Wednesday 21 September 2022

WCW Starrcade 1994 Review!

 



Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is older than Bobby Fish! It’s time for WCW Starrcade 1994 and what a night it will be with supposed three main events to sink our teeth into, we have Kevin Sullivan vs Mr. T which hopes to be as good as Piper vs Mr. T, we also have Avalanche vs Sting and Hulk Hogan defending his World Championship against The Butcher. Rounding out the card we have Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs Vader for the United States Championship, Alex Wright vs Paul Levesque and Johnny B. Badd defending his WCW TV Championship against Arn Anderson. Why? Apparently Honky Tonk Man walked out not wanting to job for Johnny B. Badd. Will this be good? Let’s find out!

 

(WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Hacksaw Jim Duggan © vs Vader W/ Harley Race


Vader and Duggan had a brawl at the previous Clash, this starts on the ramp. The two brawl as Duggan sends Vader into the guardrail and Race gets bounced around for his troubles. Duggan punches Vader in the head over and over, clothesline takes the big man down. Duggan picks up some steam and clotheslines Vader to the floor, the number one contender for the world championship is being bounced around the ring like a jabroni. Duggan slams Vader and gets a two, big right hands to the head of the challenger. Duggan lands forearms to the head, an elbow smash to the face. Duggan continues punching Vader, Duggan clotheslines down Vader again. Knee drop by Duggan for two, Vader has been decimated in this match. Reverse chin-lock from Duggan, Vader escapes and starts slugging it out. Massive ear-clap from the challenger, Vader looks to take control.

 

Duggan brawls back though, Irish whip by Duggan. Clothesline and down goes Vader, elbow drop to the ribs. Duggan is on the middle rope and misses and elbow drop, a first for Schiavone. Vader clubs Dugan to the floor and into the guardrail, Vader roughs up the ribs of Duggan. Scoop slam and Vader Bomb time, it connects! Duggan survives with a foot on the ropes, Vader was too slow and gets kicked in the nuts but Vader splashes Duggan down and Duggan spills to the apron. Harley Race chokes Duggan behind the referee’s back, they slug it out though with Duggan winning that war before Vader lands that ear-clap to floor the champion. Could it be Vader Bomb time again? Vader goes to the top, Vadersault misses as Duggan rolls out of the way!

 

Duggan lands a desperation clothesline to floor Vader, Duggan lands rights and lefts to stagger the challenger. Vader is pushed to the corner, forearms from Duggan. Polish Hammer and Duggan calls for this Three-Point Stance Clothesline. Vader is drilled with the clothesline, Race rakes the eyes of Duggan. Vader climbs to the middle rope, Duggan counters the crossbody with a slam. Race distracts the referee, Duggan is irate. Duggan dodges a blow from Vader, double sledge blow by Duggan. Duggan tries his clothesline but Vader dodges and sends Duggan into Race who is holding the 2X4. Duggan has his head smashed into the 2X4 and Vader lands his wheelbarrow style slam for the win!

 

Wow I expected some shitty DQ because Vader is going for the world championship so why give him the United States Championship right? However, WCW pulls the surprise on me and catches me off-guard. Not sure where that’s going to go but if it means Sting vs Vader again, that’s going to be a lot of fun. As for this match, Duggan got a lot of offence in there against Vader, thought it hurt the flow of the match because Duggan punching around Vader in the ring isn’t as thrilling as it sounds. Hoping I don’t have to see some PPV rematches in the future.

 

Winner: Vader over Hacksaw Jim Duggan via Wheelbarrow Slam!

 

Alex Wright vs Jean Paul Levesque


Moonsault into the ring before dancing away like a God, we have Alex Wright a 19-year old German sensation taking on the arrogant French Jean Paul Levesque who would go onto to have quite the career in the WWF. They lock-up with neither man wanting to give up ground, Levesque is the stronger of the two. Levesque shoves the face of Wright, arm-drag by Levesque. Wrist-lock from Levesque, they continue to trade wrist-locks with Wright landing a dropkick and then an arm-bar. Levesque manages to break free but eats a dropkick and gets caught once more. Lots of mat-wrestling here with Wright out-performing Levesque. Right hand by Levesque, stomps and Levesque no longer gives a shit about this match. To the corner, forearms and stomps on the corner. Choke under the middle rope, Irish whip and spinning wheel kick from Levesque. Levesque poses and continues stomping Wright.

 

Wright fights back but Levesque counters and sends Wright to the floor. Baseball slide sends Wright tumbling to the floor, Wright tries an apron sunset flip but Levesque lands a right hand to the head. Reverse chin-lock from Levesque, dropkick by Levesque to cut off Wright. Two for Levesque, reverse chin-lock. Wright fights out of the hold but eats a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker from Levesque, Levesque is climbing high. Elbow drop from the top rope misses big-time! Wright uses huge forearms and uppercuts, spinning elbow to the face. Hip-toss for two, both men bang heads. Levesque whips Wright to the corner but Wright flips over and O’Connor rolls Levesque for the win.

 

Little too long for my tastes as both men are young and are not close to the finished product but a nice showcase for two young wrestlers in the company, always was a fan of Levesque’s character work, it works quite well and riles up the fans with ease making it an easier night for his opponents to be cheered because Levesque was so antagonizing. We shall see how Wright develops in WCW before the cruiserweights completely overshadow his high-flying skills.

 

Winner: Alex Wright over Jean Paul Levesque via O’Connor Roll!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) Johnny B. Badd © vs Arn Anderson W/ Col. Robert Parker & Meng


I would love to be Meng as that man is being paid a shit-tonne of money to stand around and look menacing, not one bump for him to take. Great guy by all accounts also. Anyways, this was meant to be Honky Tonk Man vs Johnny B. Badd but Honky Tonk Man didn’t want to do the J-O-B so say goodbye to that feud and Honky Tonk Man. The reliable Arn Anderson is here, The Stud Stable has been a complete flop at this point so Anderson is doing nothing which is kind of crazy considering Flair is this man’s best friend but it seems like Flair was perfectly happy with Anderson languishing in mid-card hell as long as Flair was taken care of which makes me laugh.

 

Anderson lands a big shoulder block, smiling with his work. Anderson uses the hair to pull down Badd, Badd wants Anderson but the challenger continues to hide behind the referee. Side headlock and hair-pull again, hammerlock by Anderson. Hammerlock into a drop toe-hold and a front chancery by the champion, knees to the arm of Anderson. Fireman’s carry by Anderson, Badd counters with a head-scissors, Badd continues out-wrestling Anderson with Anderson complaining that Badd pulled the hair of Anderson. Not like there is a lot to grab onto but the referee questions Badd. Anderson brings Badd to the corner and slaps him, Badd hops over Anderson and lands a hip-toss, knee by Anderson. Badd lands a Japanese arm-drag and a dropkick, Anderson sends Badd to the corner. Anderson gets caught by lefts and rights, Anderson lands his spine-buster though! Irish whip to the buckle, Anderson steps all over the throat of Badd.

 

Badd has his face raked across the ropes, Colonel Robert Parker talks great shit at ringside. Abdominal stretch by Anderson while using the ropes for leverage, Badd cannot escape and gets caught with an elbow for two. Reverse chin-lock from Anderson, Badd has a sleeper but Anderson lands a jaw-breaker. Back body-drop by Badd, boot and knee-lift from Badd. Diving sunset-flip from Badd, Anderson avoids the monkey flip and uses the ropes for leverage but the referee says no way I am not counting so Badd rolls-up Anderson for the win.

 

For a match that was not meant to happen, it was very solid. No reason why it should not be as Anderson is reliable as they come, it’s sad to think that there is not something more for Anderson to do in the company considering his talent but WCW has had a major year in terms of change so I am not all that surprised. Johnny B. Badd’s reign as champion though continues to be unfortunately rocky, I think WCW have something in Badd but they need opponents and matches and The Honky Tonk Feud was a disaster.

 

Winner: Johnny B. Badd over Arn Anderson via Schoolboy!

 

Harlem Heat W/ Sister Sherri vs The Nasty Boys


Sherri would join Harlem Heat at the previous Clash being revealed as the secret advisor to the tag team, Sherri had nothing to do with Flair taking time off so this is a good pairing, gives legitimacy to a team that disappeared for like a year. The Nasty Boys are babyfaces which I feel is never in their favour but I hope that this is a brawl because I have no interest in seeing a competitive normal tag team match between these two.

 

We have a face-off before we start brawling, Sags and Booker start in the ring. Pump-handle Slam for two, this match could have been finished but the referee was distracted. Lots of stalling before we have Booker and Sags brawling, flying clothesline and elbow drop by Booker for two. Sags catches Booker for a front slam, tag to Knobbs. Double shoulder block to both members of Harlem Heat, clothesline by Sags. Corner splash by Knobbs, Stevie Ray meets the ring-post and then the guardrail. Knobbs is caught by a clothesline from behind as Sags was with Sherri. Knobbs is whipped to the buckle, Knobbs explodes out with a clothesline. Booker is knocked off the apron, bulldog from Knobbs for two. Tag to Sags and they batter Stevie Ray, two single arm DDTs by Knobbs to take down Harlem Heat.

 

Tag to Sags, headbutt to the arm by Sags. Sags spills out to the floor and Stevie Ray pump-kicks his face into the ground. Sags continues to get whipped into guardrails by Stevie Ray, Booker tries winding up the crowd, eye-rake from Booker. Harlem Side-Kick by Booker, tag to Stevie Ray. Stevie Ray and Booker take turns roughing up Sags, this heat segment continues to go and go. Booker walks into a boot and Sags explodes with a clothesline. Stevie Ray decks Knobbs to stop the tag, Sags is whipped but ducks the clothesline. Double DDT from Sags! Knobbs is firing up the crowd, could we see the tag?

 

Knobbs comes in and lands right hands all around, elbow to Booker. Clothesline to Stevie Ray, Knobbs whips Stevie Ray to the corner. Stevie Ray counters with a boot, Sherri is on the apron. Sherri sprays Stevie Ray by mistake, Booker is yanked off the top rope by Knobbs. Sags lands his elbow drop on Booker, Sherri wants to do a dive from the top rope. She dives onto Booker as Sags dodges, Sherri has her faced shoved into the arm-pits of Sags and the match is over! The Nasty Boys won by DQ despite Sherri landing on her own men.

 

God that went too long, I hate The Nasty Boys so much. One of my favourite memories of covering WCW is watching The Steiners murder these two before they jumped to the WWF. They just have no likeable qualities and the heat segment on Sags is just torturous, give them brawls. Cater to their strengths, they aren’t the tag team champions so they don’t need to have great matches just keep giving them brawling like matches. On PPV watching long Nasty Boys matches like this just make me want to walk away from the computer.

 

Winners: The Nasty Boys over Harlem Heat via DQ!

 

Kevin Sullivan vs Mr. T


Not sure what level of stardom Mr. T was at here, it’s obviously after his hey-days on The A-Team but were people still talking about Mr. T in 1994? Sullivan is also the evil leader of the new top heel faction yet here he is with a celebrity. Santa Claus is here and clearly Dave Sullivan, Mr. T is landing rights and lefts as well as headbutts. Irish whip to the buckle, more corner shots by Mr. T. Sullivan pulls T to the floor, kicks and chops on the floor. T is out here dressed like the Great Sasuke, Sullivan continues beating T until Dave Sullivan as Santa cracks Kevin Sullivan with a megaphone and T wins. Comedy match that went an appropriate length.

 

Winner: Mr. T over Kevin Sullivan via Megaphone!

 

Sting vs Avalanche


Sting the most popular wrestling in WCW continues to be kept away from the WCW Championship and is reduced to the sidekick role once more, this is the first PPV for The Three Faces of Fear so surely if someone is going to put over this faction, it will be Sting right? They push one another, Sting punches Avalanche who just shrugs it off, shove to the corner with Avalanche smashing Sting in the ribs. Clubbing blows by Avalanche, rake across the ropes by Avalanche. Elbow to the head, whip to the buckle but Sting dodges. Sting softens up the leg of Avalanche. Very slow but we continue, Avalanche begins to dominate Sting with clubbing blows and slamming Sting into the buckle. Avalanche steps on the throat of Sting, more face-rakes from Avalanche. Sting rakes the eyes and starts swinging back and throwing leg kicks. The big man is down and scrambles to the floor, Sullivan talks strategy with Avalanche.

 

Back in the ring, we have a side headlock from Avalanche. Sting escapes and kicks the leg before being clubbed again, powerslam by Avalanche. Sting is thrown to the mat again and again, big corner chop from Avalanche. Bearhug, Sting fights out and is clubbed down again, this is slow and dull. Another powerslam by Avalanche, Sting powers up after a slam. Clothesline by Sting, Sting has come alive. Diving tomahawk chop, clothesline and dropkick. Referee is squished behind Avalanche, Stinger Splash and Sting slams Avalanche. Referee is dead though, Scorpion Death-Lock! Sullivan is in and gets beaten down for his trouble, Sting military presses Sullivan into Avalanche but Avalanche says fuck that and squishes Sting. Avalanche Drop! Hogan comes down with a chair, Hogan clears the ring.

 

Garbage utterly garbage with Sting not being Sting, Sting being almost in a catatonic state for the duration of this match. Honestly, the regression of the wrestling in WCW is laughable at this point, we have been robbed of Flair’s vision of WCW in 1994 with hard-hitting action and quality matches to matches that would have worked in a red-hot WWF in the late 80s but WCW is not red-hot, it is not the late 80s, it’s 1994! Sting was good for the last 20 seconds, everything else was horrific.

 

Winner: Sting over Avalanche via DQ!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Hulk Hogan © vs The Butcher W/ Kevin Sullivan


It was quite the interesting story with long time friend of Hogan, Beefcake betraying The Hulkster but main-eventing the biggest WCW PPV of the year? Are you crazy? They lock-up and Hogan shoves Butcher, three times in a row Butcher is shoved into the corner. Butcher starts chopping, throat thrust. Side headlock from Butcher, Hogan is stabbed in the throat. On the floor, Butcher rakes the back and chokes Hogan with a camera cable. Butcher wants to use the chair but Jimmy Hart takes the chair, atomic drop by Butcher. Eye-rakes by Hogan, Butcher meets the ring-post. Hogan grabs the chair, Butcher is cracked across the back. In the ring, Butcher chops and chokes Hogan. Middle rope elbow drop misses as Hogan Hulks Up, right hands by Hogan. Butcher begs for mercy on his knees, Hogan bites the head of Butcher.

 

Back-rake by Hogan, Butcher’s facials are ridiculous. Clothesline and foot take by Hogan, right hands to the face by Hogan. Irish whip to the clothesline, corner clothesline and Butcher eats chops and right hands. Eye rake and ten punches in the corner, shoulder claw from Butcher who is fighting back into this match. Butcher squeezes, Hogan is up on his feet though landing massive elbows to the ribs. Shoulder block, fans are watching the ramp for some reason. Perhaps a fight in the crowd because the camera crew aren’t reacting anyways, whip to the buckle and Butcher has the Sleeper! Hogan is out but Butcher lets go instead of winning by submission, Butcher pins Hogan after much stalling and it leads to Hogan Hulking Up and landing right hands to stagger Butcher. Big boot, here comes The Three Faces of Fear. Sullivan and Avalanche are decked, Atomic Leg Drop on Butcher and this horror show is over.

 

Randy Macho Man Savage comes down to the ring after the match, Randy Savage could be the newly minted member of The Faces of Fear! However, Savage swerves those jabronis and beats the piss out of The Three Faces of Fear!

 

As a main event for 1994, horrific that I had to sit through that, this was a terrible main event. You think Hogan would stray from the formula just a little bit, you know his best friend turned on him and that would make Hogan angry, angrier than he has ever been so we could have had some sort of brawl but nope, Hogan wrestles it as if it was Flair or any random person who walks in his path. How disappointing, WCW continues to sink lower.

 

Winner: Hulk Hogan over The Butcher via Atomic Leg Drop!

 

That was WCW’s Starrcade 1994, an abysmal effort from WCW for the biggest show of the year. I spoke about how WCW would change, how I would witness The Hogan Era begin and how Hogan’s buddies would come to dominate the card. We have had roughly 6 to 7 months of The Hogan Era now and I am bored of it, well and truly. WCW instantly blew their huge money match in Hogan vs Flair, they could have made that huge for Starrcade but they wasted it away and the feud was corny and a joke. Anyways, let’s talk about this card so we kick off with Duggan vs Vader, I like Duggan he’s not US Champion material though and is being pushed beyond his level, I expected a DQ but we have Vader winning who felt lazy on this night because I don’t remember him doing anything beyond some punches and the Vader Bomb/Vadersaults attempts. Interesting to put the championship on Vader when he’s still the number one contender but I guess we will have more Faces of Fear and now we have Savage in the mix so it’s all sorts of confusing. Alex Wright vs Jean Paul Levesque was a long match for two men who are not the finished product, it’s ok in parts but nothing memorable. We continue with Nasty Boys vs Harlem Heat, no tag team championship match on this card tells you all you need to know about the importance of the champions, Nastys do not wrestle in a brawl-style match so it’s torturous and not even the sight of Sherri can make this watchable for me. Johnny B. Badd vs Arn Anderson is fine, nothing major a Anderson is solid as always but the momentum that Badd had is losing steam fast, his big championship reign is turning into a disaster, it’s sad to see as one of his critics of his early booking and matches. Blossoming into a more complete performer, poor Badd has not received the booking needed to ascend nor has Regal who dropped the championship to him, the big projects of 1993 like Badd, Regal, Pillman and Austin are nowhere to be seen in WCW.

 

We continue to our triple main events, what a joke this was. Sullivan vs Mr. T was comedy but again, Sullivan is the leader of the new heel faction, can’t we not treat him like a joke? I know he’s small but they are treating him like he’s some sort of elf, it’s wild. Sting vs Avalanche is another torturous affair with Sting putting in one of the lowest energy performances I have ever seen from someone who usually goes bananas in every match. With the arrival of Savage, Sting is pushed further down the babyface side of things and when it comes to doing jobs, I only see Sting putting over The Faces of Fear if they ever get a win! The main event is crap, Hogan’s shtick is running thin now and Hogan does not even change it up to give us a match that should match the angle they are trying to tell here, couldn’t Hogan muster up some emotion after his best friend turned on him? Seems like another day at the office for Hogan and that’s why Starrcade 1994 might be one of the worst PPVs I have seen in quite some time, The Battle Bowl concept is quite horrific but this so-called triple main event was truly torture, let’s see what 1995 brings!

 


Monday 12 September 2022

WCW Clash of The Champions XXIX Review!

 




Hello and welcome to another episode of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that throws kayfabe out the window at media scrums! It’s time for Clash of The Champions XXIX! The last Clash of 1994 and there are not many of these clashes left as we will be limited to 2 per year moving forward, mad to think that I have ran through so many of these cards, most were forgettable with the occasional classic in there, let’s see if we can end 1994 on a high with this Clash? The only match they promote is the six-man tag between Kevin Sullivan’s team against Hogan’s team. Let’s get it on!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Pretty Wonderful © vs The Stars & Stripes


Another rematch? Got damn it, can’t we get some fresh blood in here? Looking at the card, it is all rematches except Vader vs Rhodes and the main event. We even have Honky back on the card, what have I done to deserve this?

 

The champions are annoyed by the Paula chants, if the challengers lose The Patriot will unmask. Bagwell and Orndorff to start, elbows from Orndorff and a right-hand floors Bagwell. Tag to Roma, boots and right hand from Roma. Bagwell is rocked, Irish whip is reversed by Bagwell. Roma leaps over Bagwell before getting caught with a clothesline after a crossbody, hip-toss and a dropkick. Patriot clotheslines down Orndorff, the champions are being pin-balled around by the challengers, the crowd is hot. Patriot and Orndorff are going to reset the match, we have a lock-up with both men trying to push the other. Arm-drag by Patriot, hip-toss but the elbow misses, Orndorff misses an elbow. Drop toehold by Orndorff, Patriot counters with a hammerlock to avoid a side headlock. Orndorff scrambles to the ropes, Orndorff reassesses the situation.

 

Side headlock by Patriot, shoulder block but a knee lands by Orndorff. Tag to Roma, back-breakers by Roma. Three of them, impressive and a fist-drop from Roma. Two for Roma as Bagwell makes the save, shoulder block by Patriot. Inverted atomic drop, Bagwell lands a right from the apron. Atomic drop on Roma, Thesz press for two. Tag to Bagwell, axe handle to the arm. Stun-gun like manoeuvre by Roma, think it was a flapjack but Bagwell is dropped on the floor and Orndorff decimates Bagwell on the floor with knees. Patriot looks on concerned for his partner. Hot-shot from Orndorff, elbow to the groin.

 

Right hand by Orndorff, Bagwell eats the mat. Orndorff lands his elbow to the head, dropkick from Roma. Powerslam by Roma for two, tag to Orndorff. Reverse chin-lock by Orndorff, Bagwell fights back briefly before Orndorff rakes the eyes. Snap-mare is countered by Bagwell, clothesline by Orndorff after the backslide attempt by Bagwell. Sunset flip from Bagwell, Roma makes the save with an elbow. Patriot comes in to help but Patriot is dumped to the floor, Orndorff suplexes Bagwell while Patriot shoves Roma off the top rope. The referee counts and Bagwell puts up his shoulder at the last second.

 

On par with the other matches these have had, a bit shorter but I am fine with that. The crowd is with Stars & Stripes which adds a bit to the match, usually the crowd would have the same tepid reactions to Stars & Stripes that I have, the tag team division is still not great so I am hoping major changes is coming soon enough. Might be the end of Orndorff’s run in the next year so I would just like to go on record and say I had no idea how much of a part he was in early 90s WCW, the guy had been involved in some major feuds and a constant feature in the mid-card scene and with his goofy elbow and brutal piledriver, you can count me as a big Mr. Wonderful fan.

 

Winners: Stars & Stripes over Pretty Wonderful via Shoulder Up!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) Johnny B. Badd © vs The Honky Tonk Man


Rematch city bitches, these two stunk it up at Halloween Havoc. I am not sure how much things will change here but the crowd is lively, Honky ducks Badd. Honky wants no part of him, they lock-up. Clean break from Badd, Honky is not happy with the fans calling him a coward. Honky takes the arm, arm-wrench and a stomp to the arm. Elbows to the arm, Badd comes back with a hammerlock and sends knees into the elbow of Honky. Honky is in the ropes, Honky is not happy claiming Badd pulls the hair. Fist to the head from Honky, Honky says it was open-handed, back-rakes and to the buckle. Atomic drop from Badd, Badd messes up the hair and lands a massive right hand. Honky pulls down the strap, Honky wants to box.

 

Honky hides again, the referee gets between the two and Honky lands a fist to the head. Elbows from Honky, scoop slam and middle rope fist drop. Reverse chin-lock, Badd counters the shake, rattle and roll. Badd is fighting back, Honky meets the buckle. Inverted atomic drop, ten punches in the corner. Knee-lift from two, Honky shoves Badd into the referee. Honky has the guitar, Badd is cracked in the head but the referee saw it, Honky is disqualified!

 

Much better than a time-limit draw, much shorter too. However, we are going to have another match aren’t we? I think Honky coasted on the success of the gimmick and how hot the WWF was at the time because seeing Honky in WCW just does not have the magic of the WWF days. Maybe he was never any good haha but here in WCW, Honky has not been doing anything to make Johnny B. Badd look good.

 

Winner: Johnny B. Badd over Honky Tonk Man via DQ!

 

The Nasty Boys vs Harlem Heat


Feels like a year since I have seen Harlem Heat on PPV, Sid being fired from WCW may have hurt them a lot because they were his backups heading into that War Games Match with The Shockmaster etc. The Nasty Boys are your babyfaces still and any match that isn’t a brawl with these two is usually horrific. Booker and Knobbs begin, lots of brawling. Eye-rake by Booker, Knobbs is whipped to the buckle. Elbow counter and a stiff clothesline, scoop slams for Harlem Heat. Tag to Sags, double clothesline. Double corner splash, Sags and Stevie Ray brawling now, Stevie Ray winning that war. Boot by Sags,  face-buster by Sags. Tag to Knobbs, double beatdown on Stevie Ray, Booker is irate.

 

Wishbone-split on Stevie Ray, knee-drop for two. Tag to Knobbs, splash to the knee. Knee-wrench by Knobbs, we have a commercial break and Booker is kicking Knobbs in the face and to the floor. Stevie Ray lands a clothesline to the floor, Booker is limping and I am not sure if he is selling. In comes Stevie Ray and pump-kicks Knobbs, beatdown in the corner. Flying clothesline by Stevie Ray, tag to Booker. Harlem side-kick by Booker, Knobbs avoids the diving fist-drop. Tag to Sags, clotheslines and fists all around. Elbow to Stevie Ray, clothesline to the floor. Stevie Ray is calling someone, what? Knobbs sends Booker into the ring-post, Booker continues calling. Sherri is the secret boss, Sherri is coming to ringside. Knobbs is distracted, Booker T lands a diving fist drop on Sags and Stevie covers to steal the win as Knobbs deals with Sherri.

 

Well that’s the start of a tag team rise and it’s exactly what the WCW tag team division needed because it was dying a slow-death. Lots of brawling with this one, no real build to the hot-tag but that’s the thing about Nasty Boys matches: If I was forced to sit through that, I would probably not finish the match because I can’t stand them.

 

Winners: Harlem Heat over The Nasty Boys via Diving Fist Drop!

 

Vader W/ Harley Race vs Dustin Rhodes


So Vader is still number one contender yet his match at Starrcade will more than likely not be Hogan as Hogan is busy with The Three Faces of Fear. Dustin Rhodes has been stuck battling The Stud Stable which has slid down the card and lost its centrepieces in Sid and then Austin. Rhodes has moved on but against the number one contender, I don’t fancy Rhodes’ chances. Vader shoves Rhodes to the corner, massive shots. Rhodes tackles Vader and drops all his weight on him, slaps all around. Vader is being bitch-slapped, this is insane. Crowd is going wild, Rhodes ducks clotheslines and lands a flying crossbody for two. Vader is clotheslined to the floor, Rhodes is on fire.

 

Rhodes knocks down Race, Vader has to recover. In the ring, Rhodes beats down Vader in the corner. Corner splash, Rhodes suplexes Vader. Vader rolls to the floor, Rhodes is with the referee before Vader comes back with a massive splash. Rights and lefts shots to Rhodes, Rhodes is down. Vader misses a corner splash, roll-up by Rhodes for two. Clothesline by Vader turns Rhodes inside-out, Vader tries a splash but Rhodes counters for a scoop slam. Sunset flip but Vader misses his splash, flying clothesline and mounted right hands by Rhodes. Rhodes shoves the referee, Rhodes tries a bulldog but Vader picks up Rhodes and dumps him on the floor. Vader Bomb! Vader climbs high again, Vader Bomb for two. Clubbing blows from Vader, Rhodes begins to rally though. Rhodes slams Vader who tried a middle rope crossbody.

 

Rhodes lands right hands, Vader cannot land any attacks. Elbows and a slap, clothesline staggers Vader. Vader will not go down, bionic elbows are not enough. Rhodes lands a diving clothesline on Vader, two for Rhodes. Middle rope DDT by Rhodes for two, bulldog time for Rhodes. Bulldog connects! 1..2… Race is in the ring. Rhodes is squished into Race, wheelbarrow slam by Vader for the win.

 

A damn good match from the fiery Rhodes who can turn it up and I would say is underrated in WCW during this era because Rhodes can go and take a match that has no angle and make it into something super meaningful. Would love to see these two go at it again. At the end of the match, Duggan makes the save which makes me laugh that we could have Vader vs Duggan. Anyways, Rhodes is great and Vader is great and it’s nice to see how good these two can be.

 

Winner: Vader over Dustin Rhodes via Wheelbarrow Slam!

 

 (WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Hacksaw Jim Duggan © vs Stunning Steve Austin


Rematch time, Duggan gets the crowd going before shoving down Austin, Austin cowers in the ropes. Austin says Duggan pulled the hair, Vader is here and the match is over. Vader beats the shit out of Duggan briefly before Duggan picks up the 2X4 and we have a stand-off. Vader and Austin as allies? We shall see, that was a waste though.

 

Winner: Hacksaw Jim Duggan over Stunning Steve Austin via DQ!

 

Hulk Hogan/ Sting/Dave Sullivan vs The Three Faces of Fear


A mystery man had attacked Hulk Hogan multiple times before the cage match at Halloween Havoc, Hogan after overcoming Ric Flair would take off the mask of this mystery man and it would be Brother Bruti! Brother Bruti would be assisted by Avalanche and Kevin Sullivan, forming The Three Faces of Fear.

 

This starts right away, Hogan and Sullivan to start. Hogan punches and sends Sullivan into the buckle, corner clothesline by Hogan. Hogan bites the head of Sullivan, Sting back-drops Sullivan. Scoop slam and elbow drop, dropkick from The Stinger. Hogan is back in, right hands by Hogan. Team Sullivan beat down Hogan, Mr. T cannot control the ring. Dave Sullivan is fighting away now, we have lost all order. Avalanche splashes the arm of Dave Sullivan, it’s possibly broken. Dave Sullivan is out of this match, his arm may be broken. Avalanche splashes Hogan in the corner. Scoop slam attempt but Avalanche stops that shit, tag to The Butcher. Butcher chops at Hogan because he is a backstabber brother, chops and boot to the throat. Avalanche is in, Avalanche misses a splash. Scoop slam goes wrong as Avalanche lands on top, headbutt to the chest.

 

In comes Sullivan who chops all over Hogan, Mongolian chops don’t work though as Hogan battles back. Hogan is in Sullivan’s corner though, triple team attacks to Hogan. Avalanche comes in, Hogan is down. Bearhug from Avalanche, Hogan fights out of it and lands right hands before Butcher trips up Hogan. Hogan rocks Avalanche and tags in Sting who kicks and punches everything in sight. Stinger Splash on Avalanche, military press slam with Sullivan but Avalanche catches Sullivan and Sting is squished by both, top rope knee-drop and double stomp by Sullivan. Hogan breaks that shit up, double clothesline on Sting. Butcher chokes Sting, Avalanche lands a leg drop to Sting. Two for Avalanche, Hogan makes the save.

 

Sullivan is in, chops to the chest of The Stinger. Sting whips Sullivan to the buckle, boot counter by Sullivan. Sullivan is up high, Sting yanks Sullivan off the top rope. Hogan and Butcher are now legal, Butcher begs for mercy. Right hands all around by Hogan, Sullivan takes the megaphone from Jimmy Hart. Mr. T stops Sullivan using the megaphone, Sting is with Avalanche and Hogan pins Sullivan but you can’t really see what went down and the heels get their heat back as the match ends. Avalanche crushes Sting, Hogan is cracked with the megaphone. Butcher puts Hogan to sleep and the babyfaces clear out the locker room to try and help.

 

It was fine, I thought Dave Sullivan would be eating the pin but nope, Team Hogan still wins over the newly minted heel faction, off to a great start aren’t we? Anyways, the match isn’t much compared to the last match between Rhodes and Vader, it’s like stepping into a time machine. Looks like this is going to be the main event scene for the next year so buckle up for some Hogan action with Butcher, Sullivan and Avalanche. What’s Sting doing for Starrcade? No idea again, unbelievable how the guy is treated.

 

Winners: Team Hogan over The Three Faces of Fear!

 

This clash sets up Starrcade 1994 and I can’t say I am too thrilled based off of what I have been given, I imagine we will have Badd vs Honky III, not sure what Sting is doing or Rhodes or Austin. We could possibly have Vader vs Duggan for the United States Championship despite Vader being number one contender for the world’s championship and with Flair gone I cannot fathom how we are not getting Vader vs Hogan for the championship at the biggest show of the year but regardless, the card is not looking great and the influx of talent of Hogan’s buddies is really starting to dominate much of the card. From top to bottom, the quality is changing and not for the better. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

Tuesday 6 September 2022

WCW Halloween Havoc 1994 Review!

 



Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that always hangs on to the tag rope! It’s WCW Halloween Havoc 1994: Rematch City! Yes we have a lot of feuds still continuing as Vader squares off against Guardian Angel again, Stars & Stripes face Pretty Wonderful again, Steve Austin faces Jim Duggan again and Dustin Rhodes continues his war with Arn Anderson. The main event is Career vs Career which is just the dumbest shit really because Flair nor Hogan are following through it with it but ok why not and it’s also a cage match! It all seems a bit too gimmicky and OTT to buy into it but I guess Flair teased retirement the year prior so who knows maybe he just might do it if he loses. Not thrilled looking at the card but its not what is on paper that is in important, it's the matches themselves so let’s get it on!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) Johnny B. Badd © vs The Honky Tonk Man


I have seen it all now haven’t I? Honky Tonk Man is here in WCW, the challenger for the television championship. This should be an easy win for Badd right? Honky talks trash with the dans before backing away from the fists of Badd, Badd is over now. Wrist-lock and elbows to the arm from Honky, Badd reverses and drops the leg on the arm of Honky. Honky is in the ropes, Honky misses a right hand and takes an atomic drop. Badd grabs the hair and messes up the hair, right hand sends Honky to the floor. Honky re-enters the ring and lands a knee, snap-mare into a knee-drop. Kick to the rib from Honky, Badd begins fighting back but Honky lands a knee to the gut. Irish whip and elbow to the face, Honky dances which pisses off the fans.

 

Elbow to the ribs, reverse chin-lock from the challenger. Badd escapes and lands a shoulder block, Honky lands a knee to the ribs to stop the champion’s comeback. Kicks to a downed champion by Honky, reverse chin-lock from Honky. Badd fires up and Honky clamps on the hold once more, Badd uses elbows to the ribs but Honky wants Shake Rattle and Roll but Badd lands a back body-drop to survive. Shots to the ribs, Honky is whipped to the buckle. Honky dodges, Badd smashes his ribs off the buckle. Roll-up with the ropes for leverage by Honky for two, Badd is dumped to the floor. Another chin-lock in the ring, this is reaching torture levels of boring. Honky lands a knee to the spine to stop Badd coming back, Badd kicks away Honky and smashes his head off the buckle. Ten punches in the corner, jabs and knee-lift from Badd. Honky begs for mercy, elbow by Badd. The Kiss That Don’t Miss does not connect, belly to back suplex by Honky and a choke-hold. They brawl and time expires.

 

Fucking hell that was not a great way to kick us off, Honky does not come in and capture a championship but Badd does not go over in his first PPV defence of his championship. Fans are not happy and Honky used repeated chin-locks that really made a ten-minute match feel like a half an hour of trash. Bad way to introduce me to WCW Honky and kick off this PPV!

 

Time Limit Expires!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Pretty Wonderful vs Stars & Stripes ©


Well the championships changed hands on Main Event, cannot say that I am invested in Bagwell or Patriot plus their gimmick is as corny as it gets plus they do not really have any chemistry between them but we are here so let’s start. Orndorff and Patriot to begin, clean break from both. Match breaks down quickly with brawling, Orndorff is on the floor with Patriot while Bagwell clotheslines Roma to the floor. Orndorff is sent into the barricade, Patriot climbs high and lands an axe handle. Orndorff is pin-balled between the champions, tag to Roma. Patriot grabs the wrist-lock, tag to Bagwell who lands a diving axe handle. Bagwell works the arm, Roma lands a forearm and lands a big scoop slam. Roma delivers a diving fist drop before marking out to himself once again, Bagwell ducks two forearms for a flying crossbody. Two for Bagwell who slaps on an arm-drag.

 

Bagwell is rocked with an elbow, in comes Orndorff who eats a drop toehold. Bagwell wrenches the arm of Orndorff, Orndorff backs off away from Bagwell. Side headlock takedown and tag from Orndorff, in comes Roma with elbow drops. Kick to the ribs and stomps from Roma, Orndorff lands cheap shots from the apron. Roma taunts Patriot, Bagwell lands forearms and kicks. Tag to Patriot, elbows and clubbing blows from Patriot. Whip to the buckle and corner clothesline. Two for Patriot, Bagwell comes in but gets sent head-first into the challenger’s corner. Orndorff unloads with boots and forearms as Patriot has to watch on, another gut kick from Orndorff. Orndorff’s elbow drop connects on Bagwell to the biggest reaction in this match so far.

 

Bagwell begins to fight back, Orndorff cuts off that shit immediately. Tag to Roma, diving axe handle. Bagwell fights back but lowers his head off an Irish whip, boot and elbow drop by Roma. Dropkick by Roma, Roma marks out to his own manoeuvres again, Bagwell is whipped to the buckle but counters with a diving crossbody for two. Bearhug by Roma to thwart the tag, Roma backs Bagwell into his team’s corner. Orndorff lands a low elbow to the groin, front chancery from Orndorff. Bagwell fights back again but Orndorff delivers a clothesline, Bagwell is rammed into the mat. Bagwell blocks the suplex and drills Orndorff, hot-tag time! No! Orndorff says screw that, backslide attempt by Bagwell with Roma making the save, Patriot is going mental on the apron.

 

Bagwell is whipped to the buckle, boot counter and Orndorff is caught in the sleeper, Roma knocks down Bagwell. Patriot snaps and we have a pier-six-brawl between these two teams. Patriot slams Roma down, Bagwell lands a knee-lift on Orndorff. The champions land clotheslines on the challengers, Bagwell lands a fisherman suplex on Orndorff, Roma is behind the referee’s back. Roma lands a diving elbow drop on Bagwell and we have new tag team champions!

 

That’s rough, I have riffed on Bagwell before but it is shocking how in two years despite his youth, Bagwell has not progressed or grown as a performer inside of that ring, things are not going to improve as American Males will be next but it’s honestly shocking how the crowd continues to just shit on the guy and the company does nothing about it. The work inside the ring is fine, Orndorff and Roma continue to be unintentionally hilarious, the fans only care about Orndorff which makes thing incredibly difficult for the babyfaces, the tag division needs a serious kick up the ass.

 

Winners: Pretty Wonderful over Stars & Stripes via Diving Elbow Drop!

 

Kevin Sullivan vs Dave Sullivan


Oh this feud, Sullivan comes out doing a Bruiser Brody-esqe sound. Dave is a huge Hulkamaniac fan and that has driven Kevin Sullivan crazy. They will now do battle and believe me when I say, the best part of this feud was Cactus Jack and he’s in ECW now. Save pummels Kevin, right hands and an elbow knocks Kevin to the floor. Dave chases Kevin who fools Dave into the ring, stomp to the head by Kevin, big chest slaps and kicks from Kevin. Short-arm clothesline by Kevin and a dropkick, Kevin is rammed into the buckle by Dave. Clothesline by Dave, back body-drop. Kevin pulls Dave to the floor, Kevin rakes the eyes and lands a leg to the back. Dave meets the buckle, snap-mare and boot by Kevin. Kevin grabs a bandana and chokes Dave with the bandana before landing a Gut Stomp. Kevin imitates Hogan, another double stomp. Kevin climbs high, Save yanks Kevin off the top rope. Clothesline by Dave, big boot by Dave. Kevin is trying to convince Dave that he does not hate Hogan. Kevin smacks Dave in the face, they brawl on the floor. Dave wins by count-out as Kevin doesn’t make it back in the ring after brawling.

 

Wow that was horrific, decent Hulk impression though from Dave but surely there is no way Kevin could come back from that to being the head of the top heel faction in the next year right? Right?

 

Winner: Dave Sullivan over Kevin Sullivan via Count-Out!

 

Arn Anderson W/ Meng & Colonel Robert Parker vs Dustin Rhdoes


Whooping these boys in War-Games was clearly not enough for this feud, we have Dustin Rhodes taking on Arn Anderson one on one as Rhodes looks for revenge for what Anderson did to him in that tag match. They lock-up, clean break from Rhodes. Side headlock by Anderson, Anderson stops a hip-toss but Rhodes counters with a head-scissors. Anderson claims Rhodes pulled the hair, hammerlock from Anderson. Snap-mare counter by Rhodes, Anderson claims the hair again. Rhodes gets caught with a left, a right from Rhodes catches Anderson. Whip to the buckle, atomic drop and clothesline to the back of the head by Rhodes. Rhodes climbs high, Anderson sweeps the feet.

 

Anderson wants the superplex, Rhodes lands a headbutt and scores with a diving clothesline for two. Big right by Rhodes, Anderson catches Rhodes with a huge left. Anderson is on the middle rope, Rhodes tries a block but Anderson lands an elbow drop. Stomps to the leg by Rhodes, Rhodes stops the figure four and Anderson is on the floor. We are on the floor, Anderson hits the ring-post with his arm. Rhodes sends Anderson back into the ring-post, hammerlock throw to the buckle in the ring. Schoolboy by Rhodes for two, arm-bar from Rhodes. Rhodes begins working the arm, Anderson pulls the hair but Rhodes holds onto the hold. Cross arm-breaker from Rhodes, inverted atomic drop by Rhodes but Anderson dodges the flying lariat. Rhodes lands hard on the floor, Anderson lands an elbow to the nose and stomps Rhodes onto the steel steps.

 

Irish whip and gut shot from Anderson for two, Rhodes and Anderson are brawling now. Anderson whips Rhodes and we have a double clothesline, both men down. Rhodes comes back with a boot to the ribs and a kick to the head, flying lariat from Rhodes for two. Right hands by Rhodes, Irish whip but Rhodes lowers his head. Anderson tries a DDT but Rhodes blocks by holding the ropes, stun-gun by Rhodes. Rhodes pulls down his kneepad and tried to break the arm of Anderson, Anderson dodged though. Piledriver attempt by AA, Rhodes survives with an attempted sunset flip. Anderson reverses and tries to use the ropes to steal the win but the referee catches Anderson so Rhodes rolls-up Anderson for the win. Anderson DDTs Rhodes after the match, laying out The Natural.

 

It's a technically good match, you are always going to get that with these two but I just didn’t want to see it. The reason? Well this feud should be dead and done by now, we had a War Games Match to blow it all off, why continue with this feud? I don’t understand that at all, Anderson laying out Rhodes at the end makes me think it is going to keep going into Starrcade which is nuts at this point, it’s time to move for both men as they deserve better than carrying a feud that has lost so much of its steam.

 

Winner: Dustin Rhodes over Arn Anderson via Roll-Up!

 

(WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Jim Duggan © vs Stunning Steve Austin


Austin jumps Duggan, stomps in the corner before Duggan comes back with two clotheslines and a scoop slam. Irish whip but Duggan lowers his head, Austin lands a boot and punches. Duggan counters with a sleeper, Austin escapes a belly to back suplex and stomps the shit out of Duggan’s knee. Austin tears at the leg of Duggan, Austin wants a figure four but Duggan sends Austin to the buckle. Roll-up by Duggan for two, Austin pokes the eyes and stomps all over the leg. Austin misses an attack to the leg of Duggan, atomic drop and Austin is on the floor. Austin begs for mercy, Austin wants a handshake. Austin covers up in the corner, Austin and Duggan tie-up. Side headlock by Duggan, Austin shoves off Duggan. Shoulder block by Duggan, Austin stomps Duggan who was running the ropes. Austin climbs high, middle rope axe handle. Austin lands another axe handle before Duggan counters with a big clothesline, Duggan fires up. Rights and lefts by Duggan, Austin runs to the referee. Duggan is cracked with a low blow.

 

Austin denies kicking Duggan down low and continues battering Duggan, Duggan attempts a comeback but he cannot fight off the challenger. Austin climbs to the middle rope, middle rope Austin elbow connects. Two for the challenger, Austin mocks Duggan and climbs to the top rope. Duggan dodges and fires up, Austin meets the buckle hard. Right hands and headbutt by Duggan, back body drop by Duggan. Duggan looks for his finish but Austin back-drops Duggan to the floor, this match ends in a DQ.

 

I was curious as to what would be next for Stunning Steve, Austin turns it up here in this match with his heel work, hiding behind the referee and more in this one to put over Duggan, Duggan doesn’t hold his own with Austin but Duggan does a good job of hanging in there but the star of this one is Austin. I am still surprised that the championship remains on the waste of Duggan, curious to see what they do next there but it’s WCW so it could be something logical or crazy.

 

Winner: Hacksaw Jim Duggan over Stunning Steve Austin via DQ!

 

The Guardian Angel vs Vader W. Harley Race


Angel came to WCW and feuded with Rick Rude which stank before moving onto messing with Vader and costing him his rematch with World Champion Ric Flair at Superbrawl, they have fought twice on PPV since this moment. The first match seems like lightning in a bottle now as there was a magic as they smashed one another in the face, the second match was not as fun but I am keeping an open mind as we have two big massive bastards who love hitting one another. Race tries attacking Angel, not a good idea and Vader is disappointed his manager has been attacked.

 

We are in the ring now, both men lock-up. Angel pushes Vader to the corner, a slap from Angel. Another slap, they lock-up and Vader pokes the eyes and clubbing blows in the corner. Vader pummels Angel down, Angel is smiling though he likes it but the camera does not really capture that. Short-arm clothesline from Vader but Angel is still on his feet, Angel is clotheslined to the floor. Angel fights back though, clothesline to Vader and right hands to Harley Race in the ring. Angel pummels Race in the middle of the ring, gut kick to Vader and Vader is slammed on top of Race. Big pop, elbow drop from Angel. Leg-drop to the groin, headbutts and right hands by Angel. Massive corner splash by Angel, Vader fights back with gut punches. Angel is rocked, suplex is blocked by Angel though. Angel suplexes Vader, another reaction from the fans.

 

Big boot and an elbow, Vader is staggered. Vader jabs the face of Angel, left hook rocks the world of Angel. Vader tries a splash from the middle rope, powerslam counter by Angel. Angel nails a diving headbutt for two, Angel clotheslines Vader to the floor. Headbutt again by Angel, Vader clotheslines Angel down on a blown spot. Vader slams down Angel, we are going to the top. Vader Bomb connects, 1…2.. Angel kicks out! Angel blocks the bomb with his knees, Angel is up to his feet. Running Splash for two, spinebuster from Angel. Spike Slam by Angel, Race is on the apron. Angel chases Race, right hand by Angel. Suplex into the ring, Vader takes advantage of the situation with a splash and it’s over.

 

Yeah, I have a soft spot for two massive beasts killing one another but these two are not going to top their first match, there is no way no matter what they do. They had the crowd at various points though, those big spots still make the audience come alive but I just cannot sink my teeth into The Guardian Angel, looks rough around the edges and one feud that has been going far too long with him coming up on the losing side again and again, maybe brighter days are ahead.

 

Winner: Vader over The Guardian Angel via Splash!

 

Terry Funk & Bunkhouse Buck W/ Col. Fuller & Meng vs The Nasty Boys!


We start brawling, The Nasty Boys send The Stud Stable into one another and tumbling to the floor. Fuller is irate and Meng is Meng at ringside, Funk and Knobbs to start. To the ropes, Funk slaps Knobbs who fires up with massive right hands. Buck gets clocked by Knobbs, Funk is irate on the floor. In comes Sags, Sags wipes his ass on Funk. Knobbs gives Funk pit city, Funk says “Damn You, You Son of A Bitch!”. Have I mentioned Funk is awesome? Sags is clubbed down by The Stud Stable but Sags fires up, Funk meets the buckle. Buck comes in and Knobbs lands forearms to his head. Tag to Sags, double beatdown. Funk is whipped into Buck who watches as Funk is battered, The Stud Stable is down once again. Funk and Sags brawl before Buck chokes Sags with his belt. Sags escapes though and tags in Knobbs, more brawling.

 

Knobbs clotheslines Funk, calling for a bulldog. Buck trips up Knobbs as the referee deals with Parker. Buck has a loaded glove, the referee catches Buck. Sags comes in the ring with a pumpkin, Meng decks Funk by mistake. Piledriver on the pumpkin and Knobbs covers for the win.

 

Mercifully a short match containing The Nasty Boys, good stuff from Funk throughout, it was your buffer match before the main event so I can’t fault it too much. However, the WCW tag team division is in the dumps currently so I do hope something fantastic comes around the corner soon enough.

 

Winners: The Nasty Boys over The Stud Stable via Piledriver on Pumpkin!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Career vs Career Match) Hulk Hogan © vs Ric Flair


Frustrated by his loss to Hulk Hogan, Flair has lost his mind once more and put it all on the line by challenging Hogan to this rematch and both men have their careers on the line. Mr. T is here so we are trying to make this as big as possible. How much did they pay him to show up for this? We eventually start, classic Flair with a chop that is not sold by Hogan. Irish whip and back-drop, bandana in the mouth and ten punches, Hogan stomps all over Flair. Hogan and Mr. T are having words, eye-poke and eye-rake by Flair. Chopping time, right hand but Hogan blocks the cage. Flair meets the cage, back-rake and Flair meets the cage once more. Hogan mounts Flair and lands right hands, Flair goes low with a right hand. Chop block by Flair, Hogan’s leg is heavily bandaged. Flair drops all his weight on the leg of Hogan, stomps to the knee again and again. Mr. T and Flair have words, snap-mare into a knee-drop from Flair.

 

Hogan recovers to send Flair into the buckle, Flair begs for mercy. Flair meets the cage hard, Hogan lawn-darts Flair into the cage. Hogan chokes Flair with his shirt, Flair tries to escape. Hogan and Mr. T are having words again, axe handle by The Nature Boy. Suplex by Flair, Flair is stalking Hogan. Hogan blocks the chops in the corner, right hands by Hogan. Irish whip to the corner, Flair gets up a foot. Flair chops Hogan, Hogan shakes it off. Hogan sends Flair to the corner, back body-drop by Hogan. Flair meets the cage again, no blood in a cage? Flair is raked into the cage wall, belly to back suplex by Hogan. Two for Hogan, right hands to the head by the champion, Mr. T and Hogan continue to have words. Flair is climbing the cage, Flair is almost out. Flair is smacked into the cage, chops by Hogan.

 

Flair suckers in Hogan for the shin-breaker, Flair drops the knee on Hogan’s leg. Flair continues tearing at the leg and the bandages of Hogan, Figure Four Leg-Lock! Hogan Hulks Up, and fights back before Hogan runs into T as Flair dodges the shoulder block. Kick to the face, belly to back suplex with no referee though. Flair decides to stomp down Mr. T, Jimmy Hart rips the skirt of Sherri who was climbing the cage. Sherri continues climbing but Sting is here and Sting pulls down Sherri by the hair. The Masked Man is here though, The Masked Man batters Sting and Jimmy Hart, who is this maniac. Sherri is on the cage, axe handle onto Hogan who no-sells that shit. Flair takes out the knee of Hogan, Sherri rips off her jacket. Mr. T is being handcuffed to the cage, what is this shit?

 

Flair and Sherri send Hogan into the baseball bat, Sherri begins climbing out of the cage. Why would they attack the referee though? Makes no sense, has the match been thrown out? Hogan eats a suplex in the middle of the ring, Sherri beats the shit out Mr. T. Hogan Hulks Up, clothesline to Sherri and Flair. Scoop slams to Sherri and Flair. Flair chops but it doesn’t work, Hogan clotheslines Flair and Sherri. Sherri is trying to escape, military slam from Hogan to Sherri. Flair and Hogan battle on the cage, Flair is rammed into the cage. Big boot to Sherri, Flair chops at Hogan but Hogan continues Hulking Up. Right hands by Hogan, big boot and Atomic Leg Drop. Mr. T counts the pin handcuffed to the cage for The Hulkster.

 

Career vs Career? Hogan beats Flair and Flair fucks off just like that? The end of The Nature Boy’s career and not a moment in front of the fan or a goodbye? Wild but then again, nobody believed either man would retire so maybe that’s the reason why they did not even bother. As far as action goes, not my cup of tea. Hogan and Flair at their most ridiculous, Hogan batters Sherri like crazy to the point of overkill, no blood in the cage and just Hogan coming back from everything without a single mark on him. That leg work meant zero in this match, everything meant zero in this match. In a match about both men’s careers, this was it?

 

It continues with the big angle with The Masked Man being revealed, it’s Brother Bruti! Kevin Sullivan is here with Earthquake and they destroy Hogan, Sting makes the save but it’s too late for Hogan. Sting once again playing second-fiddle to the top babyface. Anyways, the match and the angle is not great. Poor old Brutus was never going to be that main eventer that WCW needed, definitely not the main event of Starrcade.

 

Winner: Hulk Hogan over Ric Flair via Atomic Leg Drop!

 

That was WCW’s Halloween Havoc 1994! Very rematch heavy pay per view with the matches not being on particular stand-out quality, Johnny B. Badd’s reign as TV champion does not get off to an electrifying start with Honky Tonk Man, match was dull and the finish helps neither man with Honky Tonk finishing up with the company by the end of the year, how many of Hogan’s buddies will be pushed? We shall see but not a good kick-off, things do not get better with the tag team championship match. The division is very weak right now and Bagwell & Patriot are certainly not the team to lead that division, I have a soft spot for Pretty Wonderful but I would like to see something new. Rhodes vs Anderson is solid but for the love of God, the feud needs to end. We had a War Games Match and a Dusty Rhodes return for a reason, how do we have these two still fighting? Austin vs Duggan is better than their first match but again, Duggan going over Austin? That championship doesn’t need to be around Duggan’s waist and Austin was climbing the card, it’s fallen apart so very fast with Hogan’s arrival. Nasty Boys vs Stud Stable was fine filler, I am fine with seeing The Nasty Boys in that capacity, it seems The Stud Stable is not going to be the next big faction in WCW without Sid and without Austin, it crumbled fast. Finally, we had Hogan vs Flair which was frustrating to sit through, no blood from Flair should have been a warning sign but Hogan is at his most mighty here, surviving everything that Flair and The Masked Man and Sherri throw at him, truly a God amongst men as he decimates The Nature Boy and it’s so over the top, so comical at times that I just could not get behind it at all. WCW in the span of a number of months is completely different, our top heel now is Brother Bruti and the top faction is led by Kevin Sullivan and consists of Earthquake who will be named Shark soon enough by his side, another man who drew big with Hogan in 1990. I would not recommend this show, it was not great by any stretch and the card is starting to feel much more like WWF lite with the influx of talent and the subsequent changing of style/feel to the product. WCW is in a weird place, let’s see how they finish the year! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!