Natural Born Thrillers
Encyclopedia
The Natural Born Thrillers was a professional wrestling
stable in World Championship Wrestling
in 2000. The name is a play on the 1994
film Natural Born Killers
.
. They were trained together by Paul Orndorff
and WCW management decided to push them immediately.
The Thrillers were Mike Sanders
who was the leader of the group, Chuck Palumbo
, Sean O'Haire
, Shawn Stasiak
, Reno
, Mark Jindrak
and Johnny the Bull
. They became the enforcer group for Vince Russo
and Eric Bischoff
, replacing the Filthy Animals
, who they quickly began feuding with. Tension between the two teams quickly grew as the Thrillers attacked their former trainer, Orndoff, and the Animals saved him. At Fall Brawl, the Thrillers and the Animals had an elimination match. After the Thrillers eliminated all but two members of the Animals, the match ended in a no-contest after Orndoff legitimately injured himself attempting a piledriver. The next night, the Thrillers faced off against the two survivors, Rey Misterio Jr. and Tygress, and lost.
The following week, Jindrak and O'Haire won a battle royal
to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship
. Sanders became the new WCW commissioner by defeating Ernest Miller
, and he declared the WCW Hardcore Championship
vacant. He set up a tournament to crown the new champion, which was won by Sgt. AWOL
. Sanders, however, reversed the decision and the title was awarded to Reno. In October, Jindrak and O'Haire lost the tag titles to Lt. Loco
and Cpl. Cajun, but won them back the same night, when Sanders made an immediate rematch.
They were later "coached" by Kevin Nash
, who helped Sanders win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship
in a Powerbomb match, after he powerbombed Elix Skipper
. The Thrillers later turned on Nash, however, and a handicap match with O'Haire, Palumbo, and Stasiak, against Nash went to a no-contest. Jindrak and O'Haire lost the Tag Team Championship to Boogie Knights
on November 20, but the following week, Stasiak and Palumbo, as The Perfect Event
, won the tag team titles from the Boogie Knights. The Perfect Event feuded with Nash and his new partner, Diamond Dallas Page
, who called themselves The Insiders
. At Mayhem
, The Insiders won the Tag team Championships, but Sanders later stripped them of the titles.
Sanders lost the Cruiserweight Championship to Chavo Guerrero, Jr on December 6. The following week, Sanders set up a handicap match between Guerrero and the Perfect Event, which the Perfect Event won. Sanders also set up a three-way dance between the Insiders, O'Haire and Jindrak, and the Perfect Event, which the Perfect Event won. At Starrcade
, the Insiders beat the Perfect Event for the tag team Championships, despite O'Haire and Jindrak's interference.
Sanders then announced a tag team Battle Royal for the number one contendership to the tag team Championships. The final two teams in the battle royal were O'Haire and Jindrak, and the Perfect Event. Sanders declared both teams the winner, and announced that one member from each team would compete for the titles. Palumbo and O'Haire later won them in early January 2001, at Sin
. Also, at Sin, Sanders lost the Commissioner position back to Miller, and was unable to regain it over the next few weeks.
By February 2001, the Thrillers had broken up. Tensions grew between the teams of Stasiak and Jindrak, and Palumbo and O'Haire. Stasiak and Jindrak demanded their shot at the tag team titles, and were given a title match at Superbrawl. O'Haire and Palumbo, however, retained the titles. After the break-up, Palumbo and O'Haire continued as a tag team, moving to the WWE after it had bought out WCW, while Stasiak and Jindrak moved into singles competition. Johnny the Bull reformed the Mamalukes with Big Vito, but Neither Jindrak or Reno rose to much prominence after the Thrillers.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
stable in World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
in 2000. The name is a play on the 1994
1994 in film
1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time...
film Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers is a 1994 crime/black comedy film directed by Oliver Stone about two victims of traumatic childhoods who became lovers and psychopathic serial killers, and are irresponsibly glorified by the mass media...
.
History
The Natural Born Thrillers were made up of seven young wrestlers, all from the WCW Power PlantWCW Power Plant
The WCW Power Plant was a professional wrestling school located in Atlanta, Georgia and owned and operated by World Championship Wrestling. The Power Plant, which was developed from a school operated by Jody Hamilton, was in operation throughout the 1990s...
. They were trained together by Paul Orndorff
Paul Orndorff
Paul Parlette Orndorff, Jr. is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling as "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff...
and WCW management decided to push them immediately.
The Thrillers were Mike Sanders
Mike Sanders (wrestler)
For the former National Basketball Association player, see Mike Sanders .Michael Edwin Neil Sanders is an American stand-up comedian and former professional wrestler...
who was the leader of the group, Chuck Palumbo
Chuck Palumbo
Charles "Chuck" Palumbo is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Nu-Wrestling Evolution . Palumbo is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment...
, Sean O'Haire
Sean O'Haire
Sean Christopher Haire is an American mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sean O'Haire.-World Championship Wrestling:...
, Shawn Stasiak
Shawn Stasiak
Dr. Shawn Emile Stipich, DC, is an American chiropractor and former professional wrestler. He is best known under the ring name Shawn Stasiak and for his stints with World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment, where he is a fifteen time Hardcore Champion, and World Championship Wrestling, where he...
, Reno
Rick Cornell
Richard "Rick" Cornell is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Reno, where he was a one time Hardcore Champion.-Before wrestling:...
, Mark Jindrak
Mark Jindrak
Mark Robert Jindrak is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
and Johnny the Bull
John Hugger
John Hugger is an American professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling as Johnny the Bull, World Wrestling Entertainment as Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli...
. They became the enforcer group for Vince Russo
Vince Russo
Vincent James "Vince" Russo is an American creative writer and author, well known for his work in the professional wrestling industry. He is notable for his tenure with World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, replacing the Filthy Animals
Filthy Animals
The Filthy Animals was a professional wrestling faction in World Championship Wrestling from 1999 until 2001.-Concept:The Filthy Animals was a group conceived after Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara were hired by WCW. The plan for the stable was to be WCW's version of the World Wrestling Federation's...
, who they quickly began feuding with. Tension between the two teams quickly grew as the Thrillers attacked their former trainer, Orndoff, and the Animals saved him. At Fall Brawl, the Thrillers and the Animals had an elimination match. After the Thrillers eliminated all but two members of the Animals, the match ended in a no-contest after Orndoff legitimately injured himself attempting a piledriver. The next night, the Thrillers faced off against the two survivors, Rey Misterio Jr. and Tygress, and lost.
The following week, Jindrak and O'Haire won a battle royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
to win the WCW World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
. Sanders became the new WCW commissioner by defeating Ernest Miller
Ernest Miller
Ernest Clifford Miller is an American actor and former professional wrestler who worked for World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment better known by his ring name, Ernest "The Cat" Miller....
, and he declared the WCW Hardcore Championship
WCW Hardcore Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Hardcore Championship was a title in World Championship Wrestling. The title was defended in Hardcore matches, in which there were few rules and restrictions and weapons were allowed. Eventually, the rules were changed so that matches began in the backstage area...
vacant. He set up a tournament to crown the new champion, which was won by Sgt. AWOL
Jerry Tuite
Jerry Tuite was an American professional wrestler best known by his ring names, The Wall in World Championship Wrestling and Malice while performing for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Career:...
. Sanders, however, reversed the decision and the title was awarded to Reno. In October, Jindrak and O'Haire lost the tag titles to Lt. Loco
Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
Salvador "Chavo" Guerrero IV also known as Chavo Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, Jr., is a third generation Mexican-American professional wrestler and member of the famed Guerrero wrestling family who was well known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling...
and Cpl. Cajun, but won them back the same night, when Sanders made an immediate rematch.
They were later "coached" by Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash
Kevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster...
, who helped Sanders win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship
WWE Cruiserweight Championship
The World Wrestling Entertainment Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was originally a World Championship Wrestling title. It was challenged by cruiserweights at a maximum weight of 215 lbs...
in a Powerbomb match, after he powerbombed Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, where he was a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and a one-time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a four-time NWA World Tag Team...
. The Thrillers later turned on Nash, however, and a handicap match with O'Haire, Palumbo, and Stasiak, against Nash went to a no-contest. Jindrak and O'Haire lost the Tag Team Championship to Boogie Knights
Dancing Fools
The Dancing Fools were a professional wrestling tag team in World Championship Wrestling composed of Disco Inferno and Alex Wright. They were also called the Boogie Knights when the pair reunited later on.-The Dancing Fools:...
on November 20, but the following week, Stasiak and Palumbo, as The Perfect Event
Perfect Event
Perfect Event was a heel tag team in World Championship Wrestling in 2000. The team consisted of Shawn Stasiak and Chuck Palumbo. They are former WCW World Tag Team Champions. Stasiak feuded with and "stole" Curt Hennig's "Perfect" gimmick while Palumbo feuded with and "stole" Lex Luger's "Total...
, won the tag team titles from the Boogie Knights. The Perfect Event feuded with Nash and his new partner, Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page
Dallas Page , better known by his ring name "Diamond" Dallas Page , is an American retired professional wrestler, fitness instructor and actor...
, who called themselves The Insiders
The Insiders (professional wrestling)
The Insiders were a professional wrestling tag team in World Championship Wrestling composed of Diamond Dallas Page and Kevin Nash.-Vegas Connection :...
. At Mayhem
WCW Mayhem
Mayhem was a professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Championship Wrestling and held in the month of November in 1999 and 2000. It is noted for being the first wrestling pay-per-view named after a video game, rather than the video game named after a pay-per-view.- 1999 :Mayhem 1999...
, The Insiders won the Tag team Championships, but Sanders later stripped them of the titles.
Sanders lost the Cruiserweight Championship to Chavo Guerrero, Jr on December 6. The following week, Sanders set up a handicap match between Guerrero and the Perfect Event, which the Perfect Event won. Sanders also set up a three-way dance between the Insiders, O'Haire and Jindrak, and the Perfect Event, which the Perfect Event won. At Starrcade
Starrcade (2000)
Starrcade was the eighteenth annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view event. It was the thirteenth and last Starrcade event produced by World Championship Wrestling , and it took place on December 17, 2000 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C...
, the Insiders beat the Perfect Event for the tag team Championships, despite O'Haire and Jindrak's interference.
Sanders then announced a tag team Battle Royal for the number one contendership to the tag team Championships. The final two teams in the battle royal were O'Haire and Jindrak, and the Perfect Event. Sanders declared both teams the winner, and announced that one member from each team would compete for the titles. Palumbo and O'Haire later won them in early January 2001, at Sin
WCW Sin
Sin was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling that replaced WCW's January PPV event, Souled Out. Sin was the third to last WCW PPV before the company was bought by the World Wrestling Federation...
. Also, at Sin, Sanders lost the Commissioner position back to Miller, and was unable to regain it over the next few weeks.
By February 2001, the Thrillers had broken up. Tensions grew between the teams of Stasiak and Jindrak, and Palumbo and O'Haire. Stasiak and Jindrak demanded their shot at the tag team titles, and were given a title match at Superbrawl. O'Haire and Palumbo, however, retained the titles. After the break-up, Palumbo and O'Haire continued as a tag team, moving to the WWE after it had bought out WCW, while Stasiak and Jindrak moved into singles competition. Johnny the Bull reformed the Mamalukes with Big Vito, but Neither Jindrak or Reno rose to much prominence after the Thrillers.
Members
- Mike SandersMike Sanders (wrestler)For the former National Basketball Association player, see Mike Sanders .Michael Edwin Neil Sanders is an American stand-up comedian and former professional wrestler...
(leader) - Sean O'HaireSean O'HaireSean Christopher Haire is an American mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sean O'Haire.-World Championship Wrestling:...
- Mark JindrakMark JindrakMark Robert Jindrak is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
- Shawn StasiakShawn StasiakDr. Shawn Emile Stipich, DC, is an American chiropractor and former professional wrestler. He is best known under the ring name Shawn Stasiak and for his stints with World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment, where he is a fifteen time Hardcore Champion, and World Championship Wrestling, where he...
- Chuck PalumboChuck PalumboCharles "Chuck" Palumbo is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Nu-Wrestling Evolution . Palumbo is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment...
- RenoRick CornellRichard "Rick" Cornell is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Reno, where he was a one time Hardcore Champion.-Before wrestling:...
- Johnny the BullJohn HuggerJohn Hugger is an American professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling as Johnny the Bull, World Wrestling Entertainment as Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli...
In wrestling
- Double-team finishing moves
- Double superkick (O'Haire and Palumbo)
- Sky lift slam (Johnny the Bull, Reno, Palumbo, O'Haire, and Jindrak) – parodied from The MamalukesThe MamalukesThe Mamalukes were a professional wrestling tag team in World Championship Wrestling.-History:The Mamalukes were formed in late 1999 when Big Vito arrived in WCW and established a team with Johnny the Bull. They were managed by Tony Marinara...
- Double-team signature moves
- Double flapjack dropped into a hangman (O'Haire and Palumbo)
- Double hip toss (O'Haire and Jindrak)
- Double slingshot suplex (O'Haire and Palumbo)
- Double vertical suplex (O'Haire and Jindrak)
- ManagerManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
s- Kevin NashKevin NashKevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster...
(mentor)
- Kevin Nash
Championships and accomplishments
- World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
- WCW World Tag Team ChampionshipWCW World Tag Team ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
(6 times) – Stasiak and Palumbo (3), O'Haire and Jindrak (2), Palumbo and O'Haire (1) - WCW Cruiserweight ChampionshipWWE Cruiserweight ChampionshipThe World Wrestling Entertainment Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was originally a World Championship Wrestling title. It was challenged by cruiserweights at a maximum weight of 215 lbs...
(1 time) – Sanders - WCW Hardcore ChampionshipWCW Hardcore ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Hardcore Championship was a title in World Championship Wrestling. The title was defended in Hardcore matches, in which there were few rules and restrictions and weapons were allowed. Eventually, the rules were changed so that matches began in the backstage area...
(1 time) – Reno
See also
- The MamalukesThe MamalukesThe Mamalukes were a professional wrestling tag team in World Championship Wrestling.-History:The Mamalukes were formed in late 1999 when Big Vito arrived in WCW and established a team with Johnny the Bull. They were managed by Tony Marinara...
- The New Blood
- Perfect EventPerfect EventPerfect Event was a heel tag team in World Championship Wrestling in 2000. The team consisted of Shawn Stasiak and Chuck Palumbo. They are former WCW World Tag Team Champions. Stasiak feuded with and "stole" Curt Hennig's "Perfect" gimmick while Palumbo feuded with and "stole" Lex Luger's "Total...