10 Times WCW Was The Most Insane Company In The World
5. David Arquette - WCW World Heavyweight Champion
As already outlined, WCW's use of celebrities was often difficult to understand, and occasionally outright ludicrous. But at least they never stooped to put the heavyweight title on a 160 lb. film star. That'd be ridic...oh, wait.
This act of genius by Vince Russo was so outlandish, so ridiculous, so...so c**p that it deserves its own entry.
After starring in the Turner-funded feature Ready To Rumble alongside a bevy of the company's talent, Scream-star David Arquette started to turn up in WCW storylines in order to cross-promote the film. Soon, he was in the ring teaming with regular celebrity sidekick DDP. Before the month was out, he shockingly pinned Eric Bischoff to claim the world title. The wrestling world looked on in horror.
Arquette was worried there would be an overwhelmingly negative reaction to a non-wrestler winning the historic belt, and he was absolutely right. Not only did fans despise the actor claiming the title, but the stomach of the entire wrestling industry turned as they witnessed Arquette enter the pantheon of champions alongside Ric Flair, Lou Thesz, and Harley Race.
WCW were already circling the drain at the time, and though Russo was correct in his belief that the crazy scheme would draw publicity for the company, it was universally unfavourable. Arquette only appeared on two shows as champion, but it was two shows too many. He mercifully relinquished the strap to Jeff Jarrett in another barmy Russo swerve at the Slamboree pay-per-view, but the damage to the company's increasingly battered reputation had already been done.
To Arquette's immense credit, he was entirely adverse to the idea of hoisting the 'Big Gold Belt', reluctantly agreeing to the angle on the condition that all his fees be donated to the families of Owen Hart, Brian Pillman, and Darren Drzodov. You may have killed kayfabe forever Dave, but you're still a good guy.