WCW Great American Bash 1990 Review

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that puts wrestlers to sleep quicker than somas! It’s the big one, it’s WCW’s Great American Bash 1990 AKA Sting’s Coronation as the man in WCW! The main event is The Stinger taking on Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship! We have also have Mean Mark Callous challenging Lex Luger for his NWA United States Championship, we have The Dudes with Attitude taking on The Horsemen and we have some really strange matches with acts that I thought had retired or thought would not be featured on PPV by this point. Harley Race? Dutch Mantell? The Iron Sheik? Ok WCW have it your way! Let’s get it on!

 

Nature Boy Buddy Landell vs Flyin’ Brian Pillman

Buddy Landell? Have I gone back three years? It was not like Landell was ancient or anything but this is crazy, where has he been all this time? Pillman slaps Landell, Landell chops away at Pillman before Pillman turns the tide. Clubbing blows by Landell, Pillman lands a diving crossbody for two. Landell begs for mercy, they lock-up now. Knees and chops from Landell, Pillman sends Landell to the corner. Hip-toss and triple dropkicks from Pillman. Landell is on the floor, Pillman works the arm before Landell says Pillman grabbed the hair. The referee checks and Landell pulls the hair of Pillman, Pillman is dragged to the corner. Slap from Landell, Landell hides behind the referee and takes a breather.

 

We reset, lock-up. Pillman has the wristlock, eye-poke from Landell. Sunset flip from Pillman does not work, right hand by Landell. Pillman tries a diving crossbody from the corner but Landell sees it coming and lands a back-breaker. Landell steps all over the throat of Pillman, bottom rope choke from Landell. Pillman fights back but misses the dropkick, Landell tries multiple pin attempts but Pillman is too strong to be beaten like that. Pillman tries the hip-toss but Landell drills Pillman with a clothesline for two. Landell chokes Pillman with his knee, stomp to the head. Pillman fires up with rights and chops, ten punches in the corner. Landell reverses an Irish whip and sends Pillman hard to the buckle, chops by both men. Elbow takes down Pillman, snap-mare into the reverse chin-lock. Pillman lands elbows before a knee to the ribs takes down Pillman for two, Landell has a chin-lock once more. Landell lands a suplex, stomp to the head and chops from Landell. Pillman fires back with boots and chops, ten punches in the corner. Stomps in the corner, Landell clotheslines Pillman down. Irish whip and a crossbody with Landell rolling through for two, Pillman cannot get the O’Connor roll. Pillman misses a clothesline but hangs onto the apron and lands a Diving Crossbody for the win.

 

Rather uninteresting match as Landell batters Pillman for the majority of the contest, nothing of note. Bigger shock is that Landell is on PPV for WCW in 1990 but the things are going to get even stranger as we continue I assure you ladies and gentlemen.

 

Winner: Flyin’ Brian Pillman over Buddy Landell via Diving Crossbody!

 

Captain Mike Rotunda vs The Iron Sheik

Attack with the flag and the coat by Sheik, good lord look at that belly of Sheik. That is tremendous, Rotunda is being choked and rammed into the buckle. Choke in the corner, clothesline by Sheik. Rotunda manages to get away from Sheik who stalls, trading blows before an eye-rake from Sheik. Rotunda meets the boot spike of Sheik, Sheik is not happy with the fans chanting USA. Gut-wrench suplex for two, abdominal stretch. German suplex for two, Rotunda fights back with big rights. Sheik goes down, Sheik begs for mercy. Uppercut from Rotunda, eye-rake from Sheik. Suplex is blocked, Rotunda suplexes Sheik for two. Uppercuts from Rotunda, eye-rake from Sheik. Sheik tosses Rotunda to the floor, Suplex into the ring for two. Big chops from Sheik, Sheik wants the double arm suplex but Rotunda reverses for the backslide and the win.

 

Far too long it is awful while Rotunda is not exactly babyface material but I love their determination to make that happen but it is just not my thing at all.

 

Winner: Mike Rotunda over Iron Sheik via Backslide!

 

Dirty Dutch Mantell vs Doug Furnas

I would much rather watch Kobashi/Kikuchi take on Furnas/Kroffat than watch Furnas by himself, Furnas was not exactly a great watch in the ring with Barry Windham. Dutch Mantell’s hairy back might be one of the best in wrestling. Furnas squeezes Mantell who applied a side headlock, shoulder block does not work for Dutch. Furnas mows down Dutch with a shoulder block, side headlock by Dutch. Furnas shoves off Dutch, leapfrogs and drop-downs before a right hand and military press from Furnas. Dutch shoves Furnas to the corner, big disrespect from Dutch. Dutch slaps Furnas, Dutch asking for a breather.

 

To the corner again, third slap from Dutch. Slap from Furnas, ten punches and a massive dropkick from Furnas. Dutch powders, wristlock from Furnas. Arm-bar from Furnas, Dutch takes a shortcut to gain control. Eye-rakes and rope rakes too for good measure, Furnas wins the fist-fight but a scoop slam and a mis-timed splash leads to Dutch being in back control. Clothesline from Dutch for two, reverse chin-lock from Dutch. Dutch transitions to the arm before eye-raking Furnas, Dutch tosses Furnas to the floor. Another clothesline on the floor by Dutch, snap suplex for two. Furnas presses Dutch onto the referee, Dutch applies the arm-bar. Furnas fights out and lands a big clothesline, right hands by Furnas. Powerslam from Furnas, something goes wrong and we reset with a boot to the head before Dutch rakes the eyes. Shoulder block by Dutch, Furnas lands a belly to belly suplex for the win.

 

Flat finish to a flat match, Furnas was not going to be the star they hope him to be much like Zenk, hopefully they realize this sooner rather than later but we will see. Quite a poor start to this PPV so far, Sting’s coronation is looking like a saving grace by this point.

 

Winner: Doug Furnas over Dirty Dutch Mantell via Belly to Belly Suplex!

 

Harley Race vs Tommy Wildfire Rich

Harley Race on PPV in 1990 in a singlet, Rich has a new hairstyle for this match. Clotheslines and scoop slams by Rich, side headlock takedown from Rich. Rich works the arm, Race lands a high knee. Piledriver which sends Rich to the floor, suplex on the ramp. Race and Rich trade blows before Race is clotheslined to the floor. Suplex into the ring, Rich climbs high and lands a fist drop for two. Belly to belly suplex for two, clothesline by Race. Swinging neck-breaker from Race, Rich and Race go over the top rope in a powerslam which is much safer than I say. Rich goes to the top rope, diving crossbody and Race rolls through for the win.

 

A win nine years in the making and they will tell you Hogan was a piece of shit for bringing in Warrior to get his win back! I am joking of course but yeah this was terrible like the rest of the card so far so at least its consistent.

 

Winner: Harley Race over Tommy Rich via Roll-Up!

 

(NWA United States Tag Team Championship Match) The Midnight Express © W/ Jim Cornette vs The Wide-Eyed Southern Boys

It starts off hot with Lane and Eaton attacking Armstrong and dumping Smothers on the floor, we have a brawl on the floor before things settle down gradually. Double back body drop on Eaton, flying shoulder block. Cornette regroups with his guys, Eaton and Armstrong will start the match officially. Arm-drag from Armstrong, Eaton backs Armstrong to the corner. Massive rights from Eaton, scoop slam. Armstrong yanks Eaton off the top rope, monkey flip and stinging lefts before a big right. Dropkick takes down Eaton, diving clothesline by Armstrong with Cornette counselling Eaton. Smothers tags in, big chop to Eaton.

 

More talking with Cornette, lock-up. Eaton avoids the powerslam, Smothers ducks an elbow and lands a savate kick. Lock-up, Eaton backs up Smothers and lands his elbow in the corner. Smothers sends Eaton to the corner, back body-drop and a savate kick. In comes Lane who knows a thing or two about savate kicks, Lane stretches up both legs before preparing to kick off the head of Smothers. Lane shows off his karate skills, waffling Smothers in the eye. Lane kicks around Smothers before Smothers blocks and savate kicks down Eaton and Lane. Crowd fires up, Lane rakes the eyes. Smothers arm-drags and transitions into the arm-bar, Eaton backs Smothers to the corner. Right hands by Eaton, whip to the buckle and Smothers kicks Eaton in the head.

 

Eaton looks for a breather, baseball slide to the face of Eaton. Lane jumps in and they land a double elbow on Smothers, diving crossbody from Armstrong to save Smothers. Cornette is irate as his boys are getting whopped by The Southern Boys. Smothers and Eaton lock-up, Smothers tries an O’Connor roll but did not see the blind-tag. Lane throws Smothers over the top rope and into the guardrail, Lane smashes Smothers off the apron into the guardrail. Tag to Eaton, atomic drop into the back-breaker. Clothesline from Eaton, leapfrog splash from Lane. Lane kicks around Smothers who tries covering up, snap-mare and tag to Eaton. Smothers fights back with kicks and a superkick, Eaton stops the tag. Eaton climbs high, Alabama Jam from Eaton and a tag to Lane.

 

Sunset flip from Smothers for two, Lane pops up and tags Eaton. Kick and neck-breaker from Eaton, Smothers is tossed to the floor. Smothers is yanked back into the ring, Lane lands a double-arm suplex for two. Tag to Eaton, right hand to the floor. Smothers sends Eaton to the floor but Lane lands a clothesline, whip to the buckle but Smothers sends Lane into the buckle. Eye-rake from Lane, tag to Eaton. Double sunset flip and a tag to Armstrong, right hands all around. Chops all around, noggin-knocker. Flying shoulder block on Lane, Eaton breaks up that attempt. Smothers is alive once more, assisted missile dropkick on Lane. Smothers knocks down Eaton, Armstrong does not get the three on Lane. Eaton shoves Armstrong off the top rope, Rocket Launcher and Armstrong manages to kick out.

 

Armstrong switches places with Smothers, Lane catches Smothers though. Smothers is whipped off the ropes, Lane lands a massive enzuigiri and Eaton lands the small package for the win.

 

Excellent tag team match, Cornette and The Midnight do everything to make The Southern Boys look fantastic, all the spots from the karate kicks to the shine, it is tremendous stuff from The Midnight Express. Smothers works the majority of the match and it’s the right choice for me, just all around great stuff and the finish is fantastic too. I love the kick to the back of the head, Lane’s kicks have been established as deadly so this works so well for me. You really feel that The Midnight Express squeaked by here, great tag team wrestling!

 

Winners: The Midnight Express over The Southern Boys via Enzuigiri!

 

Vader vs The Z-Man

Who is this guy? He’s huge! Vader comes in after destroying your NJPW favourites to batter Zenk, rights and lefts from Vader. Corner splash from Vader, Zenk is rocked. Short-arm clothesline, Zenk rolls to the apron. Vader chokes Zenk into the ring, Zenk lands a dropkick but a crossbody leads to a military press slam. Elbow drop from Vader, Zenk is looking for help. Suplex from Vader, clothesline and splash from Vader for the win. Fantastic way to establish Vader.

 

Winner: Vader over Z-Man via Splash!

 

The Steiner Brothers vs The Fabulous Freebirds

The freebirds are living up to the fantastic name anyways in their sparkly gear with mascara too, they rush Rick and Scott. Sidewalk slam and double clothesline on Scott, Scott blocks the DDT before Rick lands Steinerlines. Rick and Garvin to start, whip to the buckle and back body drop followed by a Steinerline by Rick for two. Tag to Hayes who does a whole lot of stalling before Garvin comes in with Scott. Hip-toss by Scott to both Freebirds, dropkicks too. Hayes resets and sends Scott into the buckle, clubbing blows and chops too. Irish whip but Scott counters and tiger-drivers Hayes, tilt-a-whirl side-slam from Scott. Hayes eats a powerslam, Garvin eats a powerslam too.

 

Side headlock on Hayes, Garvin knees Rick while Hayes lands his left. Double suplex to Rick on the outside, Garvin lands a clothesline on the floor for good measure. Hayes slams Rick for two, running bulldog from Hayes for two. Tag to Garvin, boots to the head and a cheap shot to Scott. Camel clutch on Rick, right hands to the head for two. Reverse chin-lock from Garvin, Garvin changes tactics and climbs high. Rick dodges and lands a diving bulldog, tag to Hayes. However, in comes Scott. Powerslam, military press slam with Garvin being tossed onto Hayes. Stereo Steinerlines, Frankensteiner on Hayes but Garvin lands the DDT on Scott. Referee never saw that tag though, Rick Belly To Belly Suplexes Hayes and Scott picks up the win.

 

Fun tag team match with a lot of the stalling, The Steiners are red-hot with Scott improving and with each and every week, the attacks are explosive and there is an energy there that cannot be matched, I love watching The Steiners throw people around. Freebirds cannot get much higher on the card so the roll they are in is perfect for them.

 

Winners: The Steiner Brothers over The Fabulous Freebirds via Belly to Belly Suplex!

 

The Four Horsemen vs The Dudes With Attitude

Talk about a bizarre match, we have JYD and Paul Orndorff teaming with El Gigante to battle The Horsemen. Orndorff and Sid, Orndorff tries a sunset flip but Sid chokes Orndorff and lands a clothesline. Sid taunts with the crowd cheering big, Sid misses a leg drop. Orndorff works the leg and dropkicks Sid to the floor, hip-tosses and knee-lifts before Sid comes back in and blocks a hip-toss. Backslide by Orndorff but JYD lands the headbutt to help for two, Anderson kicks and lands lefts to Orndorff. Mr. Wonderful fights out of the heels’ corner, we have a stand-off and El Gigante scares away the heels. JYD and Anderson are in the ring now, crowd is into Gigante which is nice.

 

Windham and JYD are in there now, rights and lefts do nothing to JYD. Headbutt and more headbutts to Windham, Gigante scares away Windham before a tag to Anderson. JYD nails Anderson in the corner, tag to Windham after Anderson lands some big hits. DDT has no effect, no slam for Windham. JYD suplexes Windham, tag to Anderson. Orndorff is in, right hands to everyone, noggin-knocker. Clothesline to Anderson, Windham lands a diving axe handle to the back of the head. Orndorff lands massive rights but Sid lands a powerslam, more taunting from Sid for two. In comes Windham, suplex drills Orndorff. Two for Windham, right hands to the head. Tag to Anderson, knee to the back.

 

Windham and Anderson are roughing up Orndorff, shoulder block by Windham but Orndorff lands a forearm to the face. JYD comes in, drilling Anderson and Windham with rights. Noggin-knocker before Sid comes in, JYD is tossed over the top rope. We have a DQ and we do not get to see Gigante get his hands on The Horsemen.

 

Garbage, team Dudes have nobody that could really sell and the one thing that they were saving which was Gigante being in the ring and killing everyone, we never get the damn thing which is simply awful. A DQ in this highly promoted match considering the finish of The Clash, what a waste of time.

 

Winners: Dudes over Horsemen via DQ!

 

(NWA United States Championship Match) Lex Luger © vs Mean Mark Callous W/ Teddy Long

They lock-up, Luger gives a clean break. Callous works the arm, Luger takes the wristlock. Callous backs Luger to the corner, clean break.  Hammerlock from Luger, drop toehold from Callous but Luger squeaks out and applies the hammerlock once more. Callous reaches the ropes, Callous claims Luger pulled the hair. Lock-up and Callous has the control, cheap shot to Luger. Whip to the buckle, Luger dodges the elbow drop. Wristlock by Luger, Luger ducks two clotheslines and lands a crossbody for two. Arm-drag into an arm-bar, Callous tries arm-drags and rolling to escape but Luger will not let go of the hold. To the ropes we go, Callous drops-down and leapfrogs before cracking Luger with two clotheslines and a boot.

 

Throat thrusts from Callous, Luger is choked with the middle rope. Callous beats down the arm, arm-bar from Callous. Luger fights back but misses a clothesline, Luger is down on the floor. Callous knees Luger off the apron to the guardrail, Luger is bounced off the steel steps. Headbutt from Callous, sunset flip counter from Luger for two. Callous lands rights Callous misses a corner elbow. Luger fights back but Callous clubs down Luger, Luger is drilled with a suplex. However, Luger pops up and lands a clothesline. Another clothesline, Luger is running wild. Torture Rack but the referee is wiped out with a boot to the head, Dangerously smashes Luger in the ribs with the phone.

 

Dangerously is reviving the referee, Callous crawls into the cover. 1..2… Luger kicks out! Mean right hands by Callous, short-arm clothesline by Callous. Luger is on the ropes, a boot stops the heart punch. Callous is rocked and Luger drills Dangerously and drills Callous with a clothesline for the win.

 

Not bad, I expected a lot worse considering Luger is at his best when he’s in there with Flair or Steamboat or Anderson but this was a lot of fun in many ways, Callous will be leaving here soon enough so it will be interesting to see how the final months go for Callous while Luger seems to have cleared out many of the heels in the company at the time so I am wondering who will be coming down the pipeline for Luger.

 

Winner: Lex Luger over Mean Mark Callous via Clothesline!

 

(NWA World Tag Team Championship Match) Doom © W/ Teddy Long vs The Rock “N” Roll Express

The tag team division in WCW at the time is certainly interesting with a mix of new acts like Doom & The Steiners in there with acts like Freebirds, Midnight Express and now are challengers for the night are The Rock “N” Roll Express. Simmons and Gibson to start, Simmons shoves down Gibson hard. Simmons asks Gibson if he wants to leave, Simmons shoves down Gibson again while posing. Knee and rights from Simmons, Irish whip but Gibson ducks and lands right hands. Simmons is rolled up for two, Simmons realizes now that Gibson is a resourceful and crafty veteran. In comes Reed, knees and clubbing blows in the ropes. Gibson slams Reed and lands an elbow to the head, Morton comes in and is rocked by Reed.

 

Side headlock by Reed, shoulder block by Reed. Morton is rocked, side headlock by Morton and a blind tag to Gibson. Double tackle on Reed, double suplex on Simmons. Reed is yanked into the ring, Gibson tries a hip-toss but Reed clotheslines down Gibson. Gibson eats a double elbow, two for Simmons. Leg drop after a scoop slam from Simmons, Gibson is rammed into the boot of Reed. Reed comes in and decks Morton for good measure, Gibson is tossed over the top rope to the floor. Reed continues to dominate before Gibson lands a massive knee-lift, tag to Morton. Right hands by Morton, sleeper from Morton but Morton has to let go and decks Simmons. O’Connor roll on Reed, Simmons lands a shoulder to the back of the head of Morton and Morton is down and possibly out.

 

Clothesline from Reed and an elbow drop times two from Reed. Reed receives a two count, fists to the head from an angry Reed. Simmons tags in and batters Morton, whip to the buckle but Morton botos down Simmons. Tag to Reed, eye-rake and whip to the buckle. Morton reverses but eats a knee from Reed, diving elbow drop for two. Reed is caught in a backslide for two, Reed kicks Morton in the head. Powerslam from Simmons for two, diving axe handle from Reed and two fist-drops for two. Reverse chin-lock from Reed, Simmons and Teddy Long assist before Morton is tossed illegally over the top rope. Simmons puts the boots to Morton on the floor, Morton begins to fight back before Reed slams Morton.

 

Morton dodges the splash with his knees, tag to Gibson. Gut-shot and a face-buster, dropkick to Simmons. Right hands all around, Simmons gets back at Gibson. Sunset flip but we have a brawl, it has broken down. Teddy Long is on the apron, Gibson enzuigiris Reed into Teddy Long. Reed is knocked to the floor but climbs to the top rope and lands a diving shoulder block for the win.

 

Wow the crowd are not into The Rock “N” Roll Express at all, really strong negative reaction to the duo and it’s shocking to see considering what they had done when wrestling inside of that ring but as I mentioned above, it did feel like life had past them by, it was a new era with The Steiners and Doom at the top of the mountain and The Rock “N” Roll feel like a nostalgia act. Incredible how fast it all comes crashing down, nothing spectacular from the crowd but such a shame the crowd only comes alive for the finish.

 

Winners: Doom over The Rock “N” Roll Express via Diving Shoulder Block!

 

(NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match) Sting vs Ric Flair ©

The match they wanted for Capital Combat, the match that had to be delayed because Doug Dillinger injured Sting pulling him off the cage. The biggest match in the company’s history to this point, it is make or break for Sting. All the babyfaces and the Horsemen are surrounding the ring, Ole Anderson is handcuffed to El Gigante.

 

Lock-up and Sting shoves down Flair twice, side headlock and shoulder block from Sting. Flair begs off already, Sting is ready for this match. Flair backs Sting to the corner, chops have no effect. Flair is sent to the buckle, military press slam for Flair. Hip-toss and dropkick from Sting, the chops are not affecting Sting. Hip-toss on the ramp and a clothesline into the ring, Flair begs for mercy. A thumb to the eye, snap-mare into the knee-drop. Vertical suplex does not hurt Sting, clotheslines from Sting. Sting climbs high, diving crossbody for two. We reset but Flair stomps the knee, Sting is hurt. Sting lands a clothesline but misses an elbow drop, Flair wants the figure four but Sting kicks off Flair.

 

Forearm and chop from Flair, Sting is tossed to the ramp. Flair works the knee in the corner, Sting fires up but misses a dropkick. Flair drops all his weight on the leg of Sting, Flair misses dropping his weight on Sting’s leg. Snap-mare and a knee-drop misses, Sting applies the figure four. Flair survives and chops Sting on the floor, Sting meets the guardrail but no-sells that horseshit. Flair begs for mercy, Sting lands massive right hands to the head of Flair. Flair climbs high to escape Sting, Sting yanks Flair to the floor. Flair fights back from his knees, Sting blocks a hip-toss. Backslide for two, Flair kicks out the leg of Sting. Flair continues chopping Sting and stomping the challenger, slaps from Flair and a massive chop.

 

Sting is no longer feeling that stuff, Sting whips Flair and lands a military press slam. Clothesline from Sting, two for the challenger. Punches in the corner, Flair flip to the apron and a clothesline almost beheads the champion. Flair is on the apron, suplex into the ring for two. Stinger Splash in the corner, Scorpion Death-Lock in the middle of the ring. Here come The Horsemen but The Dudes with Attitude are brawling with The Horsemen. Flair makes it to the ropes, Sting’s best hold could not get the job done on this occasion. Flair eats right hands on the apron, Flair smashes Sting with a shoulder block. Flair tried to use the ropes for leverage but Scott Steiner shoves off the feet. We have some nice pinning sequences, backslide by Sting for two.

 

Chops do not work on Sting, whip to the buckle but Sting tries a knee in the corner. Sting is down, Flair calls for the finish with the figure four but Sting reverses the hold. Just like Steamboat before him, 1…2…..3! The Stinger has done it, Sting is your world champion!

 

It was Sting’s crowning moment and they did everything they could to make it memorable, obviously Sting was not in great ring condition due to his injury and this being his first time back so you have a very fast-paced Flair main event with all the bells and whistle like Gigante stopping Ole Anderson and the babyfaces stopping The Horsemen. Flair gets in his usual shtick with the chops have no effect, the working of the knee and ultimately, Sting gaining one over Flair. It was as good as it could have been given the circumstances and it’s an interesting look at the way Flair worked if he was under time-constraints considering this main event is probably the shortest main event of his career to this point but yes, a wonderful moment for WCW and I appreciate the way they did their best.

 

Winner: Sting over Ric Flair via Small Package!

 

That was WCW’s Great American Bash 1990, an important PPV for historical purposes but a mostly disappointing show. The first 4 matches you can take your pick of whichever one you want, they are all bizarre. Sheik on PPV in 1990? Dutch Mantell and Doug Furnas? Harley Race vs Tommy Rich in 1990? Incredibly bad all in their own little ways and they have no business being on the PPV so how did we get here? A very poor start to the show for WCW, Southern Boys and Midnight Express rules, Corny and his team always deliver enough said there. The debut of Vader is a massive moment considering what the monster would do in the company in the future. Freebirds vs Steiners was fine, the six-man tag was offensive and a complete waste with no pay-off to what they promised. Luger vs Callous was fine, nothing special while The Rock “N” Roll had a decent match but were crapped all over by the fans in the arena and the main event did what it needed to do, it’s not a classic like the first match at The Clash or similar matches with Luger, Hawk, Nikita etc but Sting is champion, we got where we needed to be. Seek this out for the main event and The Midnight match, everything else varies from terrible to average. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Clash of The Champions XI: Coastal Crush Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that acknowledges the greatness of El Dandy! It’s time for WCW’s Clash of The Champions XI: Coastal Crush! We are so close to the battle between Ric Flair and Sting at The Great American Bash but before we get there, we will have Ric Flair defending his NWA World Heavyweight Championship against The Junkyard Dog! We also have many squash matches coming up by the look of it but we have some nice tag team matches too! Let’s see if this is a home-run!

 

The Wide-Eyed Southern Boys vs The Fabulous Freebirds

A new tag team debuts for me at least we have The Wide-Eyed Southern Boys consisting of Tracy Smothers and Steve Armstrong. Freebirds jump the boys before the boys land flying forearms, big right hands by both. Stereo dropkicks and shoulder blocks, Freebirds are not happy. We settle down with Garvin and Smothers, Smothers runs into a knee from Garvin for two. Scoop slam from Garvin, tag to Hayes. Right hands from Hayes, Garvin lands some hits too before a flying crossbody from Armstrong saves the day. Freebirds have been rattled, Armstrong and Hayes to restart the action. Side headlock from Hayes, they trade counters before Hayes eats a clothesline. Armstrong climbs high but Garvin punches down Armstrong. Flying clothesline from Hayes, Garvin tosses Armstrong on the top rope for two.

 

Back-breaker from Garvin for two, eye-rake from Garvin. In comes Hayes who locks an arm-bar, Armstrong breaks free but is clubbed down and eats an elbow from Hayes for two. Arm-bar from Hayes, rights and chops from Hayes. Big scoop slam and strut, Hayes climbs high. Armstrong fights back, Hayes is yanked off the top rope. Tag to Smothers who comes in with a kick, back body-drop to Garvin. Right hands and elbows from Smothers, noggin-knocker. We have a brawl, O’Connor roll on Garvin. Hayes comes in with a clothesline, Garvin whips Smothers. Boot and knee to the head from Garvin, cover from Garvin but Armstrong lands a diving headbutt on Garvin for the wi.

 

Decent little tag team match, Freebirds put over the two youngsters with a nice shine before we get down to the goods, not convinced on Armstrong just yet but I will give him a pass. As far as cheesy heels go, Hayes is one of my favourites to do so and his performance in this match is fun. Not a bad way to kick us off boys and girls.

 

Winners: The Wide-Eyed Southern Boys over The Fabulous Freebirds via Diving Headbutt!

 

Bam Bam Bigelow W/ Sir Oliver Humperdink vs Tommy Rich

Squash time! Bigelow in his tank-top is an awful look, Rich uses his speed to avoid Bigelow. The punches just annoy Bigelow more than anything else, Bigelow is getting angry now. Rich avoids another right hand, Bigelow is drilled again but does not go down. Lock-up, Rich works the arm. Elbows to the arm, headbutt from Rich. Bigelow whips Rich and lands a headbutt, here we go. Rich comes with a schoolboy for two, ten punches in the corner. Bigelow counters with an inverted atomic drop. Military press slam from Bigelow, two-handed choke from Bigelow. Bigelow is disqualified for choking Rich.

 

Rich does not do the J-O-B for Bigelow? Are you crazy? What kind of finish is that? Bigelow must not have been staying around for long in WCW, that’s the only reason I can think for not letting Bigelow destroy Wildfire.

 

Winner: Tommy Rich over Bam Bam Bigelow via DQ!

 

The Samoan Swat-Team vs Captain Mike Rotunda & Tom Zenk

Where is Pillman? Must I watch Rotunda as a babyface again? Rotunda and Fatu to start, hip-toss by Fatu. Kick by Rotunda, hip-toss and dropkick by Rotunda. Rotunda works the arm and tags in Zenk, Fatu rakes the eyes and in comes Tama who eats a dropkick and rolls to the outside. Tama’s arm is worked by Rotunda, Tama eats a flying crossbody for two. Fatu lands a boot to the head for two as he swapped places with Tama. Tag to Tama, double clothesline that rocks Rotunda. Tama and Fatu batter Rotunda, superkick from Fatu. Shoulder-claw from from Fatu, Rotunda escapes the hold but eats a clothesline for his resilience. Tama scoop slams Rotunda on the outside, another shoulder-claw. Elbow from Tama, Tama knocks down Zenk. Rotunda lands a double clothesline on The Samoans, tag to Zenk.

 

Dropkick on Tama and Fatu by Zenk, superkicks all around. Noggin-knocker does not work, double headbutts from The Samoans. Samoan Drop on Zenk, middle rope splash by Fatu but they celebrate early. Rotunda is selling on the floor, small package by the possum-playing Rotunda for the win.

 

The makeshift team beat The Samoans? You have to be joking me? Nope that really happened, WCW can be a confusing place at times. I am still not sold on Zenk, very average while Rotunda is Rotunda. Weird booking decision for me.

 

Winners: Mike Rotunda & Tom Zenk over The Samoan Swat-Team via Small Package!

 

Mean Mark Callous W/ Paul E. Dangerously vs Flyin’ Brian Pillman

Callous attacks Pillman from behind, clubbing blows by the bigger and badder Callous. Throat thrust before Pillman leaps over Callous and lands a dropkick, Pillman ramps Callous off the buckle before Callous elbows down Pillman. Boot from the apron to the guardrail from Callous, Pillman is in serious trouble. Irish whip but Pillman escapes the sidewalk slam. Crucifix is blocked as Callous rams Pillman into the buckle, scoop slam from Callous. Massive elbow drop from Callous, snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock from Callous. Pillman fires up, Callous lands a big clothesline to take him down. Two for Callous, Pillman fires up but Callous continues to hurt the big man. Those chops sting Callous, Callous decides it is time for a sidewalk slam.

 

Two for Callous, reverse chin-lock. Pillman is whipped to the buckle, Callous misses an elbow. Chops to the big man, powerslam from Callous. Pillman dodges the leg drop, another huge chop. Dropkick staggers Callous, Pillman is sent over the top but skins the cat. Missile dropkick by Pillman, Dangerously is dropkicked to the floor. Callous sends Pillman to the buckle, middle rope crossbody is blocked and Callous lands a stun-gun for the win.

 

Well they botch the finish which is always a shame, I am a little confused why they would put Pillman in there with Callous, Pillman is a rising star and this seems like such an odd step to put Pillman as a singles wrestler and lose to giants in the ring like Callous. Anyways, an ok match but an odd booking decision from WCW.

 

Winners: Mean Mark Callous over Flyin’ Brian Pillman via Stun-Gun!

 

(NWA United States Tag Team Championship Match) The Midnight Express © W/ Jim Cornette vs The Rock “N” Roll Express

This will be good, the review could end there really. Gibson and Eaton to start, to the ropes we go and Eaton gives a clean break. Lock-up, Gibson works the arm but we have another clean break. Lock-up, arm-drag from Gibson. Make it double, another lock-up. Shoulder block by Eaton, hip-toss and head-scissors from Gibson. Eaton grabs the arm and a tag to Lane, Gibson escapes the corner. Shoulder block by Gibson, Lane lands his karate kicks to Gibson. Gibson lands his enzuigiri, Lane is not happy with these events. Gibson tags in Morton, Gibson lands a shot to rock Lane.

 

Lock-up, shoulder block by Morton. Hip-toss too, Lane is down. Lane brings Morton to the corner, right hand from Lane. Whip to the buckle, Morton dodges the elbow and lands a back body-drop. Kick by Lane and tag to Eaton who runs into an arm-drag. Arm-bar from Morton, Eaton grabs the hair. Elbow in the ropes and mean right hand by Eaton, Morton slides through the legs and lands a dropkick. Hurricanrana from Morton, in comes Lane. Arm-drag into an arm-bar, Gibson works the arm now. Lane shoves off Gibson, Gibson lands an atomic drop with The Midnight Express banging heads. Drop toehold into a front chancery by Lane, Gibson slips out and works the head of Lane. In comes Morton with a schoolboy, arm-drag before Lane rakes the eyes. Eaton comes in and rocks Morton’s world with right hands.

 

Morton escapes the superplex, O’Connor roll but Lane comes in and rams Morton into the buckle hard. Lane takes down Morton and Gibson eats a double back body-drop, Morton & Gibson land pins on The Midnight for a close two. Eaton wants to talk strategy with Cornette, Eaton drags Morton to the corner. Lane eats a hip-toss, hurricanrana is countered as Eaton brings Morton crashing to the mat. Twisting suplex from Eaton, tag to Lane. Face-stretch from Lane, snap-mare and elbow drop combination. Two for Eaton, Eaton misses a corner splash. Morton tags in Gibson, right hands all around.  Gut-shot and knee-lift. Lane whips Gibson to the buckle, flying clothesline by Gibson. Morton and Eaton go to the floor, Gibson has the leg of Lane. Eaton is hurled onto the guardrail, Lane shoves Gibson into Morton. Sleeper from Gibson, Cornette is on the apron while Eaton lands a diving axe handle for the close two.

 

Everyone is brawling in the ring, double dropkick to Eaton but Lane stops the referee from counting the three in the match. Double back body drop to Eaton, double clotheslines to Lane and Eaton.

 

Wow, one of the lamer matches that I have seen from these two. Blown spots and an awkward finish make this one of the worst tag matches that I have seen from these two teams who are usually stellar in terms of enjoyable tag team wrestling, I cannot believe you are doing this to me WCW.

 

Winners: Rock “N” Roll Express over The Midnight Express via DQ!

 

Barry Windham vs Doug Furnas

The return of Windham to my screen, Windham is back from the WWF. Furnas starts with a shoulder block, victory roll for two and another shoulder block. Windham is irate on the floor, Windham lands a massive right. Whip to the buckle, Furnas flips over Windham and military presses Windham. Ten punches in the corner and massive clothesline for two, Windham is begging off from Furnas who lands disgusting chops. Whip to the buckle but Furnas eats a knee and a clothesline. Clothesline and suplex from Windham for two, reverse chin-lock from Windham. Atomic drop from Windham, Furnas sends Windham into the mat with a face-buster. Belly to belly suplex from Furnas for two, powerslam for two. Back body-drop, dropkick sends Windham over the top and to the floor. Windham flips out of a suplex and lands a belly to back suplex with his feet on the ropes for the win.

 

Not bad, Furnas was always a tag team wrestler for me and his short-comings are evident as a singles wrestler, just does not have what you need to get it done alone. Glad to have Windham back in there, wanted to see more of Windham against Luger and Sting so he can really shine.

 

Winner: Barry Windham over Doug Furnas via Belly to Back Suplex!

 

Lex Luger vs Sid Vicious W/ Ole Anderson

This worries me, Luger jumps in and cracks Ole Anderson before Sid cracks Luger. Luger lands a clothesline as Sid was talking to Anderson. Well that is one way to get out of a difficult position but really Sid pinned like that? Wow!

 

Winner: Lex Luger over Sid Vicious via Clothesline!

 

(NWA World Tag Team Championship Match) The Steiner Brothers vs Doom © W/ Teddy Long

Rematch for the championships that many feel Doom stole from The Steiners at the previous PPV, Simmons and Scott to start. Flipping powerslams from Scott, crowd loses their collective minds. Simmons backs Scott to the corner, headbutts from Simmons. Whip to the buckle reversed by Scott, clothesline to the back of the head. In comes Reed, Reed pushes Scott to the ropes. Clubbing blows from Reed, shoulder block from Scott with nothing happening. Reed leapfrogs Scott, backslide from Scott for two. Scoop slam from Scott, Reed tags in Simmons. Rick wants in the match, Simmons is cautious to lock up with Rick. Simmons slaps Rick, whip to the buckle. Belly to belly is blocked, Simmons is lifted high with a belly to belly suplex.

 

Reed comes in now, knee and clubbing blows from Reed. Hip-toss does not work, Steinerline from Rick. Scoop slam, Reed rolls to the apron. They lock-up again, eye-rake from Reed. Rick slips out of a slam, O’Connor roll for two. Reed brings Rick to the corner, Rick brawls his way out of the corner. Reed dodges the clothesline, Simmons ducks down and nails Rick. Scoop slam and stomps from Doom, Scott wants into this match bad. Swinging neck-breaker from Reed for two, Rick barely hangs on as Simmons chokes one of the challengers. Irish whip but Simmons ducked the head, big boot from Rick. In comes Reed who climbs high and lands a diving axe handle. Reed provokes Scott again, Rick is tossed over the top rope to the floor. Simmons sends Rick into the ring-post, Rick fires back with right hands but lowers his head off an Irish whip. Scoop slam from Reed, butterfly suplex from Reed.

 

Reed climbs high for a middle rope elbow drop, reverse chin-lock from Reed. Reed misses a high knee in the corner, diving axe handle from Rick. In comes Scott, dropkick from Scott to both members of Doom. Powerslam on Simmons, Reed is bounced on the apron. The match breaks down with everyone in the ring, Teddy Long gives Reed an object. Superplex by Scott, Reed drilled Scott with the foreign object and Doom retain the championships!

 

Solid tag team match, not the length or as exciting as some of their previous matches but it is serviceable for sure and better than a lot of what I had to see so far on this show. Happy to see these two tear it up when given the proper amount of time again on PPV!

 

Winners: Doom over The Steiner Brothers via Foreign Object To The Head!

 

Paul Orndorff vs Arn Anderson

What is this match? Orndorff taking on one of The Horsemen? Orndorff grabs a side headlock, Anderson tries a monkey flip and has his faced stepped on by Mr. Wonderful. Anderson is not happy, hammerlock from Orndorff. Anderson makes it to the ropes, clean break. Another side headlock from Orndorff, backslide from Orndorff for two. Anderson and Orndorff shove one another, right hands by Orndorff. Sleeper from Orndorff, sleeper from Anderson. Anderson is rammed into the buckle for two, headbutt from Anderson. Gut shots from Anderson, Orndorff trips up Anderson and applies the figure four. Anderson makes it to the ropes as Orndorff wraps that leg around the ring-post, Anderson is begging for mercy as Orndorff steps all over the leg.

 

Right hands, Irish whip but Anderson reverses and lands that Spinebuster to drill Orndorff. Left hands from Anderson, sunset flip from Orndorff but Anderson survives and drills Orndorff with a right hand. Knee to the head by Anderson, choke with the ropes by Anderson. Abdominal stretch from Anderson, Anderson uses the ropes for leverage. Reverse chin-lock from Anderson, Orndorff escapes but cannot take control before Anderson misses a left hand. Atomic drop from Orndorff but Anderson bounces off the buckle and smacks his head off Orndorff. Orndorff smashes Anderson with stinging jabs and a roundhouse right. Ten punches in the corner, inverted atomic drop from Anderson.

 

Side headlock from Anderson, flying shoulder tackle and elbow drop from Orndorff. Repeated elbows from Orndorff, knee-lift rocks the life out of Anderson. A big elbow drop connects to the face of Anderson for two, whip to the buckle and a clothesline by Orndorff. Anderson brings up the knees to block the middle rope splash. Small package but Orndorff reverses the hold and wins the match.

 

Crowd is into it, it is an alright match. Orndorff is not lighting my world on fire but I am happy to see Anderson bumping around my screen again, Orndorff, El Gigante and JYD is quite the team, this company continues to confuse me during this year.

 

Winner: Paul Orndorff over Arn Anderson via Small Package!

 

(NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match) Ric Flair © vs Junkyard Dog

Flair taking on JYD, it is not the mid-80s and Flair is not touring Mid-South but this is WCW in 1990. This starts with trash-talk before JYD slaps down Flair, Flair is a little rocked by The Dog. Flair is now realizing what kind of fight this will be, JYD shoves down Flair. Make it twice, side headlock from JYD. Shoulder block and headbutt from JYD which rocks Flair. Right hand sends Flair to the ramp, chops do not work on JYD. Rights and lefts, ten punches from Dog. Whip to the buckle and clothesline, Flair is getting destroyed here. Eye-poke from Flair, right hands and chops from the champion. Knee-drop from Flair, JYD no-sells the knee. Flair is concerned, Flair backs up to the corner.

 

Flair chops and chops, nothing as JYD lands his punches and staggers Flair who flops down. Whip to the buckle and a back body-drop, Flair begs for mercy. Eye-poke and hot-shot from The Nature Boy, Flair grabs a chair as Ole Anderson distracts the referee. Chair to the head, no effect on JYD. Ten punches from JYD, whip to the buckle and a Flair flip. Diving axe handle does not work for Flair, Ole Anderson is knocked down by JYD. A knee in the spine from Flair, Flair climbs high. JYD yanks Flair down to the mat, headbutt and right hands from JYD. In comes Ole Anderson for the immediate DQ and we have The Horsemen in the ring attacking JYD. Big brawl to set us up for The GAB PPV.

 

Well it was brief and probably for the best but this was more of an angle than anything else, sometimes I am find with that but in a world championship match? Going six minutes before a DQ? Rough times

 

Winner: JYD over Ric Flair via DQ!

 

WCW’s Clash of The Champions XI: Coastal Crush is really poor from WCW, you have the squash matches and bigger matches that do not deliver whatsoever on the card. The opening match is fine establishing the new and fiery tag team in The Southern Boys, things take a down turn with Bigelow taking a DQ over Tommy Rich, the makeshift team of Rotunda and Zenk upsetting The Samoan Swat Team, a poor Windham match and a very average Anderson match against Orndorff. The Midnight and Rock “N” Roll have their worst match that I have ever seen them have and the main event is simply an angle. Only saving grace is Doom vs Steiners is fun but nowhere near good enough to save the show. I would skip this one entirely, feels like I wasted time watching a show where nothing happened. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

 

WCW Capital Combat 1990 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is mor batshit insane than Nia Jax! It’s time for WCW Capital Combat 1990: The Return of Robocop! What? Robocop? Is this a movie? What is this PPV? We have a main event featuring Lex Luger vs Ric Flair again but this time in a cage while we also have Doom challenging for the Tag Team Championships held by The Steiners and some other interesting matches that make me a little confused but hey let’s give ti a shot!

 

The Road Warriors & Norman The Lunatic vs Kevin Sullivan/Cactus Jack/Bam Bam Bigelow W/ The Big Kahuna

 

Norman was feuding with Cactus but hey Bam Bam Bigelow is here and The Road Warriors, liking the presentation of the show in terms of the ring and the return of Schiavone but we have JR and Bob Caudle on commentary. Cactus and Animal start, Animal lands a powerslam and a boot before Hawk wipes out Cactus with a clothesline. In comes Bigelow, his attire is probably the worst I have ever seen. They lock-up with Bigelow shoving back Hawk, Hawk escapes and kicks and punches Bigelow. Bigelow eats a dropkick from Hawk, Sullivan wants in now. Hawk is in the heels’ corner but explodes out with a clothesline, in comes Cactus vs Norman.

 

Norman whips Cactus to the buckle, corner splash from Norman. Massive leg-drop from Norman, headbutt takes down Cactus. Norman wants Bigelow, I am not sure I want to see these two go at it. Animal comes in with a side headlock, Bigelow survives a shoulder block. Animal clotheslines Bigelow to the floor, Bigelow lands on his feet and throws a tantrum. Hawk comes in with Cactus, Cactus misses a clothesline and eats an apron clothesline from Hawk. Chop from Hawk, Cactus is whipped into the crowd. The steel steps from Hawk are thrown onto the back of Cactus, tag to Norman. Norman and Sullivan go at it, Norman has beaten two members of this team. Sullivan boots down Norman, double stomp to the chest.

 

Time to get the heat on Norman, headbutt and flying shoulder tackle. Bigelow and Sullivan put the boots to Norman, tag to Cactus. Left-arm clothesline and boot from Cactus, Cactus climbs high and lands a diving axe handle. Hot-shot from Cactus, tag to Sullivan. Stomps and chops from Sullivan, Bigelow lands a cheap-shot from ringside. Bigelow headbutts Norman, back body-drop from Bigelow. Falling headbutts from Bigelow, Cactus stomps on the head of Norman. Snap-mare into a knee-drop from Cactus, Norman reverses an Irish whip and punches Cactus. Tag to Animal, dropkick to Cactus. Shots to the other heels, flying shoulder tackle. Bigelow breaks it up and it’s a brawl time. Sullivan is wiped out with the Diving Clothesline for the win.

 

Nothing special, bizarre to see an act like The Road Warriors with someone like Norman. Bigelow should be a big act for WCW but I am not so sure, I didn’t know Bigelow was in WCW and I am guessing that Bigelow will not be around for too long in WCW. Finish is abrupt, feels like a nothing match when all was said and done. Not sure what Sullivan can do to turn things around in WCW.

 

Winners: Team Road Warriors over Team Sullivan via Diving Clothesline!

 

Mean Mark Callous W/ Teddy Long vs Johnny Ace

 

Part of The Skyscrapers vs part of The Dudes but I am guessing that the dudes are no more and maybe Skyscrapers are no more too. It does not matter all that much though as Mean Mark would be in The WWF by the end of the year. Ace lands two shoulder blocks and Callous does not move, massive clothesline by Callous. Dropkick by Ace, Callous is on the floor. Plancha from Ace, big forearms. Back in the ring, Callous works the arm. Ace reverses the hold, Callous backs Ace to the corner and lands a massive knee before Ace dodges a corner splash and lands a corner knee. Diving crossbody for two, arm-drag into an arm-bar from Ace. Callous lands a big right hand and kicks Ace to the floor, Teddy Long gets in some cheap shots behind the referee’s back.

 

Suplex from Callous, really nice suplex for two. Teddy Long comes through with another shot to the face, Ace is pissed. Callous takes advantage with a double axe handle, flying clothesline from Callous. Reverse chin-lock from Callous, Ace escapes but eats a leg drop for two. Small package from Ace for two, Callous stomps all over Ace. Callous avoids a dropkick, Callous covers for two. Ace begins to rally, whip to the buckle but Ace misses a corner slash. Wristlock and shot to the arm that hit the buckle off the missed splash, Callous wrenches the arm. Teddy Long gets involved once more, Ace comes back into it once more and lands a dropkick and a monkey flip. Ace climbs high, diving clothesline misses as Callous ducks. Heart Punch and a Diving Elbow Drop for the win.

 

Good God poor Johnny Ace is beyond dead in the water, everything he does the fans just boo the hell out of him. Nothing was going to help him, Callous was not bad here, plenty of potential and we will see how this kid does as time goes on but I would have cut about 4 to 5 minutes from this match.

 

Winner: Mean Mark Callous over Johnny Ace via Diving Elbow Drop!

 

The Samoan Swat Team vs Wildfire Tommy Rich & Captain Mike Rotunda

 

Rotunda as a babyface will always make me laugh, the man looks like a heel just let him be what he is damn it. And we have Wildfire Tommy Rich again who last time stank up the ring with some army gimmick guy that I can’t even remember. Also, they are no longer Wild Samoans? Where is Kahuna? Tama and Rich wrestle, Rich gets the upper hand so in comes Fatu. In comes Rotunda, Fatu wants a handshake. Lock-up, throat thrusts from Fatu. Rotunda lands a face-buster and two dropkicks, Rotunda lands shoulder blocks and dropkicks. Elbow on Tama, tag to Rich. Diving fist to the ribs, arm-wrench from Rich.

 

Powerslam from Tama, tag to Fatu. Fatu climbs high, diving headbutt misses with Fatu begging for mercy. Rich sends Fatu into the knee of Rotunda. Rotunda slaps on an arm-bar, Rich swaps with Rotunda. Fatu decks Tama by mistake, this happens every match. They hug it out now, Rich works the arm of Tama. Tag to Rotunda who lands a diving axe handle. Arm-bar from Rotunda, Tama cheap shots Rotunda and Rich, wishbone-split from The Samoans. Suplex by Fatu for two, Rotunda is sent to the floor. Thrust-kick from Tama, Fatu clotheslines Rotunda. Tama applies a shoulder-claw, Rich tags in but the referee was distracted. Rotunda is sent over the top rope, Fatu and Tama continue to destroy Rotunda.

 

Another thrust-kick wipes out Rotunda, Fatu applies a front chancery squeezing the life out of Rotunda. Rich wants in bad but Rotunda is fading fast, Rotunda cannot make the tag after escaping Fatu’s grasp so in comes Tama with a reverse chin-lock. A second missed tag spot and I am mentally wiped out at this point, this is brutal. Rotunda chops back at Tama, flying clothesline from Rotunda. Finally, Rich is in. Dropkick on Fatu, back body drop on Tama. Elbows all around, Rotunda dropkicks down Tama. Sleeper on Fatu by Rich, Tama lands a diving axe handle for the win.

 

Brutal tag team match, we all know that I hate Rotunda by this point. He bored me to death back in The Varsity Club Days so as a babyface who is in that for far too long, that was brutal. Rich was alright on the hot-tag but beyond that, just a chore to get through this match.

 

Winners: The Samoan Swat-Team over Team Rich via Diving Axe Handle!

 

(Hair vs Hair Match) Paul Ellering vs Theodore R. Long

 

Teddy goes all the way, head-gear and boxing gloves. Eye-rakes from Teddy Long, Ellering grabs Teddy by the throat. Saved by the referee, loaded punch from Ellering for two. Ellering tries taking on the glove, Irish whip and elbow to the face. Scoop slam from Ellering, Ellering has the glove. Teddy is waffled with the glove and this match is over, Teddy should be shaved. Teddy loses his hair, it's a great little moment.

 

Winner: Paul Ellering over Teddy Long via Loaded Glove!

 

(NWA United States Tag Team Championship Match) The Midnight Express W/ Jim Cornette vs Flyin’ Brian Pillman & The Z-Man ©

 

YES! My boys on back to back PPVs! You have no idea how long I have waited for this moment, we will have a decent match I have no doubts about that! Pillman and Zenk should do just fine, Zenk is hopefully improving because he’s the weak link of this match. Cornette is forced into the cage that he must stay in during the match, been a while since I saw this stipulation. Eaton and Pillman to start, clean break from Eaton. Lock-up again, push to the ropes. Beautiful right from Eaton, chops from Pillman. Pillman and Eaton wrestle around with Pillman landing dropkicks, scoop slams in stereo with Z-Man and monkey flips on The Midnight Express. Noggin-knocker and a sling-shot clothesline by the champions, good little sequence there.

 

Zenk and Lane are in, kicks from Lane. Drop-downs and leapfrogs before Zenk lands arm-drags, Lane dropkicks Eaton by mistake. Dropkick by Zenk, Lane is bounced around the champions. Cornette talks advice with Lane, Pillman is in there with Lane. Lane eats an arm-drag, Lane pokes the eye and tags Eaton who ends up in the arm-drag once more. Pillman has the arm but Eaton breaks free with a massive right, sunset flip with Pillman rolling through and surviving a monkey flip to deck Eaton with a dropkick. Babyfaces looking great thus far, Pillman arm-drags Lane. Tag to Zenk, throat thrust by Lane. Lane misses the elbow and Zenk arm-drags Lane.

 

Zenk sends Lane into Eaton with an atomic drop, Zenk lands an arm-drag on Eaton and works the wrist. Eaton pulls the hair for an advantage, Pillman swaps in with Zenk. Eaton sends Pillman to the floor, Eaton meets the buckle. Diving sunset flip for two, tag to Zenk who lands a back body-drop. Zenk back-drops Eaton to the floor, Lane is yanked in and eats a dropkick. Double hip-toss on Lane, the babyfaces are looking fantastic at this point. Zenk and Pillman work the arm of Eaton, axe handles on the arm. Eaton looks to Corny for advice, Eaton grabs the head of Pillman but nothing changes thus far. Eaton pulls the hair and Pillman shoves off some great strength and monkey flips Eaton before Pillman misses a clothesline.

 

Pillman lands on the floor and is drilled with a neck-breaker, Lane kicks Pillman off the apron onto the guardrail. Hot-shot and a clothesline from Lane, tag to Eaton. Snap-mare with a neck-breaker and elbow drop for two, Lane smacks Zenk before choking Pillman with the middle rope. Lane distracts the referee, Eaton chokes Pillman. Drop toehold into the elbow drop combination for two by the challengers, Lane lands his karate kicks to the ribs. Lane throws Pillman to the floor, Zenk is distracted once more. Lane hurls Pillman into the guardrail, Lane is caught in a sunset flip but Eaton distracts the referee, Pillman could have won the match. Eaton lands a scoop slam and goes high, diving elbow drop for two.

 

Eaton drags Pillman to his corner, Lane comes in and gets caught in a small package for two. Eaton comes back in, clubbing blows by Eaton and a tag to Lane. Forearm from Lane, scoop slam by Lane. I think on the diving elbow drop, Eaton busted open Pillman which is a nice little touch although not intended I believe. Eaton drills Pillman with rights, Pillman tries yanking Eaton off but Eaton lands a thumb to the eye. Alabama Jam by Eaton for two and a half, Pillman manages to powerslam Eaton and by God, Zenk gets the tag. Right hands by Zenk, Irish whip and back body-drop. Elbow for Lane, Sleeper on Lane. Lane escapes thanks to Eaton, Russian Leg-sweep and a Rocket Launcher for two.

 

Eaton whips Zenk to the buckle, Eaton misses the monkey flip. Pillman wants back in, Zenk lands his diving crossbody but Lane makes the save. Lane lands an enzuigiri to the back of the head and Eaton lands a small package for the win!

 

Woah, what was that finishing stretch? This was your typical Midnight match in the sense that it was awesome, you shine those babyfaces making them look like amazing wrestlers before you get the heat, Pillman does a great job as the babyface in peril. Eaton and Lane have great tag team manoeuvres and they pulverize Pillman before building to that hot-tag. Zenk’s hot-tag is as flat as possible, could not have been worse if I was being honest with you. The match is awesome up until the hot-tag, they build everything and the crowd is cooking and Zenk comes in and the finish happens and you are wondering why it didn’t just finish with The Rocket Launcher if the actual finish was going to be a small package. Great beginning and middle stretch with Pillman looking like a bigger star with every match, happy to see my boys take home the gold but finish was a little weak for my tastes.

 

Winners: The Midnight Express over Zenk & Pillman via Enzuigiri & Small Package!

 

(Corporal Punishment Match) The Fabulous Freebirds vs The Rock “N” Roll Express

 

Hayes stalls like always, slap from Gibson. Tag to Garvin, Garvin wants Morton. Morton comes in, Garvin is sent to the babyface corner. Garvin eats clotheslines and dropkicks from both. Lock-up, eye rake by Garvin. Back body drop and Garvin misses a shot with the strap and Garvin eats a clothesline and is whipped with the strap. Gibson and Garvin are in, side headlock from Gibson. Garvin shoves off, drop-down but Gibson lands a sunset flip for two. Morton comes in, Garvin is getting frustrated now. Garvin is caught in a side headlock, takedown from Morton. Gibson and Morton swap places, reverse chin-lock from Gibson. Hayes is irate as The Rock “N” Roll Express continue to wear down Garvin.

 

Garvin backs Morton to the corner, right hands by Garvin. Whip to the opposite buckle, Morton lands a figure four while Gibson does the same to Hayes. Hayes tags in and clubs Gibson, elbows to the head. Back elbow from Hayes who struts before a fist drop, Gibson is whipped with the strap. Gibson has a strap now, Hayes is not happy about this turn of events. Gibson beats both Freebirds around the ring, Garvin assumes control by dropping Gibson on the top rope. Garvin slams Gibson hard, knee-drop to the head. Two for Garvin, Gibson is sent to the floor before Hayes lands a stinging left-hand to Gibson. Morton is not happy, Garvin eats a kick to the face and in comes Morton.

 

Shots and eye-rake by Morton, O’Connor roll from Morton and Garvin shoves off Morton with Hayes landing that left to put down Morton. Reverse chin-lock from Garvin, Garvin decks Gibson while Hayes lands a double team with Garvin. Hayes comes in and lands the left with three elbow drops for two, reverse chin-lock from Hayes. Morton eats a massive bulldog from Hayes for two, Garvin comes in with a big stomp. Snap-mare into the reverse chin-lock, Morton escapes the hold but Garvin tosses Morton to the floor. Massive strap shot from Hayes, Hayes chokes Morton too. Scoop slam by Garvin in the ring, Garvin is climbing high. Morton pops up and yanks Garvin off the top rope. Hayes is in quick, Hayes is rammed off the buckle but manages an elbow to rock Morton.

 

Running bulldog is avoided by Morton, Gibson receives the hot-tag. Sleeper from Gibson, we have a brawl with Garvin sending Morton to the floor. Hayes clotheslines Gibson, Garvin kicks Morton in the head. Hayes lands the DDT on Gibson, Hayes struts around the ring. Hayes wants one more, Morton is on the top rope. Diving sunset flip for the win!

 

But Gibson was the legal man! What is this blatant abuse of the rules? Anyways, this was decent. Hayes is a master at stalling but can be entertaining in the right environment, the stipulation was a non-factor with little drama or excitement coming from the usage of the strap. Good tag team wrestling match, not great but good.

 

Winners: The Rock “N” Roll Express over The Fabulous Freebirds via Diving Sunset Flip!

 

(NWA World Tag Team Championship Match) The Steiner Brothers © vs Doom W/ Teddy Long

 

Doom who were destroyed at Starrcade in the tag team tournament are challenging for the tag team championships, Scott to start with Simmons. Shoulder blocks, powerslam from Scott. Reed wants a piece but here comes Rick, we have a stand-off. Eye-rake from Simmons, big right hands. Whip to the buckle and German suplex from Scott, love that spot. Reed comes into the ring, Reed works the arm of Scott. Scott reverses the hold and works the arm of Reed, Reed is looking for a breather. Reed pushes Scott to the ropes, clubbing blows. Shoulder block with no movement, dropkick and a Steinerline for both members of Doom. In comes Rick, Reed rocks Rick with knees and clubbing blows.

 

Rick ducks a clothesline, Reed lands his own clothesline though. Rick is thrown to the floor, Irish whip and Rick clotheslines Reed. Reed meets the guardrail, Simmons is in there with Rick. Clubbing blows by Simmons, piledriver from Rick. Steinerline sends Simmons to the floor, Scott sends Simmons into the guardrail before we reset with Scott and Reed. Reed backs Scott to the corner, clean break from Reed. Reed misses a right hand, hip-toss from Scott. Scott sends Reed into the buckle and lands a shoulder-breaker for two. Reverse chin-lock from Scott, knee drops to the arm by Scott. Rick comes into the ring now, right hands by Rick. Reed sends Rick to the floor, Simmons lands a massive boot to the head.

 

Reed ducks his head off an Irish whip, massive kick to the face by Rick. In comes Scott who eats a massive knee to the face. Simmons chokes Scott and clubs the younger of The Steiner Brothers. Scott boots away Simmons but cannot make the tag as Reed comes down with a diving axe handle. Swinging neck-breaker from Reed for two, snap-mare into right hands by Reed. Scott is dumped to the floor, Reed chokes the life out of Scott. Scott counters the suplex and drills Reed, tag to Simmons who knees Scott to the floor. Simmons distracts Rick, Reed and Teddy Long batter Scott. Rope guillotine from Simmons before Scott lands an exploder suplex. Simmons waffles Scott with a clothesline for a close two, Reed boots Scott in the head.

 

Running bulldog by Reed for two, piledriver from Reed. Simmons lands a shoulder blocks, Scott lands a powerslam out of desperation. Simmons retaliates with a face-buster, Simmons eats a back body-drop from Scott. Frankensteiner and the tag to Rick is coming, Rick gets into the match. Steinerline on Reed, powerslam on Reed. Simmons makes the save, Scott sends Simmons to the floor. Double suplex on Reed, Simmons breaks up the pin. Scott is alone in the ring, middle rope clothesline from Doom. We have a brawl, Scott and Simmons are down on the floor. Scott meets the ring-post, Simmons drags Rick down with Reed on top, Doom steal the tag team championships from The Steiners!

 

Hard-hitting tag team match from two teams that bring the pain every night, this is a shock to me considering that I thought The Steiners would rule as tag team champions until the next big team came into the company but it was not meant to be, I love the way all these guys will just batter one another. Always looks great and sounds great as the fans react big to it too. Finish looks good too, it looks as if Reed squishes Rick and Simmons really drives him into the mat. Lots of potential here in The Steiners and Simmons, looking forward to seeing the continuation of the feud.

 

Winners: Doom over The Steiner Brothers!

 

(NWA World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match) Ric Flair © W/ Woman vs Lex Luger

 

The Thunderdome cage returns which is garbage looking and brings me bad memories because the thunderdome was rather boring when watching it back at Halloween Havoc. Importantly, Luger has a staph infection in reality on his knee which will impede and hamper him for this match. So, Flair has to work with an injured babyface in a cage for a main event of a match that we saw at the previous PPV while praying that Sting is ready for July.

 

Luger starts hot with big right hands, Flair sends Luger to the buckle. Luger clotheslines out of the corner, Luger suplexes Flair into the ring. Flair knees and elbows Luger, Luger responds with a military press slam. Flair powders again, Flair lures in Luger. Chops and right hands but no effect, Luger hip-tosses Flair and lands a clothesline. Flair is trying to climb away from Luger, Flair kicks Luger in the face. Flair goes after the knee of Luger, massive chops. Snap-mare into a knee-drop. Suplex with no effect, Luger lands another clothesline. Ten Punches, Flair flip into a clothesline and the champion is down once more. Flair climbs the Thunderdome cage. Luger drags him down and bounces him off the cage wall. Flair climbs again, Luger stops Flair once more. Flair is rocked, Luger is in complete control.

 

Ring-post goes Flair, Flair blades because you know what time it is brother. Ten punches in the corner again, clothesline by Luger who blocked the inverted atomic drop. Two for Luger, Flair is climbing high on the cage. Luger bounces Flair off the cage repeatedly, Flair flops down to the ground. Flair chops back at Luger, Flair is sent into the cage again. Luger is screaming and posing, Flair’s chops do little to dent Luger. A shoulder block does not work for Flair, Flair meets the buckle. Luger scoops up Flair, superplex from Luger. Luger’s leg buckles off the superplex, Flair zeroes in on the leg. Chops and stomps to the knee of Luger, Luger does flips around the ring as Flair knee-drops onto the knee. Flair continues working the leg, Flair drills Luger with a belly to back suplex. Figure Four Leg-Lock with the ropes for leverage, Luger survives but The Horsemen come to ringside. Luger begins drilling Flair with clotheslines, three of them knock down Flair. The Horseman are trying to get inside the cage, Luger is going for ten punches on Flair again. Whip to the buckle and massive clothesline for two, Ole Anderson is freaking out at ringside while Arn is trying to get inside that ring.

 

Military press slam from Luger, Flair is down while Sting is here. Right hands to Arn and Ole, Sid stands around. Wait who is this? El Gigante is here! He’s bigger than Sid! Gigante scares away The Horsemen, Luger lands a powerslam and Barry Windham is in the ring and Windham knees Luger in the spine. We have a DQ in a cage match???????? FUCK This Company!

 

So they were hamstringed anyways with Sting not being able to capture the championship and now Luger had a staph infection that they worked into the actual match but obviously, it hurts the quality of the match when they had a great match the previous PPV and with the main event pool being so limited in the company, it’s Luger until Sting is ready for Flair. The blade job is mighty impressive from Flair but the Thunderdome cage for all its size, is not very menacing and hardly used during the course of the match, Flair tries to climb up it more than ram Luger’s head  into it. We also have the debut of Gigante which was largely a waste of time much like the man’s career so starting strong I suppose, will he be injected into big matches with The Horsemen? I hope not! Anyways, this was fine albeit they are painted into a corner for 2 PPVs and this one is much more irritating because a DQ in a cage match is utterly shameful.

 

Winner: Lex Luger over Ric Flair via DQ!

 

WCW’s Capital Combat 1990 is a disappointing PPV from WCW, we kick off with a six-man tag team match that is really bizarre, I can’t put it together in my head that I saw The Road Warriors teaming with a comedy act like Norman, you have a free agent in Bigelow there too and it’s just uninteresting to watch. We have Mean Mark vs Johnny Ace on PPV, not on Clash but on PPV. Both men are relatively unestablished as acts, Ace is a terrible babyface due to his negative reaction with the fans so they do the best they can but it feels right at home on an episode of Worldwide or The Power Hour. Things do not get much better with BABYFACE MIKE ROTUNDA and Tommy Wildfire Rich lighting up my screen against The Samoans, we continue to where we have a very entertaining Midnight Express vs Pillman & Zenk tag team match that kicks all sorts of ass, the finish is weak considering what was done to establish the babyfaces as great, seems odd in the grand stretch of things but my boys are champions and the match was great. Freebirds and Rock “N” Roll was alright, Hayes and his stalling can get on your nerves the longer it goes. Doom and Steiners is solid, big hits and a finish that is shocking but needed for the team of Doom, this could take them to the next level. Robocop and Sting is cheesy garbage, if that is your thing, it won’t offend you with how silly it is. I don’t have a problem with it and then we have the main event. Hampered by a small main event scene and an injured challenger but Flair puts on a show. Not as good as their previous encounter and bordering on stale despite Luger’s recent face turn but still enjoyable despite the terrible finish. WCW chugs forward and I have questions regarding the main event: What happens when Sting ascends?  What heels do we have for him? Sid? Barry Windham? Flair rematch? Guess we will see! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!