On a recent episode of his “The ARN Show” podcast, Arn Anderson discussed the reunion of The Four Horsemen in WCW in 1993, Paul Roma being part of the group, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On having Paul Roma in the group: “You know, I just think Paul, I think his time must have ran out up north. And he came to work here, and I don’t think he had that in mind. I think that it was after the fact that he got there that somebody, it would have been Dusty I think, would have made that decision, Hey, let’s put Paul [in the group]. And now Paul, let’s be fair. He had the look, great body. Babyface skills, great dropkicks, powerslams, power moves, all that stuff. But I just think that walking into the Horsemen — which you got to remember, what is the concept of the Horsemen? It’s four guys making four other guys look better than they can make themselves. For a new guy coming in, that doesn’t sound like a great future. Your job is to get everybody else over. While he’s just getting there, it’s a new company. It’s fresh, it’s new, you know. And as you found out, as it went forward and he moved on to get out of the Horsemen and get another partner. It was much more suited to him and his situation.”
On whether Dusty Rhodes made the call for Roma to be part of the group: “That would have been — I think he was booking at that time. It would have been his call, you know. And hey, the guy looked — you know, what you didn’t see underneath that tux, the guy had a hell of a physique. I mean, he was jacked, strong. He could muscle guys around in the ring, superplex off the top. Relatively no effort. He had the skills.”
On when he knew Paul Roma wasn’t a fit in the Four Horsemen: “Oh, I’m not sure exactly when it was, but it was not too long. Plus, you gotta remember I was a rotten babyface. I had no skills, and I mean no babyface skills. So us being babyface is partners, brand new partners, it was basically just a gumshoe., stick them together and see how it flies. I don’t know.”
On whether anyone else was considered for the group in 1993: “Well again, it was backdoor meetings. You know, I was there. I wasn’t going anywhere. I just, whatever they decided would have been fine. You didn’t, you didn’t bring in those days. The booker didn’t bring talent in and see if you agree with it. He would propose it. And if you disagreed with it, that was your time to speak up.”
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The Reunion of The Four Horsemen in WCW: A Look Back
The Four Horsemen is one of the most iconic factions in professional wrestling history. Comprised of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, and Ole Anderson, the group dominated the wrestling scene in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, in 1993, the group underwent a reunion in WCW that included a surprising addition – Paul Roma. On a recent episode of his podcast, “The ARN Show,” Arn Anderson discussed the reunion, Paul Roma’s inclusion, and more.
When Paul Roma joined the Four Horsemen, many fans were taken aback. Roma had previously competed in WWE (then WWF) as a member of The Young Stallions tag team with Jim Powers. While he possessed an impressive physique and showcased solid in-ring skills, some questioned whether he was the right fit for the Horsemen. Anderson shed some light on the situation, stating that he believed Roma’s time had run out in WWE and that he may not have initially intended to join the group.
Anderson explained that the concept of the Four Horsemen was to have four individuals who could make their opponents look better than they could on their own. For a newcomer like Roma, this might not have seemed like an ideal situation. Anderson acknowledged Roma’s physical abilities and skills but emphasized that being part of the Horsemen meant putting others over. As time went on, it became apparent that Roma’s style and situation were better suited elsewhere.
The decision to include Roma in the group was likely made by Dusty Rhodes, who was booking for WCW at the time. Rhodes recognized Roma’s impressive physique and believed he could bring something unique to the faction. However, Anderson revealed that he realized fairly early on that Roma wasn’t the right fit for the Four Horsemen. As a self-proclaimed “rotten babyface” with no babyface skills himself, Anderson and Roma’s partnership didn’t have the chemistry or success they had hoped for.
When asked if anyone else was considered for the group in 1993, Anderson explained that the decision-making process was often done through backdoor meetings. As a loyal member of WCW, Anderson didn’t have much say in who joined the Horsemen. The booker would propose potential additions, and if someone disagreed, they had the opportunity to voice their opinion. Ultimately, Roma’s inclusion was decided upon, but it became clear that it wasn’t the best fit for the group.
The reunion of the Four Horsemen in 1993 with the addition of Paul Roma was a unique chapter in the faction’s history. While Roma brought his own set of skills and attributes, it became evident that he didn’t quite mesh with the established dynamic of the group. However, this period serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of professional wrestling and the experimentation that occurs within factions and storylines.
As wrestling fans, we can appreciate the history and legacy of the Four Horsemen while also recognizing that not every decision made is a perfect one. The reunion with Paul Roma may not have been a resounding success, but it remains an interesting footnote in the storied career of this legendary faction.
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