From: v070qg5d@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Eric M Chmiel)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling
Subject: WCW Complete Roster
Date: 16 Nov 92 05:50:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


     OK.  This is how the complete in-ring WCW talent roster looks as of
11/12.  It's not pretty.

Managers
--------
Madusa         Race
Cactus Jack    Dangerously

Faces            Heels
-----            -----
Simmons          Rude
Sting            Vader
Steamboat        Barbarian
Douglas          Atlas
Koloff           Cactus Jack
Rhodes           Austin
Windham          Pillman
Armstrong        Arn Anderson
Sasaki           Eaton
Zenk             Page
Hammer           Vegas
Walker           Steve Williams
Watts            Flamingo
Bagwell          Shanghai Pierce
Badd             Tex Sleshinger
 Total: 15        Total: 15

Tag Teams
---------
Rhodes/Windham      Pillman/Austin
Steamboat/Douglas   Eaton/Anderson
                    Vegas Connection
                    Pierce/Sleshinger

Limbo
------
Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner (contracts expire at end of 1992--it's all but
over for these two), Johnny Gunn (has not been working TV tapings--I have a
hunch he's been canned)

Notes: Where to start with this mess?  The singles ranks have a few very
notable names but there is no depth whatsoever.  Heels are especially weak.
Jake Roberts is gone (either fired or quit, depending on who you ask) and
that hurts a lot.  Rude and Vader are the only two really top flight heels,
although Eaton and Anderson (who have been reported to be re-signed at lower
pay) are very good.  But they took a lot of abuse jobbing in the months Watts
regarded them as lame ducks on their way out.  WCW is in dire need of a couple 
big name heels (Sid?).  It's an emergency now that Rude is rumored to be ready
to turn.  The faces look strong, but that's deceiving.  Windham and/or Rhodes
may be ready to make that long-awaited heel turn on Wednesday, although I am
personally inclined that this is just another false alarm.  Plus, Zenk is in
Japan and Sasaki is returning home in two weeks.  There are way, way too many
glorified jobbers on this roster (Bagwell, Zenk, Page, Vegas, Flamingo) who
have jobbed too much and lost credibility.  There are also too many unproven
youngsters (Walker, Hammer, Pierce, Sleshinger, Nepo Watts).  Many men are 
misused (Cactus Jack, Koloff, etc.).  Steve Williams's status is unknown, 
although the one sure thing is that he'll spend 75% of his time in Japan.  This
company needs an infusion of wrestlers who can capture the fans' imagination. 
If I were Bill Watts, I would not want WCW to slip any further, as the 
"critical" stage is not far away.
     Managers are sparse, a money-saving move no doubt.  Tag Teams are 
generally two singles wrestlers thrown together, but there *are* some good
teams.  They need more, however.  The Vegas Connection jobs too much, and
Sleshinger/Pierce might be the weakest WCW/NWA team to be pushed since the
Russian Assassins.  Two credible teams (one heel, one face) would sure help,
but the way the financial situation is these days that's probably just a pipe
dream.
     This company has fallen a long, long way.  Imagine: in Sept. 1993 Jim
Crockett will be free to start his own new promotion in the Carolinas, 
according to the terms of his sale of the NWA to Ted Turner.  If he does this,
he will be in direct competition with WCW for the Deep South.  Jim Crockett 
has a lot of friends and admirers in the business (like, say, Ric Flair) and 
they would be all too happy to work for him.  Potentially, a new Crockett-
owned promotion could be a disaster for WCW, and they know it.  The Observer
reported that WCW signed an exclusive agreement with the Charlotte Coliseum
to run shows there starting in Sept 1993 in an apparent attempt to shut
Jim Crockett out of that building should he try to base his new promotion
in Charlotte.  Oh well, just a thought. 

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Eric Chmiel************************************
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Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling