"Big Poppa Pump is your hook up! Holler if you hear me!" With that one line, Scott Steiner began molding a personality for himself that would ultimately lead to his ascension up the WCW ladder and his eventual run as heavyweight champion. It was not easy for the genetic freak, however, as he had to overcome the same backstage politics that faced everyone outside of the top tier of stars. He had gained notoriety and acclaim as part of the Steiner Brothers tag team with brother Rick but was having a hard time breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling and starring on his own. Even when the opportunity finally presented itself in 1998, Steiner spent nearly and entire year as the lackey of fellow New World Order mates Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. It was not until 1999, and the long-awaited end of the feud with Rick, that Scott was freed up to resume his run to heavyweight championship contention. In 2000, he finally achieved his professional goal of winning the WCW championship and reigning as the promotion's top heel. Loud, obnoxious and oftentimes nonsensical, it was not difficult to see why the company chose the bleach-blonde powerhouse with the arms the size of tree trunks to run with their to title. He was so incredibly different from everyone else on the roster that his character struck a nerve with whatever audience the company still had. His catchphrases were cool, his look unique and his wrestling...well, his wrestling was passable. At a time when WCW was looking for anything to stick, passable was good enough.
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.
