Post by rockstargary on Feb 2, 2015 17:37:27 GMT -5
Live from Las Vegas, NV
Airdate: January 25, 1995
Attendance: 3,500 (2,300 paid)
Hosted by Tony Schiavone and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Once again “Mean” Gene Okerlund joins Tony and Bobby to open the show. Gene mentions that Vader bought two tickets for tonight’s show. Also, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair may be here.
Match 1 for the WCW World TV title: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson (champion w/ Colonel Parker and Meng) versus Johnny B. Badd
Highlights:
• Wait a minute! At Starrcade Johnny B. Badd was the TV champion. What happened? Back on WCW Main Event (live on 1/8) Anderson beat Badd to win the title.
• Arn and Badd began with an exchange of fists. After Badd blocked a left Arn ducked. To counter Badd gave him a knee lift. Clever!
• Arn attempted to climb to the top turnbuckle but Badd dropkicked him to the floor!
• Pescado by Badd knocked both Arn and Parker off their feet.
• Double axe handle from the top rope by Badd.
• Enziguri by Badd.
• Arn tried his own enziguri and fell flat on his face.
• Oklahoma roll by Badd.
• After Arn threw Badd outside to the floor Parker put the boots to him.
• On a blind charge Badd ate a back elbow.
• When Arn leaped from the second turnbuckle Badd put his foot up. Arn avoided it and dropped an elbow.
• Flying headscissors by Badd.
• The “kiss that don’t miss” knocked Arn silly but to the floor.
• While Meng distracted referee Nick Patrick Colonel Parker took a pitcher of water from the announce table and dumped it on Arn to wake him up. Is this a Bugs Bunny cartoon?
• Badd went to the floor to confront Parker. Meanwhile Meng tossed Arn back into the ring. Badd chased Parker back into the ring…and ate a DDT from Arn.
• Arn pinned him and retained the title.
Rating: ***
Summary: Nifty little opening match with good psychology. These two have not seen the last of one another.
Back in the dressing room Gene interviews Kevin Sullivan and the Butcher. Gene refers to Hogan and Savage as the Monster Maniacs rather than the MegaPowers. Methinks WCW got a nasty letter after Starrcade from Stamford, CT. Anyways Sullivan and Butcher cut a promo on them.
Call the Hulk Hogan hotline!
Alex Wright video.
Tune into WCW Saturday Night to see “Macho Man” Randy Savage battle Arn Anderson for the World TV title! Then again, check it out here.
Match 2: Bobby Eaton versus “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright
Highlights:
• Flying head butt off the ropes by Wright.
• After a cross-corner whip Wright flipped over Eaton then gave him a flying headscissors.
• Wright attempted a cross body. Eaton ducked so Wright hit nothing but the ropes. OUCH!
• Snap suplex by Wright.
• Leg lariat by Wright.
• Missile dropkick from Wright.
• Cross body from Wright after receiving a cross-corner whip got 2.
• Spinning neckbreaker by Eaton.
• Eaton mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the Alabama Jam; however, Wright kicked out at 2.
• Another cross body block by Wright pinned Eaton.
Rating: **1/2
Summary: Two things happened here. Wright wrestled very well as Eaton guided him beautifully. See what I did there?
Gene shills SuperBrawl V on 2/19 where Hogan will defend the World title against Vader. He also states that the two combatants will not face one another until the PPV. But how do they rehearse? Dammit! Next he interviews Vader sans Harley Race. Vader has his ticket handy. Vader indirectly notifies Hogan that he has been stalking him.
Match 3 for the WCW World tag team titles: Harlem Heat (champions w/ Sister Sherri) versus Stars and Stripes
Highlights:
• In case you missed it from my Starrcade report Harlem Heat won the belts back on 12/8 for a taping that was telecast on 1/14. Check it out here.
• While awaiting the challengers Flair along with two ladies made his way down the aisle. Heenan greeted him with a hug. Aww.
• After getting slapped by Booker T Bagwell stomped a mudhole in him.
• Booker T missed a leg lariat then ate a Bagwell dropkick.
• Stevie Ray came into the ring and ate a double dropkick.
• Flying shoulderblock from Patriot to Stevie Ray.
• Bagwell tried a cross body block but got caught and slammed by Stevie Ray.
• Bicycle kick from Booker T.
• Belly-to-belly suplex by the Patriot to Booker T.
• Double cross body block put both Bagwell and Booker T down on the mat.
• False tag but referee Nick Patrick let it go.
• Sherri got up on the apron but instead of nailing Bagwell with her shoe she got nailed by Booker T and sent flying to the floor. Nice bump, Sherri!
• Bagwell rolled up Booker T, but a mafia kick from Stevie Ray flipped Bagwell over so that Booker T could pin him. Grabbing the tights didn’t hurt either.
• The champs retained.
Rating: ***
Summary: Decent tag match here that adhered itself to the tag team formula. In other words both teams showed what they can do. Considering how often these titles have changed hands lately it was good to see the champs retain.
Back in the dressing room Gene interviews the Monster Maniacs with Jimmy Hart. Hogan asks Hart to be the lookout in case Vader and/or Flair infiltrate the main event.
Call the Hulk Hogan hotline!
From the WCW Control Center Gene promotes SuperBrawl V. What? No mention of “Pretty” Paul Roma? What a travesty!
Match 4: Sting versus Avalanche
Highlights:
• The Guardian Angel was the special guest referee. That’s much better than Mr. T, right? No red beret though. I wonder what that means.
• WTF? Ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta announced that Avalanche is from Mt. Everest, Washington. OK, who shifted the tectonic plates to relocate the Himalayas from Nepal to North America?
• Tony mentioned the WCW All-Nighter. If anything belonged in the Vault section on the WWE Network it’s these classics.
• They attacked one another right off the bat. Angel pulled Avalanche off Sting in the corner forcefully.
• Avalanche missed…uh…an avalanche. I smell a pattern here.
• Two dropkicks by Sting sent Avalanche over the top rope to the floor.
• Sting attempted to slam him but fell back for a 2 count.
• Leg drop by Avalanche.
• He then sandwiched Sting in the corner.
• Powerslam by Avalanche.
• After ducking a clothesline off the ropes Sting ran straight into him knocking the big man down.
• Sting then fell forward and “accidentally” delivered a head butt to the groin. YEE-OUCH!
• After avoiding an elbow drop Sting gave him a Stinger splash to the back. And then one to the front.
• A third one hits the target as well.
• A fourth one and Sting’s target ratio is still 100%. Repetitive yet effective.
• He then slammed Avalanche.
• Sting applied the Scorpion Death Lock. While it would appear that Avalanche was submitting the Angel didn’t call it.
• Referee Nick Patrick ran in, called the submission, and rang the bell.
• Sting won!
Rating: **
Summary: Not as slow as their Starrcade match but nothing worthwhile. Let’s hope this feud doesn’t continue.
After the match Patrick raises Sting’s arm in victory. Angel shoves Patrick to the mat then shoves Sting. Another shove causes Sting to land a haymaker off the ropes. Angel comes back with a clothesline then tosses Patrick over the top rope. Stars and Stripes and Alex Wright arrive to rescue Sting.
Immediately thereafter Gene interviews Angel and Avalanche. Angel claims Avalanche never submitted. He then tears his shirt off and changes his name back to Big Bubba Rogers. The heel turn is cemented.
Match 5: Kevin Sullivan and the Butcher versus WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/ Jimmy Hart)
Highlights:
• Buffer rumbled.
• Hogan clotheslined Butcher in the corner.
• High knee from Hogan to Butcher.
• Hogan missed the Axe Bomber then Butcher applied the sleeper.
• Hogan passed out, and the Butcher thought he won.
• While Butcher and Sullivan celebrated on adjacent corners Savage mounted the opposite top turnbuckle and delivered his patented elbow drop. Huh?
• The move woke the Hulkster up! It’s the reviving elbow!
• Successive atomic drops sent Sullivan and Butcher to the floor.
• After Savage tossed Butcher back in Hogan hit the Axe Bomber.
• Double big boot from the Monster Maniacs.
• Sullivan and Butcher deliver a back drop to Savage sending him over the top rope to the floor.
• Tony claimed the match should have ended by disqualification, but referee Randy Anderson was occupied by Hogan on the opposite side of the ring.
• Butcher made Savage eat the steel railing. No waiting at the casino buffet for him.
• He then ran Savage into the ring post.
• Sullivan continued the dirty shenanigans by running Savage into another ring post.
• Moments later Savage ate the ring post yet again.
• Savage was tied to the Tree of Woe and Sullivan delivered a knee to the gut.
• Make that 2.
• Butcher applied the sleeper. Will Hogan give Savage the reviving leg drop?
• Jawbreaker by Savage.
• Hot tag Hogan.
• Big boot from Hogan to Butcher.
• After Hogan slammed him Savage dropped the big elbow. Does he wake up too?
• Nope. Hogan gave him the leg drop and got the victory.
Rating: *1/2
Summary: Sports-entertainment at its finest here as the reviving elbow rallies Hulkamania to continue. On a different note a boring heat segment on Savage extended this match well beyond its expiration date.
After the match Vader leaves his ringside seat and invades the ring. He nails Savage sending him to the floor then confronts Hogan. The Hulkster’s right hands have no effect on Vader. He then wallops Hogan in the back then gives him a powerbomb.
After a minute or so Hogan stands straight up! Now Hogan’s right hands affect Vader. Savage returns and the Monster Maniacs slug Vader down to the mat. Hart gives Savage and Hogan chairs as they have the higher ground.
Conclusion: Two major instances stand out from this show. First let’s start with the reviving elbow. While on one hand it looked like Savage was stabbing Hogan in the back WCW told the opposite story and broke the fourth wall albeit in subtle fashion. Long-time wrestling fans know the history between Hogan and Savage and realize that Hogan kicked out of the elbow drop at WrestleMania V. Therefore, Hogan was impervious to the elbow drop as it would have the reverse effect. Personally I don’t buy it. It’s very cartoonish and belittles Savage’s patented finisher and credibility.
Now let’s address the other major instance—Hogan’s no-selling of Vader’s powerbomb. While it was very important to send the fans home happy from Las Vegas it was completely unnecessary to make Vader look foolish. After all Vader’s powerbomb had won him titles and sent victims to the ER. I don’t see Vader as a viable opponent to Hogan at SuperBrawl, and that’s another bad thing for WCW. Let’s hope I’m wrong, and the PPV match is both competitive and entertaining.
As far as the rest of the show is concerned the opening match was good. The foundation of newcomer Alex Wright was constructed. And Harlem Heat as the tag champs worked well. Sting got a passable match out of Tenta, but the match was built for the heel turn rather than the other way around.
Check this out if you have never seen it; otherwise, skip to SuperBrawl. See you then!
TV Rating: 3.50
For more information on me please visit rockstargary.com.
Airdate: January 25, 1995
Attendance: 3,500 (2,300 paid)
Hosted by Tony Schiavone and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan
Once again “Mean” Gene Okerlund joins Tony and Bobby to open the show. Gene mentions that Vader bought two tickets for tonight’s show. Also, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair may be here.
Match 1 for the WCW World TV title: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson (champion w/ Colonel Parker and Meng) versus Johnny B. Badd
Highlights:
• Wait a minute! At Starrcade Johnny B. Badd was the TV champion. What happened? Back on WCW Main Event (live on 1/8) Anderson beat Badd to win the title.
• Arn and Badd began with an exchange of fists. After Badd blocked a left Arn ducked. To counter Badd gave him a knee lift. Clever!
• Arn attempted to climb to the top turnbuckle but Badd dropkicked him to the floor!
• Pescado by Badd knocked both Arn and Parker off their feet.
• Double axe handle from the top rope by Badd.
• Enziguri by Badd.
• Arn tried his own enziguri and fell flat on his face.
• Oklahoma roll by Badd.
• After Arn threw Badd outside to the floor Parker put the boots to him.
• On a blind charge Badd ate a back elbow.
• When Arn leaped from the second turnbuckle Badd put his foot up. Arn avoided it and dropped an elbow.
• Flying headscissors by Badd.
• The “kiss that don’t miss” knocked Arn silly but to the floor.
• While Meng distracted referee Nick Patrick Colonel Parker took a pitcher of water from the announce table and dumped it on Arn to wake him up. Is this a Bugs Bunny cartoon?
• Badd went to the floor to confront Parker. Meanwhile Meng tossed Arn back into the ring. Badd chased Parker back into the ring…and ate a DDT from Arn.
• Arn pinned him and retained the title.
Rating: ***
Summary: Nifty little opening match with good psychology. These two have not seen the last of one another.
Back in the dressing room Gene interviews Kevin Sullivan and the Butcher. Gene refers to Hogan and Savage as the Monster Maniacs rather than the MegaPowers. Methinks WCW got a nasty letter after Starrcade from Stamford, CT. Anyways Sullivan and Butcher cut a promo on them.
Call the Hulk Hogan hotline!
Alex Wright video.
Tune into WCW Saturday Night to see “Macho Man” Randy Savage battle Arn Anderson for the World TV title! Then again, check it out here.
Match 2: Bobby Eaton versus “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright
Highlights:
• Flying head butt off the ropes by Wright.
• After a cross-corner whip Wright flipped over Eaton then gave him a flying headscissors.
• Wright attempted a cross body. Eaton ducked so Wright hit nothing but the ropes. OUCH!
• Snap suplex by Wright.
• Leg lariat by Wright.
• Missile dropkick from Wright.
• Cross body from Wright after receiving a cross-corner whip got 2.
• Spinning neckbreaker by Eaton.
• Eaton mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the Alabama Jam; however, Wright kicked out at 2.
• Another cross body block by Wright pinned Eaton.
Rating: **1/2
Summary: Two things happened here. Wright wrestled very well as Eaton guided him beautifully. See what I did there?
Gene shills SuperBrawl V on 2/19 where Hogan will defend the World title against Vader. He also states that the two combatants will not face one another until the PPV. But how do they rehearse? Dammit! Next he interviews Vader sans Harley Race. Vader has his ticket handy. Vader indirectly notifies Hogan that he has been stalking him.
Match 3 for the WCW World tag team titles: Harlem Heat (champions w/ Sister Sherri) versus Stars and Stripes
Highlights:
• In case you missed it from my Starrcade report Harlem Heat won the belts back on 12/8 for a taping that was telecast on 1/14. Check it out here.
• While awaiting the challengers Flair along with two ladies made his way down the aisle. Heenan greeted him with a hug. Aww.
• After getting slapped by Booker T Bagwell stomped a mudhole in him.
• Booker T missed a leg lariat then ate a Bagwell dropkick.
• Stevie Ray came into the ring and ate a double dropkick.
• Flying shoulderblock from Patriot to Stevie Ray.
• Bagwell tried a cross body block but got caught and slammed by Stevie Ray.
• Bicycle kick from Booker T.
• Belly-to-belly suplex by the Patriot to Booker T.
• Double cross body block put both Bagwell and Booker T down on the mat.
• False tag but referee Nick Patrick let it go.
• Sherri got up on the apron but instead of nailing Bagwell with her shoe she got nailed by Booker T and sent flying to the floor. Nice bump, Sherri!
• Bagwell rolled up Booker T, but a mafia kick from Stevie Ray flipped Bagwell over so that Booker T could pin him. Grabbing the tights didn’t hurt either.
• The champs retained.
Rating: ***
Summary: Decent tag match here that adhered itself to the tag team formula. In other words both teams showed what they can do. Considering how often these titles have changed hands lately it was good to see the champs retain.
Back in the dressing room Gene interviews the Monster Maniacs with Jimmy Hart. Hogan asks Hart to be the lookout in case Vader and/or Flair infiltrate the main event.
Call the Hulk Hogan hotline!
From the WCW Control Center Gene promotes SuperBrawl V. What? No mention of “Pretty” Paul Roma? What a travesty!
Match 4: Sting versus Avalanche
Highlights:
• The Guardian Angel was the special guest referee. That’s much better than Mr. T, right? No red beret though. I wonder what that means.
• WTF? Ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta announced that Avalanche is from Mt. Everest, Washington. OK, who shifted the tectonic plates to relocate the Himalayas from Nepal to North America?
• Tony mentioned the WCW All-Nighter. If anything belonged in the Vault section on the WWE Network it’s these classics.
• They attacked one another right off the bat. Angel pulled Avalanche off Sting in the corner forcefully.
• Avalanche missed…uh…an avalanche. I smell a pattern here.
• Two dropkicks by Sting sent Avalanche over the top rope to the floor.
• Sting attempted to slam him but fell back for a 2 count.
• Leg drop by Avalanche.
• He then sandwiched Sting in the corner.
• Powerslam by Avalanche.
• After ducking a clothesline off the ropes Sting ran straight into him knocking the big man down.
• Sting then fell forward and “accidentally” delivered a head butt to the groin. YEE-OUCH!
• After avoiding an elbow drop Sting gave him a Stinger splash to the back. And then one to the front.
• A third one hits the target as well.
• A fourth one and Sting’s target ratio is still 100%. Repetitive yet effective.
• He then slammed Avalanche.
• Sting applied the Scorpion Death Lock. While it would appear that Avalanche was submitting the Angel didn’t call it.
• Referee Nick Patrick ran in, called the submission, and rang the bell.
• Sting won!
Rating: **
Summary: Not as slow as their Starrcade match but nothing worthwhile. Let’s hope this feud doesn’t continue.
After the match Patrick raises Sting’s arm in victory. Angel shoves Patrick to the mat then shoves Sting. Another shove causes Sting to land a haymaker off the ropes. Angel comes back with a clothesline then tosses Patrick over the top rope. Stars and Stripes and Alex Wright arrive to rescue Sting.
Immediately thereafter Gene interviews Angel and Avalanche. Angel claims Avalanche never submitted. He then tears his shirt off and changes his name back to Big Bubba Rogers. The heel turn is cemented.
Match 5: Kevin Sullivan and the Butcher versus WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/ Jimmy Hart)
Highlights:
• Buffer rumbled.
• Hogan clotheslined Butcher in the corner.
• High knee from Hogan to Butcher.
• Hogan missed the Axe Bomber then Butcher applied the sleeper.
• Hogan passed out, and the Butcher thought he won.
• While Butcher and Sullivan celebrated on adjacent corners Savage mounted the opposite top turnbuckle and delivered his patented elbow drop. Huh?
• The move woke the Hulkster up! It’s the reviving elbow!
• Successive atomic drops sent Sullivan and Butcher to the floor.
• After Savage tossed Butcher back in Hogan hit the Axe Bomber.
• Double big boot from the Monster Maniacs.
• Sullivan and Butcher deliver a back drop to Savage sending him over the top rope to the floor.
• Tony claimed the match should have ended by disqualification, but referee Randy Anderson was occupied by Hogan on the opposite side of the ring.
• Butcher made Savage eat the steel railing. No waiting at the casino buffet for him.
• He then ran Savage into the ring post.
• Sullivan continued the dirty shenanigans by running Savage into another ring post.
• Moments later Savage ate the ring post yet again.
• Savage was tied to the Tree of Woe and Sullivan delivered a knee to the gut.
• Make that 2.
• Butcher applied the sleeper. Will Hogan give Savage the reviving leg drop?
• Jawbreaker by Savage.
• Hot tag Hogan.
• Big boot from Hogan to Butcher.
• After Hogan slammed him Savage dropped the big elbow. Does he wake up too?
• Nope. Hogan gave him the leg drop and got the victory.
Rating: *1/2
Summary: Sports-entertainment at its finest here as the reviving elbow rallies Hulkamania to continue. On a different note a boring heat segment on Savage extended this match well beyond its expiration date.
After the match Vader leaves his ringside seat and invades the ring. He nails Savage sending him to the floor then confronts Hogan. The Hulkster’s right hands have no effect on Vader. He then wallops Hogan in the back then gives him a powerbomb.
After a minute or so Hogan stands straight up! Now Hogan’s right hands affect Vader. Savage returns and the Monster Maniacs slug Vader down to the mat. Hart gives Savage and Hogan chairs as they have the higher ground.
Conclusion: Two major instances stand out from this show. First let’s start with the reviving elbow. While on one hand it looked like Savage was stabbing Hogan in the back WCW told the opposite story and broke the fourth wall albeit in subtle fashion. Long-time wrestling fans know the history between Hogan and Savage and realize that Hogan kicked out of the elbow drop at WrestleMania V. Therefore, Hogan was impervious to the elbow drop as it would have the reverse effect. Personally I don’t buy it. It’s very cartoonish and belittles Savage’s patented finisher and credibility.
Now let’s address the other major instance—Hogan’s no-selling of Vader’s powerbomb. While it was very important to send the fans home happy from Las Vegas it was completely unnecessary to make Vader look foolish. After all Vader’s powerbomb had won him titles and sent victims to the ER. I don’t see Vader as a viable opponent to Hogan at SuperBrawl, and that’s another bad thing for WCW. Let’s hope I’m wrong, and the PPV match is both competitive and entertaining.
As far as the rest of the show is concerned the opening match was good. The foundation of newcomer Alex Wright was constructed. And Harlem Heat as the tag champs worked well. Sting got a passable match out of Tenta, but the match was built for the heel turn rather than the other way around.
Check this out if you have never seen it; otherwise, skip to SuperBrawl. See you then!
TV Rating: 3.50
For more information on me please visit rockstargary.com.