The 1993 Yearbook - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

I’m not too sure if this was a yearly deal for WCW Magazine, but they printed a nice collection of all of their major stars in one magazine — full portrait and biography included!

Instead of posting every single page of this magazine in one day, I think that I’ll try to stretch these out all week. If you want to see everything from this magazine in one place, try following the WCW Yearbook tag on here.

Steve Austin - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

“‘The World belt will be mine when I decide the time is right.’

‘Stunning’ Steve Austin has proclaimed himself ‘the world’s greatest athlete.’ While many sneer at that assertion, even Austin’s harshest critics agree that this Hollywood, California, native is on the fast track to success.

The two-time World television champion impressed everyone in his first tenure with the title, a 10-month reign from June 1991 to April 1992 that fell just eight days short of matching the longest World television title reign of all-time.

Ultimately, however, this 6’2”, 255-pounder has his sights set on the top prize: the World heavyweight championship. Considering the huge amount of success Austin has enjoyed in only three years as a pro, only the moist shortsighted analyst of the sport would doubt his resolve and deny the likelihood that he would eventually achieve his goal.”

Who would have thought that this man would become not only the savior of the WWF but an actual icon of the entire industry that helped wrestling become popular in the mainstream pop culture?

I mean, look at dem shorts!

Vinnie Vegas - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

“Hey, yo — I’m always an odds-on favorite to score the pin!’

Even if Vinnie Vegas didn’t stand seven feet tall, his WCW debut last year at Clash of the Champions XVIII would have been impressive. The 300-pounder made quick work of veteran Thomas Rich, pinning him in under a minute following his “snake eyes” finisher: a devastating facedrop into the top turnbuckle.

In the months since, this arrogant Las Vegas native has been testing the WCW waters in a variety of ways: solo matches, tag teams, different management. But it’s likely that he has found his calling in The Vegas Connection, a formidable tag team consisting of Vegas and “Diamond” Dallas Page. This combination is currently giving a lot of potential tag team opponents sleepless nights.

Vegas is a clear part of the energetic youth movement in WCW, but there are those who hope this massive rulebreaker won’t be too successful!”

Look at that world-famous Kevin Nash smirk!

Missy Hyatt - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

‘I am the real First Lady of WCW — so that THAT, Madusa!’

Recently voted ‘First Lady of WCW’ by the readers of WCW Magazine and the viewers of Beach Blast ‘92, the beautiful Missy Hyatt adds her own special point of view to the sport.

Missy has distinguished herself on many Clash of the Champions and pay-per-view cards by daring to place herself close to the action. Sometimes, her journalistic instincts get her in trouble, such as the time she was chased out of Stan Hansen’s dressing room at SuperBrawl I, or when she was thrown in a trough of water by Abdullah the Butcher at Clash XVIII.

Over the years, she has had her problems with her peers: A lengthy feud with Paul E. Dangerously led to a series of arm wrestling contests (which she won!), and she continues to spar with Madusa over the ‘First Lady of WCW’ designation. But she has no problem with the fans — male and female — who have made her one of the most popular WCW stars of all!

Just a reminder of how incredibly gorgeous Missy Hyatt was back in the early 90’s.

Rick Rude - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

“‘Let me show you what a real sexy man is supposed to look like!’

If arrogance and egotism were coin of the realm, ‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude would be wealthier than Donald Trump and Ross Perot combined! But whatever one thinks of Rude’s attitude, it’s hard to deny the fact that he is a talented and rugged competitor, as adept at brawling as he is at on-the-mat maneuvers.

This 6’4”, 251-pound native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, used his cocky attitude, powerful musculature, and ‘Rude Awakening’ reverse neckbreaker to catapult himself to the U.S. Heavyweight title at Clash of the Champions XVII in November 1991. Incredibly, he has worn the championship gold ever since!

As formidable a U.S. champion as he has been, Rude remains anxious to trade up to either the WCW or NWA World title. The ‘Ravishing One’ is not likely to give up that quest anytime soon.

As a fan that grew up watching Rick Rude perform on various WWF VHS tapes, I just have to say that seeing him without his trademark man ‘stash to too friggen weird.

Cactus Jack - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

“‘This is gonna hurt you more than it’s gonna hurt me! Bang, bang!’

Cactus jack’s countenance is definitely frightening, but that may be the least frightening thing about this wildman from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico!

When Jack steps into the ring, things thought to be impossible and unlikely suddenly seem possible and inevitable: flying ellbow-smashes from the ring apron to the arena floor, suplexes on concrete and clothelines that send both competitors hurtling over the ropes!

Recklessness is the hallmark of this 6’4”, 297-pounder, but don’t for a minute think that equates with carelessness. There is a method to Jack’s madness, as evidenced by his ability to have remained at or near the top of the WCW ratings for over a year, and his unpredictability affords him a significant psychological advantage over anybody who happens to be courageous enough to step into the ring with him.”

It’s almost comforting to see exactly how little Mama Foley’s Baby Boy has changed over the years. Bang, bang!!

WCW Broadcasters - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

A nice shot of an extremely skeevy looking Easy-E, Good ‘Ole J.R. before the cowboy hat, a blonde (?!) heavily made-up Tony Schiavone, and America’s favorite conspiracy-nut Jesse Ventura.

Once again, the see everything that I’ve posted so far from this 1993 WCW Yearbook, just click here and follow along for the next week or so.

“Diamond” Dallas Page - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

“‘When I’m good, I’m good! When I’m bad, I’m better! Good gawd!’

Formerly a color commentator for WCW broadcasts and a manager of WCW superstars, ‘Diamond’ Dallas Page is in the midst of a successful transition to full-time wrestler.

This 6’5”, 252-pounder claims to be from The Diamond Mine near Las Vegas, and his personal style certainly reflects the bright lights and gaudy neon of that gambling town. Self-assured and self-centered, Page believes that he is the greatest star ever to grace the mat sport; the beautiful women that often accompany him — he calls them his ‘Diamond Dolls’ — certainly enable Page to bolster that belief in himself.

Presently, Page is teaming with 7’, 300-pound Vinnie Vegas in The Vegas Connection. As this duo pursues the World tag team title, you can be sure that Page will be bringing every managerial rick he knows into the ring to help him and Vegas score the championship gold.

It’s so weird to see beefy Page. I was a huge fan of his during the late Nineties when he was in the main-event picture and will always believe that DDP was the only person who should’ve taken Goldberg’s streak away from him.

Marcus Alexander Bagwell - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

“‘Every time I step into the ring, I learn something new!’

With little more than a year of pro experience behind him in WCW, Marcus Alexander Bagwell has succeeded in capturing the hearts and minds of fans — particularly female fans — around the world.

The handsome native of Marietta, Georgia, wrestled throughout high school, where he captured all-county honors in football and baseball. But the pro ring was always his dream, and in realizing that cherished goal he has firmly embraced the tenets of sportsmanship and fair play.

This muscular 6’1”, 235-pounder’s style is an even mix of mat and aerial skills, though he confesses that strength-oriented moves like the cradle suplex and the armdrag are presently among his favorites.

In his spare time (between training, traveling, and competing!) Bagwell enjoys bodybuilding, waterskiiing, and deer hunting. But wrestling is his first love — and he’s determined to mold himself into a champion.”

A pre-buff Buff with the most boring write-up so far.

By the time I got into WCW, he was leaving The American Males to join the nWo, so seeing this spiffy looking kid was a bit of a surprise. Personally, I always liked “Buff” Bagwell’s campiness and really thought his Blockbuster finishing maneuver (diving neckbreaker) was kinda sweet.

Brad Armstrong - WCW Magazine Collector Series Special #3 [December 1992]

“‘In every match I wrestle, Armstrong family pride is on the line.’

Fans worldwide have responded to Brad Armstrong’s positive attitude in the ring, his energetic enthusiasm, and his strong determination to never break the rules.

A second-generation star,Brad possesses a formidable scientific style that was forged at the feet of his legendary father, ‘Bullet’ Bob Armstrong. In fact, early in his career, Brad teamed with his father to capture several regional tag team titles in their home state of Georgia.

The 6-foot, 226-pound Marietta, Georgia native is a former World light heavyweight champion. Unfortunately, he was forced to vacate the title at Clash of the Champions XX last September when a knee injury rendered him unable to defend the championship against ‘Flyin” Brian Pillman. Brad has, however, recovered completely from the injury, and is anxious to attain championship gold again in 1993.”

Rest in peace, Brad.