Sean “X-Pac” Waltman says he felt terrible when “Dr. Death” Steve Williams lost in the infamous Brawl For All tournament.
For those unaware, the 1998 shoot-fighting tournament saw competitors compete in legitimate fights. It has long been said that this was one of WWE’s worst ideas in the history of the company, and it resulted in several legitimate injuries.
Speaking on a recent edition of Konnan’s “Keepin’ It 100” podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer spoke out about the brutal concept.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Vince McMahon supporting the idea: “Vince was backing it and they knew which f**king guys to ask to do it… They kept changing the rules as they went along because Blackman was destroying everybody! Honestly, if they wouldn’t have changed the rules it would’ve been — unless f**king Bart caught a lucky shot — it would’ve been Blackman with that f**ker.”
On Steve Williams being picked to win: “That was one of our assumptions, and it was sad because we were all in the back watching that. And Dr. Death Steve Williams was a really nice, wonderful guy… The locker room perceived that he was JR’s guy that was the chosen one. As soon as Bart knocked him out, it was like Road Warrior pop 1988 in the f**king locker room and I felt so bad!”
In the world of professional wrestling, there have been many controversial and ill-conceived ideas. One such idea was the infamous Brawl For All tournament, which took place in 1998. This shoot-fighting tournament saw competitors engage in legitimate fights, resulting in several injuries and a lot of regret. One person who felt particularly terrible about the tournament was Sean “X-Pac” Waltman.
During a recent episode of Konnan’s “Keepin’ It 100” podcast, Waltman opened up about his feelings towards the Brawl For All tournament. He expressed his disappointment and remorse for “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, who was chosen to win the tournament but ended up losing.
Waltman revealed that Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE at the time, was a supporter of the Brawl For All concept. The company knew which wrestlers to approach for the tournament, and they kept changing the rules as they went along. Waltman mentioned that if the rules hadn’t been altered, it would have likely been Steve Blackman who emerged as the winner.
The former WWE superstar also shared his thoughts on Steve Williams being picked as the favored winner. He described Williams as a nice and wonderful guy, but there was a perception in the locker room that he was Jim Ross’s guy, the chosen one. When Williams was knocked out by Bart Gunn, there was a collective shock and excitement in the locker room. Waltman admitted feeling terrible about the situation, as he witnessed the disappointment and humiliation Williams must have felt.
The Brawl For All tournament is widely regarded as one of WWE’s worst ideas in its history. It not only resulted in legitimate injuries but also damaged the credibility of certain wrestlers. The concept was flawed from the beginning, as professional wrestling is scripted and choreographed, while this tournament aimed to showcase real fighting skills.
The aftermath of the Brawl For All tournament led to a decline in interest from fans and a loss of trust in the company’s decision-making. It serves as a reminder that not all ideas are successful, and sometimes, even the most experienced professionals can make mistakes.
In conclusion, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman’s feelings of remorse and disappointment regarding the Brawl For All tournament shed light on the negative consequences of this ill-conceived concept. The tournament not only resulted in injuries but also damaged the reputation of wrestlers involved. It serves as a cautionary tale for the wrestling industry, reminding everyone that not every idea is a good one, no matter how well-intentioned it may seem.