The Rise and Fall of WCW 1: What a Child Saw

[Benjamin Button]

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The Rise and Fall of WCW

To a child the WWF’s large white squared circle and red white and blue ropes should have had more appeal than the small WCW rugged canvas. Guys like Hogan and the Warrior running through their opponents and Hacksaw doing the same on a mid card scale has every reason to reach out to childlike faith, but when I was six years old I wanted something different. I wanted to watch my heroes chase their dreams. I wanted to watch vulnerable men overcome the odds. I preferred WCW. I preferred WCW's larger than life mortals over WWF's Immortals. I chose Brian Pillman over Hulk Hogan. I liked WCW’s little ring, I liked Gary Michael Coppetta’s ring announcer voice more than Howard Finkle’s. Most of all, WCW’s play by play man Jim Ross was, as a six year old would say, "a million times better than Gorilla Monsoon and Vince McMahon put together!"

The Curious Case of What a Child Saw

(Part 1) Baby Faces

Rather than desiring to see Hogan come back and become immune to Slaughter’s offense and win, I wanted to see Pillman, the Z-Man, the Young Pistols, Sting, Windham, Simmons, and more come an inch away from winning title belts, only to be screwed by a time limit draw, or a pair of brass knuckles, or a coward champion purposely throwing them over the top rope, causing a disqualification. I wanted to believe that the next time they would win. When I first started watching wrestling , for a short time, I did what wrestling fans were supposed to do. I cheered the good guys. I believed in them! I didn't want to hear my parents say "nothing on TV is real."


Everything depended on my new found heroes. At least, I thought they were heroes. Knowing what I do now about the "sport", maybe I should have listened to ol' ma and pa. Or maybe now, I have a firmer stance that these wrestlers were truly great. The following are the good men that a six year old saw, but who were they really?

A child's perception, Brian Pillman.

My first ever favorite wrestler... “Brian Pillman can beat Hogan and Luger in a handy cap match,” I argued to my brothers. What the hell merited a statement like that? The great thing about being six years old is you don't write columns. You don't have to back up your opinions. You just say it because, for some reason, you believe it. Something about Brian Pillman made me believe. I remember the let down of seeing him get pinned in a loser leave town match, but the excitement I felt when Pillman, disguised as the yellow dog, returned to wreak havoc on my and his enemies, especially that fucking Barry Windham who put him out.


I can’t tell you why Pillman can beat Hogan and Luger in a handicap match, but maybe I can shed some light on why a six year old would think that. When Brian wrestled as the yellow dog, he was the center of attention in his every match. It was all about whether he’d be unmasked or not. Lots of these matches were six man tags, it didn’t matter who the other good guys on Pillman’s team were. Who gave a shit about Ron Simmons or Big Josh? Just tag in Pillman! It was all about him. It was about the bounty Windham put on his mask. It was about how he survived. It was about how he was down and out, until his opponent leaped off the top, only to be met by his standing dropkick from nowhere. He always survived. He didn’t have the muscle of Luger or Hogan. He didn’t become invincible. He was an underdog, but he never let me down. If the yellow dog lost or was unmasked it was never my hero underneath the mask, it was a fake, because my hero couldn’t be beaten so easily.


Another reason Pillman was the best was he held my favorite title. When the dog days of Pillman were over, he came back, unmasked, and won the Light Heavyweight Title tournament, last pinning “Richard” Morton. Keep in mind, I started watching just in time to see Jim Ross say, “Ricky, don’t hit Robby!” Ricky not only hit Robby but put him out of action and subsequently signed a contract with the York foundation, an emerging heel faction. To me, this Richard Morton was serious business. But Pillman stopped him in his tracks.


In retrospect: The WCW lightweight division must have had the most underwhelming built of any lightweight/ Cruiserweight/ junior heavy weight title ever. Years later I watched an old tape of Pillman defending the belt at a Clash of Champions, and Tony Shiavone, in his own words, saying that the belt would give opportunity to such challengers as Jumping Joey Maggs and other jobbers who would otherwise not be able beat anyone else. What prestige! A champion of jobbers! This title was short lived, but it did give us classic matches between Pillman and Jushin Thunder Liger, and it also gave us Brad Armstrong’s best title run in a major promotion. It had its highlights, but it wasn’t what I thought it was.


Another thing, Pillman wasn’t the good guy the six year old saw. We all know that his reckless lifestyle contributed to his unfortunate death. On top of that, Brian Pillman was alleged to be a literal motherfucker. It has been rumored that during his first tenure as a baby face, that he would take his fans' mothers to the locker room and have his way with them. Boy, am I glad my mother never took me to a live event! Allthough he wasn't a true saint, Pillman proved to be an outstanding heel, his great acting forced me to cry like a little bitch and forfeit my support for him.

A child's perspective, Beautiful Bobby Eaton

I started watching wrestling during the post Midnight Express era. I knew Huntsville's beautiful one (I'd hate to see the rest of Huntsville) as a baby face. To me Bobby Eaton was Stunning Steve Austin’s greatest threat. Why? Because he had been to the dance. He had been the WCW TV champion before Steve Austin had stolen the belt from him. Not to mention he had that Alabama Jam! I knew if he hit that move it was over for Austin. Not to mention Eaton’s blue, starry tights gave my childhood wrestling experience so much color. Bobby Eaton also defeated Steve in rematches just not in time. ( Austin wrestled matches that his TV title was only on the line in the first fifteen minutes of the bout.)


The ugly truth: I don’t remember ever hearing Bobby Eaton talk, back then. Later I would see that his Alabama Jam was cancelled out by an awful Alabama accent. Something about that voice makes me imagine his breath smelling like shit. Here’s another truth that I missed. Even though Eaton had been TV champ, he was just a transitional champion, paving the way for Stunning Steve. Someone else would take the title from Austin.

A child's perception, Ricky the Dragon Steamboat

I had seen him in a ridiculous get up in WWF, therefore I didn’t think much of him, until a WCW Clash of Champions. When Barry Windham had been put out by the Dangerous Alliance, Dustin had to get a mystery partner. Dustin's hints leading into this tag match had built my suspense. I was on the edge of my seat during the Clash when a green, smoke snorting dragon came down to ringside, you can only imagine what this was like for a child, unless you were a child like me when it took place. As Steamboat karate chopped himself out of the get up, Gary Michael Coppetta announced “Ricky THE DRAGON Steamboat!” Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko,had taken on all my favorite tag teams and won; their main strategy was the Andersons’ trademark, cutting the ring in half to work over their opponents for a victory. This match would have been no exception, except Dustin and Steamboat dished it out, came back, and took the tag titles!


Also, Steamboat later became the man to put an end to Steve Austin’s long TV title reign. For all the many times WCW’s baby faces failed to win the belts, and even though their title reigns, especially Steamboat’s, were often short, I got a sweet high, like church goers on Jesus, when they captured the titles. To a child, Ricky Steamboat was God!


An adult's perspective: Ricky Steamboat was indeed God.

A child's idiocy, El Gigante, PN News

I knew and cared little of Andre. I just knew about my WCW giant (Remember I was six. Cut me some slack.) When the One Man Gang cut Gigante’s hair, I wanted nothing more than to see Gigante's revenge.


I had PN News Great American Bash rap memorized. Let me try a few lines(not looking at the words.)


It’s the Great American Bash on Pay per view. Word up Nikita Koloff will be taking on Sting. Sting is going to must some (something) all over the ring.

The Nature Boy, you know his name is Ric Flair, is going to walk that aisle. He had better be there.


The truth is…Gigante wasn't as bad as some recall...Oh fuck! He was the world’s tallest shit. As for the other guy. The fact that I still remember some of that rap (Flair wasn't at the Bash, by the way) shows what an impact the "Rap Master" had on my childhood. I wonder which losers little morons are marking out for now-a-days. Can't believe I ever liked PN News, but as you can see I can be very objective despite the nostalgia he brings me. PN News' broken record splash wasn't half-bad. shhhh

The eyes of a child, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, the Steiner brothers!

My first impression of LOD came when I saw them in WWF. Even though, they were a large part of the WCW’s predecessor, the NWA, the Steiner Brothers were the team I respected most. I had heard about their past, I had not witnessed it, at this time. When you only hear about the past, it just adds mystery to your awe. I loved Ricky for the barking and his innocence, Scott for his innovative wrestling moves.


The truth, Fuck WWE: The Steiner Brothers were truly on top of tag wrestling at this time. They had been IWGP tag champions and WCW tag champions, they had respect all over the world. The saddest truth is that this is often overlooked today, because WWE owns WCW’s library. WWE has time and time again shined light on WCW’s lowest points and worst ideas rather than highlighting the best the company produced. Has WWE not had its share of dumbass ideas? (More on this later in the series) For now I will say that the Steiner Brothers were damn good proof that WCW had its times that they put out quality that the WWF/E's will never touch.


Before I wrap up the first half of "what a child saw". Did I forget to highlight any baby faces? Luger? No, he turned heel shortly after I started watching. Oh yes. Sting, of course! I am actually intentionally leaving him out of the "what a child saw" part of this series. Let’s just say, that in a Rise and Fall of WCW series, Sting's WCW run is a column in itself.

[Box Car Rocco]

Another solid effort here Benjamin, you always seem to keep things fresh by producing something different every time. Either way, you always keep your narrative voice strong which is very good and makes you different from other writers.

The topic was nice since I haven't read a Dubbya See Dubbya column for a while and since I never watched WCW, it was a nice little history lesson.

Read you next time.

['Plan]

Hey Benjamin.

While it's awesome you so easily switched the format up in back to back columns, something I really wasn't expecting, I can't help but feel like this needed an extra layer of polish to it. You started off very well and very strong but it read almost as if you lost enthusiasm yourself towards the end. I dunno if that's true or not but by the end your sentencing was leaving me feeling a little confused and it was almost like, after Pillman, you just wanted to get to the end of the column already; a feeling that can easily find its way into the reader.

It was a good column and as I say it's good to see you like to switch your format up; any good columnist can adapt to any style. But I feel like this could have done with a couple more read throughs, particularly towards the end where some of the paragraphs could have been expanded into something a little more comprehensive.

Good effort though my friend, just make sure you polish things up a little more. I can see you're reaching up to grab that bar that'll take you up one more level and I think you might get there sooner rather than later. Keep up the good work!

[Uncle Joe]

Solid Benjamin, very solid. I like the touch of the Adult's perspective after every entry. Just a few things:

-Fuck Brian Pillman

-Fuck Bobby Eaton.

-I used to pick Steamboat every time in my old NES wrestling game that had the road Warriors in it. He is the man.

-If Sting's WCW career is a column in and of itself, I need to get that DVD.

-The Steiners are a bit overrated for being basic suplex machines.


Fun Fact: The Steiners aren't Jewish, which their last name might lead you to believe; they are actually German, the Jews natural enemy.

[MissouriDragon]

No Pillman?

[Roger Murtaugh]

Dude, you just gained a million points of cred with me for mentioning the Yellow Dog and the York Foundation in the same column. I remember how funny it was when the Yellow Dog was finally unmasked revealing jobber extraordinaire "Rip Rogers".

Till this day I'm surprised nobody has started doing the "Alabama Jam" again, that move was one of the sickest top rope moves and it's a move anybody can do. I mean, it's a knee to the throat from the top rope; simply vicious.

Steamboat is indeed God, classics with Austin and Rude. Two more reasons the Dangerous Alliance were simply badass.

Basically I loved this, really took me back to the good old days and I have very similar memories as you.

Catch you next time.



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Now playing: Gwar - The UberKlaw
via FoxyTunes

[Freeman]

I preferred WCW back in the day as well, although I don't remember Pillman being in it, as I didn't start watching wrestling until 1997. I preferred WCW back then as well though, I remember my older cousin showing me a video of WWF at the time and hating it!

Still, this was pretty again Benjamin, you've risen up pretty quickly in these parts, and you shall only continue to climb higher if you can keep it up. I hate to say it, but this was missing something. 'Plan mentioned something about that extra bit of polish, and I tend to agree. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there were points in this where I was switiching off slightly.

For the most part though, this was a good column, and I enjoyed most of it. Keep it up homie.

[Super Chrisss]

This was a totally new style for you Benjamin, but it worked. Some parts felt rather unfinished, but it was a good, entertaining read and that's what counts. Looking forward to part 2!

[BeyondKnight]

Benny,

I liked this and WCW used to be the cap of my Saturday morning cartoons for many years. Try to be a little more date specific on the timeframe you are working with in your upcoming installments As others have mentioned you did seem to run out of a little steam towards the end, but I think it can be forgiven this time.


~BK

[Benjamin Button]

BCR-

The topic was nice since I haven't read a Dubbya See Dubbya column for a while and since I never watched WCW, it was a nice little history lesson.

You’ve got to check out some WCW, buddy. I think you, being a TNA fan, would enjoy some of it.

Plan-

I feel like this could have done with a couple more read throughs, particularly towards the end where some of the paragraphs could have been expanded into something a little more comprehensive

Hate to say it, but you're right. I did proof read, but not with fresh eyes. I won't make that mistake next time.

Joe-

I used to pick Steamboat every time in my old NES wrestling game that had the road Warriors in it. He is the man.

I use to have that game. I loved the hell out of it.

Dragon-

No Pillman?

You must be asking why Joe said "fuck Pillman." Personally, I say fuck the world for no longer having him in it.

Doc-

Dude, you just gained a million points of cred with me for mentioning the Yellow Dog and the York Foundation in the same column.

It's so great to see that someone remembers/appreciates the York Foundation. You get the golden button this time around. Why the fuck am I giving out buttons? That’s where free writing gets you, I guess. Seriously, I can't tell you how thrilled I was to read that reply and the mention of Rip Rogers!

Free Faller-

I preferred WCW back in the day as well, although I don't remember Pillman being in it, as I didn't start watching wrestling until 1997. I preferred WCW back then as well though, I remember my older cousin showing me a video of WWF at the time and hating it!

WCW was kicking ass in 1997. Ahh WCW sigh...

can't quite put my finger on it, but there were points in this where I was switiching off slightly.

We'll see if next time is better.

Chrisss-

Some parts felt rather unfinished, but it was a good, entertaining read and that's what counts.

Excellent! Glad it kept you entertained. That's what it's about.

BK-

I liked this and WCW used to be the cap of my Saturday morning cartoons for many years. Try to be a little more date specific on the timeframe you are working with in your upcoming installments

Good catch there. Going over it, I see what you mean, and I surely will add those dates in the content to come.

As others have mentioned you did seem to run out of a little steam towards the end, but I think it can be forgiven this time.

Thank you.

[Baba O'Riley]

Benjamin, this was good. I reallyenjoyed it. I have never saw an episode of WCW, so to get the insight of their product from a none-bias to WWE stand point was good. It was also good to see how you have smartened up as you've gotten older