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Decided to start a new game, as WCW, basic background is that Vince has been losing money, and was willing to sell the WCW name and trademarks, to a buyer. A wealthy, but yet unknown, benefactor stepped in, and bought the rights to the WCW name, Belts, Video Library and all Trademarks. The WWE renamed the World Heavyweight title, the Raw title, the United States title became the European title and the Cruiserweight became the Lightweight title. Eric Bischoff took the oppourtunity to leave the WWE, under the terms of his contract, and rejoined WCW.
Tony Schiavone agreed to return to WCW, and the unemployed Joey Styles and Joel Gertner agreed to also become part of the Announce team, Gene Okerlund, like Eric Bischoff, used his get-out clause, to rejoin the company.
With the big money available to Bischoff, he went about negotiating with some of the former big names of the company, and brought back the following people:
BILL GOLDBERG
HULK HOGAN
KEVIN NASH
RANDY SAVAGE
DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE
DUSTIN RHODES
LEX LUGER
PERRY SATURN
RODDY PIPER
THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
SCOTT HALL
ERNEST MILLER
GORGEOUS GEORGE
KIMBERLEY PAGE
RICK STEINER
SEAN O'HAIRE
SYXX-PAC
With the backbone of the company secure for the next few years, Bischoff turned to the future, and looked for the top talent on the Independant scene. Taking advantage of the uncertainty of the future of NWA:TNA, Bischoff managed to sign:
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS
AJ STYLES
JERRY LYNN
LOW-KI
KID KASH
RAVEN
D'LO BROWN
THE AMAZING RED
ELIX SKIPPER
GLENN GILBERTTI
KONNAN
JUVENTUD GUERRERA
STING
AMERICAS' MOST WANTED
He also spoke to old friend Cactus Sid, who agreed to work with him as a worker and joint head booker.
Bischoff also signed a number of young wrestlers to development deals:
JAY BRISCOE
MARK BRISCOE
ALEX SHELLEY
IZZY
DIXIE
JAY LETHAL
JOEL AND JOSE MAXIMO
SONJAY DUTT
TEDDY HART
As well as financing some young female talent:
CHRISTIE RICCI
VALENTINA
LOLLIPOP
JILIAN LOVE
AMANDA SHAE
ALICIA WEBB
BECKY BAYLESS
KRISTY MYST
MIDAJAH
SAVVY
TRACI BROOKS
TYLENE BUCK
The biggest coup came when a number of disgruntled WWE superstars decided to break contract and seek work with the new WCW company, hoping for a new start, a financial compensation package was worked out between the representatives of the new owener of WCW and Vince McMahon, which left Vince considerably richer, but WCW with considerably more talent.
Disgruntled by the failure to capitalise on his potential on a number of occasions, Test decided to join WCW, and was joined by his girlfriend Stacy Keibler, for obvious reasons.
Angry about the constant poor angles and holding back, Booker T and Rob Van Dam both agreed to join the newly formed WCW.
Unused members of the cruiserweight division looked to WCW for a new beginning, The Hurricane, Jimmy Yang, Nova, Paul London, Shannon Moore and Ultimo Dragon, joined WCW
Having been split up, and failing to capitalise on what had been a good thing, the F.B.I joined WCW, good news for Stamboli and Palumbo who had enjoyed some success in WCW before
Lance Storm came out of retirement to rejoin the company where he had so much success.
Matt Hardy and Lita decided to leave for new pastures, and are joined by Jeff Hardy, hoping to regain his love for wrestling
Sable and Torrie Wilson chose to leave the WWE after problems with members of the writing team
Rhyno and Tommy Dreamer leave to try their luck elsewhere
Steven Richards leaves due to constant misuse
Scott Steiner leaves to join up with brother Rick
So there you have it, WCW returns
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