WCW Clash of The Champions XXXI Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that brings you down more than a worked shoot promo from AEW’s finest! It’s time for Clash of The Champions XXXI, one of the last Clashes I will be covering as part of this series and we have some big tag team matches on this one with Sting and Hawk reuniting while we also have Harlem Heat & Sister Sherri taking on Dirty Dick Slater & Bunkhouse Buck & Colonel Robert Parker. The big main event is a handicap match as Vader takes on Ric Flair & Arn Anderson. Will this be a good show? Possibly, let’s see how things play out!

 

Sting & Road Warrior Hawk vs Kurazawa & Meng W/ Colonel Robert Parker

Sting & Hawk have been a team of sorts in WCW, teaming together once on PPV in 1993 which I refer to as Sting’s tag crisis year as he teamed with Davey Boy and Hawk instead of going after singles championships while opposite the duo we have Manabu Nakanishi on his American excursion and Meng. The heels jump the babyfaces and Hawk shoulder blocks Kurazawa, Kurazawa has been dumped to the floor. Kuruzawa and Hawk are trading kicks, Hawk trips up Kurazawa and headbutts him low. In comes Sting, inverted atomic drop and Kurazawa meets the buckle. Kurazawa fights back with chops in the corner, Kurazawa misses a knee in the corner and Sting chops Kurazawa. Suplex for two, tag to Hawk. Double elbow, Irish whip and Hawk lowers his head and eats a kick followed by a clothesline.

 

Tag to Meng who kicks Hawk and lands a clothesline, neither man move. Lock-up, clean break by Hawk. Chops by Meng, clothesline by Meng but Hawk doesn’t go down. Tag to Kurazawa, diving chop to the arm. Chops and Hawk is thrown to the floor. Massive firemen’s carry like slam on the floor, Hawk has been rattled. Sting is brawling with Kurazawa, Hawk fires back in the ring with a clothesline and a fist drop. Dragon sleeper form Hawk, Meng makes the save. Kurazawa grabs a front chancery, tag to Meng. Hawk lands his neck-breaker on Meng but Meng makes the tag to Kurazawa. Hawk lands a scoop slam, Hawk climbs high. Splash connects for Hawk, Hawk lands a powerbomb with Meng making the save. Sting lands a diving clothesline on Meng, back body-drop by Meng. Sting DDTs Meng, Kurazawa and Hawk have fallen apart. Stinger Splash and bulldog on Meng, double clothesline on Kurazawa. Doomsday Device and Hawk picks up the win! Kurazawa breaks the arm of Hawk after the bell! Taking the arm of a Road Warrior, what a way to get your heat back!

 

Perfectly fine for what it was, crowd is loving it which I am all for considering the last show was awful due to lack of energy and enthusiasm from the crowd. Sting and Hawk bust out some fun moves like a powerbomb and diving clothesline and while the sloppy finish definitely is not ideal, it was a fun match at the end of the day and a good way to kick off the broadcast.

 

Winners: Sting & Hawk over Kurazawa & Meng via Doomsday Device!

 

DDP W/ The Diamond Doll vs Alex Wright

Lower card fun here hopefully, DDP will always be over with me for pulling Kimberly when he looks like a complete joke. Lock-up with DDP giving a clean break. DDP shoves down Wright, DDP talks trash is rolled-up twice for two. DDP is furious, claiming that Wright pulled the tights. Dropkicks by Wright, DDP is talking to the Diamond Doll before Wright lands a massive plancha. DDP hot-shots Wright with the top rope, DDP begins working the arm. Elbow to the face behind the referee’s back, Wright uses his ability and flexibility to escape the hold and apply an arm-bar. DDP pulls the hair to bring Wright to the corner, shot to the ribs. Wright moonsaults out of an Irish whip and dropkicks DDP, DDP sends Wright to the floor before Wright lands a shot to the ribs and a slingshot splash for two. Fujiwara arm-bar from Wright, DDP escapes but meets a flying crossbody for two. DDP rocks Wright with a right-hand to stop that attack, DDP kicks Wright in the ribs.

 

Argentine back-breaker into an inverted back-breaker, swinging neck-breaker for two. Backslide from Wright for two, DDP lands some forearms. Shots to the ribs, DDP charges and misses a corner spear, spearing the ring-post. DDP tries a kick but Wright moves and DDP slips, right hands by Wright. Forearms, whip to the buckle and an elbow by Wright. Spinning Wheel Kick by Wright, jumping knee by Wright for two. Wright climbs high, diving missile dropkick for two! DDP is in the corner, Wright lands ten punches in the corner before DDP flapjacks Wright into the buckle. 1…2 Wright kicks out! Wright counters a belly to back for a German Suplex for a close two, flying forearm knocks DDP to the floor. Wright misses a plancha over the top rope and DDP rolls Wright into the ring and covers him.

 

Well that finish does make Wright look like a geek, DDP could have at least used some sort of a move to put him away but nope, Wright’s dive leads to his loss and it seems that push is but  a distant memory at this stage. DDP covering up his physique with a singlet makes me laugh considering the shape DDP is in now and in a year’s time. Not much of a good match but I wasn’t bored so fair play to these two on this night.

 

Winner: DDP over Alex Wright via Missed Dive!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) The Renegade © W/ Jimmy Hart vs Paul Orndorff

Bash At The Beach rematch time! Mr. Wonderful who was hugely over with the crowd at that PPV against the Warrior rip-off Renegade where things are going from bad to worse for our cheap imitation. Orndorff jumps Renegade, Renegade comes back with a powerslam and Orndorff powders. Renegade celebrates on the buckle, Orndorff nails a belly to back suplex for two. Renegade is stomped repeatedly by the challenger, beautiful elbow by Orndorff. Orndorff nails knees against the ropes, left to the head. Renegade meets the buckle, Irish whip and a clothesline by Orndorff. Renegade is dumped to the floor but lands on his feet and rocks out I suppose before Orndorff nails Renegade with knees and leaves him laying. Jimmy Hart is trying to motivate Renegade but Orndorff will not let the big monster back in the ring. Hot-shot by Orndorff, Renegade lands a slingshot crossbody for the win just like that.

 

So Renegade gets battered the whole match only to land a fluke slingshot crossbody to win? Well I suppose I should give WCW credit no? They took something that didn’t work at all and said well we are going to push him in a way that doesn’t make him look like shite in the ring.

 

Winner: Renegade over Paul Orndorff via Slingshot Crossbody!

 

Harlem Heat & Colonel Robert Parker vs Harlem Heat & Sister Sherri

Stevie Ray and Slater start, Stevie Ray slams Slater into the buckle. Eye-rake and scoop slam by Stevie Ray, Stevie Ray pushes Slater to the corner. Buck comes in now, Booker will come in too. Lock-up, Booker nails Buck with right hands and clubbing blows. Eye rake by Buck, Buck clubs back. Buck kicks back at Booker, Buck climbs high but Booker is too fast and dropkicks Buck to the apron. Sherri lands a right hand on Buck, scoop slam by Booker. Booker misses an elbow drop but spinaroonies up and lands a flying forearm. Slater comes in as does Stevie Ray, eye-rake by Slater. Headbutt by Slater, Stevie Ray lands a thrust kick. Sherri lands a right too, we have a commercial break and we come back with Booker & Buck. Slater kicks Booker in the spine and Buck lands a Stun-Gun.

 

Slater tags in and stops on the head of Booker, jabs from Slater and Booker is down. Knee-drop to the head, Buck comes in and lands a dropkick. Bearhug from Buck, Slater and Buck continue to beat up Booker. Parker comes in and nails Booker before being rocked with a right hand and in comes Stevie Ray. Double suplex on Parker, the fans want Sherri and in comes Sherri. Diving Crossbody for two, Sherri kicks the ass and elbow drops Parker. Leg-drop to the groin from Sherri, Sherri climbs high again. Sherri misses a top-rope dive, Parker does not want to hit Sherri as Sherri seems out-cold. Parker is hesitating, Sherri jumps on Parker and kisses him to get the win.

 

Good comedic fun, nothing wrong with it. A slow babyface turn for Harlem Heat, they needed it for sure with this division losing team with each passing pay per view. How badly do they need The Steiners or LOD or Sting & Luger at this time, I cannot wait to see how things change with the beginning of Nitro, we are going to get even more people jumping ship and I am hoping for a serious restart of the tag team division.

 

Winners: Team Sherri over Team Parker via Kiss!

 

Ric Flair & Arn Anderson vs Vader

They kept them apart for a while but there was simply no way they could keep Anderson and Flair from one another, they were meant for one another. Flair’s alliance with Vader didn’t work out for The Nature Boy so here we have Vader going after Flair and his buddy Anderson. This is an interesting time for me because I know soon Vader will be going to the WWF so will Flair be picking up a big win on PPV before that day comes? The first time Vader is a babyface in WCW too so would the crowd buy into the big man as a babyface?

 

Vader and Anderson to start, stalemate between the two before Flair distracts Vader. Anderson tries to go toe to toe with Vader, big mistake and Vader rightly murders Anderson in the corner. Anderson scrambles to the ropes, inverted atomic drop and clothesline to the floor by Vader. Anderson is back in the ring and Vader clubs and headbutts Anderson. Clothesline floors Anderson, Irish whip and Anderson lands his spinebuster on Vader. Tag to Flair and Flair is smiling, Flair is stomping on Vader’s head. Vader gets back up and military presses Flair, make it double. Irish whip and Flair flip to the buckle, clothesline off the apron. Anderson chop-blocks Vader, Flair zeroes in on the leg. Vader is limping, the duo attack Vader. Knees by Anderson, DDT by Anderson. Tag to Flair, Figure Four Leg-Lock by Flair! Vader reaches the ropes, Flair attacks the knees. Chops by Flair, Flair climbs high.

 

Bad idea Flair! Vader yanks Flair to the canvas. Irish whip and back body-drop into a splash, Anderson makes the save. Snap-mare and Flair is trying to stop Vader climbing high, Vader lands a top rope splash. Anderson makes the save again, Vader clubs both down with clotheslines after a tag to Anderson. Vader calls for The Powerbomb. Anderson is drilled and Vader wins the match! Flair and Anderson have words after the match, the duo have words and get heated, could Anderson and Flair be doing battle?

 

Not a bad match, brief and action-packed. Vader does what Vader does best and beat the shit out of people, Anderson and Flair are in fine form jumping all around the ring for Vader and the big man picks up the win. Fine main event for a Clash.

 

Winner: Vader over Flair & Anderson via Powerbomb!

 

WCW Clash of The Champions XXXI was a quite good WCW show, some of the recent PPVs have been a slog to get through with the action not hitting anywhere near good territory but the quicker matches here made this show fly-by and showed that even in 1995, WCW could be watchable but I dread covering the next few PPVs because they are going to be so different to this but WCW is setting up some major angles here with The Dungeon of Doom going up against Hogan, Flair vs Anderson and more. Good show overall, thanks for checking it out and remember: there’s always another night!

 

 

WCW Bash At The Beach 1995 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is Ucey every night of the week! It’s WCW Bash At The Beach 1995! Hulk Hogan vs Vader inside the steel cage, the second steel cage match for the world championship involving Hogan in a matter of 7/8 months. Not sure how this is going to go considering their last encounter but a cage match with no blood is low on my list of fun times. We also have a rematch as Meng battles against Sting for the WCW United States Championship while Renegade is going to defend his Television Championship against Paul Orndorff. We are also going to have Kamala vs Jim Duggan? What? Dave Sullivan continues his feud against DDP which should be a good laugh hopefully and this PPV takes place on a beach so it’s not exactly WCW’s usual audience (Think Road Wild with the bikers except everyone is in swimming gear) so we shall see unfold, let’s get it on!

 

(WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match) Sting © vs Meng W/ Colonel Robert Parker

Meng gets a rematch and a video package showing how much of a badass he is which is great, Meng corners Sting to begin. Sting sells the educated feet of Meng, Sting is hesitant to close the distance. Meng locks up with Sting, sends him to the corner and lands chops and forearms, Sting is fighting back though with right hands and chops. Another lock-up, clean break from Meng does not happen as Meng lands shoulder blocks and shoulder chops. Meng chokes Sting in the corner, the referee cannot stop Meng. The challenger has Sting on his knees, Meng wants a suplex but Sting blocks and we have a clean break. Sting clotheslines Meng but Meng holds his position. Meng poses and Sting considers a different strategy, lock-up and Meng rakes the eyes. Tomahawk chops and a scoop slam, Meng misses a middle rope headbutt. Sting goes for the Scorpion Death-Lock, Colonel Parker is on the apron distracting Sting.

 

Sting is kicked in the spine by Meng who throws Sting to the floor, Sting is bounced off the buckle. Suplex into the ring for a close two, triple back-breaker from Meng for two. Meng continues to dish out punishment to Sting, Sting is thrown to the buckle and caught in an abdominal stretch. Sting fights back and tries a sunset flip but Meng is in the ropes. Sunset flip attempt by Meng but Sting blocks and drops his ass onto Meng’s head. Both men are on their hands and knees and Meng headbutts Sting. Sting is dragged to the middle of the ring, Texas cloverleaf from Meng. Sting makes it to the ropes, Meng stomps Sting.

 

Running elbow drop misses Sting, Sting lands a belly to back suplex. Sting begins his comebacks with massive clotheslines, back body drop and a chop block from Sting. Flying Lou Thesz Press for two, Sting lands a hurricanrana with a cover for two, Sting is all fired up now. Sting is sent to the buckle, Meng is caught with a diving crossbody. Sting wants the splash, Stinger Splash is blocked with a massive boot in the face. Meng covers Sting but Sting places his foot on the ropes. Meng slams Sting and climbs high, Meng wants a splash. Meng connects with the splash for a close two, Parker is irate at ringside. Irish whip by Meng, Meng goes for a boot but misses as Sting rolls him up for the win. Meng gets his heat back after the match with an attack on Sting.

 

I like Sting and I like Meng too but this was not great, some big moments and cool things going on at times but not enough to keep me entertained. Happy for Sting’s continued push, not sure what to do with Parker at this stage, his Stud Stable never dominated WCW and Parker has feuded with everyone at this stage so probably best to wrap up that angle but we shall see, you never know with WCW. Happy to see where Sting goes next, Meng will do fine by breaking people up.

 

Winner: Sting over Meng via Roll-Up!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) The Renegade © W/ Jimmy Hart vs Paul Orndorff

Arn Anderson was having some fun matches with the championship before running into Renegade who WCW want to push to the top. His opponent is Paul Orndorff who has been mostly out of the picture since the end of Pretty Wonderful, this match starts with Orndorff taking down Renegade with a shot to the gut and pulling him down by his hair. Orndorff is taking the piss out of the crowd but runs into the boot of Renegade. Shoulder block and clothesline, Orndorff is clotheslined to the floor into the sand, that looked a little rough for the challenger. Back in the ring, Renegade squeezes the head of Orndorff. Orndorff seems to be calling the whole match to Renegade, shoulder block and dropkick by Renegade. Orndorff picks up some sand, luring in Renegade and throwing the sand into his eyes. Belly to back suplex by Orndorff, Orndorff continues to smash Renegade in the face. Renegade rallies but Orndorff cuts off Renegade with a dropkick. Fans are cheering for Orndorff, piledriver time. Renegade blocks and back drops Orndorff, terrible looking dropkicks by Renegade. Renegade is jumping vertically it looks bizarre, powerslam to no reaction for Renegade.

 

Renegade stalks Orndorff, Orndorff begs for mercy before throwing Renegade to the floor. Knees to the head by Orndorff, Orndorff wants a suplex but Renegade slips out and lands a belly to back suplex with a pin, Orndorff had his shoulder up and there is controversy, is that the legit ending? Well Orndorff gets his heat back but kicking the shit out of Renegade. Crowd is going nuts for the piledriver and well, your babyface shakes it off but nobody wants to see Renegade take down Orndorff. Talk about completely mis-reading the situation.

 

Mercifully short, I feel like Renegade might possibly be able to do some things right in the ring but the gimmick holds him back significantly. Crowd have turned on him which tells you all you need to know. In the times where 90% of the crowd is happy to cheer the babyfaces and boo the heels, this is a really bad sign for Renegade.

 

Winner: The Renegade over Paul Orndorff via Belly To Back Suplex!

 

Kamala W/ The Taskmaster vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Oh good lord, this might pass in the WWF in the late 80s but in 1995, you really going to make me sit through this? They lock-up and slug it out, Duggan is winning the war and almost knocks down Kamala. Clothesline by Duggan, Kamala is still on his feet. Third clothesline knocks down Kamala, Kamala is begging for mercy or a hug, no idea what is going on here to be honest. Eye rake by Kamala, chops to the head of Duggan. Multiple headbutt by Kamala and a superkick, choke across the top rope. Bearhug from Kamala, Duggan attempts to fight his way out of the hold. Headbutt from Duggan, Kamala regains control. Kamala works the armpit? Duggan bites the head and ear of Kamala, Duggan tees off on Kamala. Clothesline by Duggan, scoop slam by Duggan. Three-Point Stance Clothesline by Duggan, Taskmaster is on the apron. Zodiac nails Duggan with an object to the back of the head and covers for the win.

 

Mercifully short again, I like Duggan and he’s on the spot he needs to be in on the card but the cheese-fest of Duggan vs Kamala is something I don’t need to see in WCW. It goes exactly how you think it would and depending on your level of patience, this is either agonizing or inoffensive at best.

 

Winner: Kamala over Hacksaw Jim Duggan via Shenanigans!

 

DDP W/ The Diamond Doll vs Dave Sullivan

Evad is here, DDP is grabbed by the head and that is one ugly attire on Page. Dave shoves roses down the throat of DDP, DDP meets the buckle. Suplex into the ring. Clothesline by Dave, Dave lands a shoulder block. Snap suplex, Dave calls for the finish. Diamond Doll is talking to Dave, Dave is distracted and DDP takes control stomping the fingers of Dave. Foot choke in the corner, DDP tries a running clothesline but gets caught in a bearhug. DDP rakes the eyes, Dave is whipped to the buckle. DDP tries an attack and crotches himself, Dave is fighting back but the fans do not care about the match, I believe someone is getting naked in the crowd or fighting. Dave stomps on DDP’s fingers, DDP is rammed off the buckle. Eye poke by Dave and a hangman’s neckbreaker. Here it comes, Inverted Bearhug but Maxx Muscle is taken down off the apron and DDP lands The Diamond Cutter for the win.

 

So many thankfully short matches, I am truly thankful for that but yes, WCW continues to deliver a very middle of the road card so while its not boring me to tears, it is also not interesting at all.

 

 

Winner: DDP over Dave Sullivan via Diamond Cutter!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Harlem Heat © W/ Sister Sherri vs The Nasty Boys vs The Blue-Bloods

Booker to start with Knobbs, Booker goes to get heat from the get-go. Nasty Boys beat-up everyone, Regal takes a trip to Pity-City. Same for Eaton, Knobbs and Booker start the match properly. Knobbs runs into a boot before landing a clothesline, Regal tags in off of Knobbs. Judo hip-throw and uppercuts by Regal, Booker trips Regal and lands a massive side Harlem kick. In comes Stevie Ray who smashes up Regal, Eaton and Stevie Ray are legal now. Powerslam by Stevie Ray but Sags tagged in off Eaton. Nasty Boys beat down Stevie Ray, headbutt to the groin. Tag to Sags, wishbone-split. Leg-drop to the balls, Regal is in the ring but Stevie jokes Regal to the corner. In comes Booker who waffles Regal, in comes Eaton. Eaton lands his trademark right, in comes Knobbs who runs into another boot. Clothesline and splash by Knobbs, Stevie Ray saves Booker.

 

Sags is legal, double clothesline on Booker for one. In comes Regal, uppercuts and throw with a knee to the head. Knees and uppercuts by Regal, Sags is tagged in by Regal. Nasty Boys and Blue-Bloods begin brawling before Booker wipes out Sags. In comes Stevie Ray, Knobbs lands elbows and a splash. Regal makes the save, Knobbs decks Regal. Harlem Sidekick from Booker for two, Sags made the save on that occasion. Stevie Ray is in, elbow to the face. Regal tags into the match, forearms and uppercuts all around. Snap-mare and a tag to Eaton, sweet right hand from Eaton. Eaton lands a top rope fist-drop, tag to Regal who looks for his Regal Stretch but Sags makes that save. Regal tags in Stevie Ray who stomps and chokes Knobbs, Knobbs is trying to brawl back into it but it’s not super effective.

 

Tag to Booker, Booker wants his scissors kick but Regal tags in and screws that up for Booker. Knobbs slaps down Regal but Eaton and Regal combine to beat down Knobbs. Knobbs is caught with a sunset flip before sitting down on the chest of Regal, in comes Sags. Sags decks Eaton & Regal with right hands, Harlem Heat are brawling with Knobbs. Match is breaking down now, Knobbs back-drops Regal. Sags back-drops Booker onto Regal, Knobbs splashes Booker & Regal. Sags sits on Booker and Regal but Booker is on top of Regal so Harlem Heat retain their championships.

 

WCW’s tag division has always been a difficult subject for me to navigate with the quality of the matches and the division varying constantly. Here we have a three-way match that doesn’t capture the drama or excitement of a straight up normal tag team match. Nasty Boys look like fools following the finish while Harlem Heat have nobody to work with because they have beaten them many times at this point and boy I am sick of this Nasty Boys feud. Would love a hard reset on the division, maybe something interesting will happen soon.

 

Winners: Harlem Heat over Everyone Else!

 

(Lifeguard Match) Ric Flair vs Macho Man Randy Savage

A lumberjack match between two men who despise one another, Ric Flair had taken out Savage’s father Angelo Poffo and defeated Savage at the prior pay per view so this is a huge match for Savage who is looking for revenge. The lifeguards surround the ring in terrible looking beach attire, Savage slaps down Flair. They lock-up, shoulder block and right hands by Savage. Corner clothesline and back-drop by Savage, Flair is knocked down by two clotheslines and a clothesline to the floor. The Lifeguards protect Flair as it is the heel guards that have Flair. Savage stomps Flair on the ring apron, Savage looks for the ten punches in the corner but an inverted atomic drop cuts off Savage. Chops and right hands in the corner by The Nature Boy, Savage is dumped to the floor. Babyface guards protect Savage, Savage lands an elbow on Flair and sends him into the buckle.

 

Flair chops and punches Savage but Savage continues to dish out jabs. Elbow takes down Flair, Flair wants an apron suplex but Savage suplexes Flair to the floor. Flair is begging for mercy, Savage stomps on Flair. Back-drop again, Flair begs for mercy before eye-poking Savage. Sleeper from Flair, Savage uses elbows to escape and lands a shoulder block before running into a another sleeper. Savage uses his wits to ram Flair into the turnbuckle, Savage throws punches from his knees. Chop by Flair, three in a row. Clothesline by Flair, Savage is dumped over the top rope to the floor. We have a brawl between the lifeguards as they throw Savage back into the ring, Flair is on the top rope. Savage crotches Flair but Flair jumps off onto Savage’s head so it looks rough. Flair is whipped to the buckle, Flair uses a knee to stop Savage. Savage reverses an Irish whip and applies a sleeper before Flair counters with a shin-breaker.

 

Flair slaps on The Figure Four Leg-Lock, the crowd comes alive for Savage. Angelo Poffo is here with shades on, Savage is rallying and turns the pressure onto Flair. Flair has to break the hold, vertical suplex by Flair. Savage fights back and Flair tries to leave but that’s not going to work. Back-drop by Savage, Savage climbs high and lands a diving axe handle. Arn Anderson is on the apron and in the ring, Knobbs is on the apron. Savage decks Anderson but Flair lands the thumb to the eyes. Savage back-drops Flair onto The Nasty Boys while Anderson nails Savage with the DDT. 1…2.. Savage kicks out! Backslide from Savage for two, Savage lands right hands. Whip to the buckle, elbow counter from Flair. Savage yanks Flair off the top rope, diving axe handle by Savage. Diving Elbow Drop by Savage and Savage wins!

 

Thought they would have the lifeguards play more into the finish but they were more of a non-factor at the end of the day. Shame that this stipulation rarely results in a fun match, they also immediately cut away from Savage for some reason where this is meant to be Savage’s revenge for what happened to his father but you know it is what it is with WCW. Being outside and being away from that normal wrestling audience hurts what would have been an even better match had it taken place in a normal arena. Savage is a fantastic seller and works so well with Flair, they always do deliver inside that ring so I am hoping they could continue this feud but with Flair’s constant losses, it will be hard to get me invested in the feud once more.

 

Winner: Randy Savage over Ric Flair via Diving Elbow Drop!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Cage Match) Hulk Hogan © W/ Jimmy Hart vs Vader

These two were destined to do battle since Vader became number one contender for the championship, the match was postponed as Hogan feuded with The Three Faces of Fear but Vader and Hogan did have their match with Hogan coming out on top in the leather strap match. However, now we are in the cage and there is no escape, Hogan starts hot with punches and sending Vader into the cage. Bandana down the throat and ten punches followed by stomps on the head of Vader. Axe bomber by Hogan, chops yet Vader is still standing. Vader blocks the cage and works the ribs, they are trading blows. Vader wins that war and bashes Hogan with rights and lefts. Dennis Rodman is here in full Hogan gear, Jimmy Hart screams words of encouragement. Vader doesn’t care, rights and lefts followed by headbutts. Hogan sends Vader into his helmet and Hogan is wearing the helmet. Hogan hits the most phony-looking headbutts on the planet with the helmet and takes it off.

 

Vader squishes Hogan with a corner splash, Vader Bomb squishes Hogan. Second Vader Bomb and Hogan kicks out at two, Vader picks up Hogan and rams him into the cage. Vader suplexes Hogan, Vader calls for the finish. Vader is ripping at something in the corner, Hogan sends Vader into the cage. Hogan wants a slam but Vader has none of it, sending Hogan crashing to the mat. Headbutts and a snap-mare by Vader, Vader is on the top rope. Vader misses the senton! Hogan tries a slam but Vader falls on him, reverse chin-lock by Vader. Hogan escapes and calls for the slam, the crowd eats that shit up. Hogan pulls it off, Hogan’s back is killing him. Vader goes right back on the offensive, blistering Hogan with fists and a short-arm clothesline. Middle rope splash by Vader for two, Hogan is Hulking Up!

 

Hogan lands right hands, Vader meets the cage over and over. Irish whip and a big boot, Vader is still on his feet. Hogan kicks Vader in the dick but here comes Sullivan and Zodiac, Dennis Rodman is fighting off these two heels with a chair. Zodiac and Sullivan have been thwarted by Dennis Rodman, Atomic Leg Drop on Vader. Second Atomic Leg Drop! Hogan is going to climb out of the cage, Vader is on his feet though. The scramble is at the corner on the top rope, chops and punches galore. Vader is crotched very slowly and Hogan climbs out of the cage and wins the match.

 

What I can appreciate it is Hogan did not pin Vader, Vader is somewhat protected while being in there with The Hulkster but as for the match itself, I never felt that Hogan was truly in danger. Such a shame considering the size of Vader and how Vader could tear apart Hogan but it just never takes off really, it is like most matches that we have seen with Hogan by this point, it is Hogan going through the motions and the quality of the main events are suffering because of it, Hogan has beaten Flair and Vader now so who else is truly left on the heel side to thwart Hogan? The goofs ran off by Dennis Rodman? God help us all in WCW.

 

Winner: Hulk Hogan over Vader via Escaping The Cage!

 

That was WCW’s Bash At The Beach 1995, an inoffensive pay per view from WCW. We have matches that aren’t horrifyingly bad or super boring but they seem to just be there and exist like this was some throw-away show that didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things like a Christmas RAW but this was a PPV, people paid money to see this. Sting vs Meng starts out interesting enough and they is a strong effort to protect Meng here and made him look like a credible threat and I appreciate that and I am all for a bigger push for Sting because lord knows I have been suffering long enough with Sting taking the backseat to others, Orndorff vs Renegade demonstrates the failure of The Renegade project, crowd turns on him immediately and are not happy campers when Renegade wins. Late 80s WWF cheese doesn’t work in 1995 so Kamala and Duggan is horrific as you would imagine while DDP vs Dave Sullivan is another safe and standard affair, nothing memorable whatsoever. The three team tag team match is really bad, none of it gels together and the finish makes Nasty Boys look like fools which is definitely not a great look for your number one babyface team. Flair vs Savage is a decent match, the gimmick doesn’t really play a part in the finish while Anderson’s DDT isn’t exactly treated like a false-finish as Savage kicks out pretty early on that two count but at least it was better than anything else on the card while the main event cage match sucks, no real drama or excitement, Hogan no-selling Vader’s crushing attacks and a sloppy ending as Vader can’t even crotch himself on the rope and Hogan anti-climatically climbs out. Bad stuff from WCW, the bad hits keep coming. Thanks for checking this out and remember: there’s always another night!

 

 

WCW Slamboree 1995 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that never gets it wrong like those silly old dirtsheets! It’s time for WCW Slamboree 1995: A Legend’s Reunion! Headlined by The Monster Maniacs vs Vader & Ric Flair who has been reinstated after retiring in late 94 thanks to Hulk Hogan. We also have Harlem Heat vs The Nasty Boys, Road Warrior Hawk vs Meng and Sting taking on Big Bubba Rogers. We also have Dick Murdoch vs Wahoo McDaniel, Alex Wright vs Arn Anderson and Kevin Sullivan vs The Man With No Name. So I have no idea how this is going to go down but if the last PPV is any indication of how this company is going, we are in for a horrific night.

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Harlem Heat © W/ Sister Sherri vs The Nasty Boys

Well we have Jerry Sags but no Brian Knobbs who was attacked earlier in the night, Harlem Heat need some serious new blood in this division. We also don’t have Schiavone here so we have Eric Bischoff which is a downgrade. Sags is going to go it alone against two men, massive clothesline by Sags to Booker. Corner clothesline, Booker is rocked. Stevie Ray eats some right hands, double DDT by Sags. Sherri is on the apron, pity city again for Sherri? No Sags punches her in the face? What the fuck? Sags looks for a pump-handle slam, it connects for two! Sags continues fighting, top rope elbow but Booker and Stevie Ray have one another’s backs. Sherri can get involved too, Sags is distracted and chases Sherri which allows Stevie Ray to stomp all over Sags. Sags fights back but cannot overtake Booker and Stevie Ray. Dropkick by Stevie Ray, Sags is being destroyed by Harlem Heat.

 

Booker slowly covers for two, too confident was young Booker. Stevie Ray lands a leg drop from the bottom rope, forearm to the head. Tag to Booker, Sag lands a piledriver out of nowhere. Here comes a taped-up Knobbs, Knobbs receives the tag. Clothesline for Stevie Ray, slam for Booker. Elbows and rights all around, bulldog by Knobbs. Stevie Ray is dumped to the floor, Sherri tries a diving crossbody but Knobbs spinebusters her and throws her onto Stevie Ray. Knobbs picks up Booker for a powerslam, Sags is the legal man and delivers his Diving Elbow Drop and we have new champions!

 

Well looks like they finally paid that off, a match where I see Nasty Boys gets destroyed for 90% of it is a good day at the office. Should they be tag team champions? Well, the division is in the shitter. Harlem Heat look good in defeat while Sherri continues to take insane bumps, Sherri might have been the best part of the match. A punch and a spinebuster as well as being thrown to the floor, incredible bump by her who has turned these two into a championship calibre team.

 

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

 

Kevin Sullivan vs The Man With No Name

Formerly Butcher but Butcher has lost his mind and now has no name, Sullivan’s feud with brother Dave followed by The Three Faces of Fear and a comedy match against Mr. T is back to being in a serious feud but I am not sure how many people buy into Sullivan in WCW. Sullivan is jumped in the ring, Man With No Name chops and thrusts all around. Sullivan is bounced off the buckle before a Sleeper attempt by Man With No Name, Sullivan counters with a jaw-breaker and tosses Man With No Name to the floor. In the ring, Man with No Name takes control and splashes and kicks Sullivan, Sullivan starts brawling his way back into the match though. Chops by Butcher, at least 10 knock down Sullivan. Two count for Man with No Name, piledriver from Man with No Name.

 

Man with No Name covers but Sullivan places a foot on the ropes, Man with No Name is furious. Sullivan pokes the eyes, we spill to the floor. Man with No Name tastes an eye rake and is sent into the ring-post. Back in the ring, Man with No Name chops back and delivers a shitty looking clothesline. Man with No Name misses a splash, cracking his head off the ring-post. Sullivan places Man with No Name in the tree of woe, running knee to the ribs. Double Stomp by Sullivan and Sullivan picks up the win.

 

Awful like 99% of what I have to suffer through involving Sullivan and this era of WCW, don’t get me wrong Sullivan can became engaging and interesting in that ring, his work in Florida as a Devil Worshipper was amazing but matches with Butch, Dave Sullivan and Mr. T are doing nothing for me.

 

Winner: Kevin Sullivan over The Man With No Name via Double Stomp!

 

Dick Murdoch vs Wahoo McDaniel

Slamboree: A Legend’s Reunion has to have legends matches you see, the concept was not all that interesting but WCW stuck to it just like the Battle Bowl. Banner year for Dick Murdoch as Murdoch would not only appear on WCW PPV but would appear in The Royal Rumble as WWF’s roster was more limited than ever.

 

Have they used a tint for this match? Is this displaying in black & white? Am I losing my mind? We have a lock-up and a clean break, Murdoch shoves Wahoo. Wahoo arm-drags Murdoch, Murdoch takes control with elbows to the head of Wahoo. Murdoch lands shoulder thrusts and elbows in the corner, Murdoch stretches the arm of Wahoo. Massive chop in the corner from Wahoo, Murdoch is down on the mat. Murdoch is irate, they lock-up again with Murdoch gaining control with knees. They trade blows, Wahoo lands a chop to the head. Right hands in the corner, Wahoo fights back with chops and down goes Murdoch. Murdoch regains control and peppers Wahoo with more elbows, whip to the buckle. Murdoch climbs high and drives his knee into the back of Wahoo and drives him to the mat. Back elbow and elbow drop by Murdoch, Murdoch dishes out more punishment on the ropes before Wahoo chops down Murdoch off an Irish whip for the win.

 

What you would expect, can’t say I am too shocked but it is what it is. That’s the gimmick of the pay per view, at least they got a pay-day out of it. Murdoch’s nose is all kinds of messed up by the end, shocking stuff.

 

Winner: Wahoo McDaniel over Dick Murdoch via Chop!

 

The Great Muta vs Paul Orndorff

Muta in WCW will always be an interesting experience for me from his initial run where Muta was a powerhouse until being destroyed at Starrcade by that awful tournament to the appearances during the Bill Watts Era where Muta and Chono would stink up the ring to here we are in 1995 with Muta being the IWGP Heavyweight Champion taking on Paul Orndorff who has been a mainstay of WCW for like 5 years at this point, I think Pretty Wonderful are done at this point so not sure if Orndorff is dusting off the boots for this or was still working.

 

Some lovely stalling before we have the two trading wrist-locks, Orndorff trips up Muta but Muta slides out, Orndorff scrambles to the ropes. Muta gives Orndorff the throat slit signalling death, Orndorff tells Muta to kiss his ass. Hammerlock by Orndorff, Muta flips out and stretches the leg. Side headlock by Muta, Orndorff eats a shoulder block and a spinning sole-butt. Orndorff is out on the floor, Orndorff takes control and works the arm in the ring. Orndorff misses an elbow drop, dropkick by Muta. Snap-mare into the Flashing Elbow, another snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock. Orndorff escapes but eats a kick to the head, side headlock is countered by Orndorff for a high and tight belly to back suplex. Stomps to the head and Muta is tossed to the guardrail, Orndorff uses the camera cable on Muta.

 

Reverse chin-lock from Orndorff, Muta escapes and tees off with shots to the face. Down goes Orndorff, Irish whip but Orndorff holds onto the ropes and Muta cracks his head off the mat. Front face-lock from Orndorff, Muta picks up Orndorff and counters for an inverted atomic drop. Clothesline and middle rope elbow drop, Orndorff is up first though and lands forearms to the face and slams Muta into the mat. Vicious kicks to the ribs by Orndorff, snap-mare into a fist drop for two. Orndorff wants his piledriver but Muta counters, Muta chops and lands a spinning sole butt. Handspring elbow and bulldog combination for two, shoulder block looks more like a mis-communication. Back-breaker and Muta climbs high, Diving Moonsault and it’s over.

 

Not great to be honest, quite slow and we were only waiting for those final moments with the handspring elbow and moonsault, Muta takes it easy as he should in WCW but it does nothing for the fans in the attendance who seemed dead for the majority of the contest.

 

Winner: The Great Muta over Paul Orndorff via Moonsault!

 

(WCW World Television Championship Match) Arn Anderson © vs Alex Wright

Arn Anderson working with young talent continues, far away from the main event or in a prominent position on the card, Anderson continues to put in solid work. His opponent is the high-flying Alex Wright who is young and a pure babyface. The perfect antagonist for Anderson who should know exactly what to do to get this young kid over, shame for Johnny B. Badd who has been absolutely shafted by this era of booking.

 

Side headlock by Wright, Anderson struggles to escape and uses the tights to escape. Wright out-smarts Anderson by not jumping over the champion, good shit seconds into the match. Anderson struggles in the headlock, showing that this is a fight. Tights grabbed again and Anderson loses Wright and eats a dropkick, side headlock takedown. Anderson pushes Wright to the ropes and starts nailing some serious shoulder blocks, Wright reverses the Irish whip but his kick is caught by Anderson. Anderson eats an enzuigiri to the head, side headlock takedown by Wright. Anderson tries again but Wright continues to use his agility and dropkicks the shit out of Anderson. Another side headlock takedown, Anderson is on the floor for a breather but Wright lands a baseball dropkick and planchas to the floor, showing a fire that has been lacking in some of his performances. Anderson lands a knee but misses a clothesline off the ring-post, Wright has Anderson in the ring.

 

Nice arm-wrenching from Wright, we are down on the mat. Anderson backs Wright. Anderson tries an inverted atomic drop but Wright blocks, Anderson goes for the spinebuster and drills Wright. Anderson chokes Wright by the bottom rope, first with his hand and after with his boot. Anderson works the arm now, strikes to the arm. Anderson sweeps the legs and attempts a figure four, Wright shoves off Anderson into the buckle. Anderson is on the middle rope, Wright counters the axe handle with a shot to the ribs, spinning heel kick by Wright. Snap suplex and Wright is climbing high, missile dropkick finds the mark for two. Both men trade small packages, Wright is whipped to the buckle but fights back. Anderson comes out of the corner and fakes the left hand, Wright instinctively ducks which leads to a devastating DDT for the win.

 

Anderson is solid as forever in this one, Wright is made to look great in the opening shine, showing fire and resilience throughout the match, Anderson knows exactly what he needs to do to keep the crowd interested and on the side of Wright, probably my favourite Wright performance of his career so far and the finish is darn good too, what a snap on that DDT. Good for Anderson who continues to deliver away from Ric Flair.

 

Winner: Arn Anderson over Alex Wright via DDT!

 

Meng vs Road Warrior Hawk

So obviously these are two tough bastards who are going to knock the shit out of one another so I will enjoy it from that standpoint, this might be the third time I have seen Hawk compete without Animal in WCW since leaving the WWF. Two appearances in 1993 and Hawk continued to work with Power Warrior while Animal was out.

 

Match starts with Meng kicking and clotheslining Hawk around the ring, stalling piledriver but Hawk no sells that shit and lands a neck-breaker, Meng no-sells back. Hawk spears the ring-post as Meng moves out of the way, Hawk regains control and lands his fist-drop. Chop by Hawk, corner clothesline. Scoop slam and Hawk calls for the finish, diving splash misses and Hawk rolls to the floor. Meng has Hawk by the head, Hawk meets the ring apron. They chop one another, are we going to have a double count-out? We do!

 

Disappointing that’s Hawk return to WCW what an absolute waste of a Hawk PPV appearance. I will say it is wild to see Meng still being protected so well in the aftermath of the Stud Stable.

 

Double Countout!

 

Big Bubba Rogers vs Sting (Lights Out Match)

Lots of stalling to begin, Rogers turned on Sting a few PPVs back because why not his face run wasn’t doing anyone any favours. Bubba wrenches the arm but Sting elbows and dropkicks Bubba to the floor, Bubba rakes the eyes and lands punches plus a corner clothesline. Sting is down, Rogers takes out his tie and chokes The Stinger. Sting breaks free and dropkicks the big man, Sting is asking Bubba “Is that all you got”? Bubba drags Sting to the floor, bouncing Sting’s head off the steel steps. Bubba grabs a table, Sting blocks and sends Bubba into the table. Bubba throws powder in the eyes of Sting before sending Sting into the table. The table is thrown in the ring, Bubba puts it in the corner. Sting meets the table again, Sting reverses the piledriver but misses the Stinger Splash on the table. Bubba takes off his belt and whips Sting, Bubba climbs to the top rope but Sting yanks off Bubba. Scoop slam and Sting climbs high, Sting lands a devastating splash for two. Clothesline by Sting, right hands by Stinger. Sting places the table on Bubba, Sting double stomps the table. Scorpion Death-Lock in the middle of the ring and Bubba quits!

 

Vengeance for Sting who had to do the job for Bubba at a prior PPV, not a great match at all. Not very interesting either I thought someone was going through the table but once more, it was me giving WCW far too much credit. Sting is still over huge so can we get this man near a world championship? Please?

 

Winner: Sting over Big Bubba Rogers via Scorpion DeathLock!

 

The Monster-Maniacs vs Ric Flair & Vader

The same way WCW rushed into Hogan vs Flair, we now have Hogan and Savage reuniting as The Mega-Powers but they are The Monster-Maniacs brother to avoid copyright, Hogan has beaten not only Flair but also Vader so I have no idea what they will do with the world championship going forward.

 

Anderson is in the corner of Flair & Vader while The Renegade is here for Hogan & Savage. Vader and Hogan to start, clean break from both. Vader backs Hogan to the corner and works the ribs and head. Hogan blocks and thumbs the eyes, right hands from Hogan. Hogan clotheslines Vader to the floor, Savage lands a diving axe handle to the back. Savage tags in and is sent to the floor, Flair sends Savage into the crowd. In the ring, Flair chops Savage. Right hands from Flair, Savage blocks and lands rights of his own. Flair is rocked and sent into the apron and into a boot from Hogan. In the ring, Flair pokes the eye of Savage. Right hand in the corner, Savage fights back and lands rights and lefts. Tag to Hogan, Flair backs away wanting no part of Hogan. Flair chops Hogan and Hogan no-sells it, Hogan uses his strength to send Flair to the buckle and lands a back body drop. Clothesline by Hogan, Flair stabs Hogan in the eye. Snap-mare and a stomp to the head, Savage rallies the crowd behind The Hulkster.

 

Flair gets caught in a Figure Four while Vader distracts the referee, Hogan gets caught up with Anderson and Flair nails a chop-block. Snap-mare into a knee-drop, tag to Vader. Single leg Boston crab from Vader, Hogan escapes and tries a back body drop. Vader runs through poor Hogan, Savage is with the referee as Flair chokes Hogan. Vader decks the referee with a right hand, no DQ? Vader just decked him, how is he awake? How is this not a DQ? Vader whips Hogan to the buckle, corner splash by Vader. Vader Bomb time, it connects! Vader goes up top, Vader Bomb from the top misses! Savage gets the hot-tag, Flair is in and gets rocked by The Macho Man. Axe handle to Vader, Flair manages to elbow Savage. Savage lands his Diving Elbow to Flair, Anderson pulls out Savage.

 

Anderson begs for mercy, Vader takes out Savage while Renegade takes out Anderson. Flair lands a massive knee to the face of Savage, tag to Vader. Vader decides it’s time to crush Savage. Vadersault crushes Savage! Hogan pulls off Vader, Vader tosses Savage to the corner. Flair lands chops and right hands, Savage begins fighting back. Hogan gets the tag, right hands by Hogan. Corner clothesline, right hands to Vader & Flair. Scoop slam for Flair, scoop slam on Vader. Anderson eats a right hand, Flair eats a boot. Anderson trips up Hogan, Renegade gives chase. Vader splashes Hogan, Savage is brawling with Vader. Hogan Hulks Up after the splash, Flair chops but it’s no use! Anderson axe handles Flair by mistake, Atomic Leg Drop and it’s over!

 

Once again Flair comes up short against Hogan who continues to dominate against everyone he is up against with no signs of slowing down. I have to make note here of Bischoff on commentary, he’s not the worst I have ever heard but he definitely makes a hot-tag seem like nothing and his commentary throughout left this match feeling flat because he never makes it feel like a huge big deal. Vader looks like he is phoning it in but that moonsault looked deadly and I would love to see Vader vs Savage but everyone is a side character here to the Hogan show and now Hogan has beaten all his foes in WCW, I am not sure what they can do here to make things interesting because I am very flat on the whole Hogan WCW run.

 

Winners: Team Monster-Maniacs over Team Flair via Atomic Leg Drop!

 

That was WCW’s Slamboree 1995, another rather disappointing show from WCW. I never liked the legends’ aspect of the Slamboree PPV, I don’t want to see people past their prime wrestling in long draws because nobody wants to do the job but in the past, there might be a match or two on the card that makes me think well that wasn’t so bad but that doesn’t come on this show. This is just there for so many matches, Sting vs Bubba is so safe for a supposed no DQ match, the big tag team main event would look right at home on a TV taping, there’s no drama or excitement to the matches. Bringing in Hawk for a draw does nothing for me, Sullivan vs Butcher does nothing for me. The only match I really liked was Wright vs Anderson, it’s just so middle of the road with no real urgency to it and that’s why I think WCW is just miserable during this period. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Uncensored 1995 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that pays less than an appearance on AEW Dark! We are going to review WCW Uncensored 1995! We have a bunch of gimmick matches as it’s uncensored and all the rules have been thrown out so we have Hulk Hogan vs Vader in an Indian Strap Match, the only strap matches I have ever found interesting feature one of these men but Hogan is not Sting and I doubt he will pull it off, we also have Sting vs Big Bubba continuing their feud in an Anything Goes Match and Randy Savage takes on Avalanche in a No Disqualification Match. Other matches rounding out the card include Nasty Boys vs Harlem Heat in a Texas Tornado Falls Count Anywhere Match, Meng vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a Martial Arts Match and a King of The Road Match which will be infamous as I describe it so let’s get it on!

 

(King of The Road Match) Dustin Rhodes vs Blacktop Bully

 

So they are on an 18-Wheeler truck with a bunch of hay around it and some ropes etc, they have to ring a bell to win. Rhodes almost wins immediately but no, Bully hangs onto Rhodes and stops him winning. Bully tries winning but Rhodes smashes Bully with some sort of pole, piledriver by Rhodes on Bully. Rhodes uses the bar to kick Bully in the face, Rhodes is throwing hay at Bully? I think, I can’t see too clearly but here we have Rhodes pummelling Bully. Bully is domed with the bale of hay. Heenan talks about great camera work which cracks me up, Bully lands a suplex on Rhodes. Bully is yanking at something, Rhodes is choked with the rope. Rhodes almost makes it to the horn but a turn messes up Rhodes’ balance. Bully and Rhodes brawl with one another near the horn, belly to back suplex in the hay. Both men are bleeding now which is a massive no-no in the family friendly WCW at the time.

 

Well it’s a unique match but not sure how to really call much more of this, they are brawling and Rhodes wants a scoop slam, Bully drags Rhodes towards the horn. Not the wisest strategy, Bully is climbing towards the horn. Rhodes hits a massive low blow before stomping all over Bully. Bully rips off the shirt of Rhodes, Bully chokes and punches the head of Rhodes. Rhodes smacks the head of Bully with a trough, we are coming towards the end of this one thankfully. Rhodes is cracked with a box, Bully is close to reaching the horn but the footage of the helicopter is off but with Rhodes stopping Bully, is this nearly over? Bully has his balls yanked onto the side of truck, they are both battling for the horn. Rhodes is climbing up there with Bully, Bully manages to knock down Rhodes but Bully cannot capitalize as Rhodes knocks him down and lands a boot to the nuts. Bully pulls down Rhodes, Bully misses a clothesline and lands further behind Rhodes. A bucket of water crashes off Rhodes’ head, Bully begins climbing high.

 

Diving shoulder block by Bully, Bully reigns down with right hands to the head. Bully begins climbing once more, Rhodes is climbing too. Both men struggling for it, Rhodes rakes the eyes of Bully. Bully smashes Rhodes right in the face with a right hand and wins this match.

 

A spectacle but not of the noteworthy or interesting variety and this would lead to the end of Dustin Rhodes in WCW. Let me say this, Rhodes & Windham may be one of my favourite tag-teams of all-time and the sour ending to Rhodes’ career in WCW makes me sad because had they not dropped the ball so hard throughout 93 and 94, Rhodes could have been a huge star. Another WCW main-stay gone with the transition to Hogan’s WCW continuing.

 

Winner: Blacktop Bully over Dustin Rhodes via Ringing The Horn!

 

Martial Arts Match Meng W/ Colonel Rob. Parker vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan

 

Meng has stood on as a menacing bodyguard for a year now in WCW taking out anyone who has stepped up to Colonel Robert Parker, Meng would take out Duggan at the prior PPV so it makes sense that these two would do battle but as we are on a gimmick PPV, we have to have a martial arts match. Duggan’s martial arts skill are non-existent but Duggan is dressed for a street fight. Sonny Onoo is the referee, Duggan bows after saying that he would not and Meng kicks him in the head. Two for Meng, Duggan fights back with massive rights and lefts but Meng hits throat thrusts and a neck-chop.

 

Duggan uses his boot to batter Meng, Meng takes the boot. Forearms do nothing as Meng lands an elbow to the head, Duggan takes off the other boot. Meng has a shoulder claw, Duggan uses the boot on Meng’s toe. Meng dodges the boot, chops in the corner and a choke. Duggan is fighting back but Meng is too strong, another shoulder claw by Meng. Duggan begins to fire up, elbows to the ribs. Headbutt by Duggan does not work as Meng does not sell headbutts, foot choke by Meng. Duggan dodges falling headbutts, right hands by Duggan. Ten punches in the corner by Duggan, Duggan is getting sick of Sonny Onoo. Duggan continues whipping Meng, Duggan calls for The Three-Point Stance Clothesline but Meng is right back up, Duggan decks Parker. Duggan eats a Savate Kick to the face and Meng picks up the win.

 

Acceptable in the WWF during the late 80s when the territory was on fire, here in 95 not as much fun at all. Duggan is where he should be on the card though while Meng could be something more considering how badass he can be inside of that squared circle.

 

Winner: Meng over Hacksaw Jim Duggan via Thrust Kick!

 

Boxer vs Wrestler Match Johnny B. Badd vs Arn Anderson W/ Colonel Robert Parker

 

I thought this was a boxing match, why would Badd agree to use gloves in this match? Should be a decent comedy match considering how good Arn can be in there. Badd starts with jabs to the face of Anderson, Anderson is not a happy man. Anderson grabs Badd but Badd turns the tide and pummels Anderson who dives to the floor. Badd continues punishing the ribs of Anderson, Anderson is saved by the referee. Anderson shoots for the leg and tries to close the distance but Anderson cannot make a move. We have rounds in this trash so the first round is over, round two is the same as Badd boxes the head of Anderson who is knocked down for a count of eight. Anderson is covering up in the corner and having his ribs worked, Anderson nails a knee to the ribs and a DDT during the rest period.

 

Definitely one way to get where we need to go, Badd is thrown to the floor during the rest period. Scoop slam and a knee by Anderson, Anderson chokes Badd with the middle rope. Left hands by Anderson, knee to the ribs. Parker has the stool, Anderson whips Badd into the stool. Spinebuster by Anderson, Badd’s trainer tries to make the save, Anderson is taunting Badd. Choke in the corner by Anderson, jaw-breaker. Badd begins fighting back but Anderson tosses Bad to the floor. Round 4 of this fight, Anderson meets the buckle and has a bucket put on his head, Badd lands The Kiss that don’t Miss!

 

An entertaining one, cannot fault WCW here the first decent match of the night. Just a little difficult to stomach considering the prior matches but definitely the best of the three so far. Nice to see the fans still enjoying Badd considering where Badd was as 1994 came to an end.

 

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

 

Randy Macho Man Savage vs Avalanche

 

Match starts hot with Savage hitting boots and jabs to the bigger Avalanche, shoulder block does not work for Savage. Savage slaps Avalanche, Avalanche shoulder blocks Savage and poses with his work. Savage ducks and Avalanche lands on the floor, Savage lands a diving crossbody to the floor. Avalanche meets the ring-post, Savage sends Avalanche into the steel steps. Avalanche lands on Savage as Savage tried the scoop slam, Savage tries fighting back but Avalanche lands a knee to the head. Belly to belly suplex by Avalanche, dropkick by Avalanche for two as Savage uses the ropes to survive. Scoop slam but Avalanche misses the elbow drop, Avalanche tosses Savage to the floor.

 

Avalanche has his face sent into the top, Savage lands a diving crossbody for one as Avalanche is pissed, clothesline by Savage. Make it two but Avalanche is still on his feet, Savage tries a sunset flip but Avalanche sits down on that fool. Splash by Avalanche for two, Savage fights back with a roll-up for two. Eye-rake by Savage, Savage climbs high again. Crossbody is countered with a bearhug, Savage is rammed into the buckle. Powerslam by Avalanche, middle rope splash misses for Avalanche. Savage climbs high once more, diving axe handle to the floor. Savage lands right hands to the head, somebody in drag attacks Savage and it’s none other than The Nature Boy. Hogan comes down to make the save as Flair and Avalanche powder, there are no DQs but Savage is declared the winner? Ok….

 

Bad match, Savage seems pumped up to wrestle and prove Mcmahon wrong but the people he has been given to work with to kick us off ain’t going to help him, I like John Tenta but the man is not lighting my world on fire in 12 minutes matches.

 

Winner: Randy Savage over Avalanche via DQ!

 

Sting vs Big Bubba Rogers

 

Sting continues to be one of the most popular people in the company but has to take a backseat to Savage and Hogan, Big Bubba turned heel because not one fuck was given about The Guardian Angel. Sting bites the finger of Big Bubba and tee’s off with right hands. Big Bubba has his hat destroyed by Sting, Sting lands a back-drop and kicks down Bubba. Bubba is slammed, elbow drop by Sting. Bubba tries to pull Sting into the ring-post, Sting uses his feet to throw Bubba into the ring-post. In the ring, Sting lands a splash and slaps Bubba. More slaps, Sting tries a leap-frog but Bubba runs into his knee. Sting goes down and clutches his knee, Bubba works the knee by dropping his weight on it. Sting begins to fire back before Bubba kicks out the knee, headbutt and attacks by Bubba. Right hands to the ribs, Sting back-drops Bubba. Sting is bounced off the buckle, right hand by Big Bubba. Big Bubba has a single leg Boston crab, Sting screams out in pain.

 

Bubba climbs to the top rope, Sting brings down Big Bubba. Sting lands a diving chop, not a good idea on his leg but Sting connects. Scoop slam on the bad leg again, Sting is damaging himself. Bubba sees Sting on the ropes, Bubba tries his slide and right hand but Sting dodges and applies a sleeper, Bubba uses his tie for a jaw-breaker. German suplex by Sting, Sting lands a snap-mare and Sting lands a diving splash. Sting rocks Bubba, Bubba chop-blocks Sting. Bubba misses a corner splash, Sting tries a scoop slam but Bubba falls on top and covers for the win.

 

Of course only Sting will be doing the J-O-B on this night for the babyfaces, it wasn’t that bad at times, that German suplex was nasty and the crowd love Sting which makes it a bit more watchable but only the occasional gem with Vader has made me a fan of Big Bubba and it’s been a long time since that banger match Bubba had with Vader.

 

Winner: Big Bubba Rogers over Sting via Crushing Him!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Texas Tornado Match) Harlem Heat © W/ Sister Sherri vs The Nasty Boys

 

Oh how I loathe The Nasty Boys, I am so happy that this is a falls count anywhere brawl match because at least this will be fun because any Nasty Boys match where they cannot brawl is shite. Anyways, these two have been brawling all year with Harlem Heat continuing to escape with the championships, luckily escaping last time as Sags had dropped one of the champions over the top rope last time leading to a reversed decision. In the ring, the champions jump the challengers and it’s a lot of punching and kicking here. Stevie Ray lands a big kick to the face of Sags, Stevie Ray continues to torture Knobbs in the ring.

 

Sags fights back and takes down Stevie Ray, double clothesline in the ring. Sherri is dragged into the ring, stripped of her cloak and takes a trip to pity city. Sags and Stevie Ray are brawling up the ramp, Knobbs and Booker are also joining them as Knobbs cracks Booker with a trashcan. Sags and Stevie are fighting in the concession stands, cotton candy and drinks are being thrown as Sherri chokes Sags with an item of clothing. Mustard is everywhere, everyone is covered in food and condiments. Knobbs meets the funnel cakes, Sherri is shoved down by Sags. Sherri looks good though, they continue brawling. Sherri takes a nasty bump as Sags pushes her into the floor. All of a sudden, The Nasty Boys are declared the winners, we only see the pin-fall in the replay. Did they win the championships?

 

Doesn’t look like they won the championships but why would The Nasty Boys have the match without the titles on the line? Maybe it was on the line but we missed the finish and we didn’t even see The Nasty Boys holding the championships so that’s definitely a colossal failure given those are two massive moments we were waiting for as fans. Well, I mean I wasn’t waiting for that but the fans in the arena maybe some of them paid to see The Nasty Boys become champions but regardless this was a brawl that suited The Nasty Boys but the finish and handling of said finish were a trainwreck.

 

Winners: The Nasty Boys over Harlem Heat via Powerslam!

 

(Indian Strap Match) Vader W/ Ric Flair vs Hulk Hogan W/ Jimmy Hart

 

They don’t talk about the world championship, would these two really wrestle without the championship on the line? Ridiculous, Hogan talks about The Ultimate Surprise I wonder who that could be. Anyways, Ric Flair has aligned himself with the ultimate threat to Hulkamania because Hogan cost Flair his career so at least that makes sense. Hogan is intimidated by Flair & Vader, Hogan is at a disadvantage here but the music plays, it can only be one man and it’s The Renegade! Renegade chases off Flair, Hogan and Vader begin their match. Hogan is chopping and choking Vader in the corner, Hogan is whipping Vader and Flair as Renegade gives an assist. Renegade does not budge as Flair chops and lands right hands, Vader lands a bearhug in the ring.

 

Vader slams Hogan to the mat, Flair struts on the floor. Vader Bomb connects, Vader chokes Hogan with the strap, Jimmy Hart is here. Something had happened to Jimmy Hart, Vader continues whipping Hogan. Hogan rolls to the floor, headbutt by Vader. Jimmy Hart takes a chair away from Vader, Hogan waffles Vader with the chair three times. Vader is sent into the ring-post, Renegade is staring down Flair again. Flair tries a shoulder block, doesn’t work for The Nature Boy. Hogan continues to work on Vader, Vader is whipped some more with the strap. On the floor, Hogan is touching the poles as Vader is very difficult to drag around. Not sure how this makes it easier but you do you Hogan. Vader sends Hogan into the guardrail, in the ring Hogan regains control and lands his big boot and Atomic Leg Drop. Hogan begins dragging the carcass of Vader, three buckles have been touched. The Masked Man is back, seriously this shit again? Renegade is down! Flair cracks Hogan in the back with the chair!

 

Vader is on the middle rope, Hogan dodges the splash. Flair is hysterical, Flair cannot believe this tragedy. Flair leaves the ring and drags Vader to the floor, they aren’t wearing the strap anymore though. Flair cracks Hogan in the back with the chair, Hogan Hulks Up! Hogan whips Flair like a dog, right hands by Hogan. Big boot and lots of whipping, Hogan drags around Flair and touches the corners to win even though the match was against Vader.

 

Yeah that’s a good way to end this travesty, this show was really bad but here we have Hogan beating Flair, not even Vader when Vader vs Hogan could have done big business but they managed to fuck that up just like they did with Flair vs Hogan. The Masked Man is here with Flair and Vader, this must be a trap though as Masked Man Arn Anderson is all tied up and is coming to ringside like this while Randy Savage is revealed to be the real Masked Man and this is all sorts of convoluted pantomime. Yeah this match was not Sting vs Vader, not even close and the longer the feud continues the less I care. Really disappointing end to a shitty pay per view.

 

Winner: Hulk Hogan over Vader via Touching All 4 Posts!

 

That was WCW’s Uncensored 1995, one of the worst from WCW. Nothing redeeming, nothing positive about this card from top to bottom. Let’s talk about these matches: we kick off with The King of The Road spectacle and it’s rather long and not exactly action packed and results in the release of one of my favourite WCW performers over the last few years so definitely a bummer there. Things do not improve with Duggan vs Meng, its not late 80s WWF so the crowd is not into it as much as before, the don’t exactly work an exciting pace so it just plods along. Badd vs Anderson might be a bright spot, Badd continues to be over despite poor booking but the match is quite on the long side too. Things continue to take a down turn with Savage doing his utmost to drag a good match out of Avalanche but with the time given to the match, it was damn near impossible, Sting takes a loss to Big Bubba which is shocking considering how bulletproof Sting should be but with these other giant stars in WCW, Sting is taking a backseat and the tag team championship match is a complete mess and the main event is not any better so an abysmal show really showcasing how WCW was as Hogan and Co came into the company. Avoid this one and thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WCW Superbrawl V Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that makes less of an impact than Bobby Fish debuting in a new company! It’s time for WCW’s Superbrawl 1995 headlined by Hulk Hogan defending against Vader, a man who has been number one contender for many months and was sidelined by The Three Faces of Fear vs Hogan angle. However, we are going to see the two clash. Sting is teaming with Randy Savage to take on the newly minted heel Big Bubba Rogers who has aligned himself with Avalanche. We also have the continuation of Harlem Heat vs The Nasty Boys, Alex Wright is taking on Paul Roma and Hacksaw Jim Duggan is taking on The Bunkhouse Buck! Doesn’t seem like a great card at all, quite disappointing if I am honest. I have little faith in this undercard but I guess we will see how things goes!

 

Paul Roma vs Alex Wright

How the hell was Roma in The Horsemen? Every time I look at him I think how could this guy have been the man to fill that gap? Happy to see Wright continue to be featured, this match starts with Roma jumping Wright while Wright is dancing. Roma has a red and black singlet which covers his physique so not sure what he was thinking as it’s all he really had going for him, Roma is going for a military press and Roma lands an ugly one. Roma mocks Wright’s dance, good to see Wright struggling to be a babyface due to his dancing. Right hands by Wright but Roma uses the laces of his boot to take down Wright. Sunset flip counter by Wright for two, arm-drags by Wright into an arm-bar. Roma reverses and pulls the hair of Wright to maintain control. Arm-drag counter by Wright, we have babes at ringside. Why do we have babes? Another arm-drag by Wright, Paul Orndorff is coming down to ringside.

 

Wright looks concerned, Roma looks to his partner feeling a bit more confident. Roma escapes with big elbows, landing elbow drops and pulling down his singlet. Back-breaker by Roma, make it three. Wright is tossed to the floor, Orndorff watches on not interfering. Clubbing blows to the chest, Roma kicks Wright to the floor. Back in the ring, Wright tries a backslide and small package but Roma survives. Elbows and stomps to the head, Roma rakes the face of Wright. Reverse chin-lock from Roma, Wright fires up and escapes. Right hands but Roma holds onto the ropes and avoids a dropkick, Roma lands his massive elbow drop. Roma marks out for himself, Roma misses a corner splash. Wright lands European uppercuts, ugly looking hip-toss. Spinning heel kick. Wright lands a diving crossbody, Orndorff pulls off Wright to save Roma. Roma is jaw-jacking with the referee, Roma lands a scoop slam. Orndorff and Roma chat, Wright dropkicks Roma into Orndorff and rolls-up Roma for the win.

 

That felt long, not insulting but definitely on the long side, there was a reason Roma was in tags because nobody wanted to pay to see Roma in singles matches while Wright’s gimmick is probably not connecting the way WCW wanted but still Wright is building momentum. Definitely a tough spot but this was far too long for me.

 

Winner: Alex Wright over Paul Roma via Roll-Up!

 

Bunkhouse Buck W/ Meng & Colonel Robert Parker vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Yeah this is where I expected Duggan to be on the card but makes me sad for this stable considering how good Buck was in that match with Rhodes before they ran that shit into the ground. Hopefully this is brief, Duggan punches the shit out of Buck to begin the match. Right hands and forearms stagger Buck, Buck rakes the eyes. Irish whip and a hip-toss by Duggan, Duggan clotheslines Buck to the floor. Duggan is sent into the ring-post, Buck tastes a knee to the back of the head. Reverse chin-lock by Duggan, atomic drop and heavy right hand by Duggan. Another chin-lock by Duggan, Duggan bounces Buck off the buckle. Duggan is smashed in the throat with a rope by Buck behind the referee’s back. Duggan is thrown to the floor, smashing into the guardrail.

 

Duggan is caught in a reverse chin-lock from Buck, this is rough. Duggan carries Buck to the corner, gut shots by Duggan. Elbows to the ribs, Buck lands an elbow to stagger Duggan. A brawl breaks out with Duggan winning that war, Duggan begins to fire up and throws right hands before dragging Buck to the corner. Shoulder thrusts in the corner, back body drop by Duggan for two. Buck takes over with knees and back-rakes, Duggan is firing up though. Rights and lefts by Duggan, reverse chin-lock by Duggan. Duggan and Meng have words, Duggan scoop slams Buck and lands the Old Glory Knee-Drop for two.

 

Duggan applies another REVERSE CHIN-LOCK, why is the babyface dominating the match? Why is he leading this match? How am I suppose to cheer for Duggan when he’s kicking the ass of Buck? Ten punches in the corner by Duggan, Buck fights back with Parker getting knocked off the apron. Buck freaks out so Duggan lands The Three Point Stance Clothesline for the win. Meng superkicks Duggan’s head off after the match and a nerve hold is applied.

 

Sweet Jesus this was rough, recently wondering what the fuck they were thinking making Duggan go 12 minutes, it’s brutally long and if you weren’t already lukewarm on WCW in 1995, their first two matches on PPV in 1995 have done nothing to squash your fears, it is brutal.

 

Winner: Hacksaw Jim Duggan over Bunkhouse Buck via Three-Point Stance Clothesline!

 

(Special Grudge Match) Dave Sullivan vs Kevin Sullivan W/ The Butcher

Oh my God, WCW what are you doing to me? No longer in his Hogan gear, Dave is here to kick some ass, scoop slams and right hands by Dave. Irish whip and an elbow to the face, shoulder blocks by Dave before Butcher trips up Dave. On the floor, Sullivan sends Dave into the ring-post. Butcher stomps Dave behind the referee’s back. Sullivan continues to stomp and chop Dave, Dave begins to kick back at Sullivan but Sullivan is just chopping away at Dave. On the apron, Dave fights back. Two-handed toss by Dave, more chops by Sullivan. Leg across the back by Sullivan, Dave blocks the second attempt. Dave is smashing Sullivan, Butcher is on the apron. Dave is distracted, Sullivan sends Dave into Butcher and wins with a roll-up.

 

What a great grudge match right? Lots of hardcore spots and weapons etc right? Yeah absolutely nothing, Dave is horrific in the ring and Sullivan is laughable at times due to his size but their original match was horrific this was even worse so yeah, brutal kick off to this PPV.

 

Winner: Kevin Sullivan over Dave Sullivan via Roll-Up with Handful of Tights!

 

(WCW World Tag Team Championship Match) Harlem Heat © W/ Sister Sherri vs The Nasty Boys

This feud kicked off as Harlem Heat returned to WCW from wherever they went, they were missing for like a year on PPV and Clashes but anyways, they came back with a vengeance and had a secret weapon: that being Sister Sherri who helped them capture the championships.

 

Lots of stalling before Booker and Knobbs kick us off, clean break before Booker works the arm. Knobbs reverses, Booker goes to the ropes. Slap by Knobbs, eye-poke by Booker. Knees to the ribs, Booker misses his Harlem side-kick and has his balls smashed into the rope over and over. Sags lands a clothesline on the floor, shockingly we have Nasty chants in this match. Sags works over Booker’s groin. Sags and Booker wrestle for what seems like a millennium as nothing really goes on until Booker dropkicks Sags to the floor, Stevie Ray and Sherri gets some heat on Sags. Stevie Ray and Booker work over Sags who is getting his ass kicked here, Sherri taunts Sags while Knobbs is irate on the apron. Slap from Sherri, Booker has Sags in a reverse chin-lock before Booker nails a Harlem Sidekick. Stevie Ray comes in and roughs up Sags, Booker and Stevie Ray take turns battering Sags before Booker misses a middle-rope elbow. Powerslam by Sags, could we finally have a tag? Knobbs gets the hot-tag, clotheslines and right hands all around. Scoop slams too, Knobbs is fired up. Stevie is whipped to the buckle, corner clothesline. Double DDT by Knobbs, an actual reaction from the fans. Splash on Stevie Ray, Sags and Booker on the floor. Sherri cracks Stevie Ray with her shoe and Knobbs rolls-up Stevie Ray for the win but the referee has to reverse the decision because Sags threw Booker T over the top rope.

 

Fucking terrible, proper terrible. Could not wait for this match to end, it’s unbelievably bad. Anything with Nasty Boys that is not a brawl is brutal, this went 15 plus minutes, this was horrific. Easily on its way to becoming one of the worst PPVs I have ever recovered.

 

Winners: Harlem Heat over The Nasty Boys via DQ!

 

Blacktop Bully vs Dustin Rhodes

So the former Khrusher Kruschev, Smash and Repo Man is here as Blacktop Bully, Bully has been sitting ringside for months antagonizing the babyfaces before stepping over that guardrail and getting involved, Meng and Colonel Robert Parker cannot stay at ringside. Rhodes has unfortunately slid down the card with this horrific feud, Rhodes lands huge right hands on Bully. Bully comes back into the match but Rhodes will not be denied in this one, working over the arm of Bully. Scoop slam by Bully but Rhodes still has control over the arm. Rhodes uses his laces on Bully, Bully lands a knee and goes into a reverse chin-lock but Rhodes comes back with a hammerlock. Rhodes continues to work the arm, Bully whips Rhodes to the opposite buckle. Springboard elbow by Rhodes, Rhodes lands a roundhouse right on Bully.

 

Suplex by Rhodes, sunset flip by Rhodes for two. Bully misses a clothesline and tumbles to the floor, Rhodes slams Bully into the steel steps. Bully lands a clothesline in the ring to regain control, Bully lands a belly to back suplex for two and then grabs a reverse chin-lock. Rhodes tries a flying crossbody but cracks himself over the steel steps, Bully sends Rhodes into the apron. Stomps to the head from Bully, Bully turns to face the crowd. Rhodes trips up Bully and sends Bully into the ring-post but Rhodes misses an elbow drop in the ring.

 

Bully looks for a suplex, beautiful snap suplex. Bully goes to the middle rope, clothesline counter from Rhodes. Back body drop and Rhodes pulls the shirt over Bully’s head, inverted atomic drop by Rhodes. Bulldog by Rhodes, Parker places Bully’s foot on the ropes, Parker is caught by Rhodes. Suplex into the ring? Parker is planted and sells accordingly, Bully is up though and misses a clothesline. Bully is on the apron, Rhodes wants a suplex into the ring. Parker trips Rhodes and holds down his legs so Bully can win the match.

 

Another long snooze fest here which is so sad to see considering I am such a huge fan of Rhodes but this Parker feud has gone on far too long. Bully getting the win means this shit is going to continue and it’s just beyond stale at this point, they had The War Games match and the perfect blow-off but they just couldn’t let it go.

 

Winner: Blacktop Bully over Dustin Rhodes via Shenanigans!

 

Sting & Randy Savage vs Big Bubba Rogers & Avalanche

Are we to believe any of these guys are threats to Savage or Sting? At every corner, The Three Faces of Fear have failed and even with Big Bubba Rogers, they have an abysmal win and loss record. Why is Keiji Mutoh here?

 

Sting and Avalanche to start, Avalanche powers over Sting. Sting clotheslines and dropkicks Avalanche, Big Bubba attacks Sting on the apron. Gut shot by Big Bubba, Big Bubba lands a massive back-breaker. Big Bubba climbs high, Savage derails Big Bubba who lands on his groin and Sting lands a superplex. Sting getting the biggest reactions on the card right now, Big Bubba is bounced around by the babyfaces. Savage is here now, Big Bubba jumps Savage. Right hand by Big Bubba, Savage fights back from underneath. Sunset flip doesn’t work for Savage but Big Bubba misses the splash. Savage slaps Avalanche, Avalanche comes in. Another slap, Savage is tossed down like a scrub. Avalanche falls on Savage who tried a scoop slam, Avalanche misses a splash and is stuck on the top rope. Gut kicks from Savage and Sting, Sting kicks the knees of Avalanche, Scorpion Death-Lock time. Savage and Big Bubba are brawling, we have a pier-six brawl.

 

Stinger Splashes all around, Avalanche explodes out of the corner and throws down Sting, Avalanche misses a splash and Sting slams him but Sting is in the wrong corner. Big Bubba decks Sting but Sting falls on the crotch of Avalanche, hot-tag time? Savage is in the ring, diving axe handle to Avalanche. Clotheslines all around, we have another breakdown with Savage slamming Big Bubba. Diving Elbow Drop connects on Big Bubba, Sting is climbing to the top rope. Savage is with the referee, Sting lands a diving clothesline on Avalanche for the win.

 

Wait Sting was not the legal man? Like usually these breakdowns get complicated and it’s hard to tell but Savage clearly just got the tag, how did the referee lose track of that? Incompetent twat but anyways, this was easily the best match on the card, actual action and interesting wrestling.

 

Winners: Team Sting over Team Big Bubba via Diving Crossbody!

 

(WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match) Hulk Hogan © W/ Jimmy Hart vs Vader

Oh it’s time with Vader being out of the championship picture for at least a year at this point as Ric Flair would defeat Vader in that cage match at Superbrawl but now after being number one contender for many months, Vader gets his chance at Hogan.

 

They lock-up, we go to the corner. Clean break from Vader, right hands from Hogan but Vader does not even move, Vader just takes off his mask. Lock-up, slaps to the face from Hogan. Vader is just getting angry, corner clothesline and no effect. Hogan grabs the arm, elbows to the wrist. Vader sends Hogan to the corner, rights and lefts from Vader. The challenger is destroying Hogan, short-arm clothesline rocks Hogan. Corner splash by Vader, Vader chases Hogan on the floor. Vader is whipped into the crowd onto the lap of Flair, Vader is not happy. Hogan batters Vader in the ring, chops over and over. Ten punches and a clothesline knocks down Vader, big boot and clothesline sends Vader to the floor.

 

Vader Hammer floors Hogan, headbutt by the challenger. Rights and lefts and a short-arm clothesline by Vader. Vader sets it up, Vader Bomb connects! 1…2… Hogan kicks out! Vader chokes Hogan on the mat, Vader misses the Vadersault as Hogan dodges. Hogan grabs a chair, chair to the face from The Hulkster. No DQ? Hogan misses his clothesline, Vader chokeslams Hogan down. Elbow drop on Hogan, Hogan kicks out and Hulks Up! Right hands by Hogan, big boot by Hogan. Atomic Leg Drop and Vader kicks out at one, Vader knocks Hogan into the referee. Vader Powerbombs Hogan, cover but there is no referee. Ric Flair sprints into the ring and counts the three, referee is not able to count the three when needed. Splash by Vader, Hogan kicks out at two and sprints up. Clothesline to the floor, Flair chops Hogan and that doesn’t work. DQ.

 

Well when Vader was smashing Hogan it was electric, there was a feeling in that building that Vader would topple Hogan, both men do their best in this one and while the finish is weak, it’s still a seriously fun match. Vader no-selling everything is always great, Hogan rallying with the crowd is always good stuff so I don’t hate it as much as I have seen others hate it. Leaves it open to a rematch so that could be fun, I am optimistic surprisingly.

 

Winner: Hulk Hogan over Vader via DQ!

 

That was WCW’s Superbrawl 1995 and oh boy, that was WCW showcasing some of its absolute worst stuff on PPV. The first three matches are awful, horrific long matches that don’t do anybody involved any favours. Alex Wright is not looking great after that match, I never want to see Buck vs Duggan ever again after that match and The Nasty Boys are one of the worst teams to ever exist when it comes to putting together matches, they are horrible in that ring when it is not a brawl. Really disappointed with this stretched out feud for Rhodes vs Colonel Parker, it should have ended a long time before this but they continue to stretch it out, it’s beyond frustrating for me to see the downfall of Rhodes but that will end soon. Sting and Savage bring the crowd alive, they bring energy and a much needed passion/intensity to the PPV and have a solid match with two big men who can get the job done with the right opponents, the crowd stays with them for the main event also but this was so rough to get through, so boring at times I questioned do I really want to do this with my spare time but nonetheless, the last two matches are entertaining and watchable but everything else is horrific, avoid this like that cheap chipper on the way home after a rake of pints because you know that shit ain’t no good for you! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!