WCW goes into unheralded Bash at the Beach
Four years ago this month, the wrestling world changed forever. At Bash at the Beach 1996, Hulk Hogan made the dramatic heel turn that
showed that there was no rules in wrestling, and that convention had been thrown out the window. Just a month earlier, WCW made a huge
impact by turning pro wrestling personality, Steve McMichael, heel in a match against the Horsemen. Celebrity matches had been done
before, but never had anyone made a heel turn, or participated in detailed storyline.
Now, WCW goes limping into the Bash with a main event featuring a now face Hulk Hogan, going against Champ Jeff Jarrett. WCW is no
longer the number one wrestling company, and isn't showing signs of a huge take off, like it did in 1996. Hulk Hogan, who is on the very end
of his current contract, has been so displeased with WCWs idea of jobbing him, that he hasn't showed up to WCW shows all week to
promote the PPV. There is also a chance he might no show tonight, leaving Booker T to take on Jarrett in the main event.
Hogan's problems in WCW have been due to tension between himself and bookers Vince Russo and Terry Taylor. Taylor and Russo realize
that WCW needs to push younger talent to compete with a new and fresh WWF, that manages to replenish its upper-card by adding new
faces, and depending on big names to go with the program. There is no such teamwork in WCW. Many feel that tonight's card is WCW's last
chance to show its heading in a different direction, or falling back under the pressure of backstage egos.
-BJ Bethel
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