Best of 7/93-9/93

[Guest RetroRob215]

Best of 7/93-9/93: Part 1

 

We pickup where we left off...

 

WCW Clash Of The Champions 24: August 18, 1993

 

- Hollywood Blonds Interview

Pillman is on crutches and cannot wrestle tonight because of a career threatening ankle injury.  Therefore, the Blonds will not be defending their titles against the Horsemen tonight.  We'll see about that...10/34

 

- WCW World Tag-Team Titles: Steve Austin & Steven Regal w/Brian Pillman & Sir William vs. Arn Anderson & Paul Roma

And the conspiracy that is WCW lives on as the Blonds are forced to defend the titles against the Horsemen.  Regal backed out of his match with Too Cold Scorpio in order to fill in for Pillman.  Arn and Austin start the match.  Austin gains a quick advantage with a clothesline and an elbow to the throat for 2.  Arn catches Austin with a double leg takedown and punches him a bit.  Arn slingshots Austin over the top rope, but Austin skins the cat, so no DQ is called.  Regal complains to ref about that call as Arn backbody drops Austin to the floor.  Austin pulls Arn out of the ring, but Arn continues his assault nonetheless.  Back in, Regal tags in and Arn goes to work on his arm.  Roma comes in with an axehandle off the top rope.  Roma continues to work the arm, but Regal fights out, only to get caught with a dropkick.  Regal works the arm, Roma fights out, but Austin trips him.  Austin tags in and comes off the top with a fist.  Austin suplexes Roma and chokes him on the bottom rope.  As the ref yells at Austin, Pillman also chokes Roma. Regal tags in, but Roma monkey flips over him, so Regal sits down to stop the pin.  Regal hits Roma with a running somersault for 2.  Regal works on him in the corner and gets a gutwrench suplex for 2.  Austin tags in as Roma comesback with some rights, but Austin stops him with a kneelift.  Austin comes off the second rope with a forearm to the throat for 2.  Regal tags in and goes back to the arm.  The "Blonds" doubleteam Roma in the corner.  Austin tags in and stomps a mudhole in him.  Austin picks Roma up for a bodyslam, but Roma reverses it into an inside cradle.  The ref doesn't see the pin as he is reprimanding Anderson and Pillman outside the ring.  The ref finally sees it, but he gets a one count.  Austin wanders into the Horsemen corner, so Arn NAILS him.  Roma hits Austin with the Stun Gun (Austin's finisher) for a double KO.  Austin stops Roma from making the tag.  Regal distracts the ref as Roma finally tags Arn, but the ref doesn't allow it.  While the ref is yelling at Arn, the Blondes pull a double switch.  Roma gets a sunset flip out of nowhere for 1.  Roma hits Regal with a variation of the enziguri for another double KO spot.  Both men tag out.  Arn fights both Blonds and goes for a DDT on Austin, but Regal hits him from behind.  Sir William gets on the ring, as Arn whips Austin into him.  Arn rolls up Austin for the pin and the titles.  (9:51)  This match was very slow and dull until the end.  **  That match was the end of the Hollywood Blonds.  Austin went on to win the United States Title, only to lose it to Jim Duggan five minutes later.  From there Austin was regulated to dark matches until WCW fired him via FedEx while he was injured.  Pillman on the other hand didn't heal until Fall of 95 where he had what many consider the match of the year with Johnny B. Badd at Fall Brawl.  Pillman tricked WCW management into firing him at SuperBrawl VI.

 

- Arn Anderson & Paul Roma Interview

Eric Bischoff is conducting the interview while sporting the Todd Pettingill mullet hairstyle.  Words cannot describe how ridiculous Eric looks.  Arn and Paul give the "What it means to be a Horsemen" speech.  11/35

 

- Flair For The Gold

This is it, this is what we have all been waiting for!  I can hardly contain myself...Tonight's guests are Sting, Davey Smith and their "Special Mystery Partner".  Today's topic is the War Games match at Fall Brawl, so the heel team (Sid Vicious, Harlem Heat, and Col. Parker) come out  to see just who this mystery partner is.  The moment we have all been waiting for, the mystery partner is THE SHOCKMASTER, who proceeds to trip as he breaks through the wall losing his aluminum foil covered Stormtrooper helmet in the process.  Of course no one knew who the Shockmaster was before he lost the helmet, but now it is quite obvious that he is Fred Ottoman AKA Typhoon AKA Tugboat.  My only question is why didn't WCW actually have someone with name value be the mystery partner?  What is the point of making him an unknown?  What would happen when he was revealed to by Typhoon?  Wouldn't the fans be pissed?  How would this character generate ANY money for WCW?  At least it wasn't a celebrity.  Although, the angle would have been better if it was John Goodman under the helmet.  12/36

 

- WCW World Television Title: Paul Orndorff vs. Ricky Steamboat

Ventura is still laughing at the Shockmaster fiasco.  Steamboat came back to the WWF in the summer of 91 only to be jobbed out to everyone on the roster, so Steamboat decided to return to WCW for Starrcade 91.  Steamboat would go on to suffer a career ending injury in the summer of 94, but not before one more go-round with the Nature Boy at Spring Stampede.  Orndorff, after being turfed by the WWF, joined Herb Abrams UWF, which in case you don't know was the TRUE beginning of "Crash TV".  At this point Orndorff seems to be the most hated heel in WCW.  For some reason the spotlights go out as soon as the match starts, so we're down to just house lights for a little while.  The match starts with a nice sequence and a few nearfalls.  Steamboat applies a side-headlock, but Orndorff fights out into a top wristlock.  Steamboat powers out and goes back to the side headlock.  Orndorff whips Steamboat into the ropes.  Steamboat dives at Orndorff, but Paul ducks and Steamboat sails over the top rope to the entrance ramp.  Orndorff brings him back in and hits an elbow off the top for a few nearfalls.  Orndorff applies a reverse chinlock.  Orndorff slams Steamboat for some more nearfalls.  Paul goes back to the reverse chinlock.  Steamboat fights out and goes for a hiptoss, but Orndorff reverses into one of his own for a couple of 2's.  Orndorff once again uses the reverses chinlock, but Steamboat punches his way out.  Steamboat gets a few chops, only to have Orndorff stop the momentum shift with a facebuster for a few nearfalls.  Orndorff throws Steamboat to the outside and kicks him in the back a few times.  Steamboat comesback by sending Orndorff head first into the turnbuckle.  Steamboat comes off the top with an elbow for 2.  Steamboat hits Paul with a big punch for 2, followed up with a belly-to-back suplex for 2.  Steamboat chops Orndorff over the top, but no DQ is called because Paul went out with his own momentum.  Steamboat FLIES out of the ring with a suicide dive, which sends Orndorff crashing into the guardrail.  Orndorff (while on the apron) cheapshots Steamboat and jumps in-between the second and third rope to cover Steamboat for a few nearfalls.  Ventura, who was holding the belt, gives it to Orndorff.  Steamboat rolls up Orndorff from behind for 2.  Orndorff goes for a piledriver, but Steamboat reverses it into a backbody drop.  Steamboat covers, but Paul bridges out at 2.  Steamboat gets a backslide for 2.  Orndorff charges, but Steamboat gets the foot up.  Steamboat comes off the top with a crossbody, but Orndorff reverses it for 2.  Orndorff goes for a slam, but Steamboat reverses it into an inside cradle for the win.  8:31  ***3/4  Awesome match!!  It starts with some excellent psychology, a lot of nearfalls, some highspots and an intense finish.  The only thing that could have made it better would have been more time, but I doubt Orndorff could go for more than tem minutes.  

 

- Ric Flair & Sting Interview

This is right after Flair & Sting defeated The Kongs in about 2:00.  They still respect each other, but both think they will win on Saturday Night.  Flair had a nice bit, so I'll give it a point.  13/37

 

- Dustin Rhodes & Hawk w/Animal vs. Rick Rude & The Equalizer (Intro & Finish)

Rude gives his usual prematch schtick complete with gyrations.  Road Warrior Animal makes his triumphant return to WCW in a Z28 Camaro.  Rude isn't surprised at all.  He claims that he has feelers that told him Animal would be the partner.  But as we all know, there is more than one Road Warrior...and Hawk is the mystery partner.  For some reason this pisses the heels off more.  Shouldn't they be happy that they are fighting the older, weaker, Road Warrior?  Anyway, this match supposedly sucks, so thankfully the tape jumps to the finish.  We join the match with Hawk suplexing Rude into the ring.  The Equalizer runs in and clotheslines Hawk to the floor.  The Equalizer picks up Dustin for a slam, but Hawk dives into them from the top rope.  Dustin falls on top for the pin.  (0:41)  14/38

 

- WCW World Title: Big Van Vader w/Harley Race vs. Davey Boy Smith

As I mentioned earlier, this a rematch from their *** encounter at Slamboree and if Vader gets disqualified, he loses the title.  Smith attacks Vader on the ramp with a double leg takedown and some punches.  Vader knocks Smith down and tears off his mask.  Smith reverses a suplex and both men are down.  Smith knocks Vader back in the ring with a clothesline.  Smith slingshots himself back in to the ring, but Vader gets the knees up.  Vader pummels Smith in the corner and shoves him out of the ring.  Vader attempts an avalanche, but Smith moves, sending Vader into the guardrail.  Smith straddles Vader on the rail.  Back in, Smith gets a samoan drop for 2.  Vader knocks Smith down and drops an elbow to his thigh.  Vader gets a samoan drop this time and comes off the top with a splash.  Smith sunset flips Vader, but as Vader sits down, Smith moves and gets 2.  Vader sends Smith into the corner and splashes his back.  Vader gets a breather as he applies a reverse chinlock.  Vader hits Smith with a crucifix, but Smith hooks the shoulders for 2.  Patrick got hurt in that last sequence as Vader landed on him.  Vader stays in control and works on Smith in the corner.  Smith fights out with punches, but Vader responds with his own stiff shots.  Vader goes up to the top, but Smith dropkicks him.  Vader falls back in the ring.  Smith stomps a mudhole in him, but misses a blind charge.  Vader hits the Vader Bomb for 2 1/2.  Smith catches Vader up top and powerslams him to the mat.  The ref gets knocked out in the process.  Smith has Vader up for a hanging vertical suplex, but Harley clips his leg and Vader falls on top for the win.  (11:12)  ***1/2  This match is more proof that Vader is the best big man in the history of wrestling.  It's pretty amazing when you see a 450 pound man come flying off the top rope.  Unfortunately, there was no moonsault, that would have been another 1/4*.

 

WWF Wrestling Challenge: August 21, 1993

 

- King's Court

Today's special guest is the WWF Champion Yokozuna, his manager Mr. Fuji and their spokesperson Jim Cornette.  Lawler plugs his match with Bret at SummerSlam.  Cornette reiterates that the WWF and Jack Tunney never translated the contracts correctly to Yokozuna and Mr. Fuji.  Cornette cuts an excellent promo on the Yokozuna-Luger match.  Lawler asks a kid with a Lex Luger "I Want You" poster to come up to the set.  The kid tells Lawler that Bret Hart is the real King of wrestling, so Yokozuna tears up the kid's poster.  As is expected, Heenan compliments Lawler and Yokozuna for tormenting the kid.  15/39

 

- "U.S.A" Music Video

HOW MANY FUCKING MUSIC VIDEO DID THE WWF MAKE??  This weird rap thing is for Hacksaw Jim Duggan.  It may have been more effective if it was about Luger since he was actually being pushed at the time.  15/40

 

WCW Saturday Night: August 21, 1993

 

- Fall Brawl Control Center

Chris Cuise announces some matches for Fall Brawl.

 

*War Games: Davey Boy Smith, Dustin Rhodes, Sting & The Shockmaster vs. Harlem Heat, Sid Vicious & Big Van Vader

 

A pretty cool video package is shown that highlights some of the best moments in War Games.  They show Sid powerbombing Pillman on more than one occasion.  Sting and Dustin Rhodes cut a quick promo claiming the Shockmaster can defeat Sid and Vader...right.  I'm sure all of WCW fans agree with that one.  16/41

 

- Vader & Harley Race Interview

Vader and Race are ready for War Games, that is all.  16/42

 

- NWA World Title: Ric Flair vs. Sting

This match is the result of the deal Flair made with Sting earlier in the week.  This match is very long and tedious at times- you have been forewarned.  Also, I think I set my expectations too high going into this match, try not to make the same mistake.  The match starts VERY slowly with a long feeling out process and Sting working on the arm.  Things pick up a bit when Flair goes for the Figure-Four, but Sting kicks him off.  Both men fuck up a military press slam into a roll up, so Sting applies a reverse chinlock to regroup.  Sting goes back to arm and gets Flair with a military press slam.  Flair retreats to the apron, but Flair suplexes him back in.  Sting applies a boston crab, but Flair makes the ropes.  Tony brings up Flair's airplane accident in 75 and claims his back may still be weak.  Tony, if Ric hasn't fully healed in 18 years, he probably shouldn't be wrestling to begin with.  Flair chops Sting in the corner and misses a kneedrop.  Sting works the leg and goes to a single crab.  Sting hits Flair with a military press slam for 2.  Sting catches Flair in an abdominal stretch.  Flair makes the ropes after about a minute in the hold.  Sting misses the Stinger Splash and Flair pulls him to the outside.  Flair goes for a piledriver, but Sting reverses it into a backbody drop.  Back in, Flair begs off and gets a few cheapshots into Sting's abdomen.  Flair throws Sting to the outside, but Sting comes right back in.  Flair hits him with some VERY STIFF chops, but Sting no-sells.  Who does he think he is?  Hogan.  Flair tries again, but the chops still have no effect.  Sting dives at Flair, but he moves, sending Sting into the top rope.  Flair works on him in the corner and gets a few nearfalls.  Crowd starts a, "Let's Go Sting!" chant, which Tony interprets as the crowd being split 50/50.  Flair chops Sting and he sells them! Woooo!!  Flair pins Sting with his feet on the ropes, but the ref catches him.  Flair suplexes Sting and gets a few nearfalls.  We gotta take a pause for the cause.  A clip of Sting reversing the Flair Flip for 2 is shown.  We rejoin the match with both men down.  Flair catches Sting with a belly-to-back suplex for 2.  Flair gets frustrated and comes off the top with a foreman.  Sting rolls to the outside after getting chopped by Flair. Sting comes back in with a sunset flip.  Flair holds the rope, but the ref kicks his hands, so Sting rolls him up for 2.  Sting gets 2 off a backslide.  Sting whips Flair into the corner, Flair flips to the apron and flops to the floor.  Flair comes back in with a thumb to the eye.  Flair gets caught on the top, so Sting slams him to the mat.  Sting hits Flair with a running clothesline for a few nearfalls.  Sting clotheslines Flair out, but no DQ is called.  Flair pulls Sting out and whips him into the STEEL rail, but Sting doesn't sell.  Back in, Sting flips out of a belly-to-back suplex and rolls Flair up for 2.  Flair comesback with another thumb to the eye and some chops in the corner.  Flair gets him with a kneebreaker and applies the Figure-Four.  For no apparent reason the fans start a, "Whoot, dahh it iz" or however the hell you pronounce it.  Tony also interprets that as the crowd being split 50/50.  Sting finally reverses it, but the hold is broken.  Sid Vicious joins Tony and Jesse in the commentary booth.  Sting rolls up Flair, but both men have their shoulders down for 2.  Flair chops, Sting "Hulks-Up" for the third time.  Sting gets Flair with a military press slam and a facebuster for 2.  Sting catches him with an inside cradle for 2.  Sting works on Flair in the corner.  Sting clotheslines Flair and covers, but Flair gets his foot on the rope.  Sting gets Flair with ANOTHER military press slam.  Sting goes for a splash, but Flair gets the knees up. Flair delivers a hanging vertical suplex, but you guessed it, Sting doesn't sell.  Sting applies a Figure-Four of his own and gets couple of nearfalls.  Tony delivers this astute line, "It's the month of August and it's hot!"  Yeah, as if Disney doesn't have air conditioning in their studios.  Flair gets 2 off the Flair pin.  Sting cradles Flair for 2.  Flair chops in the corner and you know what happened.  Sting catches Flair with an inverted atomic drop and a superplex.  Both men are down.  Sting gets up first and gets Flair with yet another military press slam.  Flair chops Sting and both men fall over the top rope.  Flair makes it back in, but Sid runs out and throws Sting into the guardrail.  Sting gets counted out.  (36:28)  ***1/2  Flair is unhappy about the decision.  Harlem Heat attacks Flair, but he clears house.  Sid gets Flair from behind, but Sting saves.

 

OK, now lets talk about why this match isn't ****+ and what pissed me off about it.  First of all, Sting used the fucking military press slam an unprecedented FIVE times.  He had no variety in his offense.  If he wanted to work the back he could've used a backbreaker, spinebuster, and any variation of the suplex.  Sting also didn't sell most of Flair's offense, thus making him look weak.  BOTH men stalled for about 1/4 of the match.  To really top the cake, Sid had to come in and screw Sting at the end for no real reason.  A time limit expiration would have worked just fine.  Thankfully, Flair is a god and was able to carry Hoga..I mean Sting's ass for over 35 minutes.  And lastly, the crowd in Orlando sucks, but I'm sure you already knew that.

 

Now you're probably wondering why I gave the match ***1/2, so I may as well back that up.  The psychology was pretty good for the first half of the match with Sting working the arm, then the back.  Everything went bad when the no-selling and military press slams started.  Flair delivered his usual great performance, which is almost always worth at least ***.

 

WWF SummerSlam Spectacular: August 22, 1993

 

- Yokozuna, Mr. Fuji & Jim Cornette Interview

This is taking place the day before SummerSlam.  Cornette cuts another EXCELLENT promo on Luger (even better than the last one).  Flair may be a god in the ring, but Cornette IS god out of it.  17/45

 

WCW Saturday Night: August 28, 1993

 

- Hollywood Blonds vs. Frankie Lancaster & Mark Starr (JIP)

If you're wondering why the Blonds are fighting four days after I told you they would never team again, it is because of the WCW Disney tapings.  By the time the Blonds actually lost the titles to Roma & Anderson, footage of the Nasty Boys with the belts had already been filmed.  This by the way, is the match Pillman breaks his ankle in meaning it was broken at least a month before the Clash.  Gotta love that WCW logic, heh?  We join the match with Pillman throwing Starr to the floor.  Austin drops Starr throat first on the guardrail.  Lancaster helps Starr back in.  Pillman chops Starr in the corner, but Starr fights out with some rights.  Austin knocks Starr out from behind and tags into the match.  Austin chokes him on the ropes, as does Pillman with the ref's back turned.  Austin charges at Starr, but flies into the ropes instead.  Starr goes for a dropkick, but Austin holds the ropes.  Austin covers and gets 2.  Pillman tags in and hits Starr with a facebuster.  Pillman works on him in the corner.  Starr blocks Pillman's suplex and gets one of his own.  Austin tags in and knocks Lancaster off the apron.  The Blonds doubleteam Starr while the ref is with Lancaster.  Austin goes for a piledriver, but Starr blocks leading to a fucked up spot.  Austin comes off the top with a forearm, but misses.  Both men tag out.  Lancaster fights both Blonds.  Lancaster monkey flips Pillman, who comes down hard on his ankle.  Funny spot as Lancaster and the ref keep trying to end the match, but Austin continues to break up the pins.  Austin tags in, throws Lancaster to the mat and covers him for the win.  (5:31)  Good for what it was, I guess.  18/44

 

- Flair For The Gold

Tonight’s special guest is none other than...RICK RUDE.  Flair calls him a man on the verge of a World Championship.  A little foreshadowing for their upcoming NWA Title match at Fall Brawl.  Flair compliments him on the 30 minute Iron Man match with Dustin Rhodes.  Rude doesn't want to hear any of it.  Rude seems pretty pissed because Fifi didn't return his calls.  Flair claims Fifi doesn't want Rude, so Rude lays one on her.  Fifi slaps Rude across the face.  Flair starts talking about next weeks show and Rude nails him from behind with the NWA title.  Rude wants a match for the title and he wants Fifi too.  19/45

 

- Dusty Rhodes Interview

This should be fun.  I like Dusty and I know all of you do to, so I'll transcribe the whole promo.  Tony asks Dusty how he feels about the upcoming 2 out of 3 falls match between Dustin Rhode and Rick Rude.  By the way, these three matches will take place on Saturday Night, one a week, so Rude will still have his match with Flair at the PPV.  Dusty, "I think what it falls down to is, opportunity knocks.  Jesse Ventura had the opportunity to be in a movieee with Sylvester Stallone.  Opportunity knocks, you have the opportunity to turn the dial and see the greatest wrestling in the word, DubbyaCDubbya.  Opportunity knocks, Dustin Rhodes is not a kid, not a rookie, he is ready.  Opportunity Knockss, for Ravishing Rick Rude.  Opportunity knocks for Dustin Rhodes.  Opportunity knocks for DubbyaCDubbya to showcase a professional wrestling in the world today.  One thing is for clear, two men both are 100 percent and lets get down and dirty and get on with it baby."  The best part about it is that Dusty actually understands what he is saying.  Did I already mention that I love Dusty.  20/46

 

- WCW United States Title- First Match Of Three: Dustin Rhodes vs. Rick Rude (Finish)

We join the match with Rude hooking Rhodes in a sleeper.  Dustin backs Rude into the corner to escape.  Rude comes off the top and jumps OVER Dustin for no apparent reason.  Obviously a missed spot there.  Dustin gets a sleeper of his own, but Rude pushes off the turnbuckle and falls on top of Dustin for the win.  (0:44)  Not exactly the Survivor Series 96 finish there as Rude didn't actually roll Dustin up, he just laid on him.  Rude is up 1-0 in the series.  20/47

 

- Rick Rude Interview

Rude claims that Dustin has one foot in a grave and one on a banana peel.  OK, from there he cuts a weird promo on Flair talking about brains and knowledge  He proceeds to give the worst WOOOOOOOO!!! ever.  20/48

 

- Sting & Davey Boy Smith vs. Harlem Heat (Finish)

Sting is going for the Scorpion Deathlock on one of the Harlem Heat, but Sid runs in and clobbers him from behind drawing the DQ.  (0:05)  Sid chokeslams Sting and tripleteams him with Harlem Heat.  Flair runs in and clears house with a 2X4.  20/49

 

- Ric Flair, Sting & Davey Boy Smith Interview

A Six-Man tag match is announced for next week.  Flair delivers the line of the week with, "Who on God's green Earth is Harlem Heat anyway?"  I feel exactly the same way.  20/50

 

Part 3 has whatever follows that stuff, sounds exciting, heh?

 

Any/All feedback is welcome...

[Guest]

I enjoyed you first two tape rants. When is part 3 coming?

[Guest RetroRob215]

Thanks for the compliment.  Sorry I haven't gotten back to you, my forum settings were messed up and it was only listing posts from this week.

 

I haven't finished Part 3 because I've been working on my sample rant for the Smart Marks website, which I'll be posting tonight.  Part 3 of this series is next on my list...