Opinion

Wrestling is a Metaphor 4 LIFE – Diamond Dallas Page vs. the New World Order

Published

7 years ago

August 4, 2018

The year is 1996, a lot has changed in wrestling since the Hulkamania/Million Dollar Man rivalry, a decade earlier: A shift in power has occurred as the WWE’s competition, World Championship Wrestling, (formerly Jim Crocket Promotions, a member of the National Wrestling Alliance) has taken over as the top wrestling organisation in the United States. Many names associated with the WWE have jumped ship to WCW, following the lucrative guaranteed contracts offered to them by Eric Bischoff, the WCW President. Under Bischoff’s management, WCW took the aggressive and confrontational approach to transform WCW’s image from the geographical confines of a southern promotion into an international organisation. Such tactics involved moving WCW TV tapings for Pro and Worldwide from loyal JCP-NWA venues to Disney-MGM Studios, which changed the face of the WCW crowd.

In changing the face of the crowd, this move made WCW more commercially viable, opening up different markets and thus allowing WCW to pursue a lot of the top names from the WWE. The sound of WCW’s announcing also changed; with Jim Ross joining the WWF in 1993, the departure of longtime announcer Bob Caudle and an ageing Gordon Solie being relegated to back up announcer. These three men spoke life into many important events throughout the company’s rich history. By implementing these changes, WCW had abandoned an identity and a strong fan base that supported JCP-NWA since the 1930s. The arrival of WWE performers began as Eric Bischoff took over the company in 1993 with Gene Okerlund, the Big Boss Man, Bobby Heenan, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Macho Man Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. The acquisition of Hulk Hogan and friends helped turn WCW into a bigger threat to the competition in the marketplace as they were no longer perceived as ‘southern wrasslin’. More changes were on the way when two significant arrivals appeared from the WWE; Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. They emerged as the Outsiders and would later acknowledge themselves as the New World Order faction with the shocking reveal of Hulk Hogan as their third member and leader.

This game-changing event reflected a change in times as a rebellious trend swept over popular culture and embraced the anti-hero: Hardcore Hip-Hop and Tupac Shakur were celebrated in the mainstream, the NBA couldn’t get enough of flamboyant, bad boy Dennis Rodmen, and the highest rated US television drama, Melrose Place had more antagonists than protagonists. In pro wrestling, the nWo was depicted as the popular anti-heroes, and with wrestling being crucially dependant on good and evil, there needed to be a protagonist to help resolve the imbalance in WCW. A group of heroes and villains had banded together against the nWo, but were mostly unsuccessful as they had yet to figure out how to combat the unfamiliar threat. To everyone’s surprise, the least likely of heroes to join the battle was Diamond Dallas Page; initially a villain, DDP was not affiliated with either the nWo or the group that opposed them. This article, ‘Wrestling is a Metaphor 4 Life’ unpacks the rivalry between Diamond Dallas Page and the New World Order.

Bash at the Beach 1996 – the formation of the New World Order

It seemed that all hope was lost after wrestling’s greatest hero, Hulk Hogan became a villain. The fans condemned Hogan and turned their support to his former friends Macho Man Randy Savage and Sting as they represented WCW to oppose the New World Order. While fans that welcomed the nWo, followed Hogan to the ends of the earth, an overwhelming number of fans (most of whom were not WCW or wrestling fans before the nWo’s debut) jumped on the nWo bandwagon, as it was cool to be bad at that time. Funnily enough, the nWo’s membership grew as both heroes and villains joined the group for the same reason.

nwo2

DDP executes the Diamond Cutter

In the midst of all the chaos; Diamond Dallas Page was doing his own thing, away from the spotlight of the WCW/nWo war; DDP was in rivalry with Eddie Guerrero for the United States Title. Prior to his rivalry with Guerrero, DDP had gradually worked his way back to serious competition after suffering a series of losses in the previous year.

To ensure that his matches ended in his favour, DDP found a new signature move which he called the Diamond Cutter; this move was innovative to DDP’s career; he had developed a strategy where he could execute the Diamond Cutter from different angles and this would secure him his wins, allowing DDP to gradually pick up a consistent winning streak. DDP’s success eventually made him a person of interest to the nWo members Scott Hall and Kevin Nash; to express their interest, Hall and Nash helped DDP win some matches that were crucial to him challenging for the vacant US Title against Eddie Guerrero at Starrcade 1996. However, feeling that DDP did not appreciate their help when it came to the title match at Starrcade, Hall and Nash attacked DDP, this resulted in DDP not winning the US championship. The nWo reached out again to DDP, in January 1997, thinking that he had learned his lesson and that he would reconsider out of intimidation; Hall and Nash invited DDP to an initiation where he would put on a nWo shirt to cement his place with the group. The ceremony ended abruptly for Hall and Nash when DDP misled the duo, dropping Scott Hall with the Diamond Cutter and going into the crowd to celebrate with the fans; this episode made DDP into a popular hero.

DDP1

Uncensored 1997 – Randy Savage and Elizabeth ambush DDP and Kimberly

The WCW fans gained a hero whose motive was to fight for the fans; not necessarily for WCW. DDP had yet to connect with the rest of the WCW wrestlers; this left him vulnerable to battle the nWo on his own. At first, he was clever to employ tactics where he would strike at a timely manner and drop nWo members with his Diamond Cutter, but the nWo’s growth in members would ultimately get the best of him. Although DDP was aware of his choice to reject the nWo and of the consequences that would follow, he remained strong; even when the nWo did finally get their hands on him, and when they sent the Macho Man Randy Savage and Elizabeth on the attack and dragged in DDP’s wife, Kimberly into the feud; DDP continued to fight.

The DDP/Randy Savage rivalry was a premier feud; voted as PWI’s Feud of the Year in 1997, it did a lot of the legwork in promoting the WCW vs. the nWo story when the Hogan/Sting feud could only progress in segments since Sting was not wrestling until his match with Hogan at Starrcade ’97 in December. Diamond Dallas Page and Macho Man Randy Savage wrestled each other in three high profiled matches which were spread out onto three pay-per-views that year. Two of these PPVs featured DDP and Savage in the main event, each winning one of the two, with the third being won by Savage.

Spring Stampede – DDP defeats Savage in a No Disqualification Match

Great American Bash – Savage defeats DDP in a Falls Count Anywhere match

Halloween Havoc – Savage defeats DDP in a Las Vegas Sudden Death match

I would have preferred if DDP had won two of the three matches to declare him once and for all as the victor of this war, nonetheless, Savage’s victories were not the focus of the rivalry: Pro wrestling may be about competition, though in this case; the actual focus was about principles and holding onto them tightly, especially when the mood of society changes and everything around you is turning to custard. Diamond Dallas Page embodied a figure that made an important decision not to follow what many defined as cool. Despite the allure that attracted many to the nWo, the pressure that came with the intimidation of gang mentality, and the attacks that followed (some included being beaten next to his wife); DDP; the original ‘People’s Champion’, continued to do what was right and took a stand against adversity.

@Ite_Lemalu
Ite Lemalu Writings

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1