Doomsday

'U' alumni Steiners storm Palace

Imagine coming out of the locker room, the screams of thousands of fans assailing your ears. You walk a narrow aisle toward a wrestling ring in the midst of the chaos. As you climb the apron, you see a human rock standing on the other side, with a coal-black mustache, biceps like tree trunks and a ferocious growl. Sweat drips down your face as fear grips you.

PREVIEW
	WCW: World War 3 Sunday, 7 p.m., Palace Live on Pay-Per-View

Welcome to the Dog Pound.

This situation is not uncommon for wrestlers facing Rick Steiner, "The Dogfaced Gremlin." Ever since he arrived on the scene of World Championship Wrestling in 1990, Steiner has been decimating his opponents on his way to the top with his technically sound style and raw power.

As he noted in a recent interview, Steiner has maintained this style since his high-school wrestling days with his brother and current tag-team partner, Scott, in Bay City. He further honed his skills while attending the University of Michigan, where

The Steiner Brothers plan to pulverize their opponents on Sunday at the Palace.

he placed fourth in the NCAA championships and graduated with a degree in education. His brother fared equally well - he was honored twice as an All-American wrestler.

Steiner said sometimes he could go on and on about his fondest memories at the University.

"The football Saturdays were great," he said. "The Mud Bowl was fun when it rolled around. Also the frat parties, the floats, the summer camps. There is just so much."

And so much changed in his life after camp.

"It was actually during a football training camp run by Coach Bo Schembechler that I was introduced to (wrestling) by George 'The Animal' Steele," he said.

Wrestling took Steiner, without his brother, across the states as he bounced from circuit to circuit, making stops in Minneapolis, Montreal, Alexandria, Dallas and Charlotte. After stops in Toledo and Memphis in 1990, Rick ended up in the fledgling WCW. A year later, after many singles matches, he was finally paired with his younger brother and they haven't wrestled apart since.

The jump to the big time came in 1992, when Rick and Scott entered the greatness that is the World Wrestling Federation.

"The WWF was a learning experience for us," he said, noting how astounded he was to be a part of it. "To be associated with Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage ... to be a part of 'Wrestlemania' in Caesar's Palace in front of sold out crowds ... Boy, I thought, 'this was great.'"

"However, we left with a bitter taste in our mouth," Steiner said. (WWF Owner) Vince McMahon said a lot of things, but never followed through with them."

A year later, in 1993, the Steiner Brothers moved on to the Japanese professional circuit, which allowed them to relax a bit, as their contract only obligated them to wrestle 10 days out of the year for a substantial amount of money. In between the matches, promoters from Extreme Championship Wrestling offered them a chance for more work, which they happily accepted.

Through their world travels, the Steiner brothers didn't forget their roots - they've now returned to stay at the WCW. They currently hold the World Tag Team Championship belts, which they won on a recent WCW Monday Nitro event in October.

Despite the rumors circulating that WCW head Eric Bischoff plans to dismantle the league's tag teams, Rick assured his fans that he and his brother are inseparable.

"If there is a chance that my brother can go for the World Heavyweight Title, or if I can go for the Heavyweight Title, we will certainly do so, but there will always be tag team wrestling," he said.

This Sunday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Steiners will have an opportunity to go for the Heavyweight Title as both will be participating in "World War 3," a 60-man over-the-top battle royale.

The wrestlers will duke it out in three rings with the final man getting a chance to wrestle for the heavyweight title in February. Elimination only occurs when the wrestler is thrown over the top rope and onto the floor.

Before the main event, there will be numerous smaller matches, including Rick and Scott defending their Tag Team Belts against the British duo of Steve Regal and Dave Taylor. But Steiner said he isn't worried about the match.

"We don't perceive them as much of a threat," he said. "We aren't looking ahead, but we are more worried about Hall and Nash." Hall and Nash, the duo better known as "the Outsiders," are the same wrestlers who surrendered their belts to the Steiners last month.

With his trademark moustache, dog-collar and barking at his opponents, Rick Steiner and his brother will be pulverizing opponents for a long time. On Sunday night, look to the Palace for a regal night when they will surely "Steinerize."

11-21-97