WCW Saturday Night
September, 2015
Atlanta, GA
[ The opening video of WCW'S Saturday Night wraps up as the camera zooms out to a medium sized arena in Atlanta, GA. The camera pans around at all of the fans going crazy , holding up signs in hopes to see some of their favorites superstars here tonight. " WOOOO!", " No Body does it like THE BODY!", " Little Warrior", and " WCW Number One in Georgia, NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD!". The camera takes a wide shot of the audience onre more time before resting on Jesse " The Body" Ventura and Eric Bischoff standing by at the announce table.]
Eric Bischoff: Oh yeah! Hello everybody and WELCOME TO WCW'S SATURDAY NIGHT! I'm Eric Bischoff and standing alongside me is one of the biggest names in the history of professional wrestling, none other then, Jesse " The Body " Ventura! Jess, it's great to have you here and great to be apart of this historical night, the inaugural episode of World Championship Wrestling!!
Jesse Ventura: You got that right, Bischoff! This is it, this is World Championship Wrestling, where the big boys play. They aren't messing around here. Neither am I. I'm going to call it like it is, right down the middle, no sugar coatin' nuttin'!
Eric Bischoff: We wouldn't want anything less, Jess. Folks, we are in a time of change here in the professional wrestling world, and World Championship Wrestling is of no exception to that rule. In fact, many would say we are leading the way in change amongst the companies out there.
Jesse Ventura: You either re invent yourself, or you get left in the dust! I know the boys don't always like the idea of change but, the reality is thats what you need to do to survive. It's time to evolve, Eric. Who is going to get left behind?
Eric Bischoff: We have a lot of questions that have to be answered, tonight Jess. We know Ted Turner the owner of World Championship Wrestling has appointed an interim WCW President, to sort of get the ball rolling here, and keep the boys in line.
Jesse Ventura: Why didn't he call me?
Eric Bischoff: You're too valuable sitting right here next to me, Jess! But let's get to WCW's ring announcer, The Fink! Howard Finkel! Take it away Fink!
Howard Finkel: Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to WCW Monday Nitro! Please joing me in welcoming....the interim WCW President, former World Heavyweighhttt Chammpppppppiooonnnnnn.........
[The crowd gets to their feet as Harley Race makes his way down to the ring. Fans aren't quite sure what to make of Harley Race here, as he hasn't always been on their best side. Jesse Ventura is seen off camera standing and applauding. Bischoff asks what he is doing and says "Showing some respect to our elected, official, Bischoff, you should do the same. This guy is a legend and as tough as they come!]
Harley Race: Thanks Howard. Lets get right down to business dammit! I've been intrusted by Mr. Turner with World Championship Wrestling. Now Mr. Turner made it clear, that I need to earn this title, he wouldn't be just handing it to me. I need to show him I can run The WCW. That's the exact mentality we are going to have around here. Each and everyone of the boys in the back have to earn their titles! Earn their keep! Absolutley NOTHING will be handed to ANYBODY. I don't care about what you have done in the past, all I care about is what you are going to do in the future, and for the future of World Championship Wrestling! I know each and every one of you want to know who's it gonna' be that become the first ever WCW Heavyweight Champion? Well, that's going to be decided, in a grueling tournament 16 man tournament! I told ya, you were going to have to earn it. The tournament will require 8 opening round matches. Those matches will take place in these next few weeks. After those 8 matches determine the final 8 men, they will go on to compete at our first annual Pay Per View event, Fall Brawl! One of those 8 men will have to win three matches, in ONE NIGHT, to be crowned The Undisputed WCW Heavyweight Champion!
[The music of the one and only, Nature Boy! Ric Flair hits! The crowd inside the arena comes unglued at the site of the legendary wrestler. Bischoff shouts " IT'S THE NATURE BOY! He's heading to the ring, and what a LONG history, between himself and Harley Race, Jess!' Flair makes his way to the ring, letting out a " WOOOOO" as he struts in. Wearing an immaculate three piece suit.]
Ric Flair: Good lord, almighty! WOOO! The Natureeeee Boy! Is riding high, stylin' and profilin' looking to ONCE AGAIN become THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! WOOOOOOO!
["Nature Boy Nature Boy!" chants breakout]
Ric Flair: You better believe it!! Now when Teddy called me up, he didn't say anything, about YOUUUUU being in charge!! I gotta' say, probably the smartest omission of the truth for Ted Turner!
Harley Race: Now Ric, I understand your hesitation. But let me assure you. My wrestling days are in the past. I am here to earn myself the role of WCW President for the long term. I have nothing but the best interest for World Championship Wrestling and all of it's athletes. This is as legit as it gets. I've had meetings with The Georgia Athletic Commission, these matches are sanctioned, they want the best here, as do i, and Ric you are without a doubt ONE OF THE BEST. That's why you're here!
Ric Flair: AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!
Harley Race: Oh, I won't forget it Ric. These people, they won't forget it either. Because You're going to have the opportunity to prove that you are still the man. The WCW Heavyweight Title tournament that I'm talking about. Well , hell son, you're in it! You're the first name in, and if you're the last man left at the end, I'll know WCW is in good hands and we have a hell of a Heavyweight Champion to carry the torch! Now you look me in the eye, and I'll look you right in the eyes, I'll give you my word, that our past is jsut that the...the past. From here on our, this is a professional business relationship, I am your superior, not inside of the ring, you've proven other wise there and I'm okay with that, but outside the ring. You follow the rules, you'll be treated fairly, and we'll have ourselves a hell of a run here in good ol' Atlanta , Georgia! Whaddya say , kid?
[Harley Race extends his hand as the fans boo, Jesse says " Harley Race is a stand up guy, and so is The Nature Boy, this could be the beginning of a beautiful thing!" Flair stares a hole through Harley Race, before looking around at the fans and extending his hand. Race and Flair shake hands as Flair's music plays and we roll to our very first commercial of the night.]
Eric Bischoff: Alright, folks, welcome back to WCW Saturday Night and we are about ready to get to some action. We know that there will be a tournament for The WCW Heavyweight title, we know Ric Flair will be involved, we know Harley Race is the man laying down the law, and we know that Fall Brawl is the first WCW pay per view extravaganza and it's certainly going to be a must see event!
Jesse Ventura: I love the display of mutual respect between Flair and Race. I've got a good feeling about Harley , Eric. Mark my words....
Eric Bischoff: Ladies and Gentlemen the very first contest in WCW history to set ready to get under way! It's The Z-Man Tom Zenk tanking on Greg "The Hammer!" Valentine!
vs.
Scheduled for One Fall
Tom Zenk vs Greg " The Hammer" Valentine
Tom Zenk made his way out to a nice little pop as this crowd is ready to watch some wrestling. Zenk slaps the hands of the fans and keeps moving in the ring as Greg Valentine makes his way to the ring next. All business is Valentine as he pays no attention to fans and is simply focused on the man in the ring, Tom Zenk. Tom Zenk tried to use his speed right away to gain the upper hand and did just that with some drop toe holds, and go behinds on Valentine. Zenk even managed a nicely executed atomic drop to start things off. The crowd was clearly behind Zenk, but they didn't have too much to cheer about for long. Zenk decided to go up top, and Valentine was well aware of the decision. Executing a press slam off the top rope, sending Zenk to the mat. Valentine tried to end it there but Zenk got a shoulder up to a nice pop. Valentine disuputed the count, and Zenk tried to roll up Valentine, and he gets a close two count. Valentine got to his feet, and Zenk tried to keep the momentum going with a drop kick. Valentine, side stepped the dropkick and Zenk crashed to the canvas. This is when Valentine locked in the figure four leglock, Zenk, in the middle of the ring with no where to go was forced to tap out at the 8:45 second mark. Valentine continued to apply the hold even after the bell rang. The official shouted at Valentine, and he finally released the hold as Zenk rolled on to his stomach and gripped his knee in pain.
Howard Finkel: The Winner of this match, Greeeeeggg "The Hammmeeerrr" Valllennntineeee!
[ The Hammer looks for a camera, and points his finger in the camera shouting " You're looking at the future of World Championship Wrestling!" Valentine heads towards the back as Zenk is limping away.]
Eric Bischoff: Future answer to a trivia question, Jess, who won the very first match in WCW history? Greg Valentine![/color]
Jesse Ventura: I know The Hammer, Eric and he intends on being a little bit more then just the answer to some stupid trivia question. Judging by how he took care of business, he has the means to make that a reality!
Eric Bischoff: No doubt about it. Now folks, we have a very special individual standing by. World Championship Wrestling has spared no expense in bringing you the very best of the best and that is why, standing by at this time, the one and only, Mean Gene Okerlund!
Jesse Ventura: I thought that left that little guy in New York!?
[Camera cuts to Mean Gene Okerlund who is standing by with Nick Bockwinkel.]
Mean Gene: Thank you very much, Eric, and Jess, don't make me come out there and put you an the Okerlund choke hold, you wouldn't want that! What a night it's been already, and joining me at this time, another former heavyweight champion, the one and only, looking as sharp as ever, Nick Bockwinkel.
Nick Bockwinkel:Gene, thank you, thank you very much. Now I'm not out here to kick, scream, strut , shout, woo, or anything else. I'm here to take care of business, and my business, has always been winning championships. No doubt about there are some heavy hitters here walking the halls of WCW, but there are also a lot of want to be's and has beens that never were. Now Gene, you and I go way back and we both now that I am neither of those things.
Mean Gene: I can certainly attest to that, sir.
Nick Bockwinkel:There's been a lot of talk about change. Eric Bishcoff starts the show off talking about change, Jesse Ventura talks about guys being left behind in the dust. Harley Race says we need to forget our past, and focus on the future. Ha, well the thing is Gene, the more things change the more they stay the same. Nick Bockwinkel has always been at the top of the pecking order, and that certainly isn't going to change. Nick Bockwinkel has always been the classiest man in any promotion he's ever walked into, and as pretty as Slick Rick can dress, that certainly isn't going to change. Nick Bockwinkel winning Heavyweight Championship? You I promise you that isn't going to change either, and in fact, that is exactly what you can prepare your eyes for, come Fall Brawl, I'll be standing tall, as The WCW Heavyweight Champion!
Mean Gene: Nick does that mean we an expect you in a qualifying match in the upcoming weeks?
Nick Bockwinkel:Gene, I've seen you in Vegas, I know that you like to hit the tables, so I'm telling you after the conversation I just had with Harley Race, he's assured me a spot, and I'm assuring you, bet the house, the car, the kids, the wife, whatever you got , bet it on the man standing next to you right now. Because I've never failed at anything in my life, and I don't intend to start here in World Championship Wrestling......
[Nick Bockwinkel walks off camera as Gene sends it back to Jesse and Eric.]
Eric Bischoff: Nick Bockwinkel is here in World Championship Wrestling, and he intends on picking up where he left off, Jess.
Jesse Ventura: Well Nick Bockwinkel is a man of his word, so judging from what he had to say, he must be the second particpant in The WCW Heavyweight Title Tournament. We've got Ric Flair and Nick Bockwinkel, If either one of those two are the champion at the end of Fall Brawl, well then WCW has themselves one HELL of a world champion, Eric.
Eric Bischoff: I'm getting chills just thinking about the possibilities this tournament is going to bring to us, a final match up of Ric Flair taking on Nick Bockwinkel, class personified, those two men are what champions are made of! Jess, what would it take for you to get back into that ring?
Jesse Ventura: You have a couple million bucks, Bischoff?
Eric Bischoff: Well, no I don't Jess.[/color]
Jesse Ventura: Then you can't afford me, Bischoff. I'll continue to call this action from right here, and dominant Hollywood as only The Body can, I ain't got time to bleed Eric, you know what I'm talkin' about?
Eric Bischoff: I hear ya loud and clear, Jess! But let's not waste any more time, lets get you to our next match up. It's our first taste of Tag Team action here in The WCW. It's going to be The Steiner Brothers, Rick and Scott, taking on the talented team of The Fantastics!
vs
Scheduled for One Fall
The Steiner Brothers vs The Fantastics
The Fantastics made their way to the ring, as the crowd boo'd them unmercifully. The Steiners came out next as The Michigan fight song played. They got into the ring, and The Fantastic went to work as the brothers stepped through the ropes! Pounding away on the Steiners! Both men still in their Michigan State jackets turned the tides though and irish whiped both Fulton and Rogers right into each other. In unison, both Steiners clotheslines The Fantastics up and over the top rope to the floor! Scott Steiner pumps his fist as the brothers high five and the official tries to restore order. Scott Steiner officially starts off the match, against a stunned Fulton. Scotty Steiner used his massive strength advantage, to his advantage by suplexing Fulton all over the ring. Fulton tagged in Rogers who charged at Steiner with a clothesline, but the massive chest of Scott deflects it. Steiner hits a standing drop kick and gets impressive height on it! Scott tags in big brother Rick, who barks around the ring to a nice pop. Rick controls the match for a few minutes before he is stalled by a rake to the eyes by Rogers. Rogers then makes the tag to Fulton and they attempted a double suplex, only to have Rick reverse and suplex BOTH MEN to a huge pop!Rick turns and tags in Scott who disposes of the illegal man, Rogers by dumping him over the top rope. He tosses Fulton into the ropes and Fulton gets nailed with a FRANKENSTEINER! Scott covers Fulton, for the one, two, three! Howard Finkel announces that The Steiner Brothers are the winners of the match. The Steiners celebrate in the ring togther as the fans cheer them on.
[After the match, Ventura says " I haven't seen a team that dominant since The Road Warriors, Eric." But before Eric can reply, we are taken backstage where a luxurious limousine pulls up. The crowd inside the arena gets antsy trying to see who it is. The door opens up, and out steps JJ Dillon! JJ Dillon is all smiles as the crowd gives him a nice pop. We are taken back to Eric and Jesse.]
[size=small]Eric Bischoff: Unbelievable! One of the brightest minds in the business is making his way, well I think he is making his way out here! JJ Dillon is here, at WCW'S Saturday Night!
Jesse Ventura: I have to ask the question, is he here to reunite with his good friend, Ric Flair? I mean those two on their on are dangerous, when they team up, they're damn near unstoppable Eric.
[size=small]Eric Bischoff: I'm sure we'll get the question to that answer soon enough, but let's take a quick break, we'll be right back!
[ We have a commercial break, and when we come back, Jesse Ventura is standing in the middle of the ring.]
Jesse Ventura: Alright people, listen up. When we said at the start of the show that times in the wrestling world were changing. It's because of two stars like the men I'm about to bring out. We all know that Minnesota only produces the best athletes, like yours truley, so it's no surprise these men are on the path they are on. Please welcome at this time, Ravishing Rick Rude and Mr. Perfect, Curt Hennig!
[Rick Rude and Mr. Perfect make their way down to the ring, despite not caring about the people, they seem to care alot about them!]
Jesse Ventura: Gentlemen, thanks for joining me here tonight. Now I want to get right down to the business at hand. We heard Harley Race announce a 16 man tournament for The vacant WCW Heavyweight Title, have you been contacted about the tournament? Are you guys in??
[/i]
Mr. Perfect: Whoa , Whoa, He told me he wanted me to the face of World Championship Wrestling. Rick, I mean I have all the respect in the world for you, and I'm not taking anything away from you. You are ravishing, you're Rick Rude, but lets face the facts here, you're more of a, United States Champ type of guy. I'm MR. PERFECT!
Jesse Ventura: Hey, Curt wait a minute, guys...
Rick Rude: Curt, you mean to tell me, you think you could beat me? One on one? You didn't beat me last night to the two red heads I went back to my room with, and you wouldn't be able to beat me inside this ring, not even on your best day.
Mr. Perfect: Come on Rick, what dream world are you living in?
Rick Rude: I'm living in the real word, Hennig! Pefect? Give me a break! Let's ask all of these ATLANTA GEORGIA SWEATHOGS WHO LOOKS MORE PERFECT. [Rude takes off his shirt.] When you look like this, then MAYBE, you can call yourself Perfect! Until then, you pale in comparison. In terms of looks, and iside the ring. Curt, you're a good friend, but you could never beat me, so I suggest you stand behind me, and support me on my quest to becom.......
[At this point, Mr. Perfect has heard enough. He looks at the crowd, smirks and wallops Rick Rude in the face with a vicious right hand. Rude drops to the mat and Jesse puts his hands on his head in disbelief. Perfect stomps on Rude as Rude rolls out of the ring. Perfect gives ups a little fist pump as we head to a commercial break and this crowd is RED HOT for Mr. Perfect!]
Eric Bischoff: Jess, what in the world happened out there?
Jesse Ventura: Don't worry about Eric, they'll patch things up. It's just a little bitt of competitiveness getting the best of Perfect and Rude.
Eric Bischoff: Well we have a big six man tag match coming up for our main event tonight folks, the youngster, Brian Pillman is going to team up with The Rock N' Roll Express to take on The Fabulous Rougeaus and Don Muraco! That one should provide some high flying, at least from one team, Jess!..Wait just a minute? Mean Gene? Where are you? Folks lets go to Mean Gene who is standing in the crowd? Well what are THEY DOING HERE?
[We are taken to Mean Gene who is standing in the crowd with BRUCE AND KEITH HART!]
Mean Gene: Thanks Eric, I am standing here right now with Bruce and Keith Hart, in the crowd at this World Champonship Wrestling event. Gentlemen, what gives? You just recently cmopeted in Texas for World Class, now you are here in Atlanta? Shouldn't you two be helping out Stu, who is a great man by the way, back in Calgary?
Bruce Hart: Okerlund, you don't know anything about my father. My father's ship is sinking and sinking fast. My father, has made a huge mistake. The truth is, Keith and I are the only one with any brains in the family. So we left! Isn't that right Keith?
[Keith nods, but does look a little reluctant.]
Bruce Hart: My father thinks that Bret is going to save Stampede wrestling! He even signed Hulk Hogan in hopes that Bret could find a way to defeat him and bring glory to Canada. The only thing Bret is going to do is embarass The Hart name. Kieth and I, we couldn't stand there and watch him embarass us. So we packed our backs and we found ourselves in Texas against two punks in neon tights. If it wasn't for a little mis communication, my brother and I would be 250,000 richer. But our riches will come in due time. This isn't a personal venture, it's business. Keith and I both know that we are the best that the Hart family has to offer, we're THE BEST in the world today! We have a meeting with Harley Race after the show tonight, and if things go according to plan, Keith and I are going to be the newest members of World Championship Wrestling!
Mean Gene Okerlund: Bruce, you mean to tell me you're done with Stampede? You've left your father high and dry?
Bruce Hart: My father left us high and dry plenty of times. He brought us into this business, this is the business HE has chosen. We're just doing what is right for us, finally. We won't be held back by our old man ANY LONGER. We are too talented, and too hungry. You're looking at THE REAL HART FOUNDATION. If you don't like it, that's just too god damn bad, because there isn't a damn thing you can do about it! Let's sit down Keith....
[Keith sits down as Mean Gene tries to get a word from him, but Bruce shoves the microphone out of their face. Gene sends it back to Eric.]
Jesse Ventura: HA HA! The Smartest men in the Hart Family. I knew I always liked Bruce, welcome to WCW boys! You've made the right decision!
Eric Bischoff: What kind of dispicable men, leave their family, their blood, their own father? I can't even believe it...Jess...let's get to the ring!
vs
Scheduled for One Fall
Brian Pillman and The Rock N Roll Express vs Don Muraco and The Fabulous Rougeaus
Brian Pillman and The Rock N Roll Express made their way out together, showing unity in their team. Pillman walked out last and the crowd showed Pillman some love. The Fougeaus came out next followed by Don Muraco. We started things off with Morton and Raymond. The two tied up only to have Morton hip a couple of hip tosses to kick things off. Ray managed to tag in Muraco after a minute of being hop tosses and drop kicked and Muraco put an end to that right away. He got a hold of Morton and places him in a powerful bear hug. It wasn't until Brian Pillman scaled the top rope and drop kicked Morton's back so that his weight and momentum would fall on to Muraco! Muraco was almost pinned but managed to kick out. Morton made a quick tag to Pillman who came in scorching hot. Pillman connected with rights and lefts on Muraco util the big made was against the ropes. Pillman charges and clotheslined Muraco over the top rope. However Jacques made the tag to Don as he was falling over. Pillman has his back turned and Jacques chop blocked him from behind. Jacques took complete control of the contest for several minutes, until the crowd started clapping their hands. Pillman found himself fighting out of a sleeper hold, turning it into a jaw breaker! He taged in Robert Gibson who turned the pace up quite a bit. Jacques had no choice but to tag back out to ray. Ray threw Ribson into the ropes but Gibson leap froged him. He tagged in Pillman. Pillman quickly scaled the top rope, and launched himself connecting on a high flying cross body! The official made the count for a three! Howard Finkel announced that the winners were the team of Flyin' Brian Pillman, and The Rock N Roll Express to a nice pop!
Eric Bischoff: What a match up! The speed of Brian Pillman, boy did he look impressive!
Jesse Ventura: He's got to learn to not play up to the crowds so much, Eric, it's going to cost him soon then later!
[size=small]Eric Bischoff: Well folks, we are just about out of ti......
[Before Eric can finish his sentence, JJ Dillon makes his way to the ring to a nice pop. We saw him arrive earlier in the evening, but hadn't heard from him since. JJ waves to the fans and shakes some hands on his way to the ring. Mean Gene Okerlund walks out behind him before meeting him in the ring!]
Mean Gene Okerlund: JJ Dillon! WOW! The names just keep on coming! I assume things can only get bigger and better from here!
JJ Dillon: You don't know how true those words are Gene. World Championship Wrestling! It's a pleasure to be here, and it's a pelasure to make this VERY special announcement. You see just like the saying goes, every good man has a good woman standing behind him. Well every good Heavyweight Champion has a great manager who is willing to do ANYTHING for them. They share a common interest, that is usually making money. It can be a busness relationship, or sometimes it turns into a friendship.
Mean Gene Okerlund: Like the friendship you and Ric Flair have struck up throughout your years?
JJ Dillon: Absolutely Gene. So now The Nature Boy, the greatest champion of all time, gets a chance to reclaim his thrown. It's a beautiful thing. Gene do you know why Ric is the greatest champion in the history of professional wrestling?
Mean Gene Okerlund: I don't know if we have enough time left in the show to cover that topic, JJ.
JJ Dillon It's because......WELL IT'S BECAUSE THIS MAN HAS NEVER BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A CHAMPION!
[JJ Dillon points to the entrance way and out steps........]
Mean Gene: THAT'S ANDRE THE GIANT!
JJ Dillon: You're damn right that is' Andre The Giant! That man making his way to the ring right now, is my NEWEST CLIENT, AND WITH ME BY HIS SIDE HE WILL FINALLY BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY HE DESERVES. THERE ISN'T A MAN THAT CAN MATCH UP WITH HIM! Everyone for years has been afraid to give this man his opportunity! Now I FINALLY have gotten this man just what he deserves. Andre The Giant, is indeed in The World Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title Torunament, and Ric, no hard feelings bud, but if you step into the ring with a GIANT.....well tell em' boss....
[Andre finally steps over the top rope and into the ring with Mean Gene and JJ......Andre speaks into the microphone.]
Andre The Giant:I will CRUSH YOU!
[JJ smiles and Andre places his hand on JJ's shoulder as the camera fades out and WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING'S Saturday Night comes to a close!]