Well, happy days are here again. Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo, since returning on April 10th, have made WCW a superior product to the World Wrestling Federation once again. That view may not be popular opinion right now, but compared to the WWF, WCW is fresh and exciting. The matches may not be as long as they are "up north," but they're filled with so much more intesity and emotion. From the announcers to the wrestlers to the referees, every person with an on-air role seem to have dug down deep and delivered an extra "umph" that's needed to make WCW more exciting. Thank you EZE and Sleazy V.

It's hard to pick my favorite part of WCW right now. I love the creepy feud Sting and Vampiro are having, I love the renaissance of Hulk Hogan's character, and I love how nearly every person in the company is on a "level playing field" (luchadores aside). As far as my favorite faction goes, it may surprise you. It's not the New Blood or Millionare's Club. It's the Misfits In Action.

All the guys in this group have been jobbers for their entire WCW careers. Despite mini-pushes for each wrestler, none has ever gotten "there." It's a shame too, because I've been a big fan of three of the four members. Hugh Morrus, Chavo Guerrero, and Lash Leroux have always been some of my favorite midcarders around. Van Hammer never really did anything for me, but under the eye of Russo I'm willing to give him a chance. Let's take a look at each member under the microscope to see why I love this new stable.

1: Hugh Morrus
The leader of the MIA, or "captain," Hugh Morrus always had serious potential. He was very agile for a big man and seemed to work with a lot of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the only real standout point in his career is the fact that he was the first ever to lose to Goldberg. WCW stuck him in the dismal "First Family" in 1999 and he remained there until Vince Russo and Ed Ferrera came to WCW later that year. He was going to have an angle with his his so-called father named "Pops," but injuries held that idea down. Now using his "real" name of Hugh G. Rection (you have to love that), Captain Rection is on the U.S. Title level.

2: Lash Leroux
"The Ragin' Cajun" was a Saturday Night jobber until after Eric Bischoff was removed from office in September of 1999. He was given a Cruiserweight Title shot against Disco Inferno at Halloween Havoc, which wasn't going to initially take him anywhere if it hadn't been for Russo and Ferrera coming in the weeks leading up to Havoc. Lash did the job to Disco, but then formed a partnership with him against Tony Marinara and the Mamalukes. Disco was captured by the 'lukes and forced to become part of the mob. Lash looked to be getting a serious feud against the group when Russo was removed from power and replaced with Kevin Sullivan. After that Lash got jobbed to no end, but now both Bischoff and Russo are back. He's taken the moniker "Corporal Cajun" and may make 2000 his best year yet.

3: Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Easily the most charismatic of the group, Chavo played the part of the insane nephew of Eddie Guerrero for a couple years. Around the time when the lWo formed, Chavo was broken away from Uncle Eddie and given a stickhorse named Peppy. Chavo would talk to his good friend Peppy and the insane gimmick was getting good crowd response, until someone in the back had the idea for Norman Smiley to throw Peppy in a wood chipper, "killing him." Peppy's death also marked the death of Chavo's push. He jobbed to Norman Smiley at SuperBrawl VIIII and that was that. Later in '99 when the Filthy Animals formed, Chavo rivaled the group with Juventud Guerrera and Psychosis. Then Russo-Ferrera came and put Chavo in a new angle. He was forced by the Powers That Be to be an Amway salesman, trying to sell products to wrestlers in-between matches. Around the time of Russo's demotion, Chavo got injured. He returned near the end of Sullivan's reign where he apparently went broke from his failure with Amway and started stealing wallets and watches from people (mainly Mene Gene). Now Chavo is in the MIA, and according to WCW Live! will go by the millitary name "Lieutenant Locco."

4: Van Hammer
You can't say much about Van Hammer without falling asleep. He originally had a Van Halen type gimmick (hence the name Van Hammer), then became a hippie, then turned on the notion of peace, then was the "Remote Control" of the Powers That Be (running in with flashing lights and taking care of whoever was in the ring), then he basically had no gimmick, and now after being fired with the rest of the MIA by Bischoff; he's in the "army," waging war on the New Blood. He may actually be an interesting personality this time, just because he's in such an interesting stable. WCW Live! says he may go by the name of Sergeant Stash, but may instead use Private Stash (in reference to his days as a hippie, I presume).

I'm really excited about this entire group. Yeah, they've all got funny names, but at least they've got a shot at getting over now. Now if only they could find room for La Parka....

Written By The Guy Who Wonders If Regis Will Become Part Of The Millionare's Club Angle, SirSlush2@aol.com

Slush's Archives
The Crystal Snowball: SuperBrawl 2000 (2/18/00)
"We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, If It's The Last Thing We Ever Do..." (2/16/00)
Hello Apocalypse, What Took You So Long? (1/19/00)
The Crystal Snowball: Souled Out '00 (1/14/00)
4 Life Once Again (12/22/99)