Sabu Real Name Terry Brunk   Other Names Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal   Date of Birth n/a   Weight: 220   Height: 6`0   Signature Move Arabian Facebuster (diving legdrop w/chair), Triple Jump Moonsault Federations ECW, WCW, WWF, NWA, WWA, IWGP, FMW, New Japan, All Japan Titles Held XPW World Heavyweight Champion, ECW World Heavyweight Title (2), ECW Television Title, ECW World Tag Team Title (2), FTW World Title, NJPW Light Heavyweight Title, NWA World Independent Title, FMAW Tag Team Title Short Bio Thanks to The Sam Van Dam webpage: http://www.angelfire.com/sk/samvandam/new.html During the sixties and seventies, the terror of wrestling was The Sheik. Known across the world for his extreme style, he was feared by the wrestling world. Over the years, he has taught many talented wrestling superstars such as Rob Van Dam and Scott Steiner, but his star pupil is definitely none other then his own nephew, Sabu. The most homicidal, suicidal, and genocidal athlete of all time. Sabu's watched his uncle wrestle for years until it was his time to shine. For his first match, his uncle said that he would have a mystery opponent for him to battle. The mystery opponent turned out to be none other then the Sheik himself. After an insane brawl, Sabu was finally ready. In his first official professional wrestling match, Sabu defeated the Canadian Road Warrior. He would then start his own hard-core wrestling style. The Sheik had taught him the basics of mat wrestling, but Sabu taught himself how to fly through the air. Before most American fans had even thought about wrestlers doing backflips, Sabu was doing moonsaults through tables, back when it didn't happen at ever Pay Per View. Sabu wrestled all over the world for years. While the United States/North American fans cheered on steroid filled superhero wrestlers like The Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan, Sabu went to Japan. He won the FMW Tag Team Championship from two of Japan's biggest legends, Tarzan Goto and Atsushi Onita, with Horace (Hogan) Boulder. He was offered a contract by WWF Head Vince McMahon, but thought that the Japanese promoters might get angry if he accepted it. He turned it down and continued wrestling in Japan. On October 2nd, 1993, Sabu made his Eastern Championship Wrestling debut against The Tasmaniac. After being defeated by Sabu, The Tasmaniac called out Sabu, because he didn't want to be defeated by an unknown. Sabu defeated him again that night. The next night Sabu shocked the wrestling world by defeating 'The Franchise' Shane Douglas for the Eastern Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title. Two months later, Sabu won the Eastern Championship Wrestling Television Title when he pinned Hard-core Legend Terry Funk in a tag match (Sabu and Road Warrior Hawk vs. Terry Funk and King Kong Bundy) that said if Sabu pinned Terry Funk, he would win the title. In December Sabu lost the Heavyweight Championship to Terry Funk. In January ECW held the first ever three way dance at 'The Night the Line was Crossed.' Sabu, Terry Funk, and Shane Douglas went to a sixty minute time limit. A few months later Sabu lost the Television title to the Tasmaniac. After that, Sabu got a new manager, Paul E. Heyman (Or Paul E. Dangerously) and a bodyguard, 911. During this time, Sabu had many great matches with Shane Douglas, Terry Funk, and 2 Cold Scorpio. He also had very intense matches with a man known as Chris Benoit. In one of their matches, Benoit picked up Sabu, as if he was going for a kneebreaker, but then threw him right over his shoulder. Sabu fell headfirst, and broke his neck. Unbelievably, he still finished the match. In early 1995, Sabu, Paul E. Heyman, and 911 joined forces with The Tasmaniac to form the Dangerous Alliance. Sabu and The Tasmaniac put the past behind them, and took on the Public Enemy in the first ever Double Tables match. To win, you would have to put both of your opponents through different tables. Tasmaniac and Johnny Grunge were eliminated together, and Sabu eliminated Rocko Rock. His reign lasted under a month. Sabu and The Tasmaniac took on Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko on February 24th. Tasmaniac suffered a knee injury during the match, and 911 and Paul E. took him to the back, leaving Sabu to face both Benoit and Malenko. Sabu leaped off all sides of the ring in what some call his greatest match, even though it was a loss. Sabu and The Tasmaniac were now sent into a feud with Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko and the Public Enemy. They were to have the first Three Way Tag Team Dance. However, Sabu was in Japan when the match took place, and he had to be substituted by Rick Steiner. The fans were so outraged by this, that Sabu was publicly fired by Paul E. No longer part of Extreme Championship Wrestling, Sabu went back to wrestle in Japan. He won the IWGP Light Heavyweight Championship from Koji Kanemato, but lost it back to him a few months later. After drifting through the Japanese promotions for a few more months, Sabu signed with World Championship Wrestling. A video of Sabu was shown on the first ever WCW Monday Nitro, and on the next he defeated Alex Wright. After pinning him, he dragged him to the arena floor, set him on a table, and moonsaulted from the top rope through the table. WCW loved Sabu's skill and ability to entertain the crowd, but were not fond of his extreme style. He was told to stop using the tables. In October, Sabu made his American Pay Per View debut by defeating Mr. JL (Jerry Lynn) in under five minutes. A few weeks later, Sabu took on the Disco Inferno on WCW Nitro. After defeating him with a slingshot somersault leg drop, Sabu set up the Disco Inferno on a table, and flipped through hit. He was soon released from World Championship Wrestling. At November to Remember 1995, ECW's biggest show to that date, Paul Heyman informed the crowd that he had a big surprise for them. The lights went out, and when they came back, Sabu was in the ring, pointing at the sky. Sabu hacked up Hak Myers in his return match, after an Arabian Face Buster through a table. Sabu had returned to Extreme Championship Wrestling. At Holiday Hell, Sabu took on Cactus Jack in an insane fight where he broke his ribs. Sabu missed no time, however. He then stated a feud with one of his former students, Rob Van Dam. Sabu defeated him in their first ECW meeting, but when he offered to shake his hand, he refused. Sabu defeated him once more, but Rob Van Dam still refused to shake his hand. At Matter of Respect 1996, Sabu took on Rob Van Dam in a respect match, where the loser would have to admit he respected the winner. Rob Van Dam won the match with a top rope fisherman's buster. After the match, Rob Van Dam met Taz and Alfonso at the top of the ramp. Taz had told Rob Van Dam about the severity of Sabu's neck injury. At Hard-core Heaven 1996, Sabu defeated Rob Van Dam. Even though the top rope broke during the match, both still took to the air. Sabu again took on Rob Van Dam in a stretcher match at The Doctor is In. Sabu won the match, ending the feud. Later that year, Rob Van Dam and Doug Furnas signed a dream partner match. Doug Furnas chose Phil Lafon to no ones surprise, and Rob Van Dam chose Sabu. This led up to a partnership that existed up untill July of 1999. Sabu and Rob Van Dam started taking out all of the major tag teams in ECW. A November to Remember 1996, a match was signed between the Eliminators John Kronus and Perry Saturn, and Sabu and Rob Van Dam. The winner would take on World Tag Team Champions the Gangsters New Jack and Mustafa. The Eliminators and Sabu and Rob Van Dam went to a thirty minute draw. Thus, the match became a three way dance. During the match, Taz applied the Tazmission on Rob Van Dam, leaving Sabu open for a Total Elimination, eliminating the team. Later on the same show, Taz refereed a match between Bill Alfonso and Commissioner Todd Gordon. Midway through the match, Taz applied the Tazmission on Todd Gordon. The lights went out, and when they came back on, Sabu was there. Sabu and Taz charged at each other, but before anything happened, the lights went back out. The Taz-Sabu feud died down a little, and Sabu and Rob Van Dam started a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling. During the tour, AJPW promoter and Japanese legend Giant Baba told the other wrestlers to not cooperate with Sabu and Rob Van Dam if they introduced tables or chairs into the match. Sabu and Rob Van Dam quit the tour, and returned to the states. Sabu picked up his feud with Taz right where he left off. At ECW's first Pay Per View, Barely Legal, the first ever meeting with Taz and Sabu was signed. Taz defeated Sabu in a very hard fought match, after Sabu passed out to the Tazmission. After the match, Sabu shook hands with Taz, then he, and Rob Van Dam attacked him. Taz's manager Bill Alfonso ripped off his Taz shirt, to reveal a Sabu shirt underneath. At ECW's next big card, Wrestlepalooza 1997, Sabu pinned Taz cleanly, something no other wrestler has done. Sabu then picked up his feud with Terry Funk. At Born to be Wired, Sabu took on Terry Funk in his first ever American Barb Wire match. In what many say is the most extreme match in ECW history, Sabu pinned Terry Funk for the world heavyweight Championship. But just two weeks later, at the Hard-core Heaven 1997 Pay Per View, Sabu lost the title in a three way dance between Shane Douglas, Terry Funk, and himself, after the Sandman interfered. This started another grueling and bloody feud. At House Party 1997, Sabu lost the first ever Stairway to Hell match. But then at November to Remember 1997, Sabu defeated him in a Tables and Ladders match with a top rope Arabian Face Buster with a ladder. He defeated him many more times at the ECW Arena, in tag matches with Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer, in Japan, and at the end of the feud, at Living Dangerously 1998, in The Sandman's own kind of match, a Dueling Canes match. At Wrestlepalooza 1998 Sabu was signed into an ECW Television Title match with Champion Bam Bam Bigelow. On April 4th, Rob Van Dam took on Bam Bam Bigelow, in an attempt to 'wear him down' for Sabu's match. Rob Van Dam actually won the title though, setting it up as Rob Van Dam vs. Sabu. They tore down the Cobb County Civic Center for thirty minutes as the time limit ran out. But the feud didn't end their. At A Matter of Respect 1998, Sabu and Chris Candido took on Rob Van Dam and Lance Storm. Sabu and Rob Van Dam turned on their partners, and set up an ECW World Tag Team Title shot. Sabu and Rob Van Dam executed two top rope leg drops through tables to defeat the champions, and to win the belts. Sabu and Rob Van Dam defeated all tag teams in ECW, and soon ran out of opponents. At Heat Wave 1998, Sabu and Rob Van Dam would be taking on to mystery opponents. They turned out to be Japanese superstars Hayabusa and the man that was formerly known as Hakushi in the WWF. Sabu and Rob Van Dam defeated them with the two flying leg drops through a table. Sabu and Rob Van Dam started to get on the bad side of Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas. They were pushed into a corner, and forced to join Taz as the New Triple Threat. With Sabu and Rob Van Dam the Tag Team Champions, Rob Van Dam also the Television Champion, and Taz, the FTW Champion, Shane Douglas was infuriated as to how many belts they had. Coming up to the Pay Per View, The Triple Threat targeted Sabu's neck. They broke it again with numerous piledrivers, and with the Dudley Death Drop, ending his Tag Team Title reign. At the Pay Per View, they again targeted Sabu's neck. Sabu still won the match when he hit Shane Douglas AND Taz with the Arabian Face Buster, while Taz had Douglas in the Tazmission. Taz was furious, as he was about to get the revenge that he had been fighting for over a year. A match was signed in December for the FTW World Heavyweight Championship. During a tour of Japan, Sabu and Rob Van Dam regained their ECW World Tag Team Titles from the Dudley Boys. With Rob Van Dam's Television Title, the World Tag Team Titles, and Sabu's upcoming FTW Title shot, they were an unstoppable team. When ECW returned from it's tour of Japan, Sabu fought Taz for the FTW World Heavyweight Championship. It was a fast paced match, full of suplexes, dives, chairshots, and broken tables. In the end, Taz hit a Dragon Tazplex through a table that was propped on a corner, breaking Sabu's neck for a third time. He then pulled Sabu over him, and ad the referee count to three. Sabu had won the FTW World Championship. Since Sabu had pinned Shane Douglas at November to Remember, he was the number one contender. But because of his injury, Taz got the title shot at Guilty As Charged. Sabu interfered in the match, and destroyed both men with a flurry of offense. He left as quickly as he entered, leaving both men fairly injured. Taz ended up winning the title, setting up one of the most anticipated rematches in wrestling history. Sabu vs. Taz at Living Dangerously 1999. The match was filled with stiff suplexes from Taz, and suicidal dives from Sabu. Sabu wasn't at 100\% during the match though, because of his broken jaw. Sabu put tape around it, and continued to fight the match as if it wasn't injured at all. Taz targeted the broken jaw during the whole match, and eventually got the win when Sabu passed out to the Tazmission. After the match, Sabu shook hands with Taz. While Sabu was out with his jaw injury, Rob Van Dam was left on his own to defend the Tag Team Title's in a one on one match against D-Von Dudley. After interference from all the Dudley Boys, Joel Gernter, Jason, Lance Storm, Tammy Lynn Bytch, and Justin Credible, Rob Van Dam was pinned, ending Sabu's third reign as champion. After the match, Sabu came to the aid of his partner, but was viciously attacked by the group, further injuring Sabu's jaw. This injury sent Sabu out of wrestling. Justin Credible had hurt the jaw so severely that he was not allowed to wrestle in 37 of the 50 states in the US, because of state athletic commissions, and other laws. Justin Credible had said that he had banned Sabu from the United States. But Sabu appeared and attacked Justin Credible in the states he was allowed in, paying him back for the injury. At Hard-core Heaven 1999, Justin Credible sent out an open challenge. He said he had caned the Sandman, destroyed the Franchise, and banned Sabu from the United States, and that their was no one their that would accept his challenge. Out of nowhere, Psycho Sid came out, and destroyed him. With the aid of Lance Storm, they finally got the advantage. But then Sabu ran out, and set up both Sid and Justin Credible on a table. He set a chair up in the ring, ran, jumped off of the ropes, and dove for the table. Lance Storm pulled off Justin Credible at the last moment, but Sid went crashing through the table. Then security came to take Sabu out of the arena. Sabu attacked security and sent one of them through a table as well. At the next Pay Per View, Rob Van Dam and Jerry Lynn were set to take on Justin Credible and Lance Storm. At first Van Dam dissagreed to teaming with Lynn, saying that he only teamed with Sabu. But Bill Alfonso said that Van Dam teamed with Sabu only because Sabu was not only the best partner, but because he was the only partner he was ALLOWED to team with. After hearing this, Van Dam changed his mind and teamed with Lynn in spite of Sabu of Alfonso. Twards the end of the match, Rob Van Dam had Justin Credible set up on a table on the outside of the ring. Just as he was going to put him through it, Sabu made his first appearance on the PPV and put Credible through the table himself. RVD and Lynn went on to win the match. After it, RVD and Lynn got into a arguement, as Sabu yelled at Van Dam. After Lynn started his way to the back, Sabu pushed RVD into him. The three then started to get into a fist fight. Sabu is the most homicidal, suicidal, and genocidal athlete of all time. Many wrestlers need to talk to get over, but Sabu can the get the crowd standing just by performing in the ring. He's destroyed ECW, WWF, and WCW, and has ran through Japanese promotions. The man who invented putting people through tables, and the man who brought back the hard-core style of wrestling. The Sheik was the terror of wrestling throughout the sixties and seventies, and now Sabu has destroyed the wrestlers of the eighties and nineties, and will continue through the new millennium. In the world of wrestling their are men, their are gods, and then there's Sabu!   Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.smashwrestling.com Kane Real Name Glen Jacobs   Other Names Doomsday, Unibomb, Isaac Yankem DDS, Fake Diesel   Date of Birth 26th April 1968   Weight: 315lbs   Height: 6ft 10   Signature Move Tombstone, Choke-Slam, Diving Top-Rope Clothesline, Choke, Big Boot, Side-Slam, Power-Bomb Federations Indies, NWA, WWF/E, SMW (Smoky Mountain Wrestling), USWA, ECW (WWE Version) Titles Held SMW Tag-Team Championship (1), USWA Heavyweight (1), WWF World (1), WWF Hardcore (1), WWF/WWE Intercontinental (2), WWF/WWE World Tag-Team (9), WCW World Tag-Team (1), ECW Championship (1) Short Bio Kane's early life and career is as strange as the character he plays. Born the son of a career soldier, he was a standout on the athletics and basketball teams. After a trial for the Chicago Bears in the NFL failed due to a college knee injury, he enrolled in the Malenko Wrestling School, where both Boris and his son Dean prepared him for the pro ranks. After spells in Puerto Rico, and the indy circuit, the WWF came a beckoning when Jim Cornette remembered him from the Smoky Mountain promotion. Jacobs landed a gimmick as Jerry Lawler's wrestling Dentist, Dr Isaac Yankem, DDS. Short-lived, perhaps for the best, he only had 2 PPV appearances, against Bret Hart and in the Royal Rumble, and disappeared. With Vince McMahon's fondness for big men, it's not surprising he got another chance. When Kevin Nash and Scott Hall left for WCW, a Fake Diesel and Ramon were touted for a while. Jacobs got the plum fake Diesel Gig, the Fake Ramon being Rick Bogner from FMW in Japan. The gimmick was as bad as it sounds, and bombed. Jacobs disappeared again. During the first Hell In The Cell match between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, Undertaker's long lost brother Kane appeared and cost Taker the win, and started a huge feud between the two. A one day reign as WWF champ and a Stone Cold Stunner later, and Kane plunged back down to the Mid Card. A brief fling with DX and X-Pac brought him Tag Team Gold, to go with the reign he had with Mankind and The Undertaker, who he feuded with and made up with almost as often as Al Gore filed lawsuits. Had a time out injured in early 2000, and returned with the ability to talk. "When the WCW/ECW Invasion officially started in July, Kane was pushed as a key player for "Team WWF". This meant a WCW Tag-Team Title reign for Kane and Undertaker (when they crushed Chuck Palumbo and Sean O’Haire on SD! on August 9), and then a shamelessly one-sided pasting of DDP and Kanyon in a Unification Cage Match at Summerslam (which now made Kane and "Taker" WWF tag champs as well). Soon after, Kane took about a month off to recover from an elbow infection. He was back by Raw on September 17, but on his first night back, he and The Undertaker dropped the WWF Titles to The Dudley Boyz. However, they still had their WCW tag straps, and defended them against Kronik at Unforgiven in a poor match (which upset the WWF so much, that Bryan Adams and Bryan Clark were fired the following day). Kane and Undertaker held onto their titles until the September 27 edition of Smackdown!, where they were toppled by Booker T and Test, thanks to lots of Alliance interference. On the April 8, 2002 edition of Raw, Kane lost a Falls-Count-Anywhere Match to X-Pac. By this point, seeing Kane and the former DX member feud was tiresome. After the loss, Kane was unmasked by The NWO, but Kane’s long hair and a dodgy camera ensured that "The Big Red Machine’s" face did not come into view. X-Pac gloated about the deed by wearing the mask on TV, but the feud was soon brought to a rather abrupt end when Kane went down with a biceps injury and was forced to go under the knife on April 13. Kane returned on the August 26 edition of Raw, at Madison Square Garden. It was an odd return, to say the least. While The Un-Americans (Lance Storm, Christian and Test) were about to set the American flag on fire, Kane made an appearance and saved the day. (Kane’s new look was not a change for the better, IMO. His new ring attire looked cheap and non-threatening, and his more revealing mask did not look good, as it revealed his mouth and chin, which were also supposed to be badly burnt. To make things even worse, Kane celebrated his comeback by performing a "Kaneroonie" in the middle of the ring, confirming that the WWE had really lost the plot this time). Kane talked freely (as he had done before), but now goofed around like a comedy act. He continued to feud with The Un-Americans, and on Raw on September 23, he and The Hurricane became the WWF Tag-Team Champions when they defeated Chris Jericho and Christian. Prior to his "official" unmasking in the summer of 2003, Kane was accused of murder and rape in the atrocious and highly offensive "Katie Vick" saga of October 2002, and then formed a rather pointless tag-team partnership with Rob Van Dam (although they did enjoy a reign as WWE World Tag-Team Champions). Amazingly, Kane’s face showed no signs of any burns, and his hair came off WITH his mask, suggesting that Kane had been bald for all these years! Why didn’t the WWE use the "burns" mask that they purchased back in 1997? Over the years, the Kane character has gone through many changes. There was a silent, evil, powerful Kane, a friendlier Kane who spoke the odd word, a Kane who was in love, a more talkative, expressive Kane, a TOO talkative, TOO expressive Kane, and an angry, insecure, bald, normal looking Kane. Many people believe that the Kane character was at its strongest when it required him to wear the mask and act like a real "monster". Unmasking Kane has certainly taken away a lot of the mystique about the character that originally made its debut in WWE in October 1997. Since unmasking, Kane has gone on to have a controversial relationship with Lita (in the story line, he got her pregnant but she then "lost the baby" when she got caught in the middle of an attack by Gene Snitsky), fended off an "impostor Kane", starred in his own WWE-funded horror flick ("See No Evil", in 2006), become ECW World Champion and generally leave "hellfire and brimstone" in his wake across all three brands of WWE. Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Al Snow Real Name Allen Sarven   Other Names Shinobi, the Oriental Assassin, Avatar, Leif Cassedy   Date of Birth 18th July 1963   Weight: 234 lbs   Height: 6ft 1   Signature Move Snow Plow, Snow Plex Federations ICW, WWA, SMW, ECW, WWF Titles Held WWF European Champion WWF Tag Team Champion WWF Hardcore Champion (5) SMW Tag Team Champion Global Tag Team Champion WWA Tag Team Champion (5) ICW US Tag Team Champion (2) Short Bio Al Snow is one of wrestling's most underrated wrestlers, however the man who is a black belt in many martial arts began wrestling in 1982. He teamed with Rick Ciassio as the Fantastic to hold the Motor City Wrestling ICW U.S.Tag Titles in November of 1986. After the he then formed the Sensationals with Mickey Doyle to capture the titles in August of 1987. After moving on Snow and Doyle subsequently competed in the WWA as the Motor City Hitmen, where they held the tag belts for several months in early 1989. Al then teamed with Mike Kelly as the Wild Bunch, holding the tag title four times in 1991 and 1992. From there he wrestled with Denny Kess as the New Fabulous Kangaroos in 1994, holding the Global Tag Team Titles. Snow then went onto to wrestle as Shinobi, the Oriental Assassin, later in 1994 and teamed with Unabomb (Glenn Jacobs the man everyone knows as the WWF’s Kane) in Smokey Mountain Wrestling in 1995. This is where they captured the Smokey Mountain Tag Team Titles from the Rock 'n' Roll Express in April of 1995, they lost the belts to Tony Anthony and Tracy Smothers not long after this but it was now time for Snow to move into the big leagues. Al entered the WWF as Avatar in October of 1995, however this was to end fairly soon as Al didn’t get over in this gimmick, so as with most bad WWF gimmicks they decided to repackage Al as Leif Cassidy in the Spring of 1996, teaming him with Marty Jeanetty to form the New Rockers. This proved to be an even worse idea, Al Snow and Marty went from one bad lose to another constantly doing the job and never getting over, and lets face it, you have to be doing pretty badly when the only other competition in the WWF tag team division back then was the Smoking Gunns, Body Donnas and Godwinns!!! Anyway 1997 arrives.... and Al’s gimmick seems to be going nowhere. Enter the saviour of many, Paul Heyman, in what openly seemed like a contest, Paul Heyman (owner of ECW) went to Vince McMahon and said give me any wrestler you choose, and I’ll turn him into a main event star. And well.... he did. Paul took Al Snow from obscurity and thrust him onto the ECW scene, pitting his first PPV match against Rob Van Dam, which proved to be a decent match, with good stuff to come. From here Al moved quickly up the ladder in ECW where the fans embraced him and head, and he soon headlined TWO consecutive ECW PPV’s against Shane Douglas and Triple Threat. In one of Al’s most memorable matches at WrestlePalooza 98 Al faced the then ECW Champion Shane Douglas in a very good match, Al lost the match, but the crowds reaction said it all .. Al Snow and Head had arrived. From there Al was recalled to the WWF, and from there they tried to build on his “head” success, with little effect, his stint with the Job Squad didn’t really do anything else to put him over, it wasn’t until Al faced Hardcore Holly for the vacant Hardcore title that Al had finally found his niches in the WWF. From then he has hung around the Hardcore division holding the Hardcore titles a few times, even going on to hold the tag titles with Mick Foley and more recently a very successful stint as the European champion. Al is now working on the WWF’s tough Enough TV series as one of the head trainers along side Tazz. Al still has lots to do, and has lots of entertainment left in him.. we all look forward to seeing it again soon. Bio by Shahid Nazir  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://members.tripod.com/~ALSNOWSHEAD/index.html Bad News Brown Real Name Allen James Coage   Other Names Bad News Allen   Date of Birth October 22, 1943 (Died March 6, 2007, Aged 63)   Weight: 260 lb   Height: 6 ft 1   Signature Move GhettoBlaster Federations WWF, New Japan, Stampede, IWA, ICW, various indy feds Titles Held World TV Title (Los Angeles, CA, 1978), North American Heavyweight Champion (Stampede 1982 - 1984, 1986), Pacific Heavyweight Champion (1985), Bahamas Heaveyweight Champion (1987), Florida Heavyweight Champion (1987), Southern Heavyweight Champion (1987), ICW Heaveyweight Champion (1991), IWA Heaveyweight Champion (1996) Short Bio After competing in the 1976 Olympics, in the Heavyweight (+205 lb) class for Judo, and coming third, Bad News Brown made his transition from Judo to Pro-wrestling on October 23rd, 1977. Starting off with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, under the guidance of Antonio Inoki and Kotetsu Yamamoto, and it was there that Allen Coage became Bad News Allen. Wrestling there was, according to him a great experience and a place he could always call home. "After a short time in New Japan Pro Wrestling and the WWWF (The World-Wide Wrestling Federation), he became a permanent fixture in Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling promotion. In 1988, he returned to the WWWF (now known more simply as the "WWF") and it was here that he made his biggest impact in the sport. Under the name "Bad News Brown", Coage was the ultimate heel. But unlike most pro-wrestling villains (who plot and conspire with one another to take out a rival opponent or just to get the other to "do their dirty work"), "Bad News" didn’t have any friends or acquaintances. This became clear at WrestleMania 4, when during a star-studded (and quite frankly, a time filling) Battle Royal, Brown turned on fellow heel, Bret "The Hitman" Hart during the closing moments of the match. Although Hart shouldn’t have trusted "Bad News", he HAD formed a formidable temporary partnership with him to eliminate the competition and Brown HAD callously blind-sided him with his infamous "Ghetto Blaster" finisher. Brown proved that matches of this kind were truly "every man for himself" and showed his true colours. His prize for winning the Battle Royal was a beautiful trophy (which the "Hitman" promptly destroyed after attacking "Bad News" from behind while he was celebrating). Brown went on to compete in two Royal Rumble matches (in which commentators stressed that the match was tailor-made for "Bad News") and once again proved that he was truly out for himself. "Bad News" also competed in two further WrestleMania matches, although neither came to a definitive conclusion. At WM 5, he fought to a double disqualification with Hacksaw Jim Duggan after both men began to dual with their weapon of choice (Duggan had his trusty 2x4 while Brown had a steel chair) and at WM 6, he and Rowdy Roddy Piper (who controversially painted himself black down one half of his body for the match) discarded the rules and both got counted out. Sadly, this was the zenith of Brown’s WWF career. He left in 1990, amidst claims that he thought that Vince McMahon had lied to him about his career prospects within the company. After leaving the WWF, Brown hit the independent scene, before retiring from the sport in 1998. Prior to his death, he was working as security guard in a mall in Alberta, Canada. He is survived by his wife and three children. Perhaps Bad News Brown wasn’t the greatest in-ring performer of all time and perhaps his success in the business was fleeting. However, he was a damn convincing heel, especially during his promos (interviews) on TV and PPV. Brown was a pretty memorable character who paved the way for future heels and "lone wolfs" in wrestling." Bio by Loki@smashwrestling.com & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.badnewsallen.com/ Chris Benoit Real Name Chris Benoit   Other Names Wild Pegasus (Japan), Pegasus Kid (Japan), Canadian Crippler   Date of Birth 21st May 1967   Weight: 220lbs   Height: 5ft 11   Signature Move Swandive Headbutt, Crossface Crippler Federations Stampede, NJPW (Jap), UWF (Mex), ECW, WCW, WWF Titles Held WWF Tag Team Champion WWF Intercontinental Champion (3) WWF Light Heavyweight Champion WCW Heavyweight Champion WCW US Champion (2) WCW Tag Team Champion (2) WCW TV Champion (3) ECW Tag Team Champion Super J Cup Winner 1994 Short Bio Mention the name Chris Benoit, and you know what you get: a no-nonsense, technically superb wrestler. This reputation follows him all the way back to his days in Japan, where he held the All Japan IWGP junior heavy weight title for a time. Known as Wild Pegasus, he feuded at length with the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger, and eventually lost his disguise. Won the prestigious Super J Cup in 1994, and was part of it again in 1995, where he went out in the semi final, beating Chris Jericho along the way. Signed for ECW and along with Dean Malenko was Tag Team Champion. Broke Sabu's neck with a suplex, and was christened the Canadian Crippler. Had a tryout for the WWF (being managed by Jimmy Hart and fighting Owen Hart in a dark match) but opted for WCW. Was forced to job relentlessly and put over less talented workers. Eventually broke out through fans' appreciation of his workrate, and won the Tag Titles (again with Malenko) and the TV and US titles. His ring work continued to be exceptional; his life behind the scenes was not. Feeling he was being buried by booker Kevin Sullivan (whose ex-wife was now Benoit's wife) he and 6 others (Malenko, Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn, Shane Douglas & Konnan) demanded their release. Benoit was promised a world title reign which he got when he defeated Sid at the next PPV. He still left, a day later and relinquished the WCW World Title. Although Douglas & Konnan stayed where they were, Benoit and the other 3 jumped to the WWF, a Radical move, and Benoit has been moving up the ladder ever since. Finally main eventing regularly, Benoit's time has come. Surprising many with his mic work, he built on this with two classic PPV showdowns with Chris Jericho and Triple H before going toe to toe with Steve Austin, and cementing his place at the top of the card. Got the best of Kurt Angle in a classic old school wrestling feud, before losing a tremendous match to him, and entering a whole different arena. Teamed up with long time rival Chris Jericho to take the Tag Team titles off Steve Austin & Triple H. The sky looks to be the limit for Benoit now.  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.chrisbenoit.com/ Chris Jericho Real Name Christopher Irvine   Other Names Corazon De Leon (Mexico) Lion Do (Japan) Super Liger (Japan)   Date of Birth 9th November 1970   Weight: 228lbs   Height: 5ft 10   Signature Move Lionsault, Walls Of Jericho (aka The Liontamer) Federations Indies, WWC (Mex), NWA, WAR (Jap) ECW, WCW, WWF Titles Held WWF Tag Team Champion WWF Intercontinental Champion (4) WWF European Champion WCW TV Champion WCW Cruiserweight Champion (5) ECW TV Champion NWA Middleweight Champion WWA Tag Team Champion Short Bio Chris Irvine, born in Long Island, New Jersey, but grew up in Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada was destined to be a sportsman. His father Ted Irvine, played NHL ice hockey for NY Rangers, and Chris excelled at hockey & water polo but eventually chose wrestling as his bag. Heading for Mexico & Japan using the name Corazon De Leon (Heart Of Lion) he quickly won over the fans with his own brand of US style mat wrestling crossed with the more traditional lucha-libre style in vogue abroad. Eventually people in the US started noticing, and he got a contract with ECW, winning the TV Title being the highlight of his short stay there. In between fronting his own Heavy Metal band, Fozzy, WCW was the next stop where he was a high midcarder, winning the Cruiserweight Title, and being involved in high profile feuds with the likes of Saturn and Goldberg. When it became clear that he wanted to leave, WCW buried him, and Chris signed for the WWF. He made the most dramatic debut of any superstar as the WWF Millennium Man, Y2J. Retaining the cocky aspects of his trash talking WCW style and refining it, he quickly won over the fans and critics alike and even has a 'phantom' Heavyweight title reign to his name. 2000 was a busy year for Jericho as his push continues, his band Fozzy released their debut album, and he got married in real life as well. 2001 promises to be busier... feuding with WWF Commisioner William Regal, Triple H and Steve Austin has given Chris a Tag Team Title reign with fellow Candian Chris Benoit, and looks sure to catapult him to main event status. Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.chrisjericho.com/ Chyna Real Name Joan Laurer   Other Names Joanie Lee, Mamacita, 9th Wonder Of The World   Date of Birth 27th December 1971   Weight: 205lbs   Height: 5ft 10   Signature Move The Pedigree, Low Blow, handspring Elbow, Powerbomb Federations Indies, WWF Titles Held WWF Womens Champion WWF Intercontinental Champion Short Bio Born Joan Laurer, as early as 17 she began body building, becoming a powerlifting female champion, and body building show queen. It was then she met Killer Kowalksi, the legendary grappler who saw something in her. At the request of her then boyfriend Perry Saturn Kowalski took her on, taught her the basics and generally left her to it. She began competing on the Indy circuit, and with her unique look and style, became high profile. Took it upon herself to introduce herself to Shawn Michaels and Triple H in a bar and try and gain a foothold in the WWF, which she did, as Chyna, the female bodyguard of Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Also began a real life relationship with Triple H. As Triple H & Shawn Michaels evolved into Degeneration X, so did Chyna. With the aid of some, erm, outside help, she remodelled her appearance, and image within the WWF, soon becoming the first woman to enter both The Royal Rumble, and King Of The Ring. Much more of a bang was to come however, when DX split, Chyna went her own way, recruited Miss Kitty as her sidekick from Jeff Jarrett, and became the only woman ever to hold the Intercontinental Championship, downing Jeff Jarrett on PPV. Held the belt for a while, dropping it (and The Kat) eventually, and becoming a sidekick of Chris Jericho. When that partnership ran it's course, along came Eddie Guerrero's Latino Heat, and Mamacita was born. Added another couple of IC title reigns to her name at the same time. A regular face on the late night talk show circuit, TV movies already under her belt, and rumours of a regular slot on top sit-com Third Rock from The Sun, put together with her Playboy appearance slowed her in-ring performances and she paired up with The One Billy Gunn to help him overcome her storyline ex Guerrero. Chyna's book was a hit, and her media profile was kept high enough that she's presented MTV Music Awards, had a comic book based on her, and has even fitted in a WWF Womens Title reign to her hectic schedule. Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.chyna9.com/ Diamond Dallas Page Real Name Page Falkinburg   Other Names   Date of Birth 5th April 1956   Weight: 253lbs   Height: 6ft 5   Signature Move The Diamond Cutter Federations Indies, AWA, WCW Titles Held WCW US Champion, WCW TV Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, WCW Heavyweight Champion, WWF Tag Team Champion Short Bio A night-club manager amongst other things, DDP's rise to the top is nothing short of miraculous. A few customers of his were AWA wrestlers who thought this New Jersey loudmouth could make a great manager, so they talked him into trying out. Impressing the bosses, he got a job as manager of Badd Company, eventually leading to a whole stable of his own. After a short spell working for FCW, and a tryout as an announcer for the WWF, he signed up with WCW as manager of the Freebirds, before forming his own stable with the Diamond Studd (Scott Hall), the Diamond Doll (Kimberley), Vinnie Vegas (Kevin Nash), and Scotty Flamingo (Raven). When he started wrestling, he was bottom of the card, but quickly moved up the card thanks to his tremendous work ethic, and stunning Diamond Cutter finisher. Worked hard to improve, and even harder to get over, he hit big with the fans, and when the nWo started up, he was the first WCW wrestler to oppose them. Brought all this together to become a two time, two time World Champion, and a major league star in his own right. Unfortunately, WCW saw this and decided to use him in their quest for celebrities, tagging with Karl Malone, Dennis Rodman & Jay Leno in successive matches. DDP took a break after being in a feud with Scott Steiner, and returned with the Jersey Triad (DDP, Kanyon & Bam Bam Bigelow). Became a best selling author with his autobiography Positively Page (a good read) and was the spearhead of The Millionaire's club, becoming a three time, three time, three time World Champion. Took a break to heal his nagging injuries before returning in a blaze of glory, and winning Tag Team Gold with Kevin Nash. After Nash was retired by Scott Steiner, DDP went after Big Poppa Pump himself... very nearly took him all the way, but suffered a beatdown at the hands of the WCW Champion. Page picked up a contract with the WWFE, and was inserted into the Stalker angle, becoming the first WCW star to cut a promo on Raw... Page picked up the WWF Tag belts with Kanyon, and has established himself as a top name... bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.ddpbang.com/ Eddie Guerrero Real Name Eduardo Gory Guerrero   Other Names Mascara Magica, Black Tiger, Latino Heat   Date of Birth October 22, 1943 (Died November 13, 2005, Aged 38)   Weight: 220 lbs   Height: 5ft 8   Signature Move Frog-Splash, Lasso From El-Passo (Submission), 3 Amigos, Hurricanrana, Hilo Federations EMLL, NJPW, AAA, ECW, WCW, WWF/WWE, ROH, WWA, IWA Mid-South Titles Held AAA World Tag-Team (1), ECW Television (2), IWA Mid-South Heavyweight (1), LAWA Heavyweight (1), NJPW Junior Heavyweight (1), PWF World Tag-Team (1), WCW Cruiserweight (2), WCW United States (1), WWA Cruiserweight (1), WWE Championship (1), WWE Tag-Team Championship (4), WWE United States (1), WWE European (2), WWE Intercontinental (2), WWE Hall Of Fame Inductee ("Class of 2006"), NJPW Best Of Super Juniors 1996 Short Bio Eddie Guerrero started out in his native Mexico in 1988, in the EMLL as a masked babyface, Mascara Magica (Magic Mask). Eddie would learn his trade there, following and gained quite a reputation for himself. So much so, that New Japan came calling in 1991, and Eddie worked a few dates here and there. Meanwhile, back in Mexico, Eddie had left EMLL and jumped ship to the relatively new AAA, and formed La Pareja Atomica (The Atomic Pair) with top babyface El Hijo De Santo. Indeed, both member's fathers had been the original Atomic Pair (one of the most popular pairings ever in Mexico). Eddie's image received a boost from NJPW in 1993, when he was chosen to resurrect the Black Tiger gimmick, a heel nemesis to the popular Tiger Mask. To match the heel character he portrayed in Japan, Eddie turned heel on his Atomic partner. Joining up with Art Barr, he became a member of La Pareja Del Terror (Team Terror). Barr, The Love Machine, and Guerrero wore the Stars & Stripes, and instantly became the most hated tandem in Mexico. Continuing to shine in both Mexico and Japan, Eddie was starting to gain notoriety. In 1994, The most over babyface in Mexico, Konnan turned his back on the fans and joined up with Guerrero and Barr as a heel. Meanwhile in Japan, Guerrero was holding his own in the Super Juniors division, tearing down arenas against Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Jushin Liger, and TAKA Michinoku amongst others. He would eventually gain the crown in 1996, going over Jushin Liger. Eddie was starting to gain attention in the states. WCW and AAA staged a joint PPV in 1994, When Worlds Collide. Eddie & Art tore down the house against Santo & Octagon. This match would prove to be a turning point in Eddie's career and life. His Tag Team partner and friend, Art Barr, passed away just a few days later in his sleep aged just 28. Eddie never could get the same reaction as a heel from then on in Mexico, and decided to try his luck in the US. He signed on for ECW in April 1995, and although only there until August, he is still remembered fondly by fans for a series of TV title matches with Malenko dubbed the 'Malenko - Guerrero Classsics' trading the belt back and forth between each other. New Japan then asked Benoit, Guerrero & Malenko to jump ship to WCW, which the trio did, signing short term deals. After his showing at 1995's Starrcade, Eddie was rewarded with a 2 year deal, and settled into mid card hell. Eddie would shine, but never really pick up the wins, losing to DDP, Konnan & Ric Flair amongst others, and having time off for injuries didn't help either. After a hard year, Eddie made his name at Starrcade 1996, when he lifted the vacant US title, beating DDP. Syxx (Sean Waltman) stole the belt straight after the match, setting up a ladder match at Souled Out 97, which Eddie won. Although Eddie was starting to win, his character wasn't setting the world on fire. Eddie was losing steam as a babyface, and when the 'heel' Dean Malenko was cheered to victory over him at Uncensored 97, Eddie suffered another injury that would keep him out for 3 months. It would be a cloud with a silver lining, however. Eddie returned as a heel, and set WCW on fire. Eddie's heel act had the fans baying for his blood, and anyone facing him was instantly over as a face. Eddie took the Cruiserweight belt off Chris Jericho at Fall Brawl that year, holding it only to Halloween Havoc, before dropping it in an outstanding match to Rey Misterio, Jr. It took him only 15 days to gain it back, and he defended it well on PPV's against Misterio and Malenko, before Ultimo Dragon ended his last title reign in WCW. Eddie began feuding with his nephew, Chavo Jr, not really succeeding in anything other than making fans laugh, and giving Chavo a haircut. From there, Eddie formed the Latino World Order, attempting to uphold the honour of WCW's Mexican contingent. The angle bundled along, never really going anywhere. New Year's Eve 1998, and Eddie was in a car crash, leaving him out of action for six months, and lucky to be alive. He returned in June, and joined up with the Filthy Animals. Again, the angle faltered along, and Eddie never really looked interested. Eddie beat Kidman in November, and took time off to have some surgery on his elbow, little knowing that he would never work for WCW again. A Radical Guerrero joined up with Benoit, Malenko & Perry Saturn and jumped ship en masse to the WWF. His injury jinx hit again, as he dislocated his elbow in his WWF in ring debut. Staying on screen as Latino Heat, Eddie's fire was back, and he entered into a feud with Chris Jericho and his 'partner' at that time, Chyna. Strangely enough, Eddie's Latino Heat worked it's magic, as Chyna turned on Jericho and helped Eddie gain the European Title in April. He re-entered babyface territory, defending his title left, right and centre, against Essa Rios, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn. Losing to Val Venis in the King Of The Ring quarter finals, he again stole the show, and dropped the Euro belt next month to Perry Saturn. Meanwhile Chyna won the Intercontinental belt, and sparked off the end of their on-screen engagement when Eddie 'accidentally' won the belt off her in September, and was filmed on G-TV in the shower with a couple of the Godfather's 'Ladies' and returned to his evil ways. Eddie feuded with Chyna briefly, then the returning Billy Gunn, and eventually drop the belt to him in November. "In 2001, a number of incidents outside the ring cost Eddie his job (for more details, watch the brilliant "Cheating Death, Stealing Life" Eddie Guerrero DVD). However, he proved his worth and was "reborn" with his work in ROH and at Tommy Boyd’s UK wrestling show "Revival". WWE must have been taking notice, because in April 2002 they welcomed him back and threw him straight into an IC Title feud with Rob Van Dam. Guerrero and Van Dam tore down the house with their matches, one of which included a jaw-dropping Ladder Match on Raw. In 2003, WWE devised the stereotypical "Lie, Cheat And Steal" gimmick for Eddie and Chavo (who were now known as "Los Guerrero’s"). Under normal circumstances, the idea probably would have failed, but Eddie and Chavo were so entertaining throughout the various "Viva La Razza" vignettes that they breathed new life into their characters and became two of the biggest fan favourites in the company. In the end, WWE had no choice but to officially turn Eddie into a fan favourite again (whilst retaining his "heelish" characteristics). Eddie was put in a U.S. Title feud with The Big Show and proved his commitment to giving the fans a realistic show when he allowed "The Show" to Choke-slam him onto fragments of real glass that were laid out on the hood of his ever-present low-rider. Like most professional wrestlers, Eddie’s ultimate goal was to become World Champion. He finally achieved this feat in February 2004, beating Brock Lesnar in the headline match of "No Way Out" (in front of an Hispanic audience and his friends and family, no less). Although he largely won the match due to interference from Bill Goldberg, the fans (who didn’t care too much for "Da’ Man" to begin with) didn’t care about that when Eddie’s hand was raised in victory. "Latino Heat" had triumphed over adversity (both personally and professionally) and had finally reached the pinnacle of his profession. His reign as World Champion ushered in a new era where smaller, more technical based wrestlers were given the green light to become headline stars. Eddie proved to be a fighting champion and a great representative for the company. His feud with "JBL" was initially predicted to be a complete disaster, but thanks to Eddie (and in some ways, Bradshaw; who proved to be little more successful [at least character-wise] as a main event heel), it was decent and cemented Guerrero as someone who was willing to work with and help build an unproven talent like "JBL". However, it still came as a surprise when Eddie dropped the belt to "JBL" at the "Great American Bash". Apparently, Eddie had been blaming the decrease in PPV buys and general WWE interest on himself and was burning out. So WWE relieved him of the pressure that comes with being champion and cut him a break. Eddie soon revived his classic feud with Kurt Angle, and crept back into the title mix in December. His performance in the Fatal-Four-Way WWE Title Match at "Armageddon" proved that Eddie belonged in the main event picture and was deserving of another title reign. Prior to his death, it is believed that Eddie was slated to win the SD! World Championship. WWE honoured him with two special tribute editions of Raw and SD! in the week following his untimely passing. Overall, Eddie was a great performer, character and in-ring technician. No one will forget his mischievous grin, his hilarious on-screen antics, his superb matches and his dedication and drive. No one will forget Eddie Guerrero. Bio By Tony Cottam & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Goldberg Real Name Bill Goldberg   Other Names Da Man   Date of Birth 27th December 1966   Weight: 278lbs   Height: 6ft 3   Signature Move Spear, Jackhammer Federations WCW Titles Held WCW US Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, WCW Heavyweight Champion Short Bio The fact that Goldberg is WCW's real chosen one comes as a surprise to everyone, including Goldberg. A university of Georgia linebacker whose dream was to play pro Football, the last thing on his mind was pro wrestling. Graduating into NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, and NFL Europe, a string of college injuries took their toll on the big man, forcing him to think about retirement. While in an Atlanta night-club, Diamond Dallas Page approached him and told him he'd make a great star. Goldberg said thanks, but no thanks, until he realised he needed something to pay the bills. Taking up Page's offer, he trained for four months solid at WCW's training facility The Powerplant, before making his debut on September 22nd, turning over Hugh Morrus in a few minutes. Slated to be a silent bad guy, the fans took notice, and went wild. This began the undefeated streak of 176 matches (although in reality he stared at the ceiling a few times before his TV debut) bringing him gold as US champion and Heavyweight champion. Here is where Goldberg the star becomes Goldberg the ego: When he eventually lost the belt to Kevin Nash, he took a month off to recover from some 'injuries' a similar story to recent months. If Goldberg is happy, everything's rosy, but upset him with a booking plan, or title run or heaven forbid a heel turn, then look for injuries to resurface and put him out of action for a time. Seems to delight in taunting the WWF champion, whoever that may be (challenged Austin to a parking lot brawl on live TV, and had a face-to-face shouting match with Triple H at a convention) so don't look for the man to go to the WWF anytime soon. This seems to be the case, as following the WWF buy-out, Goldberg is reported as having retired from wrestling, and is happy just to live off his huge guaranteed contract for it's remainder. Short Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Haku Real Name Uliuli Fifita   Other Names Prince Tonga, King Tonga, King Haku, Meng   Date of Birth 3rd February 1959   Weight: 273   Height: 6ft 1   Signature Move Thrust Kick, Headbutt, Tongan Death Grip Federations WWF, WCW, Indies, WAR (Japan), All Japan, EMLL (Mexico) Titles Held WWF Tag Team Champion WCW Hardcore Champion Short Bio The Monster Meng.. King Haku... King Tonga... Haku. He's been called a lot of things, but no-one has ever doubted the toughness of this widely travelled veteran. Since making his wrestling debut in 1977 for All Japan, he's pretty much worked everywhere in the world, and his toughman reputation has preceded him everywhere. He made his WWF debut first time round in 1985, as King Tonga, and made himself famous in 1986 by winning the ,000 bodyslam challenge by slamming Big John Studd, and was rechristened Haku. During this spell, he teamed up with Rikishi's younger brother Sam Fatu (known as Tama or The Tonga Kid) to become part of The Islanders tag team, to little or no success. In the lead up to 1989's Royal Rumble, the then King of the WWF, Handsome Harley Race took some time off, and Bobby Heenan presented his stand-in, King Haku. Upon Harley's return, Haku wasn't keen to give up the monarchy, and they faced off at the 1989 Rumble for the title, which Haku won. Tagged up with Andre The Giant as The Colossal Connection and took the Tag Team Titles from Demolition in December 1989, holding them until Andre's final Wrestlemania appearance at Wrestlemania 6, where Demolition won them back, and Haku was instrumental in Andre's last face turn before his retiral. Haku left the WWF in 1991, although he did return for a one time only appearance in the 1992 Royal Rumble, and toured the world again. WCW came calling in 1994, and The Monster Meng was born. Originally tagging with his cousin, The Barbarian, as The Faces of Fear, he didn't really set the world on fire. Returned as a singles wrestler every so often to be pushed as unstoppable, for a couple of months before the new face in town would carve out the victory and make a name for himself. Meng returned to WCW full time in 2000, for the sole purpose of jobbing to Goldberg, it would seem, and then entered himself into the Hardcore title picture. Meng actually won the belt, and was the reigning Hardcore Champion at the time of his controversial jump back to the WWF. Haku is back, and his partnership with Rikishi looks strong. Briefly feuded with the Undertaker and Kane, but suffered when Rikishi went out injured for a while. The 23 year veteran will no doubt want to prove he still has a lot left to offer in today's WWF. bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Jeff Jarrett Real Name Jeff Jarrett   Other Names Double J, The Chosen One   Date of Birth 24th July 1967   Weight: 230lbs   Height: 5ft 10   Signature Move Figure Four Leglock, Acoustic Equaliser Federations NWA, WWF, WCW Titles Held WWF Tag Team Champion, WWF Intercontinental Champion, WCW US Champion, WCW Heavyweight Champion Short Bio Spent his early career bouncing around the indy scene, in particular Jerry Lawler's USWA, where he and Brian Christopher dominated. Eventually signed for the WWF and was given the Double J gimmick, perhaps one of the worst in living memory. A country singer using the WWF as a stepping stone to fame, everything about him was cringeworthy, form his Neon cowboy hat, to his embarrassing strut in the ring. Despite this, he was packaged with The Roadie (who would go on to become the Road Dogg) and managed somehow to win the WWF IC belt three times before a small disagreement with Vince McMahon led him to sit out for a while. Returned to the WWF briefly in 1996, feuding with Ahmed Johnson, but left for WCW soon after. Again, a disastrous period in WCW memorable only for feuding with Steve McMichael over his then wife, Debra. Returned to the WWF late 1997, this time with Jim Cornette as the NWA North American champion, supposedly to start a take-over. He didn’t. It bombed. Again. Fought a 'hair vs. hair' match with X-Pac” at Summerslam 98, lost and was repackaged with Southern Justice (The Ex-Godwinns). Again, he bombed. Finally, he got some heel heat when he introduced Debra McMichael as his valet and teamed up with Owen Hart to form a great tag team championship team. Regained the IC belt and held it for some time, as his character finally took off. Late '99, he dropped the IC belt to Chyna, not before pulling a fast one on Vince McMahon for 0,000. His contract was up, and he demanded (and got) that fee to drop the belt on PPV before leaving. Jeff then returned to WCW as Vince Russo's Chosen One, and had a lengthy run as WCW's top heel, enjoying Heavyweight Title reigns along the way. Jarrett was then a big part in Ric Flair's WCW Elite program, feuding with DDP for a while, before more or less running to a standstill. His future with the WWF/WCW looks to be a bit vague because of lingering bad blood between Jarrett and Vince McMahon regarding his departure from the WWF in 1999... what seemed like a good deal at the time may come back to haunt him... we wait to see what happens. bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Jerry Lynn Real Name Jerald Lynn   Other Names Mr JL, The New F'N show   Date of Birth 12th June 1963   Weight: 212lbs   Height: 5ft 9   Signature Move Cradle Piledriver Federations WWF, WCW, ECW, Indies Titles Held WWF Light Heavyweight Champion ECW World Heavyweight Champion Short Bio Jerry trained in Minnesota with Eddie Sharkey, and made his debut in the local PWA indy fed. He won every title there, before moving on to Dallas and more indy glory. Received a try out for the WWF, before signing to WCW. Was mainly used as a jobber, before being masked and called Mr JL, and getting a mid-card push. Indeed, he had a match against a certain Robbie V (RVD) but with things unlikely to improve, he jumped to ECW, where he found his spot. Got over big time with the fans thanks to his high flying ability, and mat-work, combined with his immense work rate, it wasn't long before he was involved in main event level feuds with Chris Candido, Lance Storm & Justin Credible, and then moved on to work with Rob Van Dam again. The two guys ripped house shows across America apart with their five star matches, before being set loose on TV. The matches were even better than previous ones, and with ECW now being the 'in-thing' both Lynn & Van Dam were huge stars. The PPV blowoff matches between the two will go down as all-time classics. Unfortunately, before either man could capitalise on it, they both suffered major injuries at nearly the same time. While RVD did TV work, Lynn was nowhere to be seen, rehabbing as quickly as possible. While doing some exercises at his local swimming pool, he saved a local boy from drowning, and was giving a bravery award from the Mayor of Minnesota. Held off TV until RVD was ready to renew their feud, he finally took a win off RVD at the Hardcore Heaven PPV, and used that victory to springboard himself into title contention, taking the strap from Justin Credible at last. He held the title briefly, before passing it on to Steve Corino. Had one final match with RVD in ECW's farewell show, and that was all she wrote with Jerry's ECW career. Signed for the WWF and in his first match on TV, won the Light Heavyweight Belt from Crash, which he still holds. Has yet to be put into any proper feuds, but has shown he is a force to be reckoned with in the WWF midcard. A strong feud could put Jerry to the forefront of everyone's minds once again. Bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Justin Credible Real Name Peter Polaco   Other Names The Hardcore Icon, P J Walker, Aldo Montoya   Date of Birth 16th October 1973   Weight: 249lbs   Height: 6ft 1   Signature Move That's Incredible (spinning Tombstone), Superkick Federations Indies, WWF, ECW Titles Held ECW Tag team Champion, ECW World Heavyweight Champion Short Bio P J Walker was a fairly successful wrestler in the indy promotions around New England, when he came to the attention of Vince McMahon... signing to the WWF under the P J Walker name, he became a jobber to the stars, appearing once a week on Superstars to be crushed by this weeks 'name' wrestler. That was the scheme of things until one episode of Raw, when P J got the pin on Irwin R Schyster (IRS) in a shock upset. Bringing his name to the attention of fans world-wide had no effect, even being a member of Shawn Michaels famed Clique had no real pull, and he plunged back into insignificance Vanished from the scene for a while before returning as the ridiculously named (and attired) Aldo Montoya, the Portuguese man-o-war... Surprisingly, the gimmick failed to take off, and he was bombed out of the WWF. Paul E Heyman took a gamble on him, and moulded him into Justin Credible, self proclaimed Hardcore Icon. A strong feud with Tommy Dreamer, followed by running The Sandman out of ECW (Sandman had signed for WCW) and claiming his Singapore cane propelled him to main event level. Formed The Impact Players with Lance Storm, and became the strongest Tag Team Champions since the days of The Dudley Boys. Held the titles for a while before Storm was convinced to jump to WCW, and threw down the titles at Cyberslam, and took the World Title from newly crowned Tommy Dreamer. Despite looking out of his depth, Credible held on to the title, and with Francine by his side to make up for his poor promos (which come across as a poor man's Triple H), held it for the best part of a year before dropping it to Jerry Lynn. Credible's reign won't be looked back at as one of the best, but he can only get better from the experience. Entered the WWF as somewhat of a surprise signing, and aligned himself with X-Pac and Albert as the newly christened X-Factor, where they have become a strong heel mid card tag team. Credible looks to be improving, and could have a big future ahead of him. Bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.thatsjustincredible.com Kevin Nash Real Name Kevin Nash   Other Names Master Blaster Steele, Oz, Vinnie Vegas, Diesel, Big Daddy Cool, Big Sexy   Date of Birth 9th July 1959   Weight: 325lbs   Height: 7ft 2   Signature Move Jack-knife Powerbomb Federations WWF, WCW Titles Held WWF Intercontinental Champion WWF Tag Team Champion WWF Heavyweight Champion WCW Tag Team Champion WCW Heavyweight Champion Short Bio Nash's first big break was playing college basketball for University of Tennessee. From there he played pro in Europe for four years before knee injuries forced him to look to the squared circle for his career, Dusty Rhodes lending a guiding hand in Nash's early days. A series of failed gimmicks in WCW led his career to be non existent: Master Blaster Steele (A Legion Of Doom rip), Oz (Based on the Wizard of Oz... no, don't ask) and Vinnie Vegas (a gambler) were not great characters. Not even DDP as Vinnie Vegas' manager made a difference, so he jumped to the WWF where he was placed as Shawn Michaels' bodyguard, Diesel. Finally finding a gimmick that worked, Nash could work on improving his less than great in-ring skills, although we still wait for evidence of this. Developing his character slowly, by 1994's Royal Rumble he was popular enough for Vince to let him eliminate 7 wrestlers on his own, and test the water with the fans. The fans responded: Diesel was to be pushed. He and Michaels were tag champs, Diesel had held the IC belt, and suddenly he was #1 contender for the title when Bob Backlund took the title from Bret Hart. An eight second demolition later, and Diesel was Champion, for a year no less... With his contract running out, he and Scott Hall jumped back to WCW for a big pay-day. He and Hall played the Outsider angle to perfection, eventually forming the nWo with Hogan, and making WCW the big promotion of the time. Since then, Nash has seemingly been on auto pilot. A run on the booking committee, a spell as commissioner, a few title reigns, a heel turn here, a face turn there, Nash certainly packs it in. Although his mic skills aren't in doubt (he is one of the best) his in ring work is quite frankly dreadful. No-one it seems can make him look good in the ring. Since WCW has been bought out, Nash has stated in interviews that he's going to sit back with his feet up and collect his pay until his contract runs out, and he's free to negotiate a new one. Nash probably hopes for one last run with the WWF before he finally retires for good. Short Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.kevinbigsexynash.com/ Kurt Angle Real Name Kurt Angle   Other Names   Date of Birth 9th December 1968   Weight: 229lbs   Height: 5ft 11   Signature Move Olympic Slam, Ankle Lock Federations Indies, WWF Titles Held WCW World Heavyweight Champion WWF World Heavyweight Champion WWF Intercontinental Champion WWF European Champion WWF King Of The Ring: Winner 2000, and of course 1996 Olympic Champion Short Bio To be honest, Kurt Angle was annoying long before his WWF debut. Top of the class in most subjects, athletic, a standout on football, weightlifting and swimming teams, a sporting future looked the way ahead. Then he saw a WWF match between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan, and was hooked. Joined up for the school wrestling team, and gained a college scholarship through it, he went on to qualify for the Olympic team, where of course as you all know, he won Gold. Vince McMahon came a calling soon after... and Kurt turned him down. Dropped out of sight, doing motivational speeches and occasional workout classes. Started getting fit again and by chance met Tazz, who introduced him to Paul Heyman. Heyman offered him a gig... not wrestling but commentating. Angle did two shows before leaving, not very impressed by a segment where Raven was crucified and caned. Vince came calling again, and Kurt accepted his offer. Toured the feeder promotions and worked dark matches for over a year to become ready, and then exploded onto the WWF scene, with an undefeated streak ended by Tazz at the Royal Rumble 2000. Became European champion, and Intercontinental Champion at the same time, calling himself EuroContinental champion. His in ring skills are matched only by his mic work, and his irritating Three I's. Won the King Of The Ring 2000, to the surprise of virtually no-one, and established himself as a main event player. Rounded off an amazing debut year by triumphing over The Rock to take home the WWF Title, with the help of Triple H's wife Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, and The Rock's own cousin Rikishi. However, booking politics backstage meant that Kurt's title reign took a backseat to the Austin-HHH saga. Kurt eventually dropped the title back to The Rock, and resumed his place in the mid-card, where he had an outstanding feud with Chris Benoit, bringing classic old school wrestling back to the masses. Kurt's future looks bright, and he will be WWF Champion again in his career. Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.kurtangle.net Mike Awesome Real Name Michael Lee Alfonso   Other Names The Gladiator, The Career Killer, The Fat Chick Thriller, That 70's Guy, the Canadian Killer   Date of Birth January 24, 1965 (Died February 17, 2007, Aged 42)   Weight: 293lbs   Height: 6ft 7   Signature Move Awesome Splash, Awesome Bomb, Power-Bomb, Plancha To The Floor, Sling-shot Shoulder Block, Running Clothesline Federations PWF, FMW, ECW, WCW, WWF/WWE, MLW, TNA, JAPW Titles Held FMW Independent World Heavyweight (1), FMW World Brass Knuckles Championship (2), FMW World Brass Knuckles Tag-Team Championship (2), FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag-Team Championship (1), JAPW World Heavyweight 1), MLW World Heavyweight (1), ECW World (2), ECW World Tag-Team (1), WWF Hardcore (1) Short Bio Mike Awesome was a nobody in the US, until an ECW PPV match between Taz & Masato Tanaka was interrupted by Judge Jeff Jones and his charge starting a fight at ringside. Taz demanded that the big man be let through, Paul E made it a three way dance, and the rest as they say, is history. Awesome won the ECW world title that night, and save for a brief spell when he lost it to Tanaka, made ECW his promotion for the best part of a year, even winning the Tag Team gold. He was dominant in the ring, absolutely destroying those who faced him. His strength took care of the Awesome Bombs through the tables, and he's surpisingly agile for a 'big man' pulling off splashes from the top turnbuckle, and topes and planchas over the top ropes. Then the almighty dollar knocked at his door, and he jumped ship to WCW, taking the ECW Title with him. In what must be the strangest deal ever, he returned to an ECW house show, and dropped the belt to the WWF's Tazz. Awesome's side of the story still isn't known, but since the WWFE buyout of WCW, he and Paul Heyman are back on speaking terms again. Still, his WCW debut was a big one: He jumped out of the crowd (sound familiar?) and attacked Kevin Nash. Making a gimmick as a career killer, he took on Scott Steiner, Kanyon, DDP and Nash never once looking out of place. Now that he seems to have had a face turn (improbable as it may sound) we're starting to see that he does have some mic skills. WCW took great delight in slapping the world's worst gimmicks on Awesome, making him a 'Fat Chick Thriller' before turning him into a refugee from the seventies as 'That 70's guy' but he works away without complaining. That attitude served him well when WWFE bought over WCW, as Awesome was one of the first people signed up to a WWFE contract. Officially kicking off the long-awaited (but ultimately bungled) "Invasion" story line between all 3 top promotions (ECW went under in March as well), Awesome (by virtue of the "24/7" rule) beat Rhyno (another former ECW performer) for the WWF Hardcore Title after "The Man Beast" had just beaten Test to regain the gold. Despite featuring heavily in the big "Invasion" story line early on (which soon became diluted somewhat due to the fact that the WWF couldn’t legally use the initials "ECW"), Awesome’s WWF career soon hit a stumbling block when "locker room leaders" such as The Undertaker decided that Awesome (along with former ECW wrestler Rob Van Dam) "couldn’t work" (or more specifically, couldn’t work the "WWF (E) style"). Either ‘Taker and company hadn’t seen any of Awesome’s (or Van Dam’s) previous work in Japan and ECW or they were weary of the fact that "The Awesome One" could possibly "steal their spot" with his unorthodox and non-traditional in-ring style. Whatever the case, Awesome soon found himself booked to house show and weekend TV hell and hardly played any part at all in WWF story lines. Following a long layoff from injury, Awesome came back, but found himself in a worse position than before. He was eventually released from his contract, after a stint on Velocity in which he jobbed to bottom-rung talent like Funaki. Likely still stinging from his senseless WWF treatment, Awesome hit the independent scene in 2003 and also returned to Japan (where his work was still greatly appreciated). He also briefly wrestled for the now defunct MLW (Major League Wrestling) and TNA. In 2005, Awesome was back in the spotlight again. WWE had asked him to be a part of "One Night Stand" (which at the time, truly was an ECW reunion show). The fallout in 2000 was now seemingly water under the bridge (Paul Heyman himself was given full creative control of the show and obviously never bore a grudge against Awesome). This was Awesome’s chance to show WWE why they shouldn’t have fired him and to show the world that he still had it. He and Masato Tanaka had a killer match that was so jaw-dropping that even ECW-hater JBL was impressed. In fact, WWE and the fans were so impressed by Awesome and Tanaka’s performance that there were even rumours of both men being signed to a WWE contract (this didn’t happen, however. Awesome later stated that he felt he got underpaid at ONS and the following year, he announced his retirement from wrestling, unless the payoff would make it worthwhile). Mike Awesome will not be forgotten. The guy who (as former WCW announcer Mark Madden so enthusiastically put it) was "Totally Awesome!" will go down in history as being one of the best big men and one of the most groundbreaking performers of his generation. Bio By Tony Cottam & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Raven Real Name Scott Levy   Other Names Scotty Flamingo, Johnny Polo   Date of Birth 8th September 1962   Weight: 234lbs   Height: 5ft 10   Signature Move Evenflow DDT (The Raven Effect) Federations Indies, WWF, WCW, ECW Titles Held ECW World Heavyweight Champion (2) ECW Tag Team Champion (4) WCW Light Heavyweight Champion WCW US Champion WCW Tag Team Champion WWF Hardcore Champion Short Bio Scott Levy has seen or done it all. From his origins on the Oregon indy scene, to managing the tag team champions in the WWF, there's not a lot left for Levy to prove. Making waves with several title runs in the little leagues, WCW signed up the man soon to be known as Scotty Flamingo. Entering DDP's stable he won the Light Heavyweight Title, dropping it two weeks later. That was pretty much all she wrote for Scotty Flamingo';s WCW career. He dropped out of the spotlight to go back to the indy scene, winning a tag team title in the USWA with Brian Christopher (The ex-Grand Master Sexay). His next stop was the WWF, but as a manager. During his brief stay as Johnny Polo, he managed The Quebecers to 3 tag team titles, and introduced Adam Bomb (now Bryan Clark) to the world. Totally changing character to the grunge icon we know today, Raven made his ECW debut as Stevie Richards' best friend, and had a tag team championship run, before turning on him. Started up Raven's Nest with Nova, The Blue Meanie, Brian Lee, and Stevie Richards (now in Raven's 'power'and the legendary feud with Tommy Dreamer started. He went on to become a major player in ECW, winning the World Title twice, and dominating TV tapings. In 1997, Raven signed for WCW again. Within 3 months, Raven's Flock was formed. Rapidly becoming a who's who of the midcard, with a revolving door membership for the likes of Saturn, Kidman, Stevie Richards, Horace Hogan & Kanyon amongst others becoming involved. The angle never took off like it did in ECW, and several failed attempts at a push later, Eric Bischoff held a meeting and told anyone that wanted a release they could get one. Raven jumped at it, and returned to ECW. With a one year no WWF clause in his release, Raven was biding time in ECW, and it showed in his ring work. ECW offered him an early release, and suddenly Raven sprung to life. Jumped to the WWF, made his debut interfering in Tazz's match with Jerry Lawler to a huge ovation. Went on to team with Tazz for couple of weeks before turning on him in a forgettable feud. Raven then took the Hardcore division by storm, injecting new life into the matches and enterting double figures for title reigns. Raven is being primed for a push further up the card, and he seems to reliase that this is his last realistic opportunity at getting to the very pinnacle of the industry, and isn't going to waste that chance. Bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Rhyno Real Name Terry Gerin   Other Names Rhino, The Rookie Monster, The Man Beast   Date of Birth 7th October 1975   Weight: 270 Lbs   Height: 5ft 10   Signature Move Gore, Piledriver... usually through tables! Federations ECW, WWF Titles Held ECW World Television championship (2) ECW World Heavyweight championship WWF Hardcore championship Short Bio Rhyno is massive, strong and intense. One punch from this behemoth could shatter a man's jaw. One piledriver could break a man's neck. What is a normal wrestling hold to any other performer, is a lethal weapon in Rhino's arsenal. Despite ECW's best efforts, Rhino captured the World Television Championship from Yoshihiro Tajiri and has been out to decimate anyone who dares stand up to The Network since. Nothing is beneath this intense competitor. He's broken the legs of Rob Van Dam and Spike Dudley. He's beaten The Sandman half to death. Rhyno has even used his massive gore to try to break The Sandman's wife Lori Fullington in two. Even though Rhyno only debuted in 1999, he made a huge impact on ECW. Leaveing ECW the Undefeated ECW TV and Heavyweight Champion. Infact possibly the Last ever ECW champion. He is an unstoppable monster that continues to run through everyone in his path, Rhyno is a force to be reckoned, and now that he has joined the WWF and allinged himself with E and C only time will tell what he can really become. With the recent interferance by SCSA and HHH in his match against Kane, he was able to capture his first piece of WWF Gold. Rhyno put up solid defences of his title, including some incredible matches with Raven, before dropping the title The Big Show, regaining it 'on the fly' from Chris Jericho a week later. Rhyno's momentum in and out of the ring looks set to carry him upwards in the WWF, and IC gold looks a certainty for him soon. Can the Manbeast gore his way to the World title? We'll have to wait and see... Bio by: Shahid Nazir with additions from Tony.  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Rob Van Dam Real Name Robert Szatowski   Other Names Robbie V, Rob Zakowski, RVD, The Whole F'n Show, Mr Monday Night, Mr Pay Per View   Date of Birth 18th December 1970   Weight: 227lbs   Height: 6ft   Signature Move VanDaminator, Five Star Frog Splash, VanTerminator, Split Leg Moonsault, Rolling Thunder Senton Splash Federations Indies, WCW, WWF, ECW Titles Held WWF Hardcore Champion, ECW Tag Team Champion, ECW Television Champion Short Bio A background in kickboxing and fitness training prepared Van Dam for his pro wrestling debut in 1990 on the indy circuit, where he would cross paths with Sabu for the first time. Using the name Rob Zakowski, he moved around the promotions a lot, but always ended up against Sabu. Quickly coming to the notice of WCW, he made his WCW debut as Robbie V, mostly as a jobber. Highlight of his short stay was to take part in the Tourney for the Vacant TV Title, going over Shanghai Pierce, but losing out to one Vinnie Vegas (Kevin Nash) in the second round. Rob decided that was it, and quit. He went off to star in two martial arts films (Superfights and Blood Moon) and toured in All Japan. Changing his name again to Rob Van Dam and became a big hit in Japan, he also accepted an offer from the fledgling ECW promotion, continuing to tour All Japan at the same time. When he devoted his time fully to ECW, he rose through the ranks. One of his first fights was against Sabu, and they went on to feud for the best part of that year, before somehow tagging up together. It was then that RVD proclaimed himself to be Mr Monday Night, and said that he would be wrestling on the Monday Night coming. Sure enough, Monday Night RAW, Jerry Lawler introduced Rob Van Dam, and he promptly squashed a young Jeff Hardy. On screen, Van Dam was suspended by ECW, when in reality it was a deal between Vince McMahon & Paul E Heyman for cross promotion. Van Dam appeared for the next few shows, before being asked to put over Jesse Jammes. Rob refused, and went back to ECW. ECW fans called him a sell-out, and his new arrogant character was put in place. Van Dam floated about with no direction, always falling back on his feud with Sabu, until he won the ECW TV title. He would hold this for 18 months, only relinquishing it when he broke his leg. Meantime, the feud with Sabu seemed over as they tagged up again. When Sabu was named as #1 challenger for the TV title, a mini-war ensued. This seemed to bring the two of them together, and finally they won the Tag Team Titles. Van Dam quickly became the ego of the team, and when they split up, it was down to Van Dam. for the next year, RVD was simply untouchable in the ring. Five star matches were the norm, as he tore apart everyone he was in the ring with. In a title defence, he attempted a baseball slide. This harmless looking move would break his leg. Completing the match with a win, he was out for several months, handing over the TV Title in the process. He made his big comeback against Jerry Lynn, and lost when his 'best friend' Scotty Anton turned heel on him. With Van Dam headlining shows, and showing no signs of rustiness, he looked set to hold the World Title until the fickle finger of fate came crashing down on ECW. Van Dam took his skills to Thailand to take part in a movie shoot for Black Mask 2, before heading over to Japan for a whistle stop tour with Sabu. He signed a WWFE contract, and kickstarted the biggest angle in Pro Wrestling history when he and Tommy Dreamer invaded Raw and joined the rejuvenated ECW. RVD has become a key part of The Alliance's arsenal, taking the Hardcore belt from Jeff Hardy at Invasion, stealing the show in the process. Since then, RVD has gone on to prove himself worthy of all the hype surrounding him. RVD now has a bright future ahead of him - all he needs to do is embrace it. Bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.robvandam.com/ Scott Hall Real Name Scott Hall   Other Names Starship Coyote, Big Scott Hall, Texas Scott, Diamond Studd, Razor Ramon, The Bad Guy   Date of Birth 20th October 1959   Weight: 282lbs   Height: 6ft 7   Signature Move Razor's / Outsider Edge Federations AWA, WWF, WCW, ECW, NJPW Titles Held AWA Tag Team Champion, WWF Intercontinental Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, WCW TV Champion, WCW US Champion Short Bio Scott Hall is an enigma all to himself. As talented as anyone his size, yet never won a world title. Raised in a military family, he holds a pre-med degree, although the world is still waiting to page Dr Hall... Wrestled in Germany and Puerto Rico before making a name for himself in the AWA with DDP as his manager. When DDP ended up in WCW, Hall followed soon after as the Diamond Studd. Making little impact there, he switched to the WWF, following close friend Kevin Nash. Packaged as Razor Ramon, the Miami Bad Guy, he was an instant hit with the fans. Always entertaining both on the mic and in the ring, he quickly made a name for himself as heel. A shock loss to the 1-2-3 kid (now X-Pac) lead to him turning babyface, and becoming more of a fan favourite than ever. Took part in two of the greatest matches in the history of the WWF during this time, the legendary ladder matches with Shawn Michaels. Managed to become a 4 time IC champ before disciplinary problems hit him hard. Suspended for unprofessional conduct, rumours of his substance abuse and alcohol problems travelled fast. His WWF contract was allowed to expire, and he jumped to WCW with Kevin Nash, and literally took over the show. Founder member of the original nWo, he secured his part of wrestling history. However, things also turned worse in his personal life. A divorce hit him hard, and he took to the bottle big time. Won the US Title, but even that didn’t keep him straight. Was convinced to turn heel on Nash, and conducted many promos obviously drunk. Took a leave of absence to straighten himself out, and returned seemingly sober, and back with Nash, but before long blew himself up again. On a house show tour of Germany, he was too drunk to board a plane, and missed a Nitro, where he was stripped of his title. On the subsequent Thunder, he was again drunk, and threatened several WCW Execs, and was taken off TV, and fired in the summer of 2000. Appeared on ECW TV for a week before getting himself arrested for drink driving. Scott Hall has the talent to that should have made him a multi time World champion. It's a pity his mental state kept him from doing that. He's doing a tour of work in Japan where he's said to be happy, sober and in fine form... Has Hall got himself straightened out at last? This writer certainly hopes so. short bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Scott Steiner Real Name Scott Rechsteiner   Other Names Scotty Steiner, White Lightning, Superstar Scott Steiner, Big Poppa Pump   Date of Birth 29th July 1962   Weight: 300lbs   Height: 6ft 2   Signature Move Frankensteiner, Steiner Recliner Federations ECW, WWF, NJPW, WCW Titles Held New Japan Tag Team Champion,WWF Tag Team Champion,WCW Tag Team Champion, WCW US Champion, WCW TV Champion, WCW World Heavyweight Champion Short Bio Scott Steiner, unbelievably, started out as an all-American boy next door babyface. Along with his brother, Rick, they quickly became the world's premier tag team, perhaps the best the world's ever seen. Easing through the WWF, and New Japan, they returned to America for a brief spell in ECW before signing the dotted line with WCW. There, Scott established himself as the breakaway star of the two. After leaving Rick and Manager Ted DiBiase, he joined up with the nWo, cutting his hair, dying it platinum blond and renaming himself Big Poppa Pump (as well as seemingly ingesting a ton of steroids) and getting a new in-your-face attitude. Teamed up with Buff Bagwell for a while before splitting and feuding with him. Reverted to the tried and tested brother v brother feud most of the time, until a feud with DDP. Spent most of his time nursing injuries, and was on the brink of retirement at one point with a back problem that required surgery, although this turned out to be a piece of Russo 'genius' and a huge swerve. Turned semi-face during a brief feud with Tank Abbott, but re-established his heel traits by turning on Kevin Nash on screen, and physically threatening Terry Taylor backstage. Who knows why Steiner flies off on these temper fits, lord knows it's not 'roid rage, heaven forbid, but as long he's on the edge, it makes interesting TV. Even he doesn't know what he's going to say next, let alone WCW execs. Finally got the World title run he's been threatening for years, defeating Booker T in late 2000. He lost that title back to Booker on the very last broadcast of Nitro, before taking some time to wind down before deciding on his future. He seems certain to sign for the WWFE when his injury clears up, and then we'll see just what Scotty is capable of. Short bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Spike Dudley Real Name Matthew Hyson   Other Names Little Spike Dudley, The Giant Killer of ECW   Date of Birth n/a   Weight: 155 Lbs   Height: 5ft 5   Signature Move Acid Drop / Dudley Dawg Federations ECW, WWF Titles Held ECW World Tag Team championship 2 (with Balls Mahoney) Short Bio Spike Dudley was the Giant Killer of Extreme Championship Wrestling, with heart and ability that greatly overshadows his diminutive height. Spike was originally a teacher by profession but loved wrestling, however he couldn't actually wrestle as such, and was only really good at taking punishment (and still is) however with the help and training from both Tazz and Perry Saturn, Spike has managed to raise his game, while at the same time not do himself to much harm. Spike uses his finishing manoeuvre, the Acid Drop (or Dudley Dawg), a swinging stunner off the ropes, to pin nearly every opponent who has ever towered over him. The list of his victims include Bam Bam Bigelow, Viscera, 911, Buh Buh Ray Dudley, Lance Storm and Mike Awesome. Spike was part of the Original Dudley boys in ECW before splitting from them and feuding with them. Spike then went on to smash his way through ECW until he suffered a knee injury at the hands of Rhino and The Network. Whether it's diving off balconies of buildings onto hapless opponents, or pulling off upsets over competitors three times his size in a matter of minutes, Spike Dudley is as hardcore as they come. Now with the closure of ECW Spike has surprised us all by appearing on WWF TV and re-alligning himself with his long lost brothers. Of course, long time ECW fans know that the Dudleys fight more than any other family (except The McMahons), and Spike is on the other side of the fence from Bubba and D-Von again, over the hand of Molly Holly... It'll be interesting to see where lil spike goes from here.... usually over the top and onto the concrete! Bio by Shahid Nazir - SmashWrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Sting Real Name Steve Borden   Other Names Flash, Justice   Date of Birth 20th March 1959   Weight: 255lbs   Height: 6ft 2   Signature Move Scorpion Deathlock, Scorpion Deathdrop, Stinger Splash Federations NWA, WCW Titles Held NWA World Champion, WCW US Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, WCW Heavyweight Champion, TNA World Heavyweight, WWA World Short Bio First started out as a tag-team called The Blade Runners, with Jim 'Ultimate Warrior' Hellwig as his partner. When Hellwig left to go to another promotion, Borden tagged up with Eddie Gilbert, and Steiner and won Tag gold in the UWF, before Steiner turned heel on him. A monstrous feud ensued, so much so that the pair were signed to NWA/WCW in 1988 where Sting has been ever since. As the blonde haired, multi colour face painted Stinger, he enjoyed a long run at the top, feuding with Ric Flair in a legendary series of matches. Sting was the WCW 'franchise' and top face, feuding throughout the years with Vader, Flair, and Lex Luger amongst others down the line. When the nWo surfaced in 96, Sting vanished from TV screens for a while (His contract was up, and he needed time to heal some injuries) before a Crow started to make an appearance on Nitro. Fans wondered what this was about, until it was revealed: Sting was back, and looking like an extra from The Crow. Being lowered from the rafters, he would side against the nWo armed with his trusty baseball bat. This is the gimmick that put Sting on the map, and is the one he has to this very day,although rumours of a makeover run rampant at the moment. At Starrcade on December 28, 1997, Sting returned to in-ring competition and fought Hollywood Hogan in a match for the WCW World Heavyweight Title (due to the engrossing story line between Sting, WCW and The NWO, Starrcade got a 1.7 million buy-rate, the largest in WCW history). Sting defeated Hogan for the title, bringing it home to WCW. However, due to the controversial finish of the match (where former WWF Superstar, Bret Hart made his WCW debut and called for the bell while Hogan was trapped in The Scorpion Death Lock), the belt was declared vacant by JJ Dillon, and put on the line in a rematch at Superbrawl VIII on February 22, 1998. This time there was no controversial finish, and Sting raised his second WCW World Title under his new "Crow" persona. Sting's reign lasted about 2 months, during which time he managed to defend the title against many tough challengers, including The NWO’s Scott Hall (Uncensored 98', March 15), before dropping the belt to Randy Savage at Spring Stampede on April 19, due to interference from Kevin Nash. Sting later joined Nash’s own NWO Faction, the red and black "Wolfpac" (Sting changed the colours of his facepaint to reflect the change) and feuded with Bret Hart in a rivalry that concluded with a match at Halloween Havoc 98’ which Sting lost. During the match, he suffered a serious injury, which forced him to miss some action for several months. During his time away from the ring, Sting became a born-again Christian, and returned to full-time competition on Monday Nitro on April 5 1999 (he had worked a few house shows a few months prior to his television return). Clad in his "Crow"attire, Sting literally dropped in (with the aid of a harness, the same stunt that unfortunately killed Owen Hart one month later at the WWF's Over The Edge PPV) on a Four-Way Dance between Goldberg, Hollywood Hogan, DDP and the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Ric Flair. Due to his sudden return to the ring (just 6 days before Spring Stampede), Sting was the obvious favourite to win the WCW World Title. However, following an entertaining contest, (where DDP supposedly injured Hogan's knee and put him out of action) Ric Flair fell to a Diamond Cutter from DDP, while Sting struggled to make it to his feet in time to stop the fall. The end result of this match was very disappointing for fans of Sting or even WCW fans in general. Sting ended DDP’s reign on Nitro on April 26. Unfortunately, Sting's latest title reign was fleeting and pointless (and the shortest in WCW history), as later in the evening he dropped the belt back to DDP in another Four-Way Dance (this time featuring Goldberg and Kevin Nash). On September 12 at Fall Brawl, the foolish decision was made to turn Sting heel. Battling Hulk Hogan for the WCW Title, Sting used a baseball bat supplied by a returning Lex Luger to capture the title and turn on the fans. Predictably, the fans never bought the heel turn, and Sting was more or less the same guy he was before. At Halloween Havoc on October 24, Hogan got a rematch with Sting, but as this was the first show produced by formerWWF scriptwriters, Ed Ferrara and Vince Russo, the match was over and done with in a matter of seconds, with Hogan laying down for Sting. It was at Mayhem that Sting officially changed back to a babyface. Following his semi-final loss to Bret Hart (who would go on to win the title in the final), Sting offered his hand to Bret, showing great sportsmanship. In 2000, Sting feuded with the likes of Lex Luger, Vampiro and Jeff Jarrett. At the end of the year, Sting was brutally assaulted by Scott Steiner on a special UK-edition of Thunder. WCW gave the impression on TV that Sting was finished. But in reality, he was back the following night, competing on a house show in Birmingham, England, teaming with Kevin Nash to defeat Kronik. Sting's return to the ring on March 26, 2001 was an emotional moment for WCW fans. WCW had just been bought by the WWF, and were finished as a company. The Nitro on March 26 was to be the last one ever, and featured surreal clips of Vince McMahon on Raw throughout. Sting brought the show (and WCW) to a close with a classic encounter with Ric Flair. After forcing Flair to tap to The Scorpion Death-Lock, Sting offered his hand to Flair and the two legends embraced in the ring. Sting returned to the ring in December 2002, taking part in the WWA's European Tour. Over a series of dates, he teamed with Nathan Jones to battle Buff Bagwell and Malice and even defeated Lex Luger for the WWA Title. In 2003, Sting worked on a part-time basis for NWA:TNA and was involved in matches with the likes of A.J. Styles, Jeff Jarrett and Lex Luger. Proving that he still had something to offer the wrestling business, Sting returned to TNA in 2006 and earned his hefty contract by taking some serious physical abuse in some violent gimmick matches with Abyss (Sting had a candelabra broken over his head and was driven into glass and thumbtacks). Though in his "twilight years", Sting has enjoyed a brief reign as TNA’s World Champion and is a regular fixture on TNA IMPACT! and PPV events. Bio by Tony Cottam & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Stone Cold Steve Austin Real Name Steve Williams   Other Names Stunning Steve Austin, Superstar Steve Austin, The Ringmaster   Date of Birth 18th December 1964   Weight: 252lbs   Height: 6ft 2   Signature Move Stone Cold Stunner, Stun Gun Federations ECW, WCW, WWF, Indies Titles Held WWF Heavyweight Champion (5) WWF Intercontinental Champion (2) WWF Tag Team Champion (4) WCW US Champion (2) WCW Tag Team Champion WCW TV Champion (2) King of the Ring: Winner 1996 Royal Rumble: Winner 1997, 1998 & 2001 Short Bio Competed in several low key indy promotions before hitting it big by signing with WCW, where he was teamed with Brian Pillman as the Hollywood Blondes. They took off instantly, winning the Tag Team titles before splitting and feuding with Pillman. With that out of the way, TV & US title reigns came his way and the promise of World title shot was made to him. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury slowed down Austin's progress, and he was fired by Fed-Ex in his sick bed while injured. Infuriated, Austin signed for ECW and did several shoot style spoofs on WCW, including the famous Monday Nyquil segment. Bringing himself back to the big time, this time in the WWF he was launched as The Ringmaster, Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Champion. This gimmick was dead in the water, and when he lost to Savio Vega to effectively terminate DiBiase's contract, he and his wife came up with the Stone Cold gimmick. To say this took off is an understatement. Totally changing the landscape of wrestling as we know it, Austin won King Of The Ring 1996 and uttered the phrase that changed the world "AUSTIN 3:16 SAYS I JUST WHOOPED YOUR ASS" and then embarked on feuds with The Rock, Owen Hart and Vince McMahon, winning IC gold along the way. Eventually worked his way up to World title level, defeating Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 14 for the gold. The past feud with Owen Hart would prove costly however, when a botched piledriver back in '97 caused him to begin feeling numb in his arms and shoulders. Written out of the WWF in Late 99, Austin took time off to receive neck surgery which was a success. Austin returned to the WWF with vigour and set about reclaiming his top spot in the business. And reclaim it he did - regained the WWF title at Wrestlemania and turned heel - but then did the unthinkable at Invasion - he joined the ECW/WCW alliance. Unsurprisingly, The Alliance lost in a "Winner Take All" Elimination Match at Survivor Series, which meant that the WCW/ECW faction were history. It came down to Stone Cold and The Rock, with The Rock pinning Austin with assistance from Kurt Angle, who had been "working undercover"for the WWF all along. Despite being part of The Alliance faction, Austin kept his job because he was the WWF Champion. The next night on Raw, Austin was a babyface once again, while Kurt Angle was a heel, despite sealing victory for the WWF at Survivor Series. The return of Ric Flair as "50 % owner" led to a confrontation with Vince McMahon, but it was agreed upon to have a series of matches at Vengeance, where there would be one Undisputed Champion. Austin defeated Kurt Angle in an entertaining WWF Championship Match, and Chris Jericho beat The Rock in an even better WCW Championship Match. This led to an Undisputed Title Match between Austin and Jericho, which took place straight after Y2J's match with The Rock, and due to this the match felt rushed and mediocre. Jericho got the win and became the first ever-Undisputed Champion thanks to interference from Vince McMahon. After defeating Scott Hall at WrestleMania X8, Austin and his wife at the time, Debra left for Texas and missed the post-WM Raw (he received no punishment or reprimand for this whatsoever). To their credit, the WWF used Austin's absence to their advantage by saying that Austin was a"free agent" and could go to whatever show he chose. On the April 1 edition of Raw, Austin returned and was at the centre of a bidding war between Raw owner Ric Flair and Smackdown! Owner Vince McMahon. Austin ended up choosing Raw, but gave Flair a Stone Cold Stunner anyway. Austin walked again on June 10, 2002 when he refused to lose to Brock Lesnar on Raw. In retaliation, used their new "behind-the-scenes"; show, Confidential to explain Austin's departure and to verbally trash him (and rightly so) for behaving in such an unprofessional manner. Austin returned at No Way Out in 2003, beating his former boss Eric Bischoff in a one-sided squash. At WrestleMania 19, Stone Cold and The Rock fought for one last time, with "The Great One" getting a long-overdue win over "The Rattlesnake". On the following Raw, Eric Bischoff supposedly dug up confidential documents about Austin’s health, saying that he'd been in hospital due to stress the day before Wrestlemania and that his doctor had not cleared him to wrestle on the show. Bischoff then "fired"Austin. However, although this was an angle, there was still allot of truth in it. Austin HAD been in hospital for stress-induced heart problems, and HAD been told by his doctor that he was playing "Russian Roulette" with his health (and his life) if he continued to wrestle. But this wasn't the end of the road for Austin. Predictably, he was brought back soon after as the Co-General Manager of Raw, forming a "50/50 partnership" with Bischoff. At Survivor Series 2003, Austin was forced to "quit" WWE "forever" after his hand picked team of Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Rob Van Dam and The Dudley Boyz came up short against Bischoff's team of Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Chris Jericho, Christian and Scott Steiner. By virtue of a petition signed by millions of WWE fans, Stone Cold returned as "The Sheriff" of Raw, determined to uphold "his" law. This continued until a contract dispute in April 2004. Since then, Austin had made sporadic appearances on Raw and PPV. Some of his more recent appearances have been to promote his WWE-financed film, "The Condemned". But while Austin many not be able to wrestle anymore, he still gets one of the loudest pops just by drinking beer or delivering a "Stone Cold Stunner" to an unsuspecting victim. Bio by Tony Cottam & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.stonecold.com/ Tazz Real Name Pete Senerca   Other Names Tazmaniac, Taz   Date of Birth 10th September 1967   Weight: 238lbs   Height: 5ft 8   Signature Move Tazmission choke Federations Indies, ECW, WWF Titles Held FTW World Heavyweight Champion (2) ECW World Heavyweight Champion (2) ECW World TV Champion (2) ECW Tag Team Champion (2) WWF Hardcore Champion (3) Short Bio Born in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, the toughness portrayed in his character was a necessity. Started taking Judo lessons at an early age to defend himself, eventually reaching Black Belt level. Became a Judo teacher, and learnt several other martial arts disciplines as well. Eventually listened to one of his students and tried wrestling on the indy circuit. Using a Tazmaniac gimmick, he exploded onto the local scene winning several heavyweight titles. Coming to the attention of Paul Heyman, he signed on a three match contract for ECW - those 3 matches turned into 6 years. Won the tag team titles, and turned down a move to the WWF under the Kwang gimmick before suffering a broken neck, serious enough to keep him out of the ring for 9 months. When he returned, he was a monster heel. Shortening the name to Taz, and suplexing faces and heels to hell and back. Proclaiming himself the world's baddest motherf**ker, he gained popularity with the ECW loyal fans. Took the TV title, brought in the FTW title, and eventually took out the Franchise, Shane Douglas to claim the ECW World title. Held this for a solid 9 months before agreeing to sign for the WWF. Dropped the belt in a 3 way dance involving Masato Tanaka, and new champ Mike Awesome. Debuted for the WWF at Royal Rumble 2000 breaking Kurt Angle's winning streak, before becoming buried in the midcard. Won the Hardcore title a couple of times, before the historic deal which saw Tazz loaned back to ECW to reclaim the ECW title from WCW's Mike Awesome, before dropping the belt to Tommy Dreamer. Suffered a major shoulder injury upon his return to the WWF which required 6 weeks off to heal. Returned to the WWF as a heel, and established himself as colour commentator on Sunday Night Heat in the US, and had a great feud with Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross, of all people. Tazz commentary skills continued to surpass his in-ring efforts as he was given the announcing spot for Smackdown, where he remained until the reformation of ECW on Raw - he resumed his place at the heart of ECW. He is now back commentating on Smackdown "to spread the word of the Alliance" - hopefully though, Tazz has a few good matches left in him yet. Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.tazmission.com/ Shane Douglas Real Name Troy Martin   Other Names The Franchise, Dean Douglas   Date of Birth 21st November 1964   Weight: 240lbs   Height: 6ft 1   Signature Move The Pittsburgh Plunge, The Franchiser Federations ECW, WWF, WCW Titles Held ECW TV Champion, ECW World Champion, WWF Intercontinental Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, WCW US Champion Short Bio Undisputed ECW all-time great, Shane Douglas made his name on the indy circuit, before signing up with the NWA and doing part-time work with Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW). In 1994, he had both the NWA World Title, and ECW’s heavyweight Championship. ECW changed their name to Extreme Championship Wrestling, and Douglas threw down the NWA title on TV, claiming that ECW’s title was now the World Title. Dominated ECW from there on in, with the Triple Threat of himself (with Francine) Chris Candido (& Tammy Sytch) and Bam Bam Bigelow. Was on the brink of big things, and eventually signed with the WWF, but was saddled with the Dean Douglas teaching gimmick, which was lame, to put it politely. Was awarded the IC title after Shawn Michaels couldn’t defend it, and jobbed the belt to Razor Ramon within minutes. Things just didn’t work out, and a huge fallout with Vince McMahon (which would come back to haunt him) sent him packing back to ECW. Quickly regained ‘his’ World Title and held it for some length, before passing the ECW torch to Taz. Signed up with WCW, and was put in as a heel along with Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko & Chris Benoit as The Revolution. A torn Bicep put him on the sidelines when Benoit, Malenko, Guerrero, Saturn, Konnan & himself asked for their release. Konnan backed down, but the others got their freedom. When it became apparent that Vince wanted no part of Shane, he signed a new improved deal at WCW. His Franchise character had come into it's own in WCW, and was rapidly becoming a contender for some Gold. One of the most articulate people in this business with the mic, his in ring skills were beginning to come back to what they once were as well. Douglas was the best kept secret in WCW. Sadly his past with Vince McMahon may mean that Douglas has pretty much wrestled his last match in the big time, and that truly is a shame. short bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) The Rock Real Name Dwayne Johnson   Other Names Rocky Maivia, Flex Kavana   Date of Birth 2nd May 1972   Weight: 275lbs   Height: 6ft 5   Signature Move Rock Bottom, People's Elbow Federations WWF Titles Held WWF Intercontinental Champion, WWF Tag Team Champion, WWF Heavyweight Champion, Royale Rumble Winner: 2000 Short Bio Son of Rocky Johnson, The Rock failed as a football player and so took up grappling. Plying his trade on a developmental contract with the WWF in Florida as Flex Kavana. He was promoted to the big league and pushed instantly as blue chipper Rocky Maivia, and pushed down the fans throats with a IC Title reign almost constantly. The fans retaliated, and 'Die Rocky Die' was one of the many chants heard directed towards him. After an injury, he returned and joined the Nation Of Domination... as a heel, and soon after started referring to himself in the 3rd person as The Rock. Feuded on and off with Austin, Triple H & Owen Hart winning IC Gold on the journey. Eventually turned face and battled the Evil Vince McMahon headed corporation. Turned heel again when he became The Corporate Champion, and entered into a memorable feud with Mick Foley. Feuded with Austin, memorably concluding with their battle at Wrestlemania 15, and again turned face, where he now remains. Jointly holds the record for most WWF Title reigns at 5, with Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart. The most popular wrestler today, and a master on the mic, Rock's future is secure in these days of wrestling being entertainment based more than sport. Has already been in one movie, others on the way, and is accepted in the mainstream already, while maintaining his main event status in the WWF with ease. His mainstream acceptance became cemented when he spent the majority of the 2001 Summer filming his first leading role in "The Scorpion King" - and of course returning to 'fight the good fight' on behalf of the WWF. It was also during 2001 that The Rock began a storyline relationship with Trish Stratus. He teamed up with her to take on Vince McMahon and Kurt Angle and The Dudley Boyz, and gave her "The People's Kiss", but the storyline finished before it could go anywhere in particular. At Vengeance, he lost his WCW title to Chris Jericho, who went on to beat Steve Austin for the WWE title and become the first ever-Undisputed Champion. The Rock failed beat Jericho for the belt at Royal Rumble, and after beating The Undertaker at No Way Out, The Rock began the ultimate feud with a returning Hollywood Hulk Hogan. The challenge was made for the ultimate showdown at Wrestlemania and in a surreal and emotionally involving encounter, Hogan put The Rock over cleanly after two Rock Bottoms (perhaps more shocking was the fact that the sold-out crowd inside the Toronto Skydome booed The Rock with a passion). At SummerSlam, The Rock put over WWE’s newest acquisition, Brock Lesnar, making Brock the youngest WWE Champion at the time. However, the big story coming out of that match was that The Rock was booed, which could have meant that the fans now saw him as disloyal to them for leaving to do films. A heel turn appeared to be on the cards when he returned. As many had predicted, The Rock returned in 2003 as a heel. The transition was executed perfectly. The Rock returned with a "Hollywood ego" and was disrespectful to the legendary Hulk Hogan (who The Rock was set to face at No Way Out, and claimed to have so much respect for before). The Rock took on The Hulkster for the second time at No Way Out and cemented his new attitude by aligning himself with Vince McMahon and a crooked referee (the PPV was held in Montreal, so naturally the match had a "double cross"finish, although it was slightly different to that of Survivor Series 97'. Soon, the stage was set for an explosive third Wrestlemania showdown between Stone Cold and The Rock. During the match at Safeco Field, The Rock heard loud cheers for the first time in nearly a year (the backlash against him began at Summerslam 2002). He and Austin put on a gripping spectacle, and The Rock finally avenged his losses to "The Rattlesnake"(although it took 3 Rock Bottom's to get the job done). At Backlash, The Rock fought Bill Goldberg in a match that was eagerly anticipated by many fans, but ended up being a disappointment. While it was a surreal spectacle to behold (WCW’s franchise facing one of WWE’s biggest stars), there was lots of stalling, Goldberg looked rusty, and the crowd embraced The Rock as the hero. The Rock did the clean job, although it took two spears and a Jackhammer to keep "The Great One" down. The Rock continued to make a few guest appearances on Raw, and wrestled his first match in almost a year at Wrestlemania XX, teaming with his old friend Mick Foley to take on Evolution (Ric Flair, Randy Orton & Batista). & "The Rock N' Sock Connection"did a clean job to Evolution, following a highly enjoyable encounter. For the remainder of 2004, The Rock made irregular but memorable appearances on Raw (joining forces with Eugene and panning the awful "Raw Diva Search", but it was clear that his film career was pulling him away from the wrestling business. On December 31, 2004, The Rock's WWE contract expired. He later confirmed that he was pretty much done with wrestling, and would concentrate solely on Hollywood. Bio by Tony Cottam & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.therock.com/ Sandman Real Name James Fullington   Other Names Hardcore Hak   Date of Birth 16th June 1963   Weight: 275lbs   Height: 6ft 3   Signature Move Black Russian Leg Sweep, Heineken-Rana, Senton Bomb, Singapore Cane Federations Indies, WCW, ECW Titles Held ECW Tag Team Champion, ECW TV Champion, ECW World Heavyweight Champion Short Bio James Fullington competed on his local indy scene, not really making huge in-roads to success, until Eastern Championship Wrestling (as ECW was back then) came calling, and The Sandman was born. When ECW transformed from a small promotion into a nationally televised phenomenon, Sandman was a focal point. His unique style, sometimes fighting with cigarette in mouth, and beer in the corner. His early feuds with his ex-wife Peaches and ex-best friend Tommy Cairo are still the stuff of ECW legend. When Kevin Sullivan and Woman came to ECW, Sandman took off, winning the ECW World Title a couple of times. A partnership with 2 Cold Scorpio flourished, and a feud with Cactus Jack came soon after. It wasn't until Raven kidnapped and brainwashed his wife & son, and used them both against him, that The Sandman became a household name though. Still some of the best booking you'll ever see, it became legendary. Raven jumped ship, and Justin Credible arrived on the scene. Negotiations with ECW crumbled, and WCW came calling. Justin Credible 'ran The Sandman out of ECW'and claimed the Hardcore Icon title and Singapore cane from him as The Sandman morphed into Hardcore Hak. His tenure with WCW can best be described as comical. Every time Hak looked like taking off, an obstacle was put in his way. No smoking or beer, rubber tipped barbed wire, and abolishing the Hardcore division never helped, although he was briefly in a program with Goldberg. His release from WCW was no surprise, and as sudden as he left, ECW's very own Sandman was back. That stint in ECW was pretty much been on auto-pilot, although he was still one of ECW's favourite sons. The infamous 'drunk & mooning' house show incident put him back in the headlines, but for the wrong reasons. Sandman still provided entertaining TV. And had one last run (albeit breif) run as ECW champion, dropping the belt to the last ever ECW World Champion, Rhino on ECW's last televised show. Since then, the offers haven't been flooding in: indeed he offered himself on eBay for a short time. Sandman is now involved with the new Main Event CHampionship Wrestling promotion - active both in the ring, and backstage. He is said to have one of the best wrestling minds out there - and is now using it. Bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.hardcoreicon.com/ Undertaker Real Name Mark Callaway   Other Names Texas Red, Dice Morgan, Master Of Pain, The Punisher, Mean Mark Callous, Kane The Undertaker   Date of Birth 24th March 1962   Weight: 330lbs   Height: 6ft 9   Signature Move Chokeslam, Tombstone Piledriver, The Last Ride Federations Indies, WCW, WWF Titles Held WWF Heavyweight Champion WWF Tag Team Champion WCW Tag Team Champion Short Bio After touring the Indy circuit and a brief unsuccessful spell in WCW, Callaway signed for the WWF 10 years ago. Originally on Ted DiBiase's payroll and billed as Kane The Undertaker with Brother Love as his 'manager'. This didn't work out, and eventually dropped DiBiase, Love & the 'Kane' part of his name, and was paired with Paul Bearer. The gimmick took wings, and 'Taker flew. As a monster heel, he excelled. Showing unparalleled agility and speed for his size, he quickly hit the main event, and feuded with Hulk Hogan amongst others. Turned from Heel to Face and back again with ease throughout the 90's, he eventually won the World Title. Lost the title but remained at the forefront of The WWF when he was involved in two of the most memorable matches ever to be seen. The first Hell In A Cell against Shawn Michaels, was a brutal bloody brawl, that also saw the debut of his long lost 'brother' Kane. The Taker lost, but kept going strong into a feud with his brother. Coming out of that and into a feud with Mankind, they faced off in another Hell In A Cell at King Of The Ring 1998, and everyone remembers that purely for Foley's dive off the cage. Became the Lord Of Darkness when he headed up the Ministry of Darkness, and later the Corporate Ministry, winning the WWF Title another couple of times. 10 years of injury took their toll, however and an enforced 9 month absence left fans wondering if there was still a place for the 'Taker in the present WWF. A resounding yes to that answer was logged when he returned, with Kid Rock theme music and a new American Bad Ass biker gimmick that looks set to carry the 'Taker through to the next generation of fans, and fortify his Living Legend status. Taker has been mixed up with Diamond Dallas Page in a stalker angle - an angle which also put his wife Sara on TV - an angle Taker himself is said to be very keen on. Taker can still work when he puts his mind to it - a whole new bunch of fans are realising the power of Deadman Inc. Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.undertaker.com/ Tommy Dreamer Real Name Thomas Laughlin   Other Names The Innovator Of Violence, T J Madison   Date of Birth 14th Febuary 1968   Weight: 249lbs   Height: 6ft 3   Signature Move Dreamer / Spicoli Driver, Evenflow DDT, The Tommyhawk Federations Indies, ECW, guested in WWF Titles Held ECW Tag Team Champion, ECW World Heavyweight Champion Short Bio The heart and soul of ECW. There is no other way to put it. The mainstay of ECW for years, Dreamer personifies ECW, and the ECW fans. Never gives less than 110%. Trained in New England by Johnny Rodz, an old school hardcase, he made his debut as T J Madison, losing in seconds to a 550lb Curly Moe. Shrugged off this setback, and went on to dominate the local indy scene, winning a few World titles along the way. Signed for ECW and has never looked back. Became entangled in a monster angle involving Raven for years, which put ECW on the map, before Raven left for pastures new. Dreamer switched his attentions to Justin Credible, a feud which lasts to this day, and is now over ECW’s premier belt. Had a series of top notch matches with Credible & his partner in crime Lance Storm, before his arch enemy Raven returned... to help him win the Tag Team Championship. It wasn’t long before the team split up, old rivalries playing on the two men. When Mike Awesome jumped ship for WCW, it was left to ECW legend Tazz to regain the belt. Tommy Dreamer made sure the belt was looked after by following Tazz onto an edition of WWF Smackdown, and getting involved with Triple H. Got a title match with Tazz at Cyberslam, and for minutes the dreaming was over when Tommy became ECW World Champion. With Raven joining him to celebrate, things looked great for Tommy, until a furious Credible demanded a title match there and then, throwing down the Tag Titles in the process. A furious match ensued, and when Francine turned on Dreamer once more by siding with Credible, the title was lost. Tommy still dreams to this day, and is looking for his return to Championship glory, although a host of injuries mean he may never get to that level again. Despite the setbacks, Tommy played a massive part in the biggest angle in Pro Wrestling history when he and RVD invaded the WWF and joined the rejuvenated ECW. Tommy has yet to have a match in the WWF, possibly due to his physical condition, and if that's the way his in-ring career ends, then it's a shame - but he will have a long career 'behind the curtain'. Bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Triple H Real Name Paul Levesque   Other Names Terra Ryzing, Jean-Paul Levesque   Date of Birth 27th July 1969   Weight: 260lbs   Height: 6ft 4   Signature Move The Pedigree Federations Indies, WCW, WWF Titles Held WWF Heavyweight Champion WWF Intercontinental Champion WWF European Champion WWF Tag Team Champion WWF King Of The Ring: Winner 1997 Short Bio After touring the Indy circuit winning heavyweight titles along the way, he signed up for WCW as Terra Ryzing, and was a total failure. Repackaged as Jean-Paul Levesque, a French snob, he teamed up with Lord Steven Regal as The Bluebloods, and was a mid card stalwart. With his contract running out, Vince promised him the world, and Hunter Hearst Helmsley was born. Again, a snob gimmick, he spent a lot of time building the gimmick, not really going anywhere. in 1996 he was scripted to win King Of The Ring... Until the MSG 'Curtain Call' incident where he broke character and hugged fellow Kliq members Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, & Kevin Nash in Hall & Nash's last WWF match up. Unable to punish Hall & Nash, or Michaels due to the fact Michaels was WWF Champion, Helmsley took the brunt, and was de-pushed to the point of jobbing to Henry Godwinn. 1996's King Of The Ring went on to be Steve Austin... what might have been... Helmsley eventually morphed into Triple H, and was paired with Chyna, his girlfriend. Breaking the moulds as a heel partnership, they were paired with Michaels as the groundbreaking Degeneration-X. Under the DX Flag, Triple H won European and IC gold, and when Michaels injuries were too much, he assumed leadership of DX and turned face. Remained a face until Chyna joined The Corporation, and he later joined as well. After The Corporation broke up, he eventually reformed DX, and won his first of four WWF World titles so far. Has since gone on to become the most dominant heel in recent history, and the WWF's MVP. With his 'marriage' to Stephanie, he was split from Chyna, both on screen and off, but has since re-ignited the flame with Chyna. Briefly hinted a face turn before proclaiming to the world that he was behind Austin being run over, and reinstalling himself as wrestling's #1 guy the fans love to hate. After Austin's turn at Wrestlemania, however, Austin and HHH became tag team partners and looked set to dominate the WWF for months to come. Triple H won the Intercontinental title a couple of times, but dropped it to Kane, before hinting again at a face turn, until he snapped his quadricep in a tag match against Jericho and Benoit. Trips is scheduled to return in November, and we'll see then what side of the fence he comes back on... Bio by Tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.wwfhhh.com/ Val Venis Real Name Sean Morley   Other Names Steel, Scott Borders, aka Mr Venis   Date of Birth 6th March 1971   Weight: 250lbs   Height: 6ft 3   Signature Move The Money Shot, Blue Thunder Powerbomb Federations CMLL (Mexico), All Japan, NCW (Puerto Rico), BWF (England), WWF Titles Held NCW TV Title, NCW Tag Team Titles, CMLL World Title, BWF Heavyweight Title, WWF European Title, WWF Intercontinental Champion Short Bio Val completed his training in 1991 from Canadian legend Dewey Robertson, before going on a tour of the world's indy scene, travelling everywhere from England to Puerto Rico. Made his mark in Mexico as Steel, where he won the world title in CMLL. Prompting interest in the big 2, Vince McMahon snapped him and sent him to the WWF's dojo, where he & Edge (Adam Copeland) were the first trainees. Val became the first of the trainees to appear on WWF TV as he was introduced to fans through video vignettes shortly after Wrestlemania 14. Val remained politically active in his native Canada, publishing his Libertarian newsletter. Gained the Intercontinental Title from Ken Shamrock in February 1999 for the first time, eventually losing it to The Road Dogg. Pretty much floated by in the mid-card, teaming up with The Godfather and Nicole Bass. It wasn't until the end of December 1999 that Venis tasted Gold, sandwiching his own European title reign in between The British Bulldog and Kurt Angle. Teamed himself up with T&A, and Trish Stratus, winning the Intercontinental Title again by defeating Rikishi. Lost the title to Chyna in a triple threat match involving Eddie Guerrero, and dumped Trish. Managed a brief one week run as a face before being kidnapped by Steven Richards' RTC, where he remains a high mid card heel to this day. Val looks set to be repackaged when he returns to the spotlight after his recent surgery for a hip injury. bio by tony@smashwrestling.com   Wrestler Homepage (if any) Vampiro Real Name Ian Hodkinson   Other Names El Vampire Canadiense   Date of Birth 31st May 1967   Weight: 233lbs   Height: 5ft 11   Signature Move Nail In The Coffin Federations Mexico, WCW Titles Held WCW Tag Team Champion WCW US Champion Short Bio Vampiro is one of, if not the most unique talents in the WCW roster. A top Hockey player in Canada, decided to move to California to become a wrestler, as you do... Moved south to Mexico where he became the top heel in a couple of promotions down there. Was in a band as well, and made a real life enemy of Konnan, who trashed him with WCW so much that they, and WWF steered clear. His work was so impressive that they couldn’t ignore him forever. They finally signed him to a deal in 1998, and from then on when he was given TV time, he was jobbed constantly, packaged with ICP, or the Misfits (who he still has bad blood in real life with) or simply just wasted. Finally got a good angle when he teamed up with Sting to become the Brothers In Paint, but the WCW inner turmoil took hold once again, and they were split, and indeed ended up feuding. The feud led into one of the daftest moments of recent wrestling history when they were locked into a Human Torch Match, and an obvious stunt double took Sting’s place for the final bump. You would have thought this would have been Vampiro in the big time? Wrong. He was pushed into a ludicrous feud with The Demon & Asya, including a farcical graveyard match. He looked good in the ring, and was starting to come good on the mic, you’d think that a push would have been in evidence. Took some time off to recover from some injuries and be around his wife while she gave birth, he returned to feud with Mike Awesome. Vampiro ended up with a series of concussions, he announced to the world that he was done with WCW, and wrestling altogether, preferring to become the bass player for the Insane Clown Posse, although he has been working some shows in Mexico, and on the Vans Warped tour. short bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) William Regal Real Name Darren Matthews   Other Names Roy Regal, Steven Regal, Lord Steven Regal, William Steven Regal   Date of Birth 10th May 1968   Weight: 245lbs   Height: 6ft 2   Signature Move The Regal Stretch Federations WWF, WCW, Indies, various promotions world-wide Titles Held WWF Commissioner WWF European Champion (2) WCW Tag Team Champion WCW Television Champion (4) Short Bio William Regal doesn't have a normal background. He started to learn his trade at the age of 15, in a bar on Blackpool's world famous Pleasure Beach. His first match ended pretty much the same way as next few : on the end of a vicious beating. He kept returning day after day, until the promoter eventually took pity on him and started to train him. Taking the name Roy Regal, he worked for that promoter for a few years, also acting as a bouncer on the door. In 1986, he got his break and a deal with the UK's All-Star promotion, and exposure on TV. Changing his name to Steven Regal, he wrestled there until 1988, by which time he had earned enough of a reputation to work anywhere, and everywhere in the world. By the time he finally signed for WCW, he had worked in 24 different countries around the world. Regal earned his slot in WCW in 1991, when the promotion toured Britain, and stepped in as a late replacement on the tour, facing off against people such as Kevin Nash. He finally signed a full time deal in 1993, but to little or no crowd reaction. Regal vanished for a while, and returned as Lord Steven Regal, accompanied by his man servant, Sir William. The audiences caught on to his upper class heel act, and late 1993, he gained his first TV title in September 1993, and held on to the belt for nearly 8 months. Regal regained the belt less than a couple of months later, this time holding the belt for 3 months. Regal was on top of his game, and WCW tried to build a tag team around him called The Blue Bloods. A young Jean Paul Levesque was earmarked as his tag team partner, but he jumped to the WWF and took the upper class heel gimmick with him, as Hunter Hearst Helmsley... Bobby Eaton was taken on as Earl Robert Eaton in his place, but the gimmick never really took off in the ring, despite adding Squire David Taylor to the stable. By 1996, Regal was returned to singles competition against Fit Finlay, an old foe from his travels in Japan and Europe. Regal still maintains that 1996 has been his best year in wrestling to date, and programs with Sting and Lex Luger would back that up. Indeed, he took the TV title for a third time off Lex Luger and held it for another 6 months. In 1997, Regal and Chris Benoit were involved in a car crash, which injured Regal's knees and neck, and inadvertently started his drug problems. He tried to work through his injuries, and subsequently became addicted to painkillers, and was released by WCW at the end of his contract in 1998. The WWF picked him up, but saddled him with The Real Man's Man gimmick... which, not surprisingly bombed. Regal entered drug rehab at the beginning of 1999, and was released from the WWF, but on good terms. WCW rehired him in July of the same year, but with the turmoil behind the scenes in the company, no one knew how or where to lose him. In February, he lost his last match for WCW, a retirement match to Jim Duggan and rejoined the WWF. He was sent to the WWF's Memphis feeder federation to prove himself clean, and help train some of the up and coming talent. During this time, Regal wrestled Chris Benoit at The Brian Pillman Memorial Show, and the two men tore the house down with a stunning display of wrestling. The WWF saw this, and Regal was recalled to the WWF as William Regal, the UK's Goodwill Ambassador to the federation. Regal claimed the European Title as his own, and engaged himself in feuds with Steve Austin, The Rock, Chris Jericho and, er.. Naked Mideon. Having dropped the European Title to Test, Regal was free to move up the card. For some reason, he ended up fighting Al Snow and his army of midgets for the WWF commissionership, and won. Used his position to initiate a feyd with Chris Jericho that took in a match at Wrestlemania 17, and still isn't totally settled. Regal's main role these days seems to be a figurehead and comedic heel, although he has become somewhat of a face with The Invasion angle. Some of his skits with Tajiri are priceless. Regal's place in the WWF upper card is secure, and long may it last - he knows that this may be his last chance to become a major player, and many feel he won't waste it. Bio by tony@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Yokozuna Real Name Rodney Anoia   Other Names Mr Sumo, The Great Kokina, Kokina Maximus   Date of Birth 2nd October 1966   Weight: 600lbs   Height: 6ft 4   Signature Move Banzai Splash, Legdrop, Samoan Drop, Drop Splash, Belly to Belly Suplex Federations Indies, AWA, WWF Titles Held WWF World Champion (2) WWF Tag Team Champion Royal Rumble: Winner 1993 Short Bio RIP - Rodney Anoia October 1966 - October 2000 We Will Never Forget You. Rodney was first in the public spotlight as one of PWI magazine's 10 to watch in 1989-90. He had been working on the indie scene, and in the AWA before the WWF snapped him up. Originally working dark matches as part of a Samoan team featuring the soon-to-be Headshrinkers Fatu & Samu, he was repackaged before his TV debut as a sumo wrestler under the colours of Japan, managed by Mr Fuji. Yoko allegedly knew no English, using only the word "BANZAI" to communicate to the WWF fans. Entering the Royal Rumble in 1993, he won, gaining a title shot at then champion Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 9. Yoko won the match due to interference from Mr Fuji. Fuji then challenged Hulk Hogan to a quick match, and Hogan's political power ensured he got the win, and Yoko's title run was only 2 minutes. King Of The Ring 1993 rolled round, and Yoko took sweet revenge on Hogan, legdropping him to regain the title, ending Hulkamania (Hogan would not be seen on WWF TV again) and getting the only unresolved win against Hogan to this day. Yoko's title run would last 10 months, including a Rumble defence in 1994 against the Undertaker that forced The Undertaker "to vanish" for almost 6 months. At Wrestlemania 10, Yoko had to fight two title matches, for the second year running. He won the first match against Lex Luger, but lost the second to Bret Hart. Yoko teamed up with Crush (Brian Adams) to go after the tag belts, to no avail and lost a rematch to The Undertaker, and vanished himself for a while. Showed up at Wrestlemania 11 as Owen Hart's tag team partner, and won the gold. They eventually lost the belts back to the Smoking Gunns. Yoko pretty much ran on autopilot from there on in, battling his weight, and an unsuccessful Face turn. He wrestled his last WWF match at Survivor Series 1996, and continued to wrestle the indie scene and try to control his weight problem. Rumours were he was about to rejoin the WWF when, sadly while on tour in Britain, he was found dead in his hotel room in Liverpool, in October 2000. Yoko was one of the best big men to compete in the industry, perhaps the most agile for someone his size, and his actual wrestling skills were vastly underrated. He will be fondly remembered, and sadly missed.  Wrestler Homepage (if any) Batista Real Name David Bautista   Other Names The Mighty DAVE, Kahn, Leviathan, Deacon Batista.   Date of Birth January 19, 1969   Weight: 325lbs   Height: 6' 6"   Signature Move Demonbomb, spinebuster Federations WXW, OVW, WWE Titles Held OVW title WWE tag titles (2) Short Bio Made his debut in late 1999 in WXW (the promotion run by Afa, the Wild Samoan). He signed a WWE development deal shortly afterwards and worked in OVW until his call up to the WWE's main roster in May 2002.   Wrestler Homepage (if any) http:// Lance Storm Real Name Lance Evers   Other Names   Date of Birth 3rd April 1969   Weight: 230 lbs   Height: 5ft 11   Signature Move maple leaf leg lock, a variation of a one leg Boston crab Federations Indies, ECW, WCW, WWF Titles Held WWF Intercontinental Champion, ECW World Tag Team Championship (3), WCW Canadian/US Champion, WCW Hardcore Title, WCW light heavyweight and various at indie level Short Bio Lance Storm got his wrestling training at the now legendary Stu Hart Pro-Wrestling camp in 1990. Lance made his professional debut later that year in a match against Chris Jericho the result was a draw. After some very successful years in the indies where Lance and his then tag partner Chris Jericho, as the team Sudden Impact, won numerous titles including the CRMW and the North American Tag Team Champions. In 1994, Sudden Impact moved to Jim Cornette's Smokey Mountain Wrestling where their name was changed to the Thrill Seekers. After a year in Smokey Mountain Wrestling the Thrill Seekers decided to call it a day and split up as a tag team. Storm then decided to move his career away from the North American wrestling scene and began to wrestle around Europe and Japan, where he was involved in some classic matches. In early 1997 Lance Storm signed with ECW and at the end of that year he won his first ECW title, the ECW tag titles with his then partner Chris Candido in a three way dance against Doug Furnas/Phil LaFon and Balls Mahoney/Axl Rotten. In mid 1998 Dawn Marie debuted as Lance Storm's valet and later that year he won his 2nd ECW tag title when he joined forces with Justin Credible to form the Impact Players. The team went on to loose the titles, only to win them for a 2nd time as a team, Lance's third in all. In 2000, Storm announced that he was leaving ECW for WCW where he signed a three-year contract. Storm took WCW by storm (no pun intended) when he debuted in WCW and after no time at all he won the vacant U.S. Title. Some after he beat Big Vito for the Hardcore belt and Chavo Guerrero for the Cruiserweight title. After these feats 'Team Canada' was formed and they were well over as heels before loosing all three of the titles. In 2001 the WWF bought WCW and picked up the best WCW talent, Storm was one of the wrestlers picked up first. On May 28, 2001 Lance Storm made history when he was the first WCW wrestler to invade WWF TV when he interrupted Monday Night Raw by super kicking Perry Saturn. Lance Storm provides high flying moves with strong technical skills that deliver an exciting blend that make him one of the more entertaining wrestlers in the North American business today, one to watch for the future. Bio by Niall@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.stormwrestling.com Billy Kidman Real Name Peter Gruner   Other Names Kid Flash   Date of Birth May 11th, 1974   Weight: 195 lbs   Height: 5ft 11   Signature Move Shooting Star Press Federations Indies and WCW Titles Held WCW Cruiserweight champion and WCW Tag Champion Short Bio Billy gained his wrestling training at his local Wild Samoan Wrestling Center when he was 18, shortly after his entrance into the center he began wrestling at some small regional wrestling federations. Kidman fought his way to the top of regional wrestling federations and before signing with WCW he actually had dark matches with the WWF. His early years in WCW were somewhat insignificant until in late 1997 he joined Ravens flock (a group of wrestlers led by current WWF star Raven). Since then Billy Kidman has become one of the most exciting cruiserweights that WCW has ever seen and his spectacular finisher The Shooting Star Press is one of the most dangerous moves preformed in wrestling today. His matches in 1997/1998 with people like Eddy Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero Jr, Rey Mysterio Jr, Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis were absolutly spectacular and were one of the main reasons as to why WCW was beating the WWF in the ratings war at that time. Not too long ago Kidman wanted out of his then WCW contract, and hated going to work, especially the TV tapings where egos and politics made life miserable. That changed when Kidman became involved in a New Blood vs Millionaire's Club angle with none other than the Hulk Hogan, this after a bitter feud backstage between the two. Now with the new WCW about to be launched Billy Kidman is one of the talents with a very bright future with the company. Bio by Niall@smashwrestling.com   Wrestler Homepage (if any) Andre the Giant Real Name Andre Renae Rousimoff   Other Names Giant Rousimoff, Jean Ferre, Giant Machine and Andre the Giant   Date of Birth May 19, 1946 in France   Weight: 380-520 lbs (it varied through his career)   Height: 7 ft 4 (although he got smaller as his career went on)   Signature Move Choke, Headbutt Federations indies, NWA and WWF Titles Held Various at indie, WWF World Heavyweight title and WWF Tag Title Short Bio Andre the Giant was a one of the biggest (no pun intended) stars professional wrestling has ever seen. His physical size was something that was never seen before or has been seen again. He died in France on January 29th, 1993. Andre’s massive size was caused by the illness acromegaly, which means his growth hormones were out of control. Andre arrived in North America the early 1970s under the name Jean Ferre. After some success in Canada, Andre met Vince McMahon and signed with the WWF and became the most popular wrestler in the world. After several years as the most popular wrestler in the WWF Andre had a match against Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania III in front of the largest crowd in wrestling history. He jobbed to Hogan and thus passed the torch over to Hogan as wrestling’s number 1. The match ended when Hogan body slammed Andre and hit his legdrop. After his match at Wrestlemania III Andre's health slowly began to get worse and worse and he was forced to only wrestle tag matches because he was not up to successfully completing a one on one match. His last run of WWF glory was with current WWF star Haku in the team The Colossal Connection, they went on to win the Tag Team Champions and held them for 4 months before loosing the belts to Demolition. Andre was inducted into the WWF hall of fame after his death in January 1993 and is a true legend in the sport. Bio by Niall@smashwrestling.com   Wrestler Homepage (if any) Chris Kanyon Real Name Chris Kanyon   Other Names Mortis, Chris Canyon, Chris Morgan, Kanyon, Positively Kanyon and as Chris "Champagne" Kanyon   Date of Birth January 4th, 1970   Weight: 245 lbs   Height: 6'3"   Signature Move The Flatliner (Reverse Russian Leg Sweep) Federations Various Indy and WCW Titles Held WCW World Tag Team Title (w/DDP), WCW US Champion WWF Tag Team Champion (w/DDP) Short Bio As a child Chris loved wrestling and even attended the WWF show that Hulk Hogan won his first WWF Title at, from that night on, he always wanted to be a wrestler and the rest they say is history. Chris started wrestling at Indy level for in Smokey Mountain Wrestling before signing with WCW in May 1995. His early career in WCW was nothing special as he was mainly used as a jobber to bigger stars although he had limited success with tag team partner Mark Starr in the team ‘men at work’. Things picked up for Chris when he was given the Mortis gimmick. Mortis was a masked wrestler who had a couple of upper mid card feuds with people like DDP with whom he feuded for DDP’s US title. Mortis then tried to become a member Raven’s Flock, he failed and received an Even Flow DDT on the entryway ramp for his troubles. The Mortis gimmick was dropped and Chris then took on the gimmick of Kanyon. Kanyon had a great feud with Raven during 1998, a feud that started months before when Chris was still Mortis. After a string of great matches with Perry Saturn, amongst others, Kanyon took time off from WCW to film a movie with Jessie ‘The Body’ Ventura. Chris’ began to become unhappy with all of the backstage politics in WCW and this became clear in his ring work, he was unmotivated and under used. After a failed gimmick as Chris "Champagne" Kanyon he disappeared from WCW TV and would not return until April 2000, when Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo returned. When they returned he was given the gimmick of Positively Kanyon, a rip on his good friend Diamond Dallas Page. The gimmick involved Kanyon cutting promos like DDP, wrestling like DDP and even renamed the Diamond Cutter, the Kanyon Kutter. Chris was unhappy with having to wrestle using this gimmick and took more time off to make another movie. His absence was explained when Mike Awesome tossed him off the second tier of the cage. It was one of the most frightening bumps in wrestling history, as he crashed through the entrance ramp below. When Chris returned he was booked in one of the worst feuds in wrestling history with Buff Bagwell. The thing the two feuded over was Buff Bagwell’s mother, Judy. The feud culminated on August 2000 at the New Blood Rising pay per view in a "Judy Bagwell on a Forklift" match, the stipulation being that if Chris won the match, Judy Bagwell would be forced to be his valet, thankfully Bagwell won the match and Judy was never seen again. The promising early career of Chris Kanyon was badly hindered in the old WCW through backstage politics, poor booking and awful gimmicks. With a place in the new WWFE owned WCW Kanyon is likely to be motivated and a very useful addition to the locker room, a man with a bright future. Bio by Niall@smashwrestling.com  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.chriskanyon.com Christian Real Name Jay Reso   Other Names Christian Cage.   Date of Birth November 30, 1973   Weight: 215lbs   Height: 5' 10"   Signature Move Unprettier Federations Indies especially ECWA, WWE. Titles Held WWE Light heavyweight title WWE tag titles (9) Intercontinental title (3) WWE European title Short Bio   Wrestler Homepage (if any) http:// Hulk Hogan Real Name Terry Bollea   Other Names Terry Boulder, Sterling Golden, "Hollywood" Hogan, Mr America   Date of Birth August 11, 1953   Weight: 280 lbs   Height: 6 ft 4   Signature Move Big Boot, Flying Leg-Drop Off The Ropes Federations GCW (Georgia Championship Wrestling), Southeastern Championship Wrestling, AWA (American Wrestling Association), New Japan Pro Wrestling, WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment), WCW (World Championship Wrestling), XWF (Xtreme Wrestling Federation) Titles Held WWF World (5), WWE Undisputed (1), WWE Tag-Team (1, W/ Edge), WCW World (6), NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (1), WWE Hall of Fame Inductee (2005) Short Bio Terry Bollea had a love for pro wrestling during his childhood. He enjoyed attending local shows in Florida and watching his idols "Superstar" Billy Graham and Dusty Rhodes in action. It wasn't long before Hogan was getting a piece of the action. After being trained by Japanese legend, Hiro Matsuda, Terry hit the independent scene, before competing for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Southeastern Championship Wrestling. In 1978, Terry joined the WWF, under the name "Hulk Hogan". Managed by a superb heel manager, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Hogan created a stir immediately. Unfortunately, Hogan's memorable appearance as "Thunderlips" in the 1983 film hit, Rocky III led to a falling out with boss Vince McMahon Sr, and Hogan was out of the WWF. He returned in 1984 (after a successful stint in the AWA), this time as the company's top babyface (Vince McMahon Jr was on the verge of taking over his father's company, and his new vision had Hogan's image all over it). Wrestling's "Golden Age" began on January 23, 1984, when Hogan beat the Iron Sheik for the WWF Title. The terms "Hulkamania" and "Hulkamaniac" were dubbed on that night, and from there, the WWF expanded as wrestling experienced its first real "boom" period. The "Hulkster" held the title for an incredible 4 years (a feat unheard of today) and headlined the first 3 WrestleMania's as champion. Throughout his 2nd, 8-year stint with the WWF, Hogan captured 4 World Titles in total (a record at the time) and feuded with and defeated legends like Roddy Piper, Andre The Giant and Randy Savage. However, in 1992, Hogan appeared to be winding down his career. He had his eye on Hollywood and so left the company after WrestleMania 8. In his absence, the WWF's business suffered quite badly (although the UK market was an exception to the rule). However, it was still quite a shock when Hogan was brought back suddenly in 1993, shortly before WM 9. Hogan's 3rd WWF stint was nowhere near as memorable or illustrious as the others. Although he became a 5-time WWF Champion by beating Yokozuna in just 9 seconds in an impromtu match at WM 9, he dropped the belt back to the Sumo star at King of The Ring, after a camera "exploded" in his face. To the TV audience, it looked like Yokozuna had "driven" Hogan "out of the WWF" (his last appearance for the company was on a UK tour in August of that year). For nearly a year, Hogan stayed out of the wrestling spotlight, instead concentrating on music and TV projects (which flopped spectacularly). But soon he was back in the wrestling business, working for Ted Turner's WCW (he made his debut on June 11, 1994 and was originally only working on a short-term deal). Throughout his 6-year career with WCW, Hogan won 6 WCW World Titles, and in 1996, changed the face of the industry again by turning heel and forming the infamous "NWO" (New World Order) with Kevin "Diesel" Nash and Scott "Razor Ramon" Hall. However, by 1998, the NWO was old-hat. WCW tried to keep it going by setting up two factions ("Black And White" and the "Wolfpac"), but it just reeked of desperation and overkill. To his credit, Hogan "passed the torch" to the new sensation Goldberg, although the World Title eventually found its way back into the NWO fold. In February 2000, Hogan brought back the classic yellow and red "Hulkster" character for a nostalgic run against Ric Flair and Lex Luger. Desperately needing a change, Hogan donned black in April and had an entertaining (promo-wise, anyway) "worked shoot" feud with Billy Kidman. At Bash At The Beach in July, Hogan made his final appearance for WCW, laying down for Jeff Jarrett and then bashing the latest booker Vince Russo on the microphone. Hogan left WCW on bad terms and less than a year later, they went out of business. In 2001, Hogan briefly worked on an upstart promotion, the XWF. But when that failed to take off and be the "next WCW", he eventually returned to the WWF (along with Nash and Hall). After putting The Rock over in a "dream match" at WrestleMania X7, Hogan became a fan favourite and enjoyed another WWF Title run (this time as "Undisputed" Champion). Following a bust-up with Vince McMahon, Hogan left again, but returned in 2003 to weave some of his and McMahon's previous disagreements into a worked storyline. They fought each over in a bloody and brutal "Street Fight" at WM 19, with Hogan going over as the victor. The feud continued, with Hulk donning a mask as "Mr America" and fooling McMahon into thinking that Hulk Hogan was "sitting at home". Another behind-the-scenes dispute led to Hogan leaving in the summer. He headed for New Japan (working one match against Masahiro Chono) and also set the stage for a debut with NWA: TNA by working an angle with Jeff Jarrett (the angle got scrapped when Hogan suffered a knee injury). In April 2005, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, which meant another WWE run was on the cards. After tagging with Shawn Michaels, Hogan looked towards a one-on-one match with "The Showstopper" at Summerslam. Sadly, Hogan's latest run appeared to be nothing more than a shameless PR exercise for his reality show, "Hogan Knows Best". Michaels did the lion's share of the match promotion and actually carried (and lost to) the ageing "Hulkster" at SummerSlam. At WM 22, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by long-time friend and former WWE announcer, "Mean" Gene. In 2006, Hogan returned to WWE (partly to promote his daughter Brooke's singing career) and feuded with Randy Orton. Hogan toppled Orton in a 1980's-WWF-style bout at SummerSlam. Another falling out between Hogan and McMahon meant that "The Hulkster" missed out on a lucrative WrestleMania pay-day this year and as it stands now, Hogan doesn't look to be returning to WWE anytime soon. Then again, going by his track record of comebacks, it's still impossible to completely rule out another run in the big time." Written By Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http:// Trish Stratus Real Name Patricia Stratigias   Other Names   Date of Birth December 18, 1975 in Ontario, Canada   Weight: 125 lbs   Height: 5 ft 4   Signature Move "Stratusfaction" (Spring-Board Bulldog), "Chick Kick", "Stratusphere", Running Bulldog Off The Ropes ("Stratusfaction" variation) Federations WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment) Titles Held WWE Women's (7), WWE Hardcore (1), WWE Babe of The Year (3, in 2001, 2002 and 2003), WWE Diva of The Decade Short Bio Trish Stratus made her WWE debut in March 2000, after signing a contract on November 24, 1999. Before then, she had worked as fitness model for MuscleMag and had also co-hosted The Law, a highly popular wrestling radio show. Although Trish had been a life-long wrestling fan;, she originally intended to become a doctor. However, a teacher's strike at York University in 1997 put her plans on hold, and by the time it ended, Trish had already gotten her foot in the door of the lucrative modelling industry. For one year, Trish trained at Sulley's Gym in Toronto. Trish made her official debut on the March 19 edition of Sunday Night Heat, scouting Test and Albert. Soon after, she announced the formation of a new tag-team, "T&A". Despite having Trish in their corner, Test and Albert did not get over with the fans. A feud with The Dudley Boyz was memorable for the sight of seeing Trish writhing around on a bed and around a table wearing the skimpiest lingerie imaginable and for the sight of her being driven through the wood by Bubba Ray at Backlash. Things picked up when the trio began feuding with The Hardy Boyz & Lita, which led to some entertaining 6-Person and mixed tag-team matches over the summer months. Following a brief but enjoyable feud with newcomer Molly Holly, Trish attracted the attention of Mr McMahon, leading to a controversial "mid-life crisis" saga that spanned over the next 4 months (in the meantime, "T & A" officially split). Thankfully, the Trish/Mr McMahon relationship officially ended at WrestleMania X7. During the brutal Street Fight between Vince and Shane McMahon, Trish slapped Vince across the face and officially became a fan favourite. Unfortunately, Trish floundered somewhat as a face and struggled to find her niche with the company. Then in August of that year, Trish broke her ankle and spent the next 3 months out of action. Trish returned to active competition at Survivor Series and shocked everyone by winning the vacant Women's Title In A "6-Pack Challenge" against various Divas from WWE and "The Alliance". Trish had now stepped up her game and proved that Survivor Series was no fluke by having consistently good matches with the likes of Jazz and Molly Holly. Trish's feud with "psycho bitch" Victoria was easily the highlight of the "glory days" of the Women's division. At Survivor Series, both women broke new ground with their highly entertaining Hardcore Match, in which they both took some stiff shots from trash-can lids and kendo sticks (Trish lost the match and her Women's Title). At WrestleMania 19, Trish became a 4-time Women's Champion, after defeating Victoria and Jazz in a very commendable Triple Threat Match. Turning Trish heel was always going to be a risk, but in 2004 WWE (and Trish) pulled it off expertly. "The Dish" turned on her apparent "boyfriend" Chris Jericho and alligned herself with the detested Christian. Even without Christian at her side, Trish was entertaining in her own right. She was at her most spiteful when she gave Lita a "baby shower" (mocking her for sleeping with and getting pregnant by Kane to protect Matt Hardy) and then gate-crashed the "Wedding From Hell". After parting ways with Christian, Trish revived her feud with Lita and dropped the belt to her in an incredibly heated and exciting bout on Raw, that received top-tier billing. At New Year's Revolution in January 2005, Trish broke her own record by becoming a 6-time Women's Champion, by beating Lita. After missing some ring time due to a fairly serious back injury, Trish returned as a fan-favourite, although a lack of in-ring competition meant she floundered for a while. It wasn't until the debut of crazed "super-fan" Mickie James (Alexis Laree) that things really started to look up for Trish. This months-long story line was a breath of fresh air and revitalised the Women's division. Mickie eventually turned heel on Trish and beat her for the Women's Title at WM 22 (and shockingly got CHEERED, while Trish got BOOED). Following WM, Trish turned the tables on Mickie and dressed up like her (Mickie had been impersonanting Trish since her arrival), much to Mickie's chagrin! It appears that Trish is willing to do anything to get inside Mickie's head and win back her title. Unfortunately, the feud came to an abrupt end when Trish dislocated her shoulder in a rematch against Mickie at Backlash. She did return to action to try and continue her feud with Mickie, but the rivalry got phased out with the arrival of Beth Phoenix (who soon got injured herself). During a potential story line romance between Trish and Carlito, word broke that "The Bombshell" would be leaving WWE to focus her attention to married life (and also try to crack the mainstream entertainment market). WWE later confirmed the reports circulating around the Internet and booked Trish to face the WWE Women’s Champion (and long-time rival) Lita in her final match at Unforgiven in September 2006. In front of her hometown fans in Toronto Canada, Trish went out a winner, the proverbial icing on the cake being that she forced Lita to tap out to the SharpShooter. Whilst bidding her fans farewell, Trish received a standing ovation from her supporters, as well as announcers Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler and ring announcer (and her close friend) Lillian Garcia. After becoming a married woman (wedding her high-school sweetheart), Trish appeared on the reality show "Armed & Famous", which unfortunately got cancelled halfway through its run. However, Trish has since bounced back by becoming the hostess of CBC’s "Second City’s Next Comedy Legend". Bio by Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.trishstratus.com/ Lita Real Name Amy Christine Dumas   Other Names Angelica, Miss Congeniality (ECW)   Date of Birth April 14, 1975, in Florida   Weight: 135 lbs   Height: 5 ft 7   Signature Move Moonsault, "Twist Of Fate", DDT, "Litacanrana" (Hurricanrana) Federations OMEGA, ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling), WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment) Titles Held WWE Women's (4) Short Bio Amy Christine Dumas was not a childhood wrestling fan, but when she saw Mexican "lucha libre" wrestlers for the first time on WCW Nitro, her perception of wrestling being "fake" and ridiculous changed in an instant. Amy was impressed by the skill and athleticism that guys like Rey Mysterio Jr showed, but it wasn't long before she got addicted to the story lines and angles that came with the matches. Determined to get a piece of the action, Amy headed to Mexico City, in a quest to become a wrestler herself. Money was tight, and with little knowledge of the Spanish language, Amy struggled a little, but still managed to stay there long enough to "learn the ropes". After training with her future "Team Xtreme" associates The Hardy Boyz in their own promotion, OMEGA and developing her craft at the famous "Funking Conservatory", Amy joined ECW in 1999, working as a valet for Danny Doring. But it was merely a prelude to the big time. In November of that year, Amy signed with the WWF. However, her TV debut didn't take place until February 2000 (and that in itself was only a last-minute decision on the part of the booking team). With the exception of perhaps Chyna, no WWF female performer was as groundbreaking as Amy's new (and most famous) alter-ego, "Lita". Her ability to mimick her new "charge" Essa Rios and execute high-flying, high-risk moves made her stand out from the crowd (and also got her over with the fans immediately). Eventually, the WWF were forced to split up the Rios/Lita combination. Lita was simply too popular to be kept with Rios, and Rios wasn't over too much without her. The WWF made the smart move of putting Lita with her real-life buddies, The Hardy Boyz. Together, they formed an innovative, entertaining trio that sold various "Xtreme"-based T-shirts by the truck-load. The WWF could see that Lita was a hot commodity, so they soon capatalised on it by giving her a reign as WWF Women's Champion (and mixing her into the main event mix with The Rock and HHH). Lita also proved to be tough in the male-dominated world of "Sports Entertainment". For example, during a title defence against Ivory at Survivor Series 2000, Lita got legitimately busted open by Ivory's boot, but showed guts by finishing the match. In 2002, Lita suffered what was believed to be at the time, a career-ending neck injury. Ironically, the accident did not take place in a wrestling ring, but on the set of the later-axed TV series, "Dark Angel". After an agonising recovery period, Lita made her in-ring return in September 2003 and immediately set her sights on the WWE Women's Title. Although she was unable to regain the belt, she soon got heavily involved in a downright barmy story line with Matt Hardy and Kane (which concluded with Lita "marrying" Kane in a "Black Wedding" on Raw). At New Year's Revolution in January 2005, Lita suffered a torn ACL in her knee and hit the bench again. Unfortunately, by the time she returned, fans were buzzing about an Internet story regarding her, Matt Hardy and Edge (a bitter Matt announced via his web site that his long-term girlfriend Lita had been having an affair with his best friend, Edge). Overnight, Lita's image (fans always respected her for being honest and "real" just like them) was left in tatters. The only way to pick up the pieces was to turn her heel, but WWE were reluctant to do this at first. However, when Matt Hardy was brought back (he was fired for daring to publicly "spill the beans" on the whole "love triangle"), WWE had no problem with pairing Lita with Edge and exploiting the real-life saga for financial gain (Hardy, Edge and Lita had no qualms about it either). Lita continued to act as the devious "sex-pot" to Edge. As a duo, they simulated "live sex" in a Raw ring and became a generally outspoken and often controversial double act. In 2006, Lita returned to full-time competition and bagged her 3rd WWE Women’s Championship, beating Mickie James. Lita dropped the gold to Trish Stratus in "The Dish’s" final match at Unforgiven. Ironically, news then broke that Lita was looking to leave WWE as well. Lita’s departure from WWE was a polar opposite to that of real-life friend, Trish. After losing her 4th Women’s Title to Mickie James, Lita was mocked and humiliated by Cryme Tyme (and by Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler on commentary). It certainly wasn’t the way she deserved to go out. Since then, Lita has shown no real interest in returning to wrestling. She divides her time between presenting a Punk Rock Radio show ("PunkRockalypse) and performing with her band, The Luchagors. Bio by Tony Cottam & Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http:// Molly Holly Real Name Nora Greenwald   Other Names Starla Sexton, Miss Madness 99', Mona, Miss Ophila, Mighty Molly   Date of Birth September 7, 1977, in Minnesota   Weight: 140 lbs   Height: 5 ft 4   Signature Move Molly Go Round, Flying Drop-Kick From The Top Turnbuckle, Flying Cross-Body Block, Hand-Spring Back Elbow Into The Corner Federations WCW (World Championship Wrestling), WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment), Indies Titles Held WWE Women's (2), WWF Hardcore (1) Short Bio Short Bio A very athletic gymnast, Nora appeared to be ideal for wrestling. She worked on the independant scene in 1998 under the name "Starla Sexton", and even received a try out with the WWF (a match against Jacqueline on Sunday Night Heat). Despite her performance, the WWF wasn't really looking to build a solid, wrestling-based women's division at the time. However, one person who DID notice her was WCW wrestler Dean Malenko. He offered to train Nora, and in 1999, she made her first official debut in WCW. Dubbed "Miss Madness" (sort of like a beauty contest winner), Nora made up the third piece of Randy Savage's "Team Madness" trio of women (which also consisted off Madusa and Savage's then-girlfriend Gorgeous George). Despite being at the side of a superstar like Randy Savage, Nora constantly looked like a spare part. She could execute high-flying moves like drop-kicks and cross-body blocks from the top turnbuckle, but as her role mostly required her to stand around in Savage's corner, she rarely got the chance to fully display her in-ring skills. Not even the "New Era"promised by the duo of Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo in April 2000 gave Nora anything constructive to do, or any TV time for that matter. Underrated and under-utilised, Nora must have been relieved when the WWF signed her to a contract later that year. After using a bit of "trial and error" with regards to her new character, the WWF finally let Nora make her TV debut in November 2000, as Hardcore Holly and the late Crash Holly's younger cousin, Molly. Although she looked sweet and innocent and wore pig-tails, Molly was tough. Upon her debut, she immediately set her sights on Trish Stratus, and on one occassion, bashed her in the head with a trash-can lid! In 2001, Molly had a story line romance with Spike Dudley (the relationship predictably ended in tears). She then joined forces with resident "Superhero" The Hurricane and dubbed herself "Mighty Molly". Unfortunately, Molly's latest character change didn't really get over with the fans. Still, the demise of "Mighty Molly" proved to be a blessing in disguise, as it allowed Nora to transform into her greatest personality yet, the "anti-Diva" Molly. Molly now dressed in black and had her hair dyed orange and brown. She also meant business and was disgusted with flesh-flaunting stunners like Terri Runnels and Trish Stratus. Her new attitude led to a long-overdue reign as Women's Champion (on two occassions). In 2003, Molly floundered a little when WWE decided to book her as a babyface for a while. However, feuds with Gail Kim, Lita and Trish ensured that Molly bounced back and kept herself in the mix. At WrestleMania XX in 2004, Molly was famously shaved bald by Victoria, after losing a WWE Women's Title Match. To her credit, Molly went through with the stipulation without a fuss and made the most of the "bald" gimmick for several months on TV. In April 2005, Molly requested and got her release from WWE, after having her requests for a babyface run shot down. Shortly after her departure from WWE, she released he own profile/shoot DVD, "Shootin' The Crap". Since then, Nora has made several appearances at various independant shows and has also served as a referee. Written By Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.molly-net.org/ Stacy Keibler Real Name Stacy Marie Keibler   Other Names Nitro Girl Skye, Ms Hancock, The Duchess of Dudleyville, Super Stacy   Date of Birth October 14, 1979, Baltimore, Maryland   Weight: 125 lbs   Height: 5 ft 11   Signature Move Spinning kick, Corner foot-choke Federations WCW (World Championship Wrestling), WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment) Titles Held 1999 "Search For A Nitro Girl" Winner, 2004 WWE Babe of The Year Short Bio An avid dancer since childhood, Stacy first found partial fame as a cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens. It was her dancing background that bagged her a WCW contract in November 1999, after she won the "Search For A Nitro Girl" competition. Dubbed "Skye", Stacy officially joined the "Nitro Girls" dance troupe and put her natural dancing skills to good use. In early 2000, WCW saw the potential for Stacy to branch out as an official on-screen character (although they used to open big matches on Nitro, the "Nitro Girls" had now been reduced to just entertaining the fans while the cameras weren't rolling). With her ever-present clipboard and sophisticated "business woman" look, "Ms Hancock" (Stacy’s new character) was supposed to represent "Standards & Practices" (who were later represented on-screenby Lenny and Lodi), but that was debatable when you considered the fact that it was Hancock who was the one breaking into a sexy dance routine and threatening to strip on the commentary table, the stage or even in the ring. In her first real story line, Ms Hancock was portrayed as a scheming, manipulative home-wrecker (as women are often portrayed in wrestling) who had "stolen" the off-the-wall David Flair from the equally out-there Daffney. With Stacy and David Flair still an item (on-screen and off), WCW decided to do a "Randy & Liz" and have the two lovebirds get married in a ceremony on "Nitro". Unfortunately, this was a far cry from the famous "Match Made In Heaven" or most of the other "WWE Weddings". (This angle was also the first time that Stacy was referred to on-screen by her real name). With the "Ms Hancock" moniker history, Stacy announced that she was "pregnant" and that David wasn’t the father of her child. The wedding was of and so was Stacy, who took a leave of absence until March 2001 (when she returned and said that the "baby" she was referring to was her "new man" Shawn Stasiak). Stacy and Shawn didn't spend much time together as an item as on March 26, the World Wrestling Federation purchased WCW. In June 2001, Stacy Keibler made her official WWF debut during an edition of SD! broadcast from her home town in Baltimore, Maryland. From there, Stacy became involved in the usually entertaining (but still poorly managed) "Alliance" story line. Her first duty on PPV was to team with fellow WCW babe Torrie Wilson and face WWF Divas Trish Stratus and Lita in a "Bra & Panties Match" at "Invasion". Stacy later went on to manage The Dudley Boyz and became the official "Duchess Of Dudleyville" (that is, until they grew tired of her and drove her through a table in April 2002). Later that year, Stacy became Test’s new manager and dubbed the term "Testicles" (for the few fans that Test had). However, the WWE fans only cared about Stacy. This was proven to be the case in 2003 when during a feud between Scott Steiner and Test, Stacy got the biggest (or really, the only meaningful) reaction. In 2004, Stacy (like many others) fell victim to the common problem of inconsistent booking. And although she stole the show with her performance in the "Basic Instinct" WM21 spoof in 2005, she soon got lost in the shuffle and did very little for the remainder of the year. "Dancing With The Stars" gave Stacy something to do and ended up opening a bigger door to stardom for her. She later left WWE and has gone on to appear on "Punk’d" and "What About Brian?" Bio by Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http:// Curt Hennig Real Name Curtis Michael Hennig   Other Names Mr Perfect   Date of Birth March 28, 1958 (Died February 10, 2003, Aged 44)   Weight: 260 lb   Height: 6 ft 3   Signature Move Perfect Plex/Hennig Plex, Rolling Neck Snap, Swinging Knee-Lift, Standing Drop-Kick Federations AWA, WWF/WWE, WCW, XWF, TNA, All Star Wrestling Titles Held AWA World (1), AWA World Tag-Team (1), WWF Intercontinental (2), WCW United States (1), WCW World Tag-Team (1), XWF World (1), WWE Hall Of Fame Inductee ("Class Of 2007") Short Bio You could say that Curt Hennig was "born into" the wrestling business, as his father was a famous wrestler known as Larry "The Axe" Hennig. As is usually the case with children born into professional wrestling, Curt wanted a piece of the action and wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. Growing up, Curt had attended high school with Tom Zenk, and the late Rick Rude and Brady Boone, who all went on to become professional wrestlers like Curt. In 1980, Hennig made his professional debut in the AWA, and went on to work as a part-time jobber in the WWF. In 1988, the WWF came calling again (Curt could have jumped in May, after his AWA title win, but declined) and gave Hennig his now famous "Mr Perfect" moniker. Mr Perfect, as the name suggests, was perfect. Perfect at wrestling, perfect at basketball, just perfect at everything. Ironically, Curt Hennig and Terry Taylor started working for the WWF on the same night. It's ironic because Hennig was given one of the greatest characters of all time, where as Taylor was given positively one of the most awful and embarrassing gimmicks of all time, The Red Rooster. Who knows what would have happened if the roles had been reversed? Mr Perfect made his PPV debut at the 1988 Survivor Series. Perfect impressed many with his great wrestling skills, and his ability to portray his character in style without looking uncomfortable or awkward. In 1989, he had fine matches with The Blue Blazer (the late Owen Hart, who Perfect fought at Wrestlemania 5), Tito Santana and The Red Rooster. In 1990, Perfect joined forces with The Genius to take on main event babyfaces Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior. Although The Genius remained in his corner for a while, Mr Perfect wasn’t given an official manager until he joined forces with none other than Bobby "The Brain" Heenan who was the greatest heel manager of all time and a very funny colour commentator as well. Due to The Ultimate Warrior's Wrestlemania victory over Hulk Hogan, the secondary Intercontinental belt had to be vacated, as Warrior was now the WWF World champion and couldn't hold both titles. To declare a new champion, an eight-man tournament was held and broadcasted on free WWF TV. It came down to Perfect and Tito Santana, with Perfect eventually getting the nod and winning the title. At Summerslam 90', Perfect was upset by a newcomer, the late Texas Tornado, who defeated Perfect in a short but entertaining match (Tornado replaced Brutus Beefcake, who was injured in a boating accident and needed reconstructive surgery done to his face). Perfect regained the belt in a re-match on November 19, which was a step above the Summerslam encounter. Mr Perfect retained the IC title until Summerslam 91', where he dropped it to Bret "Hitman" Hart in superb match where both men brought out the very best in each other. Unfortunately, Perfect's in-ring career appeared to be over. Years of bumping and performing had given him a serious back injury. Perfect began working as an announcer and also became Ric Flair's "Executive Consultant". Perfect would be in Flair's corner for his matches and run interference for him, although due to his injury, he wouldn't be put in any serious harm by himself or Flair's opponents. Perfect played the "EC" role for 15 months, before shocking everyone by making his in-ring return at the 1992 Survivor Series, as Randy Savage's partner no less, willing to battle his former friend Ric Flair and Flair's new buddy, Scott "Razor Ramon" Hall. Savage and Perfect won the match via disqualification, but Perfect's hatred for Flair didn't end there. They continued to feud over the next few months, before Pefect beat Flair in a "Loser Leaves Match" on Raw in January 93' (amazingly, Flair DID leave and didn't return until November 2001 as "50 % owner" of the WWF!) Perfect was scheduled to be apart of the 1993 Survivor Series, but further back problems forced him out of action yet again. Again, Perfect shocked fans worldwide by returning at Wrestlemania 10, as the special referee for Lex Luger's WWF title match with Yokozuna. The WWF had planned another Luger/Perfect rivalry, stemming from Pefect's disqualification of Luger for bringing managers Mr Fuji and Jim Cornette into the ring. Perfect, however went down with a foot injury, and then parted ways with Stamford for requesting a guaranteed contract (which wasn't given to anyone during this period).　Despite the falling out in 94', Hennig returned to the WWF at the 1995 Survivor Series, commentating under his Mr Pefect persona. In 1996, Perfect began to get more physical as a WWF employer and on the October 21 edition of Raw, was meant to battle Hunter Hearst Helmsley. However, the match was scrapped, as a storyline had been started involving Helmsley and Marc Mero (Johnny B. Badd). Hennig made his WCW debut on June 30, 1997, but unfortunately, the name "Mr Perfect" would not be going to WCW with him. (Like "Undertaker", the name was (and is) property of Titan Sports or WWE). Hennig's first two years' with the group were rather forgettable (and that's no knock on the man himself. He was put in meaningless matches and scenarios with the likes of Steve Mcmichael and was never given the opportunity to truly shine).He did become the US champion on September 14, 97' after defeating Mcmichael, but dropped it to DDP at Starrcade in December. In 1999, he formed a tag team with Barry Windham and enjoyed brief tag title reign. Shortly after, Hennig formed The West Texas Rednecks with Windham, Kendall Windham and the late Bobby Duncum Jr. Hennig hated rap music, so he and his friends recorded a song called "Rap Is Cr*p", which was hilarious. This was one of the few highlights of a WCW summer that made little sense and left the viewer confused rather than entertained. In 2000, Curt had a brief feud with Ric Flair and Lex Luger (which featured an entertaining tag match with Hennig and Booker T against Team Package at the London Arena during WCW's UK tour in March) but Hennig was still used sparingly and not to his full potential. His final major WCW appearance consisted of him losing cleanly to Shawn Stasiak at Slamboree 2000. Curt's WCW contract expired the following month and wasn't renewed. Hennig began to accept independant bookings and worked for various indy feds until the XWF (Xtreme Wrestling Federation, a Florida-based company who planned on taking WCW's spot as "rival promotion") came calling in 2001. The XWF had big plans for Hennig, one of which was making him their World champion, but by not signing him to a long-term deal, they allowed him to be snapped up by any other promotion, including the WWF. Mr Perfect returned to the WWF at the 2002 Royal Rumble and also began appearing on WWF television shows. Unfortunately, he rubbed the WWE up the wrong way in May 2002, by brawling with Brock Lesnar during the infamous "Plane Ride From Hell", and was fired immediately after. Curt Hennig resurfaced on the indy scene and worked a date for NWA:TNA. Prior to his death, there was talk of him starting his own federation. Mr Perfect will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. Bio By Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http:// Stephanie McMahon Real Name Stephanie Marie McMahon-Levesque   Other Names Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, The Billion-Dollar Princess, "Daddy’s Little Girl"   Date of Birth September 24, 1976   Weight: 135 lb   Height: 5 ft 9   Signature Move Slap Federations WWF/WWE (World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment) Titles Held WWF Women’s (1), ECW Owner (Story Line Only, 2001), Leader Of The WCW/ECW Alliance (2001), SD! General Manager (2002-2003), Raw General Manager (2008-Present), WWE Director Of Television Writing (2002), WWE Senior Vice-President Of Creative Writing (2006), WWE Executive Vice-President Of Talent, Creative Writing & Live Events (2008-Present) Short Bio Stephanie McMahon was born into wrestling. Not only that, she was born into the biggest and most powerful wrestling company in the world. As Stephanie grew, so did her father’s company, The World Wrestling Federation (WWF). During Stephanie’s childhood, the WWF become an international phenomenon. Vince McMahon’s idea of turning wrestling into "Sports Entertainment" (with all-American hero, Hulk Hogan at the forefront) was paying off dividends and giving his company some incredible mainstream exposure. When Stephanie (now 21) graduated from Boston University in the summer of 1998 with a degree in business studies, it appeared as if the youngest member of the McMahon family would not be pursuing wrestling as a career option. At least that’s what her mother Linda had hoped. But Stephanie wanted to get involved with the company that she grew up around. However, she didn’t get any "special treatment" for being the boss’s daughter. Steph had to work from the bottom and earn her place as a member of the advertising sales team. By the end of 1998 (a year in which the WWF reached new record-breaking heights with it’s "Attitude" campaign), Shane McMahon was an on-screen character, standing up against (and later joining forces with) his own father, Vince (who, by now, had openly admitted to being the WWF Chairman). Stephanie liked what she saw and decided to get more directly involved with the product as well. Her TV debut occurred during a brief segment on the November 30 Raw, where she was approached backstage by Steve Austin, who was trying to track down The Undertaker. After being "kidnapped" by The Undertaker in the horror-flick-inspired "Ministry Of Darkness" angle in April 1999, Stephanie got involved in a love story with Corporation reject, Test. But this being wrestling, it was far from a fairytale romance. Shane McMahon disapproved of his sister’s relationship and challenged Test to a "Love Her Or Leave Her" Street Fight at Summerslam 99’. Following a brutal and surprisingly enjoyable (considering Shane was a non-worker) bout. Test got the duke, which meant the relationship was still on. The couple was then set to marry, until Stephanie got amnesia after being hit in the head by a flying waste bin at the UK PPV, Rebellion (the late British Bulldog had thrown it, after being denied a WWF Title shot). The wedding was rescheduled for November 29, but then HHH interrupted the ceremony and announced that he had married Stephanie in a drive through chapel in Las Vegas (some were disgusted by the implication that "The Game" had "date-raped" Stephanie, although it later emerged that she had been in on the plan all along). At Armageddon in December 1999, Stephanie turned on her father Vince and revealed that she’d been "in" on the whole "fake wedding" to HHH all along. She shed her sickly-sweet "charming daughter" routine and became a heat garnering "bitch from hell" who was driven by power and money. For the next year, "The McMahon Helmsley Era" dominated proceedings (Steph even captured the Women’s Championship, though she rarely defended it) and portrayed HHH and Steph as the ultimate "power couple". At No Way Out in February 2001, Stephanie & Trish Stratus had a shockingly entertaining arena-wide scrap, based around the story line that Trish had become Vince’s "bit on the side" and Steph strongly disapproved. Stephanie & HHH remained at the forefront of WWF TV, until "The Game" suffered a devastating quadriceps injury in May. Steph made a shocking return on the July 9 Raw, Stephanie returned as the new owner of ECW (the return of ECW gave the bungled "Invasion" angle the shot in the arm that it needed, although problems soon arose when it emerged that the WWF hadn’t actually bought the rights to ECW, and so were forced to change the WCW/ECW faction to "The Alliance"). Steph remained "ECW Owner" and "Alliance Leader" (and participated in one of the most rip-roaringly hilarious angles of the year, "Austin Appreciation Night" on Raw), until the mighty WWF drove "The Alliance" out of business at Survivor Series. Stephanie soon returned to TV, but her on-screen marriage to HHH was crumbling. They soon embarked on a story line divorce, which while entertaining, unfortunately came at the expense of Chris Jericho and his Undisputed Championship reign. After becoming the Undisputed Champion, HHH forced Stephanie to take another little (although it was alleged to be "forever") break after beating her and Jericho in a handicap match. Three months later, Vince McMahon appointed Stephanie as the GM of SD! (in a much bigger story, he had also appointed former WCW Vice President, Eric Bischoff as the GM of Raw). Away from the ring, Stephanie married HHH (for real) and has since continued to work behind the scenes under various titles (she’s now Executive Vice-President Of Talent, Creative Writing & Live Events) . Of course, with this comes resentment from co workers, especially when Stephanie has the authority to end other story lines that don’t affect her or her husband, and has chosen to do so on occasion (i.e. Steven Richards’ "Stevie Night Heat" gimmick; Stephanie wasn’t even aware of it at first). Stephanie is currently serving as the Raw GM and has recently been involved in the Randy Orton/HHH feud on TV (with WWE openly admitting that Steph and "The Game" are man and wife). With HHH, Stephanie has two young children (Aurora Rose and Murphy Claire Levesque) and it appears that the "power couple" are destined to take over the reigns of WWE after Vince and Linda McMahon. Bio By Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http:// Bret Hart Real Name Bret Hart   Other Names "The Hitman", "The Excellence Of Execution", "The Best There Is, There Best There Was And The Best There Ever Will Be", "The Pink And Black Attack"   Date of Birth July 2, 1957   Weight: 234 lb   Height: 6 ft 1   Signature Move "Sharp-Shooter" (Submission), Flying Elbow-Drop From Top Rope, Russian Leg-Sweep, Bulldog, Standing Leg-Drop, Back-Breaker, Standing Drop-Kick, Cross-Body Block To The Floor, "Hart Attack" (Finisher When Working In Tandem With Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) Federations Stampede Wrestling, WWF/WWE, WCW, WWA Titles Held WWF World (5), WWF Intercontinental (2), WWF Tag-Team (2), WWF King Of The Ring Winner (2), WCW World (2), WCW United States (4), WCW Tag-Team (1), WWA Commissioner (2001), WWE Hall Of Fame Inductee ("Class Of 2006") Short Bio The son of the legendary Stu Hart, Bret was born into the wrestling business. Although he didn’t initially want to become a professional wrestler, Bret was introduced to the sport from an early age, as his Dad Stu was a former "shooter" and now an all-round wrestler who trained others in the profession in the infamous "Dungeon" (the basement of the Hart family home). All of Bret’s brothers became involved in the business in one way or another and all of his sisters ended up marrying wrestlers. Bret eventually followed his father into his own wrestling promotion (Stampede Wrestling), but it was in Vince McMahon’s WWF that Bret got his big break in 1984 (Stampede was losing money by this point, and so Stu sacrificed it in order for his son to go and work for Vince). Bret became a household name when he was paired with his brother-in-law Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Managed by "The Mouth Of The South" Jimmy Hart, they were dubbed "The Hart Foundation" and in the early years, they had a series of entertaining matches with The British Bulldogs (the late Davey Boy Smith and The Dynamite Kid). The Hart Foundation enjoyed two reigns as WWF World Tag-Team Champions, beating The Bulldogs for their first in 1987. By the time of their 2nd reign (at SummerSlam 90’, in a 2-Out-Of 3 Falls Match against Demolition), "The Foundation" had dumped Jimmy Hart as their manager and had become true fan favourites. After dropping the titles to Jimmy Hart’s newest charges, The Nasty Boys at WrestleMania 7 in 1991, The Hart Foundation went their separate ways and Bret began to pursue a singles career. "The Hitman" won his first singles title when he beat the late Curt "Mr Perfect" Hennig for the WWF Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam 91’. At the time, this was considered to be the best WWF bout ever seen, and it still holds up today as one of the greatest technical wrestling matches of all time. After dropping the gold to The Mountie in an non-televised match, Bret enjoyed his 2nd IC Title run when he defeated his long-time friend Rowdy Roddy Piper in a classic battle at WrestleMania 8 in April 1992. Hart’s 2nd (and final) IC Title run came to an end in classic style at the historic SummerSlam 92’ (held at Wembley Stadium in London, England), when he dropped the belt to his brother-in-law The British Bulldog, in what was probably the greatest match of the Bulldog’s career. Following the sudden departures of The Ultimate Warrior and The British Bulldog, Bret Hart was thrust into the main event and became WWF Champion when he defeated Ric Flair in an un-televised bout in October 92’. After dropping the WWF Title to the late Yokozuna at WrestleMania 9, Bret got some consolation from winning the 1993 "King Of The Ring" tournament, defeating Razor Ramon, Mr Perfect and the late Bam Bam Bigelow in three separate matches. In 1994, Bret began a feud with his real-life brother Owen (it had been set up at Survivor Series 1993, but officially kicked off at Royal Rumble 94’). This lead to a truly spectacular match at WM X, where Owen actually pinned his older brother, cleanly in the middle of the ring. However, Bret made up for the loss later on by defeating Yokozuna to win his 2nd WWF Title (with his old friend Roddy Piper as the Special Guest Referee). The rivalry with Owen officially concluded with a superb Cage Match at SummerSlam 94’, which saw Bret retain his title when Owen got his legs tied up in the bars of the cage. At Survivor Series 95’, Bret defeated Diesel for his 3rd WWF Title (his 2nd reign came to an end at the hands of Bob Backlund in an "I Quit" Match at the previous Survivor Series, when Owen convinced their mother Helen to "throw in the towel"), before dropping it to Shawn Michaels in an historic 60-Minute "Iron Man Match" at WrestleMania 12 in April 1996. Following the loss, Bret took a break from the WWF, partly to try and break into acting (he had a role in the Western drama "Lonesome Dove") and partly to see if Michaels could be the man to carry the company into the next boom period (he wasn’t; the WWF would struggle to fill the void left by Hulk Hogan until Stone Cold Steve Austin broke through in 98’). Bret returned to action at Survivor Series 96’, beating Steve Austin in a great bout. His rivalry with Austin crossed over into 97’, where they had their infamous "I Quit" Match at WrestleMania 13, where a bloodied Austin refused to say those two words, and ultimately "passed out" from the pain of Hart’s "Sharp-Shooter" finisher. Bret’s decision to attack Austin after the bell (along with Austin’s gutsy "never die" performance) meant that the WWF pulled off a rarely seen "double turn", whereby Hart turned heel and Stone Cold turned face. Prior to his WM meeting with Austin, Bret had enjoyed a fleeting 4th reign as WWF Champion, after beating Austin, Vader and The Undertaker at "In Your House: Final Four" in February 97’. However, he dropped the belt to Sycho Sid the following night on Raw, following interference from Austin. After WM 13, Bret "denounced" the American fans (who had turned against him long before his heel turn and had supported Steve Austin, despite the fact that he wasn’t a "good guy") and reformed "The Hart Foundation" (the group was now comprised of Bret, Jim Neidhart, The British Bulldog, Owen Hart and Hart family friend, the late Brian Pillman). In a unique twist, Bret remained a hero in his home country of Canada (as well as other countries around the world, such as the UK), but was a hated figure in the United States, where he and "The Foundation" would stir up trouble by making some controversial remarks about the U.S. and their people live on Raw. The best example of the "reverse attitude" came at "In Your House: Canadian Stampede" in July 97’. The Hart Foundation fought Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust & The Legion Of Doom in a 10-man tag-team main event where Bret and his family and friend were the heroes and Austin and co were the villain’s. To this day, it’s questionable as to whether another wrestling match has conjured up so much heat and animosity from a live audience. At SummerSlam 97’, Shawn Michaels was the "Special Guest Referee" for Bret’s WWF Title Match with The Undertaker and it was Michaels chair-wielding interference that actually cost Undertaker his title (Michaels swung for Hart, Hart ducked and Shawn drilled Undertaker instead). Ironically enough, Michaels had aided Bret in winning his 5th WWF Title. As the WWF built towards the huge Hart/Michaels rematch at Survivor Series 97’, things began to get very personal between Bret and Shawn (on-screen and off). Then came the news that "Survivor" would likely be Bret’s last WWF appearance, as he had agreed to jump to rival WCW (under advice from Vince McMahon himself. Vince had signed Bret to a 20-year deal, but suddenly wanted out and advised him to re-open negotiations with WCW). Prior to his last-ever WWF match, Bret was critical of the new direction the company had taken (at the time, Vince was sowing the seeds for "WWF Attitude") but had been assured by Vince and company that he would leave the "right way". As the "Wrestling With Shadows" documentary showed, somewhere along the line, Vince changed his plans about the finish of the match (Bret had agreed to a DQ finish, as he didn’t want to lose the WWF Title in Canada. However, he had agreed to drop the belt at a later date to anyone, anywhere else in the world). The result was the now-famous "Montreal Screw-Job", where Vince called for the bell while Hart was locked in his own finishing hold ("The Sharp-Shooter"), expecting to reverse it as planned and get ready for a run-in from The Hart Foundation for the DQ finish. Unsurprisingly, Hart was irate and left the WWF on bad terms. On Raw the following night, Vince acknowledged the very real nature of the incident but refused to take responsibility, saying that "Bret Hart Screwed Bret Hart". Many insiders point to this very moment as being the birth of the evil "Mr McMahon" character that would go on to break records with Steve Austin in 1998 and 1999. Bret Hart came into WCW with much fanfare, but soon got lost in the shuffle. He made his debut at Starrcade 97’, as a "Guest Referee" in the history-making Sting/Hollywood Hogan WCW Championship Match. However, Hart’s first WCW appearance immediately degenerated into farce when his microphone failed as he made an announcement about refereeing the match (plus official WCW Referee Nick Patrick had actually counted Sting out already, which made the whole thing look very weak as it was as if they were "pandering" to Sting, who was meant to be the babyface overcoming the odds). Although Bret enjoyed 3 reigns as WCW United States Champion, he didn’t really make much of an impact in the company until late 1999 when he became the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. However, considering that his brother Owen (who was still working for the WWF at the time) had died tragically live on PPV after a pre-match "stunt entrance" had gone awry, it was surprising that Bret returned to wrestling at all (it was a testament to Bret’s inner strength that he was able to return to WCW and actually talk on the microphone about his brother so soon after losing him). Bret defended the WCW Title against Bill Goldberg in a slightly disappointing match at Starrcade and then vacated the belt due to the controversial way in which the bout ended. Bret later regained the belt in another match against Goldberg, but was forced to vacate the title shortly before Souled Out in January 2000 (Bret had suffered a concussion when Goldberg accidentally kicked him in the head at Starrcade. The problem was made worse when Bret competed in further matches, taking a power-bomb from Sid Vicious and working a "Hardcore Match" with Terry Funk). His concussion problems ultimately forced him into retirement (although he was released from his WCW contract rather suddenly in October 2000). In 2001, Bret returned to wrestling as the commissioner for the WWA (World Wrestling All Stars). Bret toured the U.S. and Europe with the promotion, and although he didn’t wrestle, he did speak openly to the fans, talking about his brother Owen and how his match with The British Bulldog at SummerSlam 92’ was probably his favourite of all time. In 2002, Bret suffered a stroke after bumping his head following a bicycle accident. He suffered complete paralysis on his left side, but has since recovered (although physically and emotionally, he hasn’t quite been the same since). In 2005, wrestling fans were shocked to see Bret patch things up with Vince McMahon and WWE (although they "agreed to disagree" on the "Montreal Double-Cross"). WWE released a 3-disc DVD containing some of Bret’s best matches, along with a documentary that contained interviews with Bret himself. In 2006, Bret was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame (he was inducted by Stone Cold Steve Austin). Much to the disappointment of many long-time fans, Bret failed to appear at WrestleMania 22 the following day, as he did not feel "comfortable with the situation" (at the time, there were rumours that Vince McMahon had approached Hart about making a cameo appearance in Vince’s "Street Fight" Match with Shawn Michaels and that Hart had declined [and pulled out of WM itself] due to the involvement of his on and off screen rival Michaels). In 2007, Bret Hart released his self-penned autobiography "Hitman" in Canada to critical acclaim. The book took several years to complete and recalls Hart’s early years in Stampede, as well as his career with the WWF and WCW. Bio By Matthew Evans   Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.brethart.com/ Dawn Marie Real Name Dawn Marie Psaltis   Other Names Tammy Lynn Bytch, Dawn Marie Bytch, Dawn Marie Wilson   Date of Birth November 3, 1970   Weight: 120 lb   Height: 5 ft 7   Signature Move "Bitch-Slap", Sit-Out Face-Buster, Flying Cross-Body Block, DDT Federations ECW, XWF, WWE, Indy’s Titles Held Manager Of 2-Time ECW Tag-Team Champions "The Impact Players" (Lance Storm & Justin Credible), 1999-2000 Short Bio A childhood wrestling fan, Dawn Marie got her big break in Paul Heyman’s ECW in 1998, after 3 years of working independent wrestling shows. She was brought in as the manager of Lance Storm, who at the time was feuding with the late Chris Candido. Candido was managed by Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, who began a feud of her own with Dawn Marie (to spite Sytch and Candido in the story line, Dawn changed her name to "Tammy Lynn Bytch", which later became "Dawn Marie Bytch" when Storm’s rivalry with Candido came to an end). Before long, Dawn’s name was shortened to "Dawn Marie". She also became the manager of ECW Tag-Team Champions "The Impact Players" (Storm and Justin Credible, along with bodyguard Jason). Dawn helped to lead her charges to two tag-team championship reigns, whilst mixing it up with opposing valets like Francine in some historic "cat-fights". In May 2000, Storm left for WCW. However, later that year, Dawn began managing a new duo; Simon Diamond and Swinger. She remained by their side until ECW went bankrupt in 2001. Following the collapse of ECW, Dawn worked a few independent dates with Diamond and also made a few appearances for Hulk Hogan’s and Jimmy Hart’s XWF promotion. The exposure must have got WWE interested, as in 2002, they signed Dawn Marie to a contract and had her make her on-screen debut in May as Vince McMahon’s legal assistant over on SD!. Later that year, WWE booked Dawn in a ridiculous (but at times, hilarious) story line with Torrie Wilson and Torrie’s real-life father Al. The idea was that Dawn Marie had "seduced" Al Wilson, much to the disgust of his daughter Torrie. Another "WWE Wedding" ensued as Dawn and Al "tied the knot", but in typical wrestling fashion, this "fairytale" wouldn’t have a happy ending. The saga took a dark and controversial turn when WWE booked an angle where Al Wilson died of an apparent heart attack (they then caused further offence by displaying an "In Memory" graphic of Al before the next edition of SD!, thereby trivialising the very real deaths of former WWE Superstars) and Dawn took on the role of "grieving widow". Dawn Marie then fought Torrie Wilson in a series of awful matches, based around the implication that Dawn had married poor Al for his money and was "raking it in" as his widow. In her last WWE appearance, Dawn Marie showed up at ECW: One Night Stand in June 2005 by the side of her old "Impact Players" Charge Lance Storm for his match against Chris Jericho. In a shocking move, Dawn was then suddenly released from her contract in July, despite the fact that she was expecting a baby. In 2006, she filed a complaint against WWE saying that her contract was wrongfully terminated and that she had suffered mental stress following her release (according to reports, the case was settled in 2007). Following her release from WWE, Dawn appeared at the ECW tribute show "November Reign" and commented on her departure from WWE. She also served as the "key keeper" for the main event cage match between Jerry Lynn and P J Polaco (Justin Credible). Dawn Marie gave birth to her first child (a boy, called Matthew) on December 20, 2005. Since then she has continued to make appearances at various autograph sessions promoted by independent wrestling groups and has also founded the charity "Wrestler’s Rescue", which raises awareness and money to support the health needs of retired professional wrestlers. She is now married and is expecting her 2nd child. Bio By Matthew Evans  Wrestler Homepage (if any) http://www.dawnmarieonline.com/