Page Falkenberg
Career
Early career
One of Page's earliest wrestling appearances was at WrestleMania VI, where he drove the Honky Tonk Man and his band to the ring.Page began as a manager in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), and then as a color commentator in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) before finally debuting as a professional wrestler.
Page trained to wrestle in 1991 and debuted as a tag team with Diamond Studd called the "Diamond Exchange." They feuded with the Fabulous Freebirds, Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin. In 1992, he teamed with Vinnie Vegas as the "Vegas Connection." He started to make a name for himself as a heel when he brought his wife, Kimberly, to be his Diamond Doll and got a bodyguard, Maxx Muscle, in 1994. He had open arm wrestling challenges to win Kimberly but Maxx always helped him win or arm wrestled for him. He eventually went into debt and then took Kimberly's $1313 million lottery winnings. He had a long feud with Dave Sullivan because Dave gave Kimberly gifts and then he and Maxx cheated to win the WCW TV Title. Kimberly did not like his cheating, so Johnny B. Badd decided to free her of Page and won her freedom at World War 3 on November 26, 1995. He had won the TV Title from Page in October. Page was feuding with Eddie Guerrero when the nWo was formed. Since Nash & Hall were both former partners, they asked him to join. He responded with Diamond Cutters to them, starting a face turn and a feud with the nWo.
Page becomes a player
Page's career really took off in 1997. As part of the hot nWo storyline, Page began a feud with the nWo's "Macho Man" Randy Savage. On an episode of WCW Monday Nitro, Savage, aided by fellow nWo memebrs Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, attacked DDP and sprayed "nWo" on his back. A few weeks later at the WCW pay-per-view Uncensored, Savage and Miss Elizabeth revealed to the world that Page and Nitro Girl Kimberly, were in fact married. Savage then proceeded to beat up Page, ensuring a future match between the two.Page vs. the nWo
At the 1997 Spring Stampede, Page and Savage battled in a memorable match where Page emerged victorious, but it was the not the end of conflict between the two. A few months later at The Great American Bash, they squared off again in what was dubbed "Savage-Page II." This match was far more brutal than their first encounter, and ended with Savage defeating Page with help from (then) Tag Team Champion Scott Hall. Savage and Page would continue their rivalry from there on. Page even dressed up as masked wrestler La Parka and beat Savage. Around this time, Page also started fighting nWo leader Hollywood Hogan. Page and Savage battled for the last time at Halloween Havoc. Again, it was "weapons" match, and the two put on another excellent show. The match ended when Hogan, dressed as Sting, came out and hit Page with a baseball bat. Page won by DQ.On an episode of Nitro after Halloween Havoc, Page fought Hogan, but was beaten down by the nWo.
The People's Champion
At StarrCade 1997, Page lifted the WCW US Heavyweight Championship from Curt Hennig. This capped off what had been a great year for Page, he was voted WCW Magazine's "Wrestler of the Year," for 1997.In 1998 Page took on the likes of Chris Benoit and Raven. Classic matches, such as the triple-threat US title match which took place at Uncensored 1998 and his walks through the crowd before and after matches solidified Page's reputation as the "People's Champion," a phrase that now bears more in common with The Rock.
Page tagged with Karl Malone during this time. The two tagged at Bash At The Beach 1998, where they faced Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman. Later on, Page tagged with chat show host Jay Leno at Road Wild 1998, where they defeated Hogan and Eric Bischoff.
At Fall Brawl 1998, Page won the War Games, and got a World title shot against Goldberg at Halloween Havoc. Page did not get the belt, but his presence in the World title scene was now certified.
Page finally became World Champion in April 1999 at Spring Stampede when he defeated Sting, Hogan, and Ric Flair in a 4-way dance for the title. This match was ironic for Page, as it featured Randy Savage as the special-guest referee, and also saw Hogan eliminated early when Page seriously damaged Hogan's leg with a submission hold.
Page was finally champion, but his reign did not last long, as he lost it to Sting on an edition of Nitro the same month.
Second title reign
As 1999 drew on, Page changed his look, and turned heel. Along with Chris Kanyon and Bam Bam Bigelow, he formed the Jersey Triad, and won his second world title during this time. The Jersey Triad held the WCW World tag team titles at one point—a strange feat for a threesome. The group got its name from all three members being from New Jersey.In 2000, with WCW under new control, Page earned a shot at the vacant world title. He would get his shot at Spring Stampede, the same event where 1 year prior he won the title for the very first time. His opponent would be ex-nWo member, Jeff Jarrett. In a surprise twist, Page's wife Kimberly turned on Page and helped Jarret become the new world champion.
Page took some time off shortly after this, but returned in late 2000 as a full time wrestler.
WWF Career
2001 saw WCW being purchased by WWF owner Vince McMahon. Page was one of the few major WCW stars to sign with McMahon, but despite this, he ended up being part of what many fans considered to be bad storylines, which led to him being voted WWF Magazine's "Most Misused Talent" of 2001. This could be no closer to the truth, as Page went from People's Champion to crazed stalker, to the smiling man, in less than a year.Page was originally brought in as the man revealed to be the stalker of Undertaker's wife, Sara. He was the first WCW wrestler brought in as a heel during the Invasion storyline and eventually paved way for the entire WCW roster to turn heel as well. The storyline with Undertaker did little except injure Page's credibility, being destroyed by the Undertaker in several in-ring encounters.
Page would eventually switch gimmicks and become a pseudo-motivational speaker, in what would come to be known as his "Positively Page" character. The name came from the title of his autobiography that was published during his WCW days. The character involved Page constantly smiling and acting optimistic, with his trademark phrase "That's not a bad thing, that's a good thing."
In early 2002, Page became the European Champion. At WrestleMania X8, he defeated Christian, a former follower of his positive "philosophy" and retained the title. Despite the moderate amount of success the character was met with, the new gimmick left a sour taste amongst longtime fans of his, who fondly remembered Page for his furious battles with the nWo and his Steve Austin-style character. Fans were not keen on Page's "Positively Page" character.
In 2002, at the age of 46, and with nagging injuries, including a neck injury, Page decided to retire.
TNA Career
On April 1, 2004 Diamond Dallas Page announced his return to the ring. After working for several independent promotions, he debuted with Total Nonstop Action on November 12, 2004, feuding with Raven and Erik Watts. Page received an NWA World Heavyweight Championship title shot on March 13, 2005 at Destination X but was defeated by reigning champion Jeff Jarrett. He remained with the company until May 2005, at which point he left to focus on his acting career and motivational speaking career.Legacy
Diamond Dallas Page was one of the few WCW wrestlers to have made a name for himself in WCW, as the likes of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage had made their names in the WWF. Page was the first People's Champion, and reflected the type of character wrestling fans had come to adore during the nWo-WWF Attitude era.Page's character felt real, and fans loved his brash, trash-talking attitude, which earned him the respect of many fans. Page's brief stay in the WWF has been seen by some as poorly managed. His WCW character was pushed aside in favour of storylines which fans were never keen on.
Page was somewhat of a milestone for WCW, as he proved that WCW was capable of making its own stars, and capable of pushing them, although his first reign as World Champion came at a time when the WCW was losing ground to the WWF.
Finishing maneuver/Trademark moves
- Diamond Cutter
- Discus Clothesline
- Tornado (Spinning) Sit-out Powerbomb
- Diamond cutter symbol - a hand gesture made by using the thumbs and index fingers on both hands to form a diamond shape, then parting the two hands with one swift motion
Trademark quotes
- "Get ready to feel the - BANG!"
- "That's not a bad thing, that's a good thing."
- "Just like the Diamond Cutter, you never saw it comin'..."
- "It's time!"
Championships
World Wrestling Entertainment- 1-time WWE European Champion
- 1-time WWF World Tag Team Champion (with Kanyon)
World Championship Wrestling
- 3-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
- 3-time WCW World Tag Team Champion (twice with Kanyon/Bam Bam Bigelow and once with Kevin Nash).
- 2-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion.
- 1-time WCW World Television Champion
- Winner 1999 WCW MTV Tournament
- Winner 1996 WCW Battle Bowl
Awards/Accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 65 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
- Page has won some PWI Awards in his career. He won Most Improved in 1995 and Most Hated Wrestler in 1999. He was also involved in the Feud of the Year in 1997 (vs. Randy Savage).
Movies
Page also started an acting career in 1999. Here is his filmography: First Daughter 1999, Ready to Rumble 2000, The Scam Artist 2004, The Devil's Rejects 2005, Splinter 2005Books
Autobiography: Positively Page in 2000.External links
| WCW World Heavyweight Champions (inactive title) | |
|---|---|
| Flair | - | Luger | Sting | Vader | Simmons | Vader | Sting | Vader | Flair | - | Flair | Hogan | Giant | - | Savage | Flair | Savage | Flair | Giant | Hogan | Luger | Hogan | Sting | - | Sting | Savage | Hogan | Goldberg | Nash | Hogan | Flair | Page | Sting | Page | Nash | Savage | Hogan | Sting | - | Hart | - | Hart | - | Benoit | - | Vicious | - | Nash | Vicious | - | Jarrett | Page | Arquette | Jarrett | Flair | - | Jarrett | Nash | Flair | Jarrett | Booker T | Nash | Booker T | Russo | - | Booker T | Steiner | Booker T | (WCW acquired by WWE) | Angle | Booker T | Rock | Jericho | Rock | Jericho | |
| World Wrestling Entertainment European Champions (inactive title) | |
|---|---|
| Bulldog | Michaels | Helmsley | Hart | Helmsley | Brown | X-Pac | Brown | X-Pac | McMahon | - | Mideon | Brown | Jarrett | Henry | Brown | Bulldog | Venis | Angle | Jericho | Guerrero | Saturn | Snow | Regal | Holly | Regal | Test | Guerrero | M. Hardy | Hurricane | Bradshaw | Christian | Page | Regal | Dudley | Regal | J. Hardy | Van Dam | |
