Author: Today in Pro Wrestling History: On July 2nd, 2001, After purchasing World Championship Wrestling in March, WWF presents its first WCW match on Raw is War.
Today in Pro Wrestling History (July 2): WCW gets RAW
WCW Champion Booker T defeated Buff Bagwell by disqualification to retain the title in what is a heavily-criticized match. Chants of’boring’ came from the crowd, and Vince McMahon, himself, was upset with the performance and the reception it received.
The slow, methodical match gave hardcore WWF fans the impression that this would be dominating their televisions for weeks to come. Only run-ins by Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle managed to save the segment,which was supposed to be a huge startup for the Invasion angle.
We’ve done a deep dive on Buff Bagwell, you can read it here: Buff Bagwell: A Tumultuous Life in and Out of the Ring
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"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan." — Keith Elliot Greenberg
Wrestling Rings, Blackboards, and Movie Sets is the latest book from Pro Wrestling Stories Senior Editor Evan Ginzburg. 100 unforgettable stories—from sharing a flight on 9/11 with a WWE Hall of Famer to untold moments in wrestling history. A page-turner for fans of the ring and beyond. Grab your copy today! For signed editions, click here.
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