Ranking Every Major Monday Night Wars Jump From WORST To BEST

14. Haku

X Pac WWE Debut
WWE.com

An hilariously unnecessary shot aimed at WCW—the company was, if not officially dead, very much an incinerated car in the WWF’s rearview mirror—Haku re-debuted at the WWF Royal Rumble as WCW Hardcore Champion.

In the sort of quintessential LOLWCW moment that filled two books, the former Meng wasn’t under contract, and yet the company strapped him up regardless. Haku didn’t do much in the Rumble match itself, beyond lacerating the chest of the Undertaker, but it was a pretty funny flex, all the same, and it’s not as if WCW hadn’t repeatedly asked for it. Vince McMahon, impeccably, unconscionably cruel, responded to the gamesmanship when the game was over.

WCW, in response, meekly deactivated the title. As for the physical belt, Meng awarded it to his old tag team partner the Barbarian, before it was handed over to WWE as part of the sale agreement.

WCW didn’t acknowledge the switch, even though it recognises that Kevin Nash once gave away the Heavyweight Title to Ric Flair.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!