** Greetings and welcome to the first issue of "On Top of Space Mountain," my weekly column on the state of affairs at WCW.  What this column consists of is basically a page of random thoughts about the past week strung together in column form, to make it look important.  So without any further hesitation I present to you..."On Top of Space Mountain."

** First of all, I would like to take a moment to remember Bobby Duncum, Jr., who died this past week.  Sure, he was never a real hot commodity in WCW.  His high point was being a West Texas Redneck.  However, he was involved in one of the greatest moments in WCW history that I'm sure we'll never forget.  It was the day he hog-tied Ralphus.  Rest in Peace.

**As you all know by now, WCW is basically in a state of turmoil.  I won't rehash the entire story because I'm sure we all know it by heart.  Am I pissed?  Hells yeah!  But I'm not pissed at Benoit, Malenko, Saturn, and Guerrero.  They acted in their own best interest and I can never fault anyone for that.  I'm pissed at WCW because they are willing to practically give away four wrestlers who have combined for numerous WCW TV, Cruiserweight, Tag Team, and US Titles, and even a World Title thanks to Benoit at Souled Out, just so they could have Kevin Sullivan in charge of the booking committee, a man who has proven in the past he's not worth the cost of the paper to print his paycheck.  What people are thinking sometimes, I just don't know.

** Overall, kind of a lackluster week for WCW, in my opinion.  Nitro was not really up to par.  Thunder was an improvement from the previous week, but it was still kinda weak.  What did I like?  I'm glad you asked...

** Thank God for the Cruiserweight Title Tournament.  This has great potential.  Getting Kid Romeo in on the mix is a good start too.  I'm glad to see them elevating the Power Plant Elite.  Who cares if he jobbed to The Iaukea Formerly Known As Prince.  His time will come.  My pick for Cruiserweight Champion...Lash LeRoux.  Obviously, I don't know for sure that he's involved, but I'm guessing he will be.  If he doesn't win, I'm guessing it will be...Chavo Guerrero.  Just you watch!

**If they can find a way to NEVER speak, 3 Count could be good because they've got some good ring ability.  I think any two of those guys could form a good Cruiserweight Tag Team.  I will admit, though, that the skit on Thunder with them at the autograph session was really funny.  I think it actually would have been better if The Mamalukes hadn't shown up.

**Four words...I LOVE THE CAT!!!  Somebody please call my Momma.   

**Both Kidman vs. Vampiro matches were excellent.  I'm glad to see them getting some good TV time.  Kidman would actually be my ideal Crusierweight Champ, but it looks as if he's being pushed beyond that.  And did anyone notice...Vampiro managed to POWERBOMB KIDMAN!!!  Unheard of.

**Norman Smiley and his Showgirls.  In a word...classic.

**The second best moment of the past week...The Return of The Nature Boy!!!  Normally, this would be the best moment of the week, but something happened on Thunder that surpassed it in terms of all out hilarity...

** THE NWO CASINO!!!  Where did that come from?!  I don't know, but I LOVED IT!!!  That was one of the funniest moments involving the nWo I've seen since Buff Bagwell and Scott Steiner were honorary Highway Patrolmen.  Keep in mind...this wasn't just a casino run by the nWo.  It was a casino run by the nWo...IN THE ARENA!!!  All this and Wayne Newton to boot!  This set of skits took huge strides in making Thunder "special agein."

**But of course, there was stuff I could have done without in the past week...

**The Wall vs. Kid Romeo.  Now, The Wall vs. ANYBODY is cause enough for complaint, but Kid ROMEO?!  This match doesn't do anything for anyone.  It doesn't get The Wall over by beating up on Nitro-newcomer Kid Romeo, and it doesn't help Kid Romeo get over by getting squashed by The Wall in his Nitro debut.  It's understandable he should do the job, but at least have him do the job A)In an impressive fashion, and B)Against somebody who's over so it will make Kid Romeo look like a better wrestler.

**Al Greene was on my TV set Monday night.  That's a no-no.  Al Greene should barely be on my TV set AT ALL, let alone on Nitro.  Again, it doesn't put Tank Abbott over by wailing on Al Greene.  Al Greene should stick to feuding with Dan "The Beast" Severn in WXO.

** Terry Funk with wins over Bam Bam and The Demon?  Now that he's not commissioner, he seems a little tacked on in the storyline.  And I just don't see why Terry Funk would want to wrestle either of these guys.  However, I do like the idea of Bam Bam receiving money to beat other wrestlers in kind of a "Bounty Hunter" like gimmick.  I think that would be funny, figuring he was once a bounty hunter in real life.  Speaking of The Demon...

** I don't like The Demon.  I don't know what was worse for Dale Torborg...this, or the Most Violent Player?

** I need The Harris Bros. and The Maestro to both get off my screen.  I don't think I have to explain.

** After watching The Total Package every week, I think we're all wondering where to sign up for Larry Pfohl's School of Drama.  Boy, can he ever act!  Boy, do I know how to use sarcasm!

**Stop wasting BOOKER T!  I like having him seperated from Harlem Heat, but having him job to Luger and squash Jerry Flynn is not helping his career any.

**Well, that's it for the first issue.  Just remember...
TO BE THE MAN, YOU'VE GOTTA BEAT THE MAN!!!  WHOOO!!!

THIS RIDE IS OVER