So much has been
written over the year about the ups and downs of World Championship
Wrestling. 1993 was a year of major change for the company. Bill
Watts who had been running the company was ousted after raciest
comments he made found there way to Hank Aaron (yes that Hank Aaron)
who worked for Turner. While Watts did a lot wrong when running WCW
he should get credit for two things. One was bringing in Vader full
time. Leon White had started wrestling in the late 80's but after
moving to Japan he was given the name and gimmick of Vader. Although
a huge man he was able to pull off moves such a moonsault. He had
worked for WCW a bit but Watt brought him in full time and made him
world champion. Another thing Watts did right was bring back Ric
Flair. Flair had left WCW during the Jim Herd days but Watts got him
to return. Still though Watt made more mistakes and with the comments
coming a time where Aaron was already pissed about racial issues he
was gone.
As a result Eric
Bischoff was named Executive Producer. Yeah that's important to keep
in mind. Bischoff was later promoted to Vice President and laser just
President. Bischoff was put in charge of the TV product but not the
whole company. Now an often reported fact about WCW was “Turner had
a soft spot for wrestling so he didn't care if it made money.”
While Ted Turner did care for wrestling the company did care if WCW
lost money. Bischoff was even told he had to cut his budget. One of
his moves to was hold all TV tapings in a studio at Disney World.
Bischoff took a lot heat for daring to change how the business
worked. But it worked. By doing massive pre tapings he saved money.
And well TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground, and various other companies all
do the same thing to this day. Taping months worth of TV at a time.
But it has some problems spoilers leak out (even in 93.) Injures can
suddenly force a change with no TV to explain said change.
Starcade was WCW
biggest annual show. Starting in 1983 during the NWA days it predates
WrestleMania. Like Mania it was the spot where the biggest feuds
would be settled where the legends of the company were made. The plan
for 1993 was to have Vader defend his WCW title against former
partner Sid Viscous. Sid was another monster and just like Vader used
the power bomb as a finish. Tons of stuff was tapped showing Sid
would win at Starcade. Than the infamous Arn Anderson and Sid Viscous
scissor fight happened. Sid was gone and WCW scrambled to find a new
challenger. Normally I'm the give the young guy a chance person but
given the TV situation they didn't have any way to build a younger
guy up in time. They needed someone with instant credibility. Also
Vader had been champion for a long time and had already worked with
Sting and Davey Boy Smith. Someone like Rick Rude was a heel and
rushing his face turn could have back fired. So as a result WCW
turned to Ric Flair. And it makes sense Flair was beloved by WCW fans
his history with the title gave him credibility and he had never
faced Vader before. So with all this going on behind the scenes is
this event any good?
We open with
pictures of Ric Flair as a child as old Flair audio plays over them.
We move to Flair as teen and than a newspaper clipping of the plan
crash that nearly ended his career in the seventies. Than we get
footage of Flair winning the title from Race at the first Starcade
and beating Garvin at Starcade 87. Along with footage of Flair
wrestling various names such as Steamboat and Terry Funk. Than it
turns to footage of Vader destroying guys and roaring like a monster.
Its a nice quick open. It sends the message Flair is the man of the
past. His done this all before but Vader is the monster and the
monster is in control of the present.
Tony Schiavone
welcomes us to to Charlotte NC. Tony tells us it's the tenth
anniversary but the eleventh annual event. Score one for WCW at least
they didn't pull that anniversary a year early crap WWE and the NFL
like to do. Tony tells us its a celebration of Ric Flair's career.
Tony welcomes Jessie Ventura. Jessie tells Flair puts his career on
the line against Vader. And tonight in his home town if Flair can't
do it here he can't do it anywhere. Nice line from Ventura. We get
footage of Vader arriving with his manger Harley Race. Tony notes
Vader arrived very early usual for him and got a work out in. We see
Race telling Vader to focus as Vader claims he's going to party. We
than get footage of Vader's workout. Jessie says Vader needs to get
lose and ready. I really like this opening it sends the message Vader
is all business tonight. He and Race are ready. Plus watch MMA or
Boxing you see guys arrive early do just this work out and get lose.
Tony than tells us
Ric Flair hasn't arrived yet. Jessie sounds shocked. We than cut to
Flair's house with Mean Gene Oakerland. Flair talks to his wife and
than tells his kids, David, Ashley (Charlotte) and Reid he has to go.
Reid and Ashley hug there father. Ric kisses them and tells them he
loves them. David shakes his dad's hand. Flair tells his kids not to
cry before leaving. Ric's wife Beth follow him out and hugs him. The
talk quietly before Ric kisses her goodbye. Flair and Oakerland walk
to the limo. Gene asks about the emotion. Ric says they are worried.
Flair admits he's worried as well but its for a different reason but
he knew what he was doing when he signed the contract. Oakerland
talks to Flair about what Vader does to people. Flair says he's got
to prove it to himself tonight. I freaking love this opening. It
again shows the difference between Flair and Vader. Vader is a
monster or machine just about one thing the title. Flair is a man and
he's got a wife and kids to worry about. A wife and kids that worry
about him. It reminds me of Rocky IV when Rocky left to go to Russia.
And Flair's comments about proving he's the man remind me of Apollo
before the fight with Drago.
2 Cold Scorpio and
Marcus Bagwell come out with Teddy Long for the next match. Before it
starts Gary Juster awards Long the manager of the year award. Teddy
thanks Marcus, 2 Cold and the fans. The award is a giant plaques
which I assume is going to hit someone in the head.
2 Cold Scorpio
and Marcus Bagwell with Teddy Long vs. Pretty Wonderful Paul Orndorff
and Paul Roma with the The Assassin- The
Assassin is Jody Hamilton father of Nick Patrick who is the referee
for this match. Pretty
Wonderful had jumped Scorpio and Bagwell on a recent Saturday night.
All four men brawl to start.
Pretty Wonderful whipped into each other. Double dropkicks sends Roma
to the floor. Bagwell helps Scorpion do flip back kick that knocks
Orndorff down. Scorpio covers and we get a funny moment as Nick
Patrick can clearly be heard saying “he's in the ropes.” So he
doesn't count. Tony though claims Patrick wont' count this early
since the match isn't under control. Pretty Wonderful conference with
The Assassin. Bagwell starts for his team as Roma starts for his.
Roma stalls out from locking up. Knee lift by Roma and he lands some
punches. Flying cross body
by Bagwell gets two. Arm drag by Bagwell and he works the arm. Tag to
Scorpio and he kicks the arm of Roma. Scorpio
holds the arm and jumps over the top rope. Tag to Bagwell and more
arm work on Roma. Body slam out of no where by Roma. Quick tag to
Orndorff. Arm drag by Bagwell and tag to Scorpio back to working the
arm. Really all that arm only for Roma to just use his arm for the
slam and than right back to arm work. Orndorff to the eyes and than a
forearm and boots to Scorpio. Too Cold to the ramp. Back in the ring
Scorpio escapes a suplex. Hip toss by Scorpio into a head scissors
with a cover. But the referee wont' count since the shoulder isn’t
down. Actually good refereeing by Patrick there since the Shoulder
wasn't down. Tag to Bagwell who comes in with a running splash.
More
work on the arm. Drop toe hold by Orndorff. Tag to Roma. Drop toe
hold by Bagwell and he now works on Roma's arm. Roma goes for a kick.
Bagwell caches it and hits an atomic drop. Roma over sells. Tag
to Scorpio. Hip toss by Bagwell and a splash by Scorpio gets two.
Roma yelling “He's hurting my arm.” More
arm work as Scorpio falls back on the arm. Tag to Bagwell. Arm
wringers by Bagwell. Roma revers and tags in Orndorff. Double team by
Pretty Wonderful. Knee to
the face and awful looking slam by Mr. Wonderful. Bagwell ducks a
clothesline and gets a sleeper. Roma into the ring drawing in
Scorpio. Referee busy with Too Cold Roma breaks up the sleeper.
Referee lets Roma stay in the ring. Back breakers by Roma.
Running elbow by Roma with a cocky cover for two. Tag to Orndorff.
Double teams by the heels. Belly to back suplex by Orndorff. Scorpio
breaks it up. Tag to Roma. Butterfly
suplex by Roma gets two. Snap
power slam by Roma. Paul Roma to the top and the big splash misses.
Roma jumps up dose a little dance which I assumes is supposed to be
selling. Tag to Orndorff. Tag to Scorpio so its house of fire time.
Snap suplex by Scorpio on
Orndorff. Too Cold to the top. Roma tries to interfere. Bagwell with
the save allowing Scorpio to hits a fist drop. Referee with Bagwell
and Roma. Spin kick by Scorpio. The Assassin on the apron and gets
nailed. Assassin back p and head buts Scorpio after putting something
in his mask. Orndorff gets the pin. Lack luster opening match. At
best these two teams were ok neither was great. Way to much arm work
made pointless as the heels often just escaped made the tag and than
back to the arm. Also I should mention Manger of the Year Teddy Long
was the one that wound up distracting the referee on the finish thus
making him look foolish
Back
in Ric Flair's limo he and Mean Gene talk. Gene says this could the
last time Flair makes a limo ride like this. Flair tells Gene he
can't second guess himself now but he doesn't want to be on the
outside looking in and that he loves this sport. Gene says a win
would be Flair's eleventh WCW title reign. Which really isn't true.
Most of Flair's title reigns had been NWA world title reigns
including a run earlier in the year with that title. Gene reminds us
this could be his final match as well. Flair says he doesn't want to
think about that. Flair talks about what good friends he and Gene are
and wants to talk about something positive. Gene talks about how much
Flair has done in the sport. Flair talks about a recent encounter
with a fan. Pointless segment. I get what they are trying to do. But
it just repeats what has already been said. Flair doesn't want to
leave wrestling but had to this to get his title shot. Plus Gene
talking about his friendship with Flair seemed strange. Maybe the two
are really good friends but Gene was mostly known for WWF and AWA
while Flair was an NWA/WCW guy with a heel run in WWF. If anything
Gene was more known as a friend to Hulk Hogan.
Awesome Kong with
King Kong vs. The Shockmaster. - No
not that Awesome Kong. This one was a member of a tag team known as
Colossal Kongs. Basically just two huge fat guys in masks. How many
of you are stunned to find the Shockmaster stuck around after that
infamous debut? Of course
after that debut they had redone his look and gimmick now he's
wearing a hard hat instead of the helmet. The
Kongs jump Shockmaster at the start. Double team clotheslines and a
pound and hold. Big splash in the corner followed by a running splash
by one of the Kongs. Well this confusing. One of the Kong is attack
Shockmaster while another is on the floor. The bell has NOT rung and
the Kong in the ring has King on his tights. Tony and Jessie sound
like they have no idea. Kong runs into a big boot. Clothesline by
Shockmaster. Holy crap a jumping cross body by Shockmaster and a slam
for the win by Shockmaster. Other Kong into the ring goes to attack
Shockmaster but he hits his partner. That was totally pointless.
Short match the guy that was supposed to be in it wasn't. Hell I
don't even think Jessie and Tony have any idea.
Tony
and Jessie mention that Terry Taylor beat the Equalizer on the pre
show. They than hype up the rest of the card. They mention Davey Boy
Smith is not there and instead the Boss will challenge for Rick
Rude's World Title. Tony says The Boss beat Rude in a non title
match. Jessie points out that was a last second substitution. They
don't name Rude's title. It had been the NWA title until
the NWA pulled the name upset Bischoff was booking title changes
without there permission. I get it to a point but the NWA was in such
dire straight at this point did they really have a leg to stand on
with WCW? Davey Boy had left WCW after Battlebowl to return to the UK
before a WWF return in 1994. The Boss was the Former Big Boss Man.
Flair's
limo has arrived at the arena. We see Flair got a police escort.
Jessie and Tony joke its
like Bill Clinton arriving. But in Charlotte Flair is bigger than
Clinton. Flair gets out causing a huge woo chant. Gene says goodbye
as Flair heads to the arena. Ok little segment but nothing knew or
that we had to see.
World Television
Championship Lord Steven Regal (c) with Sir William vs. Ricky The
Dragon Steamboat- Strange
Steamboat is introduced as Ricky Steamboat “The Dragon.” Sir
William is best known as Bill Dundee. The
two had feud over the TV title for months. Regal beat Steamboat for
the title using the umbrella of Sir William. They had also teamed at
Battle Bowl. Prior to the
match Steamboat picks up the Belt and holds it up. Tony talks about
this being Steamboat's hometown most of his career and his history in
the old JCP. Regal refused a lock up and back into the corner. The
referee tires to back Steamboat. Jessie points out with the TV time
limit Regal will try to stall. Lockup and Regal gets Steamboat down
to a knee. Steamboat back up and gets Regal into the ropes. The
referee breaks it up. Steamboat tries a single leg. Regal stays in
the ropes and the referee breaks it up Leg
trip and Regal gets a wrist lock. Good job of selling by Steamboat.
Steamboat reverses the wrist lock. Regal with his own reversal.
Steamboat out again and whips Regal over. Headlock
by Regal.. Steamboat tires a hiptoss it's blocked double leg by
Steamboat and than the hip toss for a pin that gets two. Regal back
to stalling. Side headlock
takedown by Steamboat gets two. Criss cross and Steamboat over and
uses his legs to get a quick near fall. Regal up and grabs the leg.
Tony and Jessie point out it
has two uses. One it slows down Steamboat the faster man and runs the
clock. Of course with
running the clock talk they might as well just say “Time Limit Draw
coming up.” Knee bar by Regal. Steamboat back to one foot and hits
a nice looking enziquri. Body slam by Steamboat. The Dragon to the
top off with a karate chop. Arm
bar by Steamboat. Tony talks
about how this kills clock Steamboat needs. Jessie disagrees since
Steamboat needs to wear Regal down.
I
get they telling a story put they are clearing tipping off this goes
the full 15 minutes. It
would be best to just mention the time limit early on assume you fans
that watch every week know the rules and that knew fans will catch
on. Shoulder tackle by
Steamboat and back to the arm bar. Wrist
lock by Steamboat. Nip up by Regal and he picks Steamboat up.
Steamboat escapes and trips Regal. Gary Michael Cappetta announces
five minutes left. Another reason Tony and Jessie don't need to talk
about the clock so much. Elbow drop to the arm by Steamboat. We keep
cutting to Sir William yelling at the fans. Knees to the arm and
shoulder by Steamboat. Hammer lock and into a flip over by Steamboat
into a pin that gets two. Head
scissors still holding the arm by Steamboat. Regal flips back over to
decrease the pressure and escape. Lord Steven hammers free with a big
uppercut. Three minutes left. Big chops by Steamboat. To the floor.
Sir William goes to hit Steamboat. The Dragon seems him coming and
gives chase. Dropkick on the floor by Regal as Steamboat rounds a
corner. Back to the ring. Steamboat tries to go up and over but
Steamboat throws him down. Back elbow by Regal. Arm drags by
Steamboat. Head scissors by Regal but Steamboat escapes into a jack
knife. Regal counters and butterfly’s the arms. Steamboat escapes
and hits a his own butterfly suplex. Two count as the final minutes
tarts. Regal to the floor. Sir Williams holds Steamboat. The Dragon
fights them off and holds meeting of the mind for the Brits. Sir
William trips Steamboat. Regal gets his neck snapped on the ropes.
Steamboat to the top. Flying cross body misses. German suplex as the
last second but its to late. Time expires.
This
was a really well wrestled match which given the two men in it should
shock no one. Lots of great wrestling exchanges and holds. Of course
given the story there was stalling but since it was 15 mins instead
of trying to get to a half or full hour it wasn't as bad as I have
seen. The problem is you it pretty much being flashed on screen they
are going the time limit. Tony and Jessie keep bringing up the time.
And after ten minutes you have GMC counting down. I know they did
that for the live crowd. But still less is more. Mention the time
limit early Than have GMC announce five mins left than two min
warning and than finally one minute.
Regal leaves quickly. Tony and Jessie talk. Tony admits he's worried
about Flair even pointing out Flair isn't acting like himself. He's
not strutting or going woo. Instead he looks worried. Jessie says
retirement isn't that bad. Really Jessie? I get your a heel but you
can't say anything but that? You can't go “Maybe Flair is off
balance tonight... or maybe he's super focused Tony.” Something
anything. Tony claims Flair is still in his prime. Jessie points out
so was Michael Jordan. Remember this as 1993 when Jordan had just
retired for the first time.
Tex Slazenger and
Shanghi Pierce vs. Cactus Jack and Maxx Payne- Piecre
and Slazenger would be better known as Henry O and Phineas I Godwin
in the WWF. With Slazenger also working under
the name Mideon. Pierrece is
in a mask the rumor being the bookers thought he was to good looking
to be a heel. Tony mention Slazenger and Pierce have mostly been a
500 tag team but have gotten hot lately. Jessie praises them for
fearing no team and facing
everyone. Pierce and Payne
start off and lock up. Headlock
by Pierce. Shoulder tackle and neither man goes down. Kick
by Pierce and kick by Payne into a head lock. Shoulder block by Payne
gets Pierce down and than a body slam. Tag to Tex and tag to Cactus
Jack. Lock up and Slazneger
forces Jack to the corner and hits him a few times. Exchange of
punches with Cactus getting the better of it. Jack rams Slazneger's
head into the corner. Tex to the eyes. Running boot back Cactus
Jack. Tag to Payne who hits an elbow. Quick tag to Jack and he
divorce courts the arm. Pierce breaks up the pin. Payne in while Jack
attack Pierce Double team clothesline by Jack and Payne drops
Slaznger. Legal tag to
Payne.
Payne misses a corner splash and Slazneger hits a bulldog. Tag to
Pierce. Back body drop into a sunset flip by Payne. Belly to back
suplex by Payne both men are down. Tag to Cactus Jack. All four men
in to brawl. Cactus clothesline by Jack on Pierce and than he sends
Slazenger to the floor. Payne back body drops Jack onto Slaznger on
the floor. Pierce chops the leg of Payne. Slaznger with a double ax
handle off the top. Payne killer by Max Payne. Tex Slanger into the
ring to break up the submission. Double team misses and Payne takes
out the Texans with a double clothesline. Tag to Cactus Jack but the
Texans cut him off. Jack ducks an attack and Pierce hits Tex. Double
Arm DDT by Jack for the 1 2 3. Ok match but nothing to great. It was
a nice brawl but felt more like a TV match than a PPV match. Than
again its possible Standers and Practice wouldn’t let them do more.
On
the ramp Mean Gene plugs the WCW hotline If you called the hotline
you could vote on if all WCW Title matches should 2 of 3 falls. In
storyline this was due to the US title match being 2 our of 3 at
Starcade. Gene introduces NASCAR star Kyle Petty. Kyle must be a
pretty big wrestling fans as he appeared on Starcade in the past and
was even sponsored by WCW at one point driving the nWo car in a Bush
Grand National race. Gene talks about Kyle being Flair fan and brings
up Kyle's father Richard Petty retiring recently. Kyle admits his dad
isn't the same since leaving and would have for Flair at the top of
his game to leave. Kyle
admits he would hate to have win at Daytona next or have to retire.
Ok little celeb moment. Might
have made more sense if they could have gotten someone like Richard
Petty or Darrell Waltrip or Dale Earnhardt. IE the great NASCAR
champion talking about the great champion of pro wrestling.
2 out of 3 Falls
For the WCW United States Championship Dustin Rhodes (c) vs. Steve
Austin with Col. Robert Parker- Ah
yes back when Austin still Stunning now Stone Cold. And
back when Dustin was the Natural. I
say that both trying to joke and pointing out how different these two
would go. Early trading off of position with Dustin often winding up
in control as Austin gets upset. Head scissors by Dustin Rhodes.
Austin rolls into the ropes for a break. Tony puts over how evenly
matched these two are. Jessie agrees but say Parker gives Austin the
advantage. Shoulder tackle by Austin but he
runt
into a back elbow. Rhodes covers and gets two. Austin to the floor.
Kick to the stomach by
Austin and a take over. Austin goes for a chin lock but Rhodes
escapes and drives knees to the back. Austin to the floor again. Lock
up into a head lock by Rhodes back in the ring and than a take over.
Austin goes to the hair.
Shoulder block by Rhodes. Austin with a boot and goes for a power
bomb. Rhodes over the top and goes for a backslide 1 and 2 Austin
escapes and heads to the floor. Back
in the ring Austin with a double leg and than he stomps the stomach.
Austin drags Rhodes to the floor and the brawl. Rhodes reverses the
whip and send him over the guard rail. Stunning Steve wants a time
out. Back in the ring Austin
offers a hand and Dustin shocks him. Headlock take over again by
Dustin. Cheap shot by Austin
when the referee breaks in the ropes. Knee drops by Austin and he
works over Rhodes. Pin attempt by Austin is good for two.
Austin
uses the ropes to chokes Rhodes as Parker puts the bad mouth on him.
Rhodes starts to fight back
with big punches. Shut down by Austin with a boot and a running back
elbow. Austin covers and gets two. Rhodes swings wildly and Austin
ducks. Austin tosses Rhodes the floor. On the apron Dustin with a
shoulder to Austin's stomach. Rhodes sunset flip gets two. Forearms
by Rhodes and a drop kick. Austin was to close so the kick is stuffed
and looks bad. Rhodes covers and Parker reaches in to pull him off.
Rhodes distracted and
Austin nails him. Belly to back suplex by Stuning Steve but he gets a
lackadaisical cover for two. They
collide on a shoulder block and both men are down as the referee
counts. Exchanges of punches
and elbows and Austin knock Rhodes down. Rhodes goes for slam but
Austin hooks the ropes and lands on two for two. Austin to the top
but Rhodes moves on the knee drop. Flip
flop fly by Rhodes and a flying clothesline. Snap power slam by
Rhodes only gets two. Parker to the apron. Rhodes tosses Austin at
his manger. Austin goes over the top rope. Rhodes losses the first
fall via DQ. There is
supposed to be a break but Rhodes goes after Austin until the referee
pulls him off. Security out to help Col. Parker to the back. Rhodes
sends Austin into the post and Austin is busted open. Wait did
signals get crossed here. Because Rhodes is coming off as heel here.
Rhodes out as soon as the bell rings and drags Austin in the ring.
The lights star to flicker and go off. Vertical suplex by Rhodes two.
Clothesline in the corner by Rhodes than mounted punches in the
corner. Austin hooks the tights and gets a rolls up for the win. Very
good match until the end. I guess the idea is supposed to be Rhodes
got out of control. But again he came off very heelish.
Tony
and Jessie discuss the first two title matches. The again talk about
the other world title match with Smith being gone and the Boss having
a win over Rude. Jessie says now Rude has a chance to prepare for
this match. Tony talks about
how Rude beat Ric Flair for that world title not that long ago.
Jessie plugs the Tag Title Match.
WCW International
World Title Match Rick Rude (c) vs. The Boss- Rude
has beat Flair for the big gold belt when it was still the NWA title.
As I mentioned the NWA was unhappy since Rude's title win was
unapproved. As a result they pulled out and WCW started billing WCW
International. The Boss is The Former Big Bossman still pretty much
in that gimmick. So close in fact WCW got a letter from the WWF's
lawyers telling them stop or we sue. Prior
to the match Rude demands respect for the Undisputed World Champion.
Yelling at each other at the
start. Jessie calls it a psych out job at the start. Lock
up and Boss powers Rude back. Hard fighting over position. Rude
breaks and covers up. The Referee forces The Boss back. Lock
up and again and Rude again gets forced to the back. The referee
breaks it up again as Rude cowers in the corner. Tony
and Jessie compare Rude's tactics to the Ali rope dope pointing out
Rude is frustrating The Boss early on. Tony
talks about there prior match that was more fast paced. Rude with a
lock up and gets The Boss in the corner. Cheap shot on the break by
Rude. Punches and elbows by
Rude. Boss gets his eyes dragged on the ropes. Reverse of the whip
and Rude takes a high back body drop. Big boot by The Boss than a
back breaker. Rude kicks at one. Boss
whips Rude into the corner and than hits some right hands. Hard whip
by the Boss and Rude hits hard and drops to his knees. Body
slam by Boss gets one. Nice job of selling the back by Rude. If you
have had your back lock up there is way you have to move and Rude
mirrors that very well.
Rude
to the floor and Boss follows him out. Body
slam on the floor by The Boss and he breaks the count. Boss
suplexes Rude and hangs him from the ropes so he can punch. Boss goes
for something but hits the camera by mistake causing the shot to get
missed. Back in the ring
Rude still hung in the rope tries to sit up. Boss punches him in the
face and again. Rude drops to the floor. In
the ring a bear hug by the Boss. Rude
bites the noise to free himself. Big right hands by the Boss. Rude
gets the legs up as The Boss Charges. Rude off the top but gets
caught with a right hand. Boss goes to drop the legs on Rude who is
on the ropes. Rude moves and than Sunsets flips for the pinfall win.
Ok match but not great. It felt like the kind of match that had stuff
set up but taken out last second. Seemed like they finish should have
been something with Rude pissing off The Boss instead of just hitting
a clean move. Than gain a clean heel win is a good idea from time to
time. Given WCW was clearly setting up for unification bout at some
point they most and likely wanted to make The International Champion
look strong.
WCW World Tag
Team Championship The Nasty Boys Brian Knobbs and Jerry Saggs (c)
with Missy Hyatt vs. Sting and Road Warrior Hawk- As
was documented on the Road Warrior DVD. When Hawk left the WWF Animal
stuck around but suffered a back injury and
was out of action. As a result the Road Warriors were effectively
broken up. Hawk worked a number of dates in various companies. In New
Japan he had formed the Hell Raisers with Kensuke Sasaki. WCW had
brought Hawk in to help make up for the fact Davey Boy Smith was
gone. Hawk and Sting had
teamed in the past and often used terms like Brothers in Paint. The
Road Warriors also turned heel betraying Sting... Than again pretty
much every betrayed Sting at one time or another. Bell
rings and both team stall neither one refusing to show who is
starting. Finally it down to Knobbs and Sting. Than
Saggs back into the ring. Than both Nasty Boys bail out. Finally
Sting and Knobs lock up. Knobs goes for a cheap shot on the break and
Sting moves. Lock up and an
arm drag by Sting. Sting goes for the lock up but Knobbs lands a
kick. Forearms by Knobs. Sting ducks a clothesline. Jumping
clothesline by Sting an elbow. Saggs in gets nailed by Sting. Knobbs
over to the wrong corner and gets punched by Hawk. Nasty Boys out to
consult with Missy. Hawk gorilla presses Sting over the ropes onto
Knobbs and Saggs. Tag to
Jerry Saggs who calls out Hawk. Sting tags in the Road Warrior.
Jessie says the last guy you
want to challenge is Hawk. Saggs intimated by Hawk.
Lock up and Hawk forces Saggs back. Saggs reveres and chops. Hawk
returns the favor. Hawk charges into a boot. Double team by the Nasty
Boys. Double clothesline by Hawk drop both Nasty Boys. Back
in the ring Hawk with big over hands on Saggs. Dropkick by Hawk. Hawk
ducks a clothesline and hits a flying shoulder before dropping a
fist. After some antics on the floor Hawk hits an enziguri.
Sting
tags back in. Double team back elbows by Sting and Hawk. Vertical
suplex by Sting. Saggs goes to the eyes. Tags in Knobs who runs into
a hip toss. Series of quick
tags and working the arm. Finally Hawks goes for a shoulder in the
corner and misses. Hawk to the floor and Saggs off the apron. Chair
shot by Saggs all behind the referee's back. Saggs
hold Hawk so Missy can slap him. Hawk goes after Missy but Knobbs
gets him from behind. Back
in the ring Saggs tags in legally and hits a knee drop to the arm.
Double team divorce court by the Nasty Boys. Some moves don't need be
double teamed ever and that is one of them. Crappy looking arm bar by
Knobbs before tagging in Saggs who headbutts the arm. Shitty looking
cross arm breaker by Saggs doesn't look like there is any pressure.
Saggs goes to the eyes. Tag to Knobbs and more double teaming. Body
slam by Knobbs that is so bad Jessie calls him out on it. Another
crappy arm bar by Knobbs. I get wrestling you can't really crank the
hold but come on at lest make it look like your trying. Hawk
power back up and no sells. Than it all goes shit. Hawk uses the arm
that's been worked arm for a clothesline. That is bad enough as
logically it just look bad. But no it gets worse. Hawk clearly misses
the clothesline so much so Tony even says he did. But Knobbs sells it
anyway. Tag to Sting. But Saggs had the referee's back turned.
Nasty
Boys go to double team Hawk but he stops kicks them and than uses the
other arm. Sting tags in. Having watched plenty of Sting matches I
know what the next sequence was supposed to be. Sting hits the ropes
builds up momentum to hit a jumping clothesline except the Nasty Boys
appear to be slow getting up. So Sting hits the ropes a few extra
times making it worse he really doesn't clothesline than as it
appears he face palmed them. Body slams and drop kicks Sting. Sting
covers Knobbs. Saggs goes to break it up. Sting moves and Knobbs gets
hit by the elbow. The Nasty Boys try to leave with Missy running off
with the belts. Sting and Hawk cut them off. Back
in the ring Sting goes for the big splash but Knobbs gets the knees
up. Body slam by Knobbs who
goes to the second ropes. Leg drop by Knobbs. Cover and Hawk makes
the save. Knobs sends Sting over the top rope for the DQ.... Never
mind I guess for this match that rule was waved. Patrick clearly saw
it and even Jessie and Tony are sure how to cover. Saggs sends Sting
into the guard rail. Missy uses a whip hit Sting. Sting pops up only
for Saggs to clothesline him down. Hawk over to break up the attack.
Back in the ring Knobbs hits a vertical suplex on Sting that gets
two. Tag to Saggs. Abdominal
stretch by Jerry Saggs on The Stinger. Knobbs of course reaches in to
increase the pressure. Switch with no tag by Knobbs who gets Sting in
his own abdominal stretch.
Referee
checks the arm of Sting and well he keeps it up on three. Knobbs runs
into a boot. Sunset flip by Sting gets two. Knobbs is closer to his
corner to tag Saggs who cuts off the tag. Saggs
with an abdominal stretch even back Sting into the air for a slam.
Tag to Knobbs who hits an elbow. Chin lock by Knobbs. Sting sent into
the corner head first. Snap suplex by Knobbs gets two. Back
to the chin lock. Hawk
finally has had it and just comes in to kick Knobbbs in the face. But
with the referee dealing with Hawk lets Saggs come in with no tag. He
kicks Sting covers, gets a two and than tags out. What? I mean come
on do more than that. Knobbs back to the abdominal stretch. Sting
power free and hip tosses Knobbs. Tag back to Saggs. Knobbs holds the
leg cutting off the tag. Elbow by Saggs. Weak looking club by Saggs.
Tag back to Knobbs. Body slam by Knobbs and he goes to the second
rope and mess up a splash. Knobbs up to the ropes again. This time
Sting gets the boot up. Saggs weakly runs across and even weaker
nails Hawk cutting off the tag. Double team splash by the Nasty Boys.
Body slam by Knobbs. Hawk in and sends Knobbs to the floor and than
hangs Saggs on the ropes. Hot tag to Hawk. Big shoulder blocks and
clothesline on Knobbs. Body slam on Knobbs. Saggs make the save.
Sting takes out Saggs. Hawk goes to the floor with Saggs. Stinger
Splash on Knobbs. Scorpion death lock. Missy gets up and distracts
Sting who kisses her and than moves. Knobbs hits Missy. Roll up by
Sting gets two. The ref counts even though Hawk is legal. Dooms day
Device and Sting covers. Missy into the ring and rubs Sting's back it
appears. Referee calls the match off. Wow did this match go bad in
places. It seemed like everyone and I mean everyone even Missy and
the ref kept screwing up. To bad it had potential. Nasty Boys retain
on the DQ.
Mean
Gene is on the ramp. Gene is stunned Jessie is in a suit. Another
hotline plug with a chance to talk to Cactus Jack and Maxx Payne.
Gene says he's excited for his first Starcade but talk about it being
the eleventh Starcade. We than move the intro to the main event... Ah
no pre match promos? I know they did the videos and I even understand
not having Ric talk since he would no doubt have done his normal
promo undoing the set up from earlier but why not have Vader or Race
talk? Hell given where Gene was going I thought ok time to show a
video of all the past Starcade's with emphases on Flair. Minor thing
but it could have added.
WCW World
Heavyweight Championship Vader (c) with Harley Race vs. Ric Flair if
Flair loses he must retire- Vader
enters first sadly we don't get the Awesome old Helmet Vader wore.
Vader tells Jessie he is going to hurt Flair slow. Flair comes out
alone as Jessie notes Fifi the maid isn't with him. I assume WCW
didn't want to undermine the early stuff with Flair being a loving
husband and father with a worried wife and kids at home. Crowd
is super hot wooing during the intros. Flair looks legit touched
hearing his home cheer for him again. Tony mention the plain crash
that nearly ended Flair's career. Jessie says a plan crash maybe easy
compared to Vader. Circling around each other start. Massive Flair
chant. Lock up and Flair gets Vader back only to be shoved and tossed
across the ring. Flair with a great face reacting to feeling the
power for the first time. Flair tries the lock up again and gets
tossed again. Race mocks “You wanted him Flair.” Another lock up
and shove. Flair to the floor and Vader chases. Vader sees Flair is
trying to tire him out and stops. Headbutt
off a lock up and than punches to the back. Knuckle lock by Vader and
Flair screaming pain. Slaps to the face by Vader and a short arm
clothesline. Back to the knuckle lock. Head butt again by Vader and
he yells “You ain't man enough” Vader gets Flair in the corner.
Chops by Flair and Vader just shoves him down.
Flair
drops to the floor again. Vader just stands in the ring and poses
mocking Flair. Lock up again and Vader forces Flair back and hits
punches and drops him. Stomps by Vader. Tony recaps Flair's history
at Starcade but Jessie says that don't matter. Gorilla press by
Vader. Flair to the floor hurt. Vader follows him out and picks Flair
up to drop him on the guard rail. Vader
goes to splash Flair. Flair moves and Vader hits the guard rail.
Flair rams Vader into the ring post. Race attack Flair from behind.
Vader suplxes Flair back into the ring hard. Flair
back to the apron and Vader suplexs Flair back in hard again.
Punches by Vader in the corner. Whip and a hard clothesline in the
corner. Hard whip by Vader, Flair over the turn buckle but just
collapses from the pain on the ramp. Nice little twist on a normal
Flair spot. Normally Flair does that gets caught some how. This sends
the message he doesn’t even have enough left to run. Flair is
leveled by another clothesline. Tony talks about how Vader can hurt
you so many ways and Flair can't stay from him. More punches in the
corner. Flair chops but no effect. Scoop
slam by Vader gets two. Vader
to the second rope. Diving clothesline line and Flair grabs his jaw
like it's been broken. Vader
back to the ropes. Splash misses. Flair to the top rope. Chop off the
top. Flair off the ropes again and misses another chop. Either Flair
miss judged the distance for Vader was out of position either way it
looks bad. Chops by Flair back to the ropes and than time hits Vader
in the head. Vader is down. Knee drop by Flair. Big clothesline shuts
Flair down. Flair bleeding
form the mouth. Vader picks Flair up on one shoulder and puts him on
the top rope. Superplex by Vader.
Jessie
says Vader should cover but instead Vader drops an elbow. One thing I
like about Jessie even thought he cheered for the heels he wasn't
stupid about it. Vader goes for a running splash. Flair moves. Flair
charges but Vader recovers and hits in the head. Vader tosses Flair
to the floor so Race can stomp him. Flair down not moving. So far in
this match it seems Flair has not sold like the usual Ric Flair way.
He's been more low key about it. Like a man being hurt so bad he
can't even get up to cover up. Flair avoids the corner splash and
more chops from Flair. Ok I get with Vader you have to be smart about
taking over spots. But come on three misses splashes in the same
match? I know they are different styles but come on. Vader whips
Flair into the corner and this time hits the splash. Knuckle lock by
Vader.. Flair goes to the eyes and throat and starts top punch and
chop. Vader goes down. Ok now that I like as change of momentum.
Flair got desperate and turned the corner. You could say yeah it was
a heel move but than again against Vader you gotta do stuff like
this. Vader is down. Flair drags Vader to the post and wraps slams
the lg into it. Flair gets a chair. Race is trying to get the ref to
stop him but this actually distract Randy Anderson so Flair can use
the chair. Vader has taken off his mask as Flair attack with hard
punches and chops. The fans explode as Flair has finally got control.
Vader
throws punches on his knees but Flair has the advantage and keeps
punching. Flair gets another chair as again Race has mistakenly
distracted the referee. Chair shot to the head. Ok once I can buy but
twice must makes Race look stupid. If you want do the Flair has to
break the rules to just survive stuff why not do a ref bump or
something? Like I said having Race tie up the referee makes Race look
stupid. Back into the ring and Flair goes back to the eyes and more
haymaker punches. Flair bites Vader. Tony
and Jessie talk about how Flair is risking a DQ but this is what he
has to do. Tony talks about Flair has gone sixty minutes but he
thinks twenty minutes with Vader is rougher. Flair drags Vader to the
ropes and canon balls onto the leg. Strut by Flair and more
haymakers. Figure Four
attempt by Vader powers Flair off. Vader has his second win and goes
for the Vader bomb but Flair moves. Figure four is locked in. Race up
on the apron. Vader gets the ropes. Flair runs into a big boot. Hard
elbow drop by Vader and than he drives the elbow into the face. Vader
to the top ropes. Moonsault misses.hay makers Missed or hit it still
amazes me Vader could do that. Remember he was over 400 pounds. Flair
covers. Race to the top rope and goes for a headbutt. Vader
though has shoved Flair off so Vader takes the shot. Forearm and
chops by Vader. Flair changes into an another strike to the head.
And
than we get a really stupid finish. As Ric Flair grabs the leg trips
Vader up and school boys him to win the title. The WWE network lists
the move as a chop block but to me it looks more like a trip. Even
worse it seems to come out of no where. It also goes again the story
they were telling. I was for the most part enjoying the match. Sure
the multi missed splashes to turn the tide and Race looking like a
moron took some points off. But over all they were telling a good
story. Vader the monster unlike anything Flair has ever faced forcing
Flair to be dirtier and meaner and more animal like than normal. This
wasn't slick Ric the direst player in the game stuff. This was if I
don't do something this guy is going to kill me stuff. And Vader
wasn't just a big brute early on he was smart about his attacks. He
didn't chase Flair around once he saw Flair's plan was to tire him
out. But even the monster
has a weakness when you go to his eyes and such. Than we get this
finish. I mean something. A chair shot, Flair off the top with a
cross body like he did in 83, an actual chop block. Its a bad finish
on what was a pretty good match. Hell I was enjoying that Flair even
under sold from his usual Style he wasn't being super balled instead
he was going down and staying down.
Post
match the WCW world title belt is strapped onto a bloody Flair as
fire works go off and the fans go crazy. Confetti falls from the sky.
Tony says its a moment in the history of the sport we will never
forget. Jessie calls it the biggest upset in the history of
wrestling. Jessie and Tony discuss the match. Jessie says he didn't
give Ric Flair a chance but give him credit. Backstage we see Vader
trashing a locker room that was set up for a celebration. Vader
screams I want it back. Good reaction from Vader to show he cares for
the titles. Back on the ramp Flair has returned to give the fans a
curtain call. The fans do go crazy for this. We than go backstage
where Gene Oakland is with the Flair family which no includes his
eldest daughter Megan. Ric walks in and says it's a happy holiday.
Flair says Vader took it to
him and call Vader a great champion. Flair says he's touched by the
support and loves having his family with him. Gene asks for Beth's
thoughts she simply says she delighted and happy it happened in
Charlotte. Ric hugs Reid as Sting enters the shot. Sting
congratulates Ric. Sting says Flair is the greatest champion of all
time. Ricky Steamboat comes into the locker room. Gene talks the
history of Flair and Steamboat. The Dragon says it's an honor and
congratulates Flair on being an eleven time champion. Gene asks for
Flairs final thoughts on his match and career. Flair says I'm a very
fortunate man. Gene signs off for the night.
I
really like the backstage stuff with Flair. Once
again we get something different. There is no “WOOO! Mean by god
Gene! Once again the Nature Boy is going be the limo....” Instead
if keeps the story of the family man risking it all going. Ok time
for me to play physiologist but I believe Richard Fliear is man that
spent his whole life looking for love and acceptance. So a night like
this as Ric Flair meant the world to him. Now
normally I big on giving younger guys a chance and even by 93 Flair
was in decline he could still have some great matches but he wasn't
at his very best. But I'm ok with the title change. One Vader had
been the top heel and mostly been the world champion for two years.
Given the event is WCW's biggest show its a good time for the face to
win the title. And with history in the area, the fact it was the
tenth anniversary I like them putting it on Flair.
Overall
this event is good with some issues. Seems like there are lot of
little mistakes going on. Some guys had real off nights in the ring
or booking had issues like something was lost between script and
screen. If your a Flair fan you will love it. If you hate Flair skip
it. For those in the middle worth a check out but not a must see.
