DING, DONG, THE BISCH IS DEAD!
(This column is based on the assumption that Eric Bischoff's
dismissal as WCW President was factual. If it's all a work, let's
pretend this column never happened.)
It's now been about since the "reassignment" of former WCW head
honcho Eric Bischoff and perhaps it's time to examine the company
as
a whole and send what you could call an open message to Bill Busch
and whomever ends up wielding the mighty pencil.
Heel Sting. This is something I've been privately calling for since
the break-up of the Wolfpac months ago and I'm mostly happy at this
point in time. First, you have the "shock value," since it's been
more than a decade since Mr. Borden has been a heel. Second,
sometimes a heel turn can rejuvenate a person's career (see Hogan,
Hollywood) and you could argue Sting has been stale ever since he
finally talked in the Crow make-up and/or lost the title after the
year-long quest of beating Hogan at Starrcade 97. I understand that
Mr. Borden had some qualms about reconciling his newfound
Christianity with being a heel, but if Chris Jericho and Eddy
Guerrero can do it, so can Sting.
The return of Ric Flair. Yes, it was great to see the Man back on
TV
(especially in the first hour, so I wouldn't have to miss RAW to do
so), but getting punked out by Sting and Luger is not how I wanted
the return to go. In a perfect world (aka if I was a booker man),
Flair would have reformed the Four Horseman, become their
spokesmen,
wrestling only on occasion and Sting would become the in-ring
leader
as world champion. But that's just one man's wish.
The Revolution. This is not 18th century France and Shane Douglas
is
no Napoleon (he's not even Robespierre). First, Dr. Douglas (oh
wait,
Shane still hasn't gone to medical school yet, so we can't call him
that) should never, ever, be a face - he's just too unlikable. And
WCW policy has severely curtained to get over the best way he can -
by cursing. Turn him heel, so everyone can do what they want to and
boo Douglas like there's no tomorrow.
Goldberg - He's now the number one face and he has his old music
back. No problems there.
The luchadors as a whole - If WCW is looking to cut budget, do
everyone a favor and let all but Rey Rey go. This will allow them
to
go back to Mexico where they may make less money, but will at least
be appreciate and won't have to worry about being powerbombed by
Sid
Vicious. This is especially true for Psicosis, who may just escape
before having to lose his mask for no good reason on Nitro.
The announce teams. Again, take the opportunity to make some
changes.
Replace Schiavone either Mike Tenay or Scott Hudson. They at least
know the names of moves.
Anyone over 45 - Less is more. And if any of them would actually be
willing to put over some of the younger talent, give them some kind
of reward.
As always, just one man's opinion. WCW is certainly at a
crossroads.
As long as they give absolutely no power to that "son of a
plumber,"
things could be on their way up. But, if we see Sting lose in the
next two weeks to the Artist Formerly Known as Goldust, then Uncle
Ted and Aunt Jane should get used to losing the Monday Night Wars
into the next millennium.
Mark Coale
O-Goshi Studios - Popular Culture Journalism for the Next Millennium
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