Post by anthonymm13 on Nov 21, 2020 23:57:24 GMT 1
UNITED STATES TITLE TOURNAMENT (August 15, 1992)
After US champ Rick Rude won the World Title at the Great American Bash, he was forced to vacate his previous title. WCW officials decided to hold a one-night, 16-man tournament to decide its new champion.
FIRST ROUND
Johnny B. Badd pinned Bobby Eaton in 2:28.
Rating: *
Johnny B. Badd hasn’t had many problems with the Dangerous Alliance in the past. That might change after this.
Announcers hyped the match as one between two of the best punchers in WCW. Eaton tried to goad Badd, offering him a free shot, apparently not believing Badd had a good punch. He was wrong.
Badd took the free shot and knocked Eaton out.
Dustin Rhodes and Steve Austin battled to a double countout in 15:49.
Rating: ** 1/2
Rhodes recently won the WCW TV title off Austin, and now Austin stood in the way of him winning another. But nothing was settled between the two old rivals, as they fought each other outside of the ring, both getting counted out.
As a result of this, Johnny B. Badd will get a bye in the next round.
Ricky Steamboat pinned Greg Valentine with the Flying Cross Body Press in 5:28.
Rating: ** 1/4
In a battle between two veterans, but ones with contrasting styles, the athleticism and high-flying nature of Ricky Steamboat bested the brute power of The Hammer.
Great Muta pinned Junkyard Dog after a Soviet suplex in 6:05.
Rating: *
One of Japan’s best came back overseas to go after the United States title. He scored an impressive first-round win over the rugged JYD.
Terry Gordy pinned Thomas Zenk after a powerslam in 7:09.
Rating: ** 3/4
The power of Terry Gordy gave him a relatively easy win over Zenk who didn’t seem to be on the same page with his manager Alexandra York.
Van Hammer pinned Paul Orndorff with the Hammer Rocks in 9:35.
Rating: *** 1/4
A win over someone of Paul Orndorff’s stature could go a long way to giving Van Hammer momentum that can carry him through the tournament. But up next he matches up with Terry Gordy with whom Hammer has had problems with lately.
After Hammer’s win, Gordy blindsided Hammer, laying him out in the middle of the ring.
Flyin' Brian defeated Ron Simmons by countout in 6:54.
Rating: ** ¼
Aside from going for the US title, Ron Simmons is also a top contender for Rick Rude’s world title.
Rude came down to ringside, drawing Simmons’ attention. Simmons chased Rude all the way to the back, getting himself counted out.
Sting defeated Cactus Jack via pinfall in 7:50.
Rating: *** ¼
One of the heavy favorites coming into the tournament, former world champion Sting picked up a win in a tough first-round match against Cactus Jack.
QUARTERFINALS
Johnny B. Badd won via default.
Ricky Steamboat pinned Great Muta after a powerslam in 13:31.
Rating: **** 1/4
No surprise that two talented veterans gave an instant classic. They exchanged high impact, high flying moves. But the end came when Steamboat caught Muta going for a top rope splash and turned it into a powerslam.
Van Hammer defeated Terry Gordy by disqualification in 5:37.
Rating: **
[Dick Slater interfered against Van Hammer.]
Gordy’s tag team partner, Dick Slater, accompanied him to the ring. Gordy thought he weakened Hammer enough with his attack earlier, but Hammer kept fighting and was getting the best of Gordy.
Slater tried to get in a few cheap shots, but the referee caught him and called for the disqualification.
Upset at the ruling, Gordy and Slater double team attacked Hammer.
Flyin' Brian pinned Sting in 12:50.
Rating: *** ½
Sting, one of the tournament’s favorites, is out in the quarterfinals. Flyin’ Brian moves on after getting an unexpected helping hand from Jake the Snake Roberts.
With the referee knocked down, Roberts came out of the stands and DDTed Sting. Brian crawled over on top of Sting as the ref revived to get the pin.
SEMIFINALS
Ricky Steamboat pinned Johnny B. Badd after a small package in 12:32.
Rating: *** ¾
Two tag team partners faced each other with a spot in the tournament finals on the line.
They put on a great show with Steamboat getting the win after rolling up Badd.
After the match, Badd shook Steamboat’s hand and the two hugged. Badd wished Steamboat good luck in the final.
Flyin’ Brian pinned Van Hammer after a flying cross body press in 7:11.
Rating: ** ¾
Flyin’ Brian will face Steamboat for the United States title. Brian had a rough road getting to this point facing Ron Simmons and Sting, but got past both, albeit with a little help.
The semifinal match was no exception. Hammer had already been softened up by a couple beatings from Terry Gordy. This time, Gordy snuck down to the ring and held Hammer’s foot down so he couldn’t kick out after a Pillman splash. The ref couldn’t see it and Pillman got the win.
Match for the vacant WCW UNITED STATES TITLE
Ricky Steamboat pinned Flyin' Brian after a flying cross body press in 14:36.
Rating: ***
(Ricky Steamboat won the WCW UNITED STATES TITLE.)
After a long, hard road, Ricky Steamboat is the new United States champion. Although it seems Flyin’ Brian fails to accept that.
The match was the fast-paced one you’d expect it to be with two high-flying talents. But Brian went for a flying cross body and his legs caught the ref. It looked like Brian had Steamboat down for what would’ve been a 3 count, but the ref wasn’t in position to count.
As Brian aggressively brought the ref to, yelling and screaming at him, he didn’t see Steamboat go up top and come off with a cross body of his own. The ref was able to count this time, getting the win and the title.
