10 Worst Booking Decisions in WCW History [Ranked]

The WWE has been the standard-bearer {of professional} wrestling for many years, cementing itself as the point of interest of the game because the Nineteen Fifties. An organization that opts for a extra sports activities entertainment-focused product, over time, many have tried and did not knock the Stamford-based firm off its perch.

With All Elite Wrestling at the moment providing wrestling followers a viable various, with their sports activities presentation being a refreshing change, names resembling Ring of Honor and New Japan Wrestling have had their second within the solar over time. Nonetheless, the corporate to have given WWE their hardest problem was none apart from World Championship Wrestling, higher often called WCW.

Backed by billionaire Ted Turner, WCW was a short-lived promotion that had the WWE’s again in opposition to the wall throughout the ’90s. Managing to win the Monday Night time Wars for 83 consecutive weeks, the product headed by Eric Bischoff and different notorious wrestling names had a litany of highs and lows throughout their run.

Discovering and platforming a few of wrestling’s greatest performers and producing memorable matches and PPVs, WCW equally had some mind-blowing moments happen, however not in a optimistic approach. Experiencing totally different eras throughout its run as an organization, WCW’s decision-making and storylines raised eyebrows, with these 10 reserving choices standing out because the worst.

Rating Components:

Outrage – how indignant have been followers on the time?

Time – how poorly has the second / section aged?

Concept – how outrageous was the concept that was booked?

10

The Unmasking of Rey Mysterio

There are a number of distinctive traits in Lucha Libre wrestling that make it stand out, a type of being the wrestlers sporting masks. Resulting from this, it’s a cardinal sin to take away the masks of a Lucha wrestler, therefore why heels typically try to drag it off. Aiming to garner babyface sympathy, WCW booked Rey Mysterio to lose a ‘Hair vs. Masks’ match in opposition to The Outsiders.

Hoping crowds would really feel dangerous for the naturally likeable Mysterio, it did subsequent to nothing however take away the attract that surrounded the Cruiserweight legend. In a position to navigate round this terrible reserving and forge a Corridor of Fame-worthy profession in WWE, followers attempt to overlook this second in time.

9

DDP Turning Heel After World Title Triumph

On the theme of naturally likeable wrestlers, it’s onerous to think about yet one more adored than Diamond Dallas Web page. Beloved while an lively competitor, and someway extra appreciated since his retirement, owing to his efforts in rehabilitating broken-down wrestlers of yesteryear, WCW’s resolution to show DDP heel was baffling.

Defeating Sting, Hulk Hogan and Ric Aptitude in April 1999 at Spring Stampede, it was a healthful second, though some followers had began to boo the fan favorite. Regardless, he remained appreciated, however only a week later, WCW undid what made his title win so memorable and turned him heel, as he knocked Goldberg out with brass knuckles. DDP would lose the title twice inside a month, regaining it on the identical evening he misplaced it the primary time round, however followers surprise how otherwise issues would’ve panned out if he had remained a face.

8

Scott Corridor’s Alcoholism Storyline

It’s no secret that wrestlers have typically taken various paths to remedy the ache they really feel as a result of brutal way of life of being a wrestler. With many succumbing to their demons over time, one wrestler who was going by means of it as an lively competitor was Scott Corridor.

Battling a severe alcohol drawback in 1998, as a substitute of surrounding the legend with help and love, WCW determined to lean into his points, making his on-screen character develop into a drunk. An extremely insensitive factor to do; it made for uncomfortable viewing for followers who knew Corridor was struggling. Though his appearances as this drunk character have been finished sober, it served as a saddening fixed reminder to Corridor of what points awaited him when the digicam was off.

7

Kevin Nash Ending Goldberg’s Streak

The larger consequence of this second is mirrored upon later within the record, however in isolation, Kevin Nash ending Goldberg’s legendary streak was legal. Goldberg’s first steps in skilled wrestling got here in WCW, and the corporate have been absolutely behind him. Racking up a win tally of 173-0, his iconic quick dash matches turned extremely anticipated, and it appeared he’d by no means lose.

Strolling into 1998’s Starrcade PPV because the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, win 174 seemed set to happen in opposition to Kevin Nash. Nonetheless, Scott Corridor disguised himself as a ringside safety member and used a taser gun on Goldberg to safe his Outsider companion the win. An pointless loss that halted Goldberg’s momentum, what occurred subsequent with Nash’s title run was someway worse.

6

David Arquette Profitable the WCW Championship

The record of WCW World Heavyweight Champions features a plethora of wrestling legends. Whether or not that’s Booker T, Ric Aptitude or Hulk Hogan, the perfect of the perfect have had the gold title wrapped round their waists. Nonetheless, sadly, resulting from Vince Russo’s questionable reserving choices, there have additionally been some horrific champions.

Russo, who booked WCW’s reveals, noticed a possibility when a number of WCW wrestlers have been set to look within the movie Able to Rumble, that includes David Arquette. Eager to promote the film, Arquette was concerned on-screen and shortly discovered himself tagging with WCW World Heavyweight Champion DDP in opposition to Eric Bischoff and Jeff Jarrett. In a match that featured the stipulation the place whoever scored the pinfall received the title, Arquette pinned Bischoff, a transfer that instantly discredited the corporate’s World Title. A transfer that allegedly angered many backstage, it equally angered the followers.

5

The Ending of Starrcade 1997

WCW produced some legendary PPVs which are timeless viewing experiences. Nonetheless, additionally they booked a number of the worst matches and segments seen on PPV. A kind of moments got here at Starrcade in 1997, the place Hollywood Hogan was defending his WCW World Heavyweight Championship in opposition to Sting in the primary occasion.

Within the closing phases of the match, referee Nick Patrick, who had a earlier affiliation with the nWo, was presupposed to fast-count Hogan’s pin however as a substitute forgot and did the rely at a standard tempo, which noticed Hogan go over decisively. Referencing the Montreal Screwjob, Bret Hart then stormed to the ring and refused to let the match be over, turned the referee after which dominated over a bout that Sting would go on to win. A very convoluted ending that baffled followers world wide, it was pointless and made two of WCW’s greatest acts appear to be fools.

4

The Drama at Bash on the Seaside 2000

From one dramatic PPV to a different, Bash on the Seaside in 2000 betters Starrcade 1997 for absurdity. Strolling into the PPV as WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Hulk Hogan exercised his inventive management, one thing that was in his contract, and determined he did not need to lose his match in opposition to Jeff Jarrett. Nonetheless, booker Vince Russo did need Hogan to lose, and chaos ensued.

Hogan’s match with Jarrett ended with Double J mendacity down for him and the Hulskter placing his foot on Jarrett’s chest for the pin. Baffled and indignant, Hogan reduce a scathing, unscripted promo. Later within the evening, Booker T and Jeff Jarrett fought for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship because it was relinquished upon Russo’s demand, and Hogan was by no means seen within the firm once more.

3

Ric Aptitude’s Faux Coronary heart Assault

Ric Aptitude isn’t solely considered one of WCW’s best wrestlers, however arguably the best wrestler of all time. Nonetheless, considered one of his segments in WCW was one of many first viewing experiences. In 1998, Aptitude and Eric Bischoff have been concerned in real-life authorized troubles, with a lawsuit occurring between the 2 resulting from Aptitude no-showing a WCW present.

Wanting to make use of this warmth for good, the 2 put their real-life hatred on-screen and began a storyline. Wanting to construct hype for his or her match at Starrcade 1998, Aptitude reduce an impassioned promo the place he reduce Bischoff right down to measurement. A promo so passionate, Aptitude dropped to the mat, grabbing his arm, with many believing the Nature Boy to be having a coronary heart assault. Escorted out of the ring by WCW’s medical crew, it turned out the entire scenario was a piece to create additional intrigue for the occasion, a transfer that nobody appreciated.

2

The Fingerpoke of Doom

As beforehand talked about, WCW’s resolution to finish Goldberg’s streak to a Taser Gun spot in opposition to Kevin Nash was baffling. Nonetheless, what was worse was the reserving behind Nash’s consequent World Title run. Defeating Goldberg in December 1998, just some days later within the New Yr, Nash defended his title on WCW Nitro in opposition to Hollywood Hogan.

Each nonetheless working underneath the nWo umbrella, Hogan was a heel together with his Hollywood faction, and Nash was a face together with his Wolfpac group. An intergroup rivalry that had been occurring for some time, all of it got here to an in depth on this match. The match consisted of Hogan poking Nash, who theatrically dropped to the mat and was pinned. Marking the reunion of the nWo and a second that topped Hogan as World Champion, followers have been furious that Goldberg’s streak was ended simply so this second may happen.

1

Vince Russo Reserving Himself to Grow to be WCW Champion

Vince Russo is infamously one of the crucial controversial bookers in wrestling historical past. Having a serving to hand within the demise of WCW, together with his comically poor selections resulting in fan disinterest and a snowball impact that noticed the corporate be purchased out by rivals WWE, his worst resolution concerned himself on the forefront.

Having bafflingly determined to make David Arquette World Champion, Russo went one additional in 2000 and booked himself to develop into WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Dealing with Booker T in a Metal Cage match for the title, it was unclear who received, with Russo and Booker each leaving the cage on the similar time. Nonetheless, two days later, Russo introduced himself because the World Champion earlier than instantly relinquishing the belt. A pointless transfer that made the title look meaningless and the acts preventing for it look foolish; it was simply considered one of a lot of Russo’s questionable concepts.