Dungeon of Doom
Encyclopedia
The Dungeon of Doom was the name of a professional wrestling
stable in World Championship Wrestling
(WCW) that existed from 1995 to 1997.
's hatred of Hulk Hogan
and was dedicated to ridding WCW of Hulkamania. The stable was a direct continuation of Sullivan's previous stable the 3 Faces of Fear
which had a similar goal.
After Sullivan defeated The Man with No Name
at Slamboree in 1995, The Master
told Sullivan he was "The Taskmaster" of the Dungeon of Doom and that the task was to destroy Hulkamania. The group initially consisted of a group of people with rather bizarre and “horrifying” gimmicks such as The Shark
(who had teamed with Sullivan before as "Avalanche"), Kamala “The Ugandan Giant”, The Zodiac
(who had also teamed with Sullivan before as "The Butcher"), Meng
(who was Col. Robert Parker's
bodyguard), and Big Van Vader who also sought to destroy Hulkamania and began his “Road Kill Tour” which consisted of a series of squash matches that would lead to his destruction of Hogan. The group was quickly joined by The Giant
, who, in storyline, claimed to be the son of André the Giant
and was out for revenge on Hogan for defeating his father.
at Fall Brawl where Hogan, Randy Savage
, Lex Luger
and Sting
took on Kamala, The Zodiac, The Shark, and Meng inside the double ring cage. After the match, the Giant made his way to ringside and attacked Hogan.
After the attack on Hogan, plans were set for a world title match at the Halloween Havoc. Hogan and the Giant decided that before they got in the ring and wrestled they would face off in a Sumo
Monster truck
competition on the roof of the Cobo Hall. Hogan won the Sumo match and then the two started fighting on the roof, resulting in the Giant falling off the roof and into the Detroit River
. When it was time for the main event the Giant strolled down the aisle with Kevin Sullivan behind him, with no explanation given as to how he could still be alive. The Giant won the match by disqualification when Hogan’s manager Jimmy Hart hit the referee with his megaphone. The next night, Hart revealed that he put a clause in the contract that stated that the championship could change hands on a disqualification, thus making the Giant the new champion and Hart the manager of the Dungeon of Doom.
Due to the unconventional nature of the Giant’s title victory the World Title was vacated and a new champion to be crowned in a Three Ring, 60 man battle royal at an event called World War III. The Hulk Hogan / Dungeon of Doom feud was the focus of the Battle Royal but it would be Randy Savage who won the title. The feud between Hogan and the Dungeon of Doom simmered along from World War 3 until SuperBrawl VI. During this time period, the Dungeon had been joined by Loch Ness
, the Yeti
, Hugh Morrus, Big Bubba Rogers
, and One Man Gang
. At SuperBrawl VI, Hogan defeated the Giant inside a steel cage to end their feud.
(which consisted of several Dungeon members as well as Ric Flair
and Arn Anderson
). At this point the “Alliance” became the focal point while the Dungeon of Doom itself became less prominent. Hogan and Savage defeated the Alliance to End Hulkamania at Uncensored inside the Tower of Doom Steel Cage. After the loss, the Dungeon members returned to the group and started to feud with people other than Hogan and his friends. The feud between the Dungeon and Four Horsemen
would ultimately lead to the collapse of the Dungeon. Chris Benoit
defeated Sullivan in a Retirement Match at Bash at the Beach 1997
after Jacqueline
turned on Sullivan and hit him over the head with a chair, leading to Benoit scoring the pinfall. Jimmy Hart would continue to manage the Faces of Fear, Meng and the Barbarian, for several months until the team was broken up in 1998.
In late 1998, Jimmy Hart reunited Meng, Barbarian and Hugh Morrus to form a new version of his old Continental Wrestling Association
stable The First Family
. Barbarian would inexplicably turn on Meng during a match in a WCW World Tag Team Championship
tournament match on the February 11, 1999 episode of WCW Thunder
.
Kevin Sullivan established a new version of the Dungeon of Doom in the New York City
-based independent
USA Pro Wrestling promotion in 2002. This version consisted of Gangrel, Luna Vachon
, The Wall
, Psycho Sam Dudley
and "Hardrock" Ken Sweeney.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
stable in World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
(WCW) that existed from 1995 to 1997.
Origin
The Dungeon of Doom was created as a stable of wrestlers born from Kevin SullivanKevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
's hatred of Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
and was dedicated to ridding WCW of Hulkamania. The stable was a direct continuation of Sullivan's previous stable the 3 Faces of Fear
3 Faces of Fear
The 3 Faces of Fear were a professional wrestling stable existing in World Championship Wrestling from late 1994 to early 1995. Composed of Kevin Sullivan, The Butcher and Avalanche , the group fought against Hulk Hogan.-Origins:When Hulk Hogan signed with WCW in June 1994, he soon got a huge fan...
which had a similar goal.
After Sullivan defeated The Man with No Name
Edward Leslie
Edward Harrison "Ed" Leslie is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Brutus The Barber Beefcake. He later worked for World Championship Wrestling under a variety of names, mainly as "The Disciple" of real-life best friend...
at Slamboree in 1995, The Master
King Curtis Iaukea
Curtis Piehau Iaukea, III was a professional wrestler better known as King Curtis Iaukea. Iaukea won championships in several of the major regional US promotions, both as a single and in various tag team combinations, during the 1960s. He then competed in the World Wrestling Federation where he...
told Sullivan he was "The Taskmaster" of the Dungeon of Doom and that the task was to destroy Hulkamania. The group initially consisted of a group of people with rather bizarre and “horrifying” gimmicks such as The Shark
John Tenta
John Anthony Tenta was a Canadian professional wrestler known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation as Earthquake and later Golga, and in World Championship Wrestling as Avalanche and The Shark.-Early life:John Tenta was born in Surrey, British Columbia...
(who had teamed with Sullivan before as "Avalanche"), Kamala “The Ugandan Giant”, The Zodiac
Edward Leslie
Edward Harrison "Ed" Leslie is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Brutus The Barber Beefcake. He later worked for World Championship Wrestling under a variety of names, mainly as "The Disciple" of real-life best friend...
(who had also teamed with Sullivan before as "The Butcher"), Meng
Uliuli Fifita
Tonga 'Uli'uli Fifita is a retired professional wrestler and actor, known for his appearances in both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation...
(who was Col. Robert Parker's
Robert Fuller
Robert Welch is a professional wrestler and manager better known by his ring names Robert Fuller and Col. Robert Parker. Robert and his brother Ron co-owned Continental Championship Wrestling for a time.-Career:...
bodyguard), and Big Van Vader who also sought to destroy Hulkamania and began his “Road Kill Tour” which consisted of a series of squash matches that would lead to his destruction of Hogan. The group was quickly joined by The Giant
Paul Wight
Paul Donald Wight, Jr. , better known by his ring name, Big Show, is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently signed to WWE on its Raw brand....
, who, in storyline, claimed to be the son of André the Giant
André the Giant
André René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride...
and was out for revenge on Hogan for defeating his father.
Fighting Hulkamania
The feud between the Dungeon of Doom and Hogan and his friends led to a WarGames matchWarGames match
The WarGames match was a gimmick match used originally in the National Wrestling Alliance and later held annually in World Championship Wrestling , usually at their Fall Brawl pay-per-view event in September.-History:...
at Fall Brawl where Hogan, Randy Savage
Randy Savage
Randall Mario Poffo , better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling .Savage held twenty championships during his professional wrestling career and was a...
, Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
and Sting
Sting (wrestler)
Steven James "Steve" Borden , better known by his ring name Sting, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
took on Kamala, The Zodiac, The Shark, and Meng inside the double ring cage. After the match, the Giant made his way to ringside and attacked Hogan.
After the attack on Hogan, plans were set for a world title match at the Halloween Havoc. Hogan and the Giant decided that before they got in the ring and wrestled they would face off in a Sumo
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
Monster truck
Monster truck
A monster truck is a pickup truck, typically styled after pickup trucks' bodies, modified or purposely built with extremely large wheels and suspension...
competition on the roof of the Cobo Hall. Hogan won the Sumo match and then the two started fighting on the roof, resulting in the Giant falling off the roof and into the Detroit River
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
. When it was time for the main event the Giant strolled down the aisle with Kevin Sullivan behind him, with no explanation given as to how he could still be alive. The Giant won the match by disqualification when Hogan’s manager Jimmy Hart hit the referee with his megaphone. The next night, Hart revealed that he put a clause in the contract that stated that the championship could change hands on a disqualification, thus making the Giant the new champion and Hart the manager of the Dungeon of Doom.
Due to the unconventional nature of the Giant’s title victory the World Title was vacated and a new champion to be crowned in a Three Ring, 60 man battle royal at an event called World War III. The Hulk Hogan / Dungeon of Doom feud was the focus of the Battle Royal but it would be Randy Savage who won the title. The feud between Hogan and the Dungeon of Doom simmered along from World War 3 until SuperBrawl VI. During this time period, the Dungeon had been joined by Loch Ness
Martin Ruane
Martin Austin Ruane was an English professional wrestler of Irish descent. Best known by his ring name, Giant Haystacks, he wrestled in such places as Great Britain, the United States, Canada, India, and Zimbabwe...
, the Yeti
Ron Reis
Ronald Allen "Ron" Reis is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s as The Yeti and Reese.-World Championship Wrestling :...
, Hugh Morrus, Big Bubba Rogers
Ray Traylor
Ray Walter Traylor, Jr. was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Big Boss Man and World Championship Wrestling under various ring names, most notably Big Bubba Rogers.-Early years:Traylor, a prison guard in...
, and One Man Gang
George Gray (wrestler)
George Gray is an American professional wrestler best known as One Man Gang and Akeem "the African Dream".-Early years:...
. At SuperBrawl VI, Hogan defeated the Giant inside a steel cage to end their feud.
The Dungeon slowly fades
At some point during the spring of 1996, Hogan revealed that the man known as “the Zodiac” was actually a spy sent to join the group by Hogan, his old friend had been spying for Hulk all this time. The revelation transformed the Zodiac into the Booty Man, an ally of Hogan and Randy Savage as they faced the Alliance to End HulkamaniaAlliance To End Hulkamania
The Alliance to End Hulkamania was a professional wrestling stable in World Championship Wrestling in 1996.-History:The Alliance to End Hulkamania was an alliance between the Dungeon of Doom and the Four Horsemen, two of WCW's heel stables, formed in an attempt to get rid of Hulk Hogan...
(which consisted of several Dungeon members as well as Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
and Arn Anderson
Arn Anderson
Martin Anthony Lunde better known by his ring name Arn Anderson, is a former American professional wrestler and author. His career has been highlighted by his alliances with Ric Flair and various members of the wrestling stable, The Four Horsemen, in the NWA/WCW...
). At this point the “Alliance” became the focal point while the Dungeon of Doom itself became less prominent. Hogan and Savage defeated the Alliance to End Hulkamania at Uncensored inside the Tower of Doom Steel Cage. After the loss, the Dungeon members returned to the group and started to feud with people other than Hogan and his friends. The feud between the Dungeon and Four Horsemen
Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)
The Four Horsemen were a professional wrestling stable in the National Wrestling Alliance and later World Championship Wrestling that was disbanded in 1999. The original group featured Ric Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard...
would ultimately lead to the collapse of the Dungeon. Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
defeated Sullivan in a Retirement Match at Bash at the Beach 1997
Bash at the Beach
Bash at the Beach was a yearly professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling . It was the company's PPV for the month of July, held from 1994 to 2000. The show centered around a beach theme, with the set around the entrance area for the wrestlers decorated with...
after Jacqueline
Jacqueline Moore
Jacqueline DeLois Moore is an inactive American professional wrestler, who was most recently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
turned on Sullivan and hit him over the head with a chair, leading to Benoit scoring the pinfall. Jimmy Hart would continue to manage the Faces of Fear, Meng and the Barbarian, for several months until the team was broken up in 1998.
In late 1998, Jimmy Hart reunited Meng, Barbarian and Hugh Morrus to form a new version of his old Continental Wrestling Association
Continental Wrestling Association
The Continental Wrestling Association was a wrestling promotion managed by Jerry Jarrett. The CWA was the name of the "governing body" for the Championship Wrestling, Inc. promotion which was usually referred to as Mid-Southern Wrestling...
stable The First Family
The First Family (professional wrestling)
The First Family was the name of two professional wrestling stables led by Jimmy Hart, first in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association, then in the late 1990s in World Championship Wrestling.-CWA stable:...
. Barbarian would inexplicably turn on Meng during a match in a WCW World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
tournament match on the February 11, 1999 episode of WCW Thunder
WCW Thunder
WCW Thunder was a professional wrestling show produced by World Championship Wrestling which aired on TBS from January 8, 1998 to March 21, 2001...
.
Kevin Sullivan established a new version of the Dungeon of Doom in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based independent
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
USA Pro Wrestling promotion in 2002. This version consisted of Gangrel, Luna Vachon
Gertrude Vachon
Gertrude Vachon was a Canadian-American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Luna Vachon.-Training:...
, The Wall
Jerry Tuite
Jerry Tuite was an American professional wrestler best known by his ring names, The Wall in World Championship Wrestling and Malice while performing for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Career:...
, Psycho Sam Dudley
Mark Vartanian
Sammy Couch, also known as 'Psycho' Sam Cody, is a retired professional wrestler.-Early career:Couch was trained by Crusher Verdu and made his debut in professional wrestling on Thanksgiving Day in 1981 as Sam Cody...
and "Hardrock" Ken Sweeney.
Members
- The MasterKing Curtis IaukeaCurtis Piehau Iaukea, III was a professional wrestler better known as King Curtis Iaukea. Iaukea won championships in several of the major regional US promotions, both as a single and in various tag team combinations, during the 1960s. He then competed in the World Wrestling Federation where he...
- The TaskmasterKevin Sullivan (wrestler)Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
- KamalaJim Harris (wrestler)James Harris is a retired American professional wrestler. For much of his career, Harris has wrestled under the ring name Kamala, using the gimmick of a "Ugandan Giant".-Early life:...
- The SharkJohn TentaJohn Anthony Tenta was a Canadian professional wrestler known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation as Earthquake and later Golga, and in World Championship Wrestling as Avalanche and The Shark.-Early life:John Tenta was born in Surrey, British Columbia...
- The ZodiacEdward LeslieEdward Harrison "Ed" Leslie is an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation under the ring name Brutus The Barber Beefcake. He later worked for World Championship Wrestling under a variety of names, mainly as "The Disciple" of real-life best friend...
- The GiantPaul WightPaul Donald Wight, Jr. , better known by his ring name, Big Show, is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently signed to WWE on its Raw brand....
- MengUliuli FifitaTonga 'Uli'uli Fifita is a retired professional wrestler and actor, known for his appearances in both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation...
- The YetiRon ReisRonald Allen "Ron" Reis is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s as The Yeti and Reese.-World Championship Wrestling :...
- Jimmy HartJimmy HartJames "Jimmy" Ray Hart is a professional wrestling manager, executive, composer, and musician currently signed with WWE. He is best known for his work in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling under his nickname "The Mouth of the South." He has managed many professional...
(manager) - Lex LugerLex LugerLawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
- Hugh Morrus
- One Man GangGeorge Gray (wrestler)George Gray is an American professional wrestler best known as One Man Gang and Akeem "the African Dream".-Early years:...
- The Barbarian
- Loch NessMartin RuaneMartin Austin Ruane was an English professional wrestler of Irish descent. Best known by his ring name, Giant Haystacks, he wrestled in such places as Great Britain, the United States, Canada, India, and Zimbabwe...
- Z-Gangsta
- The Ultimate Solution
- MaxxMax MuscleJohn Czawlytko , better known by his ring name Max Muscle, is a retired Polish professional wrestler best known for his appearances in WCW in the mid-late 1990s....
- Big BubbaRay TraylorRay Walter Traylor, Jr. was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Big Boss Man and World Championship Wrestling under various ring names, most notably Big Bubba Rogers.-Early years:Traylor, a prison guard in...
- Braun The Leprechaun
- KonnanKonnanCarlos Santiago Espada Moises , also known as Charles Ashenoff and better known by his ring name, Konnan, is a Cuban professional wrestler and rapper of Puerto Rican descent...
- JacquelineJacqueline MooreJacqueline DeLois Moore is an inactive American professional wrestler, who was most recently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
(valet)
Championships and accomplishments
- World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
- WCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipWCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation . It existed within WCW between 1991 and 2001. Following the acquisition of WCW by World Wrestling...
(2 times) – The Giant - WCW United States Heavyweight ChampionshipWWE United States ChampionshipThe WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand....
(1 time) – One Man Gang (1 time) - WCW World Television ChampionshipWCW World Television ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling World Television Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Championship Wrestling....
(2 times) – Lex Luger - WCW World Tag Team ChampionshipWCW World Tag Team ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
(1 time) – Lex Luger
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Worst Feud of the Year (1995) vs. Hulk HoganHulk HoganTerrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....