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Almost a legend He's been a world champion. He's been the man. Mainevents became the norm. For lack of a better term, he was "The Franchise". But it wasn't always that way for Troy Martin aka, Shane Douglas. Extreme Championship gave him the platform he sought after for 10 years. Always the "Ric Flair of the future". Was he destined to end up the "Lex Luger of the 90's" ? For the past 15 years, Shane Douglas has wrestled under many different promotions, with just as many gimmicks. He's been the professor, and yes, infact, he was a "Dynamic Dude". But he never lost sight in what he wanted. He knew, if he gave his all in In a uncompromising sport where conflicts rage uncontrollably, that one day, the world would see him as he is- A superstar. I don't think its far fetched to say, that most fans have never heard of Shane Douglas. You might have seen him tag with Ricky Steamboat in WCW, most notably feuding with Brian Pillman and Steve Austin. And, maybe, just maybe, you've seen Shane during his unforgettable stint as "Dean" Douglas. Very few of you have seen Shane the way Shane would like to have you see him. He's been a 4 time champion of an organization just now reaping the benefits of selling its soul. He became the youngest man to win a major title, winning the WWF Intercontinental title at the age of 21. But in all respects, anyone that knows anything about Shane Douglas remembers how he shocked the entire wrestling world when, in a rather audacious move, after winning the NWA Heavyweight Title belt in 1994... (in front of a sell-out crowd no less), he threw the belt itself down on the mat stating that he, "No longer wanted to be the champion to a 'dead' promotion." And, in a way, the answers the question to why Shane Douglas has never really amounted to anything in the "Big 2". He's not a paper champion like Flair or Hogan have become. He doesn't book himself as the champ as Nash or Page have, although, from what I understand, he could if he wanted too. He's not the young upstart like "The Rock" or Goldberg. He's not a puppet. If he doesn't like the angle he's given, he'll say so. In some respects, he's no different then Hogan, Flair, Hart or Shawn Micheals. But for some reason, Eric Bischoff and Vince McMahon feel Douglas isn't all that important. Atleast, they didn't until 1 month ago. The Monday night wars are raging. Body's are falling left and right. Bischoff uses the talent, and then discards it like a pizza box. McMahon buys the broken toy, and try's to breath new life into it. McMahon just bought one of Uncle Eric's toys, Chris Jericho...Seems Jericho didn't want to play in Eric's sandbox any longer. Vince was more then happy to bring him in to play with all his other toys. But just like every Christmas, there's a new toy on the block: Shane Douglas. Its quite Ironic, after 6 years of whoring his body out to broken tables and barbwire ropes, Shane Douglas is being invited back to the sandbox's that spit him out. This by most counts, will most likely be the last chance Shane Douglas gets, to become the champion he's always wanted to be...not the champion of a dead organization. But of an organization that is living, breathing, and ready to reward him for his services. An organization that will call him "The Franchise" and mean it. An organization that will not job him to a member of the clique. Every organization has what is known as a "Franchise" player. One man who profoundly stands a cut above the rest. A passionate athlete who has accomplished something beyond his own far-reaching expectations. A person whose mere presence shapes and structures the organization itself. In many ways, WCW needs this kind of man....but will Vince shell out the dough for one last toy? Dennis Dubay AMPWrestling Mail the Author Visit AMPWrestling |
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