WCW From the Beginning

CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS XXIX (March 17, 1994)

Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray and Booker T), Brian Knobbs and Greg Valentine defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin), 2 Cold Scorpio and Marcus Alexander Bagwell when Booker pinned J. Garvin with the Axe Kick in 18:01.
Rating: ** 1/4

Brian Knobbs is in search of a new tag partner after an injury to Jerry Saggs knocked him out of action for about 6 months. He gave Greg The Hammer Valentine a tryout in tonight's 8 man match. 

Hammer did well for his team, but it was Harlem Heat who made quite a statement when Booker T pinned one half of the world champion Freebirds. 

Dustin Rhodes pinned Dick Slater with the Bulldog in 9:08.
Rating: ** 1/4

Dustin Rhodes has been on a bit of a losing streak lately. He shocked everyone by coming out for tonight's match with none other than Terry Funk by his side.

Rhodes picked up the win with Funk simply cheering him on from ringside, shouting some basic instructions and encouragement. After the match Rhodes said he was in need of some guidance to get back on the winning track. 

He was questioned about Funk's notorious record in WCW, but Rhodes said that wasn't the same man. Funk has reformed and is going to be a valuable asset to helping the Natural get back on top.

Lord Steven Regal pinned Ice Train after a kick to the head in 13:43.
Rating: * ¼

Steven Regal picked up a big win over Ice Train. After the match, Davey Boy Smith was giving an interview to which Regal walked through interrupting. He called Smith an embarrassment to Great Britain and said he should do the world a favor and that the US title away from him.

Before Smith was able to give much of a counter, Regal sucker punched Smith then walked away.

Steve Austin and Brian Pillman battled to a double countout in 11:27.
Rating: ** 1/4
(Brian Pillman retained the WCW TELEVISION TITLE.)

Former partners and rivals met for Pillman’s TV title. But nothing was settled on this night. Old hostilities came back quickly once the bell rang and the match eventually spilled out to the floor. 

Both were too busy beating each other they didn’t pay any attention to the ref counting to 10 and counting both men out. 

Big Van Vader and Ron Simmons and Cactus Jack and Sting battled to a draw in 20:00.
Rating: *** 1/4

In a return match for Superbrawl, the four held nothing back in a wild brawl. Much like the night’s previous match nothing was settled as the fight hit the match’s 20-minute time limit. 

The bell didn’t stop the fight, however. As they kept battling until officials had to come down to pull everyone apart. 

Rick Rude defeated Arn Anderson by disqualification in 16:49.
Rating: ** 1/4
(Rick Rude retained the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE.)
(Rick Rude retained the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE.)
[Ric Flair interfered against Rick Rude.]

Rick Rude isn't satisfied by simply beating Ric Flair last month to unify the world titles, he's been actively rubbing Flair's nose in the fact that he beat him.

Rude was challenged tonight by Flair's best friend Arn Anderson. Although the Enforcer mounted a tough challenge, Rude got the better of him. 

SPRING STAMPEDE (April 17, 1994)

Johnny B. Badd defeated Jean-Paul Levesque via pinfall in 12:39.
Rating: *** ¼

Levesque has been invaluable to Steven Regal’s success recently, including wins over Johnny B. Badd. Badd was able to get a measure of revenge, topping Levesque in a 1-on-1 match.

2 Cold Scorpio and Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated
Brian Knobbs and Greg Valentine when Scorpio pinned Valentine with the
450 Splash in 11:31.
Rating: ***

Brian Knobbs' partnership with Greg the Hammer Valentine turned out to be short-lived. After losing tonight to Scorpio and Bagwell, Knobbs attacked the Hammer and left him laying in the ring.

Dustin Rhodes pinned Maxx Payne with the Bulldog in 7:13.
Rating: ** ½

Dustin Rhodes is once again building back a winning streak. Once again, Terry Funk was in Rhodes' corner giving him advice and cheering him on.

No-Countout-No-DQ-Match

Falls Count Anywhere
Ron Simmons pinned Cactus Jack with the Powerslam in 22:12.
Rating: ** 3/4

Ron Simmons scored a win over Cactus Jack in a Falls Count Anywhere match following a hit with a shovel in the parking lot. But after the match, Simmons put Jack's unconscious body in the trunk of a car that drove away. 

Brian Pillman pinned Steve Austin with the Springboard Clothesline in 16:59.
Rating: *** ½

(Brian Pillman retained the WCW TELEVISION TITLE)

Following their double countout at the Clash of Champions, a rematch was a necessity. 

Pillman has been on a roll lately and he kept his momentum going besting his former partner in an exciting contest.

Lord Steven Regal pinned Davey Boy Smith after a somersault slam in 15:06.
Rating: ** 3/4
(Lord Steven Regal won the WCW UNITED STATES TITLE.)

Regal knew it was going to take a lot to take the US title away from Davey Boy. So Regal brought a lot to the table. He brought Jean-Paul Levesque and also brought some brass knuckles. 

Levesque tried to slip Regal the Knucks while he had the ref distracted, but Davey Boy caught him gave him a shot that knocked the knucks out of his hand sending them flying. 

But they landed close enough to Levesque where he was able to gather them, then while Regal distracted the ref, Levesque clocked Davey Boy with them, helping Regal get the pin and the title.

Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray and Booker T) defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) when Booker pinned M. Hayes with the Axe Kick in 15:20.
Rating: ** 3/4
(Harlem Heat won the WCW WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES.)

Harlem Heat has been saying all they needed was one shot. Tonight they finally got that shot and made the most of it. 

The Freebirds are one of the most decorated tag teams in WCW history but tonight they ran in to a younger, strong and more athletic team, as there was nothing they could do to stop Harlem Heat from becoming world champions.

Sting defeated Big Van Vader by disqualification in 2:43.
Rating: * ¾

There was a lot of anticipation for this match, but sadly it never really got going. Shortly after the opening bell, Ron Simmons ran down to join Vader in a 2-on-1 assault of Sting. 

With Cactus Jack God knows where, Sting was at the mercy of Harley Race’s diabolical pair.

Ric Flair defeated Rick Rude via pinfall in 20:13.
Rating: ***
(Ric Flair won the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE.)

Ric Flair finally turned the tide on Rick Rude, getting the win and becoming the new undisputed champion.

This match followed the similar script of their most recent encounters, Flair coming out strong but Rude weathering the storm and taking control. 

In past matches, Rude has also had an edge with the presence of Woman by his side. Tonight, Arn Anderson took her out of the equation … literally. He came down, picked her up and carried her to the back. 

Still, Rude had Flair set up for the Rude Awakening, but Flair kicked his leg back and caught Rude in between the legs. Flair took the opportunity to roll up Rude and get the pin, once again becoming world champion for the 6th time in WCW and 13th time overall. 

After the match Flair was celebrating in the locker room with Arn Anderson when his old friend/rival Sting came in to congratulate him. 

Also coming in was interviewer Gene Okerlund who talked to Flair about the win. Gene also asked Flair about rumors that have been circulating that WCW is in negotiations with none other than Hulk Hogan. 

Flair first criticized Okerlund for bringing that up at this moment, but said he heard the rumors and honestly he doesn't like them. He made an appeal to Sting who was still around, saying the original WCW guys need to stick together because if Hogan comes in, he's going to try to take over and make this place all about him. 

Sting was taken back a bit by Flair's comments before saying he didn't agree, and that he thinks everyone will benefit if Hogan comes aboard. He told Flair he's sorry but he thinks Flair is taking the wrong approach on this one, and then he left. 

Card rating: ***