Zack Malibu

Got the IC Title set and the Guerrero set today, as well as Bound For Glory 2008. Still no Starrcade set yet, so hopefully next week I'll have it.

The problem being they probably didn't even have 8 guys to realistically put in that role at the time. I remember being really excited for ECW on TNN, because it was my first time to actually see ECW on TV (we never got the syndicated show in Wisconsin). However, it wasn't very good...the very first episode was a "best of" type thing, as I recall. After that, they actually did have some hot angles for a little bit, like Raven returning to team with Tommy Dreamer. However, the time slot was horrible...I had just entered college at the time, and had plenty of better things to do than try to remember to watch a third string wrestling show on Friday nights. Also, there were WAY too many commercial breaks. I would bet that in a one hour time slot, we maybe got 30 minutes of actual content. It could have been a great way to showcase some of the new talent, and maybe even lure in an international star or two. They could build up the tournament by showing clips of Malenko vs. Guerrero, Chris Jericho holding it, etc. As for 8 guys to put in it, you could have had... Tajiri Super Crazy Little Guido Jerry Lynn Tommy Dreamer Raven Justin Credible Lance Storm Sandman Rhino Kid Kash Masato Tanaka Spike Dudley Mikey Whipwreck Guys like Psicosis, Dusty Rhodes, Antifaz Del Norte, etc. who were doing scattered shots for ECW at the time. ...and it would have been an interesting tournament. I don't think guys like Corino (at the time) or Scotty Anton should have been anywhere near the belt in 1999-2000, but you still had a core of ECW Originals that you could intersperse with the new blood and make for a good build to a new champion. You could have had, say, Jerry Lynn beat Raven in the first round, and Dreamer beat, say, Rhino. So in round 2 they face off, and Lynn could say something like "It took me one match to beat a guy it took you two years to pin once." Build your characters through the tournament.

They also did this with the Warlord and Barbarian, actually calling them the Super Invaders, IIRC. I think it was in 1995 because they might have been in that years World War 3 battle royal. Soon after, Warlord was gone and Barbarian was in the Faces of Fear with Meng.

"Getting Away With Murder" brings the fans to their feet, as it can only mean one thing...that the Franchise of the OAOAST is heading to the ring! COLE It was last week that we witnessed the shocking return of CWM, who claimed that Zack Malibu was disgracing the legacy of the OAOAST and his fellow Originals, then took Theodore Moneymaker up on his offer to eliminate Zack. Zack Malibu was able to defeat CWM, and after the match an equally shocking turn of events took place, as Zack revealed to the world that he went to Josie, the General Manager, and opted to remain out of the Lethal Rumble and thus forsake a chance at an OAOAST World Title shot so that he can get his hands on Theodore Moneymaker in a Survive Or Surrender match at Anglepalooza! COACH Don't forget about the women, Mikey Cole. Candie's comin' back for a piece of Alison's ass! COLE The only reason you said that is so you could mention Alison's ass, isn't it? COACH Well...yeah. Greeted warmly by the fans, Zack slaps a few hands on his way to the ring, before climbing into the squared circle for a vintage Zack Malibu promo. "ZACK!" "ZACK!" "ZACK!" MALIBU Last week, it certainly wasn't a night that I expected to have in my hometown. I didn't expect CWM to show up out of nowhere, and I didn't expect him to try to strike a deal with Theodore Moneymaker to put me out of the OAOAST. Even though I got through that match, it was still a night of surprises, and something that I was fortunate enough to survive with no preperation. Now, on that same wavelength, it was a night of surprises for Theodore Moneymaker, and actually for you fans as well, because after I rattled Richie Rich's jaw with a School's Out, I let him know what he was in for come Anglepalooza. Because I have HAD IT with the finger pointing and the sneak attacks. Theodore Moneymaker has gotten cheap wins or just upped and walked away from me one too many times. His Enterprise, his association with Alison, and his vendetta against me have brought me to the last resort...Survive Or Surrender. The crowd buzzes, as every fan in attendance knows what that means. MALIBU I know what many of you are thinking. The first time we had one of those matches, I lost my World Title to Crystal, and surrendered, just as the name states. The second time I won a war, but barely won the battle. The feud with Bruce Blank nearly cost me my life, quite literally, and I think all will remember that as a very dark period in the OAOAST. Now, Moneymaker, the third time isn't likely to be a charm for you. When those four chain linked walls come down around this ring, it's just you and I. The referee isn't going to call for a rope break, or count you out of the ring, or disqualify you for jamming a thumb into my eye. All he's going to do is stand there and watch up beat each other from post to post, across the ring, on the floor, watching as our blood...and there WILL be blood...stains the canvas and the metal that encases us. He'll be there as I rake your face against the cage wall. He'll be there when I lock you in a submission and cause the muscles in your body to pull and tear. He will be there holding a microphone right up to your mouth, letting every grunt and groan of agony be heard in the arena and across the world on pay per view! Survive or Surrender is VIOLENCE, plain and simple. Your Enterprise won't be able to run in and pull you out of the ring. Alison won't be able to distract the referee to let you get a cheap shot off. Finally, after months of talking and running and squeezing out the cheap victories, it's you and me. Anglepalooza will be my redemption, Moneymaker, for letting you take it this far. I have stood in this ring many times stating that I would do whatever it took to prove that you are no good for this company. Your dirty money isn't enough to run this place, and what you've done to Anglesault, to Krista, the Beverly Hills Blondes...every person on this roster that you've crossed, whether they consider me a friend or foe, will enjoy what I'm going to do to you. You're going to pay the OAOAST back not in money, but in blood, and in humility. The proud man with the fat wallet and the entourage of yes men and women will finally be forced to admit that he's not what he claims to be. A great in ring talent? You are, absolutely. A shrewd businessman? Beyond a shadow of a doubt. What you are not, though, is a Franchise, Theodore Moneymaker. You are not the face of this company. Money and merchandise and ticket sales and these fans, yes, these things keep the OAOAST going, but above all else it is the HEART of this company that has kept it going for SEVEN YEARS. Men like CWM, who may not like me and I may not like them, at least have put their heart into this company. Talking of an OAOAST legacy isn't just talk, it is truth. Because the heart of this company was pumped full of the blood of Zack Malibu and CWM and Alfdogg and Tony Brannigan and Jingus and Anglesault and God help me Stephen Popick. This company grew and grew the more blood that was pumped into it, the blood of Leon Rodez and Sly Sommers, and Bohemoth and Krista and Alix and Tim Moysey and Northstar and Austin Baker and on and on and on it goes...except for YOU. YOU'RE trying to take all that away. YOU'RE trying to disregard a foundation that was built, a support system unlike no other for YOUR personal gain, when in reality the only thing you have gained is the fury and hatred of a man who WILL NOT REST UNTIL YOU SURRENDER! Don't tell me to expect a war, Moneymaker, because I already do. I think it's YOU who doesn't realize what you're in for. Anglepalooza is the Final Chapter, and whether it's you or I who walks away is yet to be seen. All I know is that YOU don't have the heart for it! Malibu, done with his rebuttal to Moneymaker's fury over the match, drops the mic in the ring, exiting to the sounds of Papa Roach. Heading up the aisle, Malibu pauses about halfway up, looking around at his fans and soaking in the cheers. COLE Strong words from Zack Malibu...a very determined Zack Malibu, as he is sacrificing a chance to be back on top as World Champion in an effort to end his extensive, extremely personal war with Theodore Moneymaker! COACH It remains to be seen if he can do it, Mikey. Words are one thing, but once they're both inside that cage and cut loose, it could go either way, and I know who I got my money on! COLE Your money or the money from your grandmother's cookie jar? COACH Hey! Watch it man, she might be watchin'!

We cut quickly to the back, where Theodore Moneymaker is IRATE~!, kicking in the door of Josie's office IN ANGER~! JOSIE What the hell do you think you're doing? MONEYMAKER ME!? What do I think I'M DOING? What about you, with your backdoor dealings with Malibu? Just what do you think you're doing? JOSIE Just when did you think that YOU had control over this company? I know they say that if you tell yourself a lie long enough eventually it becomes a truth and you believe it, but the last time I checked, I was the one in charge, Moneymaker. I am the final word, NOT you. MONEYMAKER You ungrateful bitch. I'm the one looking to turn this company around, and then you stab me in the back. I was willing to support you, offer you a stable of workers at your disposal to do your bidding. As much money as you needed to run this place as you see fit, and THIS is how you repay me? JOSIE Repay you? It's keeping Malibu out of the title race, isn't it? Moneymaker stops his tirade, as if a lightbulb has just gone off over his head. JOSIE Ready to calm down now? Look, first of all, I never signed any deal with you. Anything more was stritcly implied. We might have mutual feelings about a lot of people on this roster, but again, I'M the one with the final say when it comes to the roster dealings. Now, I know what you're thinking. A Survive Or Surrender match is a last resort for this. I am tired of the two of you bitching at each other back and forth like catty schoolgirls...I've got enough of THEM on my roster, so I certainly don't need two of my top talents acting like that! Your whole problem with Zack is that you don't want him to maintain a hold on this place, something that he's always been able to do, and something that would only be furthered by another title reign. So we've cut him off before he can even get close. He's not in the Rumble, he's in the match with YOU...and if you want to tear the heart out of the OAOAST by taking Zack out, Survive or Surrender is YOUR chance just as much as it is Zack's. MONEYMAKER You have strange ways of showing your appreciation, Josie. JOSIE Maybe...but they're are better ways of making this company money and keeping us in the red. Moneymaker is tense, and stares Josie down for a moment. MONEYMAKER All this...it ends at Anglepalooza, you hear me? I don't want any regrets from ANYONE when Zack Malibu is gone from this company. JOSIE You want to usher in the new era, you do it inside that cage. MONEYMAKER Oh, it'll be done. Mark my words, it WILL be done. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~! Moneymaker, now pleased with the opportunity he's getting, cackles loudly as he turns and slams the door. Once that door shuts though, Josie sits back down and smirks, mumbling under her breath... JOSIE I'M the power around here. FADE OUT.

The scene opens, showing us a sunny day. We're at a park somewhere, and it could be Anywhere, USA. The sun is shining, the wind is barely blowing, and the sound of kids playing fills the air. That's when a voice is heard off camera. "This is what my life is like now." The camera zooms in on a little girl, trotting around the park, running up towards the camera, holding a flower and handing it to the person off screen. "Oh, for me? Thank you sweetie!" The little girl beams, and goes exploring, walking a few feet away. That's when the camera turns and shows up CANDIE, and it's obvious now that the little girl is the daughter of she and Zack Malibu. "Alison, all this, this is everything you ever wanted. You wanted Zack's love at one time. You wanted to be the woman by his side. You didn't want the wrestling business, but don't lie and say that you didn't want Zack. Don't say that he pushed you away. YOU ran away. You abandonded him, and honestly I should thank you for it, because it opened his heart up to me. He has been my rock, he has protected me, and he has made sure that our daughter have everything she needs in life." Candie walks along, with the camera following her, so that she can stay close to her little girl. "You were an afterthought, not just in the OAOAST, but in Zack's life. A name never mentioned, a face never remembered. Then you come back claiming to be a woman scorned, claiming that Zack ruined your life, when just the opposite was true. YOU brought HIM down. You abandoned him, because when he wouldn't abandon his dream, his LIFE, for YOU, you couldn't handle that. You became selfish and self-absorbed. There are many nights where I pray for Zack, where I can't accept what he puts himself through on a nightly basis for this company, but I would never stop him from doing this. I have watched him come home so sore that he can't even make it into bed. I've tended to his wounds. I have been threatened and made a pawn in the games of his enemies many times. I was threatened while cradling a newborn in my arms. It's YOU though, Alison, that's bringing me back to the ring. For one night only, I'll assume the role of an active OAOAST superstar, for one reason only. To get YOU out of my life, out of Zack's life, and back to being the footnote that you were! It's so funny that you namedrop me, verbally attack me and our daughter, simply to get a rise out of Zack. To get him to lose his cool so that it's easier for Moneymaker to get to him. It's funny that you do all that, not realizing that you're just a pawn yourself. You claim to be a strong, independed woman now, but you didn't come back on your own. You were BROUGHT back, bought to come out of hiding as a gigantic middle finger to the man I love. Now, the middle finger is pointing right back at you, Alison. You're going away, PERMANENTLY, at Anglepalooza." Candie walks away from the camera, scooping her baby girl up in her arms and swinging her around, drawing a cute laugh out of the youngster, as the scene fades to black.

I see your point in that Taz could have been used to finally, officially transition the standard bearer of ECW as well as the title to RVD, cementing him as the franchise of the brand. However, knowing Heyman's mind, he likely felt RVD was over enough (and there's truth to that, since RVD was already the most popular guy in the company) and he could create a new main event talent or two by having Taz beaten in that three way. So I can see what he was trying to do, and I can also see your point that it could have put RVD in a better position than he wound up in (ie: having his promised World Title run ruined by Awesome's jump and the broken ankle).

Survive Or Surrender Match: Zack Malibu vs. Theodore Moneymaker Grudge Match: Candie vs. Alison

That Wrestlepalooza episode of ECW (and it was before it got on TNN, so I don't mean to throw the thread off track) was, IMO, one of the best booked TV shows. It was also far better than the heavily praised Pit Bulls/Raven and Richards double dog collar match with the Dreamer pinning Raven/Fonzie getting chokeslammed melee. I believe in the book Hardcore History, that particular 1997 episode was noted as Heyman's favorite one ever.

Taz was doing jobs at that point because they knew he was on the way out. To be fair, I always thought the idea of him being the first eliminated in the Awesome/Tanaka/Taz three way, in an effort to get the other two over as champions/credible threats was a good booking move. It was a way for the fans to get into the new blood and not be too focused on Taz leaving. I do think that the Dudleys leaving hurt more than Taz though, as they were two of the top heels in the business at that time. Heels like Don Callis' Network bit reeked of "evil authority figure" and Steve Corino hadn't built his rep yet, so no one was taking him seriously.

This is too weird, as before I even got online this morning, I had mentioned to someone that I was surprised a guy like Sgt. Slaughter hadn't been cut yet (since we usually hear of road agents like Anderson, Malenko, etc. and not really of the Sarge anymore). Then I come here and read this.

I finally got back on XBox Live, and it's still not out yet? Ugh.

I was wondering about this when I saw they were moving House to Mondays. A shame as it's an excellent show, but you can tell they're starting to run out of steam as far as stretching the story out.

I wouldn't say that the company wellness policy is front and center at this point. Is Holly good friends with some of the power players backstage or something? Like Undertaker or JBL? I've never heard that before. For what was Finlay being punished? The word was that when Finlay pitched the idea to return to the ring (after having been a road agent), Johnny Ace was against it, thinking him too old (or just wanting to keep him in a backstage role). Finlay apparently mentioned his idea to Vince, who loved it. Ace, feeling that Finlay went over his head, saddled him with Hornswoggle, figuring such a gimmick would hurt any credibility Finlay could gain.

You know, everyone is subject to their own opinions, but to say that ECW and Smackdown are lacking in good wrestlers is positively baffling. ECW has one of the best veteran workers there is in Finlay, a guy who is working hard matches in his 50's now. Not to mention that he took a punishment and turned it into something hugely marketable, that being Hornswoggle. Matt Hardy has always been one of the most consistent guys on the roster, match quality wise. Jack Swagger is still young and needs to develop, but has done quite well for himself at this stage, and certainly better than a lot of the other talents they try to rush up from development (Thorn would be an appropriate name to drop in this case). Miz/Morrison are technically ECW talents, and are one of the most over acts in the company. Morrison is a great worker for his age and tenure, and Miz has drastically improved. Not to mention that as personalities, they're near the top of the food chain. Smackdown has the MVP of recent years in Edge. Jeff Hardy is a great babyface, and while not a great technical worker, still a great worker given the settings he's placed in. Shelton Benjmain is one of the best athletes in the company, MVP improved to a very good worker thanks to feuds with Benoit and Matt Hardy (but is being wasted in the losing streak gimmick)...I mean, seriously. To not like the worker is one thing, but to say there are no good wrestlers is another. A vast majority of us hate Triple H, but that doesn't mean the guy isn't capable of putting on excellent matches.

There will be something from me for the show, and if I may, can I get opening segment, seeing as how it's my hometown and all?

Zack/Moneymaker has been finished, but no spot was left for it .

It's done! Screw the entrances, Patty, just add it in!

Zack/Moneymaker WILL be finished today. Obviously between Patty not feeling well and my impending nuptuals, the NYS didn't go up as planned, but believe me, it'll be well worth the read once it's completed.

Not only did Patty get sick last week, but I got engaged~!, so henceforth my writing took a backseat. I'll have Moneymaker vs. Malibu finished tonight or tomorrow.

The GameCrazy closest to me didn't have this, so I may have to settle for getting it used. I had intended on picking up this and The Darkness, but both were gone. I've played worse wrestling games (the old WCW and ECW games, for one thing) so I'm guessing this could be a bit more fun, especially with Ultimate X involved.

That's right folks, ol' Zack is set to tie the knot in 2010, as I proposed to my girlfriend last night. Patty, I know a message is coming! If you guys wish to chat about it at all, we've been talking about it at The Pit, as I wouldn't want it discussed openly on the board here for the obvious reasons. Or, obviously we could discuss it in this thread! http://thepit.ronbarker.ca/index.php That's the new link to the new Pit.

Moneymaker/Zack promo also now edited in!

I had thought of adding IRS (but with the Rotunda/o name and minus the taxman gimmick), but to me, Martel has the Tully vibe, as I mentioned. Valentine, while not necessarily an imposing intimidator such as a Luger, Windham, or a Sid, could have had an earlier version of the Crippler gimmick. A grizzled veteran who was willing to hurt anyone and just did not care about the consequences. Besides Valentine, I had considered Big Boss Man for the enforcer role (in a gimmick similar to Big Bubba Rogers, somewhat like his 2002 return gimmick), as well as a repackaged Hercules since Power and Glory were pretty much done by this point. Those were the only big bodyguard types I could see fitting in, as I don't think the cartoonish powerhouses like Warlord would have fit. You could also replace Martel with Hennig, but I wanted to go off real life and not have Hennig be ready to return to the ring during the formation of this group.

Been a while, so here's something to get our minds working on another Saturday afternoon. In 1991, with Flair's arrival to the WWF, he was paired with Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and later Mr. Perfect as a heel unit, though not what you'd consider a stable or a group. The Heenan Family was a thing of the past, and with Perfect having to stay out of the ring due to his injuries, it was simply like Flair having two managers/advisors to help him do his dirty work-a far cry from being surrounded and protected by the Horsemen in the NWA/WCW. However, what if McMahon tried to copy the formula that worked so well for his rivals, just with the WWF machine behind it? Obviously not taking the name due to trademarks and copyrights, but what if McMahon created his own version of the Horsemen to showcase Flair and other talents, using Flair's jump to give guys the rub, or elevate people up the card via association? Would it be an elite supergroup packed with main event talents, or would they surround Flair with midcard lackeys to keep the focus on him? Would they turn any popular stars heel for this? Would Heenan and/or Perfect still be involved? How would you create/book a WWF version of The Four Horsemen? For me, my likely scenario would be Flair's arrival, and immediately getting into it with Hogan/Piper as he had done. From there, on an episode of Superstars, Flair would be scheduled to face Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, at the time a babyface, but before the match started, Flair would get on the mic and run down Piper, causing him to get up from the booth and confront Flair in the ring. Flair would egg Piper on, slapping him in the face, but just as Piper was about to go after him, Valentine would attack from behind, and he and Flair would put the boots to Piper, working him over. Flair and Valentine would then hug and leave together, with Bobby Heenan proudly proclaiming that they put one over on Roddy. On Primetime, Flair and Valentine would do an interview about how Valentine was "not the nice guy everyone thought he was" and how he was Flair's friend from way back, not a friend to the fans or especially to Roddy Piper. They'll hint at the history he and Piper had, saying what happened to him was a "long time coming", and Flair would state that while he might have come in as an outsider, he had more friends than you'd think. Valentine would make reference to the "incentives" he was due for helping Flair, and Flair will tell him that they'll come when the time is right. A few weeks of back and forth goes on, with Piper promising retaliation and Flair and Valentine mocking him. Finally, again on an episode of Superstars, Piper is ready to return to the ring to face Valentine, who comes to ringside with Flair. Piper and Valentine face off and have a very good match, and when Flair tries to interfere, Piper knocks him off the apron. He goes to suplex Valentine back in, but as he does, Rick Martel comes out and they do the Warrior/Rude WM5 finish, with Martel helping Valentine beat Piper. Martel now officially joins the outfit, toning down the "Model" gimmick a bit while still keeping it, acting more like a Gino Hernandez/Tully Blanchard type. He'll claim that he deserves better than the hand he's been dealt...he'd been held back by the wrong partners before, but finally he's proud to have forged an alliance with superstars on equal ground as himself. So now the Flair/Valentine/Martel trio have Piper to deal with, as the next week Martel/Valentine will wrestle a tag squash that sees Piper rush the ring swinging a chair, scaring them off. All the while, the announces will speculate why this guy Flair, who thinks he's bigger than the WWF, is able to get help from WWF superstars. Again on Primetime, they'll confront the group, and Bobby Heenan will be asked about how can he afford such demanding talent. Heenan will then reveal how shrewd a businessman he is, because Ric Flair is not the only one that wants to bring down Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan. Out walks Ted DiBiase, who has been the money man the whole time. DiBiase will talk about how Flair is a kindred spirit, and how all Valentine needed was a little "green motivation" to get away from the fans, and how this unit was a sound investment, as they can take over the WWF and run it as they see fit, thanks to the talent, brainpower, and money involved. From that point, Hogan/Piper will have to forge an alliance to take on the foursome, getting occasional help from people like Tito Santana (thanks to his past with Valentine and Martel), Sgt. Slaughter, and Bret Hart. Finally, after the feud with Jake runs its course, Savage will join the trio, with the heels mocking the fact that you have three guys who can't get along on a good day thinking they'll be a cohesive enough unit to bring them down. There would be much more to it, such as the Sid Justice involvement, the Undertaker face turn, and Mr. Perfect's return that could all be tied into the storyline (and it'd be an immense amount to write for sure), but as far as stables go, I think a Flair/DiBiase/Valentine/Martel unit in the early 90's could have been a great heel faction, especially playing off the babyfaces of the time period. The one thing I'm stuck on is a name though, as I've no idea what I'd call them.