WCW Wrestlewar 1990 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that makes less sense than The Canadian Destroyer! It’s time for WCW Wrestle War 1990 with a little rap intro telling us it’s time for The Wild Thing! This card is chocked full of Tag Team matches, I am quite intimidated if I am being honest because there is a lot to cover here. First, Sting is out and we have Luger vs Flair which was not the plan and it could be a case of Batista chasing Edge here for a modern day comparison as it looks like Luger is going to come up short once more against Flair as the plan will be for Sting vs Flair and nothing will come between that. We have the return of the United States Tag Team Belts as Z-Man and Pillman battle The Fabulous Freebirds, we have a Street Fight between The Road Warriors and The Skyscrapers, The Rock N Roll Express are back against The Midnight Express and The Steiners defend their tag team championships! Let’s get it on!

 

Kevin Sullivan & Buzz Sawyer vs The Dynamic Dudes

Oh The Dudes are still a thing, that’s cool. Seemed like they were dead in the water after Cornette turned on them, Sawyer and Sullivan are crazy so they naturally gravitate towards one another. Ace and Sawyer to start, clean break? Yes we do, side headlock by Sawyer. Shoulder block, Ace leapfrogs and monkey flips Sawyer who is drop-kicked to the floor. Ace dives to the floor as Sullivan and Douglas brawl briefly, we swap to Douglas and Sullivan. Douglas has the arm, Ace lands a diving fist to the arm. Sullivan pushes Ace to the heels’ corner, Ace escapes the trap as the heels are getting mad with one another. Sawyer is not happy, arm-bar. Chest slap from Sawyer, Ace dodges the corner spear as Sawyer hits the post.

 

Eye poke on Douglas, Sullivan comes in and is arm-dragged. Douglas is pulled to the floor, Sawyer lands a suplex on the floor. Sawyer works the back as Sullivan distracts the referee, Sawyer lands a belly to belly suplex for two. Gut-wrench suplex for two, Sullivan comes in and clubs Douglas. Sunset flip by Douglas for two, Sullivan holds the leg so Sawyer can come in and work the back. Sawyer bites Douglas, bearhug from Sawyer. Douglas lands massive rights before Sawyer clubs the back, Sullivan comes in and boots Douglas in the face. Cheap-shot to Ace, Douglas is tossed to the floor.

 

Sawyer stomps all over the back of Douglas, bearhug by Sullivan. Douglas clubs away but is brought to the heels’ corner. In comes Sawyer, Douglas escapes and Ace runs wild. Dropkicks and scoop slams, dropkick by Douglas on Sullivan. Ace dropkicks Sawyer, flying head-scissors is blocked before Sawyer suplexes Ace. Sawyer connects with The Bald Eagle for the win!

 

Jam Sandwich! That was decent, could have been worse. I like Sawyer and Sullivan as a team, vicious and cruel. I can get behind that, the one time where we have Douglas as the babyface in peril which I am a fan of considering he is the smaller of the two and neither man is truly standing out if I am honest, I think its time for The Dudes to pack it in.

 

Winners: Buzz Sawyer & Kevin Sullivan over The Dynamic Dudes via Jam Sandwich!

 

Cactus Jack Manson vs Norman The Lunatic

Cactus jumps Norman, elbow for two. Norman presses Cactus to the floor, Cactus is not happy with this turn of events. Right hands in the ring, bouncing off the buckle does not work as Norman pops up and headbutts Cactus. Hard Irish whip to the buckle and elbow to the face, bearhug from Norman. Another whip to the buckle, then the opposite before Cactus falls to the floor. Norman is in hot pursuit, Cactus rakes the eyes. Norman back-drops Cactus to the concrete, that was a nasty bump. Headbutt from Norman, Cactus sends Norman shoulder-first into the ring-post. Cactus comes off the apron with a dropkick to waffle Norman. Elbow to the head and a knee to the ribs from Cactus, Cactus continues roughing up Norman.

 

Cactus bites the head of Norman, reverse chin-lock from Cactus. Knees to the back from Cactus, headbutts stagger Cactus as Norman has the harder head. Headbutts from Norman, clubbing blows in the corner. Cactus whips Norman, kick to the groin with no DQ for two. Reverse chin-lock again, Norman escapes with a belly to back suplex. Norman misses a splash as Cactus bites the head of Norman. Rope choke, knee to the back and more biting. Cactus goes again, Norman avoids the rope attack. Clubbing blows and a back body-drop from Norman, eye rake from Cactus. Piledriver from Cactus, Norman reverses and sits on Cactus and this match is over.

 

This went about 5 minutes too long, I really don’t want to see these two fight for longer than 5 minutes and Cactus is a fool for taking that bump to the concrete and it not leading to the finish, why would you do that to yourself?

 

Winner: Norman The Lunatic over Cactus Jack via Splash!

 

The Rock “N” Roll Express vs The Midnight Express W/ Jim Cornette

Oh how I have missed my boys Eaton and Lane, I have also missed Gibson & Morton. The feud of the mid-80s when it came to the tag teams in wrestling, Cornette looks all pumped up because he knows this shit is going to be good. Lane to start with Gibson, Gibson looks bigger and noticeably older, never was one for a good body though so I will just let the wrestling do the talking. Hip-toss by Gibson and then one by Lane, side headlock by Gibson. Shoulder block rocks Lane, Lane complains he was punched in the face by Gibson. Shoulder block again, fist-drop as Lane tried the monkey flip. Lane and Cornette are not happy with the officiating of Nick Patrick. Cornette wants a piece of Nick Patrick, damn Cornette got fat in a few years. Cornette chickens out at the last minute as Patrick had him, crowd loves all of it.

 

Morton works the arm of Lane, Lane eats an atomic drop as The Midnight Express collide in the ring. Lane and Eaton are mad with one another, Cornette plays peacemaker. Morton is backed to the ropes, mean rights from Lane. Scoop slam and tag to Eaton who runs into arm-drags. Test of strength, Morton walks up Eaton to wipe-out Lane while Gibson attacks Eaton. Lane wants a fist-fight, Lane cowers in the ropes before Morton kicks Lane in the ass. Eaton comes in now, Cornette trips up Morton. Morton goes after Cornette another noggin-knocker and Cornette is decked too. All Rock “N” Roll Express so far, Eaton lands a massive right to Gibson. Blind-tag to Morton, double back body-drop, clothesline to Lane and clothesline to the floor on Eaton.

 

Eaton and Gibson reset, knee from Eaton. Tag to Lane, Gibson escapes from the corner and they pepper Lane, in comes Morton for a double elbow. Lane goes low and sends Morton to the floor, Lane meets the ring-post as Morton blocks the post. Morton is backed to the corner, Eaton lands a massive right. They are trading blows, Eaton and Morton go to the floor off a crossbody but Morton’s arm is hurt. Lane slams Morton on the floor as the referee is with Gibson, back-breaker from Eaton and a choke-hold on Morton. Tag to Lane, slingshot-splash from Lane. Eaton rakes at the face and Cornette hits Morton with the racket. Lane lands a kick to the ribs and head, tag to Eaton. Drop toehold and an elbow drop, suplex for two by Eaton.

 

Lane is legal now, powerslam for two. Gibson had to make the save, Morton is cut off from the tag. Gibson is hot, Eaton drops Morton on the guardrail. Morton manages to send Eaton into the ring-post but Lane is still in control in the ring. Lane is caught in a sunset flip but Cornette had the referee, Lane chokes Morton after a kick from Eaton. Lane is caught with an O’Connor roll but Eaton had blind-tagged in with a neck-breaker. Eaton knees Morton before tagging Lane who steps all over Morton, Irish whip but Lane ducks his head off an Irish whip. Kick by Morton, Lane tags Eaton. Single arm DDT by Eaton who works the arm in a hammerlock. Thrust by Lane, camel clutch variation from Lane. Morton fires up, eye-rake from Lane. In comes Eaton, Morton fights back but Eaton is in control.

 

Scoop slam from Eaton, Eaton climbs high. Diving elbow drop from Eaton for two, Gibson makes the save again. Lane works the ribs with kicks, Morton’s arm is stretched over the top rope, Cornette gets another racket shot in on Morton. Arm-bar from Lane, Morton escapes but those kicks are too much. Eaton hammerlock throws the arm of Morton into the ring-post. Another single arm DDT, Morton manages to wriggle free out of the hammerlock and Eaton collides heads with Morton. Lane is in now, sidewalk slam from Lane. Tag to Eaton, Rocket Launcher but Morton dodges with the knees. Tag to Gibson who pummels both Eaton and Lane. Back body-drops, scoop slams and dropkicks.

 

Corner sunset flip, Lane saves Eaton. We have a breakdown as Cornette waffles Gibson in the spine with the racket for a close two, great facials from Cornette at ringside. Gibson survives a double flapjack as Morton tackles Eaton and Gibson rolls up Lane for the finish.

 

Great tag team match, this went twenty plus minutes and it was a breeze. So much good psychology, so many awesome spots in the match with Cornette and everyone involved using everything including the kitchen sink in terms of their spots. Shame it would be the last time on PPV we would see all of these together because I am quite scared that no other tag team match on this card will top what I just saw, much love to all 4 involved because it was fantastic. Can’t say enough about it from Eaton and Lane’s great heel work, the tactics of Cornette at ringside and Morton’s sell.

 

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

 

(Chicago Street Fight Match) The Skyscrapers vs The Road Warriors

We start with Ellering decking Teddy Long, we have big flying shoulder tackles and clotheslines all around. Big boots and clotheslines all around, very physical here. We will see weapons? Fist drop by Hawk, I forgot to mention we have a Masked Skyscraper as Danny Spivey left for AJPW, that was a shame for Baba because Spivey sucks. Doom come to ringside, clotheslines by Hawk to save Animal. Callous is sent to the floor and eats a massive apron clothesline. Dropkick by Hawk, Callous and Hawk brawl on the floor as The Masked Skyscraper brawls with Animal. Hawk sends Callous to the floor while The Masked Skyscraper eats a Doomsday Device!

 

Pretty boring Street Fight considering who we had in the ring, no weapons either but this sets up Doom vs The Road Warriors which might be a bit more watchable considering that Simmons and Reed can work compared to The Skyscrapers. Skyscrapers consisting of Sid and Taker would have been interesting but just did not work out that way.

 

Winners: The Road Warriors over The Skyscrapers via Doomsday Device!

 

(NWA United States Tag Team Championship Match) The Fabulous Freebirds vs Flyin’ Brian Pillman & The Z-Man ©

Well looks like they want to do something with Pillman and Zenk, good to see for them while The Fabulous Freebirds are exactly where they should be, fighting for the secondary tag team titles. Zenk and Pillman land double back body-drops while stealing the jackets of The Freebirds. I forgot how much Hayes stalls, the man is a true professional. Hayes and Pillman start, chops by Pillman. Whip to the buckle and clothesline, in comes Garvin and Zenk. Garvin takes the back but Zenk is too quick, shoulder block and stalling. Lock-up and side headlock from Zenk, hip-toss and dropkicks by Zenk. Garvin avoids the second, Zenk kicks Garvin in the head. Tag to Pillman, side headlock by Pillman.

 

Shoulder block by Pillman, crucifix from Pillman for two. Hayes comes in, raking the eyes and clubbing Pillman. Pillman bounces Hayes off the buckle, eye poke by Hayes. Pillman sends Hayes to the buckle, diving crossbody for two. Hayes gets caught in the sunset flip for two, arm-drags into the arm-bar by Pillman. Zenk comes in and lands a diving axe handle before working the arm of Hayes with a Fujiwara arm-bar. Hayes escapes and lands a clothesline, tag to Garvin who elbows and attacks Zenk. Arm-drag from Zenk, Garvin pulls the hair of Zenk to apply a head-scissors but Zenk escapes and tags in Pillman. Crowd pops, someone must be getting killed by security at ringside.

 

Garvin grabs the hair to back Pillman into the corner, Pillman escapes and lands a big knee. Garvin brings Pillman to his corner, Hayes is legal and applies a sleeper. Pillman elbows his way out of the hold, big chop to the chest before Hayes lands a stinging left to rock Pillman. Diving crossbody but Pillman rolls through for two, tag to Garvin. Double elbow for two, knee to the ribs from Garvin. Pillman fires up on Hayes, snap-mare by Hayes who gets sent into the mat. More chops by Pillman, Pillman lowers his head off an Irish whip so Hayes is back in control, tag to Garvin. Both men bang heads after drop-downs, tag to Zenk.

 

Dropkick on Garvin, scoop slam on Garvin. Irish whip but Garvin boots Zenk in the head, tag to Hayes. Hayes is sent to the buckle, ten punches by Zenk. Sleeper by Zenk or The Z-Lock! Garvin lands an axe handle to the back of the head, Hayes covers for two. Zenk and Hayes brawl on the floor, clubbing blows by Hayes. Zenk meets the ring-post, snap-mare into a chin-lock by Garvin. Garvin rakes and rakes at the face of Zenk, Hayes swaps with Garvin and applies the chin-lock. Powerslam by Zenk, elbow drop misses as Hayes dodges the manoeuvre. Small package by Zenk for two, in comes Garvin. Big kick by Garvin, knee to the head for two. Tag to Hayes who applies another chin-lock, Hayes says “He ain’t going nowhere!”.

 

Zenk escapes but cannot make the tag, Garvin stomps all over Zenk. More chin-locks, can we try something different? Shot to Pillman who is irate, diving axe handle by Hayes for two. Running bulldog by Hayes with Pillman making he save, Hayes lowers his head off an Irish whip and Zenk lands a DDT. Tag to Pillman with Garvin screaming for mercy, back body-drops and dropkicks. Pillman dropkicks everyone in sight, the match breaks down and Pillman lands a double clothesline. Zenk goes to the floor with Hayes, eye rake by Garvin. Hayes has the championship, Pillman is sent into the cameraman. Garvin wants a DDT on Zenk but Pillman lands The Diving Crossbody for the win! The Freebirds nail bulldogs and DDTs after the match to get their heat back.

 

The opposite of earlier tag match as this was just nowhere near the level of the first match. The first ten minutes or so go nowhere as we simply reset with the heat on Zenk. By that time, the chin-locks are offensive in the sense that is the only move they continue to use throughout. Garvin and Hayes are mildly entertaining when stalling and such but I do not need a twenty-three minute match of The Fabulous Freebirds. Glad to see a continued push for Pillman, the guy is a star but to be dragged down by Zenk is a cruel fate but at least when Pillman is in there doing his thing, I am paying attention.

 

Winners: Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk over The Fabulous Freebirds via Diving Crossbody!

 

(NWA Tag Team Championship Match) The Steiner Brothers © vs The Minnesota Wrecking Crew

Scott to start with Arn, Rick peppers Arn when Arn rolls to the floor. Two-handed choke toss by Scott, ten punches in the corner as Rick takes down Ole. Arn takes down Scott, Scott blocks the knee and atomic drops Arn who meets the boot of Rick. Ole is bounced around and slammed by Scott and Rick, Ole and Scott to start now. Ole wants to sucker in Scott, Scott pulls down the leg of Ole. Ole wants a timeout, not happy with Rick’s aggressive style. Rick is pacing back and forth, lock-up with Rick being sent to the heels’ corner. Rights to Ole and Arn, everyone is brawling with the champions winning that war again. Ole works the arm on the reset, tag to Arn. Rick escapes again, Rick has the side headlock on Arn.

 

Powerslam from Rick, two for Rick. Arn is begging for mercy, Ole tries the sneak attack but that will not work. Arn lures in Rick and lands a knee-drop, Arn is caught on the top rope and powders. Ole and Scott now legal, clubbing blows to the arm by Ole. Using the ropes for leverage, Scott fights back with his free arm. Arn takes over and works the arm, Scott lands an inverted atomic drop. Figure four leg-lock by Scott, Rick decks Ole but Ole did the damage with the boot to Scott first. Scott exploder suplexes Ole getting sick of his arm-work. Knee to the chest for two, tag to Rick. Ole brings Rick to the corner, The Andersons knock Rick into the buckle. Suplex does not work for Arn as Rick reverses for a sickening suplex. Arn holds onto Rick so Ole can come in, bouncing Rick’s head off the buckle does nothing.

 

Low kick and knee-lift to maintain control, tag to Arn. Rick has his arm worked over by The Andersons, scoop slam for two. Scott comes in and knees Arn, elbow to the face. They are on the floor, Scott misses a clothesline decks the ring-post. Arn works the arm as law would dictate, clubbing blows from Ole onto the arm and head. Hammerlock throw into the guardrail, hammerlock scoop slam from Arn. Arm-bar from Arn, Frankensteiner from Scott to take down Arn. Ole tags in but so does Rick, Rick clubs Ole. Steinerlines all around, Arn attacks Rick in the back. Boot to Arn and a small package to Ole for the win.

 

I wanted more, that’s the finish? I wanted/expected more considering how entertaining Arn can be inside that ring, they put over The Steiners strong in the beginning and the heat segment on Scott is good too. The big pay-off and that tremendous finish never comes though, Rick comes in and we have a small package for the win. Disappointing for something that could have been really good.

 

Winners: The Steiner Brothers over The Andersons via Small Package!

 

(NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match) Ric Flair © vs Lex Luger

Sting is here to support Luger, Luger is still United States Heavyweight Champion. Woman is here with Flair, I am all for that while Luger wants to decimate Flair. Luger was heel in the leadup to the show being turned face as a solution to the Sting problem. This starts like their previous clash and Starrcade match, Luger out-wrestles Flair and shoves him down. Flair is pissed like usual, lock-up and side headlock. Luger powers down Flair after a top wristlock, test of strength with Luger taking down Flair. Flair powders, Luger laughs along with Flair’s theatrics. Flair kicks Luger in the ribs, whip to the buckle and Luger explodes out with a clothesline. Woman and Flair say screw it but Luger gives chase and brings Flair back to the ring. Hot-shot by Flair, no effect on Luger who poses and scares Flair.

 

Military press by Luger, you would swear we went back in time. Flair lands a kick, shoulder block but Luger drops-down and leapfrogs before a gigantic military press slam. Flair is down, Flair is in the ropes. Flair chops at Luger, Luger marches forward with another military press slam. Flair begs for mercy again, bearhug from Luger. Flair survives but begs for more mercy, more ten punches from Luger in the corner. Flair flop, Woman is concerned. Flair continues to beg, hip-toss but Flair ducks the clothesline and Luger sails over the top rope to the floor. Flair chops Luger on the floor, Luger is on the apron and is dragged into the ring. A chop floors Luger, Luger is sent to the floor again.

 

Woman is on the apron, Flair slams Luger off the guardrail. Massive chop from Flair, measured right hand to Luger. Another hot-shot decks Luger, snap-mare into a knee-drop from Flair. Snap-mare into another knee-drop on Luger for two, Luger presses up with strength. Chops by Flair, Flair fights off Luger’s right hands and works the arm with a hammerlock. Flair uses the ropes for leverage to do the damage to Luger’s arm, Flair chops Luger some more and hurts that arm. Luger cannot stop Flair working the arm, a desperation clothesline breaks Flair’s control. Eye-poke by Flair, Flair chokes Luger with the middle rope before Woman smacks Luger. Hammerlock from Flair, Luger escapes but eats a boot in the process while Woman attacks Luger behind the referee’s back.

 

Another arm-wrench into a hammerlock, nice knee-drop with the ropes for leverage for two. Arm-wrench again with Luger grabbing Flair by the throat, Luger has snapped. Irish whip with a Flair flip, Flair is on the floor and the chops have no effect. Woman looks concerned as Flair begs for mercy, sleeper from Luger. Luger is caught with a belly to back suplex, Flair is on the apron. Flair wants a suplex to the floor, Luger blocks and suplexes Flair into the ring. Luger drags Flair to the corner, Luger sends the leg of Flair into the ring-post. Flair writhes around in pain, Flair is begging for mercy. Flair is yanked to the middle of the ring, Luger’s figure four looks like ass and Flair pulls out of that.

 

Flair is limping, Flair kicks the leg of Luger. Chop in the corner, shoulder block and both men are down. Powerslam from Luger for two, chops from Flair and a massive forearm have no effect. It’s time for Flair to pay, Flair is on the floor and pokes Luger in the eye. Hip-toss does not work for Flair, backslide from Luger for two. Ten punches in the corner, inverted atomic drop counter by Flair. Flair climbs high and lands an axe handle, Flair climbs up again and connects again for two. Butterfly suplex from Flair for two, sleeper by Flair. Luger escapes, schoolboy by Flair for two. Clothesline by Luger for two, Luger misses an elbow drop. Chop from Flair, shin-breaker and it looks like it is time to go into the formula.

 

Another shin-breaker, Luger is scrambling. Flair drops all his weight on the leg of Luger. Flair grabs the leg and pulls Luger into the middle of the ring, knee-drop to the leg. Figure Four Leg-Lock with the ropes for leverage, Luger is in serious trouble. Flair is caught as Luger reverses the hold, Sting is cheering on Luger at ringside. Sting wants Luger to kick his ass, Sting slaps Luger. Flair’s chops have no effect, Flair is on the floor again. Luger is sent into the guardrail but shakes it off, military press slam by Luger. Eye-poke by Flair, Flair is caught on the top rope, Luger yanks him down. Clotheslines by Luger, Flair is clotheslined to the floor.

 

Luger says come on, it’s time for The Rack. Apron suplex into the ring, Flair is in all sorts of trouble. Two for Luger, Luger drills Flair with a powerslam. Two for Luger, Woman attacks Luger. Luger pulls up Woman, Flair knees down Luger and the referee. The chops do not work, ten punches again by Luger. Whip to the opposite buckle with Flair flip and a clothesline that drills Flair coming off the top rope. Superplex from Luger, cover with no referee. Arn and Ole come down, Luger knocks them down. Torture Rack from Luger, The Andersons wisely decide to attack Sting. Luger has to save his friend Sting but Luger loses track of the referee’s count and Flair survives due to a count-out!

 

What a fucking match, this is great on all levels. Luger and Flair do the Flair formula with a hot crowd, that will always deliver. Flair is on fire in this one, making Luger look like a God on this night. Luger’s firing up is pure poetry in motion, Sting cheering on his friend is tremendous and Luger having to sacrifice his championship moment to save Sting could lead to long-term angles down the line but boy was this good. I love the sinister look on Ole’s face as he thinks I am going to kill Sting. It’s perfect, Sting’s hobble too is all 100%. Just great wrestling all around here, it hurts to see Luger fall short again and there is only so many times that can happen but it was still such a great wrestling match.

 

Winner: Ric Flair over Lex Luger via Count-Out!

 

WCW’s WrestleWar 1990 may have been booked on the fly when it comes to the main event but it delivers a lot of fun on a card stacked with tag team matches. The opening tag match should be the nail in the coffin for the dudes, they have been beaten and never had a PPV rematch with The Midnight who have thankfully moved onto bigger things so they seem to be dead in the water which sucks for two young talents but it’s nice to see Sullivan have some steam after being in limbo following the death of The Varsity Club. Norman vs Cactus is atrocious and should be forgotten like the previous Norman match, not sure why Cactus wasn’t going over but then again, it’s WCW so why the hell not right? Rock “N” Roll vs Midnight kicks all sorts of ass, no wasted motion and twenty three minutes flew by, it was incredible from start to end. Chicago Street Fight is the tamest street fight I have ever seen in my life, nothing more than an angle to setup Doom vs Road Warriors when this should have been a blow-off spectacle. Steiners vs Andersons is good in parts but the finish is a little flat, leaving much to be desired while the main event is ridiculous. Terrific stuff from beginning to end, a finish that may be frustrating for some but Luger is still pretty hot and if they wanted to pull that trigger, they could but they are saving it for The Stinger. 2 fantastic matches on this card that you would want to see and nothing that insults you for watching except Norman vs Cactus so check out WrestleWar 1990! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Clash of The Champions X: Texas Shootout Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that asks the question: How big is Batista’s dick? It’s time for WCW Clash of The Champions X: Texas Shootout! With a big six-man steel cage main event and a bunch of other matches that are not all that interesting to me, it seems Clash of The Champions has returned to its half-assed glory but let’s see where we go from here.

 

Dr. Death vs The Samoan Savage W/ The Big Kahuna

Is Dr. Death meant to be an actual lifesaver now? What was the segment before this match? Death jumps on The Savage, massive clothesline. The Kahuna talks strategy with The Savage, Williams continues clubbing away and lands a right hand on The Savage. Big scoop slam, shoulder block and a chop-block from Williams. Savage throws Williams to the floor, Kahuna chokes Williams. Woman is here at ringside and my God she is beautiful with Kahuna talking with Woman. Williams cannot enter the ring as Savage attacks and chokes Williams. Reverse chin-lock from Savage, Williams fires up with elbows and shoulder blocks Savage. Savage retaliates with a powerslam for two, a shoulder claw from Savage.

 

Williams fires up once more, Williams elbows out and tries a sunset flip. Savage lands a throat thrust that Williams no-sells and clotheslines Savage for two. Williams misses an elbow-drop, Savage clamps on a chin-lock. Savage sends Williams to the floor again, Kahuna gets in a cheap-shot while Savage stomps all over Williams. Sidewalk slam by Savage, Savage misses the diving splash. Williams kicks Savage back, right hands by Williams. Military press slam from Williams, dropkick from Williams. Irish whip, Savage lands a kick. Hip-toss blocked for a backslide and Williams wins.

 

Nothing special, I think for his size and how explosive he can be I would have Williams higher up the card but seemingly, WCW was not seeing that but that’s fine because Williams went over to AJPW and kicked all sorts of ass so their loss really. Crowd seems into the match so that’s not too bad of a start.

 

Winner: Dr. Death Steve Williams over The Samoan Savage via Backslide!

 

The Mod Squad vs The Z-Man & Flyin’ Brian Pillman

This tag team does not even have matching gear, let’s go Mod Squad! All jokes aside, I am looking at 2 little Big Bossmans take on a rising star in Pillman and a start who they want to push in Z-Man. Spike and Pillman start, Pillman leapfrogs and dropkicks Spike. Pillman works the arm, tag to Zenk. Diving axe handle to the arm, Zenk works the arm with a nice slam. Basher comes in and gets chopped by Pillman, clubbing blows by Pillman. Pump kick and enzuigiri for two, Spike makes the save.

 

Zenk ducks a clothesline as Pillman lands a slingshot clothesline, double dropkicks and high-fives from this tag team. The Mod Squad powder and recuperate, Spike comes in and eats boots and chops. Spike sends Pillman to the corner and lands a face-buster, boot to the head and in comes Basher. Basher grinds Pillman into the mat, Zenk is not happy as the heels land a face-buster for two. Pillman is worked by Basher and Spike, boot from Spike before Basher comes in for two. Reverse chin-lock from Basher, Pillman fights back but Basher lands a knee. Spike comes in with a chin-lock, Pillman escapes but can’t make the tag.

 

Basher is caught in the crucifix for two, Spike makes the save. Scoop slam and Spike climbs high, Pillman dodges the elbow drop. Zenk gets the hot-tag, right hands by Zenk. Back body-drop and noggin-knocker, vintage tag team attacks. Basher sends Zenk to the corner, Zenk explodes out with a diving crossbody as Pillman takes down Spike. The new tag team pick up the win!

 

Basher almost fucked that finish but yes, this was very boring when all was said and done. Pillman is the smaller of the two but infinitely more entertaining than Zenk who seems like a lost-cause at this stage which does not seem to bode well for his career but maybe I will be wrong.

 

Winners: The Z-Man & Flyin’ Brian Pillman over The Mod Squad via Middle Rope Diving Crossbody!

 

Cactus Jack Manson vs Mil Mascaras

Mascaras is one of the most famous Mexican wrestlers of all-time, over in Japan and all around the world while this youngster Cactus Jack is a wild man lighting up the wrestling world with his madness. Mascaras ties up Cactus with Cactus screaming that he pulled my hair, head-scissors from Mascaras. Cactus is not happy, flying headbutt and dropkick from Mascaras. Cactus elbows Mascaras but Mascaras lands massive right hands, they lock-up. Boston crab from Mascaras, Cactus makes it to the ropes. Cactus manages to throw Mascaras to the floor, back-breaker onto the floor. Cactus wants the elbow drop, Mascaras runs into the ring and dropkicks Cactus onto the concrete. Suplex into the ring and Diving Crossbody for the win!

 

Terribly boring match, very stop and start kind of thing but at least we had an unbelievable bump in there that helped Cactus tremendously when it came to getting over, it was disgusting in terms of sight. That made me shake when I saw it, proper disgusting bump.

 

Mil Mascaras over Cactus Jack Manson via Diving Crossbody!

 

(Falls Count Anywhere Match) Kevin Sullivan vs Norman The Lunatic

Norman debuted as a heel, squashed some people and was fed to Pillman before being turned face and dressing as Santa etc. Now we have the evil Kevin Sullivan going up against Norman which seems incredibly one-sided. Norman’s tremendous gut is hanging out while Sullivan looks to be in great shape. Sullivan meets the ring-post, sunset flip does not work for Sullivan as Norman sits down. Whip to the buckle, Norman eats a boot. Scoop slam by Norman, middle rope splash misses. Dropkick from Sullivan, Sullivan rips the clothes and chops Norman. Belly to back suplex and cover for two, Sullivan continues clubbing Norman. Norman fights back after being attacked with a headbutt, Norman chokes the life out of Sullivan.

 

Sullivan is on the floor, clubbing blows. Guardrail stuff, two for Norman. Sullivan back-drops Norman for two, they brawl into the women’s restroom. Norman goes after Sullivan, lots of noise coming from the room and we have a winner off-screen. Norman won the match, we don’t see the screen.

 

The fuck is this garbage? An off-screen pin? A disgrace of a match! One of the worst I have seen in recent times, scrub this from my memories please!

 

Winner: Norman The Lunatic over Kevin Sullivan via Pin-Fall!

 

The Road Warriors W/ Paul Ellering vs The Skyscrapers 2.0 W/ Teddy Long

Sid was the best part of The Skyscrapers so to see him replaced breaks my heart because that means I still have to look at Dan Spivey. However, the replacement is one man I can respect and that is Mean Mark Callous who would later become The Undertaker. Poor WCW still have not figured out that The Road Warriors are much more fun against teams who can actually work and smaller guys like The Andersons and The Midnight Express.

 

Hawk and Spivey start, shoulder blocks and no movement before Spivey sends Hawk to the floor. Clothesline by Hawk, Callous allows Spivey to avoid the eck-breaker. Hawk ducks the clothesline and lands a flying shoulder tackle, Skyscrapers talk strategy. Animal comes in as does Callous, Cornette touts Callous as the hottest new prospect in wrestling. Yeah he was right there, spot on the ball from Dirty Dutch Mantell who sent the youngster to WCW. Shoulder block and nothing happens, Animal will not be moved. Clubbing blows from Callous, Animal avoids a flying shoulder tackle. Hawk comes in and misses a corner spear, shoulder-first goes Hawk’s shoulder. Spivey sends Hawk into the ring-post before Spivey rips at the arm inside of the ring. Tag to Callous, Callous stomps the arm.

 

Wristlock and Callous goes high, old-school variation from Callous. Arm-bar, Hawk starts firing off with his other arm, Callous blocks the clothesline with a Fujiwara arm-bar. Callous goes high again for old-school, Hawk reverses and throws Callous across the ring. Animal gets the hot-tag, dropkicks all around. Irish whip and powerslam, Animal lands an elbow drop with Callous coming in for the double team. Animal flips out of the belly to back and clotheslines The Skyscrapers, Callous is knocked to the floor. Clothesline to Spivey, Doomsday Device connects. Callous has a chair, Animal is cracked on the back and Spivey is on top but it doesn’t matter as the referee is gone? I think The Road Warriors win by DQ. After the match, The Skyscrapers leave The Road Warriors laying.

 

A promising angle, nobody ever leaves The Road Warriors laying but the in-ring work is not great, Spivey is woeful while Callous is a great improvement. Disappointingly, it is the same type of match that is always worked by The Road Warriors, I have seen Hawk miss that ring-post so many times I just would like some variation on the tag formula from The Road Warriors.

 

Winners: The Road Warriors over The Skyscrapers via DQ!

 

(NWA World Tag Team Championship vs Masks Match) The Steiner Brothers © vs Doom

Simmons and Scott to start, clean breaks all around. Shoulder block by Simmons, Scott lands a powerslam. Knees to the head and a scramble, hard to escape from Scott. Simmons is sent to the corner and German suplexed to death, Reed tags into the match. Reed talks massive amounts of shit, clubbing blows to the chest from Reed. Shoulder block by Scott does nothing but dropkicks work with Rick itching to get into the match. Reed almost loses his mask, Scott tags in Rick. Rick is fired up and ready to go, Reed is cautious. Reed takes control briefly before a back body-drop from Rick, massive big right hands. Another mask-ripping attempt, belly to belly suplex from Rick. Simmons tags in Reed again, tag to Scott.

 

Scott sends Reed to the corner, clean break from Scott. Reed lands big rights, tag to Simmons. Clubbing blows from Doom, headbutt by Simmons. Scott escapes the slam but the O’Connor roll does not work as Reed waffles Scott with a clothesline. Scoop slam and leg drop from Simmons, Scott is beaten down by Doom. Simmons chokes Scott, Scott tries fighting back before a double back body-drop. Backslide by Scott for two, Reed retakes control. Piledriver from Reed for two, Scott is on the floor. Sunset flip from Scott for two, Reed stops the tag and lands a neck-breaker for two. Reed gets reversed and eats a Frankensteiner, tag to Rick.

 

Clubbing blows by Rick, atomic drop and a Steinerline. Reed is bounced around with a powerslam, Steinerline on Simmons. Rick rips at the mask, Reed fights back. Side headlock by Rick, the mask is off. Butch Reed has been unmasked, Reed is traumatized as Simmons looks on, O’Connor roll by Rick for the win.

 

Decent match, every time I see Rick and Scott in there throwing dudes around, I get excited because they are so young and have so much energy and it’s awesome, I like Simmons and I like Reed in the tag setting but I want to see some new blood in this tag division. These masks were garbage so the reveal sucks to be honest, let’s see where both teams go from here.

 

Winners: The Steiner Brothers over Doom via O’Connor Roll!

 

(Six-Man Steel Cage Match) The Horsemen vs The Great Muta/Buzz Sawyer/The Dragonmaster

All that matters is the angle before which was Sting was kicked out of The Horsemen because Sting defeated Flair at Starrcade and was set to challenge for the world championship. The remnants of The J-Tex Corporation take on The Horsemen, seems rather odd but I guess we needed to pay this off someway with Muta still being a champion at this point. Sawyer is insane, here comes The Horsemen.

 

Arn and Sawyer, biting and chops. Nice to see Arn back, Sawyer dives into the cage as Arn ducks, boot by Sawyer and we have babyfaces in Muta’s team. Flair interferes to help Arn, Sawyer headbutts Arn before Sawyer smashes his head off the cage as Arn dodged. Tag to Flair, Sawyer and Flair trade blows. Sawyer drags Flair to the corner, in comes Dragonmaster. In comes Ole, more brawling with Ole asking for forgiveness as Dragonmaster tees off and in comes Muta with Arn. Muta calls for death, handspring elbow with Arn flopping around. Muta-Lock, Sting is here on the cage, security is trying to pull down Sting. Sting is pulled down and livid, the match continues but it is secondary to everything.

 

Sawyer is back-dropped into the cage, Sting scrambles again. Sawyer suplexes Arn, Sting is hobbling and we are in serious trouble territory. Sawyer misses a splash off the top of the cage, Arn lands a spinebuster on Dragonmaster and we have a brawl with everyone in the ring. Dragonmaster meets the cage and is drilled with a DDT for the finish.

 

Shit cage match, anti-climatic as it could possibly be and we have a ruined WCW with Sting being legitimately injured and scrapping the plans for the big title change. What a clusterfuck!

 

Winners: Team Horsemen over Team Sawyer via DDT!

 

Clash of The Champions X was uneventful like many of the clashes at this point with a terrible main event but the ramifications of this show were massive. This was going to be Sting vs Flair, the big moment with The Horsemen turning on Sting and we were going to see the beginning of a new era but it is not going to happen. Sting has messed up his leg and while Sting will win the championship in the same calendar year, the impact would not be the same and that would spell disaster for WCW. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Clash of The Champions IX: New York Knockout Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that continues to baffle the people more than a Wrestling Stan Account! It’s time for WCW Clash Of The Champions IX: New York Knockout! This seems like the biggest Clash in quite some time as we have a I Quit Match between Funk and Flair as our main event, we also have Luger vs Pillman in a rematch from Halloween Havoc and some interesting tag matches to round out the card, could this be a good clash? I think the clash could have a similar record to In Your House at this point, far more uninteresting ones compared to interesting ones but we are only 9 shows in so I guess I won’t judge too quickly but let’s do this!

 

The Road Warriors W/ Paul Ellering vs The Fabulous Freebirds

This is what I want to see, LOD smashing people who can bump for them. Hayes and Hawk to start, Hayes dodges the right hand from Hawk but Animal brings Hayes back into the ring. Hawk clotheslines both, I think we are going to have lots of stalling here. Military press slam by Hawk, Animal smacks Hayes around. Flying shoulder tackle from Hawk, Hawk lands a dropkick on Garvin. Double elbow on Garvin, Garvin rakes the eyes and clubs Animal. Suplex connects and Animal pops right back up, massive clothesline by Animal who poses for the fans. Hayes lands an elbow but Animal does not move, clothesline and the flying shoulder tackle. Tag to Hawk, Hawk wrenches the arm of Hayes. Clothesline by Hawk, tag to Animal.

 

Animal and Garvin are in, Animal misses a corner splash. Hayes hurls Animal to the floor, stomps by Hayes. Tag to Garvin, they batter Animal. Hawk is with the referee, right hands by Garvin. Hayes chops and chokes Animal, choke with the ropes and more double-teaming before Hawk tosses the referee and batters The Freebirds. We have a DQ, what a hot start eh?

 

Never really got going, the match being thrown out is quite disappointing but I guess that is what they thought would be a good idea to open a show.

 

Winners: The Fabulous Freebirds over The Road Warriors via DQ!

 

Doom W/ Woman vs Eddie Gilbert & Tommy Rich

Gilbert seems to have slid down the card, possibly due to his heat with Ric Flair as Gilbert considered himself a big star like his big personality but it was not meant to be unfortunately, Woman continues to manage her men in black and this looks like it will be a squash.

 

Gilbert and Simmons to start, Simmons throws down Gilbert. Side headlock from Gilbert but Simmons tosses Gilbert across the ring. Simmons poses, O’Connor roll from Gilbert. Gilbert lands a face-buster before strutting, tag to Rich. Diving axe handle from Rich, Rich works the arm with elbows before Simmons goes low with a right hand. In comes Reed, Reed gets caught in an arm-bar before drilling Rich with forearms. Leapfrogs before Rich lands a hip-toss, stand-off between the two as Gilbert tries firing up the crowd. Tag to Gilbert who drills Reed, side headlock before Reed grabs the hair. Sidewalk slam from Reed, suplex from Reed and a tag to Simmons.

 

Simmons tosses Gilbert around the ring, big axe handles from Simmons. Tag to Reed, massive knee to the ribs. Reed lands closed fists to the head of Gilbert, swinging neck-breaker from Reed for two. Gilbert escapes to tag in Rich, elbows from Rich. Gut-shot and back body-drop, we have a brawl now with everyone in the ring. Tag team atomic drop and diving clothesline combination by Doom for the win.

 

Another brief match to put over this impressive new tag team, fine by me but not exactly super interesting to review!

 

Winners: Doom over Eddie Gilbert & Tommy Rich via Diving Clothesline!

 

The Dynamic Dudes vs The Midnight Express

The Dudes were being managed by Cornette as a thank you for saving Cornette when Paul E. Dangerously knocked out Cornette with his cell-phone. This led to tension between the two teams as Cornette was seen as neglecting his Midnight Express. The Midnight Express have given Cornette an ultimatum: choose which team you will continue to manage. It baffles me that I have not seen The Midnight Express near those tag team championships considering how good they are inside of that ring.

 

Cornette stands in a neutral corner for this match, Douglas and Eaton to begin the match. Clean break from Eaton, lock-up. Side headlock from Eaton, abdominal stretch from Douglas but Eaton escapes before being caught in an arm-drag. Douglas takes out Eaton and Lane, arm-drag on Lane. Shoulder block by Douglas before Lane drop toeholds Douglas but Douglas slips out with a hammerlock. Lane counters the hold by pulling the hair and works the arm, Douglas lands a drop toehold into a wristlock. Lane pulls the hair, schoolboy by Douglas for two. Little shoving, Ace wants to brawl. Lane misses an enzuigiri, Ace ducks the manoeuvre.

 

Lane brings Ace to the ropes, dropkick counters from Ace. Scoop slam and Lane backs up, tag to Eaton. Side headlock from Eaton, shoulder block too before Ace lands more dropkicks. Douglas dives onto Eaton, crowd reacts somewhat positively. They lock-up with Douglas grabbing a headlock, Lane delivers a belly to back suplex. Douglas dodges the elbow drop and lands an arm-drag, in comes Eaton but Eaton eats an arm-drag. Eaton pushes Douglas to the ropes, massive punch by Eaton. Eaton wants a superplex, Douglas slips out and lands an O’Connor roll for two, diving crossbody for two. Ace is in now, hip-toss and monkey flip.

 

Ace wanted the head-scissors but Lane smashed Ace from the apron. Karate kicks from Lane, snap-mare into a Russian leg-sweep. Tag to Eaton, Rocket Launcher and Ace counters with his knees. Tag to Douglas, right hands all around. Back body-drop from Douglas, Olympic Slam from Douglas but in comes Lane. We have a brawl, Eaton has something in his wrist. Cornette takes the chain and tells Douglas to go after Eaton and with Douglas’ back turned, Cornette waffles Douglas with the racket for the win.

 

Solid tag team match with an ending that makes me happy because The Midnight Express and Jim Cornette are meant to be, that’s the way it should always be. Ace and Douglas have been solid as a tag team but their gimmick is dying a slow death and I am not sure how they will recover, the future does not look bright. Luckily for Douglas and Ace, ECW and AJPW were going to come calling to revive their careers after WCW.

 

Winners: The Midnight Express over The Dynamic Dudes via Racket!

 

Super Destroyer vs Dr. Death Steve Williams

Jack Victory in his Midnight tights again, little effort to hide Victory at this point. He’s been destroyed more times than I can count, Destroyer gets a shot or two in before Williams destroys Super Destroyer with a military press slam and The Oklahoma Stampede!

 

Winner: Dr. Death over Super Destroyer via Oklahoma Stampede!

 

The Skyscrapers W/ Teddy Long vs The Steiner Brothers

Meaty tag team matches! Spivey and Rick to start, Spivey clubs Rick. Rick ducks and wants a German, Spivey is tossed in a brutal German suplex. Steinerline to the floor, that’s fucking sick. Spivey drills Rick with a tombstone, Rick elbows back at Spivey and lands another Steinerline. In comes Scott, Frakensteiner on Spivey and fallaway slam on Sid Vicious. Sid and Scott are in there, whip to the buckle but Scott dodges Sid and works the arm. Same spot we saw from the previous match with LOD, Spivey and Sid land a dropkick/clothesline combination. Powerslam from Spivey, big boot too. Scott blocks the suplex and Scott suplexes Spivey, Steinerline on Spivey.

 

In comes Rick, rights and lefts from Rick. Steinerline on Spivey, powerslam with Sid eating a double clothesline from The Steiners. In comes Doom, belly to belly suplex on Spivey. We have a DQ as Doom come to ringside and batter The Steiners, Woman is here to batter Rick with her heel. Rick shakes it off and Rick says there will be a belly to belly suplex. We have a bodyguard in the ring, a beatdown ensues before LOD come to ringside and it’s a brawl that pops the crowd.

 

More of an angle than anything else but man it is fun to watch Steiners throw people around the ring. Especially when it is Spivey because Lord knows I love Sid and Spivey is such a disappointment when standing next to Sid Vicious.

 

Winners: The Steiner Brothers over The Skyscrapers via DQ!

 

(NWA United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Lex Luger © vs Flyin’ Brian Pillman

These two had quite the good match at Halloween Havoc, showcasing the strengths of both men. WCW decided hey why not do that again? So here we are with Luger taking on Pillman II. They lock-up, clean break from both. Luger looks hesitant to get in there with Pillman, they lock-up again. Luger continues to create distance between the two, Luger looks to the crowd and tells them to shut-up. Luger chants around the arena, Luger talks more trash to the fans. Knee from Luger, elbows to the spine. Right hands from Luger, Pillman eats a shoulder block but leapfrogs Luger and nails two beautiful dropkicks. Luger powders and talks more trash, an irate Luger is on the floor. Lock-up, right hands by Luger who waffles the challenger, Irish whip with Pillman leapfrogging Luger and Luger is clubbed down and powders once more.

 

Luger calls for a time-out, Luger shoves Pillman to the corner. Cheap-shots from Luger, Luger poses for the fans. Chops from Pillman, belly to back is countered and Pillman skins the cat after missing a clothesline. Big kick staggers Luger, Luger calls for another break. Missile dropkick from Pillman for two, chops rock Luger. Pillman wrenches the arm of Luger, Luger begs for mercy as Pillman lands the hot-shot. Pillman works the arm off the ring-post, Luger meets the guardrail too. In the ring, Luger brings Pillman to the corner and lands some massive rights. Whip to the opposite buckle and a belly to back suplex from The Total Package. Irish whip and a military press slam with Luger calling for the finish, military press drop from Luger.

 

Pillman is on one knee brawling back into this one, Luger pulls Pillman to the floor. Luger slams Pillman on the floor, Luger suplexes Pillman back into the ring. Only two for Luger, Pillman schoolboys for two. Irish whip from Luger into the powerslam, Luger calls for The Rack. Pillman schoolboys Luger for two again, they are trading blows. Right hands and chops, flying clothesline by Pillman. Irish whip and a back body-drop, Pillman climbs high. Diving Crossbody but the referee is wiped out again, chop down from Pillman. Luger clubs Pillman, Pillman lands an O’Connor roll but there is still no referee. Dropkick with Luger rolling to the floor, Pillman tries waking the referee. Luger grabs the chair, Pillman does not see the chair and Luger waffles Pillman and picks up the win. After the match, Sting makes the save as we built towards Starrcade.

 

This was a great match between these two, Luger at his best as a massive douchebag heel who believes he is better than everyone. Luger is happy to bump around for Pillman, Pillman gets two visual pin-falls over Luger too showing that one day we might revisit but more importantly, there are very high on Pillman. Great finish from Luger too and angle afterwards, Luger says Sting finally has the guts to face him only to turn and run when given the chance to face Sting. Great heel work from The Total Package!

 

Winner: Lex Luger over Brian Pillman via Chair To The Head!

 

(I Quit Match) Ric Flair vs Terry Funk W/ Gary Hart

A fantastic angle began with Terry Funk being upset that Ric Flair would not accept his challenge for the world championship, Funk proceeded to almost break the neck of The Nature Boy. This led to a heated contest between the two, intensity that we had not seen from The Nature Boy in quite some time but that was not enough, they continued their feud with Funk almost suffocating Flair with a bag over his head. They got it on at Halloween Havoc but apart from the finish, it was not enough for me but an I Quit Match tonight will settle the score. Terry Funk has been tremendous since joining WCW and I am sad to see him go but Funk would never truly retire.

 

Funk being the badass that he is, Funk gives Flair one chance to quite before we begin. Lock-up, clean break. Another lock-up, Funk misses the chop and is chopped to the floor. Funk threatens the fans, chops from Flair. Whip to the buckles, chop and Funk is down again. Funk almost attacks a camera guy showcasing that he is rocked, Funk is so awesome. Funk powders, jabs from Funk but they have little effect. Shoulder block by Funk, Flair goes for the leg and chokes Funk. Funk rakes the eyes, stomps to the head. They are on the apron here, right hand floors Flair. Headbutt rocks Flair, Flair chops back at Funk. Funk drills Flair with a left hand, elbow to the skull. Flair is dumped to the floor, Flair meets the guardrail. Left hands batter Flair, microphone to the head from Funk. Flair throws pick right hands to get back into the match, Flair chants are strong here tonight. Ten punches in the corner, Funk eats an inverted atomic drop. Neck-breaker from Funk staggers Flair, Flair chops back again with Funk spilling to the floor. Flair sends Funk to the guardrail, Flair shoves Gary Hart. Flair is distracted by Gary Hart and Funk takes advantage. Swinging neck-breaker, Funk wants a piledriver. Texas-sized Piledriver from Funk, Funk begins working the neck and face. On the floor, Funk piledrives Flair on the concrete. Funk is getting sadistic now.

 

Funk slams Flair off a table before taking the table for himself, what is the plan here? Flair is battling back out of desperation, right hands too. Funk’s head meets the table, Funk is tossed across the table before Flair goes after Gary Hart. Inverted atomic drop and Flair is going to work the leg, Flair drops all his weight on the leg over and over. Chops and right hands, Funk is trying to run away but Flair tackles Funk to the ground and lands a shin-breaker. Flair suplexes Funk into the ring, Funk kicks and fights to block the hold and thumbs the eye of The Nature Boy. Funk is suplexed to the apron, Flair applies The Figure Four Leg-Lock. Funk quits after being locked in the hold, I thought that was a little less dramatic than I thought it would be. Gary Hart turns on Funk and Muta goes after Flair. Sting makes the save but Luger comes here too, Sting is waffled before Flair makes the save.

 

This was a great match in my eyes, Funk sets the tone by asking Flair if he wants to quit before he lays this beating on him. The bell rings and these two scrap it out, beating one another all over the ring. Flair goes for the leg, Funk piledrivers Flair on the floor to bring up the neck injury again and I am getting flashbacks, the piledriver on the concrete is just vicious and it’s incredible. Funk on the mic is great and Funk saying he will never great only to have to utter those words to save his leg from being broken, great stuff and a strong angle heading into Starrcade although I have heard bad things about Starrcade so let’s say I am a little worried but we had two big blow-offs on this show with The Midnight Express vs The Dudes and Flair vs Funk coming to an end. A solid Clash of Champions for WCW despite the jobber matches and DQs that filled the early parts of the show!

 

Winner: Ric Flair over Terry Funk via I Quit!

WCW Halloween Havoc 1989 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that gets more internet traffic than Scarlett Bordeaux’s OnlyFans! Pfft, I wish right? It’s time for WCW Halloween Havoc 1989 headlined by The ThunderDome Match! It’s Halloween Havoc so it has to be scary, a massive cage above the ring with Bob Caudle and Jim Ross speculating what will happen in that main event. Looking at this card, it is not what I expected for the show with Pillman challenging for a big championship this early into his run in WCW while we have Steiners vs Doom and The Dudes challenging The Freebirds? Well if you say so, let’s get it on!

 

Mike Rotunda vs The Z-Man

Oh God no, please no! Z-Man is taken down before grabbing a side headlock on Rotunda, shoulder block by Z-Man. Rotunda is not happy with this development, nice shoulder block again by Z-Man. Stalling from the great Rotunda, another side headlock from Z-Man. Hip-toss from Rotunda, Rotunda misses his elbow and eats a dropkick to the face. Rotunda does not give a clean break off a lock-up, thumb to the eye from Rotunda. Rotunda sends Z-Man to the floor, Z-Man comes back into it with some arm-work. Rotunda breaks the hold before being caught in a hammerlock. Side headlock takedown from Z-Man before Rotunda counters with a head-scissors. Rotunda uses the ropes for leverage before rolling to the floor, Rotunda sends Z-Man to the floor.

 

Z-Man cannot re-enter the ring as Rotunda stomps on the head of the rookie. Suplex into the ring from Rotunda, two for Rotunda. Abdominal stretch from Rotunda, Rotunda uses the ropes for leverage. Time and time again, Rotunda uses the ropes for an advantage before Nick Patrick stops that. Sleeper in the middle of the ring, Z-Man fights out before a massive flying clothesline by Rotunda. Rotunda misses a dropkick though, Z-Man is firing up. Whip to the buckle, elbow from Z-Man. Eye-rake from Rotunda, whip to the buckle is reversed as Rotunda tries a dicing crossbody but Z-Man rolls through for the win.

 

As awful as I thought it would be and Z-Man is being rejected by the fans here as the boos are quite audible in this one and the cheers are loud when Rotunda is whooping Z-Man. Regardless, Rotunda continues to be the most boring person I have to watch wrestle inside of the ring, not many people I would hold below Rotunda on a consistent basis. Very boring opening match so I am hoping this is not a sign of things to come.

 

Winner: Z-Man over Mike Rotunda via Roll-Up!

 

The Midnight Express & Dr. Death Steve Williams W/ Jim Cornette vs The Samoan Swat Team W/ Oliver Humperdink

Cornette and his Express continue to do battle with The Samoans despite the fact that Paul E. Dangerously has been dropped from the angle. Tama from The Islanders is here to make sure we have three Samoans. No idea what is going on here to be honest especially with Humperdink as their manager. Lane and Tama start the match, Eaton smashes Tama hard. We have a third stand-off, incredible how many times they will pull that. Lane and Eaton deliver an elbow to Tama, Eaton works the arm before Tama reverses the hold. Eaton reverses the hold before Tama rakes the eyes and lands a scoop slam. Samu comes in and misses an elbow as Eaton waffles The Samoans. We have another stand-off, why?

 

Chop from Samu which staggers Eaton, Eaton dodges the splash and in comes Williams. Jabs to all 3 Samoans, it breaks down momentarily before we have a tackle on Fatu. Crowd is loving this, Fatu and Williams in the ring. Massive clothesline on Fatu, shoulder tackles on Samu and Fatu. Eaton works the arm of Fatu, tag to Lane who lands his karate kicks before applying a side headlock. Fatu decks Lane with a clothesline, tag to Samu. Eye-rake on Lane, Samu lands his own thrust-kick. Standing dropkick from Samu, Lane fights back on his knees and a tag to Williams. Samu is hesitant, lock-up. Chops from Samu and a headbutt, Williams sends Samu to the corner and  lands a corner clothesline.

 

Samu eats a right from Eaton and Williams, snap-mare into a leg-drop from Williams. Another disgusting right from Eaton, neck-breaker from Eaton. Samu and Eaton reset, Eaton elbow drops Samu in the head. In comes Lane as Samu has his head massaged, Fatu tags into the match.

 

Drop toehold by Lane who works the arm, Fatu is back up to his feet and pulls the hair. Clothesline misses but Fatu counters the crossbody for a powerslam, Fatu misses the elbow drop and Lane tags in Eaton. Eaton works the arm, eye-rake and tag to Tama. Eaton lands a punch, bulldog is countered as Tama sends Eaton into the ring-post. Eaton is dropped on the guardrail, The Samoans are here to get their heat now. Tama measures and chops Eaton hard in the chest, tag to Fatu who lands a clothesline and a headbutt for two. Eaton continues to get rocked by the three Samoans, headbutts and leg-drops are on the menu for Eaton. Elbows again from Samu, headbutts from the aprons. Lane tries to make the save but nothing can be done. Triple beatdown on Eaton, headbutt rocks Eaton again.

 

Tama bites the arm of Eaton, sidewalk slam from Tama for two. Williams makes the save, Williams wants a piece but we have to wait. Fatu has a shoulder-claw on Eaton, Tama wants a slingshot splash but Eaton blocks with his knees. Tag to Williams, diving axe handle to Tama. Clothesline and military press slams, scoop slams and military press slam onto the three Samoans. Powerslam for two, neck-breakers from Lane. The match is breaking down, enzuigiri onto Tama. Cornette knocks down Humperdink but Tama shoves Lane into Cornette’s racket and Tama covers for the win.

 

Balls to the wall action in this one, everyone in this match just brings the heat to this. From the opening bell with Eaton’s first right hand on Tama to the second that Williams receives that tag, everything is fast-paced and full of snap. Eaton does a fantastic job selling the beating at the hands of The Three Samoans while Williams is electric inside of that ring, finally getting to do what he could as a babyface. Everyone in this match brings it and the result is a very exciting six-man tag match.

 

Winners: The Samoans over Team Williams via Racket To The Head!

 

Wildfire Tommy Rich vs The Cuban Assassin

Assassin jumps Rich to start before Rich fires back with big scoop slams and elbows, Assassin powders to the floor. Assassin thumbs the eyes, throws Rich to the apron. Rich messes up an apron sunset flip and the crowd give it to Rich. Important to note we are here in Philly so those damn ECW fans must be occupying those seats. Assassin is caught in an arm-drag before Assassin fights back and chops Rich. Whip to the buckle, Rich dodges the splash and works the arm. Rich continues to work the arm, Assassin works the arm then after out-foxing Rich. Headbutt from Rich, Assassin lands a suplex. Rich crotches Assassin before an elbow from Rich. Assassin is sent to the corner and tries a diving crossbody and Rich lands a Thesz Press for the win.

 

Garbage match, the sunset flip sets the tone for the match. It is just so dull and lifeless, like neither man should be in the ring on PPV for a mainstream company.

 

Winner: Tommy Rich over Cuban Assassin via Thesz Press!

 

(NWA Tag Team Championship Match) The Dynamic Dudes W/ Jim Cornette vs The Fabulous Freebirds ©

Give me The Steiners murdering Garvin & Hayes again with suplexes because I have a feeling that the crowd is going to have no mercy on these two dudes.  The Freebirds continue to be annoying but worthy of being the team in the division? I think not as Hayes struts and moonwalks before starting the match, Douglas eats an arm-drags to begin the match. Side headlock from Hayes, leapfrogs and drop-downs before Douglas almost rolls-up the champion. Hayes is not happy, Douglas and Hayes mess-up a spot so here we go, ugly-looking neck-breaker before Garvin comes into the ring.

 

Tag to Ace, Garvin tees off before Ace fires back. Garvin misses a clothesline and Ace lands a dropkick into an arm-bar. Tag to Douglas who lands on the arm of Garvin, Douglas lands a back body drop. Garvin lures Douglas to the heels’ corner, Hayes works the arm before Douglas flips out of the hold. Tag to Ace who lands a diving axe handle, the champions are knocked down as The Dudes land a big powerslam and dropkick combination on Hayes & Garvins. Loud Freebird chants fill the arena so you know this is not a good thing, Douglas works the arm and avoids a kick from Hayes. Tag to Ace who lands a massive face-buster and elbow, Garvin comes in and is caught in a side headlock from Ace.

 

Ace lures in Hayes who eats a back-drop and a head-scissors by Ace, the fans continue to boo the Dudes. Shoulder block and O’Connor roll from Ace, Garvin shoves off Ace and Hayes lands a massive left from the apron. Belly to back suplex and knee from Garvin, Douglas stands over his partner. Ace is in serious trouble, Hayes lands another cheap-shot to the head of Ace. Garvin lands another kick to the head to stagger Ace, Garvin tags in Hayes who lands right after right on Ace. Ace fires up with roundhouse right hands before Hayes lands a massive elbow to the head. Combination clothesline from Hayes, Ace blocks the DDT. In comes Garvin and in comes Douglas, back body-drop and dropkick from Douglas. Make it two, Hayes eats a dropkick too. Noggin-knocker and Ace lands a double clothesline. Double knee to Hayes, The Wipeout is coming but Hayes trips Ace and Garvin crushes Douglas for the win.

 

A disaster in terms of reaction for the babyfaces, Douglas and Ace are absolutely despised in WCW at the time. Hayes and Garvin are having a solid run but I still think Hayes must be in the ear of someone who has power in the company because I just can’t see Hayes at the level they have him at here. Decent tag match at the end of the day but things are not looking good for The Dudes.

 

Winners: The Fabulous Freebirds over The Dynamic Dudes via Crossbody!

 

The Steiner Brothers vs Doom W/ Woman

Woman was Robin Greene, a fan of Rick Steiner who had problems with Missy Hyatt. This leads us to Doom, a massive tag team to brawl with The Steiners. This is meaty from the get-go, this just start drilling one another before we see stereo German suplexes from The Steiners. Double clotheslines and it’s a dog pound right now. The Steiners control the ring, Scott and Doom 1 start us off. Whip to the buckle and clothesline from Scott, snap-mare into a knee-drop. Cover for two, tag to Rick. Rick batters Doom 1, Irish whip and a Steinerline. Make it two as Doom 2 gets taken out too, more big right hands from the big guys. Reverse chin-lock from Rick, inverted atomic drop from Doom 2. Doom 1 comes in, headbutt from Doom 1. Rick blocks the suplex and lands a suplex of his own, side headlock and tag to Scott. Diving Steinerline from Scott for two, reverse chin-lock from Scott.

 

Tag to Rick, hammerlock is countered with a jaw-breaker from Doom 1. Doom 2 comes in with a fist-drop, massive clothesline from Doom 2. Rick is dropped across the top rope for a close two, Rick boots Doom 2 in the head and in comes Scott. Gourdbuster suplex from Scott, tag to Doom 1. Eye rake and headbutt from Doom 1 before Scott lands a massive German suplex, elbow drops from Scott for two. Snap-mare into a chin-lock, Doom 2 lands a cheap-shot from behind and allows Doom 1 to take control. Doom 2 climbs high, diving axe handle finds the mark. Scott is thrown to the floor and dropped across the guardrail, Doom 2 repeats the actions of Doom 1. Tag to Doom 1, Irish whip and double elbow to the face of Scott for a close two.

 

Reverse chin-lock from Doom 1, Scott escapes but cannot take control. Doom 2 stomps Scott and chokes Scott with the ropes. Doom 1 snaps the neck of Scott using the ropes before Scott is hurled to the apron by Doom 2. Doom 1 chokes Scott as Rick loses his cool at ringside, Scott is tossed over the top rope which would have been a DQ had the referee seen this manoeuvre. Doom 2 stomps all over Scott who is on the apron, Scott lands a slingshot sunset flip but Doom 2 survives and lands a neck-breaker for two. In comes Doom 1, Scott fights back and back but an eye rake slows down Scott. Powerslam from Doom 1 for two as Rick makes the save.

 

Double suplex to Scott, Doom 1 covers for two. In comes Doom 2 who clamps on a front chancery, Scott tries powering over to his corner. Doom 1 distracts the referee so that when Rick receives the tag, it’s missed. Spike piledriver on Scott, Doom 1 covers. 1..2.. Scott kicks out! Reverse chin-lock from Doom 1, Scott escapes and Rick has the tag. Back body-drop for Doom 2, more right hands and we have a Steinerline. One for Doom 1 too, Frankensteiner on Doom 1. Rick powerslams Doom 2, Woman is on the apron. Rick is distracted, Rick wants to suplex her. Woman puts something in the mask of Doom 2, a headbutt cracks Rick in the head and Doom pick up the win.

 

Doom is comprised of Ron Simmons and Butch Reed, this is an upgrade for Reed in my eyes who bored me when wrestling in 15-minute singles matches but here we have quite the fun match. Why? Because all these big bastards knock the stuffing out of one another, I have never seen so many dangerous German suplexes and belly to belly suplexes in one match, these guys are flying around the ring. Scott and Rick are so popular, only a matter of time before those tag team championships are around their waists but this was good stuff so I am happy to sink myself more into the feud of Rick Steiner vs Woman.

 

Winners: Doom over The Steiner Brothers via Headbutt with an Object!

 

(NWA United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Lex Luger © vs Flyin’ Brian Pillman

A bit too soon though? Flyin’ Brian Pillman has been a breathe of fresh air in WCW, racking up victories against many talents in the company but a shot at Lex Luger this early into his career? I am not too sure, Luger has been a revelation as a heel here, taking out Ricky Steamboat and becoming the smuggest man on the planet.

 

They lock-up, Luger pushes Pillman to the corner but Pillman escapes and Luger is not happy with this development. Another lock-up, Luger pushes back Pillman and knees the challenger. Big clubbing blows, Luger bounces Pillman off the buckle. Right hands from Luger, scoop slam from Luger. Luger taunts and slaps Pillman, Pillman comes back with a massive tackle. Chops and Luger is whipped to the buckle, back body-drop and a dropkick from the challenger. Baseball slide from Pillman, more chops from the challenger. Pillman looks for his finish, Luger powders wisely. Luger is running from the challenger, Luger fools Pillman and knees him in the head. Clubbing blows from the champion, choke using the top rope from The Total Package.

 

Right hands and boots from Luger, Pillman leapfrogs Luger and delivers a diving crossbody for two. Arm-drag into an arm-bar from the challenger, knees and clubbing blows from Luger to survive. Roundhouse rights from Luger, Pillman counters a hip-toss and delivers dropkicks followed by arm-drags into the arm-bar once again. Luger escapes again and clubs down Pillman, Irish whip and shoulder block from Luger. Another shoulder block, Pillman leapfrogs and lands a hip-toss followed by a dropkick and then an arm-bar. Pillman wrenches the arm, Luger is down to a knee. Luger escapes it again, Pillman lands a crucifix pin for two. Arm-drag into the arm-bar, Luger pushes back Pillman and clubs the challenger.

 

Pillman boots away an oncoming Luger, Pillman is on the top rope and Luger dodges the top rope splash. Luger drops Pillman across the top rope, massive clothesline from Luger. Luger stomps all over the head and neck of Pillman, massive suplex from Luger for two. Pillman ends up on the floor, apron sunset flip for two and Luger misses a clothesline and dives to the floor. Pillman wants ten punches in the corner but Luger counters with an inverted atomic drop, Pillman is propped up on the top rope. Luger cannot hit the superplex, siving sunset flip from Pillman for two, back body drop from Pillman and Air Pillman lands but Luger places his foot on the ropes. Neck-breaker from Pillman, Luger side-steps a missile dropkick and Luger lands a stun-gun for the win.

 

Very good match from these two, I like Pillman a lot but it was very soon into his run to have him in there with Luger so I don’t think anyone was thinking the championship would change hands. On top of that, Luger is over like rover despite being a heel. They work a very solid match here though, Luger bumps all over for Pillman’s offense and Pillman is very capable of making Luger look like a monster. Good back and forth with Pillman almost stealing it with a foot on the ropes, the missile dropkick spot was a little weird, didn’t look to me like Luger swatted away but the finish is solid as Luger did work the neck and done right, a stun-gun/hot-shot can look devastating.

 

Winner: Lex Luger over Brian Pillman via Hot-Shot!

 

The Road Warriors W/ Paul Ellering vs The Skyscrapers W/ Teddy Long

Did I say the previous tag match was meaty? Sweet Jesus, this is going to be stiff although the match quality might be significantly less interesting in this one. Spivey to start with Animal, forearms and lefts from Spivey before Animal clotheslines Spivey to the floor. Hawk comes in and works the arm, shots to the ribs before Spivey tries a shoulder block. They meet in the middle of the ring before Hawk lands a flying shoulder block to knock down Spivey. Sid comes in and gets a clothesline from Hawk, Sid works Hawk in the corner. Irish whip and Sid misses a splash, Hawk works the arm and tags in Animal. Double elbow, more shoulder blocks and no movement. Animal tees off on Sid and lands a flying shoulder tackle, how will this match end?

 

Hawk and Sid go into a test of strength, flip over from Hawk and a corner clothesline. Hawk gets beaten down as Sid and Spivey combine, Sid tosses Hawk around the ring helicopter style. Spivey comes in for a sidewalk slam for two, Hawk ducks the clothesline and slaughters Spivey but Hawk cannot capitalize and Sid drops Hawk on the guardrail. Suplex from Spivey, tag to Sid. Corner clotheslines and knees from Sid & Spivey, choke-hold from Sid. Spivey comes in and clotheslines Hawk, Hawk blocks the suplex and drills Spivey. The referee does not see the tag for Hawk so Animal cannot come in, Spivey lands a corner splash on Hawk. Hawk boots back Spivey, tag to Animal. Dropkick on Spivey, flying shoulder tackle. In comes Sid and we have a clubbing battle.

 

Sid clubs Animal, Spivey drills Hawk in the corner. Powerslam on Sid, Teddy Long drills Ellering with the key, Spivey and Sid batter The Road Warriors with the key, this match ends in a DQ before Hawk comes back and wipes out Spivey. Hawk batters Sid and Spivey with the key and this match is done.

 

Nowhere near offensive I thought it would be, very enjoyable with the big moves and the stand-offs. However, I would agree with the thoughts of Jim Cornette who has said it was a mistake to have The Road Warriors go up against other giants and big teams, Warriors did their best when in there with the likes of The Horsemen or The Midnight Express. The finish leaves up open for a rematch at Starrcade which is terrifying.

 

Winners: The Road Warriors over The Skyscrapers via DQ!

 

(Thunderdome Cage Match) Ric Flair & Sting W/ Ole Anderson vs The J-Tex Coporation W/ Gary Hart

Bruno Sammartino is your special guest referee and is over like rover which is great to see, a mountain of a man and a former WWF guy which is bizarre at the same time to see. So this will be the climax to the feud between Funk and Flair, an electrified steel cage match. Have I seen an electrified steel cage match before? Yes good ones and bad ones, there is the FMW bouts which were nuts and the TNA one which was infamous. Ric Flair and Sting continue to team together while Funk and Muta have formed an alliance. Funk and Flair have been fantastic together in the ring while Muta and Sting tore it up in their match, I am dying for a rematch.

 

The cage surrounds the ring, there are pieces of grass and twigs on the cage. We can see that the cage catches fire immediately which is a nice touch for realism and Muta puts out the fire with his mist. Flair and Funk begin, shoulder block by Funk but Flair shoots for the legs. Chops by Flair, Funk eats a shot from Sting. Funk collapses to the mat while Flair antagonizes Muta, Muta grabs Bruno and Bruno shoves off Muta. Flair slams Funk over and over before landing a chop, Funk is dropped to the floor. No use of the cage just yet, Muta checks on Funk. Flair hot-shots Funk, tag to The Stinger. Sting comes in with big rights, Funk is tossed to the floor. Funk is rammed into the cage and has his back raked, double clothesline to Funk.

 

Flair whips Funk across the ring and delivers another sickening chop, knee-drop for Funk and a slap to Muta. Muta attacks Flair, Sting makes the save. Flair continues to chop and drill Funk, Funk is punch-drunk. Tag to Sting who lands a dropkick, Funk gets mouthy with Bruno. Sting and Muta are in now, military press slam with Muta landing on Funk. Suplex on Muta, tag to Flair. Boots by Flair, snap-mare into a flurry of punches. Inverted atomic drop on Muta, knee-drop by Flair and a tag to Sting. Muta is knocked to the floor and shoved into the cage, everyone is brawling now but Muta catches Sting when re-entering the ring. Funk clubs down Sting, snap-mare and flashing elbow by Muta. Flair comes in and has his eyes raked by Muta. Funk chokes Sting on the floor, Muta lands a suplex in the ring.

 

Sting lands a nice bulldog on both Funk & Muta, both heels roll to the floor. Hot-shot from Sting, Funk breaks up a Scorpion Death-lock attempt. Funk and Bruno continue having words, Flair and Funk are brawling on the floor. Muta throws Sting to the floor, Ole Anderson cheers on Sting as we continue walking around the ring. Sting is walking away from Funk. Muta chokes the life out of Sting, Flair and Funk are brawling on the apron. Both men are climbing the cage, not sure how wise that is when it is electrified. Muta is climbing the cage, Sting is in pursuit of Muta who is on the cage. Muta gets electrocuted, everyone is brawling on the cage. Flair pulls down Funk, Muta has control of Sting in the ring. Flair and Funk are on top of the cage, how are they not getting electrocuted? Flair tangles up Funk in the cage while Sting presses Muta above his head.

 

Funk is still in the corner, Sting is in hot pursuit while Muta escapes Flair by hiding under the ring. Muta and Flair are chopping one another, belly to back suplex on Muta. Figure Four Leg-Lock on Muta, Gary Hart refuses to throw in the towel. Nice visual as we have Sting swinging across a rope to attack Funk, Muta slides into the ring behind Flair, Muta kicks Flair in the back of the head viciously. Indian Death-lock from Muta into The Muta-Lock! Sting is tied up in the cage, Sting cannot escape as Funk Piledrivers Flair. Sting cannot break free, Flair is choked by Funk & Muta. Sting finally breaks free, Sting is planning something crazy. Diving crossbody from Sting, chops to Muta. Funk is hobbling, his leg crushed by Sting’s crossbody which is perfect for The Nature Boy.

 

Flair begins working the leg that was crushed by the crossbody, massive shin-breaker to The Funker. Muta and Sting are climbing the cage high, no electricity here while Flair lands a knee-drop on the knee. Figure Four Leg-Lock is coming but Muta distracts Flair. Muta back-breakers Sting, Sting crotches Muta off-camera I believe as Flair slaps on The Figure Four on Funk. Sting is on the top rope, diving splash from Sting while Funk is in the Figure Four. Another splash on the chest of Funk, Bruno Sammartino wipes out Muta who tried taking him down. Ole Anderson decks Gary Hart and the towel flies out of his hand, Flair and Sting win the match!

 

Not as good as I hoped, I thought it was hokey at times. It is meant to be a barbaric cage match full of violence to end this feud but that never comes into really for me. We have a lot of Funk and Muta walking around the outside, being shoved into the cage etc but nothing of note there. The most interesting part of the match for me was Sting’s crossbody onto the knees of Funk coming into the finish, I thought it was really well done but apart from that, I felt it lacked the intensity of the other matches between Flair and Funk and this was not as exciting as Sting’s first match with Muta. Disappointing really when the electrified cage stipulation was pretty much abandoned when Funk and Sting etc were climbing to the top of the cage and nothing was happening.

 

Winners: Team Flair over Team Funk via Throwing In The Towel!

 

That was WCW’s Halloween Havoc 1989, a good show mostly from WCW. We kick things off in awful fashion with Rotunda in a singles match, I can’t stand the man and will curse him until the end of time but The Z-Man is not doing much for me either so it is not looking too good there. We switch to a be six-man tag match that kicks all sorts of ass and furthers the angle of tension between The Midnight Express and Jim Cornette. The match was 18 minutes long and I was never bored, end to end great stuff. We have Tommy Rich then, very boring match and I think Rich should not be in the company at the time. The tag team matches that follow are good, terrible for The Dudes that they are being booed but the match is decent while The Steiners vs Doom is just big men beating the shit out of each other which I can get behind, same thing with The Road Warriors match against The Skyscrapers but no complaints from me, both matches were an interesting watch. Pillman and Luger is probably the best match on the card, it was not amazing but a solid match with Luger and Pillman coming together to make something very fun while I viewed the main event as disappointing. A cage match should have been intense and bloody or at least have some seriousness/violence to it, I didn’t buy it here. Just felt like a prop that limited the performers instead of aiding them in creating a dramatic story for me to get sucked into. 1989 was such a strange year for the company but there were good things/signs that things could be fun, I am curious to see how they will play out so fingers crossed as we look to end 1989. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!