WCW Slamboree 1996 Review!

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to operate long after it should have died! Hey it’s WCW Slamboree 1996 and look, they brought back The Battle Bowl concept, kill me now. I hate this concept, I hate everything about it, it pisses all over every feud they have going in the company and I am sure these events never did any good business, they used it at 2 Starrcades in the early 90s and I thought I had escaped this shite but no how I was once again wrong, I am not even going to get into the matches. Let’s just get this over with.

 

Animal & Booker T vs Hawk & Lex Luger

I have hated this three-way feud between these teams and they just won’t let it die, why do I have to keep being tortured with this crap, imagine creating a PPV of just tag team matches, no variety whatsoever. Animal vs Luger to start, Booker is talking shit with Animal. They lock-up, Luger has Animal in the corner. No clean break from Luger, right hands and clubbing blows. Powerslam by Luger, Animal pushes Luger to the corner. Shoulder thrusts by Animal, clothesline by Animal. Powerslam by Animal, flying shoulder block by Animal. Luger lands a clubbing blow and delivers a suplex but Animal no-sells. Dropkick and tag to Booker, Animal and Booker are shoving one another. Heel kick by Booker, knees in the corner.

 

Luger is whipped to the buckle, boot by Luger but Booker is too quick. Booker slaps on a reverse chin-lock, Luger elbows his way out of the hold but Booker lands a kick to the ribs and lands a Scissors Kick. Hawk makes the save, Luger & Hawk are brawling with one another and of course, Animal backs up Hawk. Brawl with everyone on the floor, crowd reacts which is nice. Luger is backing away, Booker T is wiped out by Hawk and the crowd counts for a double-count-out!

 

So if you are keeping score, The Road Warriors have had three horrific matches in a row on PPV, at least they did the JOB in the last one but this concept sucks and I just want to die already and this was the first match. Brutal times ahead for me, please pray for me.

 

Double Count-Out!

 

The Public Enemy vs The Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan & Chris Benoit

Sullivan and Benoit hate one another while The Public Enemy were lucky enough to stay together, Benoit and Rocco Rock to start, they slap one another. Eye rake by Rocco, big uppercut. Irish whip reversed by Benoit, flying head-scissors by Rocco. Shove by Benoit, Benoit rakes the eyes and lands headbutt. Hurricanrana by Rocco, Rocco dances and stomps on Benoit. Benoit reverses an Irish whip and powerbombs the shit out of Rocco. Benoit dances and beats the piss out of Rocco, slap across the face. Tag to Taskmaster, slaps to the chest. Grunge comes in and Benoit takes care of him, we are on the floor and weapons are flying. Chairs to the head and hold on a second, a table is just setup ready to use. The fuck is this haha, Rocco places Taskmaster on the table. Rocco is cut off by a clothesline by Benoit, Rocco from the apron suplexes Benoit to the floor.

 

Rocco puts Benoit on the table, Sullivan is on top of Benoit. Sullivan dodges but Benoit is put through the table by Grunge & Rocco, Sullivan walks out on Benoit and Benoit is pinned through Grunge holding down his foot.

 

Not much of a match really, I liked the physicality as Benoit always brings the pain, a table bump is always appreciated and it continues the feud between Benoit & Sullivan.

 

Winners: The Public Enemy over Benoit & Sullivan via Splash Through The Table!

 

Sgt. Craig Pittman W/ Teddy Long & Scott Steiner vs The Booty Man W/ The Booty Babe & Rick Steiner

The idea of Scott Steiner beating the shite out of Booty Man pleases me, please give me what I need WCW. Pittman and Booty to start, fuck this company. Pittman does a series of waistlocks and it’s boring, Scott comes in and shoulder blocks Booty Man, Booty lands a hip-toss and a knee before Scott drills Booty with a tiger driver, fuck yes. Pittman is in (Damn You!), Booty has a wrist-lock and in comes Rick, they lock-up and Pittman lands a knee and big impact blows. Rick lands a shoulder block and a powerslam, Pittman German suplexes the shit out of Rick. Rick clubs the life out of Pittman with a Steinerline, Pittman tags in Scott. Crowd wants to see it between the two, they lock-up and Scott has Rick in the ropes.

 

Firemen’s carry by Scott, judo hip throw by Rick. Waist-locks from both men, Scott lands a massive exploder suplex. Rick lands a Steinerline, small package by Scott for two. Rick reverses an Irish whip, Scott lands two clotheslines and goes for a full-nelson. Rick reverses and lands a dragon suplex, Scott lands a middle rope exploder suplex on Rick, Booty Man is here. Scott dodges a corner spear, Booty Man hits the ring-post hard. Pittman is looking for Code Red, Booty Man makes the tag to survive. Rick lands a German suplex for the win, Scott is disgusted.

 

Another quick match, Scott vs Rick was awesome, shame when they actually feuded that Scott could barely move. Some beautifully nasty bumps in here though, needed more Booty Man being massacred though.

 

Winners: Rick Steiner & Booty Man over Scott Steiner & Craig Pittman via German Suplex!

 

The Blue Bloods vs V.K. Wallstreet & Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Duggan vs Regal to start, lots of stalling to begin. Lock-up, Duggan has Regal in the corner but Regal lands an elbow to the face, Duggan lands a hip-toss. Wallstreet does not want to tag Duggan, Duggan lands a clothesline, make it three. Wallstreet is in and Dave Taylor is in too, Taylor works the arm and tags in Regal. Lots of mat-wrestling here, uppercuts galore. Duggan is aggressively tagged, Duggan & Wallstreet talk smack to one another. Regal takes control with a forearm, Duggan & Regal bang heads. Taylor is tagged in, Duggan decks everyone with right hands. Duggan has a taped fist, Taylor is knocked out!

 

Well that was quick and to the point, good for Duggan who was arguably more over than everyone in the ring so why not push him big time.

 

Winners: Jim Duggan & VK Wallstreet over The Blue Bloods via Taped Fist!

 

Dirty Dick Slater & Bobby Eaton vs The Dancing Fools

Slater pushes Disco to the corner, clean break by Slater. Leg trip and Slater works the leg before Disco shoves off Slater. Elbows and chops by Slater, Disco tags in Wright. Eaton comes in with big right hands, Eaton whips Wright to the buckle, uppercuts by Wright. Hip-toss and dropkick by Wright, head-scissors and flying wheel kick. Tag to Slater, Disco gets the tag too. Right hands all around, elbows for Eaton. Match breaks down with all 4 in the ring, Disco lands an elbow in the corner. Slater cracks Disco in the back of the head with his boot. Just why must I watch this tournament?

 

Winners: Dick Slater & Bobby Eaton over The Dancing Fools via Boot to The Head!

 

DDP & The Barbarian vs Hugh Morrus & Meng

A mysterious benefactor has given DDP the means to come back to WCW, oh joy for DDP. I have to say though having watched DDP go from curtain jerker to TV champion to now, the man got his act together and got in shape very well. DDP looks almost like a different person, it’s crazy. Eye-poke and arm-wrench by DDP, shoulder thrusts and a side headlock. Morrus looks to reverse, DDP uses the hair to maintain control. Shoulder block and DDP is on the floor, Morrus tries a plancha and splats on the floor hard. DDP delivers a huge clothesline, tag to Barbarian. Morrus lands a clubbing blow and Meng comes in, the two partners are going to destroy one another. Chops and kicks by Meng, Barbarian pokes the eyes and lands a shoulder block.

 

Elbows to the head, clubbing blows but no movement. Spinning kick by Barbarian, down goes Meng. Assisted splash by DDP and Barbarian, Meng dodges an elbow drop and lands a headbutt on Barbarian. Tag to Morrus, scoop slam and Morrus climbs high. Diving elbow drop for two, DDP crotches Morrus. Barbarian wants a belly to belly and it connects! Meng makes the save, Hugh Morrus lands his Moonsault but DDP makes the save. DDP and Meng are brawling, superkick by both Barbarian & Meng but DDP has his foot under the ropes while Morrus did not so DDP & Barbarian advance.

 

Winners: DDP & Barbarian over Meng & Hugh Morrus via Superkick!

 

Big Bubba & Stevie Ray vs Fire & Ice

 

Stevie Ray & Norton to start, clean break by Norton and Stevie Ray takes advantage, scoop slam by Stevie. Norton reverses an Irish whip and lands a flying shoulder tackle, belly thrusts in the corner. Stevie blocks Norton twice with a boot, big clothesline by Stevie. Bubba is in, wind-up punch by Bubba. Corner splash, spinebuster by Bubba for two. Ice Train is in, splash but only two for Ice Train. Clothesline with both men down, Norton is in. Face-buster by Norton, Bubba and Stevie Ray bang heads and Fire & Ice nail a shoulder block for the win. Lame!

 

Fire & Ice over Big Bubba & Stevie Ray via Shoulder Block!

 

Arn Anderson & Eddie Guerrero vs Ric Flair & Randy Savage

Arn Anderson attacks Savage before the bell and Flair attacks Savage too, Flair and Eddie are brawling now with Eddie showing Flair that this will not be easy, forearms and a dropkick. Flair is begging for mercy, Woman & Miss Elizabeth are here! Lock-up, Flair chops Eddie but Eddie is drilling him back. Back body-drop and dropkicks by Eddie, eye-poke by Flair. Flair attacks Savage again, Flair allows Anderson to tag into the match so that Anderson can rough up Savage. Anderson shoves Savage to the corner, shoulder thrusts and forearms. Savage boots Anderson after an Irish whip, Spinebuster by Anderson for two. Flair tags into the match and beats the piss out of Savage, Eddie lands an eye-poke and chops on Flair.

 

Flair Flop, dropkick from Eddie. Tornado DDT lands, Savage goes after Flair. Anderson and Eddie are talking before Anderson wipes out Eddie with a DDT, Anderson attacks Savage. Flair is going to steal a win over Eddie, Ric Flair steals the win!

 

More short matches where I would rather see matches between everyone who was feuding instead of this crap, big part here though as Elizabeth slaps Savage.

 

Winners: Randy Savage & Ric Flair over Anderson & Eddie Guerrero via DDT!

 

(WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match) Dean Malenko © vs Brad Armstrong

The Ice Man Dean Malenko became champion by defeating Shinjiro Otani so we have the beginning of something special here in WCW with the cruiserweight championship. Brad Armstrong is your favourite worker’s favourite opponent if he was in WCW during the late 80s. Nobody says Brad Armstrong was not the shit, the man was like a machine but could never have that gimmick or charisma that would take him beyond being everyone favourite’s worker.

 

Standing switches from both men, Malenko drop toeholds but Armstrong wriggles free for a rings of Saturn like stretch, hammerlock into a side headlock. Malenko turns the tide, leap-frogs before a massive enzuigiri from Armstrong. Both men try hip-tosses, Malenko lands a headbutt before Armstrong lands a hip-toss and a dropkick. Malenko is on the floor recharging the batteries. Test of strength fake from Malenko, short dropkick to the knee. Armstrong is in trouble, Malenko sends the knee into the ring-post. Malenko stretches the leg of Armstrong, Armstrong makes it to the ropes. Malenko lands a scoop slam, Malenko lands a middle rope knee-drop to the leg. Shin-breaker and a standing leg lock from Malenko, Armstrong is placed in the tree of woe. Armstrong almost scores an upset with a sunset flip, Malenko is quickly out and works the leg.

 

Heel hook leads to a rope break, Malenko snaps the leg off of the ring apron. Another scoop slam, Malenko tries a splash but Armstrong blocks with a boot to the face. Irish whip and right hand by Armstrong, powerslam by Armstrong. Armstrong is going high risk, missile dropkick from Armstrong. Armstrong puts Malenko in The Texas Cloverleaf! What is going on here? Malenko makes it to the ropes, Malenko pulls Armstrong to the floor. Armstrong is on the apron, Malenko’s head meets the ring-post. Malenko nails a top-rope gut-buster on Armstrong for the win!

 

Another brief match, loved Malenko’s leg work throughout the match even though Armstrong did not sell it towards the end of the match, only remembering to when it was necessary. Didn’t think Malenko used that gut-buster as a finish but stranger things have happened and it does look nasty, a breathe of fresh air on this terrible card.

 

Winner: Dean Malenko over Brad Armstrong via Top-Rope Gut-Buster!

 

Bobby Eaton & Dick Slater vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan & V.K. Wallstreet

Duggan beat the crap out of his partner earlier so the idea they would even come out together is ridiculous but here we are, the bell rings and Duggan is tearing up Wallstreet. Eaton & Slater are here now, they get the jump on Duggan & Wallstreet before Duggan turns the tide, Wallstreet knees Duggan to the floor. Slater lands a Russian leg-sweep on Wallstreet for two, elbow by Slater. Eaton comes in, back body-drop by Wallstreet. Duggan headbutts Eaton on the floor, abdominal stretch by Wallstreet. Slater makes the save, Duggan waffles Eaton & Slater. Duggan & Slater come into the ring, Duggan knocks down Slater for two, reverse chin-lock from Duggan.

 

Slater and Duggan collide off a comical shoulder block, tag to Wallstreet & Eaton. Wallstreet showing me why I hated him all those years ago by flopping, Eaton slams Wallstreet. Eaton is yanked off the top rope, Wallstreet nails Duggan by mistake, Duggan smacks Wallstreet back and Eaton gets the roll-up win!

 

Ugh how many more matches of this shit do I have to sit through?

 

Winners: Eaton & Slater over Duggan & Wallstreet via Roll-Up!

 

The Public Enemy vs Ric Flair & Randy Savage

Imagine The Public Enemy getting two PPV matches on one night, double payday. Savage comes out after Flair to jump Flair and security takeaway Savage, why didn’t this happen when Flair attacked Savage? That’s a bit bizarre, The American Males are here. Wow been a wild since I saw Bagwell on PPV, maybe 1994? Public Enemy win by forfeit!

 

Winners: The Public Enemy!

 

DDP & The Barbarian vs The Booty Man & Rick Steiner

DDP talks to Booty Babe, Booty Man is not happy. Big right hand by Booty Man, tag to Steiner. Steiner and Booty fuck-up a spot, great stuff. Steiner slams DDP hard for two, Steiner wants ten punches in the corner but DDP flapjacks Steiner onto the turnbuckle. In comes Barbarian who boots Steiner before being suplexed by The Dog-Faced Gremlin, middle rope belly to belly suplex. Steinerline for two, Barbarian clubs down Steiner. Powerbomb by Barbarian, two for Barbarian. Barbarian tosses Steiner over the top rope behind the referee’s back, DDP stomps all over Steiner. Barbarian lands a corner clothesline, clothesline and a second clothesline goes wrong as Steiner lands a stungun. High Knee by Booty Man, DDP makes the save. Booty Man tries an O’Connor roll but DDP lands an elbow to the head and Barbarian covers for the win.

 

Winners: DDP & Barbarian over Booty Man & Rick Steiner via Elbow!

 

(WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Konnan © vs Jushin Liger

I don’t think even Sonny Onoo can make Jushin Liger a heel on this night as Konnan comes out looking like a massively jacked heel. Lock-up, trip and interesting move from Konnan, they trade wrist-locks and pin-fall attempts. Chops by Liger, snap-mare and a senton by the challenger. Onoo lands some martial arts kicks but it doesn’t work out for Onoo, baseball slide and plancha by Liger. Brainbuster by Liger for two, Konnan tries stretching Liger who reverses and stretches Konnan. Camel clutch by Liger, single leg Boston crab attempt. Konnan begins to fight back, both men slap one another before Liger lands a kappu kick.

 

Liger lifts Konnan onto the top rope, superplex by Liger. Liger calls for something big from the top, diving splash from the top for two. Liger tries a splash to the floor but Konnan lands a dropkick, Liger dodges an elbow in the ring and lands a belly to back suplex. Liger lands a fisherman buster for a close two, Liger is whipped to the buckle. Liger tries a head-scissors out of the corner but Konnan counters for an alabama slam. Konnan wanted a Splash Mountain Bomb but Liger rolls out for a sunset flip and a close two, Liger wants a Liger-Bomb. It connects, 1…2…. Konnan kicks out at the last moment! Scoop slam by Liger, Konnan blocks with a boot. Konnan lands The Power Drive and it’s over!

 

Again when I see Konnan in WCW, I become curious about how he comes across in AAA because he had to have some sort of magic factor to have people lose their minds over the guy. Liger doesn’t know how to have a bad match especially during this era so they drop bombs and while the crowd doesn’t care, I am eating it up but the question has to be asked: Why are they pushing Konnan so hard when the crowd doesn’t care.

 

Winner: Konnan over Jushin Liger via Power Drive!

 

(Battle-Bowl Match)

Eight men battling for the title of “Lord of The Ring”, a prestigious title that can only be held by the bets of the best so who do we have here tonight? Ice Train, Scott Norton, Dick Slater, Bobby Eaton, Public Enemy, Barbarian and DDP. Oh yeah, that just screams the best of WCW. Everyone is paring off in corners, lots of punching so if that’s your thing, you will be in heaven in this one. Barbarian almost boots out DDP. Finally Rocco Rock is thrown out as Barbarian back-drops him out, Slater smashes Eaton with his boot and Eaton is eliminated.

 

Eaton decks Parker with a right hand, it is beautiful. Slater must be eliminated as the camera misses it, Slater & Eaton brawl to the back. DDP throws out Scott Norton with a back-drop, what a random last four. Powerslam by Ice Train on Barbarian, DDP and Grunge. DDP drops Barbarian with a Diamond Cutter, Cutter on Ice Train and Grunge. DDP pins Grunge, DDP pins Ice Train and DDP does not pin Barbarian. Barbarian catches the foot of DDP, clothesline by Barbarian for two. Barbarian spikes DDP with a tombstone for a close two, Barbarian has the sleeper, DDP lands a low-blow. Irish whip but DDP lowers his head, Barbarian wants a powerbomb. Another two, scoop slam by Barbarian. Diving headbutt misses, Diamond Cutter and it’s over.

 

Big moment for DDP, they obviously have plans for DDP who is working very hard to improve his craft, good for him although there will always be rumours of how his relations to Bischoff and The Wolfpac would impact his career.

 

Winner: DDP over Barbarian via Diamond Cutter!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match) The Giant © W/ Jimmy Hart vs Sting

Jimmy Hart & Lex Luger are going to be handcuffed to one another on the floor, this feels very bizarre as I love Sting while WCW has done everything to make him a backup to Hogan & Savage and even Flair in 1993 but here is Sting in 1996 challenging for the championship when Sting has been in the tag team scene for months at this point. Giant was rough with Hogan guiding him, how will he do with Sting. Both men show great speed to kick us off, Sting tries a crossbody and bounces off like nothing, Sting is talking shit with Giant. Giant eats a right-hand and tries a sleeper, the crowd come alive for the first time tonight.

 

Sting lands a dropkick, make it two and a clothesline too! Giant laughs in Sting’s face, Sting is on the floor re-evaluating his strategy. Sting wanted a slam but Giant falls on Sting for a close two, Giant steps all over Sting’s chest. Elbow drop by Giant, Luger is firing up the crowd. Giant whips Sting, elbow to the face. Giant shoulder thrusts Sting over and over, whip to the opposite buckle. Sting fights back, Giant clubs down the challenger. Low headbutt by Giant, elbow drops by Giant. Body-scissors by Giant, Giant also uses the ropes for leverage. Giant whips Sting, Sting kicks Giant in the face so Giant shoves Sting to the floor.

 

Giant throws Sting towards the stage, Luger has Jimmy Hart on the table. Giant cannot throw Sting through the table, clever from Luger. Sting is on the apron and elbows the referee by mistake, Giant is watching in the corner. Giant misses a splash, Sting kicks Giant in the ribs and Sting lands a Stinger Splash. Giant is being battered, Luger & Jimmy Hart watch on from the apron. Sting tries to save Luger who is being choked by Giant, Sting lands three Stinger Splashes.

 

Sting manages to put down The Giant with boots, Jimmy Hart is on the top rope. Sting tries a Stinger Splash but Jimmy Hart is pulled down from the buckle by Luger possibly, Sting headbutts Giant in the balls. Diving Top Rope Splash by Sting for two, Giant presses Sting onto the referee. Sting is climbing again, second splash. Scorpion Death-Lock, Luger and Jimmy Hart are fighting over the megaphone. Sting is clocked with the megaphone, was it an accident? Giant lands The Chokeslam for the win!

 

Well I am not sure if the crowd loves Sting like I do or they were so bored by the piss-poor action before this match but they are fired up here and Sting brings everything he can to the limited Giant and the result is quite a fun match. They have clearly put months into Luger coming back and will he turn on Sting, will he not and we continue that drama with the finish here appearing as Luger smashed Sting with the megaphone. Shame that ultimately it will go nowhere in about two months but hey it looked great here. Giant and Sting are infinitely more mobile and fun than Hogan vs Giant, different dynamic and some fun near-falls here with a referee bump too! Good main event made a thousand times better than everything before it being shite!

 

Winner: The Giant over Sting via Chokeslam!

 

That was WCW’s Slamboree 1996, a possible contender for one of the worst PPVs that I had to watch during this series. The Battle Bowl concept is horrible, it drops all feuds in the name of a battle royal that doesn’t feel like a Royal Rumble. The random teams thrown together get in the way of the interesting feuds I want to see, I would rather Savage vs Flair again than this tag match nonsense, Savage lost Elizabeth last month, why is he not trying to murder Flair for stealing her from him? Anyways, the concept is boring, the matches are short and the other singles matches are inoffensive, leaving no real impression on the mind after they had taken place. However, the crowd and I wake up for the main event, Sting shows why Sting should be WCW Champion in a matter of minutes and has some good drama to add to the Sting & Luger story. So this PPV was a rough one to get through because so many short matches back to back can be just as draining as bad matches. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

 

WCW Superbrawl 1996 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac’s Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to be delayed more than CM Punk’s return to AEW! It’s time for WCW Superbrawl 1996 as we have two massive cage matches as Hulk Hogan takes on The Giant while Randy Savage defends his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Ric Flair! We also have Konnan vs One Man Gang for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, the return of The Road Warriors as they challenge for The WCW World Tag Team Championships! Big matches up and down the card but will the stipulations make for an exciting show? We shall see! Dusty Rhodes is here on commentary again which means things might get very silly!

 

(Street Fight Match) Public Enemy vs The Nasty Boys

Perfect match for two groups that I do not want to see wrestle a standard match, the two brawled at the previous Clash and I imagine this will be more of the same madness here. We start with brawling, Knobbs is tossed to the floor and Grunge is ready to go out there and brawl with him. Knobbs throws a fan’s drink in the face of Grunge, Grunge meets the ring-post. Rocco Rock grabs a table early, fans like to see that. Sags meets Rock with a chair and waffles him over and over, Sags attacks Grunge too. Grunge answers back with more chair-shots of his own, Knobbs meets the ring-post before being placed on the table. Knobbs plays possum and throws Rock through the table from the apron, Knobbs tries to cover for the pin but Grunge makes the save with a chair.

 

Sags grabs a pin full of weapons, Knobbs uses the table to attack Rock. Sags wants a piledriver on a trash can, Grunge is absolutely spiked with the piledriver. 1..2.. Grunge places a foot on the ropes, Rock chokes Knobbs by the stage with something. Grunge is right back up after the piledriver and nails Sags with trashcan lid shots. Knobb suplexes Rock through a table by the stage, they continue brawling by the stage. Sags suplexes a table onto Rock, morw chair-shots and trashcan attacks. Knobbs is laid out on a table, Rock goes for a senton bomb through the table but Knobbs moves out of the way, Knobbs drops a table piece elbow on Rock and they win the match.

 

Well it’s more of a spectacle than anything else, hardly a match with little to no-selling throughout the match but I would be damned to say if I didn’t enjoy this trainwreck. It was always moving, always going to the next spot whether it was a table bump or something vicious and while tedious towards the end with the lack of any sort of psychology, that finish was cool shit for sure and if every match these two teams had was like that, I would be one happy man.

 

Winners: The Nasty Boys over Public Enemy via Table Shot!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) Johnny B. Badd © W/ Diamond Doll vs Diamond Dallas Page

The championship is on the line but also the services of The Diamond Doll and DDP’s money which totals 6 million dollars! DDP comes out and tries to serenade his former love with roses before Badd clobbers him to the floor and whips him into the guardrail. DDP has Badd on the apron with clubbing blows but Badd snap-mares DDP out of the ring and bounces his head off the apron. Slingshot leg-drop for two, DDP is begging for mercy. They begin working holds with Badd continuing to out-wrestle DDP, DDP tries cheating but it does not work as Badd lands a nice arm-drag. Backslide attempt by Badd, it lands but DDP kicks out and pokes the eye of Badd. Small package by Badd for two, Badd works the arm. DDP pushes Badd to the ropes and lands a big shot to the ribs before DDP lands a stun-gun.

 

DDP lands an elbow low on Badd, the referee is not happy with DDP’s action. DDP mocks Badd who is having trouble continuing the match, DDP talks trash to The Diamond Doll too. Badd tries a sunset flip but DDP counters with right hands, DDP stays on the attack with stomps to the ribs. Badd reverses an Irish whip but DDP lands a massive DDT, DDP wants a ten instead of the pin. DDP talks to Diamond Doll again, DDP wants a ten. Kimberly gives DDP a 1, Badd almost rolls-up DDP but DDP is back on top with a choke. Reverse chin-lock from DDP, DDP uses the ropes for leverage. Badd escapes and almost rolls up DDP again but DDP is too strong, Badd begins firing back with jabs and a massive right.

 

Badd climbs high, could be sunset flip time. Diving double axe handle by Badd, Kimberley gives him a 10! Badd has DDP and wants revenge for earlier, elbow to the groin. Badd climbs high again, diving sunset flip for a close two. Sit-pot powerbomb for a close two, DDP rolls to the apron. Hot-shot by DDP, DDP whips Badd to the corner. DDP misses the clothesline and Badd rols-up DDP for two, eye-poke by DDP. Badd whips DDP into the corner, DDP elbows Badd down. DDP lands a massive slam off an Irish whip for two, DDP slaps on a sleeper. Jaw-breaker counter by Badd, sleeper by Badd. Badd uses the legs and climbs DDP, DDP is fading. DDP backs into the corner, Badd reverses an Irish whip and plants DDP with a tombstone piledriver for the win!

 

Well I wasn’t expecting that finish, I didn’t think DDP would be planted with a tombstone but unfortunately for these two, this match did not have the heat that the last match did because their last encounter had incredible energy from the crowd and it simply couldn’t match that match but as always they work hard and I appreciate both their efforts.

 

Winner: Johnny B. Badd over DDP via Tombstone Piledriver!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Sting & Lex Luger © vs Harlem Heat

Lex Luger continues to be a two-faced menace as Luger is cheating his way to success while hiding his efforts behind his good friend Sting’s back. Booker and Sting to start, Booker uses knees and elbows to rough up The Stinger. Sting sends Booker to the buckle and lands a clothesline, Sting tries a side headlock takedown but Booker uses his legs to trap Sting between his legs. Sting grabs a side headlock and tags in Luger, Luger comes in with massive forearms. Whip to the buckle, Booker counters with a boot. Forearms by Booker, tag to Stevie. Double elbow to Luger, Luger spills out to the floor. Luger tags in Sting, Stevie Ray batters Sting before Sting lands a hip-toss and dropkick. Quick cover but Stevie Ray goes to the eyes with a poke, tag to Booker. Side headlock by Booker, face-buster by Sting and a tag to Luger. Luger rakes the eyes of Booker off the ropes, stomps in the corner. Knee-lift by Luger, belly to back suplex by Luger for two. Luger misses an elbow drop, Booker is up with clubbing blows. Sidewalk slam by Booker, Booker misses an elbow drop but lands a beautiful Harlem sidekick. Tag to Stevie, scoop slam. Stevie continues to dish out the punishment to Luger, Booker tags into the match.

 

Booker is landing big knees to the ribs, Stevie punches Luger right between the eyes and wants a powerbomb. Stevie lands it for two, shoulder claw from Stevie Ray. Luger fights out but eats a knee to the ribs, tag to Booker. Scissors Kick by Booker, Booker does not pin right away though. Booker decides not to pin at all, front chancery from Booker. Luger wriggles free and Sting has seene enough, Sting lands Stinger Splashes before being tossed to the floor, Stevie Ray and Luger are legal in the ring. Road Warriors are here, Animal smashes Stevie Ray with something and Luger pins Stevie Ray.

 

Kind of heelish by Road Warriors no? Bit strange and a bit tame too as obviously Sting & Luger are going to work another match so they don’t go all out in this one. I do wonder where this Luger thing was going considering Luger took out Hogan and Savage at Havoc but now things are all good? Also where would this have went if The NWO didn’t happen? Decent match at the end of the day, could be better.

 

Winners: Sting & Luger over Harlem Heat via Shenanigans!

 

(WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Konnan © vs One Man Gang

Things are looking good for Konnan who came in from Mexico and now is holding the second most prestigious championship in the company. However, Konnan is in there with One Man Gang who is not Psicosis and not even close to his size so how will Konnan connect with the fans here tonight? Gang jumps Konnan to begin the match, clubbing blows for days. Konnan leaps over Gang and begins to dropkick the leg and lands a spinning heel kick for good measure. Middle rope dropkick and a crossbody by Konnan, they spill to the floor. Konnan lands an ugly middle rope senton, Gang regains control in the ring. Scoop slam and a leg drop, Gang taunts Konnan. Big choke by Gang, sidewalk slam.

 

Throat thrust by Gang, Konnan is crushed in the corner by Gang. Konnan fights back form underneath, Gang stretches the mouth of Konnan. Konnan fights back from his knees but Gang kicks down Konnan. Konnan fights back and lands a hurricanrana, dropkick to the ropes. Another dropkick but Gang is on his feet, Gang side-steps the dropkick. Gang lands a massive 747 Splash but Gang says “Nah I don’t want to win yet” Gang decides the logical idea is to go to the middle rope, Konnan moves out of the way far too early and Konnan lands a rolling senton from the top rope for the win.

 

Poor match from two people who do not have any sort of chemistry, if negative chemistry existed, these two could be front-runners for it. Just noting here, everything looks awkward and slow.

 

Winner: Konnan over One Man Gang via Senton!

 

(Leather Strap Match) The Taskmaster W/ Jimmy Hart vs Brian Pillman

The match ends when one man utters the words “I respect you”, it is a leather strap mixed with an I quit match. Definitely heated here as Pillman sprints to the ring and tries to waffle Sullivan, Sullivan has a double-leg hoping for the best. Sullivan lands a massive right to the face, Sullivan kicks Pillman low and Pillman chases the referee and says “I respect you Bookerman”, that’s it and now it is over! Sullivan stands around the ring awkwardly, this all feeds into The Loose Cannon gimmick of Brian Pillman. Arn Anderson comes down to the ring and gets whipped, the fans want to see Anderson compete and Anderson is happy to oblige. Anderson comes right in and lands massive blows, Anderson whips Sullivan with the strap. Sullivan is hog-tied and stomped by Anderson, Anderson uses the strap to choke out Sullivan. Sullivan and Anderson take turns low-blowing one another, Anderson chokes Sullivan and begins to hang him from the ropes.

 

Sullivan takes away the strap and sends Anderson to the floor, Anderson is sent into the ring-post, Ric Flair is in the ring. Flair wants a resolution to this conflict, everyone ends up working together as an alliance to take out Hulkamania.

 

Not sure what you could say about this really, it’s an angle more than anything else made all the more interesting by the unpredictable Loose Cannon Pillman who seemingly walked out on the match throwing everything into chaos but of course, it was all planned but yeah, Anderson and Sullivan fight which looks tame compared to the intensity set by Pillman and Sullivan and then it just ends so not sure what they wanted to accomplish on PPV with it but it’s over now!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Sting & Luger © vs The Road Warriors

We still do not know what to make of Luger and his attitude, Sting still trusts his friend. Luger walks away but Sting convinces his friend to go and defend the championships. Holy hell there are about 3 minutes of stalling here with Luger, Hawk and Sting are going to start the match. Side headlock by Hawk, shoulder block by Hawk. Dropkick by Hawk, Sting rolls to the apron. Stomps to the chest by Hawk, Sting is taking a walk. Sting lures in Hawk, Hawk meets the barricade. In the ring, Hawk regains control and applies an STF. Hawk stomps all over the back of Sting, tag to Animal. Animal batters the arm, Luger comes in and now The Road Warriors batter Luger. Animal with a powerslam and a tag to Hawk, ten punches with a corner clothesline. Make it two clotheslines, Luger is down in the corner. Animal sends Luger into the barricade, Sting helps his partner into the ring. Hawk grabs Luger by the hair, Luger uses an eye-poke. Hawk eats right hands and a clothesline by Luger, two for Luger. Tag to Sting, kick by Sting.

 

Hawk manages to tag Animal, Animal knocks down Sting and Sting falls down on the nuts of Animal. Luger is in now and clobbers Animal, Animal is caught in an inverted atomic drop. In comes Sting who slaps the head of Animal, boot and a face-buster. Sting tries a top rope splash but Animal blocks with his knees, Hawk and Luger are now legal. Crowd seemed confused on who to cheer, flying shoulder tackle and leg drop by Hawk for two. Fist drop, make it two. Reverse chin-lock by Hawk, Luger fights out but Hawk applies a sleeper before Luger lands a jaw-breaker. Animal & Sting are in, Sting sends Animal to the buckle. Stinger Splash, Scorpion time! Hawk delivers a clothesline, Luger chases Hawk.

 

Animal slaps on a reverse chin-lock, Luger makes the save but Hawk flattens Luger. Sting suplexes Animal but Animal no-sells it and lands a suplex of his own but Sting fires back too. Dropkick by Animal, double elbow on Sting. Hawk and Animal start battering Luger, everyone is on the floor. Count- out!

 

Match was garbage really, love all four in the match but the chemistry was not there and they did what they needed to do to get to the finish. It was sloppy in parts, lots of stalling in the beginning and no semblance of a hot-tag or anything special in this one, a huge change from the classic that Luger & Sting had with The Steiners a few years earlier.

 

Double Count-Out!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match) Ric Flair W/ Woman vs Randy Macho Man Savage © W/ Miss Elizabeth

Savage won the championship at World War 3 and since then, these two have traded the championship in confusing manner as I try to figure out what WCW wants to do with its talent. However, none of this will matter in a few months so not sure why I am bothered getting worked up about this but anyways, Giant is not interested in regaining the championship so Flair continues to feud with Savage.

 

Eventually we begin, Savage starts with punches in the corner. Flair chops Savage, Savage lands right hands. Savage tries a pin, nothing there for the champion. Big chop in the corner, snap-mare into a knee-drop. Savage is thrown into the steel cage, Savage is in the tree of woe. Flair just decked the referee a couple of minutes in, what is this about? Savage fights back from underneath, back-slide but there is no referee. Wait a minute, the referee is up already? Back-drop and clotheslines by Savage for two, Flair is on his knees and getting stomped by Savage. Flair turns the tide and sends Savage into the steel cage, Flair lands another elbow to the face. Two for Flair, chops in the corner. Elbow again by Flair, Flair batters Savage up against the wall.

 

Savage fights back on his knees, Flair lands a snap-mare and climbs high. Historically and again, a bad idea for Flair. Savage yanks him off the top rope and applies the figure four. Savage climbs high and gets nailed in the ribs with a shot from Flair. Delayed vertical suplex by Flair, Flair wants the Figure-Four and Flair applies it in the middle of the ring. Flair uses the ropes for leverage, referee pulls off Flair but what was his justification? Savage holds onto the ropes to survive, Flair is caught in a small package for two. Savage collapses to the corner, Savage fights out and sends Flair into the cage wall. Savage rakes the face of Flair off the steel cage, Savage bites the head of Flair. Ten punches in the corner from Savage, Flair counters with an inverted atomic drop.

 

Flair is bleeding, a welcome addition that has been sorely missed in WCW. Savage exposes Flair’s ass, Flair knocks down Savage but Flair falls onto the top rope. The bell rings fucking up the false finish, poor WCW. Flair lands a low blow on Savage, Flair chokes Savage. Flair’s ass makes another appearance, incredible eh? Savage eats a headbutt from Flair, Flair tries climbing away. The door is open, what will happen now? The referee is trying to fix the door, they have this wide camera which makes it difficult to follow the action. They continue with the angle while Flair back-drops Savage into the steel cage. Woman has powder but misses, Elizabeth is here and gives Flair her shoe. Roll-up by Savage with a handful of tights, Flair waffles Savage with the shoe and Flair is champion! Elizabeth has betrayed Savage!

 

I do wish they did have more heat to it but they blew their load a long time ago with the angle where Flair attacked Savage’s father, hard to believe that the feud continued like this but they got the desired result with Elizabeth turning on Savage, this should have been like Paul Bearer turning on Taker but it just did not have that same feel, I suppose it’s harder for the audience to see the spot with a massive cage in the way. While I do enjoy is how Savage always sells Flair’s attacks, possibly better than anyone else giving actual creditability to the work of Flair. Top selling from Savage and I do wish that they got more of a reaction for the work they put in on the night.

 

Winner: Ric Flair over Randy Savage via Shoe!

 

(Steel Cage Match) The Giant vs Hulk Hogan

They just cannot help themselves can they? So after the Monster Truck cheese-fest and the passable tag matches, they wanted Hogan vs Giant in the cage. Hogan sucks chants are audible hear, Hogan throws his shirt and chokes and punches Giant who is limited as always. Hogan uses his wrist-tape to choke Giant, Hogan is stepping all over Giant in the corner. Giant has yet to do anything, more shirt-choking from Hogan. Eye-rake by Hogan, Giant blocks a slam and begins clubbing Hogan. Now it is all Giant here, Giant chops and chokes Hogan. Standard stuff here, Hogan begins the comeback with right hands. Hogan calls for a slam, Giant falls on top of Hogan. Giant chokes Hogan with his boot, Giant whips Hogan to the buckle and lands a boot. Hogan meets the cage, Giant tries walking out the cage. Hogan grabs the leg, Giant has his eyes raked. Back-breaker and a stretch from Giant, Hogan meets the cage again. Bearhug from Giant, Hogan tees off with right hands. Shoulder block does not budge Giant, knee by Giant. Elbow and down goes Hogan, Hogan comes alive and Giant is shocked. Right hands, Giant meets the cage. Hogan bites the head of Giant, Giant is bleeding. Over and over again off the cage walls, big boot and Hogan slams The Giant. Atomic Leg Drop 3 Times!!! Giant shakes it off and battles Hogan on the top rope, chops and chops. Hogan right hands Giant down, Hogans slowly wiggles his way over the top and wins. Taskmaster assaults Hogan after the match, Hogan shakes it off. The Dungeon of Doom is here but Hogan is winning with one chair against like 10 guys. What is this garbage? Hogan’s greatest night.

 

Hogan fought off ten men after a cage match with The Giant…… Do I even need to add anymore after that to tell you what I thought of this? 10 fresh men beaten by one Hogan just after a cage match, the guy is a joke.

 

Winner: Hulk Hogan over The Giant via Escape!

 

That was Superbrawl 1996, a disappointing show from WCW. We kicked things off well with an extended brawl between Public Enemy and The Nasty Boys, I don’t want to see either team wrestle a straight-forward tag team match so this match accentuated their positives and I was a happy boy. DDP vs Johnny B. Badd was solid, they have good chemistry and the crowd care about the angle, no major complaints here. The tag team title matches were both horrific, Sting & Luger phoning it in for the first match and then the double count-out mess for the second match. Why bother being invested with this crap? Konnan vs One Man Gang was a clashing of two different styles, it doesn’t work, it’s quite ugly and I rather wish I didn’t have to see it. Pillman vs Anderson didn’t even take place while Flair vs Savage could have been better, should have been better but ultimately felt a little flat despite the big shock of Elizabeth turning on Savage. The main event would be passable for late 80s WWF with a molten hot crowd but this was 1996 and WCW was not late 80s WWF so Giant plods around being let by Hogan to a tame cage match that has a predictable finish considering everyone loses to Hogan and then the ending is the shit cherry on this cake. Avoid this PPV, it has no real value. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Clash of Champions XXXII Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that could sell out Wembley! Looking good for TK right? Anyways, here we have WCW Clash of The Champions XXXII, the final Clash that I will be covering as part of this series, Clashes have always been a mixed bag but let’s see if WCW can have one more banger show here before the summer is dominated by The NWO! We kick off with a recap and I am immediately annoyed, Randy Savage is champion again? What was the point of putting the championship on Flair? Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan seem to have some serious tension between the two but we also have new tag team champions as Lex Luger & Sting are tag team champions! It seems The Dungeon of Doom and The Horsemen are aligned quite tightly as we have a monster tag team match main event as The Giant & Ric Flair take on Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan, we also have Luger & Sting vs The Blue Bloods and Konnan defending his championship against Psicosis. So with 1996 starting, we can see the cruiserweight influence spilling into the card here, exciting times for WCW.

 

The Nasty Boys vs Public Enemy

One of the greatest things Paul Heyman ever did was convince the bigger companies through clipped matches that a lot of his guys could work. Public Enemy were a fantastically fun tag team in ECW and they secured a big payday in WCW so I am happy for them. However, WCW’s tag team scene still seems to be absolute trash. This could be fun if it is NO DQ and the two teams can just brawl all over the arena.

 

This starts with a brawl, I am happy with this development. Sags sends Rock into the guardrail while Knobbs clotheslines Grunge. Irish whip to the buckle but Knobbs misses the nasty splash, belly to back suplex by Grunge. Rock is crotched on the guardrail by Sags, Grunge batters Knobbs and dances. Sags is leaving the arena, what is this about? Grunge misses a clothesline and spills to the floor, Sags has a table. Table is in the ring, table is in the corner. Sags wanted to send Rock into the table but Rock lands a bulldog. Headbutt to Knobbs, Rock lands a moonsault on Knobbs for two. Grunge & Sags brawl on the floor, Knobbs lands an elbow on Rock. Knobbs sends Rock to the floor, Sags and Knobbs want a piledriver. Grunge is flattened, Knobbs has the table. Referee calls for a no contest, Rock lands a moonsault through the table on Knobbs.

 

You know what? This was the best thing that they could have hoped for between these four guys, this is everything I could have wanted from these four. Perhaps WCW’s best booked match of all-time, brawling, brawling and more brawling. Simply perfect.

 

No Contest!

 

Dean Malenko vs Alex Wright

The Ice-Man is here! Dean Malenko is a veteran of the junior heavyweight scene in not only NJPW but also AJPW, Malenko tore it up on ECW with the likes of Eddie Guerrero, 2 Cold Scorpio and more so it’s no surprise that Malenko was snapped up by WCW. Alex Wright was beaten up badly by Malenko on a previous episode of Saturday Night, Wright does not look more angry or determined here or perhaps Wright is doing his best to seem angry but it is not coming across well in this one. Side headlock takedown by Wright, Malenko counters with his legs before Wright wriggles free. Side headlock by Malenko, head-scissors by Wright before Malenko escapes, hammerlock counter by Wright but Malenko is too smooth for Wright. Both men working a frantic pace here, side headlock by Wright.

 

Standing switch and rolls from both, dropkick from Wright. Head-scissors takedown by Wright, Malenko powders on the floor. Malenko dodges an enzuigiri and elbows drops the leg, Malenko drags Wright to the ring-post and smashes his leg into the ring-post. Dragon screw into a single leg heel hook, Wright tries to escape the hold but Malenko is not too quick to let go. Malenko stomps on the leg, knees to the legs. Wright elbows Malenko and lands a diving crossbody, Wright continues selling the leg so I am happy. Uppercuts by Wright, Malenko is caught with a knee. Dropkick by Wright, belly to back suplex by Malenko. Malenko climbs high, Wright dropkicks Malenko in the head. Superplex by Wright, Wright lands a German Suplex but Malenko kicks out! Malenko dodges a dropkick, massive forearm by The Ice-Man. Wright sends Malenko to the buckle, flip by Wright on a bad leg and Malenko lands a dropkick to the knee and jacknifes Wright for the win.

 

Liked the pace they were working, you can see WCW is going to have some incredible matches coming up with all the cruiserweight talent coming in but Wright looks good here and I do love some body-part work so Malenko gives me exactly what I want, have to say the finish is quite dumb though. Why would Wright try a back-flip on a bad leg? There’s inexperience and then, there’s just being stupid.

 

Winner: Dean Malenko over Alex Wright via Roll-Up!

 

Kevin Sullivan W/ Jimmy Hart vs The Disco Inferno

Disco does not come out, we have The King Elvis Presley in the ring instead of Disco Inferno. Not sure of the impression, Elvis sings horribly before Sullivan knocks out Elvis with a big punch and a Double Stomp. Why?

 

Brian Pillman vs Eddie Guerrero

The Loose Cannon is here ladies and gentlemen, the man who walked the fine line between kayfabe. Pillman is crazy and seems to have been reborn since joining The Horsemen. Eddie Guerrero is here with little charisma which is kind of shocking considering how much he oozed it in his tag team with Art Barr. Pillman is arguing with fans, Guerrero watches on at the antics of The Loose Cannon. They are going to lock-up but Pillman is playing with Guerrero, Guerrero is not a happy camper. Pillman puts up the four fingers in front of Guerrero, Guerrero shoves down Pillman and Pillman is out on the floor. Lock-up and side headlock by Guerrero, Pillman pulls the hair but eats a dropkick. Pillman curses on air as Heenan has his neck touched which is just after his neck surgery. Pillman wants a hand-shake, Guerrero shakes hands with Pillman and chops the shit out of him. Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Guerrero, Pillman is begging for mercy. Pillman rakes the eyes, chops to the chest.

 

Pillman chokes and slaps Guerrero, Pillman steps on the head of Guerrero. Snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock, Guerrero counters with a suplex and a dropkick. Pillman is on the floor, Guerrero is caught with a chop. Whip to the buckle, Eddie counters and lands a tornado DDT but Pillman uses the ropes to escape. Chop and slap by Guerrero, Pillman counters Guerrero with an elbow and tries to use the ropes for leverage. Guerrero almost rolls-up Pillman for two, flying crossbody with a handful of tights from Pillman and Pillman wins this match.

 

Pillman is developing the gimmick here that would bring him much acclaim and shock, very shocking moment to see Heenan to lose his cool like that but obviously when you know the backstory, you can see why Heenan would be so sensitive about his neck. As for the match itself, it was not exactly end to end exciting stuff but we did have some nice big moves in there, Guerrero is going to be a star if he can continue to connect with the fans while Pillman is getting big reactions for his antics.

 

Winner: Brian Pillman over Eddie Guerrero via Handful of Tights!

 

Sting & Lex Luger vs The Blue Bloods

Luger has been working with The Dungeon of Doom, taking out Savage and Hogan at the end of Halloween Havoc. However, Sting and Luger are very close friends which leads to Luger playing the fans and Sting as nobody can figure out the true intentions of The Total Package. Love me some Bobby Eaton, Sting has no blonde in his hair for the first time, this is the beginning of the shift for Sting to longer brown hair. Very odd to see Surfer Sting with that haircut, seems like I am in a very bizarre world.

 

Anyways, Regal and Sting to start with Regal working the arm from the get-go. Sting reverses the hold, Regal uses his superior technique to counter Sting. Shoulder block by Sting, dropkick by Sting and Luger gets in a shot too. Regal is wobbling so in comes Bobby Eaton, lock-up and Luger comes in off the tag. Stomps before Eaton rakes the eyes, Luger is tossed to the floor. Eaton is back-dropped on the concrete, clothesline too by Luger. Luger throws Eaton into the ring, Eaton begs for mercy. Regal tags in, Luger has Regal in the corner. Cheap-shot by Regal, uppercuts for good measure. Knee to the head and a tag to Eaton, Luger begins to fight back against both men before Regal pokes the eyes and Eaton lands his neck-breaker. Tag to Regal, elbow drop for two.

 

Regal sends Luger to the buckle, tag to Eaton. Regal strikes Luger again and again, snap-mare and Eaton is up in the air. Diving knee drop by Eaton, Regal comes in and applies The Regal Stretch! Sting makes the save by raking the eyes of Regal, tag to Eaton who climbs high again. Eaton tries a crossbody but Luger counters with a powerslam. Eaton and Luger bang heads, Sting gets the tag and takes down the challengers. Regal forearms Luger to the floor, Regal nails Sting. Sting hits the ropes and Eaton falls off and collides with Regal which leads to the Scorpion Death-Lock on Eaton for the win.

 

Decent little match, crowd loves Luger & Sting and there is no tease of anything here, nice little match to put over the new champions.

 

Winners: Lex Luger & Sting over The Blue Bloods via Scorpion Death-Lock!

 

(Mexican Championship) Konnan © vs Psicosis

I like how not even Mike Tenay gives me the name of the promotion they wrestle for which is just tremendous. I wonder why they wouldn’t want to say AAA but anyways, we start with a nice arm-drag from Konnan. Both men show great speed, Konnan is in fantastic shape. Nice submission from Konnan, German suplexes by Konnan. Konnan tries another stretch on the mat, Psicosis touches the ropes. Psicosis lands a beautiful spinning heel kick and stretches Konnan, Konnan escapes and applies a single leg Boston crab. Psicosis grabs the ropes and we reset, Konnan stops a chop and lands a nice arm-drag. Corner head-scissors and arm-drag by Konnan, dropkick to the knee by Konnan. DDT by Konnan, Psicosis is elevated to the apron and lands a missile dropkick. Tope from Psicosis, Konnan lands a massive German Suplex and ties up Psicosis with a submission called a Zip-lock.

 

Konnan kicked the shit out of Psicosis here, not exactly must see TV.

 

Winner: Konnan over Psicosis via ZipLock!

 

Sherri & Colonel Parker Wedding Segment

Colonel Parker and Sister Sherri are getting married, Parker is a gambler and lost all his money apparently but they will still have this wedding. Sherri looks beautiful, The Disco Inferno is here and dances all around the stage. Harlem Heat and Bunkhouse and Dick Slater watch on, it is a drive-thru wedding. Hold on a second, Madusa comes out of nowhere and attacks Sherri? What is this about? They just start killing one another and rolling around, Booker slips on cake. Madusa beats the piss out of Sherri getting the upper hand, that’s definitely a development I was not expecting. Disco Inferno steals some bottles of champagne and I guess that’s that.

 

The Monster-Maniacs vs The Giant & Ric Flair

So here we have Giant and Hogan back after missing out on Starrcade, Giant can hide behind Flair’s in-ring work. Kevin Greene is here with Hogan & Savage, we also have Woman & Miss Elizabeth! How great to see her again as it just seems wrong to have Savage without Liz. Savage & Flair to start, Savage’s arm is still all taped up, Kevin Greene is on the apron and stepping into the ring, what is this about? Stalling occurs before Flair and Savage begin working, chops and rights by Flair. Savage lands a back body drop and two clotheslines. Savage rakes the eyes, Flair Flip to the apron. Hogan lands a boot, Flair begs for mercy. Savage is lured in, chops by Flair. Right hand to the jaw, Giant slaps the back of Savage.

 

Backslide attempt by Savage, two for Savage. Right hand by Savage, jabs rock Flair. Tag to Hogan who lands a massive right hand, Flair is flipping out about this development but Giant is in the ring. Hogan comes in, Giant pushes back Hogan twice. Side headlock by Hogan, shoulder block by Giant. Eye rake by Hogan, Hogan wants a slam but Giant clubs Hogan. Big slam by Giant, kick and elbow by Giant. Giant whips Hogan to the buckle and repeats the kick and elbow spot, Giant lands a massive back-breaker and stretches Hogan. Giant misses an elbow drop, Hogan says it is time for the slam. Hogan slams Giant, Flair is tagged into the match. Flair lands a delayed vertical suplex but Hogan no-sells it, right hands by Hogan. Eye poke by Flair, Giant and Hogan are on the floor.

 

Flair chops Hogan, Hogan no-sells as per usual. Hogan whips Flair to the buckle, Flair lands an elbow. Flair climbs high, Hogan yanks Flair off the top rope. Tag to Savage who jabs Flair. Savage is up high, diving axe handle by Savage. Scoop slam, Hogan and Giant brawl. Savage lands his Diving Elbow Drop, Jimmy Hart is on the apron. Flair has something in his hand and cracks Savage, Flair steals the win just like Starrcade!

 

Well it’s your typical WCW main event at this point with Hogan hamming it up with Giant, Giant still showing great limitations with what he can do inside that ring and Savage and Flair doing the fun stuff, odd to have Flair go over Savage considering the feud looked over in a way with Savage quickly regaining his championship from Flair but it looks like The Nature Boy and Savage will wrestle for the championship once more.

 

Winners: Team Flair over Team Hogan via Foreign Object!

 

Well that’s it for all the Clashes, I have covered every Clash that I had intended on covering before ending my series on pre-NOW era WCW. There were some good moments much like Saturday Night’s Main Event but I think I would have to give the edge to Saturday Night’s Main Event when it came to significant moments. A lot of jobber squashes especially in 1989 and 1990 really hurt my love of these shows while things definitely did no improve in 1995 and 1996 which is obviously my most recent memories of the show but then again, we had returns and we had debuts and some amazing matches from Flair in here so while the legacy of The Clash of Champions can be debated until the cows come home, I must say that I personally enjoyed covering these shows and I hope you enjoyed my inane ramblings too, thank you for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Starrcade 1995 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that asks the questions that have already been answered! It’s time for WCW’s Starrcade 1995 and I am fuming, you want an easy way to make me mad? Build all these interesting angles and then at your biggest show, throw them all aside for a battle bowl or in this case a series of matches between WCW and NJPW talent when the last PPV was perfect for this kind of thing being called you know a World War PPV. So this PPV is dominated by NJPW with Masahiro Chono, Shinjiro Otani, Koji Kanemoto, Jushin Liger and Kensuke Sasaki all making appearances on the card while we have a triple threat between Luger, Sting and Ric Flair to decide who will face the World Heavyweight Champion Randy Savage later in the night. What is this card? Let’s get this done with.

 

Chris Benoit vs Jushin Thunder Liger

A best of seven between WCW & NJPW to decide who wins the World Cup of Wrestling, I cannot believe they are doing this on their biggest show. Classic rivalry renewed here as Chris Benoit who was formerly The Pegasus Kid and later Wild Pegasus takes on Jushin Liger. Again, heels in WCW will play babyfaces here as they take on evil foreigners. At least Liger is known to the fans due to his battles with Brian Pillman in 1992 and even on the very first Nitro.

 

Lock-up and Benoit throws Liger to the mat, Benoit continues to out-power Liger. Side headlock by Benoit, shoulder block and leapfrogs and speed from both men. Arm-drags by Liger, dropkick. Baseball slide by Liger and an apron senton, crowd loves Liger. Dusty Rhodes is on commentary so you know tonight will have a special flavour, Benoit goes for a test of strength and pushes down Liger. Liger lands a beautiful head-scissors and a spinning wheel kick, chops from Liger. Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Benoit for two, Liger counters a powerbomb with an arm-drag, dropkick from Liger and Benoit powders. Benoit kicks Liger in the ribs and lands a snap suplex, Benoit lands a beautiful belly to back suplex. Left-arm lariat from Benoit, high-angle Boston crab from Benoit.

 

Liger escapes and strikes back at Benoit, Benoit goes low with a kick and plants Liger with a German suplex for two. Benoit is tripped for Liger who applies The Romero Special, Benoit is in agony. Liger transitions into a camel clutch with Benoit screaming out in pain, Benoit stands up with Liger on his back and plants him on the mat. Benoit tries a belly to back but Liger floats-over, Liger counters the tombstone for a slam. Liger climbs high, Benoit catches Liger. Top rope superplex, Benoit sells smacking his head off the canvas. Benoit covers for a close two, scoop slam by The Crippler. Benoit climbs high and misses The Diving Headbutt, Liger is dancing and prancing before grabbing Benoit by the hair.

 

Rolling Kappu Kick in the corner by Liger, Ligerbomb for a close two! Brainbuster from Liger! Benoit lands two German suplexes on Liger, Benoit lands a massive powerbomb and climbs to the top rope one more time. Benoit lands his Diving Headbutt, Kevin Sullivan has a problem with Benoit and Benoit is distracted by Sullivan and Jimmy Hart. Liger grabs Benoit in a hurricanrana and steals the win!

 

Nice match from these two who know each other so well, Benoit and Liger have great chemistry with one another and the bumps are crisp and nasty. Loved how physical it was, the finish leads into a big feud that will be coming soon and have big implications for both men but yeah from a neutral standpoint, it’s hard to see how the hot Horsemen who have been just reunited are going to feud with the comical Dungeon of Doom.

 

Winner: Jushin Liger over Chris Benoit via Hurricanrana!

 

Koji Kanemoto vs Alex Wright

It is really crazy to think that WCW said this is what we will do for Starrcade. Like the fans would be familiar with the likes of Liger, Chono and Muta but to bring over various juniors like Otani and Kanemoto is a brave choice. It’s even braver to put them with Alex Wright who has been floundering I would say during 1995, the babyface who is just a little too bland to really connect with the audience.

 

Kanemoto is in black pants with a sash looking like he’s come right out of a Bruce Lee Kung-Fu Movie. Big fan of Kanemoto and his work, don’t remember this look but certainly makes me laugh. They trade control to start out with both men showing great mat-work, Kanemoto takes down Wright by the leg before Wright lands an enzuigiri. Uppercut by Wright, Kanemoto doesn’t seem interested in selling for Wright. Kanemoto has wrist control before Wright uses a hip-toss. Japanese arm-drag and head-scissors from Wright, dropkick and Wright lands a spear to the chest. Wright lands a flying crossbody and both men spill to the floor, Wright is in the ring while Kanemoto comes back slowly. Baseball slide by Wright, plancha from Wright. Kanemoto regains control in the ring and lands chops, right hand to the head and more big chops.

 

Snap-mare into a knee to the back of the head, Kanemoto tries winding up the crowd but it’s for very little reaction. The fans chant USA at German born Wright so God knows who they are cheering for, Kanemoto dropkicks and kicks Wright all over. Wright tries suplexing Kanemoto into the ring, Kanemoto reverses and lands a tiger suplex but Wright is in the ropes. Kanemoto lands a Diving Moonsault but decides not to pin Wright, Kanemoto kicks Wright in the head over and over. More chops, whip to the opposite buckle. Wright leapfrogs Kanemoto and lands a German suplex for two, Wright keeps on the attack. Whip to the opposite buckle, elbow and a slam. Wright is climbing high, slingshot splash. Kanemoto has his foot on the ropes, Wright is on the top rope with both men trying dropkicks.

 

Wright is whipped to the corner, Wright leapfrogs to the top rope. Diving crossbody for two, Kanemoto kicks Wright in the chest. Scoop slam and twisting senton for two, Kanemoto climbs to the top rope. Wright avoids the diving crossbody with a dropkick, Wright lands a diving missile dropkick. Wright places Kanemoto on the top rope, superplex in the middle of the ring for a close two. Kanemoto reverses an Irish whip and Wright tries the leapfrog but Kanemoto lands the stun-gun and rolls-up Wright for the win.

 

They worked hard but the crowd did not give a damn in the slightest, I knew it was a brave decision to put the two out there on PPV, Kanemoto wasn’t going to give you 100% here, it was clear from the start and the finish wasn’t as smooth as it could have been.

 

Winner: Koji Kanemoto over Alex Wright via Roll-Up!

 

Lex Luger vs Masahiro Chono

Sweet Jesus we have one of the Three Musketeers coming in here against Luger who should be white-hot as a freshly minted heel. How could either man lose this match? I don’t see either man losing this match so this could be a disaster, Luger is cheered despite taking out Hogan & Savage. This is such an awful idea, let’s get it on though.

 

Luger slaps on a side headlock, shoulder block knocks down Chono. Military press drop from Luger, crowd has come alive for Luger. Vicious kicks to the ribs by Luger, Chono ducks and lands a flying forearm. Make it two, Yakuza Kick by Chono and Luger is on the floor. Both men stall before a test of strength, Luger cheap-shots Chono. Chono is man-handled into the corner, stomps by Luger. Chono blocks the suplex and drills Luger, knees in the corner and a choke by Chono. Luger fights back but is caught in a sleeper, Chono delivers a reverse DDT and applies The STF. Luger is in the middle of the ring and not doing well, Luger survives but eats an inverted atomic drop. Chono lands his Yakuza Kick again, Chono is climbing high but Luger counters with an elbow to the throat. Torture Rack from Luger! Chono taps!

 

Decent payday for Chono I imagine to lose like that to Luger, fans are cheering for Luger like a massive babyface which again fits the circumstances but damn man, throwing all this away for a random World Cup on your Wrestlemania Show is just nuts.

 

Winner: Lex Luger over Masahiro Chono via Torture Rack!

 

Johnny B. Badd W/ Diamond Doll vs Masa Saito

My boy Johnny B. Badd with Kimberly who looks fantastic and is flipping around the ring like a cheerleader, no DDP or continuation from feud but you can see the early formations of The Nitro Girls here. Masa Saito is a block of a man and I cannot see these two men’s styles gelling at all, this could be a disaster but let’s see how it goes between Saito & Badd.

 

Saito pushes Badd to the ropes, clean break and a bow. Hip-toss from Saito, sweep from Saito who looks for a cobra clutch like manoeuvre on the ground here. Both men are chopping one another, Badd celebrates prematurely as the two continue to chop one another. Side headlock and a throat shot from Saito, Badd is rammed off the turnbuckle. Sonny Onoo chokes Badd with the Japanese Flag behind the referee’s back, Kimberly is very concerned. Saito Suplex! 1..2.. Badd kicks out! Clothesline by Saito for two, Onoo attacks Badd again. Russian leg-sweep for two, Badd reverses an Irish whip and lands a knee-lift. Diving axe-handle from Badd, Badd climbs high again and lands his diving sunset flip for two.

 

Saito is begging for mercy and bows, Badd kicks Saito and throws his lefts and rights. Let it end soon oh Lord! Snap suplex by Badd, Onoo is on the apron and Saito measures and attacks Badd by the back and we have a DQ as Saito lifts Badd over the top rope.

 

Of all the matches to think that would end in a DQ I did not have this on my bingo card, the match is alright considering the contrasting styles but yeah this PPV is doing nothing for me and a whole lot of dull matches up and down the card.

 

Winner: Johnny B. Badd over Masa Saito via DQ!

 

Shinjiro Otani vs Eddie Guerrero

Very sad to hear about Otani’s current condition, the future was bright for both men here. So sad to think what the future would hold but anyways, Eddie Guerrero came to WCW and hasn’t had a chance to shine on PPV just yet but this should be a good showcase considering as Black Tiger, these two men would have tore it up in NJPW and much like Benoit, this style is very comfortable for Latino Heat. Otani rakes the eyes but is caught with an enzuigiri, Otani holds the back of his head, clearly rocked by Eddie’s kick to the head.

 

Eddie lands a snap-mare and stomps on Otani’s face, Otani trips up Eddie and works the leg. Eddie out-manoeuvres Otani and grabs a reverse chin-lock, Otani escapes and lands a monkey flip, Eddie lands a pop-up hurricanrana. Otani powders and recovers, Otani comes back into the ring to eat a dropkick. Scoop slam and tope atomico from Eddie, Boston crab from Eddie. Eddie lands a snap powerbomb for two, brainbuster from Eddie for a close two. Corner clothesline by Eddie, Otani leaps out of the corner and lands a springboard dropkick, springboard plancha. In the ring, Otani lands a dropkick. Otani grabs the hair of Eddie before going back to a foot-choke. Otani uses the bottom rope to choke Eddie, camel clutch with a little face-rake from Otani.

 

Eddie counters out of the hold with a belly to back suplex, Otani kicks out of the hold. Eddie lifts up Otani but Otani floats out and drills Eddie with a German suplex for a close two. Otani is on the apron, springboard spinning heel kick by Otani. Scoop slam and Otani goes high, the fans boo the Japanese talent. Eddie is too quick, Otani is caught with a top rope hurricanrana. Two for Eddie, Splash Mountain Bomb by Eddie for a close two. Standing switches from both men before Otani trips Eddie into a heel hook, Eddie reaches the ropes but Otani continues to hold on with Eddie screaming out in pain. Eddie side-steps Otani, Otani is sent into the guardrail. Scoop slam by Eddie, Eddie lands a springboard crossbody on Otani.

 

Otani is dead-weight at this point, Eddie has Otani and looks for a suplex on the floor. Otani suplexes Eddie into the ring, Otani lands a springboard dropkick to the back of the head. Dragon suplex attempt by Otani, Eddie counters with a hurricanrana, Otani rolls through for two. Eddie counters for two but Otani rolls-up Eddie and steals it.

 

Lots of fun in this one, more talent that is very familiar with one another and they just work at an electric pace towards the end with both men showcasing that junior heavyweight style that would be new to WCW fans, Otani and Eddie kick lots of ass here.

 

Winner: Shinjiro Otani over Eddie Guerrero via Roll-Up!

 

Randy Savage vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Tenzan was one part of Cho-Ten and would later become one of NJPW’s legends who stuck with the company through the good and bad, Savage is competing in this cup and will later defend his championship against the winner of a triple threat.

 

Savage pushes Tenzan to the corner, clean break from Savage. Tenzan is frustrated, Tenzan does not give a clean break the second time around. Tenzan stomps all over Savage, Savage is in trouble now. Savage meets the buckle, Tenzan applies the sleeper and dishes out some chops while Savage stumbles around the ring. Stiff clothesline for two, Savage is fighting back but Tenzan keeps coming back with massive headbutts. Shoulder claws from Tenzan, Savage rakes the eyes of Tenzan. Tenzan whips Savage off the ropes and lands a spinning heel kick. Tenzan lands an excellent throw and taunts the crowd, Diving Headbutt by Tenzan for two. Scoop slam and Tenzan misses the moonsault, Savage clotheslines Tenzan to the apron. Savage wants a suplex into the ring, Tenzan blocks before Savage lifts Tenzan onto the rope. Diving Elbow Drop by Savage and the match is over.

 

Wow pretty basic, really basic. Savage got beaten for 95% of it only to win like that? Talk about phoning it in, almost makes me want to laugh.

 

Winner: Randy Savage over Hiroyoshi Tenzan via Diving Elbow Drop!

 

Sting vs Kensuke Sasaki

Sasaki jumps Sting, we have a lot of history here as Sasaki took Sting’s WCW United States Championship and of course, the prestigious World Cup hangs in the balance. Sting fights back and lands a Stinger Splash within minutes, Sasaki reverses an Irish whip to the corner and lands a face-buster. Sasaki lands a massive clothesline, make it two. Sting ducks the third and lands a dropkick, clothesline to the floor. Powerslam in the ring by Sasaki, Northern Lights Bomb by Sasaki. Stretch-Hold by Sasaki, Sasaki releases the hold and applies his version of The Sharpshooter. Sting escapes, lands a kick and a face-buster before looking to apply The Scorpion Death-Lock. Sasaki gives up and Sting wins!

 

It's so short, how do I even write about it? It was a match, that’s about it.

 

Winner: Sting over Kensuke Sasaki via Scorpion Death-Lock!

 

Ric Flair vs Lex Luger vs Sting

Ric Flair is smarter than Luger & Sting as Flair did not wrestle in the World Cup and therefore, he is fresh. How do I feel about this match? Well, you think Hogan would be involved but nope why would the ex-champion be involved? Also how did Giant not involve himself in this one? Luger loses a coin-toss and must wrestle on the apron as Flair & Sting kick us off, this is a poor man’s version of the triangle match.

 

Sting shoves back Flair, Flair lets Sting do his thing. Flair kicks Sting, Sting lands his military press slam and clothesline, Flair scrambles to the ropes to avoid a Figure Four. Flair applies a hammerlock to wear down Sting, Flair uses the ropes for leverage. Flair lands a massive right in the corner, Flair works the hammerlock again. Sting fires up, hip-toss and dropkick. Military press slam again, Flair is begging for mercy. Ten punches by Sting, Sting bites the head of Flair. Face-buster by Sting, Flair powders. Sting is lured into Flair, Sting meets the guardrail but explodes out with a clothesline. Sting no-sells the guardrail this time, Flair is begging for mercy. Toss by Sting, Flair avoids the dropkick this time. Flair pounds on Sting before Sting rallies and lands a belly to back suplex, Sting looks for the win and Luger teases breaking up the pin.

 

Flair smacks Sting into the corner, Luger makes the tag and poses in front of Flair. Flair is on the ring, Luger gives chase. Luger picks up Flair and brings him to the ring, Flair is begging for mercy again. Flair goes low and works the ribs of Luger, shoulder block does not work for Flair. Luger knocks down Flair again and again, Irish whip and military press slam by Luger. Ten punches in the corner by Luger, Flair Flop. Flair suckers in Luger with a nice thumb to the eye, Flair goes after the knee. Chop block with precision accuracy, stomps to the knee over and over. Flair grabs a chair and waffles the leg of Luger, Sting was with the referee. Flair is strutting around in total control, Sting has to watch on from the apron. Flair drives his knee into Luger’s nuts and applies The Figure Four Leg-lock! Luger turns over the hold and reverses the pressure, suplex for two. Flair goes to the top rope, Luger yanks him off the top rope. Flair lands chops with no effect on Luger, Flair wants Sting & Luger. Flair tags in Sting, Sting & Luger now have to fight. Sting & Luger shake hands, Luger is ready to throw down.

 

Luger pushes Sting to the buckle, clean break. Sting does the same, Luger is not happy with Sting showing him up. Test of strength does not happen as Luger goes low and begins stomping Sting, Sting fights back before Luger lands a huge clothesline. Luger drops Sting throat-first across the top rope, Sting lands a diving crossbody for two. Sting lands a scoop slam but misses a Vader bomb as Luger uses his knees to block. Luger lands elbow after elbow, Sting holds onto the ropes. Back on their feet, Sting blocks a foot and smacks Luger. Luger blocks the scorpion and goes low on Sting, Luger wants a suplex but Sting counters for his own suplex. Sting lands a face-buster on Luger, Irish whip to the buckle. Stinger Splash connects, Sting misses the second splash. Luger has the Torture Rack. Sting kicks the referee with his boot by accident, Flair chop-blocks Luger who collapses to the floor, Flair throws Sting to the floor and both men are counted-out.

 

So this was one of the matches that had a bit of actual story and meat to it and it was executed poorly, really having someone stand on the apron in a three-way? You basically get 3 singles matches with the fans not exactly shouting to the heavens during the matches, Sting and Luger don’t even have that kind of will they or won’t they kind of thing going on, they just go at it like that. It was entertaining when it was Flair vs Sting or Flair vs Luger but Sting vs Luger was not nearly as interesting and I wasn’t invested sadly.

 

Winner: Ric Flair!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Randy Savage © vs Ric Flair

The commentators talk about how Savage is all banged up and now has to wrestle again but Flair wrestled far longer than Savage and doesn’t even get a break so how does that make any sense that Savage would be more banged up or at a disadvantage?

 

Savage doesn’t even bother taking off his shirt, backslide and the match is almost over. Savage rips the shirt and tosses it at Flair, they lock-up with Flair having Savage in the corner. Kicks and chops by Flair, Flair wants the Figure Four but Savage kicks him off. Savage has a front chancery, Savage lands punches and drives Flair to the buckle. Flair Flip to the floor, Savage misses his diving axe handle. Paul Orndorff is here with a neck-brace, security get rid of him. Flair works the injured arm of Savage, Flair uses chops and the guardrail and finally, a hammerlock to hurt the arm of Savage. Flair continues working the arm but Savage fights back, shoulder block but Flair slaps on a sleeper. Savage runs into the rope so Flair smashes his face off the rope, Savage tries to sneak a pin-fall but Flair is too strong. Whip to the buckle and a back body drop by Savage, two clotheslines for two.

 

Measured right hands by Savage, Savage climbs high. Jimmy Hart is on the apron and throws Flair the megaphone. Savage is caught in the ribs coming off the top rope with a right hand, Flair tries using the megaphone but Savage lands a shot with the megaphone and a Diving Elbow Drop. Brian Pillman is here, Pillman is throw into Benoit. Flair is bleeding, the referee has missed all of this. Anderson nails Savage with a foreign object, Flair pins Savage.

 

Alright have to try and digest all of what I just saw, so Savage comes in the fresher man and having just won the World Championship in controversial circumstances at the previous month’s PPV. Savage and Flair have worked one another throughout the year with Savage ending the feud by gaining revenge for his father who was attacked by Flair. Flair had reformed The Horsemen and seemed to be heading towards a feud with Sting as Flair had once again double-crossed Sting yet here we are at the end of 1995 and Flair has beaten Savage and won the world championship. Did Hogan refuse to lose to Flair? Was Savage a transitional champion? Are they going to continue the feud? The match was short considering the nature of the show and I expected a Savage comfortable win as Flair was the one who went the distance to get here but nope, Flair triumphs and stands stall again in WCW. The match itself was nothing special, megaphone spot seemed a bit sloppy and Flair getting all that colour for the match to end seconds later? Wild stuff all around!

 

Winner: Ric Flair over Randy Savage via Foreign Object!

 

That was WCW’s Starrcade 1995, an easy enough PPV to breeze through with matches not reaching gigantic lengths but very little epic if any action on this one. I have hated for a long time the WCW concept of taking all their big angles and pissing them away on Starrcade for tournaments or battle bowl, this might take the cake as we have the show built around talent who half of them are not even WCW talent. So face and heel alignments are thrown out the window in favour of cheering the Americans over The evil Japanese and the Japanese talent are not over with the crowd at all. The matches that work well are the ones featuring talent who can work that NJPW Junior Heavyweight style so Benoit and Guerrero have very fun and entertaining matches with Liger and Otani respectively but with the likes of Wright vs Kanemoto and Saito vs Badd, it's a tough watch because they don’t really come together at any point. Luger vs Chono and Savage vs Tenzan are very short and kind of interesting considering how NJPW loved those two and you would think would be keen to protect them but here they are doing the JOBs quite quickly too, same treatment is dished out for Sasaki against Sting. The actual meat of the card comes in the poorly executed triangle, doesn’t really capture the drama that you would want considering the quality of star in that ring but they put over Flair big here as Flair comes out on top, raising questions about booking and how Hogan, The Giant and everyone will fit into this. I felt there was a lot of drama heading into the PPV considering how controversial the last show was and with Luger turning too, you had intrigue and interest but WCW throws this at me and it somehow feels just so WCW.

 

How did I feel about 1995? It sucks to see Vader out of the company considering how much fun Vader was in WCW, the thought of babyface Vader was interesting to me but alas, it wasn’t meant to be in WCW. Hogan on top in WCW has proved frustrating with The Hulkster phoning it in on multiple occasions and hamming it up to levels that would make any WCW fan change the channel. The influx of ex WWF talent hasn’t lit the world on fire but the wheels are beginning to turn a bit here now with the likes of Benoit & Guerrero coming in, the talent is coming into WCW but at the tip-top there is some weird things going on in the company. What will Hogan do next? Where does Sting fit in all of this? I guess we will see, thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!