WCW '94: War of the Thrones

SkipMartin · March 25, 2016

*sniffle* *sniffle*

Godspeed, Saturday Night!

Beejus · March 26, 2016

WCW Hotline: May 1996, Week 2

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/hotline.jpg

WCW Hotline

2nd Week of May 1996

Option 1: World War 3 Control Center!

Option 2: Announced for WCW Monday Nitro!

Option 3: What the world ISN’T watching!

Option 4: WCW Disney/MGM taping results!

Option 5: Mean Gene’s backstage pass!

Option 6: The Monday Night War Neilson ratings!

Option 7: Tony Schiavone’s WCW moment of the week!

Option 8: Mike Tenay’s International Report!

Option 9: A gift from the WCW Catalog!

Option 1: World War 3 Control Center!

Huge news from this past Nitro was that Meng will face off against the man we see as Sting for the World's Heavyweight championship! Also, “The Total Package” Lex Luger is being forced to appear as the special referee in the match between brothers! What will happen when the bombs drop and we witness World War 3?! The only way to find out is to call your cable company and order now!

Option 2: Announced for this week’s WCW Monday Nitro!

WCW Executive Vice President Eric Bischoff has wasted no time in trying to punish people for what happened last week – he has booked a surprise match for our main event to feature the number one contender to the World title, Meng! Also in action, Ultimo Dragon has found a partner to face off with Onoo's hired guns, The Annihilator and Psychosis, Disco Inferno takes on 2 Cold Scorpio, and Bam Bam Bigelow tries to dethrone “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! All this and much, much more only on WCW Monday Nitro!

Option 3: What the world ISN’T watching!

Amazing! The WWF for once put the World title on the line as they entered enemy territory, coming into our backyard of The Omni. Not-so-Great Kokina has finally ended the torturous reign of “The Burger King” – but which title reign will be a bigger flop in the history books? The fat guy who couldn't save 1993, or the supposed legend who never defended his title? If you think that was impressive though, don't even bother tuning into the rest of the show; there was an in-ring confrontation between The Heartbroke Joke and the corpse of Mean Mark; the brother of the corpse of Mean Mark, also known as Brian Lee, defeated some other fat guy; and Vinnie Vegas lost to the face painted 'roid freak.

Option 4: Last weekend’s WCW Disney/MGM taping results!

WCW Pro: B
A pre-taped Brian Pillman segment opens the show, where he and Miss Elizabeth talk about how happy he will be to destroy Randy Savage's dreams of winning World War 3 (B)
Bam Bam Bigelow d. Doug Basham (C+)
Mike Tenay interviews Bigelow after the match, Bigelow saying he is ready for Bubba Rogers at World War 3! (D+)
2 Cold Scorpio and Dawn Marie cut a backstage promo on Disco Inferno (saying he should never have done what he did last week, and challenging him for a match on Nitro) and Brian Pillman, warning him not to take Scorpio lightly in tonight's main event! ©
Psychosis d. Ultimo Dragon after an attack by The Annihilator (C-)
Sonny Onoo laughs on commentary as Annihilator and Psychosis assault Dragon after the match, as Tony correctly guesses that Onoo has bought the services of Psychosis now (D-) Onoo's new Conman (Weasel) gimmick rates an A.
Johnny B. Badd, Alex Wright, Harlem Heat, and the Badd Girl are in a pre-taped promo, Badd himself doing the talking as he says his “Badd Crew” are going to work together in World War 3 and dominate the match in ways nobody has thought of yet! ©
Johnny B. Badd d. Shane Helms (C+)
Brian Pillman d. 2 Cold Scorpio after Disco Inferno distracts Scorpio by calling him out for cheating (B)
As Scorpio is helped backstage, Pillmania and Disco Fever overtake the audience, as the two men pose and dance for the crowd to end the show ©

WCW Worldwide: C+ The Panel consists of Tony Schiavone, Gene Okerlund, Ted DiBiase, and Theodore R. Long
The new panel (Onoo out, DiBiase in) start right off by talking about the end of Nitro, where we saw more than one Sting again… but which one was true? (B-) Tony debuted a new Sportscaster (Realistic) gimmick, rating a B.
Juventud Guerrera d. Shane Helms ©
The Panel interviews Scott Hall and Kimberly Page, Hall saying that he saw DDP's return match on Saturday Night and saw something different than everyone else did: he saw a man who isn't himself anymore (B-)
Coach Irvin Alexander d. Doug Basham (D+)
The Panel discuss Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham, saying that this one could come to a head sooner rather than later (C+)
Rick Martel, Marty Jannetty, and Chris Candido d. Alex Wright and Harlem Heat when Martel surprises Wright with a crucifix pin (C+) Candido has changed to a No Gimmicks Needed gimmick, rating a 100!
The Panel take a few moments to deliver some important news about WCW's wrestling weekend; with the end of WCW Saturday Night this week, WCW Pro is going to incorporate more than it had previously and will become the all-new WCW Prime! ©
California Kip d. Cactus Jack following an attack by the Sting Army (C+)
Post-match, Cactus loses it completely, going around ringside shrieking and punching at himself, ending the show on a somber level ©

Option 5: Mean Gene’s backstage pass!

As of the first of May, Terry Taylor has been relieved of his position as WCW Power Plant head trainer. In his place is now Barry Windham; the feeling is that the facility will receive many more trainees with a trainer who is given more of a push on-screen. Others are simply feeling that Taylor's contract, which is coming up soon, is not going to be renewed. Backstage at Nitro, it appears Animal was the talk of the town as he was telling a few old, hilarious stories from the road. For the final WCW Saturday Night, both Dean Malenko and The Giant supplied a bunch of alcohol, making the spirits quite lively! In regards to the final Saturday Night, the show was set to run it's course until the end of this season, but many within WCW felt it was finally time to give up the timeslot that it has held for many years. Creatively, the show had reached a standstill that will be taken up by the all-new WCW Prime on Friday night. Thus, the contracts with TBS and DSF were amicably terminated three weeks early. Look for DSF to air some special episodes from the past to fill out their timeslot on Sunday afternoon, while TBS will be airing some great NBA action for the rest of May on Saturdays! Will Saturday Night ever return? I've learned to never say never, fans!

Option 6: The Monday Night War Neilson ratings!

Nitro on TNT lands an awesome 7.86 rating, while Raw continues to plod along with a lowly 4.63.

Option 7: Tony Schiavone’s moment of the week!

The final episode for now of WCW Saturday Night was one of the biggest events in WCW's long, storied history. I was honored to have called the show and gotten to witness all the action firsthand, but fans you know what this means right? Even more action on Nitro!

Option 8: Mike Tenay’s International Report!

AAA TV makes it's return on the Canal channel as of the upcoming season, which is sure to delight plenty of Mexican fans!

Option 9: A special gift from the WCW Catalog!

Show your favorite fandoms with the brand new WCW visor hats! The summer sun gets hotter than ever, so keep your head nice and cool with a visor hat! Press zero to get a 15% discount courtesy of WCW Catalog!

--------------------------------

Amusing news: love is in the air backstage at NWA-NJ, WCPW, MEWF, NWA Sabu, and ECWA; Rob Van Dam has been traveling to all his shows for these companies with Joanie Laurer, and it appears the two are now fully dating. Picture that one in your minds. At the same time, Joanie is also in the news for arguing about money with Missy Hyatt. Add that to her strong friendship with Dwayne Johnson and she's getting quite the odd collection of relationships in this world.

The Final Countdown · March 27, 2016

Even though you obviously could have made a lot more money if you'd used a bigger venue, it was a nice touch to hold the final episode of Saturday Night at Center Stage.

I don't know how you managed to juggle four shows for so long, particularly with two of them being B shows. I get pretty bored even with my one hour B show.

Beejus · March 31, 2016

WCW Monday Nitro - May 6th, 1996

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/nitro.jpg

WCW Monday Nitro

May 6th, 1996 (May week 2)

Held at: Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota (Mid West)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 11,640 (sold out!)

Show Runtime: Two Hours

Rating: B

This show increased our popularity in 11 regions.

Last Week on Monday Nitro
The show opens with clips from last week's Nitro, where “Sting” was informed by WCW Commissioner Magnum TA that he would be defending the World championship at World War 3 against the former United States Heavyweight, World Tag Team, and US Tag Team champion, former member of the Kings of Wrestling, Meng! It then showed Meng slapping the mask nearly off of Sting, could he do that again at World War 3?!

Rating: C+

Marching the Troops to War
From that we head to the locker room of the Kings of Wrestling, where “Macho Man” Randy Savage, the Kings' Monsters and Woman, Barry Windham, Larry Zbyszko, Paul Orndorff, and Sting holding the World's championship are sitting. To the front of the room walks Roddy Piper, with Harley Race at his side, and Harley barks for everyone to be quiet. “Hot Rod” does the talking, addressing everyone as he says that Eric isn't here tonight, so the evening is all on the shoulders of “President Piper” to do what's right for the group. He says that he has some announcements to make for each of them. Number one, that Sting, our very prestigious World champion, well he isn't going to be forced into battle alone this Sunday. He says that just because the WCW Championship Committee named that traitor Meng as number one contender, the KoW still hold the power, and the match will now be under no disqualification rules!
Secondly, he brings up tonight's main event. He announces that Meng will have to try and find a tag partner – as he takes on Barry Windham and Randy Savage in our main event. “Give 'im hell, and if you can't do that, I might have a coconut around here to blast him with!”
He then talks about World War 3 coming up, the battle royal itself. Piper says that he is staying out of it; not because he wouldn't want the Spoils of War, but simply because he knows that he can trust his men to follow the plan. “The plan that I started back in March of 1994 when I got in touch with Nick Bockwinkel and told him that maybe signing Hulk Hogan would be a good idea. The plan that continued with Hollywood Hogan running WCW for a year and a half with a title we should have been handed after sending that prima donna packing. The plan where even though we didn't get the World title back in our camp on the first or second plan, gaining the belt meant we gained the loyalty of one of our biggest rivals, 'The Stinger'! A man who should have been wearing this big gold belt long before now, if he would have been on his game when we started this whole thing I would have reached out to him instead of Hogan. A man of character and principal! A man who I've fought with in the past over the most trivial of matters, and now a man that I'm proud to call the champion of the Kings of Wrestling!”
Piper ends by saying that he's had a great time of being the manipulator behind the scenes, seeing his plans come to fruition one by one. But the biggest one is yet to come; “This place, WCW? We are molding it into our image, where we are in control! And once we're in control, then we do what Kings do best: take over more and more until we own the entire wrestling landscape!” Laughter from the boys ends the segment, as Piper appears to have everyone fired up for tonight and for World War 3!

Notes: Piper looked good here, and laid out some of his masterful improvisation work. The Giant was changed to a Man Beast (Brute) gimmick, which rated an – he wasn't stale yet, but I felt it was a good time to change him before it got there.
Rating: B+

Welcome to Monday Nitro!
The opening fireworks go off as we head to the commentary booth, where Tony Schiavone, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, and “Mean” Gene Okerlund are standing by. Tony says that there is an ominous cloud hanging over World Championship Wrestling, and it smells like war! Gene tries to say that World War 3 is the most fitting name for any show in history, because WCW and the KoW are holding the civil world war. Jesse talks about how it looks like Roddy Piper has his men all geared up and ready to go, and mentions how he doesn't know if Meng can even talk to anybody to partner up with tonight – he may have to go it alone, only six days away from his World championship shot. “And no disqualification now as well,” adds Tony, condemning the KoW for using their pull in such a manner to stack the odds in their favor. Jesse also points out that we have Ric Flair taking on Bam Bam Bigelow, and Gene says that the Steiners will be in action! But only in back to back singles matches later tonight, says Jesse, and he tells everyone to strap into their seats and lose the remote in the couch for the next two hours, because you won't want to miss any of this Nitro!

Notes: Gene struggled off-script, seeming unable to get his thoughts out quite right. Ventura made up for it though, the freedom of being unscripted to his advantage as he worked the crowd into really wanting to stick around for the show.
Rating: B-

Disco Inferno w/Jimmy Hart vs. 2 Cold Scorpio w/Dawn Marie
Disco comes to the ring dancing as Jimmy jumps around with a solid gold record, which Jesse claims was the “smash hit” that he dedicated to Scorpio last week. There is not much dancing to be had by Scorpio in this one though, as he powerwalks to the ring and takes over almost immediately. Disco holds his own, but Scorp seems to be not playing around, as he puts Disco Inferno down with his high flying, powerful offensive moves like a flipping splash from the apron and a spinning splash from the top rope, before putting this away with the very acrobatic Tumbleweed. Dawn celebrates at ringside as her man picks up a huge victory.

Match Time: 7:28
Notes: Jimmy did some good work at ringside. Scorpio and Dawn are a good pairing together, but Scorpio and Disco just did not click at all in the ring. I'm glad this is the only match I planned to have them in, as this feud ends.
Rating: C-

Ready and Wonderful
“Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff w/Harley Race vs. Steve Armstrong
“Mean” Gene is just backstage shilling the WCW Hotline (which will feature the results from this week's episodes of WCW Prime and WCW Worldwide for those who have family emergencies and end up missing the shows) when he is approached by “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, Harley Race, Jeff Jarrett, California Kip, and Woman. “Nobody cares, Genie” says Jarrett, as Kip tells him that it's time he pays attention to important matters, like KoW business. Woman is at Kip's side, holding his arm and smiling as he says that it's about time people take them seriously, as he and Jeff take down Rick and Scott Steiner later. Orndorff says to Gene that the words of encouragement he heard earlier from Roddy Piper have him just so excited to be going out for a match! He says that he, Kip, and Jeff are ready to go at World War 3, and it doesn't matter if they face off with “big jokes like Ron Simmons, big windbags like Ric Flair, even if Hulk Hogan comes back, I've dealt with him before and I'd do it again if I have to!” Orndorff warns the other entrants in the sixty man battle royal to watch out not only for the big boys like Vader, Randy, and The Giant, but to watch out for the rest of the Kings of Wrestling like them!

“Mr. Wonderful” is in the ring post-commercial break, as he takes on the Young Pistols' Steve Armstrong. Young Steve dazzles the veteran Orndorff with a flurry of dropkicks and arm drags, but a simple hold of the ropes makes Steve drop to the mat in pain. From there, amidst chants of “Paula, Paula” Paul is able to focus and zero in on Armstrong with a quick elbow drop. He drops his boogie woogie elbow on Steve, and lifts him up to drill him back down with the jumping piledriver for the three count.

Match Time: 3:09
Notes: Woman and Kip are a good pairing, playing off one another well. Harley did some good work during the match, and Orndorff vs Steve had some great chemistry. However the match was very short, and Armstrong's Family Man gimmick is very stale.
Rating:

One Partner, Bought and Sold
The Annihilator and Psychosis w/Sonny Onoo vs. Ultimo Dragon and ??? w/Ted Dibiase
Ted DiBiase is backstage before the match is brought about, and he talks about how he always is able to find the right people for the right price. He explains that he gave Richard and “The Coach” the night off, because he had a few spare hundred dollar bills laying around to hand to a guy who is out for some big respect, someone who has respect from matches against Ultimo – Dean Malenko! Ted's laugh echoes through the room as he, Dragon, and Malenko head to the ring!

This match is full of action as all four men go at one another with reckless abandon. As DiBiase said, Malenko is here to pick up some respect and get his career back on track after having lost the Cruiserweight title, and he does so by putting Psychosis down with a gutbuster from off the ropes! Ultimo takes out Annihilator with an Asai Moonsault to the outside as Dean locks the cloverleaf on in the center of the ring, and Psychosis has no choice but to signal his submission.

Match Time: 7:23
Notes: Ted came across well during his promo, but Dean performed poorly as fans didn't understand his joining this match. During the match, we saw more of Sonny and Annihilator's excellent chemistry.
Ratings: C+ / C+

“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton w/Stan Lane vs. Lance Storm
Speaking of respect, this match is all about respect as Lance Storm tries to earn the respect of veterans like the Twilight Express. Jesse talks about how last week Storm defeated Terry Taylor completely cleanly right in the center of the ring, and wonders just how much his stock will go up if he does the same to Bobby here tonight. Lance works over Eaton in the opening moments of the match, hitting a deep arm drag and hip toss, before landing an explosive spinning heel kick for a near fall. Lance seems to be starting up toward the single leg crab, but he is unable to get the hold cinched in as he gets rolled up into a small package by Eaton and pinned out of nowhere!

The match may be over, but the men aren't leaving just yet – as Eaton is winded and sore but he takes time before heading backstage to go over to a disappointed Storm. Stan isn't sure what is going to happen, but Bobby extends his hand to Lance! Lance shakes it, but still looks upset. However, as Tony says, maybe even in not picking up the victory right here, maybe he gained that respect he was looking for.

Match Time: 6:41
Ratings: C- / D

“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair w/Bobby Heenan vs. “The Beast From the East” Bam Bam Bigelow
The pageantry of “The Nature Boy” is on full display as he offers to shake hands but then rakes his fingers through his hair instead. However the power and agility of Bigelow is on display once he catches Flair off-guard, Tony wondering if perhaps Ric was looking past Bam Bam here tonight. Flair does what he can to try escaping, but it is to no avail as Bigelow hurls Flair off the top rope to the mat! He scores a two count from that, but he looks up to see Bubba Rogers watching from the top of the aisle as we go to a commercial – Tony assuring fans that the tape machines are rolling if this one ended during the break. It didn't (of course) but when it comes back we see that Flair clipped the knee of Bigelow and started working it over during the break. He wants to set “The Beast from the East” into the figure four leglock, but the very powerful legs of Bigelow shoves Flair almost completely across the ring! Rogers isn't factoring into the match at all, simply watching from the aisle. Bigelow starts firing back, but as Flair is begging off he trips Bam Bam up, and flips his feet up on the ropes in order to score the cheapest of three counts you can imagine.

Match Time: 10:17
Notes: These two showed great chemistry against one another in this bout.
Rating: B+

Welcome to Hour #2!
http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/pyro.jpg
Hour 2 begins with another rousing round of fireworks, as Tony and Jesse talk more about what is to come this evening. They try to keep it brief, as they understand “Mean” Gene is with Ric Flair in the ring right now, but urge fans not to change the channel as later tonight we will see Scott Steiner against California Kip, Rick Steiner against Jeff Jarrett, and does Meng have a partner yet? We don't know, but right now let's head back down to the ring.

Notes: Jesse performed well, enjoying his freedom.
Rating: B-

Horsemen are ALWAYS Ready for War!
Gene and Flair are not alone in the ring for long, as by the time officials have gotten Bam Bam out of there, the other Horsemen have joined them in the ring. Eddy is joking around, making eyes and passes at some of the girls in the front row, while Arn and Owen are serious. “MEEEEEEEEAN! Bah God! Gene!” Okerlund says that he speaks for everyone when he says that he cannot wait to witness World War 3 this Sunday, and Flair tells him that whether WCW or the Kings of Wrestling like it or they don't like it, World War 3 belongs to the Horsemen. “The Enforcer” won it last year, Gene explains to anyone who forgot that fact; saying that the Spoils of War were what led to the Horsemen forming last year at the Great American Bash. He asks what the Four Horsemen may have in mind if they were to win it one more time? Flair laughs, saying “If? IF? Didn't you hear me, Gene? I said: World War 3 belongs to Horsemen!” He says that it doesn't matter if it's “Double A”, “The Hart Breaker” Owen, or “Latino Heat” or “The Naiiiiiiiiiit-cha Boy, wooooo, himself” they are all ready to enter and to win – “just like your mom fatboy, so shut up!” – when they enter the three ring, sixty man battle royal! Flair says that it's gonna be party time, because like a good wine, the Horsemen only get better with time. Wooooo!

Notes: Flair's interactions with the crowd are indeed masterful. Gene really worked the crowd well also. Eddy, however, performed a little poorly; he is still the low man on the totem pole, but honestly what a pole to be trying to climb.
Rating: B

Badd Times Ahed
“The Professor” Mike Tenay is back at the WCW Live studio, and he has with him Johnny B. Badd along with Badd Girl, “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright, and Harlem Heat. Badd does the talking as his followers stand in formation. He says that people want change, and he and his men are that change. He urges fans not to cheer on WCW or the Horsemen or the Kings of Wrestling at World War 3 – men like Dustin Rhodes, Ric Flair, Cactus Jack, etcetera are not the change that fans need. It's Johnny and his bad men who are here to make the difference!

Notes: Badd's current setup is starting to get stale, and Alex performed poorly.
Rating: C+

Jeff Jarrett w/Woman vs. “Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner
Tony and Jesse wonder about how the Steiners will do tonight on their own. It's pointed out that by order of the Steiners themselves, Scott is currently being held barricaded in his locker room, and then Rick will be the same until the bell sounds on Scott's match. Jeff does what he can, utilizing his great technical skills in order to ground Rick on the mat. Woman distracts Nick Patrick when Rick begins to rally, allowing Jarrett to hit a low blow and jumping DDT, but Steiner kicks out at a close, close two. But a few belly to belly suplexes turns this all around, and Woman can only scream in frustration as a hard Steinerline leads to a middle rope bulldog to give Rick the victory.

Match Time: 9:05
Notes: Woman did some good work at ringside, but the match seemed rushed because it went about a minute and a half short.
Rating: B-

Priming the Cannon
We are joined by Miss Elizabeth as she stands alongside “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman. Brian says that time is ticking away, just like a time bomb ticks closer, closer, closer to detonation. Six days away from World War 3, the best place to have a time bomb – the best place for a loose cannon. He says that he has entered the match, and he just hopes and prays to the God above that “The Macho Man” doesn't get himself thrown out before Brian can get his hands on him. He then changes gears, like he got an idea – saying that he'll go ahead and get his hands on Savage tonight, as he officially joins up with Meng tonight for the main event this evening! He says that it's about time for the KoW to say their prayers and get their vitamins jammed down their throat, because all the Pillmaniacs are ready to run wild on them!

Notes: Brian was superb off-script, the crowd eating this up.
Rating: B+

Scott Steiner vs. California Kip w/Woman
We get word that Rick has been barricaded back in his locker room now as this match takes place. It appears that knowing this is all Scott needs, as he immediately dominates this match from the bell. Kip is sent scurrying outside after a flipping bodyslam to recuperate, but Scott doesn't allow him the time to do so. Kip ducks an incoming clothesline leading to Scott hitting the ringpost with his elbow, and Kip is able to work over that for a few minutes. He tries to hit his Silicon Valley Slam, but Scott turns it into a small package. That only gets a two, but Steiner is able to use that break in Kip's concentration to lead him into the Frankensteiner and pick up the win.

Jeff Jarrett hits the ring almost immediately and nails Scott with a chair! Once Kip recovers (after staggering around a few seconds) the two KoW members do what Woman tells them to and begins just putting the boots to Scott. Tony says that this seems like a setup, but Rick Steiner finds a way to rush the ring! He starts fighting Jeff and Kip, and Scott is also able to get up and start fighting, but the brothers get in one another's way – leading to both of them being beaten down to the mat all over again. Jeff has a can of spraypaint, and he and Kip are ready to paint the Steiners. They are chased off though when “The Total Package” Lex Luger comes out! He hits clotheslines on both men and makes a move toward Woman, causing her to leave the ring in a hurry! Lex stays by Rick and Scott's sides until trainers come out to check on them, as Tony talks about the match coming up this Sunday between the brothers, with Lex right in the middle of it as special referee. What will happen when these two meet in the ring?!

Match Time: 7:42
Notes: Woman did some good work again, and she has good chemistry managing Kip. Luger seems to be getting stale lately.
Rating:

Friends Are Enemies United
We come back from a commercial break to have Tony send us to a satellite feed, coming live from Charlotte, North Carolina, where we are speaking with not only Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, but also the WCW Commissioner Magnum TA and “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes! Magnum says that the three are standing together here tonight to show the Kings of Wrestling and especially “that snake” Barry Windham that the KoW can try to split them up, but the bonds these men hold for one another is stronger than any beating or words that the KoW can throw at them! Steamboat says that the day is drawing closer, and as much respect as he has for the man at his side Dustin, he has one final doctor's appointment tomorrow to get clearance to wrestle at World War 3. Dustin responds by saying that as a competitor, he hopes to get the chance to face “The Dragon” and then go on into World War 3's battle royal and win the Spoils of War. Ricky says that he agrees, but once the match is over, the next night the two will be just as unified as before, and coming for Barry Windham – and “The Dragon” will be ready to breathe fire!

Rating: B

The Kings of Wrestling (“Macho Man” Randy Savage and Barry Windham) w/Woman vs. Meng and “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman w/Miss Elizabeth
Main event time, as Meng and Barry start the match. Windham tries to use his size to his advantage, but Meng is just too tough a competitor for that as he sends Windham to the mat with a vicious savate kick! Savage tries his luck with Meng, letting his emotions be his guide as is usually his greatest strength. Randy hammers Meng with punches, but with a mighty scream Meng fights back with overhead chops! Brian tags in, and he goes after Savage with a vengeance! “The Loose Cannon” fights hard, but hey – someone's gotta be the man to sell for the match, right? Pillman gets dragged into the KoW corner and his neck dropped across the top rope by Savage, and from there he is held down and decimated by the duo. Woman even throws a kick to Brian's ribs on the floor, but she makes herself scarce when Elizabeth starts walking to that side of the ring. Brian's never give up attitude spurs the fans on, Tony saying that “The Pillmaniacs are deafening in here!” What would typically just be Windham goading Meng into the ring so that Pillman can't make a tag turns into Meng just entering the ring and clamping the Tongan Deathgrip on Windham! And then he clamps it on Savage! Both men are being held at bay by Meng! Tommy Young is trying to stop this, when Sting appears in the ring! It's a masked Sting! And it's definitely the one wearing the KoW logo on his back, as he winds up his baseball bat and splits it over the head of Meng!

But there's no effect! Meng shoves Windham and Savage aside, and as Sting looks at the broken bat in his hands, Meng starts walking toward him! The bell sounds, this match has ended on a disqualification, but the story is not over yet as Sting tries to hit Meng with the broken bat, only for Meng to catch it! He throws the bat away, and he grabs Sting by the collar of the jacket! He shoves Sting into the turnbuckle and is ready to take off the mask! Tony is screaming for Meng to remove it, and he manages to pull the wig up before he gets nailed in the back by the World championship belt wielded by Roddy Piper! Tony says that we saw the man has what looked like short black hair, but that was unfortunately the only clue we gained as the wig immediately was flipped back into place. From there, The Giant also emerges, and he drills Meng with a Chokeslam! The World Tag Team champion also smashes Pillman to the mat as well, and Windham and Savage join in. Savage goes up and crashes down onto Brian with a flying elbow, and he heads out of the ring to grab Elizabeth! He and Woman circle her, and he points his finger into her face. But out of the back – it's Lex Luger! He hits Savage, knocking him to the ground and probably saving Liz in the process! Lex enters the ring and starts swinging wildly at everything that moves!

However, Savage comes back in and clips the knee from behind, and from there it's one more ring shaking Chokeslam from The Giant that ends this flurry. The KoW stand tall in the ring, and Piper pulls out the spraypaint. They mark Meng, and then Pillman, and then Luger, before Savage even goes out and spraypaints all over Elizabeth's dress! Embarrassed, she heads to the dressing room, and the Kings of Wrestling end this episode of Nitro completely on top. As the man we see as Sting stands over his opponent for this Sunday, Meng, while holding the defaced World's Heavyweight championship high over head. We will see you at World War 3, fans!

Match Time: 12:02
Notes: Barry was underwhelming during the beatdown, but Giant looked good.
Ratings: B / B

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/logo2.jpg

Beejus · March 31, 2016

WCW Hotline: May 1996, Week 3

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/hotline.jpg

WCW Hotline

3rd Week of May 1996

Option 1: Great American Bash Control Center!

Option 2: Announced for WCW Monday Nitro!

Option 3: What the world ISN’T watching!

Option 4: WCW Disney/MGM taping results!

Option 5: Mean Gene’s backstage pass!

Option 6: The Monday Night War Neilson ratings!

Option 7: Tony Schiavone’s WCW moment of the week!

Option 8: Mike Tenay’s International Report!

Option 9: A gift from the WCW Catalog!

Option 1: Great American Bash Control Center!

The Greensboro Coliseum plays host this year to the WCW Great American Bash 1996! Taking place on June 23rd, you never know just what may happen at the second most prestigious event in World Championship Wrestling's history!

Option 2: Announced for this week’s WCW Monday Nitro!

Be sure to watch Nitro this week to see just who wins the Spoils of War this year! Who is the World champion? Who entered the World War 3 match between mentor and student? The only way you'll find out is to either watch the pay-per-view or tune in to WCW Monday Nitro!

Option 3: What the world ISN’T watching!

Puerto Rico was mistreated by the WWF as they gave a show featuring Tonto defeating The Barbarian – who knew he was even still employed?! A crappy women's match, and a main event of not-so-Great Kokina teaming with the face painted freak to defeat Vinnie Vegas and the corpse of Mean Mark. Jean-Paul Levesque, Owen's brothers, and the Heartbroke Joke were all in the area but in matches that weren't aired… brilliant, right? You'd be better off watching Monday Nitro next week for the fallout of World War 3!

Option 4: Last weekend’s WCW Disney/MGM taping results!

WCW Prime: C+
Rey Mysterio Jr. pins Art Barr © … Syxx comes out post-match and tells Rey that he must compete in a second match at World War 3, giving him the next 48 hours to find a tag partner to face The Ladykillers or risk a handicap match (D) … Mike Tenay has an interview with Ace Steel and Nurse Ana R. Key, where Key says that Ace has the ability to nullify superpowers; he says that he and Ana are siblings, which explains why Ana is managing only him now (D) … The Flying Spyder defeats Rio the Renegade by DQ when Ace Steel attacks him (D+) … With King Puma not at Prime tonight, the Dungeon of Doom and Ace Steel assault the Spyder, with Ace delivering the final, child spirit crushing blow by breaking Spyder's leg (E) … Big Bubba Rogers pins The Falcon (C-) … Gene interviews Col. Parker and his new Stud Stable, where he says that Bigelow and the Armstrongs need to go home before they get hurt (C-) … Chris Jericho and The Warlord have a pre-match interview where Jericho says that he's going to slay the ultimate dragon tonight (B) … “Lionheart” Chris Jericho defeats Ultimo Dragon by submission to retain the World Television title (C+)

WCW Worldwide: C+ The Panel consists of Tony Schiavone, Gene Okerlund, Ted DiBiase, and Theodore R. Long
The Panel discuss World War 3, running down the card for everyone © … Gene interviews The Road Warriors, who are ready to win their titles back and prove that they are the real monsters (B-) … King Puma defeats The Karnage Crew by DQ when Dr. Karnage calls for Ace Steel and Rio the Renegade to attack (D+) … The Panel talk about tonight's World Heavyweight title match between the KoW's champion Sting and the vicious Meng, wondering if perhaps we will see the real Sting or not (B-) … The Wild Samoan Boyz defeat The Young Pistols (D+) … The Panel talk about the ongoing issues with Barry Windham, Ricky Steamboat, and Dustin Rhodes (C+) … Lord Steven Regal defeats Dean Malenko by Regal Stretch after Tyler Karlet interferes to retain the United States Heavyweight title (B-) … The Panel give their predictions for World War 3 – Tony backs Dustin Rhodes, Gene says Arn Anderson will win his second one, DiBiase says that his experience of big people in battle royals makes him say The Giant, and Long says this will be Randy Savage's night. Order World War 3 now! (B-)

Option 5: Mean Gene’s backstage pass!

WCW have sold off the large soundstage at the Disney/MGM, in favor of simply moving the tapings for Prime and Worldwide to the smaller studio that housed shows in 1993 and 1994. The WWF have successfully retained the services of George South and Bobby Knight, a.k.a. Mo. Former partner of WCW's heroic King Puma, Mo has been a WWF Tag Team champion since September of 1995. Oh how the mighty tag division has fallen. South is someone said to have been “difficult to replace” which given his lower card status is just laughable. Marty Jannetty has reportedly decided to tone down some of his high flying offense, no longer considered someone who wrestles a cruiserweight style in favor of being a more regular wrestler.

Option 6: The Monday Night War Neilson ratings!

A simply awesome 8.07 rating for Nitro this past week as we march to war! Meanwhile Raw on USA fell to a disappointing 4.11.

Option 7: Tony Schiavone’s moment of the week!

While the moment itself did not go over well for WCW in the end, seeing Meng and Brian Pillman, and then Lex Luger, stand up for World Championship Wrestling against the Kings of Wrestling is a great sign for the future!

Option 8: Mike Tenay’s International Report!

This past Friday, New-Japan Pro Wrestling showcased one of the greatest matches in history, likely to go down as one of the matches of the year 1996. In six-man tag team action, Masahiro Chono, Keiji Mutoh, and Hiroshi Hase defeated Riki Choshu, Mitsuharu Misawa, and Jushin Liger. Most are calling this match a five star classic, while also singing it's praises as basically being a match of the entire decade.

Option 9: A special gift from the WCW Catalog!

Order now to get 5% off the “Total Package” Lex Luger “Rack” t-shirt!

----------------------------------------------------

The fact that JJ and Syxx have excellent tag chemistry makes me laugh. Two of the lousiest big-name wrestlers of the Attitude Era fitting together as a tag team is just perfect.

I never had a problem with either guy, but they definitely were upper midcard for life in the 90s and 00s. It just never was very believable to see them higher than that. Had I not other plans for Syxx, I would potentially play them as a third KoW team in the future - but it's not going to happen.

Even though you obviously could have made a lot more money if you'd used a bigger venue, it was a nice touch to hold the final episode of Saturday Night at Center Stage.
I don't know how you managed to juggle four shows for so long, particularly with two of them being B shows. I get pretty bored even with my one hour B show.

I felt that way too; though given I've been running Saturday Night from a 5,000 seat arena for the past few months, it's not as if I've really cared a whole lot about attendance for it in quite some time.

Honestly, I love my B shows. I find them so simple to book: just put together a few matches for guys I didn't find a spot for on Nitro or Saturday Night. SN was becoming quite a hassle for me, because it was draining any pop that I would gain from the episodes of Nitro. But since TBS and DSF wouldn't let me turn it into a B-show, this was the only route I could take. As you see, Prime is now up and running rather than Pro, and it will consist mostly of people who need a win to try and keep their recent fortunes, momentum, and the B and C-level storylines going. Also I hope the new write-ups for the B-shows are easy for people to read over in a hurry as well.

So there was Nitro, and the Hotline, and next is the World War 3 prediction post! Are you excited? Because I'm really damned excited!!

Beejus · March 31, 2016

WCW World War 3 official program!

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ww3.jpg

WCW World War 3 1996!

Get Mom the gift she really wants… an all-out War!

LIVE on pay-per-view on Mother's Day, Sunday May 12th, 1996, from the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia!

Three Rings; Sixty Men; One Winner! Who will win the Spoils of War?!

Sixty of WCW's greatest superstars do battle for ultimate victory and the chance to be given something unique from the top brass! The rules are simple: thirty men start per ring until three remain in each ring. Elimination occurs via wrestlers being thrown over the top rope and both feet touching the floor. The remaining nine enter the center ring until two remain, at which point the winner is determined by pinfall or submission! What one man can withstand 59 others to come out on top of such a match?!

The World Heavyweight Championship To Be Decided under No DQ Rules!

In his first ever chance at the title, can the monstrous beast Meng wrest the championship away from the evil Sting?!

Master vs. Student!

Eric Bischoff's diabolical plans worked to a tee – “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes was forced out of the World title hunt, and may also be forced out of World War 3. Bischoff has slated that the winner of this match will enter the battle royal – as Dustin is forced into combat against his battered and broken mentor, “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat! Will one go easy on the other, or is the call of glory too much?

Brother vs. Brother!

The day many of us never thought we would see is upon us as Scott Steiner goes one-on-one with “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner – and the man in the middle of it all is the man who's been trying to keep it from happening, “The Total Package” Lex Luger!

Old vs. Young!

The Kings' Monsters have run roughshod over the WCW tag division, seemingly scaring away most challengers; but no team scares the Road Warriors away! Will Hawk and Animal be able to slay the monsters, or will the youth and menace team of The Giant and Vader be too much?

Who is Mysterio's Mystery?

Syxx was given authority to announce a special match for the show, as Rey Mysterio Jr. is forced to find a partner on short notice to take on The Ladykillers! Can Rey find someone on such short notice?

Toughmen Go At It!

Big Bubba Rogers and Bam Bam Bigelow have wanted to brawl with one another for some time now, and at World War 3 they will finally get the chance! Will either man be able to take down the other?

Card subject to change.

Official Prediction Card
World War 3
Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!
Who will win World War 3?
Who will be Runner Up?
Who are the other two in the Final Four?
Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend?
*note: legend is NOT Sting.
Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification
“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng
Will we see the Real Sting?
Will the KoW Sting be revealed?
Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes
Comments:

Special Referee: Lex Luger
Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner
Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships
The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors
Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???
Who is Rey's mystery partner?
Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker
Comments:
Will any matches end via no contest?

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last?
(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

15 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!
World War 3 is the next show! Get your thoughts and predictions in now!

Uncrewed · March 31, 2016

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? - Steve Austin

Who will be Runner Up?- Ricky Steamboat

Who are the other two in the Final Four?- Ric Flair & Arn Anderson

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend?- Terry Funk

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting?- No

Will the KoW Sting be revealed?- No

Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner?- Jushin Thunder Liger

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments: No Contest

Will any matches end via no contest?- Yes

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last?- 24:02

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

15 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

World War 3 is the next show! Get your thoughts and predictions in now!

crackerjack · March 31, 2016

Official Prediction Card

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Steve Austin

Who will be Runner Up? Ric Flair

Who are the other two in the Final Four? The Giant & VADER

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Dusty Rhodes Daddeh

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments: Assuming a face doesn't go(and we don't see some tension in the KOW). Austin seems like a good choice. Could also see Cactus Jack and Brian Pillman getting legitimate shots

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? Nah

Comments: Meng's a fit choice to lose to the "Stinger"

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments: Old guy jobs

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments: C'mon, Scott's awesome.

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments: Really dig this tag team so far

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? That Snake Konnan

Comments: Nice to see the Ladykillers on the card

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments: Feel bad for BAM BAM. Seems to be a bit lost in the shuffle so far

Will any matches end via no contest? Nah... but maybe Bam Bam vs Big Bubber

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 20:00

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

Great work as always, Beej.

KnowYourEnemy · March 31, 2016

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? -Dustin Rhodes

Who will be Runner Up?- Hulk Hogan

Who are the other two in the Final Four?- Randy Savage & Vader

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend?- Hulk Hogan

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? No

Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Rey Mysterio Sr.

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments:

Will any matches end via no contest? Have a feeling Scott-Rick ends that way.

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 12 minutes, 5 seconds

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

TheBooker · March 31, 2016

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3: The Loose Cannon

Who will be Runner Up: The Natural

Who are the other two in the Final Four: Barry Windham and Macho Man

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend: Hogan...BROTHER

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting: Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed: Nope

Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner: Jushin Thunder Liger

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments:

Will any matches end via no contest: No

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last: 15:30

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

#WhatisthisPriceisRight

Happy0wns · March 31, 2016

Official Prediction Card

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Arn Anderson

Who will be Runner Up? Steve Austin

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Dustin Rhodes & Ric Flair.

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Dusty Rhodes

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? No

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? Yes

Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Rey Mysterio Sr.

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments:

Will any matches end via no contest? No.

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 18:42

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

The_CoC · March 31, 2016

Official Prediction Card

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Steve Austin

Who will be Runner Up? Ric Flair

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Pillman and The Giant

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Terry Funk

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments: Austin wins this and we begin the rise of the rattlesnake

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? No

Comments: I have no clue to how this will play out but I love that.

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments: Cause Steamboat is old c'mon now.

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments: HOLA IF YOU HEAR ME

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments: Road Warriors still deserve at a run of the title tho

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Rob Van Dam

Comments: Ladykillers and Rude are an awesome pairing.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments:

Will any matches end via no contest? No

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 18:10

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

15 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

World War 3 is the next show! Get your thoughts and predictions in now!

Satyr24 · April 1, 2016

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Steve Austin

Who will be Runner Up? Ric Flair

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Dustin Rhodes & Randy Savage

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Terry Funk

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? No

Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Jushin Thunder Liger

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments:

Will any matches end via no contest? Yeah

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 5min

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

15 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

World War 3 is the next show! Get your thoughts and predictions in now!

SkipMartin · April 1, 2016

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? - Steamboat

Who will be Runner Up?- Savage

Who are the other two in the Final Four?- Austin and Flair

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend?- Dusty

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting?- Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed?- No

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments: It would make sense to put Rhodes back on track toward the belt, but the build-up to this match makes it sound like Steamboat's time is drawing near and I want him to have one more glorious showing in the WW3.

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments: Holler if you hear me!

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner?- Christian Cage

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Will any matches end via no contest?- No

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last?- 19:31

Dawn · April 1, 2016

Official Prediction Card

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Steve Austin.

Who will be Runner Up? Ric Flair.

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman.

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Terry Funk.

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments: Besides Pillman, Austin is pretty much the only man who needs the win that I can actually see winning here. AA makes it to the final four to prove he's a bonafide WW3 competitor, but he doesn't win. Savage and company are all scared by the real Sting or something like that, because I can't find another reason for an early exit by them

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes, from the rafters.

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? Not a chance in hell, but one of the members of the Sting Army will be.

Comments: I would guess that the real Sting will give the KoW a pretty big crap on their pants here and stop their fun. Really nice consolation prize for Meng, even though he doesn't stand a chance.

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments: This should be amazing, but the result should not be a surprise, since Dustin just lost the belt.

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments: I have no idea on what awaits us in here. What I want, though, is the delusional Scott heel turn.

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments: While I could totally see the Warriors taking the win here, I'd rather have their big moment be at, say, Starrcade, and give The Giant more overness in here.

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Chavo Guerrero (Jr., not Classic).

Comments: I suggested that you could turn Chavo a few days ago, so it makes sense, at least for me...

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments: Bigelow has kind of been lost in the shuffle as someone above pointed out, so he needs this win dearly.

Will any matches end via no contest? Scott Steiner vs. Rick Steiner.

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 18 minutes.

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

CobheadJake · April 3, 2016

Official Prediction Card

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Steve Austin

Who will be Runner Up? Ric Flair... WOO!

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Rhodes & Savage

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Hulk Hogan

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes.

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? No.

Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments:

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Jushin Thunder Liger

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments:

Will any matches end via no contest? No.

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 22 Minutes.

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

15 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

World War 3 is the next show! Get your thoughts and predictions in now!

The Final Countdown · April 3, 2016

Who will win World War 3? Brian Pillman. Virtually no chance of this happening, but a man can dream.

Who will be Runner Up? Steve Austin

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Savage and Flair

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Rick Rude

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? No

Comments: I have no idea what's coming with this story, which I take it is kind of the point.

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments: I don't think we're getting much of a match here.

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments: Rick wins through an honest mistake from Lex, which sets Scotty off.

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments: Not even Hawk and Animal are stopping these dudes.

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Uh...Dean Malenko?

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments: The Bammer seems to have kind of gotten lost in the shuffle.

Will any matches end via no contest? No

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 1 minute

TheBigBad1013 · April 4, 2016

Official Prediction Card

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Ric Flair

Who will be Runner Up? Steve Austin

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Arn Anderson and Randy Savage

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Terry Funk

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments: Obviously a really tough one to call.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? No

Comments: No way this one is going down clean, but I just don't see Meng winning the World Title.

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments: Don't really see the sense in The Dragon going over Rhodes at this point.

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments: Bigger upside.

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments: Could easily see the Road Warriors winning here as well, but my gut feeling says the Monsters retain.

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Liger seems to be a popular choice and it would be pretty cool

Comments: Always go with ???

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments: I see Bigelow picking up the win here.

Will any matches end via no contest? No

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 11.42. Enough time for Steamboat to look decent, but still short enough that it makes Rhodes look good.

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

Warhawk8492 · April 4, 2016

World War 3

Featuring such names as: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman, Cactus Jack, California Kip, Diamond Dallas Page, “Latino Heat” Eddy Guerrero, Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), Jeff Jarrett, Johnny B. Badd, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Owen Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Ron Simmons, “The Outsider” Scott Hall and Syxx, Steve Austin, The Kings' Monsters (The Giant and Vader), either “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes or “The Dragon” Ricky Steamboat, as well as an Unknown WCW Legend, Unknown Mexican Legend, and Unknown Japanese Legend!

Who will win World War 3? Steve Austin

Who will be Runner Up? Ric Flair

Who are the other two in the Final Four? Randy Savage and Dustin Rhodes

Who Is the Unknown WCW Legend? Terry Funk

*note: legend is NOT Sting.

Comments:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification

“Sting” w/The Sting Army vs. Meng

Will we see the Real Sting? Yes

Will the KoW Sting be revealed? No

Comments:

Winner Enters World War 3

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs.“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Comments: Dustin Rhodes has more long term potential

Special Referee: Lex Luger

Scott Steiner vs. “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Comments:

WCW World Tag Team Championships

The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors

Comments:

The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and ???

Who is Rey's mystery partner? Ultimo Dragon

Comments:

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker

Comments:

Will any matches end via no contest? No

Tiebreaker: How long will Steamboat vs. Rhodes last? 15:57

(Closest to the right time without going over wins)

15 points plus one tiebreaker! Use your best luck to win the day!

World War 3 is the next show! Get your thoughts and predictions in now!

Beejus · April 20, 2016

WCW World War 3 1996 - Part 1

Due to the sheer massive content of what this show will be by the time I polish off the battle royal and all, I've decided to post it in two sections. I have tallied up prediction scores up to this point of the show, so if you want to make any changes to either the WW3 match or the World title match, you are still able to. Everything else is set in stone. Enjoy part one!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/rJkt3DZHM5Y?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ww3.jpg

WCW World War 3 1996

May 12th, 1996 (May week 2)

Held at: Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia (Mid Atlantic)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 15,000 (sold out!)

Show Runtime: Three Hours

Rating: B+

PPV Buyrate: 5.71

This show increased our popularity in 40 regions.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/worldwar3rings.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/bambambigelow.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/vs.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/bubbarogers.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/colparker.jpg
“The Beast from The East” Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker
Time Limit: 30:00
Referee: Randy “Pee Wee” Anderson

As we look over the wonder of the three rings, the night opens with action right away as these two big, brutal behemoths go toe to toe. This is a slugfest from second one, Tony covering for them by saying that these two are not and have never been known for their great acts of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The bout even spills out to the floor briefly, where Rogers catches Bigelow with a charging splash as Bam Bam was caught in the corner where two rings meet! Even that only scores him a two count thanks to the taunting Bubba did, which wasted precious seconds. Rogers tries to hit his rope guillotine splash, but Bigelow is able to move out of the way, and that begins a flurry of offense from Bam Bam that includes body slams, punches, and even a dropkick before “The Beast” finally puts this one away with a diving headbutt to kick the show off with the fans cheering a big win.

Winner in 7:50: Bam Bam Bigelow
Notes: Bubba is getting pretty stale as his heel Redneck (Brute) gimmick.
Rating: B-

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/reymysteriojr.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/geneokerlund.jpg

Our next contest is preceded by “Mean” Gene Okerlund. Gene takes a moment to talk about the WCW Hotline this week, which will feature highlights of behind the scenes tonight at World War 3, but also talks about how you can talk to WCW superstars tonight on WCW Live on AOL, where Mike Tenay is going to be speaking with the winners and losers of each contest tonight. He then announces Rey Mysterio Jr., who hopefully will have a partner to announce for this match. Mysterio comes out and tells Gene that Syxx has really put his back into a corner, but just like any other dog, he bites hardest when he has his back to the wall. Gene asks him if he managed to find enough time to find a partner, perhaps an old companion from Mexico or someone he has met while he is in WCW? Rey says that he didn't have time to bring in any of his old amigos and he said it was pretty hard trying to get anyone to give up their spot in World War 3. But one man, one person who has been out for respect lately reached out to him, and said that it was just the right thing to do. And as the two have had matches against one another in the past, and they share common interest in wanting the Cruiserweight title, they may never be friends. But tonight, they'll be partners, fighting the power that the KoW have been holding over everyone's heads…

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/lancestorm.jpg
What a surprise! Lance Storm comes out to Mysterio's side, and with a handshake, the two head down to the ring in order to do battle!

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/sextonimpact.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/scottsteele.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/rickrudes.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/vs.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/reymysteriojr.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/lancestorm.jpg
The Ladykillers w/Rick Rude vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. and Lance Storm
Time Limit: 30:00
Referee: Charles Robinson

Rick Rude – sans his trademark mustache but donning what appears to be a brand new, custom made suit – pumps up his boys on the way to the ring. Jesse mentions how, despite the match being made to punish Mysterio Jr., this is just as much a big test to the Killers as they had no idea who they would be facing until right now. Storm's new role as a good guy seems to be a breath of fresh air to him, as he hammers away on Sexton and Steele along with Mysterio, the duo doing a number on their opponents with high paced offense including tandem arm drags, dropkicks, and hurricanranas that send the Ladykillers to the floor! When Charles recovers the flow of the match, Lance ends up on the wrong side of town thanks to Rude tripping him from the outside. Impact weighs heavy on Storm's frame with a short arm scissors, and at any point they can the Ladykillers get Rey to enter the ring to distract Robinson and cheat – at one point Steele scoring a very near fall after a double DDT. Lance comes back with a DDT of his own, the force of which causing Steele's legs to go straight up into the air before he crashes to the mat! Both men make tags, and Mysterio makes a run on both Sexton and Scott before getting taken down with a hard clothesline. But the double team powerbomb they set up is interrupted when Storm rolls Scott backwards in a victory roll, throwing his balance off before locking in the single leg crab; while at the same time Rey is able to land a hurricanrana, locking Impact's long legs just long enough to pick up the three count! Rick Rude is not happy, as he stomps on the floor – Jesse saying that Rick sure to be taking his boys back to the drawing board after this one, as the well-suited manager will not be happy not taking from the winner's share tonight on pay-per-view.

Winners in 8:56: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Lance Storm
Notes: Gene looked good during the pre-match interview, and Lance's turn went pretty well. People just don't know much what to expect from him as a face.
Ratings: C- [interview] / C+ [match]

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/larryzbyszko2.jpg

Backstage, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko seems highly upset. It appears that his charge, Wrath, is not on the list for World War 3, despite having signed up for the match very early on. It seems that he was taken back out of the match in order for the WCW Commissioner Magnum TA to make room for the unknown WCW legend, and Larry is hot under the collar about it. He says that he is the only true legend, whether in WCW or anywhere else he's ever worked, and that is why he is one of the Kings of Wrestling – and why Wrath, under his guidance, will be one of the biggest stars in the near future.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/chriscandido.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/tammylynn.jpg

Zbyszko happens upon Chris Candido and Tammy Lynn, who are sitting with one another backstage talking about the battle royal. Larry is incredulous – Candido is in the match but not Wrath?! He starts telling Candido, “some no talent punk who will never amount to anything but having a girlfriend who got kicked to the curb by Hollywood Hogan” to save himself the embarrassment of being the first man thrown out of World War 3 and just give up his spot to Wrath. Candido and Tammy refuse, of course; Chris saying that if he was going to give up his spot, he would have done it when Rey Mysterio asked him to be his partner. The argument becomes a little heated, but Larry backs down, saying that obviously Chris knows what is good for his career, and maybe he'll just make it in the battle royal despite how it looks.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/wrath.jpg

But just as Zbyszko backs off, the trap is sprung as Wrath appears from the darkened room, apparently having heard his manager in the argument, and he hammers Chris from behind! Tammy wants to help, but Larry holds her back, saying this is for the best as Wrath assaults Candido. He ends by hitting his Meltdown slam down through the nearby table, and Wrath walks over to the sheet on the wall that names the WW3 participants. Larry hands him a pen, and Wrath scratches out a name (assumed to be Candido's) and writes his own down. Tony questions whether that is actually legal or not, but says that with Eric Bischoff on hand and Wrath being a member of the Kings of Wrestling, he's sure it will.

Rating: C

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/worldtag.jpg
http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/vader2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/giant.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/woman.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/vs.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/rwanimal.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/rwhawk.jpg
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The Kings' Monsters w/Woman vs. The Road Warriors
Time Limit: 45:00
Referee: Randy “Pee Wee” Anderson

If you were tired of brutal slugfests or tag team matches after the previous two matches, then you may as well go get something to eat and come back later, because now we're having a tag team slugfest. The Road Warriors are just as brutal and vicious as ever, as they work over the Kings' Monsters with all the fire they have in their guts. The match spills outside, and Randy Anderson gives a ton of leeway to all four men by not counting them out – part of that due to Woman being on the ring apron and pleading with him to go ahead and count, as a countout would mean the Monsters keep the titles. Hawk and Giant fight around the side of ring #3 as Animal and Vader do battle at ring #1. When this finally becomes a standard tag team bout, it doesn't last long until all four men are in the ring all over again. To Randy's credit, he never throws it out, but maybe he should have as he ends up getting squashed between Vader and Hawk in the corner and falls to the outside.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/harleyrace2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/barrydarsow.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/brianadams.jpg

It's at this point Harley Race leads The Chain Gang down to the ring, and they have chains in hand. Now at a major disadvantage, Hawk and Animal fight their hardest, the crowd willing them on, but they get blasted and choked with these thick “biker chains” as Tony calls them, and after Animal gets taken out by not only the Hard Ride but also a middle rope Vader Bomb, then Hawk gets drilled to the mat with a high Chokeslam. The Road Warriors are both beaten, bruised, and bloodied after the chain attacks, and Harley pulls on Hawk's leg with a chain to make sure he can't come back during the pinfall in order to completely secure that the World Tag Team titles remain on the Monsters. As the crowd boos these proceedings, the question remains: who can take the titles away from these monstrous men?

Winners in 10:03: The Kings' Monsters
Notes: Mostly chemistry notes for this one; Vader/Woman and Vader/Giant pairings, as well as the Road Warriors, all have excellent chemistry. The Warriors are dreadfully stale, and this beating was to write them off for a little bit to solve that. And as you would imagine with these four, there was not nearly enough selling shown.
Rating: B

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/geneokerlund.jpg

“Mean” Gene is back out, and this time he is very excited to be bringing out as his guest right now our next bout's referee: “The Total Package” Lex Luger!

<iframe width="220" height="124" src="
https://www.youtube.com/embed/KiRWY2LPDTQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Gene welcomes Lex to World War 3, with Luger saying that he's seen some wars in the past, but none will be bigger than the one WCW have tonight! Shifting gears, Lex says that he has tried doing all he could in the past few months to rally WCW together against the Kings of Wrestling, and at every turn he's found himself blocked out from it. “No more” he claims, saying that “The Total Package” is done trying to play peacemaker for people who don't want to take up the fight. He's done trying to pull his old friends like Sting into the battle that he doesn't want to be a part of. Lex says that if words won't do it, then his actions will – and whether anyone comes along for the fight or not, he is going to take down the KoW no matter what! Gene says that no matter what the other men in the locker room do, all of these great fans are standing behind Lex in his fight to take out the Kings of Wrestling! He asks Luger about the match between Rick and Scott, and Lex says that hopefully the brothers will just get it out of their system; as such, he doesn't plan to call for any disqualification or count out so that they can just beat each other up and then come back swinging!

Notes: Lex changed his gimmick to an Inspirational Leader (Wholesome), which rated a strong B. Luger had some masterful improvising here, really selling his role as being “Mr. WCW” (though not called that because it's not a very good nickname in comparison to “Total Package”) in the near future. Gene also worked the crowd well, playing up Lex's new mantra very well.
Rating: B

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ricksteiner2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/vs.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/scottsteiner2.jpg
http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/lexluger2.jpg
“The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner vs. Scott Steiner
Time Limit: 30:00
Special Referee: Lex Luger

Both brothers come out to the same “Welcome to the Jungle” ripoff music played twice (albeit without Rick's quotes for Scott), which is something that always amuses me when a match between partners happens. Lex Luger does all he can to not factor into the match, but Tony and Jesse talk a lot about how he stands out no matter what he does, with Ventura hoping that this doesn't come down to a bad call by a guy who isn't trained to be an official. Rick and Scott do some great technical action to start, the two-time former All-Americans showing why they are known for that feat. The match heads outside, and to Luger's credit, he doesn't count, instead just urging the Steiners to re-enter the ring, even getting shoved by Scott when he tries to separate them and get the action back into the ring. Back in the ring it does go, and the amateur style start to break down as a shoving contest begins, and then it turns into wild fists! Tony talks about how the crowd don't know who to cheer on, as they love both Rick and Scott and don't like seeing them fight, as much as we have all wanted to see who would come out on top if they ever did. The crowd are taken on quite an emotional ride toward the end of the match as Rick finds himself in position to hit Scott with the Steiner Bulldog – but he pauses, seemingly unable to finish off his younger brother. He gets down and reaches out to Scott, but he is treated to a belly to belly suplex, and then the Frankensteiner! But Rick kicks out! Jesse says he doesn't think he's ever seen anybody kick out of that, and the look on Scott's face tells the same story. Scott starts trying to set Rick up for a Frankensteiner from the turnbuckles, and it appears that once he gets there, he too begins having troubles with finishing off his brother – and in this moment, Rick hits him with a Steinerline, and this time he drills the Steiner Bulldog! Rick goes for a cover, and it's a long two count from Luger before Scott kicks out! Again, nobody kicks out of moves like these from these two men! The crowd are on their feet applauding the efforts of both Rick and Scott, but that mood very quickly changes…

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/jeffjarrett2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/kip.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/woman.jpg
To thunderous boos, the Kings of Wrestling invite themselves to the party, and they attack all three men with chairs. Lex is unable to call for it, but the bell is sounded because this one is getting called off.

The attack continues as Woman directs traffic, leading to Kip hitting his Silicon Valley Slam on Scott as Jarrett hits a swinging DDT on Scott. They stomp on Luger, Tony saying that these guys were probably sent out here to make sure that Lex is injured ahead of World War 3, as well as just weakening WCW altogether. But as they turn their backs to do a little spraypainting, the cheers of the crowd become deafening as “The Total Package” rises back to his feet, and he rips off the referee's shirt and flexes in front of them! Woman screams as her two charges are double clotheslined by Luger, and he even moves toward Woman, causing her to flee to the backstage area as fast as her high heels will allow her to run. As Luger gets the crowd involved again, Jeff and Kip look ready to attack again… but the Steiner Brothers are back on their feet now, and they deliver tandem belly to belly suplexes that send the KoW duo rolling under the bottom ropes and getting out of there! Rick and Scott eye one another up…. and they hug! Lex grabs them each by the wrist and lifts their arms, as “The Dog Pound” plays over the arena. Tony says that it looks like the KoW's ploys completely backfired here, as the Steiner Brothers are back and stronger than ever before!

Winner in 14:10: No Contest
Notes: The crowd were burned out following the last few segments. This also was penalized for being a face vs. face match. Jeff was very underwhelming in the post-match.
Rating: B [match] / B- [post-match]

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/miketenay.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/colparker.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/bubbarogers.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ekmo.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/kimo.jpg

We head back to the WCW Live studio, where Mike Tenay is interviewing Colonel Robert Parker. Parker is alongside his Stud Stable of Bubba Rogers and the Samoan Island Boyz, Ekmo and Kimo. The Colonel is talking about how Bam Bam Bigelow hasn't heard the last of the Stud Stable, and also that the Armstrong Brothers are on the hitlist of the Samoan Island Boyz! Tenay and the interview gets interrupted though, as there is a commotion going on with security rushing out of the area…

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ronsimmons.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/paulorndorff.jpg
We find that Ron Simmons is laid out, with “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff standing over him! Paul seems to just be standing back up, apparently having given Ron the piledriver on the floor! Security are shoving him away, but it seems one of the favorites previously in World War 3 is not going to be able to fight for the Spoils of War tonight – another man from WCW laid out by the Kings of Wrestling!

Rating: C- [interview] / C+ [attack]

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/rickysteamboat.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/vs.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/dustinrhodes.jpg
Winner Enters World War 3 Battle Royal
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes
Time Limit: 45:00
Referee: Nick Patrick

Tony explains that he's heard Eric Bischoff wanted this match to take place directly before the battle royal itself, but that Magnum TA stepped in and said that the World championship took precedence, so he had to have it go on before that match takes place, so whoever wins will at least have a few moments to rest before coming back out here to face fifty-nine other men for the Spoils of War. The two men begin with a handshake and a hug, before locking up with each other. Jesse discusses how evenly matched they are, Rhodes does have a height advantage but Ricky definitely holds the experience advantage. “The Natural” starts moving the tie-up around, but Steamboat uses that movement against him by flipping him through the middle ropes. Dustin retains his confidence, climbing back into the ring and locking up again. But the second time that Ricky pulls that tactic, Dustin now looks a little frustrated with having to climb back into the ring, slamming his hands on the apron. When he gets back in the ring, this time he doesn't let it happen, instead throwing Steamboat to the turnbuckles and charging in with a clothesline. Steamboat's head rocks back, and Rhodes doesn't let up by starting to hit kicks to the midsection of “The Dragon”. The crowd don't seem to know how to react, or at least that's what Tony says, as some of them cheer on their favorite while the others boo his actions to their favorite. However when he whips Steamboat to the ropes, Ricky ducks another clothesline, and when Dustin turns around he gets caught with another deep arm drag, and this time “The Dragon” locks in an armbar. Rhodes comes back up and pushes Ricky back into the turnbuckle to cause a break, and both men break cleanly.

The match changes drastically shortly after that, as both men start trying to put the other away. Jesse cues in the psychology by saying that these two need to start pulling out all the stops to win this match quickly, because the longer this goes the worse off they'll be for World War 3. Steamboat hits a swinging neckbreaker that gains a two count, and Rhodes fires back with a high angle powerslam for two as well. What really changes things is when Dustin reacts instinctively during a headlock and elbows Steamboat in the ribs, and those bruised ribs of “The Dragon” cause him to release the hold and wince in pain. Rhodes looks concerned for a moment – but the heat of action is what it is, and he hits a series of knees to the ribs! Steamboat drops to the mat, and this time a lot more fans are booing. Jesse loves it on commentary, saying that maybe this kid has learned how to fight like a man. Nick Patrick admonishes Dustin as he drives his cowboy boot into the ribs of Steamboat. Tony talks about how these two men have met a few times in the past years, and each time it ended up with Dustin eventually feeling remorse for his mentor and having it come back to haunt him. Jesse says that perhaps the call of the gold is strong enough for Dustin to finally get rid of those sort of pesky emotions. “The Natural” doesn't seem to be loving what he does, but he certainly does it, as he locks in a camel clutch. Ricky screams in pain as Rhodes cranks on the hold, punishing the back, neck, and ribs of “The Dragon” as he tries to cause a submission.

Rhodes changes to a boston crab once Steamboat got his feet over to the ropes to break the hold. “The Dragon” fights hard in the hold, trying to crawl toward the ropes, but just as he starts to get there Dustin pulls him back to the center and then locks in an STF! Tony is astonished that Rhodes is doing all he can to score a submission here. Ricky finally gets himself pulled to the ropes, and forces a break. He pulls himself to the outside of the ring, and Nick Patrick begins to administer a count. Dustin backs off, Tony wondering if Rhodes wouldn't prefer it if Ricky just got counted out here so that he didn't have to do the deed himself. But at the count of eight, Steamboat is back in the ring, but he has gained some bearings – he single leg trips Dustin and locks in a lightning fast figure four leglock! Dustin didn't even have time to think about what was happening until he got put into the hold, and he is now the one being punished! Nick begins checking if he wants to give up, but the answer is a resounding no. “The Natural” manages to reach back and get the ropes, Jesse pointing out that it does come in awfully handy to be six-foot-six. The damage has been done though, as Rhodes is certainly hobbled in his left leg, and Ricky goes right to work on it. He may not be known for such things as Ric Flair is, but “The Dragon” has seen and done it all, and he unleashes a kneebreaker that causes his protege to scream in agony. A vertical suplex gives Steamboat a long two count, and he hooks in a strong knee bar. He holds Rhodes right in the center of the ring, but Dustin refuses to submit to the pressure. He manages to pull himself off the mat and he stomps down on Ricky, forcing a break finally. Rhodes falls into a turnbuckle, as Steamboat slides himself to the opposite side of the ring, and the two men look at one another, each wondering what they must do to win this bout.

Punches and chops are thrown when they meet in the center of the ring again, with the crowd cheering on the heart and spirit of each man. “They'll never quit,” Tony says, and Jesse says that we saw that through the rest of this match, so now it is time for each of them to just go for it. Both want the glory of victory and the chance to compete for the Spoils of War later tonight, and Dustin begins to gain the upper hand with a flurry of jabs. He hits a big haymaker that dazes Steamboat back into the turnbuckle, and Rhodes climbs up in front of him. He begins raining down elbows to the top of the head, as the crowd counts along to ten – but he only makes it to six before Steamboat shoves him off, and the chop that follows makes a whip crack that echoes through the arena! A flurry of chops puts Rhodes in the corner on the other side of the ring, and this time it's Steamboat who mounts the ropes and rains punches onto Dustin! He makes it to ten, and he hits the ropes as Rhodes staggers out. Dustin dodges the clothesline though, and he catches Steamboat unaware on the rebound with a hard Bionic Elbow right to the forehead! Dustin collapses on top!

1!

……………...2!

…………………...No!
Steamboat just barely kicks out, as each man is now on the mat and sweating profusely. Dustin begins climbing to his feet first, but Steamboat is right on his tail. Rhodes intends to finish this as fast as he can, as the match is now nearing the fifteen minute mark with no end in sight. Ricky answers his attempts at offense with another hard knife-edge chop, and he sends Dustin to the ropes. But Rhodes stops himself before he can get caught in the back body drop, and he hits the mat and punches Steamboat in the jaw! Ricky turns his back, and takes a high knee to the spine that sends him down onto the middle rope to catch his breath. Dustin charges from the other side of the ring, but slides out under the bottom rope – and he punches Steamboat yet again to send him back into the ring! Dustin crawls in quickly to go for a cover!

1!

…………...2!

……………..No!
Steamboat gets his shoulder out again, but this time Dustin seems to have a plan. He frames Ricky's ring position, and hops up to the second rope. Tony says that it appears he's not even going for his regular running bulldog right now, instead opting to just hit the bigger version from the ropes, very reminiscent of the Steiner Bulldog that Rick Steiner utilizes and a move that has done Dustin great service in the past few months. Dustin waits… and waits… and waits… and he takes flight!

But Steamboat counters with a dropkick! He dropkicked him right out of the air, and as Rhodes crashes down to the mat, Steamboat wraps up the legs for a cover!
1!

………………...2!

………………………………..Not quite!
The shoulder barely comes up, and the crowd sigh in relief/disappointment as the match continues! Ricky talks to Nick to make sure it wasn't three, and gets to his feet. He pulls Rhodes up and hits him with a body slam before dropping an elbow on his chest. “The Dragon” winces in pain at his ribs as he climbs to the top rope. He waits, patiently, as Tony says he must be looking for a flying chop or body press – it's the body press, and he connects with it!

But wait! Dustin was able to roll the hold over, and he cradles the leg!
1!

……………..2!

……………………...3!

It's over! The match is over! Ricky got the shoulder up, but a split second too late. Nick raises Dustin's hand, but he is definitely not going into the battle royal at one hundred percent with the way he's breathing heavily. Steamboat is using the ropes to lean on, and the frustration in his face is pretty easy to see. Dustin gets to his feet, and the first thing he does is go check on Ricky, helping him to his feet. There is a moment of tense staredown between the two, as Jesse wonders if Ricky might go into a rage and slap him – but it all diffuses as the two shake hands once again, and Steamboat holds Rhodes's arm high in victory. They leave the ring still as comrades and friends, and the camera catches Ricky telling Dustin that he had better win the battle royal tonight now.

But they get taken out right behind the curtain!

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/roddypiper2.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/barrywindham2.jpg

It seems that the Kings of Wrestling were waiting for them right behind the curtain, and a lariat took both men down to the cold floor! Roddy Piper is right there, he and Barry Windham lay a brutal beatdown upon both men! It gets quickly broken up by officials and security, but more damage has now been done, and so close to the battle royal that Dustin has to try and come back out to compete in!

Winner in 19:17: Dustin Rhodes
Notes: As with the last one, this match featured a very burned out and split crowd thanks to the face vs. face nature. The attack was pretty rushed.
Rating: B [match] / B+ [attack]

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/logo.jpg

End of Part 1. When you receive the tape marked World War 3 - Part 2, please insert it for viewing purposes. Be kind, please rewind.

Beejus · April 24, 2016

WCW World War 3 1996 - Part 2

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/worldkow.jpg
http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/stingmask.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/vs.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/meng.jpg
WCW World Heavyweight Championship – No Disqualification Match
Sting vs. Meng
Time Limit: 60:00
Referee: Tommy Young

In order to buy some time for this match, a graphic comes up featuring a “Tale of the Tape” for the World Heavyweight championship match. Meng is listed as six-foot-one and two hundred and seventy five pounds, from the Isle of Tonga. It also says that he is “One of the toughest men in WCW” a fact that nobody can dispute. However, under Sting, everything is a question mark; reading at the bottom “Nothing is known about this man who calls himself Sting”. Tony wonders just what we may see in this bout, as we could very easily see that mask come off – even just in seeing how this man moves about and tries to dictate the match. And how if he isn't careful or doesn't put his full effort into this, we could very easily see a new World's champion crowned.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/stingmask.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/stingmask.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/stingmask.jpg

The looming Sting Army at the top of the ramp ensures that nobody forgets this is a no disqualification match, as was announced by our (as Jesse sarcastically puts it) “wonderful executive vice president” but the match begins with a simple staredown from across the ring. Meng is quick to attack, but Sting slips away from him to start. This begins to look like a game of keep-away, as Sting does all he can to simply stay out of arm's reach, as Tony talks about the full upper body shirt and mask that this Sting wears during matches. Jesse says that this guy's build just looks so familiar, but with the heavy coat and mask on, he just cannot place him. Once Meng does finally get hands on Sting, it doesn't last long as he effortlessly maneuvers himself around the fury and hits Meng with a clubbing forearm to the back of the neck, before connecting with a high belly to back suplex. He goes for a cover, but Meng powers out at only a count of one. He appears rocked though, and Sting takes advantage with a series of forearms and a strong backhand before locking in a side headlock. But this action put him a lot closer than he should have gotten – as Meng now hits the belly to back suplex, and he goes to work on Sting with punches, chops, and stomps on the mat! Meng hits a savate kick that sends Sting into the turnbuckles, and Meng assaults him in the corner!

This starts to bring the Army down to ringside though, and Tommy Young's hands are completely tied by the no disqualification stipulation as the three men all enter the ring. They are all armed with their baseball bats. But Meng strikes first! He attacks all three of them, a wild flurry of strikes knocking all of them around! We begin to see blond hair come loose from a ponytail underneath one of the masks, but they all seem to stay in place for the most part. Meng is enraged when one of the Stings hits him in the back with the bat, and he locks in the Tongan Deathgrip on him! Another Sting gets too close and he suffers the same! The other Sting takes a kick that puts him down on the mat! However, this leaves one remaining: the man who is actually in the match. He seems to have a rag in his hands, and he comes up from behind and locks in a sleeperhold while holding the rag against Meng's mouth and nose! Jesse says he can smell that from clear up at the booth – it's chloroform! Meng refuses to relinquish his Deathgrips, but he does slowly drop to one knee. The crowd are booing loudly at this, as Meng finally drops to the mat in the sleeper. Tony wonders where he even produced that from, as Meng starts rising again! But Sting thinks fast, and he releases the sleeper and turns around to deliver a hangman's neckbreaker! He snapped that off to perfection, and he quickly locks in the Scorpion Deathlock! Meng won't give up, but the other Stings start bashing him with their baseball bats, two of the bats breaking over Meng's head, and one of the Stings slips the rag back under his nose. Meng seems unconscious, but he's still moving – and the bell sounds? Tommy Young has called the match, and he awards the championship to Sting!

The crowd boo loudly as Sting holds the title over his shoulder, and he flexes his biceps to even louder boos. Tony wants to see a replay to find out where he got the chloroform from, but one isn't forthcoming for some reason. The Sting Army leave the ring en masse (champion Sting taking a quick moment to stomp on Meng one last time before leaving) and head up the aisle. They stop to look back at the carnage left in the ring. Bats are pointed toward the ring in unison, even the broken ones. Tony says that the only way they pulled this one off has to be thanks to Eric Bischoff and that no disqualification stipulation, otherwise this match would have gone on much longer and could have truly gone either way.

Wait, wait, what?!?

YELLOW MIST!
http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/greatmuta.jpg

It's The Great Muta! He stands opposed to the group of Stings, having sprayed the champion directly with the mist! Jesse says that the yellow color is poisoned mist, and Muta hit him right in the face with it! He runs off through the crowd to get away from the rest of the Army as the champion screams in misery! He screams loud, and everyone hears just how deep his voice is for the first time! But both Tony and Jesse are still stumped on trying to figure out who's voice they are hearing, because he isn't using any words. Tony points out that apparently we now know who was brought in to be the Japanese legend in World War 3, but Great Muta may have just painted a big target on his own back.

Winner in 9:31: Sting
Notes: The match was penalized for a lack of psychology and a burned out crowd, but gained for the title prestige involved.
Rating: B- / B+ [match] / C+

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/tonyschiavone.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/jesseventura.jpg

Tony Schiavone is pretty disgusted by what we just saw, but hopes that we will know more about that tomorrow on Nitro – right now we have the sixty man battle royal to talk about right now. He lays out the rules for everyone once again – over the top rope elimination until three men remain per ring. Then they all join in the center ring, ring two, until two men remain. Then it will be decided by pinfall or submission. Tony remains steadfast in his prediction that Dustin Rhodes's heart will not allow him to lose this, despite the match he had and the beating that was inflicted afterward. Jesse says that he is looking for a repeat of last year, with Arn Anderson coming in from out of nowhere to pick up the victory. After apologizing ahead of time that the two announcers will probably not be able to keep up very well with calling all of the action that is going on, Tony says that we shall see who is left standing at the end of World War 3!

Rating: B

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ww3match.jpg
World War 3 Battle Royal
Time Limit: TV Time Remaining
Main Referee: Mark Curits

Ring #1: Alex Wright, Arn Anderson, Booker T, Brian Adams, California Kip, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Eddy Guerrero, Johnny B. Badd, Juventud Guerrera, Lex Luger, Lord Steven Regal, Marty Jannetty, Mongo Vyle, Psychosis, Steve Austin, Stevie Ray, Terry Taylor, Tracy Smothers, Ultimo Dragon, Wrath
Twenty men go to battle with one another, but it does not go unnoticed that a few alliances found their way into this ring. Most notably that Johnny B. Badd, Alex Wright, and Harlem Heat all ended up in this one ring, and they immediately go out of their way to ensure their group's survival. It doesn't take long for Terry Taylor to end up on the floor courtesy of the brothers Heat, slamming his hands against the apron in frustration. Lex Luger cuts a tear through the ring as well, simultaneously eliminating Ultimo Dragon and Psychosis as they were fighting near the ropes but then getting swarmed by the three members of the Kings of Wrestling. Steve Austin is getting pummeled in the corner by not only Arn Anderson and Eddy Guerrero, but also Chavo Guerrero Jr., who lends his Uncle Eddy a helping hand here in ring one. Wrath takes a moment to javelin Juventud Guerrera out of the ring after Juvi tried a flying bodypress. Lord Regal seems to be staying as far from action as he can, letting everyone else do all the heavy lifting while he slips punches in on whoever happens close to him. Badd and his “cronies” as Tony calls them end up dumping Marty Jannetty out. Brian Adams and Wrath do a number on Mongo Vyle, using their size advantage over everyone else in the ring to slam him down with a double chokeslam, before hefting him back up from the mat and dumping him out of the match. Steve Austin finally fires back and eliminates Chavo, before turning his attention to hammering everyone who moves with wild right hands, muscling Tracy out after a wild clothesline. He follows that up by knocking “his Lordship” the United States champion on his hind quarters in the corner and stomping him down on the mat, before lifting him up and hitting the Stunner on him! Austin stands back up into a double goozle by Adams and Wrath, but he kicks each of them low and drops both of them with Stunners! Kip eats one as well, and Luger swoops in to clothesline him out of the ring – but then he gets hit with the Stunner as well! Arn and Eddy come back into the picture, but Austin backdrops Eddy out of the match before hitting Anderson with the Stunner! Austin falls prey to a four-on-one assault by Badd, Wright, and the Heat though, and that halts his momentum as the crowd cheers the bodies that lay around the ring. When he finally comes back to the action, Luger finds himself going toe-to-toe with Adams and Wrath, punching and kicking each of them to little effect – at least until he goes to the eyes! On the other side of the ring, Badd is standing back and letting his three companions try to eliminate Austin. A miscommunication sees Wright on the mat due to Booker's Harlem Sidekick though, and after four more Stunners puts all of them on the mat, Austin lifts each of them up and throws them all out one right after the other! Luger has gotten Wrath muscled out of the ring and he lifts Adams into the Torture Rack, while Austin chases Regal around the ring. However, Austin has fallen right into a trick as Regal turns it around with a kick and quick butterfly suplex! He lifts Austin from the mat quickly and starts trying to throw him out. That is when Arn Anderson makes his move, and “The Enforcer” sneaks up from behind to try and throw both men out, and he succeeds! Luger also dumps Adams out of the ring as the officials jump into the ring to halt the action here. “Double A” starts eying up “The Total Package” but his expression quickly changes as he realizes what happened – Steve Austin only landed on the apron! Anderson yells “Dammit!” as Austin tries to get to him, causing more officials to climb into the ring to keep the two apart until phase two begins!

Ring #1 Winners: Arn Anderson, Lex Luger, Steve Austin

Ring #2: Art Barr, Barry Darsow, Barry Windham, Billy Kidman, Bobby Eaton, Brad Armstrong, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho, Disco Inferno, Jeff Jarrett, Larry Zbyszko, Owen Hart, Randy Savage, Rey Mysterio Jr., Scott Hall, Surge, The Giant, The Willow, AAA legend Lizmark, WCW legend Nikita Koloff

Barry Windham starts the match taunting Dustin Rhodes in ring three, Rhodes trying to get to him but being restrained by officials. The fans were shocked to see Nikita Koloff make his appearance, giving him a very respectable applause on his way to the ring. Tony notes that we have a newcomer in the ring here who is getting his first big shot at super-stardom in WCW tonight, a youngster named Billy Kidman who has been watching from somewhere in the stands for a few months while he was training. Disco Inferno takes center stage for a moment to dance in the center of the ring, drawing the attention of everyone – until The Giant drills him with a chokeslam. Disco is quickly drummed out of the match, laying in a heap until Jimmy Hart sprays him with water to wake him up and get him to leave ringside. Back in the ring, Lizmark and Mysterio work together briefly in this one, as Larry Zbyszko seems content to stay behind The Giant as much as possible. Brian Pillman and Randy Savage find one another right off the bat and go to work on each other, each punching and clawing at the other. Jeff Jarrett fights off Bobby Eaton, while Brad Armstrong grapples with Jeff Jarrett in a battle of second generation stars. Art Barr tries to slip around the match, but the sins of his Mexican past are against him as Lizmark and Rey chuck him out of this match. Owen Hart fights Scott Hall, the KoW and Horsemen still not getting along very well. Most of the match involves people trying to stay out of The Giant's path of destruction actually, as anyone he comes into contact with seem to quickly find themselves out of the match. Surge and Willow try to use their brotherly villain bonds to bring him down to size, but he shoves both of them off with ease. Chris Jericho is right in the middle of the action, standing up for himself against anyone who gets in the Television champion's way. Jesse takes a moment to note that Jericho isn't one of the biggest guys in there, but he wants to win this match as much as anyone can. When Tony asks him what Chris would do with the Spoils of War, Jesse says that obviously Chris would rename the company to World Jericho Wrestling. Koloff ends up doing some serious damage in the match, throwing both Surge and Willow out of the match before hitting Savage and Pillman with a double Russian Sickle! Jarrett sneaks around the bout hitting people who aren't paying attention, while Darsow and Windham deposit Lizmark on the floor together as Rey had his attention off of his AAA companion. Kidman tries to make a big mark, but that mark becomes a splat on the canvas when The Giant harshly chokeslams him to the mat. Billy is dropped out of the ring in a heap. Owen Hart joins with Brian Pillman to fight with Savage and Zbyszko, as Brad finds himself on the mat after an Outsider's Edge. Bobby Eaton comes off the middle rope, but finds himself in the clutches of The Giant and quickly tossed over the top. The tide of the match becomes a much different place when Nikita squares up to Giant, and the crowd audibly buzz when the two see one another. Using this moment to their advantage, Pillman, Jericho, Koloff, Hart, and Mysterio all attack The Giant in a very uniquely cultural group, trying to eliminate him – but he throws them all aside! Savage catches Pillman and the two fight more, but with a mighty scream it appears The Giant has woken up! He quickly starts grabbing everything that moves, as suddenly the ring clears out in a hurry. Owen and Jericho feel the wrath of The Giant first, and Rey tries to leap at him but gets caught and dumped on top of the other two. However, an angry Giant is not something you want any part of, even on friendly terms – as Barry Darsow, Jeff Jarrett, and Larry Zbyszko also find themselves tossed to the floor! Tony screams that The Giant has gone rogue in his anger! Savage, Hall, and Windham do what they can to calm him down from outside of his arm's length, but Pillman and Koloff are still in there to stir them up – and the two men attack the four Kings of Wrestling! Pillman dropkicks Giant, which doesn't take him down but does daze him for a moment in the corner. Hall hits Koloff with a fall-away slam, but when he tries to set up an Outsider's Edge, “The Loose Cannon” sneaks up from behind and tosses him over the top and to the floor! “The Macho Man” tries to come up and eliminate Pillman, but Nikita repays the kindness by clubbing Savage on the back, leading to Pillman eliminating him! Savage is hot, and he keeps trying to re-enter the ring. Pillman goes after Windham as Koloff slugs it out with Giant as only one more person needs eliminated before this ring stops the action. Barry and Brian know one another very well, but Windham seems to be expecting the Brian Pillman he knew a few years ago – and that Brian was not “The Loose Cannon”! Pillman hits a flurry of punches, and even leaps up onto Barry to shove him back against the ropes in a frenzy of right hands to the forehead! Brian even kicks Windham low, and with a dropkick he sends Windham leaning against the ropes. From there he hits a bodypress that sends both men over the top rope, and Windham goes to the floor while Brian hits the apron!
But wait! The officials are all not watching, and Windham pulls Brian to the mat while crawling up onto the apron and back through the ropes, just as Charles Robinson takes notice. And so when Brian gets to his feet, he's stopped from re-entering the ring; Barry Windham has stolen his way into the second phase! Officials swarm the ring to stop Koloff and Giant from fighting any longer until the second phase can begin.

Ring #2 Winners: Barry Windham, Nikita Koloff, The Giant

Ring #3: 2 Cold Scorpio, BG Armstrong, Cactus Jack, Coach Irvin Alexander, Dave Finlay, Dean Malenko, Devon Vyle, Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes, King Puma, Paul Orndorff, Ric Flair, Richard Stevenson, Rick Martel, Rio the Renegade, Syxx, Terry Gordy, The Warlord, Vader, unknown NJPW legend The Great Muta

Dustin Rhodes is the focal point of this ring for a few minutes as he tries to fight through security and enter ring two to get to Barry Windham, which halts all flow of this ring as there are too many bodies in the ring (twenty men plus a slew of security) and nobody can really move around or get started. Ric Flair uses this time to taunt Steve Austin from across the distance from ring three to ring one, but Austin ignores him to fight for his life against two other Horsemen. We finally get some movement as Vader surges through everyone to attack a man who he always finds himself at odds with, Cactus Jack. Dustin's attention is finally put in the ring when he is grappled from behind by “Mr. Wonderful” who tries to throw the former World champion over the ropes. An overlooked pairing joins up as Richard Stevenson and his mentor, “CIA”, join forces to try and subdue the wild Rio. Two men who seem to not have enough space to use their regular arsenal yet trade common punches as Dean Malenko fights with Scorpio, as The Warlord takes a flurry of jabs to the stomach and face by Devon Vyle. Great Muta continues his seemingly strange, undocumented rivalry with the KoW by chopping Syxx in the corner. Tony talks about how he had no idea that Muta harbored any ill will towards the Kings of Wrestling, but he's glad to have him on the side of WCW if he is on it. After a few minutes, BG Armstrong becomes the first casualty of the ring thanks to his former Stud Stable colleague, Terry Gordy, plows him out of the ring with a big slam over the top rope. The Warlord finds himself out next as Dallas Page and Rick Martel join forces against him to ease him over the top. King Puma and Rio the Renegade meet up in the center of the ring, and the two costumed rivals do battle with big clubbing blows. Cactus strikes Gordy down to the mat in a corner with a series of forearms. “The Nature Boy” causes a loud clap to echo through the arena as he chops away on “The Coach” as Stevenson finds himself out of this one thanks to a backhand from Vader! The Cruiserweight champion finds himself deposited on the floor in quite an odd fashion, as not only was Scorpio pushing him from inside the ring, but Rey Mysterio in ring two had come over to lend a hand, and with Mysterio pulling on Syxx's boots he quickly found them on the mat. King Puma sends Rio to the floor with one super shove after another, and Devon meets up with half-brother Mongo outside the ring thanks to Vader. A discus clothesline from Diamond Dallas Page puts Gordy on the mat, but not out of the ring. Irvin and Finlay are caught up in their own fight so they aren't at their full attention and are simultaneously worked over the ropes by the crafty veteran Ric Flair. With some more room to maneuver, Scorpio starts doing some of his fancy footwork, hitting Great Muta with a few jabs before twisting his arm and hitting a heel kick to take the Japanese legend down – but Muta pops right back up with a series of his own kicks, ending with a spin kick that dazes Scorpio against the turnbuckles. Orndorff cuts Muta off with punches before he could do anything more with that, and Flair scoops up the remains by eliminating Scorpio. Cactus and Vader brawl near the ropes, and Martel accidentally finds himself a little too close and gets hip tossed out by both of them! Dustin Rhodes trades chops with Flair, a rivalry that we all have seen play out all too much last year. Gordy and Cactus throw wild punches at one another, as Vader squares up to King Puma. Puma lays some forearms into the chest of Vader, who absorbs them with ease before firing some of his own. Orndorff tries to help Vader, but he gets thrown aside by Puma. These two mammoth competitors fight one another in the center of the ring, and they each back up to the ropes and throw clotheslines at each other. But only one man can win this, and after a body check and series of clotheslines, punches, and forearms, Puma finds himself shaking the cobwebs out of his head on the floor. Vader is downed immediately though – bang! – courtesy of the Diamond Cutter! Paul Orndorff meets the same fate, as does Flair, Gordy, Malenko, Muta, and Cactus! But when he tries to hook Rhodes with it, Dustin blocks it by shoving Page, and he follows to the ropes with a clothesline that puts Dallas over the top rope and to the mats below! Jesse points out that if you look at rings one and three, Austin and Page were laying everyone out simultaneously with their version of the same move. Dustin manages to get a dazed Gordy out of the ring as he was getting up as well, but he runs into a brick wall when he tries to do the same to Vader. Malenko fights with Orndorff when they get to their feet, while Muta and Flair trade chops. Cactus tries to help Dustin eliminate Vader, but “The Monster” shoves both of them away with ease. “Mr. Wonderful” finds a way to distance himself from Malenko before he got wrapped up in a hold, but a low blow spells the end for Dean as “The Nature Boy” hits him right between the uprights and chucks him over the top. Cactus again goes for Vader, but this time the World Tag Team champion is ready for him, and he absorbs Jack's forearms before pulling him throat first over the top rope! Jack's wind is taken immediately out of him, and Vader slams a forearm against his head before picking him up off his feet to send him over the top before he could recover. Cactus looks completely out of his wits as officials tell him to leave the ringside, but whether that is from Vader or just his natural expression is up to the viewer. Only five men remain in the ring as Great Muta drives his power elbow into the chest of Dustin on the mat. Flair begs off from Vader and Orndorff, but Muta comes over and cuts Paul off with a punch driven right into the cheek. Vader turns and clobbers Muta with a crushing blow, before pulling him up for the powerbomb – but Flair clips his knee before he can connect! Amidst a smattering of “Paula” chants, Orndorff slams Flair to the mat, and he starts setting him up for a piledriver. Muta gives Flair the assist back though, spraying green mist into Orndorff's eyes! “Mr. Wonderful” turns around and swings wildly, completely blinded, and runs right into “The Natural” who dumps him over the top rope! Now the three men in the ring not in the KoW join forces in an alliance to take on Vader! Flair and Muta hit chops while Dustin kicks and punches where he can. They force “The Monster” to a knee, as they brawl wildly to try weakening him to eliminate Vader from the rest of the match. Great Muta runs the ropes, but that's the opening Vader seemed to be looking for – he quickly shoves Dustin and Ric away, and when Muta rushes in to hit a running knee, Vader catches him, and he backs up while lifting the Japanese star over his head to toss him over the top! Ring three is over, as security charge into the ring to stop Vader, Rhodes, and Flair from fighting anymore until they join phase two!

Ring #3 Winners: Dustin Rhodes, Ric Flair, Vader

World War 3 Phase Two
Arn Anderson vs. Barry Windham vs. Dustin Rhodes vs. Lex Luger vs. Nikita Koloff vs. Ric Flair vs. Steve Austin vs. The Giant vs. Vader

The action is immediate here as immediately Steve Austin rushes toward Ric Flair! Dustin Rhodes goes after Barry Windham, but Barry goes through the ropes and leads a chase around the entire arena floor! Anderson teams with Flair (obviously) and the Horsemen begin laying a beating on Austin. Lex Luger and his sometimes-enemy Koloff give one another a high five and then charge in after the World Tag Team champions, with Lex punching at Giant while Koloff trades blows with Vader. All nine men are entirely focused on winning this bout, as Tony and Jesse talk about what they think each man would do with the Spoils of War. On the outside, “The Natural” has been unable to catch his prey, and Barry finds himself on top when Woman steps in Dustin's path and causes a distraction for Barry to blast Dustin with a steel chair! Windham slides into the ring and helps his fellow KoW members by dispatching Luger for a few minutes. As impressive as “The Total Package” is, no man can handle a two-on-one at the hands of men like The Giant and Barry Windham, much like how Steve Austin is faring against the two Horsemen. Flair whips Austin towards Anderson, and “The Enforcer” plants Austin with a spinebuster in the center of the ring. Vader has Nikita in the corner, hammering “The Russian Nightmare” with punches to the ribs, but Koloff absorbs each one before spinning Vader around, punching and kicking at the Tag champion with reckless abandon! Nikita peels himself off of Vader to run over and catch Windham with a Russian Sickle, freeing Lex up to start trying to fight his way back up from The Giant's clutches. Vader makes his move toward Luger, but he gets taken down by Dustin's running bulldog! A bloodied Rhodes (if there really is any other kind) charges at Windham again, and he shoves Barry into the corner to begin laying heavy punches in! Dustin has lost his mind, while on the opposite end of the ring Austin has slammed Anderson into the turnbuckle to reverse a DDT and has begun to chase Flair around the people in the ring! Ric finds himself behind The Giant, who, not prejudiced to who he hits in this, nails Austin with a big boot that puts him on the mat. Giant then turns and grabs Flair around the neck, and also Arn when he tries to run in for the save. The crowd are in awe as he hefts both of the senior members of the Four Horsemen up and drives them both to the mat with a thunderous Chokeslam! Giant walks right on top of Austin to get at Dustin Rhodes, who had climbed up on Windham in the corner to punch him. Jesse says that the smart move here would be to throw him out – but Giant's inexperience shows as rather than push him out, he grabs Dustin around the throat and drills him to the mat with a Chokeslam! A chokeslam follows for Luger as well, as Nikita is quickly circled by the three Kings of Wrestling. The former United States and Television champion tries to fight his hardest, but there is little hope short of anyone getting back up – and that isn't going to happen after all those chokeslams. The fans boo loudly as Nikita finds himself dropped with a chokeslam, made worse by the extra weight of Windham coming off the second rope to shove him down with more pressure, and then a big splash by Vader. Koloff's limp body is lifted up by all three men and rolled over the top rope, and he collapses to the floor.

The pressure is on the remaining WCW participants to stand up to this phalanx of Kings of Wrestling members, as Woman cackles on the floor at the dominance her men have shown here so far in World War 3. Slowly, all of them seem to be coming back to their senses, and they all stare on toward the KoW, and the crowd are buzzing as the shocking collection of stars start realizing that they have to work together: Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger, Dustin Rhodes, and Steve Austin may not be men who have a lot in common, and some really don't like one another at all. But here in World War 3, they become the brand new allied powers against this three-man axis of Kings, and they rush with a fury! Dustin resumes his attack on Windham, Flair and Austin go after The Giant, and Luger and Anderson punch away at Vader! These alliances draw huge cheers, as Giant is taken aback by the punches and chops thrown at him and he is forced to lean against the ropes. Windham gets hit with a bionic elbow, dazing him into the turnbuckle. Vader fights with all that “The Monster” has in this two-on-one. Rhodes lifts Windham's legs up and splits him between the middle ropes. He backs up to the opposite corner, and he looks ready to deliver a big field goal kick! He charges, ready to punish Barry for all that he has put Dustin through – but Giant's big boot stops him cold! Giant had delivered headbutts to both Flair and Austin, and got through them to lay Rhodes out. Flair finds himself near Windham, so he chops him in the corner. Austin shows no fear in going back for Giant, punching him all around the midsection. But it appears these team-ups are just as fragile as they seemed to start, as Arn and Lex get in one another's way and end up in an argument, which Vader takes advantage of to release himself from the predicament he had been in. Luger and Vader grapple, with Lex trying to out-muscle Vader. “Double A” tries to sneak up from behind Austin, but Austin sees him coming, and he delivers a Stunner! Anderson is out on his feet near the ropes, and Austin takes advantage to toss him over before Flair could come help him. “The Nature Boy” begins laying chops in on Austin, but Austin fights back with punches. Barry has Rhodes stacked up against the ropes, but he is yelling in his face rather than simply trying to eliminate him. He finally makes his move, lifting Dustin's legs up, but Rhodes jabs Barry in the eyes! He rakes Barry's face across the top rope, and then he starts lifting his long legs off the mat! However Dustin is denied his vengeance – as Vader comes by and dumps him over! Windham lands on the apron, but Dustin is hanging onto him, trying to force him to come down with him! Barry holds onto the bottom rope as much as he can, but finally he cannot hang on any longer, and both of them drop to the floor!

Tony points out that only five men remain; “The Total Package” Lex Luger, Steve Austin, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, and the World Tag Team champions, The Giant and Vader. The match grinds to a brief halt as officials try to keep Dustin and Barry separate on the floor, before Austin goes back after Flair. Luger finds himself all alone trying to fight off the Tag champions, but that doesn't bode well for him as he is dissected by them, and then crushed with a splash by Vader. On the other side, Austin tries to lift Flair up in a body slam position to throw him out; however, Ric holds on, staying just barely on the apron. Flair gets to his feet as Austin turns to him, but Flair shoulders Austin in the stomach from the outside and re-enters the ring. Austin kicks Flair in the stomach on a charge, but Flair grabs the ropes to block the Stunner, causing Austin to crash to the mat. Flair gets Austin up and chops him in the corner – but there's no effect! Steve punches out, and he whips Flair to the other side of the ring, causing him to go up and over the top rope to his feet on the apron. Austin charges, looking to knock Flair off – but Flair ducks down, grabbing the top rope, and Austin can't stop in time before he flies over and down to the floor, as Flair rolls back under the bottom strand.

It may numerically be down to our final four, but it's all about two: The Giant and Vader. They have decimated Lex, and he is limply strung across the turnbuckles. Giant irish whips Vader from the center of the ring to connect with a brutal avalanche splash in the corner on Luger, and he drops to one knee on the mat. Vader motions to Giant that it's over, and “The Monster” starts dragging Luger towards the ropes. Vader has Lex draped halfway over, but Luger tries his best to hang on. The Giant screams, and he makes his move – and dumps out Vader! Luger held on, and The Giant only eliminated his partner! And once Vader realizes what happened, he is incensed! He screams at referees trying to restrain him, as Giant shrugs. The fans cheer loudly as Giant turns back to Luger – but “The Total Package” is back on his feet! He yells, flexing his muscles, as the cheers of the crowd wills him back to full health! Lex ducks a punch from Giant, and fires back with three of his own. He ducks another, and scores with more. He has Giant reeling, and he screams to the crowd one more time, before going for a body slam! He grabs Giant for it….

….But no! Luger is too weakened from this long match, and Giant clubs him in the back with a forearm. Giant grabs Luger around the neck, but Lex kicks his way out of the attempted chokeslam. Giant goes for a last ditch effort, going for a wild punch, but Luger ducks it and runs the ropes – leaping into the air with a forearm that connects to the jaw of The Giant! Lex runs the ropes again, and he connects with another one! Giant is staggered, and Luger hits him with a third running forearm, and The Giant is forced to one knee! Tony Schiavone is losing his mind on commentary, look at Lex go! Luger kicks at the woozy Giant, and he motions to his forearm. Jesse points out that this forearm is the one with a hard, steel plate inside it, as Luger goes to the second rope. He waits for Giant to stagger to his feet, and Lex leaps off!

HE CONNECTS!

THE GIANT GOES DOWN! THE GIANT GOES DOWN!

This is the first time that The Giant has ever been off his feet ever since his debut in World Championship Wrestling! The crowd are going nuts, this is incredible! Tony's voice is beginning to crack, as Lex celebrates!

And then everyone's mood changes drastically, as Ric Flair grabs Luger from behind and chucks him over the top rope.

World War 3 Final: Ric Flair vs. The Giant
Referee: Mark Curtis

Wow, did the crowd deflate on that one. However, we are down to our final two men! “The Nature Boy” and The Giant down on the mat! The bell sounds, this one is only by pinfall or submission – and Ric Flair knows that very well. He struts for a second, but the cries of Bobby Heenan at ringside do not go unnoticed; Flair quickly goes over and makes a pin on The Giant, and Mark Curtis makes the count.

1!

…………………….2!

……………………………….NO!
The Giant kicks out emphatically, what would it even take to put this guy down?! He had a brutal brawl with the Road Warriors earlier in the night, and now here he is as one of the final two men in World War 3?! The crowd seem to be cheering both men yet neither men at the same time, as this battle is on between the massive enforcer of the Kings of Wrestling and a founding father of the Four Horsemen. Flair makes his move, hitting a pointed kneedrop to the forehead of The Giant, and he goes for another cover.

1!

……………………….2!

……………………...NO!
The Giant shoves Flair completely off of him this time, and “The Nature Boy” is losing his mind. The Giant is beginning to stir, and that is the last thing that Flair wants. He drops an elbow on him – but Giant won't even give him a one count for it! Giant is slowly starting to crawl up off of the mat, even despite the elbows and stomps that Flair is putting on him. Ric finally decides to just go with a rear chinlock, but photo-graphical evidence clearly shows that it isn't just a chinlock, it's an outright chokehold! Mark Curtis tries telling him to break the hold, but there's nothing he can do about it.

But The Giant rises to his knees!

Flair does all he can to increase the pressure, but slowly, slowly, The Giant starts getting up!

But the lack of blood flow to the brain begins to work against him, and Giant drifts back down to his knees, and eventually even down to the mat! Ric Flair is outright choking out The Giant! Mark Curtis cannot call for the bell due to this though, and he tells Flair so. Flair trades up to a pinfall!

1!

……………………..2!

…………………………………….NO!
Just a split second before the hand came down, Giant pushed his shoulder up, and Ric is livid! “The Brain” can be heard yelling for him, and as Flair stomps around, Giant begins getting back up again! He gets to one knee, and the crowd don't know what to think – Jesse Ventura even asking if he is a mortal man of flesh and bone or not!

CRACK!

The sickening sound of steel on bone is heard, as Ric Flair connects right between The Giant's eyes with a tire iron! Bobby Heenan gave him a weapon, and he used it to perfection! Giant tries to stay up, and he attempts to stand, but another strong thwack! fills the arena as Flair nails him with it again – and this time The Giant drops to the mat! Flair hits him with it one more time on the head, and he rolls Giant over to make the cover!

1!

…………………..2!

……………………………….3!

Winner in 54:07: Ric Flair
Notes: Kidman's “debuting” Fan's Own gimmick rates a B-, and Nikita used a Bad Ass (Brute) gimmick, which went C+. Scott Hall seemed off his game.
Rating: B+

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ricflair.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/geneokerlund.jpg

“Mean” Gene enters the ring as The Giant is helped out of the ring. He approaches Ric, who has gotten his breath back after the match and is now strutting around the ring. Gene offers congratulations to “The Nature Boy” for this huge win. Flair comes over and lets out a “WOOO!” into the microphone, before animatedly proclaiming that everyone needs to “watch your girlfriends, lock up your wives, and put mama to bed, because the Horsemen are in Grand Forks, and they're comin' out to party!” He says that he just proved once again that he is the truest sixty-minute man in this business, and ladies, later tonight you could just as easily find out what happens in the second hour! “Woooo!” Gene asks if he's invited to the party, with Ric telling him that the invite is in the mail! Getting back on track, Okerlund then asks the big question: after such a long, grueling battle, what does “The Nature Boy” intend on using his Spoils of War on?

“Nothing!”
http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/ericbischoff.jpg

Out of the dressing room comes WCW's executive vice president and one of the leaders of the KoW, Eric Bischoff. Eric says that this interview is over, because Ric Flair's big win tonight is a fraud! He says that he is ready to throw this entire match out the window and fire both Flair and Bobby, and maybe the rest of the Horsemen for the sham that they perpetrated out here on The Giant. Fans boo, obviously not wanting to see Ric and the Horsemen taken away like that, as Eric says that this show is over, the Four Horsemen spoiled the entire thing. Eric gets into the ring and puts his finger right in Flair's chest, and tells him that if he doesn't bow down right now and give up his Spoils of War, then he's going home right now – he will be erased from the WCW history books and will never step foot in a wrestling ring again! And if he even thinks to touch Eric right now, then he will not only fire him and erase him from the history books, but he will sue Flair for every cent he and his family have and ever will make in their lifetime.

Ric Flair looks deflated now, as Gene asks Eric if he's crazy. Bischoff says that he's tired of seeing people come out here and cheat the true icons, the Kings of Wrestling, out of victories that are theirs. He says that he will make an example right now out of one of the most respected people in the locker room, Ric Flair, to show just how ineffective all these shows of support for WCW have been ever since we started all of this back at Bash at the Beach in 1994. Eric tells Ric to get on his knees right now, or he's out of here!

Eric commands him again, even threatening Gene by saying that if Flair doesn't do it, he might be out of here too! Ric shakes his head, but right before we find out what he decides to do, we hear a dialtone over the PA system.

“Eric? Eric, you're in the ring?”

Wait, who's voice is that? That unmistakable Southern accent… Is it really?

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/tedturner.jpg

It's Ted Turner?! The owner and benefactor of World Championship Wrestling has called into the arena, apparently watching the show tonight! He has grabbed Eric Bischoff's attention, as Eric begins immediately sucking up to him, asking “Mr. Turner” what he wants, as he's in the middle of an important business meeting right now. Ted tells Eric to cancel his meeting, because he has to talk to him. He tells Eric that he had a meeting himself with “Mr. Ric Flair” not long ago, and Ric urged him to look into what has been happening in “my company” as of late. Bischoff says that he has only been looking out for Ted's best interests, doing what he can to make him as much money as the people allowed to him can. Turner cuts him off, saying that maybe it's just time for some order around here. He says that Ric Flair will be recognized forever in the annals of WCW history, and that he is the winner of World War 3, no matter how he did it – and he will be announcing his prize for winning tomorrow night on Monday Nitro! Ted then drops the big bombshell announcement: that as of now, Eric Bischoff is being sent home, stripped of his executive vice presidency! Eric is shocked, and he pleads with Ted to rethink his decision! But the phone goes dead as Ted thanks everyone for buying World War 3 and hangs up.

And right then, Eric realizes what just happened, as he looks at a smiling Ric Flair.

“Woooooo!”

He has no more bargaining chip to save him.

A flurry of chops meet Eric's chest, and as he tries to escape out of the ring, one other man walks back out.

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/lexluger.jpg

It's Lex Luger! “The Total Package” comes out and stops Eric from trying to run away! Luger shoves him back under the ropes, and Flair punches him in the chin. Luger then enters the ring, and with the crowd cheering loudly, Lex heaves Eric's body up onto his shoulders in the Human Torture Rack!

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/roddypiper2.jpg

Tony points out then that he sees Roddy Piper emerging from the entrance. Piper has a smile on his face? He gets a microphone, and he tells Luger to “Put him down, because Eric is of no consequence anymore!” Flair urges Piper to come down to the ring, but Roddy tells him no thanks. Roddy says that apparently everyone around here is dumber than they look. He says that they can go ahead and cut off the diseased heads of the Kings of Wrestling, because the one that grows back is going to be meaner, nastier, and tougher to beat than before!

Before Piper can extrapolate what he's talking about, there's a commotion in the crowd as it appears someone in a Sting mask is walking down through the audience. The man stands in the center of the aisle, before Tony realizes wait a minute… that's no mask! That's Sting!

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/sting3.jpg

All four men in the area (excluding the passed out Bischoff) are shocked at this appearance of what definitely appears to be the real Sting, but he doesn't move toward one side of the aisle or the other; instead, he stands right in between and looks towards the ring, which has Lex Luger and Ric Flair in it, and then towards the entrance, where Roddy Piper stands. His choices seem clear, but his expression tells nothing as he points his black baseball bat towards the entrance…. and then towards the ring. The lights then flicker out, and with a crack of thunder, they come back on, and Sting has disappeared just as quickly as he appeared.

Notes: Flair was masterful in his work here, great job after being in a nearly hour long match. Piper and Okerlund also improvised well.
Rating: B+

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/banner.jpg

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/tonyschiavone.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/jesseventura.jpghttp://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/geneokerlund.jpg

Gene leaves the ring as Piper went backstage, and he joins up with Tony and Jesse to cap off this huge pay-per-view. Tony says that he hopes that we will know more about what is happening in WCW by tomorrow night on Nitro, but says that there are a few things he's certain of: the Kings of Wrestling still control the World title. Ric Flair is the winner of the second World War 3. And Eric Bischoff has been officially removed from power. Jesse says that they've all known Roddy Piper for a long time, and they have to know that “Hot Rod” has something up his sleeve, and we may not want to know what it is. But for tonight, Tony says that World War 3 has come to a close, and fans, be sure to tune in tomorrow night. From Tony, Jesse, and Gene, goodnight everybody!

Rating: B

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/logo2.jpg

Prediction Contest Results:

TheBigBad1013: 8

TheBooker: 7 – Yes, and you're the next contestant!

CobheadJake: 7

The_CoC: 6

crackerjack: 8

The Final Countdown: 7

Happy0wns: 4

KnowYourEnemy: 8

Satyr24: 8

SkipMartin: 5

Smasher1311: 9

Uncrewed: 5

Warhawk8492: 6

Smasher wins! Smasher finally wins! I hope everyone enjoyed WW3, let me know what you all thought of the massive undertaking that is the battle royal!

SkipMartin · April 27, 2016

Excellent show as always. Even more impressed you managed to write up WW3 in a coherent way.

TheBigBad1013 · April 28, 2016

Excellent show as always. Even more impressed you managed to write up WW3 in a coherent way.

So much this!!!

I always find it damn near impossible to write those huge matches but Beejus pulls it off in style every time.

I'm also thrilled to see that I actually managed to call Flair winning WW3! Although I wasn't even close to calling The Giant as the other finalist, but one out of two ain't bad.

Also, I never in a million years would have called Lance Storm as Rey's partner, but what an incredibly talented team!

Like I always say; keep doing your thing, Beejus, because your stuff is just so consistently awesome.

Beejus · April 28, 2016

WCW Monday Nitro - May 13th, 1996

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/nitro.jpg

WCW Monday Nitro

May 13th, 1996 (May week 3)

Held at: Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, South Carolina (Mid Atlantic)

Commentary: Tony Schiavone and Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Attendance: 12,401 (sold out!)

Show Runtime: Two Hours

Rating: B+

This show increased our popularity in 17 regions.

Last Night at World War 3!
Mike Tenay narrates our opening video package, which shows highlight stills courtesy of WCW Magazine. He talks about the emotional battle that took place between Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat; the brutal beating that the Road Warriors suffered from the KoW teams; the Great Muta blinding “Sting” after his title defense; the huge win of World War 3 for Ric Flair; Ted Turner's fateful call into the arena; and finally the appearance of Sting, which has left everyone with more questions than answers! Hopefully we can get some of those answers tonight on Monday Nitro!

Rating: C-

Roddy's Got a Secret
http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/roddypiper3.jpg
But instead of going to Tony and Jesse at the start of the show, we have Roddy Piper in the ring, and there's a huge smile on his face. “I guess you're all wondering what ol' RP has in store for ya after last night, huh?” he begins. He says that “I've always believed ever since joining this cesspool that is WCW, that if you have to lay it all out, then you bet on black and white!” Roddy takes his time to rile up the crowd, asking them if they really want to know what's up his sleeve, and laughingly sings “I know something you don't know!” He says that even Ted Turner was in the dark on this one, and that's how he wanted it. Roddy finally gets to the meat of it and says that he had some foresight a few months back, figuring that at some point, Eric would overstep his bounds and someone from WCW would go tattle-tale to Ted on him. He admits that “I thought it would have been Hulk doing the crying, not Ric.” Piper says how at the time, he knew Eric would do anything he could for the cause; and so he had Eric put in writing a special clause. “A special piece of paperwork, notarized and legal, that says if Eric were to be removed from his power as executive vice president? Then I am his immediate replacement!”

Wow, the crowd really boos that! Tony screams to give him a break, as despite not liking this turn of events, Jesse applauds the foresight. Piper just laughs, saying that this means everyone is under his control now, and nobody can do anything about it – not Hogan, not Flair, not Bischoff, not McMahon, not Magnum, not even Turner can touch him! He says that people shrugged him off when he started calling himself “President Piper” but who's laughing now?! Piper then goes on to name off his first official main event on Monday Nitro; a six-man tag team match pitting “your heroes in the Kings of Wrestling, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, Barry Windham, and Vader” against “that list of boorish rogues Dustin 'Corky' Rhodes, 'Flexy' Lexy Luger, and 'Cap Gun' Brian Pillman!” He says that he wants people to enjoy the show – but doesn't really give a damn if they do or not.

Notes: Piper really used the freedom of being off-script to his advantage.
Rating: B

WCW World Cruiserweight Championship
Syxx w/Woman vs. Ultimo Dragon
The former Cruiserweight champion gets a match for the title against the current champion. Tony notes that Mike Tenay isn't joining us for this one because he's busy backstage setting up for an interview segment next with some of the members of the Kings of Wrestling. These two put on a very nice little match, which is more on the mat and done with a lot of martial arts style strikes as opposed to the high flying flips and acrobatics shown by a lot of the Mexican cruiserweights. Dragon nearly scores a pinfall with his Quebrada moonsault, but he's a little too close to the ropes and Woman slips Syxx's foot out of the ring. The match spills outside, and Ultimo is set to deliver his Asai Moonsault, when The Annihilator and Psychosis jump up on the ring apron and trip him, driving Dragon's neck down on the top rope! Replays showed that Sonny Onoo had made his way out and was distracting Charles Robinson, so he saw nothing. Woman smiles evilly as Syxx rolls back into the ring, and he picks up the victory via a countout.

Dragon just barely makes his way back into the ring after the ten count, and Syxx appears ready to send a message. He swoops in and locks Ultimo is the cross face chicken wing that he calls the Buzzkiller, and he seems as though he just wants to hurt Dragon here! Finally out of the back rushes Rey Mysterio Jr., and when Woman screams, Syxx knows it's time to get out of there. Mysterio looks after Ultimo for a moment, as Syxx taunts him from afar.

Match Time: 6:46
Notes: Woman did some good work at ringside.
Ratings: C / D

Other Kings in the Castle
“The Professor” Mike Tenay is backstage, and he says that any fan of cruiserweight wrestling cannot wait for Rey Mysterio Jr. to get a title match against Syxx. But right now, Mike has some guests at this time in some of the other members of the Kings of Wrestling; and then “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff cuts him off with Harley Race shoving Tenay almost out of frame just by standing where he was at. Paul tells Tenay that nobody wants to see “some punk loser kid” like Mysterio getting title shots, they want to see men like him, and Jeff Jarrett, and California Kip! Jarrett tells Mike to just shut up and hold the mic, because the more Tenay talks the more he puts everyone to sleep. Kip says that they have some things to talk about, and one of those things is World War 3. Tenay mentions that The Giant threw most of the three here from the ring at World War 3, but Jeff says that nobody wants to talk about that! Kip says that he wants to talk about the Steiner Brothers. He tells Tenay that Rick and Scott were at one another's throats, and that he and Jeff were just helping them to sort out their problems. When Tenay says that it just looked like they wanted to put the brothers out, Jeff says that was not the plan at all, President Piper told them so! It would have done nothing for them to put the Steiners out separately, only if they put them in the hospital right next to one another! Orndorff chimes in, saying that Ron Simmons ran scared from him last night by faking falling over, and made poor Tracy Smothers have to sub in for him in the battle royal because he didn't want to face “Mr. Wonderful”! Woman joins the frame as Tenay says that he saw with his own eyes that Orndorff attacked Simmons from behind, but he gets cut off again. Harley Race says that the three of them have challenges to make, and all for the Great American Bash, live on pay-per-view on Father's Day for all to see! Tenay clarifies that that is two challenges made, Orndorff to face Simmons and the Steiners against Kip and Jarrett? Woman finishes the segment, saying that the Kings want some heads for their trophy room – and just like Woman, what Kings want, they get.

Rating: B-

Bad Guys Never Learn
We head backstage now where Scott Hall sits, with Kimberly Page on his lap. Hall talks about how it looks like Dallas didn't get his hands on him at World War 3 like he was hoping for, and Scott says that trend will continue as long as “Da Bad Guy” wants it to. It seems like he probably could discuss this all that he wants, but his chair gets dumped over – by DDP! Kim screams and runs away as Hall and Page begin throwing wild fists at one another! They continue brawling until WCW security rush in and break the two up.

Rating: B-

WCW United States Tag Team Championships
The Vyle Brothers vs. The Wild Samoan Boyz w/Col. Robert Parker
The US Tag titles are on the line as the Vyle half-brothers face the Samoan cousins. Ekmo and Kimo take over for much of the match, with Devon receiving a lot of punishment from the much larger competitors. Colonel Parker is practically dancing on the outside of the ring, predicting that his Stud Stable will be getting the US Tag belts back. But that only lasts until his former champion charges, The Armstrong Brothers come out and start pushing him around. BG takes Parker's handkerchief and teases him with it, until Parker gets the attention of his men. The Samoan Boyz head to the outside of the ring and attack the former champions, with that fight spilling into the ring. Meanwhile, Harley Race has come to the aisle, and he has The Chain Gang rush the ring! Barry and Brian lay into the Vyles, and this match has been declared over before it ever truly got started.

After that ruckus gets cleared out of the ring, “Mean” Gene meets up to Harley Race and the Chain Gang backstage. Race does all the talking as Gene asks him just what he's trying to do out there. Harley yells that these two men have proven themselves as one of the greatest tag teams in WCW, and where was their title shot? Gene wonders why Harley doesn't chase them after the World Tag titles, but a glare from Race cuts that conversation topic down immediately. He tells Gene that the Kings of Wrestling taught Devon King everything he knows, and Mongo is just some punk. He insinuates that the WCW Championship Committee are afraid that the KoW would hold both sets of tag titles again if they gave the Chain Gang their opportunity at the titles. Harley says that his boys have made the Steiner Brothers briefly split up, and now they've sent “those fake biker boys” the Road Warriors back home to Chicago in body casts! Harley says that they want those Vyle Brothers in the ring, and if they can't get them, the body count is going to rise.

Match Time: 7:45
Notes: Parker did good work at ringside, and the Vyles have excellent team chemistry.
Ratings: C- / C+

Big Bubba Rogers w/Col. Robert Parker vs. Steve Armstrong
Colonel Parker is pretty shaken up after the last match, but his big bodyguard puts a smile back on his face in this one by just barely even allowing a pinch of offense here. Rogers bulldozes Steve, before finishing this one off with the Bubba Slam for the one handed pin.

Match Time: 3:27
Notes: Both guys are pretty stale.
Rating: D

WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
Lord Steven Regal w/Sir Tyler Karlet vs. Terry Taylor
This one should be a very good little technical matchup, and it certainly is; but Terry Taylor has definitely fallen in the past few weeks, including being the first man eliminated in World War 3 last night. Jesse notes that Stan Lane is no longer accompanying Terry to ringside, so perhaps the Twilight Express is well and truly over now. Tony figures that Regal will probably cheat Taylor in this match, but he doesn't even bother with that; instead just outwrestling his opponent and getting a submission victory with the Regal Stretch.

“Mean” Gene meets up to “his Lordship” backstage alongside his royal bodyguard. Regal says that he has taken apart every challenge that World Championship Wrestling has sent his way, and he's definitely growing tired of these lousy American wrestlers that he's had to dirty his hands against. Gene says that if Regal were so superior, shouldn't he have won the battle royal last night? Steven sneers that he was cheated out of the bout by those cheating Americans; just like how they won “the skirmish in 1776”. Regal says that the only partial challenge he has suffered was Dave Finlay, and that's only because he helped teach Finlay many of the maneuvers that he used during their matches. Regal then practically dares WCW to find him a worthy “American hero” to come out and silence him. He gets that hero however, when the youngster who made his debut in World War 3 last night interrupts him, Billy Kidman! Kidman tells Regal that he comes from the heart of America, in Allentown, Pennsylvania – and he will be happy to make his first big win in WCW a big victory over Steven Regal for the United States title! Regal laughs, and he says that he does admire the spirit of youth, so he'll get right back to Kidman on that challenge!

Match Time: 6:32
Notes: The fans literally just got tired of Gene's gimmick during this segment. Kidman performed poorly.
Rating: C+ / D

Badd Men on the Prowl
Mike Tenay is back with us again after the break, and he is standing by with Johnny B. Badd and his crew of malcontents. Badd says that his boys should have been on top of World War 3 last night, but Steve Austin cheated with some brass knuckles or something – “Just like one of WCW's favorite sons to cheat us more talented Badd men out of what we should be owed!” Badd says that tonight, he takes on Diamond Dallas Page, and he is so confident that “his Badd Men” (the name drop for “his” group getting an odd look from Harlem Heat) should just take the night off and stay backstage to watch him come out on top tonight!

Notes: The fans have felt that Badd has grown stale.
Rating: C+

A Man on Fire
Steve Austin is on our screen in pre-taped comments. Austin is not at Nitro tonight, but says that he will be next week, and he wants a word with Ric Flair. He offers congratulations to Flair on winning World War 3, but tells him that he damn sure better not forget that Steve Austin still has his sights set right on him!

Notes: The segment was felt to be a little short.
Rating: B

The Giant Awakened
Meng vs. The Giant w/Woman
The Giant and Woman are backstage with “Mean” Gene before the match starts, with Gene questioning Giant about if it changes anything that last night was the first time in his career that he was taken off his feet, and also pinned. The Giant screams that it changes nothing! He says that he had to be given fifteen stitches from a steel plate in a forearm, a blatant choke hold, and a metal tire iron – and that's what it took for one man to finally put him down on the mat! The Giant says that maybe he had gotten himself a little bit complacent, but to never expect to see it happen again. The Giant has truly awakened now, and “fe, fi, fo, fum – this is no story, and all of WCW are about to witness a very grim fairy tale!”

Meng just last night was competing for the World's Heavyweight championship, and practically won the title – had it not been all of the Sting Army assaulting him. But tonight he faces The Giant. Where Giant typically takes his time in matches, tonight he goes right after Meng, and after shrugging off a number of palm strikes from Meng, Giant takes him down with two big boots. Meng is a very tough guy, but in a match that the fans didn't even have a chance to get into, The Giant proves that nobody gets up from the Chokeslam when he plants Meng with it. Tony wonders who can stand up to The Giant now that he is on this rampage, as he just put away a World title contender, two time US champion, and both World and US Tag champion all within ten minutes.

Match Time: 6:40
Notes: The interview segment was short, and so was the match.
Ratings: B- / C-

Johnny B. Badd w/Badd Girl vs. Diamond Dallas Page
Tony notes how well these two know one another, both having come into WCW in 1991 and have had quite a few matches against each other in these five years. Badd Girl causes as much of a distraction as she can, and Page nearly gets taken out after a Badd Day slingshot legdrop. Johnny impressively goes for a shooting star press – but Page rolls out of the way, and when Johnny gets back to his feet he gets drilled with the Diamond Cutter. Bang, it's all over.

As Johnny is helped out of the ring, someone else slips in – it's Scott Hall! Hall lays out Page with a baseball bat, nailing him right in the ribs with it! Hall then delivers the Outsider's Edge, with Kimberly berating her husband as he lays in pain on the mat. Security run out to separate Hall from his dirty work as trainers check on Page's ribs.

After a break, we go backstage to see a groggy Johnny B. Badd again. Alex Wright and Harlem Heat come up to him, with Alex asking how he's doing, but Badd will have none of it. He says that his “Badd Men” are supposed to have his back, not lounge around backstage watching the show! Alex apologizes, saying that Booker and Stevie told him not to leave the locker room! Johnny tells the Heat that their attitudes aren't impressing him nearly as much, and maybe they haven't been the winners he thought they were! Booker and Stevie take offense, immediately taking offense, and Booker asks Johnny if he's actually serious, because he told them all to just stay backstage! Stevie says that suckas gotta know when to step off, but Badd puts his finger in Stevie's chest, saying that they should have won the Tag titles by now – but Booker punches Badd! A few other officials come along, and have to separate these guys too!

Match Time: 12:25
Notes: Badd Girl did good work at ringside. Harlem Heat turn face, and the turns went pretty well.
Ratings: B- / C+ / C

“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, and “The Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman vs. The Kings of Wrestling (Barry Windham, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and “The Monster” Vader) w/Woman
This match is controlled chaos! Tommy Young barely even tries containing some of these guys, even occasionally looking the other way as various wrestlers make appearances from the apron. But what this match is, is completely entertaining, as Dustin ends up trapped in the Kings of Wrestling corner – Woman even adding a strong low blow on the outside to the Rhodes family jewels. Vader decimates Dustin, and that's the only time Windham bothers entering the ring, playing the smarmy weasel heel way better than he ever has before. “The Natural” shows all the heart that he has in his body to hit Barry with a backdrop suplex and makes the hot tag out to Brian Pillman, who comes in with a springboard clothesline to Savage! The former Air Pillman probably would have gotten a surprise three count had Vader not charged in for the save. Luger enters the ring as well, and we have all six men in the ring brawling it out! Luger and Vader fight outside the ring, and Savage goes off the ring apron with a double axe handle to Lex's back, but that's when “The Loose Cannon” hits a suicide dive onto all three men! That leaves Dustin and Barry in the ring, the crowd cheering on that Rhodes can get his hands on the man who sent his wife to the hospital and cost him the World championship. “The Natural” takes the fight to Barry, going up on the turnbuckles to deliver ten elbows to the forehead as the crowd counts along. Dustin goes for the running bulldog, but Windham shoves him off into a held up steel chair by Savage! Tommy Young surprisingly doesn't call for the bell, Tony wondering if maybe Tommy didn't see it, but he does see Windham roll Rhodes up with a victory roll – and he gets the three! The crowd boo loudly as Barry quickly escapes the ring, and when Woman finally peels Savage and Vader away the KoW leave victorious; Barry pointing to his head to show how smart he was, having just shown that he could pin his adversary Dustin Rhodes!

Match Time: 14:04
Notes: Vader and Woman have excellent client/manager chemistry.
Rating: A

Reaping the Spoils of War
Right after the match ends, we see Ric Flair backstage. His announcement is next!

“Mean” Gene is in the ring for the final segment of the show, and he brings out his guests, the men who may indeed hold WCW's future in their hands: The Four Horsemen! One by one they come out to the ring, Bobby Heenan and Arn Anderson leading Owen Hart, Eddy Guerrero, and finally “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Gene congratulates Ric on his huge win, and Anderson says that what they did last night was prove that World War 3 isn't a WCW event, the Kings of Wrestling have no claim on it; World War 3 belongs to the Four Horsemen! Eddy stays out of the ring and heckles the crowd, as Owen says that all of the Horsemen did the best performance of the battle royal, and the only reason they weren't all together at the end of the match was because WCW did what they could to split them up. “Because the elite, the only men who can hold up the symbol of excellence, would have dominated way too much!”

“The Nature Boy” then takes to the microphone, and he says that “The Dirtiest Player in the Game” struck again, and boy did he strike hard! Gene says that certainly the way that Flair won the match was under severe scrutiny, but facts were facts, and by hook or by crook he certainly was the winner. Not just the winner of the battle royal, Flair points out, but also the first man to pin The Giant! Flair says that with that pinfall, he could easily pick out another member of the Horsemen and use his Spoils of War on a World Tag Team title shot… but he won't. He says that he could use his Spoils of War to get a match with Steve Austin… but he won't. He points out that he wouldn't have to waste that on Austin, because he didn't forget him, and in fact he'll get right to him in a second. Ric says that at the start of this show, he wasn't completely sure what to use his Spoils of War on; maybe a World title match, maybe he'd even spend it on getting a night, “woo” with Woman! “But I don't have to spend it on those things, because just like a match with Austin, I can get it any time I want! And Austin, I will take your challenge, because we have to finish this once and for all so that we can get back to more important business!” No, “The Nature Boy” has something bigger in mind, a grand plan, and one that there's no way the Kings of Wrestling will deny. One that no authority on heaven or Earth can stop now.

“Almost two years ago at Bash at the Beach, Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper started this thing, and they've caused WCW a lot of agony in the process. So it's time for WCW to fight back! And fight back we will, in the biggest match of this entire company's history! On one side, the Kings of Wrestling! On the other side, the forces of World Championship Wrestling! One will live, and the other will die! If you win, WCW submits! If we win, the Kings of Wrestling are no more!

“And it will be…….

Ten men!

Two rings!

One cage!

WARGAMES!”

Roddy Piper comes out of the back at that announcement, and he has a microphone of his own. He says that Flair has lost his mind! There is no way that the Kings of Wrestling would ever accept that, because there's nothing really in it for them. “I haven't become President Piper and run this Kings of Wrestling show for the past two years by jumping into things I get nothing out of!” Flair “woooo”s at him until he quiets down, and that's when a third voice interrupts them. Magnum TA appears with his own microphone. He says that Ric came to him about an hour ago, and he is all fired up after hearing this whole idea. Magnum first asks Piper where his Sting is, and Piper says that “Sting – not my Sting, Sting – is at home, you saw what happened last night!” Magnum says that's just too bad, and he hopes that the World champion will be ready to appear again by next month. Because while July seventh will be a huge, momentous occasion for WCW, on Father's Day, June sixteenth, the World championship will be on the line – against The Great Muta! And then, whichever one of them are victorious in that match will take part in this WarGames match. “Because WCW and the Kings of Wrestling are putting it all on the line – so not only will one company be put down, but also the World Heavyweight championship will be on the line! And not only that, but the WCW Championship Committee will dissolve! You're the guy in power right now? You'll have full control, completely and utterly!”

Piper thinks about it, and he smiles. He says that now, it appears we are talking – not only do WCW give up fighting, but also they get to own the World championship, no more committee, no more commissioners? He gets to be President Piper completely? He says that WCW better get their team, and get the best team they can. He hopes that everyone really enjoys the fireworks on July fourth, eat your popcorn, hug your snot-nosed kids, and pray to whatever Gods you find holy enough; because on July seventh at Bash at the Beach, two years after he started all of this, he will be there to end this and force WCW to fall to their knees!

Ric Flair closes the segment, “Wooo!”ing loudly, and says that the KoW can line up everyone they got, because it won't be enough no matter who it is! Ric says that there will be no draws, no cease fires, and no chance for the Kings of Wrestling at Bash at the Beach Tony says that this will all come to an end in just over a month, but right now fans, we have to go. Goodnight everybody!

Notes: Flair was superb, the crowd completely in the palm of his hand during the first interview part, Gene actually performing poorly in his presence. In the second part Flair continued working the crowd well; but Piper didn't do very well, rambling a little too much, and Magnum made up some very poor dialogue choices.
Ratings: B / B+ / B-

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u628/beejus1/wcw-95/logo2.jpg

Anderz · April 28, 2016

Oh hell this is non-stop! WARGAMES!?!? - everything on the line, and will we finally find out who the hell "Sting" is? Who's side is Sting on? This is truly one of the best things I've ever read; I'm hooked again.

Sign In

WCW '94: War of the Thrones

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Join the conversation