Wrestler of the Week (2/10): Sean waltman!

1. He was sixth member of the nWo, behind Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase and Vincent (Virgil).

2. Syxx (or 6) would be the number if you add the 1,2, and 3 together from his 1-2-3 Kid name in WWF.

3. A nod to his fondness for alcohol. This is an unofficial reason that was never stated on television, but the various members of the nWo, most notably Kevin Nash, often referred to him as Syxx-Pack (a name he would later modify into Syxx-Pac).

Waltman had a successful run in WCW. He even substituted for Kevin Nash in defending the WCW World Tag Team Titles with Scott Hall. In February, 1997, Syxx defeated Dean Malenko to win the WCW Cruiserweight Title. Waltman’s run came to an end after a neck injury in October of 1997. While recovering from the injury, then-WCW President, Eric Bischoff sent Sean his “pink slip” by way of FedEx. The termination was reportedly a way for Bischoff to show his power and keep Scott Hall and Kevin Nash in line. This firing would eventually drive a wedge into the nWo and create the Wolfpac and Hollywood branches of the nWo.

D-Generation X (Pac)

After recovering from his injury, Sean returned to the WWF on March 30, 1998. Shawn Michaels had been injured by the Undertaker during a Casket Match at that year’s Royal Rumble and a replacement was needed in D-X. Triple H, the leader of D-X, turned to his former Kliq teammate and friend, Waltman, for Shawn’s replacement. The Kid, as he was first called, cut a scathing promo on Hogan and Bischoff. This took the Monday Night Wars to a whole new level. Waltman told the world that “if Hall and Nash were contractually able to do so, they would have joined me”. Bischoff answered Waltman’s rant the following week, telling Waltman to “bite me”.
Waltman wanted to create a new identity for himself upo n his return to the WWF. His name came from four different sources:

1. His love for rap music, especially Tupac Shakur.

2. The “X” in Degeneration X

3. A nod to his friend, Kevin Nash, who nicknamed Sean “Syxx-Pac” in WCW.

4. And a desire to verbal smack Hogan and Bischoff in the face by constantly referring to the nWo Wolfpac.

When it came time for the “official” explanation of his new name, Sean wanted to show respect to his friends (Hall and Nash). Since Sean considered himself a former member of the nWo Wolfpac faction, he chose the name X-Pac. The name, according to Waltman, stood for eX-(Wolf)Pac member.

Over the next four years, Waltman would both team and feud with D-X. He also joined two other factions, X-Factor and the reformed WWF-version of the nWo with Hall and Nash. The re-formed nWo would be one of the factors that led to Waltman’s exit from the WWF. When Hogan returned to the WWF, Waltman attacked him. This got a lot of heat from the fans, and from the office. Waltman was shifted, immediately, to a program with Booker T and Goldust. Waltman was scheduled to lose to Booker as a way of elevating Booker to a main-event level. Waltman refused “to do the job” to someone he considered an inferior wrestler. This refusal combined with a collapse at an airport for what were deemed “unknown reasons” led to Waltman’s release. Many feel that Waltman’s now-admitted drug usage was at the base of the collapse, but it was never admitted on television.

All around the Cable Guide

After his dismissal from the WWF, Waltman accepted an offer from Jeff Jarrett to join his fledgling TNA promotion. A new environment required a new name, so Waltman officially began using the Syxx-Pac nickname that Kevin Nash had dubbed him with, years earlier. For the next four years, Waltman would work for TNA, as well as various independent promotions. Wlatman was also a key player in the short-lived Wrestle Society X debacle that MTV tried to promote.

It was during this time that Waltman had a chaotic relationship with Joanie Laurer, the former Chyna. They filmed a sex tape in 2004 that was released as 1 Night in China. The filmmakers actually shot part of the tape in the country of China to avoid legal issues with the WWF over the trademarked Chyna name. Waltman made a guest appearance on The Surreal Life, a Celebreality program that Chyna was co-starring in. Waltman also ended up in rehab during this time for unspecified abuses.

Starting Over–South of the Border

By 2006, a new, clean Sean Waltman appeared on the AAA television program, based out of Mexico. Sean was brought into the promotion by Konnan, who had been a friend of Waltman’s since the nWo days, back in WCW. Waltman was joined at ringside by his new real-life girlfriend, Alicia Webb (aka Ryan Shamrock). The two relocated to Mexico in an effort to start a new life. They succeeded in the new enviroment as Sean, now referred to as both 6-Pack and Sean Waltman, became a top heel for the Mexican promotion.

Returning to the states, on several fronts

In early 2008, ColoursTV struck a deal with the NWA to start presenting a highlights program that visited the various NWA territories around the world. Most of the shows were from US territories, though the UK and Australia have been profiled, as well. Sean had begun working for the NWA under his given name, Sean Waltman. Sean recently captured the NWA Heritage title from Adam Pierce. Sean has also challenged for the NWA World title.

At the same time, Sean has continued to remain loyal to the company that gave him a second chance, AAA. He has done several shows in both Texas and California for the promotion. Sean seems more content and more grounded than at any time in his storied, yet troubled career.

Where does Sean go from here?

There are multiple options available to Sean Waltman. He could stay with AAA and remain a major player in several angles there. Sean would have a more protected personal life in Mexico and a much less hectic schedule. That might be his best choice.

Another option is to embrace the rapidly expanding NWA. The NWA is making a bid to unite to become a third player in the “Big Leagues” of pro wrestling. Sean could lend name recognition to the growing company.

A third alternative for Sean would to re-unite with Kevin Nash in TNA. Since Scott Hall’s personal demons have taken him out of the picture, indefinitely, a WolfPac reunion would still be possible with Sean and Konnan joining their former partner. Scott Steiner is also in TNA, so he could round out the quartet. The only problem with that is the presence of Vince Russo. Russo and Waltman have had issues for many years.

In Conclusion:

Sean Waltman has finally gotten his life back on track. He’s in a loving relationship with a beautiful young woman. He seems to have exorcised his personal demons. He’s also gotten a new lease on his wrestling life, thanks to AAA and the NWA. Sean has rebounded from the depths of despair. He is now a top contender for titles in two different promotions, with more options opening up every day. He deserves praise for his comeback, which is why he is this week’s Wrestler of the Week.

–Jay Shannon
Boxworld@SBCGlobal.net
(2/10/08)