As I comb through old episodes of WCW Monday Nitro in the WWE Network vaults, some thoughts occur to me. Some of them very obvious, and others may be a stretch of my own imagination. After all, the mind craves order, and so we tend to see similarities between objects or systems in close proximity. With that disclaimer firmly planted, I have a new thought about AJ Lee and Paige's frenemy storyline. It occurs to many that WWE Creative might have stolen this angle from their own vault- the 1996 quasi-feud between Hulk Hogan and the Macho Man Randy Savage. Although that does possibly give the lesbian twist a new meaning.
Once again, this is just a theory, but there seems to be a correlation between AJ and Paige's relationship that matches Hogan's friendship with Hogan.
The major theme of WCW's main event scene throughout the latter half of 1995 and early 1996 was friendship and trust with a healthy dose of paranoia. Honestly, it dovetailed nicely with the NWO invasion storyline.
Hogan's narcissism and transparency was already wearing thin by 1995. He was even getting booed (which prompted his flirtation with the dark side and eventual heel turn.) There was a period where Hogan kept reassuring Savage (the World Champion at the time) that they were best friends, while in the same breath demanding that Savage give him a chance to win "his" title back. Sound familiar?
Of course stories get recycled in wrestling all the time, mainly because they are built on classic dramatic themes. But it's funny to watch the same story unfold side by side in two different time periods.
Also, many people look down on the pre-NWO content at WCW, but the truth is there was a lot right with WCW's product, but history, subjective tastes and the very real management problems (and the incredibly awful announcing of Eric Bischoff and Mongo McMichael) overshadowed all that was good about the promotion.
See for yourself at WWE Netnork. For more insights into pro wrestling's past, present and future, check out Cage Side Seats and Bleacher Report.
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