At the start of the 1990's, the WWF(WWE) had been dominating the mainstream wrestling market with huge live events like MainEvent, Royal Rumble, Summer Slam, Survivor Series and WrestleMania. The WWF(WWE) SuperStars from the 80's, like Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior and Brett Hart had become household names. In 1993, Hulk Hogan decided to leave the WWF(WWE). After a brief stint in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Hogan officially decided to retire from wrestling and to focus on his Hollywood career as an actor. As the biggest name in wrestling at the time, this was a huge disappointment to the WWF(WWE) audience.
In 1994, Hulk Hogan announced that he would be returning to wrestling. The shocking twist was the fact that Hogan would be calling WCW his new home. The fans knew that this was their chance to see Hogan lock-up with several of their favorite wrestlers, for the very first time. Hogan's return was a stepping stone as the wrestling industry would continue to heat up a one year later as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), launched a new prime time tv program called, WCW Monday Night Nitro. Nitro was in direct opposition to WWF(WWE)'s well established, Monday Night Raw. The month's that followed saw many wrestling jumping ship back and forth between WCW and the WWF. This time from is now referred to as the Monday Night Wars. Due to this fierce competition, we only feel it's fair to focus on 20 of the top superstars/Wrestlers in the 90's from the WWF(WWE) and WCW
We’ve slimmed down the MOFW rules accordingly and finished researching the PPVs of wrestling’s past.
Part 2: The 90’s
20 - The Ultimate Warrior – 445 Points
The 90’s started out strong for the Warrior. April 1st, 1990 saw a match of EPIC proportions as The Ultimate Warrior would put his IC championship on the line for an opportunity to capture the WWF Championship, for the first and only time, from Hulk Hogan. This match took place at WrestleMania VI. Warrior held the title for roughly 8 months until he dropped the belt to Sgt. Slaughter at 1991’s Royal Rumble. He’d go on to have several feuds with The Macho KING, The Undertaker and Jake the Snake Roberts until he was fired from the WWF in 1991. Warrior made his return to the WWF in 1992, at WrestleMania VIII. By the end of `92, the Warrior would go into a 4 year long, semi-retirement. Warrior made a short lived return to the WWF on Monday Night Raw, in 1996. 1998 saw the Warrior make his final mainstream wrestling return, at WCW, where he opposed Hollywood Hogan’s nWo with his oWn (One Warrior Nation). After 3 PPV appearances, the Warrior disappeared from the wrestling industry yet again. He announced his official retirement in 1999.
19 – GOLDBERG – 575 Points
September 22, 1997 saw the WCW debut of “DA MAN,” GOLDBERG. Goldberg was quickly developed and pushed as an unstoppable force. Early 1998 saw Goldberg on an, “Undefeated Streak.” He received his first title shot against Raven, for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (early 1998). Goldberg defeated Raven on Nitro for his 75th straight victory and his first professional wrestling championship. Several months later in July (1998), Goldberg would defeat Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. It is important to note that both of Goldberg’s major title captures occurred at NON-PPV events. As a result, he would not score any points. Goldberg did have several successful US Championship defenses on PPV’s before vacating the title as a result of capturing the WCW World Heavyweight Title. He would defend his title for several months. Just when it looked as if no one could stop him, he suffered his first defeat at the hands of Kevin Nash at 1998’s Starrcade. Though Goldberg had several feuds through the end of the `90’s, he never held another major singles title. All though his time in wrestling was short, his impact was definitely felt.
18 – The Giant / Big Show – 790 Points
Paul Wight made his professional wrestling debut in 1995. Calling himself The Giant, he claimed to be the son of the late, Andre the Giant. Shortly after his debut, The Giant would capture the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at 1995’s Halloween Havoc by defeating Hulk Hogan via DQ (special stipulation). He would later be stripped of the title due to a controversial victory at Halloween Havoc. Roughly six months later, The Giant would recapture the WCW World Heavyweight Title by defeating Ric Flair on WCW Nitro (NON PPV Victory NO POINTS). He would hold the title for 3 months until he was defeated by Hollywood Hogan. This was The Giant’s last singles title at WCW. He would go on to be a 3 time WCW World Tag Team Champion. Two of these championship capturing victories were at PPV’s. Paul Wight left WCW in February of 1999. He reappeared on WWF television as Mr. McMahon’s bodyguard, THE BIG SHOW. Teaming with The Undertaker as the Unholy Alliance, they would capture the World Tag Team Championships twice in 1999, one being at the PPV SummerSlam. The Big Show would finally capture his first WWF Championship on November, 14, 1999, at the Survivor Series PPV.
17 – Rocky Maivia / The Rock – 855 Points
Johnson made his WWF debut as Rocky Maivia, at 1996’s Survivor Series (winning as the Sole Survivor). Rocky Mavia was WWF’s first 3rd Generation Superstar. He received a large push as soon as he debuted. He captured the Intercontinental Championship on February 13th, 1997, at a Monday Night Raw event (NON PPV No POINTS). Rocky would drop the belt 2 months later the Owen Hart. Johnson would change his name and persona from the fan hated, baby face, Rocky Mavia, to the arrogant and bad-mouth, The Rock. The Rock would be awarded the IC Championship on December 8, 1997 at a Raw show. He would hold the IC Championship for just over 9 months before losing to Triple H on August, 30, 1998 at the SummerSlam PPV. The Rock quickly transitioned to main event status by capturing the WWF Championship on November 15, 1998 at the Survivor Series PPV. All of the Rock’s WWF Championship reigns were short lived as he lost the title twice to Mankind (Mick Foley) in early 1999. By the end of 1999, The Rock had held the WWF Championship 3 times, his last reign in the 90’s ending at the hands of Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV. Although the Rock and Sock Connection held the WWE Tag Team Championship twice by the end of the 1999, the victories were on Monday Night Raw events (NON PPV).
16 – Hunter Hearst Helmsley / Triple H – 875 Points
Paul Michael Lévesque, better known as Triple H, started out at World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1994, as Terra Ryzing. A name change in mid-1994 to Jean-Paul Lévesque, accompanied by a, “French” gimmick did not advance his career with WCW. Paul left WCW in January of 1995, after being denied a push in singles competition. He debut in the WWF in April of 1995 as the, “Connecticut Blueblood" Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Hunter’s career hit a short stalling point until 1996, when he began to feud with Marc Mero (formerly Johnny B. Badd of WCW). On October 12, 1996, Hunter defeated Mero for the IC Championship (Raw Event - NON PVP). Hunter held the IC Championship for almost four months until he dropped the belt to Rocky Mavia. Hunter feuded with Goldust and finally defeated him at WrestleMania XIII. His career picked up steam in 1997 when he won the King of the Ring tournament. Later that year (1997), Shawn Michaels, Hunter, Chyna and Rick Rude formed D-Generation X (DX). Hunter went through yet another name change, to Triple H. DX had a long running feud with the Hart Foundation. Once the feud ended, Triple H feuded with Owen Hart over the European Title; which Triple H held twice totaling 5 months from December 2007 to July 2008. During Hunter’s feud with Owen, Shawn Michaels, the leader of DX, had suffered a legitimate back injury that forced him into an early retirement. As a result, Triple H assumed the role as leader of DX. On August 30, 1998, Triple H regained the IC Championship for 2 months until he was forced to drop the belt due to an injury. Triple H captured his first WWF Championship on August 23, 1999, at a Raw event (NON PPV NO POINTS). He held the title for roughly 3 weeks. He regained the WWE Championship on September 26, 1999. He held the title this time for nearly 2 months.
To be continued...
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