WCW Blunder - The KISS Demon (Episode 5)

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The WCW Blunder series continues, this time looking at the WCW / KISS relationship that began in 1999 and the KISS Demon that made his debut towards the end of the year (portrayed by Bryan Adams originally and then Jeff Torborg).
Even with matches against Vamipro, Sting and Booker T, the WCW Kiss Demon was unable to break-out in the company. A bad idea during a bad time for WCW as a whole, the Demon was born out of Eric Bischoff's idea of having KISS perform on Monday Nitro.
#wcw #wrestling

[@JGD185]

It did have one positive outcome: Dale met his wife (who was Asya in WCW) during all this who he's still with

[@ziahamm1603]

I never knew that before watching this video. That's awesome

[@stefanfranko1782]

Fantastic

[@austinsmith7731]

Gene Simmons taking credit for wrestling having pyro and face paint is a level of self importance and unawareness i didnt think was possible

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

The funny thing is that's barely a level one on the "Gene Simmons self-importance and unawareness" scale.

[@FHRiley-yk9by]

this reads like someone who is hearing about Gene Simmons for the first time

[@austinsmith7731]

@@FHRiley-yk9by never looked into his bs before, never cared

[@jimreily7538]

@@austinsmith7731 Oh, and here's where Simmons and KISS humiliate a South American reporter, who is trying to interview them.. why ? Because, he isn't wearing a KISS t-shirt ! Very very bizarre behavior

[@creighton_pt]

To be fair, nobody used Pyro before KISS

[@CLM1987]

Have to respect Dale Torborg for wanting to do the character and having the dedication to stick with it

[@DanHammonds]

I always loved that WCW were trying new and outrageous things. Even when they failed they were often entertaining.

[@burntvirtue]

This is a fantastic summary of why when WCW worked it REALLY worked, as well as why I always liked them more! Well said.

[@codeman3788]

lol yep! se7en

[@stephenhester9804]

I never watched WCW much, but accounts of the 1999 - 2001 period always strike me as a Trainwreck in slow motion.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

It was more like a train wreck in fast forward that you thought would never end

[@jamaalmoses8821]

Every promotion has goofy moments..but WCW did their fails at an epic level..because they were the #2 promotion..got hot w the NWO angle &an all time great undercard..became #1,and blew it!!Between upper management nonsense and Hogan's creative control,etc..they just time after time stunk out the joint.

[@jameshill3403]

It actually happened very quickly in early 1999 they still had pretty good shows but by summertime they went completely off the rails with no hope of coming back

[@FadeIn2Obscurity]

The downfall of WCW has always fascinated me.

[@stevelowe2647]

They literally went from WWE standard, to a bunch of twats in your mates mums garden. It was mental

[@VIGLounge]

Yes, because Kiss invented pyro and makeup and i"m sure they invented Rock n Roll as well.

[@martynodonnell8467]

Well Gene Simmons has went on record to say he invented this 🤘

[@codyharper2561]

Lol gene is emo maniac... I like kiss but he's always talking out his ass

[@Mecha82]

@@martynodonnell8467 Really? Everyone knows that it was Ronnie James Dio who first used that and it was something he got from his grandmother.

[@Matlcore876]

@@martynodonnell8467 Gene Simmons invented EVERYTHING. He is (at least in his own eyes) a living god.

[@martynodonnell8467]

@@Matlcore876 during this video. There was a few lines from Gene Simmons book. I think they are very much from the mindset of someone in some kind of fantasy land. It’s probably the effects of all the drugs over the years. Sure WWF/E have had some outlandish storylines over the years. However there’s no way they would have entertained that idea. Especially at a time when the company was top of the wrestling world.

[@leeboy823]

I love reliving the war series but I’m loving the Blunder series especially about the not so known angle’s of wrestling and how it began. Love wrestling bios. Keep them coming.10/10

[@themadoneplays7842]

Seeing Norman Smiley dressed in KISS gear is the gift I never knew I wanted!

[@billblaski9523]

"I'll knock u out" Smiley had said that to the KISS people

[@Frugal_J]

Can't wait for WWE Flaw is War series from Wrestling Bios.

[@ianl4743]

Flaw is Poor

[@firewalker1372]

🤣, that’s perfect…

[@dippylip3609]

😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥

[@Peeka789]

@@ianl4743 Raw is pur

[@encyclopediaespx1128]

GOAT response, love it.

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

My number one "WCW Blunder" was.... Robocop showing up. And everyone acting as if Robocop was somehow real, and had stepped out of the movie to come to WCW. That one is hard to top.

[@paulycatz]

The costume started to fall apart during that bit.

[@RayLukard78]

Zeus from No Holds Barred fighting Hulk Hogan at Summer Slam

[@jnfallin]

So glad this series is back

[@johnrodriguez8233]

WCW was such a blur to me especially around 99 and 2000. I stopped flipping the channels late 98. WWF at the time was must watch TV. Good old days, thank you wrestling bios for your hard work 💯

[@eweaving]

Love the Blunder series, can't wait for whenever the next one is.

[@timbartschwolfman]

Listening to this while mowing my lawn

[@rockingjamie]

I seriously hope if any of the members of Kiss run into Brad, they buy him a drink. The only man in wrestling who tirelessly tried to give their character credibility.

[@deathsnitemaresinfullust2269]

Yeeees! Absolutely love not remembering that we get videos on Sunday. Every time i see the notification i get a big smile on my face and start planning how i want to relax while i enjoy watching. 😄👍

[@RikkiRoxxNWS]

As a few others have pointed out, Kiss was still riding a wave of buzz from the "Psycho Circus" album and tour, along with a huge merchandizing blitz. I can see where it would have made sense in the pitch meeting, but it wasn't a very WCW-friendly idea and I think if the WWF had gotten it instead they might have actually done something good with it, even for a short time. I liked the idea of what the whole thing might have been more than what they actually did with it. I wasn't on the internet back then so I had no idea what was going on with the KISS Demon, but I definitely noticed that there was a ton of build for this guy who lost constantly, and that made no sense at all so I knew something weird was going on. Knowing the backstory doesn't do much to make any of it "better"; what a petty situation that whole thing was.

[@roninwaveman]

Norman Smiley is a legend.

[@DanHammonds]

I used to watch Nitro with my dad back in the day and we both loved Norman! The Wiggle would have us cracking up with laughter and then the Screaming Norman gimmick was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in wrestling.

[@pantherhd1]

Norman Smiley a blast from WCW pasted.I hated him has a kid he reminded me of a Vanilla wrestler of the 70s.But has time went on he was good catch a True Legend these days

[@quentinkaasa47]

Wrestling Bios completely skipped over Norman and the Demon's tag team!

[@tafua_a]

The Screaming Demons could have gone places

[@barleezyfbaby]

WCW Blunder may only have 5 episodes, but it’s already my favorite mini-series

[@michaelmcdonald193]

Kiss were riding a retro wave as they had recently reunited the original line up and had brought back the face paint/gear after a decade of not using it. Kiss were also decently big in America but had more success in Australia and Japan.

[@Darren-el1pb]

God of Blunder/ and rock'n roll 🤟

[@martynodonnell8467]

The blunder you’re under Wrestling bios to your wrestling core 🤘

[@KEWLV1C]

I’m absolutely certain that there is an alternative universe somewhere where not only did the Kiss Demon character succeed, but actually became a main event attraction that led to WCW winning the Monday Night War and buying out the WWE.

[@rayvenkman2087]

The New Undertaker you can say...

[@MrTrickster1984]

This would have been a better idea around '96-'97 when KISS reunited and had an upswing of attention. But by '99, KISS ran that renewed interest dry. They were close to announcing their "Farewell Tour", so it seems a bit too little, too late.

[@number6223]

Yep, although they are still doing farewell tours!

[@johnepants]

I will hand it to Gene Simmons. They did have a pretty successful late 90’s comeback and were featured in a lot of Media at this time. He marketed the hell out of that band

[@SGTSAM101ST]

I was just watching ur first wcw blunder video when I got the notification for this video

[@lbdjthethird1240]

Quality sh*t, ain't it.

[@ItsShaz1]

Love this series!

[@Kevin2099Plays]

Thanks for doing this video. I remember the Crush Daemon debuting but didn't keep track of the character itself or what happened with it. As for KISS the band, recalling from memory, I believe it was around this time that the original four band members reunited which was a big deal for KISS fans. During the 80s they had another drum and bass player so if I remember right, KISS had some sort of resurgence during this time.

[@ChrisDogg2k6]

Yes indeed KISS were all over the place at the time. Comic books, McFarlane Toys, TV specials, guest spots on FOX's MAD TV and Millenium, concert tours, music videos, pro wrestling, all of it. It was a nostalgia trip because not only did the original four members reunite, but they put the costumes and makeup back on as well after several years without them.

[@JaySchraubMusic]

@@ChrisDogg2k6 and Psycho Circus debuted at #1 in like 20 countries the previous year, and KISS had a movie coming to theaters in 99 as well, honestly 1999 was probably the last year the KISS brand was white hot.

[@effarrjay]

Love this series all with all the other content you do. Can't wait to see you cover the Nitro that contained an entire hour without wrestling.

[@vincek6613]

This is why I love your series. I saw all of this in real time as a kid but in the time since then, I've forgotten many details. Thanks for the shot of nostalgia

[@velvetpilot2008]

The Dark Carnival feat. ICP, Vampiro, Muta and the Kiss Demon was dope as hell. So fresh!

[@ferriswheeler08]

Norman Smiley in Kiss attire made my day lol

[@SolStone]

Yes! More from Wresslin' Bios. Happy Sunday!

[@burntvirtue]

KISS & wrestling make perfect sense together. Not in the main event, but there's certainly room on a 3 hour show for their involvement. This deal happened right near the peak of my KISS fandom as a teenager, so I was stoked about it. But like most WCW projects, it was debuted in a massive way, and quickly petered out in the following weeks as interest in the new toy waned. We saw it happen with so many other things in the company as well.

[@DyspotikOriginal]

Ahhh yes the best part of my youtube experience, when wrestling bios uploads ^_^. Great stuff Ryan!

[@angelaarmie5789]

WWF dodged a bullet

[@austinsimmons4393]

Thank you so much Wrestling Bios! I’ve been really looking forward to a vid about the KISS Demon!!!

[@Myndir]

I discovered Kiss through this character and watched WCW more regularly because of him. I suppose I was one of the only viewers that WCW gained through this gimmick and I wasn't even a Kiss fan at the time...

[@sethkaplan]

Wcw trying to capitalize on the movie: Detroit Rock City!🤪🤪🤪

[@REblll]

TBF that concert at the end of Detroit Rock City did have better lip synching 😶

[@codyharper2561]

More or less that and the psycho circus album was like a whole era of random kiss appearances

[@TheFriendlyWeirdo]

Glad to see WCW Blunder back. It’s amazing people forget, for all the good WCW did, they had a lot of garbage 🤣

[@azari8253]

I’d say it’s the other way around; the WWE dominates the narrative for newer fans these days and so with their naturally anti-WCW position, a lot of these fans end up thinking WCW was mismanaged and behind WWF the whole time, which just isn’t true

[@TheFriendlyWeirdo]

@@azari8253 Oh I know that. Hell there was a time where WCW was top dog. WWE do a good job of strewing their own narrative on their documentaries though.

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

@@azari8253 WCW was mismanaged

[@gst013]

People forget??? To be real, WCW was doing mostly great things from the NWO debut in 1996 until around early 1999, but they were dire in the Hulk Hogan babyface/Dungeon of Doom era right before that, as well as most of 1999 - 2001. That's likely what they're most remembered for, along with the NWO great stuff.

[@burntvirtue]

Yeah but even most of the garbage had some entertainment value.

[@MrDrokkul]

KISS was actually experiencing somewhat of a revival at this time. Late in 98 they released the Psycho Circus album and it was the first time all four original band members had been back together in quite some time. They had a tour that was huge. McFarlane Toys released a bunch of figures, old albums were being re-released with new covers, they were on MadTV, and miscellaneous KISS merch was EVERYWHERE. I'm not the biggest KISS fan, but I lived through those days and remember. Kind of shocking Bios didn't feel like doing the research on why they might be sought after at the time.

[@RikkiRoxxNWS]

I was basically gonna say the same thing (except for the last sentence, maybe). But yeah, there was still a substantial buzz around KISS at that exact moment so from a marketing point of view it definitely made sense on paper. I think they just botched the execution and over-estimated just how much of the WCW audience would have cared. I was much more a WCW fan, but the KISS angle seems like it would have played better in the WWF at that time. Over-the-top gimmicks with celebrity involvement has always been more of a WWF thing. Even back then, whenever WCW tried it they tended to half-commit and fumble it.

[@MrDrokkul]

@@RikkiRoxxNWS I didn't mean anything by the last sentence. It's just that this guy is usually so thorough in his videos I found it kind of disappointing when he basically said, "I don't care why they thought KISS was a good idea", or, "A band whose popularity ended long ago..." Mind you those examples are paraphrasing as I watched the video yesterday and don't remember the exact words, but he eluded to those sentiments several times in the video and it just kinda felt odd for someone who usually goes in depth in their research.

[@RikkiRoxxNWS]

@@MrDrokkul True enough, but I kinda forgive it. It was one of those things a person had to be there for in order to fully grasp or appreciate, I think.

[@chrisgrudge6964]

I remember they were topical because of their comeback as well But still seen as not really cool, and a lot of younger people didn’t care about them either (I’m assuming wcw was geared toward teens or younger) It was basically just as cringe now as then. Same thing with ICP, they were “popular” back then but not really I think his overall point was still valid. If this was kiss in 1980 it might have been worth it to wed the two brands. In 99, there’s no upside.

[@arostwocents]

But its a different market. Wrestling appeals to young people not older kiss fans. It was never going to work. Its like saying the Rolling Stones are having a revival and a new album now in 2023 so WWE should sign them and make a Rolling Stone wrestler - it would not work in a million years.

[@bobbygermain5428]

Keep up the good work man I watch your videos every chance I get.

[@dnakatomiuk]

Still remember RoboCop coming to save Sting from that plastic cage

[@jfoxxbrowning]

Nice surprise from Wrestling Bios for this Sundays upload...i was expecting a Video game review...which i was anticipating as i kept checking my phone for the WBios upload notification...but this is even better

[@89RealThe]

Lol I like how wrestling bios sounds like he's smiling and trying to stifle those laughs

[@Zusse]

I love your videos man I've been learning a lot about WCW

[@codyharper2561]

Can't believe never had a hall and Oates inspired wrestler

[@burritoboy2751]

When approached with the idea, Vince McMahon reportedly said, "I can't go for that. Oh, no. No can do."

[@blacknapalm2131]

*Norman 'Screamin Demon' Smiley was amazing haha*

[@Ravensfan89]

Now I’m trying to imagine an alternate reality with the KISS Demon main eventing a WWF PPV. XD

[@BeeBumper]

There is a reality where this happened. Probably one where Russo stayed with wwe

[@TravestyJunction]

Probably would have been a multi-person tag.

[@PhenomsServant4]

Well judging who played on RAW at the time, it would've been the Kid Rock Demon.

[@ninowaves4061]

Demon joins the minestry of darkness…then turns on the undertaker and there’s your main event.

[@fishjones4618]

I don’t know how old you are, but you may not remember that Kiss had a strong resurgence in the mid to late 90’s. There was the tribute album Kiss My Ass, the first appearance of the original lineup since the late 70’s on MTV’s Unplugged, the new album Psycho Circus and the Kiss In Makeup tour supporting it. While it didn’t turn out the way they wanted, WCW was spot on for getting one of the most legendary and popular bands making a comeback. They didn’t just pluck them out of the gutter.

[@tyrone5969]

I love this series you're doing! Thanks for making my week!

[@michaelpontes5413]

Luv your vids. Keep up the good work!

[@joshlauber1424]

My Favorite Blunder! I think Bischoff thought this was going to strike absolute GOLD like Wright and Disco

[@LEXICON-DEVIL]

Best Wrestling channel on KZbin hands down mo question about it.

[@Tonyivanov930]

WCW Blunder is back with a new episode!

[@krowman8458]

This mans sarcasm in this one is absolute GOLD. He really nailed the sentiment most fans had for this, big time. My stomach hurts from laughter rn! 🤣

[@livinglegend3876]

To think today any of these wresting companies would kill to have a 2.2 rating.

[@RolfWrenWalsh]

Despite still bleeding for WCW to this day, I will admit I very much am enjoying the Blunder series.

[@jamminmusicman]

Awesome episode buddy 💯 I'm enjoying this WCW Blunder series I remember watching that Kiss Concert on Nitro back in the summer of 1999 🎸 here's a WCW Blunder recommendation for you please do an episode on The No Limit Soldiers 🙏

[@canuckj8382]

Great video, I remember when KISS was the main event on nitro 🙄

[@xymoriintus]

I watched the damn concert as a kid. I remember being really curious about the unveiling of the kiss demon lol pretty sure I changed the channel right after

[@martynodonnell8467]

Another awesome video from the greatest wrestling channel on the planet! The Kiss Demon and cross over angle was such a desperate move for WCW. Clutching at straws trying to get back on top. From late 98 to the time WCW went out of business ,they really did prove that they had no idea how to book a wrestling show and got lucky when they were on top, with a few good ideas, at the time. Kiss really hadn’t been relative in the music world since the late 70s to early 80s. I’m not sure why Bischoff thought this would be the angle to get them back on top. Also “wrestling concerts” always draw very poorly. Just completely baffling who came up with the idea and said OK to it and Kiss Demon needing to be in the main event. With very little fan interest.

[@collectingonthecheap56353]

I actually liked the idea of the KISS Demon, but yeah, it basically turned out to be a result of backstage politics. Kind of reminded me of Oz, where they just thought of merchandising over the actual character.

[@smac919]

15:26 lol we need an entire video on that match alone. The first "Cinematic" match.

[@JeromeDoyle]

honestly I really really like the pitched StarBoy character idea.

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

So do I. It would have been an interesting twist on the "pretty-boy" character.

[@CLM1987]

I want to see a WCW Blunder on Goldberg's heel run and his theme music by Megadeth

[@raedvalenzuela5085]

You got to do WWF’s disastrous gimmick wrestlers!

[@ljaproductions07]

'I have no idea if this was ever contested by the way and don't care enough to find out either' - A sentiment shared by many haha

[@mcj88]

15:35 - The Demon and Aja, huh? I know it's a coincidence, but what a fusion of 70s rock references they accidentally had right there; KISS and Steely Dan respectively. Heh, maybe they should've gotten "That 70s Guy" Mike Awesome in on it too, rename him "The Crimson King" or something...

[@velvetdogg7375]

Why? Was my fist reaction to the Kiss daemon and the performance from the band. I Mist most of the run so this was interesting to look back at. Although I couldn't have cared less about it back in the day this was still a interesting. Nice work.

[@agam2504]

Finally a episode 😃

[@anthonysoto2923]

I was literally just thinking I missed this segment....and here it is. You're a mind reader, Mr Bios.

[@pjludda4323]

Now's time for something...Bischoffriffic?... o.O

[@primusvsunicron1]

This is Bischoff (he’s a big fan of KISS)

[@EastyyBlogspot]

I remember seeing it one evening....they were Crazy nights

[@jackcarraway4707]

To be fair, there was "Kisstolgia" in the 90s. Many of WCW's adult fans grew up in the 70's and it also explains why Disco Inferno was so over. However, wrestling fans watched Nitro for...wrestling, not concerts.

[@DannieDecentVlogs]

Great video

[@Drippticon]

Never knew there was a baseball fury gimmick. Love it. I’m a HUGE warriors fan.

[@mattyg4186]

After Wcw demise Dale became a coach with the Florida Marlins in 2002 there was even a segment on Sportscenter on ESPN where they interviewed him about his time as the Kiss Demon and helped transform a few Marlins players into Kiss Demons 😂

[@michaelnagle5482]

There is no denying Eric Bischoff was an amazing businessman up to the year 1997. Once 1998 came around? All that goodwill nose dived and now he's pretty much a joke.

[@joebarracuda6038]

He definitely was good at spending money that wasn't his own..

[@JasonSum1979]

I’m by no means a major Kiss fan but, around 98/99 they had a major comeback with the original Band line up and there Psycho Circus album was a big deal…Around this same time Kiss was everywhere in North America promoting there brand from tv shows to various Live MTV events (TNT & WCW dropped the ball not promoting there appearance live on there network) The Kiss Demon on the other hand was a bizarre concept it was doomed to fail (The only winner in this was Gene Simmons & Kiss they got a great payday to do one live gig and license out there IP for a set time period win/win for them! Gene is also a flaming narcissist The pro wrestling industry ripped-off Kiss? The truth is Kiss ripped-off the many elements of both the New York Dolls & The Stooges

[@samright4661]

No they didn’t! NY Dolls dresses like Trans . Learn Facts clown

[@PatronFabian]

I can’t wait for you to bring up ICP where they were in BOTH WCW AND WWF

[@mtbd215]

i absolutely LOVE this new video series!! im addicted, cant wait for more!! lucky for me i stopped watching WcW, and pro-wrestling entirely right before the Kiss thing so i missed the complete downfall

[@JustJulyo]

The most interesting thing about these stories is the fact the wrestlers probably the their best to make it a success only for other factors basically derailing any form of success

[@gary9655]

That's some funky as face paint.....looks inspired by kane's mask

[@FrostyBalls01]

Love me some WCW blunders.

[@jerameyconners5122]

Back when I was too young to know what was going on, but I was entertained

[@UptownDv3]

My favorite series !!!!

[@fattiger6957]

It feels more like Bischoff was a big fan of Kiss and put that over what was actually best for business. Kinda like him making that motorcycle PPV because he liked bikes.

[@rishawnrygell994]

Great series

[@hipstereagle6050]

1:10 by 1999 the Reunion Era of KISS was starting to lose it’s luster so they decided to do a Farewell Tour in 2000…they’re still playing this year (albeit with two guys in Peter and Ace’s makeup)

[@user-iw4gz7vh4w]

I’m pretty sure kiss was really popular in 99. They had just relaunched the original line up and went on a huge tour

[@lucky-sz4eq]

yes sir some more side quest ahead in the blunder saga this time is the Unlockable Kiss demon.

[@norbertotamez]

Is funny how The Kiss Demon gimmick work better in Impact Wrestling last year that the WCW run.

[@Qbort.]

I was about 18 or 19 back then and my friends and I would get together on Monday nights and watch RAW and Nitro. My friend had seen KISS in concert recently and we were all rock and metal fans. We were THE demographic for this. We HATED this. We were NOT made for lovin' the WCW KISS Demon.

[@user-pq6mr6op3p]

Nobody cares about your sorry life memories.

[@Venemofthe888]

How can anyone defend this like its such a weird idea to begin with and sounds like a idea that shouldn't of gotten out of the concept idea

[@procyonlotor1501]

I was a kid when I first saw the Kiss Demon, it got me into the band and I've loved them since. The same thing happened with Vampiro and the Misfits and Sting using Metallica's Seek and Destroy.

[@CormacStJohn]

The Baseball Furies idea is pretty cool. The Warriors is my favourite movie

[@snarkyguy2657]

Way back in 2003, I was in Atlantic City, & ended up on a hotel bus with the Kiss Demon in full makeup. It was a bit weird, but everyone rolled with it.

[@HunterPhenomMakoy]

“When Dale realized he was the same height as Hogan and Savage. . .” They were fuckin half a foot different in height! 😂

[@EventHorizon31]

As a huge baseball fan in America, I always thought it was cool that Dale Torborg's dad was Jeff. And that he also played pro ball.

[@fununclenerfs]

And then The Demon went on to have a child, that child's name...Danhausen

[@bigpoppajersh]

I love these WCW blunders. Another bkunder though was having the demon with ICP. ICP doesn't like KISS at all. As a hardcore ICP fan back then i always questioned that decision. Looking back i realize that not everyone was a teenage me loving ICP.

[@eduardocamachojr7990]

Whoop Whoop