The Piledriver Report 3.17.11: The Ultimate March Madness Tournament – Round One Results and Round Two Match-Ups

The field is now narrowed down to the final thirty-two wrestlers of the ECW/WCW era in the tournament. Before the results are given, I would like to thank everyone who has voted thus far. I have received 45 e-mails voting on the tournament. Thank you again.

Along with the results, I will be including how many votes each wrestler received in parenthesis. Next, will come the SECOND ROUND match-up, which I will need you to vote on. I will end the column with the wrestlers I had picked to win in the first round.

PLEASE E-MAIL ME WHO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE ROUND TWO MATCHES BY MONDAY, MARCH 21st, 2011 at [email protected] or by entering your choices in the Comments Section.

ROUND ONE RESULTS

TURNER REGION

1. Hulk Hogan (43) over 16. Blue Meanie (2)
8. Eddie Guerrero (44) over 9. Konnan (1)
5. Randy Savage (35) over 12. Curt Hennig (9)
4. The Giant (39) over 13. Juventud Guerrera (6)
11. Sid Vicious (25) over 6. Mike Awesome (19)
3. Jeff Jarrett (41) over 14. Balls Mahoney (4)
7. Steve Austin (29) over 10. Brian Pillman (16)
2. Shane Douglas (42) over 15. John Kronus (3)

BISCHOFF REGION

1. Sting (45) over 16. Brian Lee (0)
8. Lance Storm (26) over 9. Rhino (19)
5. Tommy Dreamer (31) over 12. Sean Waltman (14)
4. Sabu (34) over 13. Perry Saturn (11)
6. Ric Flair (43) over 11. Stevie Richards (2)
3. Raven (44) over 14. Al Snow (1)
7. Chris Jericho (45) over 10. Chris Candido (0)
2. Kevin Nash (41) over 15. Axl Rotten (3)

GORDON REGION

1. Bill Goldberg (44) over 16. Danny Doring (1)
8. Bam Bam Bigelow (44) over 9. Buff Bagwell (1)
5. Diamond Dallas Page (42) over 12. Billy Kidman (3)
4. Lex Luger (28) over 13. Ultimo Dragon (17)
6. Cactus Jack (39) over 11. Jerry Lynn (6)
3. Bret Hart (40) over 14. Mikey Whipwreck (5)
7. Chris Benoit (36) over 10. Dean Malenko (9)
2. Rob Van Dam (31) over 15. Arn Anderson (14)

HEYMAN REGION

1. Booker T (43) over 16. Hollywood/Super Nova (2)
9. Rey Mysterio (42) over 8. Justin Credible (3)
5. Sandman (41) over 12. New Jack (4)
4. Terry Funk (33) over 13. 2 Cold Scorpio (12)
6. Scott Hall (36) over 11. Steve Corino (9)
3. Scott Steiner (40) over 14. Shane Helms (5)
7. Vader (38) over 10. Masato Tanaka (7)
2. Taz (43) over 15. Spike Dudley (2)

ROUND TWO MATCH-UPS

TURNER REGION

1. Hulk Hogan vs. 8. Eddie Guerrero
5. Randy Savage vs. 4. The Giant
11. Sid Vicious vs. 3. Jeff Jarrett
7. Steve Austin vs. 2. Shane Douglas

BISCHOFF REGION

1. Sting vs. 8. Lance Storm
5. Tommy Dreamer vs. 4. Sabu
6. Ric Flair vs. 3. Raven
7. Chris Jericho vs. 2. Kevin Nash

GORDON REGION

1. Bill Goldberg vs. 8. Bam Bam Bigelow
5. Diamond Dallas Page vs. 4. Lex Luger
6. Cactus Jack vs. 3. Bret Hart
7. Chris Benoit vs. 2. Rob Van Dam

HEYMAN REGION

1. Booker T vs. 9. Rey Mysterio
5. Sandman vs. 4. Terry Funk
6. Scott Hall vs. 3. Scott Steiner
7. Vader vs. 2. Taz

MY FIRST ROUND PICKS

TURNER REGION

1. Hulk Hogan over 16. Blue Meanie
8. Eddie Guerrero over 9. Konnan
5. Randy Savage over 12. Curt Hennig
4. The Giant over 13. Juventud Guerrera
11. Sid Vicious over 6. Mike Awesome
3. Jeff Jarrett over 14. Balls Mahoney
7. Steve Austin over 10. Brian Pillman
2. Shane Douglas over 15. John Kronus

BISCHOFF REGION

1. Sting over 16. Brian Lee
8. Lance Storm over 9. Rhino
5. Tommy Dreamer over 12. Sean Waltman
4. Sabu over 13. Perry Saturn
6. Ric Flair over 11. Stevie Richards
3. Raven over 14. Al Snow
7. Chris Jericho over 10. Chris Candido
2. Kevin Nash over 15. Axl Rotten

GORDON REGION

1. Bill Goldberg over 16. Danny Doring
8. Bam Bam Bigelow over 9. Buff Bagwell
5. Diamond Dallas Page over 12. Billy Kidman
4. Lex Luger over 13. Ultimo Dragon
6. Cactus Jack over 11. Jerry Lynn
3. Bret Hart over 14. Mikey Whipwreck
7. Chris Benoit over 10. Dean Malenko
2. Rob Van Dam over 15. Arn Anderson

HEYMAN REGION

1. Booker T over 16. Hollywood/Super Nova
9. Rey Mysterio over 8. Justin Credible
5. Sandman over 12. New Jack
4. Terry Funk over 13. 2 Cold Scorpio
6. Scott Hall over 11. Steve Corino
3. Scott Steiner over 14. Shane Helms
7. Vader over 10. Masato Tanaka
2. Taz over 15. Spike Dudley

THE PARTICIPANTS

Hulk Hogan: Hogan was a six-time WCW World Champion. With Scott Hall and Kevin Nash by his side, the Hulkster was the central figure of the hottest angle in WCW history. The New World Order angle helped WCW overtake the WWF in the Monday Night Wars for over eighty weeks. In 1996, he entered the “Wrestling Observer’s” Hall of Fame. In 1996 and 1998, Hogan was voted “Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s” Most Hated Wrestler. In 1999, PWI named him the Most Inspirational Wrestler. Hulk Hogan received the honor of Wrestler of the Year in 1994 for “Pro Wrestling Illustrated.”

Taz: Taz was a two-time ECW World Heavyweight champion, a two-time ECW Television Champion, and a two-time ECW FTW champion. He also held the ECW tag team champion. Along with Sabu, Taz is one of only two wrestlers to hold every championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling. In 1999, Taz was voted the #10 best singles wrestler in the PWI 500.

Kevin Nash: Nash is a five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion and a nine-time WCW World Tag Team Champion. In 1996, Nash “invaded” WCW with Scott Hall to form two thirds of the New World Order faction with Hulk Hogan. In 1997, he was voted as one half of the PWI Tag Team of the Year, along with Scott Hall. Kevin Nash was the wrestler who ended Bill Goldberg’s “undefeated” streak.

Sandman: The Sandman is one of the Mount Rushmore ECW personalities. Sandman is a five-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time ECW Tag Team Champion. Sandman had classic feuds with Tommy Dreamer and Raven that helped revolutionize ECW as a renegade promotion. His first ECW stint lasted from 1993-1999, until he signed with WCW, where he only lasted a year before heading back to ECW.

Scott Hall: Scott Hall held the WCW United States Championship on two occasions, the WCW World Tag Team titles seven times, and is a one-time WCW Television champion. Scott Hall was the first “outsider” to invade WCW which set the New World Order storyline into motion.

Raven: Raven was one of the cornerstones of ECW. He was the character the Paul Heyman related to the most. Raven is a two-time ECW World Champion, and a four-time ECW World Tag Team Champion. During the Monday Night Wars Era, Raven also spent time on World Championship Wrestling, where he was a United States Champion, as well as holding the WCW World Tag Team Championship.

Sting: When you think of World Championship Wrestling, two names come to mind. The first is Ric Flair. The second is the man who never went to the rival World Wrestling Federation. This man is Sting. During the Monday Night Wars, Sting captured on United States Championship, four WCW World Heavyweight titles, and three WCW World Tag Team Championships.

Shane Douglas: Shane Douglas was nicknamed “The Franchise” in ECW. It was a nickname that served him well, as he truly was the franchise of ECW. Douglas won three ECW World Championships during the Monday Night Wars. His three reigns equals a total length of over 840 days. He held the ECW World Television championship on two occasions for a total of 350 days. In WCW, Shane won the United States title one time, and the WCW World Tag Team championship with Buff Bagwell during the “Wars” era.

Ric Flair: When it comes to the question of who is the face of WCW, the answer is Ric Flair. During the Monday Night Wars, Flair is a six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time WCW United States Champion. In 1996, Ric Flair was voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Hall of Fame.

Sabu: Sabu is one of the most innovative wrestlers in the industry. As part of one of ECW’s major players, he has held every time in ECW. Sabu is a three-time ECW World Tag Team Champion, a two-time ECW World Champion, a one-time ECW Television titlelist, and even held Taz’s FTW title.

Lex Luger: “The Total Package” captured the WCW World Heavyweight title and the United States championship during the 1994-2001 time period. He also held two WCW World Tag Team titles and two WCW World Television championships. In 1997, he was voted Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Wrestler of the Year.

Rob Van Dam: RVD, known as “Mr. Monday Night” and “Mr. PPV,” is was of the most innovative wrestlers of this generation. He is a two-time ECW World Tag Team champion. Van Dam is also the longest reigning ECW World Television champion. His one reign lasted 700 days, which is double of the next highest title holder, Shane Douglas, had accomplished in two title reigns.

Randy Savage: The “Macho Man” held the WCW World Heavyweight championship on four different occasions. In 1995, he won the World War 3 battle royal, as well as the King of Cable tournament. That year, he was voted as Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Comeback Wrestler of the Year. In 1996, he was voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Hall of Fame. In 1997, Savage was voted as part of PWI’s Feud of the Year, along with Diamond Dallas Page.

Lance Storm: Lance Storm held the ECW World Tag Team championship on three separate occasions. He later moved to World Championship Wrestling where he quickly captured the WCW United States championship, Cruiserweight title, and Hardcore belts. Despite WCW’s creative team having Lance Storm rename the championships Canadian Heavyweight Championship, 100 kg and Under Championship, and Saskatchewan Hardcore International Title, by winning the belts, Lance Storm became the first triple crown champion in World Championship Wrestling’s history.

Diamond Dallas Page: Dallas Page is listed as a Grand Slam champion in WCW. DDP is a three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He captured the WCW United States title on three separate occasions. He has one WCW World Television title reigns, and four WCW World Tag Team championships. In 1996, Page was voted the Most Improved Wrestler in Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The next year, he was voted as part of the Feud of the Year with Randy Savage by the same publication. In 1999, PWI fans voted him the Most Hated Wrestler of the Year. In 1996, he won the Most Improved Wrester of the Year award in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In 1997, his Diamond Cutter was named the Move of the Year in the same newsletter.

Terry Funk: Terry Funk held the ECW World title as 1994 began, and captured the belt again on ECW’s inaugural pay per view, Barely Legal, in 1997. In September 2000, he had a one day title reign as the WCW’s United States champion. Funk is a two-time WCW Hardcore champion, and was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1995. In 1997, he was voted the Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year in Pro Wrestling Illustrated. In 1996, he was selected into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame.

Bret Hart: Bret Hart is the first wrestler to have been a Triple Crown winner in the WWF and WCW. He captured the WCW World Heavyweight championship twice, the WCW United States Championship of four occasions, and one WCW World Tag Team title reign. In 1996, he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Hall of Fame.

Bill Goldberg: Goldberg is probably most famous for his run in World Championship Wrestling where emassed a 173 match “undefeated” streak. During that run, he captured the WCW United States championship and the WCW World Heavyweight title. He would go on to win the United States title one more time, as well as capturing the WCW World Tag Team titles with Bret Hart. In 1998, he was voted both Rookie of the Year and Inspirational Wrestler of the Year in Pro Wrestling Illustrated. In 1998, he also won the Rookie of the Year award in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Booker T: Booker T is a four-time, four-time WCW World Heavyweight champion. The fifth reign came under the WWE’s umbrella. Booker captured a record ten WCW World Tag Team championships, all with Stevie Ray as part of Harlem Heat. Booker held the WCW United States championship one time, and the WCW Television title six times. In 1995 and 1996, Harlem Heat were voted Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Tag Team of the Year. In 1998, he was voted Most Improved Wrestler, and in 2000, Booker was named Most Inspirational Wrestler by the same publication.

Scott Steiner: Scott Steiner is a two-time WCW United States champion. He captured one WCW World Television championship between 1994-2001. With brother Rick, Scott captured four WCW World Tag Team titles during that time frame. He is also a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion.

Tommy Dreamer: More than any other wrestler that ever worked in ECW, when you think of Extreme Championship Wrestling, the first person to come to mind is Tommy Dreamer. Dreamer WAS ECW. During his stint in ECW, he held the ECW World Tag Team title three different times. He also defeated Taz for his only ECW World Heavyweight championship. Trivia Note: Tommy Dreamer is the only wrestler to win the ECW World title in the company owned by Paul Heyman, and the WWE’s version of the ECW World title.

Jeff Jarrett: Jarrett is a three time WCW United States champion. He is also a four-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Jarrett was the man who held the WCW World title when actor David Arquette won the belt in a tag team match. Jarrett was also the champion during the Hogan-Russo shoot at the 2000 Bash at the Beach when he laid down to get pinned as Russo told the crowd that Hulk Hogan threw down his creative control card.

The Giant: In 1996, The Giant was voted the Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Rookie of the Year and Wrestler of the Year. That same year, he won WCW’s World War 3, WCW King of Cable, and his second WCW World Heavyweight championship (winning his first on October 29th, 1995 against Hulk Hogan). That year, he also won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Rookie of the Year award. Throughout his WCW career, The Giant also captured three World Tag Team championships.

Big Van Vader: During the 1994-2001 time span, Vader is a one-time United States champion. His greatest success came prior to 1994 as a three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. In 1996, he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was voted Most Improved Wrestler by the same publication.

Cactus Jack: Cactus is a one-time WCW World Tag Team champion, and a two-time ECW World Tag Team champion. The king of hardcore is probably most famous (non-WWF/E run) was in ECW, where he delivered some of his best promo work of his career in the anti-hardcore/kane Dewey promos.

Steve Austin: Austin started 1994 as the WCW United States champion, where he would hold that belt on two occasions. While Austin’s greatest WCW success came before 1994, his brief stint in 1995 for Extreme Championship Wrestling held to pave the way for Steve Austin’s ultra-successful “Stone Cold” character in the WWF/E.

Chris Jericho: Before Jericho became the best there is at what he does, or became the first unified champion in wrestling history, he was a performer for both ECW and WCW. While in ECW, he captured the ECW Television title. In WCW, he was a four-time Cruiserweight champion, as well as a one-time WCW Television titleholder.

Chris Benoit: We know all about the monster that became Chris Benoit. However, this isn’t about Chris Benoit the man, it’s about the wrestling character Chris Benoit. Benoit won the ECW World Tag Team championship with dean Malenko in 1995. He is a grand slam champion in WCW, winning one WCW World Heavyweight Championship, two United States titles, two WCW World Tag Team championships, and three WCW Television titles. He was voted as the Best Technical Wrestler in 1994 and 1995 in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In 1998, he was voted the Most Underrated Wrestler in the Observer. He was named the Readers Favorite Wrestler in the same publication in 1997.

Eddie Guerrero: Guerrero won the ECW Television on two occasions. In WCW, he is a two-time Cruiserweight champion, as well as holding the WCW United States title once. In 1999, he was voted the Comeback Wrestler of the Year in Pro Wrestling Illustrated. In 1995, he was voted for the Feud of the Year in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in his ECW feud against Dean Malenko.

Bam Bam Bigelow: Bigelow, one of the best athletic big men in the history of the business, was best known in ECW as being a part of the Triple Threat faction with Chris Candido and Shane Douglas. In ECW, Bam Bam captured one ECW World championship from fellow Triple Threat member Shane Douglas. He also beat Taz for the ECW Television title. In WCW, he is a one-time WCW Hardcore Champion, and a one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion as part of the Jersy Triad with Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon.

Rey Mysterio: Mysterio wrestled briefly in ECW, before heading to World Championship Wrestling. In WCW, he was a five-time WCW Cruiserwieght champion. He captured the WCW World Cruiserweight Tag Team titles on one occasion with Billy Kidman. Rey won three WCW World Tag Team titles as well. From 1995-1997, Mysterio was voted as the Best High Flying Wrestler in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. In 1995, his West Coast Pop was named the Wrestling Maneuver in the same publication. He captured the Most Outstanding Wrestler award in the Observer’s 1996 year end issue.

Sid Vicious: Sid became a household name, and main event player in the industry ever since he debuted in WCW in 1989. However, he didn’t win his first championship in WCW until a decade later. He won his only WCW United States championship in 1999. He then went on to capture two WCW World Heavyweight titles.