The Gathering (Part 1)

(Several months ago in the offices of WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon)

**

Vince McMahon is sitting in his office talking to a few of his associates having an informal meeting over a few beers. Sitting around his desk are Arn Anderson, Michael P.S. Hayes, Rick Steamboat, and WWE Superstar Chris Jericho.

"So I've got the shows with Fozzy lined up and a few more tapings of the game show", Chris Jericho was explaining, "and then we'll wait and see if the network picks up the show for next season."

"But you'll still be available for tapings and shows with us, right Chris?", Hayes asked.

"As the schedule permits", Jericho admitted, "but I should be good for Monday nights and the pay-per-view shows at least."

"Just do your best Chris", Vince McMahon smiled. "Normally, I don't really care for the WWE Superstars branching out as you're doing, but you've been such a valuable employee and have done so much for this company when we needed you that I'm willing to make an exception."

"You just want backstage passes to the Fozzy shows", Steamboat teased his boss with a smile.

"Yes, well...", Vince blushed. "Cross promotion with a successful rock band and game show on network tv can be really good for the company."

"Don't worry, Vinnie Mac", Jericho laughed. "I'll be here for the WWE and help out whenever I can. For am I not the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla?"

"In your dreams, Chris", Michael Hayes retorted. "In your dreams!"

"So what's up, Vince", Arn Anderson said to their esteemed chairman. "You didn't ask for us to stop by to go over Jericho's schedule, did you?"

"No", Vince said as he took a sip of his beer. "I want some imput from four of the most creative persons I know."

"Then where's Steph?", Hayes asked. "Shouldn't she be here if this is a creative meeting?"

"This isn't an official meeting, per say", Vince admitted. "I just want to drink a few beers with you guys and maybe bounce some ideas around."

"What kind of ideas", Steamboat asked.

"Just ideas for possible future storylines. Things that we can do to screw with the fans and keep everyone on their toes.", Vince smiled.

"How about we put the World title on Santino", Hayes belted out.

The entire room broke up in laughter on that suggestion.

"My God!', Vince exclaimed. "That would really piss all of the hardcore fans off. That would even be worse than what Russo did with the actor that time."

"That did create quite a stir", Arn admitted, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye.

"We want to surprise the fans and not scare them all off", Jericho said. "However, if you want to put the World or WWE title around the waist of a truly sexy rock god and idol to millions, I'm willing to volunteer."

"Maybe, Chris", Vince said, "but I think the title belts are pretty secure where they're at right now."

"Speaking of Idol, I saw in the news that American Idol is looking for some new judges", Steamboat said.

"I saw that", Vince said. "What about it?"

"How about some vignettes with Jillian and maybe Santino trying to crash American Idol to become the new judges. Some comedy stuff to use as filler on RAW", Steamboat explained.

"I like it", Vince said. "Maybe we can even get some of the former Idol contestants to help out as well."

"We could play it like it's serious", Hayes said. "And have Jillian showing up at the tapings. It would make for some great press with TMZ and the entertainment media."

"And with Santino as her spokesman. We can even give her an entourage with Hornswoggle and a couple of the lower-card talents that we're not using much anyhow", Steamboat added.

"I like that idea", Vince smiled. "Michael, write up an outline when you get the chance and run it by Gerwitz and Steph. It sounds like something that could be fun and get us some face-time with the media. Any other ideas?"

And so it went for a couple of hours... Five fertile and creative minds, embellished by the spirits of cold beer, bouncing ideas and storylines off each other, to help the WWE continue to lead the way in the world of sports-entertainment. And finally as things started to wind down...

"What do you think about the ECW show that TNA is putting on?", Hayes asked Vince.

"My attorney is watching it very closely", Vince said. "And I think it's a cheap ploy to make some easy money, cashing in on the nostalgia factor."

"Just like we did with the One Night Stand shows", Hayes remarked.

"We had Heyman here to book the shows. It was RVD's idea and was right for the time. It gave the original ECW closure", Vince said.

"And what about the ECW series on Scy-Fi?", Arn asked.

"That was just to piss off the fans and re-write ECW the way that it should have been... my way", Vince smirked.

"Does anyone think that the TNA show will do anything in the buyrates", Steamboat asked.

"It might", Arn said, "but it won't hold. TNA has all that talent and potential, but they can't maintain a rating!"

"They'll get a slight push and then blow it... as usual", Vince said. "Dixie and Russo and Jarrett are just throwing everything they can against the wall, hoping that something will stick, but it's not working."

"They need to get one person in there to handle the booking and writing and just stick with that person. Too bad Heyman turned them down", Hayes said.

"Bad for them. Good for us", Vince admitted. "If Heyman was to take over as the creative force for TNA, I might have to worry a little bit."

"But Paul won't do it", Arn said. "Not with Hogan and Eric and Russo all in the mix."

"And don't forget Jeff and Dixie", Steamboat added. "Too many chefs in the kitchen."

"Hey boss", Hayes said to Vince. "I just had an idea. When you mentioned the One Night Stand show and wanting to screw with the fans, how about a WCW One Night Stand show?"

"WCW One Night Stand?", Vince asked. "Why?"

"That would be kind of cool", Arn admitted.

"It would give the WCW fans some closure for their company", Steamboat admitted.

"Do you really think that there are any WCW fans left out there", Vince asked. "The product was awful at the end and the terrible ratings and lack of fans was the main reason I was able to buy the company so cheaply",

"There are always a few die-hards", Jericho said. ""And WCW wasn't all bad... in the beginning."

"It was Eric and Hogan that really screwed things up", Hayes said. "While it was still Crockett's show and later when Ole and Cornette and Flair were booking, there were some good things going on."

"Like what?", Vince said.

"The Horsemen", Arn reminded him. "And Sting, Vader, The Midnight Express, The Rock & Roll Express..."

"The Freebirds", Hayes added.

"Don't forget my feud with RIc and then later on, Ric's feud with Terry Funk", Steamboat included.

"And even when Eric was the boss, we had the Cruiserweights", Jericho said. "The guys from Japan and Mexico were pretty amazing."

"Ok, so there were a few good things", Vince admitted. "But who would appear on such a show. Who would book it?"

"We couldn't have Eric or Hulk or any of the TNA guys", Hayes said, "but who wants them anyhow?"

"Unfortunately, we couldn't have Ric either", Arn said, "since he's under contract with TNA. So is Sting."

"Not having RIc or Sting would hurt", Steamboat said, "but I'm sure we could put together a pretty good show if we wanted to."

"Dusty could book it", Arn said.

"No", Vince interjected. "I've never liked Dusty's style of booking very much. He could help out, but I'd rather have someone more distinct and old school booking such an event. Someone who lived, breathed and crapped WCW... like Heyman and Dreamer did with the ECW show."

"The best bookers for WCW so far as drawing ratings and keeping the fans happy were always Ric, Cornette and Ole Anderson.", Steamboat said.

"Ric is out for now", Vince said, "but I wonder if Cornette or Ole would be interested?"

"Cornette hates you", Hayes said to Vince. "And Ole... that grouchy old bastard would never do it. He hates you even more than Cornette does."

"Well, it is an idea", Vince smiled. "And it would stir up the fans quite a bit and attract back a few of the older audience."

"It could be big", Arn agreed. "But we'd have to run it seperate from the current WWE storylines and programs."

"We could set it up on RAW and Smackdown, but run it seperately, like we did the ECW show.", Hayes agreed.

"Do you think we could even get enough wrestlers interested in this type of show? And how many former WCW stars are even in good enough condition after all these yers to undertake such an event and maintain a good quality of matches?", Vince asked.

"I'd be willing to wrestle", Jericho said. "And I still keep in touch with quite a few of the boys from the old days. I could put some feelers out there and see what kind of response we get."

"I can't wrestle", Arn said, "but I know Malenko can. And I talked to Tully and Barry a few weeks ago. They're in good wrestling shape and would probably participate."

"You could always be there as a manager or do a run-in with a spinebuster on someone", Hayes said to Arn.

"I'm willing to wrestle", Steamboat said, "if you want me."

"Tell you what", Vince said. "I like this idea. Why don't we have someone call Ole and Cornette and see if they'd be interested in booking a WCW reunion style show for us... to give the WCW fans and wrestlers some closure."

"I'll call them", Arn said. "But I can already tell you what Ole will say. And probably Corny too."

"What's that?", Steamboat asked with a smile.

"Fuck Vince!", Arn smirked. "We all know that Ole has that certain way with words."

"Well, try them anyhow", Vince said. "Tell them if they're interested, they'll have total control over the wrestlers and the show. Within reason of course."

"It could really be something big", Jericho added. "Throw in that they can use Vince's own stage to show him up. That should get a reaction."

"Whatever it takes", Vince said. "I'm seeing some big dollar signs here."

"And a chance to give back to the WCW fans too... a chance for them to say goodbye and have some closure", Arn said.

"Uhhh.. yeah!", Vince stammered. "That too!"

(Continued In Part 2)