WCW: The Early Years 1989-1993 Pt. II Quiz

Answer: Eddie Gilbert

In the spring of 1988 Steamboat left the WWF after a successful three and half year run. In January 1989 he went to WCW where he was the surprise tag team partner for the late Eddie Gilbert against WCW Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair and U.S. Champion Barry Windham. The legendary Steamboat/Flair rivalry was instantly reignited on this evening.

Answer: "Rockit" by Def Leppard

When former NFL star Brian Pillman arrived in WCW his first entrance theme was "Rockit" by Def Leppard. Pillman was given a big singles push and by the fall was feuding with Lex Luger for the U.S. Heavyweight Title.

Answer: Norman the Lunatic

Norman the Lunatic aka the late Mike Shaw was Teddy Long's very first managerial prospect in May 1989. Norman's gimmick was that of a mental patient who was basically good-hearted and meek. Long would constantly force Norman to do his bidding by taunting him with a key; a reminder that Long could have him recommitted. Thank goodness "The Skyscrapers" of Sid Vicious and Dan Spivey came along right after this as this was a bad gimmick for both men.

Answer: Terry Funk

Funk entered the ring and immediately offered his congrats to Flair and then attacked him viciously. The violent beating ended with Funk piledriving Flair on a ringside table. This attack not only made Flair an instant face, not only gave Funk instant heat but also immediately left Steamboat out in the cold. Steamboat felt this was management's subtle way of letting him know his main event run was over.

Answer: "Wildfire" Tommy Rich

When Gibson went down due to an injury former NWA Heavyweight Champion "Wildfire" Tommy Rich became Morton's steady partner. The duo had their first big match at "Halloween Havoc '90" where they defeated The Midnight Express in one of Lane and Eaton's last high profile matches.

Answer: Tom Zenk

Known as "The Z Man" during his WCW stint of 1989 thru 1993, Tom Zenk defeated the veteran Arn Anderson for The WCW Television Title on December 4, 1990. Zenk's reign would last only a little over a month as Anderson regained the belt on January 7, 1991. Zenk remained a favorite of the fans for a few years but never really got the one big break, he retired from wrestling in the mid 1990s. Today Zenk remains very outspoken in his dislike for the industry, especially his short tenure in The WWF in the late 1980s.

Answer: The Young Pistols

Playing on the popularity of "The Young Guns" movies with Emilio Estevez and Lou Diamond Phillips, Armstrong and Smothers were dubbed "The Young Pistols". Referred to as simply Tracey and Steve the duo made a heel turn in the fall of 1991 and briefly held The U.S. Tag Team Titles.

Answer: Big Josh

Veteran Matt Borne who was a talented competitor but never really had a big break came to WCW in January 1991 as Big Josh. The character was lukewarm with fans and lasted for about a year. In 1993, Borne went to The WWF where he had his greatest success, portraying the infamous "Doink the Clown". Although reviled at the time Doink has become something a cult favorite in recent years.

Answer: The One Man Gang

After spending two years as the cartoonish and buffoonish "African Dream" Akeem, wrestler George Gray left The WWF in late 1990. He resurfaced in WCW in the spring of 1991 as a member of Kevin Sullivan's new "Army of Darkness". Together the duo managed to raise the ire of El Gigante by attacking him on television and shaving some of his hair off.

Answer: Billy Jack Haynes

Billy, Billy, Billy. Billy Jack Haynes had all the talent in the world and even though he lacked microphone skills he competed in an era when you could still get by without them or with the proper manager in place. Unfortunately Haynes screwed over just about every promoter in the biz including Jim Crockett, Vince McMahon, Eddie Graham, Bill Watts and Fritz Von Erich.

In fact the only promoter he was loyal to and the only promotion where he seemed at ease was his home state of Portland wrestling for Don Owen's PWF.

In 1991 he portrayed the hooded heel of "BlackBlood The Executioner" for about three months.

Answer: Bill Kazmaier

Bill Kazmaier who won "The World's Most Strongest Man" in 1980, 1981 and 1982 was Rick Steiner's substitute partner in the late summer and fall of 1991. The duo made it to the final match for the vacant WCW Tag Team Titles where they lost to Larry Zbyszko and Arn Anderson. Kazmaier singles highlight was a submission win at "Halloween Havoc '91" over OZ aka Kevin Nash!

Answer: Raven

Before he was the eccentric Raven, Scott Levy got his start in WCW where he won The Lightweight Title from Brian Pillman in June 1992. His run did not last long as he dropped the title the following month to the late Brad Armstrong. In 1993 and 1994 he had some modest success in The WWF where portrayed manager Johnny Polo who managed The Quebeccers during their run as WWF Tag Team Champions.

In January 1995 he arrived in ECW as Raven and the rest is history.

Answer: Hercules Hernandez

After spending six and half years as a WWF mainstay Hercules Hernandez donned a mask and went to WCW as "The Super Invader". He was managed by Harley Race and left for the independent circuit in the fall. Sadly Hernandez died in his sleep of a heart attack in March 2004 at age 48.

Answer: Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Roberts who had fallen on bad terms with Vince McMahon threatened to walk out of the arena at "Wrestlemania VIII" if not given his release. He got it and then laughed all the way to the bank when he signed a lucrative multi-year deal with WCW. McMahon probably had the last laugh as Bill Watts, a man with whom Jake had legitimate heat with, was hired in July 1992 and immediately altered the contract. Roberts made a fraction of the money and lasted only several months.

Answer: Kool Kevin

One thing that cannot be said about Kevin Nash is that the man did not pay his dues because he did. He made his WCW debut in mid 1990 as one half of "The Master Blasters" tag team, the next year he was repackaged as the forgettable Oz. Finally in early 1992 he had some mild success with the character of Vinnie Vegas who was a cheap suit wearing, mafia wannabe. Vegas had some success teaming with Diamond Dallas Page before leaving in May 1993.

In June 1993 he showed up on "Raw" as Diesel the hulking bodyguard of Shawn Michaels and it was uphill from there.