Batou Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Didn't Shane think Kane electrocuting him in the groin was a good idea? Case closed. Meltzer has mentioned on a few occasions that Shane was all for it, yeah. Gotta wonder how that conversation went. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tromatagon Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 The ball shocking was great, you guys just have no sense of whimsy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuerrillaMonsoon Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 What if Vince handn't been the Higher Power? Who else would have fit in the story? Given that they dropped the angle as soon as they could, and seemed kinda embarrassed by it, Gorilla Monsoon. Everything comes full circle and everyone once again recognizes the WWF President as the highest position of authority in the land. There's no "Higher power" than that. Its then explained that Gorilla just wanted to get one over on Vince before he died, given that they let Vince Snr hand the company to Vince Jnr with the condition if he missed one repayment the company would revert back to Gorilla and (I think) Skaaland. They did it thinking he'd fuck up and the company would be theirs. external occipital protuberance games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Web Conn Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 What if Hogan and Bischoff didnt go to TNA? No Seriously Iw asnt watching Impact around that time but for those of you who were what direction was TNA going in before 1/4/10 and the reboot of sorts that happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooseCannon Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 What if Hogan and Bischoff didnt go to TNA? No Seriously Iw asnt watching Impact around that time but for those of you who were what direction was TNA going in before 1/4/10 and the reboot of sorts that happened. The few months before Hogan and Bischoff came in were well-regarded. It was Russo being forced to write straight-forward angles that didn't move around too many pieces. TNA would probably be more watchable if Russo had been left in place and Hogan/Bischoff never came in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Web Conn Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 I wonder what they wouldve done with Desmond Wolfe if Bischoff-Hogan never came in and if Flair wouldve came in? I'd imagine Flair wouldve been strapped for cash and came in anyway but I dont know if they wouldve done Nate Boy AJ Styles or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooseCannon Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I wonder what they wouldve done with Desmond Wolfe if Bischoff-Hogan never came in and if Flair wouldve came in? I'd imagine Flair wouldve been strapped for cash and came in anyway but I dont know if they wouldve done Nate Boy AJ Styles or not. Let him die in the ring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petey Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Hogan should have been the Higher Power. Hulkamania was proven to be the strongest force in the land as per the amount of times it beat Macho Madness and even beating Warrior in the rematch. Imagine evil Hulkamania? Using the power for no good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nature Boy Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 The biggest issue with the Higher Power was finding someone who could credibly have power over The Undertaker. Vince is probably one of the few who could put over that idea. if Jake had been sober, he could've worked. What if the WWF had brought in Raven to play the Higher Power? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Web Conn Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 The biggest issue with the Higher Power was finding someone who could credibly have power over The Undertaker. Vince is probably one of the few who could put over that idea. if Jake had been sober, he could've worked. What if the WWF had brought in Raven to play the Higher Power? The only way and I mean only way that wouldve worked is if they they Booked Raven super duper strong in that angle and have him do nothing but cut promos for 6 months (of course teasing physical altercations throughout) until him and Austin finally met one on one in the ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tromatagon Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 And he probably would have to not show his dong to Steve's old lady 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nature Boy Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 The biggest issue with the Higher Power was finding someone who could credibly have power over The Undertaker. Vince is probably one of the few who could put over that idea. if Jake had been sober, he could've worked. What if the WWF had brought in Raven to play the Higher Power? The only way and I mean only way that wouldve worked is if they they Booked Raven super duper strong in that angle and have him do nothing but cut promos for 6 months (of course teasing physical altercations throughout) until him and Austin finally met one on one in the ring. With Raven, you would ideally just have him cut promos and evade contact with ANYONE. Smart booking is that you have Raven as The Undertaker's puppet master and turn the Corporate Ministry into The Flock/Nest. I'm not sure how long Russo would let it drag out, but the eventual Austin/Raven match would be huge, as well as Taker's eventual face turn and beat down of Raven. Raven doesn't have to be booked to be physically strong, the Higher Power was supposed to be manipulative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Web Conn Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 The biggest issue with the Higher Power was finding someone who could credibly have power over The Undertaker. Vince is probably one of the few who could put over that idea. if Jake had been sober, he could've worked. What if the WWF had brought in Raven to play the Higher Power? The only way and I mean only way that wouldve worked is if they they Booked Raven super duper strong in that angle and have him do nothing but cut promos for 6 months (of course teasing physical altercations throughout) until him and Austin finally met one on one in the ring. With Raven, you would ideally just have him cut promos and evade contact with ANYONE. Smart booking is that you have Raven as The Undertaker's puppet master and turn the Corporate Ministry into The Flock/Nest. I'm not sure how long Russo would let it drag out, but the eventual Austin/Raven match would be huge, as well as Taker's eventual face turn and beat down of Raven. Raven doesn't have to be booked to be physically strong, the Higher Power was supposed to be manipulative. I agree with you, I shouldve elaborated Raven as the higher power coudlve of been money if he just cut promos and had his minions distracting Austin before the inevitable match-up. All the while bossing the Undetaker around demeaning him until Taker finally has enough and chokeslams Raven in the middle of the ring. Shit they couldve incorporated the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nature Boy Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 The biggest issue with the Higher Power was finding someone who could credibly have power over The Undertaker. Vince is probably one of the few who could put over that idea. if Jake had been sober, he could've worked. What if the WWF had brought in Raven to play the Higher Power? The only way and I mean only way that wouldve worked is if they they Booked Raven super duper strong in that angle and have him do nothing but cut promos for 6 months (of course teasing physical altercations throughout) until him and Austin finally met one on one in the ring. With Raven, you would ideally just have him cut promos and evade contact with ANYONE. Smart booking is that you have Raven as The Undertaker's puppet master and turn the Corporate Ministry into The Flock/Nest. I'm not sure how long Russo would let it drag out, but the eventual Austin/Raven match would be huge, as well as Taker's eventual face turn and beat down of Raven. Raven doesn't have to be booked to be physically strong, the Higher Power was supposed to be manipulative. I agree with you, I shouldve elaborated Raven as the higher power coudlve of been money if he just cut promos and had his minions distracting Austin before the inevitable match-up. All the while bossing the Undetaker around demeaning him until Taker finally has enough and chokeslams Raven in the middle of the ring. Shit they couldve incorporated the two. I think Austin's victory over Raven is the catalyst that leads to Taker's turn. Austin beating Raven exposes him as not being all-powerful and gives Taker reason to defect. Here's how I'd book it (keeping in mind Russo's booking): May 1999: Raven is revealed as the Higher Power KOTR 1999: Taker defeats Austin to retain the WWF Championship after Raven has the Corporate Ministry run in Fully Loaded 1999: Austin wins the championship in a cage match (HIAC?) of some sort, which neutralizes Raven's influence. A still-face Vince McMahon books Austin/Raven at SummerSlam. SummerSlam 1999: Austin defeats Raven to retain the WWF Championship. The next night, Taker attacks Raven but the Ministry sides with Raven. Big Show joins forces with Taker, but Taker's injury forces them to write off Taker so Raven has the Ministry "dispose" of Taker. Raven gets his heat back and probably fiddles around the IC Title scene since the WWF was gung-ho about pushing Triple H as the lead heel at this point. Later: Taker returns in May and resumes his feud with Raven. Raven is later revealed as the man who masterminded the running down of Stone Cold Steve Austin. --- Russo's tendency to hot shot would've led to Austin/Raven at SummerSlam, which would've led to Raven's heat being deflated and him having lackluster 1999 into mid-2000. A feud with Taker form Judgment Day - SummerSlam would've prepared him well for Austin's return and eventually getting some heat back. It would've fun to watch play out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kafkonia Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 What if Vince handn't been the Higher Power? Who else would have fit in the story? Linda. Vince then has to face the fact that, while he's an evil sumbitch, his wife was willing to sacrifice her daughter to the dark gods to get her way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fowler Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 What if Vince handn't been the Higher Power? Who else would have fit in the story? I was absolutely 100% convinced it was Ted Dibiase. Revenge on Austin for throwing the Savio strap match that got him kicked out of WWF, and the guy who first brought Taker in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Web Conn Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 DiBiase would be great too, if Jake had his shit together back in 99 he'd of been the perfect Higher Power Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.H. Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 The Higher Power should've been La Parka/LA Parka. Why? Because he's LA PARKA that's why! James 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Sorrow Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 At the time I was thinking that Kevin Sullivan was obvious. Cause he had previous experience as a Satanic cult leader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kafkonia Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 At the time I was thinking that Kevin Sullivan was obvious. Cause he had previous experience as a Satanic cult leader. King Curtis too. Austin vs. the Ministry of Doom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Sorrow Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 At the time I was thinking that Kevin Sullivan was obvious. Cause he had previous experience as a Satanic cult leader.King Curtis too. Austin vs. the Ministry of Doom.I was thinking of Florida 83 Sullivan . I am old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuerrillaMonsoon Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I still remember all the old newzboards being certain it was Mike Tyson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SorceressKnight Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 IIRC, the Higher Power was supposed to be Mankind (who would have fit very well), but someone (whether it's Foley himself not wanting to turn heel, the WWF not wanting to turn him heel after the fans believed in him as a hero, or his book company wanting a "good guy" to be the first WWF autobiography) nixed that heel turn. If it did happen- things would have been FAR more intriguing: Considering the stories of the end of Punk's run (where he apparently was disheartened he'd never overtake Cena and was demanding that he turn heel so at least he could be THE heel in WWE), upon reflection, Foley's career could have been far better if it went that way (the final full-time year of Foley's career has him being a red-hot heel and truly equal to Austin and Rock when all the eyes are on WWF, instead of a step or two behind them, plus giving Foley that one relatively long World Title reign he never had)... ...and Triple H's career would have ended up far worse (if Foley's the Higher Power, then it stands to reason that 1999 is all about Mick Foley as the biggest heel in WWF, to the end of his career at Wrestlemania 2000. Combine that with Triple H being a Corporation member who was feuding with the broken up DX at the time- and whether the Corporate Ministry forms or doesn't form without Vince McMahon in charge, it's still a far lower spot than HHH had at the same point. Combine it with the time exactly coinciding, and as a result, Mankind's last big heel run basically eliminates that 1999-2000 time period where Triple H went to a higher level and became the premiere heel in the WWF...which, for Triple H fans, also happened to be the time when Triple H was a bonafide main event-caliber star talent, but was NOT involved with Stephanie McMahon, which means that if it occurred, it's safe to say every single World Title reign Triple H would get would have come after he started dating Stephanie- making him indefensible as a portrait of nepotism instead of a deserving champion.) End result: Mick Foley ends up every bit the legend as The Rock and Steve Austin were, and Triple H is an absolute laughingstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Nature Boy Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I think the insistence that HHH be a top heel would've cut the legs from under whoever the Higher Power would've been. Remember that the WWF was gung-ho on pushing Triple H in 1999 and they probably weren't going to abandon that push. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petey Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 While the whole storyline you guys laid out with Raven as the Higher Power sounds great on paper, I think the reveal itself would have been a letdown for a lot of people. Sure, he was a (the?) top heel in ECW, but I'm not sure how much of the 1999 WWF fanbase even knew that. Also, Raven was sorta floundering in WCW's midcard around that time which was probably where most people would recognize him and thus, I'm not sure a lot of the fanbase would have bought Raven as someone powerful enough to give orders to Undertaker. I think the only way that would have worked was if they did what Russo and Ferrara did when they first got to WCW and have them giving orders while never being seen on TV. If the WWF did a few months of Raven giving orders to the Ministry, it might have been more believable that he was the Higher Power since he could have gotten over on his promo ability. Everyone would have known it was Raven and the hype for the reveal wouldn't have been as strong as the build for the real Higher Power, but it could have worked better long term. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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