SLAM! Wrestling Editorial: The new WCW still needs help
By NICK TYLWALK -- For SLAM! Wrestling
The concept of a new WCW got off to such a
promising start. First there was the angle that
featured charismatic Shane McMahon stealing the rival
promotion right out from under his father's nose -- on
the last episode of Nitro, no less. Then there was
the appearance of Lance Storm on RAW in front of his
hometown fans in Calgary, a winner of an idea if there
ever was one.
So far, so good. But then came Hugh Morrus
hitting his moonsault on Edge on this past Monday's
episode of RAW, and that's where the first cracks in
this idea began to show. The fans' reaction -- or more
exactly, the lack thereof -- to Morrus proves that the
new WCW can't succeed to the satisfaction of its
owners without some bigger names to help it get off
the ground.
This is no reflection on Morrus -- a talented
performer who often worked through injuries during his
time in the Turner-owned WCW -- or any of the other
wrestlers already under contract to WWFE. The roster
assembled so far is long on potential but short on
star power.
And therein lies the problem. Without adding
some more recognizable names, the WWF will have to
hope that it can create its own stars. While the
writers headed by Stephanie McMahon has proven that it
is capable of doing so, its track record with talent
imported from other promotions is mixed at best. For
every Chris Jericho, there's a Dean Malenko and a
Perry Saturn. Can something as simple as a change in
creative team propel mid-carders to the top of a
program? Perhaps, but it's a risky proposition for
starting an entirely new television show.
Rumours continue to circulate that the WWF will
send some of its floundering superstars to WCW in the
hopes of jump-starting their careers. It's anyone's
guess who might be shipped out, but people like Billy
Gunn and Val Venis come to mind. Unfortunately, this
might hurt WCW more than it helps, as WWF fans who
give the new show a try are accustomed to viewing
those performers as mid-carders. It's a case of
perception versus reality that the WWF will be hard
pressed to overcome.
Like a catchy pop song, the new WCW needs a hook
to make it successful. And for once, the TV networks
might actually have it right, as the buzz in the
industry suggests that TNN is reluctant to grant
another wrestling time slot unless some legitimate
former WCW stars are brought into the fold.
Booker T and Scott Steiner would be a good place
to start. Both men are credible champions who have
the ability to put on entertaining matches with just
about anyone. Steiner's unpredictability and Booker's
growing charisma are traits that the WWF writers could
put to good use. The drawback is that both grapplers
held the WCW world title during the period of WCW's
lowest ratings, meaning that they won't be the
solution by themselves.
Rob Van Dam might do the trick. The biggest name
left from ECW that hasn't already been signed to the
WWF, Van Dam's electrifying moves and cockiness would
be a shot in the arm. But would his presence be
enough to bring disenfranchised WCW viewers over to
the new show? Probably not.
Signing Bill Goldberg would be best. Say what
you want about the man's in-ring ability, but the
former WCW world champion had a huge following and
sold more merhcnadise than anyone outside of the nWo.
The WWF has got to be praying that some way can be
found to convince Goldberg to opt out of the rest of
his AOL-Time Warner contract, as he is the best hope of getting
old Nitro fans to tune in to the new product.
And to truly succeed, the new WCW will need some
of those fans to watch. Analysis of the ratings back
in the heyday of the Nitro versus RAW battles proved
that there were fewer fans that watched both programs
than one might expect. On top of that, the posts on
the WCW website during the twilight days of Nitro
exposed many fans who won't support the new WCW simply
because Vince McMahon is involved. A link to the past
is the best, and possibly only way to get them to
change their minds.
The WWF has a great chance to get WCW off and
running on its own by building up some momentum during
what looks like a major crossover angle over the next
two months. All it needs to keep that momentum going
is the arrival of some familiar faces.
Reader Feedback
May 31:WWF down to the core?
I'd have to agree with you on some things, like an unwaverable cult
following for the promotions. But I don't think wrestling is as
"cyclical" as you made it out to be. If it were, the WWF's ratings
wouldn't have dropped this suddenly. The ratings drop as of late would
have been more gradual if it did go in that loop. For instance, you
wrote a year ago that the cyclical state of wrestling would mean that
WCW would eventually start winning the ratings war again. Well, you were
wrong because it was mistakes on WCW's part and nothing else that buried
them. And WCW's ratings triumphs of 1996-early 1998 were short compared
to the WWF's 1984-1991 heyday. I agree with what you said about summer
not being a good time for the WWF, but don't forget that other shows are
almost nothing but reruns. Thus, the WWF should have a decided advantage
over them, regardless of how few people are wanting to watch TV.
tbanks@sowega.net
The wrestlers have deluded themselves into believing their own hype. With their guest appearances they point to the fact that the shows they grace hit their highest numbers
when they appear. This goes back to the same premise you pointed out. Those shows have a core audience as well. So the gravy is the marks that must see their favorites on
these shows. It means nothing especially when the numbers drop right back to where they were when the guests no longer appear. I don't see how helping a show like Pacific
Blue hit a ratings peak is a big coup?
Dale Halvorson, dhalvorson@smednet.com
