|
Post by loadedglove on Nov 28, 2013 22:54:06 GMT -5
Greensboro
World title unification match: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (NWA champ) vs. Steve “Dr. Death” Williams (UWF champ) It’s time for the intros to our main event of the evening, a best of three falls match to determine the FIRST EVER unified world heavyweight champion of World Championship Wrestling! Flait hands over his robe to JJ Dillon, and … they appear to be arguing! Flair motions plainly for Dillon to return to the dressing room, and a flustered Dillon ultimately complies. Resplendent in his headdress and fancy suit, WCW President Wahoo McDaniel, flanked by commissioner/matchmaker Bob Roop, holds up the new WCW Unified belt and wishes both men (each of whom hands in his soon to be retired title belt) good luck. Ric Flair offers a handshake, and Steve Williams accepts! Ric Flair starts by teasing a test of strength, which makes Caudle say, “I’m not sure that’s going to work out for Ric,” but it’s merely a ploy, as Flair brings Williams to the mat with a drop toehold, just as Williams reaches for Flair’s hand for the test of strength. Flair floats over with a side headlock and spends the next couple of minutes thwarting Williams’ every attempt to escape, as Schiavone notes that he is acquitting himself nicely against an all-time great amateur who’s known for mat skills. Finally, Doc fights up to his feet, while Flair keeps the hold clamped on. Doc gets his arms back and behind Flair and pushes him off, sending Flair flying ALL the way from one corner to the one diagonally opposite. Flair staggers up just in time for Williams to whip Flair into the opposite turnbuckle. Flair goes flying, hits the corner upside down, goes over, runs along the apron to the next corner, climbs to the top and dives off, hitting Williams with a flying bodypress for 1 … 2—Doc rolls it over for 1 … Flair kicks out! Doc charges and drops Flair with two shoulder tackles, but when he goes for a third, Flair rolls away, and Doc goes through the ropes. Flair follows him out and hits him with a series of chops. He whips Doc into the guardrail, then stuns him with a running knee, as Doc is propped against the railing. Flair tosses Doc back into the ring, but Doc’s head is still on the apron, and Flair gives a vicious elbow, before re-entering the ring. Doc starts to rise, and Flair shoves him back into the corner, then delivers a series of hard chops to the chest. After the fourth chop, Doc spins backward, but comes back with a clothesline that levels Flair. Doc whips Flair into the ropes, but Flair ducks as Doc goes for a clothesline, pushes Doc into the ropes (and back) from behind, and brings him down into a rolling reverse cradle, for 1 … 2 (Flair arcs his back into a bridge) … 3! WINNER OF THE FIRST FALL: In 14:39, Ric Flair captures the first fall! The two men take the 30-second rest and then lock up for the second fall. Doc shoves Flair away, and his power sends Flair flying. Flair charges, but Doc brings him down with a belly to belly suplex, for 1 … 2 … Flair kicks out! Williams grabs Flair’s hair to pick him back up, but Flair stuns him with a thumb to the eye. Flair grabs a side headlock and hits a series of punches to Doc’s head. The ref orders a break, and Flair breaks contact for half a second before re-establishing the side headlock. Doc pushes him off, into the ropes, and drops Flair with a shoulder tackle. Williams lifts Flair, presses him overhead and does six reps with Flair before slamming him down. Flair scurries back to a corner, and Williams charges in, but Flair ducks, and Williams hits his knee on the turnbuckle. Flair spends the next few minutes working Doc’s leg, including slamming it on the apron. Finally, Flair goes for the figure-four, and gets it locked in! Williams quickly lifts himself up with his arms and drags himself back, until he can grab the ropes to force a break. Flair grabs Williams’ leg and yanks him back to mid-ring, and goes to apply the hold again, but Doc kicks him off, with his other leg. Williams is trying to shake out his leg, as Flair goes back to the top-rope bodypress, and dives off, just as Doc turns to face him. But Williams CATCHES Flair, backs up a step and then runs and brings both men down, drilling the Oklahoma Stampede! The ref counts 1 … 2 … 3! WINNER OF THE SECOND FALL: In 22:40, Steve Williams evens things up. During 30-second the rest period, Tony Schiavone notes the irony that Ric Flair was the one who made this a best of three falls match, thinking such a stip would favor Flair’s cardiovascular conditioning. However, had the match been the one-fall bout Williams had wanted, Flair would already have won! Williams comes out blazing, with a series of forearms, armdrags and, finally, a fireman’s carry into an Oklahoma side roll, getting a one count. Flair finally maneuvers onto his feet, which puts Williams (who has Flair in an armlock) with his shoulders down, and after a couple of one and two counts, Williams breaks the hold. Flair hits Doc with a series of chops and then gives him a vertical suplex, going for the pin and getting a long one count. Flair pounces before Doc can get back up and goes back to work on Williams’ leg. After a few more minutes of such punishment, Flair clamps the figure four back on! After surviving a handful of two counts and repeated questions of whether Williams submits (he doesn’t), Williams starts trying to turn himself and Flair over, to reverse the hold. Flair is close enough to the ropes to grab them, and he does, halting Williams’ efforts. However, the ref sees it and orders Flair to break the hold, which he does. However, no sooner is Doc halfway up than Flair gets him up for an atomic drop kneebreaker, the landing of which puts Williams back into the figure four predicament. Flair puts the hold back on, and again gets a couple of two counts, before Williams once more tries to turn over. This time, he does it, and Flait is screaming in pain, but Flair manages to turn it back over. However, this puts both men in the ropes, and the hold is broken. Flair grabs Williams’ leg, but Williams again kicks him off with the other leg, and manages to get up and behind Flair. He delivers a belly to back suplex, and the ref counts 1 … 2 … thr- Flair kicks out! Williams scoops up Flair and delivers the Stampede! 1 … 2 … thre-Flair gets a foot over the bottom rope! Doc hops up, arms raised, and the ref tries to tell him the match isn’t over, but Flair manages to gets to a knee and clip Doc’s hurt leg from behind! Both men are down, and the ref is counting for a possible double-knockout, but Williams is up at 7. He picks up Flair and goes for another press slam, but the bum leg buckles, and he collapses, with Flair on top, for 1 … 2 … th-Williams kicks out! Flair picks up Williams, goes for the atomic kneebreaker again, but Williams catches Flair with a forearm shiver, wraps his arms around Flair’s torso and launches a Northern Lights suplex! The ref counts 1 … 2 … 3! Ring announcer: “The winner of the match, in 39:22, and the FIRST unified world champion, Steve ‘Doctor Death’ Williams!” (Your match rating was ****). Tony Schiavone enters the ring, with a mic. The other Horsemen run down, but Flair holds out an arm to tell them to stay back! Flair turns to face Williams, who has his hands cocked, ready to fight. Flair offers a hand to Doc, and Tony’s mic picks up Flair telling Williams, “Make no mistake, big man – Ric Flair will be back! But man to man, you are one hell of a wrestler.” \With that, Flair holds up Doc’s arm, as the ref hands the belt to Williams. Flair leaves the ring, as the other babyfaces begin to fill it up. Schiavone says we just have a few seconds left of Pay Per View time, but he wanted a quick word from the new world champ. Williams, breathing heavily, says, “This is the greatest night of my life, Tony. You know, I’m ready to take on anyone, any challenger, but I want everyone to know, Ric Flair is a great champion, and this was maybe the toughest match of my life! But I’m here, and I want EVERYONE in wrestling to know, WCW is the greatest competition in wrestling, any if ANYONE doubts it, come in this ring and try ‘Doctor Death’ on for size!” As credits roll, Tony starts another question, but Bob Caudle at ringside says we’re out of time. He thanks fans for joining WCW for its first PPV …
|
|
|
Post by loadedglove on Dec 6, 2013 23:30:54 GMT -5
From the Nov. 29, 1987, issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter: “Watch for some new faces in WCW; now that the merger is complete, the company is looking to freshen things up. One major acquisition was the ‘backstage’ person we referenced here a couple of weeks ago. We’ve gotten confirmation and can now report officially that longtime WWF executive Pat Patterson is now working behind the scenes at WCW. Apparently, the 1/24/88 PPV that WCW is planning will be capped off by a match that Patterson came up with, which they’re calling Battle Bowl. As for the wrestlers WCW has reportedly poached from the WWF, I’ve been hearing all kinds of names, so wait and see, I guess.”
|
|
|
Post by gentlemanjeff on Dec 7, 2013 12:37:40 GMT -5
Awesome unification bout.
|
|
|
Post by loadedglove on Dec 22, 2013 0:32:15 GMT -5
Thanks, gentlemanjeff! OK, from this point on, we'll be recapping 3 TV shows: WCW Saturday Night on TBS, the syndicated WCW Main Event, and the Sunday TBS show, WCW Sunday Night Showdown. There is, in fact, a second syndicated show (which we'll still call Power Pro, just inserting the WCW name in front of it), but it will be solely recaps of the other shows and squashes to spotlight various talent. That said, here's the start of December 1987, with WCW Saturday Night. There WILL be more frequent updates, and we'll have up Main Event, Showdown & House Show results up soon. 1. WCW Saturday Night (TBS Sat Night) Pre-credits, we give a few stills of Starrcade, the last one being Flair and Williams face to face while the audio is of the ring announcer saying, “The winner of the match … and the first UNIFIED world champion …” but then cuts off, as we go into our opening title, a different “World Championship Wrestling” logo (don’t ask me for specifics; I’m not a graphics guy – all I know is, I want it to look different than it has). The show opens with Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone, welcoming fans to the start of a NEW era in professional wrestling, the first televised installment of the new WCW. Ross says we have a HUGE show today, with not one but TWO title matches right here on TV. Schiavone also notes that we’ll be discussing WCW’s return to pay per view on January 24, 1988, with “BattleBowl.” Plus, we’ll hear from some of the key combatants at Starrcade, starting right NOW, with the introduction of the new WCW Unified World Heavyweight champion … Steve “Dr. Death” Williams is here, in his track suit, and he is wearing the world title belt around his waist. Ross congratulates him on making history and says he understands the good doctor has a statement for the wrestling world. Williams: “Well, that’s right, Jim Ross. You know, this world title means a lot to me. It represents years of hard work, and I’m talking about work in the weight room, workouts on the mat, and battles in that wrestling ring. Let me tell you, a lot of people know that I’m a four-time collegiate All-American in wrestling, two time all American in football in college. And a lot of people know I played pro football before deciding to stick with wrestling. Well, you know what, I’ve been an athlete my whole life, and this world championship I’m wearing now means more to me than any award or title I’ve ever earned, because to win it, I had to beat maybe the greatest athlete I’ve ever encountered. I know a lot of people don’t like Ric Flair’s attitude, or his arrogantness, but the man is an incredible athlete, with more stamina, endurance and just plain old determination to win than any pro football player I’ve known, or ANY other athlete. So, for ANYONE who doubts wrestling is the toughest sport there is, take it from someone who’s competed in sports since I was a toddler: Ric Flair is more of a man than anyone on any NFL team, baseball team, NBA team … whatever! And this belt (points at waist) represents World Championship Wrestling. And the emphasis is on WRESTLING. Now, I’m not saying we don’t have our share of colorful characters, from the Road Warriors to Sting, to whoever else, but to be on top HERE, you’d better be tough, and you’d better be a heck of an athlete, because I’m not here to flex my muscles and try to convince you people out there to watch my cartoon show, or my doll! I’m here to take on the very best this sport has to offer, and I will fight to my last breath. You know, Jim Ross, I didn’t get the nickname Doctor Death by some promoter or TV guy who thought it was catchy. I got the name because of the fear I inspired in the opposing team at wrestling tournaments … when I was in the eighth grade! You’re looking at a real wrestling champion, NOT a cartoon character! And especially with all these WCW fans behind me, I will take on ANY challenger! ANYONE who wants to try on the world champion, just step right up!” With that, we go to the ring for our first match, the Rock & Roll Express winning a squash in about four minutes. After, they come to the podium and say how tough the four-team Starrcade match was, and how they’re now ready to defend the US tag titles “for all these nice people who support the Rock & Roll Express,” noting that WCW has been getting inquiries from teams all over the country, looking to make a splash in WCW, as it’s rapidly becoming known for the fiercest competition in wrestling. Ricky specifically mentions Badd Company, Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka, and says they’re a lightning-fast team backed up by an obnoxious manager who loves to interfere. “Well, boys, Robert and myself, we know ALL about how to deal with that, so you two step right on up to the plate, but be ready, because Robert and I will be throwing you curve balls like you’ve never seen, Daddy!” *BREAK* Gordon Solie is in a remote studio, here to present the inaugural WCW rankings! These are the official rankings, as assembled by the WCW championship committee, for the month of December 1987. Before getting into rankings, Gordon gives a superquick, results oriented rundown of Starrcade. For singles, we have … Undisputed World Champion: Steve “Dr. Death” Williams United States Champion: Dusty Rhodes Unified World TV Champion: Brad Armstrong 1. Ric Flair 2. Stan Hansen 3. Barry Windham 4. Bad News Allen 5. Dick Murdoch 6. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan 7. Terry Funk 8. Bam Bam Bigelow 9. Owen Hart 10. Kevin Sullivan For our tag rankings, we have … Undisputed World Tag Team Champions: The Midnight Express U.S. Tag Team Champions: The Rock & Roll Express 1. The Road Warriors 2. Chavo & Hector Guerrero 3. Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderon 4. Terry & Dory Funk 5. Rick Steiner & Sting *BREAK* Ric Flair is at the podium. He says he’s not out here to cry and moan about not coming out on top at Starrcade, but he wants to put Steve Williams on notice that they will be meeting for that unified world title again, soon! Flair starts to say something about being the first to put his name in the hat for BattleBowl, when Ted DiBiase comes out. Schiavone notes that this is Flair’s interview time, and DiBiase says that he’ll be quick, but that Flair blew it at Starrcade, and that the OBVIOUS next man in line for a title shot is the Outlaws’ own Stan Hansen! DiBiase notes that Hansen is on tour in Japan, but will be back in two weeks. In the meantime, he says, Flair should FINALLY stop acting like he’s the big man around here … Flair cuts him off, saying, “Wait just a minute, Ted DiBiase. I respect you as one of the finest technical wrestlers in the world, but you want to talk about blowing it at Starrcade? Let’s talk about Brad Armstrong handing you your head, and beating you for that world TV title! And you want to come out here on MY time? Well, I guess it’s only natural, since everyone watching this worldwide can tell that what you want, more than ANYTHING, is to be Ric Flair. You try to dress like Ric Flair, even though you can’t tell the difference between rayon and silk, you use the figure four, and you’ve even put together your own Horsemen! Well, PAL, I’m STILL Ric Flair, and YOU’RE still NOT!” They start shoving each other, and Dusty Rhodes, Dick Murdoch and the Funks come out, but so do the Horsemen and Dillon. Pretty soon, there’s a giant shoving match, with officials trying to break it up, and Flair and DiBiase huriling challenges at each other. Jim Ross hollers for us to go to a break … *BREAK* WCW Matchmaker Bob Roop is at the podium with Ross and Schiavone. He says that after the previous fracas, both Flair and DiBiase demanded to battle, so he signed the match, and they will battle right here, on today’s show! Because of the added match, the scheduled U.S. title match will instead now take place on this week’s debut of “WCW Sunday Night Showdown.” Schiavone notes that Flair started to mention BattleBowl; Tony says that Flair is just one of many names looking to enter this spectacular event, and that WCW's return to PPV on 1/24/88 is being negotiated right now, with several title matches, plus a battle royal main event that is unlike ANYTHING seen before! He says we'll have more info in the weeks to come, so stay tuned ... Next up is our other scheduled title match, Brad Armstrong defending the newly unified TV title against Bad News Allen, accompanied by Kevin Sullivan. Armstrong controls the early action, until Allen lifts his legs as Brad charges him in the corner. Allen starts working the leg, which Ross notes is what Brad uses both to cinch up his foe’s legs for the footsweep finisher and to deliver his devastating dropkicks. Finally, Allen clamps a single-leg crab onto Brad’s damaged leg, but after several seconds and repeated inquiries of submission from the ref, Brad pushes up, rolls through and turns it into a semi-cradle. With Allen’s shoulders down, the ref counts 1 … Kevin Sullivan runs into the ring and puts the boots to Armstrong, causing the ref to signal for an immediate DQ. Bam Bam Bigelow joins in, and they are really working Brad over, when The Road Warriors run in and clean house! Hawk & Animal level Bigelow, Allen and Sullivan, who take a powder. *BREAK* The Warriors are at the podium; they note that they were scheduled to come out for an interview, but they were sick of seeing garbage like Sullivan’s crew ganging up on people. Hawk starts to talk about the Midnight Express and upcoming rematches, when Sullivan comes out, screaming at the Warriors about getting involved in their business. Sullivan scurries off when Hawk moves towards him, and the Warriors head to the ring for a squash, as Jim Ross notes we’re having a lot of unscheduled interruptions today. The Warriors make short work of their jobbers, and we go to … *BREAK* Jim Cornette is out, exuberant. He is wearing one world tag belt, has the other over his shoulder, and he says he has sent the Midnight Express on a well deserved Hawaiian vacation, after their big win over the Warriors at Starrcade. However, Cornette is graciously going to lend his commentary to a Big Bubba Rogers squash. In the ring, Bubba is dominating his foe, while Cornette continues to gloat. However, Ross says that it’s unfortunate that Stan Lane, in particular, is on vacation, because WCW has received a special video message that they will play for Jim Cornette, after the match. Once Bubba bubba-slams his hapless opponent into next week, Cornette is at the podium, demanding to see this “special video.” Ross says, “Yes, Mr. Cornette, it is a message for you and for, well, one member of your Midnight Express, so let’s go to that footage right now.” The video shows Steve Keirn, sitting on a couch. Keirn says, “For all you wrestling fans out there who don’t know me, my name is Steve Keirn. I’ve wrestled all over the world, but I’ve had particular success with tag team wrestling. I’ve won championships throughout this great country, with a variety of partners, but the greatest team I was ever part of was The Fabulous Ones. (As Steve talks, we get clips of the Fabs from Memphis against Road Warriors, Bundy/Rude, Savage/Poffo, etc.). As a lot of people know, my Fabulous Ones partner was Stan Lane. What not as many fans might know is that The Fabulous Ones were put together by Jackie Fargo, the wrestling legend of Tennessee. Jackie looked around at the wrestling scene, and he didn’t like what he saw, so he put together a team to clean things up! “And that’s exactly what Stan and I did. For five years, we battled the roughest, toughest, dirtiest wrestlers in the world. And that’s why it breaks my heart to see that Stan Lane has become one of them! Stan, when you became part of the Midnight Express, you turned your back on me, on the fans and you became the kind of dirty wrestler that we used to battle! And now, I know how Jackie Fargo felt, because now I don’t like what I see. And so now I have put found a team to take on you and Bobby Eaton, Stan, because SOMEONE has to stop you! I scoured the world, looking for just the right team, and I found them, up in Canada! These guys are rough and tough, and they have the kind of speed and teamwork that anyone facing the Midnight Express would need! “And Jim Cornette, don’t think I’m forgetting about you. You’re always sticking your nose into your team’s matches … well, I have applied for and received my manager’s license, and that means I will be at ringside with my team, and if you stick your nose into any more matches, I will be there to cut that nose off! Next week, they’ll be here in person, but for now, I’d like to show you some footage of Bad Company … Bruce Hart and Brian Pillman!” With that, we get highlights of this match: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ks8LWqHzdcWhen we come back, Cornette is blubbering, “He can’t … they can’t …,” while Jim Ross says we’ll be right back. *BREAK* Time for our impromptu main event: Ric Flair vs. Ted DiBiase! For a couple of technical wizards, they start out slugging, as DiBiase is in first and puts the boots to Flair as Flair hands his robe to Dillon and slides into the ring. Flair makes his way to his feet and starts responding to DiBiase’s punches with his patented chops. He backs DiBiase into a corner and whips him across the ring, nailing a hip toss when DiBiase comes staggering out of the corner. Flair clamps on a front chancery, and the two battle in an exchange of holds that is back and forth, although Flair ends up with the advantage repeatedly, with DiBiase scurrying for the ropes to break his holds. While this is happening, Rhodes, The Funks and Murdoch come out, followed by Blanchard, Windham and Anderson. Soon enough, they’re all shoving again, and Windham & Rhodes actually get into a slugfest, as Jim Ross reminds us of their recent battles over the U.S. title. The action spills into the ring as Flair is about to apply the figure four to DiBiase, and the ref has no choice but to call the match. It is breaking down in Atlanta, with a 10-man war in and around the ring, and as the credits start to roll, Jim Ross says we are about out of time! OFFICIAL RESULT: Ric Flair & Ted DiBiase battled to a no-contest in 4:14 (***).
|
|
|
Post by loadedglove on Dec 27, 2013 2:21:54 GMT -5
2. WCW Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr
Jim Ross and Bob Caudle welcome fans to a new era in professional wrestling, as NWA Main Event becomes WCW Main Event! We start with a short video of still images that recap the results set to music (some rockin’ instrumental number that is NOT the instrumental break from that Frank Stallone song they’d used for the past two Starrcades). Then, we’re brought up to speed on the major angles from WCW Saturday Night. Kevin Sullivan is at ringside with the announcers, saying, “ROAD WARRIORS! I have spent three days fasting in the cave at the seventh step of the seventh cliff in the Forbidden Mountains of Tibet, and mediating with my spirit guide, known to the western world only as Master Singh, and Master Singh took the betel nut and placed it under my tongue … and the visions showed me the truth! Just as the leaves fall like tears from the tree of woe in the autumn of mankind’s souls, so, too, is it autumn for the Legion of Doom! The once mighty Hawk and Animal have suffered something they never had before … a pinfall loss! That defeat signifies that your reign of dominance over the tag team world … IS OVER, while my Brotherhood grows stronger every day! When my Brotherhood was dealing with a personal situation with Brad Armstrong, YOU stuck your noses in, and it’s now clear why! You think you can make an example of my Brotherhood, to show you still have that killer instinct. But Road Warriors, you’re getting bad advice! Maybe the problem is not that you’ve lost it, but your MANAGER has! So, here’s my offer: Join my Brotherhood and regain that killer edge! I can point the way towards the guidance of Master Singh, towards your spiritual rebirth that will truly make you a legion … of DOOM! You’re scheduled to battle my Brotherhood here today. Instead, take my hand, and walk the path of darkness, and together, we will destroy ALL who would oppose us! Bob Caudle, I swear to you, my Brotherhood WILL grow today … HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Bob Caudle notes that we’re SUPPOSED to have the Warriors against Sullivan & Bigelow today, and I guess we’ll see what happens. Right now, it’s time for a …
*BREAK*
Quick replay of the Steve Keirn video with Hart/Pillman highlights. This leads us to … Big Bubba Rogers vs Rick Steiner: Steiner dominates the early goings, impressively suplexing the monstrous Bubba all over the place. However, Cornette trips Steiner coming off the ropes, leading to Bubba dominating with a back attack that, alas, includes lengthy bearhugs. Every time Steiner starts to get the upper hand, Cornette sneaks in another bit of interference, and Bubba takes back over, more than once using a chain that Cornette has slipped him. Finally, as Cornette is strangling Steiner with the racquet while Bubba occupies the ref, Owen Hart runs in and attacks Bubba. He hits an enzugiri, causing Bubba to flop out of the ring. Owen helps a wounded Steiner back to the dressing room. OFFICIAL RESULT: Big Bubba Rogers beat Rick Steiner by DQ in 13:23, when Owen Hart ran in (* ¾).
*BREAK*
Owen Hart is at ringside with Caudle. Owen says he is sick and tired of these tactics being used on his friends, and notes that he and Bubba have had issues going back to his days as UWF TV champion. He says something has got to give, and challenges Bubba to a loser-leaves WCW match! In the ring, manager Paul E Dangerously introduces “wrestling’s hottest free agent, The Universal Heartthrob, Austin Idol!” AUSTIN IDOL VS. RON GARVIN: Idol offers a test of strength, which Garvin dominates, until Austin makes it back to his feet and kicks Garvin in the gut. Idol zeroes in on Garvin’s injured hand, and then takes over with a headlock. Garvin catches Idol in a headscissors to escape, but Idol is able to kick out, and he tosses Garvin out of the ring. He follows Garvin out and rams his head into the guardrail. Garvin fights back with headbutts and chops, but Jim Ross notes that he is still without his most effective weapon, his knockout-punch hand. Finally, Garvin fights his way back and levels Idol with a clothesline. Idol flops halfway out of the ring, and Garvin has mounted the top rope, to deliver his flying sunset flip. However, with the ref checking on Idol, a brief moment is all that Dangerously needs to shake the top rope and cause Garvin to fall, crotching himself on the top strand. He is in no position to defend himself as Idol delivers a piledriver and gets the pin! RESULT: Austin Idol pinned Ronnie Garvin with the piledriver, in 10:52 (***).
*BREAK*
Brief rundown of the champs and Top 10 for December, as seen on the TBS Saturday Night show.
Back to Jim Ross, who tells us this next match could affect those tag team standings, dramatically. The Road Warriors vs Kevin Sullivan & Bam Bam Bigelow. This one barely gets off the ground, as an official match. As the Warriors come towards the ring, Sullivan takes the ring mic and asks them to forsake Paul Ellering and join with him. Hawk and Animal enter the ring as Sullivan is saying, “Join us on the cliffs of sorrow, in the Forbidden Caverns of the Dark Spring …” Hawk grabs the mic and says, “HEY, SULLIVAN! We talked about it, and we’re ready to join … just as soon as HELL FREEZES OVER!” WHAM! Hawk drills Sullivan with the mic, and Animal goes after Bigelow. The ref calls for the bell, even though all four men are in the ring, and his efforts to restore order are less than successful. Animal manages to PRESS the 400-pound Bigelow, dropping him to the canvas. Bigelow is slow enough to get up that Animal has time to set Sullivan on his shoulders for the Doomsday Device, when Bad News Allen runs in! Paul Ellering sees him and hops into the ring just as Allen is hitting the ring, and the ref calls it. All six men are brawling, when “MAD DOG” BUZZ SAWYER runs in and starts blasting Ellering, and then the Warriors, with his dog collar chain. The chain and the 4 on 3 advantage gives the Brotherhgood the edge, as Jim Ross says Sawyer must have been what Sullivan was referring to when he promised the Brotherhood would grow today. From the back comes STING, and he’s wielding a chair! The Brotherhood goes after him, but with an armed Sting and even numbers, Sullivan’s crew soon bails out. OFFICIAL RESULT: Kevin Sullivan & Bam Bam Bigelow battled the Road Warriors to a double DQ/no-contest in 2:30, when Bad News Allen ran in, followed by Ellering, then Sting, then Buzz Sawyer! (***).
*BREAK*
Dangerously is back, and this time, he has with him his debuting tag team, Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond!
Badd Company beat Chavo & Hector Guerrero when Pat Tanaka pinned Hector after a thrust kick to the throat, in 7:22 (***). Badd Co wins pretty cleanly, aside from the final throat shot, and their double teaming is harped on by Dangerously, who has (for this match) replaced Caudle on commentary. Dangerously says he has the top tag team and top singles wrestler in the country, and Tanaka/Diamond are ready to make an immediate impact by challenging the Rock & Roll Express for the US tag titles. Dangerously calls Rick & Robert passé and says they’ll agree to put the belts us, if they have any guts. Ross points out that no champion in WCW makes his own matches, that the championship committee and WCW Matchmaker Bob Roop make those choices. As this match ends (and Ross says we’d hoped to catch a word with this impressive new team, but we’re running out of time, and the credits start rolling just as the winners are announced), Dangerously points out that they just proved themselves by beating two of the Express’ most persistent foes, in Hector & Chavo.
3. WCW Sunday Night Showdown (TBS) – 1 hr
Tony Schiavone and Gordon Solie welcome fans to the inaugural edition of WCW Sunday Night Showdown! We get a brief rundown of the post-Starrcade landscape, plugs for BattleBowl and the new situations springing up from the Saturday night show, then a reminder that we have an added title match, rescheduled from the Saturday show! Up next, it’s the U.S. title on the line, when champ Dusty Rhodes defends against Jimmy Garvin! Dusty is at ringside, with Murdoch. Solie asks about Dusty finding himself facing off with so many former friends. Dusty says The Outlaws are all the friends he needs and then cuts a promo on Garvin, saying he hopes Garvin doesn’t just hide behind his woman’s skirt. He knows that Barry Windham dealt with Ronnie Garvin at Starrcade, but Dusty says he’s been beating up Garvins since Barry was “but a mere pup, if you will,” and he’s about to show his onetime protégé how it’s done. Murdoch butts in and says that Garvin uses what he calls a brainbuster, but Murdoch has MASTERED that move, and he and Dusty have been working out extensively, to counter that finisher. Dusty agrees, then starts in again on Garvin and that “scrawny woman” with him, but Garvin overhears it, as he and Precious are coming to the ring for the title bout. Precious gets in Dusty’s face with “Who do you think you are?” Dusty grabs her hair and threatens to slap her, but Garvin steps in and slugs The Dream. However, that means he has his back to Murdoch, who knees him from behind. Garvin sprawls into both Precious and Solie. Garvin gets up and goes to check on Precious, but Murdoch and Rhodes are on him, pummeloing him and dragging him to the corner, where they run him into the post. Garvin is bloody, the ref is ordering Murdoch out of the ringside area, and Schiavone says he’s not even sure we still have a match, so (as WCW lead officials Wahoo McDaniel and Bob Roop come out to check on the wounded) we’ll go to commercial break while we try to restore order.
*BREAK*
We’re back, and Schiavone and Roop are on commentary, as Gordon is being seen to by medics, as is Precious. However, Garvin was faced with the choice of forfeiting the match, or going on, and he has chosen the latter, even though he is bloody and dazed. Roop explains that while WCW cannot condone the actions of The Outlaws, Garvin put himself into the predicament by confronting the Outlaws, instead of simply getting in the ring and seeing to the business at hand. “I mean, I certainly understand the impulse, and I think anyone out there who has loved ones they want to protect can understand it,” Roop says, “but as professional athletes, we’ve got to be able to set aside personal issues when it’s time to get into that ring and compete.”
Unfortunately, the preceding assault has left Garvin in no shape to challenge for the U.S. belt. Dusty clotheslines Garvin, then picks him up for a bodyslam. He then delivers a bionic elbowdrop and goes for the pin, but sadistically picks up Garvin at 2. He then makes a show of strutting over and delivering another bionic elbowdrop, this time getting the pin. OFFICIAL RESULT: Dusty Rhodes pinned Jimmy Garvin with the bionic elbow, in 39 seconds (*). Dusty tosses Garvin out of the ring, and while he argues with the ref, Murdoch comes back out and brainbusters Garvin on the floor! A furious Bob Roop removes his headset and goes over to Garvin, who is motionless. Roop orders Rhodes & Murdoch back to the dressing room, and a stretcher comes out for Garvin.
*BREAK*
Schiavone says we’ll hope to have condition updates on the Garvins next week. As for Solie, he appears to be merely shaken up, but Roop says they’re going to continue to monitor Solie in the back, so Roop is staying at commentary with Tony, for the rest of this show. Roop says he made clear that if Murdoch or Rhodes so much as poke their heads out of the dressing room during this next match, they’ll be suspended. That’s because the next match is a special one, the FIRST-EVER Texas Death match on national TV, the bout with which WCW had planned to kick off Showdown. Tony briefly goes over Texas Death match rules (pins are followed by 10 counts, and match only ends if the pinned man cannot then answer the bell before 10; bout can go three falls, or thirty-three). And Roop’s orders to Rhodes/Murdoch are because The Funks, their fellow Outlaws, are going against Hacksaw Duggan and the World Champ, Steve “Dr Death” Williams! Ring announcer Rhubarb Jones has to clear out quickly, as Doc and Duggan go after the Funks before intros can be concluded. Texas Death match: Hacksaw Duggan & Steve Williams beat The Funk Brothers in 34:21 (*** ¼). The match had four falls:
1. Terry Funk pinned Duggan after a piledriver onto the ringside table, in 6:13. Duggan got to his feet after a count of 8, as Roop notes how incredibly tough Duggan is, to be able to get back up at all, after such a devastating move. However, Duggan is of limited help for the rest of the match, and we focus frequently on him swinging wildly and seeming to react more slowly than usual. 2. Doc pinned Dory after a power bomb, in the ring, in 14:50. We go to commercial after this, with Tony promising to show what happens, in the event the match ends before we return.
We come back to find Dory tied up with Duggan, brawling up the aisle, as we get our first sustained period of Terry Funk versus Steve Williams since their exchange of the UWF title several weeks back.
3. Terry Funk pinned Steve Williams after piledriving him onto a chair, in the ring, in 29:42. Terry brings the chair into the ring, but Doc shoulder tackles him as he raises it for an attack. The chair falls, but Dory (who is on the outside of the ring, having just stunned Duggan by whipping him into the guardrail) trips Doc as Doc bounces off the ropes to deliver another running shoulderblock, making him easy prey for Terry. Doc tries to get up, but falls, tries again and falls, and finally struggles up to his feet at the count of 9. Schiavone is yelling that Terry Funk has done what almost no one else has been able to do: pin the world champion!
After we return from another commercial obligation, all four men (who are all now pouring sweat and blood, and Tony & Roop both say how tough all four are to keep going, although Roop adds that when you hate someone as much as Doc & Duggan hate the Outlaws, and vice versa, adresnaline kicks in even more than usual) are brawling (Doc and Dory are outside the ring; Terry and Duggan are inside). Duggan finally starts showing his familiar fire, drilling Terry with a series of right hands. Duggan even hits THE SPEAR, but his wild trajectory sends him spilling out of the ring, onto Dory. Duggan gets up and back in the ring, just as Terry is coming to his feet. BOOM! They run and hit simultaneous clotheslines on each other. With each man having an arm draped over the other,
4. Duggan and Terry Funk pinned each other after a double clothesline, as each man’s arm lay across the other. On the outside, Doc is just demolishing Dory, at one point delivering a series of running slams that smack Dory’s back into the corner post. Dory finally gets free by raking the eyes, but instead of trying to capitalize, Dory Funk drags Terry out of the ring and they head to the back; the ref had no choice but to count to 10, counting the Funks out of the ring.
The WINNERS: Hacksaw Duggan and The World Heavyweight Champion, Steve “Dr. Death” Williams!
*BREAK*
Tony is at ringside with Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson. He says we’d originally hoped to bring you this awesome tag team in action, but we only have a couple of minutes TV time remaining, so we wanted to get a word with half the Horsemen, as only Flair has spoken publicly since Starrcade. Arn starts out, saying for the past two years, the Horsemen have annihilated all in their path. “And we’ve always had our eyes on the prize, and in professional wrestling, that means championship gold! So I don’t care who it is – Steve Williams, Dusty Rhodes, TV champion Brad Armstrong, The sixman Outlaw team, Rock & Roll Express, even the Midnight Express – they ALL need to be ready, because the events of the past few months have left the Horsemen backed into a corner, and that’s when they are their most dangerous! But Tully cuts in, saying, “C’mon, Arn, let’s not sugarcoat it! All you people are aware that this is not the Horsemen’s finest hour. Before we went on air today, I asked the TV production folks to have an image ready for me, and here it is! (Picture of the Horsemen in summer, when they ALL had title belts). Well, now, there’s not a title belt around ANY of our waists. We’ve had to deal with crooked officiating, underhanded tactics by opponents like Brad Armstrong challenging for the TV under a masked alias, to Nature Boy’s … handling of his Starrcade unification match, which, frankly was a series of bad decisions. Wee the only thing I care about now is getting us BACK on top! And it’s gonna happen – Tully Blanchard will be a champion again, and soon! And the other Horsemen will be right there behind me!”
With that, Tony says, we gotta go …
House show, “A”
Tully Blanchard battled Rick Steiner to a 20-minute time limit draw.
Brian Pillman pinned Big Bubba Rogers in 6:05, with Air Pillman (***).
Dick Murdoch pinned Owen Hart in 7:24, with the brainbuster (***).
US Tag titles: The Rock & Roll Express beat The Rockers in 16:08, when Morton pinned Michaels after a double dropkick (****).
Ric Flair & Arn Anderson beat Ted DiBiase & Dory Funk in 25:44, when Anderson pinned Funk after a gourdbuster.(***1/2)
World Tag titles: Midnight Express beat The Southern Boys in 12:52, when Eaton pinned Smothers after a top-tope legdrop (** ¾).
World title: Steve “Dr. Death” Williams pinned Terry Funk after the Oklahoma Stampede, in 23:48 (**** ¼).
House show highlights, “B”
Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond won a 7-minute tag squash.
Brad Armstrong battled Kevin Sullivan to a double countout, in 11:55 (** ¾).
Austin Idol pinned Hacksaw Duggan after a piledriver, in 9:30 (**).
Sting pinned Buzz Sawyer after a Stinger splash, in 6:41 (** ½). After the match, Sawyer whipped Sting with the dog collar chain.
Bad News Allen & Bam Bam Bigelow beat the Road Warriors in 10:50, when Bigelow pinned Animal with the nuclear splash (*** ¼).
U.S. Title: Dusty Rhodes beat Barry Windham by pinfall in 10:02, after hitting him with the loaded elbowpad.
|
|
|
Post by loadedglove on Jan 14, 2014 13:06:47 GMT -5
Here's the TBS Saturday show to kick off Week 2 of Dec 1987; will have the rest of the week up within a day or two.
Dec 1987, Week 2
1. WCW Saturday Night (TBS Sat Night)
Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross welcome fans to the show, and Schiavone says we’d planned on two things for today’s broadcast: (1) starting out this program by announcing the Battle Bowl rules and what’s at stake, as it could be one of the biggest matches in recent memory; and (2) having an exciting main event of Horsemen Ric Flair, Barry Windham & Arn Anderson against Outlaws Ted DiBiase, Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes. However, something happened at a live event just last night in Miami, Fla., that keeps both those things from happening. Jim Ross says, “That’s right, Tony. Ric Flair, the four time world champion, will not be wrestling here today, as he received a possible concussion in last night’s … I hesitate to even call it a match, and the WCW doctors have put him on medical waivers for 24 hours, to ensure there is no lingering harm. And also, while we WILL be discussing Battle Bowl on today’s program, we must start out by addressing the situation caused by last night’s shocking turn of events.” Schiavone: “That’s right, Jim. It was something we never thought we’d see, and I still have a hard time believing it happened. Well, fans, if you were with us last week, you know that Ted DiBiase and Ric Flair had a confrontation that escalated quickly.” Schiavone intros a brief video package, highlighting last week’s dueling promos and shoving matches that grew to include the Outlaws and the Horsemen. Back at the desk, Ross says, “Things got so heated that these two master wrestlers insisted on settling things in the ring, that very day, but as you’ll see, nothing was settled, at all …” We get a short match clip of Flair-DiBiase, focusing on the mass run-in at the end. Schiavone says that after that, The Horsemen and Outlaws had some negotiations with WCW Matchmaker Bob Roop, and signed for a series of matches between the two groups who seem determined to battle for WCW supremacy. The first of those matches was last night, and we have some film of that match, as WCW has begun recording all live events both for archiving purposes and for young wrestlers and trainees to study. Ross: “The match, as scheduled, was Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard versus Ted DiBiase & Terry Funk. And because of all the outside interference in matches involving the Horsemen and the Outlaws, the two sides agreed to contest the match in a steel cage, to prevent anyone getting in. Well, as soon as the door was locked, the cage did its job, but the match did not happen, as scheduled. Let’s take a look at this footage.” We go to house show footage from the previous night, with Ross narrating. We see one referee in the ring, while the other is outside, padlocking the cage gate shut. Flair and Blanchard high-five, with Tully apparently starting the match for his team. However, as soon as Flair turns around, Blanchard drops to a knee and gives Flair a low blow from behind! Funk and DiBiase join the attack, as all three of them maul Flair! The ref tries to get involved, but Blanchard throws him down hard, to the mat. Then, with Flair on his knees, DiBiase and Funk each grab one of his arms, while Blanchard socks him repeatedly in the head. The second ref goes to unlock the gate, but JJ DILLON has taken off one of his dress shoes andhe clocks the outside ref with it, leaving Flair locked in the cage with DiBiase, Funk and Blanchard. Inside the caged ring, Flair is a bloody mess, but struggles to his feet, only for DiBiase (having loaded his glove) to BLAST him back down with a punch. Funk and Blanchard then each grab Flair from one side and ram him, head first, into a cage cornerpost, as Dillon sees Arn and Windham coming, and flees. Anderson and Windham climb over the cage as Funk digs thru the inside ref’s pockets, finds the other cage key, and the Outlaws (including apparent new member Tully Blanchard) exit before the Horsemen make it into the cage.
Schiavone: “One other thing we should note: Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon have each been fined $20,000 for manhandling the officials, as WCW President Wahoo McDaniel has made clear that WCW will not tolerate the abuse of officials. But there are much bigger questions: Will Ric Flair be able to recover? Does this mean the end of the Horsemen? And where does Tully Blanchard go from here? We’ll hope to have that last answer later in the broadcast, as we’ll be talking with Tully Blanchard and J.J. Dillon, on this program!”
*BREAK*
We’re back with Bruce Hart & Brian Pillman, known as Bad Company, making their debut in a tag squash. Hart shows some great fundamentals, and we mention he’s one of Owen’s wrestling brothers, but much of the bout is designed to get over Pillman’s incredibly innovative flying offense. Pillman gets the pin after an Air Pillman (Pillman delivering a top rope clothesline, but his launching point is the middle of the top rope, not the corner).
Keirn and his team are at the podium, and Keirn reiterates that he wanted to find a team to battle the Midnight Express, because of how disappointed he is to see former fellow Fabulous One Stan Lane throw in with Cornette. His worldwide search ended in Canada, when he found Bad Company, Bruce Hart & Brian Pillman. They’re here to take on the Midnight Express, and between Bruce’s ground attack and Brian’s aerial arsenal, they are the perfect foils for the world tag champs. And Keirn will be around to watch for any funny business from Cornette.
*BREAK*
We’re back, and Jim and Tony will be explaining the Battle Bowl concept. Battle Bowl will be a battle royal, open to 20 WCW competitors. The wrestlers will draw numbers, from one to 20, and the number each draws will represent the order in which that wrestler comes to the ring, at two-minute intervals. Ross notes that the match will thusly be at least 40 minutes, so, “Fans, make sure you are ready to settle in for a long match, because this promises to be upwards of an hour of non-stop excitement!” Eventhough the entrances will be staggered over 40 minutes, wrestlers can be eliminated at any time in the standard fashion of battle royals: (1) by being thrown over the top rope and having both feet hit the floor; (2) by being pinned; (3) by submitting. Referees will be stationed on all sides of the ring, ready to rule on a tossed wrestler, declare a submission, or count a pinfall. Schiavone says the winner will receive a $100,000 match purse, as well as a “blank check” contract. Here to explain the contract is WCW Matchmaker Bob Roop. Roop says the “blank check” match contract allows the winning wrestler any match he wants, whether that is a world title shot or a bout to settle a grudge. Roop notes that the match must still meet the fairness principles of the WCW board, so if, say, Ted DiBiase were to win, he could not book himself and the other Outlaws against Steve Williams in a handicap match. Whatever match the winner ends up requesting will be a part of a very special WCW event coming in March, about which there will be more discussion in future weeks. Next week, we’ll start announcing the BattleBowl entrants, as well as other matches being negotiated for the 1/24/88 PPV. Coming to the desk is Arn Anderson, accompanied by Barry Windham. Arn says that he hopes to win, because he will use the “blank check” to lock up a match with Tully Blanchard. “Tully, you were part of the most elite group of wrestlers in the world, and you gave it all up to fall in with second-stringers! A wise man once said that moments of adversity are what define our character – well, YOUR character is now plainly visible, and when I get ahold of you, your BLOOD is going to be plainly visible, as well! Tony, you and Jim Ross asked if this was it for the Horsemen, well, let me assure you, when The Nature Boy returns next week, you’ll find out exactly how unfounded that concern is! And JJ Dillon, don’t think we’ve forgotten you … you’re going to learn a very painful lesson about what happens when you betray the Horsemen!” They leave, and Ross notes that the planned main event has changed to a tag, with Anderson & Windham against Dick Murdoch & Dusty Rhodes.
*BREAK*
Pat Tanaka/Paul Diamond squash. As Badd Company makes mincemeat of their foes, Paul E. Dangerously comes to the podium, to challenge the Rock & Roll Express for the US tag titles. Dangerously says he’s studied the R&R, and he knows how Badd Co. can take them apart, but he expects an answer from Morton & Gibson, who have claimed to be fighting champs.
*BREAK*
Brad Armstrong is in the ring, set to defend his belt against longtime rival (and former partner) Kevin Sullivan. The bell rings, and Sullivan charges Brad from behind as Brad is handing the belt to a ringside attendant. He uses a flurry of chops and kicks, but Brad fights back, and Sullivan takes a powder. Brad dominates the next several sequences of matwork, and Bad News Allen comes to ringside, as we go to a mid-match break. We’re back, and Armstrong nails Sullivan with a series of dropkicks. The last one sends Sullivan sprawling into the ref, who spills out of the ring. Brad cinches up Sullivan and hits the footsweep, goes for the cover … but there’s no one to count! A second ref has come out to check on the first, and as he does, Bad News enters the ring. Brad gets up and turns to where the downed ref is, hollering for the 2nd ref to take over, only to turn again and find himself facing Bad News, who drills him with an enzugiri! Bad News scoots back out as the second ref comes into the ring, and Sullivan is up, and he hits Brad with a double footstomp to the gut, then goes for the pin … 1 … 2 … 3! NEW CHAMPION! Your official result, for the TV title: Kevin Sullivan captured the title, pinning Brad Armstrong in 11:32 with the double footstomp, after Bad News Allen enzugiried Brad while the 2nd ref was checking on the 1st.(***)
*BREAK*
Dutch Mantel squash. This is Dutch’s WCW TV debut, and the announcers play up his Vietnam service and love of America. Dutch gets the pin after delivering the move he calls the M/X, a version of the gourdbuster.
*BREAK*
World Champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams promo. Doc says he’s gearing up for some big challenges, including Stan Hansen, and that he looks forward to facing Ric Flair in the rematch that Doc says the former champ deserves. Jim Ross says he’s hearing that wrestlers from all over the world are contacting WCW about coming in, and Doc says,” That’s right, Jim Ross. And that’s because WCW is for great athletes! We’re not cartoon characters. We don’t need to dance or play with wild animals. I’ve wrestled all over this Earth, and I am here to tell you, NOWHERE is there a better collection of athletes than right here. And THIS (holds up belt) means that I am on top of that heap! So if ANYONE in wrestling thinks they have what it takes, try out the competition in WCW, and maybe you’ll get a shot at Doctor Death!”
Rock & Roll Express squash. The Announcers talk about Dangerously’s challenge but also note that the Express emerged as champs at Starrcade, capping off a fierce rivalry between four of wrestling’s top teams, so Tanaka & Diamond are going to have to earn their way into a title match!
*BREAK*
Time for our (sort of) advertised main event! Anderson and Windham are in the ring, as Dusty and Murdoch come in, with DiBiase at ringside. Suddenly, Terry Funk comes to the podium, followed by Dory! Terry snatches the mic as Jim Ross is saying he has no business being out here. Funk: “Of COURSE I have business out here, Jim Ross! Don’t you understand? The Outlaws ARE my business! Don’t you know that the Funk family started the tradition of the Outlaws of West Texas State University? We brought these men into this great sport of professional wrestling, and we’re very proud of our heritage! And I heard Arn Anderson talking about painful lessons, well (looks up into the ring), Arnold, here’s a painful lesson for you!” As Tully Blanchard charges the ring, the Funks also jump in, making it a five-on-two attack. Windham rolls outside the ring to grab a chair, but STAN HANSEN runs out from the back and lariats Windham, who remains motionless on the floor afterward. This leaves Anderson to take a stuff piledriver from the Funks, a brainbuster from Murdoch, a bionic elbowdrop from Dusty, and, finally, a slingshot suplex from Blanchard. DiBiase puts Arn in the figure four while the others kick and stomp him, until STEVE WILLIAMS makes the save, grabbing the chair near Windham on his way in. Doc is followed by several refs, Dutch Mantel, Bruce Hart & Brian Pillman, and the Outlaws bail. Tony says we have just a few minutes of airtime remaining, so we’ll try to restore order, and we’ll be right back after the …
*BREAK*
Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon are at the podium, surrounded by all the Outlaws. Tully says, “Arn, Barry, we’ve been up and down a lot of roads together, but you two have attached your stars to a LOSER! Six months ago, the Horsemen were on top of the wrestling world! World title, World TV title, world tag titles … and now look! NOTHING! When Ric Flair refused to keep James J Dillon at ringside for the biggest title match of all time, at Starrcade, I knew that the Horsemen attitude of win at all costs was a thing of the past! Well, I might have been a Horseman, but long before that, I was a proud graduate … of WEST TEXAS STATE! The Outlaws have always dominated whatever sport they’ve been in, and WCW will be no exception! The Horsemen are FINISHED! Once an outlaw, always an outlaw, and Ric Flair – some free advice, based on our past friendship. Stay home! We just finished off Arn Anderson, the Horsemen are without the athletic contributions of myself and the management genius of James J Dillon, and your day in the sun is OVER!” The Outlaws leave, and Tony and Jim say we’re out of time for this week …
|
|
|
Post by loadedglove on Jan 19, 2014 0:12:08 GMT -5
OK, here's the rest of December 1987, Week 2 ... 2. WCW Main Event (Synd) – 1 hr Jim Ross & Bob Caudle welcome us, and say we’ll be hearing from the world champ this week, as well as what should be an exciting main event … the Rock & Roll Express defending their US tag titles against Kevin Sullivan’s brotherhood, Bam Bam Bigelow & Bad News Allen! We’ll also have Big Bubba Rogers, The Road Warriors, and more. But first, they recap the Tully turn and say Ric Flair has a major announcement planned for next week, and it could very well be the end of the Horsemen. Bob Caudle says that while we often didn’t agree with their tactics, the four of them made for one of the most awesome combinations of wrestling talent that any of us ever saw! Ross agrees, but wonders if the Outlaws might be too much for even them. This brings out Terry Funk and Stan Hansen, who will be in tag team competition a little later. Funk says, “The Four Horsemen?! The four JACKASSES, you mean! And you know, Jim Ross, when I was a only six years old, I had me a jackass. And I fed my jackass every day on the Double Cross Ranch in Amarillo, Texas! And that jackass wasn’t very smart. And that jackass wasn’t good for anything – it had a bum leg, so it couldn’t pull a plow, nothing! But still, I loved that jackass, Jim Ross. And one day, my daddy came to me in a field and he said, ‘Son, go get my rifle and meet me in the barn.’ So I did like I was told, and when I got to the barn, my daddy said, ‘Give me the gun.’ And I did. And my daddy took that gun, and he pointed it at my jackass, and he shot it right in the head! And I said, ‘Daddy, WHY did you shoot my jackass?’ And he looked at me and he said, ‘Son, there is nothing in this world more useless than a stupid, worthless jackass.’ Well, that’s what we have here. The Four Horsemen might have run things here for two years before the Outlaws showed up, but to me, and Teddy DiBiase and our West Texas friends, they’re just another jackass! There can only be one force dominating WCW, and when we took Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon from them, we took the brains! And when we crippled Ric Flair (Ross rolls his eyes), we rendered that jackass lame! And the only announcement they can make next week is rhat they’re FINISHED!” Ross says that Flair has come back from worse than the steel cage attack, but Funk and Hansen just laugh, as Terry reminds us that he is in the midst of a challenge to world champ Steve Williams, after catching a fall on him last week. He then says that if Doc manages to survive that, he has big Stan and the lariat to look forward to. A disgusted Jim Ross says we’ll be right back. *BREAK* Stan Hansen & Terry Funk (w/ Ted DiBiase at ringside) beat Hacksaw Duggan and Rick Steiner in 6:49, when Hansen pinned Duggan after a lariat (***). Steiner and Hansen square off early, and Steiner impressively suplexes the 300-pound Hansen with T-bones, belly to bellies and in one instance, an overhead suplex. Hansen tags Funk, who immediately rakes Steiner’s eyes. Terry takes over with chokes against the ropes and ultimately piledrives Steiner. He goes for the pin, but Duggan makes the save at the two-count. Terry picks Steiner up and whips him into the ropes. He throws a clothesline, but Steiner ducks and comes back with a Steiner Line of his own. Funk flops back, and scoots to his own corner to tag Hansen. Hansen goes after Steiner, but Steiner leaps away and tags Duggan! Duggan and Hansen are duking it out, and pretty soon, all four men are in the ring, brawling. Duggan takes over, leveling Hansen with punches, and then delivering a flying kneedrop; Hansen slowly staggers upwards, as Duggan sets up for the kill. With the ref trying to get Funk and Steiner untangled, he misses DiBiase tripping Duggan as he comes off the ropes. Duggan turns and yanks DiBiase up, onto the apron. Duggan socks DiBiase, as Ross reminds us of the years of bad blood between these two, but Duggan turns just in time to catch a lariat from Hansen. Steiner and Funk are still at it, but spill out of the ring, and the ref turns in time to see Hansen pinning Duggan … 1 … 2 … 3! *BREAK* Jim Cornette is at ringside, with the Midnight Express and Bubba Rogers. Cornette says Hart & Pillman might be the best tag team in Canada, but the Midnight Express are the WORLD champions, and Hart & Pillman have a long way to go before getting a world tag shot. He also says that while manager Steve Keirn might know how Stan Lane thinks, Lane also know how Keirn thinks, and so Big Bubba Rogers is out for a singles match with Keirn, whom Cornette intends to see obliterated! Cornette’s plan is evident, as he has Lane and Eaton flanking Bubba, awaiting Keirn’s arrival. Keirn comes halfway down the aisle, looks at what awaits him, and turns around! Cornette is yelling that Keirn’s a coward, until Keirn returns, with Bruce Hart and Brian Pillman in tow! We’re set for the match, now, as the bell rings, but a shouting and pointing match between former Fabs Lane and Keirn has escalated into Bruce Hart, Brian Pillman, Keirn, Lane, Rogers and Eaton all going at it; it’s a minor skirmish with shoves, and the ref gets the teams out, but among those jawing at the ref is Rogers, who is caught unaware by a rolling reverse cradle by Keirn, who gets 1 … 2 … 3! Official result: Steve Keirn beat Big Bubba Rogers in 11 seconds, with a reverse cradle (*). The babyfaces laugh as they make their way back to the dressing room, as Jim Cornette throws a tantrum in the ring and Caudle says, “It looks like Cornette’s been outsmarted here, fans, or maybe he just outsmarted himself!” *BREAK* The Road Warriors were supposed to have a squash next, but there’s been a melee backstage, as they’ve gotten into it with Sullivan’s crew. We have a cameraman bravely heading back there, and as he goes through the curtain, we see the Warriors and Ellering battling with Sullivan, Allen and Bigelow. They’re all over the backstage corridor, and as the chaos approaches the cameraman, Ross is yelling for him to get out of there, and finally, he does, as we fade to black. Bob Caudle is in the ring with Steve Williams, and Doc starts talking about how being world champion means he faces the very best, night in and night out, so he’s ready for Funk, Hansen, and anything the Outlaws throw at him. He also talks about Flair getting a rematch, plus offers being fielded from other competitors … when a ruckus in the crowd stops him. Someone is barreling his way towards the ring, and it’s MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE! Savage is in street clothes, plus his patented sunglasses and bandana. As Savage rolls into the ring, security starts in after him, but Doctor Death waves them off. Caudle says, “Randy Savage! Mr. Savage, I feel I must point out that you are not a WCW contracted wrestler andwith all due respect, you don’t really have any business out here. However, out of respect for our world champion, who clearly wants to hear whatever you came to say, I will ask, what brings you here?” (In the background, the P.A. calls for security to head to the back, as the Warriors-Brotherhood brawl rages on). Savage: “OH, YEAH! You ask what brings the Macho Man to a WCW ring? I will tell you, Bob Caudle, it’s this man right here (points at Williams)! I heard what he said last week, about facing the toughest athletes in the world, and I realized something that made the Macho Man very uncomfortable – I was living in a world of cartoon characters! When I got into this sport, it was to compete against the best, and to show I WAS the best! But as a lot of people out there know, I let money lure me to a place where it was all about showbiz and glitz, NOT the competition of great athletes! And so, when I heard your world champion last week, it was like a wakeup call for The macho Man Randy Savage, and so here I am! I want to announce to you and to the world that my management is negotiating with WCW RIGHT NOW about bringing in The Macho Man, and I have one thing on my mind – being the world champion! Now, I have a lot of respect for this man, Steve Williams, and I’ve seen him get jumped by the Horsemen, the Outlaws! But I am here to say, I will watch your back, Steve Williams! HOWEVER, where I just came from, they protect their so-called champion, and as soon as the Macho Man agreed to watch HIS back, suddenly, I was frozen out of championship matches! All I want from you, Steve Williams, is a shot at that world title, and we’ll SEE who the better man is!” Steve Williams shakes his hand and replies, “Randy Savage, I do have a lot of respect for you, but you know that no champion sets his own matches. You come into WCW and make a splash, and you can become the top contender for this belt, and in the meantime –“ Savage cuts in: “In the MEANTIME? Are you saying I’m not good enough? THE MACHO MAN isn’t good enough to face you right NOW? The ONLY reason you wear that belt is that The Macho Man Randy Savage hasn’t decided to come to WCW sooner! And if you need some motivation …” Savage SLAPS Doc, right in the face! As Caudle beats a hasty retreat, Doc starts wailing away at him, but Savage fights back, and pretty soon, what’s lefty of security (plus much of the WCW undercard) is in the ring, trying to get them apart. The two keep breaking free and going after each other, and Jim Ross says we’ll try to restore order and come right back … *BREAK* (OK, just between us TNM board members, I’m very aware that this episode has not featured a lot of actual, in-ring content, so as soon as I get this last bit done, the bout that follows will take up the rest of the show). We’re back, and the Rock & Roll Express are in the ring, to defend their US tag titles against Bigelow & Allen, but the Brotherhood are nowhere to be seen. WCW matchmaker Bob Roop, looking disheveled, comes to the ring and says, “This title match is being postponed! Bam Bam Bigelow & Bad News Allen have spent the last 20 minutes tearing up the dressing room area, brawling with the Road Warriors and Paul Ellering, and –“ Hawk and Bigelow come brawling up the aisle, followed by Ellering and Sullivan, followed by a team of security! Roop says that both teams are on the verge of being suspended, when a bloody Ellering rolls into the ring and says, “Then let’s finish it NOW! Sullivan, you bring those two idiots with you, and we’ll have ourselves a tag match right now!” And so it is that our bout turns into a six-man tag, with the Warriors and Ellering against Bigelow, Allen and Sullivan! There is little room for officiating, as the six men spend the next 15 minutes brawling in and around the ring, and the ref makes little effort to enforce keeping the legal man in the ring, as Ross and Caudle note that there’s likely little use in trying to control these men, or this battle. Key spots include Animal powerslamming Bigelow and Allen giving the enzugiri to Ellering. As things settle down, the Brotherhood spend the next few minutes destroying Ellering with frequent tags and double teams, while Ellering repeatedly and unsuccessfully tries to make it back to his corner. As this is going on, Paul E. Dangerously comes down, incensed, saying the Express showed that they are cowards, that they were eager to avoid defending their belts, and that if they don’t grant a shot to Tanaka and Diamond, Dangerously cannot be held accountable for his men’s actions. Ross reminds Dangerously that, as Doc noted earlier, champions don’t get to make their own matches, but Dangerously says he knows Morton & Gibson are crowd favorites, and as such, can put pressure on the WCW officials to have the match they want, so they are CLEARLY avoiding Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond. In the ring, Ellering finally tags Hawk, who cleans house, and soon enough, all six men are back in, duking it out. As the Warriors have Sullivan up for the Doomsday device, Bad News gives Ellering a neckbreaker, followed by Bigelow delivering a nuclear splash from the top rope. Bigelow goes for the pin, just as Hawk flies off to decapitate Sullivan, 1 … 2 … 3! The Brotherhood wins, in 17:08 (** ¾). Buzz Sawyer runs in and attacks with his dog collar chain, and (with Ellering down), the Brotherhood destroys Hawk & Animal until Sting comes in, armed once more with a chair. Jim Ross says he’d hoped to catch a few words with Sting & The Warriors, but we’re out of time … 3. WCW Sunday Night Showdown – 1 hr Tony Schiavone & Gordon Solie welcome us to another exciting edition of Showdown, where we’ll have a U.S. title bout for a main event: Dusty Rhodes will defend against Owen Hart! Also, we’ll see Dusty (flanked by Murdoch and Tully Blanchard) is at ringside, saying that it’s a disgrace to let someone like Owen Hart have a title shot, as he’s not even American! Rhodes says, “People all over the world, the American Dream’s legions of fans have asked The Dream, ‘Dream, how can you be on a team with Tully Blanchard, after all the vicious wars you’ve had? Well, Tully Blanchard and I have had some AWESOME battles, and when you fight so hard against someone, you start to get some respect for that individual, if you will. Well, Tully Blanchard and myself come from the same roots, and NOW THEN, that Tully Blanchard and The American Dream Dusty Rhodes have come together, with our Outlaw brothers, there will be NO stopping us!” We then get a brief recap of the Tully turn on Flair, with Tully talking about how he was sick of carrying the water for a group of wrestlers who had lost their fire. We go to the ring, for our first contest … Buzz Sawyer wins a squash, in about four minutes. *BREAK* Dutch Mantel beat Austin Idol by DQ, in 5:51 (* ¾). Idol dominates much of the action with a headlock, and when Dutch takes over, Dangerously trips him from outside, leading to the DQ. Idol continues the attack on the now-downed Mantel, until Hacksaw Duggan comes to the ring, 2x4 in hand. Idol bails out. *BREAK* Dick Murdoch, Tully Blanchard & Dory Funk Jr. win a six-man squash, in about five minutes. On commentary, Solie notes that world champ Steve Williams has some rough times ahead, with the upcoming Funk and Hansen title matches. Schiavone notes that after dominating the scene for two years, the Tully defection could be the Horsemen’s end, referencing next week’s mysterious announcement. *BREAK* It’s time now for our main event: Dusty Rhodes defending the U.S. title against Owen Hart. Owen is WAY too quick for Dusty in the early goings, and he gets a near-fall by turning an armbar into a la magistral cradle. Dusty turns things around with an eye poke, and proceeds to work on Owen’s leg with an inside toehold, building to a figure-four leglock. Owen catches him in an inside cradle, though, for 1 … 2 … thr—Dusty kicks out! Dusty is up and punts Owen in the gut before the challenger can reach his feet, and Owen spills out of the ring, as we go to a mid-match break. *BREAK* Back from the break, Dusty has Owen in a rear chinlock for a while, until Owen finally powers up, and kicks up his legs, landing his feet on the second turnbuckle. He extends the legs and falls back onto Dusty, for a two-count. Dusty elbows the back of Owen’s head and picks him up. He whips Owen into the ropes, but Owen reverses it and tries to catch Dusty with a kick, but Dusty catches his boot. Of course, that was the plan, as Owen NAILS him with an enzugiri and goes for the pin … 1 … 2 – Dusty gets a foot on the ropes. Owen picks up Rhodes, but Dusty socks him in the gut, then loads up the elbow pad (after DiBiase, at ringside, appears to pass him something), while the ref checks Owen to make sure it wasn’t a low blow. Dusty drives a loaded elbow down on the back of Owen’s head, then, after Owen flops to the mat and onto his back, another onto Owen’s prone body, goes for the pin and gets the three count! Official result: Dusty Rhodes pinned Owen Hart after a bionic elbowdrop, in 20:31 (***). *BREAK* Schiavone says we don’t have time for another match, but we’ve just produced a music video on World Champion Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, so we’ll close the show with it. (Obviously, I don’t have a video featuring clips from his TNA matches – although wouldn’t that be cool? So, in the alternative, here’s a video of Doc from Japan that spotlights the variety of offense and punishing style we’d want to feature: www.youtube.com/watch?v=27b-v8ua42Q). House show highlights Randy Savage wins a squash, in about four minutes. Austin Idol and Dutch Mantel wrestled to a 20-minute time limit draw (**). Tully Blanchard pinned Arn Anderson with the slingshot suplex, in 15:58 (*** ½). Hacksaw Duggan and Ted DiBiase battled to a double DQ, in 8:06 (* ½). Stan Hansen pinned Barry Windham with the lariat, in 14:27 (*** ½). US Tag titles: Rock & Roll Express beat Bam Bam Bigelow & Bad News Allen in 11:55, when Morton pinned Allen after a double dropkick (**). The Road Warriors beat Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond by DQ in 10:14 (** ¼). WCW title: Steve “Dr. Death” Williams defeated Terry Funk, pinning him with the Oklahoma Stampede in 20:02 (*****). “B” show Rick Steiner pinned Dick Murdoch after a belly to belly suplex, in 14:20 (** ¾). Bam Bam Bigelow pinned Steve Keirn after a nuclear splash, in 10:11 (** ½). Non-title: Brad Armstrong pinned Kevin Sullivan with the Russian Footsweep, in 13:33 (**1/2). Owen Hart, Bruce Hart & Brian Pillman beat The Midnight Express & Big Bubba Rogers in 28:59, when Owen pinned Lane after a victory roll (****). U.S. title: Sting & Dusty Rhodes battled to a double countout, in 11:55 (*)
|
|