WCW Fall Brawl 1995 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more forgettable than Shorty G! It’s time for WCW Fall Brawl 1995, it is time for War-Games! The Hulkamania team doing battle against The Dungeon Of Doom, we also have two men facing one another that we thought we would never see, we have Ric Flair vs Arn Anderson, two men who know each other so well. How will this play out? We also have Johnny B. Badd vs Brian Pillman who feel like two men who have been in purgatory for ages at this point, what have they done in this year? We have Cobra vs Sgt. Craig Pittman which should be interesting? And of course the continuation of Harlem Heat vs Bunkhouse Buck & Dirty Dick Slater. War-Games can be hit and miss depending on the talent and how lob-sided the teams are but we shall wait to see how this plays out, let’s get it on!

 

Flyin’ Brian Pillman vs Johnny B. Badd

We are very far removed from The Hollywood Blondes and the TV Championship but I truly am struggling to think of what WCW has done with these two men following 1993 and 1994 respectively. Badd is still super over so how is the man not challenging for championships?

 

Anyways they lock-up, clean break by Badd. Pillman shakes the hand of Baddd, arm-drag from Badd. Pillman takes the back, Badd looks for the switch and gets it. Pillman takes the arm, Badd is caught in the hammerlock before Badd reverses only to be caught with a hip-toss. Side headlock takedown from Pillman, both men dodge one another before trading dropkicks. Lock-up into a wrist-lock, Badd wriggles free and lands an arm-drag. Hammerlock snap-mare counter from Pillman, side headlock takedown by Pillman. Shove off with Pillman arm-dragging Badd, two count. Arm-bar from Pillman, snap-mare but Badd trips Pillman and we have a La Magistral for two. Lock-up again with Badd taking the wrist, Pillman lands a drop toehold and rolls-up Badd for two.

 

Snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock, Badd fights out but Pillman lands a corner head-scissors and a victory roll for two. Badd is caught in a chin-lock again, Badd almost escapes but Pillman starts bringing the pain. Pillman leapfrogs Badd but Badd counters with an arm-drag and a reverse chin-lock. Pillman escapes with a vicious back-breaker for two, Boston crab before Pillman lands a shot to the head. Chop by Pillman, Badd reverses the Irish whip for a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker, Badd stretches the leg of Pillman.

 

Pillman escapes the stretch and pushes Badd, Badd pushes back so Pillman takes Badd to the corner and scores with an elbow that rocks Badd. Badd has his eyes raked across the ropes, Badd batters Pillman out of the ring. Pillman takes a breather and wants to shake hands with Badd. Badd wants none of that, Pillman lands a right hand and clubbing blows. Badd is canned to the outside, Pillman bites the head of Badd. Pillman is bounced off the top turnbuckle, sling-shot leg drop by Badd for two. Reverse chin-lock from Badd, Pillman escapes and both men drop-down and leap-frog before banging heads. Headbutt by Pillman, both men drop down to the mat. Pillman smacks Badd of the turnbuckle again. Pillman looks for a suplex into the ring, Badd reverses and sends Pillman to the floor.

 

Plancha from Badd, both men are spent at this stage but Badd is somewhat in control. Pillman is tossed into the ring, Badd is climbing high but the diving crossbody goes wrong as Pillman nails a dropkick for two. Irish whip but Badd nails a sit-out powerbomb for a close two, Pillman drops Badd with a tombstone piledriver for two. Pillman calls for a tornado DDT, Badd shoves off Pillman for two. Badd goes down for a submission with 2 minutes left in the match, this is where we are really going? Pillman lands a Russian leg-sweep into a stretch, Pillman squeezes but Badd is holding on in this match. Pillman switches holds, going for a seated abdominal stretch. Pillman tries an Irish whip but ducks his head, Badd lands a face-buster and a knock-out left! Pillman is in the ropes, Pillman lands Air Pillman but Badd kicks out, we have a draw!

 

The match continues as we need a number one contender to face Sting, Pillman bites the head of Badd. Badd lands a right hand, make it two. Pillman rolls to the floor but Pillman chops Badd, Badd throws rights hands back at Pillman. Irish whip to the guardrail, Pillman climbs high in the ring. Both men try dropkicks and both men crash to the mat, sleeper from Pillman. Badd is in serious trouble, Pillman has the legs around the body, this is in deep. Badd almost drops the arm three times but survives, rope break and Badd fights out. Sleeper from Badd, Pillman begins to fade but counters with a glorious belly to back suplex. Pillman lifts Badd to the corner, slap from Pillman.

 

Badd blocks though, no suplex here. Badd tries his diving sunset flip for a two and a half! Badd calls for a big manoeuvre, Pillman counters the powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Repeated pins by Pillman but Badd is not going down, Badd reverses an Irish whip but Pillman counters for an attempted sunset flip but Badd counters with a beautiful Samoan drop for two. Badd lifts Pillman to the corner, Bad Day by Badd! 1..2…Pillman kicks out! Badd looks for another top rope move, Pillman smacks Badd and lands a tornado DDT for two! Pillman climbs high, Badd falls into the ropes. Pillman is crotched on the top rope, Pillman is in a dangerous position. Badd tosses Pillman into the guardrail, The Bad Mood connects!

 

Badd tries to pick up the dead-weight of Pillman, Badd looks for a sling-shot splash but Pillman blocks with the knees. Pillman covers for two, Pillman drops Badd across the top rope suplex-style, Badd is wounded. Pillman scores with a suicide dive, springboard clothesline misses for Pillman. Badd covers for two, Irish whip and both men duck one another before they both go for crossbodies and Badd lands on top for the win.

 

Twenty-five minutes of Badd & Pillman, I like both men but I am left scratching my head with this one as to why one of these men will be Sting’s next challenger for the US Championship. Badd has had a rough 1994 and 1995 only slowly beginning to regain that momentum while Pillman hasn’t really regained any of that momentum since The Blondes so the match feels cold to me despite their recent interactions. As for the action, once they start mentioning time, you know where this is going and by God do they stretch it out for that time-limit. Submissions with only two minutes left = high IQ play ladies and gentlemen. I felt the struggle between the two and they have good chemistry but it was a long match to kick off the show. Not sure the crowd was invested to the level which they wanted but they worked hard and I appreciate their efforts!

 

Winner: Johnny B. Badd over Brian Pillman via Crossbody!

 

Cobra vs Sgt. Craig Pittman

Member of the Special Forces Cobra as our babyface against the crazy Sgt. Craig Pittman, a recruit comes to the ring. Looks like Prince Iaukea but I am not sure, Cobra talks trash to the recruit. Pittman rappels down to the ring, Sting be damned! Pittman has bullets, Pittman sneaks into the ring. Fantastic commitment to the gimmick. Cobra is choked with the bandolier of bullets, Pittman is beating the piss out of Cobra before Cobra sends Pittman into the ring-post. Cobra is climbing high, diving crossbody does not work as Pittman dodges with a face-buster. Code-Red which is an arm-bar ends the match.

 

Fuck me that was short? Well, that was the best thing they could do really because Pittman sucks. Did I need to see it on the PPV though? Probably not, what an elaborate entrance for a squash.

 

Winner: Sgt. Craig Pittman over Cobra via Code-Red!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) Diamond Dallas Page W/ Diamond Doll & Maxx Muscle vs The Renegade © W/ Jimmy Hart

Renegade is attacked from behind, elbows and kicks by DDP. Renegade meets the buckle, float-over Russian leg-sweep for two. Headbutt does not work for DDP, DDP falls to the floor and bangs his head off the ring-post. DDP tumbles into the crowd, DDP is back in the ring and begging for mercy. DDP pulls Renegade into the buckle, Renegade reverses DDP and bangs his head off the buckle. Side headlock by Renegade, DDP reverses Renegade and dodges a crossbody. DDP lands elbows to the back of the head and chokes the champion with the top rope. DDP lands a hot-shot on Renegade, swinging neck-breaker. Two for DDP, DDP stomps all over the face of Renegade.

 

Renegade is tossed to the floor but the big man hulks up before DDP kicks him to the floor, shoulder thrust and we have a sunset flip but DDP uses the ropes but Renegade counters for a two. Clothesline by DDP for two, DDP has Renegade down in the corner. Irish whip to the opposite buckle, Renegade dodges and DDP hits the ring-post hard. DDP gets kicked in the head by Renegade, clothesline by Renegade. Make it two, the champion is beginning to fire up. Handspring elbow muta-style and Renegade goes high, DDP is up and eats the double axe-handle for two. Renegade tries a powerslam but DDP lands a massive DDT, two for DDP. Diamond Cutter is blocked as Renegade shoves him into the buckle, schoolboy for two. DDP lands a right hand, Maxx Muscle is on the apron. DDP and Maxx Muscle collide, Renegade lands a powerslam on DDP. Renegade dives onto Muscle, Muscle holds onto the leg of Renegade and DDP lands The Diamond Cutter for the win!

 

Considering the talent in the ring, it wasn’t that bad. DDP is starting to put together an act that is resonating with the people and this is a big win for DDP considering how Renegade has been pushed since debuting in WCW. Future is going to be bright for DDP but let’s see how DDP develops now that a push has finally come his way. As for Renegade, this could be the descent into oblivion for the wrestler and the push.

 

Winner: DDP over Renegade via Diamond Cutter!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Harlem Heat W/ Sister Sherri vs Bunkhouse Buck & Dirty Dick Slater © W/ Colonel Robert Parker

Happy for Buck to have the gold, I am a fan of the man since his feud with Dustin Rhodes while Dick Slater is very fun to watch too. The tag team scene in WCW at this time has been a sore spot for me with Nasty Boys and Harlem Heat seemingly to have the focus on them constantly with neither team putting together matches that would been entertaining unless it was some sort of tornado tag hardcore affair. Harlem Heat don’t seem to be catching on as babyfaces but we shall see how things develop, Slater and Booker to kick us off.

 

Clothesline by Booker to kick us off, Slater is backing up to the corner. Drop toehold and face-lock by Slater, Booker escapes and tags in Stevie Ray who slaps on a side headlock. Tag to Booker, Slater backs Booker to the corner and in comes Buck. Elbows to the neck, Buck tries to stretch Booker who has counters for days and backs Buck into the corner. Tag to Stevie who lands kicks too. Clothesline and choke from Stevie, reverse chin-lock. Buck fights out but Booker is too quick who comes in and takes him down. Reverse chin-lock from Booker, Buck fights out but is hit with a hip-toss and a knee drop for two. Buck rolls away and tags Slater, Slater drills Stevie Ray but Stevie Ray stays strong and lands punches before an inverted atomic drop and neck-breaker takes him down. Two for Slater before Stevie Ray spears him and chokes him with his bandana.

 

Slater back-drops Booker onto the steps, Buck lands a right hand to Booker. Sherri helps Booker up, Slater stomps Booker when he re-enters the ring. Tag to Buck, Buck lands knee after knee to the head of Booker. Tag to Slater who lands kick after kick, Buck gets in some shots too. Russian leg-sweep by Slater for two, Slater wants a piledriver. Booker is spiked, two for Slater. Tag to Buck, Booker is tossed over the top rope behind the referee’s back. Slater slams Booker into the guardrail, Buck lands a big boot on Booker. Booker begins to fight back on Buck, right hand in the corner but Booker misses a turnbuckle kick. In comes Slater who kicks Booker’s head and attacks Stevie Ray, belly to back suplex for two. Slater jabs away at Booker, measured knee-drop for two. In comes Buck who stomps the head of Booker and slaps on a reverse chin-lock.

 

Slater comes back in and applies a Boston crab, the fans seem disinterested in this one. Stevie Ray boots Slater in the head, Buck just takes Slater’s spot and slaps on the single leg Boston crab. Buck Irish whips Booker and lowers his head, Axe Kick from Booker! Tag to Stevie Ray, right hands all around. Scoop slams all around, Slater is clotheslined onto the apron. Powerslam on Stevie Ray, Booker and Slater brawl in the corner. Buck throws Stevie Ray to the apron, Buck and Slater are double-teaming Booker. Double right hand on Booker, Colonel Parker and Sherri are in the second ring, it looks like we might have something going on here. Sherri crawls over to Parker, Parker kisses Sherri while The Nasty Boys smash Slater with the boot and we have new tag team champions.

 

Oh boy, the biggest pop was for Sherri and Colonel Parker kissing. Harlem Heat are champions again so I guess that experiment is over, not sure if we are going back to Nasty Boys vs Harlem Heat but I really hope not, I have seen enough from those two teams. Anyways, Harlem Heat are not delivering for me as babyfaces, I am not sure if that will ever change which means tag team matches might be the toughest watch for me as I continue to watch WCW.

 

Winners: Harlem Heat over Bunkhouse Buck & Dick Slater via Boot To The Head!

 

Ric Flair vs Arn Anderson

Two best friends going to war, Flair & Anderson go back many years, as thick as thieves. Anderson was unwaveringly loyal to Flair, would do anything for him but when things went wrong as Anderson & Flair could not take down Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage or Vader, it was decided the two would do battle inside the ring. They make the match feel big by having wrestlers in the crowd, wanting to see what happens between these two. Big fight feel for sure, Flair does Flair, strutting and trying to throw Anderson off his game. Anderson remains stoic, they lock-up. Shoulder block by Flair, drop toehold by Anderson and slap to the head. Flair squares up to Anderson, side headlock by Anderson.

 

Big shoulder block and shove by Anderson, slap from Anderson. Flair is ruffled by that, Flair rolls to the floor. Flair tries to work the arm but Anderson reverses, knees the arm and slaps Flair. Side headlock into a hammerlock but Anderson reverses the hold, drop toehold into a front chancery but Anderson counters with a hammerlock. Anderson continues to work the arm, Flair trips Anderson but Anderson continues kicking the arm and works into a short-arm scissors. They continue to trade counters before Flair chops down Anderson, second chop takes down Anderson. Whip to the buckle, elbow from Anderson who climbs high. Flair tries stopping Anderson, Anderson lands a right hand and applies the sleeper but Flair knocks Anderson into the buckle.

 

Anderson counters with a middle rope knee to the back, hammerlock scoop slam by Anderson. Flair begs for mercy, Anderson goes into the hammerlock. Flair gets to his feet but Anderson pulls the hair and works the arm, Flair’s arm is smashed into the ring-post. Single arm DDT into a hammerlock, Flair is on his feet and uses Anderson’s trunks to send him to the corner. Chop by Flair, Anderson lands left hands. Flair flip to the apron but Anderson is low-bridged and tumbles to the floor. Flair is on the top rope, there is no way Flair is going to hit this. Diving axe handle to the floor, Flair nails a top rope move! Flair continues chopping Anderson, Flair admires his handy work on the floor. Anderson is on the apron, hot-shot from Flair. Another chop from Flair, Flair pulls down the knee-pad and lands the knee-drop.

 

Flair tries to steal the win with the ropes but Anderson is fighting out, Flair is caught as Anderson lands a knee and left hands. Whip to the buckle, back body-drop for two. Flair kicks Anderson hard in the ribs, Flair dumps Anderson to the floor. Anderson does something to Flair, it is obscured by Anderson’s back. Anderson back-drops Flair on the floor, left hands on the floor by Anderson. Anderson is suplexed on the floor by Flair, a right-hand floors Anderson. Suplex from Flair, stalling suplex that leaves both men down. Flair lands a clothesline for two, sunset flip counter from Anderson but Flair won’t go down. Flair tries a punch and punches the canvas, Anderson staggers to his feet.

 

Flair’s eyes are raked across the top rope, Flair flip into the tree of woe. Anderson stomps and chokes Flair, Anderson calls for the DDT. Flair holds onto the ropes to avoid the DDT, Anderson whacks his head off the canvas. Flair climbs high, Anderson stops that bullshit with a chop. Flair is yanked off, knee-drop by Anderson for two. Anderson calls for the end, Anderson is on the middle rope and eats a clothesline. Figure Four in the middle of the ring but Anderson blocks the foot of Flair but Flair fights through and locks in the hold. Middle of the ring, Anderson screams in pain as Flair almost gets the pin off of Anderson. Anderson finds a second-wind and reverses the hold, Flair has to break the hold. Anderson cannot stand, Flair is struggling too. Massive chop block from Flair, Anderson clutches the knee.

 

Flair is hobbling too, Figure Four is blocked for a small package by Anderson. 1…2… Flair kicks out and chop blocks Anderson, stomp to the knee and chops. Lefts and rights by Flair, Flair tries an Irish whip but Anderson collapses to the canvas. Brian Pillman is on the apron, Pillman decks Flair but Flair strikes back with a right-hand. Pillman kicks Flair in the head and Anderson lands a massive DDT on Flair for the win.

 

Excellent match between two people who know each other so well, these two are absolute masters in the ring and the crowd knows the history between the two, a huge amount of respect between the two men kicks us off with respect but Anderson has no time for Flair’s games which takes this to a whole other level as they continue to tear one another down and the crowd buys into Anderson against Flair as Flair styles and profiles like only he can as they tear one another limb from limb. Tremendous wrestling from both men with a finish that keeps us wanting more as we will see just what Pillman has to do with all of this and what a way to reinvigorate Pillman who I complained earlier was doing nothing in WCW.

 

Winner: Arn Anderson over Ric Flair via DDT!

 

(War-Games Match) The Dungeon of Doom vs The Hulkamaniacs

The Three Faces of Fear a.k.a. The Dungeon of Doom have declared war against The Hulkamaniacs. Lex Luger is here after jumping ship from the WWF, this is a big match. So, we have some of the cheesiest WCW content at this time with Hogan hamming it up to epic proportions. We have Sting, Savage & Luger as his back-up, interesting to know that Vader was meant to be originally part of the match before fucking off out of WCW.

 

If you do not know the rules of this match, this is a two-ring cage match that starts out with two men and continues until every member of each team has entered the ring, who enters is decided by a coin toss giving one team the advantage over the other. The match can only end when everyone has entered the cage and the way to win is by either submission or surrender. I do have to say that Sullivan hams it up to epic proportions in the pre-match vignette.

 

Sting to start with Shark, Shark starts hammering away on Sting. Shark snap-mares Sting and steps all over him, Shark bites the arm of Sting. Shark whips Sting to the buckle, the splash misses. Sting begins attacking Shark who powders to the other ring, Sting dives from the first ring to the second ring. Bearhug from Shark and biting too, Sting begins to fade and fade but manages to escape but Shark is still in control. Shark tries to dive onto Sting but gets caught between the ropes, Sting kicks Shark in the ribs over and over. Sting tries a dive but Shark tosses Sting down, Shark poses on the ropes and Sting crotches the big man. Sting kicks the legs of the big man, scissor-sweep from Sting. Sting wants a Scorpion Death-Lock, Sting turns Shark!

 

The first man will now enter as Team Dungeon of Doom win the coin toss, Zodiac is here but Sting is ready for the fight, Zodiac is kicked down by Sting. Scoop slam and Sting has a Scorpion Death-Lock before Shark lands a clothesline, Shark lands an elbow drop and Zodiac nails an elbow drop too. Leg drop by Shark, Sting lands a clothesline on Shark and Zodiac. Randy Savage comes into the match, Savage axe handles his way through both Zodiac and Shark. Boston crabs for Zodiac, Meng and Kamala are stretching the arm of Sting under the cage. Sting clotheslines Zodiac while Shark tosses Savage into the cage.

 

Kamala is in now, Kamala had beaten Duggan to establish him so yeah big deal here in WCW. Kamala starts clubbing Sting while Savage is being beaten down by Zodiac and Shark. Sting begins fighting back against Kamala but Shark comes in there and attacks Sting, here comes Luger though. Clothesline to Zodiac, clothesline to Kamala & Shark. Zodiac meets the cage, Luger cleans house before Luger hits Savage by mistake. Sting is trying to break up the two men fighting before Meng comes in and starts smacking everything in sight. Luger screams like only Luger can, Meng and Kamala are destroying Luger. Meng chokes the life out of Luger, Zodiac and Kamala batter Sting. Hogan comes in and has powder, the powder is throw into the eyes of all Dungeon of Doom members.

 

Eye-rakes and right hands to the head, Hogan batters Zodiac with right hands and biting to the head. Hogan & Luger throw Kamala into the cage, Zodiac meets the cage too. Meng meets the cage too, Shark meets the cage. Zoadiac meets the cage and is locked in the camel clutch, Zodiac gives up!

 

That’s it? That was tame as all hell! Are you serious? Hogan came in and did nothing but throw people into the cage and a camel clutch like that ends the match? Thank God for Anderson vs Flair because this was brutal, War-Games without blood is always a tough-sell but this was so comical in a way that this was meant to be this big main event but it was just so pedestrian. I felt this was genuinely insulting as a main event, could Hogan half-ass it as much as this? I didn’t think it was possible but it’s WCW in 1995 and the business in 1995 is not a pretty sight. I really do not know what else to say, it’s just there like so much of what Hogan has done in WCW. After the match, Hogan has Sullivan in the cage, beats on him for an eternity before Giant lumbers out and puts down Hogan setting up their match. Bleh

 

Winners: Team Hulkamaniacs over The Dungeon of Doom via Submission!

 

That was WCW’s Fall Brawl 1995, a middle of the road PPV from WCW. I have been harsh on the product, voicing my disdain for the direction of the company and the overhaul of talent with many 1993/1994 favourites like Regal, Pillman, Austin and Badd being pushed out or released in favour of Duggan, Kamala and more but I must say this PPV did not bother me majorly. We kick off with Badd vs Pillman that has a little meat to it but mostly is two guys going at it killing time so they can do sudden death, they have good chemistry and I would say the loss for Pillman did nothing to hurt him because he was already going nowhere in the company but with the angle that comes later in the show, this loss was definitely not going to hurt Pillman who finally looks like he will be back on track to be a big star in the company. Cobra vs Pittman and DDP vs Renegade are mercifully short so they are inoffensive and do little to sour my mood while watching the PPV, do they deserve to be on PPV? No but they weren’t horribly long so I will take them, Harlem Heat vs Buck & Slater is in an awkward spot because the crowd only wants to see Sherri and Parker and Harlem Heat are just so rough around the edges as babyfaces that it is not working.

 

Anderson vs Flair is everything that you could want from two old friends fighting for the first time ever, the history is there and the crowd is hot. Both men shine with their strengths on full-display and of course, Flair is going to make Anderson look like a threat and a huge big deal, the finish adds another interesting layer to what is going on here, what could be Pillman’s issue with Flair? Were Anderson & Pillman planning this attack? Does Anderson know his win over Flair was tainted? So many questions packed into an awesome match that just left me wanting more, excellent wrestling between the two. Finally, we come to the most timid and tame War-Games I have ever seen, it is a disgrace to the concept as Hogan walks out there, does a little work with the cage and slaps on the camel clutch and just like that, Dungeon of Doom vanquished once more. A one match pay per view when all is said and done but still more watchable than more recent efforts from WCW. Thanks for reading and checking out the page and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Spring Stampede 1994 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that tears the house down more than a Young Bucks vs Lucha Bros match! It’s time for WCW Spring Stampede 1994! We have big matches like Stunning Steve Austin defending his US Championship against The Great Muta? The Boss takes on Vader as Vader looks for revenge following the main event of Superbrawl! Lord Steven Regal defends against Brian Pillman and Ric Flair to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Ricky Steamboat! With Flair at the helm, WCW looks to turn things around, Superbrawl was rough but maybe things will change now! Let’s find out!

 

Johnny B. Badd vs Diamond Dallas Page

DDP is coming to the ring with Kimberly so this is their first PPV appearance together which is a nice to see, Kimberly Page was beautiful. DDP jumps Badd to begin the match, right hands but the clothesline misses. O’Connor roll from Badd for two, clothesline to the floor. Badd works the arm, DDP pulls the hair to take control. Arm-wrench into a suplex for two, Badd turns away and works the hammerlock into a full-nelson like pin. DDP elbows his way out and lands a shoulder block, Badd kicks off DDP and lands an arm-drag. DDP elbows Badd and lands a huge belly to back suplex, DDP walks around like he is the man. DDP lands a massive gut-wrench, two for DDP. Reverse chin-lock, Badd escapes and lands a belly to back suplex. Shots to the ribs, inverted atomic drop and back body drop. Head-scissors, Left Hook from Badd. Plancha to the floor from Badd, diving sunset flip for the win from Badd!

 

This was quite brief, Badd is starting to look like a threat and someone credible inside of that ring, it’s nice to see considering I have seen him do nothing special since his debut. DDP will improve with time but was serviceable here. Solid opening match, good start to the show.

 

Winner: Johnny B. Badd over DDP via Diving Sunset Flip!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) Lord Steven Regal © W/ Sir William vs Flyin’ Brian Pillman

The time-limit draw king, the king of stalling taking on Brian Pillman who has picked up wins over Steve Austin but finds himself challenging for the TV championship. Pillman jumps Regal, kicks to the injured knee and right hands to the head. Regal tries a tackle but Pillman is too quick and pummels Regal who begs for mercy, slap from Pillman. Regal is bounced off the canvas, Japanese arm-drag from Pillman and Regal powders. Regal is bounced off the guardrail arm-first, the champion might be in dire straits. Hammerlock from Pillman, Regal is sent into the ring-post. Great arm work and babyface fire from Pillman so far, Regal is selling his ass off too.

 

Chops from Pillman, Regal rakes his eyes. European uppercuts and Regal takes the arm, Regal catches Pillman with an over-the-shoulder throw for two. Regal starts smacking the spine, Pillman elbows back at the champion. Argentine back-breaker from Regal, Pillman kicks off the buckle and lands a small package for two. Regal grabs the leg and applies the STF, uppercuts from Regal. Pillman blocks an uppercut but Regal counters Pillman’s counter, variation of the Romero special from Regal. Right hands from Pillman, Regal smashes the back of Pillman. Powerbomb attempt countered into a hurricanrana from Pillman, two for the challenger. Pillman runs into a rolling fireman’s carry for two, the Regal works the stretch again on the canvas. Are we heading toward time-limit territory? I feel it coming and I am getting scared for sure, surely not again though?

 

Bow & arrow from Regal, Pillman escapes the hold and lands big right hands. Regal comes back with a grab of the leg, takedown and Regal looks for the single leg Boston crab. Indian death-lock from Regal back into another stretch, Pillman fights out and lands a massive chop. Regal rolls-up Pillman for two, Regal goes back into the hold on the mat. Pillman fights out, right hands and headbutts all around. Regal has control, more beat-down work from Regal. Pillman lands a desperation dropkick, chop from Pillman. Regal stops a hurricanrana, Pillman twists off Regal. Enzuigiri from Pillman, could this be the challenger’s chance?

 

Regal avoids the monkey flip with a shove, Regal misses a knee-drop. Sir William checks the time, Regal dives off the middle rope into a dropkick from Pillman. Pillman rallies the crowd, chops from Pillman and a back body drop. Regal is chopped again, ten punches in the corner. Irish whip reversed by Regal, Regal is tripped up and both men tumble to the floor off of a diving crossbody. Pillman cannot pin Regal in time as the time-limit expires!

 

It started well for sure, Regal was bumping all around for Pillman and I was intrigued but then it went back to a formula I am far too familiar with at this point with Regal wasting time with lengthy rest-holds before the drama ramps up for the last 2 minutes. Very disappointing because if we are to invest in Pillman, we need a big win while Regal’s television champion reign has to end soon, there has to be a pay-off so please I am begging you WCW do not mess this up!

 

Time-Limit Expires!

 

(WCW Tag Team Championship Chicago Street Fight Match) The Nasty Boys © vs Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne

These two teams had a great little match the last time around and I was stunned, I only liked Cactus but Payne has grown on me after that match. This is Falls Count Anywhere so that should make this very interesting, brawling galore which should play to everyone’s strengths. It starts on the ramp with weapons, Knobbs wipes out Cactus with a shovel or broom while in the ring, Payne uranages Sags. Cactus waffles Knobbs with the pool stick, Cactus clothesline to the floor. Sags batters Payne with a chair on the floor, Knobbs hits the guardrail hard before Sags waffles Cactus with a chair-shot. Cactus has the chair, Sags goes down hard. Knobbs saves his partner but Payne is here, the challengers are beating down the champions. Knobbs clotheslines Cactus into the ring, Sags attacks Cactus in the ring. Payne and Knobbs are fighting up the ramp, headbutt from Payne.

 

Payne and Knobbs battle to the souvenir stands, tables are being thrown. Cactus is biting Sags at ringside, Knobbs smashes a trash can on the head of Payne. Sags smashes Cactus with a chair in the crowd, we have a split-screen feature which is making this difficult to call, Cactus cracks Sags with a chair. Payne slams Knobbs through the souvenir table, Payne shoves the Nasty Boy t-shirt down the throat of Knobbs, Payne looks for the win but gets two. The Nasty Boys now have a table, Payne kicks out of a pin at two. Cactus has Sags on the ramp, what will happen now? Neck-breaker on the ramp, Cactus suplexes the table onto the legs of Sags. Knobbs comes out of nowhere and waffles Cactus with a shovel, Payne cracks Knobbs with the shovel. Low blow by Knobbs, Sags wanted a piledriver on the table but the table breaks messing up the spot so Cactus is shoved off the ramp and cracks his head off the floor. Sags has a shovel and waffles Cactus in the head, it’s over!

 

That was brutal, holy shit why would Cactus do that over a blown spot? Cactus has taken a number of bumps that have made me think that was stupid but did he really just ask Sags to shove him off the ramp only to get waffled in the face with a shovel? Insane it’s a great brawl but those two bumps are absolutely ridiculous I cannot believe what I just saw. Great tag match with a very violent end, perhaps too much.

 

Winners: The Nasty Boys over Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne via Shovel to the Head!

 

(WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Stunning Steve Austin © W/ Colonel Rob Parker vs The Great Muta

Living off that 1989 run I see, Muta is here to battle for the championship and Muta was on top of the world in NJPW during this era so I cannot see this ending with Austin picking up the win over the bigger star in Muta, this could easily be a draw.

 

Austin is cautious with Muta throwing kicks, Muta grabs a full-nelson but Austin is quick to the ropes. Austin and Muta trade wristlocks, side headlock from Muta. Austin is in the ropes again, we reset. Austin trips up Muta and stomps all over Muta, side headlock from the champion. Drop-downs and leapfrogs before Muta has the abdominal stretch. Muta takes the back, Austin tries to escape. Roll-up from Muta for two, side headlock takedown from the challenger. Seems like we could be going draw territory, side headlock takedown again from Muta. Shoulder block and dropkick by Muta, side headlock takedown again. They continue to mat wrestle with Muta out-performing Austin. Really slow stuff here, not much to get the fans excited for which is criminal considering who is in the ring. Muta tries some sort of full-nelson pin hold but Austin rolls out of the way.

 

Austin manages to send Muta to the floor, Muta is focused on Parker so Austin axe handles Muta and sends Muta into the guardrail. Abdominal stretch from Austin, Austin uses the ropes for leverage. Muta hip-tosses out of the hold, Austin is chopped and chopped. Austin hangs onto the ropes to avoid a dropkick, middle rope elbow drop from Austin for two. Austin chokes Muta on the bottom rope, Parker gets in a punch while Austin deals with the referee. Muta blocks the buckle, Austin meets the buckle. Spinning sole butt from Muta, back body drop from Muta. Suplex by Muta, Parker is freaking out at ringside. Muta lands a dropkick, Austin avoids the diving missile dropkick from the challenger.

 

Austin applies a rolling cradle looking for a toe-hold, it doesn’t come together. Not sure what it was meant to be, Stun-Gun from Muta! Handspring elbow by Muta, frankensteiner from Muta. Parker is smacked off the apron, Muta back-drops Austin to the floor and we have a DQ. Muta planchas onto both and that’s it!

 

What a shame, it was dull from start until the last minute with Muta working that style where you know the draw is coming from a mile away, why bring him in? Why not have Pillman fight Austin? Why? Pointless, a waste of both men and their talents!

 

Winner: Stunning Steve Austin over Great Muta via DQ!

 

(WCW International World Championship Match) Ravishing Rick Rude © vs Sting

The championship billed as equal to the world championship is defended as the two men who have been feuding for months finally lock up inside of the ring. Rick Rude has a habit of having shitty matches with first time singles match opponents so hopefully, Rude breaks that streak against Sting. Harley Race comes out and says Vader will face the winner, Rude watches on as Sting sends Race to the floor and after that, Sting back-drops Rude to a monster reaction. Rude is clotheslined to the floor, Sting is in pursuit. Suplex on the floor, Rude is screaming out in pain.

 

Rude begs for mercy, right hands from Sting. Sting rakes the back in the ring, front chancery from the challenger. Sting lands a scoop slam and a massive elbow drop, Rude grabs onto the referee showing his confusion. Sting gets a two, Sting slaps on the front chancery again. Both men giving one another wedgies basically now with Sting returning the favour as Rude tried it first, Rude works the ribs with massive rib shots. Rude steps on the toes of Sting, Rude is down to his knees with this front chancery spot going on and on. Very odd to see Sting in control like this, we going to pick up the pace soon? Rude crotches Sting on the top rope and clothesline Sting to the floor, Sting is rammed into the ring apron and the ramp. Rude works the ribs with forearms and a belly to back suplex.

 

Rude poses with the fans being pissed, camel clutch from Rude. Sting tries firing up but Rude drops his weight on Sting and flexes, Sting gets caught again in the hold. Victory roll counters by both men before Rude cracks Sting with forearms, Sting kicks Rude but Rude keeps coming. Sleeper from Rude, Sting survives the hold. Right hands by Rude, Sting is shaking off the attacks though. Rude tries running away, atomic drop and inverted atomic drops. Clothesline with Rude’s ass hanging out, back-drop from Sting. Rude is whipped into the referee and we have a Stinger Splash! Scorpion Death-Lock! Sting tries waking the referee at the same time, Harley Race is here and back-dropped into the ring. Vader is here too, these two feuding again? My heart! Vader is knocked to the floor with Race, Rude chop-blocks Sting. Vader has a chair, Rude wants the Rude Awakening. Lots of standing around, what is going on? Rude Awakening is missed as Race cracks Rude in the back of the head. Sting covers for the win!

 

What was going on between Vader and Race at the end? I would say it upset the flow but I would be lying, I cannot fathom how Sting is not a world champion honestly how he was shoved to the side for Flair and Hogan which I will experience very soon will confuse me because he gets the biggest of reactions and is beloved by all. Rude has been one of my favourites since coming over to WCW but his matches have been hit and miss but I will point out my love for The Dangerous Alliance here and his match with Ricky Steamboat at Beach Blast which was one of the best matches I have seen in quite some time so there’s a bit of a love/hate thing going on with Rude and me but I loved the gimmick, loved his faction and I am sorry about how his career ended.

 

Winner: Sting over Rick Rude via Chair to The Head!

 

(Bunkhouse Rules Match) Dustin Rhodes vs Bunkhouse Buck W/ Colonel Rob Parker

Haven’t really been given too much insight into this angle, Rhodes is sliding down the card following his disappointing reign as United States Champion, I am not sure what the purpose of the Stud Stable is at this point because they are not the dominant faction in WCW. This match starts hot with Rhodes diving over the top rope and landing a flying lariat, slaps and right hands. Flying lariat from Rhodes, suplex into the ring for two. Rhodes knocks Buck to the floor, Buck looks out of it. Both men slugging it out with Rhodes winning the exchange, Bionic Elbow on the floor and a lovely elbow to the groin.

 

Right hands from Rhodes, Buck misses a clothesline but Rhodes misses a flying crossbody. Rhodes holds his knee on the floor, Parker chokes Rhodes on the floor. Buck has a 2X4 and cracks Rhodes across the spine, a vicious shot right to the head. Rhodes gets colour, Buck lands a clothesline and Rhodes takes the inside-out bump on the ramp. Buck chokes Rhodes with his suspenders, scoop slam by Buck. Stomp right to the head from Buck, again and again. Buck slams the leg of Rhodes off the ring apron, the leg is smashed off the ring-post. Rhodes kicks away at Buck, Rhodes throws powder into the eyes of Buck. Buck takes off his belt and whips Rhodes in the face with the belt, it sounds horrific.

 

Buck continues to destroy Rhodes, Buck is making quite the name for himself in my eyes. Rhodes fights back from his knees but Buck lands an eye-rake, kick to the groin from Buck. Buck kicks Rhodes right in the groin, boot in the head. Buck misses a boot as Rhodes dodges, Rhodes kicks Buck hard in the back who is on the buckle laid out. Bionic Elbow to the chin, Rhodes took off his belt. Around his fist goes the belt, the belt smacks off the face of Buck who is bleeding now. Rhodes clocks Buck over and over, Rhodes takes off his boot and goes to the middle rope. Boot to the head from Rhodes, Buck has his shirt stripped away and Rhodes goes crazy with the belt. Bionic Elbow and Rhodes clotheslines Buck to the floor.

 

Atomic drop by Rhodes, Bionic Elbows in the corner to Buck but there is something in the glove of Buck, whip to the buckle. Corner clothesline and Corner Bulldog from Rhodes, Parker distracts Rhodes. Suplex into the ring from Rhodes, Buck is recovering though. Rhodes whips Parker with his belt, Parker is tossed to the floor. Roll-up for two from Buck, Rhodes tees off and destroys Buck with rights and lefts. A right hand decks Buck, two for Rhodes. Irish whip reversed by Buck, Rhodes kicks away Buck. Parker hands Buck a foreign object as the referee argues with Parker, one right hand later and Buck wins this match.

 

Great match, loved the brawling between the two. Rhodes and Bucks bring an intensity to this match where they just beat the shit out of one another. The blood is beautiful, the whipping with the belts is tremendous and I really enjoyed this one. Lots of great visuals throughout this match, just a lot of fun. Great way to establish Buck with a win, looking forward to the future matches between these two, if it is good as this match, I will be raving once again.

 

Winner: Bunkhouse Buck over Dustin Rhodes via Brass Knuckles!

 

The Boss vs Vader W/ Harley Race

The Boss cost Vader the opportunity to become WCW World Heavyweight Championship, Boss has added nothing to WCW since joining in my opinion but the high-profile matches continue for The Boss. We start on the ramp, Vader bulldozes Race as Boss avoids the splash, Boss lands uppercut after uppercut before a clothesline into the ring. Gut shots from Boss, big boot staggers Vader. Right hand sends Vader to the ramp, Vader out-guns Boss. Short-arm clothesline from Vader, Vader dives over the top rope for a splash but Boss blocks with his knees. Boss clotheslines Vader to the floor, Vader is sent into the guardrail and into the crowd. Right hands by The Boss, corner splash connects with Boss winding up for another big right hand.

 

Scoop slam from Boss, right hands and clubbing blows from Vader. Boss lands an eye poke but Vader continues kicking back, low kick and headbutt from Boss. Vader back-drops Boss to the floor in a worrying spot, Boss saved his own life I believe there by grabbing the ropes. Race lands two shots behind the referee’s back, Vader’s eye is all fucked up and bleeding. Suplex into the ring, Vader tees-off in the corner but Boss comes back with rights of his own. Vader has a side headlock but Boss lands a belly to back suplex. Boss lands a massive clothesline, Vader lands a boot and a clothesline of his own.

 

Vader is on the middle rope, too slow as Boss slams Vader down in an ugly looking spot. Boss looks for a superplex? Holy shit, they are going for a few big spots in here. Middle rope DDT for two! Boss lands a diving shoulder block, Boss climbs high again. Powerslam counter by Vader, Vader Bomb connects and Boss somehow kicks out! Vader decides it is time for The Vadersault and this is over!

 

What a match, was not expecting this to be as fun as this but these two big bastards took some of the nastiest bumps I have seen in a while and they gave it to one another here. From the middle rope DDT to the Vader Bomb to the powerslams and suplexes to the final Vadersault. These two men destroy one another in epic fashion, there is blood and a swollen eye for Vader. Exactly what you would want from two animals destroying one another, these two last matches have been a lot of fun.

 

Winner: Vader over The Boss via Vadersault!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Ric Flair © vs Ricky The Dragon Steamboat

So this is a little strange for obvious reasons, I do not know where Ricky Steamboat was during most of 1993, they had Steamboat lose his partner in Douglas so Steamboat had to work against Regal and Orndorff, unfairly being left out of the big matches in my opinion because Steamboat had so much to offer so to relegate Steamboat to not being on PPV was wild to me. I am curious as to why these two are facing one another other than Flair wants to work against a man who he knows he will have a classic with. It’s been a wild since I have seen the trilogy but I am sure this will be just as good.

 

We kick off with Flair tripping Steamboat, Steamboat wriggles free. Side headlock into a hammerlock by Flair, Steamboat continues to wriggle free before a clean break. Lock-up and side headlock takedown by Flair but Steamboat head-scissors his way out so Flair has to bridge out, Flair respects Steamboat who is going hold for hold as anticipated. Lock-up and side headlock from Steamboat, shoulder block rocks Flair. Takedown from Steamboat, Flair scrambles but is taken down with a side headlock. Shoves and slaps with Steamboat winning that exchange, drop-downs and leapfrogs before Steamboat military presses Flair. Beautiful head-scissors, make it double. Dropkick by Steamboat and a dropkick sends Flair to the floor.

 

Flair and Steamboat are in the middle of the ring, Flair grabs the hair but Steamboat comes up time and time again. They are trading chops, another slap from Steamboat. Side headlock takedown from Steamboat, shoulder block and side headlock again from Steamboat. More shoulder blocks and side headlocks, Flair shoves Steamboat to the corner. Chop before Steamboat lands a hip-toss, head-scissors and a side headlock takedown once more. Shoulder blocks and Steamboat skins the cat and rolls-up Flair for two. Back into the side headlock takedown, Flair goes low with a knee and chops the challenger. Flair lands a shoulder block but Steamboat drops Flair with a toe-hold into a front chancery.

 

Flair is back-dropped by Steamboat, Steamboat misses a dropkick. Closed fist to the face by Flair, chops in the corner. Snap-mare into the knee-drop, another snap-mare into the knee-drop. 4 cover attempts by Flair but Steamboat continues to kick out much to Flair’s frustration! They chop one another, Flair in control. Steamboat chops down Flair, Flair begs for mercy. Right hands and chops, Irish whip but Flair ducks and lands a flying crossbody with both men crashing to the floor. Flair is back-dropped on the floor after a failed piledriver, Steamboat is whipped into the guardrail by the champion. Flair flip to the apron and Steamboat chops Flair to the floor, Steamboat lands a diving chop to the head.

 

Flair begs for mercy, ten punches and chops in the corner. Cover for two, Flair sends Steamboat to the floor. Slingshot sunset flip is countered with a right hand by Flair, knee-drop is blocked by The Dragon. Figure four leg-lock by Steamboat, Steamboat pulls Flair to the middle of the ring. Eye-poke by Flair to survive, they trade pin-fall attempts. Flair begs for mercy again, chops from Flair. Steamboat is weathering that storm, massive chops and right hands. Irish whip and double chop, Flair is on the apron. Steamboat looks for a suplex, Flair blocks with both men on the ramp. Steamboat chops Flair into the ring, corner chops. Flair flip to the floor, Steamboat misses a chop from the apron as Flair blocks with his feet.

 

Steamboat chops down Flair, Steamboat lands his Diving Crossbody for two. Flair kicks out, Steamboat misses a chop and eats a clothesline from The Nature Boy. Snap-mare, Flair is climbing high. Steamboat catches Flair and yanks him to the mat. Steamboat misses a diving top rope splash, clutching his knees. Flair is going to go to work, figure four is blocked though by Steamboat. Flair kicks Steamboat in the face to apply the hold, Figure Four Leg-Lock from the champion! Steamboat makes it to the ropes, Flair knees the leg hard. Snap-mare, Flair looks for it again. Small package counter for two, Steamboat has the backslide for another close two. Chops by The Dragon, Steamboat places Flair on the top rope. Superplex off the top rope, massive manoeuvre from the challenger.

 

O’Connor roll from Steamboat for a close two, Flair misses a belly to back suplex. Chicken-wing hold from Steamboat, it’s been forever since we have seen this hold! Steamboat drops down tiger-suplex style and the referee begins to count, we have a controversial decision here as we are not sure who has won the championship. Both men have their shoulders down so Flair retains the championship due to that fact.

 

Fantastic match between the two as usual, these two killed it on this night. It is not their classics from 1989 but it’s still leagues better than a lot of things you would have seen during this era. Steamboat and Flair work in all their classic stuff, it’s drawn out and dramatic. Flair is in a familiar role working the heel style and going back to his old tactics while Steamboat is one of the greatest babyfaces of all-time with Steamboat showing all that fire that I love, these guys kick all sorts of ass in this match. Crowd is with them all the way, so happy to see Steamboat be allowed to do what he does best again in WCW, Steamboat should always be hovering around the main event and having classics because The Dragon can still go. Great match, good controversial finish that leaves us open to a rematch between the two, probably won’t be revisited with Hogan coming in but I am glad I got to see these two tear it up inside the ring again.

 

Winner: Ric Flair over Ricky Steamboat via Referee’s Decision!

 

That was WCW’s Spring Stampede 1994, a good and bad PPV from WCW. Let me be clear in saying this might be the best PPV I have seen in about a year or longer from this company. 1993 was abysmal for WCW PPV wise but the mistakes of the previous year are being corrected and I am all for it so far. We kick things off simple enough with Badd vs DDP, Badd is getting over finally and showing promise, that is good to see. The TV Championship match had a hot start but it faded as time went on, you could see the draw coming and it’s such a regular occurrence with Regal that it just has no impact on me anymore. I have seen it more than once, I have seen matches go down to the last 30 seconds. I would like to see Regal drop the championship now so we can see something different. The Chicago Street Fight is a great brawl, four men beating the crap out of each other and the finish is sickening, I have turned a corner on Payne & Cactus Jack, I am shocked how much I love the team but this match worked on this night and the stars aligned. Muta vs Austin is awful, nothing happens its like Steamboat vs Flair without the urgency or passion. Headlocks to kill time, the finish is lame.

 

Sting vs Rick Rude is not great but by God have they finally put a championship on Sting, I am all for it. It’s been too long and way too many tag matches, Sting is their most popular star and should be champion. After that match, the card just gets taken to another level. Rhodes vs Bunkhouse is a great brawl, Rhodes has been lacklustre for me for a little while now, I was pissed about the feud with Windham not happening and how the Rude feud played out but here we have something personal and Rhodes is fired up, the blood is great and the belt shots are great and the finish leaves the babyface Rhodes searching for revenge. Quality stuff there, it continues with The Boss vs Vader. Two big men who hit hard, it should not be this good but I was going wild by the end. Vadersault is the icing on the cake, Vader continues to be booked strong after the world championship which is important to me and then, we have the main event. Another classic chapter written in the Steamboat vs Flair book, great from bell to bell. Great end to the PPV! So you can see, ups and downs but a much better experience than what happened in 1993, this could be a good year for WCW. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Superbrawl 1994 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is more gruesome than Cody Rhodes’ torn pec muscle! It’s time for WCW Superbrawl IV headlined by Thundercage matches featuring Vader vs Ric Flair for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and we also have a six-man Thundercage match featuring Rick Rude, Stunning Steve Austin and Paul Orndorff taking on Sting, Dustin Rhodes and Brian Pillman! We also have the tag team championships on the line as The Nasty Boys take on Cactus and Maxx Payne while Arn Anderson challenges Lord Steven Regal for the WCW Television Championship! Let’s get it on, the big news going into this one is that Ric Flair has taken over from Dusty Rhodes as booker so can Flair turn this tide?

 

Harlem Heat vs Thunder & Lightning

They might be Kane and Kole but for me they are Booker and Stevie Ray, these two burst onto the scene in WCW during The Shockmaster debacle and proceeded to job out during Battle Bowl and possibly Halloween Havoc but I am not so sure they made more than one PPV appearance after the collapse of their alliance with Sid as Sid was released by WCW due to the Anderson stabbing incident. They are taking on two men in singlets and tassels, I cannot imagine this will be a long match. Booker starts the match slapping one of the men, it is Lightning. Booker works the arm with a wristlock before Lightning turns the tide, Booker rolls through and kips-up into his own hammerlock. Lightning reverses and Booker goes to the ropes, Booker takes the back.

 

Lightning takes the back and applies a hammerlock, snap-mare and tag to Thunder. Top wristlock from Thunder, Booker uses an eye-rale and tags in Stevie Ray. Arm-drag, Thunder and Lightning use quick tags to mess up Stevie Ray. Stevie Ray punishes Lightning with rights, tag to Booker and back to the arm-drag. Tag to Thunder, gut punch and knee-lift for two. Thunder is tapped on the back by Stevie Ray, Booker clotheslines Thunder to the floor. Stevie Ray sends Thunder into the guard-rail, Booker is begging the boy to come back into the ring. Tag to Stevie Ray, quick tags by Harlem Heat. Flying forearm by Booker, stomps to the chest and face from Booker for two. Snap-mare and neck crank from Booker, Thunder escapes and lands a sunset flip but Booker had tagged in Stevie Ray who clubs down Thunder. Booker misses a diving top rope elbow, can Thunder make the tag? In comes Lightning, right hands for both. Scoop slams and dropkicks, Booker eats a belly to belly suplex with Stevie Ray making the save. Match breaks down, Thunder is with the referee. O’Connor roll from Lightning but Stevie Ray kicks Lightning right in the head and Booker covers for the win.

 

Standard tag team match, Harlem Heat have some really good looking gear here for the first time and their personalities shine through but still very rough around the edges while I have no idea who Thunder and Lightning are but I hope they no longer grace my computer screen on PPV because there is nothing remotely interesting about these two guys.

 

Winners: Harlem Heat over Thunder & Lightning via Kick to The Head!

 

The Equalizer vs Jungle Jim Steele

Everyone’s favourite groupie The Equalizer who was passed down from Rick Rude to Paul Orndorff to Harlem Heat to whoever was unlucky enough to not have any friends in the company against the man that would become Wolf Hawkfield in AJPW. Steele lands two arm-drags and Equalizer is not happy, kicks to the ribs from Equalizer and Steele is rammed off the buckle. Equalizer is rammed off the buckle over and over, Steele works the arm. Roll-up for two, Steele goes back to the arm. Steele almost lands a monkey flip but Equalizer holds onto the ropes, scoop slam and leg drop by Equalizer. Steele is tossed to the floor, Equalizer continues to dominate in the ring. Steele tries a crucifix pin, two for Steele. Equalizer is whipped to the buckle, boot counter from Equalizer. Equalizer rakes at the face and sends Steele to the floor, Steele lands a shoulder block. Equalizer meets the buckle, atomic drop. Ugly dropkick,  clothesline by Steele. The Steele trap which is a Lou Thesz Press and it is over!

 

Oh boy that was rough, why must WCW insist on feeding me these rough matches at the start of their shows? Thunder and Lightning followed by Jungle Jim Steele? Can you stop taking the piss WCW? Thanks, this was about 6 minutes and it felt triple that, it’s time for Equalizer to go.

 

Winner: Jungle Jim Steele over The Equalizer via Steele Trap!

 

Diamond Dall Page W/ The Diamond Doll vs Terry Taylor

What is going on here? These two I have not seen for two years, DDP has not be seen since managing The Freebirds while Terry Taylor is no longer Terrence Taylor and The York Corporation is a distant memory. DDP tries throwing a boot but Taylor catches it and lands massive right hands, spinning kick to the face. Taylor lands a gut-wrench for two, wristlock from Taylor. Cross arm-breaker from Taylor, DDP reaches the ropes and rolls to the floor. DDP slaps the arm trying to recover, the doll helps with poor DDP’s arm but Taylor goes to work and wrenches the arm over and over. Knees to the arm, Taylor continues working the arm. Side headlock by DDP, clothesline by Taylor for two.

 

Elbow counter by DDP, Taylor is bounced off the buckle. Shoulder thrusts from DDP, DDP kicks the ribs of Taylor and talks some serious trash. DDP lands his gut-wrench and Taylor crumbles on the canvas, elbow drop from DDP for two. Cobra clutch from DDP to wear down Taylor, Taylor shakes off DDP. Clothesline by DDP for two, sleeper from DDP but Taylor slips out for a belly to back suplex. Dropkick by Taylor, Taylor lowers his head off an Irish whip so DDP counters with a face-buster. Reverse chin-lock from DDP, Taylor escapes and lands a flying crossbody for two. DDP lands a massive right hand, two for DDP. Irish whip to the buckle, DDP lands a shoulder thrust to the ribs. DDP whips Taylor to the buckle, Taylor dodges the corner splash and rolls-up DDP for the win.

 

Oh boy the hits keep on coming don’t they? DDP is as green as they come at this point in his career so it is up to Taylor to make this compelling, it’s alright at the end of the day but after the previous two matches I had to watch, my patience is running quite thin with the old WCW. This is your way to kick off 1994 PPV? Come on WCW do better!

 

Winner: Terrence Taylor over DDP via Roll-Up!

 

Johnny B. Badd vs Jimmy Garvin W/ Michael P.S. Hayes

Oh my good lord, Jimmy Garvin??? What is going on with WCW? Originally, we were meant to have Badd vs Hayes which would have been wild because I haven’t seen Michael Hayes since 1992 as the manager of Bobby Eaton and Arn Anderson after The Dangerous Alliance went belly-up. Jimmy Garvin left before that so seeing Garvin is a shock also, what is going on with this company?

 

Side headlock takedown by Badd, Garvin counters with a head-scissors, on my lord they are stalling like they always use to do during their matches. Side headlock by Badd, hammerlock into a side headlock takedown. Badd works the arm and Garvin continues to scream out in pain, they trade hammerlocks and arm-bars for the next three minutes with Garvin stalling and using the hair to escape when possible. Garvin shoves Badd to the corner, knees in the corner and right hands by Garvin. Whip to the buckle with Badd reversing, boot to the face from Garvin. Snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock from Garvin, Badd escapes but runs into a massive knee. Badd comes back into it with kicks and right hands, back body-drop. Garvin gets caught with an uppercut, Badd climbs to the top rope. Diving sunset flip for the win.

 

Dull and lifeless, I honestly not sure what I have done to have so many bad matches in a row to kick off a PPV, why is Garvin putting over a new finish called the 9-1-1? The guy is retired, what is this all about? What was accomplished here? Badd’s popularity continues to baffle me, the relentless assault of arm-bars sucked me right out of this match, I am hoping things pick up eventually.

 

Winner: Johnny B. Badd over Jimmy Garvin via Diving Sunset Flip!

 

(WCW Television Championship Match) Lord Steven Regal © W/ Sir William vs Arn Anderson

Arn Anderson’s career after the end of The Dangerous Alliance has been interesting, the man teeters on being important and irrelevant which is crazy considering how reliable his work is and how Anderson can be used to get over new talent. From teaming with Bobby Eaton to jerking the curtain to teaming with Flair to teaming with Roma to being left off PPVs, Arn Anderson’s career certainly is interesting in those last few years.

 

Regal has his left leg taped up, Regal has beaten back the likes of Bulldog and Steamboat but a lot of victories were time-limit draws, I sincerely hope I am not in for another draw because I might just give up on reviewing this PPV for a while. They lock-up and Anderson hurts the neck and ears of Regal, Anderson looks at Regal as if to say, “Are you for real brother?”. Regal and Sir William talk strategy, side headlock by Anderson. Regal’s ears are sore now, Regal is not happy with Anderson. Regal uses his skills to work the arm, Anderson reverses the hold and trips up Regal. Kicks to the arm from Anderson, Regal is not happy. Test of strength, Anderson kicks the ribs and trips up Regal and more arm-work from the challenger.

 

Regal uses his leg to take down Anderson and works the arm, hammerlock with a face-lock. Hammerlock counter from Anderson, hammerlock scoop slam by the challenger. Regal asks for the time, they lock-up with Anderson pushing Regal to the corner. Shoulder thrusts from Anderson, hammerlock with knees to the arm. Regal has his arm sent into the ring-post, Anderson chases down Sir William. Regal asks for the time again, Regal re-enters the ring and rocks Anderson with a forearm, Regal has a cravate-hold on Anderson with Anderson struggling to escape the hold. Back body-drop by Anderson, two for the challenger.

 

Anderson stretches the arm, Regal tries rolling to the floor to waste more time. Classic Regal, Anderson gives Regal a breather before grabbing that arm. Regal has his arm smashed over the top rope, Regal hooks the ropes to avoid being pinned. Eye-rake by Regal, headbutt by the champion. Sir William lands an umbrella shot to the throat of Anderson, Regal applies a single leg Boston crab with the ropes for leverage. Regal is caught in the act, Regal maintains control and looks for The Regal Stretch or at least an early variation of the hold with Sir William helping the champion. Anderson survives the onslaught, shots to the side of the head from Regal. Anderson trips up Regal and stomps that leg, Anderson stomps away at the leg. Figure Four but Regal kicks off Anderson, Regal has Anderson out on the floor.

 

Anderson sends the leg of Regal into the ring apron, Anderson begins to bend the leg of Regal. Regal regains control and applies a reverse chin-lock, Anderson is back after reaching the ropes. European uppercuts and left hand blows by both men, test of strength with Anderson applying a body-scissors but Regal looks for a Boston crab. Anderson twists off Regal, sleeper and a roll-up for two. Small package by Anderson for two, double underhook suplex is blocked by Anderson. Spinebuster plants Regal, Regal has the hand of Sir William. Anderson is distracted by Sir William, Anderson is on the apron. Slingshot sunset flip, Regal uses the umbrella of Sir William to counter the hold and retain his championship.

 

Hit and miss for me in this match, both men can work that technical style and make it very interesting which they do in the early parts of this match but I cannot help but think the whole time that Anderson works the arm and hurts Regal, why is he not attacking the taped up leg until the last 7 minutes? Arn Anderson who is a veteran of his craft and is not going to go after that leg? Hard to believe, they make it work for the most part but we get down to those final 10 minutes and the plethora of rest-holds just wear me down to the point where I can’t begin to be interested because I know we are going down to the wire and we almost do with six seconds remaining. I didn’t think the match needed to be this long, if it was shorter it could have been a lot tighter and a lot more enjoyable but still good from two men I enjoy watching.

 

Winner: Lord Steven Regal over Arn Anderson via Roll-Up!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) The Nasty Boys © vs Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne

Missy Hyatt is gone from WCW so the Nasty Boys have lost the one redeeming part of their gimmick, Payne and Knobbs to start and we start with a German suplex with Knobbs being dropped right on his head. In comes Sags, Sags rakes the eyes but eats a belly to belly suplex. Knobbs comes back in, right hands but Payne drops Knobbs with a uranage and Sags runs into a powerslam. Big start for the big man, Cactus is tagged in now. Flying forearms to the face, scoop slams all around. Elbow drop combination by the challengers, Sags makes the save. Cactus rips at the face of Sags, the match breaks down immediately. Knobbs and Sags powder, the challengers are whooping ass.

 

We reset with Cactus and Sags, eye-rake and tag to Knobbs. Elbow by Cactus, apron leg-drop from Cactus. Tag to Payne, face-buster from Payne for two. Arm-bar by Payne but Knobbs rakes the eyes, Payne reverses an Irish whip and the shoulder block does not work on Payne but Sags comes in for a vicious chop block. Sags drops an elbow to the groin and works the injured leg, knees to the hamstring and a tag to Knobbs. Wishbone-split by the champions, Payne kicks off Knobbs. Payne scoop slams Knobbs but misses a leg drop, Knobbs regains control and drops elbows. Middle rope leg drop misses for Knobbs, tag to Cactus. Right hands by Cactus, knee-lift and a shot to Knobbs. Cactus is running wild, Cactus clothesline on Knobbs. Sags attacks Cactus on the apron, the protective mats have been ripped up and Sags shoulder blocks Cactus onto the concrete and you can hear the splat! Disgusting bump from Cactus, Knobbs applies a Boston crab in the ring.

 

Payne eventually pulls Cactus to his corner, why not attack Knobbs? Sags distracts the referee so the referee misses the tag, Payne clubs Knobbs anyways. Cactus lands a double DDT on the champions, could now be the time for the tag? Payne comes in and lands massive clotheslines and belly to belly suplexes Knobbs. Headbutts all around, Painkiller in the middle of the ring but Sags grabs the guitar for the DQ.

 

Surprisingly good, was not expecting to have that much fun with a match like this but Payne starts off using his strength and size to batter The Nasty Boys, German suplexes and uranages are always a fun time for me, the plunge bump from Cactus is horrific. Could be used as a great way to build sympathy but we rushed our way into the finish, if they could have stretched out the sympathy there they could have elicited a major reaction from the fans but good stuff and the finish leaves us open to a rematch.

 

Winners: Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne over The Nasty Boys via DQ!

 

(Six-Man Thundercage Match) Rick Rude/Stunning Steve Austin/Paul Orndorff vs Sting/Dustin Rhodes/Flyin’ Brian Pillman

The Dangerous Alliance runs again as Rude and Austin team together while Paul Orndorff continues to get the big matches are you kidding me? Anyways, it looks like Rude is continuing to do battle with Sting while Austin has problems with both Pillman and Rhodes but Orndorff is here ladies and gentlemen. As much as I rag on Orndorff, every single match for the past number of PPVs, there have been Paula chants every time he steps inside of the ring. Sting and Rude to start, back drop and three clotheslines from The Stinger. Rude curls up in the ropes, I can’t believe they are going to work a traditional six-man tag in the cage. The match type is made for brawls, Rude takes the arm and tags Orndorff. Orndorff wrenches the arm and applies a Fujiwara arm-bar. Knees to the arm for good measure, Austin comes in and says his knee is hurt.

 

Scorpion Death-Lock but Austin and Orndorff manage to stagger Sting, Sting is back on his feet though. On the floor, Sting sends Austin into the cage. Pillman chops Austin against the cage, Sting sends Austin into the cage again. Pillman tags in and kicks Austin in the ribs, shoulder block by Pillman. Austin sends Pillman to the floor, Pillman chops Austin all over. Austin runs and runs before flap-jacking Pillman into the cage wall. Orndorff sends Pillman into the cage, Pillman is bleeding from being sent into the cage. Rude has Pillman in the ring, Pillman eats elbows to his cut. Tag to Orndorff, right hands and stomp from Orndorff. Pillman fights back before Orndorff delivers a sickening belly to back suplex. Tag to Rude, Rude lands a diving knee-drop to the head. Two for Rude, tag to Austin. Austin lands a middle rope diving elbow, Orndorff lands a cheap-shot to add insult to injury.

 

A bloody Pillman escapes Austin and tags in Sting, Rhodes has done nothing yet. Sting clotheslines everyone, Orndorff eats a clothesline. Orndorff meets the cage and is bleeding and Rhodes comes in, Bionic Elbows everywhere. Right hands to the head of Orndorff, Orndorff pulls Rhodes into the buckle. Rude comes in, Rhodes rocks Rude with right hands. The Bulldog is countered though, Rude crotches Rhodes on the top turnbuckle. Super belly to back suplex from the middle rope, Rude comes down with a right hand to the head. Bearhug from Rude, Austin comes in but Rhodes knocks down Austin. Rhodes dropkicks Austin into the thunder-cage. Orndorff lands a stomp and Austin regains control, Rhodes meets the buckle hard. Whip to the opposite buckle, Rhodes lands a middle rope elbow to knock down Austin.

 

Tag to Pillman, chops to the chest of Austin. Back body-drop and dropkick to Rude & Orndorff, right hands all around and the match breaks down. Sting dumps Rude and Orndorff to the floor, Austin tastes a back body-drop and Pillman is body-pressed onto Austin by Sting for the win.

 

After all that, that’s the finish? The big six-man war in the cage with all these men who hate one another ends like that, Pillman gets the pin over Austin when Austin was looking like the man to challenge Ric Flair? I was expecting more to be honest with you, it started great and had some really good moments to kick us off with Sting running wild but then it never kicked into the next gear, the violence and drama wasn’t there. How are we still doing this Sting? How can we not have a championship around his waist? How many more tags before Sting has a championship match? It just feels like filler and considering how many champions are in the match, I wanted more.

 

Winners: Team Sting over Team Rude via Military Press!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Thunder-cage Match) Ric Flair © vs Vader W/ Harley Race

The Starrcades of the 80s and Bash tours were always interesting to me for the reason that we would have to watch a tag team cage match before a main event cage match, it was the fitting way to blow-off feuds from that time but I always found it hard to watch the same type of match twice. I think that might be an issue here with having to watch another Thunder-cage match again. Flair had been injured by Vader on the Clash before this, can Vader come after the champion and regain his championship?

 

The Boss is the referee, Vader charges and misses a splash. Flair punches and chops Vader, chair-shot on the floor. Chops and the mask is off, right hands in the corner. Vader catches Flair and drills him with a boot, elbows to the groin area. Short-arm clothesline, Vader clubs Flair down. Vader Bomb? No Moonsault and Vader lands on his feet! What a freak! Flair eats a clothesline, Vader dumps Flair to the floor. Race chokes Flair through the cage, Flair fires up in the ring but Vader clubs him down. Flair chokes Vader but Vader goes to the eyes. Vader Hammer knocks Flair to the floor, Race lands a headbutt through the cage. Vader lands a superplex, Flair is on the floor rolling away from the attacks of Vader. Race tries to interfere again, The Boss captures Race and handcuffs Race to the cage but no Vader splashes The Boss.

 

The Boss is in the handcuffs, who will be the referee now? Vader has the nightstick, Flair is in serious trouble. Race has the key and Race enters the cage, rights and lefts in the corner. Race holds Flair, Vader lands shot after shot. Splash by Vader, Arn Anderson is coming to ringside. Vader is on the top rope, Flair dodges and Vader clotheslines Race. Right hands all around, chops onto Race. Steamboat is here, breaking the lock on the door. Flair cracks Race with the chair, Vader is cracked with the chair too. Vader clotheslines Flair, The Boss wriggles free from the handcuffs and slaughters Vader with his nightstick. Flair locks on the Figure Four Leg-Lock, Vader taps out from the hold. Or does he? The commentators say he never gave up so The Boss screwed him?

 

For a WCW main event featuring two men who tore it up the previous month with tonnes of drama, it’s incredible how different this match is to the Starrcade match. The drama just is not there, you don’t feel Flair’s struggles or pain. It’s like he conquered Vader so it’s all just a formality, the cage never really comes into play which is disappointing considering how you have put time and effort into the gimmick. You think it would be laid out where Flair has to run and gun because Vader has him like a cat toying with a mouse but no, Flair waffles Vader around the ring, only losing advantage when The Boss is handcuffed to the cage. It was more about The Boss and Vader than Flair and Vader by the end, what an absolute mess especially with Anderson and Steamboat standing around like cheerleaders. Not a fan of this at all.

 

Winner: Ric Flair over Vader via Submission!

 

That was WCW’s Superbrawl 1994, another terrible WCW PPV. We kick the show-off with 4 matches that are not PPV quality, it’s laughable. We have Thunder and Lightning, Jungle Jim Steele, Terry Taylor and Jimmy Garvin? Some of these guys should have never made PPV while the others haven’t been seen regularly on WCW TV in 2 years. It’s insane how poorly this PPV kicked off, things get better with Anderson vs Regal, two guys who can sell and work the crowd very well, I don’t really like the time-limit draw style of wrestling because I feel sometimes the limb work can almost be pedestrian like they are going through the motions and Anderson’s refusal to attack the leg of Regal which is taped-up is definitely a head-scratcher. The surprise and highlight of the night is the tag match, Payne was lots of fun in this one which is a complete 180 from my view on him in all previous times I have seen him. Maybe something has clicked but I enjoyed this and the prospect of a rematch is not a terrible thing in my eyes. The two Thunder-cage matches I would label underwhelming, Sting continues to be super popular but wasted in tag matches on PPV, I know we are getting to Sting vs Rude but it’s taking it’s sweet time to get us there. Austin’s role has diminished while Dustin Rhodes is in recovery mode. Not a big fan of the thunder-cage, definitely not a fan of a six-man being worked in the traditional style when you can have blood and involve the cage, I mean it’s just crying out for chaos and you don’t get that. Speaking of chaos, the main event looks to be chaotic but not in a fun way. The image of Vader as an all-conquering force is being stripped away and I don’t like it. My feelings aside, it was just not main event level quality and almost cartoony, I thought the company would walk that line with Hogan in there but even before Hogan, we are having a little tip-toe into the wacky. I haven’t enjoyed one thing Bossman has done since joining WCW, it’s a disaster really and I am unsure where Vader will be slotted in as his initial run of dominance ends in WCW. WCW in 1994 looks a lot like WCW in 1993 but let’s put on a brave face and cut them a little slack its only the beginning of the year, let’s see where we are in 11 months time right? Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!