CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS XXXI (August 24, 1994)
Johnny B. Badd and Ricky Steamboat defeated Lord Steven Regal and Jean-Paul Levesque when Badd pinned Regal with the Tutti Frutti in 10:47.
Rating: *** 1/4
Johnny B. Badd recruited an old friend to even the odds against Regal and Levesque, bringing in Ricky Steamboat as his partner. It was just like old times for the two as the were impressive in the win, especially Badd, who knocked out and
pinned the US Champ.
INTERVIEW WITH HULK HOGAN
WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan came out for an interview before his world title rematch tonight against Ric Flair, only to get blindsided by the Horsemen who took out Hogan's knee. By the time reinforcements came to Hogan's aid, the damage was done.
Hogan was taken by ambulance to a hospital, leaving the status of tonight's world title match in doubt.
Marcus Alexander Bagwell pinned 2 Cold Scorpio with the Fisherman Suplex in 8:57.
Rating: *** 1/4
(Marcus Alexander Bagwell retained the WCW TELEVISION TITLE.)
Marcus Bagwell was challenged by his old partner 2 Cold Scorpio for the TV title. Bagwell claimed he was the one that carried their team and they would've been champions long ago if he would've picked a better partner.
His words almost came back to haunt him and Scorpio looked on the verge of beating Bagwell, but a Horseman always has a trick up their sleeve. Bagwell stuck a foreign object in his kneepad while no one was looking.
Scorpio came off the top rope for his splash but Bagwell got his knee up and whatever was in there knocked out Scorpio.
INTERVIEW WITH THE STEINER BROTHERS
Mene Gene Okerlund caught up with one of WCW’s most decorated tag teams of all time, The Steiner Brothers, as Rick and Scott were sitting ringside for the event. It’s been a few years since the Steiners were seen in WCW, but they said they were looking forward to getting back in the mix.
This brought out current world champions, Harlem Heat. They said a lot has changed since the Steiners were away and Harlem Heat runs things now.
The Steiners seemed ready to take this altercation to a physical level, but Harlem Heat just laughed and walked away, saying they were too busy with a title match to get ready for, but they’ll deal with those suckas another day.
Davey Boy Smith pinned Terry Funk with the Running Powerslam in 8:27.
Rating: ** 1/2
Davey Boy Smith scored a victory over Funk, who's been a thorn in his side during his rivalry with Dustin Rhodes. But Funk and Rhodes got the last laugh as Rhodes ran down after the man and the two got a double team assault on Davey Boy.
COMMENTS FROM THE WCW CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE
WCW championship committee member Nick Bockwinkel came out to address the world title match situation. He gave the bad news that due to the contracts, if Hogan is stripped of the title for not being able to defend it tonight.
Flair came out and expected to be handed the belt, but instead, Bockwinkle informed him that there will be a title match tonight. For the now vacant belt, it will be Flair vs. Big Van Vader.
Loser-Leaves-Town Match:
Ron Simmons pinned Cactus Jack with the Powerslam in 16:28.
Rating: ** 1/2
Harley Race could be on his way to a great night. With a world title match coming up for Vader, Race also got one of his biggest problems solved when Ron Simmons, with Race's aid of course, defeated Cactus Jack in a loser leaves town match.
Cactus was setting up to put Simmons away with his DDT when Race jumped on the apron. Jack charged Race knocking him down, but also allowing Simmons to regroup and catch him coming back with a powerslam that ended the match and Cactus Jack's WCW career.
INTERVIEW WITH DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE
Diamond Dallas Page gave an interview. He's been appearing on recent Saturday Night broadcasts saying he's been working out, training hard and ready to become a serious wrestling threat.
During his speeches he's been taking verbal shots at several WCW stars including Bobby Eaton, with Page saying Eaton's been nothing but a crybaby since the Horsemen turned him down.
Eaton came out to confront Page and for his troubles, Page hit Eaton with his new move he calls the Diamond Cutter.
Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray and Booker T) defeated Brian Knobbs and Big Boss Man when Booker pinned Boss Man with the Axe Kick in 0:13:34.
Rating: * 3/4
(Harlem Heat retained the WCW WORLD TAG TEAM TITLES.)
Harlem Heat successfully defended their world titles taking advantage of a wild scene where Pretty Wonderful came to try to attack the Nasty Boys only to get beaten back. But the distraction allowed Harlem Heat to win the match.
After the match, Pretty Wonderful came back down to jump on a now down Knobbs and Boss Man as Harlem Heat went to the back, showcasing their titles to the Steiners sitting ringside. Pretty Wonderful kept up the attack until running down for the save was Jerry Sags, seemingly healed from his knee injury.
Sting and Brian Pillman defeated Arn Anderson and Steve Austin when Sting defeated A. Anderson by disqualification in 14:05.
Rating: ** 1/4
Sting and Brian Pillman have been two victims of the Horsemen’s reformation. Tonight they teamed up to go after a bit of revenge.
Facing Arn Anderson and Steve Austin, Sting and Pillman took control of the match, only to have Marcus Bagwell run in leading to a 3-on-2 attack.
Ric Flair pinned Big Van Vader in 13:01.
Rating: * 3/4
(Ric Flair won the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE).
Flair used the Horsemen advantage to take down Vader, much to Harley Race's chagrin. Race threw his hands up in disgust and left ringside while Vader was getting attacked by the Horsemen.
However, running in for the save for Vader was an unlikely source, none other than Sting and Brian Pillman. Together, the three fought off the Horsemen, then had an interesting staredown in the middle of the ring.
Card rating: ** 1/4
