Real Name: Scott Rechsteiner Nickname: Big Poppa Pump, Freakzilla, The Genetic Freak Birthdate: 7/29/62 Height: 6' 1" Weight: 265 lbs Signature Moves: Frankensteiner, Steiner Recliner
Biography:
A two-time All-American wrestler out of University of Michigan, Scott Steiner knew where his career was headed right from the beginning. Steiner's first major run in wrestling was in the World Wrestling Association in Indianapolis, where he wrestled under his real name (Rechsteiner). Steiner won the WWA World Title from Greg Wojokowski in August '86. He held the belt for nearly 9 months, before Wojokowski finally took him down. Scott wasn't done, teaming up with Jerry Graham Jr to win the Tag-Team Titles from Chris Carter & Mohammad Saad. This reign wasn't quite as long, as Carter (with new partner Don Kent) got the belts back two months later.
In 1988, Scott ventured over to the Championship Wrestling Association in Tennessee. He teamed up with Bill Travis, and in May '88, the duo defeated the Cuban Choir Boys to get the CWA Tag-Team Titles. A week later, they lost to Gary Young & Don Bass. This only made Steiner & Travis work harder, coming back less than a month later to win the belts back. Steiner & Travis would hold the gold for a few more months before falling to the RPM's. Soon after, Steiner & Travis split, and Steiner eventually got a new partner in Jeb Grundy. With Grundy, Scott again proved his tag-team skills, beating Robert Fuller & Jimmy Golden in February '89 to get the tag belts for the third time. It was another short reign, though, as Fuller & Grundy quickly came back and got the belts. A short time later, Scott left the CWA and joined up with his brother Rick. The duo then went to WCW.
Scott & Rick, the Steiner Brothers, soon formed one of the greatest tag-teams in the history of wrestling. The Steiner Brothers first earned gold in WCW, in November 1989, defeating the Fabulous Freebirds for the WCW World Tag-Team Titles. They held the belts for about 6 months before losing to Doom. In February 1991, Scott and Rick came back to win the WCW Tag-Team belts a second time, again over the Freebirds. During this time, they also wrestled in Japan, and won the IWGP Tag-Team Titles over Hiroshi Hase and Kensuke Sasaki in March. The two unified the belts for 4 months, then Scott was injured in August. The WCW belts were vacated, while Scott Norton took the Steiner's place in IWGP alongside Rick. The two lost the belts to Hase and Keiji Mutah in November, while Scott recuperated.
When Scott made his return next to Rick, the two quickly went back to where they had left off. In May 1992, the Steiner Brothers won back the WCW Tag-Team belts over Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton. In June, the two then won back the IWGP Tag-Team Titles by beating Big Van Vader and Bam Bam Bigelow, reuniting the belts. This did not last long, however, as they lost the WCW belts to Terry Gordy and Steve Williams in July. Soon after, Rick left WCW, although he and Scott still wrestled together as the tag-team champs in Japan. This did not faze Scott, as he went on to win the WCW World Television Title from Ricky Steamboat in September '92. After Scott and Rick lost the IWGP Titles to Norton and Tony Holme in November, the two headed to the WWF, vacating Scott's TV Title.
The two quickly became stars in the WWF. In June '93, the Tag-Team titles changed hands 3 times in about a week. On June 14th, the Steiner Brothers beat Money Inc. to become the WWF Tag-Team Champions. Two days later, Money Inc. reclaimed their title. Three days after that, Scott and Rick won the titles for a second time, this time holding onto them for 3 months before losing to the Quebecers. Not long after losing the titles, the Steiners headed back to WCW.
In July 1996, the Steiners continued their title run by winning the WCW Tag-Team titles for the 4th time, this time beating Harlem Heat. Unfortunately, this title reign lasted about 3 days before Harlem Heat won back the belts. After this, the Steiner Brothers focused their attentions on the nWo. In January '97, they won a match over the Outsiders, who were currently the WCW/nWo Tag-Team Champs. The decision was reversed, however, by Eric Bischoff, who was later found out to be an nWo member himself. The Steiners continued to wrestle against the nWo, eventually getting an ex-nWo member for their manager, Ted DiBiase. In October '97, Rick and Scott claimed the Tag-Team titles over Scott Hall and Syxx, who was subbing for an injured Kevin Nash. The decision this time was upheld, despite Syxx's subbing. When Nash returned, however, they quickly won back the titles from the Steiners in January '98. This was when Scott's attitude began to change. He became less of a team player, and engaged in a "body" feud with "Buff" Bagwell over who could flex better. This did not stop the two brothers from becoming 6-time WCW Tag-Team Champs, as they beat the Outsiders in February. Although the Steiners seemed united again, it was not to last. On February 22nd, at Superbrawl VIII, Scott betrayed his brother to the nWo, practically giving the titles to the Outsiders. Scott had jumped to nWo.
Scott's next appearance showed him as a bleached blonde, with various nicknames (the White Thunder one was dropped due to possible racial suggestions). He offered an nWo membership to Rick as well, but Rick refused. Scott then had feuds with his brother Rick, Lex Luger, and others. Scottie joined "Buff" Bagwell as the two became a team, since Bagwell couldn't wrestle due to his injury. The Steiner vs. Steiner feud then continued for months, with Rick winning the tag belts from his brother and the Giant.
In November '98, "Hollywood" Hogan announced his "retirement", and appointed Scott Steiner as the new leader of the nWo Black 'n' White. Steiner then led his squad against various members of WCW. Steiner also won the WCW Television Title from Konnan, showing his own wrestling skills. Then, on the first Nitro of '99, Hogan reappeared and won the WCW World Title, with help from Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Lex Luger, and Steiner. Those 5, along with "Buff" Bagwell, became the new nWo Wolfpac, with Hogan retaking the leadership position.
Steiner then had a long feud with Diamond Dallas Page, circling around Page's wife, Kimberly. One of the biggest moments of the feud was when Steiner threw Kimberly out of a moving car. Steiner went on to defeat Page at Superbrawl IX, retaining his TV Title by making Page pass out in the Steiner Recliner. Steiner then went on to feud with Booker T, who, after Bagwell accidentally hit Steiner with a chair, defeated Big Poppa Pump and won the TV Title. Steiner then broke off ties with Bagwell, attacking him.
In March '99, Steiner got involved in the US Title Tournament, set up after Scott Hall had to vacate it due to injury. Steiner went all the way to the Finals of the tournament, defeating Booker T, with a foreign object's help, to win the US Title. Steiner then renewed the feud with "Buff" Bagwell, with the two former partners meeting at Slamboree '99. But greater things for the Steiner clan were set up for Slamboree. First, Scott came out and aided his brother, Rick, helping him defeat Booker T to win the TV Title. Later in the night, Rick used a chair to return the favor, helping Scott retain the US Title over Buff. Then later in the night, the Steiner Brothers, reunited, joined with Bret Hart to attack Sting and Goldberg during their match. Unfortunately, the reunion would not last long, as Steiner once again fell victim to injuries, this time having shoulder and lower back problems. He stayed on the bench for a long while, eventually having the US Title stripped from him.
A few months later, Scott Steiner appeared on an edition of Monday Nitro. The buzz around the wrestling community believed that Steiner would announce his retirement from the sport. However, Steiner's 'retirement speech' turned into a farce, as he rejoined the New World Order, tricking the fans once again. He then continued to be one of the main heels in World Championship Wrestling, going into the year 2000, although he rarely wrestled at the pay-per-views due to his still-healing injuries.
In April '00, Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo returned to WCW in force, completely restarting the company by vacating every title. They then set up the New Blood regime, which Scott Steiner quickly joined. Steiner's efforts for the group were soon rewarded, as he was placed in the US Title Tournament at Spring Stampede '00. Steiner worked his way up the brackets, defeating Sargeant A-Wall (via DQ), Mike Awesome, and finally Sting in the Finals to become the WCW United States Heavyweight Champion for the second time. Steiner defended the belt against many challengers for the next few months, including a tough contest against General Rection (Hugh Morrus). With some help from his hoes, Steiner defeated Rection with the Steiner Recliner at Slamboree '00. After the match, Steiner kept the Recliner on until Booker T (as G.I. Bro) came for the save.
After Steiner's win over Rection, he became even more arrogant, and less controllable, wanting the World Title. This eventually led to the New Blood breaking with Steiner, due to his extreme nature. Because of this, a feud was built between Scott and Tank Abbott, who was known as a fighter/bruiser. A match was set up between them at the Great American Bash, which was later termed an "Asylum" match, due to it being inside a round cage. However, complications set in when Scott's brother Rick returned, joining with Abbott on a Monday Nitro (Abbott helped Rick beat Sting). After repeated double-teams, Rick was added by Vince Russo to the Aslyum match, making it a handicap fight for Scott. It looked like Scott would have to battle the odds, fighting both Tank and Rick during the cage match. But Tank 'accidentally' knocked out Rick, allowing Scott to get his submission hold and escape with his title. Scott next started a feud on the side with the "New Blood Commissioner" Ernest "The Cat" Miller, who claimed that the Steiner Recliner was too dangerous a maneuver to be sanctioned by WCW. Steiner also had a short feud with "That 70s Guy" Mike Awesome, due to Awesome's antics towards Steiner's manager, Midajah. They fought at Bash at the Beach '00, with the US Title on the line. At the end of the match, Steiner ignored repeated warnings from Miller and applied the Steiner Recliner, immediately earning the DQ. For good measure, Miller stripped Big Poppa Pump of the United States title, vacating it. Steiner, though, seemed to show little interest in the US strap being taken from him. He was looking towards bigger things. Later that night, Steiner turned on his long-time nWo friend Kevin Nash, helping Goldberg defeat him.
The Big Booty Daddy then went into the next month battling against Goldberg & Nash, each saying that they're the worthy #1 Contender. Steiner fought the two men in a Triangle match at New Blood Rising, but was pinned by Nash in the melee, after Goldberg walked out on the fight. Undaunted, Steiner returned the next month and did what few have done before him: he defeated Goldberg one-on-one, albeit thanks to help from others. With Goldberg eliminated, Steiner moved on towards the World Title, entering a protracted feud with Booker T, the current champion. At Halloween Havoc '00, Steiner was disqualified by the referee, allowing Booker T to escape. Steiner continued his assault, though, and at Mayhem, defeated Booker T in a "Straight Jacket Steel Cage" match to finally gain the prize that he sought. Steiner was now the WCW World Heavyweight Champion for the first time.
With Booker T out of wrestling for a time, Steiner began eliminating the competition to his title one by one. First, he entered a two-month feud with Sid Vicious, which quickly became violent, as is Steiner's way. At Starrcade, Steiner and Vicious met in a hard-fought contest for the World Title. Despite assaults from Midajah and Jeff Jarrett backfiring, Steiner still managed to get the Steiner Recliner applied, winning the match.
The next month was a wild one for the champion, as he would continue the battles with Vicious. Steiner was also being threatened by Ric Flair, who had under his employ a "mystery man" who would attack Steiner every so often. For the January Pay-Per-View, Sin, a Four-Way match was signed for the World Title: Steiner, his buddy Jeff Jarrett, Vicious, and the mystery man. The match turned into another swerve, as the mystery man turned out to be Road Warrior Animal, who became Ric Flair's bodyguard. Flair and company then joined with Steiner and Jarrett to form the Magnificent Seven. The match also ended badly, as Sid Vicious suffered a compound fracture after jumping off the turnbuckle. Steiner took credit for the break, saying that he had now put Sting, Goldberg, Booker T, and Vicious out of the business.
On January 23rd, 2001, Steiner interfered in a match between newcomers Mike Modest and "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels, seeming to injure both wrestlers with the use of a lead pipe. Afterwards, a paramedic tried to enter the ring to aid the fallen wrestlers, but was kicked repeatedly by Big Poppa Pump. Unfortunately, this wasn't part of the act, as the paramedic was not prepared to become a wrestler. As Steiner prepared to leave the city, he was served an arrest warrant for assault. Steiner later claimed to have believed the man was actually an actor playing a part.
Back in the wrestling world, Steiner continued to brag about the men he has eliminated, and claimed that he no longer had any competition. He tried to make Alex Wright the next #1 Contender, but this was shot down when Kevin Nash reappeared and powerbombed Wright off the stage. Nash and Steiner then fought back and forth, each trying to get the upper hand on the other. They met at Superbrawl Revenge with the World Title on the line. At the event, Flair announced that the loser of the match would be forced to retire. Nash came out in a wheelchair with a cast, making it look like it was over. This was a swerve, though, that allowed Nash to knock out Steiner with the belt and pin him within seconds of the bell, apparently getting the win. But Flair immediately declared that the match was 2 out of 3 falls, keeping the fight going. Steiner then took out Nash on the floor with his lead pipe, with help from Midajah, and when Flair made it a "Falls Count Anywhere" match, Steiner evened up the series at one apiece. After another 10 minutes of fighting, Nash looked to have won it with his Jackknife Powerbomb, but Midajah broke up the count, and was slammed for her troubles. Flair then knocked out the referee, keeping the match alive. When Nash went after Flair, Steiner came back and knocked out Big Sexy with a chair to the head. A second referee came down as the Steiner Recliner was applied, and thanks to Flair and Midajah, Big Poppa Pump got the victory, staying the World Champ while Nash's career apparently ended.
At the next Nitro, Steiner again began bragging about his elimination ratio, having taken out so many stars during his reign at the top. Again he was interrupted, this time by Diamond Dallas Page, who claimed to be the Last Man Standing. Page and Steiner soon engaged in psychological warfare, with Page initializing various attacks, then making his way through the crowd where Steiner couldn't reach him. Page also announced to the world on one Nitro that one of Steiner's "executed" wrestlers would be returning. That night, Steiner, Lex Luger, and Buff Bagwell fought in a three-way against DDP, Ernest "The Cat" Miller, and the returning Booker T! After a wild series of moves, Booker T got the axe kick and pinned the World Champion. Fortunately for Steiner, the title was not on the line. At WCW Greed, Steiner and Page finally found themselves face-to-face, one on one. With aid from his brother Rik and Midajah, Scottie knocked out Page with the World Title and pinned him, once again surviving.
After Greed, with DDP added to his list of eliminations, Steiner set his sights on finishing off the man who had embarrassed him a few weeks before: Booker T. The two were signed for a Title-for-Title match at the Season Finale of Nitro, with Steiner's World strap and Booker T's US Title on the line. The two men did everything they could to win, fighting in the first match of the night. Steiner tried to use the weapons available to him, but Booker T was too energized, backflipping out of a Powerbomb attempt to land and hit the Bookend, finally ending Scott Steiner's reign of terror atop WCW.
There are few wrestlers that have had as much of an impact in the 2000 decade so far as "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner. He will forever be known as both a great tag-team technician and a tremendous singles powerhouse. Although it's unknown where he will fall in the coming days, no wrestling fan is likely to forget the man with some of the largest pythons in the world, who finally reached his peak after 15 years in the business.
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