Speculative question

[NeanderCarl]

In mid 1995, Vince McMahon turned full creative control of the WWF over to Cowboy Bill Watts in what was considered a shock move. He put him in full charge of the TV product and vowed never to overrule him on any decision he made.

Of course, a few months later control freak Vince did exactly that, and Watts decided to amscray.

My question is, considering how close Vince came to going out of business in the mid 90s until the Attitude era made him a billionairre, do you believe the WWF/WWE would still exist to this day had Vince followed through and let the Cowboy run the show? Would Erik Watts have beaten Flair's world title record? Is Watts a creative genius (Mid South) or a washout (WCW)?

[NeanderCarl]

I think Watts was put in charge around the time Monsoon became on-screen president. It led to a de-push of Sid and Lex Luger (who left thereafter), and I think Watts would have booked SummerSlam that year, a great show featuring probably the best match of the year (Shawn-Razor II) and one of the worst in the main event (Diesel-Mabel).

I think he also conjured up the fantastic Bret Hart vs 123 Kid match and was pushing the Kid hard back when he could still work (but also pushed Dean Douglas hard when he had forgotten how to work, so that negates it)

[RP]

cena wins

[NeanderCarl]

:roll:

[RP]

I enjoyed this conversation

[NeanderCarl]

Well, I've had a great time. Unfortunately, this wasn't it.

[jindrak]

According to Bret's book, he hinted Watts was upset with Vince's decision to put the title on Michaels, feeling he was too scrawny to be world champion.

[St. Jimmy]

According to Bret's book, he hinted Watts was upset with Vince's decision to put the title on Michaels, feeling he was too scrawny to be world champion.

Well there's everything I wanted to know about Watts in a nut shell. Watts is a piece of shit and a moron.

Good times.

[NYDon]

How could Watts think Shawn was too scrawny to be world champ after depushing monsters like Sid and Lex Luger.

[TerranRich]

Simple answer: Watts is retarded.

Thread over, end of discussion.

[NeanderCarl]

Relax

[NeanderCarl]

He probably told Hart what he wanted to hear. Watts was instrumental in pushing Jinsei Shinzaki, 123 Kid, Chris Candido, hell even Barry Horowitz... looking at Mid South, where Ted DiBiase got his break, Watts clearly favours workrate over size any day of the week.

[NYDon]

What was the timeframe for Watts being in this position

[NeanderCarl]

Summer into Autumn (Fall, whatever) of 1995.

[Vastardikai]

1. For the record, Dean Douglas was neutered by Vince.

2. If Watts had been around long enough, Ahmed would have been WWF Champion. (one of his things was a strong black babyface)

3. Other than that, it's a moot point. Vince only believes in one mastermind booker in this sport: Vince McMahon.

[Jeritron]

At the time, it was pretty unheard of for a guy like Shawn to win the belt. Since him, guys like Eddie, Jericho, and Rey have won the title but he was pretty small to be world champion. He was a pioneer.
Before Shawn, Bret and Savage were probably the smallest WWF champs and they weren't very small.

Point being, Vince putting the belt on Shawn was genius and Watts sounds like a joke. He may have had good points, but I think taking creative control away from him was a wise decision.

[NeanderCarl]

I think Bret was talking out of his arse because Watts' reign was nearly a year before Michaels took the belt, and Michaels was pushed strong with Diesel as The Dudes With Attitudes, given high profile matches and PPV main events, given his first big babyface push and a run with the Intercontinental title during this period. If anything, he was steadily groomed for the top spot, and this at a time when Vince apparently had no say in the product.

[NeanderCarl]

Watts was also in charge around the time Doink mysteriously vanished from our screens. Coincidence?

[Jeritron]

Russo ftw

[Fox]

If Bill Watts ran the WWE up until today, Booker T would be like the longest reigning champion of all time, and he'd probably be defending the title against Bobby Lashley, Kofi Kingston, and Shawn Michaels in black-face.

[NeanderCarl]

Could be good. And people say he's a racist!?

[Theo Dious]

Before Shawn, Bret and Savage were probably the smallest WWF champs and they weren't very small.

I'm pretty sure Bob Backlund was smaller than Savage.

[NeanderCarl]

Don't forget DiBiase!