WCW Clash of The Champions XX Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more desperate for attention than Ryback on Twitter! This is Clash of The Champions XX and this is a curious one, the reason being is that WCW has gone through a lot of change despite it being a month or two since the last PPV. We have a new world champion and it is not Vader, it is Ron Simmons. Yes, Vader’s run with the championship well the first run did not last very long so that’s frustrating considering how well Sting built up the threat and credibility of Vader but WCW folks, we also have Jake The Snake Roberts in WCW so take note of that also and The Snake went after Sting so they will be battling at Halloween Havoc. Ok let’s go!

 

(WCW Television Championship Match) Stunning Steve Austin © vs Ricky The Dragon Steamboat

Paul E. Dangerously will be placed in a cage above the ring, this is a surprising match because again, the booking will lead you to believe we would either be seeing Windham vs Austin for the championship or Rude vs Steamboat for the championship. Steamboat has his ribs taped, Austin works the ribs to begin before Steamboat chops back at the champion. Rights and lefts by Austin, Steamboat hip-tosses the champion out of the corner. Side headlock from Steamboat, Austin drop-downs and leapfrogs but Steamboat is too quick with the drop toehold and the side headlock. Front chancery from Steamboat, side headlock from Steamboat.

 

Austin shoves off Steamboat but misses the chop, Austin does land the hip-toss and elbow drop though. Steamboat kicks away Austin, chop and gut shot into the side headlock takedown. Austin continues to roll around but Steamboat has that headlock clamped on, Austin tries the belly to back suplex but Steamboat flips out twice before Austin pulls Steamboat down by the hair. Austin flapjacks Steamboat off the buckle and onto the mat, Austin lands knees to the back and strips away the protective tape on Steamboat’s ribs. Austin elbows and clubs Steamboat, massive back-breaker from the champion. Another back-breaker for two, Austin clotheslines Steamboat and applies the abdominal stretch. Steamboat escapes the hold and lands big chops, Austin sends Steamboat to the buckle but Steamboat comes off with a diving crossbody, Austin rolls through for two. Austin misses the dropkick and Steamboat sends Austin into the buckle and sunset flips for two, Austin trips Steamboat and uses the ropes for leverage but it is two. Steamboat plants Austin with the tombstone for a close two, Austin pulls Steamboat into the buckle, schoolboy with a handful of tights for two.

 

Austin places Steamboat on the top rope, superplex is on the mind of the champion. Steamboat suplexes Austin to the mat, Steamboat looks to finish. Middle rope chop does not work as Austin lands a right hand, small package by Austin for two. Steamboat lands a flying shoulder block for two, shoulder block for two. Austin sends Steamboat over the ropes, Steamboat skins the cat but Austin elbows Steamboat to the floor. Steamboat crawls under the ring, Austin is confused and cannot see where Steamboat went, Diving Crossbody by The Dragon and we have a new Television Champion.

 

Austin had been a very credible champion, performing as Rude’s regular partner in The Dangerous Alliance, Austin had shown promise and ability and it was time for bigger and better things for Austin. A significant moment for sure and these two had great chemistry, very much looking forward to their series for the United States Championship but if this was anything to judge off, this was a big success as Austin hangs in there with Steamboat. Steamboat’s selling is great here as always, great way to kick of The Clash of The Champions!

 

Winner Ricky The Dragon Steamboat over Stunning Steve Austin via Diving Crossbody!

 

Dirty Dick Slater & Greg The Hammer Valentine W/ Larry Zbyszko vs Beautiful Bobby Eaton & Arn Anderson

What is this match? Anderson and Valentine to start, elbow by Valentine. Side headlock and knee from the apron by Eaton, the duo attack Valentine before Slater clears house. Anderson is battered until Eaton clears the ring with his deadly right hand. Valentine and Eaton are legal now, Eaton is brought to Valentine’s corner. Slater comes in and jabs away at Eaton, Eaton sends Slater to the buckle but Slater lands an elbow and a neck-breaker. Russian leg-sweep by Slater, Slater tries a roll-up with the ropes for two. Valentine and Anderson are in now, suplex by Valentine before Valentine is pushed to the corner of Eaton & Anderson. Eaton & Anderson rough up Valentine, hammerlock from Eaton.

 

Valentine and Anderson are legal, Anderson is double-teamed in the heels’ corner. Slater is in now and jabbing away at Anderson, Valentine gets in a few cheap-shots from the apron. Slater smashes the leg of Anderson off the ring apron before Eaton lands that massive right hand to mess-up Slater. Valentine eats an elbow when trying to apply the figure four, Anderson spine-busters Valentine before we get a pier-six brawl. Slater throws Eaton to the floor, Zbyszko nails Valentine with the cast by mistake and Eaton lands The Alabama Jam while Anderson covers for the win.

 

Two heels teams, not sure why they were fighting but it was brief which I have no problem with when Valentine is in that ring. Hoping for bigger things for Eaton & Anderson considering how good they are, they deserve to be in the championship picture.

 

Winners: Bobby Eaton & Arn Anderson over Greg Valentine & Dick Slater via Alabama Jam!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Ron Simmons © vs Cactus Jack

Ron Simmons is world champion, perhaps Watts wanted to recreate the Junkyard Dog scenario in Mid-South. That’s fine if you want to do so but you just put the championship on Vader, Simmons was being pushed well but I think it was just a little too early to do this. Regardless, Simmons is here against Cactus who didn’t do any favours for Simmons when they last met inside of the ring.

 

Side headlock by Simmons, shoulder block but no count for Simmons. Cactus scrambles to the corner, another side headlock from the champion. Takedown which Cactus rolls over but Simmons maintains control. Cactus headbutts Simmons but Simmons is ready for Cactus on the floor, Cactus cannot land his elbow as Simmons knows that the elbow is coming. In the ring, Cactus take shortcuts and rakes the eyes of Simmons. Simmons picks up Cactus and backs him into the corner, Simmons wants to run into the buckle but Cactus boots Simmons in the head. Simmons turns the tide and batters Cactus before Cactus lands a low shot on Simmons. Cactus Jack clothesline to the floor, neck-breaker on the floor.

 

Simmons has his head bounced off the apron, Cactus and Simmons trade blows in the ring before Simmons rakes the eyes. Simmons blocks the double arm DDT, Cactus nails a clothesline on Simmons. Three clotheslines in a row from Cactus for two, Cactus slaps on a reverse chin-lock. Simmons escapes and rocks Cactus with headbutts, big right hands from Simmons. Simmons climbs high and lands a middle rope face-buster for two. Irish whip but Simmons lowers his head early, Cactus lands a gut kick but Simmons lands a flying forearm, make it two for a close two count. Cactus tries a sunset flip but Simmons slams down the challenger, another Irish whip and clothesline by Simmons. Cactus pulls Simmons to the floor, Cactus slams Simmons on the concrete.

 

Cactus wants to land his elbow drop and Cactus drills Simmons on the floor. Ouch my knees, Irish whip and Simmons reverses for the spinebuster. Simmons lands more right hands, Powerslam and this match is over.

 

Tame as you can be, middle of the road. Has anything changed from the last few months? Unfortunately no, Simmons is still learning and growing as a babyface but to be world champion? Nope sorry I am not buying into that at all, they should have kept going with Vader.

 

Winner: Ron Simmons over Cactus Jack via Powerslam!

 

The Barbarian & Butch Reed vs Barry Windham & Dusty Rhodes

The hell is this match? Butch Reed back in WCW after Doom? Barbarian back in 1992? Against one of my favourite tag teams? Rhodes and Barbarian start, side headlock by Rhodes. Shoulder block does nothing to Barbarian, side headlock from Rhodes and a tag to Windham. Flying lariat from Windham and double dropkicks to the heels, Barbarian goes low with a knee but Windham slips out of the military press for an O’Connor roll for two. Reed is tagged in but Windham slips out of the heels’ corner, side headlock by Windham. Tag to Rhodes, right hands and elbows from Rhodes. Reed brings Rhodes to the corner, clubbing blows before Rhodes smacks Reed with a boot. Right hands by Rhodes, whip to the opposite buckle. Rhodes goes for a spear and lands on the floor, Reed takes control.

 

Double clothesline on Rhodes, back-breaker from Barbarian. Rhodes is caught with right hands by Barbarian, Reed lands a cheap-shot from behind the referee’s back. Reed lands a neck-breaker for two, Irish whip and big clothesline from Reed. Closed fists to the head from Reed, Rhodes begins to fight back with big punches but Reed rakes at the face of Rhodes to stop the tag. Rhodes meets the knee of Barbarian, Rhodes is rammed into the buckle power-slam style. Rhodes fights back with elbows and right hands before Barbarian lands a massive knee. Elbow drop for two, tag to Reed. Diving axe handle onto the back of Reed, camel clutch from Reed.

 

Elbows and forearms, Irish whip and Rhodes lands an elbow as Reed lowered his head. Rhodes wants the tag, Reed wants a piledriver. Rhodes back-drops Reed, Reed cuts off the tag again. Both men collide off a clothesline, tag to Windham who comes in and pummels Barbarian. Back-drop to Barbarian, Reed is knocked down. Dropkick and lariat on Barbarian, Windham wants the Superplex. Superplex connects, Reed is yanked off the top rope. Double dropkick on Reed, Barbarian lands a massive boot on the face of Windham and Team Barbarian steal it.

 

It's a difficult one because WCW has all these great tag teams that are on fire and you think “Only one can be tag team champions” So Steiner Brothers are always going to be positioned at the top of the tag team card so Windham & Rhodes are going to do jobs from time to time to get over new tag teams. Which is a shame in my eyes because I cannot believe how the duo have not won the tag team championships.

 

Winners: Barbarian & Butch Reed over Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes via Boot To The Head!

 

(Eight Man Tag Team Elimination Match) Sting/Nikita Koloff/The Steiner Brothers vs Vader/Super Invader/Rick Rude/Jake The Snake Roberts

In terms of star quality, that is a massive match but will it be any good is the question? Jake is a huge star to have in WCW but can Jake Roberts deliver inside of that ring? I do like the video package they show before the match to put over the angle, sorely missed as it seems so much of this feud was shown on WCW TV as opposed to WCW PPV.

 

Rick Steiner to start with Vader, lock-up. Vader shoves back Rick Steiner, clubbing blows by Vader stagger Rick but Rick fires back with right hands. Rick sends Vader to the buckle, boot by Vader and a short-arm clothesline. Irish whip to the opposite buckle, Vader splash in the corner and a massive clothesline. Rick lands a belly to belly suplex on Vader, Vader powders and The Steiners pose in the ring. Super Invader and Nikita come in, probably not the two I would have in the ring at the same time but whatever.

 

Side headlock by Super Invader, shoulder blocks do not work on Nikita. They talk trash, Nikita ducks a clothesline and lands a shoulder block. Make it two, flying crossbody for two. Arm-bar from Nikita, Super Invader lands a massive right and tags in Rude. Throat thrust from Rude, Irish whip and Nikita kicks Rude and works the arm with wrench attacks before Scott Steiner comes in and slaps on an arm-bar. Rude escapes and tags in Super Invader, kick to the gut from Super Invader. Massive right hands and an Irish whip, Super Invader lowers his head though. Tiger-Driver from Scott Steiner, belly to belly suplex and Scott calls for the frakensteiner but Rude blind-tagged in and chopped out the legs of Scott Steiner.

 

Swinging neck-breaker and a fist to the head from Rude, tag to Roberts who lands shot after shot on Scott Steiner, tag to Vader. Clubbing blows in the corner by Vader, Vader Hammer and a kick to the ribs. Tag to Rude, throat thrust drops down Scott Steiner. Make it two, Scott reverses the Irish whip and lands a tilt-a-whirl-slam before tagging in Nikita. Nikita hammers Roberts with elbows and right hands, scoop slams and shots to every member of Roberts’ team. Flying shoulder tackle, Rude lands a knee on the apron to stop The Russian Sickle and Roberts rolls up Nikita with a handful of tights for the elimination!

 

Sting comes in and back-drops Super Invader, face-buster and Super Invader is gone. Now it is Sting and Vader, right hands before a tag to Rick Steiner. Steinerline and a massive German suplex, Rick goes to the middle rope but Vader counters the dive for a powerslam. Chokeslam from Vader, Vader climbs to the middle rope and lands a Vader Splash for two???? I cannot believe Rick Steiner survived that, Rick meets the knee of Rude. Right hands from the United States Champion, front chancery from Rude. Sting misses the Rick Steiner tag, team Vader rough up Rick Steiner. Massive scoop slam, Vader is on the middle rope, Rick powerslams Vader but Rude makes the save. Scott Steiner is irate, Vader cannot suplex Rick. Rick Steiner lifts up Vader and Scott lands a massive blow with a Doomsday Device on Vader. However, Scott Steiner is caught in the act and disqualified for coming off the top rope. Rick and Vader tumble to the floor, Rick back-drops Vader but Rude lands the Rude Awakening on the floor and Rick Steiner is counted out so now Sting is alone against Roberts, Vader and Rude.

 

In the ring, Sting lands the Stinger Splash on Roberts and goes for the Scorpion Death-lock but Rude lands a massive clothesline. Rude tags in, Sting fights for his life with big right hands and a face-buster. Rude eats an inverted atomic drop and a slingshot suplex. Vader is on the top rope and splashes Sting which means Vader has been disqualified also. Roberts tags into the match and picks up the carcass of Sting that had been squished by Vader and Roberts plants Sting with the DDT for the win.

 

It follows the formula that I don’t like where everyone wrestles well before rapid fire eliminations but the finish is quite good, Vader continues to look like a giant beast by destroying Sting with one splash and Roberts gets more heat and adds a little more to his feud by tagging in to land a DDT to defeat an already beaten Sting. Do I want to see Sting kill Roberts? Yes! Mission Accomplished? Yes!

 

Winners: Team Roberts over Team Sting via DDT!

 

That was WCW’s Clash of The Champions XX and it was a more important one than many of the previous ones I had suffered through, we have a great TV title match with Austin and Steamboat, the title means a lot considering Austin and Steamboat are the ones fighting over it, makes it feel as important as it was during the reign of Anderson and Tully so that’s nice to see. We get a little twist in the story here with Pillman showing character development for the first time in 4 years with the company, Pillman turning heel and Austin losing the championship means The Hollywood Blondes must be coming soon so I am excited to see how Pillman does in this new role and how Austin continues to develop his personality. We also have a very good main event to build for Roberts vs Sting with a lot of star-power in that match so I am happy considering I have become accustomed to jobber matches and tag team tournament squashes on my Clash reviews. Good stuff here for Halloween Havoc, thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Great American Bash 1992 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more surprising than seeing Buff Bagwell in a deathmatch! It’s time for WCW Great American Bash 1992 and I am pissed! Why? Because we are treated to an NWA Tag Team Championship Tournament, this is a shock for me because I thought this tournament would have been concluded by the time this show came around but that means I am going to have to watch lots of tag team tournament matches all over the card and it just makes me sad because that would mean this card has a good chance of dragging but the less-serious teams are all eliminated, the tournament is populated by big stars but I wonder will it be any good? The other hook for this PPV is none other than Vader challenging Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship!

 

(NWA Tag Team Tournament Quarter Finals Match) Flyin’ Brian Pillman vs Nikita Koloff & Ricky The Dragon Steamboat

Babyfaces all around, Nikita shoulder blocks and out-powers Pillman before Pillman drop toeholds and slaps on a front chancery, Nikita powers up and places Pillman on the top rope like a child. Pillman kicks Nikita and lands a dropkick, Nikita stops the ten punches and lands an inverted atomic drop. Pillman dodges the corner splash and lands a schoolboy for two, tag to Liger. Liger works the arm with arm-wrenches over and over, tag to Pillman. Diving double axe handle from Pillman, Liger comes back in with his own axe handle. Another tag to Pillman who kicks the arm and wrenches the arm, hammerlock throw to the ropes. Nikita’s arm is being destroyed before we have a shoulder block in the middle of the ring with Liger not knocking down Nikita.

 

A dropkick and a shoulder block take down Nikita, Pillman is in the ring again. Nikita tags in Steamboat who lands a noggin-knocker, Team Pillman is dumped to the floor. Drop toehold into an arm-bar, Steamboat continues to control the tempo with arm-drags and clotheslines. Pillman clotheslines Steamboat down, tag to Liger who lands a double dropkick with Pillman. Steamboat trips up Liger, shoulder block by The Dragon for wo. Tag to Nikita, scoop slam by Nikita. Elbow by Nikita, Pillman tags into the match. Side headlock by Nikita, tag to Steamboat. Side headlock takedown from Steamboat, Pillman fights out with a back body drop and a dropkick for two. Side headlock takedown from Pillman, tag to Liger who lands kicks and a back-breaker. Diving moonsault for two, tombstone piledriver from Liger for two. Somersault senton from Liger for two, Steamboat lands a belly to back suplex. Nikita lands a boot and an elbow drop, make it three. Reverse chin-lock from Nikita, Steamboat comes in and lands a back-breaker. Make it three back-breakers from The Dragon, a running powerslam with Pillman making the save.

 

Tag to Nikita, double elbow to the face of Liger. Two for Nikita, Nikita has the reverse chin-lock before tagging in Steamboat. Irish whip and Steamboat ducks his head, kick from Liger and tag to Pillman. Back body drop to Steamboat, dropkick to Nikita. Dropkick and scoop slam for two, side headlock from Pillman. Liger comes in and Steamboat takes down Liger, in comes Nikita. Liger kicks and smacks Nikita, no effect on Nikita. Flying shoulder block, it’s time! Pillman comes in and lands a dropkick to stop Nikita, Liger tags in Pillman. Irish whip and dropkick by Pillman, make it two. Pillman tries a crossbody but Nikita catches Pillman, Liger lands an assist dropkick. Nikita sends Pillman to the apron, Air Pillman and a diving missile dropkick, Steamboat is dropkicked to the floor too. Pillman covers for two and a half!

 

Pillman chops Nikita in the corner, Nikita sends Pillman to the buckle. Pillman stops Nikita with two boots, Pillman slaps on the sleeper. Jaw-breaker from Nikita, Liger and Steamboat tag into the match. Enzuigiri from Liger, Steamboat avoids a dropkick. Backslide by Liger for two, tag to Pillman. Slingshot crossbody by Pillman for two, side headlock takedown from Pillman. Backslide from Steamboat for two, Pillman lands a belly to back suplex. The match breaks down with Steamboat rolling through Pillman’s diving crossbody for the win.

 

What a hot start to the show, there was no way this was not going to be good when you have Ricky Steamboat, Jushin Liger and Brian Pillman. They all play their part well here and the crowd is freaking out during the majority of the match so it is wonderful stuff here to kick off the show. Really good chemistry between these men and that’s a good start for a show that I am not really too keen on, hoping for more surprises!

 

Winners: Team Steamboat over Team Pillman via Roll-Through Diving Crossbody!

 

(NWA Tag Team Tournament Quarter-Finals Match) Shinya Hashimoto & Hiroshi Hase vs The Fabulous Freebirds

This match sounds like the greatest joke of all-time, imagine I am going to see Michael Hayes get smacked around by Hashimoto? Who would you believe you with that statement? Hashimoto is obviously a massive upgrade from AKIRA but what can The Freebirds do with Hase and Hashimoto?

 

Hayes and Hase to start, Hase works the arm but Hayes kicks away Hase. Side headlock from Hase, Hayes counters with a head-scissors. Hase flips out of the head-scissors, Hase takes down Hayes but Hayes rolls through into the arm-bar. Tag to Garvin, Garvin wrenches the arm but Hase backs Garvin to his corner. In comes Hashimoto, side headlock from Garvin. Hammerlock from Garvin, Hashimoto drop toeholds but they are in the ropes. Side headlock takedown from Hashimoto, arm-bar from Hashimoto. Tag to Hase, diving chop to the arm. Garvin avoids the wristlock, knees from Hase. Tag to Hashimoto, brutal kicks from Hashimoto. Scoop slam from Hashimoto for two, Garvin scrambles away and tags in Hayes.

 

Shots to the arm from Hayes, Hashimoto lands a throat thrust and batters Hayes. Tag to Hase who lands a somersault senton for two, Hase works the ribs. Hayes tries chopping back, tag to Hashimoto. Measured kicks from Hashimoto, Hayes collapses to the mat. Garvin saves Hayes but Hashimoto lands a northern lights suplex for two, reverse chin-lock from Hashimoto. Hase is sent into Hashimoto, Hayes ducks a clothesline and lands two lefts to sting the NJPW stars. Tag to Garvin, running forearms and scoop slams. Clotheslines too, Garvin walks into a kick from Hashimoto and a Northern Lights Suplex from Hase for the win.

 

Yeah went about how I thought it would, very middle of the road I am shocked the fans still care about The Freebirds, they have faced everyone so I am not sure what you do with them but the act ran stale a long time ago.

 

Winners: Team Hase over The Fabulous Freebirds via Northern Lights Suplex!

 

(NWA Tag Team Tournament Quarter-Finals Match) Ravishing Rick Rude & Stunning Steve Austin vs Dustin Rhodes & Barry Windham

This could be a show-stealer right here, we will ever see the Television Championship match that they continue to talk about week in and week out? Who knows! Austin and Windham will be starting out, Austin sends Windham to the buckle. Lock-up and Austin sends Windham to the buckle twice, Windham sends back Austin and lands an arm-drag. Austin lands right hands after not giving the clean break, backslide attempt from Austin. Austin secures it for two, schoolboy with a handful of tights for two. Shoulder block but Windham lands a massive right-hand. Austin is furious, side headlock takedown from Windham. Austin counters with a head-scissors, Windham counters and teases the right hand before slapping Austin around.

 

Rhodes lands a bionic elbow and Austin powders, Rude decides to come into the ring and they lock-up, tag to Rhodes. Rhodes works the arm, Rude battles back with forearms that rock Rhodes. Whip to the opposite buckle, boot counter by Rhodes and a clothesline. Rude eats a belly to back suplex, arm-drag into an arm-bar from Rhodes. Rhodes is backed to the corner, shoulder thrusts from Rude who slaps on a reverse chin-lock. Knees from Rude but Rhodes counters the tombstone and spikes Rude, Austin makes the save. Stomps and elbow drops from Rhodes, Rhodes tries a splash but Rude counters with knees to the ribs. Rhodes meets the knees of Austin, snap-mare into a knee-drop. Austin kicks the ribs of Rhodes, Rhodes reverses a whip to the buckle but Austin explodes out with a clothesline.

 

Rhodes reverses a whip and knees Austin in the ribs, Rhodes kicks Austin in the ribs over and over. Abdominal stretch from Rhodes, Austin eats a right hand and we have a tag to Windham. Diving clothesline for two, Austin brings Windham to his corner. Rude works the kidneys with forearm after forearm, belly to back suplex and fist drop from Rude for two. Windham meets the knee of Austin, superplex time from Austin? Windham headbutts Austin down, side headlock from Windham. Flying crossbody for two, Medusa is on the apron. Rude yanks down Windham by the hair, Rude lands a diving missile dropkick for two.

 

Spike piledriver from Rude and Rhodes interferes and rallies the crowd. Windham is trying for the tag, Austin is in and lands a diving axe handle to thwart Windham. Austin drills Windham with the suplex, two for Austin. Reverse chin-lock from Austin, Windham fights out but Austin drop toeholds Windham to prevent the tag. Rude comes in off the tag and lands more forearms, Windham is bounced off the buckle. Windham blocks the buckle and sends Rude into the buckle, Rude lands a scoop slam and poses for everyone. Front chancery from Rude, Windham counters Rude but Austin has the tag and stops the tag. Windham is dumped to the floor, Austin comes out and attacks Windham. Windham lands a massive knee-lift, Austin boots Windham down though for two.

 

Snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock, Rude tags in and works the headlock. Austin is back in and lands shoulder thrusts, Irish whip and back body drop with right hands by Austin. Windham counters the scoop slam for a small package, two for Windham. Both men collide with a clothesline, Austin lands a belly to back suplex and tags in Rude. Knees and forearms by Rude, Windham lands an inverted atomic drop, Rude ducks the clothesline but both men bang heads. Rhodes get the hot-tag, Bionic Elbows and clotheslines all around. Dropkick to the floor, Austin eats a massive reverse elbow to the face. Windham brawls with Rude, noggin-knockers and the match breaks down. Austin wants a piledriver in the ring but Rhodes lands a Diving Clothesline for the win on Austin.

 

Great stuff here, I would love to see Windham and Rhodes in the tag team championship picture but it is difficult to do when you have a team like The Steiners, Austin and Rude are tremendous in this match also. Windham does a great job showing how vicious these heels can be and Rhodes shows great fire when coming in for the hot-tag, I may not be a fan of this tag team tournament but when we have matches like this, I might just have to change my mind but kudos to all four men, The Dangerous Alliance vs Steamboat and the team of Windham/Rhodes has always delivered.

 

Winners: Team Windham over Team Rude via Diving Clothesline!

 

(NWA Tag Team Tournament Semi-Finals Match) The Miracle Violence Connection vs Nikita Koloff & Ricky The Dragon Steamboat

Steamboat and Gordy to begin this match, Gordy has a side headlock and lands a shoulder block. Side headlock takedown from Gordy, Steamboat rolls over for pin-fall attempts but Gordy maintains control, Steamboat escapes and leapfrogs before landing those deep arm-drags. Gordy tracks Steamboat to the corner, tag to Williams but Steamboat escapes the corner and lands the arm-drag. Williams and Steamboat eventually separate as Williams continues to showcase his amateur background, Steamboat catches Williams with a fireman’s carry. Arm-bar from Steamboat, Williams backs Steamboat to the corner. Steamboat chops his way out, Gordy is frustrated. Tag to Nikita, clubbing blows to the arm of Gordy. Gordy tags in Williams who is dropped also, Nikita works the arm.

 

Nikita and Gordy are in there now, shoulder blocks do not work for Nikita but a massive dropkick spells disaster for Gordy. Nikita cannot break free from Williams as they continue to showcase their amateur wrestling skills, eventually we have Steamboat and Gordy in there who lands a massive chop and an arm-drag before transitioning to the arm-bar. Gordy sends Steamboat to the corner, tag to Williams. Clothesline from Williams before an eye poke by Williams, Steamboat ducks and tries a crucifix but Steamboat is sent to the buckle by Williams. Steamboat chops back but Williams snap-mares Steamboat to the corner, tag to Gordy who lands a scoop slam. Make it two, tag to Williams and they land their double shoulder blocks for two.

 

Williams and Gordy land a double suplex on Steamboat but the referee is not buying the idea that the duo tagged, Steamboat continues to chop his way back into the match. Gordy makes the tag and Williams smashes the back of Steamboat. Steamboat tries a flying crossbody but Williams counters with a back-breaker for two. Tag to Gordy who lowers his head off an Irish whip, DDT by Steamboat. Tag to Nikita who lands shoulder blocks all around, the flying shoulder block is blocked as Gordy lands a face-buster, tag to Williams. Nikita is dropped across the top rope, make it double. Head-scissors choke from Williams, Gordy comes in and we have Nikita rallying but missing a knee to the corner.

 

So, Gordy takes control with an STF. Williams comes into the match, knees to the head of Koloff and Boston crab. Am I just watching The Steiners match again? Nikita survives so Gordy goes back to the STF, Nikita survives so Williams comes back in and rinse and repeat before Williams wants the stampede but Nikita shoves Williams to the buckle. They bang heads but Steamboat gets the tag, right hands to both Gordy and Williams. Belly to back suplex on Williams, chop to the head. Steamboat climbs high, Diving Chop to the back of the head. Diving crossbody is thwarted as Gordy shoves Steamboat into the hands of Williams who lands a modified Oklahoma Stampede for the win.

 

Awful and I like a lot of the wrestlers in this match but this was horrific, it is very similar to the Steiners match with Gordy and Williams continuing the mat-wrestling stuff, it just keeps on going and going. The same oh let’s keep doing submissions spot too, I have seen it already and it was horrific so why not learn from our mistakes? Why not have Steamboat vs Rude blow-off for the championship? Why not Cactus Jack vs Steamboat considering the attack at Beach Blast? Terrible match here.

 

Winners: Team MVC over Team Steamboat via Modified Oklahoma Stampede!

 

(NWA Tag Team Tournament Semi-Finals Match) Hiroshi Hase & Shinya Hashimoto vs Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes

Hase and Rhodes to start, Rhodes and Hase trade wrestling holds before Windham comes in and tests Hase with his strength, Hashimoto comes in for test of strength with Windham. Windham throws Hashimoto, Rhodes comes in and is smacked with a shoulder block. Side headlock from Rhodes, both men collide middle of the ring. Top wristlock from Hashimoto into the arm-bar, tag to Hase. Hammerlock into a choke from Hase, Rhodes counters and tags in Windham who lands a hammerlock scoop slam. Uppercuts from Windham, side headlock takedown into the keylock. Hase flips out of the hold and works the arm, chops from Hase and a tag to Hashimoto. Elbow to the head by Hashimoto, triangle choke from Hashimoto.

 

Windham goes to the ropes for a break, elbows from Windham and a tag to Rhodes. Bionic Elbow into an arm-drag, Hashimoto goes to the throat and kicks the crap out of Rhodes. Spinning heel kick from Hashimoto, spike piledriver from Team NJPW. Hashimoto and Hase double team Rhodes, elbow drop from Hashimoto. Hase comes in and lands knees and boots to the head, Rhodes fights back as both men trade elbows and chops. Windham has enough at one point attacking both Hase and Hashimoto, Hashimoto regains control and lands a knee on Rhodes. Suplex from Hashimoto, two for Hashimoto. Hase misses a diving knee drop and Rhodes lands a massive clothesline.

 

Tag to Windham, elbows and clubbing blows. Suplex on Hase, two for Windham. Powerslam from Windham, two for Windham. Abdominal stretch with shots to the ribs, Hashimoto is drilled with a clothesline. Pier-Six brawl, Hashimoto is knocked to the floor, Rhodes confuses Hase with leapfrogs before we have Windham landing a flying clothesline for the win.

 

Really bad match, low effort stuff from everyone involved here. So much barebones wrestling going on in that ring, I saw technical mat wrestling in the last match for 20 minutes, not a great idea to follow that up with 15 minutes of the same shtick.

 

Winners: Team Windham over Team NJPW via Flying Clothesline!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Sting © vs Vader W/ Harley Race

Vader had been in and out of WCW, some notable moments here and there but nothing concrete until in 1992, Vader broke the ribs of Sting and kicked off this feud. Harley Race was placed as the mouthpiece of Vader due to having nothing to do once Lex Luger decided to quit the company. Sting has been side-tracked with The Dangerous Alliance and Cactus Jack but now Sting has to fight the man who injured his ribs.

 

They meet in the middle of the ring and talk trash, Sting wants to fight. Vader shoves back Sting and poses, they lock-up again and Vader clubs the crap out of Sting who is rocked. Sting is in serious trouble, short-arm clothesline and Sting rolls to the floor. Harley Race talks smack to the face of Sting, Sting re-enters the ring. Vader whips Sting, Sting ducks the clothesline and Sting lands his own clothesline and crossbody but Vader does not even budge. Vader misses a corner splash, belly to back suplex by Sting. A clothesline and Vader is clotheslined to the floor, Sting rallies this crowd. Sting lands rights and a massive shot to floor Vader, dropkick sends Vader to the apron. An enzuigiri catches Vader on the apron, Sting suplexes Vader into the ring for two.

 

Vader clubs down Sting to stop the flurry, Sting avoids a clothesline and boots down Vader, small package for two. Vader powders, Sting tries a sunset flip on Vader. Bad idea as Vader sits down and crushes the ribs of Sting, could those ribs be reinjured? Elbow drop by Vader, make it two. Vader lands a splash for two, Vader pulls up Sting to choke him and toss him to the canvas. Vader grinds down Sting with a toe-hold, Sting is caught in his own hold. Sting manages to escape but Vader continues to waffle Sting with shots to the face, Sting cannot even hold himself up in the ring. Clothesline from Vader, running powerslam from Vader for two.

 

Sting is backed into the corner, Vader tees off with rights and lefts. Sting blocks the right hand and begins chopping back at the challenger, rolling kappu kick to the head of Vader. DDT from Sting, Sting runs into Vader knocking the big man to the apron. Vader is on the top rope, Sting kicks Vader down. Sting kicks Vader’s ribs over and over, Samoan drop from Sting. Two for Sting, Vader tries a belly to back suplex but Sting flips out and kicks the referee by mistake, Sting lands a German suplex for a close two as the referee was down and could not count right away. Sting lands a Stinger Splash, make it two but Sting smacks his head off the steel buckle. Sting is bleeding from smashing his head off the steel, Vader drags Sting for a cover and gets two.

 

Vader is in firm control here, Sting tries throwing blows but Vader effortlessly dodges the attacks of the champion. Vader picks up Sting who is looking lost now, Powerbomb from Vader and Vader is your new world heavyweight champion!

 

What a match, what a way to establish Vader. Sting threw everything he had at Vader, every chop, every dropkick, every Stinger Splash and Vader would not falter, Vader would not waver and Vader marched on through every piece of offense from Sting and Powerbombed his way to victory. Fantastic way to establish Vader as the toughest force in WCW, Sting will live to fight another day but on this night, Vader was the baddest motherfucker in WCW and Sting did a great job of telling that story.

 

Winner: Vader over Sting via Powerbomb!

 

(NWA Tag Team Tournament Final Match) The Miracle Violence Connection vs Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes

Ole Anderson is the referee, Windham and Williams start who are no strangers to one another from their battles when Doc fought against The Horsemen. They try to grapple one another, both men maintaining distance. Gordy comes in and so does Rhodes. Gordy shoots for the leg, Rhodes shoots back for the leg. Clean break off the ropes, Gordy is not happy with the officiating of Ole Anderson. Rhodes goes to the ropes but Gordy German suplexes Rhodes, Bionic Elbows from Rhodes and a massive forearm, Rhodes works the leg. Windham comes in as does Williams, Williams and Windham wrestle around on the ground for a minute or two before Williams lands a knee to the head and Windham nearly gets beheaded by a clothesline by Gordy.

 

Rhodes tags in and chases the leg of Gordy, knees and ankle stretch from Rhodes. In comes Williams and we get some more MAT-WRESTLING BOY. Rhodes slaps on a deep arm-drag followed by an arm-bar, Gordy is able to get tagged in and apply the STF. Rhodes has a sleeper but Gordy blind-tags to Williams who lands a diving axe handle, sleeper from Williams. Gordy comes in and it’s time for a Boston crab, Williams comes in for a powerslam for two. Williams is not happy, front chancery from Williams. Windham gets the tag and batters Gordy and Williams, back body-drop on Williams. Clothesline on Gordy, suplex with a float-over for two. Gut-wrench suplex for two, Windham whips Williams to the buckle but misses and Gordy comes in for a suplex. Two for Gordy, lariat from Gordy for two. Reverse chin-lock from Gordy, in comes Williams who kicks Windham all around the ring before Windham lands a boot to the head. Williams holds onto Windham and stops the tag, Gordy comes in and lands elbow after elbow.

 

In comes Williams and they batter Windham some more, abdominal stretch from Williams. Windham reaches the ropes and Williams tags in Gordy. Gordy and Windham bang heads after Windham drops down off an Irish whip, could this be the moment? Rhodes gets the tag, Bionic Elbows all around. Williams clubs down Rhodes, front chancery. Now we have to watch Rhodes be destroyed? Rhodes keeps fighting the two but is cut off by Williams, Oklahoma Stampede is stopped by Windham with a dropkick, we have a pier-six brawl now. Williams misses  a corner splash, Rhodes is sent into Gordy and Williams lands a clothesline for the win.

 

Brutal just brutal, I can’t believe a team so legendary in AJPW, a team that I have watched have fantastic matches in AJPW bore me to tears almost with matches back to back. Two of the worst ends to WCW PPVs I have seen in recent memory and I cannot believe that I have Rick Rude killing it in one segment or Ricky Steamboat or Sting doing great things but no we have this tag tournament stinking up this card.

 

Winners: Team Miracle Violence Connection over Team Windham & Rhodes via Clothesline!

 

That was WCW’s Great American Bash 1992 and it was a mostly bad show from WCW, it pains me to say it but these PPVs based around certain concepts is really hurting WCW for me at times, it was bad enough at The Lethal Lottery Battle Bowl for Starrcade, the mini tournament at Starrcade 89 and The War Games Match taking all the top talent so the undercard is littered with lower-card acts but this tag team tournament is brutal. I have seen some bad tag tournaments in WCW but at least they were short and somewhat watchable. The semi-finals and finals of this tournament were atrocious in every sense of the word, Williams and Gordy are legendary figures in AJPW, I am a big fan of both men but when they came to WCW in 1992, they must have not given two shits because these matches are awful. The tournament kicks off with so much hope as Pillman/Liger want to deliver as do Windham and Rhodes against The Dangerous Alliance but it gets brutal after that and the tournament dies a cruel death in front of all in the arena. The one major highlight is the crowning of Vader as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Sting does a fantastic job of making Vader look unstoppable and boy does he, should be interesting to see how Vader does as champion. Plenty of babyfaces to work with so fingers crossed for Vader’s run, thanks for reading and remember: there is always another night!

WCW Beach Blast 1992 Review!

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more despised than Ryback on Twitter! It’s WCW Beach Blast 1992! This is considered a quality show from WCW like WrestleWar 1992, we have Flyin’ Brian Pillman taking on Scotty Flamingo for the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship, we have Cactus Jack having the biggest match of his career by taking on Sting in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. The Miracle Violence Connection challenging The Steiners for the WCW Tag Team Championships and Rick Rude vs Ricky The Dragon Steamboat in an Iron Man Match. This is a very exciting card based on what I can see so high hopes for this one and WrestleWar did deliver.

 

(WCW Light Heavyweight Championship Match) Flyin’ Brian Pillman © vs Scotty Flamingo

Scotty Flamingo had risen the ranks of the rather small WCW Light Heavyweight Division and is taking on the Ace in Flyin’ Brian Pillman. Pillman desperately needs people to work with or a change in gimmick so Flamingo should fit nicely in the role. Absolutely jarring to see Flamingo when being so accustomed to Raven but I do like the Flamingo gimmick and Raven is a natural as a heel. Flamingo is undefeated going into this one, Flamingo takes down Pillman and posing for the fans. Flamingo is countered by Pillman, they trade reversals with Pillman getting the better of the challenger. Elbow counter by Flamingo but Pillman lands a drop toehold into a hammerlock with knees for good measure.

 

Flamingo reaches the ropes to survive, Flamingo pushes Pillman to the ropes and lands two rights. Crucifix into the victory roll for two, Flamingo is petrified of the champion. Hammerlock from Pillman, we go to the corner and Flamingo lands a low elbow. Irish whip to the opposite buckle but Pillman leaps over and lands a hip-toss into a short-arm scissors. Despite Flamingo’s best efforts, Pillman continues working the arm with arm-breakers etc. Flamingo sells the arm well, eye-rake from Flamingo. Irish whip and a tilt-a-whirl head-scissors, dropkick too. Flamingo is dumped to the floor after being caught in the ropes, Flamingo avoids the dive. However, Pillman doesn’t dive and lands an apron axe handle to Flamingo.

 

Vicious chop on the floor, Pillman climbs high. Flamingo throws Pillman off the top rope, stomps from Flamingo for a close two. Flamingo dumps Pillman to the floor, plancha to the floor. In the ring, Pillman mounts a brief comeback but Flamingo swats him down. Clubbing blows and stomps from Flamingo, forearm across the chest from Flamingo. Make it two, Flamingo wanted a running right hand but Pillman slingshots in with a crossbody for two. Flamingo is up first and lands a clothesline for two, Flamingo rakes the eyes. Snap-mare into the reverse chin-lock, Pillman escapes and lands a shoulder block before Flamingo lands a knee to the ribs. Flamingo tries a corner splash but Pillman dodges, can the champion make a move?

 

Flamingo rakes the eyes again, snap-mare into the reverse chin-lock.  Pillman sends Flamingo to the ropes, sleeper from the champion. Flamingo rams Pillman into the buckle to stay alive, both men clock one another with right hands and they are down. They trade blows on their knees until Flamingo again rakes the eyes, Flamingo is on the middle rope and tries an axe handle but Pillman lands a massive dropkick. More blows traded before Pillman lands a spinning heel kick, Flamingo meets the buckle. Chops and Pillman lands ten punches to the head. Flamingo counters the Irish whip but eats a boot, Pillman runs into the powerslam and Flamingo gets two with a handful of tights.

 

Flamingo slaps the shit out of Pillman and boots him in the head, Flamingo celebrates prematurely and eats a belly to back superplex for two as Flamingo places a foot on the ropes. Massive chop by Pillman, Flamingo reverses an Irish whip but lowers his head, Pillman lands a face-buster. Flamingo eats a clothesline to the back of the head and is clotheslined onto the ramp. Pillman wants a plancha to the ramp but Flamingo dodges, Pillman smashes his head off the ramp and as Pillman crawls back into the ring, Flamingo lands a middle rope knee-drop to the head for the win.

 

Solid opening match from these two, Pillman makes Flamingo work for it here showcasing that Flamingo is much more than a pretty boy and the real deal which is what you need if a new champion is going to be crowned. Love that Flamingo heels it up as much as possible here, multiple eye-rakes and handfuls of tights. It is not Liger vs Pillman levels of good but it is far better than I thought it would be and I think these two could continue to feud and we could have even more fun matches, Pillman dropping the title here though could lead to bigger things for Pillman, no denying that Pillman deserves to be in that United States Heavyweight Championship scene.

 

Winner: Scotty Flamingo over Flyin’ Brian Pillman via Diving Knee-Drop!

 

Ron Simmons vs The Taylor Made Man

Terrence Taylor my favourite jobber to the stars taking on powerhouse Ron Simmons, I can just see how this one is going to go and I am going to enjoy it regardless of length. Taylor immediately dismisses Simmons before being tossed across the ring, Taylor talks about Simmons pulling his hair. Taylor shoves Simmons and then backs off like a coward, another lock-up. Taylor tries a hip-toss but Simmons blocks and throws Taylor. Taylor backs Simmons to the corner, knees and a right-hand from Taylor. Irish whip to the opposite buckle but Taylor does not see that Simmons did not hit the buckle. Two chop-blocks before Taylor pulls Simmons to the ramp. Simmons avoids the clothesline and atomic drops Taylor followed by a military press slam into the ring and then a clothesline to the floor.

 

Scoop slam and clubbing blows from Simmons, Simmons applies a bearhug in the middle of the ring. Taylor pokes the eyes, headbutt from Taylor. Simmons lands a hip-toss, Simmons tries a chop-block but Taylor ducks and Simmons lands on the ramp. Taylor slams the head of Simmons off the mat, jaw-breaker from Taylor. Eye-rake from Taylor, snap-mare into the snap-over neck-breaker for two. Taylor snaps on a reverse chin-lock, back-breaker from Taylor before Simmons fires back with a sidewalk slam. Simmons grabs Taylor by the throat, two-handed choke toss from Simmons. Big right hands from Simmons, back body-drop from Simmons. Shoulder block and a Powerslam from Simmons for the win.

 

The right kind of match for Simmons, Simmons needs people like Taylor who can make him look good and not expose his weaknesses, this match was good length for Simmons and it does a lot more for Simmons than a failed feud with Abdullah The Butcher and Cactus Jack. Big plans in Simmons’ future but can Simmons rise to the occasion?

 

Winner: Ron Simmons over The Taylor Made Man via Powerslam!

 

Marcus Alexander vs Greg The Hammer Valentine

So we have bland Bagwell taking on Greg The Hammer Valentine, this might be a rough one ladies and gentlemen. Bagwell is not bad just no flavour to him while Valentine post-WWF does not sound like something I am going to enjoy. Valentine pushes Bagwell to the ropes, clean break from Valentine. Hip-toss and arm-drag from Bagwell, scoop slam and Valentine reassesses the situation. To the corner we go, Valentine lands a massive knee. Irish whip that Bagwell reverses, Bagwell lowers his head though. Elbow by Valentine, Bagwell blocks the piledriver. Valentine begs for mercy but the act does not fool Valentine, atomic drop by Bagwell followed by two dropkicks. Bagwell tries a hip-toss but Valentine lands a clothesline.

 

Chop by Valentine, make it two. Elbow to the back of the head, back-breaker by Valentine. Valentine calls for a middle rope elbow, Bagwell dodges the elbow drop. Scoop slam but Bagwell misses the knee-drop, Valentine works the leg and wrenches it, Bagwell is in dire straits. Valentine slaps the rookie and Valentine calls for the figure four. Bagwell kicks off Valentine, and tries a small package for two. Valentine goes after the leg but misses dropping all his weight on the leg. Bagwell escapes the scoop slam and schoolboys Valentine for two, backslide for two.

 

Chop by Valentine, Bagwell blocks the suplex and suplexes Valentine for two. Valentine begs for mercy, eye poke by Valentine. Irish whip and back body drop by Bagwell, two for Bagwell. Bagwell leaps over Valentine and tweaks his knee, right hands by Bagwell but Bagwell lands a shin-breaker and slaps on The Figure Four Leg-Lock. Valentine walks away with the fan!

 

Didn’t expect Valentine going over to be honest but there seems to be a resistance to Bagwell already, the crowd being against the squeaky clean babyfaces of WCW. The match was alright, nothing offensive and maybe they have some sort of plans for Valentine but we will see how it goes. Not as bad as I thought it would be and that is a big compliment considering who is involved.

 

Winner: Greg The Hammer Valentine over Marcus Alexander via Figure Four Leg-Lock!

 

(Falls Count Anywhere Match) Cactus Jack vs Sting

This is an interesting one for a variety of reasons, the origins of this feud stretch back to when Luger was champion back in 1991, Cactus Jack was not the main enemy of Sting also at this time considering Vader had almost broke the ribs of Sting so this seems misplaced but I am all for these two fighting one another. This starts on the ramp, Sting back body-drops Cactus on the ramp and lands a face-buster for two. Sting misses a splash and ends up on the floor, Cactus wants to take control and lands his Cactus Jack Elbow Drop to the floor. Cactus is on the apron again, a diving sunset flip on the concrete for two. Why do that to yourself? Sting blocks the guardrail and sends Cactus into the guardrail.

 

Cactus bounces Sting off the guardrail, Sting back-drops Cactus into the crowd. Sting wants a suplex on the floor, that looks painful for a two count. Cactus is whipped back ringside, we are back in the ring. Sting catches the foot of Cactus Jack but Cactus lands a clothesline and lands a headbutt.

 

Sting has his face raked by Cactus, Irish whip to the buckle and a splash in the corner. Snap-mare into a body-scissors, Sting elbows his way out and smashes Cactus with right hands. Cactus rakes the eyes and lands his Cactus Jack clothesline, Cactus lands chairshots to Sting over and over at ringside. Sting counters with a suplex, Sting tries a Stinger splash but Cactus flapjacks Sting onto the guardrail. Cactus cannot nail the piledriver, Cactus tries his elbow drop but Sting smacks away Cactus. Sting lands rights and chops, scoop slam on the ramp. Sting grabs the chair, chair-shot across the back and head from Sting. Sting goes after the leg of Cactus, Scorpion Death-Lock is avoided as both men tumble to the floor. On the ramp, Cactus lands a Double Arm DDT for a close two. Sting lands a clothesline and goes to the top rope, Diving Clothesline for the win!

 

I am sorry what? After being drilled with the DDT, Sting pops up and lands the diving clothesline for the win? Well I loved the brawling that the two did during the match, they work the stipulation well with lots of crowd-brawling and chair-shots, very different from every other match on the card and I am happy for Cactus Jack to be showcased instead of doing almost comedic style brawling with Abdullah The Butcher. I am curious why this is around the feud of Sting vs Vader but this company is bizarre to me at times so best to just see where this heads but a very different style of match that had some great moments in there and Sting continues to build momentum for his showdown with Vader.

 

Winner: Sting over Cactus Jack via Diving Clothesline!

 

(Iron Man Contest) Ravishing Rick Rude vs Ricky The Dragon Steamboat

Steamboat starts out hot chopping and landing a gut-buster, Rude is in trouble. These two have been at one another’s throats since Starrcade 1991, they had an ok match last time so I am wondering how this will turn out. Non-title which is also interesting, Steamboat continues working the ribs with massive kicks to the ribs. Irish whip and Rude gets caught and eats more gut shots, bearhug from Steamboat. Rude manages to knee Steamboat in the face, forearm to the head from Rude. Steamboat dodges a right-hand and clamps on a modified bow & arrow. Steamboat is kicked off but rolls into a Boston crab, Rude’s back and ribs are not doing well in this match.

 

Rude escapes the hold but the splash and knees keep coming from The Dragon, Rude begs for mercy. Measured kick to the ribs, Steamboat suplexes Rude face-first. Thrust to the head for two, Steamboat sends Rude to the corner. Rude blocks with a massive knee, Steamboat is rocked and Rude grabs a handful of tights and gets the three! Rick Rude is up 1:0 and Rude begins to land big knees to the ribs of Steamboat. Rude drills Steamboat with The Rude Awakening and Rude is up 2:0! The Dragon is in real trouble now, Rude has shown his toughness here. Back-breaker from Rude and Rude climbs high, diving knee-drop and since it is illegal to come off the top rope, Steamboat takes the fall. The score is 2:1 in Rude’s favour. Small package from Rude though and now it’s 3:1!

 

Rude maintains his two fall lead, Steamboat hammers the ribs and head of Rude. Steamboat lowers his head off the Irish whip, face-buster from Rude. Rude clamps on a camel clutch, Rude releases the hold as Steamboat reaches the ropes. Knees to the spine from Rude, Steamboat counters the camel clutch with an electric chair drop. Steamboat tries a splash but Rude counters with knees to the ribs, Steamboat is clubbed down and trapped in the reverse chin-lock. Steamboat escapes but eats a knee to the ribs, Steamboat is bounced off the buckle. Rude drills Steamboat with the piledriver, Rude crawls into the cover for a close two. Rude is not a happy man, Rude wants a tombstone but Steamboat is countering and drills Rude to make the score 3:2! Rude is on the top rope, Steamboat is looking for a big manoeuvre. Superplex with both men feeling the effects of that one, Steamboat eventually falls into the cover but Rude kicks out at two. Steamboat misses a right hand and both men drill one another with right hands. Steamboat bridges up out of a cover and counters with a backslide to even the score at 3:3! Small package by Steamboat for two, Steamboat jacknife covers for two. Flying crossbody for two, Rude lands a jaw-breaker. Scoop slam and fist-drop from Rude, Steamboat is up and chopping back at Rude. Throat thrust from Rude, clubbing blows from The Ravishing One.

 

Rude lands a massive clothesline and poses, throat thrust and Steamboat collapses to the mat. Rude chokes Steamboat with the middle rope, forearms stagger The Dragon. Rude fights hard for The Rude Awakening, Steamboat counters and covers for his own neck-breaker for a close two. Steamboat is irate, massive knees to the head of Rude. Suplex with a float-over for two, Steamboat will have to try harder than that to take that seventh fall. Belly to back suplex from Steamboat for a close two, sleeper from Rude. Steamboat bounces the head of Rude off the buckle, then the opposite buckle but Rude has Steamboat mounted, Steamboat fades but does not fall. Steamboat walks with Rude on his back, what is The Dragon looking to do?

 

Rude kicks away the arm reaching out for the ropes, a little thing but a fantastic touch. They are working the crowd with this one, they continue to sit in this sleeper but can Steamboat reach the ropes. Steamboat starts to climb the turnbuckle and kicks back, falling on top of Rude and securing the pin-fall! 4:3 to Steamboat, clothesline by Rude and a shoulder block but Steamboat continues to kick out! Rude is panicking, small package for two. Scoop slam for two, Steamboat escapes with the 4:3 win!

 

Great wrestling clinic from these two, it is amazing how great this match is considered to what they did at Superbrawl, fantastic wrestling all around. Steamboat with his trademark selling is tremendous here, Steamboat would have you believe that one knee was the most lethal blow of all-time and the sleeper spot was excellent, crowd was in a fever pitch for this one. Rude was great in this one, selling his ribs throughout the contest and showing his frustration throughout the match, Rude and Steamboat are two masters of their craft and on this night, they absolutely deliver. I want to see Steamboat go for the gold now, I am ready to have it happen.

 

Winner: Ricky The Dragon Steamboat over Ravishing Rick Rude via 4:3!

 

The Dangerous Alliance vs Barry Windham/Dustin Rhodes/Nikita Koloff

Ole Anderson is your special referee, possibly the only man who could control all these combustible elements, no more Larry Zbyszko but it looks like we still have The Dangerous Alliance which I am a fan of, Barry Windham looks to have aged a lot in the last few months, not sure what is going on there but I love when Windham and Rhodes are together. Windham and Austin to start, arm-drag and arm-bar by Windham. Austin rolls through but Windham continues to out-work Austin before Austin lands a massive forearm. Austin goes to the top rope, middle rope Japanese arm-drag from Windham. Windham tags in Rhodes, shoulder block by Austin but Rhodes lands two dropkicks to rock Austin. Fujiwara arm-bar from Rhodes, Austin tags in Eaton.

 

Side headlock by Rhodes, shoulder block by Rhodes. Eaton lands a knee to the ribs, Eaton misses a corner splash. Schoolboy by Rhodes for two, tag to Anderson. Anderson tags in and slaps Nikita, Nikita is enraged but Anderson wants to fight Nikita in the corner. Anderson lands a knee-drop off a snap-mare, Anderson almost gets disqualified for coming off the top, they lock-up. We go to the ropes, Anderson lands shoulder thrusts and a big left, Nikita ducks the forearm and tries the O’Connor roll before landing a clothesline and sending Anderson to the floor. Eaton comes in, they lock-up and Eaton lands an elbow and clubbing blows. Irish whip and Nikita lands a bearhug, Anderson gets in a knee to the back but Nikita atomic drops Eaton into Anderson and Austin is slammed down too. Team Windham stands tall as The Dangerous Alliance talk strategy on the floor. In comes Anderson and Windham, right hand by Windham. Anderson lands a headbutt and a left to the head, Windham sends Anderson to the buckle. Atomic drop from Windham but Anderson smashes heads with Windham, Dangerously tries rallying Anderson.

 

Windham tries yanking Anderson off the top rope but Anderson rakes the eyes, corner shoulder block and left hands. Windham lands a knee and an elbow to the head, Anderson is whipped to the buckle and caught in the sleeper. Anderson counters with a belly to back suplex, in comes Rhodes with right hands and bionic elbows. Rhodes is sent to the buckle but Anderson sacrifices Eaton by sending Rhodes into Eaton. Rhodes is bleeding now, Austin goes to work on Rhodes. Anderson lands cheap shots from the apron, Rhodes is being decimated now by The Dangerous Alliance in their corner. Anderson stomps all over the head of Rhodes, Rhodes is dragged to the ring-post and Eaton hammers away at Rhodes.

 

Clothesline from Eaton for two, arm-bar from Eaton. Austin and Anderson continue to punish Rhodes, Anderson is raking the eyes. Rhodes blocks the left and lands a Bionic Elbow, drop toehold from Anderson to stop the tag. Eaton comes in with a beautiful single arm DDT with a hammerlock for good measure, Rhodes catches Austin with an O’Connor roll but Austin is too fresh. In comes Anderson who slaps on the arm-bar, Rhodes fights back and Anderson smashes heads with Eaton. In comes Austin, Stun-Gun! Rhodes tags in Windham though, right hands all around, hip-tosses all around. Back body-drop on Austin, right hand to a diving Anderson. Windham wants the Superplex, Anderson comes off the top rope and Ole Anderson catches Arn Anderson in the act. Team Windham get the win!

 

Good tag team wrestling here, finish is a little lacklustre. Thought they would have done more here with Nikita Koloff considering how they are building up Nikita since his return, Rhodes does a great job in this one selling his ass off for The Dangerous Alliance, a simple performance from Eaton and Anderson but effective as always, I would like to see more involving the tag team titles but as long as these continue to wage war, I am a happy man for sure. However, this seemed like just a setup for Austin vs Windham for the TV title.

 

Winners: Team Windham over The Dangerous Alliance via DQ!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) The Steiner Brothers © vs The Miracle Violence Connection

At the previous Clash, Williams and Gordy defeated The Steiners with a chop-block, can the challengers capture the championships? Gordy and Scott to start, we kick things off like the Clash match with both men showing their amateur wrestling skills, Scott takes down Gordy and looks for a full-nelson, after all the wrestling, we have the two brawling with Scott winning that war. In comes Williams who wrestles with Scott also, they continue to wrestle around before Williams lands an elbow to the head of Scott. Scott avoids a corner attack and has a sunset flip for two, side headlock takedown from Scott. Scott brings Williams to the corner and we have Rick Steiner in, Williams talks strategy with Gordy.

 

They grapple but Williams blocks the hip-toss, both men go to the corner. They continue to grapple before Rick suplexes Williams with a belly to belly, Williams has to recover on the floor. Williams re-enters the ring and lands a scoop slam and two chop-blocks, Williams wants more but Rick answers with a Steinerline. Two for Rick, Williams brings Rick to his corner. In comes Gordy who lands a kick to the face before missing a corner splash. Belly to back suplex from Gordy for two, Rick is smashed around by Williams before a sunset flip with an assist from Scott for two. Gordy comes in though and slaps on the single leg Boston crab, Gordy works the leg with a spinning toe hold. Rick kicks off Gordy with a boot to the face, belly to belly suplex on Gordy.

 

Tag to Scott, Scott kicks at Gordy. Exploder suplex for one, Scott ties up Gordy. Williams is in now and both men trade being sent into the buckle. More suplex counters, Williams jumps Scott who was lured to the corner by Gordy. Reverse chin-lock from Williams, tag to Gordy. Scott dodges the clothesline and lands a flying crossbody for two, Gordy rakes the eyes. Williams comes in and chops Scott, massive kick to the knee and we have a bit of continuity from the last match on the Clash.

 

Gordy stretches the knee, Gordy lands a clothesline and tags in Williams. Williams stomps the knee, Williams continues to stretch the ankle. Scott is double-teamed behind the referee’s back, Rick saves Scott from being pinned. Gordy lands a snap suplex for two, Gordy wrenches the leg once more. Williams is in, Scott fights back but gets caught in a Boston crab. Gordy comes in and works the leg with a single leg Boston crab, Williams comes in with the crab. Eventually, in comes Rick as Scott makes the tag. Powerslam on Williams for two, Middle Rope Diving Bulldog from Rick. Gordy stops the diving attack from Scott, Scott is on the floor. Williams clotheslines Rick and it looks like it is double team time. Elevated middle rope powerslam from Gordy, Williams covers for a close two.

 

Gordy and Williams are shocked by this, Gordy is looking for a big move. Massive dropkick from Gordy for two, tag to Williams. Double shoulder block on Rick for two, Williams back-breakers Rick twice for two. Tag to Gordy who lands a massive forearm, belly to back suplex for two. In comes Williams, Rick fights back but Williams stomps down Rick. Camel clutch from Williams, Dr. Bomb for two! Front chancery from Williams, Rick avoids The Oklahoma Stampede and clocks Williams with a Steinerline. Gordy lands a corner clothesline but Rick fires out of the opposite corner with a Steinerline, the announcer screams there is one minute left. In comes Scott, back body-drops for both Gordy and Williams. Scoop slams, clotheslines all around. Tiger Driver from Scott, Frankensteiner but we are out of time.

 

Oh boy WCW why would you do that to me? I would not mind as much if it had opened the PPV but this was your main event? This match copies the formula of their previous Clash match but this is a lot less interesting, the heat segment on Scott is brutal, they just keep locking in single leg Boston crabs time after time after time, I was waiting for the time limit draw as the match continued, really disappointing considering the level of talent in that ring, not sure why they thought a draw would be the best way to end the PPV.

 

Time Limit Draw!

 

That was WCW’s Beach Blast 1992, a good PPV from WCW. Does it reach the heights of Superbrawl II? No I don’t think so but still a very good effort from WCW. Flamingo vs Pillman is a great way to establish Flamingo as a serious competitor in the division and Pillman delivers 99% of the time inside of that ring, the wrestling is good between the two and Pillman makes Flamingo look like the man, we have a new champion at the head of the division and I am curious to see how we continue the booking of the division. Taylor bs Simmons is solid, Taylor is a veteran and makes Simmons look good, we need that now in WCW because they have big plans for Simmons that were made clear when they were willing to have Simmons challenge Luger for the championship at Halloween Havoc so as long as Simmons is in there with people who can get him over the right way, things are good for WCW and Simmons. Bagwell vs Valentine was much better than I thought, I am still curious to see what value Valentine can bring to the company but they put him over so they must have some ideas for him.

 

Cactus Jack vs Sting is a good match, a big moment for Jack who gets to work with the world champion and they make this match feel very different with the hardcore brawling compared to the rest of the card and the scuffles in the crowd. The finish was anti-climatic considering how it came about but Cactus showed he was reliable and Sting has another solid match under his belt the second time around as champion, things are going much better than the first reign. Steamboat vs Rude is a classic, a fantastic iron man match with both men showcasing how good they are inside of that ring. Search it out for sure, from Steamboat’s selling to Rude’s strategy during the match, it is a thousand times better than the Superbrawl II match, it is almost hard to believe it is the same two men wrestling. The six-man tag is solid, I expected more considering who was involved and how much I have fallen for all their work against one another but this was more disappointing as the DQ finish does nothing for me. And one way to definitely setup for disaster is have a DQ finish followed by a time-limit draw, I am not sure what WCW was thinking putting these two on last but it hurt the show in my eyes and this time around, the main event did not have the buzz that the Clash match had which is a shame. Overall, this is a good WCW PPV, 1992 might be my favourite year to review as so many good things are going on in the company, the problem is the booking and how light the talent is outside of that main event scene. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!