Konnan Names Individuals Responsible for WCW’s Downfall

In the mid-1990s, WWE faced massive competition from its then-rivals, Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling, who pushed them against the wall and brought a different level of excitement among wrestling fans back then.

Despite dominating the TV ratings for 83 straight weeks, WWE ultimately triumphed over the company after ushering into the infamous “Attitude Era” and producing more edgier content, establishing mega stars and revamping the entire wrestling industry.

The events led to WCW closing its doors in 2001 and subsequently being purchased by former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. Moreover, the conversation around WCW’s closure was resurrected in recent memory with the new documentary, “Who Killed WCW?” and individuals like Vince Russo and Ric Flair giving their take on people who were the reason for WCW’s demise.

Former WCW legend Konnan, in a recent interview on Busted Open Radio, named individuals who, according to him, were responsible for WCW’s downfall. He named popular members of the nWo faction, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, but never felt Hulk Hogan was responsible as he only managed to take WCW to the top with his villainous persona, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, after former WCW President Eric Bischoff and Kevin Sullivan, convinced him for the heel turn.

“I never thought it was Hulk Hogan. I always thought it was [Scott] Hall and [Kevin] Nash. As a matter of fact, I said Eric [Bischoff] hitched his wagon to Hogan instead of the other guys ’cause they were the ones coming up with the cool ideas. They were the cool factor. He’s [Hogan] the one that said, ‘Bro, I’m getting booed. I’ve got to do something to resurrect my career.’ Kevin Sullivan and Eric were the ones that convinced him [to turn heel]. They had to sequester him to make sure he didn’t change his mind or somebody got in his ear, whatever was going on.”

Furthermore, reflecting on the events surrounding X-Pac’s firing, Konnan shared that the dismissal caused significant tension. Following the firing, the top officials became disillusioned, stopped contributing ideas, arrived late, and essentially disengaged from their roles. The environment was further strained by pervasive jealousy, backstabbing, and Hulk Hogan’s self-serving actions, all contributing to the deteriorating morale.

“To me, when they fired X-Pac — ’cause I was there, I was friends with them — and they were sitting in the arena, and they were hot as a motherfu**er. They had shirts on, like button-down shirts, and they opened up their shirts and they had WWE shirts. They were willing to go up in the fu**ing ring, open up their shirts show WWE, and support X-Pac. When Eric fired X-Pac, they took their ball and went home — meaning, they were not giving any more ideas, they weren’t coming in on time, they weren’t playing anymore, and just the jealousy and everybody cutting each other’s throats. And Hogan always looking up for himself, that was part of the reason.”

Although WCW no longer exists, it will always go down in history as one of the toughest competitors to WWE, which ultimately helped them become a better promotion that the fans have loved for nearly four decades.

What are your thoughts on Konnan naming individuals and giving reasons for the downfall of WCW? Sound off in the comments!