May 10, 20187 yr comment_5848784 As for Tommy Rich, even if Ole was behind that, I'm not sure how impressive that is. Sure, Rich was hot for a time, but it didn't last. Maybe that's down to Rich himself and his "demons" - I don't know - but it's not like giving Rich the NWA Title for a couple of days was this awesome masterstroke of booking. Yes, back then, holding the title even for a short time would "make" a wrestler "for life" - but "for life" only lasted a few years in Tommy Rich's case. That Tommy was never as hot outside of Georgia is a point in Ole's favor. Flair was probably mixing up 90 and 91. Barry Windham did hold hard feelings toward Flair for not dropping the belt to him. Lex seemed to see it as business.
May 10, 20187 yr comment_5848793 Luger was offered the belt around that time, but not specifically in that match to my knowledge. The WON at the time said Luger didn't want it but then I remember Dave saying Luger always held Flair not putting him over in St. Louis against him (for the famous night that they were going to do a house show title change and had cameras and the Apter mags there, only to cancel at the last minute). There have been conflicting reasons for Flair's time as booker in 1990 ending too -- Cornette produced his letter of resignation because he was tired of dealing with Herd and Flair has always said he was forced out of the role as punishment for not putting Luger over at Wrestle War. I think it's possible (and likely) that Flair has confused the St. Louis house show and Wrestle War '90 in his head. This is doubly weird for me because Luger obviously did end up becoming champion later, when the company was in worse(?) shape. Sorry if this is old hat to anyone, but was there ever a reason given for that?
May 10, 20187 yr comment_5848833 For Luger being champion? They had ruined Sting the previous year and needed to build up someone else. The Bash in '91 was set up as his big coronation before Flair quit for the WWF. Flair was willing to put over Luger if he got a new contract first. Herd wanted to cut his salary and Flair wanted an extension at the same rate. So then, they came back with the idea to drop it to Barry Windham, more because they knew Flair would have a tough time saying no for any reason with such a close friend. Flair agreed to that, but he had the falling out with WCW before the match happened. Windham was a pawn who would have only had the belt for a couple of weeks, but was manipulated into thinking Flair cost him his big break by refusing to do business. The funny thing about it is that Herd came back offering Flair a raise and a long contract to return, but Flair had already started talking to Vince and was sick of Herd. The final offer at that point was for more than Flair even asked for to begin with in an attempt to get him back. Watts signed Flair back after replays of old Steamboat matches did big ratings on TBS and when Vince made clear that he was no longer going to be a top guy. But Watts was gone a few days before Flair returned on camera because WCW.
May 10, 20187 yr comment_5848839 That's a fantastic post and I didn't know some of that, thanks. But I was really wondering why, if Luger turned the belt down in 1990 under less than ideal circumstances, he would then accept the belt in 1991 under far worse circumstances? Is it just the difference between being offered the belt versus being told to take it, or did Luger's opinion change, or what? For the longest time I blamed Flair for putting off Luger's big moment until it no longer mattered, but if Luger was in his own way that changes things a little.
May 11, 20187 yr comment_5848899 I think Luger held that opinion briefly. It might have been something he said in passing more than a hard stance, because by March of 1990 when they were going to make him champ by beating Flair in a house show and Flair felt it would be best to wait for Sting, it caused some resentment on his side.
May 11, 20187 yr comment_5848903 Is there an instance of a missed opportunity for a promotion to coronate Luger as the top guy in almost every single year of the 1990's?
May 11, 20187 yr comment_5848906 Also the story of Luger finishing up his dates early in 1991 and not having to work the last month or so on the road and it not affecting wcw business one iota is also classic WCW
May 11, 20187 yr comment_5848919 Luger turning down the title win was reported in the March 5, 1990 Observer. Dave was just speculating on the reasons why.
May 22, 20187 yr comment_5850532 Who would thought that Roman being The Guy would lead to a multi-billion agreement. Truly, the greatest of them all.
May 22, 20187 yr comment_5850534 Who would thought that Roman being The Guy would lead to a multi-billion agreement. Truly, the greatest of them all. Solidifies him for WON HOF on the first ballot. Transformed the business.
May 22, 20187 yr comment_5850539 #1 in the PWI500 #1 merch seller #1 reason they closed their biggest deal it's time to #FaceTheFacts
May 22, 20187 yr comment_5850582 Who would thought that Roman being The Guy would lead to a multi-billion agreement. Truly, the greatest of them all. You mean Brock, right?
May 22, 20187 yr comment_5850608 Breaking news: WWE fans voice outrage over having no voice. Continue to stay tuned for 5 hour shows anyway.
May 22, 20187 yr comment_5850609 Can't wait for next year's Wrestlemania Weekend where the show will literally last all weekend.
May 22, 20187 yr comment_5850615 Is there an instance of a missed opportunity for a promotion to coronate Luger as the top guy in almost every single year of the 1990's? Everything but 98/99 I think
May 23, 20187 yr comment_5850651 Breaking news: WWE fans voice outrage over having no voice. Continue to stay tuned for 5 hour shows anyway. Well you know the numbers are shrinking every year. Credit to Vince, he exploited three great years better than anyone.
May 23, 20187 yr comment_5850708 They'll have even less reason to try harder with the actual product they're presenting. They've gotten to the point where they can just show up. Not try. And get rewarded for it. They'll still make money without our input. They finally did it. They're completely secure. ...They won. We lost. That was an actual post from the r/squarecircle. That subreddit wonders why r/scjerk exists. I can't believe people think of it like this.
May 23, 20187 yr comment_5850711 Can't wait for next year's Wrestlemania Weekend where the show will literally last all weekend. Dude, the pre-show started 2 hours ago. You're not tuned in to the Network yet? You're gonna miss the best friggin' match on the whole card (205 Live Guy vs. Some Other 205 Live Guy in a Quarter-Filled Stadium match)! Guess you're not a real wrestling fan.
May 23, 20187 yr comment_5850744 It's going to be hilarious when historians look back at this era and have to remind people that the main event matches at WM had to be the second match on the card because people would get burned out and tired when the show went past 2 AM.
May 23, 20187 yr comment_5850746 Better get your tickets quick. Wrestlemania 36 starts next weekend. If someone gets the trademark to Wrestleyear now...
May 23, 20187 yr comment_5850752 Cool. I won't even have to get up that early next year to watch Roman Reigns well deserved coronation live. (10000 posts ? What have I done with my life ?...)
May 24, 20187 yr comment_5850808 This deal looks a little less awesome when the UFC managed to get more money and their product has been in freefall for the last year.
May 24, 20187 yr comment_5850809 From what I saw UFC got less money, which was pretty surprising given expectations in recent months.
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