10 Short-Lived WCW Runs You Totally Forgot About
5. Road Warrior Animal
Period in WCW: 14 January 2001 to 21 March 2001
Road Warrior Animal found himself without a partner when Hawk took time away from the ring due to addiction and cardiomyopathy. The former of which you may remember being used as the basis for one of the Attitude Era’s most cringeworthy storylines.
In WCW, Animal landed a spot on the top of the card debuting during Sin 2001’s main event. He was the mystery opponent in a Four Corners Match for Scott Steiner’s WCW World Heavyweight Championship, which also featured Jeff Jarrett and Sid Vicious.
Animal, in a mask that could land him in Retribution, entered the match at its conclusion. Vicious was already beaten down by the alliance of Steiner and Jarrett when Animal added the finishing boots. After Steiner retained his championship the three men celebrated. This was the beginning of Ric Flair’s stable The Magnificent Seven, comprised of Flair, Steiner, Jarrett, Animal, Rick Steiner, Lex Luger, and Buff Bagwell.
Animal’s starring role in WCW is believed to be the result of the power his brother John Laurinaitis wielded backstage. Regardless, he played the enforcer role well. Like many WCW talent at the time, Animal’s contract was not picked up by WWE when the promotion bought their rival.