The master of the Diamond Cutter, DDP was never meant to be a major star in the industry. He got into the business late in life and was positioned as a manager early on. When he finally did step into the ring, he was pretty awful. But he worked hard, harder than anyone else, to learn from his mistakes and get better. By 1996, it was easy to see just how much improvement he had made. A close relationship with boss Eric Bischoff and a killer finishing maneuver only helped him achieve success he could never have imagined. The angle in which he denounced the New World Order and dropped Scott Hall with the Diamond Cutter remains one of the best segments of television WCW ever produced. The reaction of the fans immediately made Page and from that moment on, he was a main event player for the company. His feud with Randy Savage helped elevate him further while partnering with Karl Malone to take on Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman in July 1998 at the Bash at the Beach only strengthened his status as one of the marquee players in professional wrestling. In April 1999, he realized his dream when he captured the WCW Championship in a match involving industry icons Hulk Hogan, Sting and Ric Flair. It was a monumental moment and the climax of a three-year journey from obscurity to the top of the industry. Page would become of the most marketable and popular stars in WCW and one of the few guys who was relevant until the very end. He was also the first main event guy to not sit on his ass and collect millions owed to him by Turner. He signed with WWE in the spring of 2001, something that may have been a mistake in hindsight. Page debuted as the stalker of Undertaker's wife Sara. While the angle had potential, it immediately became clear that the only purpose DDP had in that role was to get beaten up and humbled by WWE's top dog. He was pummeled brutally at his first pay-per-view. He was further devalued at SummerSlam, when he took another violent beating from the Deadman and fictional brother Kane. By the time he was pinned by Sara the following night on Raw, any value he had was gone. He became a motivational speaker type with an obnoxious smile and a stupid catchphrase. His brief program with Christian was fun but it was ultimately meaningless. Upon being drafted to SmackDown during the brand extension, Page wrestled a match Bob Holly. During it, he injured his neck and was forced to retire from the industry prematurely. He would make comebacks for TNA and appear at various independent shows but his career as a full-time worker was over. A disappointing end to an improbable journey.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
