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Showing posts with label WCW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WCW. Show all posts

May 16, 2021

Triple H Remembers Wrestling First WWE Match While Under WCW Non-Compete

In a post on Twitter, Triple H spoke about first wrestling for the WWF in 1995, while he was still under a non-compete clause following his release from WCW.

He wrote: “Was signed w/ WWE but still on a non compete from WCW. Called JJ Dillion & begged him & Vince to let me work this card & flew myself in. Brought my dad, 1st time he ever saw me wrestle for a big promotion live & at Boston Garden where he watched as a kid. Night I’ll never forget!”

December 10, 2018

Eric Bischoff On Triple H's Short Stint In WCW

Eric Bischoff reflected on Triple H's time in WCW and said they didn't have too many interactions. Triple H would end up leaving WCW for WWE in early 1995 and Bischoff revealed there was nothing he could do to prevent that from happening.

"When Hunter came in it was at a time in WCW when we were really cutting costs. Expenses were a really big issue. I think it was Terry Taylor who first introduced Hunter to us. My biggest concern with him was that he lived in the Northeast. At that point things were so tight financially that we were looking to concentrate on the talent that lived in Atlanta, Georgia because we couldn't afford to fly people all over the country, so that was one big issue."

HHH was in his mid 20's at the time, and wasn't near as big of a name back then as we'd come to see later on in WWF/WWE. 

Bishoff notes that Triple H was never one to drink, smoke, or do any drugs.

"He didn't drink, he didn't smoke, didn't do drugs, didn't get loud. He was friendly, he was sociable, he was cordial, but he was kind of… I don't want to say aloof but he was one step outside the kind of inner circle of talent in the way he carried himself. And by the way, that is a compliment because he was a real pro even in this social environment, and I did notice that because it was early for me in management, but I did notice it. He was in control of himself almost at all times," stated Bischoff.

November 12, 2017

Shawn Michaels Talks to ESPN About Montreal Screwjob

WWE Hall of Famer "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels recently spoke to ESPN about the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" incident from Survivor Series 1997.

On knowing what he was about to do to Hart: 

“[It was] probably the most uncomfortable day I’ve ever had in the wrestling business,” Michaels said of having to sit with Hart and plot out the match before the show began. “By the time the day comes, the decision has been made. But no one knows how it’s going to get done until Bret and I sit down to start discussing the match — none of this can actually go into play until we do that. And so it was just an uncomfortable day knowing what you know, [how others] assume it’s going to happen, and then you having to be the one to orchestrate it all.” 

“It’s one thing to make the decision to do this. It’s a whole ‘nother thing to actually have to be the person to make it happen and not have any idea about how you’re going to go about doing that. And then, even if you are successful, it’s absolutely going to be the worst thing that could ever happen to you,” Michaels said. “From a professional standpoint, reputation standpoint, even though I wasn’t the most lovable guy back then, it was still just an absolute miserable day, [a] very uncomfortable day.” 

On the potential consequences: 

“You don’t go into something like that not understanding [the consequences],” Michaels said. “You may end up having to fight your way out of the building, or getting in a couple fights, or who knows. But one of the biggest things in the wrestling business is when you go out there with guys, you’re trusting one another with your bodies. 

“With all the differences Bret and I had, they never made their way into the ring. And so — believe it or not — that, more than anything, was the thing. Even though you’re asked to do it, being obedient to your boss, it isn’t fun. Pain, or getting in a fight, or getting beat up, that stuff heals eventually. 

“It would’ve been a lot easier, honestly, to be able to say, ‘Yeah, I knew and I did it,’ and face whatever happened,” Michaels said. “Because at least then, it’d be out in the open and whatever needed to happen would happen right there and then.” 

On the aftermath and how it affects him today: 

Quite honestly, it was the having to conceal it for all those years that was truthfully, the most uncomfortable for me, personally,” Michaels said. “And I think [that’s true] for everybody involved. 

“I enjoyed darn near every day I was at work for 25 years doing that job, and that certainly was the worst day I can recall in the entire 25 years I was in the wrestling business,” Michaels said. “I probably aged more in that one day than I did in the [rest of that] 25 years. And again, you wonder, but nothing really prepares you for how big that moment is, or actually doing it.”

October 8, 2017

William Regal Speaks Candidly About His Substance Abuse Issues in 1990's

Current WWE NXT General Manager and former WWE Intercontinental, European, and Tag Team Champion and 2008 King of the Ring William Regal recently appeared on Sean "X-Pac" Waltman's 1-2-360 Podcast.
Regal spoke candidly about his issues with substance abuse back in the 1990's which resulted in him being let go from both WWE and WCW at various points:

“I didn’t drink until I was 25. I didn’t do anything, it was just not something that I did. I left home when I was 16 and I was in nightclubs every night after work. I lived in a resort area where, within a mile walk of my house there was fifty-two nightclubs and over three hundred bars, and I was in one of them every night. I never drank, I just liked going out. Until I came to America and I sort of started doing a bit of this and a bit of that. I started taking a lot of pain pills and everything else. I coped with it for a while, and then the last few months of ’97 and ’98 were a complete mess. Then I said ‘enough.’ I just had enough of it.

July 22, 2017

Triple H Birthday - WWE Network



Triple H's birthday is coming up next week and on Friday the WWE Network will celebrate by having multiple shows featuring "The King of Kings." Starting off at 3pm ET with Triple H: Thy Kingdom Come will then be followed by three events: Triple H's first WCW PPV match, his first Intercontinental title win, and the 2016 Royal Rumble when he captured the WWE Championship.

August 21, 2016

WWE Announces 7 New Brand Only PPV’s Coming to WWE Network, Confirms Return of Old WCW Event and New Network Original Series


During tonight’s WWE SummerSlam pre-show, WWE Network aired a commercial announcing 7 new brand only PPV’s are coming to the WWE Network for a total of 19 annual WWE PPV events. Additionally, WWE confirmed the Backlash PPV for Smackdown next month as well as the old WCW event Clash of Champions for the Raw brand.

WWE also announced a new original series coming soon called “WWE Storytime”, and it appears to be an animated show featuring WWE stars telling stories from the past. The preview featured names such as the Dudley Boyz and Ric Flair.

August 11, 2016

Buff Bagwell Files Lawsuit Against WWE


WWE attorneys are certainly being kept busy of late with a number of lawsuits filed by former talent mainly concerning unsafe working conditions and concessions. However, the latest lawsuit filed by former WWE Superstar Buff Bagwell concerns missing royalty payments for matches of his that appear on the WWE Network, according to a report by PWInsider.com.

Bagwell claims when the company purchased WCW 2001, the original deal he signed with WCW transferred and put under contract with WWE. He was signed by WWE in June 2001 and released two months later in August 2001. He also claims he is owed money from a percentage of profits that were supposed to be split among talent.

Bagwell feels as his matches from WCW are being aired on the network that he is owed a portion of the $154.9 million profits which WWE made in the final quarter of 2015.

WWE has responded with the following statement:

“Bagwell never was promised royalties by either World Championship Wrestling Inc or by WWE for the use of the copyrighted works of World Championship Wrestling, Inc. We will be moving to dismiss the case if it is not voluntarily withdrawn, as it should be.”

May 24, 2016

Shane McMahon "Tell All" Podcast Recap


We're live from backstage at RAW in Baltimore as Mick Foley is joined by Shane McMahon. Foley says this is pretty big and Shane is excited. Foley was excited to get the call. He says he feels the need to tell everyone Steve Austin had a shoulder injury and he hopes to fill Austin's big shoes. Foley and Shane say they're ready to go and ready to tell all. Foley asks how it was returning after being gone for 7 years. Shane says it was humbling to return in Detroit that night. He wasn't expecting that reaction. He gets goosebumps thinking about the crowd that night. Foley says there was respect from the fans that night, a lot of respect built up. He asks what it was like growing up the son of Vince McMahon and how his friends dealt with it. Shane says his dad was gone a lot growing up and like every child who has a father that is gone, you wanted them there. Shane says he missed his dad a lot because he was on the road a lot. He grew up always wishing Vince was around more. Foley says that's almost universal among wrestling children. Shane admits his dad is iconic but it became a natural part of his life. He can't imagine what it's like for kids of major celebrities but he became used to it.

Foley asks when Vince got the most mad at Shane when he was a kid. Shane says there are several times but when he was 17, a friend came over on his Kawasaki motorcycle. Vince always told him to stay off the bike because he knew Shane was an adrenaline junkie. Shane got on the bike one day, wearing sneakers, no helmet and shorts. Shane says he was exceeding the speed limit by a lot and when he came back, his friends were there waiting. He didn't know it but his dad was there working with Pat Patterson on a WWE show. Vince came out and told Shane's friends goodbye, they got the point and quickly left. Shane says that was the angriest he saw his dad. He talks about how Vince and Pat always worked by the pool under a cabana. The joke was that people always had to come see them to do business and that person would always end up in the pool. Shane says he decided one time it needed to be his dad going in the pool. Shane hid in the bushes and pushed Vince in the pool, causing Vince to throw a tantrum in the air. Shane says Vince came flying out of the pool after him. Shane bailed in his car for the rest of the day until he called his mom to check on things. He says Vince was pissed because Shane embarrassed him. Foley says Shane has a lot of energy and can rub people the wrong way. He asks if that lead to bullying or problems with other kids. Shane says he was always anti-bullying and never had a problem with kids bullying him. He would never start a fight but could always handle himself.

April 1, 2016

Bill DeMott Talks WWE Firing And If He Left On Bad Terms, NXT’s Growth, Perception Of Vince McMahon Being ‘Hands Off’ With NXT


Former WCW and WWE star – and NXT trainer – Bill DeMott joined the IN THE ROOM podcast with Brady Hicks, The Stro (WCW’s Maestro), Kathie Fitzpatrick, and Derrick McDonald this past Tuesday, March 29, 2016 to talk about his 28-year career in wrestling. Check it out as DeMott offers his thoughts on everything from the allegations of bullying lodged against him last year to where WWE and NXT could be headed in the near future. Plus, DeMott comments on his “Laughing Man” persona, compares WCW to WWE, talks about what might have been had WCW won the “Monday Night Wars,” and speaks on WWE’s presentation of AJ Styles thus far.
Definitely a fun listen! The program is available via vocnation.com or directly at http://thebradyhicks.com/2016/03/in-the-room-with-bill-demott/

Bill DeMott Comments On The Idea Of Things “Going Sour” Between He and WWE:

The running line around that company – and I guess a lot of companies – is that “Perception is Reality.” Everybody has this perception that it was a sour thing. I didn’t leave on bad terms with the company. I didn’t leave with any negativity … I’m not the most well-liked person on the Internet. 95% of it is by people who have no idea about me and just go by what they read or what they heard from somebody else, but there’s no sour grapes and there’s no negativity … If I could sum up the whole thing, I took the high road … I was very honored to start something with Triple-H [that’s] become the brand that is NXT. There’s no negativity. There’s [just] a couple individuals that are off my Christmas card list.

DeMott Talks NXT and the Job that They’ve Done Building The Brand:

I’m not a miserable person, contrary to popular opinion. I loved my job and I’m one of the best at it. I look at them every week and there’s nothing but pride. It felt good and I’m happy for them. The running joke is to be careful what you ask for, because you’re going to get it. Now they’re running … The fear is that it becomes the next brand and the next part of WWE. I think the thing that makes NXT different is that it’s still a different approach to the business … I never had a doubt it would grow.

DeMott Comments On The Idea Of Vince McMahon Being “Hands Off” With NXT:

That’s an ever-growing conversation [regarding] how do we keep it from becoming Raw or Smackdown or ECW before they went away … I think it’s a fair assessment because people tend to look at it like because NXT is not under Vince, it can be different. Like it or not, it’s all under Vince. And the fact that he gave the reigns to Hunter and he’s running with it … that’s an ever-happening conversation. But I don’t think it has anything to do with whether it’s under Vince or not. I think that’s just peoples’ perception, [that] as long as Vince doesn’t put his hands on it, it will stay great.

Bill DeMott Comments On WWE’s Recent Signings Of Independent Wrestlers:

At the end of the day, Vince’s formula works. It’s a successful business. From my experience of being in those rooms is that, while everyone is well aware of who’s out there – look how long it took for AJ Styles – … [but] you just wait to when it fits … For me, the downside … is that they’ve been [punching] their “bump card” for the past 10 years, and now that they get to WWE or wherever they’re going, that the longevity is not going to be there. But I like to see the diversity … Batista is a big [guy], but we don’t have 14 Batistas standing by. But there’s 35 cats of every shape and size – and divas – that can do everything under the sun. I’m excited to see how that changes the product … While people get all pissed off on the Internet, look at how satisfied they are when it finally happens.

January 22, 2016

Lex Luger Talks His Relationship With Vince McMahon, Sting's WWE Run, WWE Departure Regrets


On episode 101 of The Ross Report, legendary professional wrestling broadcaster Jim Ross spoke with 'The Total Package' Lex Luger. Among other things, Luger talked about his relationship with Vince McMahon and he shared his thoughts Sting's WWE run.

During the podcast, Luger was asked about his relationship with McMahon. Luger admitted that the two had a very close relationship at one point and regrets how he handled his WWE departure. Luger said he did not handle leaving WWE to return to WCW with the honesty and integrity that he should have.

"We actually got along very well. We used to work out together. He had me over [at] the swimming pool at his house and made us tuna fish sandwiches. I think that my unannounced return to WCW, I think in the way I handled that, without giving notice and everything, which, of course, in retrospect now, I never would have done that if we had do overs in life, right Jim? I never would have handled it that way. But the way I did that, really, I felt hurt him deeply [and] personally, as much as anything. And we had a very good relationship. He really gave me great opportunities while I was there [in WWE] and I think he was truly shocked when I walked out there at Mall of America [on WCW Monday Nitro] and didn't even give him the courtesy of a phone call. No doubt about it."

Luger claimed that he and McMahon have remained cordial and McMahon would periodically check in on Luger to see how he was doing and ask whether he needed anything.

"We spoke a couple of times. We've bumped into each other at the airport and he's, of course, very polite. He shook my hand and even to show you what kind of guy he is, he checked up on me at my worst times through a mutual friend." Luger added, "so that shows you a lot about his character and what Vince McMahon is all about."

When asked for his thoughts on Sting's move to WWE, Luger stated that he would have liked his longtime friend have had a better win-loss record in WWE, but Luger remains happy for Sting.

"Sting has had such an iconic career, as they say, and he's such a great personal friend to me and he always was, no matter what, even through the worst of times. What a friend." Luger continued, "I'm so thankful for his friendship. I was very, very excited for him to go there [to WWE]. No matter if he won or lost, I thought, 'what a great way to cap off and finish just an amazing career'. Not too many guys have had a career like him and I was and still am very excited that he made the decision to get involved [with WWE] and have some matches in WWE. It was about the only thing he hadn't done."

In addition to these topics, Luger discussed his present health status, his run with The Four Horsemen, and more. Click here for the podcast.

source: The Ross Report and Wrestling Inc.

November 28, 2015

Backstage News on Ric Flair’s Upcoming ESPN 30 for 30 Special and What it Will Cover


According to F4WOnline.com, Vince McMahon reportedly signed off on allowing ESPN to use archival footage for the upcoming ESPN “30 For 30” special that Ric Flair has been filming. Flair spent four hours being interviewed earlier this month and camera crews were filming backstage at WWE Survivor Series in Atlanta.

The ESPN special will reportedly cover Flair’s entire career, his personal life, financial issues, Reid Flair’s death, the 1975 plane crash and more. There will be a focus on the 1980s when he was at the peak of his career as NWA World Heavyweight Champion with the Four Horsemen.

October 21, 2015

This Day In Wrestling History


Mayor Bosse and the Sheriff of Evansville, IN confiscate the $2,756 in ticket sales from the previous night's match on the basis that they believe the Stecher-Lewis match was "not on the square" and was in fact "rigged." Mayor Bosse then proclaims that there would be no more wrestling in Evansville. Show promoter W. F. Barton is left with just $13 after the incident and claimed to owe $400 to the wrestlers.
October 21, 1915

All Japan Pro Wrestling holds it's first ever show at Machida City Gym in Tokyo, Japan. The show is headlined by a two out of three fall tag team match, with Bruno Sammartino & Terry Funk defeating Giant Baba & Thunder Sugiyama. Funk pinned Sugiyama to win the first fall, Sugiyama pinned Funk to win the second, and Baba & Sugiyama were counted out in the final fall.
October 21, 1972

Ernie Ladd defeats Carlos Colon in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the WWC North American Heavyweight Title.
October 21, 1974

Ken Patera defeats Tony Atlas to win his second NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title in Greensboro, North Carolina.
October 21, 1978

Bret Hart, ending months of rumors and speculation, signs a 20-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation, turning down a lucrative offer from WCW. As part of the agreement, which will see Hart become a part of the WWF office following his in-ring career, Bret is allowed to go into the ring during a live edition of Raw and discuss his decision. Hart does not blast WCW (as some within WWF were hoping), but does reveal that he is staying with the WWF. One year later, Vince McMahon would be asking Bret to drop the WWF Title to Shawn Michaels at the Survivor Series and releasing him from the contract, beginning the most famous story in wrestling history, the Montreal Screwjob.
October 21, 1996

Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeats Marc Mero the WWF Intercontinental Title, his first title in WWF/E.
October 21, 1996

Chris Jericho defeated The Rock for the WCW Heavyweight title.
October 21, 2001

Triple H simulated sex with a mannequin while dressed as Kane, in the infamous Katie Vick necrophilia skit.
October 21, 2002

October 11, 2015

Alex Wright on Power Plant vs. Performance Center, Triple H, More


Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling sent this recap in.

Today get to know the man forever known as “Das Wunderkind” and join The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling’s unofficial “International Summit” with former WCW Superstar Alex Wright. You will experience the absolutely incredible story about how an injury led to Alex having an extremely frightening surgery that almost proved to be not only career threatening but also life threatening. On a lighter not however, John and Chad get to sit back and listen to Alex Wright’s story from being merely a young man in a foreign land tackling the politics of a crazy world known as World Championship Wrestling to his triumphant return home to Germany to build a wrestling legacy with a new crop of talent. Get ready to dance and get ready to feel the beat of Alex Wright.

Rumors that he helped "make" Triple H while they worked together in WCW:

"I wouldn't put it that way that I "teached" him wrestling. He was a great talent and I really enjoyed working with him. I knew he was going to make himself a big name in the world or sport of wrestling but not that he was going to be the boss. If I knew that I certainly would have kept in touch more then I did now. Actually, I met him last year and talked to him about a lot of stuff with my promotion and they invited me over to the WWE Performance Center to train their talent and also see how it is and I was very happy they invited me over."

The WCW Power Plant vs. The WWE Performance Center:

"When I was at the Power Plant it was just a factory hall where they just used to put the stuff like old rings and stuff that they would just keep that if they didn't use it they would put it in there and somewhere between all that stuff there were two or three rings. They didn't really have showers or stuff like that but you really cannot compare it to the WWE Performance Center. The Performance Center is really top notch and professional and you get treated very well and the trainers are really good. At the time in WCW they had good trainers too but it was just tougher. I had to run the ropes eight hours a day and my back was swollen and they still said well keep going. A lot of people threw up and it was so hard and in one side it makes you hard but in the other it was a little bit too hard. Sometimes you got the feeling they tried to break you."

September 19, 2014

Most-Watched WWE Network Content


WWE listed The Monday Night War, WCW Monday Nitro and NXT Takeover as most-watched WWE Network content in a new Night of Champions reminder e-mail.

September 13, 2014

EVOLVE co-founder Gabe Sapolsky Comments on WWE NXT


History does repeat itself. I remember when ECW was shunned and ignored in the early days. Then suddenly we saw WWE and WCW embracing the principles and soon the ECW wrestlers. This ignited the biggest boom in the history of US wrestling. Yesterday, we saw some things that lit the Internet on fire because they are new and we didn't expect them. The biggest was HHH posing for a selfie with Kevin Steen, Hideo Itami and Fergal Devitt and then giving huge endorsements to Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville by tweeting that he would like to wrestle them. Kalisto as well as Zayn and Neville brought new excitement to NXT Takeover that had fans tweeting their support. This doesn't even include the impact that Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose are making on the main roster. WWE has even included me on the The Shield documentary and Paul Heyman DVD. So what's my point? A few years ago, none of this would have happened because the talents from the independents weren't considered "major league." WWE has obviously changed it's thought process and we are hopefully at the dawn of a new era. Will it lead to a boom like in the 90s? I don't know, but I do know that it will lead to new stars and and some fresh wrestling (or sports entertainment in the WWE Universe). The most important thing is that these innovative, cutting edge talents capture the imagination of new, young fans. Given the stage WWE is providing, they can.

September 11, 2014

This Day In Wrestling History


WCW Nitro wins the first ever head to head meeting against WWF(E) RAW. Nitro scores a 2.5 rating while Raw scores a 2.2.
September 11, 1995

September 10, 2014

Triple H Conference Call Recap: Compares NXT to ECW, Talks Recently Signed Indy Stars, Kenta’s NXT Debut, Sean O’Haire’s Passing, Hypes Takeover 2


Triple H took part in a conference call this afternoon to promote NXT Takeover 2 tomorrow night. Here are some highlights from the call:

* Triple H said that he doesn't like to refer to NXT as "developmental" anymore because it's become its own brand. He put over the matches scheduled for Takeover 2 tomorrow night.

* He wants to bring up Kevin Steen and Prince Devitt in the biggest way possible and for them to become huge superstars.

* He compared NXT to ECW, and noted that it's a feeder system for talent to reach the next level. He said the goal is for NXT to be more like WCW than ECW.

* As for NXT talents appearing on RAW and SmackDown more often, he noted that if that were to happen, then they would be WWE talents and not NXT.

* He talked about coming up with the idea for the Performance Center and pitching it to Vince McMahon.

* He was asked if Kevin Steen, Kenta or Prince Devitt would have to change their names. He said that they might change it, but admitted that they bring name value and that they had a following. While there may be changes, he doesn't want to erase their past.

* Triple H was very happy with the performances on RAW by Adrian Neville, Sami Zayn, Tyler Breeze and Tyson Kidd. He talked about Zayn and noted how proud he was of Zayn's progression.

* He talked about Mick Foley helping him grow as a performer, and said that Mick's matches with him meant a lot of his career.

* He said that he'd like for NXT to continue to grow and go on the road.

* He finished the call by mentioning the passing of Sean O'Haire, and offered his condolences to O'Haire's family on behalf of himself and the company.

This Day In Wrestling History


Happy Birthday to Steve Keirn
September 10, 1951

Ric Flair wrestles his first ever bout in the WWF(WWE) after being fired from WCW.
September 10, 1991

Fritz von Erich died from cancer at at age 68.
September 10, 1997

Eric Bischoff fired as WCW President
September 10, 1999

September 2, 2014

This Day In Wrestling History


WCW's Clash of The Champions XX celebrates its 20th year of wrestling on TBS. The show also featured the last appearance of Andre The Giant in the USA.
September 2, 1992

Eric Bischoff awarded Triple H the new WWE Raw World title, exclusive to Raw.
September 2, 2002

July 11, 2014

Pro Wrestling Is Fake, but Its Race Problem Isn't

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Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear