CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS XV (April 3, 1991)
Tonight's Clash of the Champions features several matches setting up WCW's next pay per view, Superbrawl. Sting has still been haunted in recent weeks by the mysterious Black Scorpion. At the same time, he's still been dealing with the Horsemen, in particularly Ric Flair who beat Sting for the world title a few months ago, and Barry Windham who's betrayal cost Sting the title.
But Sting is not alone in his fights. His best friend, Lex Luger, has vowed to be by Sting's side for the fight against the Horsemen and the Scorpion.
The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) and Z-Man defeated The Midnight Express (Stan Lane and Bobby Eaton) and Shane Douglas when S. Steiner pinned B. Eaton with the Frankensteiner in 17:56.
Rating: *** 3/4
Despite Rick Steiner still having his knee taped from War Games and clearly not 100 percent, The Steiners picked up a huge win in the 6-man tag, getting a pin against the World Tag Team champions. They'll look to take this momentum into their world title return match at Superbrawl.
But there was definitely tension inside the Midnight camp. Jim Cornette, while clearly intending to hit one of the Steiners with his tennis racket, instead caught Bobby Eaton which led to the pin.
Eaton and Lane didn't take too kindly to the accident and started screaming at Cornette, asking if they even need him around anymore. Shane Douglas tried to keep the peace but Cornette kept going on about how much the Midnights needed him and they wouldn't be champs without him.
Eaton responded by nailing Cornette with a hard left hand.
Dustin Rhodes pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker with the Bulldog in 7:21.
Rating: * 1/4
Rookie son of the American Dream, Dustin Rhodes scored another impressive win at the start of his young career.
Junkyard Dog pinned Butch Reed after a headbutt in 16:55.
Rating: * 1/4
Ron Simmons saw this as a perfect opportunity to get a measure of revenge on his former partner, costing him the match then attacking him after until Reed and Teddy Long retreated to the back.
Interview with Junkyard Dog
After his win, JYD called out Paul Orndorff. He said he was there right along side him last Summer in the Dudes with Attitudes. If Orndorff was only there cause he was expecting something in return, he never should've been there.
JYD went on that Sting and Luger were standup guys and Orndorff is quickly losing his respect and he will never be on the level of those two.
That brought out Orndorff who said he doesn't care about having JYD's respect. All he cares about is being a champion, which he is now and never was being Sting and Luger's lackey.
This led to a mini brawl between the two that officials had to break up.
The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) defeated Tim Horner and Brad Armstrong when M. Hayes pinned Horner with the DDT in 7:03.
Rating: ** 1/2
(The Fabulous Freebirds retained the WCW UNITED STATES TAG TEAM TITLES.)
The Freebirds have been just about unbeatable since taking on Diamond Dallas Page as their manager. After another successful US Tag Title defense, they let it be known that while they've been enjoying the ride as US champions, this isn't the end of the line.
Being US Champs should make them No. 1 contenders and are serving notice to whoever comes out of the Midnight-Steiner matchup that the Freebirds are next in line for a world title shot.
Flyin' Brian pinned Arn Anderson after a cross body press in 11:48.
Rating: ** 1/4
In what was a fantastic matchup and a contrast of styles, Brian grinded out a hard-fought win over Arn Anderson, but Anderson went on the attack after the bell, nailing Brian with a spinebuster and a pair of DDTs.
After, Anderson called out Ricky Steamboat, saying he never should've came back to WCW and stuck his nose in Horsemen business.
The York Foundation (Richard Morton and Thomas Rich) defeated The Young Pistols (Tracey Smothers and Steve Armstrong) when Morton pinned
S. Armstrong after a swinging neckbreaker in 9:45.
Rating: *** 1/4
Morton and Rich continue the roll they've been on, beating the Young Pistols. This undoubtedly moves them up the WCW tag team ladder.
Oz pinned Doug Furnas with a powerbomb in 5:27.
Rating: * 3/4
The big green monster from the Emerald City was dominant against a strong challenger in Doug Furnas.
Lex Luger and Sting defeated The Four Horsemen (Barry Windham and Ric Flair) when Luger pinned Flair after
a piledriver in 18:02.
Rating: *** 1/2
This match began as a brawl between the bitter rivals before it settled down into a pretty classic match.
But after a while, things broke down again and fights happened everywhere. Windham and Sting fought to the floor where out of nowhere, a flash of smoke came and the Black Scorpion was seen on the ramp. Sting charged after the Scorpion but after another flash of smoke, he was gone as only his maniacal laughter was heard in the air.
Windham ran after Sting and fought him up the ramp. Meanwhile, in the ring Lex Luger was able to hit a piledriver and pinned the world champion.
Following the match, Jim Ross met Luger and Sting in the ring and said he has just heard from the championship committee. Based on tonight's outcome, Luger will get a world title shot at Ric Flair at Superbrawl, while Sting will get his hands on Barry Windham one on one.
Sting liked the idea about getting to face Windham, but asked "What about the Scorpion?" Ross was at a loss for an answer. Luger told Sting not to worry, just take care of business, he'll take of his and they'll get to the bottom of this. At the same time, Luger told Sting to think about this, who showed up right around the same time the Scorpion did? And Who had admitted to having a grudge against him? Implying Paul Orndorff could possibly be the Scorpion.
Sting said if it is him, there will be hell to pay.