WCW Continues to Disappoint

WCW announced on their web site that executive Vice President Bill Busch would name a new commissioner on last week’s edition of "Nitro." With the show booked for Greenville, South Carolina, four horsemen country, the anticipation centered on Ric Flair, who most believed would be Busch’s choice.

The company approached the fourteen-time world champion about assuming the role, but "the Nature Boy" balked and vetoed the idea two days later. WCW made the announcement of a new commissioner before locking down Flair to the role.

Flair also rejected WCW’s wishes of him replacing an injured Scott Hall in the ladder match at "Starrcade" against Chris Beniot. Flair was told he could win the match, yet still declined. It should be pointed out that Flair has been a company man in the past, agreeing to put over younger and less established talent.

Flair, who has thirteen months left on his contract, has requested a release. Realizing that upon his release from WCW the fifty-year old mat veteran would bolt for the competition, management has declined Flair’s request.

WCW desperate for a replacement for Flair contacted hardcore legend Terry Funk New Year’s Eve about the commissioner’s role. Funk was introduced as the new commissioner largely to combat the revamped New World Order.

The selection was a major disappointment to the South Carolina crowd, and to the millions watching at home. Arn Anderson was named Funk’s enforcer to soften the fan’s reaction. "Double A" was eventually kidnapped by the N.W.O.

"Nitro," back to its original two-hour format, was filled with several production snafus, including a missed camera spot where Bam Bam Bigelow attacked "Champagne" Kanyon and body slams him off the stage through a table. Theme songs played out of sequence, not to mention the announcing remains dreadful on the company’s number one show.

“Nitro” concluded with David Flair and Crowbar capturing the WCW World Tag Team titles in the finals of the Lethal Lottery tournament. The tournament was filled with several partner turns, and very little actual wrestling, easily the worst televised tournament.

Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara stated upon assuming the role of head bookers of WCW that the direction of the company would dramatically change and the emphasis would be placed on the younger talent.

Under their regime, WCW has released the youthful talents of Blitzkrieg, Super Calo, Hector Garza (who has returned to AAA in Mexico), Scotty Riggs, and Sick Boy among others. Scott Vick, who played the role of Sick Boy, signed a deal with the WWF. Super Calo is now employed by ECW.

Two unrelated notes in closing:

Congratulations to the three-time WWF champion Shawn Michaels and his wife Rebecca Curci (formerly Nitro Girl “Whisper”) on the birth of their first child, a son. Cameron Cade Hickenbottom was born Thursday morning, January 6th, and weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces.

Tragically Gary Albright, a star for All Japan Pro Wrestling and domestically on the independent circuit, suffered a heart attack during a match in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. Despite CPR efforts, Albright was later pronounced dead. Albright, 36, was married to a daughter of Afa “The Wild Samoan,” who promoted the WXW show. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gary Albright.

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