Greatest Storyline of All Time

[Xero]

What, in your opinion, was the greatest storyline ever pulled off? The one storyline where you go "wow, that was the best thing to ever happen in wrestling", whether it be the culmination or the whole of it.

[Corndad]

Andre turning Heel setting up Hogan/Andre at WM 3. Ripping Hogan's shirt in Piper's Pit, Heenan's involvement.

Gotta be right up there.

[JT]

I've only watched since 1998, but I would say Austin vs. McMahon. It was a feud that went on for a little less than 2 years and remained hot. I felt it was built very well and involves most of my favorite wrestling moments.

[Loose Cannon]

nWo easy

[Juan]

i think it's a toss up between the nwo and the Austin/McMahon feud.

[SammyG]

New new new new world order

[Rammsteinmad]

Austin/McMahon.

Not my personal fave, but probably the greatest.

[Jordan]

Austin and McMahon

[loopydate]

The nWo from Hall's first Nitro appearance right up until Hogan's first match with Sting. The Hollywood Hogan character was the breath of fresh air that Hogan's career needed. And the nWo was the storyline that WCW needed.

Every week there was always the "Omigod, who's joining next?" Especially at first, when WWF stars were coming out of the woodwork. Hall, Nash, Rude, DiBiase, Syxx... It gave TV time and actual characters to perennial midcarders (are you listening, WWE?) like Marcus Bagwell and Scott Norton.

Plus, it made megastars out of some of the people who opposed them. Would Diamond Dallas Page have become the icon that he was if it weren't for the night he "joined" the nWo, then proceeded to nail the Diamond Cutter before escaping through the crowd? I just watched that video in the YouTube thread again and I still get goosebumps.

I stopped it at the Sting match, because that - to me - was when things started to go downhill. For over a year, WCW revolved around this mystery man. Is he with Hogan? Is he against him? Then, when he finally revealed himself to be on WCW's side, he became a rallying point for the babyface promotion.

However, once the two started actually wrestling, things went downhill. WCW had blown their load, and now that we were seeing Sting back in the ring, there wasn't much farther they could take him. And, as a result, there wasn't much farther the nWo could go. From there, the group splintered and overstayed its welcome, finally becoming one of the many factors that killed WCW.

But I don't think there's ever been anything better than the first part of the nWo storyline.

[Dorkchop]

There have been so many storylines that I've loved, but Austin vs Vince was by far the best for me.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

Moppy 2 Hotty.

[The One]

Austin/McMahon.

[Jeritron]

Austin/McMahon. I mean how many storylines can you book around two characters and have a whole show and promotion dedicated to for over a year and it not get the least bit stale. Stayed interesting and kept developing at all times. Ended at the right time as well.

nWo comes in second but it progressively got more overdone and stale, and hung around far too long and had way too many variations.

[Loose Cannon]

Austin/McMahon was certainly not booked ariund 2 characters

[Outsider]

The invasion.

......well, the first week of it at least.

[El Fangel]

Austin vs McMahon.

[Jeritron]

Austin/McMahon was certainly not booked ariund 2 characters


I suppose you don't understand the difference of "around" and "including". There were dozens of characters involved in their storyline like Rock, Kane, Taker, the stooges, DX, Foley, Bossman, Shane, etc.

But hmm, I wonder what the fued of AUSTIN AND MCMAHON was booked around, maybe it was booked around the interaction of AUSTIN AND MCMAHON. They were the key players, everything else was changing scenery and supporting characters. They were what it was all about and the mainstays, clearly.

[Loose Cannon]

I don't recall Austin being that much involved in the DX vs Corporation deal. That went on for a while without Austin/McMahon being the focus. I do agree Austin/McMahon was a focal story at one point, but I do not agree it was this big epic saga with supporting characters.

They were on and off a lot and it did get stale by 2001-2002

[Skippord]

Sting vs Hogan

until the match

[Jeritron]

I don't recall Austin being that much involved in the DX vs Corporation deal. That went on for a while without Austin/McMahon being the focus. I do agree Austin/McMahon was a focal story at one point, but I do not agree it was this big epic saga with supporting characters.

They were on and off a lot and it did get stale by 2001-2002


I'm not sure I know exactly what you're talking about. Austin/McMahon went from April 1998-July 99 pretty much. After that it was completely over except for a few run ins over the next few years. The 2001 union was a different era of their storyline I suppose. But I was referring mroe to Austin/McMahon from 98-99

During that entire time, the entire show did center around it, and even though there were subplots, they were primarily tied into the Vince/Austin storyline. Not to mention the Corporations whole reason was to combat Austin. The fued clearly centered around Austin/McMahon, if it didn't it would be the Austin/McMahon storyline. And if you watched during that time, which I know you did, I don't know how you could argue that the entire storyline and most of the show in that time frame was completely centered around them and their fued.

I also say that Taker, Kane, Foley, Rock and all of the corporation members WERE supporting characters to that storyline. Think about it. They were handpicked wrestlers to take on Austin and end his reign. Plus the Corporation and The Rock were supposed to be the cleancut corporate image Vince wanted instead of Austin.

Kane was kidnapped into the corporation, and before that Vince had a business deal with Bearer.
Then you had the corporate ministry thing with Taker, which was ultimately all one of Vinces masterplans to destroy Austin and it was all about them. Thus making that and the Taker supporting elements.
After The Rock's fued with Austin was over and he wasn't part of the Vince/Austin story, he wasn't doing much. Same with Foley.
Big Show was brought in to be an insuance policy and destroy Austin, and serve as a guest referee and protect The Rock and keep the title off of Stone Cold.
DX was in a fued with The Corporation because Shawn Michaels was brought in, who was supposed to be a power figure to speell doom for Austin but then sided with him.
Stone Cold's interference and fued with Rock is what caused Mick to win the title.
Shane was brought in to defend Austin, but then betrayed him.
Stephanie was a pawn for the Higher Power scheme.
Linda came in to make Austin CEO to advance his fued with Vince.
The list really continues...

[Savio]

I've only watched since 1998, but I would say Austin vs. McMahon. It was a feud that went on for a little less than 2 years and remained hot. I felt it was built very well and involves most of my favorite wrestling moments.

[Jeritron]

and the show certainly centers around Austin/Vince when their Royal Rumble match, and the cage match for the title shot at wrestlemania main event the PPVs and the title matches didn't.

[Jordan]

Austin/McMahon is still going on to this day, it will never end.

[PapaGeorgio]

nWo. It was basically the invasion angle we all wanted back then. It was played off as WWF boys going to WCW to teach em a lesson. I agree with pretty much everything loopy said above, after Sting vs. Hogan it went downhill. It still amazes me Vince could ruin the invasion angle like that, it could have been the biggest money maker ever. Bigger then Austin or nWo.

[Loose Cannon]

Austin/McMahon started in 97 dickhead. You might remember the 9/22/07 Raw? Do you even know what the hell you are talking about? And I was talking about after the 2001 union when they feuded again. Yes, I'll give you the Corporation formed to combat Austin at first, but then they moved on to DX, along with Vince. Vince was very focal in that feud.

I'm mostly arguing your "how many storylines can you book around two characters" comment which I call bullshit. DX vs Corporation was not booked around Austin/McMahon.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

It's not the best of all time, but the ECW Double Tables tag team match between Raven/Stevie vs the Pitbulls deserves a mention, simply because it tied together about 3 seperate storylines at once. It is kind of a mess but everything meshes in so well, it might be Paul E's finest hour.

[The One]

The InVasion was doomed for the simple reason it was rushed. They never got Hogan, Nash, Hall, Bischoff, Coldberg, Steiner, etc. Had they waited until their WCW contracts ran out and brought in the big boys, it would have worked...instead we got Booker T...and because he simply wasn't over with the WWE fan base, Austin continued his weird ass heel turn...terrible constructed...

[Jeritron]

Austin/McMahon started in 97 dickhead. You might remember the 9/22/07 Raw? Do you even know what the hell you are talking about? And I was talking about after the 2001 union when they feuded again. Yes, I'll give you the Corporation formed to combat Austin at first, but then they moved on to DX, along with Vince. Vince was very focal in that feud.

I'm mostly arguing your "how many storylines can you book around two characters" comment which I call bullshit. DX vs Corporation was not booked around Austin/McMahon.

Yea I didn't know what I was talking about....please. I know Austin stunned McMahon in madison square garden. I know it was because Vince wouldn't let him compete due to his injury. I know. I watched it.
But I said that essentially their FUED started in April of 98. Their weekly full on fued. Not just the seeds for it to make Austin seem like a renegade months earlier. I know exactly what I was talking about.
And the corporation didn't MOVE ON to DX. It was a subplot yes. It was its own fued. But it was just Bossman and Shamrock versus the Outlaws.
And the corportation didn't change intentions. They were still lackeys for Vinces vendetta with Austin. That's why Big Show was brought in and such. And thats why no coporation members were allowed at ringside for Austin/Rock at Wrestlemania. If they had moved on to a new fued why would they be there? Because they hadn't.

The fueds with DX were to keep them busy, but ultimately when it came down to it they were there to get Austin. That's what it'd come down to every night.
It was one of my favorite periods in wrestling. It takes nothing away from the DX fued either, I loved that. But it was secondary and more of a place holder for the midcard heels and midcard faces.

[Savio]

Invasion could have been Rock/Austin/Angle vs DDP/Booker T/RVD

If they insisted on putting it in the time period that they did.

[Loose Cannon]

HHH feuded with Kane
Chyna joined Vince
HBK turned on X-pac
HHH/Rock
X-pac/Shane.

Come on.

[Jeritron]

Invasion could have been Rock/Austin/Angle vs DDP/Booker T/RVD

If they insisted on putting it in the time period that they did.

The invasion clearly should have been Austin, Rock, Taker, Angle and the WWE led by Vince versus Goldberg, Nash, Booker T, DDP and the WCW led by Bischoff.

Hall and Hogan should have been saved for the nWo later down the road.

It's a shame Benoit and HHH were hurt. But I would have liked to see Jericho be a character who's the most sought after recruit. Like the key player. Eventually siding with WWF. But this would occur AFTER one of WWFs biggest names jumped. I'd say since WWF had Austin and Jericho, pull a big Rock heel turn. Then Jericho answers his turn by joining WWF. Making him seem like a big hero. It was important to keep him and Angle steadily pushed during this time.

I'd also have had Big Show jump to WCW right away.

I'd bring in ECW with Heyman a few months into the invasion storyline, but as a third party. Led by Tazz and RVD and putting them in serious fueds.

Personally, I think maybe, just an idea, the nWo should have been brought in towards when the end would be as a 4th entity in the war itself. Recruiting members from each and causing serious problems in the already messy situation. Adding fuel to the fire so to speak.

Then, in the twilight of the angle the decent sized nWo officially forms an alliance with Bischoff and the WCW. "Now that everybody knows who everybodys working for"
In that time, it seems they're unstoppable and the WWF and ECW (who are primarily face but have friction too) and their bickering is all the edge they need. They say they are too large and powerful to be stopped by bingohall slobs and WWFs "edgy" hacks.

They dominate for a while, and finally Heyman and Vince and their armies team up as the good guys going against Bischoff and the evil WCW empire. Pretty apropo. Then the 4 entities are simply 2, and the war comes to a huge conclusion, with WWF winning and ensuring ECW wrestlers contracts within the company as part of the deal.

Just an idea I threw together just now.

[Jeritron]

HHH feuded with Kane
Chyna joined Vince
HBK turned on X-pac
HHH/Rock
X-pac/Shane.

Come on.

I know, and it was great. But don't say that the show and the corporation weren't mainly aimed at Austin. When it came down to it, that was filler. Brilliant, awesome filler. But suddenly those fueds would all go to the wind and those wrestlers would be out attacking Austin and kissing Vinces ass.

I agree with you about DX and The Corporation though. I loved those times. I just took offense to you implying I didn't know about when Vince and Austin started. Since I tend to look at their fued as having been hinted through late 97 and early 98, but not really taking off until the night after WM14.

[Savio]

If it helps in your guys arguements here are WWE PPVs:

http://steveswrestling.com/info/wweppv2.html

[Jeritron]

I know what happened. I don't think we were arguing what happened, I think we were just debating the nature of what was the center of things and such.

[Savio]

The invasion clearly should have been Austin, Rock, Taker, Angle and the WWE led by Vince versus Goldberg, Nash, Booker T, DDP and the WCW led by Bischoff.

Hall and Hogan should have been saved for the nWo later down the road.

It's a shame Benoit and HHH were hurt. But I would have liked to see Jericho be a character who's the most sought after recruit. Like the key player. Eventually siding with WWF. But this would occur AFTER one of WWFs biggest names jumped. I'd say since WWF had Austin and Jericho, pull a big Rock heel turn. Then Jericho answers his turn by joining WWF. Making him seem like a big hero. It was important to keep him and Angle steadily pushed during this time.

I'd also have had Big Show jump to WCW right away.

I'd bring in ECW with Heyman a few months into the invasion storyline, but as a third party. Led by Tazz and RVD and putting them in serious fueds.

Personally, I think maybe, just an idea, the nWo should have been brought in towards when the end would be as a 4th entity in the war itself. Recruiting members from each and causing serious problems in the already messy situation. Adding fuel to the fire so to speak.

Then, in the twilight of the angle the decent sized nWo officially forms an alliance with Bischoff and the WCW. "Now that everybody knows who everybodys working for"
In that time, it seems they're unstoppable and the WWF and ECW (who are primarily face but have friction too) and their bickering is all the edge they need. They say they are too large and powerful to be stopped by bingohall slobs and WWFs "edgy" hacks.

They dominate for a while, and finally Heyman and Vince and their armies team up as the good guys going against Bischoff and the evil WCW empire. Pretty apropo. Then the 4 entities are simply 2, and the war comes to a huge conclusion, with WWF winning and ensuring ECW wrestlers contracts within the company as part of the deal.

Just an idea I threw together just now.I said in that time period...I also disagree with your storyline.

[Jeritron]

I meant in that time period too, or not far after. And that's cool, it was just a suggestion I threw together off the top of my head.

[Mercury Bullet]

Birth of the nWo and Sting vs. Hogan (and as Skippord said, except the match). That whole era of WCW was gold.

[Savio]

I know what happened. I don't think we were arguing what happened, I think we were just debating the nature of what was the center of things and such.Oh I disagree and will assualt you if you say otherwise.

[Jeritron]

suck my dick dude

[Savio]

You don't want that, neither do I.

[The One]

suck my dick dude
Jeritron...for like the past week has it been your time of the month or something?

[Jeritron]

yes.

[Arnold HamNegger]

Sure, the NWO, Austin/McMahon, etc.....but lets think "out of (well, I guess 'inside') the box".

I'm gonna have to go with Bischoff's "HLA." (Damnit, I'm not gonna lie...I just miss hearing him say it.)

Gotta give my appreciation to the original "HLA" angle in ECW with Beulah and Kimona. They were the first to try it. Trish/Mickie could have been so much more if only a few fingers would have disappeared in every match. (Mickie tried at Mania though, bless her heart...)


Also, give me Brian Pillman and The Loose Cannon for a 1000....and the Original ECW Invasion of Raw, with extra fries.

[The One]

Kane's Life.

[Jeritron]

The Undertaker/Kane saga from October 97-early 99 was pretty damn good. As over the top and ridiculous as it was, it worked. Very markish, but great.

After it's initial run, the other stages of the saga weren't as good. The brothers of destruction and the Kane/Taker fued of 04 weren't bad, but it wasn't the same.