THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

It is a theory that makes one want to both test and avoid. Do we want to see if it is true? Sure, there are a lot of things we think we should go back and change. Do we want to risk making something even worse? No, because then what was the point? It applies to everything, including professional wrestling and sports entertainment. Both good and bad in nature. Here are some that come to mind...

Madison Square Garden Curtain Call

Some loved this, mainly fans, but it was still something that has even bigger ramifications if changed in any way. Obviously if it didn't happen, but if say, Sean Waltman had been there, then he likely would have been the guy to take all the heat. Hall and Nash were gone, HBK the champ, clearly had plans for Triple H to win the King Of The Ring. If that hadn't had been taken away, then it wouldn't have been given to Stone Cold. Which we all know, King Of The Ring that year was where "Austin 3:16 Says I Just Whooped Your Ass" was born. Could it have happened at another time? Maybe, but would it have been the same if he hadn't just beat Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who was thumpin' the bible as part of his gimmick at the time, for the crown? It was too perfect to even think of touching. Austin was over, and rising, but that moment solidified everything. I guess the Kliq haters can be grateful if a Stone Cold Steve Austin fan. What? I said thank you Hall, Nash, HBK, and Trips for being above the business at that time, and Waltman for being in rehab instead of being there haha

Eric Bischoff, Ted Turner, & Black Saturday

This involves two separate instances, but I think that without them both, The Monday Night War doesn't happen or just not the way it did. First, Black Saturday was the day WWE (then WWF) replaced Georgia Championship Wrestling on Turner's TBS. How this sparked RAW V Nitro, was that Ted initially refused Vince's offer, and Vinnie Mac went and simply bought a floundering (financially) GCW. Which now allowed him to air WWE. Vince mainly used clip from his shows on opposing network, USA, on his TBS show. Because of this, and the non-WWE GCW fans, as well as Gordon Solie fans lead to horrendous ratings. Combine the tactics and the outcome, Ted Turner wasn't too pleased to say the least. Long story short Vince sold GCW to Jim Crockett, who later would have to sell to Turner. Enter WCW. And all of this initiated the McMahon/Turner rivalry that feuled the wars. How does Bischoff play into this? It was Ted's money, but it was Eric's vision and direction (what direction there was) that kicked WWE's butts for a long time. This could have not happened if things prior hadn't played out the way that they did. Most of us have seen the Easy E audition for WWE from back in the day. For those unaware, Vince had Eric interview a broom for his audition. Which I get, as the guy holding the mic may have to save an interview, or to see how they initiate things (look at Macho and Mean Gene, Randy was great, but Okerlund would make it that much better). Regardless of the why, Eric apparently left with a chip on his shoulder. What if things were different? An actual person to interview, or if he got the position? Would Eric have had that drive without the anger, and who would've replaced him had he been in WWE at the time? Would they have done better or worse? It is why I put them together. Change anything here, and our favorite era is gone or altered.

Spoiler Report Gone Awry

Wasn't sure what to call this one, didn't want to use the quote that caused the clicks, and didn't want to put the heat on the guy who had to say it (Tony Schiavone). So, it is called what it is because it was a common occurrence, but backfired badly at this moment. It is a moment that in this regard have to wonder "what if...?". For example, what if it had been someone else who had won the WWE Championship? That could have and maybe did cause the hardcore and pre-Hogan WCW fans to turn over and see Mick Foley a former "WCW guy" win the competitions main prize. Would someone else have caused so many people to change channels? Even if it was just about the title changing hands, what if it hadn't? Would there have been something else to take place that caused the same reaction? It was literally the moment that turned the tide in the ratings battle. Could something have triggered this further down the road? It was unlikely given the misdirection that came to the surface, but then again might not have exposed the holes leading to further disasters, aka Russo. Would AOL Time Warner have been so quick to sell had it been the success it was? They say Vince McMahon would never have given up, but that is also after having not to. Who's to say that if this moment is taken away that Vince wouldn't have had a choice at some point?

The Third Man Was Sting

Even those involved said that it wouldn't have worked the same way it did with Hogan. We won't know really, we kind of but still don't know that it likely wouldn't have worked at all for Hulk who's popularity was pointing to the exit. Would he have returned to WWE and gotten the reception he did in 2002? Or would he have been forced into retirement. I can't envision Hogan doing anything similar to what Sting did at that time. Which is another big question, what about Sting? He tends to get lost in all of this when talking about the nWo and how Hogan's turn is what lit the fuse to the rocket. If it was Sting would there have not been The Crow version that also reignited his career? Which wasn't in bad shape, but it sky rocketed his career to an even higher level. Or would it have come to be, but different? Scott Hall was the one to suggest it to Sting, but again the question, success or failure? Hogan's "darkside" lameness just prior to the nWo turn, was exactly that, lame. Would that have happened to Sting turning heel at that point in time? Wolfpac Sting was okay for a minute, but never really meshed with the nWo vibe whether red or white.

That's what came to mind at this moment, there is more I am sure. Even if I had to really reach for a what if and the butterfly effect that would follow. Examples like "What if Hogan's back gave out at Wrestlemania 3?" or a simple yet dark "What if one of the promoters who had their territory become obsolete actually attempted and succeeded in killing Vince McMahon?" It is a crazy business both in and out of the ring. Part of why we love it so much I guess haha Stay Nerdy!

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