January 21 1991 - Sting of Defeat
At the WCW show at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Ric Flair beat Sting to win the World Heavyweight Title.
This story dominates the issue, and begins with a lengthy bit of historical context starting from Sting's win back in July 1990. On-screen this was being hailed as the dawn of a new era (and people in the back were saying Ric was holding back the company, but they won't admit it today). However, the feeling among reporters was that Sting had an impossibly tough act to follow, and had essentially been handed a poisoned chalice in the title.
It wasn't really Sting's fault, even if you take following Flair out of the equation. House shows were weakened by the sense of "if not on PPV, it doesn't matter". The competition from the WWF was too strong. The company had a bad reputation for no-shows and unsatisfying screwy finishes that it hadn't quite shaken. Hardcore fans ("heel fans", as Northeast promoters called them) were beginning to value workrate over the face/heel dynamic and reject whom they'd been told to cheer. There were pops on the night, yes, and focus groups liked him, but focus groups don't make you a draw.
Flair as a backup would have worked fine, as he guaranteed a good match even if the card sucked... if not for the fact that they seemed to be burying Flair. But in November, the plan was decided to switch back to the Nature Boy, even as an interim champion. Originally, the switch was meant to be at Starrcade, with the Black Scorpion match, but Sting wanted to go over in that angle, so it was agreed the change would happen here.
Part of the reason for Sting's failure is probably that the importance of the role of the "title" vs. the role of the "champion" had changed significantly. Back in the territory days, the World Champion didn't have to be the super top guy, because the belt was the hype. World Title matches were the hometown hero going for the big one. Nowadays, the World Title is just the top title of the promotion, and so the champion himself has to be a draw. And Sting, in 1990, was nowhere near the draw Flair ever was.
The only problem is that Flair's now the wrong side of 40. He's still in great shape and works great matches, but everyone is acutely aware that he won't be around forever. Someone will soon enough have to be groomed for the title, starting about now, but they can't be hotshot because that can overexpose them, and it's impossible to fully predict who will get over and how. In that case they'd need a backup. For Sting, Flair was meant to be that backup, but since they'd spent the past 6 months making him just a guy, that couldn't work.
Expect negativity about Sting when the Observer Yearbook for 1990 comes out, as his championship reign was a flop for various previously stated reasons. There's one more reason mentioned - that fans had come to subconsciously expect top matches from the World Champion after so many years of Flair on top, and for all the good Sting was in-ring, he was never Ric Flair. Flair got a huge face reaction for the win, but it was yet another weak heel finish, so we're going back to that era again.
Here's the yearbook if you're curious. It does feel like Sting was left out to dry in this era, though it's nice to remember that he will eventually become a genuine top guy on his own merits.
More happenings at that Meadowlands show.
Tom Zenk was billed as TV Champion and wore the belt, even though he'd already lost it to Arn Anderson, as the switch hadn't aired yet. Michael Wallstreet won his match, with Alexandra York in tow and the Inside Edition cameras on him (January 8 issue). Bobby Eaton turned face after splitting from the Freebirds (with whom he was teaming); Eaton got the only pop of the match, as the crowd didn't care about the team of faces (El Gigante, Ricky Morton, and Tommy Rich). Lawrence Taylor's appearance with Lex Luger was for the Lex Luger vs. Curtis Hughes "football match" (an over-the-top-rope challenge in gridiron gear) which sucked. Taylor was banned from even touching either man because of NFL commitments.
The "send them home happy" main event was Windham/Arn vs. Doom in a cage match, which definitely did not send the crowd home happy. The match was billed on TV as a Tag Title match, but turned out not to be, as the Horsemen won in sub-4 minutes to a big pop, but Doom were still champions. The crowd felt beyond ripped off at this. Gate for the show was 5000 paid, with the actual turnout lowered by bad weather and road conditions. The money obtained was outdrawn by the WWF show the same night, and that's even considering the $40000 worth of tickets that went unused on the WWF side (they've allowed them to be used on the next Nassau card, which is a nice bit of goodwill).
WCW really is in a downward spiral, and it's only going to get worse as 1991 rolls on.
Two recent title changes in Mexico's UWA.
Super Astro beat Yoshihiro Asai (the young Ultimo Dragon) for the UWA Middleweight Title in a match that went 31 minutes. A few days later, Villanos beat Los Brazos to take the UWA Trios Titles.
Of course, there won't be footage of Astro/Asai, but sounds like it would be great (and is the reason why I brought up this point).
Legendary boxing promoter Don King met with top EMLL names earlier this month.
Along with promoters, he saw several wrestlers including Fuerza Guerrera, Mascara Sagrada, Octagon, Pierroth Jr. and Los Brazos.
No further information given, and pretty sure nothing comes of this, but can you imagine EMLL getting international pop off this?
On a Mexico City card, there were some minis matches of note.
In particular, Gulliver beat Little Goliath in a hair vs. hair match, and a woman called Filli Estrella worked not one, but two intergender minis matches in one night (losing to both men).
I think the cultural response of the time there would have been quite interesting. They'd probably see no issue with exploiting little people as an attraction, but balk at intergender wrestling. Feels like times have changed since then.
USWA has a potentially make-or-break feud coming up.
The Fabulous Ones and their manager Jim Cornette turned on Jerry Lawler, and this looks to be the story going forward. The feeling is that if this can't draw in Memphis, then nothing can (though it isn't guaranteed that this even can).
Remember that bounty storyline with Eddie Gilbert, by the way? They explained away that it was claimed by Cornette and the Fabs, who came to him with threats of violence... and he just went away quietly. The bounty itself was placed by Terry Funk who wanted to crock both Gilbert and Lawler. It was meant to be a tag feud with Lawler and a face-turned Gilbert vs. Fabs, but Gilbert was replaced with Jeff Jarrett when it was found he was leaving anyway. When Gilbert found out about this, he made the decision to walk away early.
This promotion just seems more and more in disarray every week.
Meanwhile on the Texas side of the USWA...
Eric Embry's return got big heat in one of those brawl-around-the-arena matches. A Jarrett/Bill Dundee vs. Austin/Cal Stud match ended with their respective valets, Tessa and Jeannie, brawling in the ring. Tessa challenged Jeannie to come back without her "bleach blond steroid using studs" - there were quips in the crowd that that was rich considering how obviously bleach blonde Tessa is. The Texas branch of USWA has no actual booker, with Bill Dundee working it on an interim basis. Embry wants to do it but there's no decision yet.
This promotion really could do with some more centralisation.
Herb Abrams' UWF came to New York for the first time; results were mixed.
A TV taping took place on January 9, and drew 900 (650 paid). There were quite a few decent names there, with Greg Valentine, Paul Orndorff, and Steve Williams being among those who worked matches. Honky Tonk Man and Rick Rude were present, with Rude getting a big pop for challenging Orndorff and Dr. Death, and Honky getting basically none for setting up a feud with Valentine. They apparently have dates in the area going through to March, heading to Disney World in April.
A storm on the horizon, though, in the form of WWF lawsuits. A big part of the complaints involves UWF using what WWF considers its trademarked names and gimmicks, and using Rude and Honky who are still under contract even after bolting. This could be important if it sees the courtroom, as if Vince loses, pretty much all non-guaranteed contracts in the business might as well be written on toilet paper. But, why would they bring the litigation if they thought there was a chance of defeat?
Honky's stance on the matter is that it's nonsense. He's been working the gimmick pre-WWF (as Honky Tonk Wayne), and it's essentially an Elvis impersonator which WWF could never copyright. Abrams has claimed to have asked for proof of the copyright on the wrestlers' names, but received nothing.
(A small coda to the notes on honesty from last week - they announced on WWF TV that Honky wouldn't be appearing in his future matches.)
A planned show the day after, January 10, was cancelled because the building wasn't set up right. And that's not just an excuse - even though the show would have only drawn 3-400, Abrams wouldn't have cancelled as he'd already paid to bring everyone to town. The January 12 show managed to draw 800 and featured Cactus Jack wringing a 3-star match out of UWF homegrown jobber Sandy Beach. Overall, Abrams kept a good profile with some wrestlers, but others weren't as kind.
Oddly functional by Herb Abrams standards! Nice to see them not falling flat on their faces.
AJPW's recent shows featured a team called the Favorite Brothers.
Johnny and Frankie Favorite, they were called, and they did not put in a good performance. They beat the team of Johnny Ace (!!) and Richard Slinger before losing to the Fantastics. In the latter match, the Favorites were obviously too green for this, with the fans even laughing at them.
Not exactly fan Favorites, then? This is actually a nice historical item; Frankie Favorite is a young Glen Ruth, a.k.a. Headbanger Thrasher!
NJPW has seen a few interesting things happen.
First off, Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Luc "Rambo" Poirier ended in a no-contest as Vader attacked both men. This is to set up Vader's programs with both (Rambo continuing from CWA in Europe). Then, Kengo Kimura pinned Masahiro Chono in a tag team tournament final match, which was apparently a huge upset. Anything can happen in the NJPW. Next tour involves several foreigners, including "Ham Ham Bigelow" and "Tiger Jest Singh". It's unclear whether those are scanning errors or cheap shots at guys Dave doesn't like (see: Junkfood Dog).
Talk about the Forbidden Door, NJPW was already doing it with the European shows.
SWS has run into serious issues.
The promotion was never a darling of the fans to begin with, but seems to have gotten more unpopular. It drew a record low wrestling crowd to the Tokyo Bay NK Hall, for a card that was said to be the worst in Tokyo in years. The best match was a match involving the Rockers, who completely carried their opponents. Naoki Sano beat El Dandy in a match which should have been good, but (1) it was more shoot style than flying and (2) Dandy got hurt and they had to go home early. Fans outright mocked the show in multiple matches involving Jeff Jarrett and Koji Kitao, who both had terrible nights. Crowd hated the sports entertainment-like finish of the headline match, as SWS was meant to have a sports-like image. The show on February 22 is being treated as the last chance for the promotion to be credible.
This surely bodes well for WWF's partner show with them.
Meanwhile elsewhere in Japan...
Match of the year contenders in AJW, as Bull Nakano beat Akira Hokuto (4.75*) and Aja Kong/Kyoko Kimura beat Manami Toyota/Etsuko Mita in a match that gets the full 5 stars. Elsewhere, in FMW, Onita/Sambo Asako beat Mr. Pogo/Gladiator in a bloody fight that got 4.5*.
I'm just mentioning this because these are matches I would love to see. If anyone has recommendations for other Mike Awesome FMW stuff do send them. It's a part of his career I haven't really explored.
Amid the NATPE TV convention, Joe Pedicino is trying his hardest to get the GWF set up.
Pedicino, along with representatives of WWF, WCW. and UWF, were in attendance at the convention, trying to sell their syndicated shows. Pedicino's actually been talking to Max Andrews in an attempt to backdoor his way into a TV slot after he failed to take USWA's.
He's also been struggling to sign Steve Beverly as the lead announcer for the show. They were in talks, but nothing was concrete when Pedicino announced it. Beverly quit WCW (where he worked the hotline) after controversy over the talks, but Jim Herd insisted he stay as he was a draw for the hotline (more than Sting or Luger). For now, Scott Hudson will announce the show.
There's so much disarray goes into every wrestling promotion, it's a wonder any are successful at all.
The North Carolina local news covered Tully Blanchard's turn to religion.
One question was how he felt about the Brother Love character (basically a scam televangelist). His actual reply: "Of course I'm offended and I'm against it, but you have to understand, it's not the character, it's the person who owns the organization and has segments like that on TV. That person is just an employee of the devil!"
Fuck, Tully, tell us how you really feel about Vince...
WWF's main storyline could be derailed by the soon-to-be very real war in the Middle East.
Of course, that is the storyline with Sgt. Slaughter as an Iraqi sympathiser. The USO denied a request to send Hulk Hogan to Saudi Arabia to rah-rah for America. Most concerned is the Iraqi Embassy itself, that believes fan violence could break out when the war gets hot, and wants Slaughter to stop invoking Saddam's name for heat.
This sort of response almost makes the "terrorist threat" excuse for the venue change believable. Almost.
Ricky Steamboat has signed with WWF.
He's on a two-year contract and expected to start soon.
Hopefully they don't do something silly like turn him into a literal dragon.
In other WWF news, the latest tapings took place.
Brutus Beefcake did his masked man run-in gimmick, but the segments sucked and apparently won't air. The justification for the mask is that Beefcake won't be allowed to wrestle unmasked because there's a steel plate in his face (in reality, he needs the protection or else his face will collapse with one blow). Most wrestlers don't want to work with him in this state for fear of injuring him.
Receiving tryouts at these tapings were John Nord (Berzerker), Chris Chavis (Tatanka, working a similar gimmick as "War Eagle"), and Konnan. Konnan is said to be a target as they need a Latino star to sell in LA (as, remember, WM7 still has 70,000 empty seats).
Also: in another of those cheap shots, Dave refers to "Tugbloat" working a negative star match.
Any excuse not to work with Ed Leslie. to be honest.
Dave then tells us about an interesting "coincidence".
WWF changed their bookings to book a show at Arizona State University, the night before WCW's WrestleWar '91 held nearby. A stacked card too, headlined by Savage/Warrior in a cage match.
Unnecessary counter-programming: it's nothing new.
Update on Chuck Austin, the jobber injured in that Rockers match.
He's had a broken back and may not walk for at least a year.
But there's no way he'll sue, right? Right?
Dusty Rhodes' plans for WCW are becoming increasingly clear.
They're announcing at all shows that Rhodes has retired, and he's joining the commentary desk on World Wide Wrestling, so that's seen as a sign that an unretirement is happening some time.
Sid Vicious is being set up as the next top face, being sold as a babyface monster with his matches ending in ambulance jobs. In the meantime, the World Title program after the Clash is Flair vs... well... El Gigante. Multiple angles have also been shot with Ron Simmons teasing breaking off from Doom.
Flair vs. El Gigante? That's one opponent that even Flair could never carry.
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Highlights of the letters pages are: someone offering wrestling tapes for photos of Drew Barrymore; an analysis of how EMLL seems to book in 3-month cycles; and someone complaining about WCW ringside tickets being $25. So much has changed...
NEXT ISSUE: Royal Rumble in the books, controversy over the Slaughter character, big change of plans for WCW
