The WWE gets tons of heat for the bad to nonexistent storytelling and lack of consistency and for good reason, but on this day in wrestling history WCW concluded arguably the worst storyline in the company’s history.
All it took was Sting, the franchise, defeating the Black Scorpion in a steel cage match to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Starrcade ’90: Collision Course with Dick the Bruiser as the special referee.
The biggest lackluster surprise came when the Black Scorpion was revealed to be Ric Flair.
Black Scorpion debuts
While it may not seem like the worst idea, the history behind it shows how big a mess it was, and is arguable comparable to much of what we see today.
The Black Scorpion debuted on August 25 on World Championship Wrestling in vignettes where he taunted the current NWA World Heavyweight Champion Sting.
He was billed as someone from Sting’s past that would haunt him until they faced each other at Starrcade for the title.
While this was originally Ole Anderson in a mask, he gave the impression that he was the Ultimate Warrior or The Angel of Death Dave Sheldon.
To help keep the Black Scorpion’s identity a secret, Ole’s voice was distorted and it added to the mystery.
Running with the idea
It made sense that it would be Ole since it was his idea, that was originally meant as a joke. Kinda like Tony Schiavone saying David Arquette should win the WCW title.
And just like Schiavone’s joke, Ole’s was taken seriously because the head of WCW at the time, Jim Herd, liked over the top theatrics. But despite Ole starting out in the role, the final choice to be Black Scorpion wasn’t decided on yet.
It was reported that Herd didn’t like anyone that Ole pitched to him to play the part, so Ole decided/was chosen to fill the role to close out the four month long storyline.
Unfortunately, Ole broke his arm and the injury ended his wrestling career, so Ric Flair volunteered to step in to be the Black Scorpion.
While this brought the storyline to a merciful close, the fact that the Black Scorpion had several impersonators and had the ability to turn people into animals and teleport left many feeling underwhelmed at its conclusion.
It was more like a weird dream than reality.
Had it been anyone but Flair, they could’ve explained how he had those abilities or learned to use them, so in the end it came across as weak and had a hand in hurting Sting’s first title run.
This day in wrestling history is one many would like to see disappear into the mists of time, but it does have its fans.
We all have our opinions and favorite moments that differ from others, and that love is what helps keep these moments alive.
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