The Year was 1995.

The Year was 1995. Some people say it was the worst year in US wrestling. The wrestlers were good, but the wrestling was not. Imagine you can handpick your favorites. Put them in whatever scenario you want. No injuries. No politics. No bullshit. Great pro wrestlers telling...dare I say, great pro wrestling stories. The best of the best...from one guy's perspective. What would be different? What could be different? What will be different? (Hint: The answer is almost everything.)




The Year is 1995.

King Kong Bundy becomes THE ONE in 3-1.

Looking forward to this. I barely remember being alive in '95 (I think I was 6?) but I'm game for it regardless.

Personal request: More Double J-e-double-f J-a-double-r-e-double-t and WAYYYY less Mabel, please!

The Year was 1995...
Professional Wrestling on Superstation WGN
Episode 1

[A flashy video package indicative of everything cool about the 90s plays. We see such athletes as Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Bret Hart, Sting, and more. We focus on Howard Finkel in the center of the ring. He is standing behind a table that has been put up.]

Fink: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, Commissioner Nick Bockwinkel!

[Bockwinkel walks down to the ring with a velvet bag in his hand. He carefully sets it on the table. He shakes Howard’s hand before grabbing a second microphone off the table.]

Bockwinkel: Thank you, Howard. The Championship Committee has taxed me with a very daunting task. They have asked me to create an innovative process to crown a World Heavyweight Champion. I have accepted the challenge, and I would like to bring four men before you right now. Please welcome ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, ‘The Enforcer’ Arn Anderson, and Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart.

[The four aforementioned men walk on stage. Flair and Anderson are in suits while Savage and Hart where Levi’s and leather jackets over black t-shirts.]

Bockwinkel: I believe the four of you are the most talented professional wrestlers on my roster. For that reason, the four of you will be competing in the quarter finals of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament at Rising Action. However, I am taxing you with a challenge as well. I believe that true talent has an eye for talent, and iron sharpens iron. I am giving each of you the potential opportunity of your career. I invite you to scout and recruit your own opponent for the first round. You may challenge any member of the active roster.

[Savage takes the microphone from Bockwinkel.]

Savage: Now I can’t speak for the other three men standing here, but I can only compete for myself. I’m not going to HAND anybody anything. Whoever faces me in the first round of the World Heavyweight Championship is going to EARN it. When you told me I was going to choose my own opponent, I called the match making committee and asked them to have a battle royal tonight where the WINNER will have the honor, the PRIVILEGE, and quite possibly the DEATH SENTENCE of facing me.

Bockwinkel: Randy, I respect your process, and I look forward to that match tonight. However, there is no rule that says you have to make your decision right now. The quarter finals will take place at Rising Action. The semi finals and finals will take place at a later date. You have until then to decide. You have four weeks until Rising Action, and if you want to wait until the eleventh hour, that’s your right. Some of you may choose a promising up and comer. Some of you may choose an old rival. Some of you may choose that fat bum who does preliminary matches because his father-in-law got him the job. That is up to you, but remember; there can only be one World Heavyweight Champion, so may the best man win.

[Hart mutters “That’s gonna be me” and gets on the second rope when Anderson pulls him down. Flair is about to assist Arn when Savage grabs him.]

Bockwinkel: Gentlemen! Ho, that’s not what we’re going to do tonight. But it gives me an idea. You want to get your hands on each other. I may have to shorten your deadline. On the final television before Rising Action, it will be a blockbuster eight man tag featuring all of the participants of the tournament in teams drafted by Captains Savage and Flair. You have until before that match to choose your partner. Best of luck. If any of you put your hands on a fellow competitor before the tournament outside the confines of a sanctioned match between now and then, you’re out of the tournament. So let’s behave boys.

[Bockwinkel exits the ring as the camera cuts to Tony Schiavone and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.]

Tony: What a start to this broadcast, Brain!

Brain: Yeah! This is great. Flair and Arn beat two local ham and eggers, they could face each other, and then Flair’s basically guaranteed to be World Heavyweight Champion again!

Tony: You don’t know that.

Brain: Well, that’s what I’d do!

Tony: I don’t want to think about what you’d do. Anyways, let’s send it back to the ring where ‘Lord’ Steven Regal is about to take on a newcomer by the name of ‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho.

Brain: I heard a lot about this kid, Monkey Brain.

Tony: Lionheart.

Brain: Oh. What did I say?

Singles Match
‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho versus ‘Lord’ Steven Regal
The match starts with some chain wrestling. Lionheart shows some promise, but Regal gets frustrated and takes a shortcut to get an advantage. He locks Jericho in a stretch hold, and he tries to get to the ropes, but Regal smashes his fingers with his fist. He pulls the hair, and the official catches it. He calls for the break, and he gets it on 4. Lionheart fights back with a lot of energy now being on the offensive for the first real time in the match. He hits a sunset flip, and the official counts 2. Regal has a shocked look on his face as he rage attacks Jericho before locking in the Regal Stretch. The official asks Jericho if he wants to continue, but it’s over.
Winner, by submission, ‘Lord’ Steven Regal

[Regal gets his hand raised, but he rips it away from the official as he walks back up the ramp with his nose up. Jericho gets to his feet to an ovation from the crowd. He bows his head before walking slowly up the ramp.]

Tony: A very impressive debut from Lionheart.

Brain: Oh sure, but he was no match for his Lordship.

Tony: Regal got the submission victory, and when it comes to submissions, he is one of the best.

Brain: Almost nobody better.

Tony: You may be right. All right, let’s send it to Gene.

[The camera cuts to the stage area where ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund is standing by with JJ Dillon.]

Gene: JJ Dillon, you asked for this time, what can I do for you?

Dillon: It’s true, Gene, I did ask for this time because there are a few men I need to talk to. Ric, Arn, come on out here.

Gene: Ric and Arn? What’s the idea here?

[The crowd sort of pops as Ric Flair and Arn Anderson make their way back on to the stage.]

Dillon: Gentlemen, I’ve asked for your time, and I understand that it’s valuable. So I’m going to keep this quick. The Four Horsemen, in my mind, are the greatest group of professional wrestlers to ever lace up the boots. I’m out here to propose a new generation of Horsemen. Ric and Arn at the helm guiding the future of professional wrestling.

Anderson: Now JJ, you know we love you, and we’d do anything for you, but not just anybody can be a Horseman.

Dillon: I know. I know that. That’s why I’ve recruited a man I believe can be a Horseman. Please welcome, ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin.

[‘Stunning’ Steve Austin walks through the curtain. He offers a hand to Ric and Arn, but neither of them accept it. They stare him down.]

Austin: Gentlemen, with all due respect, you can stare me down all day, but the reality of the matter is, I’m as good as any Horsemen has ever been. I’m as good as Barry. I’m as good as Sid. I’m as good as Tully.

Anderson: Hey! Watch your mouth.

Austin: Tell ya what. I’ll watch my mouth. You watch me in that battle royal tonight. Then, watch me beat Randy Savage, and who knows? Maybe one of you will be watching the lights in the ring against me for the World Heavyweight Championship.

[Flair goes ballistic at this line and throws down his jacket.]

Flair: You?! YOU?! Are you kidding me?! You’re gonna make me- YOU?!

[Anderson holds Flair back as Austin smiles smugly.]

Anderson: You better get this kid’s ego under control, JJ.

Dillon: I’ve managed egos before, and I can do it again. He’s a Horsemen, Arn.

Anderson: We’re not making a decision tonight, JJ.

Austin: You’ll make a decision when I win that battle royal.

Flair: YOU! YOU?!

Gene: All right! All right! Let’s get this under control. Back to you, Tony and Bobby.

[The cameras cut back to Tony and Bobby.]

Brain: I like that kid, Austin, but you can’t talk to Ric Flair like that.

Tony: You like him, but is a Horseman?

Brain: I don’t know. You can’t just...The Horsemen are a unit. It’s about sticking together. It’s about dominating. If he can’t get on the same page as them, he can’t be a Horseman.

Tony: Well, two men we know are on the same page are Rick and Scott Steiner.

Brain: They have to be on the same page. They can’t read more than one page, and that’s between the two of them.

Tony: Either way, they’re going to go head to head in our upcoming tag team contest against Ted DiBiase and ‘Money’ Mike Rotunda, The Money, Inc.

Brain: I like them. We have a lot in common. I can think of about a million things.

Tony: I bet you can.

Tag Team Match
The Steiner Brothers [Rick and Scott] versus Money Inc. [Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda]
The official calls for the bell, and Rick Steiner starts out with Mike Rotunda. The commentators mention how they both used to be in the Varsity Club with incredible amateur pedigrees. They show that off with some great technical action. Steiners use some great tag team strategy until DiBiase takes a shortcut. They utilize some quick tags on Rick, and he desperately needs to get to his brother. He escapes Ted’s grip when Rotunda jumps in the ring causing the official to push him back and miss the legal tag. DiBiase throws Rick into Scott and rolls him up with a handful of tights.
Winners, by pinfall, Money Inc. [Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda]

[DiBiase and Rotunda hug before looking at the hard cam and making the belts signal around their waists. Scott Steiner pulls himself into the ring and realizes what happened. He looks at Rick a bit annoyed, but he checks on his brother. The two walk back up the ramp to a big pop.]

Tony: Tough break for The Steiner Brothers.

Brain: Great tag team strategy from DiBiase and Rotunda. Rick just couldn’t keep up.

Tony: Couldn’t keep up? He was getting double teamed half the match! If Scott got in the ring legally, it would’ve been over.

Brain: Well, he didn’t.

Tony: No. He didn’t. Let’s send it to Gene before the battle royal.

[We cut to Gene.]

Gene: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, my guest at this time, STING!

[The crowd cheers as Sting walks on stage. He shakes hands with Gene.]

Gene: Stinger, you asked for this time. What’s on your mind?

Sting: Well, Gene, you saw the beginning of the show. Nick Bockwinkel brought out who he believed were the top four professional wrestlers in the company. I hope that means I’m number five. What do you think, Gene? Do you think I’m number five?

Gene: You’re two or three in my book!

Sting: You hear that, Nick? Two or three in Gene’s book. He should’ve asked you. Either way, he didn’t ask you. Maybe I’m number five, but it’s an eight man tournament. There’s still gotta be a spot for the old Stinger in there somewhere, right? Randy? Ric? Arn? Bret? Surely, one of these guys is going to pick me for their opponent in the tournament. I mean Randy...Randy, a guy I consider my friend, he didn’t pick me. He wanted to have a battle royal. Maybe what I have to do is win the battle royal. Maybe that’s what I have to do. What do you guys think? Do I just need to win this darn battle royal?!

[The crowd cheers.]

Sting: All right. I guess that’s what I’ll do.

Over the Top Rope Battle Royal
Winner faces ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage at Rising Action
Booker T versus Disco Inferno versus Dustin Rhodes versus Lance Storm versus Lightning Kid versus Owen Hart versus Scott Norton versus Steve Austin versus Stevie Ray versus Sting versus Tatanka
The match starts with Harlem Heat dominating the competition. They throw out Inferno, Storm, and Kid. The crowd is in awe when Norton clotheslines Booker T and Stevie Ray out of the ring! Tatanka and Hart try to double team the big one, but they don’t seem to be a match. Norton hurls Tatanka out of the match. He throws Owen over as well, but the younger Hart brother lands on the apron. He’s about to come back in when Steve Austin knocks Owen to the floor. Dustin Rhodes and Sting now begin to double team Norton. They hit him with a series of strikes before Sting deadlifts him into the air and Dustin knocks him over the rest of the way. Scott Norton is eliminated! Sting, Austin, Funk, and Rhodes each take a corner as the final four. Only one of them will go on to face Savage. They are all watching the other three waiting for someone to make a move. Austin comes out of the corner jawjacking, and they all look at him. Sting lunges at him and sends him into the ropes, but not over. He shakes his head in frustration before backing up to do it again. However, the momentum causes Steve Austin AND Sting to be eliminated. Austin tries to slide back into the ring, but Sting pulls him back out, and they fight up the ramp. Dustin watches a bit in awe when Funk attack him from behind. The veteran beats the tar out of the youngster, and things are not looking good for Dustin. Funk keeps trying to get him up and over, but he won’t budge. Funk finally gets him onto the apron, but we see a fire in Dustin we’ve not seen yet when he throws a flurry of punches. He suplexes Funk over the top rope and out of the ring!
Winner, Dustin Rhodes

[‘The Natural’ is getting his hand raised as Dusty Rhodes walks on stage clapping with a tear in his eye.]

Tony: The son of a son of a plumber did it! He’s the fifth participant in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament!

Brain: The kid is going to get killed! I can’t wait!

©1995; In Conjunction with Mind’s Eye Entertainment

The Year was 1995...
Professional Wrestling on Superstation WGN
Episode 2

[A flashy video package indicative of everything cool about the 90s plays. We see such athletes as Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Bret Hart, Sting, and more. We focus on ’Mean’ Gene Okerlund standing on the ramp.]

Gene: Please welcome, my guests at this time, ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair and ‘The Enforcer’ Arn Anderson.

[The crowd pops as Ric and Arn come down the stage.]

Flair: LADIES! Tune in tonight. The Nature Boy has a major announcement to make! I’m going to announce who I will face in the first round of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament...tonight.

Gene: Well, who’s it going to be?

Flair: Don’t turn that dial! Gene, I promise. I’m going to make the announcement before we fade to black tonight. In the mean time, just look at this Rolex. Look at this armani suit. Look. at. The Nature. Boy!

[JJ Dillon tries to block Steve Austin as he makes his way down the ramp. Austin barges in as Dillon looks distressed.]

Austin: Last week, Sting got lucky. One on one, I’d have that kid crying the paint off his face I’d hurt him so bad. So I’m not facing Randy Savage. Fine! Fine! Last time I checked, Ric Flair hasn’t announced who he’s facing yet. I know you want to make me sweat, but why don’t you just cut to to the chase and give me the match. I’ve never been beaten in singles competition. I deserve to be in this tournament. I am an athlete equivalent to the ability of The Horsemen.

[Arn finally gets in his face.]

Anderson: Being a HORSEMEN is about more than being an athlete. It’s about more than the fast cars and women. It’s about being part of a team, and when I look at you, I don’t see a team player.

Austin: Look closer.

Anderson: You want to prove yourself? I want to give you the opportunity.

Austin: That’s all I’m asking for.

Anderson: I’m going to go talk to Nick Bockwinkel.

[Anderson walks up the ramp. Austin has a smug look on his face. JJ looks surprised, and Flair looks confused.]

Tony: What did Arn Anderson mean by that, Brain?

Brain: You know? I don’t know. Austin lost last week. He was eliminated by Sting, but he’s right. A battle royal isn’t really a great chance to prove yourself. I just don’t know. Is he a Horseman? He could be. But is he? I just...I just don’t know.

Tony: Well, you may have some time to think about it as ‘Lord’ Steven Regal competes against Owen Hart.

Singles Match
‘Lord’ Steven Regal versus Owen Hart
The bell rings, and the two begin to chain wrestle to start the match. Owen hits a sunset flip out of nowhere to get a nearfall, and it changes the tone of the match. They start to chain again, and Regal gets a handful of hair to take Owen down. The official catches it, and Regal begins to argue with him while choking Owen with his shin. The official finally catches him, and he breaks it on four. Regal uses the struggling Owen to his advantage with a half and half suplex, but Hart kicks out! Regal gets frustrated and elbows him several times before locking in the Regal Stretch. The official calls for the bell.
Winner, by submission, ‘Lord’ Steven Regal

[Regal makes his way to Gene’s area.]

Gene: Mr. Regal, that’s two weeks of wins in a row for you!

Regal: First of all, it’s Lord Regal. Second of all, when you’re the best professional wrestler in the world. The best technical wrestler in the world. It’s hard not to be undefeated. I’d like to see someone try to beat me.

[Gene is about to ask another question when Regal storms up the stage. Gene is about to transition back to Tony when Paul E. Dangerously walks into the shot.]

Gene: What are you doing here?

Paul E.: What am I doing here? I work here! You wouldn’t know that because my job description says ‘manager’, ‘advocate’, or ‘agent’, but old Nick Bockwinkel won’t sign the contract of my client. Why do you think that is, Gene? I’ll tell you why. He won’t sign it because he’s been ducking me. He’s been ducking me because he knows I was the other finalist for the commissioner job, and he doesn’t want to have to address the fact that they should’ve given the position to a young, creative, evil genius who could’ve taken this program into the new millennium, and instead, they decided to give it to an old wrestler. But that’s fine because he won’t be able to duck me forever. Sooner or later, he will have to acknowledge me. He will have to acknowledge my client, and when he does, there will be no stopping us. Nick, I’m going to run this program, or I’m going to run this program into the ground. The ball is in your court, Nick.

[Dangerously walks up the ramp as Gene looks confused.]

Tony: Well, thanks Gene. I wonder what that was all about.

Brain: He explained the whole thing. Weren’t you listening?

Tony: Well sure, but he left out some very important details. Who do you think his client is?

Brain: I don’t know. He didn’t say.

Tony: All right. Well, let’s send it to ringside as Sting is about to go head to head with the Lightning Kid.

Brain: Hopefully, he’s in a better mood this week!

Tony: He feels slighted and rightfully so. He thought he should’ve been one of the top four.

Brain: No not Sting! I’m talking about the kid. He was real cranky last week. It was Disco’s mother’s week to bring the juice boxes, and she forgot.

Singles Match
Lightning Kid versus Sting
The match starts with a handshake. Kid shows off what he can do with his martial arts kicks. Sting is quickly frustrated by his quickness. When Sting catches him, things are not good. He shows a ruthlessness we are not accustomed to seeing from him. He stays tight on Lightning, and he applies the Scorpion Deathlock.
Winner, by submission, Sting

[Sting is getting his hand raised when Ric Flair walks down the ramp with a microphone.]

Flair: Gene? Where’s Gene?! I don’t need him. WHOOOOOOOOOO! That was beautiful! The champagne is already flowing because my opponent is an incredible athlete, and I can’t wait any longer. I can’t wait any longer because he’s already in the ring!

Brain: No! Not Sting!

Tony: Flair and Sting would be a classic!

Flair: At Rising Action, in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, it’s going to be me against Lightning Kid!

Brain: I love it!

[Sting shoves the referee and attacks Lighting Kid in frustration. Flair laughs as he does it, and he eventually comes to his senses kicking the bottom rope before rolling out of the ring.]

Tony: Sting losing his cool there, not a side of him we’re used to seeing.

Brain: Somebody bring him a juice box!

Tony: Seriously. Let’s send it to Gene.

[‘Mean’ Gene is standing by as girls come down the ramp with carts with champagne and appetizers.]

Gene: Ladies! Hello! You’re not Mike Rotunda and Ted DiBiase. Not that I’m complaining.

[Another woman comes down with a velvet bag draped over each shoulder. Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda make their way down after her.]

DiBiase: Gene, do you like caviar and beautiful women?

Gene: I sure do.

DiBiase: Well, you better not touch any of it, baldy. We have a very special presentation to make here.

Rotunda: That’s right. Last week, we got a victory over The Steiner Brothers, which means we’re the best tag team in the company.

DiBiase: So I called up a jeweler friend of mine and had him make us something to commemorate being the only tag team in this company with a win. Until this company gets the sense to make us World Tag Team Champions, say hello to the Million Dollar Tag Team Championships!

[DiBiase and Rotunda pull the belts out of the bags. They are HORRIFIED when the belts have been tagged with spray paint. “Sucka” “HH” and flames adorn the belts. The Harlem Heat comes through the curtain and jump DiBiase and Rotunda. The girls are screaming as the caviar gets knocked over. Booker T gets a champagne bottle busted over his head, but Stevie Ray throws Rotunda into him and then launches the silver cart in their direction before going to check on his brother. Money Inc. retreats as Booker shakes his head before getting back to his feet. Stevie Ray calls for Mean Gene to give him the microphone.]

Ray: I don’t care who you are. We don’t care how much MONEY you have. Me and my brother will fight ANYBODY, and as far as I’m concerned, we’re the Harlem Tag Team Champions.

[The brothers pick up the graffitied belts and wear them with pride as they walk up the ramp.]

Tony: Wow! Booker T and Stevie Ray sending a message.

Brain: Somebody needs to send a message to the police after those two brutalized DiBiase and Rotunda.

Tony: I think they were showing that DiBiase and Rotunda can’t buy this division!

Brain: Everybody’s got a price.

Tony: That remains to be seen. Well, up next we’ve got a singles match between two men who failed to win the battle royal last week, Terry Funk and Tatanka.

Singles Match
Terry Funk versus Tatanka
The match starts with a flurry of offense from Tatanka. He hits a big slam, and he does a traditional dance. Funk attacks him during this. He chokes Tatanka on the ropes which gets the attention of the official. Funk has no regard for the rules as he delivers a hellacious beating. He signals for a piledriver, but the official reminds him it’s illegal. He stops and hits a DDT instead.
Winner, by pinfall, Terry Funk

[He rips his arm away from the official as his hand is being raised, and he grabs Tatanka. He hits him with a piledriver. The official starts ringing the bell, but Funk throws him out of the ring. He grabs Tatanka and hits him with a second piledriver. Security finally come down to escort Funk out.]

Tony: Terry Funk is out of control!

Brain: He just needs a little...direction.

Tony: Who could direct a maniac like that?

Brain: Well, I could...I just don’t want to.

Tony: I’m sure you don’t. Well, let’s send it to Gene for a very special interview.

[It cuts to Gene.]

Gene: Thanks, Tony. Last week, we found out who will face this man in the first round. Please welcome, ‘The Macho Man’ Randy Savage!

[The crowd pops as Pomp and Circumstance plays, and ’Macho Man’ Randy Savage makes his way onto the stage. He shakes hands with Gene while engaging the crowd.]

Gene: Randy, you’re just a few weeks away from going head to head with ‘The Natural’, what are your thoughts?

Savage: My thoughts...My thoughts are racin’! They’re racin’ like a hamster in a wheel...Ooh yeah. My phone has been ringing off the hook for the last week. Everybody has an opinion about what I did and how I did it. Some people say the kid isn’t ready. Some people say the kid isn’t good enough. Some people say I should’ve just picked Sting. I haven’t signed the contract yet, and I don’t know what to do-

[The crowd pops when Dusty Rhodes comes walking into the shot.]

Dusty: Are you kiddin me?! Let me tell ya somethin’, baby. The Natural. The Son of a Son of a Plumber is one of the most naturally gifted athletes in the sport today. He WILL be World Heavyweight Champion some day, and that day might be sooner than we think. Macho Man, you know talent. I know talent. The kid has it. You better sign that contract or you’re going to go back and say you didn’t get a chance to dance with the man who would go on to become the greatest.

Savage: First of all….I’m not going to do ANYTHING because somebody’s daddy came out here and told me to. Second of all, the greatest is in the ring every time I step in it, uh huh!

Dusty: Is that right, baby?

Savage: You know it is! So some people say the kid got lucky. He hasn’t had to prove himself! I need him to prove himself! Actions speak louder than words. Ohhh yeah!

Dusty: How about I knock that stupid colored cowboy hat off your head? Would that be a good action? How loud would that action speak, baby?

Savage: Try it. I dare you.

[Gene tries to get between them as Nick Bockwinkel walks on stage.]

Bockwinkel: Gentlemen. Gentlemen, please. I believe I had a solution. Randy, you want to see this young wrestler prove himself. You’re not the only one asking for that. So next week, I think we will see the TEAM of Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage and Dustin Rhodes against the team of Arn Anderson and ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin. Maybe by the end of the night, you’ll know if he’s ready.

Dusty: He’s ready. You already know, Nick, or you wouldn’t have hired him.

Savage: I’ll give him a shot. If he can watch my back against Anderson and Austin, well, I think he’d make a fine opponent.

©1995; In Conjunction with Mind’s Eye Entertainment

The Year was 1995...
Professional Wrestling on Superstation WGN
Episode 3

[A flashy video package indicative of everything cool about the 90s plays. We see such athletes as Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Bret Hart, Sting, and more. We focus on ’Mean’ Gene Okerlund standing on the ramp.]

Gene: Please welcome, my guest at this time, in just over two weeks, he will be in the quarter finals of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart!

[The crowd cheers as Bret Hart makes his way down the ramp in jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. He shakes hands with Gene.]

Bret: Thanks Gene.

Gene: Bret, do you have any thought as to who you’re going to choose for your opponent at Rising Action?

Bret: Well, yeah, Gene. I’ve got a lot of thoughts about it. Do I give a shot to a hardworking up and comer like my brother, Owen? He’s one of the best out there right now in my opinion. Do I give it to a guy like Sting? I think a lot of people would like to see that. A battle between the Scorpion Deathlock and the Sharpshooter. Answer that question; Which really is the better hold? The fact of the matter is, I’m the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever-

[Bret is interrupted when ’Lord’ Steven Regal’s music plays, and he walks on stage in his gear.]

Regal: No you’re not.

Bret: I beg your pardon?

Regal: You’re not the best at anything in this company. What do you even do here? This is the third episode of the television. You stood in a ring two weeks ago while other people talked, and that’s about it. I’ve won two matches including submitting your little brother last week. I don’t even have a match tonight, but I’m still dressed to compete should the opportunity arise. I’m undefeated, and they weren’t easy wins. The fact that you’re in this tournament, and I’m not when you haven’t even wrestled a match here is bloody ridiculous.

Bret: Are ya done?

Regal: I just want to add that The Regal Stretch is a far superior submission to the Sharpshooter.

Bret: Well, I think you’re going to get to prove that theory to the test. Nick Bockwinkel, I hope you’re watching. In the first round of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, I choose to face ‘Lord’ Steven Regal. Draw up the contract.

Tony: Wow! Bret Hart versus Steven Regal!

Brain: ‘LORD’ Steven Regal, Schiavone.

Tony: Either way, two of the top notch technical wrestlers in this company.

Brain: I didn’t expect Hart to accept the challenge, but Regal’s reasoning was too hard to argue.

Tony: Well, Regal brought up some good points. He is undefeated. He’s very talented, and that Regal Stretch is dangerous. Speaking of dangerous, tempers will be high in our next match as Stevie Ray takes on Ted DiBiase.

Singles Match
Stevie Ray [w/Booker T] versus Ted DiBiase [w/Mike Rotunda]
The match starts with a lot of offense from Stevie Ray. He shows his superior strength, and DiBiase tries to take a hike. He goes to talk to Rotunda on the floor, and the official begins a count out. He comes back in on nine and tries to keep his distance from the big man. He takes a cheap shot when Stevie says something to Booker and begins to work the big man over. He chokes him on the rope when the official calls for the break. DiBiase is arguing with the official when Rotunda begins to choke him on the rope. Booker T comes running around the ring to check on his brother when the official tells them both to get lost. While the official is ejecting them, DiBiase levels Stevie with a Haliburton briefcase before making the pin with a handful of tights.
Winner, by pinfall, Ted DiBiase

Brain: Did you see how Booker T tried to attack Mike Rotunda for no reason?

Tony: No...Actually, I didn’t see it like that at all.

Brain: You must not have been paying attention.

Tony: I suppose you didn’t see DiBiase level Stevie Ray with the Halliburton briefcase?

Brian: What?

Tony: Exactly. Let’s send it to Gene.

[We cut to Gene who is standing by with Paul E. Dangerously.]

Paul E.: You don’t have to introduce me, Gene. These people know who I am. So I talked to old man Bockwinkel again, and he finally gave me an option. He said he will sign my client to a contract IF I can find someone who’s willing to get in the ring with him. So I have a contract for a man who should be in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, but there are rumors in the back about who it is. There are some who claim to know the man who is under my management. They’ve heard about his ability and his reputation, and they’re scared. That’s why there isn’t anyone in that lockerroom who-

[Paul E. Dangerously is interrupted by ’Lionheart’ Chris Jericho.]

Jericho: Are you done, jack ass?

Paul E.: No. I’m not.

Jericho: Well, let me know when you are. I want to sign that contract.

Paul E.: You? You want to sign the contract? Are you kidding me?

Jericho: What other opportunity do I get to compete in a singles match at Rising Action? I’m not going to get notice sitting in the locker room or entering battle royals. I want in.

Paul E.: Go ahead. Sign your death wish.

[Jericho takes the contract from Heyman and signs it before walking away.]

Gene: It’s official! ‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho will challenge Paul E. Dangerously’s mystery client at Rising Action!

[Someone is heard yelling “Hey”. Unfortunately, it’s Disco Inferno.]

Disco: Gene, hey! Don’t go. Don’t you think if I win the match I should get his place in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament?

Gene: I don’t make the matches. Talk to Nick Bockwinkel. Talk to Ric Flair. Try winning the match!

Singles Match
Disco Inferno versus Lightning Kid
Disco is arguing with the official for starting the match when he gets hit with a spin kick to the back of the head. Kid then hits him with a flurry of kicks. He jumps up top and hits a senton of the top hooking the leg to seal the deal.
Winner, by pinfall, Lightning Kid

Tony: A lightning quick win for The Lightning Kid!

Brain: Yeah, but he can’t do that to Flair.

Tony: Still, what an incredible win!

Brain: Sure, but he can’t do that to Flair.

Tony: Let’s send it to Mean Gene.

Brain: He’s not gonna do that to Flair, you know.

[The cameras cut to Mean Gene when Sensational Sherri walks into the shot.]

Gene: Whoa! To what do we owe this surprise?

Sherri: Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen men like JJ Dillon and Paul E. Dangerously hunting down men to manage. I’m not going to hunt anyone down. Being managed by me is a privilege that must be EARNED.

Gene: Well, how does a fella earn a privilege like that?

Sherri: Well, at Rising Action, there is going to be battle royal, and the winner wins me...as his manager.

Gene: I might throw my name in the hat!

[Sherri smiles at Gene before laughing in his face.]

Brain: Any man with her in his corner could prove to be very dangerous.

Tony: We talk about a few guys just missing that one thing. She could very well be it. As for someone else who’s missing something, Sting still doesn’t have a match at Rising Action.

Brain: But he has one tonight.

Tony: That’s right against Scott ‘Flash Norton.

Singles Match
Sting versus Scott ‘Flash’ Norton
Sting starts off with a fast paced attack. He has the crowd behind him. He struggles, however, to take Norton off his feet. The big man shows just how powerful he is as he throws Sting around the ring. Norton tries to play mind games by going for a Stinger Splash...He misses! Sting hits him with two big Stinger Splashes before Norton tumbles out of the corner. Sting grabs him and takes him down with the Scorpion Death Drop. It’s over.
Winner, by pinfall, Sting

[Sting gets his hand raised and sees Gene coming down the ramp. He walks toward him, but Gene walks past him.]

Gene: My guest at this time you might remember from his time in the NFL. He’s been sitting in the front row all night enjoying the action. It’s Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael!

Mongo: Thanks, Gene. That was a great match!

[JJ Dillon drags Nick Bockwinkel down to the ringside area walking by Sting who is watching the interview from the top of the ramp.]

Dillon: Nick, with the right guidance, I think Mongo would be a great addition to the roster. He’s a natural athlete, and I think he could make the transition from the gridiron to the squared circle seamlessly.

[Sting stomps down the ramp and takes the microphone.]

Sting: Is this really happening right now? I’m one of the top talents in this company. I haven’t been pinned or made to submit, and I don’t have a match for Rising Action, and we’re here talking to a football player who’s never even stepped foot in the ring?

Bockwinkel: I may have a solution for that, Sting. What do you say at Rising Action, you step in the ring with Mongo?

Sting: What? No!

[Sting starts back up the ramp when Mongo jumps over the guard rail.]

Mongo: Keep running, big boy. I know you’re afraid.

[Sting turns right back around, and the two have a face off.]

Sting: You know what? Fine. Nick, draw up the paperwork. I’m going to bench this football player permanently.

Mongo: Is that right?

Sting: You heard me.

[Bockwinkel and Dillon separate the two as we cut back to Tony and Bobby.]

Brain: Sting better not take Mongo lightly. Especially if he’s been talking to JJ.

Tony: I actually agree with you, Brain, but right now it’s time for our main event.

Brain: We’re going to see if Austin is good enough to be a Horseman.

Tony: We’re also going to see if Dustin Rhodes can earn the respect of Randy Savage.

Tag Team Match
Randy Savage and Dustin Rhodes [with Dusty Rhodes] versus Arn Anderson and Steve Austin [with JJ Dillon]
The match starts with the two upstarts going at it. Austin takes a shortcut to get the advantage, and Savage demands a tag. He comes in hot, but JJ trips him allowing Austin to get the advantage. He tags Arn, and they begin a series of quick tags which deteriorate The Macho Man. Dusty is able to get the crowd behind Savage willing him to the corner to get the big tag to Dustin. The Natural comes in like a house of fire. He takes down Austin and Arn repeatedly. He even hits Austin with a giant spinebuster before Savage calls for the tag back in signaling he wants to finish Austin off with the elbow drop. Dustin, somewhat reluctantly, complies. Savage heads to the top rope when Dusty pulls the rope causing Savage to fall! Dustin asks his dad what the hell he did when Dusty tells him to come with him. Dustin is on the floor arguing with Dusty when Savage gets to his feet, livid, asking what happened. Austin rolls Savage up with a handful of tights. The official doesn’t see it. 1..2...3!
Winners, by pinfall, Arn Anderson and Steve Austin [with JJ Dillon]

Tony: Steve Austin just pinned Randy Savage!

Brain: Yeah, but was it enough? Did Austin prove he has what it takes to be a Horseman?

Tony: I’m sure we’ll have that answer sooner rather than later! We only have one week until Rising Action! We’ll see you next week!

©1995; In Conjunction with Mind’s Eye Entertainment

The Year was 1995...
Professional Wrestling on Superstation WGN
Episode 4

[A flashy video package indicative of everything cool about the 90s plays. We see such athletes as Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Bret Hart, Sting, and more. We focus on Nick Bockwinkel standing in the ring behind a podium. Sting is sitting at a table to his right, and Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael and JJ Dillon are seated at a table to his left.]

Bockwinkel: First of all, I want to thank everyone from the wrestling press, newspapers, and the fine folks at WGN for being here. Tonight, we have the opportunity to promote a true happening. At Rising Action this Sunday, you will see a legend of the gridiron, Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael, have his very first wrestling contest against a former champion of this sport, Sting. We will, at this time, have some brief statements from the athletes involved in this contest. First, Sting.

Sting: It’s not a new thing in professional wrestling outsiders to want to be a part of what we do. Boxers, singers, actors, and yes, football players want to rub shoulders with professional wrestlers. I don’t have a problem with that. Sometimes they are special referees, announcers, or in a battle royal. What you intend to do this Sunday, Mongo, is totally different than that. You’re going to step in the ring with one of the top athletes in this company. I hate to say it, Mongo, but I’m going to send you back to the gridiron, or I’m going to send you to the old folks home.

Bockwinkel: Thank you, Sting. Now, JJ Dillon, please make your comments on Mongo’s behalf.

Dillon: Certainly. When I made my return three weeks ago, my intentions were clear. I wanted to build a better Horsemen than we’ve ever seen before. An elite unit. Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael is an elite athlete with unlimited potential. Sting, there is no doubt in my mind that you will lay flat on your back with the perfect Horsemen standing over you. He will be a better wrestler than you. A better athlete than you. A better Horseman than you ever were.

Mongo: You heard that right, Stinger! I’m gonna beat you!

Sting: The hell you are!

Bockwinkel: Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Gentlemen!

[Bockwinkel calls for security to get in between them as Sting turns over the table. JJ pulls Mongo back who is laughing.]

Tony: A big encounter if there ever was one. Sting going one on one with Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael.

Brain: Mongo has the variable of the unknown though. We’ve never seen him wrestle. We don’t know if he’s trained. We don’t know who he’s trained with. If he trained at all.

Tony: We’ll find out this Sunday. Meanwhile, speaking of the variable of the unknown, we don’t know who Paul E. Dangerously has in store for ‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho, but we do know Jericho is in action next against another young Canadian, Lance Storm.

Brain: This could be a good tune up match for Jericho, but it might not be. We don’t know. We don’t know a lot of things, do we?

Singles Match
‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho versus Lance Storm
The match starts with Lionheart offering a handshake. Storm does not reciprocate. The match starts off with some intense offense from Jericho. He goes for a couple of big risks early, and none of them are paying off. Storm takes advantage of this to slow things down and work him over with some holds. Storm looks like he has control a few times, but Jericho doesn’t give up. He works his way out of a submission with the support of the crowd. He slams Storm before hitting him with a springboard moonsault off the second rope. He gets the win.
Winner, by pinfall, ‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho

Tony: What a unique move by The Lionheart!

Brain: We’ve never seen anything like that before, sure, but we’ve also never seen who Paul E. has up his sleeve.

Tony: That’s true, but I think Lionheart has a fighting chance. Let’s send it to Gene who has an interview with The Lightning Kid.

[Lightning Kid walks down the ramp and shakes hands with Gene at the bottom.]

Gene: Kid, this Sunday at Rising Action, you have what could be the biggest match of your career when you step in there with ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. If you’re able to beat him, you will advance in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament. What are your thoughts going into this momentous contest?

Kid: Gene, I hate to correct you, but the biggest match of my career will be in the finals of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament when I win. I have loved this sport as long as I can remember, and I train very hard for this sport. I know I may not be the biggest, but I hope Ric Flair did not underestimate me. I am unlike any competitor he has faced before. He better not underestimate me before Rising Action because I will take him down for the 1...2...3!

Gene: All right! You heard it here first folks. Lightning Kid guaranteeing victory!

Tony: Will you stop?

Brain: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH….HE THINKS HE’S GONNA…HAHAHAHA….BEAT…..FLAIR?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.

Tony: You’re unprofessional, you know that?

Brain: He...Hahaha...I just... I need a drink. Hold on. I need a minute. Hey! You! Come here!

Tony: All right. Let’s send it to the ring where we’ll see The Steiner Brothers in action.

Tag Team Match
The Steiner Brothers [Rick and Scott] versus Duane Gill and Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
The bell rings, and Scott Steiner nearly kills Duane Gill for a clothesline. The Steiners use quick tags to make Gill regret getting into the professional wrestling business. They go for a pin, but Chabo jumps in to break it. They beat him up too. Frankensteiner. It’s over.
Winners, by pinfall, The Steiners

[After the match, Rick grabs a microphone.]

Rick: Hey! We don’t have a match Sunday, and we’re pissed about that! Sherri! We don’t give a damn about being managed by you, but if there’s gonna be a ring full of sissies for us to throw around, we’ll be there!

Tony: Well, there you go. The Steiners are throwing their names in the hat for the battle royal.

Brain: Could you imagine Sherri managing them? She could take them straight to the World Tag Team Championships.

Tony: She could. Speaking of tag teams, Money Inc. will do battle with Harlem Heat at Rising Action, and we’re about to see singles action involving both teams.

Brain: I think Harlem Heat should be in jail for de-facing those Million Dollar Tag Team Championships.

Tony: They decorated them!

Brain: Sure. Huh. Very funny.

Singles Match
Mike Rotunda [w/Ted DiBiase] versus Booker T [w/Stevie Ray]
DiBiase trips Booker from the floor early in the match. Stevie Ray chases him to the back, but Rotunda is able to take the advantage. He takes Booker down to the mat, but he manages to get the crowd behind him to get back to his feet. He sends Rotunda into the ropes and hits him with a big ax kick! The crowd cheers as he goes for the pin. It’s over.
Winner, by pinfall, Booker T

Tony: Well, that should be a lot of momentum leading into Rising Action.

Brain: Totally disagree. I think DiBiase lulled him into a sense of confidence. It’s clearly all part of a bigger plan.

Tony: Is that right?

Brain: Well, that’s what I’d do.

Tony: Let’s send it to Gene.

Gene: Tony! Thank you very much. My guest at this time is a man with a decision to make. Who will he face at Rising Action? Who will be the fourth member of his team tonight? Please welcome, Arn Anderson.

[The crowd gives a mixed reaction as Arn Anderson and Ric Flair walk down the ramp.]

Gene: All right, Arn, cut to the chase! Who is it?

Arn: I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Gene. I put a lot of thought into this. I thought about my history as an athlete. I thought about the fact that this could be my only shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, and maybe, that’s the way it should be. Do I want to prove myself by facing someone like Sting? Wait. He’s fighting that football player...Do you have something to say?

[JJ Dillon walks out of the shadows next to the stage.]

Dillon: I don’t have anything to say. I’m just here to listen.

Arn: I could give myself a walk in the park like Disco Inferno, but I’ve never been that kind of guy. I’m going to give it to a guy who’s earned my respect. He’s proved he’s good enough to have my back, and he MIGHT be good enough to be a Horsemen. My opponent Sunday, and our partner tonight, ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin.

[JJ jumps up and down like he won the lottery. ’Stunning’ Steve Austin makes his way down. Arn offers a handshake, but Austin walks right past him. ’Lord’ Steven Regal follows him down to the ring. They wait in the ring for their opponents.]

Tony: Brain, what do you think about Arn choosing Austin for his opponent?

Brain: Can he trust him?

Tony: I don’t think I would.

Brain: Of course not. You can’t trust anybody.

Tony: Well, this next match is going to be all about trust. It’s the big 8 man tag!

Eight Man Tag Team Match
Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Steven Regal, and Steve Austin [w/JJ Dillon] versus Randy Savage, Bret Hart, Dustin Rhodes, and Lightning Kid [w/Dusty Rhodes]
The match starts with Flair’s team arguing about who is going to start when he decides to do it himself. Savage attacks him to start the match and whips him into his corner. He tags in Hart who gets some offense on him. Hart tags Rhodes who hits Flair with a lot. He then asks the crowd if they want to see Lightning Kid in. They cheer, but Flair ducks under Rhodes arm to escape the corner. Rhodes tags Kid, but Flair tags Anderson. Arn traps Kid and takes advantage. He works him over pretty well until he tags Regal who comes in and shows off his technical style. He challenges Hart to come in, but he doesn’t allow Kid to tag. He sends him back into the corner where Flair’s team uses quick tags to make things miserable for Lightning Kid. Austin goes for a pin with a handful of tights, but Savage breaks it. Anderson attacks Savage, and things start to fall apart. The official loses control as they keep fighting. Everyone is going at it when JJ slides a weapon to Austin. He gleefully picks it up and hits ANDERSON with it before throwing him out of the ring. Dillon is arguing with Austin when Regal tags himself in. The official finally gets control of the match when Regal and Savage are legal. Hart asks for the tag, but Regal blocks it. Flair helps him do some damage on Savage who desperately needs a tag. He gets toward Dustin when Dusty pulls his son off the apron. Regal grabs Savage and suplexes him before he can tag Bret. Dustin and Dusty are arguing as Regal mocks Bret. Savage grabs him behind with a roll-up!
Winner, by pinfall, Savage, Rhodes, Hart, and Kid!

Tony: Well, things certainly are heated getting into Rising Action!

Brain: Hart never even got in the ring!

Tony: Forget that! Austin decked his own partner!

Brain: Well, come Sunday, that’s his enemy. How about Dusty putting his kid on the bench again?

Tony: Well, we’ve got four huge quarter final matches Sunday! We’ll see you there!

Brain: Don’t forget to bathe!

Rising Action 1 Card

World Heavyweight Championship Tournament
Quarter Finals
‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage versus ‘The Natural Dustin Rhodes [w/Dusty Rhodes]
Arn Anderson versus ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin [w/JJ Dillon]
‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair versus Lightning Kid
Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart versus ‘Lord’ Steven Regal

PLUS...

Sting versus Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael

Money Inc. versus Harlem Heat

‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho versus  [TBA] [w/Paul E. Dangerously]

Sherri’s Battle Royal

©1995; In Conjunction with Mind’s Eye Entertainment

The Year was 1995...
Professional Wrestling on Superstation WGN
Rising Action I

Tony: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Rising Action! A special Sunday night addition of professional wrestling right here on Superstation WGN! We have four quarter final matches in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament. We also have Sting taking on former Chicago Bear defensive tackle, Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael. We’ll see the Harlem Heat in tag team action against Money Inc. We’ll see ‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho go head to head with Paul E. Dangerously’s mystery opponent, and right now, let’s send it down to the ring for Sensational Sherri’s battle royal where the winner will get to be her client.

Brain: Are you done?!

Tony: We’ve got a lot of action tonight, Bobby!

Brain: I know that! They don’t call it Rising Action for nothing! Hey! How about instead of you jabbering some more, let’s send it down to the ring!

Over the Top Rope Battle Royal
Winner to be Managed by Sensational Sherri
Chavo Guerrero, Jr. versus Disco Inferno versus Duane Gill versus Lance Storm versus Owen Hart versus Rick Steiner versus Scott ‘Flash’ Norton versus Scott Steiner versus Tatanka versus Terry Funk
The bell rings, and Terry Funk dumps Chavo over the top quickly. Scott Steiner then suplexes Lance Storm out of the ring. Disco is dancing when Rick Steiner clotheslines him over the rope. Scott Norton clotheslines Duane Gill and Tatanka over the top in one blow. Owen tries to eliminate Funk and fails. He then tries to eliminate Scott Steiner with no luck. He tries to get Rick Steiner up, and he gets knocked down. He goes to eliminate Norton who double underhook suplexes Owen over the top rope. The Steiners now go to war with Funk and Norton. For all intents and purposes, it turns into a tornado tag team match. Scott hits Norton with a big suplex before he puts Funk up on his shoulders. Rick heads to the top rope and hits a bulldog off the top! Rick goes to eliminate Funk while Scott tries to get Norton over. Rick dumps Funk onto the apron, but he pulls him with him. They are throwing hands on the apron as Scott tries to get Flash Norton up. He has him in the ropes as he tries to clothesline him over. He can’t get him the first time, so he goes off the ropes inadvertently knocking Rick and Funk to the floor before he hits Norton with a big clothesline sending him over!
Winner, Scott Steiner

[’Mean’ Gene Okerlund walks down the ramp with Sherri Scott and Rick make their way up the ramp.]

Gene: Well, Sherri, what are your thoughts on your new clients?

Sherri: Say hello to my new client, SCOTT STEINER!

[Sherri raises Scott’s hand. Rick stands next to her with his wrist extended toward her. After being ignored, he goes around and raises Scott’s other hand.]

Brain: How about that? Sherri and The Steiner Brothers!

Tony: It seemed to me she was only interested in Scott.

Brain: Well, you never know.

Tony: Well, let’s head back down to the ring for some tag team action. Money Inc. created their own Million Dollar Tag Team Championships which Harlem Heat proceeded to tag with their own decor.

Brain: Their own decor? They vandalized them!

Tony: Either way these two teams have been itching to get their hands on each other.

Tag Team Match
Money Inc. [Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda] versus Harlem Heat [Booker T and Stevie Ray]
The official calls for the bell, and Ray starts out the match with Rotunda. He throws some powerful offense, and he clearly has the crowd behind him. The big man came to fight tonight. He whips him into the corner and tags his brother. DiBiase shouts instructions from the corner, but things aren’t looking good for Rotunda. DiBiase finally sneaks a blind tag to get into the match. He takes down Booker with a chop block. He has total control of the match. He goes for a roll-up with a handful of tights. The official catches it. DiBiase rolls out of the ring in protest. He takes Rotunda with him, and they start walking toward the ramp. Harlem Heat goes to chase them, and they run around the ring. Stevie Ray catches Rotunda and starts wailing on him. DiBiase grabs one of the Harlem Tag Team Championships and slides into the ring while the official is yelling at Stevie and Rotunda. Booker slides in after DiBiase. He throws the belt at Booker and drops to the mat holding his head. The official turns around and calls for the bell as Booker looks confused.
Winners, by disqualification, Money Inc. [Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda]

Brain: He hit him with that belt!

Tony: He did not!

Brain: Well, maybe he didn’t. I really need a new monitor.

[Harlem Heat are furious and chase DiBiase and Rotunda to the back. ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund walks out after them and looks back with a concerned look on his face. Paul E. Dangerously comes down to the ring, and he looks even more concerned.]

Paul E.: Tonight is the night, Gene. Tonight is the night ‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho’s heart is going to get ripped out. Jericho is about to DIE. Say hello to my client…















THE GIANT!

[The crowd is in awe as they lay eyes on The Giant for the first time.]

Singles Match
‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho versus The Giant [w/ Paul E. Dangerously]
He tries to run up on The Giant, but he’s caught in the catcher’s mitt of a hand and driven into the mat with a chokeslam. It’s over.
Winner, by pinfall, The Giant

Paul E.: NO ONE CAN BEAT THIS MAN! DO YOU HEAR ME? THIS MAN WILL BE YOUR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! WHY ISN’T HE IN THE TOURNAMENT? IT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE AFRAID! YOU’RE AFRAID OF THE GIANT! GIVE HIM A SHOT! GIVE HIM A SHOT BOCKWINKEL, YOU DON’T HAVE THE NERVE! Come on! If they won’t bring the fight to us, we’ll go take the fight to them! Follow us!

Giant: LET’S GO!

[Paul E. Dangerously and The Giant drag a camera man through the curtain. They walk past Nick Bockwinkel and other official. Security tries to apprehend The Giant, but he shoves them down. Bret Hart is talking to Gene Okerlund next to a table when Dangerously points him out, and The Giant grabs him by the throat. He chokeslams Bret through the table. He grabs Gene, but Bockwinkel, officials and Dangerously pull him off. Hart gets back to his feet and attacks The Giant, but the monster grabs him and chokeslams him onto the concrete floor. At this point, police have arrived, and Dangerously pulls the big man back. Bockwinkel is yelling at Dangerously to get him out of the building, and The Giant is laughing. EMTs rush to check on Bret Hart. Bockwinkel heads over to assess the situation.]

Tony: That doesn’t look good for Bret Hart…

Brain: That guy is dangerous.

Tony: I mean...Bret Hart was supposed to compete tonight. Bret Hart had a first round match in the World Heavyweight Championship Match, and what about Gene?

Brain: Who cares about Gene? If that guy is willing to put his hands on Gene, what’s to stop him from putting his hands on me?!...I mean us!

Tony: Either way, it’s a scary situation, folks. Brain, that match was supposed to be next...What is going to happen? I’m told Gene is heading down the ramp. Gene, are you ok?

Gene: Tony, that maniac was squeezing the life out of me… I...I’m trying to get Nick Bockwinkel out here.

[The crowd boos when ’Lord’ Steven Regal walks on stage.]

Regal: Gene, what is going on?

Gene: Bret Hart has been attacked by The Giant!

Regal: So, he won’t be competing tonight?

Gene: Highly unlikely.

Regal: So I win?

Gene: Now wait just a minute! Well, wait. Here’s Nick Bockwinkel. Mr. Bockwinkel, what’s the ruling here?

Bockwinkel: Bret Hart is not cleared to compete. There is no stand by competitor. Therefore, I am ruling as a self appointed proxy for Mr. Hart and as commissioner, that he will not compete tonight, and he forfeits the match.

World Heavyweight Championship Tournament
Quarter Finals
Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart versus ‘Lord’ Steven Regal
Winner, by forfeit, ‘Lord’ Steven Regal

Tony: So Regal is the first man to qualify for the semi-finals just like that?

Brain: He won, didn’t he?

Tony: By forfeit. That’s not really winning, is it?

Brain: Who cares?!

Tony: All right, well, next up we have a very good first round match between Arn Anderson and Steve Austin.

Brain: Austin begged for this match with Anderson. I just hope he isn’t too embarrassed when Arn beats him.

Tony: Austin has been pretty successful. I think he has a good chance.

Brain: Oh sure.

Tony: But is he good enough to be a Horseman?

Brain: Well...Welll...Well that’s not really for ME to say.

World Heavyweight Championship Tournament
Quarter Finals
‘The Enforcer’ Arn Anderson versus ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin [w/JJ Dillon]
Austin offers a handshake to start the match. Anderson looks at JJ and mouths “Come on!”. Anderson slaps Austin in the face, and the match starts with a brawl. The official tries to keep it under control as they continue to throw hands with each other. Anderson finally gets control as he locks on a headlock. Austin pushes him into the ropes, and the official wants a clean break. The second act of the match sees a lot of chain wrestling, and Anderson has quite a bit of control. He catches Austin with a spinebuster. 1...2..JJ puts Austin’s foot on the rope. Anderson rolls to the floor and gets in JJ’s face. Austin rolls to the floor and attacks Arn from behind. They’re both fighting on the floor when Austin Irish whips him into the steel stairs. JJ actually goes to check on Arn as Austin hurries back into the ring. The official is yelling at Austin for throwing him into the stairs when Austin yells “Count his old ass out!” The official reaches 7 when Arn gets on the apron. He tells the ref to keep Steve back as he gets in. Austin goes to the near corner, but then kicks the rope up as Anderson is getting in. He runs over and puts Arn in the small package. 1..2...3!
Winner, by pinfall and advancing to the semi-finals, ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin [w/JJ Dillon]

Tony: Stunning Steve with the biggest win of his career!

Brain: I don’t believe it!

Tony: Is he a Horseman now?

Brain: Would you stop asking me that!

[Austin hugs JJ as Gene makes his way down to the end of the ramp. Then, ’The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair walks down. Austin and JJ approach them.]

Austin: I know you’re gonna talk about your little gimme match against the Kid, but let me tell you this. You may not have liked what I did there, but I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t do.

[Austin and JJ walk up the ramp as Arn approaches Flair holding his sack still.]

Arn: As much as I hate to say it...He’s right.

Tony: I think they may be ready to recruit Austin.

Brain: Hold on a minute. Austin’s gonna face Flair in the second round.

Tony: If Flair beats the Kid.

Brain: Oh come on.

Tony: Well, let’s send it to the ring.

World Heavyweight Championship Tournament
Quarter Finals
‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair versus Lightning Kid
The match starts with Flair offering a handshake. He then laughs and WHOOOOOOS in Lightning Kid’s face. He begins to strut when Kid turns him around and chops him. Flair throws him into the corner and chops him repeatedly. The official calls for the break, and he backs out before going right back in. He is slapping Kid’s chest raw. He begins to strut in confidence. Lightning Kid grabs him by the shoulder and turns him around to shove him! Flair looks livid. Kid ducks a punch before unleashing a flurry of chops and kicks. He hits Flair with a big spinning kick. And another one! He goes for a third, but Flair goes down, and Kid almost hits the referee. While the official flinches and puts up his guard, Flair hits Kid with a low blow before pinning him.
Winner, by pinfall and advancing to the semi finals, ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair

Brain: Yes!

Tony: Flair winning by the same means as Austin.

Brain: What do you mean? Austin used a small package.

Tony: I meant a cheap shot.

Brain: What cheap shot? I didn’t see a cheap shot.

Tony: Well, up next we have a very special contest. JJ Dillon insists that former Chicago Bear Defensive Lineman, Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael is the future of professional wrestling, and he also called him ‘The Perfect Horseman’.

Brain: Well, if he beats Sting, he’ll be just like every other Horseman.

Tony: Very funny, but yeah, Sting didn’t take too well to the attention Mongo was getting.

Brain: Well, Sting’s jealous. Mongo played pro football. Sting has been mastering his craft for almost ten years now. He doesn’t want to let some Johnny Come Lately come take his spot.

Tony: So we talked about Austin. Is Mongo Horseman material?

Brain: I think so, yeah. Pro football player. Stand up guy. Well, JJ said he was The Perfect Horseman.

Grudge Match
Sting versus Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael [w/JJ Dillon]
JJ gets off the apron as the bell rings. Mongo bends over to ask him one more thing when Sting hits him with a Stinger Splash! The crowd goes nuts! He spins around and hits him with another one! Scorpion Death Drop!
Winner, by pinfall, Sting

Tony: STING BEAT MONGO IN UNDER A MINUTE!

Brain: Yeah! But it doesn’t matter!

Tony: What?! Why?!

Brain: Mongo isn’t the Perfect Horseman!

[CRAAAAAAAAAAACK]]



Tony: What the hell is Curt Hennig doing here?!

Brain: He’s the Perfect Horseman.

[Hennig hits Sting with the chair several times as JJ watches, laughing. Mongo sits in the corner looking confused as Hennig continues the assault. Finally, security comes down to the ring and ‘Mean’ Gene stands on the ramp waiting to catch Hennig and Dillon.]

Gene: Curt Hennig, what is the meaning of this?!

Hennig: Hey Bockwinkel! Don’t worry, I slid the contract under your door before I laid a finger on him. As for that, Gene? That was PERFECT!

Tony: That was disgusting...Would you stop laughing?

Brain: That was great, Tony! I LOVED it!

Tony: Well, it’s time for our main event. ‘The American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes has a great respect for ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage I do believe, but he also desperately believes his son should be World Heavyweight Champion.

Brain: Ehhh. I don’t think so.

Tony: Well, Dusty has pushed his son to leave Randy for dead twice now.

Brain: But you don’t think that sits right with the kid, do you?

Tony: No. I don’t. Let’s send it to the ring.

World Heavyweight Championship Tournament
Quarter Finals
‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage versus ‘The Natural’ Dustin Rhodes [w/Dusty Rhodes]
Dustin asks for a handshake to begin the match. Savage shakes his head ‘no’. Dustin reminds him that he’s asking him to shake HIS hand and not his father’s. Savage complies. He then begins to punch Dustin. He gets control over The Natural early. He delivers a lot of offense until he goes off the ropes and Dusty tries to trip him. Dustin goes to the floor and begins to yell at his dad that he wanted to do things himself. The father and son are arguing with Savage comes off the top with a double axe handle, but Dusty pushes his son out of harm’s way causing himself to fall to the big move. Dustin checks on his dad before throwing Savage into the ring to prevent a count out. He gets into the ring and hits Savage with a flurry of offense careful to go for a pin after every attempt. He struggles to keep him down. He finally thrusts him into the corner where he mounts him to punch him in the head. The crowd counts along, but when he gets to six he freezes. Dustin is staring into the crowd. Savage eventually slams him down to the mat with a variation of a spinebuster. He jumps to the top and hits the Bombs Away Elbow! It’s over.
Winner, by pinfall and advancing to the Semi Finals, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage

Brain: His old man put himself in harm’s way, and it still wasn’t enough!

Tony: Yeah, but what was Dustin looking at?

Brain: Who cares?! It just cost him the biggest prize in the game!

[Gene and Nick Bockwinkel walk down the ramp.]

Gene: Mr. Commissioner, you asked for this time.

Bockwinkel: I did, and it was to say I can now announce TWO matches for Rising Action II. The man you just saw ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage against ‘Lord’ Steven Regal, and ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair one on one with ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin!

Brain: What?! I thought Flair was supposed to have Regal!

Tony: That’s not what he just said.

Brain: Well, that isn’t fair!

Tony: We’ll see you soon on Superstation WGN!

©1995; In Conjunction with Mind’s Eye Entertainment

The Year was 1995...
Professional Wrestling on Superstation WGN
Episode 5

[A flashy video package indicative of everything cool about the 90s plays. We see such athletes as Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Bret Hart, Sting, and more. Tonight, Dusty and Dustin Rhodes are standing in the middle of the ring.]

Dusty: I asked for this time tonight because I love my son, and I want the whole world to know. Sunday night, Rising Action I, you lost to ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage. I can’t lie to ya, Dustin, it hurt. I’ll tell ya why it hurt because one month ago in this very ring you defeated Sting and Terry Funk and everybody else to EARN your spot in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, and with a tear in my eye, I had a vision. I had a vision of my son becoming World Heavyweight Champion. I had a vision of my son becoming the youngest World Heavyweight Champion of all time.

I don’t know what happened, son. I thought you were going to defeat Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage. I thought you were going to pin him in the middle of the ring. You could’ve beat Steven Regal. Flair or Austin would’ve been a challenge, but I had faith in you. I don’t know what happened, but you lost, and there’s nothing we can do about it now. I just want you to know that you may be hurtin’. Your head may be hangin’ low, but Dustin, my son, I forgive you. I forgive you for losing, and we will move on.

I’m gonna get to work in the back office baby. I’ll politick. I’ll wheel and deal, and I’ll find you the exact opponent you need to Rising Action II to guarantee that when it comes time to name a first Number One Contender for that World Heavyweight Championship, there isn’t a name on anybody’s lips but ‘The Natural’ Dustin Rhodes.

Tony: I can’t wait to see what comes next for ‘The Natural’.

Brain: Who cares?

Tony: He’s a top young athlete!

Brain: I mean who cares what his dad thinks about him losing? It’s his career.

Tony: You never had clients feel like they disappointed you when they lost?

Brain: I guess, but I never offered forgiveness for something they didn’t apologize for.

Tony: Well, we’re going to send it down to ringside as The Lightning Kid tries to regain his lost momentum against Scott Norton.

Brain: HA! Good luck there!

Singles Match
Scott Norton versus Lightning Kid
The bell rings, and Kid tries to stick and move with quick intense offense. He tries to take Norton off his feet, but he really struggles with it. Finally, Norton throws him halfway across the ring. Flash uses his size to just decimate Kid. He goes for a pin, but Kid kicks out. Norton loses his temper and hits him with the shoulder breaker before going for the pin.
Winner, by pinfall, Scott Norton

[’Mean’ Gene Okerlund is standing on the stage when Terry Funk walks down the ramp.]

Gene: Terry, I don’t have you on my-

Funk: Gene. Gene. Gene. I’m not on the schedule. I know. But Nick Bockwinkel isn’t going to keep me on the payroll to pay me to do nothing. I’m the most talented guy who wasn’t in the World Heavyweight Title Tournament. Now, you got somebody who was in the Tournament getting his ass kicked out here. Pardon my French, but I would’ve killed Scott Norton.

Gene: Now the Lightning Kid is a-

Funk: He’s a kid, Gene! You just said it yourself! He should be washing my car. This is a man’s sport! There’s no place for kids! I’m tired of it! Let me fight somebody! I just wanna fight somebody!

[Funk shoves Kid who is walking back up the ramp. Funk then storms back up the ramp as Kid gets up slowly with a look of anger in his eyes. Gene is standing there as ’Lord’ Steven Regal makes his way down the ramp.]

Gene: Here he is! My guest at this time, ‘Lord’ Steven Regal.

Regal: Gene, I would appreciate if you introduced me as the man who won his qualifying match in the shortest time, Semi-Finalist in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, ‘Lord’ Steven Regal.

Gene: Well, we found out at Rising Action I that you will face ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage at Rising Action II.

Regal: It’s a shame, isn’t it. Quite the contrast though. A savage versus a man of class. I have to get in the ring with a psychopath if I want to prove that I am worthy of the World Heavyweight Championship. It doesn’t matter that I’m the classiest individual in the tournament. A fine Englishman who is good friends with the Queen. What sort of people do you reckon a Macho Man fraternizes with?

Gene: Social circles aside, what about what’s going to happen between the ropes?

Regal: Listen Gene, I’m not going to pretend Randy Savage isn’t capable in the ring. On the contrary. He’s the only man on this roster who has pinned me for the count of three, but the reality is, he will not beat me at Rising Action II. I will defeat him one way or another. I guarantee it.

Gene: Well, there you have it. ‘Lord’ Steven Regal guaranteeing- Wait a minute!

[Owen Hart comes down the ramp. He takes the microphone.]

Owen: Regal! You would’ve never beaten my brother Bret! What happened to him is an outrage! Why isn’t anybody talking about that, Gene? Why isn’t anybody talking about how my brother, Bret, was assaulted by that psychotic Giant!? I want some answers, Gene!

[Regal ignores Owen and exits as Nick Bockwinkel walks down the ramp.]

Owen: Come on, Bockwinkel! I deserve some answers about this guy!

Bockwinkel: Owen, I assure you. Your brother, Bret, will get a future shot at the World Heavyweight Championship shortly after a champion is crowned.

Owen: What about that Giant?! I want to make him pay for what he did to my brother, Bret.

Bockwinkel: I’ve been meeting with the Board of Directors about that most of the day, Owen. After injuring Bret and Chris Jericho, I suspended The Giant. However, his manager, Paul E. Dangerously appealed to WGN who allowed him to purchase time directly on this program. After much bickering and negotiating, the board told me I had to honor this, so The Giant will have matches on this very program over the next two weeks. However, I was able to put my foot down on one condition. I do not believe it is safe for ANY of my athletes to compete with The Giant, so if Mr. Dangerously wants The Giant to compete, he must produce his own opponents for him. Neither you nor anyone on my roster of athletes will be competing against The Giant, Owen.

[Owen looks furious as Bockwinkel walks up the stage. He chases him up the ramp yelling as Gene shrugs and motions it back.]

Tony: Wow, Bobby, in all of your years managing, did you ever have to produce your own opponents for your client?

Brain: No, but I’ve never managed anyone like The Giant. Sure, I managed Andre, but I could reason with him. This guy is just as big if not bigger, and he’s out of control!

Tony: Well, one person who is in total control of her situation is Sherri who is about to lead her client, Scott Steiner and his brother Rick into tag team action.

Brain: This is really going to be interesting to see if she can manage these two buffoons.

Tony: Well, Brain, it remains to be seen as they get ready to go head to head with Money Inc.

Tag Team Match
Money Inc. [Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda] versus Rick and Scott Steiner [w/Sherri]
The match starts with Scotty Steiner coming in like a house of fire. He takes DiBiase and Rotunda off their feet. Sherri cheers her man on the floor. Scott lifts Rotunda over his head and drops him with a military press. He then tags in his brother who goes for a pin, but DiBiase breaks the count. He gets a stiff kick to the back of Rick’s head, and it’s enough to change the momentum on the match. Rotunda works Rick over and sends him into the corner. They cut the ring in half, and DiBiase begins to choke Rick. This causes Sherri to get up on the apron and yell at the official. DiBiase moves toward Sherri, but Rick grabs him and whips him into Rotunda. He moves into the corner and tags his brother Scott. The referee catches Scott coming in but not the tag and holds him back. Money Inc double team Rick and DiBiase pins him with a handful of singlet.
Winners, by pinfall, Money Inc. [Ted DiBiase and Mike Rotunda]

[DiBiase and Rotunda are getting their hands raised when Harlem Heat enter the ring and attack them from behind!]

Tony: Harlem Heat sending Money Inc. a message after what they did to them at Rising Action I!

Brain: Money Inc. thought it was over, but it wasn’t over! I don’t believe it!

Tony: We’re going to need to get some security down here!

Brain: Good luck!

[Security pushes past ’Mean’ Gene Okerlund as they run down to the ring. Sherri, Scott, and Rick are walking up the ramp. Rick comes over to them.]

Rick: Gene! Did you see that?! Our MANAGER cost us the match!

Gene: I’m more concerned about the mayhem in the ring! Get that under control!

Scott: HEY! Rick, she is MY manager. Not your manager. MY manager. You’re my brother. We’re a tag team, but she is MY manager, and that’s why I didn’t get pinned tonight...Unlike some people.

[Scott and Sherri walk up the ramp as Rick shakes his head.]

Gene: All right folks. Well, the reason I’m out here is that JJ Dillon has asked for some time, so let’s bring him out here.

[The crowd boos as JJ Dillon comes down the ramp.]

Dillon: Gene, for a month now, I’ve been trying to put the greatest pro wrestling group of all time back together. They’re The Beatles of Professional Wrestling. They’re the ‘72 Dolphins of Professional Wrestling. They’re the ‘92 Bulls of Professional Wrestling. They’re the Four Horsemen, and I can say, with some confidence, I believe they are back together at full strength! Introducing first, the leader, ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair!

[The crowd boos as Ric Flair walks down the ramp in a suit.]

Dillon: Next, his right hand man, ‘The Enforcer’ Arn Anderson!

[Arn Anderson comes down the ramp and hugs Flair before shaking hands with JJ.]

Dillon: Now, the final two members. First, my secret weapon against Sting who will beat him right in that ring next week, ‘The Perfect Horseman’ Curt Hennig!

[Curt Hennig walks down the ramp and shakes hands with JJ.]

Gene: What say you, Flair? Is Hennig a Horseman?

Flair: Mean! WHOOOOO! Gene! After the number he did on Sting, not only is he a Horseman...I could kiss this man! WHOOO! He can party with us anytime. He’s a Horseman!

[Flair and Hennig hug as Anderson puts his arm around Curt.]

Dillon: You see these men, and you count three. Here is my proposal for the fourth man, ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin!

[Steve Austin walks down and stands by JJ noticeably away from the other three. ]

Gene: Is Steve Austin a Horseman?

Anderson: Being a Horseman is about class. It’s about honor. It’s about tradition. It’s about a brotherhood. It’s about-

Austin: Hey, unless you want your old ass to get beaten again, why don’t you let the LEADER talk?

Flair: Listen. You have all of the POTENTIAL in the world, kid. I look at you, and I see a star someday...Maybe. But right now, it’s just potential, and it takes more than that to be a Horseman. You’re not a Horseman...YET.

Austin: So after I beat you at Rising Action II, then will I be a Horseman?!

[Flair looks pissed when strange music plays, and Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael walks down the ramp.]

Mongo: You’ll be a Horseman when one of us hangs it up because I’m the Fourth Horseman, boy!

Flair: You?! You lost to Sting in under a minute!

[Anderson kicks McMichaels in the stomach and DDTs him on the floor. Hennig and Flair start putting the boots to him. JJ Dillon laughs as he watches. Arn gets up and joins in the stomping. Austin pushes them all back. They all stare at Austin as Mongo starts to get up. Austin then curb stomps Austin back down to the floor. JJ claps as Anderson, Flair, and Hennig join him. Mongo’s blood seeps onto the floor as Hennig, Anderson, and Flair walk up the ramp. Austin looks down at Mongo before looking at JJ who shrugs and follows them.]

Tony: What did that prove?!

Brain: What do you mean?

Tony: Is Austin a Horseman?! Somebody get Mongo some help!

©1995; In Conjunction with Mind’s Eye Entertainment