Lee Casebolt Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 (First of all, a very belated apology to everyone I ghosted years ago in Dawn of War. Now on to the show...) The AWA Presents - World Class Championship Wrestling! February 10, 1984 - David von Erich found dead in a hotel room February 4, 1986 - Gino Hernandez found dead from a drug overdose June 4, 1986 - Kerry von Erich loses his foot in a motorcycle accident. He would cover up the injury and continue his career, only to commit suicide in 1990 But what if that never happened? What if David and Gino survive and they and Kerry keep their worst self-destructive impulses under control well enough to have the long, successful careers they could have? What if Fritz is the Von Erich who dies young, say a heart attack in early ‘84? A deep pockets investor sees the potential of the Von Erich brothers and national wrestling promotion and makes a sweetheart offer - a substantial sum of money for a controlling interest in World Class Championship Wrestling, with the Von Erich family to retain minority ownership and the three brothers receiving lucrative contracts as headliners. I'm going to explore the admittedly very optimistic possibility of what might happen if a generation of Von Erichs stays healthy and how World Class might grow into a viable third national promotion in the 80s and 90s. If all goes well, I'll do about a month of alt-history per week of real time; more or less depending on how real time is going. Going to stick with broad strokes except for the big cards; you don't care what every spot show card looked like, or even who every single person on the roster was feuding with. There's going to be a lot of talent moving around and we're going to change the direction of a lot of people's careers (hopefully mostly for the better) while sticking with as plausible an alternate time line as I can manage. Starting with February, 1984. David participates in the All Japan Excite Series tour. Mostly in tags at the top of the card with Bruiser Brody and the Super Destroyers (Scott & Bill Irwin) against various combinations of Baba, Jumbo, Tenryu, and Ashura Hara. He also made defenses of the NWA United National title before dropping the belt to Genichiro Tenryu at the end of the tour. While on tour he gets the word - Fritz is gone. Wrestling being wrestling and the Von Erichs being the Von Erichs, he finishes the tour before heading home. Next time we'll get into more detail about what David and the boys get up to and start making more detailed changes in wrestling history. (But Lee! Where does the AWA come in? Hey, don't jump ahead. We'll get there.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirEdger Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Officially. Psyched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control21 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Welcome back Lee! Very much looking forward to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmcfl Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Really looking forward to this. Cool idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blehschmidt Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I actually inquired about the possibility of David living when I originally joined Dawn of War with World Class. Be interested to see what you do with the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted February 20 Author Report Share Posted February 20 Gonna pick up the pace on these early couple years with relatively minor changes while I've got the energy. March 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - David von Erich NWA American Tag Team Champions - Super Destroyers (Bill & Scott Irwin) NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts) WCCW Television Champion - Kelly Kiniski Major Events and feuds 3-4 - David von Erich returns to the US for a show in Kansas City, tagging with Kerry to defeat The Grapplers. Ric Flair defended the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Harley Race in a steel cage in the main event. 3-5 - David returns to World Class to resume a three way feud between the Von Erichs, Freebirds, and Devastation Inc. Major Card 3-19 - WCCW @ Fort Worth TX 1 Kelly Kiniski defeated Chick Donovan to retain WCCW Television Title 2 Iceman Parsons defeated Buddy Roberts 3 Michael Hayes defeated Johnny Mantell 4 Junkyard Dog defeated Jimmy Garvin by disqualification 5 Chris Adams vs. Missing Link ended without a winner as a time limit draw 6 Kerry Von Erich defeated Super Destroyer #1 7 Elimination Match - Chris Adams, Junkyard Dog, Iceman Parsons, Kerry Von Erich and David Von Erich defeated Kamala, Missing Link, Super Destroyer #2, Super Destroyer #1 and Jimmy Garvin No real differences yet, other than David being in the mix and quietly phasing out Mike. As I've been watching and re-watching World Class from the period, my opinion on David has gone up. I never bought him as a surefire world champ and I still don't but he's definitely better than I gave him credit for. Mike, though... man, we gotta get this kid an office job or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blehschmidt Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 I've read several things that said Mike wanted to be involved in the production side of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted February 20 Author Report Share Posted February 20 I am going to take this second hand information and treat it as gospel, in the way of our people. Without the absence of David as a hole to fill and no Fritz around to push, Michael Adkisson, Executive Producer sounds like it keeps Mike out of the ring and probably alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowBlowPodcast Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 31 minutes ago, Lee Casebolt said: I am going to take this second hand information and treat it as gospel, in the way of our people. Without the absence of David as a hole to fill and no Fritz around to push, Michael Adkisson, Executive Producer sounds like it keeps Mike out of the ring and probably alive. Could be like a Joel Watts... who I have read did some pretty amazing stuff on that side of the camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted February 25 Author Report Share Posted February 25 April WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - David von Erich NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Chris Adams NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts) NWA American Tag Team Titles - Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer #1 and Super Destroyer #2) WCCW Television Champion - Kelly Kiniski Major Angles and Feuds Chris Adams and Jimmy Garvin trade the American title back and forth a few times this month. Andre the Giant does a short tour, teaming with various babyfaces against Devastation Inc. (Kamala, Missing Link, Super Destroyers) in tags. Von Erichs / Freebirds / Devastation Inc. feud continues. Advertising for the Fritz Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions begins. Major Card 4-23 - WCCW @ Fort Worth TX 1 Kelly Kiniski defeated Rick Hazzard 2 Super Destroyer #1 defeated Chris Adams 3 David Von Erich defeated Super Destroyer #2 4 Johnny Mantell defeated Mr. Ebony 5 Terry Gordy defeated Buck Zumhofe 6 André the Giant, Kevin Von Erich, Chris Adams and David Von Erich defeated Super Destroyer #1, Missing Link, Kamala and Super Destroyer #2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control21 Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Andre teaming with the Von Erichs would have been a fun sight to see. I really like where this is going so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted February 26 Author Report Share Posted February 26 May 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - David von Erich NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Chris Adams NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts) NWA American Tag Team Titles - Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer #1 and Super Destroyer #2) WCCW Television Champion - Kelly Kiniski Major Angles and Feuds Final push for David as NWA World Title challenger and Flair coming to town. Iceman Parsons eats a terrible attack from the Super Destroyers on tv; promises revenge with a surprise partner. Longtime family friend Brian Adias is tapped to team with Kerry and Kevin against the Freebirds. Major Card 5-6 - 1st Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions Chris Adams & Sunshine def. Jimmy Garvin & Precious to retain NWA Americas title. Butch Reed def. Chick Donovan The Great Kabuki DDQ Kamala Kerry von Erich, Kevin von Erich, and Brian Adias def. Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts) to win NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Titles Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley def. Super Destroyers 1 & 2 to win NWA American Tag Team Titles Junkyard Dog def. Missing Link Johnny Mantell time limit draw Kelly Kiniski David von Erich defeats Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight title David relinquishes Texas title; Gino Hernandez wins 1 night 8 man tournament later in month to become new champ. David goes on short tour of All Japan and drops the title back to Flair there at the end of the month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirEdger Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 It's cool to see possibly the 2 biggest "What ifs" that ever existed for World Class come to fruition here. Who knows how longer World Class could've survived if they could've fully capitalized on both David & Gino's potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted March 1 Author Report Share Posted March 1 June 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - Gino Hernandez NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Chris Adams NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Kerry von Erich, Kevin von Erich, & Brian Adias NWA American Tag Team Titles - Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley WCCW Television Champion - Kelly Kiniski Major Angles and Feuds David returns to TV. Acknowledges the title loss to Flair, thanks the fans for their support, insists he and / or one of his brothers will be world champs again but for now he’s focused on regaining the Texas title he never lost. Killer Khan joins Devastation Inc. Major Card 6-15 WCCW @ Dallas Missing Link & Killer Khan def. George Weingeroff & Chic Donovan Jimmy Garvin def. Brian Adias (Buddy Roberts interferes) Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley def. Super Destroyers (NWA American Tag Titles) Kerry von Erich & Kevin von Erich DCO Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes David von Erich DDQ Gino Hernandez (NWA Texas Heavyweight Title) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted March 6 Author Report Share Posted March 6 July 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - Gino Hernandez NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Chris Adams NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Kerry von Erich, Kevin von Erich, & Brian Adias NWA American Tag Team Titles - Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley WCCW Television Champion - Kelly Kiniski Major Card 7-4 WCCW Independence Day Star Wars @ Fort Worth TX 1 Killer Khan and Missing Link defeated José Lothario and Mike Reed (15:08 minutes) 2 Gino Hernández defeated David von Erich by 2 falls to 1 to retain the NWA Texas Heavyweight title. After the match, Khan and Missing Link attacked David before Kerry, Kevin, and Adias came out to chase them off. 3 Kelly Kiniski defeated George Weingeroff to retain WCCW Television title 4 Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts) defeated Kevin Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich and Brian Adias (c) (11:14 minutes) to win NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Titles 5 Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley defeated Scott & Bill Irwin (7:03 minutes) to retain NWA American Tag Team Titles 6 Chris Adams and Stella Mae French defeated Jimmy Garvin and Precious (11:54 minutes) in a Loser Leaves Town cage match to retain the NWA American Heavyweight title 7 David von Erich defeated Bill Irwin, Brian Adias, Pez Whatley, Chick Donovan, George Weingeroff, Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, José Lothario, Kelly Kiniski, Killer Khan, Mike Reed, Missing Link, Pez Whatley, and Scott Irwin in an over the top battle royal Major Angles Gino Hernandez announces his new manager, Gary Hart, and a secret financial backer. He also offers a $25,000 bounty to anyone who can take David von Erich out of wrestling. Stars from surrounding territories (Southwest, Central States, Mid South) are brought in for one-shots as “bounty hunters”. The Super Destroyers are quietly re-gimmicked as the Long Riders and removed from Devastation Inc. but continue to feud with Parsons & Whatley over the American tag titles. Mando Guerrero brought in to feud with Kelly Kiniski for TV title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control21 Posted March 7 Report Share Posted March 7 Loving the feud between Gino and David Von Erich. That definitely could have been great on paper, especially in 1984. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted March 13 Author Report Share Posted March 13 August 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - Gino Hernandez NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Chris Adams NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Kerry von Erich, Kevin von Erich, & Brian Adias NWA American Tag Team Titles - Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley WCCW Television Champion - Kelly Kiniski Major Angles and Feuds Mando Guerrero defeats Kelly Kiniski to win the Television title. Al Perez and Jake Roberts debut under Gary Hart. Perez begins feud w/ Chris Adams over American Heavyweight title. Roberts starts singles feud w/ Kevin von Erich. PYTs come in and take over main title challenger role vs Parsons & Whatley. Bounty angle continues with David facing Kamala, Abdullah the Butcher, Buzz Sawyer, Mongolian Stomper, and others in singles while chasing Gino Hernandez. Kerry and Brian Adias face all three Freebirds in singles matches in addition to tags and six mans. Major Card 8-17 WCCW @ Dallas 1 Long Riders (Scott Irwin and Bill Irwin) defeated Jose Lothario and Jules Strongbow 2 Jake Roberts defeated Kevin von Erich 3 Kerry Von Erich DDQ Terry Gordy 4 Chris Adams defeated Al Perez to retain the NWA American Heavyweight title 5 Killer Khan defeated Brian Adias 6 King Parsons and Pez Whatley defeated PYTs (Koko Ware and Norvell Austin) to retain NWA American Tag Team titles 7 David Von Erich defeated Gino Hernández by disqualification. Hernandez retains NWA Texas Heavyweight title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted March 16 Author Report Share Posted March 16 September 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - Gino Hernandez NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Chris Adams NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Kerry von Erich, Kevin von Erich, & Brian Adias NWA American Tag Team Titles - Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley WCCW Television Champion - Mando Guerrero Major Feuds and Angles Chavo and Hector Guerrero are brought in as a midcard babyface mini-stable with Mando and take over as the main feud for The Long Riders. Freebirds shift to a tweener role, primarily feuding with Devastation Inc. but still opposed to the Von Erichs. Gary Hart’s stable of Hernandez, Perez, and Roberts becomes the primary antagonist for the Von Erichs. Kelly Kiniski quietly moved down the card. Buck Zumhofe, I don’t know, gets hit by a bus or something. Major Card 9-3 WCCW Labor Day Star Wars @ Fort Worth 1 Kevin von Erich defeated Jake Roberts by disqualification 2 Mando Guerrero defeated Terry Taylor to retain the WCCW Television title 3 Chavo and Hector Guerrero defeated Bill Irwin and Scott Irwin 4 Kerry Von Erich defeated Butch Reed by disqualification 5 Michael Hayes defeated Missing Link by count out 6 Iceman Parsons and Pez Whatley defeated PYTs (Koko Ware and Norvell Austin) to retain the NWA American Tag Team titles 7 David von Erich defeated Gino Hernández by count out. Hernandez retains the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title 8 Killer Khan defeated Terry Gordy in a spike match 9 Fabulous Freebirds (Hayes, Gordy, Roberts) defeat Kerry von Erich, Kevin von Erich, and Brian Adias in a cage catch to win the NWA/WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Titles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control21 Posted March 17 Report Share Posted March 17 That Killer Khan vs Terry Gordy match sounds brutal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted March 17 Author Report Share Posted March 17 They were always a great pairing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted April 12 Author Report Share Posted April 12 Got distracted for a little bit but we're back October 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - Gino Hernandez NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Chris Adams NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, and Buddy Roberts) NWA American Tag Team Titles - Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley WCCW Television Champion - Mando Guerrero Major Angles and Feuds Von Erichs leave to do a one month tour with All Japan. (Behind the scenes, management is trying to establish a closer working relationship with AJPW, including frequent talent exchanges.) Bruiser Brody comes in “as a favor” to battle Gary Hart’s stable. Temp alliance between Brody, Adias, Freebirds vs Hart / Devastation Inc. Chris Adams turns heel, backstabbing Brody and Adias in a 6 man vs Hernandez / Perez / Roberts, but stays independent of Hart. Atsushi Onita comes in to feud with Mando Guerrero. Major Card 10-27 WCCW Cotton Bowl Extravaganza @ Dallas TX 1 Kelly Kiniski def. Jose Lothario 2 Chavo and Hector Guerrero def. PYTs (Koko Ware & Norvell Austin) 3 Iceman Parsons and Pez Whatley defeated The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) to retain the NWA American Tag Team titles 4 Brian Adias defeated Chris Adams to win NWA American Heavyweight title 5 Al Perez, Gino Hernández and Jake Roberts defeated Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy, and Buddy Roberts to win NWA / WCWA World 6 Man Tag Team Titles 6 Mando Guerrero defeated Atsushi Onita to retain WCCW Television Title 7 Bruiser Brody def. Killer Khan 8 Butch Reed vs. Terry Gordy ended without a winner as a time limit draw (10 minutes) 9 Michael Hayes & Buddy Roberts def. Missing Link & Mongolian Stomper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control21 Posted April 14 Report Share Posted April 14 Interesting move to bring in Onita and Bruiser Brody. You can definitely get some good matches out of those two with the current roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted April 14 Author Report Share Posted April 14 Brody was a World Class mainstay so that was an easy call when I needed to fill a main event hole. Onita was perfect to fit in opposite Guerrero. Spoiler, he's only a couple months away from his first retirement, so this is going to be a short run but, second spoiler, if I stick with this long enough there will definitely be some FMW crossover later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted May 4 Author Report Share Posted May 4 November 1984 WCCW title situation NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion - Gino Hernandez NWA American Heavyweight Champion - Brian Adias NWA / WCWA World 6-Man Tag Team Champions - Gary Hart Presents - Al Perez, Gino Hernandez, and Jake Roberts NWA American Tag Team Titles - Iceman Parsons & Pez Whatley WCCW Television Champion - Mando Guerrero Major Angles and Feuds Fantastics brought in to fill out tag division. Brody and the Freebirds feud with Devastation Inc. Von Erichs / Gary Hart Presents feud continues. Major Card 11-22 Thanksgiving Star Wars @ Dallas TX 1 Mando Guerrero defeated Atsushi Onita to retain the WCCW Televsion title 2 Bruiser Brody defeated Missing Link 3 Terry Gordy defeated Killer Khan in a Texas Death Match 5 Kerry Von Erich and Kevin Von Erich defeated Al Perez and Jake Roberts 6 Stella Mae French defeated Nicola Roberts 7 Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers) defeated PYTs (Koko Ware and Norvell Austin) 8 Iceman Parsons and Pez Whatley defeated Mando and Hector Guerrero to retain the NWA American tag team titles 9 Chris Adams defeated Brian Adias to win the NWA American Heavyweight title 10 David von Erich defeated Gino Hernandez by disqualification. Hernandez retains NWA Texas Heavyweight title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Casebolt Posted May 19 Author Report Share Posted May 19 Doing the full booking is kind of getting away from me, so let's talk about where this would go in broad strokes. 1985 is probably a down year, with the Freebirds gone til late in the year and Gary Hart Presents vs the Von Erichs risking going stale. A lot of guys get moved through Devastation Inc over the course of the year - thinking One Man Gang, Billy Jack Haynes, Dr D Davis Schultz as highlights. Losing some talent in the midcard, too, with Onita retiring at the beginning of the year and the Guerreros moving on in the summer. While Mando's still around, re-christen the TV title as the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title. Bring in Mike Graham as a part timer to take that Jr Title position; Eddie Graham committed suicide in January of '85 and it's easy to see the Von Erich boys and Mike bonding a little over that. Mike's still got Florida commitments and Our Mysterious Benefactor probably can't outbid Crockett for the Florida territory, so part time it is, at least for now. We can have some Tim Horner and Brad Armstrong types to keep Mike busy; I'd love to see Barry Horowitz / Jack Hart in that mix. And the Fantastics vs Midnight Express will keep the tag belts interesting for a while. Late in the year, Rick Rude comes in to refresh the American / Texas title scenes. With luck, the All Japan outreach pays off and we can bring in a young Toshiaki Kawada for an excursion year. Raid dying days Southwest for talent, which I think is going to be Eric Embry and Bobby Jaggers. Try for their USA timeslot and probably get outbid by Vince. 1986 is when things start to get interesting. At the beginning of the year, World Class formally leaves the NWA and "joins" the AWA. In the background, Mysterious Benefactor is buying out the AWA, hoping that the talent infusion and ESPN deal can make The AWA Presents World Class Championship Wrestling a real national player. At the same time, the new AWA/WCCW is trying to build closer working relationships with All Japan, Memphis, and the CWA (Germany) to keep talent fresh. WrestleRock in April is full of title unification matches, most notably with Kerry and Kevin Von Erich defeating Scott Hall and Curt Hennig for the AWA tag titles, and Stan Hansen defeating Rick Rude for the AWA World Heavyweight Title. Wahoo McDaniel gets a short run with the AWA Americas title, Mike Graham is still positioned as the Jr Heavyweight champ, and Sherri Martel is the AWA Women's world champ. 1987 is about building up some young talent. Get the Midnight Rockers and Nasty Boys in key positions in the tag scene. Start spotlighting Madusa Micelli in a women's division we're going to try to take seriously. Scott Hall and "Bull Power" Leon White are our up and coming heavyweights. The Von Erichs, Gino Hernandez, Curt Henning, and Nick Bockwinkel are going to be our primary heavyweight title players, with guest spots from the likes of Jerry Lawler, Otto Wanz, Jumbo, and Tenryu. A returning Freebirds turns up the heat, with Terry Gordy ultimately taking the place of retiring Nick Bockwinkel in the singles title hierarchy. We're going to start doing just a little "dream match" booking with older stars, featuring bouts like Mil Mascaras vs Terry Funk at Parade of Champions and finding similar semi-retired legends to book Bockwinkel against on an end of year farewell tour. 1988 and '89 is consolidation. Establish Kerry as The Guy while David and Kevin are primarily in the tag ranks. The WWF and, to a lesser extent, Crockett / WCW are going to loot a lot of top names, so we get what we can out of the likes of Hennig and Hall and the Midnights while we can. Fill the gaps with young up and comers and foreign exchange talent. When older names come available - the Bob Orton / King Kong Bundy / Don Muraco types whose WWF run is finished - we snap them up for some short runs, but they're not the long term plan. Snag Tully Blanchard and re-unite him with Gino for a heel tag run. This is about the time EMLL is becoming CMLL and ditching the NWA; reach out to them and add some top lucha stars to our talent exchange schedule. If we're both very, very lucky, Bruiser Brody accepts a full time wrestler / booker position and forgoes his Puerto Rico commitments, saving his life. 1990 has two big runs - a united Brody & Hansen vs the Freebirds AWA title feud, and Kerry vs Terry Funk for the AWA World title. Underneath a lot of David & Kevin vs Gino & Tully, the Chris Adams and Steve Austin story more or less as it really unfolded, the Jr. title floating around from Mike Graham to one of the Malenkos and maybe one of the Gotch students like Mark Rush in between UWF gigs, and trying to find opponents for Madusa that let her show how good she is. From there, all of the 90s is about presenting what is probably the third largest wrestling company in the US as a true international player. Regular talent exchanges with Japan, Mexico, and Europe that bring in new challengers for the AWA World titles - "the only real world titles in professional wrestling". Sending out the von Erichs and other long term talent on tours abroad helps keep them from getting stale at home and frees up card space for up and comers. We're not going to hold on to Steve Austin but we can try to build a solid next generation tier of Ken Shamrock (part time while he's UWF / PWFG, try to sign him full time before he goes to Pancrase), Rob Van Dam, and Eddie Guerrero in the mid 90s. We're basically cannibalizing the ideas of both Smokey Mountain and ECW, trying to present a multi-tiered traditional pro wrestling that keeps up with modern advances. Team up with LPWA and AJW; I'd love to have Madusa, Reggie Bennett, Terri Power, and Miss Texas / Jaqueline as the core of a serious women's division. Our junior division turns into a mix of part time shooters, CMLL's best lightweights, and the Armstrong / Horner / Graham types. Politics probably prevents us from having the AAA luchadors but showcasing the MPro boys is a possibility. At heavyweight, we've got a mix of AWA science, modernized by bringing in the American shooters like Shamrock, Albright, and Severn, and Texas violence. Onita is definitely making a comeback in the US. Cactus Jack will get a run, and Masato Tanaka and Mike Awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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