By Thomas Sellers Jr.
I went to bed 25 years ago sad and knowing a precious part of my life would never be the same.
Losing WCW on March 26, 2001, I knew it was a date that would live in infamy and in my heart until I pass away. I am 44 years old and still miss that period of my existence.
I took it for granted and thought my favorite form of professional wrestling would be there forever. Nothing is guaranteed in this life but hard times, taxes and eventually going to meet our Maker.
But part of my journey that made it a blessing was watching some of the best wrestlers perform under the WCW banner. Now it is time for my Top 10 Best in WCW history post 1991 until the closure in 2001.
10. “Hollywood” Hogan
Hulk Hogan was the undisputed No. 1 guy in WWF in the 1980s. Hogan was able to do something not too many wrestlers are able to do — reinvent himself and reign on top once again.
Hulk Hogan joined WCW in 1994, but Hollywood hit the scene in summer of 1996. After we endured rehashed WWF storylines and themes doing the first part of Hogan’s run in WCW, his World Heavyweight Championship reigns felt hollow.
We finally put aside the Kevin Sullivan’s Dungeon of Doom feud for something fresh. Hogan turned heel shocking the wrestling community and entire world. Gone was the red and yellow and hello the man in black.
He traded in the Hulkamaniacs for the Outsiders Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to form The New World Order. The “Hollywood” persona led to six WCW Championships and made Hogan mainstream once again.
9. Scott Steiner
By the time WCW closed, Scott Steiner was unrecognizable. Gone was the brunette mullet and he was sporting a bleach blonde short haircut with much more muscle.
Regardless of the look, Steiner was fun to watch. At first alongside his brother Rick, the Steiner Brothers were a tag team force. Great superplexes and Scott had an arsenal of moves never seen executed by a man his size.
In 1986, Scott became an NCAA Division I All-American for the University of Michigan. Those skills made his transition to professional wrestling much smoother.
By the late 1990s, the grappler changed his stature and attitude to become ‘Big Poppa Pump.’ He was a leading man by the time the year 2000 hit and he kept his versatile skill set in the ring. Steiner just added a nasty attitude and more intensity.
The Genetic Freak had a decorated tenure in WCW, including seven WCW Tag Team Titles and the WCW World Title. “Holla, if ya hear me!”
8. Eddie Guerrero
Another great pure wrestler on this list was the late, great Eddie Guerrero. Before he became more of a character in WWE, he was the no-nonsense grappler in WCW.
The youngest son of Gory Guerrero, Eddie had a natural flow in the ring. He truly appreciated the craft and would make any opponent look like a million bucks.
Eddie was a combination of a luchador and ground technician. He arrived in WCW in 1995 and was another emerging superstar with plenty of international experience.
The man with the best frog splash finisher ever won the United States Championship and held the Cruiserweight Title several times.
7. Chris Jericho
This man was pure entertainment and he was just tapping into his ability at this point.
A very young Chris Jericho got a chance to test out moves in the ring, personalities and microphone skills while in WCW. Before Chris Jericho broke the walls down in WWE and became Le Champion in AEW, he was hosting ‘Monday Night Jericho’ in WCW. Jericho was limited primarily to the Cruiserweight Division and he was destined for greater things later.
But he made the most out of what he was given in WCW. The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla was the first man to hold the Cruiserweight Championship on four occasions.
That led to great rivalries with The Man of 1,000 Holds” Dean Malenko. Jericho claimed he was “The Man of 1,004 Holds.”
He took on Rey Mysterio… I mean Ron Mysterio. Jericho also picked on Raven or “Raisin” and Juventud Guerrera as “Hoot ‘n’ Toot.” We can’t forget his head of security, Ralphus and countless wonderful promos.
6. Goldberg
Who’s Next?
The last homegrown WCW superstar was Bill Goldberg. He went 173-0 to start his career. For more than a year he was unbeatable and we bought it as the public.
The former NFL defensive tackle quietly debuted Sepetember 22, 1997 taking on Hugh Morrus. Morrus hit his top-rope blackflip finisher ‘No Laughing Matter.’
When then unknown wrestler kicked out, it was a no laughing matter. He upset Morrus that night and a star was born. We looked forward to the slow walk from the dressing room to the pyro engulfing him on the ramp. The bell would ring and a Jackhammer later, the trademark theme song would play. The entire time everyone in our house was locked in for Goldberg.
The night Goldberg beat Hogan for the World Championship in the Georgia Dome, it was the payoff we all wanted. I won’t ever forget Goldberg holding up both the U.S. title and World title belts to close out the show.
5. Arn Anderson
He is the greatest No. 2 of all time—sorry, Scottie Pippen and Robin. Anderson accepted his role as the Enforcer of the Four Horsemen and for world champion Ric Flair.
Also known as ‘Double A,’ Anderson is synonymous with WCW. Another trademark of Anderson is being a fierce competitor, skilled wrestler and great teammate.
Arn Anderson had great rivalries individually and alongside his tag team partners. I love watching him work with partners like Tully Blanchard, Ollie Anderson, Larry Zbyszko and Bobby Eaton.
Of course whenever he teamed up with Ric Flair it was magical. Injuries forced him into early retirement and we had to say goodbye to the DDT and the best spinebuster ever.
4. Diamond Dallas Page
Another ‘True WCW Star’ is the self-made DDP. Diamond Dallas Page’s story is a lesson in betting on yourself. He went from a flash manager to a world champion.
What a journey to go from a mouthpiece for other wrestlers to one of WCW’s greatest competitors.
DDP went from managing the Fabulous Firebirds to getting in the ring as part of his own faction known as The Diamond Mine.
Then he developed a signature move for the ages — the Diamond Cutter. Victims like Eddie Guerrero, the Macho Man and Scott Hall made the move iconic.
DDP quickly became ‘The People’s Champion’ and one of the hottest stars in professional wrestling overall.
He ended up a “three-time, three-time, three-time” WCW Champion. Page also was a four-time tag team champion, two-time U.S. Champion and a one-time TV Champion. He deserves a ‘self high-five.’
3. Booker T
WCW gets an unfair reputation for not having any homegrown talent. When real-life brothers Stevie Ray and Booker T arrived in Atlanta in 1993, they formed the Harlem Heat.
Booker T never jumped ship during the infamous Monday Night Wars. He did jump from a mega-successful tag team to being a World Champion.
Booker T was a combination of power, athleticism and creativity. Stevie Ray was the pure power of Harlem Heat leading to 10 World Tag Team Championships.
When Stevie Ray suffered an injury and was recovering, Booker T jumped into the singles ranks.
His natural ability led to the Television Championship, U.S. Championship, and eventually the WCW World Championship.
He formed great duels with Chris Benoit and Scott Steiner along that journey.
Booker became one of a select few who achieved the Triple Crown in WCW of all three individual titles. He went down in history as the second African-American to hold the prestigious World Heavyweight Championship after Ron Simmons. He had the honor of holding the U.S. and World titles after the final Nitro.
2. Ric Flair
He is a wrestling icon. Flair was the face of the NWA and WCW. He was everybody’s natural rival and a terrific heel. The 1990s gave Flair a chance to be a good guy to root for as well.
The Nature Boy had the honor of wrestling the final WCW match and helping close down the promotion he made known worldwide.
Flair’s accomplishments are countless and his impact is immeasurable. Just gonna keep it simple this time and say a heartfelt thank you to the Nature Boy. Wooooooo.
1. Sting
Whether it was surfer or crow version, Sting was woven into the fabric of WCW, faithful to the brand and the face of the promotion. He is Mr. WCW.
The man called Sting made his NWA/WCW debut in 1987 and stayed until he participated in the company’s final match vs. Ric Flair. “The Franchise of WCW,” was fittingly the winner of that match.
The early days of Sting, with his colorful face paint and matching attire, were magnetic to the youth.
His high-flying attack with doses of pure power made him beloved by adults. Sting was a certifiable main eventer prior to 1996. Then the NWO formed and Sting became the ideal hero for WCW. He transformed into the ‘Crow Era’ Sting and captured America’s hearts without saying a single word.
Throughout his tenure, The Stinger amassed six WCW World Titles, three WCW Tag Team Championships, two WCW International World Titles and two United States Championships.
THOMAS SELLERS JR. is the editor of The Millington Star and both the sports editor and a weekly personal columnist for West 10 Media/Legacy Media. Contact him by phone at (901) 433-9138, by fax to (901) 529-7687 and by email to thomas@legacy-media.net
