Rock N Wrestle Vs. World of Wrestling

[Red Pirate Rogers]

I have been wanting to see a comparison between Pop Culture themed cards and traditional Wrestler inspired ones. So I began this (now OVERLY long journey following two different promotions, and measuring their performance relative to one another based on cash earned). While I don't have the capacity to recap each show or even each month or so, I will track year-on-year performance to see which promotion is earning the most.

[Red Pirate Rogers]

1980

RnR

Rock n Rasslin' prides itself on big characters, big drama, and big story telling, but even they aren't fully prepared for the arrival of the biggest heel they've ever seen: Dark Invader.

Clad in a menacing black mask, cape and standing at an imposing 6'8", the Invader makes good on his name marching to the ring during the very first show to claim that his Universal title is truly the greatest title in the Wrestling World not Major Malice's piddly TV Title. He announces he will defend it against all comers while building an empire of the raddest dudes and the baddest babes.  His Empire is established as the Masks of Doom, with Emperor Gargoyle behind the throne, Skullgore, Great Ginzu and Command and Conquer standing by his side.

At Rock 'n' Rumble, a champion emerges to challenge Lord Invader: Ace Arcadium, the cool dude with quarters to burn has some friends in High Score, and while they even the odds, Gargoyle remains ready to interfere to ensure that the Dark one remains Universal champion. But the fans rally to Ace Arcadium's defense and RnR officials agree to a final rematch inside a steel cage at the big show: Rasslin' Rampage. Without his minions by his side, and despite efforts by Gargoyle to give Invader tools to take the title, Ace is triumphant, forcing Dark Invader back to the shadows.

That's where the lean, shadowy figure of Skullgore is lurking, feeding advice to rule less with domination and more with craftiness and sinister supports. Sure enough, Skullgore leads the charge for the Masks of Doom to build up their title haul, becoming the Daredevil (Cruiserweight) champion, and supporting Command and Conquer to stake their claim as Dynamic Duo (tagteam) contenders by attacking and berating the Nerd Alert, and American Heroes. When Great Ginzu balks at doing the same to Major Malice, Skullgore attacks the original member of the Masks of Doom and replaces him with the strong and silent Annihalator.

Dark Invader benefits from the chaos in his wake, while Ninja Star tries to assert his own claim to the Universal title, the Invader is always lurking, refusing to give Ace or the Ninja space to have a fair match of their own. By the time of Summer Smash, the Dark Invader cannot be ignored, and he and Ace have another rematch, this one with a dog collar...which suits the hulking Invader and gives him a title back.

The Masks of Doom feel supremely confident, with only the DD belts out of reach in the hands of Howl and Roar (who form Mighty Pride with Mynx, Aurora and He-Beast). So much so that, on Skullgore's advice, Dark Invader refuses to give Ace Arcadium a shot. After much pleading and a big 3 v 3 win for High Score, Ace gets a path to the number one contender match again--provided he go through the other four members of the Masks of Doom. Still, Ace does it, beating Command and Conquer in September, Annihalator in October and Skullgore in November, while Dark Invader crushes Ninja Star's dreams repeatedly. Given the right to choose the final stipulation of the year, Dark Invader chooses a falls count anywhere match, and is greatly helped by attacks by the rest of the Masks on a tour through the backstage. When Invader is able to pin a battered and bruised Ace Arcadium, the joystick jockey is banned from title contention for one year.

Total Cash: 104,800


WoW
In the venerated and old school World of Wrestling, Enormous Pierre is standing tall(er) as World Champion, but there's a surge of new talents to threaten his long reign including Memphis Prince, Valedictorian, Lazer, and Buzzsaw.

The Prince  outmaneuvers the giant to win the title in January, but Pierre wins it back at Heart Break Hotel event in February. Valedictorian's win in the March Madness tournament gives him a claim to the title soon, while Lazer cheers on everybody's favorite Average Guy in the long running feud with Jet Set Strutter.

At the Clash of Champs SuperCard, heroes emerge victorious up and down the card, with Lyndie Harker rising to the top of the Women's division, Top Connection taking a fairy tale run to the title against the Executers, Hito Kizuto ending Pelvis Pressley's long reign as Cruiserweight champion, and Dicky Thunderbird, Battle Royale champion, breaks Mr. Tycoon's monopoly on the Intercontinental title. But in the main event, a submission match that plays to the Prince's strengths, fans are stunned that the newcomer would fall into the trap of an Enormous Bear Hug allowing Pierre to retain his title while the limp body of the Prince collapses on the mat.

Throughout the summer, a variety of rivalries build up. The Wheelin' Dealers take the Tag Belts from cinderella story Top Connection, but immediately face a threat from the Van Winkles (who are best by the Ramblin Men). On the singles side, the Valedictorian is holding his own against Pierre while Lazer feuds with Jet Set Strutter. The two long-running rivalries build a great dynamic coming into Slammin' Summer, and it is there where Lazer finally gets a pinfall over Jet Set Strutter, and the Strutter takes out his frustration on Pierre, pulling the Giant's legs out from under him and allowing Valedictorian to execute the flying Elbow and claim the title. Fans like seeing the young talent be served, but they really appreciate seeing Pierre chase Jet Set Strutter down the aisle.

Pierre continues to hunt down the Strutter, but he can't seem to catch the weasely attacker. Knowing he'll need reinforcements, JSS calls in some friends including Otto Thompson, El Presidente, and Mr. Tycoon all of whom help keep him protected. The Wheelin' Dealers are also interested in joining up with the Strutter, but memories of Papa Fritz Van Winkle are too much for the stylin, profilin, man about town, and the Dealers end up making do with Big Boss Jr. and Pelvis Pressley...but they can't keep the titles against the pride of Texas and they scowl at JSS.

The strutter has much bigger fish to fry with Pierre lurking around every turn, and his old rival Average Guy challenging Valedictorian for the title. While the Valedictorian claims he doesn't need the Strutter's help, it certainly doesn't hurt as he holds the belt through the end of the year, but when he faces off with Dicky Thunderbird, who has also refused to lose his title, there's a sense that more could be out there, and there's the certainty that soon the Strutter will have no where to run to escape the Enormous shadow.


Cash 152,600 


1980 winner: World of Wrestling

[Red Pirate Rogers]

1981



RnR

At their highest moment, the Masks of Doom feel unstoppable with Dark Invader rid of his primary challenger; Skullgore undisputed among the daredevil ranks; Command & Conquer refuse to give in; and Annihalator continues his assault on TV Champ Major Malice.

But former member Great Ginzu reveals a new force at Rock n Rumble 81: Slashmaster, who wins the Battle Royal in his first outing and goes on to plague Dark Invader the rest of the spring.



Grabbing the title in a V-Day 3 way Slash defends successfully twice, including in a dog chain match at Wrestle Rampage 2. And neither Annihalator nor C&C get close to taking their belts back. The strain of running the group starts to get to Skullgore who loses his belt to Starboy at WR2. and the dominant faction suddenly seems very vulnerable indeed.

Now that he's lost the title, Dark Invader is confronted by Ace Arcadium. Ace dominates the Invader because his rival isn’t totally focused. Skullgore’s rising clout seems to turn Invader against Annihalator at odds, and the continued defeats to Command & Conquer have irritated the Dark Lord again as well. While Ace wins their rematch at Summer Smash, Invader comes to the ring during Command and Conquer's match against Supernova and interferes...by betraying Iron Mask! Supernova takes the surprise win and embrace the Dark Invader to join the Masks of Doom! 

Meanwhile, the new Universal Champion: Slashmaster is determined to smash his way through all the pretty faces, but he doesn’t count on the fighting spirit of Drool. An unbeaten run sets Drool up to be top contender by Beach Bash where he wins a stunner of a main event. Slashmaster pursued him, encouraging everyone to attack the new Champ. Which is met with surprising resistance by Dr B. Even though Dr B loses contender bouts throughout this time, he comes to respect Drool and dislike the violence for violence’s sake. Slash wins title back at Ladies Night and batters Drool in a No Holds Barred decider at Summer Smash, but Dr B intervenes by pulling Drool out of harms way before additional damage is done. The newly reasonable and heroic Dr. B cements challenges Slashmaster, but is turned away by the slasher and his new ally in a shop of horrors: Kieth Blood. 

The Mighty Pride continue to run the Dual and Babes divisions, while Mystic Mann makes a dramatic arrival, hypnotizing officials and foes before grabbing the daredevil crown from Star Boy and starting to ply his hypnotism against others in the back, including a dejected and distant Ninja Shadow. Major Malice finally drops his TV title, which Arizona carries into the fall before Hammerhead claims it in a cage match 

Total Cash: 119,700





WoW



Valedictorian remains the mastermind of The World of Wrestling. Hotshot Buzzsaw demands a title opportunity but loses to Valedictorian at the Battle Royale, and sees Memphis winner survive as the last man standing to become the number 1 contender. Valedictorian outsmarts them both to hold on to the title at February's Heartbreak Hotel Pay 4 View, and leave them bickering with each other until Buzzsaw injures the prince. 

More than happy to let his rivals take one another out, Valedictorian laughs as he beats Average Guy at the ChampClash SuperCard 2 and toys with the everyman's hero all through the summer. Until Memphis Prince returns, beating Studmuffin (holding a six match hot streak) only to be mocked again by Buzzsaw who still hasn't forgiven the Prince, claiming that beating Studmuffin hardly merits a celebration. But the Prince beats Buzzsaw clean and stands against Valedictorian in a draw in October, and ending his reign in November. The cage rematch at Snow Brawl 81 ends with the Prince still triumphant, World title in hand and Valedictorian wondering where he ought to go next.

Jet Set Strutter's continued efforts to dodge Pierre come with pressure on El Presidente and Otto Thompson to keep him protected. Pierre plows them down but Strutter trusts in a three man advantage to beat Pierre at ChampClash and turns his frustration on BuzzSaw and his entitlement, but grows ever more frustrated as BuzzSaw beats him. While the Strutter is trying to insert himself in the title scene, he can't account for Presidente and Otto being unable to break through Dicky Thunderbird's title defense. Dicky invites the Strutter to try, and Strutter uses some brass knuckles to beat the Champ in a nontitle match. But when he tries it again he's either disqualified or beaten fairly by the Intercontinental champion. At his wits end, the Strutter distracts the referee so that Otto Thompson can sneak attack Dicky and give El Presidente the win. 

The Tag division is a viper's nest. with the Van Winkles working through a host of challengers only to have their old rivals the Ramblin Men steal the title in May and defend it in the rematch before interfering to stop the Van Winkles from winning a second Tag Team Invitational giving the tournament win to the Wheelin' Dealers, who take offense and insist that they can win on their own. With two teams they loathe closing in the Ramblers enlist the Islanders and the Siberians to get in everyone's way. The Dealers persevere and regain the titles, but the entire division is awash with new threats: the Power Pair (who outlasted Buzzsaw and friend Lazer before they rebrand as Blade Blasters, and Chief Buffalo uniting with Huge N. Hairy to torment Pierre Enormous and offer an extra large challenge of their own. (Special mention: 5 match series between Chameleon Kid and Pirannha never drops below a 3 star match) 

Cash 178,500





1981 winner: World of Wrestling
New rule going forward: I don't use any legendary merch money for WoW (as RnR has none, but I'm also going to modify the arenas for P4Vs...keeping limited in the same way RnR arenas were)

[Red Pirate Rogers]

1982


RnR



Slashmaster's brutal reign is surprisingly confronted by two unexpected challengers. Major Malice, fresh from his run atop the TV title scene wants a chance, but the dramatic return of RoboElectro 2000 in the Battle Royale sees a battle of monster versus man versus machine. The three duel at Valentine’s Day Massacre with Major Malice stealing a win by locking in a cobra clutch on Slashmaster as he crawls over to pin Roboelectro, but Slashmaster takes the title back at Shamrock Skirmish through some brutal foreign object attacks and Major and Robo agree to a gentleman’s challenge for the top contender spot.

RoboElectro emerges victorious from the Number 1 Contender’s match but again looks out toughed by Slashmaster at Champion’s Clash. Slashmaster beats and bludgeons Robo but can’t get him to stay down until RoboElectro 2000 surprises the slayer with a RoboDriver to win the title.



To this point, much of the villainous conversation surrounded the creation of the new heel-faction "The Knife Clan" led by Mystic Maan and a brainwashed Ninja Shadow, and the brutal Beheomoths. This is the moment that Dark Invader returns to the scene with his Masks of Doom. Cosmic Terror's botched attempt to dethrone Howl and Roar leads to demasking Moon Trooper and leaving him adrift as a Moon Man without a mission. But Skullgore reunites with Cobalt Commander to wage total warfare on the Mighty Pride while Invader harasses and humbles RoboElectro 2000. The Masterminds support Auntie Voodoo battling Aurora, then batter and bruise He-Beast, but their cruelest action is to capture Mynx after Auntie Voodoo throws her out of the ring during the Ladies' Night Battle Royal. Shocked and appalled Mighty Leo demands another match and agrees to a steel cage stipulation at Summer Smash.

Dark Invader reclaims his title after assaulting Roboelectro, but that's only a prelude to the main event tag match where Mynx is revealed in the scaffolds above the cage. Leo hits Cobalt Commander with a Thunderstrike, then climbs, not to escape, but to rescue Mynx. He gets her back, but Michael T Wolf can't get the cover before Skullgore hits him with a top of the cage CrossBone CrossBody to end Howl and Roar's reign at two years.

Entering the fall with three of the six big belts. The Masks start to target getting the Daredevil title for Dark Star Boy (against Arizona Chance who broke through Mystic Maan's brainwashing), the TV title for Annihilator (against Dungeon Crawler, whose charmed run succeeded Hammerhead but only earned him a brief title reign) and the Babe's crown for Auntie Voodoo. At Halloween Hellraiser, domination seems within their grasp, but just as they seem ready to celebrate being the undisputed rulers of RnR, Major Malice traps Dark Invader in the Full Metal Jacket, and rests the title away from him.

Survival of the Fittest is even more of a challenge for the Masks, who still have to deal with the fury of the Mighty Pride, not to mention the other various champions and former members they've alienated. Ultimately, some dissension in the ranks raises more questions about Dark Invader than anyone else, and when he loses again to Major Malice in December the tumultuous run of this dominant faction hits another sizable bump.


Total Cash: 135,300


WoW


1982 kicks off with Jet Set Strutter welcomes in the new arrival of Strongarm Thompson to give the Gold Club a Crew of Tag Team threats to the title. At the same time Beef Buffalo surprises many by walking out with the Tennis Court and Tag Champion Wheelin' Dealers to claim that he deserves to be in the title conversation after running roughshod over all comers until now.

But Memphis Prince isn't about to cower in front of these challengers: When Enormous Pierre wins a three-way match for #1 contendership status before Battle Royale a return to the first true feud of the decade seems on offer. But an injury opens the door for a shocking win in the Battle Royale for O'Hooligan, and an obvious opportunity for Jet Set Strutter to capitalize on the chaos. The Prince beats O'Hooligan at Heartbreak Hotel, beats Pierre in front of an enthralled Sunday Night Slam crowd, and then tops the Strutter at March Madness. The challengers have a final 3 way battle for the title shot at Clash of Champs, and when the Strutter wins it, he makes sure to arrange for an advantage with the Thompson Crew overwhelming the referee to set up the Strutter to take the title.

Jet Set Strutter is delighted to finally have the title in hand, but he's facing more than a few threats as the Prince feels cheated, Beef Buffalo thinks that his March Madness title has earned him a spot at the top while Pierre and O'Hooligan want another turn. But, after beating JSS and foiling his plans repeatedly, then winning the last two matches of a three match set against Valedictorian, Dicky Thunderbird earns him the first chance when he takes the Champion to the limit while the other four begin a series of skirmishes to find who else will be ready and waiting.

After JSS dismisses Dicky as a mid-card hack, the calm, cool, and collected former champ laughs, pointing out that El Presidente couldn't keep the Intercontinental title (dropping it to Damon Van Winkle), and the Thompson's couldn't become top contenders (falling to the new champion Blade Blasters) when their boss was otherwise occupied. The truth lands close to home, and even closer when Dicky refuses to lose when the rest of the Gold Club interferes in their first match, taking the champion to a time limit No Contest. 

As the battle builds over the summer, there's more opportunities for young upstarts to show their mettle. The Dobermans win the Tag Team Invitiational against the Executors and refuse to make life easy for either the Blasters or the Thompsons. Damon's pluck and grit runs into grittiest of them all: Buck Bronco (designated by Beef Buffalo to challenge for the Intercontinental belt) leading to a hard-as-nails feud that Buck takes (while the Wheelin Dealers spiral out of contention). And Average Guy shows how durable he can be by foiling Mr. Tycoon and Yuppie VPs attempts to buy off fan and referee support. And while Pelvis Pressley remains a reliable champion for the Cruiserweights, preparing to beat Hito and Devin Van Winkle, he is trapped by upstarts like Ricardo Marceau and Mike Bugg.

But the numbers game continues to play in the favor of the bad guys, after the Blade Blasters appear totally dominant and impervious to the teams who had been running the Tag Division (Ramblers, Van Winkles, and Wheelin Dealers), the Thompsons use the Dobermans success to their advantage, targeting a weak knee for Lazer who ultimately submits to a leg lock ending the Blasters reign at Summer Smash. (Buzzsaw's apoplectic rage and attack on Lazer suggests that their success won't have a sequel.) And after being put to the test again and again by Dicky, JSS ends the feud the same night by out lasting the Thunderbird in a steel cage. But things don't go as well for Queen of Mean whose run at the top is spoiled by Lyndie Harker.

After the Prince tamed Beef Buffalo, and Enormous Pierre battled O'Hooligan to a stalemate in battle, but won the war to wake up Mr. Masculine to the Irishman's double-dealing, The Strutter claims he's beyond challengers...which is when Average Guy stakes his claim. He wins a Number 1 Contender match against the Prince (which makes the man from Memphis seethe), and follows Dicky's playbook to threaten JSS' reign: refuse to give up and be ready for any interference.

But the once powerful groups are showing some strain. The Thompsons have their hands full with the Dobermans who shock the title holders in October and defend it the rest of the year. The Queen struggles to keep up with Lyndie and seems to have the Gorgon and the Almighty Dollar constantly on her back. At the same time, Beef Buffalo takes out his frustrations on Damon Van Winkle, just as the Dealers harass the Van Winkle boys. This doesn't sit right with old Texan Buck Bronco, and when no one comes to his aid against Exotic Rick (where he loses the Intercontinental title) he declines to participate in other Tennis Court attacks. A brutal beatdown from Beef and the Dealers looks like it will lead to a no-contest against the Van Winkles at Survival of the Fittest, but Reptile Ranger, the Prince and shockingly...Buck Himself! Come out to win one for the Lone Star crew.

But the biggest drama comes at the end of the year at Snow Brawl in a sixty-minute Iron Man match for the World's title. After trading falls and submissions for the first fifty minutes, Average Guy gets the third and winning fall to end the Strutter's reign and win his first title!

Cash 168,000





1982 winner: World of Wrestling

(HOWEVER! RnR scores one hit by surpassing WoW's four month total for May-August (by $300 but still...it's the upstart company's first win)

[Red Pirate Rogers]

1982

RnR

Dark Invader responds to the set back by redoubling efforts to see his allies rule the entirety of Rock N Rasslin', and while he does take the belt back from Major Malice in February, he's even more invested in helping the new Masterminds, Death Star Boy and Annihilator. While Auntie Voodoo's run ends with whimper, the others dig in to some dynamite feuds particularly against one of the smartest students of the game: Arizona Chance. The ace adventurer is unimpressed by the new school aggression of Annihalator in his attacks on Hairy steps up to win the TV belt on the first show of 83. But Annihalator has some new moves Arizona hasn’t seen, and after three Total Terminations, takes it back at Rock and Rumble in January. Ever a student of the game, Arizona retreats, refocuses and builds a plan to best the manical machine. With Professor Gigawatt in his corner he wins the title back in March, and systematically withstands challenges from Annihalators allies (Ginzu and the delusional, former Mask of Doom member Moon Man), before dispatching Annihalator for good at Wrestle Rampage on the same night that Death Star, Dark Invader, and the new Masterminds lose their titles (to Mystic Maan, Major Malice, and the Beheomoths).

While the collapse of their empire sets the Masks of Doom reeling, it's nowhere more apparent than between the New Masterminds as Cobalt Commander returns to being the Copper Commander alongside Iron Mask, and Skullgore returns attack for attack. Repeatedly, they hurl insults and throw fists and insist that each of them deserves the chance to defeat Arizona Chance. Arizona handles Skullgore in June and Commander in July. Each man distracting the other long enough for Arizona to take the advantage and win the title. Skullgore wins a fierce match at Ladies night to claim the number one contender spot. But a rematch draw between the former allies on Sunday Night Slam justifies the decision to make it a three way bout at Summer Smash. There in front of the Lunar Bowl crowd, Arizona seems to have the match won as he hits Skullgore with a Last Crusade, but an unseen attack from Iron Mask stops Arizona and lets Copper take the title. 

While the former tag champions square off, the hot new team, Toxic Terror soars into action and takes the belts from the Behemoths. But their success lands them right in the cross hairs of Dark Invader, who decides to stand next to Dark Star Boy and pursue the Dual Champions and after Moon Trooper scores a series of unlikely wins and a make good destruction of the pesky Nerd Alert, the three members of Cosmic Terror take the titles for the fourth handoff in one year. Another beleaguered champion: Major Malice has to drop the belt after a knee injury in June, letting Dr. B, then Ninja Shadow take turns, before the fortunate soldier begins his third run as champion in October (one year after his first win). And things are even worse for Ace Arcadium who is repeatedly targeted by Slashmaster before snapping, attacking the ghoul backstage and beign disqualified from their final match to the boos of fans.

But the greatest drama stays in the TV Title division. In a shock, Arizona grabs the TV title right back from Copper Commander the next night. Skullgore jumps right in on a long reign of terror, teasing and tormenting the champ through the end of the year. The two battle to a pair of draws in November and December, mixed with a couple of three man affairs (with both Masks of Destruction and old Arizona rivals the Pain Dealers only too happy to jump the adventurer--as well as Roboelectro and his pal/new Daredevil champ: Red Pirate Rogers). By December, a beaten and bedraggled Arizona has an opportunity to do the same thing that Ace Arcadium did and preemptively attack in a steel cage match when Roboelectro offers to electrify the cage. Though he's tempted, Arizona waves Electro off and turns around into a Cross Bone Body Block that crashes into the cage, and gives Skullgore the 1, 2, 3 and the title.

Cash: 150,800

WoW

The year in World of Wrestling is marked by 1 omnipresent feud and 1 long running strain of discontent among some of the federation's top talents.

While Average Guy is the new champion and beloved by most of the boys in the locker room, the biggest stars keep wondering what they have to do in order to be seen in the same spotlight with the humble hard working Guy.  Debutante Flawless One soars through the ranks to become Intercontinental champion, and while he battles Mad Arab to hold on to the belt, there's a clear sense that he's destined for bigger things. Young Lazer's win in the Battle Royale is overwhelmed by the insistence of Memphis Prince and the cruelty of his old teammate BuzzSaw. BuzzSaw's victory over Lazer in the March Madness tournament turns into a brutal beating and even when Memphis Prince wins the tournament, BuzzSaw feels he's won the war...until Lazer outlasts his old friend at Champ Clash and earns another shot at the title. Having beaten his rival for the hearts of WoW, Average Guy sets about teaching Lazer a little more about the business as the fans cheer like mad for all the strong sportsmanship between them, even more so as BuzzSaw is forced to come back to his senses at the hands of Enormous Pierre. Though the two man mountains draw at Slammin' Summer, there's a mutual respect that has formed and an awareness that Buzz ought to come good.

Sure enough, a defeated Lazer is willing to give his all to matches against Jet Set Strutter, and BuzzSaw stands beside him: back once again in the patriotic red, white, and blue. Meanwhile, Average Guy does drop the title to Enormous Pierre in October, only to win it back at SnowBrawl...but Pierre does not handle the defeat well, and there's a sense that maybe the part of him that grew to appreciate Buzz's violence, has learned it too well and seems tempted to put what he saw in BuzzSaw's viciousness back into action himself. After all, if Mike Bugg can win the Cruiserweight crown (before dropping it to the Pirhana) and Kit Pistol can rule the women's division for two months, maybe there's room for more than just one classic champion.

At the same time there's no escaping the Tennis Court's continued loathing of one Buck Bronco, whose team up with the Van Winkle family has made him enemy number one on Beef Buffalo's list. Sending out Huge n Hairy to destroy him, the missing link finds that Buck is tough enough to withstand all manner of punishment, just egging Beef on to dominate and decimate the eager but overmatched Damon Van Winkle, and sending the Wheelin Dealers to lie, sneak, and steal against Devin and Terry. Neither tag team can match up with the hotshot Dobermans who overcome the cheaters of Wall Street to win the title at Champ Clash and then set off a run of stellar feuds against the top four teams from the Tag Team Invitational: The Siberians, the Island Warriors, the Executers, and finally the Fantastique French Berets. When they join up with Dicky Thunderbird, Thumper Moore and Lyndie Harker to form the Party Animals faction, their status as fan favorites is secured.

But while the Wheelin Dealers feel like they got short shrift in the race for the titles, the Van Winkles are focused on the feud not the feverish response of the crowd. It all builds to a revolutionary six man steel-cage match between the Van Winkles, and Beef who had just attacked Buck Bronco. In the end Beef is the last man standing and buries the Van Winkles with a big belly splash on their driftwood pile of bodies to get the pin, the win, and turn his attention towards the title scene...even if Buck still isn't interested in letting him fof the hook.


Cash: 169,200

Winner: WoW (It does look like RnR has found a niche in the summer season)