The Context 

Here we have Jim Cornette talking about the Great Muta in 1989, which is particularly interesting because, as Cornette reminded us, he was on the booking committee for part of that time. Cornette not only talked about how over Muta was, but that he was in the camp that was trying to turn him babyface eventually. Jim said Muta wasn’t big on the idea because he didn’t feel his English was good enough, but he and Brian Last also discussed the possibility of Gary Hart getting into Muta’s ear to dissuade him. Jim jokes Uncle Gary may not have been as hopeful for his future with the Dragonmaster. 

Analysis 

The Dragonmaster quipp was funny, but Cornette is absolutely right about turning Muta babyface.  Cornette did ask about how quickly Muta left the company, but the ideal situation would have been feuding with Sting, then Flair, then a babyface turn because the fans were already so into him.  With the way the story ended up playing out, a babyface Muta against the newly-turned Horsemen would have made a tremendous story. Throw in a slow build to Sting & Muta, the former rivals, eventually teaming, and 1990 could have been so much better. It’s too bad the company handled Muta so poorly after Funk retired, which led to his leaving by February 1990. In typical WCW fashion, they blew that one. 

The Video