Reimagined: Billy Kidman's WWE Run

WCW was never known for their ability to create their own stars, especially in the Eric Bischoff from 1994 through the end of the company’s existence in 2001. While Ric Flair became a bonafide star in the Jim Crockett Promotions era before Turner bought the company and turned it into WCW, the only other big star that had been created in the first half of the 90’s were arguably Sting and Vader. The latter half of the 90’s may have fared a little better with some stars gaining huge popularity, but the only true superstar created in that timeframe would be Goldberg. But there was a group of under the radar stars that became huge fan favorites, though many would jump ship and find much greater success under the WWE umbrella such as Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit. Then there were the ones who stayed with the company until its dying day like Booker T and our subject for reimagining today, Billy Kidman.

It may not seem like it now, but circa 1998 and 1999 and even well into 2000, Billy Kidman was one of WCW’s most popular wrestlers. He may not have moved the needle ratings wise or been a huge merch seller, but you were always guaranteed to get a huge reaction from the fans and most of the time get a great match when he would appear. While he had been in WCW for several years as a non-descript Cruiserweight enhancement talent (you can catch him on early Nitros battling Dean Malenko) he wouldn’t become well-known until he was added to Raven’s Flock. As an apparent heroin addict (hence the constant itching) he would start picking up the occasional win but was still mostly used as cannon fodder for whoever Raven or Saturn were feuding with at any given time. At Fall Brawl 1998 Saturn would battle and defeat Raven, releasing the Flock from his hold. This was when Kidman would begin his ascent, battling in jean shorts and a white wifebeater, giving him the look and feel of an everyman just like the fans. His arguable crowning moment in WCW was Starrcade 1998 where he opened the show successfully defending his Cruiserweight Championship against Juventud Guerrera and Rey Mysterio Jr. in a triple threat match that was exceptional. To top it all off, he would follow it up with an immediate second match against Eddie Guerrero which he also won. While his promo skills certainly were not that great, his in-ring skills and everyman charisma always kept him in the picture on WCW programming, yet he would still be held back by the Cruiserweight bias of the time.

For this reimagined run, we will be changing up and re-establishing his run in WWE, but before that we need to erase one part of his WCW run. In the year 2000, in an effort to help get Kidman over more he was paired in a feud with none other than Hulk Hogan. While this would result in him actually picking up a win over the Hulkster, in the long run this feud actually ended up damaging Kidman more than it helped him, so for the purposes of today’s exercise we shall strike that from the record. Just pretend Hogan feuded with The Wall instead (wait, he did that too? Okay, pretend it was Tank Abbott I guess?).

While Billy Kidman did have a moderately successful run in WWE, there was so much potential for what could have been. While he did initially come in during the Invasion angle, he would be sidelined with an injury. He would end up becoming a multi-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion after the WCW Cruiserweight and WWF Light Heavyweight Championships were merged. Arguably his most notable storyline came while teaming with Paul London a few years down the line following a botched Shooting Star Press that concussed Chavo Guerrero for real, leading to a heel turn. Sadly this would be his most memorable storyline before being released in 2005. He would be brought back a few years later as a backstage agent, where he remains to this day, despite being furloughed for a few months during the great purge of 2020. So, how could he have been used differently?

First things first, despite the insistence of Vince McMahon and Bruce Prichard, Kidman would remain in his WCW gear of jean shorts and a white wifebeater. Their argument that it didn’t look good is in direct opposition to the idea of standing out when he is the only one dressed in such gear, as opposed to switching to short trunks just like everybody else. Secondly, we will be bypassing the Invasion angle so that Kidman does not become lost in the shuffle as so many stars did during the time, so we will pick up on the very first Monday Night RAW of 2002. 

Following the Invasion, the Cruiserweight Champion was Tajiri, who was in an on-screen relationship with Torrie Wilson at the time. Following a slew of successful defenses, Torrie convinces Tajiri to start the new year off by issuing an open challenge. I’m sure you can see where this is going. The open challenge is answered by the debuting Kidman. Following a competitive match, Torrie gets on the apron in an effort to distract Kidman and set him up for the Green Mist but it backfires with Torrie taking the Mist leading to Kidman rolling up Tajiri for the surprise victory and to become the new Cruiserweight Champion. This understandably leads to tension between Tajiri and Torrie, as a rematch is set for the Royal Rumble between the two. In the interim weeks, Kidman successfully defends against Shannon Moore and Scotty 2 Hotty, winning both bouts decisively as Tajiri and Torrie watch from the stage. 

At the 2002 Royal Rumble, Kidman and Tajiri open the show and are given a solid 10 minutes of back and forth before an almost blow-for-blow repeat of Kidman winning the strap but this time Tajiri stops himself from hitting Torrie with the Mist, but this still costs him the match. Following the match, Tajiri turns completely on Torrie, with Kidman making the save, aligning the real-life couple on screen.

Following the Royal Rumble, Kidman enters into a feud former ECW Champion, as well as WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, Jerry Lynn. Given Lynn’s overall unhappiness and WWE’s reluctance to push him (this was still a big man’s territory for the most part) Lynn offers to put his WWF career on the line in exchange for a Cruiserweight Championship match at No Way Out. While in reality Lynn would leave the WWF on February 1st, this gives him a few more weeks and another solid name for Kidman to continue building his resume upon.

Following a great match that resulted in Lynn’s exodus from the company, Kidman’s stock would continue to rise as would his ego. While remaining firm in his babyface status he would begin to start letting his mouth get him into trouble, as would be the case leading into WrestleMania X8, where he would find himself booked into a Triple Threat match with both Jeff and Matt Hardy. Kidman would do his best to try and pit the brothers against one another leading into the Show of Shows but to no avail. At WrestleMania itself the brothers would put aside their partnership in their goal of winning the title. In the end, Jeff would go to hit a Swanton Bomb on his brother, only to be tossed off to the outside, allowing Kidman to hit the Shooting Star Press for the pinfall.

Following WrestleMania, the first Brand Extension would happen. We would see Kidman and his Cruiserweight Championship drafted to the SmackDown! brand. He would continue to feud with Matt Hardy, also drafted to SmackDown! through the Backlash PPV. Now, in reality, we would see the WWE arrival of Rey Mysterio in July of 2002, but for our reimagining we will move that up a few months, with him making his debut at Backlash, defeating Tajiri. This would immediately line him up as the Number One Contender for Kidman’s Cruiserweight Championship. 

In the weeks leading to their title match at Judgment Day, the two draw on their WCW history and even find themselves teaming against the team of Matt Hardy Version 1 and his number one Mattitude Follower Shannon Moore at the UK Insurrextion PPV. Of course, as is wont to happen, tensions begin brewing between the two. At Judgment Day, following a 15 minute showcase, Mysterio wins the Cruiserweight Championship. Kidman teases turning heel, but begrudgingly shakes hands with his former Filthy Animals stablemate. A rematch is scheduled for the Vengeance PPV and tensions continue to escalate as Kidman shows more and more of an edge hinting at a heel turn. Around this time, Torrie has distanced herself from Kidman and is busy doing her own thing with her recent Playboy cover. At Vengeance, Mysterio once again picks up the victory and Kidman finally snaps, beating down his former friend and attempting to tear off his mask.

The following Thursday, Kidman decides to go for the jugular, challenging Mysterio to a hair vs. mask match at SummerSlam. Mysterio comes to the ring to try and talk some sense into his friend, but Kidman once again snaps and absolutely destroys Rey, who leaves on a stretcher. The match is set and we do not actually see Mysterio again until SummerSlam as he sells the effects of the beating.

At SummerSlam, the two men battle in a match that goes roughly 12 minutes and is much more physical as opposed to the high flying style the men are normally known for to help sell the fury and anger between the two. In the end, Mysterio does pick up the win, leading to Kidman having his long hair cut.

From here, Kidman would take a little time off, allowing Rey to continue to dominate the Cruiserweight scene. From here, Kidman can easily return as a changed man reverting to a babyface or remain a heel thorn in Mysterio’s side, but either way this gives Kidman a good first year run in the WWE, certainly more suited to his abilities and skills than what did happen in reality.

How would you book Kidman’s first year? Would you have him feud with the debuting Mysterio or have them remain buddy-buddy as they did in WCW? Sound off in the comments or on social media! You can find me on Twitter here and you can find Chris here as well as the Official Signature Spot Twitter here and the Facebook page here!