WCW Clash of The Champions XXIII Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to do nothing to improve and expect results! This is Clash of The Champions XXIII and this is a big one ladies and gentlemen. Ric Flair is back competing inside of the squared circle teaming with Arn Anderson to challenge for the World Tag Team Championships held by The Hollywood Blondes! We also have a massive six-man tag match as Sting, Dustin Rhodes and British Bulldog take on Rick Rude, Vader and Sid Vicious which should be a treat! Barry Windham also defends his NWA World Championship against 2 Cold Scorpio which should be an interesting contest.

 

Ron Simmons vs Dick Slater W/ Paul Orndorff

This was meant to be a TV championship match but Orndorff is injured so Simmons takes on Dick Slater, Simmons has slipped down that card dramatically but many would agree that Simmons was not ready to be world champion. Simmons starts with an atomic drop, Slater takes the leg and stretches it before Simmons kicks off Slater. Monkey flip, clothesline and flying shoulder block for two. Slater is on the floor, Slater comes back into the ring and slaps Simmons. Simmons tosses Slater but Orndorff stops the flying tackle by grabbing the foot. Slater flattens Simmons and decks him with rights and lefts, face rake from Slater. Swinging neck-breaker from Slater for two, Simmons and Slater slug it out. Massive powerslam and it’s over.

 

Quick match, not much back and forth but they obviously wanted to do Orndorff vs Simmons for the championship so nothing wrong with the result and the fans are into this one big time.

 

Winner: Ron Simmons over Dick Slater via Powerslam!

 

Lord Steven Regal vs Marcus Bagwell

With Scorpio challenging for the NWA Championship, it looks like Bagwell will be cannon fodder once more. But who is his opponent? We have none other than Lord Steven Regal, one of the best technical wrestlers in the game with expressions that put the best to shame. Regal is a sentimental favourite for many a wrestling fan and I am looking forward to seeing how Regal does in WCW because there were quite a number of good moments in there before Regal’s demons would take hold as the years progressed.

 

Regal looks disgusted by the sight of Bagwell, lock-up and Regal takes the leg before transitioning to the arm. Bagwell counters and works the arm before Regal shows some nice technique to gain hold of the arm. Bagwell counters and works the arm, Regal rolls through and drop toeholds Bagwell but Bagwell slips out for the hammerlock and drives the knee into the arm two times. Regal elbows his way out and lands a fantastic uppercut, Bagwell fights back and works the arm. Regal is whipped across the ring, more nice arm-work from Bagwell. Regal drives Bagwell to the ropes, uppercuts and forearm shots. Chop-block to the knee from Regal, Bagwell is selling that knee.

 

Snap-mare into the ropes to work the legs, Regal snap-mares Bagwell into the ropes again. Regal drives the knee into the mat, more leg-stretches from the brawler from Blackpool. Another sweep and stretch from Regal, Bagwell manages to land a spinning kick. Irish whip but Bagwell ducks the head, Regal sweeps the leg and smashes it into the mat again. Uppercuts and a drop toehold into the stretch, Bagwell kicks and flips out of the hold. Running forearm by Bagwell, back body drop. Powerslam for two, Regal cannot get the leg as Bagwell lands the backslide for two. Vicious clothesline by Bagwell, Regal begs for mercy. O’Connor roll from Bagwell but Regal rolls through with a handful of tights for the win.

 

Not the cleanest execution when it comes to the finish, not my idea of a dominant performance for a new face in WCW but maybe they have a bigger plan. As for Bagwell, Bagwell continues to show that there might be something there with this kid, kind of shocking when you consider what he was like when he was at his most over.

 

Winner: Lord Steven Regal over Marcus Bagwell via Handful of Tights!

 

(NWA World Championship Match) Barry Windham © vs 2 Cold Scorpio

Windham faces bright young babyface in Scorpio, Windham shoves Scorpio to the corner with ease for a clean break. “You are mine” says Windham, Scorpio catches Windham with a dropkick. Windham rethinks his strategy, Windham works the arm with arm-bars. Scorpio manages to land a scoop slam, Windham pushes Scorpio to the corner. Massive right hand and a splash, Scorpio dodges the second splash and wants a single leg crab but Windham scrambles to the floor to reset. Eye rake by Windham, right hand to the jaw. Irish whip reversed by Scorpio, both men duck before Windham lands a kick to the head. Windham climbs high, Diving Clothesline by Windham!

 

Scoop slam and knee-drop by the champion, Windham wants the verbal submission from Scorpio but Scorpio says no way, Windham drills Scorpio with a float-over suplex for two. Windham rakes at the face of Scorpio, Windham lands a massive DDT in the middle of the ring for two. Windham is incensed with this, small package counter by Scorpio for two. Windham lands another huge right to the face, gut-wrench suplex by Windham. Right hands by Windham, Windham talks with the referee. Scorpio begins to rally, dropkick takes down Windham. Windham fires back with a flying clothesline, Scorpio is dropped across the top rope. Scorpio is dumped to the floor, Windham and the referee continue to have words.

 

Windham pulls Scorpio onto the apron, massive shot sends Scorpio to the apron. Scorpio lands shoulder thrusts, slingshot crossbody for two. Windham is right back up, kick to the gut. Windham lands a dropkick, Samoan drop from Windham for two. Measured right hands by Windham, belly to back suplex from Windham for two. Windham slaps Scorpio and Scorpio fires back, eye-rake from Windham. Scorpio counters the Samoan drop for a victory roll, two for Scorpio. Clothesline by Windham, Scorpio flips out of the belly to back and lands a belly to back suplex of his own. Eye-rake by Windham, Windham wants his superplex. Scorpio throws off Windham, twisting splash for two. Hurricanrana from Scorpio, superkick staggers Windham. Victory roll for a close two, scoop slam by Scorpio.

 

Slingshot splash for a close two, the crowd is coming alive for this match. They love the hard work from these two, missile dropkick from Scorpio for another close two. Windham is dragged up by his hair, Scorpio is sent to the apron. Slingshot is blocked as Windham lands a massive right hand, Windham lands that leaping DDT for the win.

 

Really good stuff here, Windham’s facials in this match are great. Tremendous stuff from the big Texan, you could feel his disdain for Scorpio in the match and Windham had no interest in Scorpio as an opponent. Scorpio holds his own here, that finishing flurry of attacks had the crowd going nuts, good work from both of these men on this night. A match that I thought would have been relatively straight-forward was anything but that, these guys brought the pain and the fans including me loved being taken on that ride.

 

Winner: Barry Windham over 2 Cold Scorpio via DDT!

 

Sting/The British Bulldog/Dustin Rhodes vs Sid Vicious/Vader/Ravishing Rick Rude W/ Harley Race & Colonel Robert Parker

What an absolutely stacked six-man tag team match, so many awesome wrestlers in one match. Sting and Rude to start, crowd is going nuts before they have even touched. This might be one of the best Clashes based off of this crowd, side headlock by Sting. Rude is trying to break out of the hold, Sting is holding on tight. Hammerlock counters, Rude backs Sting to the ropes. Elbow by Rude, forearm shots from Rude. Sting reverses an Irish whip and back body drops Rude, Rude is pressed onto Sid and Vader but Sting batters everyone with punches. Eye-rake by Rude, Sting almost cradles Rude for two.

 

In comes Rhodes, right hands all around. Vader splashes Rude by mistake, in comes Bulldog. Sid decides to come in against Bulldog, this is going to be as meaty as it gets, knees by Sid. Bulldog lands right hands, Sid is slammed by Bulldog. Sting sends the ropes into Sid’s groin, clotheslines by Sting and Rhodes but Sid is not going to stay down until Bulldog lands a flying shoulder block. Rhodes comes in, knees by Sid. In comes Vader, Rhodes tees off on Vader. Rhodes suplexes Vader! Elbow to the groin from Rhodes and a low clothesline, Rhodes misses a diving elbow drop. Lariat floors Rhodes, Vader climbs high. Vader Bomb connects, Rhodes squeaks out at two and a half.

 

In comes Rude, forearm shots to the spine from the Ravishing One. Front suplex from Rude, two for Rude. In comes Sid, kicks to the ribs. Sid rakes the eyes, Rhodes is bounced off the buckle in the corner. Make it double, Rhodes collapses to the mat, Rhodes fights back into the match before Sid lands a boot. Sid kips up and lands a clothesline for two, Vader is in and clubs the shit out of Rhodes. Middle rope splash is countered for a powerslam by Rhodes, Rude is tagged into the match. Knees all around, Rude wants the tombstone but Rhodes counters and drops Rude on his head. Sting is tagged in but the referee does not see the tag, Vader and Sid rough up Rhodes. The match breaks down, all six men are brawling. Vader cracks Rhodes with a briefcase and Rude covers for the win.

 

This was a lot of fun, crowd is on fire for everyone and the babyfaces get a fantastic shine in the beginning of the match. Everyone does a great job putting over Sting, Bulldog and Rhodes, we get down to the control segment which is great because Sid and Vader decimate Rhodes so easily all building up to that finish which builds for Rhodes vs Rude for that US Championship. A good day at the office for WCW and arguably one of my favourite Clashes of all-time so far.

 

Winners: Team Rude over Team Sting via Briefcase to the Head!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) The Hollywood Blondes © vs Ric Flair & Arn Anderson

Ric Flair’s first match since returning to WCW, The Four Horsemen ride again in WCW! 2 out of 3 Falls match against The Hollywood Blondes, this is a match of two generations. It is the 80s vs the 90s, Pillman mocks Flair’s strut and his age. Pillman sends Anderson to the buckle, clean break before Anderson knocks down Pillman with ease. Make it double, Pillman clubs down Anderson. Slap from Pillman, Anderson lands lefts and decks Pillman who begs for mercy. Eye poke by Pillman, eye rake too. Chop by Pillman, Anderson drops Pillman across the top rope and kicks him all over. Austin comes into the match, calls Anderson a fat boy. Side headlock from Austin, elbow to Flair on the apron. Anderson tags in Flair, massive pop from the crowd.

 

Slap from Flair, chops from The Nature Boy. Whip to the buckle, back body drop and Pillman is chopped too. Flair has Austin by the jaw, chops in the corner and measured right hands. Pillman is chopped in the ring too, elbow to the face of Pillman. Austin and Flair are trading punches, Flair chops and punches Austin. Anderson tags in, stomps in the corner. Hammerlock scoop slam from Anderson, tag to Flair who lands a knee-drop and chops Pillman off the apron. Tag to Anderson again, Pillman is trying to antagonize Flair. Flair is with the referee as Pillman chokes Anderson with the Hollywood towel. Austin takes control of the situation, tag to Pillman. Jaw-breaker and choke from Pillman, eye rake by Pillman who also bites the head of Anderson.

 

Tag to Austin, clubbing blows to the back of the head. Anderson lands knees and headbutts, Austin sends Anderson into Pillman’s knees. Austin and Pillman rough up Anderson, suplex by Austin. Anderson fights and fights, Austin gains control only to miss his rope attack so Anderson lands a disgusting DDT. Pillman chop blocks Anderson but Flair got the tag, chops and right hands all around. Inverted atomic drop on Pillman, elbow sends Austin to the floor. Ten punches in the corner, Austin is back in though to save Pillman. Flair and Anderson take the first fall as Austin is pulled out by Anderson and Flair lands a flying forearm on Pillman for the pin-fall.

 

Flair and Pillman restart the match, chops by Pillman but they are answered by Flair’s chops. Flair flip to the buckle, Flair chops both Blondes down before Pilllman bumps Flair off the apron to the floor. Austin takes advantage with a suplex on the floor, Pillman drops Flair on the guardrail before Austin chops Flair in the ring. Pillman chokes Flair with the towel as Austin looks for a superplex, it connects. Austin covers for two, Flair fights back but Austin bites and chokes Flair. Flair chops his back into the match, Austin grabs the foot to prevent the tag. Tag to Pillman, chops by Pillman. Both men collide with headbutts, Anderson gets the tag. Left hands all around, Spinebuster on Austin. Pillman clips the knee again, Austin covers for two.

 

Pillman goes to work on the leg, Pillman is relentless with elbows and dropping his weight down on the leg. Anderson cannot really walk at this point, Pillman covers for two. Tag to Austin, knees to the thigh. Leg stretch from Austin, tag to Pillman who applies the single leg Boston crab. Austin and Pillman help one another with leverage, Anderson escapes the hold so Austin comes in and drags Anderson to his corner. More leg work from the Blondes, snap-mare and Pillman climbs to the middle rope. Anderson blocks the attack with his boot, Anderson makes the tag to Flair. Flair comes over with rights and lefts, chop for Austin. Pillman is sent to the floor, belly to back suplex on Austin. Flair wants the figure four but Barry Windham is here. We have a DQ! The Blondes and Windham batter Anderson and Flair before Paul Roma the newly minted Horsemen brawls with The Blondes.

 

Very fun tag team match from these two, a return Flair match is something you do not want to miss in WCW territory, Flair brings his A-Game here along with everyone in the match. Great leg work from Pillman and Austin, great babyface fire from Flair and Anderson. Good tag team psychology out there and Windham who is arguably one of my favourite acts in WCW at this moment comes in and screws up everyone’s good time like a good heel. Windham’s promo after the match is good stuff too, crowd wants to see Windham and Flair wrestle also so that’s a big win in my book.

 

Winners: Team Flair over The Hollywood Blondes via DQ!

 

WCW’s Clash of The Champions XXIII was a really good show from WCW, the Clashes have been horrendous at times but all these matches were from WCW and they built up to the upcoming Beach Blast PPV. I am excited for the conclusion of Rude vs Rhodes, I want to see Windham vs Flair. So, mission accomplished from WCW on this night, they had big stars who delivered in big matches. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Slamboree 1993 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that reeks of more desperation than a wrestling company stan account on Twitter! It’s time for WCW Slamboree 1993: A Legends’ Reunion featuring matches from WCW Talents and also Legends of the past. How could that possibly go wrong? We have Sting vs The Prisoner? The Hollywood Blondes are the tag team championships because why have the change on PPV right? The Blondes are facing Dos Hombres? Who could they be? I wonder but the main event is none other than Davey Boy Smith challenging Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Will that deliver? It could go both ways if I am honest so we shall see!

 

 

2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Bagwell vs Chris Benoit & Bobby Eaton

Discouraged by how Eaton has fallen down the roster but we have a continuation of the feud between Scorpio and Benoit as Scorpio squeezed out a victory against Benoit at the prior PPV. Side headlock from Scorpio, shoulder block before some nice dodges from both men. Scorpio lands a massive dropkick and arm-drag, crowd loves that. Benoit distracts Bagwell which allows Eaton to sneak attack Scorpio, Scorpio dodges both men before we have double dropkicks from team babyface.

 

Eaton comes in, Scorpio works the arm and tags in Bagwell. Wristlock from Bagwell, shoulder block by Bagwell. Benoit smacks Bagwell from the apron but Bagwell sends Eaton to the floor and Benoit into Eaton. Dropkick from Bagwell and the heels powder once more, Bagwell and Eaton are the legal men now. Hammerlock from Bagwell, shove off from Eaton and Benoit nails Bagwell with a clothesline to the back of the head. Benoit distracts the referee as Eaton throws Bagwell over the top rope to the floor. Scoop slam by Eaton, Eaton climbs high and lands his diving knee drop, tag to Benoit. Vicious clothesline from Benoit, Bagwell is fighting back too.

 

Scoop slam and middle rope leg drop from Benoit, two for Benoit. Tag to Eaton, right hand to the ribs. Middle rope choke by Eaton, Benoit chokes Bagwell behind the referee’s back. Tag to Benoit, snap-mare into a figure four head-scissors on Bagwell. Eaton lends a hand behind the referee’s back, Benoit misses his diving splash as Bagwell blocks with the knees. Tag to Scorpio, jabs and right hands. Eaton is bounced off the buckle into the ring, back body drop on Benoit. Scorpio goes high, twisting splash for two as Eaton breaks up the pin. Benoit batters down Scorpio, Eaton lands a right hand on Benoit by mistake. Bagwell bundles Eaton to the floor and Scorpio lands The Tumbleweed for the win!

 

Not a bad tag team match, Eaton and Benoit do well together cheating while Scorpio continues to be a tremendous talent, nice to see Bagwell with a little direction in his WCW career. The matching gear is a good sign, Scorpio crushes Benoit’s face with the finish but it does look good. Sad for the lack of direction for Bobby Eaton but the best of his career booking-wise is over and I simply have to accept that.

 

Winners: Team Scorpio over Team Benoit via Tumbleweed!

 

Van Hammer vs ???? W/ Colonel Rob Parker

Colonel Parker was not a fan of Van Hammer so he brought in somebody who is going to make this a lot more interesting: Sid Vicious is here! Fresh off his run as Sid Justice in the WWF, that is a big acquisition for WCW. Vicious clotheslines and kicks down Hammer, Powerbomb and this is over! Great to have Sid back, Sid has grown by leaps and bounds since working in WCW and this could make the main event scene even more interesting in the company.

 

Winner: Sid Vicious over Van Hammer via Powerbomb!

 

Dick Murdoch/Don Muraco/Jimmy Snuka vs Wahoo McDaniel/Blackjack Mulligan/Jim Brunzell

Snuka and Brunzell to start, clean break from Snuka. Hammerlock reversals from both men, drop toehold from Brunzell. Tag to Mulligan, Dick Murdoch attacks Mulligan with elbows from the apron. Side headlock from Murdoch, hip-toss from Mulligan. Mulligan continues to batter Murdoch, tag to Muraco and Wahoo. Chops from Wahoo, scoop slams by Wahoo. Wahoo is brought to Murdoch’s corner, they rough up Wahoo. Odd to see Snuka as a heel, Wahoo tags in Brunzell. Side headlock from Brunzell, shoulder block but Murdoch lands a hip-toss and a flying head-scissors. Arm-drag into an arm-bar from Brunzell. Sleeper hold by Brunzell, Murdoch backs Brunzell into the corner. Powerslam and leg drop by Muraco, make it two leg drops.

 

Front chancery from Muraco, Brunzell pushes to the corner and tags in off Wahoo but the referee missed the tag. Snuka holds Brunzell, Muraco clotheslines Snuka by mistake. Murdoch comes in, neck-breaker for two. Murdoch climbs high, knee in the back and drives Brunzell into the mat. Elbow drop for two, tag to Muraco. Irish whip and Brunzell ducks and lands the flying crossbody for two. Tag to Snuka, scoop slam and falling headbutt misses for Snuka. Small package by Brunzell for two,  Muraco holds Brunzell but Snuka chops Muraco by mistake. Match breaks down, Wahoo and Snuka are brawling and the referee calls for a DQ.

 

A DQ after all that? Seriously? What a shit-show, fans shit on it appropriately. If you are going to go that long and have the legends out there, who cares if someone does the job.

 

No Winners!

 

Ivan Koloff & Baron Von Raschke vs Thunderbolt Patterson & Bullet Bob Armstrong

Where is Bullet Bob? Bullet Bob is not here so Thunderbolt is here alone, Koloff and Raschke shit all over The Armstrongs before Brad Armstrong comes down and says let’s do this. Big right hands all around, Koloff and Armstrong roll around before Armstrong dropkicks Koloff to the floor. Raschke is throwing chairs at ringside, Koloff is pissed. Thunderbolt beats up Koloff before Armstrong comes in, Koloff chokes and batters Armstrong. Raschke gets The Claw on Armstrong, Armstrong escapes and Thunderbolt comes in and cleans house. Armstrong has the ten punches in the corner, Thunderbolt lands a throat thrust for the win. That was rough, let’s move on from that!

 

Winners: Thunderbolt Patterson & Brad Armstrong over Team Koloff via Throat Thrust!

 

Dory Funk Jr. vs Nick Bockwinkel

Two men who could put bangers on in their day, Bockwinkel with the right opponent probably still could during this time but Dory? I don’t think so, it was a little rough every time I saw Dory in AJPW in the 90s so this is going to be painful. Both men try working the arm but they both continue to slip away from one another, stiff uppercuts and forearm shots before Dory grabs a hammerlock. Bockwinkel counters into his own hammerlock, Funk counters with a cravate hold. Figure four head-scissors from Bockwinkel, Dory tries kicking out of the hold before eventually twisting out of the hold with the crowd applaud half-heartily.

 

Dory asks for advice from his cornerman Gene Kiniski, Bockwinkel talks to Verne Gagne. Arm-bar form Bockwinkel, both men scoop slam one another before Dory powders to the floor. Arm-bar from Bockwinkel, elbow from Dory. Uppercut from Dory, Bockwinkel is knocked to the canvas with a foot on the ropes keeping Bockwinkel alive in this one. Reverse chin-lock from Dory, Bockwinkel lands forearms to the head of Dory. Dory has been staggered, Bockwinkel looks for a cover but we are by the ropes.

 

A little breather before Bockwinkel looks for the Boston crab, Dory counters and applies the arm-bar. Surfboard like stretch from Dory, Bockwinkel reverses the hold. More side headlocks before Bockwinkel slaps on a reverse chin-lock, Dory brings Bockwinkel to the ropes and is smacked with an uppercut. Bockwinkel is on the apron and staggered by the uppercuts, Dory wants the suplex into the ring and Dory lands it for two. Bockwinkel dodges the double-arm suplex, backslide by Bockwinkel for two. Elbow by Dory, Spinning Toe Hold! Bockwinkel reverses the toe hold for a small package, two for Bockwinkel. Figure four leg-lock before Gene Kiniski kicks Bockwinkel in the head but there is no DQ and it goes to a draw.

 

15 years earlier this would have been a great treat for the fans but here, it’s more sad than anything else. The crowd didn’t crap on the duo but it was getting close at times and I am still trying to understand why this concept of Legends Reunion could not be limited to one match and the hall of fame ceremony as there is so many more things they could have done with the WCW talent that would have been better than this garbage.

 

Time-Limit Draw!

 

Dustin Rhodes & Kensuke Sasaki vs Ravishing Rick Rude & Paul Orndorff

Well Rick Rude is your United States Champion, we did not get to see the championship change on PPV so I guess that must have been nice for the fans on TV while Paul Orndorff is your Television Champion? That’s a wild one! Where is Cactus Jack? NJPW talent in WCW has been mostly a disaster so I cannot see Sasaki bringing his A game to this match. Rude and Sasaki will start, Rude talks shit to Sasaki and shoves Sasaki before posing for the NJPW star. Sasaki looks Rude up and down before shoving Rude back to the corner, Rude is not happy at all. Boot and clubbing blows from Rude, throat thrust from the US Champ. Irish whip but Sasaki ducks the clothesline and works the arm, Rude screams out in pain. Rude is on his knees begging for mercy, Orndorff tags into the match and gets his arm wrenched before Sasaki tags in Rhodes who works the arm. Uppercuts to the arm from Rhodes, Orndorff is down.

 

Sasaki and Rhodes continue to work the arm of Orndorff, hammerlock into a snap from Sasaki. Elbows to the arm and a tag to Rhodes, Orndorff brings Rhodes to his corner and in comes Rude. The two men feuding for the championship are in the ring now, the two slug it out with Rhodes winning that exchange. Back body drop, Irish whip to the buckle. Knee counter by Rude, massive right hand. Knee counter from Rhodes, Rhodes misses a clothesline and ends up on the floor. Orndorff sends Rhodes into the guardrail as Sasaki is arguing with the referee, swinging neck-breaker from Rude for two. Rude poses and steps on the fingers of Rhodes, Orndorff tags in and sends Rhodes into the buckle. Irish whip and elbow by Orndorff, tag to Rude. Shoulder thrusts from Rude, Rhodes avoids the piledriver and tombstones Rude for a close two.

 

Orndorff sends Rhodes into the buckle after a tag from Rude, both men bang heads as Orndorff charged Rhodes out of the buckle. Tag to Sasaki who lands a shoulder block and a middle rope clothesline, inverted atomic drop and lariats all around. Rude begs for military press slam by Sasaki. Noggin-knocker by team babyface, Sasaki climbs to the top rope. Orndorff shoves Sasaki off the top rope and Rude lands The Rude Awakening for the win.

 

Very average tag team match, you would expect more from the WCW talent in the ring but not to be on this night, I am not really sure of the storyline reason Orndorff would be in this match. I know Rude has beef with both these men but the commentators mention how Ron Simmons is chasing the TV championship but whatever, WCW is not really lighting my world on fire with this PPV.

 

Winners: Team Rude over Team Rhodes via Rude Awakening!

 

Sting vs The Prisoner

 

Nailz is here, I mean The Prisoner. The Prisoner chokes Sting and I am shocked he would go to his finish so quickly, Prisoner chokes Sting with his boot and chokes him again in the corner. Irish whip to the opposite buckle, Prisoner misses a splash. Sting punches and kicks back at The Prisoner, Prisoner rakes the eyes. Sting is tossed to the floor, camera cable choke from The Prisoner. Sting ducks a clothesline in the ring, clothesline by Sting. Back body drop by Sting, whip to the opposite buckle. Stinger Splash, two for Sting. Scoop slam, Prisoner avoids the elbow drop. Prisoner grabs the referee which allows Sting to climb the top rope and nail a diving clothesline for the win. That was shite, why is this guy in WCW? Name value from WWF? Come on this is awful how is this what we have Sting doing after war with Vader?

 

Winner: Sting over The Prisoner via Diving Clothesline!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Steel Cage Match) The Hollywood Blondes © vs Dos Hombres

Hold on a second here, the announcer refers to The Hombres as Steamboat and Douglas so we are acknowledging that these are The Hombres, there is no suspense or surprise so they are wearing these outfits just to fuck with Austin and Pillman? Ok… Do as you wish WCW.

 

Austin starts with Steamboat, Austin sends Steamboat into the buckle and rips at the mask before the chops rock Austin. Tag to Pillman who gets caught in a drop toehold and an arm-bar. Pillman backs Steamboat to the corner and elbows him, Steamboat blocks being sent into the cage and Pillman backs away from The Dragon. Knee and clobbering blows from Pillman, shoulder block by Pillman. Steamboat lands an arm-drag before Pillman eye-rakes Steamboat. Austin comes in and has his arm worked by the duo with arm-bars and knees to the arm. Both men avoid being sent into the cage, Austin is sent back-first into the cage as Douglas dances around the ring.

 

Arm-bar and in comes Steamboat with a diving axe handle, Steamboat back-drops Austin against the rope and into the cage. Atomic drop and Austin meets the cage, Austin hits the cage wall hard. In comes Douglas for a diving axe handle, eye poke by Austin. Pillman uses his boot to hurt Douglas before bouncing Douglas off the buckle, Pillman tries a middle rope crossbody and they mess things up but Pillman begs for mercy before eye-poking Douglas. Choke by Pillman, snap-mare but Pillman misses the elbow drop. Arm-bar from Douglas, Steamboat comes in and works the arm. Military press slam by Steamboat into the cage wall, Pillman begs for mercy and pulls Steamboat into the buckle. Austin comes in and tries a scoop slam but his back is too damaged to apply the hold, Steamboat suplexes Austin into the tree of woe position using the cage. Double crossbodies into Austin, Austin dodges the second crossbody kind-of and tags in Pillman.

 

Pillman chokes and rips at the mask of Douglas, tag to Austin who mocks Douglas. Chop by Austin, elbow takes down Douglas. Snap-mare and Austin climbs high, middle rope elbow for two. Pillman and Austin put the boots to Douglas, elbows to the face by Austin. Pillman chokes Douglas in the corner, Austin covers but Douglas has his foot on the ropes. Austin drops all his weight on the foot, Pillman comes in off the tag. Snap-mare and Pillman climbs high, Pillman’s splash is blocked by Douglas. Austin comes in and eats a vicious dropkick, Austin stops the tag with a massive spinebuster. Scoop slam and Pillman goes for the rocket launcher but Pillman eats knees on the manoeuvre. Steamboat receives the tag and chops everything in sight, Austin meets the cage.

 

Pillman is sent into the cage, Austin tries escaping but an electric chair drop is Austin’s fate. Pillman tries the same but gets crotched on the top rope, noggin-knocker from Steamboat. Ten punches in the corners from the challengers, The Blondes collide after an Irish whip. Austin and Douglas meet the cage wall, Steamboat climbs to the top of the cage and lands a Diving Crossbody for two. Steamboat DDTs Austin for two, Steamboat DDTs Pillman for two. Double dropkick by the challengers for two,  Austin reverses an Irish whip and Stun-Guns Douglas while Pillman DDTs Steamboat. Austin pins Douglas for the win!

 

Very good tag team match here, Steamboat continues to be awesome in WCW. Such a shame about the blown finish, would have been a great spot to end it on but the timekeeper jumped ahead but they recovered well and delivered a really fun tag team match that had the crowd going nuts by the finishing stretch with The Blondes squeaking out with the victory. Was it the right call? The Blondes are very good together so I would like to see more of the duo together having great championships and Steamboat and Douglas can live to fight another day. Great match on a card that has been sorely lacking anything of interest thus far.

 

Winners: The Hollywood Blondes over Dos Hombres via Stun-Gun!

 

(NWA World Championship Match) Barry Windham © vs Arn Anderson

Windham was on a roll since turning his back on Dustin Rhodes, we have not gotten the feud I expected to see between the two but Windham is a world champion, this seems like an interesting match because it is not like Anderson is a very likeable babyface but we do have the history between the two from their Horsemen days. Anderson almost pins Windham with a shoulder block and belly to belly suplex for two, Windham tells Anderson to calm down. Right hands from Windham, Anderson sends Windham to the buckle and lands a back body drop for two. Right hand by Windham rocks Anderson, DDT by Windham and the champion tries to punish Anderson, Anderson sends Windham into the ring-post but Windham lands a clothesline as Anderson tries an axe handle from the middle rope. Another DDT from Windham and an elbow drop for two, Windham hurls Anderson to the floor. Elbow by Windham, Anderson slowly enters the ring but Windham is pulled to the floor.

 

Left hand from Anderson, Windham is bleeding after meeting the guardrail. Knee to the face from Anderson, Windham is raked across the rope and begs for mercy. Small package for two, snap-mare into left hands right to the cut of Windham. Knee drop from Anderson, Anderson climbs to the top rope. Windham dropkicks Anderson who drops to the floor, Windham lands a diving clothesline from the top rope. Massive knee-drop to the back of the head for two, elbow and left to the throat from Anderson. Clubbing blows, Windham blocks the suplex for his own suplex for two. Anderson reverses an Irish whip and lands a Spinebuster but Windham rolls to the floor.

 

Windham has his championship in his hands, Windham begins to walk up the ramp. Anderson shoves down the referee, Anderson is in pursuit. Windham is thrown back into the ring, whip to the buckle. Anderson lands left after left, shoving down the referee. Anderson’s emotions have gotten the better of him, Anderson’s lapse in concentration costs him as Windham decks him with the championship for the win!

 

It was alright, great colour from Windham but it is just an awkward match-up considering Anderson’s nature is to be a heel and The Horsemen have not really been established as babyfaces here so to go against The Lone Wolf Barry Windham who has been doing some great heel work makes for a tough match for the fans to choose who to cheer in this one.

 

Winner: Barry Windham over Arn Anderson via Championship to the Head!

 

(WCW World Championship Match) Vader © W/ Harley Race vs The British Bulldog

So as 1992 ended and 1993 began, it looked as if it would be Cactus Jack here battling Vader for the championship but Davey Boy Smith is the shiny new toy in WCW and has this championship match only months into his WCW run. Good thing or bad thing? Well, Vader can hit hard and likes to be hit hard but Bulldog apart from his match with brother-in-law Bret Hart, has not been lighting the world on fire in recent months so can Bulldog deliver in a main event?

 

They circle one another before locking up, clean break as neither man loses their advantage. Short-arm clothesline but Bulldog does not move, this might be the only man that Vader has battled that is as big and as strong as the champion. Vader lands a gut punch and a Vader splash does nothing to Bulldog, Vader re-evaluates as Bulldog poses and says “Come On”. Vader clubs down Bulldog in the corner with a flurry of punches, Bulldog is choked against the middle rope. Race lands a cheap-shot on Bulldog, Vader picks up steam but misses a splash against the guardrail. Bulldog picks up Vader and slams him outside of the ring, Bulldog suplexes Vader in the middle of the ring.

 

Ridiculous power from Davey Boy, crowd comes alive in the arena. Vader blocks a running Bulldog with a boot, Vader is on the middle rope but Bulldog counters for a powerslam. Clothesline to the floor, Vader is down. Crucifix attempt from Bulldog but Vader counters for a Samoan drop, elbow from Vader. Another elbow to the groin, Vader Bomb for two. Massive shot floors Bulldog, kick to the ribs. Scoop slam and Vader climbs to the middle rope, middle rope clothesline from Vader. Vader lands blows to the ribs and head in the corner, Vader asks “Who’s the man”? Vader places Bulldog on the top rope, Bulldog suplexes Vader to the mat face-first and Bulldog lands a diving headbutt.

 

Vader applies a side headlock, atomic drop style counter from Bulldog for two. Massive clothesline from Vader, Vader misses a sit-down splash and Bulldog covers for two. Another scoop slam by Vader, Vader climbs high once more. Diving top rope splash connects, Vader screams out in pain. Bulldog is up first, Vader blocks with a boot to the ribs. Vader throws Bulldog to the floor, knee-drop by Race on the floor. More corner blows by Vader, Vader sits down on Bulldog. Camel clutch by Vader, Bulldog fires up and lands a clothesline for two. Bulldog is sent to the buckle, Vader tries a splash but Bulldog counters into The Running Powerslam! 1…..2… Race grabs Bulldog by the hair so Bulldog decks Race but Vader clocks Bulldog with the chair and the match is over.

 

So there were certainly parts of this match that I liked, the two big bastards hitting one another is good stuff, lot of really good spots with the clotheslines, the splashes and the suplexes. Big fans of all that, it does get dull in the middle with not much giving me a reason to rally behind Bulldog. The Powerslam spot was very impressive but its like the crowd saw it as a normal slam, not Bulldog’s finish which hurt it a little but then again, he did slam Vader about 4 times throughout the match so I imagine unless Bulldog powered him up there, the fans weren’t ging to recognize the difference. The finish is weak, it brings that match down for me obviously I am not a fan of DQ in PPV main events. Then again, I don’t know what WCW’s vision is as I feel like they are buying time before having Sting beat Vader, the conclusion of the PPV definitely has that feel to it with Sting saving Bulldog from further assault so is new star Bulldog just a sacrificial lamb? Couldn’t Bulldog lose to the dominant champion? Would it really have hurt Davey Boy to lose to Vader?

 

Winner: British Bulldog over Vader via DQ!

 

WCW Slamboree: Legends’ Reunion 1993 is a rough watch as a PPV. Usually, I can power through these PPVs in a day or two but this took me a long time as you can tell from the gaps from the previous posts, this was just difficult so sit through. I am not a fan of the concept PPVs that WCW have tried, I still think the Battle Bowl is a horrific idea that should have never been greenlit in the first place. The legend matches on this card suck the life out of the arena. DQs in legends matches, time-limit draws in legends matches just drag me down and tire me out. Why was this here on a WCW card? Why not a nice Hall of Fame ceremony and then move on? The tag team match in the cage is a lot of fun and enjoyable, the main event is alright in places. Sting vs The Prisoner is bad, the tag match is not very interesting and I just want to move on from this PPV. If this is 1993 WCW, it’s going to be another year filled with ups and downs.

 

WCW Superbrawl III Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet with more long-term story-telling than NJPW! It’s time for WCW Superbrawl III where WCW enters the year of 1993 on PPV. This card looks a little rough, we have Dustin Rhodes as the WCW United States Heavyweight Champion taking on Maxx Payne? Cactus Jack vs Paul Orndorff in a Falls Count Anywhere Match and Great Muta vs Barry Windham for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The PPV headlined by Vader vs Sting in a Strap Match with some fantastical whimsical name so we shall see how things go, Tony Schiavone steps up to the PPV plate as Jim Ross has sought greener pastures in the WWF.

 

The Hollywood Blondes vs Erik Watts & Marcus Bagwell

Austin and Pillman destroyed Douglas and Steamboat on the Clash after a fantastic tag match but now they are facing Watts and Bagwell? Bagwell has been directionless for some time now while Watts is far too high up the card with his inexperience. Austin and Bagwell begin, lock-up and stalemate. We have a heel crowd here tonight much like Anderson and Eaton’s experience at Halloween Havoc. Bagwell shoves Austin to the buckle, clean break but Austin shoves the face of Bagwell. Lock-up into an arm-drag from Bagwell, arm-bar from Bagwell. Wrenching arm-bar from Bagwell, Austin goes low and applies a top wrist-lock. Bagwell turns the tide and grinds down Austin with great wrestling, Austin pushes Bagwell to the corner and lands a massive elbow.

 

Right hand floors Bagwell, knees by Austin. Bagwell slips under two elbows and clubs Austin in the head. Bagwell throws Austin back in the ring, tag to Watts. Watts is hated by the fans, double back body-drop on Austin and double clothesline on Pillman. Pillman is in the ring now, Watts shoves down Pillman. Pillman goes low and lands elbows and chops, shoulder block by Pillman but Watts lands a Japanese arm-drag, dropkick and an arm-drag into the arm-bar. Bagwell comes in but Pillman rakes the eyes and in comes Austin, Bagwell lands a flying crossbody and dropkick on Austin. Side headlock takedown from Bagwell, tag to Watts who applies his own side headlock. Austin pulls the hair and shoves off Watts, Austin ducks his head too early and Watts lands a boot.

 

Abdominal stretch from Watts, tag to Bagwell. Bagwell applies the same hold, hip-toss and elbow counter from Austin. Tag to Pillman who lands chops before being caught in a military press slam, Pillman ducks a clothesline but eats another. Tag to Watts, Pillman shoves Watts into his corner. Austin lands a scoop slam and elbow drop, Watts blocks the splash with the knees. Oklahoma roll for two, Watts wants a Boston crab. It lands, Pillman steps in and boots Watts in the face. Austin makes the tag, Pillman stomps all over Watts. Chops from Pillman, Watts catches the boot and applies the STF but Pillman reaches the ropes. Pillman wants a time-out, Pillman cannot stand on his knee. Elbow in the ribs from Pillman, Watts is shit-canned to the floor. Pillman misses an apron axe handle and meets the guardrail.

 

Pillman pulls Watts into the buckle, tag to Austin. Double elbow from The Blondes, Austin tries an apron sunset flip after attacking Watts on the floor. Pillman clubs Watts from behind, tag to Pillman. Austin distracts the referee so the referee misses the sunset flip by Watts, Pillman rubs the face of Watts in the mat. Tag to Austin, middle rope elbow. Austin steps all over Watts, Austin nails Bagwell which allows the double-team, Watts is stretched all over the place. Watts blocks the rocket launcher from the Blondes! Austin lands a belly to back suplex for two, Austin whips Watts into the buckle. They bang heads from a whiplash effect and Austin misses smashing his knees off Watts on the ropes. Tag to Bagwell, right hands all around. Pillman begs for mercy, ten punches in the corner.

 

Powerslam, Austin rakes the eyes to make the save. Watts pairs off with Austin, Austin dumps Watts to the floor. Pillman clubs down Bagwell, Watts is distracted with the referee, Bagwell lands his Fisherman suplex but Austin comes off the top rope with an elbow to the ribs and Pillman picks up the win.

 

Apart from Austin and Pillman’s personalities, this one is fairly tame. I am not sure why we cannot have Austin and Pillman wrestling Douglas and Steamboat considering their last match was so good and it seems like a good way to have a great match on the PPV but sadly no, we have Watts and Bagwell.

 

Winners: The Hollywood Blondes over Marcus Bagwell & Erik Watts via Top Rope Elbow!

 

2 Cold Scorpio vs Chris Benoit

Benoit impressed in his PPV debut against Brad Armstrong while Scorpio impressed when bursting on the scene as the partner of Ron Simmons, Scorpio is pretty directionless though, this should be good.

 

Scorpio pushes Benoit to the ropes, headbutts and elbows by Benoit. Massive clothesline by Benoit, snap suplex from Benoit. Chop by Benoit, Scorpio counters with a middle rope crossbody for two, dropkick and spin-kick from Scorpio. We get down to business with some wrist-locks, Scorpio shows some fantastic athletics but Benoit is too quick, hip-toss into the arm-drag. Scorpio uses the ropes to escape, arm-bar from Scorpio. Benoit and Scorpio continue to trade counters before Scorpio lands a massive Japanese arm-drag and Benoit powders again. Test of strength, Benoit has Scorpio down and Scorpio is bridging before landing a monkey flip, Benoit tries a counter but Scorpio lands on his feet and dropkicks Benoit before landing an arm-drag into the arm-bar.

 

Benoit goes low and uses headbutts, they trade more counters before Benoit swats away a dropkick, Benoit misses an elbow drop. Superkick by Scorpio and another arm-drag, crucifix pin from Scorpio for two. Hammerlock from Scorpio, Benoit sends Scorpio to the buckle. More great counters before Benoit lands a clothesline, massive clothesline by Benoit. Back-breaker by Benoit, Scorpio knees away Benoit. Benoit lands a snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock, Benoit suplexes Scorpio onto the top rope. Forearm shots by Benoit, Scorpio shoulder thrusts Benoit but misses the missile dropkick as Benoit covers for two. Another chin-lock from Benoit, Scorpio fights back before eating a massive spine-buster and a Boston crab.

 

Benoit cannot make Scorpio tap so Benoit goes back to the chin-lock, Benoit chops at Scorpio. Benoit places Scorpio on the top rope, Benoit says it’s over. Belly to back Superplex from Benoit, both men are in tremendous pain. Benoit lands a powerbomb for a close two, Scorpio rolls through a powerbomb but too close to the ropes for a pin-fall. Scorpio is whipped to the buckle, knee and enzuigiri from Scorpio. Benoit ducks the spinning-kicks but Scorpio lands the clothesline, lefts and rights by Scorpio. Whip to the buckle and spinning splash, Twisting Moonsault for two. Irish whip reversed by Benoit, Scorpio tries a victory roll but Benoit face-plants him. Scoop slam and middle rope leg drop by Benoit for two, small package by Scorpio. Benoit tries the Dragon suplex but Scorpio counters with a victory roll for the win with a second left on the clock.

 

Good match here from these two, these two would hone and perfect their craft with more time but they are so young here and so athletic, they impress the fans with their counters and hard-hitting manoeuvres. A championship would add so much to this feud considering there is a light heavyweight championship or at least there might still be there. I think they could do a lot with a championship adding to the feud. Regardless, this had some really great moments in there and a sign of things to come with the cruiserweight division of WCW.

 

Winner: 2 Cold Scorpio over Chris Benoit via Victory Roll!

 

Wild Bill Irwin vs The British Bulldog

I like how Schiavone says Irwin returns to WCW, they are basically giving away that we brought him in just for the match. However, we are here to talk about the former Intercontinental Champion, The British Bulldog coming to WCW. Bulldog shoves down Irwin over and over, Irwin lands forearms but cannot rock Bulldog who lands shoulder block after shoulder block. Irwin is clotheslined to the floor, forearm and side headlock by Irwin. Hip-toss by Bulldog, Irwin kicks the ribs of Bulldog and clubs down Bulldog. Corner clothesline by Irwin and an elbow to the face, Bulldog kicks out at one.

 

Irwin sends Bulldog into the top rope and applies a sleeper but Bulldog clubs it out with Irwin, delayed vertical suplex from Bulldog. Bulldog lands a corner clothesline and a normal clothesline for two, whip to the buckle again and Irwin lands a boot. Middle rope dive into the Powerslam and this is over. Squash to establish Bulldog does the job.

 

Winner: British Bulldog over Wild Bill Irwin via Powerslam!

 

(Falls Count Anywhere Match) Paul Orndorff vs Cactus Jack

Orndorff’s post WWF career is certainly interesting, WCW did not work the first time around, the Gigante, JYD and Orndorff alliance against The Horsemen I would rather forget but here we have Orndorff with Vader going after the newly minted babyface in Cactus Jack. Cactus Jack attacks Orndorff in the interview area, Orndorff avoids the shovel and sends Cactus into the guardrail. Cactus fights back and headbutts, Orndorff meets the guardrail hard. Cactus slams Orndorff on the concrete, Cactus lands an elbow on the concrete for two. Cactus is on the middle rope, diving sunset flip onto the concrete. The sound of the flip is horrific, I cannot understand the logic here.

 

Orndorff kicks around Cactus in the ring, clothesline by Orndorff. They battle up the ramp and Cactus is whipped over two guardrails, Cactus is trading blows with Orndorff. Orndorff is sent back ringside, Orndorff suplexes Cactus over the guardrail. Orndorff attacks the braced knee of Cactus, shocking that it took this long to go there but here we are. Orndorff suplexes Cactus over the rope and onto the apron, Orndorff chokes Cactus with his knee-brace. Orndorff applies a figure-four, Orndorff sends the knee of Cactus into the concrete over and over. Orndorff grabs a chair, chair-shots to the injured knee. Quite brutal attacks here from Orndorff, good stuff as Orndorff calls for the piledriver on the chair but Cactus has the shovel. Orndorff is cracked between the eyes with the shovel and it’s over!

 

Ok I fell for Orndorff posing around the ring calling for the piledriver only to get waffled with the shovel, I forgot about the shovel so it was pretty clever how it was introduced in the beginning and didn’t play into the match until the finish. The attacks on the knee were brutal and was good stuff, shame there was not much heat for Orndorff but I liked this match, a decent effort from both men.

 

Winner: Cactus Jack over Paul Orndorff via Shovel To The Head!

 

(Smokey Mountain Wrestling Tag Team Championship Match) The Heavenly Bodies © W/ Bobby Eaton & Jim Cornette vs The Rock “N” Roll Express

How good it is to see Stan Lane and Bobby Eaton together once more, Eaton may only be on the floor for this one but such a nice sight. These tag matches were fantastic back in the day, always delivering when they would wrestle but this time, we have Tom Prichard in place of Bobby Eaton so will it make a massive difference? Also interesting to see Stan Lane after the Midnight Express because I am used to seeing Jimmy Del Ray in there with Prichard. Prichard and Gibson start, hip-toss and head-scissors from Gibson and a tag to Morton who lands a hurricanrana and a shot to the head of Lane.

 

Prichard makes a blind-tag but Lane runs into a hip-toss into an arm-drag into the arm-bar. Lane almost tags Prichard time and time again, Morton whips Lane into Prichard. Morton and Gibson continue to fluster The Heavenly Bodies, Cornette gets heat by hugging and consoling his boys. Prichard and Morton reset the match, to the corner we go with Prichard and Morton slugging it out. Morton continues to frustrate Prichard, atomic drop into Lane. Cornette is furious at ringside, Morton works the arm and tags in Gibson. Back-drop from Morton, Gibson lands an enzuigiri for two. Prichard begs for mercy, Morton comes back into the match.

 

Prichard pushes Morton to his corner, Morton fights out of the corner so The Bodies cannot double-team Morton. Cornette continues to talk strategy, Morton is talking to Cornette. Lane and Morton criss-cross, Cornette is chased by Morton and Lane knocks into Cornette. Big pop for that one, Morton is sent to the floor and Cornette stabs Morton with his tennis racket. Prichard throws Morton into the ring, Lane punishes Morton with the top rope. Clothesline and dance from Lane, Lane nails Gibson with a right hand so Prichard comes in and lands a diving axe handle. Scoop slam by Prichard, knee-drop for two. Prichard slaps on a reverse chin-lock, rest hold time boys.

 

Morton escapes but cannot avoid an axe handle from Lane, Prichard tags in Lane. Suplex and clothesline combination, elbow drop from Lane for two. Cornette is on the apron, Morton had a sunset flip but Prichard comes in for the boot. Morton fights back but cannot make it to Gibson, right hand after right hand. Prichard lands a sit-out powerbomb for two, tag to Lane. Morton lands a double DDT. Gibson gets the tag but its not much of a hot-tag, Prichard rakes the eyes. Back body drop on Gibson, double clothesline on Lane and double dropkick on Prichard. Lane and Morton are wrestling, Gibson yanks Cornette into the ring. Prichard lands a running bulldog, Gibson kicks out of the bulldog.

 

Lane and Morton are in the corner, Prichard back drops Gibson to the floor. Morton lands an inverted atomic drop on Prichard, the referee is arguing with Cornette. Bobby Eaton runs down and lands a diving elbow drop on Prichard by mistake, Morton knocks Eaton out of the ring and covers Prichard for the win.

 

Good tag team match, all the good stuff is here like Cornette getting involved, The Rock “N” Roll Express destroying Lane and Prichard before Lane and Prichard get the heat on Morton leading to a dramatic finish with lots of false finishes before sending the fans home happy. Great stuff here and a good advertisement for SMW.

 

Winners: The Rock “N” Roll Express over The Heavenly Bodies via Diving Elbow Drop!

 

(WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Dustin Rhodes © vs Maxx Payne

Payne’s look is ridiculous, this was meant to be Rhodes vs Simmons but I have to ask where the fuck is Barry Windham? I know Rude was injured and had to vacate the championship but Rhodes vs Payne? Rhodes vs Simmons? Why is Windham battling Muta when the feud with Rhodes is there, I cannot even describe what I thought Payne would be wearing after seeing his gimmick but a black singlet with a thin blue stripe and no kneepads was not what I predicted. Rhodes is the quicker of the two, peppering Payne with right hands and roll-ups before Payne powders to the floor. Arm-bar from Rhodes, Payne shoves Rhodes to the ropes. Payne lands big knees, Rhodes lands another arm-drag.

 

Payne scrambles to the ropes, bearhug and slam to the corner from the challenger. Payne beats down Rhodes in the corner, snap-mare but Rhodes dodges the elbow drop. Rhodes works the arm, Rhodes is sent hard to the mat with a big slam. Arm-bar from Payne, Rhodes counters for his own hold but Payne reaches the ropes and lands a clothesline. Knee onto the arm of Rhodes, back body-drop by Payne. Rhodes fights back from his knees, boot to the head. Eye-rake by Payne, shoulder block with both men colliding. Flying crossbody does not work as Payne lands a scoop slam, Rhodes dodges the elbow drop.

 

Rhodes kicks back at Payne, flying clothesline from Rhodes. Rhodes suplexes the challenger for two, abdominal stretch from Rhodes. We sit in the stretch, Payne decides to pull the referee into Rhodes to escape the hold and we have a DQ. Payne continues to attack Rhodes, shoulder block from Payne on the floor and Rhodes is sent arm-first into the ring-post. Payne is sent into the ring-post, they keep fighting before it ends.

 

Garbage match really, who is Maxx Payne? What warranted him having that spot? Why was nobody else available for that match? It was really bad, I wish I didn’t have to sit through that because I should be enjoying an excellent program between Windham and Rhodes yet that is nowhere in sight. What gives WCW?

 

Winner: Dustin Rhodes over Maxx Payne via DQ!

 

(NWA World Championship Match) The Great Muta © vs Barry Windham

Muta is champion now defeating Chono at The Tokyo Dome show, Muta won the battle royal at Starrcade which I would rather forget because that event was a disaster but here we have the final two from the match doing battle for the championship. This is going to be interesting for me considering we have the NWA Championship being represented by The Big Gold Belt but by the end of the year the WCW World Championship will be back to being The Big Gold belt.

 

Fans chant for Flair who is watching at ringside, looks like these two have been overshadowed before locking up in that ring. Muta takes the back, Windham grabs the ropes. Windham shoves Muta, test of strength with Windham chants ringing out through the arena, the opposite of what they would want for a heel Windham. Side headlock by Muta, we will sit here for a while. We really do as Windham eventually sends Muta to the ropes, clean break before a roundhouse right from Windham. Shoulder block, dropkick from Muta back into the side headlock. We sit here for a while before Muta suplexes Windham, snap-mare into the Flashing Elbow.

 

Side headlock takedown, Windham elbows his way out of the hold. Muta misses a dropkick, big cheer from the fans. DDT by Windham, belly to back suplex on the floor. Suplex from the apron into the ring for two, scoop slam and knee drop from Windham. Make it two, two for Windham. Muta tries to fire up, sleeper from Windham. Windham uses the ropes for leverage before being caught, Windham lands a massive shot to the head. Muta is shit-canned to the floor by Windham, Muta rolls back into the ring. Muta begins to fire back at Windham, eye rake by Windham. Scoop slam and elbow drop for two, reverse chin-lock. Muta fights back, sunset flip goes awry as Windham lands a massive fist to the face.

 

Irish whip but Muta ducks and lands a flying crossbody for two, piledriver is blocked by Muta with a back body drop. Right hand by Windham, Windham continues to kick and punish Muta. Superplex time, Muta blocks the superplex with headbutts and chops. Diving chop from Muta, handspring elbow by Muta. Back-breaker and the moonsault misses for Muta, Muta lands a belly to back suplex. Back-breaker and the Moonsault is blocked with the knees, Windham lands a massive clothesline and the implant DDT for the win in the middle of the ring.

 

It's an interesting match for sure because the more you look at the WCW/NJPW relationship, you have to wonder was any of it good for NJPW apart from having The Steiners do business in their tag team division. Its been nothing but disasters for the likes of Muta and Chono since coming to WCW, the matches have been booed every time and it never works out for NJPW. This match was very boring, the headlocks were so drawn out and much like how Ric Flair had to wrestle like a blank canvas against Sting when portraying The Black Scorpion, I feel like Muta in WCW is stripped away of everything that makes him so much fun. Bad showing here for Windham!

 

Winner: Barry Windham over The Great Muta via DDT!

 

(White Castle of Fear Strap Match) Sting vs Vader W/ Harley Race

They are tied one a piece when it comes to matches, Vader defeated Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship while Sting defeated Vader in the King of Cable Finals. Both matches were awesome because Sting puts over everything that Vader does like death, this is a strap match and normally, these are bottom tier gimmick matches for me because the finishes never vary. It is always some sort of oh the babyface was pulled in and touches it by mistake or the heel is crushed b the babyface and touches the buckle first. Sting lost his last strap match as Nikita Koloff was bounced into the buckle with the Stinger Splash.

 

This match starts with Vader pulling Sting around the ring, massive clothesline and elbow drop by Vader. Elbow drop to the groin by Vader, Vader wants a middle rope splash. It connects, Sting is dead already. Sting yanks the strap under the legs of Vader, right hands stagger Vader. Enzuigiri by Sting, Sting is on the middle rope. Diving clothesline by Sting, Sting is on the top rope. Diving top rope splash, second diving top rope splash. Sting wants to whip Vader, vicious shots to the spine of Vader. Race is on the apron and gets decked by Sting, Vader is down on the floor. Sting pulls Vader into the ring-post over and over.

 

Vader is bleeding on the back, Sting really went in on those strap shots. Scoop slam by Sting, Sting’s idea is to touch the posts on the outside as it is somehow easier to drag Vader. However, Vader sends Sting into the guardrail. Sting cannot maintain control as Vader kicks back Sting, Sting blocks the powerbomb and back-drops Vader. Sting misses his third diving top rope splash, splash from Vader. Vader Bomb connects, Vader whips Sting hard across the back. Avalanche Samoan Drop from Vader, Vader touches two corners but Sting survives by kicking Vader in the face. Vader climbs high again, Vader Bomb and Sting rolls out of the way. Vader climbs high again but Sting crotches Vader, Vader is yanked off the top rope.

 

Vader clubs Sting and wants a superplex, Vader connects with the superplex. Vader clubs Stings in the corner, Vader tries to pull Sting out but Sting lands a massive kick to the head of Vader. DDT by Sting, Sting is bleeding from Vader’s punches, shots in the corner by Sting who is looking like a different man. Vader is sitting down in the corner, unable to protect himself or fight back. Sting picks up Vader and touches three corners, the referee has been hit by a stray leg and Race pushes the referee in front of Sting who trips and does not reach the final turnbuckle. Vader drops all his weight on the ribs of Sting, Vader touches three corners with Sting fighting and fighting to stop Vader but the kick from Sting sends Vader into the final buckle.

 

This was a bloody war, we got to see another side of Sting here who is just unloading on Vader throughout the match. The visual of Vader’s back bleeding or Sting’s eyes as he smashed Vader in the corner was tremendous. These two have wonderful chemistry and I am guessing we have to have that championship match sooner rather than later because Sting overcoming Vader would be a fantastic story to tell considering how invested the fans are in the match and how much emotion Sting can draw from the fans when Vader is just smashing him around the ring. They don’t know how to have a bad match with one another, they always deliver and I am happy to see more of these two kick all sorts of ass in WCW.

 

Winner: Vader over Sting via Touching All 4 Buckles!

 

That was WCW’s Superbrawl III, a very up and down start to the 1993 PPVs for WCW, a lot of big names missing like Steamboat, Rude and Koloff leaves us with some less than stellar matches and we also have big matches that simply do not measure up to the hype. The Hollywood Blondes vs Bagwell/Watts is interesting only for Pillman & Austin, Bagwell has been left directionless not progressing from that rookie for a year now while Watts is being pushed beyond his capabilities. 2 Cold Scorpio vs Benoit is good in parts, both men are extremely talented and would improve greatly over the years but there are very solid here, they pop the fans and engage them in the match and also instead of giving us a draw, Scorpio gets the win at the last second which is a nice twist on the cliché draw finish.

 

Davey Boy picks up a big win in his debut in WCW, good star to have on your roster but can Davey Boy deliver with anyone not named Bret Hart at this stage in his career? Orndorff vs Cactus Jack in a Falls Count Anywhere match is quite fun, the finish was quite good I thought considering how the shovel had been introduced. Orndorff’s showmanship got a good laugh out of me and it continues to build momentum for Cactus Jack who is going to break through that glass ceiling in 1993. We have a solid tag match between The Bodies and The Express, all the good shenanigans I expected from Cornette and it still delivered but things take a drastic turn with what follows on from Cornette.

 

Dustin Rhodes vs Maxx Payne is horrific, really negative reaction to this gimmick from me. Seems out there and interesting, maybe a yin to Van Hammer’s yang but the guy looks like shit and wrestles like shit and I don’t know why champions in WCW have to have horrific opponents on PPVs especially in their first defenses, Rhodes could be getting the Simmons’ treatment here and that just makes me sad. Barry Windham winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship should be a wonderful moment for me as a big Windham fan, this match sucked. It was headlock after headlock, no heat to it, no flow to it and the fans only gave a shit about Flair. The main event kicks ass though, Sting vs Vader have that undeniable chemistry with one another, they work magic with one another and I want to see them continue to feud. Ups and downs, new faces again in WCW but can they deliver a year where they can gain steam? We shall see, thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!