWE has included on DVD releases. I am curious to learn more about WCW through the eyes and ears of someone who was a die hard fan during the 90's, such as yourself. So, what I am stipulating as your guidelines for this round of LoPNXT are the following:

1. You will write a column that reveals some of the salient details of the boom period of WCW in the 90's, with the exact beginning and ending years of your column discussion chosen freely.

2. In keeping with a mythological theme, you will write the column in the form of religious text. Biblical form would be preferred (i.e., Chapter and Verse).

3. Include any of the major players from this era of WCW that you choose, but Sting must play a central role somehow.

I have never been a big fan of WCW, and I really haven't ever been a fan of Sting either. However, I know you were, even going so far as choosing your username as an homage to him. Show me why I should be a fan, and let me know what I've been missing all this time.

Stinger's Note: As with all the "Wrestling Mythology" columns, I explain the dating system. Since the previous volumes were centered largely on WWE, years were expressed in terms of WrestleMania. For example, 1994 would have been 10WM, because WrestleMania 10 happened in 1994. This one is of course based in WCW, exploring the myths within the southern religion. There is a different dating system used; S.C. 11 stands for "Starrcade 11", so S.C. 11 would be the year in which Starrcade 11 took place (1993). So our story starts off in 1993 and goes from there.

I know some folks were not a fan at the time and may not get all references made. I have tried to make the names as simple as possible within the context. To help show, I'll go over the names and places mentioned in the first book so everyone can get an idea and see how easy it is to follow along: Kauboi Watts refers to Cowboy Bill Watts. The Shaw of Atlantis refers to Bill Shaw, a TBS executive. Atlantis is obviously the representation of the Atlanta based WCW. Rossklahoma Sooner is Jim Ross. And of course the Gah'den in the Northern Region is Madison Square Garden in the home territory of the WWF. And I think it can go without saying, but the demon Bischoff is Eric Bischoff.

That's all the explaining I'm going to do, because I think everyone will be able to follow along with the play on names and dates. Now, enjoy reading from...

Borden 1 (S.C. 11)

1 After the priest Kauboi Watts was slain, the young demon Bischoff went before the great Shaw of Atlantis and asked, “Who will be chosen as the Executive Creator and who other than I can spread the Atlantian message to every corner of the Earth?”

2 The Shaw answered, “Bischoff, you are the one He wants to take up the mantel and become the new priest of Atlantis; I have given this land into your hands.”

3 Word of the death of Kauboi had spread throughout the Hall of Heroes and beyond into the kingdoms of the people of Mark and of the people of Smark. And turmoil was spreading across the Southern Region, for though Kauboi had wicked policies, he also had the respect and devotion of the peoples of Mark and Smark and of the Heroes.

4 And the prophet Rossklahoma Sooner, dear friend of Kauboi, went up to the Shaw of Atlantis and expressed his outrage over the demon Bischoff being given the title of Executive Creator and he said unto the Shaw, “Woe be given to the Kingdom of Atlantis for you, great Shaw, have opened the door to Parts Unknown and have sealed the fate of this once great kingdom.”

5 Then the Shaw asked of the prophet, “Sooner, what would you have me do? He has made his decision and the power has been transferred. Bischoff is in power, this is His will and I cannot undo this. Why now, great prophet, have ye so little faith in Him to think that He knows not what He does and that He would bring destruction to His kingdom.”

6 Rossklahoma Sooner answered, “I am the messenger and prophet for Him. You have been duped Shaw, for your he is not my He. Darkness will engulf this region. The Hall of Heroes will fall during this dark period, sacked by a ruthless army of outsider demons from beyond our region. Despair will befall Atlantis and those who stay within these walls, and all the people of Mark and of Smark who worship at the altar of Atlantis. Bischoff is the demon devil and he will bring with him a great bronzed hero, an immortal false prophet who will be rejected. This will be the first sign of the fall of Atlantis; for on the shores of the Gulf, Atlantis will sink.”

7 The Shaw laughed at the prophecy foretold by the prophet and exiled Rossklahoma from the kingdom of Atlantis.

8 The great prophet did not wander long before he found his way to Ceaser’s Palace and eventually the fabled Gah’den of the Northern Region. There he found a new audience to preach the message to and would acquire the means to save many of the heroes of Atlantis from its prophesied demise.

Borden 2 (S.C. 12)

1 In less than a year, the demon Bischoff had deceived the lot of Atlantian priests and gods and became official ruler of Atlantis on Earth, doing the bidding of the Emperor Robert Edward Turner the Third.

2 And Bischoff moved the heavens and the earth to call forth a new savior for the peoples of Mark and Smark to worship.

3 When the Dragon God battled an Atlantian squire, the messenger Schiavonecantannounce proclaimed for all to hear that the bronzed hero formally of the Northern Region, that old serpent, the Python God, was traveling over Mount Kayfabelous towards Atlantis.

4 And The Shaw heard the announcement and he remembered the prophet Rossklahoma’s warning. And the Shaw trembled with fear.

5 Yet when the bronzed hero arrived, he was given a hero’s welcome. The Shaw of Atlantis saw that the people of Mark had embraced the Python God and were bowing before him cheerfully. This soothed the Shaw’s mind.

6 The mean prophet and gossiper Okerlund publically gave praise to the arriving Python God, proclaiming “Without a doubt, the greatest day in the history of Atlantis and all of Rasslin’.”

7 Now in the year S.C. 12, Atlantis was home to two champion gods. Many within the walls of Atlantis and the entire Southern Region yearned to worship but one dominate champion god.

8 And so it came to pass during the XXVIIth “Clash of the Titans” held in the Atlantian Coliseum in the city of North Charleston, that the evil Nature God battled the beloved Scorpion God to determine who was the true Champion God of the World Atlantis.

9 The Scorpion God fought valiantly to vanquish his arch nemesis and restore peace and happiness to the people of Mark and of Smark, and all the little Stinger’s who praised the Scorpion God.

10 But the demon Queen Sinsherri betrayed the Scorpion and caused his defeat to the Nature God. And the people wept for the Scorpion God who was being tortured by the Nature God and Queen Sinsherri.

11 Then the heavens opened, and behold, the bronzed hero arrived in the Atlantian Coliseum to chase away the evil ones and save the Scorpion God.

12 And on this night, the people of Mark took to the streets to sing the praises of the Python God. And they called him “The Chosen One” and boldly proclaimed that the Python was their savior.

13 The demon Bischoff looked out upon the faces of the worshippers and saw that his creation was good. And together with the Emperor and the Shaw of Atlantis, Bischoff declared that the Python God would battle the Nature God to see who truly deserved the title of Champion God of the World Atlantis.

14 In the city Orlandus, the Python God and the Nature God met in a great bash on the Atlantian shore.

15 And the people of Mark and Smark watched the battle unfold in that heavenly ring of smoke, and to the Python they said their prayers.

16 With a thunderous boom and an earthquaking drop, the bronzed hero did vanquish the Nature God. And all the people cheered and praised and gave worship to the new Champion God of the World Atlantis.

Borden 3 (S.C. 13)

1 Now the Demon and the Emperor wanted to conquer the world and spread the Atlantian message past Mount Kayfabelous.

2 And the Emperor asked of Bischoff, “What must we do to destroy the Northern gods who occupy the Gah’den and make slaves of them all?”

3 The demon Bischoff answered, “We must win the loyalty and worship of their followers. Our services have long been held on the Sabbath night, we must infiltrate and bring confusion to the world by holding service on the moon day.”

4 The Emperor heard this and was most pleased. And he said unto the demon, “Then we shall hold services and wage a moon day war against the North. Soon may the Gah’den burn and the false gods turn unto dust.”

5 And on the first day of the Atlantian moon day services, a Northern hero did appear before the gatherers and the battling gods Scorpion and Nature.

6 Now this Northern Narcissist had long been friend to the Scorpion God. And to his friend he said, “Beware the Great Deceiver, that old serpent, for he is a plague and shall bring Atlantis to ruin.”

7 But The Scorpion God had fierce war with the Nature God and his Apocalyptic Horsemen and ignored the warning of his friend. And so the Narcissist formed an alliance with the dastardly dwellers of the Atlantian dungeon and the Horsemen to crush the Python.

8 In the havoc of the All Hallow's Eve celebration, the Atlantis Giant did momentarily crush the Python God with the help of the Narcissist and the dungeon dwellers and became the Champion God of the World Atlantis.

9 Atlantis fell into a state of chaos in the aftermath, and for the first time a great world war was threatening to destroy the Hall of Heroes.

Borden 4 (S.C. 14)

1 Now a strange thing began to happen. One by one, the people of Mark began to turn against the Python God, just as the people of Smark had done upon his arrival. This worried the Shaw.

2 When the Shaw looked out across the planes he saw darkness on the horizon. And the darkness was coming from the North.

3 And the Shaw remembered the prophecy foretold by Rossklahoma Sooner and expressed grief. The Shaw cried out, “What is this misfortune I have unknowingly brought to the shores of Atlantis? Is the prophecy true, will this darkness bring a plague that shall destroy this empire?”

4 The demon Bischoff answered the grieving Shaw, saying unto him, “Behold foolish Shaw, the great power that soon awaits me and will transform Atlantis for eternity. The cancer will be here soon, old friend, and from the earth a New World Order shall emerge.”

5 And the demon fatally stabbed the Shaw of Atlantis, and with his blood called forth the hellish outsider creatures to ravage the kingdom.

6 So it came to pass during a moon day service that the bad god, Hirsute, God of Machismo and Whiskey, gave notice to the Hall of Heroes that he, and others, were bringing the war.

7 And Hirsute was joined by OzShredder, the Towering God of Sex, and together the outsider duo brought anarchy to the heavens of Atlantis.

8 Now the Atlantian Gods and Heroes were banding together to fight off the invasion and a great battle was to be waged on the two year anniversary of the Python God’s arrival.

9 The Scorpion God, The Narcissist and the savage Macho God all joined forces to abolish the outsider forces of Hirsute and OzShredder and an unknown god.

10 The Narcissist fell in battle, and when the Scorpion and the savage were being crushed, the people of Mark exploded when the Python God came down from the heavens to again save the Scorpion God.

11 Woe be given to the followers of the Python God, for the serpent revealed himself as the Great Deceiver and joined with the invaders to lay waste to the Atlantian Gods.

12 And the Python God proclaimed for all the peoples to hear, “This right here is the New World Order of Rasslin’, and may Hades be unleashed upon the kingdom of Atlantis for its transgressions against me.”

13 When the people of Mark and Smark held a rally in Sturgis, the Python God arrived and did do battle with the Atlantian Giant. And behold, a new Champion God of the World Atlantis was crowned.

14 Now it came to be that all the Heroes of Atlantis, and all the peoples of Mark and of Smark, looked to the Scorpion God to eradicate the cancerous New World Order.

15 But the serpent, master of deception, did deceive all the peoples, and the Heroes, by having an old Cobra masquerade as the Scorpion God. And the imposter did terrible things and brought confusion to the Hall of Heroes.

16 And the real Scorpion God did show up to lay waste to the imposter and to strike at the NWO, but he said unto the other Atlantian Gods bound together in opposition to the invading force, “Anguish befall those who do not believe in me and think me a traitor to Atlantis and the Hall of Heroes.”

17 And still the peoples and the Heroes accused the Scorpion of being a part of the New World Order that was conquering Atlantis.

Borden 5 (S.C. 15)

1 The cancerous New World Order grew in numbers and power, and it was revealed to be the creation of that vile demon, Bischoff.

2 And the New World Order did purge Atlantis of its Gods and Heroes, one by one. And the peoples of Mark, and of Smark, did give in to decadence and freely worship the Python God and the New World Order.

3 The Narcissist, the Macho God, the Piper God, the Atlantian Giant, the Nature God, the brother heroes Big Pappus and Gremlin, and El Hijo de Rey Misterio all fell in battle against member gods of the NWO.

4 Now the Scorpion God did descend from the high heavens in the form of a man. And with his face painted white like the legendary ghost crow of lore, he stood with the dissenting people who rejected the New World Order.

5 And in this form, the Scorpion God was known as Sting. And Sting began appearing in the high planes and looked down on Atlantis and the New World Order.

6 The New World Order was destroying the empire, and the people clamored for the Scorpion God to destroy the Python.

7 When the NWO would bring anarchy, the Scorpion did descend from the high planes as Sting and would fight off the invaders. And he would point his finger towards the Python God.

8 Now the serpent was more subtle than the other gods, and refused to clash with the Scorpion.

9 On the moon day services, the Python and the demon Bischoff would speak falsely and demean the Scorpion God, and this angered the people of Mark.

10 And the Scorpion would not talk back, and thus he was like a silent assassin within Atlantis. And Sting became the ghost of Atlantis and he did strike fear into the poisonous heart of the New World Order.

11 When the high priest JoJo Dillonaus took the alter on the moon day service, the congregation of the peoples of Mark and Smark would shower him with prayer. The people wanted to see the Scorpion God and the Python God battle. And Sting appeared before JoJo and pointed at the people. But JoJo was a phlegmatic priest and offered the Scorpion the opportunity to wage war with other member gods of the New World Order. And the Scorpion did refuse them all.

12 It finally came to be that JoJo Dillonaus heard the prayers and reported back to the Emperor, and a message was sent down from the heavens that exclaimed that the Python God and the Scorpion God would battle at the annual Starrcade, the Atlantian Winter Solstice celebration.

13 Now the Scorpion God had become the most popular and widely worshiped god in the history of Atlantis. And the people of Mark, and of Smark, believed in the Scorpion and accepted him as the savior of Atlantis. And they yearned for the Scorpion God to cut the head off the old serpent who had deceived them and brought ruination to the kingdom.

14 And finally the night did come and the people came from all corners of the Earth to witness the epic struggle between the Scorpion and the Python, the final battle whose seeds were planted when the Python did betray Atlantis and form the New World Order.

15 And a boy appeared and gave the Scorpion's call;

16 "When man's heart is full of deceit, it burns up; dies. And a dark shadow falls over his soul.

17 From the ashes of a once great man, has risen a curse; A wrong that must be righted.

18 We look to the skies for a vindicator, someone to strike fear into the black hearts of the sane god who created him... The battle between good, and evil has begun.

19 Against an army of shadows, lies the dark warrior; The prevailer of good.

20 With a voice of silence, and a mission of justice. This is the Scorpion God; this is Sting."

21 And after the boy's call the thunder did sound and lightening struck the earth. And behold, the Scorpion God appeared in the flesh as Sting, and the Python did tremble in the heavenly ring of smoke.

22 Now the two adversaries did finally lock up and in the struggle the serpent did try to deceive the people. But a skilled Sharpshooter appeared before the peoples and spoiled the Python's plans.

23 Now the Scorpion did put away the Python God to become the new Champion God of the World Atlantis. And the messenger Schiavonecantannounce did exclaim it the greatest moment in Atlantian history, and the Hall of Heroes emptied to celebrate with the victorious Scorpion God.

24 But the people of Mark and Smark, who had come from all over to witness the epic struggle, were aloof with the battle for the Scorpion God did not eradicate the Python. And confusion spread throughout the kingdom.

25 Now it came to pass that the high priest JoJo Dillonaus did strip the Scorpion God of the title Champion God of the World Atlantis. This angered the people of Mark and especially the people of Smark. And they began to leave Atlantis in droves, seeking refuge in the rebellious Northern Region on the other side of Mount Kayfabelous.

25 And in S.C. 16 the Scorpion God did speak for the first time since S.C. 14, calling JoJo a poltroon. And the Scorpion God pointed at the Python and proclaimed him a proud dead man, saying unto him a passage from the Book of Origin, "And those who are prideful and refuse to bow down shall be laid low and made unto dust."

A note from Mark Smart, The Wrestling Mythology History & Museum curator: "It is widely believed that there are three different Book of Borden's due to references made to the sacred texts in other books, but the other two have not been uncovered and may have even been destroyed, if they ever even existed. What we do know from the evidence presented elsewhere, and fulfilling the prophecy mentioned in this book, is that Atlantis disappeared shortly after S.C. 18, sinking in the Gulf off the Atlantian shore of the city La Vela."

[JoeyShinobi]

As one of the most well rounded writers in this competition, I was worried for you being taken out of your comfort zone, even though I know you've done stuff like this before. This was excellent, and I say that knowing not a huge amount about the formation of the NWO or anything that happened in WCW before their demise. Ignorant I may be, but you have piqued my interest in swotting up. Great idea, executed damn near to perfection. Well played, Stinger. I think this is called putting the rest of the field on notice.

[Dr. CMV1]

Damn that was creative. I've never read anything like that...

[Mazza]

Wow Morpheus' ideas + Stinger's execution could well end up equalling unstoppable in this thing. This was crazy. My only fault is that it did get a bit hard on the eyes/brain by the time I was getting to the end, but there is nothing really you could do about it because it needed the length to cover everything, and it wasn't like you could just suddenly change format.

Excellent job.

Maz Rating: A-

[Zuma]

G - this column is full of win.

That is all.

-Z

[Viking Rage]

I really enjoyed this story. It was well executed, and highly entertaining. I'll tell you the same thing I told Mr. Ca$h, Kick back, relax, and watch the rest of us try to fight our way into round 2.

[Tito]

Fascinating presentation of a column... Is this going to be your consistent style of the column? Curious, Stinger, will the title of the name change each column? For example, what if you did a column on Shawn Michaels... Would the title change to "A Reading From the Book of Michaels"?

I usually don't like columns written strictly with a gimmick, but the Bible style oddly works. Is this a consistent style?

[Stinger]

Joey - Glad I could pique your interest in what really was a great time in WCW. It's just a shame they took something that was well built, and completely fucked it up on their biggest night. Thanks for feedback and the kind words.

Dr. Chad - And I've never written anything like it. Appreciate the read.

Mazza - Yeah I can see that. The length was actually one of my main concerns, in part because I know how many columns you pros have to read, but also because I knew the Bible style wasn't going to lend itself to breaking up portions of it with pictures (like I normally would do). Thanks for the feedback and the grade, glad you liked it.

Zuma - Appreciate it Z.

Viking Rage - Glad you found it entertaining. Thanks for the feedback.

Tito - No, not my consistent style of column. Matter of fact, I've written over 100 columns here and this is the first one I have ever written in Bible style (and was actually nervous about using the style). I've done a few "Wrestling Mythology" pieces before, but they were written in encyclopedia style (and were few and far between). The Bible style was Morpheus' stipulation.

The column name will change each time (and not to "A Reading From The Book of Whatever") because I have not decided on a new series name, and probably won't until after the NXT contest as I just ended a series called "A View From the Rafters". Appreciate the feedback Mr. Tito.

[Tito]

From a marketing standpoint (and you can tell I do some of that from a living by asking this question)... Would different title, per column, hurt your marketability as a column?

While I like the creativity, I just wonder if changing the title each column would cause readers to think that it's a new column by a different columnist each time, as opposed to easily seeing a consistent title and saying "hey, that's Stinger's column!".

It's all about the brand name, sometimes...

[Stinger]

I definitely agree with you Tito, and actually have a few proper series titles in mind to replace the old series, just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet with the contest ongoing.

[Hustle]

Morph kicked you in the dick with his stipulations, and to your credit, all you had to say was "Please, sir, may I have another?", which is awesome. You tore it apart here. The Biblical style wasn't the easiest thing in the world to read, especially for a column of this length, but you found ways to keep me reading nonetheless. Hell, you found ways to get me to read this twice. I read it earlier, but didn't have time to leave feedback, so I decided to read it again just now before sharing my opinion. Great stuff. Glad this isn't your "usual" style, though, because I don't think I could read something like this once a week, or however often you'd be posting.

lol @ Mark Smart

Barring some sort of conspiracy, I think this is going to place you squarely in the Top 5 after the upcoming Pro's Poll. Yes, that's where you where coming into this round, but I'm just saying that you're good to go. I think you're in for a crazy tough ride, though, because it's clear that Morph isn't going to take it easy on you. Keep answering the challenges, though.

Good luck.

[Phantom Lord]

Writing it like bible passages was an interesting concept and I think it worked pretty well. Nice work here.

[THE MONKEY]

This is the Stinger that I was hoping would come to play. If you can keep up the momentum you showed up with on this column, you are definitely going deep into this thing.

Perhaps a little long but that's really only if I'm being extra nit picky.

[Shane]

lol @ Schiavonecantannounce

There hasn't been enough heat on Tony in the CF for the longest. I give you props for pulling this off. I'd love to see a companion column where you cover some of this material from your own viewpoint. It is clear that you know your wrestling history and you've been there with it. Good stuff, Stinger. I'd been hearing quite a bit of hype about you and I'm glad to see that you are in it to win it. Keep 'em coming.

[Stinger]

Hustle - I don't think I'd want to write something like this every week either. Thanks for the read and the feedback.

Phantom Lord - Thanks.

Monkey - It was long (and I did shorten it from it was originally going to be), but I tried to make it shorter by having 1993 and 1995 be short chapters. Even 1996 was a tad shorter than I intended it to be. I have come to play and will definitely strive to keep my momentum going (and improving). Appreciate the read and feedback.

Shane - An opinion companion piece would be something I'd love to do eventually, so I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for feedback Shane.