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Post by JoshiQ on Jun 19, 2010 20:04:40 GMT -5
WCW Main Event 4/5/92 Atlanta, GA: Center Stage Theatre Your host is Tony Schiavone
Tony Schiavone welcomed the audience to tonight’s Main Event before running down the card. He finished that by announcing the main event for tonight where Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton would be teaming up to prepare themselves for their #1 contenders shot next Sunday. Schiavone warned that they better not be looking past their opponents tonight as they would be going up against Hip Hop Rock, a team that has been pretty impressive over the last couple of weeks. Schiavone also said that most of the card would highlight some newcomers to WCW as Jack Victory, the Patriot, and the Orient Express were all newly signed. With that Schiavone sent it to the ring for the first match.
Jack Victory pinned Ruben Thomas with the Free Fall in 0:04:15. Rating: ** 1/2
Jack Victory looked pretty ruthless in his match here tonight as he didn’t give his opponent even the chance to throw out any offense. Victory attacked Thomas before the bell and from there completely dominated the match before finally putting things away with the Free Fall. After the match Victory promised to the camera that he would continue to wipe the floor with anybody that was stupid enough to get in to the ring with him.
The Patriot pinned Richard Morton with the Patriot Missile in 0:06:57. Rating: ***
These two put on quite the performance here tonight in this short amount of time. This was non-stop action that had the referee, Randy Anderson, running around the ring counting each close two count. Morton said he was going to give the Patriot a tougher challenge this week, and he accomplished that as the Patriot definitely knew he had been in a fight by the time the match was over. Still, the Patriot was just too good for the veteran, Morton, in this match. The Patriot was able to hit his Patriot Missile after he had side-stepped a missile dropkick from Morton.
After the match the Patriot joined up with Eric Bischoff to give an interview about his recent success. The Patriot started by saying all the hard work has paid off as of late and that he will continue to work as hard as he can to be the best. The Patriot said bigger and better things are headed his way, and tonight in defeating Richard Morton was just a small step along the way. The Patriot was then interrupted by Jack Victory! Jack Victory asked what the big deal was with the Patriot and why was he getting interview time? Jack Victory gave Eric Bischoff a decent sized shove as he said that Eric was playing favorites with who he talks to. Bischoff promised Victory that he had no say in the matter and that he’d be happy to interview Victory later on. The Patriot had seen enough of the bullying from Victory, however, and told him to get lost and that this was his time. The Patriot went to continue on like Victory wasn’t even there, but Jack took offense to that and hammered the Patriot from behind. The Patriot went down to one knee as Victory grabbed the microphone out of Bischoff’s hand and hammered it into the back of the Patriot’s skull. The Patriot collapsed to the cement as Bischoff looked on worried. Victory thanked Bischoff for the time and said that was all he wanted and walked away. Bischoff checked on the Patriot who was slowly trying to get back to his feet.
Tony Schiavone complained about what a disgusting act that was by Jack Victory. He hoped the Patriot was okay and he was sure that the Patriot would be looking for revenge. Tony Schiavone then sent it back to the ring for the Orient Express’ second match here in WCW.
The Orient Express (Pat Tanaka and Kato) defeated James Clontz and Jim Nash when Kato pinned Nash with the Kamikaze Plex in 0:04:37. Rating: ** 3/4
The Orient Express once again show just how great a tag team they are with their quick tags and martial arts skills. They both even went to the air quite a bit to show off that they can do it all. The Kamikaze Plex looked just as devastating as it did last week and it was more than enough to put this match in the record books.
After the match was over things got a little interesting as Diamond Dallas Page, the Diamond Studd, and “the Rock” Don Muraco stormed the ring. Tanaka and Kato had little time to prepare themselves as the Diamond Mine started their brutal assault. Muraco got Tanaka in the corner and started hammering away at him while Kato was being slapped around by the much larger Diamond Studd. Diamond Dallas Page seemed satisfied directing traffic as his two men mauled the much smaller Orient Express. Things started to look pretty bleak when the Studd came over and hooked Tanaka’s arms behind him. Muraco took a few steps back and made his charge, but Tanaka ducked and Muraco blasted the Studd with a clothesline! The Studd flew over the top rope and to the outside and was soon joined by Muraco as when he turned around he was blasted with a double dropkick by both members of the Express. This left just Page alone in the ring, but he decided flight and not fight was his better option as he hauled butt out of the ring. Muraco and the Studd looked on from the floor, but it was obvious their sneak attack didn’t go the way they had planned. Muraco looked like he wanted to get back in the ring, but the Studd and Page finally convinced him to head to the back while the Orient Express watched on to the cheers of the fans.
Tony Schiavone sent it to Gordon Solie for this week’s top ten. Solie said that there was quite a bit of change as the “Total Package” Lex Luger lost a few spots due to his loss to Barry Windham on Saturday Night.
10. Arn Anderson (10) 9. Ricky Steamboat (8) 8. Lex Luger (5) 7. Larry Zbyszko (9) 6. Steve Austin (7) 5. Big Van Vader (6) 4. Barry Windham (4) 3. Dustin Rhodes (3) 2. Cactus Jack (2) 1. Rick Rude (1) Champion: Sting (C)
Gordon Solie said that this week’s Saturday Night promised to be a big one as “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes teams up with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat against “Ravishing” Rick Rude and “Stunning” Steve Austin. Solie knows that all four men have a pure hatred for one another and things are bound to explode in the go-home show just a day before Clash of the Champions. Solie also brought up that Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race will both make their returns to the ring as they prepare themselves to do battle with one another at the Clash. Solie sent it back to the ring where one half of the World Tag Team Champions, Rick Steiner, would be in action against Tracey Smothers.
Rick Steiner pinned Tracey Smothers with the Steinerline in 0:07:15. Rating: ** 1/2
Tracey Smothers did his best to try and take this to the mat early, but Rick Steiner simply wasn’t in the mood as he instead turned this into a suplex affair. Steiner kept the foot on the gas for most of the match as he dropped Smothers with several variations of the suplex. Smothers tried to fight back by going after the knee of the Dog Faced Gremlin, but that seemed like it just upset the tag champ. Neither Terry Taylor nor Scott Steiner accompanied their tag partner to the ring for this match so there was no interference unlike most singles matches involving tag team wrestlers. Steiner was on his game here tonight, and despite Smothers best efforts, it wasn’t long before he fell to the Steinerline.
As Rick Steiner was leaving the ring David Penzer had stated to introduce the combatants for the next match. Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton were out first and they actually walked right by Rick Steiner. Anderson apparently said something to Rick Steiner that made him stop in his tracks and turn around. Eaton then got in Rick’s face and before long both men were trading punches. Arn Anderson joined in and the Dangerous Alliance soon had the advantage in a 2 on 1 beating. Scott Steiner didn’t wait around in the back too long before he was out pulling Arn off and those two were exchanging blows. The Steiners kept up their brawling with Anderson and Eaton as officials stormed the aisle to try and separate these two tag teams. Tony Schiavone sent it to commercials just as it looked like they were finally get some order to things.
When we came back from commercials Schiavone said that they had finally separated the two tag teams and it was time for the main event. Schiavone didn’t know if this would affect the outcome of the main event or not, but he said it did look like Anderson and Eaton were breathing rather hard after their brawl.
The Dangerous Alliance (Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton) defeated Hip Hop Rock (Van Hammer and PN News) when B. Eaton pinned Hammer with the Alabama Jam in 0:09:17. Rating: * ½
This match definitely turned out to be a lot more than just a warm up for Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton. Numerous times throughout the bout Van Hammer and PN News came extremely close to pulling off the upset. Paul E. Dangerously even saved Anderson at one point when it looked like the match was going to be over. Eaton had been knocked to the outside and Anderson somehow got caught and hit by the Off the Charts. At the count of two Dangerously had no choice but to jump up on the ring apron and distract the referee. This got both the attention of the ref and PN News who got up to try and get Dangerously down. In the meantime Eaton slid back into the ring and chop blocked Hammer. Anderson struggled to his feet, but was able to drop Hammer with the DDT and seconds later Eaton came flying off the top rope with the Alabama Jam. Anderson tackled News to the outside and the referee turned around to see Eaton covering Hammer. Despite both men not being legal, the referee made the count and the Dangerous Alliance had stolen a victory.
PN News reentered the ring to check on his fallen partner while Bobby Eaton joined up with Arn Anderson and Paul E. Dangerously on the outside. Anderson talked into the camera where he stated that the Studd and Muraco better watch out or they’d be laid out like every other team they’ve fought. Eaton rose his arms into the air to more boos as Tony Schiavone thanked everybody for tuning in.
Card rating: ** ¼
WCW Hotline:
Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton came away with a big win heading into the Clash of the Champions. They definitely look ready for the Diamond Mine coming up next week.
Speaking of the Diamond Mine, they sneak attack on the Orient Express sure didn’t go as planned. It looked like they were going to lay out the two men from Japan, but Pat Tanaka and Kato were just too fast and were able to escape the assault. Not only that, but the Orient Express got the advantage over the Diamond Mine and it was the Studd, Muraco, and Page that ended up on the outside of the ring looking in.
Jack Victory’s sneak attack on the Patriot was shocking and most definitely uncalled for. The Patriot was furious when he made it back to the locker room and was calling out for Jack Victory to fight him in the back. Unfortunately Victory had already left the arena. The Patriot has demanded a match with Jack Victory for next week and that will headline next week’s live Main Event heading into the Clash of the Champions. So be sure to tune in!
Also, this coming Saturday, be sure to tune in to TBS where Jorge Gonzalez does battle with the Z-Man, Harley Race and Dusty Rhodes both are in singles action to try and knock off some of their ring rust, and in the main event Ricky Steamboat teams up with Dustin Rhodes against Rick Rude and Steve Austin!
Matches signed for Clash of the Champions XIX:
Television Title: “Stunning” Steve Austin© vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes
United States Heavyweight Title: “Ravishing” Rick Rude© vs. “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat
United States Tag Team Titles: Big Josh & Ron Simmons© vs. The Fabulous Freebirds
Non-Title Match: Sting vs. Jorge Gonzalez
#1 Contendership to the World Heavyweight Title: Barry Windham vs. Cactus Jack
#1 contendership to the World Tag Team Titles: The Diamond Mine (Don Muraco and the Diamond Studd) vs. “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton
Dusty Rhodes vs. Harley Race
Marcus Alexander Bagwell vs. Dick Slater
Rip Rogers vs. Mike Droese
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Post by LillaThrilla on Jun 19, 2010 22:59:00 GMT -5
The Jack Victory is interesting.
Surprised to see Luger lose there. Interesting to see where this angle goes.
FWIW, Bagwell's fisherman suplex was called the Yellow Jacket Suplex (I'm guessing he was a Georgia Tech alumni).
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Post by tommybrownell on Jun 20, 2010 0:19:01 GMT -5
WCW Main Event 4/5/92 Atlanta, GA: Center Stage Theatre Your host is Tony Schiavone - Another good squash to establish Victory. - Oooh, Victory and Patriot are starting off against each other. - Still an adjustment seeing Orient Express as faces. - Dusty and Harley are both wrestling Saturday? Eesh. - Nice little brawl between Steiners and Eaton/Arn. - You know, I don't even like Hip Hop Rock and I would buy them as US Tag Team Champions over Simmons and Josh.
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Post by JoshiQ on Jun 21, 2010 14:04:09 GMT -5
Come on, a lumberjack that dances with bears and a black football player! How can you go wrong?
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Post by JoshiQ on Jun 23, 2010 22:54:36 GMT -5
Well, I don't want to be a nuisance to Copp, so if I don't have my TNM back by Friday I'll just copy the stuff over to a new circuit I guess. Sorry about the delay in between cards.
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Post by tommybrownell on Jun 23, 2010 23:04:20 GMT -5
James Storm says "Sorry 'bout your damn luck, Coop."
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Post by JoshiQ on Jun 23, 2010 23:06:47 GMT -5
Just as long as he doesn't botch a powerbomb and put me in a wheelchair.
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Post by tommybrownell on Jun 23, 2010 23:07:36 GMT -5
No promises.
Though, it might turn out to be the hottest angle of your TNM career, so who knows?
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Post by JoshiQ on Jun 24, 2010 23:32:34 GMT -5
WCW Saturday Night 4/11/92 Atlanta, GA: Center Stage Theatre Your hosts are Jim Ross and Gordon Solie
Jim Ross once again welcomed everybody to WCW Saturday Night where he said that Dusty Rhodes would normally be sitting right beside him, but he was in the back getting himself ready for his first match I a couple of years. Ross said he was honored to have Gordon Solie by his side once again to help him commentate on tonight’s matches. Solie said that tonight was going to be full of action as not only would Dusty Rhodes be returning to the action but so would Harley Race. Jim Ross brought up tonight’s main event which he promised to be a good one as Ricky Steamboat would be teaming with Dustin Rhodes to go up against Steve Austin and Rick Rude. Solie agreed and said that tonight was going to feature quite a bit of good tag team action as we not only had the main event, but we also have Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton teaming up and the United States Tag Team Champions, Big Josh and Ron Simmons, would be wrestling as well. With all of that Jim Ross sent it to the ring to witness Harley Race trying to knock off some of his ring rust.
Harley Race was accompanied to the ring by Big Van Vader, but most of the attention was on Race. Race was back in his wrestling gear and it was definitely a sight to see.
Harley Race pinned Joey Maggs with the Piledriver in 0:03:41. Rating: * 1/4
Harley Race’s opponent, Joey Maggs has been known to put up a fight in his matches despite not being overly successful in winning. Tonight was no different and Race seemed caught off guard by Maggs’ high flying offense. Maggs did make one mistake as he went to the top turnbuckle while Race had referee Randy Anderson’s attention. This gave Vader the opportunity to push Maggs off from the outside. Maggs landed pretty hard and from there Harley Race went right to work. Race hit some of his signature moves including a falling headbutt that seemed to knock Maggs a little loopy. Race’s Piledriver soon followed, and that would be all she wrote as Race secured the three count.
After the match Big Van Vader entered the ring and pulled Maggs to his feet before hitting him with the Vader Attack that sent Maggs falling through the ropes and to the outside. Harley Race got his face into the camera before we went to commercials where he yelled that Dusty Rhodes would be getting more than he could handle at the Clash. Vader raised Race’s hand in victory as Ross said that despite the way Race won, a victory is a victory and that Harley will be on top of his game in his match against Rhodes.
Lex Luger cut a promo from another party somewhere. Luger was back in his tuxedo with a glass of champagne. This time we was out on some balcony where it dark out. Luger apologized to all of his fans that he wouldn’t be there tonight or at the Clash of the Champions, but he had some important matters to attend to and that he couldn’t be bothered to wrestle some nobody for a few bucks at this time. Luger did wish Harley Race, whom he referred to as his former manager, good luck in his match with that hick Dusty Rhodes before heading back indoors.
The Dangerous Alliance (Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton) defeated James Klontz and Jim Nash when A. Anderson pinned Klontz with the DDT in 0:04:55. Rating: **
Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton were out to prove something here tonight, and they did just that. Their opponents had no chance as Anderson and Eaton were on their game with quick tags and some brutal offense. At one point Eaton even hit the Alabama Jam on Nash, but instead of going for the pin, Eaton threw Nash over to mage the tag to James Klontz. Eaton tagged out to Anderson, and Arn seemed to have quite the good time dismantling the younger wrestler. The DDT eventually made an appearance and one three count later the match was over.
Paul E. Dangerously joined up with his two men in the ring when the Diamond Mine made an appearance. The Diamond Studd, Diamond Dallas Page, and Don Muraco appeared to just be watching on from the aisle, but Anderson and Eaton are never one to back down from a fight as they motioned for them to join them in the ring. Just when Muraco and the Studd got up on the ring apron Pat Tanaka and Kato, the Orient Express, rushed out from the back with their heavy duty wrenches! Page, who had stayed on the ringside floor was blasted in the back of the head by Kato’s wrench and that sent him to his knees. Muraco and the Studd immediately turned around to get at the Orient Express, but Kato and Tanaka had already taken flight back to the locker rooms. Anderson and Eaton just looked on with big smiles on their faces while Paul E. Dangerously clapped his hands in approval.
Muraco and the Studd helped lift Page back to his feet and dragged him to the back while the three members of the Dangerous Alliance watched on from the ring. The Diamond Mine have made enemies out of the Alliance, the Steiners, and the Orient Express and it looks like it is finally catching up to them. Ross questioned if the Orient Express would make an appearance in the important number one contenders match tomorrow night at the Clash of the Champions.
Jorge Gonzalez was out next and he was accompanied by Cactus Jack, who apparently is his new best friend. His match was with the Z-Man who use to be somebody that would have called Gonzalez a friend of his. Tom Zenk tried his best to talk to the former El Gigante before the match, but Jorge Gonzalez would hear none of it as he clobbered Zenk with a chop to the chest that sent Zenk to the mat and this match was under way.
Jorge Gonzalez pinned Z-Man with the Choke Slam in 0:06:06. Rating: 3/4*
Tom Zenk did his best to try and fight back from the pre-match attack, but Jorge Gonzalez wasn’t having any of it. Gonzalez controlled most of the match by throwing the Z-Man around from one side of the ring to the other. The Z-Man did try a burst of offense near the end as he moved out of the way of a Gonzalez charge into the corner. Zenk nailed Gonalez with a series of dropkicks that looked like they might take Jorge down, but on the fourth attempt Gonzalez was able to swat Zenk away. Zenk got back to his feet only to get a huge overhand chop to the top of his head that nearly knocked him unconscious. Jorge Gonzalez probably could have easily gotten the three count from there, but instead Gonzalez reached down and lifted the Z-Man back to his feet before hitting his HUGE Choke Slam. The Z-Man wasn’t getting up from that.
After the match Cactus Jack joined Jorge Gonzalez in the ring and started to lay in the boots to the fallen Tom Zenk. Gonzalez lifted the Z-Man up and propped him up in the corner so Jack could get a running start to ram his knee into Zenk’s midsection. Zenk fell to the mat clutching at his ribs while Cactus Jack and Jorge Gonzalez circled around him and they looked like they were about go back on the attack when Sting and Brian Pillman charged the ring! Gonzalez and Jack went to double clothesline Sting, but Sting ducked under it, hit the ropes, and came back with a flying double clothesline. Due to the awkwardness of how Sting had to be angled to hit the much larger Gonzalez and the smaller Jack it didn’t knock Gonzalez to the mat, but it sure did Cactus Jack. Pillman meanwhile grabbed the Z-Man and got him out of the ring and hurried him to the back.
Back in the ring Jorge went to chop Sting, but Sting ducked under it and started to deliver several quick kicks to Gonzalez’s stomach pushing him back into the ropes. Sting whipped Gonzalez into the ropes and caught him on the rebound with one more flying clothesline and this one sent Gonzalez down to the mat. Gonzalez rolled to the outside where Cactus Jack was regaining his composure, but he didn’t want to stay out there for long. Gonzalez looked like he was trying to get back in the ring to get at Sting, but Cactus held him back with a big smile on his face before delivering the “Bang, bang!” aimed at the Stinger. Sting yelled at them to get in the ring, but Cactus had a better plan as he dragged Gonzalez to the back.
Dusty Rhodes pinned Mustafa Saed with the Bionic Elbowdrop in 0:04:18. Rating: * 1/4
Dusty Rhodes was back in the ring for the first time in a couple of years, and the crowd was definitely behind him. Rhodes hardly let his opponent get in any offense as he was rocking and rolling, delivering several quick elbows to start the match off. Throughout the match Rhodes showed that he still can apply the figure four leglock and the flip, flop, and fly elbow made several appearances. After one of these knocked his opponent to the mat Rhodes quickly followed it up with the Bionic Elbowdrop which was enough to get the three count.
Dusty Rhodes celebrated in the ring after the match to a big ovation from the crowd, but things took a turn for the worse when Big Van Vader and Harley Race showed up at ringside. Rhodes didn’t get a good look at them until it was too late and they were stepping in through the ropes. Rhodes got off one elbow on Race before Vader ambushed him with a big Vader Attack. Rhodes tried to stay on his feet but another one was too much, and Rhodes collapsed to the mat. Vader quickly climbed to the middle turnbuckle and came off with the Vader Bomb. Rhodes clutched at his ribs in pain as Harley Race got in his face and started yelling at him that he was going to beat him into a bloody pulp at the Clash. Several officials stormed the ring to try and break things up, but it looked like Race and Vader were already done as they exited the ring and headed to the back.
Jim Ross really questioned if Rhodes would be able to compete tomorrow night at the Clash after the beating he just suffered at the hands of Vader. Solie said that if there was one man that wouldn’t back down from a fight, even if he was injured, it was Dusty Rhodes. Solie said Rhodes could have several broken ribs after that Vader Bomb, but he knew Dusty wouldn’t back out of his match tomorrow.
Non-Title Match: Big Josh and Ron Simmons defeated Mike Thor and Chick Donovan when R. Simmons pinned Thor with the Powerslam in 0:04:26. Rating: ** 1/4
The Fabulous Freebirds cut an insert promo during the match where Michael Hayes said last week they proved that they were the better team once again. Jimmy Garvin said that Ron Simmons and Big Josh might claim that the Freebirds are past their prime, but they more than proved them wrong last week when they left them both laying. Hayes said that tomorrow night at the Clash things wouldn’t change as one of them was going to feel the DDT and the Freebirds would be champions once again.
As for the match, Ron Simmons and Big Josh had very little problems with their opponents here tonight, and in fact, they looked like they were out to prove a point as they completely ran rampant over Donovan and Thor. A Powerslam by Simmons put the match away, and afterwards Big Josh and Simmons were given their US Tag Team Titles. They promised that the Freebirds would get theirs at the Clash.
Larry Zbyszko pinned Marcus Alexander Bagwell after a roll up in 0:07:26. Rating: * 3/4
Larry Zbyszko and Marcus Alexander Bagwell went right at it here tonight. Zbyszko has the experience, but Bagwell has proven time and again that experience doesn’t always beat the will of a rookie. Bagwell and Zbyszko took turns on offense for most of the match with Paul E. Dangerously trying to give his man the advantage whenever possible. It looked like Bagwell might pull off another upset here tonight as kept Zbyszko on the ropes with his speedy offense. Near the end of the match Bagwell was able to hit Zbyszko with a powerslam and go to the top turnbuckle for some sort of aerial maneuver. However, at this time Dick Slater stepped out of the entrance curtain with Col. Robert Parker. This distracted Bagwell enough for him to jump off the turnbuckle and shout some things at Slater. Dangerously was yelling at Zbyszko to get up, which he did and saw that Bagwell was distracted. “The Cruncher” caught Bagwell from behind and rolled him up, grabbing the tights in the process, and got the surprise three count. Zbyszko quickly exited the ring as Bagwell argued with the referee. Meanwhile Slater and Parker laughed at Bagwell from outside the ring.
Barry Windham cut a backstage promo before tonight’s main event. Windham said he was ready and rearing to go against Cactus Jack tomorrow night. Windham said he knew it was the biggest opportunity of his career and that all he could think about was headlining Wrestle War against Sting for the World Heavyweight Title. Windham said that Cactus Jack had made a mistake in getting Jorge Gonzalez to turn his back on his friends, because that just made Windham want to pound on Jack even more. Windham also brought up that he was sick and tired of Paul E. Dangerously and the Dangerous Alliance constantly interfering in matches and the unfair advantages they were getting because of it. Because of this, Windham said, that he would be in Ricky Steamboat’s corner at the Clash to guarantee nothing happened to cost Steamboat his rightful chance at the United States Title.
Jim Ross was surprised that Windham was taking so much into consideration for Steamboat’s upcoming title shot and that maybe he should be putting all of his focus into his match with Cactus Jack instead. Gordon Solie agreed, but also said that Steamboat and Windham are very close friends and with what has happened as of late with the Dangerous Alliance always trying to cheat their way to victory, he couldn’t help but agree that somebody needs to be out there at the Clash for Steamboat. With that they sent it to the ring for tonight’s main event.
Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat defeated The Dangerous Alliance (Rick Rude and Steve Austin) when Steamboat pinned Rude with the Flying Cross Body Press in 0:15:26. Rating: **
Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat were really trying to get some momentum going into their big title matches tomorrow night and they did just that. It wasn’t that Rick Rude and Steve Austin weren’t up for the challenge, it was just that Rhodes and Steamboat were on fire from the minute the bell rang and never let up. Austin and Rude kept trying to do some double teaming while the referee’s back was turned, but no matter if it was Rhodes or Steamboat, they were able to fight their way through it to get to make the tag. It eventually looked like Paul E. Dangerously would be the deciding factor as he pulled down the top rope when Steamboat was bouncing off of it causing Ricky to fall to the ringside floor. Rhodes came in to the ring to argue and started to get double teamed for his efforts by both Rude and Austin.
In the meantime Dangerously walked over to Steamboat and it looked like he was going to put the boots to him, but Steamboat made it back to his feet pretty quickly and dropped Dangerously with a chop to the head! Dangerously went down as Steamboat climbed up onto the ring apron and then the top turnbuckle. Back in the ring Rhodes continued to try and fight his way out of the double team by Austin and Rude and was able to hit Rude with a big elbow. Rude was a little stunned and was especially caught off guard as he turned around and was taken down by the Flying Cross Body Press by Steamboat! Referee Nick Patrick made the three count as Rhodes held Austin back and that was the match!
Austin and Rude decided to leave before anything else could happen, picking up Dangerously on the way. Steamboat and Rhodes celebrated in the ring and Jim Ross wondered if this was a sign of things to come tomorrow night at the Clash!
Card rating: **
WCW Hotline:
What a hot night of action here and the anticipation for the Clash is higher than ever. Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat both gained quite a bit of momentum going into their TV Title and US Title matches. Paul E. Dangerously promised he would get revenge for Steamboat’s attack on him tomorrow night.
Barry Windham promised to be in the corner of Ricky Steamboat for his US Title match to try and make sure that Paul E. Dangerously didn’t use any underhanded tactics for Rick Rude to retain. It’s definitely a questionable decision on Windham’s part as he also has that huge match with Cactus Jack to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Title.
Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race were both successful in their returns to the ring, but Rhodes definitely looked a little more on his game than Race. This may not be the case tomorrow night, however, as Vader laid out Rhodes after Dusty’s match. Rhodes was complaining about his ribs being sore later on in the night, but he refused to go to the hospital to check and see if any were broken.
The tag team scene is pretty heated right now with the World Tag Team Champions, the Steiner Brothers, the Diamond Mine, Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton, and now even the Orient Express all getting involved with one another. If you add in the Fabulous Freebirds feud with Big Josh and Ron Simmons it’s definitely a competitive division where any team could beat the other at any time.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow night where the Patriot goes one on one with Jack Victory live on the Main Event. The Main Event is, of course, leading in to Clash of the Champions XIX where in the main event Steve Austin will be defending his TV Title against Dustin Rhodes. Not only that, but there will be a ton more action on TBS!
Matches signed for Clash of the Champions XIX:
Television Title: “Stunning” Steve Austin© vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes
United States Heavyweight Title: “Ravishing” Rick Rude© vs. “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat
United States Tag Team Titles: Big Josh & Ron Simmons© vs. The Fabulous Freebirds
Non-Title Match: Sting vs. Jorge Gonzalez
#1 Contendership to the World Heavyweight Title: Barry Windham vs. Cactus Jack
#1 contendership to the World Tag Team Titles: The Diamond Mine (Don Muraco and the Diamond Studd) vs. “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton
Dusty Rhodes vs. Harley Race
Marcus Alexander Bagwell vs. Dick Slater
Rip Rogers vs. Mike Droese
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Post by tommybrownell on Jun 25, 2010 0:50:55 GMT -5
WCW Saturday Night 4/11/92 Atlanta, GA: Center Stage Theatre Your hosts are Jim Ross and Gordon Solie - And the awesome meter exploded. - Well, Race IS a former multi time World Champion. - Lex Loser. - Klontz and Nash would make a great cop show. - Again, I like the Orient Express and all, but that still feels far from face-like. - Poor Z-Man. - Sting gets the upper hand of Jack and the Big Man! - Dusty wins over a damned dirty Muslim! - Poor Dusty...=( - Big Josh and Ron Simmons: "No, we're really a tag team! Really!" - That was inexperience costing Bagwell. - Windham's planning a busy night. - Steamboat's gotta win at the Clash or he's a choke artist. I predict: Dustin Rhodes Rick Rude when Windham turns on Steamboat Freebirds Gonzalez Windham Anderson/Eaton Bagwell Droese
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Post by JoshiQ on Jun 25, 2010 1:04:43 GMT -5
- It is surprisingly hard for me to write a couple of smaller guys trying to get revenge on two much larger men without them coming acros as heels. Not to mention that the Orient Express are ALWAYS heels...I might have to do something about this.
- Cowboys always beat Muslims.
- Poor Steamboat. He's going to turn into Lex Luger and tour all summer on the Dragon Express bus.
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Post by tommybrownell on Jun 25, 2010 1:22:17 GMT -5
- Dragon Express FTW.
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Post by JoshiQ on Jun 30, 2010 22:52:45 GMT -5
WCW Main Event 4/12/92 Charleston, SC: McAllister Fieldhouse Your hosts are Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone
Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone both welcomed the crowd to the live edition of the Main Event. Ross said that they would have a huge hour of action here tonight all leading in to the Clash of the Champions. Tony Schiavone said that all the big names were here tonight and there was no guessing as to what could possibly happen. Jim Ross said that, in fact, Lex Luger was the only member of the WCW roster that wasn’t here tonight, but he had been informed he was attending a fund raiser of some sorts in Hollywood. Schiavone then sent it to the ring for the opening match where Larry Zbyszko would be in action.
Larry Zbyszko pinned Tommy Angel with the Brain Buster in 0:04:09. Rating: ** 1/2
Larry Zbyszko won this match pretty easily. He also decided to go back to the work on the hand tactic that he use to use when he was preparing himself for his match against Barry Windham at Superbrawl. Tommy Angel had very little luck in trying to fight back as Larry had him scouted pretty well. The Brain Buster was more than enough to put the match away. After the match Larry told the camera that the Dangerous Alliance was going to have a good night and he would stay in the arena to guarantee it.
Jim Ross sent it to the back where Eric Bischoff was standing by with the Patriot. The Patriot promised that he would be getting some revenge on Jack Victory here tonight. The Patriot said that Victory might be a tough competitor, but that there was no way for him to compete with the fans cheering him on. Eric Bischoff brought up the fact that the winner of this match would be facing the winner of the Television Title match tonight at the Clash in the opening match on Saturday Night. The Patriot seemed to be happy about this as he said it only gave him more of a reason to beat Victory and go on to become the TV Champion. Bischoff wished the Patriot good luck before sending it back to the ring for what promised to be a great match between “Flyin’” Brian and the Z-Man against the Orient Express.
Brian Pillman and Z-Man and The Orient Express (Kato and Pat Tanaka) battled to a draw in 0:15:00. Rating: ***
This was a match between two teams of fan favorites, but Brian Pillman and the Z-Man definitely got a little bit more of the crowd on their side throughout the match. The Orient Express proved that they definitely deserve to be here in WCW as they hung right with Pillman and Tom Zenk. Both teams used their high flying offense to completely awe the crowd. Things got a little hectic as the time limit started to run down as both teams fought for a pinfall, but right as Pillman hit his Air Pillman clothesline on Tanaka the bell rang signaling the end of the match and the fact that it was a time limit draw.
After the match it was clear that both teams were disappointed that there wasn’t a clear cut victor, but the Z-Man quickly offered his hand in a show of respect towards their opponents. Pat Tanaka and Kato simply shrugged their shoulders and shook the hand of Tom Zenk. Brian Pillman seemed a little bit more reluctant, but after a little bit of talking to by the Z-Man, Pillman did offer his hand and shook both members of the Orient Express’s hands.
Jim Ross talked about how it was nice to see a matter of respect now days in wrestling as it doesn’t normally happen. Tony Schiavone said that it was clear both teams are on the upward track in WCW, but the question is who will get to championship gold first. Jim Ross did bring up the fact that it was interesting the Orient Express was here now and wondered if they would stick around to watch the Diamond Mine’s match later on in the evening against Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton for the number one contendership to the World Tag Team Titles. Schiavone said that Tanaka and Kato have both promised to get revenge for their fallen country mate, Jushin Liger, and that Don Muraco, the Diamond Studd, and Dallas Page should be on the lookout.
Hip Hop Rock (PN News and Van Hammer) defeated Mustafa Saed and AJ Jackson when News pinned Jackson with the Off the Charts in 0:04:51. Rating: **
Hip Hop Rock rebounded very nicely here tonight from their loss last week against Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton. Hip Hop Rock had this match nicely in hand throughout the majority of it. The Broken Record (Hammer Rocks into the Broken Record) just about put Jackson through the ring.
Tony Schiavone sent it to the back before tonight’s main event where Gordon Solie was standing by with “Stunning” Steve Austin and Paul E. Dangerously. Austin promised that tonight would be just like every other time he has fought Dustin Rhodes, and he’d be walking out with the Television Title still around his waist. Solie commented that Austin had yet to be victorious over Rhodes in all of these times before and that he’s been lucky due to time limit draws and so forth and that couldn’t be the case tonight since it was announced that there would be no time limit. Paul E. Dangerously told Solie to mind his own business and he’d be out there to make sure the official got this match right because they were sick and tired of having to deal with the punk kid. Dangerously and Austin walked off while Solie sent it back to the ring.
The Patriot pinned Jack Victory with the Patriot Missile in 0:07:34. Rating: * 1/4
This match had a little bit of a slower pace than most of the matches tonight as it appeared both men wanted to get a feel for one another before diving right in. Jack Victory and the Patriot even had a small attempt at some chain wrestling from the beginning, but eventually Victory and the Patriot got a little fed up with one another and started to tear into one another and their fists were flying. Victory showed quite the violent side when he continually choked the Patriot across the rope. The Patriot fought back and even gained some revenge by grabbing Victory around the throat and hurling him across the ring. Eventually Victory went for his Free Fall, but he apparently hadn’t worn the Patriot down enough as he was able to back drop out of it. Victory got back to his feet a little too slowly as by that time the Patriot had climbed his way up to the top turnbuckle and came flying off with the Patriot Missile! Victory seemed to be a little more stunned than hurt, but it was enough to keep his shoulders down for the three count.
The Patriot celebrated his impressive victory outside with the crowd as Jim Ross announced that it would be the Patriot facing the Television Champion next week on Saturday Night due to his victory here tonight. Tony Schiavone told everybody to stay tuned because Clash of the Champions is coming up next! Right before they were getting ready to sign off Ross said that something was going on in the back and the cameras cut to Sting laying on his stomach, groaning in pain, while the Steiner Brothers and Dustin Rhodes were bent over him trying to check on him. There was a discarded folding chair nearby that looked like it had quite the dent in it.
Jim Ross said he would get information as soon as he could but they had to sign off and that people needed to stay on TBS and watch the Clash to get the details on what happened to Sting.
WCW Hotline:
Sting apparently was attacked backstage by some unknown assailants at this time, but it would seem to be an obvious guess that Cactus Jack or Jorge Gonzalez probably had something to do with it. Sting is currently being checked on, but he promises to be in the ring later tonight to face the giant Jorge Gonzalez in the ring later tonight.
The Patriot came away victorious tonight over Jack Victory. He now has the chance of a lifetime as he will be going one on one with the TV Champion on Saturday Night.
The Clash of the Champions XIX is coming up next! Be sure to be there, only on TBS!
Matches signed for Clash of the Champions XIX:
Television Title (No time limit): “Stunning” Steve Austin© vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes
United States Heavyweight Title: “Ravishing” Rick Rude© vs. “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat
United States Tag Team Titles: Big Josh & Ron Simmons© vs. The Fabulous Freebirds
Non-Title Match: Sting vs. Jorge Gonzalez
#1 Contendership to the World Heavyweight Title: Barry Windham vs. Cactus Jack
#1 contendership to the World Tag Team Titles: The Diamond Mine (Don Muraco and the Diamond Studd) vs. “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson and “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton
Dusty Rhodes vs. Harley Race
Marcus Alexander Bagwell vs. Dick Slater
Rip Rogers vs. Mike Droese
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Post by tommybrownell on Jul 1, 2010 1:13:45 GMT -5
WCW Main Event 4/12/92 Charleston, SC: McAllister Fieldhouse Your hosts are Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone - I heard Lex was leaving to become a professional bodybuilder. - I would be surprised if Larry had ever heard of Tommy Angel until the night of the show. - PILLMAN HEEL TURN. Or maybe he's just caught on that Kato and Tanaka are really heels, too. - Hip Hop Rock vs Southern Rock! - Nice win for Patriot. - Sting has been attacked?! NOOOOOOO! - Did he no-show, so you wrote him out? =)
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Post by rey619 on Jul 1, 2010 1:18:58 GMT -5
The Patriot getting a TV Title Shot makes me want to change my original pick of Dustin over Austin.. hmm.. but I won't..
Yeah, looks like Pillman's going rogue soon.
So, when's the Clash coming up?
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Crpls
Midcarder
Posts: 140
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Post by Crpls on Jul 1, 2010 1:24:41 GMT -5
Luger is gonna show up on Prime Time next week.
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Post by JoshiQ on Jul 1, 2010 9:22:59 GMT -5
Tommy: - Or maybe Pillman is a nasty racist! - You didn't listen to the Hotline! Sting promised to be in the ring later tonight (He apparently promised twice as I need to proof read my stuff before I post) Rey: - The consensus would be that "Flyin'" Brian is going heel. - The Clash is the next card I'll be posting. I'll probably shorten up the write-up since it's not a PPV, just a supercard, and that way I can also get it out faster. Carp: - NO!!! No spoilers! Thanks for the comments, guys.
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Post by tommybrownell on Jul 1, 2010 11:57:19 GMT -5
Dude...everyone knows the WCW Hotline is a ripoff.
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Post by JoshiQ on Jul 1, 2010 13:27:19 GMT -5
Hey, it's only $3.99 a minute to hear Tony Schiavone's thoughts on what blonde haired muscle man might be coming in to WCW in 1994.
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Post by tommybrownell on Jul 1, 2010 13:45:35 GMT -5
KEN PATERA?!
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Post by LillaThrilla on Jul 1, 2010 16:54:50 GMT -5
Z-Man is a "fan favorite"? I hope you mean in the sense that he's a face, not in the sense that he's over. But maybe I'm alone in my hatred of Tom Zenk?
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Post by tommybrownell on Jul 1, 2010 17:21:38 GMT -5
You and the rest of the internet, Liller. Zenk's almost as popular as Paul Roma with the internet.
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Post by JoshiQ on Jul 1, 2010 18:46:16 GMT -5
Actually, the Z-Man was decently over (especially with the ladies) from most matches I've seen from WCW in '91 and '92.
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Post by JoshiQ on Jul 1, 2010 18:46:55 GMT -5
But yeah, didn't feel comfortable writing "face" in a '92 circuit so went with fan-favorite.
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Post by JoshiQ on Jul 4, 2010 0:17:48 GMT -5
Clash of the Champions XIX 4/12/92 Charleston, SC: McAllister Fieldhouse Your hosts are Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone
Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone both welcomed back everybody from the break in between the Main Event and the start of the Clash. Ross said that tonight was jam packed full of action and there were a ton of matches to look forward to. Schiavone brought up that three titles would be on the line, and with all of that going down the odds were we’d be seeing at least one new champion here tonight. Ross mentioned that at the end of the Main Event a few seconds ago Sting was found unconscious. Ross said he had just gotten word that he was being looked at by doctors, but he guaranteed he would be able to wrestle here tonight. Ross commented that Sting confirmed that it was Cactus Jack that had ambushed him as he was rounding a corner. Schiavone hoped that Sting would be able to put up a fight tonight, because it was definitely unwise to get in to the ring with somebody like Jorge Gonzalez at anything less than a hundred percent.
Before we could get much further into things Marcus Alexander Bagwell’s music hit and he started to head down the aisle. Schiavone quickly ran down what has been going on in his feud with “Dirty” Dick Slater. Ross hoped that Bagwell was ready for a fight, because Slater was sure not happy after suffering that pinfall loss to Bagwell a few weeks ago.
MARCUS ALEXANDER BAGWELL VS. “DIRTY” DICK SLATER (W/COL. ROBERT PARKER)
Marcus Bagwell was ready right from the ring of the bell as he dodged under a big clothesline from Dick Slater and dropped him with a dropkick. That seemed to be how most of the match went with Bagwell ducking away from Slater’s brawling offense and using his speed to counter with his own. Slater eventually was able to catch Bagwell with a powerslam when Bagwell went for a flying crossbody press a little too early. From that point Slater tried his best to just keep Bagwell down with his throwing of punches and other various brawling techniques. In the end though it was Slater that made the rookie mistake when he telegraphed a back bodydrop allowing Bagwell to put the brakes on, hook him, and suplex him over with his Fisherman Suplex! Col. Robert Parker was caught off guard and he had no time to do anything to break up the pinfall before the three count was delivered.
Marcus Alexander Bagwell pinned Dick Slater with the Fisherman Suplex in 0:07:13. Rating: * 1/4
Bagwell quickly jumped to his feet, extremely excited with his victory. Slater, on the other hand, just sat on the mat looking like he had no idea what had just happened. Parker joined Slater in the ring and started use his cowboy hat as a fan for “Dirty” Dick, but before Slater could regain his composure Bagwell had already made his exit and was walking to the back clapping hands with the fans.
Schiavone mentioned that this was another big win for Marcus Alexander Bagwell, and he if he can keep this going he would definitely be putting himself in line for a title shot somewhere down the road. Jim Ross agreed that it is no easy feat beating Dick Slater, especially not with Col. Rob Parker by his side, but Bagwell had now done it twice. Schiavone then sent it to the back where Eric Bischoff was standing by with referee Mike Droese.
Eric Bischoff asked Mike Droese if he was prepared for his match tonight with the veteran, Rip Rogers. Droese said he most surely was as he had been in the gym training non-stop for the past couple of weeks. Droese said that he even had joined up with a couple of guys for a session in the ring and that Bischoff might have heard of them. He then revealed it was Sting and Barry Windham giving him a couple of tips for being in the ring. Droese growled that he was sick and tired of Rogers taking liberties with the referees and so when he tried to do it to him he just couldn’t take it any longer. Droese said that tonight he would be getting revenge for Nick Patrick, Randy Anderson, and all of the other referees that have had to suffer at his hands. Droese stormed off, and Bischoff sent it back to the ring.
Jim Ross mentioned that Rip Rogers may be a veteran, but nobody ever wants to piss off a 6’6, over 300 pounder, and that’s exactly what he did when he put his hands on Mike Droese. Schiavone said that with the training that Barry Windham and Sting gave him that Droese just might pull off the upset. Ross said that he had even heard that Sting and Barry Windham had been training Droese to use some sort of maneuver that he is calling the Higher Authority.
RIP ROGERS VS. MIKE DROESE
This match didn’t take long at all to the surprise of many. Rip Rogers was laughing when he went to hook up with Mike Droese for the first time, but he stopped laughing pretty fast when Droese threw him across the ring and in to the turnbuckles. Droese definitely had the strength advantage here, and it looked like Rogers had maybe bit off more than he could chew. Rogers came right back, however, with a quick poke to the eye. This seemed to just anger Droese who just hammered away at Rogers. Seconds later it looked like Rogers was going to try and turn tail and run away, but Droese caught him, whipped him in to the ropes, and on the rebound hit a tilt-a-whirl powerslam that had both Schiavone and Ross screaming about what a great maneuver it was. That was the Higher Authority that he had apparently been learning over the last couple of weeks. Needless to say, this match was over.
Mike Droese pinned Rip Rogers with the Higher Authority in 0:01:29. Rating: **
Droese didn’t waste any time in the ring as he simply stepped through the ropes and headed to the back while Ross couldn’t believe what he had just seen. Ross said that he knew Droese was a big guy and a pretty tough one too, but he never expected him to just run right over Rip Rogers like that. Tony Schiavone was also pretty impressed and said that Droese may have missed his calling as a wrestler when he decided to be a referee instead.
UNITED STATES TAG TEAM TITLES: BIG JOSH AND RON SIMMONS© VS. THE FABULOUS FREEBIRDS
These two teams have been warring with one another for several months now, and tonight they were finally able to get their hands on another in an actual match for the US Tag Team Titles. Ron Simmons and Big Josh wasted no time in the early going as they cleared the ring of the Freebirds a couple of times with running shoulderblocks and clotheslines. Things finally slowed to the point where it became a standard tag tea matchup, however, and that is when the Freebirds started to take back control of the match. The Freebirds definitely had the advantage when it comes to experience and were very capable of using it to gain the upper hand.
Once Hayes and Garvin were able to cut the ring off and work over Big Josh it looked like it might be the end of the reign of the current champs, but somehow Big Josh was eventually able to fight back and made the hot tag to Ron Simmons. Both Hayes and Garvin came in trying to take the much stronger man down, but they had little luck and Simmons almost got a stunning three count when he caught Garvin charging him with his Powerslam. Hayes was right back in there, however, to break it up. Hayes and Garvin double teamed Simmons for a few seconds while Big Josh tried to catch his breath on the apron. Simmons dodged a Garvin clothesline and made the tag to Big Josh. Big Josh came back into the ring just as Simmons clotheslined Garvin over the top rope and to the floor. Simmons went to the outside after Garvin while Josh and Hayes exchanged blows in the ring. Josh won and soon had Hayes on his back with a gutwrench suplex. On the outside, however, Garvin had reversed a whip into the guardrail and it was Simmons that hit the metal. Josh went to bounce off the ropes for his Northern Exposure in the ring, but Garvin was right there on the outside to trip him up! Josh’s head bounced off the mat just as Hayes struggled to his feet. Hayes walked over as Josh was getting to his feet and dropped him with the DDT! Hayes hooked the leg while Simmons tried to get back into the ring but he was too late. The Fabulous Freebirds had captured the United States Tag Team Titles!
The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) defeated Big Josh and Ron Simmons when M. Hayes pinned Josh with the DDT in 0:10:43. Rating: ** (The Fabulous Freebirds won the United States Tag Team Titles.)
The Fabulous Freebirds were ecstatic in the ring while Simmons checked up on his fallen partner. Josh slowly got to his feet, but it was obvious the tag team was pretty disappointed in losing the tag titles they had held for pretty much the last three months. Hayes and Garvin, surprisingly, got a decent reaction from the crowd while they held the titles above their heads. Hayes and Garvin left the ring, newly crowned as US Tag Team Champs, while Josh and Simmons talked things over in the ring.
Jim Ross congratulated the Freebirds on their victory and mentioned that they would have a rough road ahead as Big Josh and Ron Simmons would probably be wanting a rematch and there are several teams popping up in WCW that are gunning for the US Tag Titles. Schiavone thought they would be up for the challenge as they just proved they are far from over the hill and capable of winning any match at any time with their DDT. Jim Ross agreed before announcing that the next match would be Sting going up against Jorge Gonzalez. Schiavone said that Sting had been attacked earlier on in the night, but he will be out here and he will make no excuses if he can’t beat Gonzalez. Ross acknowledged that it was probably a good thing this would not be for the World Heavyweight Title as Sting may not have been able to retain it.
NON-TITLE MATCH: STING© VS. JORGE GONZALEZ (W/CACTUS JACK)
Jorge Gonzalez entered the ring first, and he, of course, had Cactus Jack by his side. Sting’s music hit next and the crowd erupted when the Stinger sprinted down the aisle. It appeared he was no worse for wear from the earlier attack as he slid into the ring and immediately tore into Jorge. Gonzalez was definitely caught off guard as Sting backed him in to the corner before climbing up to the top turnbuckle (!) to deliver the deadly ten punch crowd sing-a-long. After that Sting dropped Gonzalez with a face slam before exiting the ring and running after Cactus Jack. Jack didn’t seem to be expecting that, but he quickly got to running as he wanted no part of the champ at this time. Sting continued to chase Jack around the ring until Cactus slid into the ring and back out the other side. Sting tried to follow, but by this point Gonzalez was back to his feet and nailed Sting with a big overhand chop that sent Sting falling to his knees.
Gonzalez kept control for the majority of the match as his overwhelming size advantage was just too much for Sting to combat. It looked like Gonzalez might even win the fall when he applied the Claw on Sting after beating him around the ring. Sting was somehow able to fight back, however, with several kicks to the midsection and then an eye poke! Schiavone seemed a little taken aback by Sting’s tactics, but Ross said that sometimes you have to do whatever you can to survive. Gonzalez eventually released the Claw and walked around the ring while Sting continued to pound on his lower back. This eventually led to Gonzalez being whipped in to the turnbuckle and the Stinger Splash followed. Sting backed up and hit it again! In fact, Sting hit 4 straight Stinger Splashes which finally sent Gonzalez collapsing to the mat. Sting went to grab the legs and it looked like he would going for the Scorpion Deathlock when Cactus Jack entered the ring and smashed a chair across Sting’s back!
Non-Title Match: Sting defeated Jorge Gonzalez by disqualification in 0:07:11. Rating: -* 1/2
Sting was totally caught off guard as his full attention was on Gonzalez. Sting crumpled to the mat as Cactus Jack wound the chair up and once again sent it crashing across Sting’s back. Gonzalez slowly got to his feet, seemingly a little dazed, but he eventually caught on as to what was going on and quickly re-applied the Claw on Sting. Sting was in some obvious pain, but it only got worse as Jack smashed Sting’s legs with the chair. It looked like Sting would be permanently injured, but finally Tom Zenk, The Patriot, and Hip Hop Rock burst out from the locker room and ran down to the ring. Cactus Jack saw them coming and pulled Gonzalez off of Sting so they could make a hasty exit.
While the group checked up on Sting, Cactus Jack and Jorge Gonzalez walked to the back. Cactus Jack screamed at the camera that Barry Windham would be feeling some of this later on tonight! Tony Schiavone hoped that Windham was ready because it looked like Cactus Jack was in a rather bad mood.
Harley Race was out first for the next match and Schiavone and Ross both seemed rather worried when they realized Big Van Vader would be accompanying him. Schiavone noted that he hoped Dusty Rhodes had a game plan, because he might be in trouble with Vader at ringside to help out Race if he got in trouble. When Dusty Rhodes came out he got a rather large ovation from the crowd. Two legends were returning to the ring for one more time!
HARLEY RACE (W/VADER) VS. “THE AMERICAN DREAM” DUSTY RHODES
Neither man was at the peak of his career, but they both tried pretty hard in this match to show they could still bring it when they needed. Harley Race tried to stall a bit at the beginning of the match, but Dusty Rhodes would have none of it as he grabbed Race with a double leg takedown and started to hammer away. Race tried his best to fight back, and he did so rather successfully with several headbutts from the ground. This basically ended up a complete brawl with both men throwing punches at one another until the other couldn’t stand. Race finally realized he wasn’t going to win that war, and instead decided to try a few illegal tactics to gain control. In fact, one low blow and a quick roll-up almost gave Race the victory before Rhodes was somehow able to kick out.
Race kept it up as he dragged Rhodes’ face across the top rope a few times and he eventually looked to put things away with a big bodyslam and then he headed to the top rope. The crowd gasped at this, and Ross even said it probably wasn’t a good idea for him to be going up there. Harley Race eventually made it and came sailing off with a diving headbutt, but Rhodes was able to move out of the way! Race hit the mat pretty hard and looked like he was in some pain. Big Van Vader decided this would be the time to get up on the ring apron, but Rhodes saw it coming and quickly nailed him with a flip, flop, and fly elbow to the top of his head! That seemed to stun Vader as he fell back off the apron and to the floor. Rhodes then quickly hit the Bionic Elbowdrop on Race and hooked the leg! Harley Race didn’t even attempt a kick out at this point.
Dusty Rhodes pinned Harley Race with the Bionic Elbowdrop in 0:06:53. Rating: **
Race apparently wasn’t hurt too badly as right after the bell rang he was getting back up to his feet. Rhodes saw him get up and immediately nailed him with three successive elbows! Race fell back to the mat just as Vader was entering the ring. Rhodes decided this would be a good time to take a powder as he left the ring and headed to the back, clapping hands with the fans on the way.
Vader pulled Race to his feet and then the camera could see that Race was busted pretty wide open, apparently from the elbows. Race had blood dripping onto his face as he used Vader to stay standing, but Vader looked furious. He screamed into the camera that Rhodes was a dead man!
Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross talked about how they were happy to see Rhodes back in the ring, but they didn’t know if it was a great idea to further anger Vader. Ross talked about the next match that would be for the United States Heavyweight Title. Ross ran down what all has happened between Ricky Steamboat and Rick Rude and that this hopefully would provide a decisive result. Schiavone sent it to the back where Eric Bischoff was standing by with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Barry Windham.
Bischoff asked Steamboat about his opinions on his upcoming match to which Steamboat replied that he was just happy he had a friend that was willing to watch his back. Windham patted Steamboat on the back as Ricky said that tonight would be the night that he finally took what Rick Rude has and that was the US belt. Steamboat promised that with Barry Windham by his side to watch out for Paul E. Dangerously that there was no doubt that he’d be able to prove once and for all he was the better man, the better wrestler, and soon, the better champion. Windham said that he had an important match later tonight against that piece of trash Cactus Jack, but before that he just wanted to guarantee that Steamboat finally got a fair shake in a match with Rude. Both men headed off as Bischoff sent it back to the ring.
Jim Ross said that looking at the outline for tonight’s show, Barry Windham would have his match with Cactus Jack for the number one contendership to the World Heavyweight Title just seconds after Steamboat and Rude’s match. Schiavone said he was still unsure if Windham was thinking clearly in putting two important moments in the night so close together. Ross said that he knew what we were about to see was going to be a classic and he couldn’t wait for it to get underway.
UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE: “RAVISHING” RICK RUDE© (W/PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY) VS. RICKY “THE DRAGON” STEAMBOAT (W/BARRY WINDHAM)
This match had all the makings to be quite the epic encounter. Rude and Steamboat knew they were about to enter into another war with one another and neither one wanted to make the first mistake. Because of this the match started off a little slow with them feeling each other out. Eventually it would be Rude gaining the upper hand with his power moves and slowly trying to work on the back of “the Dragon.” Steamboat was able to fight back eventually with his own high flying offense and vicious chops to Rude’s chest. Rude’s chest was pretty much a blotchy red mess before the end of it.
Both men really wanted this victory and it showed by the amount of punishment they each took and yet still rising back to their feet. It looked like Steamboat would be the victor a few minutes past the ten minute mark when Steamboat hit three straight chops from the top rope before going back up and hitting his Flying Cross Body Press in perfect fashion. Rude, however, was able to get his shoulder up somehow before the three count was delivered. Steamboat was obviously frustrated, and in being so made the mistake of taking his eyes off Rude. While Steamboat checked with the referee to make sure it had only been a two count, Rude crawled over and delivered a brutal low blow. The referee, Nick Patrick, apparently didn’t see it despite looking straight at Steamboat when it happened. Rude didn’t even attempt a pinfall at this time, however, as he pulled Steamboat back to his feet, grabbed him by the neck, and hit the Rude Awakening! Both Ross and Schiavone figured the match was over as nobody kicks out of the Awakening, but Windham didn’t give up hope as he screamed from ringside for him to kick out. Rude was very slow at making the cover, but when he did he didn’t make the mistake of not hooking the leg. But still somehow Steamboat was able to get his shoulder up to a huge ovation from the crowd.
Steamboat and Rude were both pretty exhausted by this point and Paul E. Dangerously was going nuts at ringside. At this point in time Steamboat and Rude both slowly got to their feet before Rude started throwing punches and Steamboat threw several chops. At this time Ross screamed to look at the aisle. Cactus Jack and Jorge Gonzalez were headed down to the ring and Cactus had another chair! Windham didn’t even see them before Jack cracked the chair across the back of his head. Windham went down hard as Gonzalez started to put the boots to him while Jack dropped to his knees and started choking him. Referee Nick Patrick did see it happen and started yelling to the back for more officials. Unfortunately for him, while he was distracted with the stuff going on at ringside, Steamboat had finally regained the advantage and dropped Rude with a beautiful butterfly suplex. Steamboat floated over and hooked the leg and the crowd counted along as Steamboat smacked the mat three times signaling he should be the winner of the match. At this point Larry Zbyszko jumped the guardrail and entered the ring! Zbyszko quickly dropped a leg across the back of Steamboat’s head causing Ricky’s neck to snap forward. Zbyszko threw Rude on top of Steamboat before exiting the ring. While officials stormed the area to break up the attack on Barry Windham, Nick Patrick turned around and saw the cover. He dropped down and made the count. The crowd was yelling, but it did no good as Patrick delivered the three count.
Rick Rude pinned Ricky Steamboat via outside interference in 0:18:26. Rating: *** 3/4 (Rick Rude retained the United States Heavyweight Title.)
The crowd groaned as Rude was announced the winner and still US Champion. Ross hollered about it being an injustice and how Steamboat deserved better. Rude was just happy to be handed his belt as he rolled to the outside, grabbed Zbyszko and Dangerously, and headed to the back.
Cactus Jack and Jorge Gonzalez entered the ring after the Dangerous Alliance had left with big smiles on their faces. Jack grabbed a microphone and said that since Windham would not be able to compete tonight that he was now the number one contender to the World Title. Barry Windham was being helped to the back when he apparently heard this. Instead of continuing to the locker rooms, Windham turned around and started to head to the ring! Referee Randy Anderson tried to talk him out of it, but Windham pushed him to the ground and slid in to the ring. Jack went back on the attack, but Windham tackled him and started wailing away! Anderson quickly joined them in the ring and called for the bell!
NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP TO THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE: CACTUS JACK (W/JORGE GONZALEZ) VS. BARRY WINDHAM
It was definitely a risky decision by Barry Windham to try and compete in this match after already being clocked with a chair just seconds ago, but Barry was not willing to give up this opportunity. Things looked bleak from the beginning, however, as despite getting the early advantage over Jack it wouldn’t last. Windham was just a little out of it would seem as he tried to go for his Superplex way too early and that let Jack push him off the middle turnbuckle and then come sailing off with an elbow right to Windham’s chest. A cover almost got the three count at that point, but Windham somehow got his foot on the bottom rope.
From there the match was almost all Cactus Jack dishing out punishment to Windham. Windham tried desperate to fight back, but every time he would get the upper hand he would simply run out of gas and this let Cactus Jack get right back in control of things. Things changed, however, when Cactus apparently decided to try and get Jorge involved in things. Cactus eventually grabbed Windham from behind and was trying to hold him as Gonzalez entered the ring. Randy Anderson started to threaten them with a disqualification, but when Gonzalez went to hit Windham, Barry ducked! And Jorge nailed Cactus! Windham fell back and covered Jack quickly while Gonzalez looked stunned. The referee dropped down and made it to the count of two before Jack kicked out.
Gonzalez decided it would be a good idea to leave the ring at this point which was a good thing. In fact, Randy Anderson had seen enough and ordered Jose Gonzalez to the back. The crowd seemed excited as Jorge stalked to the back. Windham kept a hold of his advantage on Jack as he was able to nail him with a beautiful lariat that almost put the match away again, but somehow Jack kicked out once more. Windham stood in the corner and waited for Jack to get up, and once he did, he blasted him with another lariat! Cactus looked like we done for as Windham hooked the leg, but Cactus somehow kicked out again! Windham signaled that it was over as he grabbed Cactus and propped him back up on the top turnbuckle and once again went for his Superplex. This time it looked like he might get him up, but instead Cactus punched him in the throat! Windham once again fell to the back of the mat, and unfortunately the referee didn’t see it. Cactus dropped down to the mat just as Windham got to his feet gasping for air. Cactus quickly kicked him in the midsection and hit him with the Double Arm DDT! Windham looked out of it as Cactus rolled him over and covered him. Windham tried to kick out, but he had no strength left in him.
Cactus Jack pinned Barry Windham with the Double Arm DDT in 0:10:27. Rating: ** 1/4
Cactus Jack seemed pretty happy with himself as he got up smiling, and let loose a couple of bang, bangs to the crowd. Cactus was announced as the number one contender to Sting’s title while Jim Ross wondered about the well being of Barry Windham. Cactus Jack headed to the back to the huge boos of the crowd while Barry Windham slowly got back to his feet, looking pretty groggy.
Schiavone brought up that Windham will not be a happy camper tonight and neither will Sting. Ross said that Cactus Jack has to consider this a successful evening as not only was Sting laid out, but so was Windham, and Cactus also became the number one contender to Sting’s title. Schiavone said that this means that Cactus Jack will be getting his title shot at WrestleWar on May 17th and that Sting better be ready because Cactus Jack looks like a force to be reckoned with.
Ross then welcomed the Steiner Brothers to the announcer’s table as they would be doing commentary for the next match which would determine who would face them at WrestleWar for the World Tag Team Titles. Scott Steiner said he could care less as to who wins here as all it meant was they’d be getting beat at WrestleWar. Rick Steiner said they already beat Anderson and Eaton, but it’s not like they wouldn’t love to do it again. Scott followed that by saying he’s always had respect for Don Muraco when he was a kid, but that guy went the wrong way when he teamed up with Diamond Dallas Page, and they would show him that if they were able to get past the Dangerous Alliance.
NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP TO THE WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES: ARN ANDERSON AND BOBBY EATON (W/PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY) VS. THE DIAMOND MINE (W/DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE) The crowd really didn’t know how to react to this match as they didn’t have a team to cheer for. Neither team really gave them a reason to cheer for them as they both used quite a few rule breaking tactics throughout the match. Both the Diamond Mine and the Dangerous Alliance kept coming in when the referee was distracted without tagging in and double teamed their opponents almost at will.
Anderson and Eaton’s experience together proved to be a pretty big factor as they were able to dominate early with some quick tags and keeping the Diamond Studd in their corner to work him over. This could only last so long, however, as the Diamond Studd eventually had enough of it and slugged his way out of that to make the tag to Don Muraco. Muraco came in like a bull as he ran right over both Anderson and Eaton with clotheslines and bodyslams. Things went the Diamond Mine’s way for quite awhile at this point as they were able to work over Eaton with several powerful moves by both “the Rock” and the Diamond Studd. It really looked like things would continue to go back and forth for quite some when Diamond Dallas Page decided to intervene. He tripped up Arn Anderson on one of the times he was bouncing off the ropes, and this gave the Studd another chance to try and finish off the match.
Things looked like they might go that route when Paul E. Dangerously decided to do a little bit of interfering of his own. Referee Bill Alfonso was busy keeping Don Muraco out of the ring when Dangerously hopped up on the ring apron and bashed his phone in to the Diamond Studd’s head. The Studd didn’t fall, but it was apparent that he was a little hurt as the Dangerous Alliance took back control.
It all ended up as a big mess when Arn Anderson caught the Diamond Studd out of nowhere with the DDT a few minutes later. Anderson got up, but was quickly tagged by Bobby Eaton. Eaton started to climb to the top turnbuckle as Anderson seemed somewhat confused. At this time Muraco stormed into the ring and blasted Anderson from behind with a shot to the back of the head. Anderson fell through the ropes and to the outside while Eaton sailed off with his Alabama Jam. He nailed it perfectly, but as he got back to his feet he was quickly picked up and dropped with the Cave In! Eaton was out as the Studd slowly crawled over and made the cover. Arn Anderson tried to get back in to the ring to make the save, but Muraco was there to smash him with a forearm and that was it!
The Diamond Mine (Diamond Studd and Don Muraco) defeated The Dangerous Alliance (Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton) when the Studd pinned B. Eaton with the Cave In in 0:16:09. Rating: ***
Anderson cursed up a storm in the ring as the Studd slowly got back to his feet to join Muraco. Diamond Dallas Page quickly entered the ring and raised the arms of his men while Anderson and Paul E. Dangerously talked things over in the ring. The Studd and Muraco pointed at the Steiner Brothers who apparently didn’t take too kindly to it. Rick and Scott both stood up and looked like they were telling them to bring it.
Also in the ring Anderson appeared to be starting up an argument with Eaton as “Beautiful” Bobby was just waking up. They looked to be rather heated before Dangerously could separate the two former tag champs. Officials came out to clear the ring before anything could happen with the Diamond Mine and the Steiner Brothers, but Ross said it looked like there might be some dissention in the Dangerous Alliance.
Jim Ross then sent it to Eric Bischoff who was standing by with Dustin Rhodes. Rhodes promised tonight would be the night where he finally reaches his potential. Rhodes said he would do whatever it takes to come out on top and beat Steve Austin once and for all and become the TV Champion. He complained that he was tired of having to hear people constantly tell him that he couldn’t get the job done, and that all that type of talk would end tonight. Bischoff brought up the fact that Barry Windham and Sting were both being treated for their injuries and that Ricky Steamboat had already left the arena. Bischoff asked Rhodes if he would be able to handle not only Austin, but the possibility of the rest of the Dangerous Alliance becoming involved in his match. Rhodes agreed that it could be tough, but he wasn’t leaving without the gold and if any other members of the Alliance wanted to get in his way he’d take them out one by one.
The cameras then went to Gordon Solie who was with Steve Austin and Paul E. Dangerously. Dangerously looked like he was a little out of sorts as he apparently had rushed to the back to be at Austin’s side for this interview time. Austin said that Rhodes could promise all he wanted that he’d be winning the TV Title here tonight, but he would prove to everybody here in the arena what he already knew and that was Dustin Rhodes was a liar. He said that Rhodes was lying here tonight every time he promised he’d beat Austin in the ring. Austin told Rhodes not to worry about the rest of the Dangerous Alliance, because he’d have to hang his head in shame if he had to resort to using them to beat a Rhodes family member.
Jim Ross sent it to the ring where we would have our main event for the evening.
TELEVISION TITLE: “STUNNING” STEVE AUSTIN© (W/PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY) VS. “THE NATURAL” DUSTIN RHODES
This match started out fast and it never slowed down. It was pretty much a sprint to the finish as both men seemed to want to end it as quickly as possible. Both men kept going for pinfalls at a pretty rapid pace, but nothing was enough to keep either man down. Paul E. Dangerously, surprisingly, kept to himself for most of the match, only hollering out advice at certain times. Rhodes almost got a pinfall within the opening five minutes when he was whipped into the turnbuckles, but burst out of them with a big lariat that nearly took Austin’s head off. A cover, however, only got a two count. A little bit later on in the match Austin seemed to realize that he might be better off trying to wear Rhodes down. He tried to do this with several different submission moves, but Rhodes held on and screamed out a negative whenever the referee asked him if he would submit.
This did seem to wear Rhodes down a bit, but it was not quite enough to put him away. Rhodes eventually was able to get some adrenaline back and fight on with some more brawling offense. Austin was caught off guard by the sudden offense attack, but held his own as the two men continued to trade punches. Things would continue like this again for several minutes until Rhodes finally nailed a powerslam that knocked the wind out of Austin. It looked like it was the perfect time to set him up for the Bulldog which he attempted, but Austin countered with a back suplex! Rhodes hit the mat pretty hard, but both men got back to their feet at the same time. This time it was Austin who went for his finisher, the Stun Gun, but Rhodes countered it with a DDT! This looked like it might be enough to put Austin away, but a cover still only got two.
Rhodes picked Austin back up and this time looked like he was going for a vertical suplex, but Austin slid down Rhodes’ back. Austin then tried to hook Rhodes up in a rolling reverse cradle, but Rhodes held on to the top rope and so Austin rolled backwards without anybody in his grasp. Rhodes went to charge Austin who was getting to his feet, but this time he ran right Austin lifting him up and dropping him with the Stun Gun out of nowhere! Rhodes hit the top rope pretty hard and it looked like he snapped his neck pretty viciously. Austin quickly hooked a leg, grabbing the tights in the process! Steve Austin pinned Dustin Rhodes with the Stun Gun in 0:16:27. Rating: *** 1/4 (Steve Austin retained the Television Title.)
Steve Austin did it! Austin retained the TV Title, beating Rhodes decisively in the middle of the ring! Paul E. Dangerously was ecstatic on the outside as he ran around the ring to grab the championship belt while Austin quickly rolled to the outside to join him. Dangerously handed the title over to Austin who raised it above his head to a huge amount of boos.
Jim Ross said he couldn’t believe it, but you had to give Austin the credit he is due as he was able to retain the title when nobody thought he would. Schiavone said that Rhodes may have failed in his attempt, but he sure put up one hell of a fight. With that Ross told everybody to be sure to tune in to Saturday Night where Austin would be forced once again to defend the TV Title, this time against the Patriot. Ross and Schiavone both wished everybody a good night as the show went off the air.
Card rating: ** 1/4
WCW Hotline:
Well, we knew going in it was going to be a night of surprises and hard fought matches, and that is exactly what we got. Dustin Rhodes looked like he might just be able to pull it off, but Steve Austin ended up being just too much for Rhodes. With Austin’s win here tonight he will go on to face the Patriot this coming Saturday Night. Rhodes, on the other hand, needs to go back to the drawing board as he will never receive another shot at the TV Title while Austin is champion. It definitely has to be a disappointment for him.
It wasn’t a complete wasted evening for the Rhodes family, however, as Dusty Rhodes came out victorious in his battle with Harley Race. Race had to get stitched up after the match, but it was Big Van Vader who was the angry one in the back. He threw quite a few chairs and tables while the doctors continued to work on his manager. It looks like Rhodes may have gone one step too far in angering the man from the Rocky Mountains.
Cactus Jack had, arguably, the most successful night of any wrestler here tonight as he not only became the number one contender, but also sent Sting to the hospital. Sting checked out okay, but it’s only a matter of time before Jack does some damage to Sting that the World Champion doesn’t come back from.
Ricky Steamboat was not a happy camper backstage. In what may be his final opportunity, he was unable to defeat Rick Rude for the United States Title. It wasn’t for lack of trying, and it looked like he would do it, but the combination of the attack by Cactus Jack and Jorge Gonzalez, and Larry Zbyszko’s interference was just too much for him to come back from. Steamboat was screaming that he wanted Zbyszko’s head, but the fact is that he failed once again to win the title he has been trying for.
Mike Droese had quite the debut here tonight. He says he will be refereeing a match on Saturday Night, but several members of the Championship Committee are already talking to him about a possible contract as a wrestler. Droese seems happy, however, as an official at this time it would seem.
The Diamond Mine are going to WrestleWar to face the Steiner Brothers for the World Tag Team Titles. This was a huge win for them and proves they are definitely a team to be reckoned with. The Steiner Brothers better not be taking them too lightly. The Orient Express apparently decided that they would let Diamond Mine fight their own match tonight, but word has it that they will be in the arena on Saturday Night and that they had plans for the Diamond Mine.
Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton seemed slightly upset that they lost, possibly with each other, but Paul E. Dangerously was there to cool them down. They are definitely one of the best tag teams WCW currently has so hopefully they are able to get things back on track.
The only title that did change hands here tonight was the United States Tag Team Titles. The Fabulous Freebirds proved once and for all they are still as good as ever. There is a long line of challengers waiting for them including former champs Ron Simmons and Big Josh, Tom Zenk and Brian Pillman, the Orient Express, the Taylor Made Men, Hip Hop Rock, and many others. But as for tonight, they are champions and were heard yelling that they were going to go out and party the night up.
Be sure to tune in to this coming Saturday Night where Steve Austin defends the Television Title against the Patriot and much, much more including a main event just signed where Ricky Steamboat will take on Larry Zbyszko!
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