WCW: Dangerous Territory

alpha2117 · March 21, 2020

Great show.

James Casey · May 9, 2020

March – April: Towards Clash Of The Champions XXVIII

Sting opened the first Saturday Night after beating Owen Hart with a clear message: “I’ll fight anyone, because this title says that I’m the best of the best and that means being ready to take on any challenger. So if you want to take this from me, all you have to do is cross the line – No, not some imaginary line in the sand, not the line drawn by the ropes, but the line between the locker room and the arena. You, any one of you, who comes out here looking to fight... If you want to fight me, if you think you’re ready to fight me, then I’ll fight you, and I’ll keep fighting, one by one, because as long as I’m breathing, this belt stays mine!”

The champion was true to his word, clashing with Mike Awesome, Chris Jericho and Tracy Smothers in the next few weeks. After seeing off Smothers, Sting was confronted by the Diamond Studd, who was flanked by Kimberly Page and DDP.

“Hey, Sting, I figured I’d cross the line ahead of the Clash. Seems like you need yourself a dance partner for the big show, so how about-“

Vinnie Vegas nearly decapitated Sting with a big boot to the head, blindsiding the World champion. Vegas smiled broadly as he stood over Sting, the other members of the group joining him in the ring as the fans jeered and booed.

“How about we flip a coin and see which one of us gets to leave the Clash with

three

titles?”

Kimberly drew a roll of silver dollars from her décolletage and DDP quickly took them from her before either of his charges could. Flipping one of the coins he let Studd call – tails, but to Vegas’ delight the coin landed heads up: And soon enough the WCW hotline confirmed that it would be Vegas facing Sting for the WCW World title at the Clash!

*

For Brian Pillman, the comedown from World title contender to the third man in the diminished Dangerous Alliance was a hard one. No matches for several weeks saw Pillman champing at the bit for a challenge, and he practically charged into battle against Barry Windham. But if he was looking for a chance to really prove himself in search of a rematch with Sting, he was further frustrated by the appearance of Scott Steiner, once more interfering in one of Windham’s matches ahead of Clash XXVII. Pillman’s response promised trouble: “I guess if I can’t get any traction here in WCW... there’s always the NWA!”

And so reports began to come in of Pillman appearing at shows run by other members of the National Wrestling Alliance, lobbying for a title match against Ricky Steamboat, even interrupting matches to do so. That earned Commissioner Ventura a number of angry phonecalls and letters from his fellow power brokers, and in return he was forced to dispatch several of WCW’s biggest names to appear on NWA shows and pour oil on troubled waters.

“I don’t mind helping out the NWA when it suits me, Brian, but I want WCW talent appearing on WCW shows! And that’s what we’re going to have, because you’ll be fighting Ricky Steamboat for the NWA World title – not at the Clash, where

you

can make big money, but on free television where you bring in the ratings and advertising money for this company!”

The match was, as you might expect, spectacular. Steamboat was dogged in his defence of the NWA gold, while Pillman was relentless and inventive in his assault. Only Steamboat’s resilience and evident desire to maintain his grip on the title seemed to keep Pillman from snatching it away, and as Saturday Night went off the air the pair continued fighting, unheeding of the audience at home being unable to keep watching.

With matters unresolved, and both men calling for a rematch, Ventura decided on a compromise – the pair would be joined by their allies in six-man tag action at the upcoming Clash...

*

But while one of Pillman’s allies was Owen Hart, the other was not Steve Austin or even Rick Rude – rather, Scott Steiner would join the Calgary Connection in the match. ‘The Animal’ had been feted by the Dangerous Alliance for weeks following his defeat of Barry Windham, and agreed to side with the Connection for the match as a ‘taster’ for how he could work with the Alliance.

“And once you’ve seen how well it all works, I’m

quite

certain that you and I will make you and the rest of the Alliance a

lot

of money!” Dangerously declared.

Austin, meanwhile, was preoccupied with Michael Hayes – the Freebird having defended his Television title successfully five times. Heading into the Clash, Hayes had demanded a United States title match against Austin, and used his interview time to needle the ‘Superstar’ ahead of the show. Austin, normally happy to jaw with an opponent, for once had little to say – other than stating that he would make Hayes regret ever crossing his path.

*

The Television title had been with Hayes for the weeks after Clash XXVII, but once he vacated the title it was Dean Malenko who claimed the gold in the first title victory for the revamped Kingdom. Malenko managed two successful defences, but fell at the third hurdle to one of the Horsemen, Chris Jericho. The young Canadian was set to enter Clash XXVIII as champion... but with the hulking Mike Awesome on the opposite side of the ring, he was far from certain to leave with the gold!

*

With Vinnie Vegas occupied at the Clash, there would be no tag title defences. That didn’t mean that the rest of the Diamond Exchange had the night off; Following a series of interviews where Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack mocked the champions for taking time off, the Diamond Exchange jumped the duo backstage. That led to a six-man match as Warrior and Cactus joined forces with Sting to battle their mutual foes in the main event of the pre-Clash Saturday Night, but which delivered no decisive outcome as Vegas was disqualified for hitting Sting with a chair. Commissioner Ventura ordered Shawn Michaels and Diamond Studd to face Warrior and Cactus at the Clash – and if the fan favourites won, then they would receive a shot at

both

the Diamond Mine’s titles the following Saturday Night!

*

If the York Foundation has an unbreakable rule when it comes to their investments, it’s this: Always bet on gold. With their NWA titles in the hands of Ricky Steamboat and co, the Foundation shifted their focus to the WCW Six Man titles. Luchamerica had been defending the titles against all comers, and it seemed like the Foundation would be just another challenge – but Alexandra York kept everyone guessing as she refused to confirm which three members of her group would be challenging for the belts, and each combination was given the chance at televised and live events to build chemistry ahead of the show.

*

After the wild brawl between the two sides at Clash XXVII, members of the Horsemen and the Kingdom clashed repeatedly over the following month, with the Television title in play during some of these meetings. Whether or not there was a decisive end to these matches, they always turned into confrontations between the two sides, and eventually Jesse Ventura ordered a tag match at the Clash – with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson putting themselves forward for the Horsemen. After careful deliberation Harley Race announced that it would be the Malenkos representing the Kingdom.

“Ric, you and Arn are tight, and you’ve been a good team in the past... but these men are brothers, trained by one of the greatest ever in Boris Malenko, and they’ve surpassed him as technicians. It wouldn’t matter which two of you came into this match, but I’m glad that it’s you and Arn, because when Dean and Joe break you down you’ll have no excuses!”

*

WCW Clash Of The Champions XXVIII

Sting © vs. Vinnie Vegas – WCW World Title

Michael Hayes vs. Steve Austin © – WCW United States Title

Ricky Steamboat, Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious vs. The Calgary Connection and Scott Steiner

Arn Anderson and Ric Flair vs. The Malenkos

Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vs. The Diamond Studd and Shawn Michaels

Chris Jericho © vs. Mike Awesome – WCW Television Title

Luchamerica © vs. The York Foundation – WCW Six Man Titles

crackerjack · May 11, 2020

Great update Casey! Nice to see this get an update.

Sting © vs. Vinnie Vegas – WCW World Title

Michael Hayes vs. Steve Austin © – WCW United States Title

Ricky Steamboat, Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious vs. The Calgary Connection and Scott Steiner

Arn Anderson and Ric Flair vs. The Malenkos

Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vs. The Diamond Studd and Shawn Michaels

Chris Jericho © vs. Mike Awesome – WCW Television Title

Luchamerica © vs. The York Foundation – WCW Six Man Titles

Jabroniriffic · May 11, 2020

WCW Clash Of The Champions XXVIII

Sting © vs. Vinnie Vegas – WCW World Title

Michael Hayes vs. Steve Austin © – WCW United States Title

Ricky Steamboat, Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious vs. The Calgary Connection and Scott Steiner

Arn Anderson and Ric Flair vs. The Malenkos

Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vs. The Diamond Studd and Shawn Michaels

Chris Jericho © vs. Mike Awesome – WCW Television Title

Luchamerica © vs. The York Foundation – WCW Six Man Titles

DHK1989 · May 11, 2020

<p><strong>Sting ©</strong> vs. Vinnie Vegas – WCW World Title</p><p>

Michael Hayes vs. <strong>Steve Austin ©</strong> – WCW United States Title</p><p>

Ricky Steamboat, Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious vs. <strong>The Calgary Connection and Scott Steiner</strong></p><p>

<strong>Arn Anderson and Ric Flair</strong> vs. The Malenkos</p><p>

<strong>Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack</strong> vs. The Diamond Studd and Shawn Michaels</p><p>

<strong>Chris Jericho ©</strong> vs. Mike Awesome – WCW Television Title</p><p>

<strong>Luchamerica ©</strong> vs. The York Foundation – WCW Six Man Titles</p>

Bigelow Cartwheel · May 11, 2020

Sting © vs. Vinnie Vegas – WCW World Title

Michael Hayes vs. Steve Austin © – WCW United States Title

Ricky Steamboat, Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious vs. The Calgary Connection and Scott Steiner

Arn Anderson and Ric Flair vs. The Malenkos

Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vs. The Diamond Studd and Shawn Michaels

Chris Jericho © vs. Mike Awesome – WCW Television Title

Luchamerica © vs. The York Foundation – WCW Six Man Titles

James Casey · May 19, 2020

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="53ZpK1D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/53ZpK1D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>World Championship Wrestling presents: Clash Of The Champions XXVIII</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Thursday, Week 4, April 1993</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

</p></div><p></p><p>

</p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us-</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Can it, Ross! Let’s get to the point, which is that tonight everyone who’s had the sense to tune in gets to see the Superstar defending his United States title against Michael Hayes, while Scott Steiner takes the next logical step in his career by uniting with the Dangerous Alliance – the first night in what I’m certain will be a long and fruitful partnership!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">There’s that, Paul, and one or two other matches as well.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Nothing anywhere near as important, Schiavone, and don’t pretend otherwise!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="color:#800080;">WCW Television Title</span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="phYsT7k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/phYsT7k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="q8m9fFW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/q8m9fFW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BLRhkmT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BLRhkmT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Chris Jericho © vs. Mike Awesome</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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Outweighed and outreached by Awesome, Jericho gave his all against his foe from the Kingdom. With Tammy and Lance Storm at ringside to counter the presence of Harley Race, Jericho at least seemed to have a puncher’s chance – until Awesome found his range and turned the young Canadian inside out with a pulverising lariat. Then Jericho was left defenceless, unable to offer any resistance as Awesome hefted him seemingly effortlessly into the air and dashed him to the mat with a move Dangerously advised was known as the Awesome Bomb – and awesome it was as the Kingdom’s man planted his foot on Jericho’s chest to record the three count and claim the gold.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Madusa, give Harley a call. I think there’s business to be done here...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="twtDPae.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/twtDPae.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="twtDPae.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/twtDPae.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="twtDPae.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/twtDPae.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="color:#800080;">WCW Six Man Titles</span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="eHvu9kn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eHvu9kn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3p1PrYY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3p1PrYY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2e0k7KS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2e0k7KS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="YjpHf2D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/YjpHf2D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3ew1Lp4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3ew1Lp4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="m01cILB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/m01cILB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Luchamerica © vs. The York Foundation</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

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The York Foundation were out to rebound from a bad run – even if Alexandra York has maintained that </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>financially</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> the group were on a particularly good run in the stock market of late. Luchamerica were in no mood to hold a pity party, though, and the effervescent trio came at the Foundation from all angles, going high, low and – in Rey Mysterio’s case – very high indeed. The experienced challengers tried to ground their foes, but even with as great a trio of technical wrestlers as the Foundation trio are, the combination of speed, technique and energetic brawling on the other side of the ring was enough to make for a successful defence, with El Tigre Blanco coming off the top rope on Richard Morton to score the win.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">What kind of man wears a mask to fight, anyway? I bet those three are hiding something!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">You go right ahead and ask Big Van Vader what he’s hiding, Paul.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Well, when you put it like that...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3QZmhlp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3QZmhlp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="1MVUCjp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1MVUCjp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="q8m9fFW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/q8m9fFW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ALWOufW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ALWOufW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="WvKD1gB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WvKD1gB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vs. The Diamond Studd and Shawn Michaels</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">No gold on the line, but I don’t think that matters to Warrior and Cactus – they want the fight!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">They’ll get it from the Studd and the Rough Diamond; There’s a reason the Diamond Exchange have been the Dangerous Alliance’s go-to subcontractors for months!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Studd stood several inches taller than either Warrior or Cactus, but seemed happy to let Michaels take the lead in the early part of the match. The Rough Diamond was thrown wildly around the ring by Warrior, and dumped headlong over the top rope by a Cactus clothesline, to the point that he was begging the referee for a timeout – a discussion postponed for another time as Cactus launched himself over the referee’s head from the ring apron, crushing Michaels against the guard rail with a triumphant “Bang bang!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

As Michaels recovered – or possibly regained consciousness – Studd broke up the referee’s count by tackling Cactus as he climbed back through the ropes, sending the New Mexico wildman soaring off the apron again, only this time not by his own choice. Cactus landed hard on the floor, eliciting groans off sympathy from the crowd where moments before he’d drawn wild cheers.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Warrior took offence to Studd’s actions, charging him as he posed for the crowd on the ring apron. He was intercepted by Diamond Dallas Page, who slid into the ring and slugged the Warrior across the back of the head with a roll of silver dollars. Warrior staggered as Page dived out of the ring, but even though the blow seemed to be glancing at worst, Warrior was vulnerable as Kimberly directed Studd into the ring. That gave Studd all the advantage he needed to hammer on Warrior, but even with the powerful Studd throwing everything he had at him, Warrior grabbed hold of the ropes and shook them hard, seemingly drawing strength from the motion as Studd looked on in horror as his hardest blows failed to register.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Look out Studd!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Warrior turned on his heel, pointing at Studd before charging across the ring at him and levelling him with a shoulderblock. Seemingly sensing the tide turning, Page and Kimberly clambered onto the apron and distracted the referee, letting Michaels slide into the ring with a steel chair and bring it crashing down on Warrior’s back – and that </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>was</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> enough to knock him to the mat. Before Michaels could capitalise, however, Cactus clambered through the ropes and snatched the chair from him, driving it into Michaels’ stomach and dropping it to the mat to set up a DDT. The referee turned to see Michaels’ head hit with a sickening thud, and he quickly called for the bell to throw the match out – although as he pointed first to Warrior, then his ears, then to Michaels, and then to his eyes, he made it clear to Gary Michael Cappetta that the result was a </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>double</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> disqualification, with both teams having gone beyond the boundaries of the rulebook!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Well, kudos to the official – and to Commissioner Ventura who I know has been drilling all our referees in how to spot dirty tactics!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">I don’t think this result will satisfy either team, somehow...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">The Diamond Exchange get away from those lunatics with some bumps and bruises, and Michaels will have a headache worth kvetching about for the next couple of days, but they’ll take that!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

As Cactus tried to get at Studd, and Warrior struggled to get to his feet, referees and security rushed down to the ring to break things up.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">We’ll be sure to keep you updated with developments between these teams – be sure to stay tuned to WCW television over the coming weeks!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="osRcosk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/osRcosk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ijtBtWD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ijtBtWD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="E1Szout.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/E1Szout.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="q8m9fFW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/q8m9fFW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="on556lI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/on556lI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2ytkyaJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2ytkyaJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="RaIRMkk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RaIRMkk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ricky Steamboat, Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious vs. The Calgary Connection and Scott Steiner</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Once upon time, Sid Vicious and Brian Pillman were bitter enemies on opposite sides of the aisle – this match allowed them to revisit that rivalry somewhat, but with some additional experience and a much greater willingness to play foul under his belt, Pillman was able to meet Vicious as much more of an equal. And when things started to get hot for him, Scott Steiner was more than willing to test his mettle against the towering Vicious. But as the match progressed, it became clear that Pillman really had his sights set on Steamboat, and he took every opportunity to try and lure the NWA World champion into action.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

While Steamboat was too experienced and too smart to fall for Pillman’s goading, his protégé Marcus Bagwell seemed to feel the need to defend Steamboat’s honour. Getting caught in the other side’s corner, Bagwell was subjected to a heavy beating that left him helpless for much of the match, and while his side rallied somewhat, Bagwell was vulnerable enough that Pillman was able to fell him with a System Crash for the win – his eyes locked on Steamboat as the referee counted to three.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">And we’ll hear more from Brian Pillman soon, I’ve no doubt.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">And I expect to hear from Scott Steiner very soon – now he’s seen how good a fit for the Dangerous Alliance he would be!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="r6434EK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/r6434EK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BiyIlky.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BiyIlky.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="q8m9fFW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/q8m9fFW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="XtjeDny.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XtjeDny.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="thpvZLl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/thpvZLl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Arn Anderson and Ric Flair vs. The Malenkos</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

WCW’s fans are well known for their appreciation of great technical wrestling, and they got to see it here as both Malenkos proved themselves quite capable of holding their own against the Horsemen. Anderson seemed to relish testing himself against the brothers, while the Nature Boy seemed a little surprised by their ability, but quickly upped his game to meet them hold-for-hold. The Malenkos might even have had the match won when Dean locked Arn into a Texas Cloverleaf in the centre of the ring, but Flair was able break off from fighting Joe to make the save with a boot to the back of the head. From there the Horsemen rallied as Anderson delivered a spinebuster to Joe on the outside that had Harley Race almost tearing his hair out. Isolated, Dean fought hard and almost snatched victory with a sharp roll-up on Flair, but quick thinking on the part of Tammy and Fifi at ringside saw them grab Flair’s free hand and pull it under the bottom rope. The referee had no choice but to break the count – to Dean and Race’s disgust. As Dean objected, Flair caught him from behind with a chop block and went right to work on his knee. While Race tried to rouse Joe on the outside, Flair made quick-but-devastating work of the younger of the brothers, forcing a submission in the centre of the ring just as Joe got to his feet.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">That was closer than the Horsemen will have liked – and what if Fifi and Tammy weren’t at ringside?</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">But they were, and no doubt Flair would say that he </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>always</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> has the ladies on his side.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">And that makes it Horsemen 1, Kingdom 1 on the night...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="pjsaE0p.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pjsaE0p.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="color:#800080;">WCW United States Title</span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="yLYFp2N.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yLYFp2N.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="q8m9fFW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/q8m9fFW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3QAQ87s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3QAQ87s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Michael Hayes vs. Steve Austin ©</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Hayes has worked hard to get in the best shape of his career to take on the fast-rising Superstar, and it showed as he matched Austin move for move in the opening minutes. Austin seemed surprised by Hayes’ endurance and bailed out of the ring to consult Madusa. The Dangerous Alliance’s Director of Covert Operations shrewdly advised Austin to up the tempo still further – and while it clearly took a lot out of Austin to do so, Hayes struggled to hold his own as Austin even went to the air with a wild, but effective, flying crossbody.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">I’d guess he learned that after fighting Ricky Steamboat so often!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

With Hayes reeling, Austin caught him with a Stun Gun – but while a lazy cover suggested confidence in an impending victory, Hayes kicked out at two. With mounting frustration, Austin delivered a second Stun Gun, and then a third, and with a deep cover that placed as much weight on Hayes’ shoulders as possible, Austin scored the pin.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">A hard-fought victory for Steve Austin, Paul, but he doesn’t seem happy.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">‘Superstar’ isn’t a name you take lightly, Schiavone. Steve knows full well that he has to live up to that name – and that means finding a finishing manoeuvre that can take down anyone, any time. The Dangerous Alliance is working on it, and when we find the right move, Steve Austin will be </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>unbeatable</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="8RGKugi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8RGKugi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="color:#800080;">WCW World Title</span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="wsgVtfP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wsgVtfP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="q8m9fFW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/q8m9fFW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="fOAo68e.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fOAo68e.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Sting © vs. Vinnie Vegas</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

While Sting certainly had the vast majority of the Five Seasons Center fans on his side, Vegas had DDP and Kimberly at ringside, and if nothing else that proximity gave Sting pause at times during the match as he seemed to be trying to keep his eyes on all three at once.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">And that’s a problem against a </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>normal</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> opponent – Vinnie Vegas is so big you need both eyes to see him properly!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Vegas delighted in putting Sting down in and out of the ring, at one point trapping Sting in the corner and using the boot at the end of one long leg to choke him out. That predicament lasted a lot longer than the usual five seconds as the referee was distracted by Kimberly, preventing him from spotting the illegal choke.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Normally I’d complain about the referee’s inattentiveness, but he’s only human!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3QZmhlp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3QZmhlp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="1MVUCjp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1MVUCjp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ALWOufW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ALWOufW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="WvKD1gB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WvKD1gB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The action in the ring was almost overrun by action outside the ring as the Diamond Studd, Shawn Michaels, Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack spilled out of the backstage area, their brawl clearly having resumed after their separation earlier in the night. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">It’s chaos! Even Commissioner Ventura is having trouble separating these guys!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Amidst the turmoil DDP managed to get into the referee’s blind spot and throw a roll of silver dollars to Vegas. Sting, however, showed remarkable agility and resilience to leap high and snatch the foreign object from Vegas’ hand. With the referee still unsighted, Sting slugged Vegas hard in the jaw, staggering the big man. The blow wasn’t enough to fell him, and the way Sting shook out his hand made it clear that the blow had hurt him as well – but Vegas was vulnerable, and as he stumbled back into the corner of the ring Sting launched himself forward with a Stinger Splash. Vegas toppled forward to the mat with a crash as Sting grabbed at his legs, turning him over into the Scorpion Deathlock as the brawling at ringside was finally brought under control.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Vegas is stuck – and the referee is giving him his full attention!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Oh, now </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>he’s</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> looking – what about when Sting used an illegal weapon! He should have been disqualified – his title should be stripped right here!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

In the ring, Vegas was writhing in agony, looking, </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>reaching</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> for DDP and Kimberly, but even with his long arms, even with DDP reaching under the ropes to try and grab his hands, Vegas couldn’t escape Sting’s iron grip on his legs.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">And Vegas submits! No-one can survive the Scorpion Deathlock, even a giant of a man like Vinnie Vegas!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Ugh... Well, his day will come!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Perhaps, Paul, but...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Sting accepted the World title from the referee and mounted the turnbuckles, holding it aloft as the crowd roared their appreciation.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross:</strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> ...not tonight! Tonight Sting survives a huge challenge, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div>

Jabroniriffic · May 21, 2020

Good show, Luckily Nash is still Vinny Vegas otherwise you'd have no chance to make him submit lol.

James Casey · May 23, 2020

Good show, Luckily Nash is still Vinny Vegas otherwise you'd have no chance to make him submit lol.

Definitely! I looked through his career record and could only find one reference to him losing by submission in his whole career - as Vinnie Vegas, to Bill Kazmaier, of all people. Even Hogan did more submission jobs than Nash!

crackerjack · May 23, 2020

Nice Clash JC. Surprised Jericho lost the TV gold to Awesome. It makes sense considering how you handle the TV gold, just thought Jericho would be much more over than Awesome. Where was Awesome working before you brought him in?

smw88 · May 23, 2020

<p><strong>Sting</strong> © vs. Vinnie Vegas – WCW World Title</p><p>

Michael Hayes vs. <strong>Steve Aust</strong>in © – WCW United States Title</p><p>

Ricky Steamboat, Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious vs. <strong>The Calgary Connection and Scott Steiner</strong></p><p>

<strong>Arn Anderson and Ric Flair</strong> vs. The Malenkos</p><p>

Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vs. <strong>The Diamond Studd and Shawn Michaels</strong></p><p>

<strong>Chris Jericho</strong> © vs. Mike Awesome – WCW Television Title</p><p>

<strong>Luchamerica</strong> © vs. The York Foundation – WCW Six Man Titles</p>

James Casey · May 25, 2020

Nice Clash JC. Surprised Jericho lost the TV gold to Awesome. It makes sense considering how you handle the TV gold, just thought Jericho would be much more over than Awesome. Where was Awesome working before you brought him in?

W*ING, as well as some time in FMW. Jericho is a lot more over than Awesome pretty much everywhere in-game, but I'm now just running through what I was intending to do, so that's not an issue.

Jericho, for comparison, was working in Canada for CNWA and WFWA from the start of the game, had a tour in ULL and since joining WCW has had a tour in SWS as well.

However, a big, athletic guy like Awesome would get over quickly, and Jericho would know full well that the TV title in this period is akin to pass-the-parcel - not meaningless, but you want to be holding the belt at the end of the cycle rather than getting the little packs of sweets along the way. A heavy loss in this match would ding him a bit, but he's in his early 20s and part of the Horsemen, so one bad loss here as part of the storyline wouldn't be too big a deal. He'd also know that I regarded him as a very hot prospect on the Steve Austin/Brian Pillman route, of course!

James Casey · July 4, 2020

April – May: Towards WrestleWar ‘93

Night after night, town after town, show after show, the intense rivalry between the Horsemen and the Kingdom only continued to grow in intensity. Frequent brawls between the two sides spoiled a number of matches between the two groups, while Flair, Race, Vader and both Thrillseekers also exchanged increasingly heated interviews. Eventually Commissioner Ventura made the call many fans were clearly waiting for:

“Horsemen, Kingdom, settle this in War Games!”

As the month wore on, the details of the match crystallised – all five Horsemen would compete, but rather than bring in a fifth man for the Kingdom, Harley Race announced that he’d enter fifth for his side.

“I can still remember the feel of my fists on your skull, Flair, and for

damn

sure I have a few good lessons left in me to teach the punk kids you’re hanging around with nowadays!”

If the inclusion of a retired wrestler might have raised eyebrows under normal circumstances, the Horsemen were not at their best approaching War Games – Chris Jericho had suffered badly at the hands of Mike Awesome, and the following month had treated him none too kindly with beatings at the hands of the Diamond Mine, Scott Steiner and Vader himself following. Only intervention on the part of Commissioner Ventura – and Jericho agreeing to sign a hold-harmless waiver agreeing not to blame WCW for any further injury he suffered in the match – saw him getting clearance to compete inside the unforgiving cage.

“It’s War Games – the Match Beyond! And it’s never anything less than one of the most brutal contests of the year!”

*

With War Games set to headline WrestleWar ’93, Sting and Commissioner Ventura laid out a path to possible glory for sixteen competitors – members of the Diamond Exchange, Luchamerica, Dangerous Alliance and York Foundation would join Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack, Sid Vicious, Marcus Bagwell, Bret Hart and Barry WIndham across the four week tournament.

Diamond Studd seemed to have a big early advantage as Warrior and Vegas fought to a tie in their match, giving Studd a bye to the semi-final in the top half of the draw. He would face Bret Hart, the Hitman having overcome the York Foundation’s technician Terence Taylor by submission in the first round, before surprising heavyweight brawler Scott Steiner after a bruising encounter to make it to the last four.

On the other side of the bracket Windham overcame long-time rivals Brian Pillman and Owen Hart in consecutive matches, putting his height and strength to good use against his smaller opponents. In the semi-final, however, he came up against Shawn Michaels, with the Rough Diamond putting his fellow Texan to the sword with a dizzying display of speed and technical savvy, adding Windham to the scalps of Konnan and Sid Vicious – in part thanks to the intervention of DDP and his trademark roll of silver dollars.

The Diamond Exchange tried to help Studd in the semi-final as well, seeing an all-Exchange final as the ideal way of getting revenge on Sting – and securing a World title shot as well! But while Michaels has – perhaps surprisingly – been focused on business in recent months, the attitudes of Studd and Vinnie Vegas have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. After jumping Hart behind the referee’s back and opening up a cut over one eye, DDP and Vegas basked in the crowd’s boos as Studd took control of their victim. Hart wouldn’t stay down regardless of whatever Studd threw at him – and kept escaping from attempts at a Diamond Death Drop, but it seemed clear that he was merely delaying the inevitable. Studd’s allies tried to get involved again and hurry things along, but this time the trio of Konnan, El Tigre Blanco and Rey Mysterio rushed through the crowd to tackle them, with Mysterio launching off the barricade to take DDP down with a flying headscissors while Konnan and Blanco went high and low on Vegas, bringing the big man crashing to the ground.

Inside the ring Hart took advantage of Studd’s distraction to boot him in the gut, and before he had the chance to recover Hart delivered a piledriver that put the bigger man down – and booked the Hitman a date with Michaels in the final!

Assistance from the Diamond Exchange had therefore helped Michaels and hindered Hart on their respective roads to the finals. Hart’s injuries from his gruelling matches, though healing, seemed to give Michaels a clear advantage early in their match, and he put it to good use as he powered around the ring at high speed. Hart, who’d tasted Scott Steiner’s vicious wrath after scoring the win in a gruelling contest with a victory roll, took time to find his feet against Michaels. When he did, though, he worked hard to ground Michaels, slowly wearing down his back and legs to deplete his speed. Even then, Michaels was dangerous, but Hart doubled down on his assault, weathering the storm not just from Michaels but from the wily DDP when he found himself outside and on the referee’s blindside.

“That sneaky Dallas Page! How dare he get involved?” Ross demanded.

“I think after seeing Vinnie Vegas lose last month, he’s taking this chance at another shot at the champion very personally indeed. That can be a good thing for a manager when their client gets

screwed

,” Dangerously replied.

“I think- Wait, what’s Austin doing out here?” Schiavone asked.

Steve Austin had walked out from the backstage area and stood halfway down the aisle, watching with arms crossed as Hart tried to drag himself back into the ring.

“Oh, don’t even get me started.”

“The Superstar’s still in a mood, then?” Ross asked.

“And one he’s going to take out on

all

of WCW, trust me.”

Michaels kept the official occupied, even grabbing his head and holding it in place as the Rough Diamond jawed at him. Showing remarkable tolerance, the official allowed this – and allowed Page to grab Hart’s head and drop to the floor, yanking Hart down with him.

“Nice! Simple, but effective – I know Page has been studying tapes to improve, and that’s one from Japan,” Dangerously declared.

“And Hart is feeling it, no question. This could be a countout victory for Michaels here.”

It might well have been... but the official seemed very reluctant to end such an important match in that way. And when Michaels objected and tried to get in his face again, the official retaliated by shoving the Rough Diamond down on his backside, drawing a huge cheer from the crowd.

“He’s had all he can stands, and he can’t stands no more!”

“Shut up, Schiavone!”

Austin had closed in on Hart and was watching him closely as he lay on the mat, barely moving even as the referee began – slowly – to count him out. With Michaels conferring with DDP, Hart managed to get to his knees. He noticed Austin standing close by, but seemed to decide that the Superstar was the lesser threat, at least right then, turning his back on him to roll under the bottom rope as the referee’s count reached eight.

Michaels was right on the Hitman, firing in kicks and punches as best as he could, but Hart seemed at least a little refreshed by the long break on the outside and was able to block or counter much of what Michaels threw him, reversing the Teardrop Suplex into a bulldog before delivering a Russian legsweep heading to the turnbuckles to deliver a diving elbow drop. With Michaels stunned, the Hitman rolled upright and grabbed his legs, turning him over into the Sharpshooter.

“And for DDP this must seem all too familiar!”

“And Michaels is a foot shorter than Vegas – there’s even less chance of Page interfering again!”

Hart leaned back as far as he could, putting all his weight into the hold as Michaels bellowed in pain... and in agony, surrendered the match and his chance at a World title shot!

“What a match! Hart snatches victory from the jaws of defeat!” Ross declared.

“Credit where credit is due,” Dangerously said. “He earned it. He earned it.”

“And to earn this shot Hart has overcome the wild fury of Cactus Jack, the power of Scott Steiner, the speed of Shawn Michaels and the guile of Diamond Studd – four very different challenges... and four elements of wrestling that Sting excels at! Can the Hitman put it all together to become World champion? Join us this Thursday night on pay-per-view to find out!”

“Hold on, Jim – it seems like the Hitman has something to say!”

Tony Schiavone was right, as Hart was demanding the microphone even as Gary Michael Cappetta warned him that there wasn’t much TV time remaining.

“That’s fine, this won’t take me long,” Hart said. “Sting, you’re a worthy champion, and it’ll be a pleasure to tie up with you with the World title on the line. But as much as you’ve impressed, and as great as you are at beating people with your Scorpion Deathlock... you’ve not been challenged by the Excellence of Execution, and you won’t be able to escape my Sharpshooter!”

*

With their extended break behind them, the Diamond Mine were quick to accept a US tag title challenge from the Thrillseekers soon after the Clash – but DDP’s glee on announcing the match proved to be prophetic, as Chris Jericho was clearly still hurting from being beaten by Mike Awesome. The Diamond Mine overpowered their smaller opponents, but as they celebrated their – tainted – victory, they found themselves confronted by the duo of Konnan and El Tigre Blanco, demanding a title shot of their own.

“And why should we fight a couple of little shrimps like you?” Studd demanded.

“Because we can do stuff like this until you agree, amigo,” Blanco replied, pointing behind them. They turned and Rey Mysterio Jr leapt off the top rope, delivering a double dropkick that sent the bigger men stumbling back into a pair of dropkicks from Konnan and Blanco, leaving the double champions sprawling.

“We’ll keep coming,” Konnan warned them as they rolled to the outside. “And hey, being so small and all, maybe you won’t even see us – until we’re right in front of you!”

Enraged, Studd and Vegas ranted and raved about the “vanilla midgets” in subsequent interviews, but continued ambushes by the Luchamerica trio had them on the back foot, and even a trios match when they tried to add to their collection of gold by teaming with DDP to challenge for the Six Man titles proved futile, as Konnan caught Vegas with a quick roll up for the pin after an exciting contest. Eventually, Luchamerica’s interference in Studd’s semi-final match with Bret Hart tipped the scale in their favour.

“Luchamerica, you want us?” Studd yelled, as DDP struggled to control the raging Vegas. “You got us! But don’t say you weren’t warned – we don’t play when our gold is on the line,

amigos

, and you’re gonna find out what it means to fight a pair of raging super heavyweights!”

*

Steve Austin has a grievance, and its origin is clear – the Superstar was omitted from the World title tournament as he already held the United States title... except now he’s no longer the United States champion! Having defended the title successfully for months, Austin’s skills have only been growing in that time, and he entered his latest defence against Dustin Rhodes in fine form. The Natural is, to most observers, a future world champion – but even with his incredible talent and drive, most considered him the underdog against Austin. The two Texans thrilled the Saturday Night audience from the bell with a wild brawl, and Austin seemed to have the match won when he drilled Rhodes with a Stun Gun. But the long-legged Rhodes was able to get a foot on the bottom rope just in time to beat the count, to Austin’s annoyance. As Madusa counselled calm at ringside, Austin opted for fury in the ring, blitzing Rhodes with clotheslines and kicks before pinning him in the corner and unleashing a barrage of stomps before yelling at him to stay down.

Rhodes didn’t stay down.

Erupting out of the corner with a clothesline, Rhodes took the fight to Austin with clubbing punches and a huge back suplex. Austin tried for a second Stun Gun to counter Rhodes’ charge, but Rhodes grabbed the ropes to block the move, leaving Austin looking still more enraged as yet another attempt to finish a match with his signature move came up short.

“Steve, calm down!” Dangerously called from the commentary booth – too far away to be heard.

Seeing her client in trouble Madusa leapt up to the ring apron to try and catch his attention. Austin turned to her, but whether to take her advice or tell her to leave was unclear – Rhodes delivered a dropkick from behind that sent Austin crashing into Madusa. As Madusa took a tumble to the floor, Rhodes grabbed Austin and delivered a running bulldog, hooking both Austin’s legs to score the three count and become the new United States champion.

“Rhodes has done it! Dustin Rhodes is the champion!”

“This is ridiculous! What’s the referee doing! He should be checking on Madusa! Rhodes attacked Steve from behind, that rotten coward! Void the match! Give Austin back his title! Ventura, I’ll sue WCW for every penny in Ted Turner’s pockets!”

“Sit

down

, Paul – and maybe start thinking about how you’re going to advise your client about rebounding from the biggest loss of his career!”

*

Mike Awesome is the Television champion – that doesn’t seem like such a big shock considering his dominant victory over Chris Jericho for the title at the Clash... but Awesome was supposed to surrender his title after five successful defences.

He refused.

With Commissioner Ventura stood in front of him, and Harley Race cackling at his man’s actions, Awesome refused to give up the gold.

“Someone wants this, they have to

take

it from me – by force. Until that happens, keep sending challengers, Ventura. And I’ll keep taking WCW’s money, and earning guaranteed title shots!”

Ventura seemed nonplussed, and for once in his life, unwilling to tackle a problem head on. Instead he backed away after giving Awesome his winners’ check... leaving the Television title in the hands of Mike Awesome – and the Kingdom.

And while Awesome will have to fight twice at WrestleWar, with the second of those being War Games, the dominant nature of his victories in his eight defences to date suggest that the Kingdom’s enforcer may not be too tired before entering the Match Beyond...

*

Persistence can pay off; Brian Pillman will get his NWA World title shot at WrestleWar – but at what cost?

The Dangerous Alliance’s loose cannon resumed his appearances at NWA member shows, demanding Ricky Steamboat put the title on the line. At each show he clashed with wrestlers and officials, disrupting shows and daring anyone to set foot in the ring with him. Those who rose to his challenge showed that the NWA can call on an incredible array of talent – but by hook or by crook Pillman emerged unscathed.

Ultimately, Steamboat demanded that Commissioner Ventura make the match for WrestleWar.

“This has gone on long enough. I’m proud to be NWA champion, proud to represent not just WCW but every other company that sends its best and brightest up against me as I tour the country and even the world, defending this title. To have a punk like Pillman disrespecting that, acting out like a petulant child because he doesn’t get what he wants... No, I won’t stand for that. Maybe I shouldn’t give him the shot, but I’m the NWA champion, and I don’t back down. On behalf of myself, and on behalf of

everyone

he’s looked down on and laughed at, I accept his challenge – and I intend to make sure he regrets his actions!”

Has the Dragon ever been so worked up about a match? Can Pillman live with the consequences of his actions? Be sure to order WrestleWar, only on pay-per-view, to find out!

WCW WrestleWar ‘93

War Games: The Horsemen vs. The Kingdom

Sting © vs. Bret Hart – WCW World Title

El Tigre Blanco and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW World Tag Team Titles

Ricky Steamboat © vs. Brian Pillman – NWA World Title

Plus: Mike Awesome defends the WCW Television title, and Dustin Rhodes has made a United States title open challenge!

DHK1989 · July 4, 2020

Awesome card for WrestleWar!

crackerjack · July 14, 2020

War Games: The Horsemen vs. The Kingdom

Sting © vs. Bret Hart – WCW World Title

El Tigre Blanco and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW World Tag Team Titles

Ricky Steamboat © vs. Brian Pillman – NWA World Title

James Casey · August 17, 2020

World Championship Wrestling presents: WrestleWar ‘93

Thursday, Week 4, May 1993

Ross:

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to WrestleWar... if ‘welcome’ is the appropriate term for what you’re about to see.

Schiavone:

By the end of tonight we’ll see ten of WCW’s finest and toughest going to war, and I absolutely include Harley Race in that, never mind if he’s retired!

Dangerously:

But we have more than just War Games ahead of us tonight, including

very

good news for the Dangerous Alliance!

Schiavone:

Well, that doesn’t sound ominous at all... Folks, we know that the WCW Special Forces have taken an interest in this young man coming down the aisle now to challenge Mike Awesome. He’s very proud of his heritage, very proud to be an American, and very confident that he can be the one to defeat Mike Awesome for the Television title. Ladies and gentlemen, this young man is known as the War Eagle, Chris Chavis!

WCW Television Title

“War Eagle” Chris Chavis vs. Mike Awesome ©

Harley Race being at ringside might have intimidated others, but Chavis was pumped up and took the fight straight to Awesome, hammering him with chops and shoulder blocks. After a few minutes, the Patriot, Todd Champion and Firebreaker Chip walked down the ramp to watch the youngster throwing everything at Awesome, staggering the explosive champion with a double axehandle from the top rope. But as hard as Chavis hit, and as many blows as he landed, Awesome wouldn’t stay down for three – and when Awesome found his range with a big boot to the face, he quickly delivered a crushing series of moves capped with an Awesome Bomb to pick up the win.

Dangerously:

More money for Awesome – and the Kingdom! Is that nine successful defences now?

Schiavone:

Nine is correct. One more, and Awesome will have

two

guaranteed shots at the title or titles of his choice!

*

WCW World Tag Team Titles

El Tigre Blanco and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine ©

It was speed against size from bell to bell, with the Diamond Mine getting the better of most of the exchanges – but Blanco and Konnan showing there’s truth to the old adage about the size of the fight in the dog being more important than the size of the fight in the dog! Whenever one of the luchadores was in danger, the other managed to evade their opponent and make the save. A huge clothesline from Diamond Studd to Konnan seemed to have the match won – but El Tigre Blanco made the save with a diving splash that knocked the wind out of Studd. Before Blanco could press the advantage, though, Vinnie Vegas jumped him from behind – and yanked his mask off!

Schiavone:

No!

Studd recovered quickly and rolled Blanco up, the referee counting the three as Blanco tried to keep his face covered. But with the Diamond Mine celebrating their victory and flaunting Blanco’s mask, and Konnan consoling his partner, Blanco seemed to come to the conclusion that his mask was gone, lowering his hands.

Dangerously:

I know him! That’s Eddy Guerrero!

Ross:

Gory Guerrero’s youngest son – he knows full well what a mask means to a luchador, and what an insult it is for the Diamond Mine to have taken it from him!

Guerrero got to his feet, glaring at Vegas and Studd as they alternated lifting their titles and waving his mask in the air.

Ross:

The White Tiger is unmasked... and standing in the ring is the scion of one of the great wrestling families. And if the Diamond Mine think they’ve beaten Eddy Guerrero by embarrassing him tonight, I suspect he’s got other ideas!

*

Dustin Rhodes stood in the centre of the ring, United States title gleaming around his waist.

Rhodes:

I’m proud to stand here as your United States champion – a title carried by my father just a few years ago, and now a title I want to carry with the same pride and honour. Every champion knows that their days are numbered, and some try to duck and dodge any challenges to drag out their time as champion. But I

won’t

be that kind of champion. I’m seeking challengers and tonight all I’m looking for is for someone to be the first to step through these ropes and put up their fists!

Two newcomers were quick to emerge from backstage, walking down the ramp with their focus laser-like on Rhodes and his title – Rhodes, looking slightly taken aback by their appearance, nonetheless beckoned them through the ropes.

Rhodes:

Well then, who-

???:

Shut your mouth! You want a fight? You got a fight – right now, and you can kiss that belt goodbye, sucka!

Rhodes held his ground, looking from one to the other.

Rhodes:

Do I even get to know your names? Or which one of you I’m fighting? I’m open to challenges, fellas, but I’m not taking on two guys at once – at least, not until I know a bit more about what you can do.

???:

This is my brother, Lash. I’m Booker. You can call us the Heat – but first, you can call me United States champion!

Rhodes smiled.

Rhodes:

Fire is good, Booker, but let me give you some free advice from someone who came in to WCW hot, and took a lot of lumps before I learned to cool it down a little... Save your anger for-

Booker slapped Rhodes across the face, spinning the champion around.

Booker:

I don’t need your advice! You know

nothing

about me and Lash, and all you’ll get to know tonight is how my fist tastes in your mouth!

Lash:

Referee, ring that bell!

WCW United States Title

Dustin Rhodes © vs. Booker

Rangy and agile, Booker had the champion on the defensive in the early going, catching him from all angles and even coming off the second rope with a massive dropkick that might have earned the challenger a huge upset, had Rhodes’ own long legs not allowed him to get one foot under the ropes.

Dangerously:

The folly of an open challenge! You’d never see a member of the Dangerous Alliance being so short-sighted with gold on the line!

Regrouping, Rhodes fired back with a ring-shaking powerslam that had Booker reeling. Taking control of the match with a running lariat, he bombarded Booker with a series of suplexes before catching him with a bulldog to secure the win.

Ross:

Dustin Rhodes is still plenty young – but a match like that will have taught him a lot about being a champion here in WCW. Anything can happen here, and if I were Dustin Rhodes, I’d be careful about offering title opportunities where Booker and Lash can hear!

*

The Dangerous Alliance were gathered backstage in their locker room, the three men all focused on Madusa as she stood before them.

Madusa:

Recent months have been a challenge for the Alliance. For the first time in a

very

long time no member of the group holds gold here in WCW, but in part that may be because our numbers have reduced. Arn chose to return to the Horsemen, and Paul and I decided that we would

not

press that point out of respect to everything that Arn gave the Alliance during his time with us.

Pillman:

We know this, Madusa.

Madusa:

I know. But what you

don’t

know is, well...

She beamed as the door opened...

...and Rick Rude entered the room.

Madusa:

...things are about to change!

Rude:

Gentlemen. Long time, no see.

Austin, Pillman and Hart rose to shake hands with Rude, although Austin seemed somewhat reluctant to do so.

Austin:

Enjoy your vacation?

Rude:

I did. I needed it. All of you will find out how hard it is to be the World champion – to be

the

number one target for anyone and everyone. It was hard, and I learned a lot, but not as much as I learned from

losing

the title. Next time I have that belt I’ll be even more prepared, ready to dominate for even longer.

Austin frowned, and seemed ready to say something, but Rude cut across him before he did.

Rude:

But that’s in the future. This is an

Alliance

– and I take that seriously. All of you helped keep the title in the Alliance, and I’ll do the same for you. Brian, that starts tonight when you put out the Dragon’s fire. You going to the other NWA shows? A stroke of genius – and I want to help you burn even brighter when you have that title around your waist.

He turned to Austin.

Rude:

Steve... that United States title was stolen from you. If you want it back, we’ll get it back. You want to aim even higher, the Alliance has your back.

I

have your back, because I know you can make the next step and be the Superstar you’re destined to be, the man who acts as the spearpoint as the new world order takes hold.

Turning to Hart, he placed one hand on the youngster’s shoulder.

Rude:

And Owen...

He raised a finger under Hart’s nose, even as he smiled at him.

Rude:

...it’s time to find your next level.

Whatever

that means.

He turned to address the group once more.

Rude:

Now, tonight we’re here for Brian. And after this we’ll work together to get even more gold for the Alliance. Gold means money, and money means power, and between the four of us, Madusa and Paul there’ll be

no-one

to challenge the Dangerous Alliance!

*

NWA World Title

Ricky Steamboat © vs. Brian Pillman

Schiavone:

Weeks, even months of mockery – and now Ricky Steamboat will give Brian Pillman what he wants. But can Pillman handle the Dragon?

In the opening exchanges, the answer was no – the veteran champion put the upstart to rights as he fired away with chops and armdrags, before a flying crossbody earned the Dragon a close two count. Madusa, at ringside, seemed beside herself as she watched her charge being taught a lesson. But then Pillman took advantage of a misstep by the referee to gouge Steamboat’s eyes as the official was out of position, buying himself some time.

Dangerously:

Marginal gains, gentlemen. Would you ever have seen

Flyin’ Brian

doing something like that?

Ross:

Maybe not, Paul, but Ricky Steamboat is the most upstanding of men – and he came into this match as the champion!

Dangerously:

He won’t leave it with the title, Ross!

Pillman roared back into the fight, targeting the wounded Steamboat with quickfire dropkicks and a huge backdrop that saw Steamboat launched high into the air. He hit the mat hard, back arched in pain before Pillman used the second rope as a springboard to deliver a diving splash for a two count of his own. Pillman kept up the pressure with a series of clotheslines, culminating in a flying elbow smash off the ropes that sent Steamboat crashing through the ropes to the entrance ramp. Steamboat struggled to get to his feet, but even as he rose Pillman vaulted to the top rope, thousands of flashbulbs popping as he stood above everyone for a fraction of a second before launching himself at Steamboat.

Dangerously:

System Crash! Night night Ricky Steamboat!

Schiavone:

Only if your boy can get him in the ring, Paul.

Steamboat seemed to be out – but out halfway up the ramp after the flying attack. The referee was counting as Pillman tried to drag Steamboat back into the ring, but Steamboat was dead weight, and eventually the Dangerous Alliance’s loose cannon had to leave him behind to break the count. Back in the ring Pillman argued with the official, who stonewalled him by pointing to his shirt, emphasising his position as the match official. Pillman snarled, but backed off rather than risk the disqualification... but outside the ring Madusa had made her way around to Steamboat and seemed set to brain him with a blackjack – only for Marcus Bagwell to reach out of the crowd and snatch it from her hand. Madusa yelled at the young man, the ruckus drawing the official’s attention as Steamboat dragged himself back into the ring. Climbing out of the ring he remonstrated with both Madusa and Bagwell, ordering

both

away from ringside. As they complied – with reluctance on both parts – Scott Steiner slid into the ring...

...and floored Steamboat with a Frankensteiner. As the referee returned to the ring Pillman had Steamboat covered, and the official had no choice but to drop to the mat and count the pin, ending Steamboat’s reign and crowning a new NWA World champion!

Dangerously:

What did I tell you? What did I tell you?

Ross:

Well, I did wonder what deal you and Scott Steiner had settled on, Paul – but I don’t mind telling you, this makes me sick!

Dangerously:

Like I care – because Brian Pillman, NWA World champion makes every member of the Dangerous Alliance that much more rich!

As Pillman celebrated in the ring, and the crowds jeers and boos threatened to drown out his music, Steiner climbed back into the ring and shook hands with the new champion.

Ross:

Scott Steiner’s brother was driven out of WCW by a serious injury suffered at the hands of Brian Pillman –

how

can he consider working with the Dangerous Alliance?

Dangerously:

Money talks, Ross. And in our hands it talks fluently, loudly, and above all else it talks

convincingly

.

*

WCW World Title

Sting © vs. Bret Hart

Schiavone:

Bret Hart went through four opponents to earn this title shot; Sting’s a fighting champion, but even as often as he’s competed this month, I think it’s fair to say that he’s had the easier ride over the last month.

Certainly Hart was the more cautious of the two competitors in the early going, taking a more defensive tack as Sting tried to put the Hitman away early.

Ross:

There’s been a lot of talk about the Sharpshooter and the Scorpion, but many more hits like that and Sting will take this by pinfall in the centre of the ring!

Hart maintained a cautious approach even as the champion continued to score points. However, he also spent a lot of time out of the ring, making Sting expend time and energy chasing him around the ring. The crowd response was mixed – Stingers roaring on the champion, but also clearly some support for the challenger as well. Hart remained implacable, not showing any tension as Sting continued to try and take the match quickly.

Dangerously:

‘Hitman’ isn’t a name he was given – he

earned

it; Trust me, gentlemen, Bret Hard is an ice-cold assassin. I may not think that it’s

smart

to take ten hits to land one... but the Excellence of Execution may only

need

one.

Sting, cardio machine that he is, didn’t tire quickly. But Hart landed his shots in places that hurt, catching Sting in the chest and the throat, tearing the breath from his lungs and making it harder to suck down much-needed oxygen as the momentum shifted inexorably in the challenger’s favour.

Ross:

The champion has endured more than almost anyone I can think of in this business, but Hart has taken Sting’s best shots so far – and Sting may not get another chance to land any more!

But Hart’s focus was broken when...

...the Dangerous Alliance emerged from backstage as a group, taking up a position halfway down the ramp, grouped around the new NWA World champion, Brian Pillman.

The momentary distraction was enough to let Sting drill Hart with a snap bodyslam, rocking the challenger and allowing Sting to take control of the match. Ignoring the Alliance, Sting tried to lock Hart into the Scorpion Deathlock, but Hart was close enough to the ropes to force the break – and as Sting backed off, Hart quickly scored with a double leg takedown and turned Sting onto his front, cinching in his own Sharpshooter as the crowd roared in a mix of support and exasperation at the sight of Sting caught, his stretching fingers still inches from the ropes.

Schiavone:

This could be it! Sting knows how much the Scorpion hurts – even if there’s a difference in height and the pressure points the two men are focusing on, I’d wager that the pain is the same overall!

Ross:

Don’t forget the power advantage Sting holds. Maybe Hart has the better technique, but Sting might be able to power out of this if Hart doesn’t have it locked in perfectly-

As Ross said it, Sting was able to twist just enough to grab at the bottom rope. Hart released the hold, hands on hips and looking annoyed for the first time as Sting clutched at the rope to ensure a period of respite. On the ramp, the Dangerous Alliance moved closer and Hart turned to glare at them for a moment – but turned back quickly to Sting, unwilling to look away from his opponent for long.

Schiavone:

Hart knows how dangerous Sting is. He won’t give Sting any chance to recover, and nor should he!

As Sting pulled himself to his feet, Hart closed in and landed a German suplex, but Sting was able to break the bridge before the referee could begin his count. As the two opponents rose to their feet Sting kicked out seemingly on instinct, catching Hart in the gut and setting up a snap suplex. Sting floated over into the cover, but Hart kicked out on two. As Sting tried to catch his breath, Hart quickly rolled him up into a cradle that Sting just barely escaped, and for the first time Sting was the one bailing out of the ring, trying to find respite as Hart followed close behind. The two traded punches on the arena floor and Sting got the better of the exchange as he landed a hard right to Hart’s jaw that had the challenger reeling. Pulling himself onto the entrance ramp he seemed ready to leap off it and onto Hart, but realised that he’d put himself within reach of the Alliance – who were now moving even closer. As the referee clambered through the ropes and ordered the Alliance to back off, Hart climbed up onto the ramp and stood side-by-side with Sting, glaring at the Alliance and seemingly daring them to try the pair.

Dangerously:

Real smart! It’s five on two, you idiot! And to think we asked him to join – talk about your lucky escapes!

Ross:

I’m sure Bret Hart thanks his lucky stars every night, Paul.

With so many bodies, the referee couldn’t hope to keep track of everyone – and a seeming feint by Pillman drew the ire of Sting, who lunged at his fellow champion and slugged it out with him and Owen. The referee tried to separate them, leaving Rude to send Austin and Steiner after Hart. Before the Hitman could do anything to defend himself he was flattened by a Steinerline and, as Sting sent the Calgary Connection backing off in a strategic retreat, Hart was subjected to a Stun Gun from Austin. The Alliance pair pitched Hart through the ropes before backing up the ramp to join their allies, leaving Sting and the referee to return to the ring, warily keeping one eye on the Alliance even as they disappeared, most of them laughing, through the curtain.

Sting reacted in disgust to the sight of Hart down on the mat. Remonstrating with the referee, he seemed to be demanding that the match be thrown out due to the interference. But referee Nick Patrick refused, pointing out that

Sting

had attacked Owen and Pillman – and whatever had happened with Hart, Patrick hadn’t seen it.

Schiavone:

I hate to say it when we all know the truth, but the referee is right on the money; He

can’t

make a call here. The match must go on!

Throwing his hands up in the air, Sting covered Hart to try and end the match – but Hart kicked out on two. Grabbing Hart’s hand, Sting forced his shoulder back onto the mat and hooked his leg, but again Hart somehow got a shoulder up. Sting let out a growl of frustration before yelling at Hart to stay down, but Hart only responded by trying to get to his feet. Sting looked to the crowd as though seeking guidance, but now the crowd was split down the middle in their support for the two men.

Ross:

It’s been an incredible match, spoiled by interference – but take nothing away from the effort they’ve put in!

Schiavone:

Any comment on why the Alliance chose to interfere, Paul?

Dangerously:

Do I have to spell it out to you, Schiavone? We don’t like Bret Hart.

Schiavone:

I didn’t think that you liked Sting, either.

Dangerously:

No-one likes Sting, Schiavone. But right now, we like Bret Hart that little bit less.

In-ring Sting had decided on a course of action. Dragging Hart into the centre of the ring he grapevined Hart’s legs around his own and turned him over into the Scorpion Deathlock, using his long legs to twist Hart and put as much pressure as he could muster on the challenger’s back. Hart cried out in pain, reaching for the ropes, but they were nowhere near. In his weakened state, Hart couldn’t move the heavier, stronger Sting who seemed rooted to the spot... but equally Hart refused to submit to the hold as Sting bore down on it, unrelentingly. With a howl that rang with effort and exasperation in equal measure Sting somehow found a little more pressure to apply... and Hart, riven with pain and exhaustion, sank to the mat, his head dropping, his arms splayed wide as the referee checked on him and, with a shake of his head, called for the bell.

Schiavone:

Hart wouldn’t quit – but even he has his limits!

Ross:

Austin and Steiner with the assist tonight, not that Sting wanted it!

Dangerously:

Maybe we’ll send him a bill, or maybe we’ll write this one off as a promotional expense. You never know when the Dangerous Alliance will choose to exert their influence on the world of wrestling.

As though on cue, Steve Austin vaulted the crowd barrier and slid into the ring. As Sting wearily accepted the title belt from the referee Austin went low with a chop block to the World champion’s knee, dropping Sting like a stone.

Schiavone:

That knee was surgically repaired four years ago!

Dangerously:

Yes it was – and believe me, the doctor did great work. Great... but not

perfect

.

Austin entwined Sting’s legs with his own, applying a variant of the figure four leglock as he stood over Sting, twisting on the trapped limbs as Sting tried to break the hold, his struggles lacking in effectiveness following the gruelling battle he’d just survived.

Dangerously:

Choose your moment, and strike so hard there’s no chance of a counterattack. Sting’s got no fight left in him – and soon enough you’ll see Austin stood over Sting again, and this time he’ll have the World title around his waist!

As Austin released the hold and walked up the aisle, a broad smile on his face, he was passed by an array of officials and medics hurrying to help the suffering Sting and the barely-moving Hart.

Ross:

I suppose we have to acknowledge the effectiveness of the Dangerous Alliance’s tactics. Right now you control the NWA World champion, and you’ve left the WCW World champion and his challenger lying. If there were any questions about the strength of the Dangerous Alliance, you seem to have answered them.

Dangerously:

Of

course

– and with our business concluded for the evening, all that’s left is to enjoy the sight of the Horsemen and the Kingdom beating one another senseless in our main event. It’s good to be me, gentlemen, it

really

is.

*

War Games

The Horsemen

vs.

The Kingdom

Both teams entered as a single collective, first the Horsemen, for whom Arn Anderson stepped inside the cage, and then the Kingdom, with Dean Malenko the first man to enter the match.

Ross:

A veteran for the Horsemen – and

all

the experience of War Games is on their side. Flair and Anderson have been in this match many times, but not even Harley Race has been in this match before.

Schiavone:

But don’t assume that the Horsemen have all the experience edge. Lance Storm, Chris Jericho, Steven Regal... these kids only have a few years in the business between them. Either Malenko brother has more than all three put together. And you can’t assume that Jericho is fit to fight. Just look at how many times over the last month Mike Awesome’s jumped him and left him lying!

Ross:

It’s seemed like every week Awesome’s been the last man standing, and you can tell that Jericho’s feeling the effects. And that’s for certain a bad sign for the Horsemen, as Jericho will have a bullseye on his back the second he sets foot in the ring.

Dangerously:

Back, neck, leg – Awesome wasn’t picky.

Anderson and Dean fought a cagy opening, with Malenko showing his awareness of the old Anderson aphorism about a three-legged table; Focusing on Anderson’s left leg, he tried to soften him up for the Texas Cloverleaf.

Ross:

It’s never too early to win a match... but there’s a long way to go before any submission will count tonight.

Malenko did, however, hold the advantage as his first ally entered the ring – his brother, Joe. With no-one on his side in the cage, Anderson had to rely on guts and experience to hold the brothers at bay. He had some success, but the instinctive understanding on the part of the Malenkos gave them the clear advantage and he suffered a double flapjack into the cage that split his forehead in two, leaving the Enforcer bleeding heavily as his first teammate entered the ring.

Schiavone:

I was expecting Ric Flair to come in and assist his long-time friend, but it’s Lance Storm!

Ross:

This young Canadian is as good in the ring as anyone I’ve seen at his age, but this is a gamble by the Horsemen! Anderson is hurt badly, and Storm has four minutes before any more help arrives... and he knows that in

two

minutes he’ll also have to contend with either Race, Awesome or Vader!

Storm moved quickly, doing everything he could to keep the Malenkos off-base as Anderson tried to recover from his wounds. Storm did well, flying off the ropes and taking both men down with a double clothesline. Anderson came back into the fight with a knee drop on Dean, before spiking Joe with a DDT as he tried to come back into the match, the buzzer sounding at the same time.

And Big Van Vader entered the cage.

Even with both Malenkos down, Vader joined the match with a smile on his face. Flattening Storm with a meaty clothesline as the youngster charged at him, Vader stalked the bleeding Anderson with a sadistic grin. Anderson retreated into the second ring, putting the ropes in the middle of the cage between himself and Vader. Vader looked as though he was considering pursuing Anderson... but thought better of it and turned his attention back to Storm, who had been dragged off the mat by the Malenkos. The brothers handed Storm off to Vader, who lifted him easily into the air, ready to powerbomb Storm, but Anderson jumped the big man from behind, dealing a clubbing blow to the kidneys. Vader barely flinched, but tossed Storm to the mat before turning to face Anderson, who now found himself at a three on one disadvantage...

...which is when the buzzer sounded once more, and Ric Flair entered the ring, a steel chair in one hand.

Ross:

The Enforcer just got his backup – and it’s the Dirtiest Player in the Game!

Dean Malenko charged at Flair, and was swatted aside with the chair. Joe ate a spinebuster as he lunged at Anderson. Anderson and Flair then turned their focus to Vader, who spread his arms wide, beckoning them forward. The Horsemen spread out, splitting Vader’s focus – but rather than wait for them to act, Vader lunged at Anderson with a huge right hand that sent Anderson stumbling back into the ropes. As he rebounded Vader grabbed the back of his head and hurled him across the ring and into Flair, who only just managed to drop the chair before Anderson crashed into him. Vader laughed as he took two quick steps and dropped a 450 pound elbow on top of Anderson, crushing Flair underneath his teammate.

Dangerously:

It’s all Vader; We could be about to see the first ever War Games victory by one man!

Ross:

Get a hold of yourself, Paul. Even Vader can’t defeat five men.

Dangerously:

He doesn’t have to. He can destroy the three in the ring, and then take his time with Regal and Jericho when they come in.

Schiavone:

You have a point, Paul.

Dangerously:

Of course I do, Schiavone.

Vader was knocked back a couple of steps by a big dropkick from Storm, who took advantage of catching the masked man unawares to deliver a vicious backhand blow to Dean Malenko, sending him tumbling through the ropes and into the cage wall. But Joe grabbed Storm from behind and tied his arms up. Vader charged at the pair but Storm managed to drop out of the hold, sending Vader ploughing through Joe. Vader barely seemed to notice, but he definitely noticed as Storm swung for the fences with the steel chair, buckling it over the masked man’s back.

Dangerously:

Vader felt that!

Vader stood with hands on knees as Storm swung again, the steel chair twisting again as Storm hammered it down on Vader’s back, driving him to one knee.

Schiavone:

Could Storm put the monster down? Is it possible?

Before Storm could swing again, Dean grabbed the chair and pulled it away from him. Storm tried to catch his opponent but Dean deftly sidestepped him and hauled him overhead with a belly to back suplex. As Vader caught his breath in the corner Dean went to work on Storm, only to be dragged off the young Canadian by Flair, who wisely bore Malenko to the mat and locked in a body scissors, allowing him to regain his breath even as he squeezed it out of Dean. Joe and Arn, meanwhile, traded punches on their knees as the buzzer sounded...

...and the Television champion Mike Awesome entered the match.

Ross:

Vader

and

Awesome – and we know that the six-time World champion Harley Race will close out the match for the Kingdom. But will he even be needed?

Flair released his grip on Dean to go after Awesome, ducking under a big boot and trying to take Awesome down by going after his standing leg. Awesome, however, tore his leg out of Flair’s grip and kicked him in the face before he could move out of range. Flair was prone on the mat as Awesome delivered a series of stamps before Storm broke free of Joe Malenko to tackle Awesome away from the Nature Boy.

Dangerously:

The Horsemen have been playing catchup almost since the first minute!

The buzzer sounded once more and Steven Regal climbed through the ropes and into the ring, the young Englishman sizing up the environment carefully.

Schiavone:

Storm and Flair fighting Awesome, the Malenkos tangling with Arn Anderson... I guess that leaves only one man to fight – Vader!

Vader crossed his ring and climbed through the ropes to go after Regal, but paused as Regal held up a microphone.

Regal:

Now, now, let’s wait one moment sunshine. You and I can get to it in just a minute if you want to, but consider this...

Regal brought his other hand out from behind his back, revealing a length of steel pipe.

Regal:

...you can have the first taste of this, or you can let me have a go at your teammates, and maybe one of them will take it off me. What do you say?

Vader smiled beneath his mask. He beckoned Regal towards him, but behind his back Flair broke away from Awesome to drive a knee into Vader’s kidneys. Vader barely seemed phased but turned to Flair as though ready to swat a fly out of the air – which gave Regal the opportunity to dart forward, lashing out with the steep pipe and cracking it across Vader’s arm. Vader howled in pain, recoiling as he clutched at his arm and dropping to the mat.

Ross:

This could be huge! And it’s the Horsemen who’ve brought the weapons into this match – and Vader who’s had the worst of them!

Dangerously:

And don’t think that’s an accident or a coincidence, Ross. Flair is the dirtiest player in the game, and he’s proud to admit it! He knew that weapons would help his team, and he’s got the kids using them. It’s smart – and the Kingdom might be in trouble unless Race brings an arsenal in with him!

Regal lined up another blow, pipe cocked like a tennis racquet. Before he could dart in on the impaired Vader, Awesome turned him inside out with a lariat, only for Flair to catch him with a low blow that left the youngster doubled over.

Ross:

Well, that’ll hurt

any

man.

The Horsemen regrouped as the buzzer sounded and Race entered the ring warily. The six-time World champion had dusted off his old trunks and barely looked a day older than his last reign – but even at his peak “Mad Dog” would have struggled to fight four men on his own, let alone two of them being Flair and Anderson.

But Race wasn’t wholly alone – even wounded, Vader seemed ready to fight, while the Malenkos had recovered enough from their own battles to line up with their teammates... and the pair helped Awesome to his feet, giving the Kingdom the one man advantage, even if Awesome was moving gingerly.

Ross:

And on the outside, Chris Jericho is watching. The Horsemen have saved him for last – and no wonder after his repeated suffering at the hands of Mike Awesome. But if they were hoping that the Kingdom might be worn down by the time their fifth man joined the match, it doesn’t look like that will be the case.

With both sides having had a chance to catch their breath the battle rejoined, Regal and Storm clashing with the Malenkos, Arn going after Vader while Flair resumed his long-running feud with Race.

Ross:

The greatest champions of all time, only in WCW!

By now blood was flowing freely, not just from Anderson, but Joe Malenko and Storm had been cut open, and Dean now joined them as Regal raked his face along the cage wall, drawing a loud reaction from the fans – before Mike Awesome grabbed Regal from behind and hurled him overhead with an almighty back suplex. As Dean sagged on the ropes, Awesome bent over Regal before recoiling suddenly, clutching at his head as blood spurted from it.

Schiavone:

What was that- What’s that on his hand?!?

Regal got gingerly to his feet, nursing his neck, a glinting set of brass knuckles on one hand, and Joe Malenko only just avoided a swing from the Brit by dropping to the mat. Vader shoved Anderson to one side and closed in on Regal, who stood ready to punch the masked man, only for him to be sent crashing to the mat as Race whipped Flair into him, giving the Kingdom a slight edge as the buzzer sounded and Jericho took a deep breath, before slowly climbing the stairs and entering the cage.

Cappetta:

We are now entering... The Match Beyond!

The cage doors were locked by the referees at ringside, leaving Jericho in one ring as the action continued in the other. Visibly limping, Jericho entered the crowded ring only to be immediately collared by Vader, the masked man easily twice the weight of the young Canadian. Jericho tried to take advantage of Vader’s bad arm, but the masked man retaliated with a hard headbutt that dashed Jericho to the mat.

Schiavone:

Easy as that.

Ross:

That young man has had a rough, rough month.

Dangerously:

And he’s going to have an even rougher night.

Vader and Awesome lifted Jericho off the mat. Even wounded as they were, they easily overpowered the youngster, Awesome doubling Storm over with a boot to the gut when he tried to save his partner. Vader and Awesome hurled Jericho over the top rope and he crashed headfirst into the steel cage, sliding uglily down the mesh and landing in a heap between the ring ropes and cage.

Dangerously:

No escape, only surrender. And now all ten men are in, anyone could give up at any time. My money’s on Jericho!

Ross:

Sadly, I can’t argue the logic. He was injured before the night began, and already he’s bleeding after just a couple of minutes inside this match.

Vader dragged Jericho back through the ropes and set up for a body slam on the young Canadian, but was knocked back by Storm with a dropkick. Off balance, Flair delivered a chop block that sent the big man crashing backwards with Jericho still in his arms. The impact shook the ring as nearly 700 pounds hit the mat, knocking Joe Malenko off his feet as well and allowing Anderson to break free of the double team that the brothers had trapped him in. Anderson tackled Race, taking the veteran to the mat as Awesome dragged Jericho off Vader and hurled him across the ring.

Ross:

Such strength by Awesome, but with Vader stunned the Kingdom don’t have any sort of advantage.

Vader’s incapacitation didn’t last long, and the masked man was soon back on his feet, trading blows with Anderson. But Jericho, at last, was ready to fight and he came after Vader with an armbar. On a normal night, that would have done little or nothing – but with Vader injured, the simple hold proved effective as Vader was immobilised by the hold, which Ross noted was applied perfectly to maximise the pain Vader was feeling.

Schiavone:

The Horsemen influence – not just about cheating, but technical excellence, too!

Bellowing through the pain, Vader grabbed Jericho’s hair and snapped his head back, sending him crashing to the mat. Before he could capitalise, however, Anderson crashed a steel chair down on the back of his head, knocking Vader to his knees. Dropping the chair on the mat, Anderson DDT’d Vader right onto it, and the masked man bled as he lay, unmoving and apparently unaware, on the mat.

Ross:

But the match continues! Even with Vader down, the referees won’t stop this. And the Kingdom have worked Vader over, one by one. Every man got their shots in, and even with all the talent and experience the Kingdom have, they’re now at a disadvantage.

Dean Malenko seemed to sense that, dragging Jericho into the second ring as Joe, Race and Awesome tried to keep the other Horsemen occupied. Regal was neutralised by Awesome, who trapped the Brit in one corner and unloaded with punches. Race and Flair tangled once again, as Dean’s brother tied Storm up with an octopus hold. But that left Anderson free, and he turned from one pair to the next, sizing up where he was needed most – before delivering a chop block to Race, felling the former World champion just after he split Flair’s brow in twain with a hard right hand.

As Regal wrapped the mangled remains of the steel chair over Joe’s back, releasing Storm from the hold, Awesome grabbed the British youngster and chokebombed him on the mat, before jumping over him and tackling Anderson to the mat as Storm grabbed Joe and the two weakly traded blows in their exhaustion. Anderson held onto Awesome as Flair delivered a second chop block to Race’s bad knee, buckling it from the side and dropping his long-time rival to the mat.

Dangerously:

Look, in the second ring!

Away from the chaos Dean Malenko had, almost unnoticed, laid into Jericho with such viciousness that the young Canadian’s face was now a vibrant crimson mask, his blood staining the ring mat as Malenko turned Jericho over into a Texas Cloverleaf.

Ross:

This could be it! No-one else seems to have remembered that your opponent has to submit!

Schiavone:

Flair’s remembered!

Amidst the fallen and the brawling, Flair had Race’s bad leg in hand and was twisting it into the figure four leglock.

Dangerously:

Vader down! Storm down! Anderson and Awesome fighting, Joe Malenko and Lance Storm occupied with one another, and now either the youngest man in the match or the oldest will have to surrender!

Jericho, for his part, seemed almost too weak to understand the position that he was in. His movements were slow, but they were enough that the referees held out on calling him unfit to continue.

Jericho may be so badly beaten that he doesn’t realise how badly beaten he is!

Schiavone:

And Flair has the figure four locked in – Race has felt this many, many times before. Does he know how to escape?

Jericho bellowed in pain, and Storm looked to his teammate in sympathetic pain, but could do nothing as he fought to keep Joe Malenko from breaking up the figure four. Vader was beginning to stir, and Race, his face screwed up in pain, bellowed for his charge to get up and save him.

As Awesome unloaded on Anderson, the Enforcer hung on for grim life, keeping Awesome trapped in one corner as Race slammed his fists into the mat, holding out as long as he could, waiting for Vader, for Awesome, for either Malenko...

...as Dean looked on in frustration, unwilling to release Jericho even as Vader dragged himself across the prone Regal...

...and Joe went low on Storm, doubling him over with a boot between the legs, seemingly freeing him to save Race, but even in agony Storm was able to grab Joe around the leg, stopping him just short...

...as Jericho pounded on the mat, screaming in pain as Dean sat fully back on the hold...

...but as the referees checked on both Jericho and Race alike, it was Flair who struck once more, his questing fingers finding the pipe Regal had brought into the ring. The Nature Boy swung for the fences, the pipe crashing down on Race’s leg as the former World champion cried out in agony, and as the referee checked on him, as Vader’s hand fell just short of his manager, as Flair lifted the pipe again and seemed ready to swing a second time...

...Race submitted, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the bell rang.

Schiavone:

Incredible! More than 30 minutes, eight men bleeding in the ring, untold injuries – Vader and Race, especially, but who knows how many others?

Dangerously:

It was a war, Ross...

As Race and Flair were separated, and Dean Malenko sagged to the mat, releasing the Texas Cloverleaf, medical professionals entered the ring in droves to check on the health of the ten combatants.

Dangerously:

...and in war, there are casualties. The Dangerous Alliance and Sting’s Squadron suffered last year, and this year it was the turn of the Kingdom and the Horsemen. None of these men will ever be the same, but I’ll hand it to the Horsemen, by hook or by crook, they’ve come out on top. The guile of Flair and Anderson proved enough, and their young partners – Regal, Storm and Jericho – will have learned a

lot

about themselves tonight. Know thyself, and after tonight, these young men are a lot closer to exactly that.

Ross:

Ladies and gentlemen, you could easily think you’re seeing the aftermath of a car wreck, but this was one of the most brutal, one of the most vicious, one of the bloodiest matches I’ve ever seen. Thank you for joining us for WrestleWar ’93, the Horsemen will emerge from War Games the winners... but only time will tell if it’ll be worth what’s cost them!

James Casey · September 30, 2020

“...’I call it the aristocrats!’” Hayes declared, before laughing loudly as Bischoff and Dusty joined in. Crockett looked askance at Ric, who opened his mouth to suggest that Hayes might not want to tell that joke outside of the booking team meeting. But before he could say anything, the door opened.

“Ric, a moment of your time, please.”

Ric exchanged surprised glances with Dusty before getting up and leaving the room, falling into step alongside Turner as the two walked through the corridors of CNN Center. Turner exchanged polite greetings with people as they walked, while Ric drew a few hellos, but not for the first time Ric was aware that, as big as WCW was, it was still just one part of the Turner empire.

As they entered Turner’s office, its owner waved Ric into a one of the chairs in front of his desk.

“Drink, Ric?” Turner asked, crossing to the cabinet behind his desk.

“Please.”

Turner poured them both a glass of whiskey, and handed one to Ric.

“Tell me about WrestleWar,” he said, sitting down. The glass sat before him on the desk, but Turner’s attention was solely on Ric.

“Well... it was a great show, Ted. We got tremendous reviews, the buyrate was great for a show that doesn’t have the name recognition of the Great American Bash or Starrcade, and the crowd was hot all night, which always helps things seem more dramatic and important. When the Alliance came after Bret and Sting, or when Harley quit in the War Games match, the roof nearly came off the joint!”

“Yes...” Turner picked up his glass and stared at the contents for a long moment before setting it down. “Ric, have you heard of an organisation named the Media Research Center?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“They’re a conservative media watchdog and have some important people in their rolodexes. Their chairman is, well, let’s say that he’s passionate about his cause. And one of their causes at the moment is WrestleWar – specifically, the main event.”

“What about it?” Ric asked.

“Ric, two years ago you sold me on the idea of you as the new head booker for WCW based on, among other things, the idea that you could capture the glamour of the WWF and steal a march on them. Today, the champion of the WWF is Lex Luger – a wrestler you thought so little of that you didn’t even make a counter-offer when the WWF approached him on the expiry of his contract. You made a very big deal of bringing in the finest members of the WWF roster – that is, the finest

in-ring

talent – but we also have the Ultimate Warrior earning an awful lot of money to deliver a dozen clotheslines in midcard tag matches. We’ve talked often about wanting to promote the future of this business... but in our last pay-per-view

you

won the match for your team by making

Harley Race

submit, calling back to a feud that ended a decade ago. And – and this is where the MRC comes in – you did it to cap a match where

eight

men bled heavily or, to use the language of the MRC in their verbose condemnation of the match, ‘bloodshed on a scale that would strike any reasonable viewer as taking place grotesquely, wantonly and with an abandon more appropriate to an overworked abbatoir’.”

Turner picked up his glass and drank, shuddering slightly as the whisky went down.

“We’ve responded in the usual manner, of course – pay-per-view is intended to be watched by adults, the match was called

War Games

, it took place on an event called

WrestleWar

and there were warnings on the part of the announcers before the match and throughout about the extent of violence. We also have a certain amount of leeway because this kind of match is not typical of our product – and nor must it become so!”

Flair sat back in his chair, the rebuke landing with force.

“Understand, Ric, that the 1980s are behind us. Reagan’s America is gone. The territories are gone. The days of forty-something and fifty-something men blading one another’s foreheads are gone. Professional wrestling

must

move on, or it will be left behind.

“Harley’s retired. As a one off – as a one off, Ric – this Sunday’s events were acceptable. A throwback, a tribute, a retrospective... Call it what you will. But Harley Race and Ric Flair are not the future of WCW, do I make myself clear?”

“As crystal, Ted. And that was never the plan,” Ric replied, his mind working fast.

“I’m pleased to hear it, Ric. If I thought, for example, that there was an intention to spend the next six months devoting considerable television time to revisiting a decade-old rivalry in order to build to Flair and Vader at Starrcade...”

Turner fell silent, and Ric felt his cheeks flush. He took a quick drink to conceal the telltale reaction.

“Ted, Mr Turner, you entrusted me with the future of this company. Have you had any reason to be unhappy?”

Ric set his drink now, unwilling to risk surrendering any control of his faculties.

“By and large, Ric, no. But there’s always potential for things to be better, and sometimes the view is better from outside than at the top. I’ve never hesitated to grasp an opportunity when it presents itself, and you should know that we – TBS – are negotiating for time on television networks in a number of markets, including Japan, Australia and several European countries. We know from the WWF’s excursions that Europe can be a very profitable market for professional wrestling, Ric. Australia is an obvious expansion as there’s no language barrier. And we believe that Japan can accommodate a western presence alongside their native promotions.”

“Is this ‘we’ still TBS, sir?”

Turner’s expression didn’t change.

“WCW is a flagship programme for TBS, Ric, and we need to be certain that it will remain so as we expand. It has to be the very best WCW that it can be.”

“And do you think I can’t take it there?”

“I think it was important for us to have this conversation, Ric. Expansion is important,

critical

even. Nationally, WCW is as big as it probably can be, and a massive amount of credit for that goes to you, but we may need to change gears to take on foreign markets, Ric. Is that something you think you can manage?”

“Of course,” Ric replied firmly.

“Good. Because Ric,” Turner fixed him with his gaze. “This is a tremendous amount of money we would be spending to make this move to transform TBS into a global network –millions and millions of dollars, it would make WCW’s annual budget look like I bought a toy boat for my bath rather than

Courageous

. Any misstep could be catastrophic and...” Turner looked at his desk and picked up his glass, toying with it for a moment. “Ric, my name may be on the company logo, this may be Turner Broadcasting... but I have a board of directors that I have to answer to. So long as WCW was my pet project, it didn’t attract too much attention. But for it to be positioned as a figurehead brand in the network expansion, and for the man in charge to be bleeding like a stuck pig and beating a fifty year old man with a lead pipe... That doesn’t look good in the trade magazines, Ric, and it makes you a hard sell to keep in place. You’re out on the road all week, when you come in here you lock yourself away in a meeting room with your booking team. And when I laud you for drawing tremendous ratings and critical praise both in the wrestling press

and

the mainstream... only for you to position yourself in the top match of the pay-per-view...”

Turner raised his eyes to Ric again.

“I’ve given you considerable leeway, Ric, and I’ve been handsomely rewarded. But the time has come to pull on the reins. You, and WCW, are under the microscope. You’ve told me before that backstage politics is a cutthroat business, but you have to realise that doesn’t just apply to wrestling.

Everything

that happens in this business is backstage politics, Ric, and to borrow an example from your world, you’ve not even walked around the locker room and introduced yourself to everyone. Believe me, that matters, and being very good at your job – which you have been – only gets you so much leeway.”

“I see,” Ric replied. “I should have realised.”

“I should have told you, but for a long time it’s suited TBS to pretend you don’t exist. Your raised profile means that’s simply no longer possible. And while I have a lot of pull in this company, Ric, I don’t have

enough

simply to guarantee your position. If you rub the wrong people the wrong way, then all your success won’t save you. You have a new challenge, Ric, and I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to succeed even if you do everything right.”

Ric stood without saying anything. Nodding to Turner he walked out of the office, he closed the door behind him. Letting go of the handle he watched his hand shaking until he clenched it into a fist.

I need a drink.

And tomorrow, the Nature Boy comes to work! Woooo!

Hashasheen · October 4, 2020

You consistently impress me with finding new dimensions of WCW for Ric Flair to work through and mature with, for lack of a better term.

James Casey · October 10, 2020

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hashasheen" data-cite="Hashasheen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You consistently impress me with finding new dimensions of WCW for Ric Flair to work through and mature with, for lack of a better term.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> > Ric Flair</p><p> </p><p> > mature</p><p> </p><p> Hmmm... <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> *</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>May – June: Towards Clash Of The Champions XXIX</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3QAQ87s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3QAQ87s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">If there was any doubt about Steve Austin’s intent after WrestleWar ’93, with Madusa at his side he was the first man before the cameras the following Saturday Night to put it to rest.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Sting, I’ve crossed the line, and I’ll keep crossing lines to get what I want – the Superstar standing on top of the mountain here in WCW!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="hwJ6wbi.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hwJ6wbi.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Sting’s response was immediate – but measured.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You want me, Austin? You can have me – but as for this title around my waist... No. Not yet, because you want it so badly that you jumped me in the middle of an outstanding match, so there’s someone else who wants a shot at you first... Bret Hart!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="qrsgDCo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qrsgDCo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Hart’s usually impenetrable expression was, for once, open and clear – the anger on his face as he entered the ring enough to make Austin step back.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “My first World title shot of my career – and you put your ego ahead of my opportunity. When I came to WCW I promised I’d do whatever it takes to get ahead, I wouldn’t get involved in petty rivalries, and I wouldn’t let my heart rule my head... but for you, Austin, I’ll make an exception!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Austin tried to shrug Hart’s claims off, but Sting held firm.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “No. You want to fight me, we can do that tonight Steve. But if you want the title on the line, it’s you and Bret – and the winner gets the next shot at the gold.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I have a better idea,” Austin replied, after Madusa whispered in his ear. “Because the Dangerous Alliance has one another’s backs, so let’s make this a tag match. My team wins, I get that title shot. Your team wins, I’ll step aside and you two can go at it again... if you think you can exist on the same side!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As Hart and Sting looked at one another, professional rivalry clearly still bubbling under between them...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="2ytkyaJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2ytkyaJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> ...Brian Pillman walked down the aisle and took up position next to Austin, flaunting the gold around his waist as he did.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “We don’t work alone,” Pillman said. “And as the </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>new</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> NWA World champion, I’m all in favour of the Alliance getting even more gold-“</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="osRcosk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/osRcosk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>former</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> NWA World champion was quick to join the debate.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You and I have unfinished business, Brian. Any plans you make, I’m going to be there until I get the chance to take back that title you stole from me.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Stole? </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Stole?</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">” Pillman laughed. “Dragon, all’s fair in love and gold, but it looks a lot like it’s three on two now – and I know three great guys like you don’t want that.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “That’s right,” Austin said, with a cold smile. “So let’s make this a six man match. The Alliance has one another’s backs. </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Always.</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="on556lI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/on556lI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Owen Hart walked down the aisle. Unlike his partners he said nothing as he took his place beside Austin and Pillman – but his presence in the ring nevertheless sparked an immediate reaction on the other side, as Bret Hart dropped his microphone and walked away.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="phYsT7k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/phYsT7k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dYLgtcd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dYLgtcd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="fOAo68e.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fOAo68e.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ALWOufW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ALWOufW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2el7v5F.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2el7v5F.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dW8sz0N.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dW8sz0N.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="eHvu9kn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eHvu9kn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3p1PrYY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3p1PrYY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2e0k7KS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2e0k7KS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Coming off the back of War Games, the Horsemen seemed to be riding high – and the Thrillseekers were the first to seek to capitalise on the momentum of emerging victorious from the brutal environment.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Diamond Mine, last time we crossed paths it wasn’t you who beat us – it was weeks of getting jumped by Mike Awesome. Well, Micky Snoresome and his buddies got put to sleep in War Games, and I think we’ll be fighting fit and ready to go, one hundred percent, by Clash of the Champions. So, let’s go again, and see If you can do the job against Canadian technical excellence backed by Horsemen knowhow!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Vinnie Vegas and Diamond Studd eventually stopped partying long enough to respond – at least, we think it was Vegas, as whoever was standing beside Studd in the video they sent in talked like Vegas, stood seven feet tall... and was wearing El Tigre Blanco’s mask.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “A couple of Canucks want to see if they can </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>really</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> mix it with WCW’s greatest superheavyweights? Hell, why not – we beat the luchador flyweights, why not go north of the border next time?” Vegas asked.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “That’s right. Jericho, Storm, bring Regal if you want,” Studd added. “Bring the fossils from last decade if it’ll make you feel better, but </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>definitely</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> bring Tammy and Fifi – so when we beat you in two minutes they can leave with us and make our night worthwhile!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Diamond Mine didn’t otherwise bother addressing the unmasking of Eddy Guerrero – nor did Luchamerica want to speak about it... but actions spoke a lot louder than words, and the luchador trio were borderline brutal in their treatment of their opponents in the wake of WrestleWar, and a lot of that treatment was being dished out by the former El Tigre Blanco...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="yVAviz6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yVAviz6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="BiyIlky.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BiyIlky.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="WvKD1gB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WvKD1gB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="RaIRMkk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RaIRMkk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Arn Anderson, for his part, made clear his own desire to bring gold into the Horsemen fold. Having already been spotted watching Dustin Rhodes facing challengers on several occasions, Anderson entered the ring, microphone in hand, when Rhodes weathered the onslaught of Mike Awesome to hand the big man his first loss in WCW.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Dustin, you get better every time I see you in this ring. I want-“</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Before Anderson could make his challenge, he was interrupted by the arrival of Shawn Michaels, the Rough Diamond every bit as brash and bold in his entrance as in his attitude.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Arn, it’s 1993. You had a great run, but let’s be honest – it’s time to let young blood run wild! The fans don’t want to see you chasing after gold again-“</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Michaels paused as the crowd reacted negatively to that statement.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “-and even if they do, they’ll love it a lot more when the US title is around the waist of WCW’s own boy toy right here!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Anderson and Michaels traded barbs as Rhodes shook his head, leaving the ring with his title secure...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> ...and getting flattened with a Steinerline to the back of the head, before Scott Steiner dragged his body off the ground and hurled him nearly halfway up the aisle with an almighty belly to back suplex.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Someone get security! This is a damn mugging! Dustin Rhodes just barely survived Mike Awesome – and now the Steiner Animal is loose!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Steiner didn’t press his advantage, perhaps because of the sudden influx of security separating him from Rhodes, or perhaps because of the arrival of Commissioner Ventura.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="8OuOaKU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8OuOaKU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I’m a simple man. I see someone take an opportunity with two hands, and I’ll use my own two hands to applaud. Steiner, you came out here and made your case without needing to jaw about it like Arn and Michaels up there in the ring, and I’ll bet dollars to cents that Rhodes will want a shot at you when he wakes up. So at the Clash you get the next title shot – but as for you two in the ring... Well, I heard the fans when you two were arguing, and they were interested in what you had to say. So at the Clash you two will fight as well, and whoever wins that one will get the first shot </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>after</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> the Clash!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Did I ever mention how much I like our Commissioner?</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Schiavone: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Not in my hearing, Paul.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">Well I do. Apparently even a blind squirrel will find a nut sometimes...</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="qOIM3UB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qOIM3UB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="XtjeDny.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XtjeDny.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Horsemen’s other young talent, Steven Regal, impressed many with his performance in War Games – but the Kingdom’s Dean Malenko wasn’t one of them. Giving a number of interviews about how little he thought of Regal for resorting to using weapons, Malenko eventually drew a response from the young Brit.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Dean Malenko, you say an awful lot but it takes you a </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>very</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> long time to get to the point. For the last several weeks you’ve been running me down, besmirching my good name, simply because I brought weapons to a war! Well, don’t worry sunshine, at the Clash Of The Champions I’ll be stood in the middle of the ring with nothing but the hands and feet God gave me. Why not come and find out for yourself what they can do to an uppity twerp like you?”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Malenko was quick to accept – and Harley Race had a warning for Regal and his Horsemen allies.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “No lead pipes, no brass knuckles, just guts, heart and skill – and you </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>know</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> there’s no way you can stand against my Kingdom!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="BLRhkmT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BLRhkmT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="1MVUCjp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1MVUCjp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Mike Awesome had nine defences of the Television title when he took on Dustin Rhodes after WrestleWar ’93 – but that’s where his streak stopped. After losing to Rhodes Awesome simply obliterated Mike Droese the following night to the point of getting disqualified. He repeated the feat twice the following week, devastating Brian Armstrong and Todd Champion on successive nights before Commissioner Ventura stepped in.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Awesome, I’m not here to pay medical bills – you’re throwing away money that should be yours by right. Get disqualified again, and I’ll strip you of that title. Get past your little pity party man, or you’ll </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>really</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> have something to be sorry about.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Awesome did put in a less brutal showing the following week – but unfortunately for him he did so against Cactus Jack, with the Wildman delivering his own brand of controlled chaos, backed up by his mentor, the Ultimate Warrior, who seemed only too ready to resume hostilities with Harley Race if Awesome’s manager interfered. Whether the tension at ringside distracted the champion or simply that he couldn’t keep Cactus under control, Awesome eventually fell to a Double Arm DDT – and Cactus Jack was the new Television champion!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Dangerously: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>That</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> is what people will see when they tune in to TBS? Ted Turner just saw his share price drop fifty cents!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="on556lI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/on556lI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="piiCnu9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/piiCnu9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> With just a few days to go before the Clash, the six-man match between Sting and Steve Austin’s teams remained unconfirmed – indeed, Bret Hart could not be drawn at all on whether he intended to take part in the match whether he was approached by Sting, Steamboat, Commissioner Ventura or any of WCW’s backstage interviewers.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Eventually, Owen Hart commandeered the ring, backed by his allies in the Dangerous Alliance.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I’ve been a member of the Dangerous Alliance for two years. In that time Rick’s been WCW champion, Brian’s been NWA champion, Steve’s been the United States champion and he’s got Sting in his sights... Brian and I had the tag gold, but I’ve been a support act, I’ve been half of a team, I’ve been in the shadows, I’ve been an </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>afterthought</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">... and I need to break free of that. And if there was </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>anyone</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> that I thought would understand where I’m coming from, it’s you, Bret. We both know what it’s like – it’s what we grew up with!”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The Hitman walked slowly down the aisle, climbing through the ropes with visible reluctance. He didn’t pick up a microphone, didn’t even glance at Rude, Austin or Pillman – he just stared at Owen, waiting for him to continue.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Growing up in Calgary, the legacy we had to uphold, all those hours, days, </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>months</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> in the Dungeon... and then walking away, knowing we had to forge our own paths if we wanted to be seen as our own men, to get the chance to stand on our own. </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You came to America and made your name, and I knew you made the right choice – so I followed in your footsteps, Bret, but I knew I had to do it in my own way, too. So I went to Mexico and Japan before I came to WCW. I didn’t want to tread on your toes, maybe I didn’t even want to be compared to you, but I had to know how good I can be. And I still do, Bret, and that means facing the very best in the world. I know I can hold my own, but I need to know if I can </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>win</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> those matches, Bret. And if I want to face the best... that has to include you.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “We’ve been here in WCW together for eighteen months, Bret, and you seemed fine all that time ignoring me, pretending like I wasn’t there, wasn’t a question you’d have to answer some day. Did you really think that, think that I’d never want to find out for sure? If so, I’m sorry to disappoint you, Bret. When I came here, when I joined the Dangerous Alliance, I made a promise to myself that I was done worrying about what my family thought. I’d do whatever it takes to forge a path to the very top. I’d do whatever it takes to win, I’d fight anyone... and that includes you, </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>brother</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> As the fans in attendance Bret stared at Owen for several long, long moments before clasping Owen’s hand to pull the microphone towards him, responding quietly.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I’ll take the match, Owen – but I won’t fight </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>you</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">. The Dangerous Alliance is your path right now, but there’s nothing that says I have to </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>cross</em></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> your path, even if I have to walk it alongside you for a time.”</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> And with that he walked away once more, clearly deep in thought as Rude, Austin and Pillman congratulated Owen on getting the Dangerous Alliance the match that they’d wanted, even as Owen looked every bit as far away as his brother.</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ross: </strong></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">So this Thursday night it’ll be brother versus brother, as though this match didn’t have enough hanging on it! I don’t know what Stu and Martha Hart will be feeling, knowing that their boys could well be tying up with so much at stake. Folks, be sure to call your cable provider and join us for Clash Of The Champions XXIX!</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> *</div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="53ZpK1D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/53ZpK1D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>WCW Clash Of The Champions XXIX</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Sting, Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat vs. Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Brian Pillman</p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>The Thrillseekers vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW United States Tag Team Titles</p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Dustin Rhodes © vs. Scott Steiner – WCW United States Title</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels – #1 contender to WCW United States Title</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Cactus Jack © vs. Joe Malenko – WCW Television Title</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p> </p>

DHK1989 · October 11, 2020

<p>Sting, Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat vs. <strong>Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Brian Pillman</strong></p><p>

The Thrillseekers vs. <strong>The Diamond Mine ©</strong> – WCW United States Tag Team Titles</p><p>

<strong>Steven Regal</strong> vs. Dean Malenko</p><p>

<strong>Dustin Rhodes ©</strong> vs. Scott Steiner – WCW United States Title</p><p>

Arn Anderson vs. <strong>Shawn Michaels</strong> – #1 contender to WCW United States Title</p><p>

<strong>Cactus Jack ©</strong> vs. Joe Malenko – WCW Television Title</p>

smw88 · October 11, 2020

<p>Sting, Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat vs. <strong>Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Brian Pillman</strong></p><p>

The Thrillseekers vs. <strong>The Diamond Mine (</strong>c) – WCW United States Tag Team Titles</p><p>

<strong>Steven Regal</strong> vs. Dean Malenko</p><p>

Dustin Rhodes © vs. <strong>Scott Steiner</strong> – WCW United States Title</p><p>

Arn Anderson vs. <strong>Shawn Michaels </strong>– #1 contender to WCW United States Title</p><p>

<strong>Cactus Jack</strong> © vs. Joe Malenko – WCW Television Title</p>

James Casey · October 26, 2020

World Championship Wrestling presents: Clash Of The Champions XXIX

Thursday, Week 4, June 1993

Commentators: Jim Ross, Paul E. Dangerously and Tony Schiavone

Ring announcer: Gary Michael Cappetta

WCW Television Title

Cactus Jack © vs. Joe Malenko

With his brother otherwise engaged, Mike Awesome dethroned and Big Van Vader still recovering from War Games, it fell to Joe Malenko to try and retake the Television title for the Kingdom. Looking trepidatious against the manic Cactus, Malenko did his best to take the bigger man to the mat and control the fight there. But Cactus showed that he has some technical skills of his own – if not ones he uses often – as he countered a hip toss into a rolling body scissors, nearly tearing Malenko’s arm out of its socket as he wrenched on it. Malenko somehow found the leverage to roll Cactus onto his back for a two count, forcing the release of the hold, but if Malenko thought he’d escaped he was soon set right as Cactus kept hold of his arm, dragging him back in for a Double Arm DDT and the pin.

Schiavone:

Four defences now for Cactus Jack – and on the outside, Ultimate Warrior looks delighted with his pupil!

Ross:

And small wonder, Tony. Cactus Jack makes for a surprisingly reliable champion!

Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko

Schiavone:

Big brother Joe had issues in tonight’s opener, but I suspect that Dean has found himself an opponent who’s quite a bit more predictable than Cactus Jack.

Ross:

Maybe so, Tony, but Regal’s style is very much infuenced by the European catch-as-catch-can style, and that’s not quite what Malenko is used to.

Dangerously:

Professor Boris Malenko knew all about the European style, Ross. His boys won’t have gone uneducated.

Call it catch wrestling, call it chain wrestling, call it what you will – Regal and Malenko had the fans in Jacksonville showing their appreciation for their technical skill. The match was largely contested clean as a whistle, with both men proving themselves to be superior technicians, employing almost immediate counters to holds from which less-skilled wrestlers would have had no chance to escape.

Schiavone:

They may not be the faces on the posters, but these two young prospects are winning the fans over with this display of their abilities!

Regal had the advantage of Ric Flair and Fifi at ringside, while Malenko had Harley Race in his corner. Race and Flair nearly came to blows at one point, before Fifi got between the pair and beauty calmed the beasts – at least momentarily! The kerfuffle at ringside distracted both in-ring competitors, but Malenko recovered quicker, rolling Regal up and grabbing a handful of his trunks to hold him down for three.

Dangerously:

A young prospect, Ross, but Dean Malenko has got a

lot

of experience and it showed tonight!

Arn Anderson vs. Shawn Michaels

Fifi was back at ringside for this match, but was outnumbered by DDP and Kimberly, the latter of whom went nose-to-nose with Fifi before the bell. Normally demure, Fifi showed no sign of backing down until Anderson ordered the Horsemen’s valet back into his corner. DDP and Kimberly seemed to see that as a victory – until Anderson pre-empted the bell with a hard right that caught Michaels flush on the jaw and knocked him on his rear.

That set the tone for the match with Anderson using his guile and experience to keep Michaels from establishing any clear momentum, but Michaels proved to be as fast and slippery as ever as he came close to taking Anderson’s head off with a savate kick, grazing Anderson’s head as he ducked at the last split-second, getting knocked through the ropes to ringside. That prompted DDP to get involved, with Kimberly distracting the referee, letting Michaels’ manager kick Anderson in the gut and get in a burst of punches before Fifi ran around the corner and slapped him in the face. That was the cue for Kimberly to break contact with the official and come around to defend her husband, tackling Fifi to the floor as the fans cheered the action and Paul E yelled in delight on commentary.

Dangerously:

Can we please get these two separated? Get Arn and Michaels back in the ring and let the match finish!

DDP tried to ambush Anderson again, but this time the referee caught sight of him and ordered him to leave ringside. DDP objected loudly, but Michaels left the ring to usher him away – and accept the roll of silver dollars from his manager as Page left the ringside area, with Fifi and Kimberly being strongarmed out of the area in his wake by security. Michaels got back inside the ropes just ahead of Anderson and swung at him with the roll of dollars, but Anderson ducked under the swing and booted Michaels in the gut, setting up a DDT, only for Michaels to push him off and swing for the Enforcer again. Anderson blocked the punch and whipped Michaels into the ropes, hefting the Rough Diamond up and around with a Spinebuster – only for Michaels to land the silver dollar punch on his way to the mat!

Schiavone:

Both men are down! Both men are down!

The referee stood over the duo, neither of whom so much as stirred. Catching sight of the silver dollars lying beside Anderson and Michaels the official picked them up, looked from one fallen body to the other, and called for the bell.

Cappetta:

Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has ruled that this match is declared a no-contest!

Schiavone:

How about that? Both men are down – and what does this mean for the United States title after tonight?

Ross:

We’ll have to wait and see who’ll be the next challenger to the title, but first let’s see who’ll be the champion facing

that

challenger!

WCW United States Title

Steiner made his entrance with Madusa on his arm, looking for all the world like a Greek god come to life; Rhodes, taller but lighter than his opponent, had to work hard in the early going to keep Steiner at range with kicks and punches.

Ross:

If Scott Steiner can get his hands on Rhodes – or any opponent! – then he’ll send him for a ride. It’s a shame to say about a young man I’ve known for several years, but Scott Steiner just has a taste for violence.

Dangerously:

Yes he does, and it’s what’s going to make him and us a lot of money.

Ross:

Tell me, Paul, when did you move the company headquarters to Jonestown?

Steiner began to grow frustrated as Rhodes kept him at bay and was too eager in trying for a belly-to-belly suplex when he reversed an Irish whip by Rhodes. Rhodes floated over and, as Steiner turned on the spot Rhodes levelled him with a lariat. With a determined look on his face, Rhodes hauled Steiner upright and whipped into the corner, mounting the turnbuckles and looking to the crowd for support before firing in a series of punches as the fans counted along.

Rhodes:

Not so tough when we’re face to face, are you?

But abandoning his stick-and-move tactic proved costly as Steiner came out of the corner with Rhodes held up in the air by his legs. Falling backwards Steiner sent Rhodes crashing face-first into the top turnbuckle, snapping his head back.

Schiavone:

Oh, what impact! And that could turn this match around in that one single move!

Steiner was groggy, but Rhodes seemed out cold. Had Steiner been quicker to make the cover, he might have become the United States there and then, but he took too long to get the pin and Rhodes was just able to get his shoulder off the mat.

Ross:

Rhodes survives – for now.

Now it was Steiner dragging Rhodes off the mat, and hurling him overhead with a belly-to-back suplex. Rhodes tried to fight back, but the Steiner Animal was now inside his reach and overpowered the Natural, suplexing him and slamming him again and again, driving his back into the mat over and over before locking him into a camel clutch that Rhodes only escaped by dint of his long legs, the toe of his boot just catching the bottom rope.

Dangerously:

Go again! Drag him off the ropes and go again!

Steiner had the same idea, hauling Rhodes off the mat once more and trying to plant him with a belly-to-back suplex, but Rhodes hooked one long leg through Steiner’s to block the move, at least momentarily. Steiner released the hold and spun Rhodes around, but the Natural delivered a tornado lariat that put both men on the mat, Steiner staring at the lights with a shocked expression on his face as Rhodes tried to gather his wits.

Schiavone:

This could be a turning point in this match. Can Rhodes capitalise, or will Steiner make this an anomaly?

Both men struggled to make it to their feet, Steiner pulling himself up on the ropes as Rhodes pushed himself up on shaking legs. Steiner pushed off the ropes, lunging at Rhodes with a Steinerline, but Rhodes moved out of the way at the last moment, before catching Steiner with a back suplex of his own, using his long legs to bridge up for a near fall. Steiner powered out and was quicker to his feet but Rhodes stayed low, double legging Steiner to the mat.

Ross:

A sharp takedown from Rhodes, and Steiner may take offence to his opponent dipping into an amateur wrestling move, given his success at the University of Michigan. Steiner was an All-American, but Rhodes has clearly learned a trick or two over the years!

Rhodes was quick to move out of range of Steiner and return to striking, but his shots were fewer and further between and didn’t land with the same sting as before. But, too, Steiner was struggling, and neither man seemed able to land the telling blow after the punishment they’d exchanged. While both men scored near falls, neither was able to capitalise on the advantage when they held it, and eventually the bell rang to signal the time limit draw.

Schiavone:

Well, these things do happen – two matches ending in inconclusive fashion, and likewise the situation around the United States title is unclear right now...

WCW United States Tag Team Titles

Unlike the previous matches, this never seemed likely to be a very close match – Storm and Jericho were simply overpowered from the bell.

But if Vinnie Vegas and Diamond Studd have an obvious fault, it’s overconfidence. In a situation where they could potentially have won quickly by focusing on their staggering size advantage, they opted to toy with their opponents – and an enziguri from Storm on Studd opened the door for the young Canadians to enjoy a spell in control of the match as they built up momentum with lightning quick strikes, while working over Studd’s long legs with a series of kneebars and leglocks.

Ross:

If they can take away Studd’s legs, that’s the Diamond Death Drop gone from his arsenal.

Dangerously:

There’s still everything Vegas can do, Ross. The big man probably weighs more than these two kids on his own!

Studd showed impressive resilience in surviving the well-oiled teamwork of the Thrillseekers, who were benefiting both from the presence of Tammy and of Ric Flair at ringside, the managerial duo nullifying DDP and Kimberly in the champions’ corner. With the champions on the back foot, Vegas took advantage of his and Studd’s height advantage to reach almost halfway across the ring and tag himself in. That might have spelt the end of the match as Vegas looked furious and focused but as Studd rolled out of the ring to recover...

...he was ambushed by Luchamerica, vaulting the crowd rail and hitting Studd from three directions at once, as Flair distracted the referee. With Studd laid out at ringside, and DDP and Kimberly complaining to an unlistening official, Storm and Jericho drilled Vegas with dual dropkicks to his left leg, once again focusing on nullifying their opponents’ size and leverage advantages. Unable to turn to his partner or use his size to best effect, Vegas was whittled down to size and left kneeling before Storm drilled him with a savate kick, knocking him back into Jericho who hooked his arms into a full nelson before driving him face-first into the mat. As Luchamerica stood guard over Studd, and DDP and Kimberly pitched a fit at ringside, Jericho covered Vegas to record the win – and lift the United States tag team titles!

Schiavone:

Incredible!

Dangerously:

Incredible is right! How about Commissioner Ventura comes out here and revokes this result?

Schiavone:

Get real, Paul – you know better than anyone that Commissioner Ventura wants smart and tough wrestlers here in WCW and between the resilience of these two young Canadians, the guile of Ric Flair...

Luchamerica joined Jericho, Storm, Tammy and Flair in the ring. They ignored the foursome’s celebrations to stand over Vegas, taunting their fallen rival.

Schiavone:

...and a certain amount of revenge from Luchamerica, the Thrillseekers are the new champions – and I can’t wait to see what they do next!

Sting, Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat vs. Steve Austin, Owen Hart and Brian Pillman

Schiavone:

Paul, anything to say about encouraging Owen Hart to fight his brother?

Dangerously:

It didn’t have to be like this, Schiavone. We wanted Bret in the Dangerous Alliance, and we could have done incredible things together. But he decided not to join us, and out of respect to Owen we didn’t press the point as hard as we could have done – but now it’s time for Owen to step out of his family’s shadow once and for all, however that has to come about!

If there was a narrative surrounding Bret and Owen Hart, so too did one hang on the rivalry between Brian Pillman and Ricky Steamboat, and all the more around Sting and Steve Austin. It took time for the fans to get to see any of those direct rivalries, however, as none of the members of the Dangerous Alliance seemed eager to engage with their opposite numbers – and, on the other side, Bret also avoided his brother, only tagging in when Pillman or Austin were in the ring.

Ross:

This is more like a dance than a fight right now, but I get the feeling that’ll change soon enough.

Dangerously:

No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy, Ross – unless it was drawn up by Madusa and yours truly!

First contact, if you like, came when Austin jumped Sting from behind, driving a knee into the World champion’s spine and sending him into the turnbuckles. Capitalising on the wounded champion Austin laid in the boots, leaving Sting looking for help from his corner. But neither Hart nor Steamboat could reach him to make the tag, and when Steamboat looked ready to jump in and intervene Hart held him back with a warning look at the other members of the Dangerous Alliance.

Dangerously:

Hart’s got his brother’s brains – but Owen’ll show him by the end of the night who the crown jewel of Canada truly is!

True to form, the World champion found a way past Austin, blocking a kick to the gut and downing the Texan with a dragon screw. Diving for the corner he tagged Bret into the match as Austin rolled into his corner and tagged Owen in.

The crowd, already vocal, grew still louder as the brothers stepped into the ring together. Circling the ring outside of arm’s reach their eyes never left one another. Owen beckoned his brother forward – but made no move to step forward himself. Bret, for his part, gestured at Pillman and Austin, making it clear who he wanted in the ring... but Owen refused to tag out, and when the pair had completed a circle of the ring, Bret tagged Steamboat in without engaging with his brother.

Schiavone:

That seems to put Sting and Steamboat at a disadvantage. If Bret won’t face Owen, they have to pick up the slack for their partner.

Dangerously:

And they can’t, Schiavone. No three men could beat the Dangerous Alliance even with every odd stacked in their favour. Make it an even fight, and it’s no contest. Give the Alliance an

advantage

and you may as well give up before the match begins – the outcome’s the same either way!

As the match continued, Sting found himself under fire by all three members of the Alliance. Steamboat ignored Hart to jump into the fray, and with a shake of his head Bret followed, whipping Pillman up and over with a big back suplex before being caught with a boot to the head from Austin. Stunned, Hart couldn’t block the boot to the gut that followed, but Austin was tackled by Steamboat before he could press any further.

Meanwhile Sting, saved from his attackers, crushed Owen in one corner of the ring with a Stinger Splash. Before he could capitalise, though, he was tackled from behind by Pillman, one World champion bearing the other to the mat.

Ross:

He was a nose tackle for the Bengals, folks; Brian Pillman may be giving up a few pounds to Sting, but don’t tell me that Sting didn’t feel that!

As Pillman rained in punches on Sting and Austin battled with Steamboat, Bret slowly pulled himself up on the ropes to find Owen staring at him from across the ring. With a shake of his head, Bret went to help Sting, but Owen moved to intercept, putting himself in Bret’s way.

Owen:

This has to happen, Bret!

Bret again shook his head – and Owen slapped him across the face.

Owen:

We do this now, and it ends now. We go home to Calgary, we show the family that it was just business. That’s all it has to-

Before Owen could finish, Steamboat grabbed him from behind and delivered a German suplex. Bret deftly sidestepped the onrushing Pillman and sent him into the turnbuckles, chest first. As Pillman staggered back, Bret snared him with a Russian leg sweep, bringing him crashing to the mat.

And, amidst the chaos, with the referee completely unable to watch all six men at once, Madusa passed Austin the NWA World title, which he drilled into the face of Sting.

Ross:

Oh, that’s real great!

Dangerously:

For once I agree with you, Ross. Referee!

The official turned to see Austin covering the WCW World champion, and with Owen and Steamboat scuffling outside the ring, and Bret distracted by Pillman’s attempts to scratch his eyes out, no-one was able to come to Sting’s aid as the referee counted one... two... three!

Dangerously:

He’s done it! Austin wins! Not that it was ever in doubt, of course!

Ross:

Well, I hope you’re happy with yourself, Paul. Do you really think that proves Austin deserves a title shot?

Austin got to his feet, beaming widely as he stood over the still-unmoving Sting.

Dangerously:

I’d say that’s exactly what it means, Ross. Sting laid out the challenge, Austin accepted – and Austin won! So come the Great American Bash Steve Austin will challenge Sting for the WCW World title...

The exuberant Austin was joined in his celebrations by Owen and Pillman, as Bret and Steamboat tended to Sting.

Dangerously:

...and you’ll see exactly the same thing then – except Steve Austin will have the WCW World title in his hands!

James Casey · December 23, 2020

June – July: Towards The Great American Bash

While there was plenty of intrigue coming out of Clash of the Champions, the only place to start the road to the Great American Bash was with the new number one contender to the World title, Steve Austin. And, unsurprisingly, he was the first out of the blocks on the Saturday Night after the Clash, marching to the ring with a clipboard in hand and a smirk on his face.

“Sting, get down here and sign this contract! Let’s make this official – the last day of your reign is going to be July 25th, which is also going to be the first day of my reign, lifting the World title in front of tens of thousands of disappointed Stingers who’ll at least have the consolation of being there in person for the crowning of the Superstar, the leader of WCW throughout the 1990s and beyond!”

Sting wasted no time in making his way down the aisle, but rather than join Austin in the ring he walked around it, shaking hands and exchanging hugs with his Stingers in the crowd as Austin grew more and more impatient in the ring.

“Get in here!”

Sting took his time completing his circuit before eventually mounting the ringsteps and stepping up onto the apron. And there he stopped, leaning on the top rope as Austin beckoned him into the ring.

“Are you ready to stick to your word, champ? You said if I beat you at the Clash, the next title shot is mine. I beat you right in the centre of the ring, one-two-three, so get in the ring and sign this contract. Your ass is mine, Sting, and in less than a month that belt will be mine too!”

Sting eventually climbed through the ropes and stood across the ring from Austin.

“You talk a

lot

, Austin. I’m sure that’s what got you into the Dangerous Alliance – that and your skills. I’ve always said that you had great talent, and the matches I’ve had with you in the past have been some of the toughest of my career. And when you had the chance to take this title off Rick Rude last year, you chose to keep it on him which, in the twisted world you and the rest of the Alliance live in, actually makes you loyal. I’m impressed.

“But you’re impatient.”

Sting smiled as Austin glared at him.

“You see, my head’s still ringing from you smashing me in the face with your buddy’s title belt on Thursday, and I’m not cleared to compete tonight. So sure, we’ll get to the match at the Clash and I’ll sign your contract... when I’m ready. When I can see straight.”

He tapped his temple, where an ugly purple bruise was visible underneath the bright makeup.

“You got me

good

, Steve, but I’ve seen the tape. You got me with a foreign object, and you beat me, one-two-three... But you didn’t do it

clean

, did you? And because you were impatient, because the most important thing was that you won rather than how you did it, well, now you don’t know what’s going to happen when we go one-on-one.

I

know what’s happened when we’ve fought in the past, Steve; Four matches, and you’ve not won any of them. And you’re getting better, every day, every match, and one day you’ll be World champion, I don’t doubt that.

“But at the Great American Bash?”

Sting chuckled.

“I don’t know – and because you’re impatient,

neither do you!

”

Sting tossed the contract aside and left the ring, leaving Austin to glare mutedly at his back as he walked away.

Ross:

Mind games from the World champion. He calls the shots, and Austin got reminded of that.

Dangerously:

For now, Ross. For now.

Ross:

We’ll see.

*

Neither Bret nor Owen Hart would be drawn on their match at the Clash at the following weekend’s TV, but a poll of callers to the WCW Hotline confirmed that it was the hottest topic among WCW fans, and after a further week’s silence the youngest Hart brother walked down to the ring with a microphone in hand.

“It’s clear to me now what has to happen. To become my own man, to become the

King

of Harts, I need to do what I’ve never done, push past my final boundary – Rick walked away to take in everything he learned, Brian broke the rules to become NWA champion and Steve dropped the champion to take the final step to the top of the mountain. My final boundary... is that I’ve never broken the family bond. Bret, I wanted you in the Dangerous Alliance, I lobbied for you, I stopped Paul and the others from taking too much from you when you turned us down, and I steered the Alliance clear as much as I could of whatever you were doing because of that bond. But that time has ended. So...

“You and me, Bret, one on one at the Great American Bash.

“If we do this now, if we prove

now

which one of us is better, then maybe, just maybe that’s all it has to be – the winner goes on, the loser walks away and accepts defeat, and we stay out of each other’s way, brothers and nothing more.

“Because Bret, this is all that’s left. I have to know... and I think you do, too.”

*

Two belts lighter after the Clash, the Diamond Mine were furious and vicious as they despatched local competitors the following weekend. On Main Event the duo grabbed microphones after demolishing their opponents in a few short minutes.

“Jericho, Storm, you’ve had your fun,” declared the Diamond Studd. “In all of WCW – in the entire world! – there’s no team to match up to the Diamond Mine. And to have a couple of flyweights running around with

our

United States tag belts? That’s not right!”

“It’s not right, and it’s not funny – and I know funny!” Vegas snarled. “It took five of you to beat us, and you still only did that because we were so shocked by seeing Eddy Guerrero’s ugly face up close!”

“Get out here, punks. Bring us our title belts and lie down like these punks did – make it easy on yourselves!”

But rather than the Thrillseekers, it was Luchamerica who answered the call.

“You don’t get it, do you homes?” Eddy demanded. “The Thrillseekers got their belts – they’re done with you! But us? We’re not done with you, not by a long, long shot. You took my mask, my

identity

, and that was just the biggest insult you’ve thrown our way over the last several months. Vegas, Studd, we’ve got big plans for you and the titles you

do

still have – until we take them from you!”

Vegas and Studd laughed off the idea of giving Luchamerica a title shot, but the following week saw the Latino stars take down the Lightning Express, before distracting the Diamond Mine during a match against the Young Pistols and costing them a countout loss. As the two heavyweights realised too late that they’d lost, and that Luchamerica had evaded them, the Thrillseekers had hopped the guard rail and picked up the WCW tag titles, posing for fans with both sets of titles as Tammy clapped and beamed.

That led to a six man tag team match with Arn Anderson and the Thrillseekers against the Diamond Mine and Shawn Michaels, but

that

descended into chaos as Luchamerica once again made their presence felt, Guerrero and Konnan splitting off with Studd and Vegas, only for Jericho and Storm to dive into the fray from the ring apron. As the six men traded blows Rey Mysterio quickly scaled the turnbuckles and dived from ten feet up onto the whole group, scattering them like bowling pins – other than Vegas, who grabbed him by the throat and, with an almighty throw, launched him into the crowd sending fans and chairs flying.

Schiavone:

Good God almighty! Rey Mysterio just got launched like a dart!

As the others slowly got to their feet, the fight resumed and the referee called the match off – not that doing so stopped the sextet from brawling back up the aisle and into the backstage area. And eventually the chaos was only broken up by Commissioner Ventura’s intervention.

“Enough! Look at the six of you – two titles, lots of hatred, lots of reasons to fight, so let’s do it! At the Bash let’s make it Thrilseekers, Diamond Mine and Luchamerica in a triangle match with both tag titles on the line!”

*

But the chaos spilling out of the six man match wasn’t contained backstage; As Michaels and Anderson continued to slug it out in the ring, Scott Steiner slid under the ropes and caught Michaels from behind with an overhead release German suplex. Anderson tried to catch Steiner before he could recover, but was met with a Steinerline that dumped him on his head.

“Gimme a damn mic!” Steiner snarled at the ringside officials, who quickly supplied the Animal with a microphone. “Now these pieces of trash are down, Dustin Rhodes get your ass out here and I’ll put you down too!”

Rhodes wasted no time in replying and the two men threw fierce punches and kicks at one another as referees tried to separate the duo. Commissioner Ventura, fresh off setting up the tag titles match, marched out to the ring as Michaels, freshly back to his feet, dropped Rhodes with a savate kick. Anderson, taking advantage of the distraction, spun Steiner around and rocked him with a series of punches before Michaels launched himself at the pair of them.

“I love this job! But enough’s enough, and there’s business to attend to tonight. Steiner, Anderson, Michaels – all of you are fighting just for a chance at Rhodes, and I love that too, and it might be July but it could be Christmas too, because with over sixty thousand WCW fans heading Oxford for the Great American Bash I’m in the mood to give every single one of them a big present! It’s going to be a four corners match for the United States title!”

Ross:

That’s huge!

Dangerously:

Get it right, Ross. That’s three victims for the Animal!

*

Never let it be said that the Dangerous Alliance don’t have multiple contingency plans in place. With Ricky Steamboat chasing after Brian Pillman, and the Dragon proving himself relentless as he adopted Pillman’s prior tactic of hunting the NWA champion down at every show he wrestled on, the Alliance threw a spoke in the wheel by costing Marcus Bagwell and Sid Vicious the NWA tag titles in a match against the cowboy duo of Brett Colt and Kip Winchester.

“Let’s see you come after the champion all on your own, Steamboat,” Rick Rude declared at an IWCCW show, revelling in his role as Pillman’s adviser before the champion took on the former title holder Mike Samson. “I know Ventura’s happy for you to come and try and get our attention, but Bagwell and Vicious have responsibilities back in WCW, so if you try anything, you’ll face Brian, me, and any other member of the Alliance who happens to be along for the ride!”

Steamboat bided his time, sitting ringside for several of Pillman’s matches as the champion toured the country, before one night at a WCCW show the jibes from the various Alliance members proved to be too much and Steamboat charged the ring, taking down Pillman with a dropkick before Rude and Steve Austin piled on top of him. The Alliance trio beat Steamboat down ruthlessly, eventually laying him out with a spike piledriver on the title belt that left Steamboat motionless on the mat as the fans in attendance rained down boos and jeers – and Pillman, Rude and Austin gloried in their response.

Marcus Bagwell was quick to respond to his mentor’s brutal treatment the following Saturday Night.

“Brian Pillman, I’ve spent nearly two years learning at the feet of Ricky Steamboat. I was the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year, I’ve been Television champion twice and held the NWA tag titles with big Sid – all because of Ricky, and what he’s taught me. Everything I’ve achieved, I owe to him.

“That’s a debt that I may never be able to repay, but at the Great American Bash I can do something that I’m sure will put a smile on his face – I can take the NWA World title from you, Brian. I can take something that means as much to you as my mentor means to me.”

Pillman and Austin responded immediately, coming down to the ring and flanking Bagwell, who belatedly realised that he’d left himself vulnerable to the Alliance’s superior numbers.

“You’ve done

nothing

to deserve this title, kid, but out of the goodness of our hearts the Alliance

might

grant you a shot at the Bash. All you have to do is beat me and Steve in a tag match!” Pillman said.

“Not like I have anything else to do right now, not with Sting still running scared of me,” Austin added.

“So go get your big buddy and we’ll do this tonight,” Pillman said. “Who knows? Maybe you’ve learnt enough from that old fool to actually beat us.”

Vicious and Bagwell came to the ring for the match, but barely had the bell rung before Pillman dropped Vicious with the title belt to the face, before Rude ambushed Bagwell from behind and laid him out with a Rude Awakening. Austin and Pillman then set Vicious up for a spike piledriver on the title, Pillman leaping off the top rope to deliver the crushing blow as Rude made the helpless Bagwell watch.

“Well done,” he said. “You won the match, you get your shot at the Bash... All. Alone. Steamboat and your partner can watch from the hospital as Brian tears you apart before the biggest crowd in WCW history.”

Pillman dropped to his knees in front of Bagwell, the NWA World title pressed up against their victim’s face.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? Enjoy it, kid. This is as close as you’re ever getting to it – unless I decide to do to you what we did to your friends!”

Pillman cackled as WCW officials rushed to the ring to separate the two sides and tend to Vicious, who hadn’t moved.

Dangerously:

Beautiful! Divide and conquer – and so much the better if you take out the strongest and most experienced opponents first.

Ross:

I suppose you’re proud of yourself, Paul? I don’t see how you possibly can be...

Dangerously:

Grow up, Ross. This is wrestling, not kindergarten. And the Dangerous Alliance has a loose cannon in Brian Pillman that only

we

can control!

*

Steven Regal and Dean Malenko had a fine match at the Clash, but neither man seemed wholly satisfied with the outcome – as Regal said when interviewed, “Anyone can score a pinfall, especially with a handful of trunks. But the

true

test of wrestling prowess, as Dean Malenko knows full well, is in wearying and worrying your opponent until you can force them to surrender. The Horsemen did it to the Kingdom in the War Games match, and I know Dean fancies himself quite the submission wrestler. So at the Great American Bash, I challenge him to show me if he’s as good as he thinks he is – meet me in the ring for a submission match!”

Malenko responded with Race by his side.

“I pinned you, I’ll make you submit too. Simple as that,” he said. Race had more on his mind.

“No lead pipes. No chairs. No brass knuckles – none of that garbage that the Horsemen needed in War Games. And your actions will have consequences, Horsemen, believe me. Regal, Dean will show you at the Bash exactly what would have happened in the cage if you’d not decided to cheat. And Flair... Don’t worry, I’m staying outside the ring. But there’s a lot of firepower aimed at the bullseye on your back. And just when you’re not ready, I’m pulling the trigger!”

*

Cactus Jack couldn’t make it to five defences of the Television title, losing out to Terence Taylor and Alexandra York’s laptop in that fifth defence. Taylor, however, couldn’t even get one score on the board before falling to the Patriot, who was felled by Robert Eaton in Patriot’s own first defence to give the Foundation the title once more.

And then the Ultimate Warrior took an interest in the belt.

Eaton enjoyed his time as champion for just twenty-four hours. His defence lasted just three minutes as the Warrior overpowered the former Beautiful Bobby, putting him down with a gorilla press slam and running splash to claim his first title in WCW.

Schiavone:

Mike Awesome was a dominant Television champion – and now we have an

ultimate

champion!

With subsequent victories over Richard Morton and Robert Gibson, as well as Michael Hayes and Joe Malenko, Warrior approached the Great American Bash needing one more victory to secure a guaranteed title shot...

*

Bret Hart didn’t respond to his brother’s challenge immediately, but a couple of weeks later he walked out during Saturday Night with a microphone in hand.

“I didn’t decide this lightly, Owen. I never

wanted

to fight you... but maybe you’re right. After eighteen months, I’ve fought WCW’s best and beaten almost all of them... and when I fought Sting, we drew. Another night, I’d have been a few seconds faster, and I’d be standing here the World champion, and things would be different...

“When I came to WCW I promised myself I’d take any challenge – and challenge anyone who I didn’t know if I could beat. I said this was just business. I didn’t get dragged into other people’s fights, and didn’t ask anyone else to fight mine. I was here to fight, but on

my

terms, not anyone else’s. I picked and chose my opponents wherever I could, always with the ultimate goal of moving up the rankings to get that title shot because I believed I was good as anyone wrestling today, and better than most.

“I only had one rule, Owen, and that was that I wouldn’t fight my brother. But you’re right, I’ve wondered, wondered how good you are,

really

. Because I’ve been watching you, Owen, and I know you’re not just good, you’re

fantastic

. Truly, I don’t know if you’re as good as me, but I know that there’s not much in it, and that makes you my rival for titles. If we don’t do this now, me and you, maybe we’ll always wonder ‘what if’, or maybe in a few months’ time Commissioner Ventura decides we have to do this on

his

terms, not

ours

. I know it’ll hurt our family to see us fighting... but I don’t see a future where we’re both chasing gold in WCW and it

doesn’t

happen. At least now we’re saying when and how – and when it’s done then maybe,

maybe

, we can walk away, put this behind us, and go back to being family.”

Hart paused, lost in thought for a moment.

“I hope so, brother. I really do.”

*

Ric Flair was in his element as the Bash approached, still delighting in his team’s victory in War Games, as well as the Thrillseekers’ United States tag title victory and impending double title match, Steven Regal’s upcoming submission match and Arn Anderson’s United States title match, as he confirmed to Tony Schiavone in an interview.

“And all that’s missing at the Bash is something for the Nature Boy to do! Maybe I’ll step to the Warrior for the Television title, maybe I’ll throw out an open challenge and see who wants to take on the stylin', profilin', limousine ridi-“

Before Flair could finish he was ambushed from behind by a huge figure who clubbed him over the head with a crunching forearm. As Schiavone scrambled for cover the camera refocused on...

...Big Van Vader, driving his fist and arm repeatedly into the helpless Nature Boy, chunks of a plaster cast falling away with each strike.

Ross:

Vader! No-one’s seen him since War Games – and now we know why!

Vader’s attack eventually relented and he dragged the bloodied Flair upright, showing his crimson face to the camera.

“Flair! You want something to do at the Bash? Then you can suffer at the hands of Big Van Vader!”

With one final swing Vader crushed the last of the plaster cast over Flair’s head, before dropping him to the ground and flexing his now-unrestrained hand.

“You Horsemen broke my arm. I’m not stopping at one bone!”

Harley Race gleefully led Vader away as the other Horsemen rushed to the aid of their fallen leader.

Dangerously:

You reap what you sow, Ross. It was absolutely Flair’s idea to bring weapons into the War Games match, and Vader paid the price. I hope Flair’s enjoyed celebrating that victory because there always comes a time when you have to reap what you sow...

*

Just one matter remained to be resolved with the Great American Bash just a few days away – the signing of the contract for the WCW World title match between Steve Austin and the champion, Sting.

Rather than appearing at the start of the final Saturday Night before the Bash, Austin waited until the end of the show, with all other matters concluded, before walking down the aisle. This time, he was accompanied by Rick Rude, Brian Pillman, Madusa, Scott Steiner and Owen Hart – the Dangerous Alliance supporting their stablemate as he sat on one side of a desk, with Commissioner Ventura invigilating.

“Sting, you wanted to teach me a lesson? Well, lesson learnt – I’ve been dealing with Dangerous Alliance business, helping Brian, Scott and Owen prepare for their big matches, and you’ve been healing up from me beating you last month. Now, I

know

you’ve been cleared to fight on Thursday, so get down here and sign the contract. I can headline WCW’s biggest ever show all by myself and still sell out the stadium – but I know how disappointed all your Stingers will be if you’re not there to shake hands with them before I put you down for the count and take your title!”

He held up the contract to the camera, showing his signature already in place.

“And I know you’re tight with Ricky Steamboat, Sting. What happened to him a couple of weeks ago was just business for the Dangerous Alliance... but for my sake, I’ll admit that I enjoyed putting him on the shelf. Being patient may be something I can get used to!”

Sting’s music played and the World champion walked down the aisle, WCW World title secure around his waist. His face bore no sign of bruising, and Jim Ross noted that the champion had never looked in better shape.

Dangerously:

And well he might, Ross. He’s had a month to work out, and he’ll need to be at peak performance to keep up with the Superstar!

Sting shook hands with Ventura and settled into his seat, a thinly veiled look of distaste on his face as he looked across the table at Austin and his allies.

“Well done,” he said. “Hurting Ricky Steamboat... Well, I know Marcus is going to make Brian pay for that this Thursday. It seems like getting beaten by me earlier this year was enough to make

you

stay out of the ring, Rude, but I’ll bet that the Dragon will give you your comeuppance some day soon anyway.

“As for you, ‘Superstar’...”

He shook his head.

“I’ve been fighting the Dangerous Alliance for two years now. I’ve been in War Games with you, I’ve been in the ring with Rude for 60 minutes, I’ve fought you all with gold on the line or for nothing more than honour-“

“Last time we fought with gold on the line, I walked out with the United States title after I pinned you!” Austin interrupted.

“There you go, being impatient again,” Sting said. “You say you learned your lesson? We’ll see. Two years of fighting you has taught

me

patience and given me resilience – things I didn’t have when I first won this title. It took me a

year

of chasing Rude to get this title off him, I’m in no mood to make it easy for you to take it off me, and unless you really have learned something, this title-“

He pointed at the belt, which lay on the table between them.

“-is going nowhere.”

Grabbing the contract he scribbled his name across it.

“There, done. See you Thursday.”

He stood up, picked up the title, and turned to leave. As he did so Steiner grabbed the table and shoved it out of the way, making Ventura move quickly out of the way.

Sting didn’t turn, didn’t move except to raise his microphone to speak.

“Two years, and you think I wouldn’t expect this?”

At his word...

...Dustin Rhodes, Marcus Bagwell, the Ultimate Warrior and Cactus Jack vaulted the guard rail from various points around the ring. Less energetically, but with eyes only for one member of the Dangerous Alliance, Bret Hart emerged from backstage and walked down the aisle, stopping halfway the ring, but his attention fixed on the Alliance group.

“Try it, go ahead.

I won’t even turn around.

”

The crowd cheered Sting’s words as Austin looked to Madusa and Rude for guidance. Before the Alliance’s advisers could say anything, Steiner took matters into his own hands, spring athletically over the top rope and diving off the ring apron onto Rhodes.

Schiavone:

Well, if anyone was going to be a hothead, Scott Steiner was the safe bet!

Pillman went after Bagwell, perhaps sensing that his young challenger was still not at one hundred percent. Rude and Owen got amongst Warrior and Cactus, the adviser and Television champion almost nose-to-nose, although no blows were exchanged. As Madusa followed Steiner to ringside, Austin was left alone in the ring with Sting, who still had his back to the Superstar.

“Wondering what I’ve got up my sleeves? Who’s left? Who’s not shown themselves yet? Maybe I brought in a hired gun you don’t know about? Maybe I’m just good enough I can stop you even when I can’t see you?”

Austin started forward, then stopped himself, fists clenched, checking his movement as Sting stood before him.

“No? Not ready to jump an unarmed opponent with their back to you? Not willing to come after me when it’s one-on-one and I’m vulnerable?”

Sting turned back to face Austin.

“Probably smart – or maybe you missed a golden opportunity to hurt me before the match on Thursday.”

As the fighting and posturing at ringside continued, Sting climbed through the ropes and dropped to the floor.

“Austin, it’s you and me on Thursday, one-on-one for the World title. Keep it that way, or find out how many friends I have and how many people want to spoil the Dangerous Alliance’s plans.”

He walked up the aisle, slapping fans’ hands on the way as Austin stayed in the ring, glowering silently at his back. As Sting passed Hart, the Hitman didn’t acknowledge the champion – instead his gaze remained fixed, not on his brother, but on the number one contender to the World title.

Schiavone:

All part of the plan, Paul?

Dangerously:

Shut up, Schiavone. The plan is for the Superstar to become World champion at the Great American Bash – and that’s it!

Ross:

And folks, we’re nearly there. Be sure to call your cable operator and join us live this Thursday night for Sting vs. Steve Austin and so many other great matches – don’t miss it!

*

WCW The Great American Bash

The Thrillseekers © vs. Eddy Guerrero and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW United States Tag Team Titles and WCW World Tag Team Titles

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart

Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader

Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko – Submission Match

smw88 · December 23, 2020

Could see this going either way, I went Austin as I think Sting was better chasing

The Thrillseekers © vs. Eddy Guerrero and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW United States Tag Team Titles and WCW World Tag Team Titles

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart

Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader

Although I can see flair winning via dq or count out tk keep it going

Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko – Submission Match

DHK1989 · December 24, 2020

The Thrillseekers © vs. Eddy Guerrero and Konnan vs. The Diamond Mine © – WCW United States Tag Team Titles and WCW World Tag Team Titles

Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart

Ric Flair vs. Big Van Vader

Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko – Submission Match

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