User talk:CharlotteNDP

Wwe history
23:52, 14 January 2010 (UTC)'The new formula of what McMahon deemed sports entertainment was a resounding financial success at the original WrestleMania in 1985. The WWF did incredible business on the shoulders of McMahon and his All-American babyface hero, Hulk Hogan, for the next several years, creating what some observers dubbed a second golden age for professional wrestling.

In addition to Hogan, there were other muscular singles stars who were making their mark in the WWF including the Ultimate Warrior, Ricky Steamboat, and Paul Orndorff. Not only did WWF have a dominant singles division, the tag team division had a myriad of excellent teams such as The Rockers, Demolition, The Hart Foundation, The British Bulldogs, and The Fabulous Rougeaus. In 1987, the WWF would also add more to the company's success and produced what was considered to be the pinnacle of the entire 1980s wrestling boom, WrestleMania III.[4] Thanks to the success of WrestleMania, additional pay-per-views were produced such as SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series. The Survivor Series stressed the elimination tag format. The Royal Rumble had a 30-man battle royal which, in 1993, would stipulate where the winner faces the WWF Champion at that year's WrestleMania. SummerSlam became the major hit of the summer. This era was noted for some of its excellent matches. Some memories included the Hogan vs. Warrior bout at WrestleMania VI in the SkyDome, Steamboat vs. Savage Intercontinental Title match at WrestleMania III and Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at that same pay-per-view.

[edit] The steroid trials and subsequent years The World Wrestling Federation suffered one of its biggest hits in the company's history when the Federal Government began to investigate a steroid scandal involving Dr. George Zaharian, the company's doctor at the time. Reputedly, steroid use was rampant among wrestlers within the company (both in the wrestling circuit and the WBF, Vince McMahon's bodybuilding league) supplied through Zaharian. Zaharian himself received counts of litigation regarding his distribution of illegal supplements through many athletes across the sporting spectrum. However, the tip-off that gave authorities cause to charge the WWF was shipment details to various WWF stars. Some of the larger names, most famous of which was Hulk Hogan, gained infamy when news of their long-time steroid use was revealed. Hogan, in particular, lost much fan confidence due to the allegations.

The Pennsylvanian Federal Office made strong efforts to have the WWF prosecuted over the issue, despite most of the alleged activities happening out of state in Connecticut. However, Dr. Zaharian had been based in Penn State for most of the transactions, hence their eagerness to forge ahead with the case. The prosecution against the WWF rested upon two particular shipments of steroids addressed from Vince McMahon to Hulk Hogan (one of which was dated two days after the WWF had actually appeared at the arena, thus making the accusation null and void). Over much deliberation, ultimately McMahon and the company were acquitted of the charges.

Despite the legal victory, the company suffered heavily from the publicity it caused. Ratings and Pay-Per-View buyrates fell as a result. Merchandise and ticket sales plummeted and for a while the company looked seriously towards bankruptcy.

[edit] The New Generation In response to the steroid trials, the WWF decided to go in a new direction. In order to bolster its reputation amongst the public, the company came up with its "New Generation" tagline. In an effort to distance itself from the muscle-bound theatrics of the "Federation Years", the company chose to push smaller, more agile performers whose focus was primarily upon their technical prowess and their athletisim as opposed to their looks. Performers such as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, Diesel and others emerged in this newfound spotlight. The business had begun to experience a lull, however, partly due to the popularity of the WWF fading as well as WCW not quite managing to take advantage of the WWF's weakening fortunes.

During 1991 and 1992, wrestling's popularity suffered as bland storylines and over-the-top gimmicky characters turned many fans away. The WWF's poor direction was strongly criticized as uninteresting and not in touch with the current times. WCW themselves were in a position of evolution, yet they failed to capitalize until late 1993-early 1994 when Eric Bischoff became Executive Producer of WCW's creative product. Once WCW begun to innovate and evolve their product, however, the WWF failed to view them as a threat and subsequently lost ground.

Fans had also grown tired of the WWF's familiar faces. Acts such as the Ultimate Warrior had begun to outlive their welcome. Hulk Hogan was slowly becoming boring and stale, his reputation damaged by the steroid scandals. The larger, less mobile workers had become passé compared to the newer, quicker, more athletic performers. The industry had begun to experience a change in its popularity and fortunes.

Soon, WWF performers such as Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall emigrated to the growing WCW empire. Incentives such as a lighter schedule and a higher guarantee of money (while performers earned less of a guaranteed wage in the WWF, the incentive structured payment scale meant some wrestlers could actually earn more. However, the performer tends to work more in order to earn the money) helped convince performers of the benefits working in WCW would hold.

Starting near the end of 1996, the WWF began to experiment with edgier content, throwing in more adult themes and more hard-hitting bouts in an attempt to try and claw back their fanbase who had been slowly pulled over to WCW's programming. WCW had begun to gain traction due to the growing nWo and the influx of an edgier, more brash product. Quicker, more agile superstars from Japan, Mexico and Europe had raised the bar, while the edgier stories and cliffhanger endings of the shows had viewers eagerly anticipating the next show. The WWF continued to lag behind, but they slowly gained on the competition through employing similar tactics and edgy content.

[edit] Monday Night Raw Main article: Monday Night Wars Under Eric Bischoff, World Championship Wrestling, the new name for NWA super territory Jim Crockett Promotions after its purchase by Ted Turner in 1988, began using its tremendous financial resources to lure established talent away from the WWF. In 1995, Bischoff upped the ante, creating WCW Monday Nitro, a cable show on Turner's TNT network, to directly compete with the WWF's flagship show, WWF Monday Night RAW. Eventually, on the strength of its newly-acquired WWF talent and the groundbreaking nWo storyline, WCW overtook the WWF in television ratings and popularity.

McMahon responded by stating that he could create new superstars to regain the upper hand in the ratings war, and at the same time tightening contracts to make it harder for WCW to raid WWF talent. Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart were elevated to the top of the card, gaining popularity based mostly on the excellence of their in-ring abilities, a far departure from the Hogan era. Despite this, the WWF was losing money at a rapid rate. WCW's reality-based storylines drew attention away from the WWF's.

In 2004, WWE published a DVD entitled The Monday Night War, which chronicles the battle between the two organizations.

[edit] The Montreal Screwjob and Attitude Era Main articles: Montreal Screwjob and The Attitude Era The WWF/WCW feud reached new heights in November 1, 1997, when WCW offered a contract to Bret "The Hitman" Hart. Hart was worth up to a reported nine million dollars over the course of three years. The WWF and Vince McMahon countered with an offer worth much less, but for a much longer period, with greater creative control. Hart took the offer, but after several months of financial hardship and sharply falling profits, McMahon was uncertain if he could write Hart's paychecks. McMahon alerted Hart of the situation prior to Hart's match with Shawn Michaels in Montreal, and allowed him to re-open negotiations with WCW. Despite a great sense of loyalty to the WWF, Hart took WCW's offer and was set to appear on their programming by the end of 1997.

While Hart's departure was not a surprise, the WWF was concerned about the fact that the man about to leave was the WWF Champion. Earlier in the WWF/WCW feud, the WWF Women's Champion, Alundra Blayze, signed with WCW while in possession of the belt and threw it in a trashcan on WCW Nitro (imitating a heavily publicized act by heavyweight boxing champion Riddick Bowe). Hart promised that no such thing would ever happen and put an agreement in place that the announcement of his departure would be delayed until the belt could be transitioned to a new champion. However, McMahon was concerned that the word would get out and he sought a way to get the belt off Hart before the deal.

Hart used his contractual control over his booking during that year's Survivor Series pay-per-view at Centre Molson in Montreal, Canada. He let it be known to WWF management that he would drop the title on a couple of conditions; not losing to Shawn Michaels or in his home country of Canada. McMahon would deviate from the agreed finish of their match at Survivor Series to allow Shawn Michaels to win the title from Hart. During the match Shawn Michaels put Bret Hart in a Sharpshooter, which Hart was in the process of countering when the referee Earl Hebner, under instruction from Vince McMahon, told the timekeeper to ring the bell to end the match and announced Michaels the winner. Bret Hart was so infuriated at the fake victory he spit in McMahon's face before leaving the ring. Later, in a confrontation with McMahon that same night, Hart punched McMahon in the face, which resulted in a black eye and then a broken ankle in the commotion that followed.

This event set the stage for the turning point in the WWF/WCW feud. McMahon, who had previously acted only as a play-by-play announcer on television, used the backlash stemming from his real-life role as WWF owner in the Montreal Screwjob to cast himself as the evil company owner "Mr. McMahon" in WWF programming, a dictatorial ruler who favored heel wrestlers who were "good for business" over "misfits" like Stone Cold Steve Austin. This led to the Austin vs. McMahon feud, which was the cornerstone of the next phase of development'

Stone Cold Steve Austin
'''Steve Austin is Born! Steve Austin was born in 1990 when a 25 year old Steve Williams decided to pursue a life long interest and enrolled in a wrestling school run by Chris Adams. In 1991 'Stunning' Steve Austin debuted in World Championship Wrestling.

Time in WCW and ECW Steve Austin spent five years in WCW. He held the TV Title twice, the US Title twice, and the Tag Titles once with the late Brian Pillman.

1991-06-03 Steve defeats Bobby Eaton winning the WCW World TV Championship. On 1992-04-27 Barry Windham defeats Austin for the TV Title in a best of three. Austin's reign fell 9 days short of Arn Anderson's record. 1992-06-23 Steve Austin defeats Barry Windham for his second TV Title reign. On 1992-09-02 Austin loses the title to Ricky Steamboat in a no-DQ match.

1993-03-02 wins Tag Titles with Brian Pillman defeating Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas. The Hollywood Blondes become a top team. Several months later (1993-08-18) Pillman goes on the injured list and Austin loses the Tag Titles, with replacement Steven Regal, to Arn Anderson and Paul Roma. The Blondes breakup.

1993-12-27 Steve defeats Dustin Rhodes (aka Goldust) two out of three to win the US Title. 1994-09-18 Austin regains US Title from Ricky Steamboat, who forfeited due to injury. Jim Duggan defeats Austin immediately after. At this point Austin is no longer given a push and is held back. Eventually Austin goes on the injured list and leaves WCW.

In the summer of 1995 'Superstar' Steve Austin debuts in Extreme Championship Wrestling. Later that year Austin signs with the WWF.

Steve Austin's rise thru the WWF Steve Austin debuts as Ted Dibiase's Ringmaster. Soon a feud with Savio Vega leads to a match, 1996-04-28, stipulating that if Austin loses Dibiase must leave the WWF. Austin later claims he threw the match to get rid of Dibiase. Austin begins to take on his Stone Cold persona.

1996-06-23 King of The Ring. Stone Cold defeats Jake 'the Snake' Roberts marking the rise of Austin 3:16. Later that year, Austin begins bad mouthing Bret Hart. At the 1996 Buried Alive, Austin defeats Hunter Hearst-Helmsley (Triple H). 1997 Royal Rumble Austin defeats Bret Hart. At WM XIII Stone Cold loses to Bret Hart in a submission match, passing out rather than submitting. Thus elevating his career even higher.

(1997-05-27) Austin and HBK Shawn Michaels win the Tag Titles defeating Owen Hart and Bulldog. HBK takes time off, Austin is stripped of the Tag Titles. On July 14 Stone Cold is prepared to fight Owen and Bulldog by himself to reclaim the Tag Titles when none other than Dude Love, perhaps better known as Cactus Jack (Mick Foley) came to Stone Cold's aid. Together they defeat Owen and Bulldog to recapture the Tag Team Championship belts.

(1997-08-3) Summer Slam. Austin defeats Owen Hart for his first IC Title win. But vacates the IC and Tag titles due to an injury sustained during the match by a badly executed pile-driver. Stone Cold returns to defeat Owen Hart at Survivor Series (1997-11-09) to win the IC Title a second time. On 1997-12-06 Austin defeats Rocky Maivia (The Rock) retaining the IC Title, however the next night on Raw he hands it to Rocky and goes after the WWF Championship. Actually the Rattlesnake took the IC belt and threw it in a river. Stone Cold eliminated Rocky at the 1998 Royal Rumble, earning his title shot at WrestleMania XIV. Steve Austin defeated HBK with Mike Tyson as the enforcer/referee and has fought to hang on to the title as much as possible since then. Stone Cold held the Tag Titles for a third time with, his then number one contender, the Undertaker. They defeated Kane and Mankind at Fully Loaded 1998. Austin's most recent WWF Championship reign ended when Mankind won a Triple Threat match at Summer Slam 1999.

When Stone Cold walks to the ring in his black boots and black trunks everyone watching the show knows anything can happen (and probably will). Most of Stone Cold's success may be attributed to three words: "Don't trust anybody!"

On Byte This 1999-11-04 Austin said that he is indeed dating Debra, the two went on a hunting trip recently. He likes working with Triple H and said he, or the Undertaker, would be his first choice for a partner if he had to have one. On training he commented, "I like my hamburgers and beer." Austin likes to enjoy life, so he doesn't train as seriously as some other stars. He also mentioned that he may be getting new entrance music. One of his favorite past WWF stars was Ricky Steamboat. Also he remarked that Shawn Michaels was kind of a jackass.

Austin's Injury and Return At Survivor Series (1999-11-14) Steve Austin was hit by a car (scripted) in the parking area and Big Show took his place in the Triple Threat WWF Championship match defeating Triple H and Rock. Austin took the time off to undergo surgery to repair some prior injuries to his neck as well as film two more episodes of Nash Bridges which aired May 5 and May 19.

Austin underwent surgery in January of 2000. His return to the WWF in some capacity was definite but his in ring ability was questionable. The doctors stated a recovery time of around 6 months. On 2000-01-30 Stone Cold was interviewed at his home by Jim Ross, the Rattlesnake plans to be back in the ring in 3 to 4 months. But refuses to get back in at less than 100%. Steve was at the pre-WrestleMania show but did not get involved in any matches. His rehabilitation was going well but doctors still were reluctant to say he could ever compete again.

Austin appeared on WWF TV on SmackDown (2000-04-27). The Rattlesnake blew up the DX Express bus after Rock announced that Austin would indeed make an appearance. Then Stone Cold made his presence known at Backlash as he assisted Rock to regain the WWF Championship. Although it was a premature return since he was not physically ready for action.

On 2000-09-13 Steve Austin married Debra in a small Las Vegas ceremony. A couple weeks prior to Unforgiven 2000 Stone Cold announced he was going to be at the show to open the Stone Cold Court of Law and find the person who ran him down. Stating he had waived any legal proceedings he promised to open the biggest can of 'whoop ass' the WWF had ever seen.

Stone Cold continues his investigation through October, which mostly consisted of handing out stunners to much of the locker room. Commissioner Foley ends up suspending Austin until the investigation is finished. Finally on October 09 Rikishi (which didn't make much sense) admits to running Austin down for The Rock. Commissioner Foley signs a match against Rikishi at No Mercy. Then Triple H reveals himself as Rikishi's accomplice, marking his return as a heel. Stone Cold defeats Triple H in a no-DQ match at Survivor Series. Austin finds himself in a Six-Way WWF Championship Match at Armageddon.

January 2001 Stone Cold Steve Austin wins the Royal Rumble for a WWF Championship match. And then at WrestleMania XVII (aka X-Seven) Austin made one of the most surprising heel turns.

Stone Cold defeated The Rock on 2001-04-01 for the WWF Championship (5th time) then defected to the Alliance (WCW and ECW resurrected to take over Sports Entertainment). Austin's ring time decreasesd during this period. He lost the title to Kurt Angle then regained it for a 6th reign as WWF Champion. Austin (WWF Champion) and The Rock (WCW Champion) were defeated by Chris Jericho in a tournament match to name an Undisputed Champion (2001-12-09).

2002 Austin Walks Out Austin walked out on the WWF in June 2002. Mostly due to the frustration with his character and past injuries hindering his performance. While he was out of the WWE Austin and Debra went their separate ways.

Around this time the ECW and WCW were reabsorbed, then the WWF became the WWE, and RAW and SmackDown split the roster.

2003 Austin Returns in Limited Capacity On March 30, 2003 Stone Cold made his way to WrestleMania XIX where he was finally defeated by The Rock.

2003-04-28 While Stone Cold was gone, Eric Bischoff mocked Austin a couple times and eventually drove Jim Ross to quit. Lita quit about a week later when Bischoff insisted she pose for Playboy. Linda MacMahon made one of her infrequent visits to Raw, on April 28th, and announced a co-general manager to keep Eric inline - Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Stone Cold remained as co-GM till November of 2003. Circumstances occurred that forbid Austin from striking a wrestler without being provoked. Austin put his career on the line at Survivor Series but his team lost and Stone Cold left Raw. He made an appearance at a special Christmas event for the troops in Iraq, he posed as Santa Clause and gave vince a stunner for a present. Fan response helped to bring Stone Cold back under his own terms; as Sheriff of Raw near the end of 2003.

Stone Cold Walks Again Austin's appearances were limited during his Sheriff reign in early 2004. (I went to one of the events where he road an ATV to the ring with Earl Hebner on the back. I'll try to post some pictures eventually.) He refereed the Brock Lesnar vs Goldberg match at WrestleMania XX and shortly after WWE and Stone Cold went their separate ways, apparently over some contract dispute.

There was news of a multiple-movie contract with Stone Cold, backed by the WWE. One of the being The Longest Yard (2005) (Buy DVD)

2005 Steve Austin Returns Part Time Stone Cold's first TV appearance in about a year was at WrestleMania XXI. He made a couple appearances before making a bigger impact at WWE Homecoming. The three hour special return of WWE to the USA Network (here's hoping they don't get preempted by a dog show again...). Stone Cold showed up at Homecoming and gave a stunner to Vince, Shane, Stephanie, and for the first time ever Linda McMahon. Also during Homecoming, Hogan challenged Austin to a match.

Recent ramblings 2005-10-28 Stone Cold is back to some of his old antics on Raw.

Austin 3:16 When Steve Austin defeated World Wrestling Federation veteran Jake 'The Snake' Roberts at the 1996 King of the Ring, Stone Cold informed the 'Snake' and the world that, "Austin 3:16 says: I just whooped your ass!"

Some people have a problem with this quote, feeling that its sacrilegious. Well I didn't see the Jake Roberts vs Stone Cold match and don't know if Austin created the line or the marketing department but I'm sure no sacrilegious intentions were present. If anything, Roberts character at the time may've been sacrilegious but I don't know what the man's true beliefs were. In any case,

John 3:16 is: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

A very important line in the Bible, which Roberts quoted at the event. This provoked Austin's response of Austin 3:16.'''

Stone cold was loved by eveyone. He was the cuss in every kid. He was the insoeraton for alot of people. When he retired it was the end.

signed 23:58, 14 January 2010 (UTC)23:58, 14 January 2010 (UTC)