On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, Arn Anderson reflected on WCW separating from the NWA in 1993, the golden days of Jim Crockett Promotions, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On WCW separating from the NWA: “It was confusing. Yeah. The only way I can put it is from what I remember — okay, this is the new company. They can call it whatever they want. But there’s such a strong background in history with the NWA and the style, everything WCW has patterned itself, you know, a lot of the talent that was with Jim Crockett Promotions moved over. It was, I guess the only way I can put it is confusing.”
On Jim Crockett Promotions: “There was the WWF, a distinct product with a distinct way of doing business. It had a distinct look. It was cartoon-based. The talents were all characters. It was — you know, in many ways, it was part kid show and part spectacle and just like a three-ring circus. But it was a ten-ring circus. And then you had the NWA, which was blood and guts and, you know, fistfighting and brutal and physical, and all those things and easy to understand. It was, ‘Hey, you got something I want,’ or ‘I don’t like you and you don’t like me. Let’s fight about it.’ It was pretty clearly two distinct.”
On increased drug testing after the steroid scandal: “There was just a feeling that for whatever reason, they were out to get us, all of us. Whoever they are, they were out to get us. And it was both companies for different things. You know, there was no bleeding with WCW. Though bleeding, you know, and if you got your nose busted and it wouldn’t quit bleeding. The referee stopped the match.”
On whether WCW increased drug testing because of it: “I don’t think so. Because well, I mean by and large, our crew — you look like athletes, but normal. They had some guys, you know, make sense? Every guy there had an incredible look. We got a look from the WWF because that’s what they were selling, and they would figure out if he could wrestle later, you know what I mean?”
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
The History of WCW and the NWA Separation in 1993
In the world of professional wrestling, the separation of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1993 was a significant moment. This move had a profound impact on the wrestling industry and paved the way for WCW to become a major player in the business. Recently, on his podcast “The ARN Show,” Arn Anderson, a former WCW wrestler and backstage personnel, reflected on this historic event and shared his insights.
One of the main points Anderson highlighted was the confusion surrounding WCW’s separation from the NWA. He acknowledged that while WCW was a new company with the freedom to call itself whatever it wanted, there was a strong historical background associated with the NWA. Many of the talents that moved from Jim Crockett Promotions to WCW had been part of the NWA, and this created some confusion among fans and wrestlers alike.
Anderson also discussed the differences between the WWF (now WWE) and the NWA during that time. He described the WWF as a distinct product with a distinct way of doing business. It had a unique look and was characterized by larger-than-life characters and a more entertainment-oriented approach. On the other hand, the NWA was known for its gritty, physical style, emphasizing blood and guts and straightforward storytelling centered around rivalries and fights. These differences made it clear that there were two distinct wrestling products available to fans.
Another topic Anderson touched upon was the increased drug testing in WCW following the steroid scandal that rocked the wrestling industry in the early 1990s. He mentioned that there was a feeling among wrestlers that they were being targeted by some unknown entity. Both WCW and WWF were subjected to scrutiny, but WCW had stricter rules when it came to bleeding during matches. If a wrestler’s nose wouldn’t stop bleeding, the referee would stop the match. However, Anderson didn’t believe that WCW’s drug testing policy was a direct result of the steroid scandal. He stated that most of the wrestlers in WCW had a more natural look, resembling athletes rather than overly muscular individuals.
To provide fans with a deeper understanding of the topic, Anderson shared a link to a podcast episode titled “ARN #215: Hurt Real Bad (September 1993).” In this episode, he delves further into the events surrounding WCW’s separation from the NWA and provides additional insights and anecdotes.
In conclusion, WCW’s separation from the NWA in 1993 was a significant moment in professional wrestling history. It marked the beginning of WCW’s journey as a standalone promotion and set the stage for its eventual rise to prominence. Arn Anderson’s reflections on this topic shed light on the confusion surrounding the separation, the differences between the WWF and the NWA, and the impact of increased drug testing in WCW. Wrestling fans interested in learning more about this pivotal moment can explore Anderson’s podcast episode for further details.