WCW 1993 : A New World of Sport

[Nightshadeex]

Bam Bam Bigelow vs Larry Zbyzsko
Rick Steiner vs Ricky Steamboat
Nobuhiko Takada vs Steve Williams
Kevin Sullivan vs Brian Pillman
Powerhouse Simmons vs Lex Luger
Scott Steiner vs Big Van Vader
Rick Rude vs Arn Anderson
Ric Flair vs Sting

 

Rude wins it all!

[CactusHack]

A little bit of in-between here to fill gaps!

The Power Plant's Round Fourteen was a little bit later than the rest of the company due to scheduling conflicts, and occurred early in WCW's Round 15. The show saw front runners Solar & Panther pick up a win over bottom-dwellers Phi Delta Slam, guaranteeing a promotion to WCW's tag team division for 1994. Their only competitors for the first place finish, Eddie Guerrero and Konnan (La Cultura Torcida) also picked up a win over The Moondogs. With their victory, Eddie and Konnan also punched their ticket for a promotion to the main stage of WCW.

Their top competition, The Southern Rockers, were eliminated from a potential return to WCW when they lost against Harlem Heat. All three teams were showed up by the main event of the round, as Speed Eleven and Negro Casas / Silver King went the distance in a critically acclaimed draw. Unable to pull off the victory, the team of Ultimo Dragon and Great Sasuke also failed to keep in contention for a potential promotion. Ultimo Dragon won MVP for the division this round.

Elsewhere on the card, the team of Jesse Barr and Tom Davis continued their impressive run as after a 5 match losing streak started their season, the duo has gone eight and one in their past nine. And lastly, Tommy Lane turned to rookie Chris Candido as a partner, losing to the team of Mike Rapada and Brad Rheingans.

Over in the women's division, Round 17 was headlined by Akira Hokuto versus Lioness Asuka, where Hokuto maintained her first place position with a victory in a great match. Hokuto continues her trend of putting on the best match and winning round MVP. Magnificent Mimi defeated the plucky Debbie Malenko to continue her campaign for first place. Susan Sexton defeated 'Miss Texas' Jacqueline as Sexton continues her final run. With just two matches remaining in her career in LPWA, her matches have become a highlight each round. And the 1992 champion, Madusa, was victorious over Terri Powers - Madusa displayed a new level of seriousness as she appears to be devastated by her own inability to retain her crown.

The build to the Rick Titan versus Mitsuharu Misawa finale continued with each headliner picking up yet another win. Misawa's matches had been carrying the show for most of the season, and it felt like when Misawa left the show would have a massive gap, but a few of the younger stars have started to rise to the occasion. Rey Misterio Jr, Lance Storm, and Kid Kash all picked up wins as they proved to be worthy of becoming main draws for next years Grand Prix. Meanwhile, two other young stars stood above the rest with a show-stealing match. Chris Jericho and Sledgehammer Anderson went the distance to the draw in the best contest of Round 17 for the division.

At the conclusion of Round Seventeen, General Manager Gene Kiniski graced the live audience with his presence alongside Nick Bockwinkel and the duo announced that W4WA's continued success will result in expanding it's league to 24 competitors for 1994.

[CactusHack]

NJPW has opted not to renew the contract of Kuniaki Kobayashi.

Magnificent Mimi has taken an MMA fight and will not be a part of the 1994 LPWA field as a result.

Baron von Raschke suffered a torn ACL and will miss the 1994 season. At 53 years old, Baron von Raschke may not be in a hurry to return to the ring.

ECW hired Tommy Gilbert, The Convict and Metal Maniac.

Stan Lane and Paul Ellering were noted to have been at each others throats backstage at an ECWA show over a money squabble. The tension between the two is extremely high.

Emilio Charles Jr renewed his contract with CMLL for $795K over 2 years.

Ulisis renewed his contract with CMLL for $250K over 18 months. 

WWF star Tatanka suffered a major head injury during a tag match against Dino Bravo and The Barbarian. It’s likely that recovery will take over a year.

Tatsuo Nakano has opted to take his second MMA fight, and will begin training soon.

Sadaharu Tanikawa cheated on Jackie Sato with Jaguar Yokota, resulting in a divorce.

Sam Houston and Baby Doll have announced their divorce to the public.

Johnny Ace won the ICWA Heavyweight championship for the third time, defeating Robert Fuller for the belt.

Mike Moore defeated Stan Lane to capture the ECWA Mid Atlantic Championship for the first time.

Penelope Paradise defeated Judy Martin to regain the WWoW TV Title, starting her second reign.

Wendi Richter defeated Jacqueline to capture the LMLW International championship for the first time.

Las Cachorros Orientales (Etsuko Mita & Mima Shimoda) defeated Lioness Asuka and Yumiko Hotta to win the Japanese Tag Team titles for the second time.

Jerry Saggs defeated Marty Jannetty to become the new WWF Intercontinental champion. This is his first reign with the title.

Felino defeated Villano III to capture the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

Hercules Ayala defeated Boris Zhukov to win the AWF Americas championship for the first time.

Masa Orihara and Minoru Tanaka defeated Great Sasuke and Koji Kanemoto to win the UWF Intercontinental Tag Team Championships for the first time.

Rip Rogers & Vladimir Koloff defeated Pat Rose & Dutch Mantell to win the SMW Tag Team Championships for the first time.

Terry Gordy defeated Robert Gibson to win the SMW Heavyweight Championship for the second time.

Ricky Knight won the 1993 CWA Catch Cup, defeating Jimmy Ocean in the finals.

Rochester Roadblock defeated Dancing Wolf to win the NAWA Intercontinental title for the first time.

Crash the Terminator defeated Steve Strong to win the AWF Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

Tatsumi Fujinami defeated Masahiro Chono to win the IWGP World Championship for the fourth time.

Jeff Jarrett def. Beef Burton to win the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship for the sixth time.

Harold Smash, Coco Negro Jr, Atlantico, Kazushi Sakuraba, Alex Shane, Tammy Lynn Sytch, CW Anderson, Tom Howard, Joe Lider, Shigeo Okumura, Tsubasa and Tammy Ryan all entered the world of wrestling

[Nightshadeex]

Hire Sakuraba!

[DHK1989]

Jerry Saggs as IC Champ?? 😂

[CactusHack]

The conclusion of the 1993 Power Plant Season!

The Power Plant's singles finale boiled down to a 2 horse race between fan-favourite 'Hotstuff' Eddie Gilbert, and annoying Nature Boy Wannabe Shane Douglas. Gilbert clinched a promotion spot to WCW's Division Two in Round Fourteen, while Douglas needs a win to push him clear of third place Rayo De Jalisco Jr. Douglas had an imposing task in front of him against brick shit-house Mr. Hughes, but was able to score a flash roll-up pinfall to keep his championship dreams alive. Prior to the main event, which featured Eddie Gilbert taking on the third place Rayo De Jalisco Jr, a familiar face made his debut at the Power Plant. Marcus Bagwell (looking bigger and with a much more posh attire) arrived on the scene and announced that he would be competing in the Power Plant in 1994 as a singles wrestler. When asked whether he saw this as a demotion, he said he's not that guy.... He's Marquis 'The Artist' Bagwell, and that's a different name with a different all-time record. 'Marquis' started ripping into the fans for being filthy swine, turning the former blue-chip babyface into a heel for the first time in his career.

Ahead of the main event, La Parka defeated Action Jackson in convincing fashion. Jackson made a second appearance on the night after Tony Norris defeated Brian Lee, and proposed that they compete as a tag team in 1994. Their team, 'The Nubian Nightmares', were featured occasionally on WCW's Main Event and had good chemistry. It's clear that WCW wants to launch the career of the young star, Tony Norris.

Finally, in the main event, 'Hotstuff' Eddie Gilbert took on Ray De Jalisco Jr in the grand finale of the season. With Rayo starting one round later than everyone else and thus having one less match, he is mathematically eliminated from promotion, but could prove that he belongs in WCW by virtue of defeating one of the promotion stars and only being less that one win behind in points. They went all out here, but lacked good enough chemistry to really make this feel like a match worthy of being the final match of the season. In the end, Eddie Gilbert took advantage of a near-bump with the referee and pinned Rayo. It seemed as though he may have been grabbing Rayo's tights, but the celebration kicked off before it could be dwelled on too much. Eddie Gilbert is the 1993 Division Three Champion!

Meanwhile, the tag team division's finale focused on the latin supremacy at the top of the rankings as Solar & Blue Panther held top spot in the division and only required a win, or for Eddie Guerrero and Konnan to take a loss. The two matches were the last two on the card. Prior to them, a important development occurred during Jesse Barr and Tom Davis versus the team formerly known as 'The Legacies', David Sammartino and Ricky Vaughn. Vaughn quit mid match, disbanding the team for good, leaving Sammartino to fend for himself in a two on one match against Tom Davis and Jesse Barr. The team of Barr and Davis made short work of Sammartino, ending their season as arguably the hottest tag team in the Power Plant, having gone 9-1-0 in their last ten matches after an 0-5 start to their season.

The Original Midnight Express, Phi Delta Slam, and Tommy Lane with new partner Chris Candido all picked up losses to close out their poor seasons, and will not be returning for the 1994 season.

La Cultura Torcida (Guerrero + Konnan) defeated the team of Mike Rapada and Brad Rheingans decisively to move into first place ahead of the main event. Solar and Blue Panther came out for their main event promoted as the two best technical wrestlers in the Power Plant today, and went to work on the team of Booker T and Stevie Ray. While both teams wrestled as babyfaces, it was clear that both teams were willing to do anything it took to get the win in the big finale. After the match had started off as more traditional and in the favour of the luchadors, as it wore on and became a slugfest the team from Harlem built momentum. In the end it was Booker T who managed to score the upset win with a top rope kick on Solar. The two teams shook hands post match and received a roaring ovation from the crowd, only to be interrupted by the 1993 champions, La Cultura Torcida. True to their twisted culture moniker, Eddie Guerrero and Konnan had an over-the-top celebration as they were crowned the first ever Division Two Tag Team champions!

Up next... The conclusion of the Canadian Grand Prix!

[CactusHack]

The conclusion of the 1993 WFWA Canadian Grand Prix Season!

The penultimate round of the Canadian Grand Prix featured 'The Standard-Bearer' Mitsuharu Misawa facing off against part of the young core that has developed in W4WA, Chris Jericho. The two went all out for nearly the entire twenty minute duration, but in the end Misawa was able to put away Chris Jericho within the time limit, keeping his goal of winning the Canadian Grand Prix alive. Misawa continues his run of winning the Round MVP, and is looking to end 1993 with a perfect record in that regard.

Misawa's rival for the first place position, Rick Titan, secured another victory en route to their grand finale as #1 and #2 in the rankings.

The finale of 1993 in the great white north continued to build on the promise of a strong 1994 even with it's biggest stars (Misawa + Titan) leaving for bigger stages, as Jericho, Misterio Jr, Lance Storm and Sledgehammer Anderson all had spectacular performances as the faces of tomorrow. Plus, after a year on the shelf with a broken neck, William Regal returned to W4WA, staking his claim that he would be the 1994 Grand Prix Champion of Canada. Regal was undefeated in 8 matches before a scary injury occurred against Buddy Hart that left him unable to complete the W4WA 1992 Grand Prix.

The main event between Misawa and Titan was an all out bloody war, with Titan looking to steamroll over Misawa early on, and Misawa having to fight back from early injuries. These guys were going full sprint from the opening minute as there was no reason to leave anything on the table tonight. It was an all or nothing mentality for both from the opening bell. Titan gained the advantage with a series of power moves, but Misawa kicked out of a nasty looking powerbomb, and Titan looked like he had put all of his remaining energy into it. Both men were slow to their feet, and Misawa surged with energy to hit a rolling elbow that Titan had no answer for. Misawa hit the Tiger Driver 91 and there was no answer for that! Misawa is the 1993 Canadian Grand Prix Champion!

Nick Bockwinkel, Les Thatcher and Gene Kiniski awarded Misawa with the cup in the centre of the ring and wished him success as he moves on to WCW's Division Two! A dejected Rick Titan has been granted a spot in the 1994 Power Plant.

Up next... The conclusion of the LPWA Women Grand Prix!

[Old School Fan]

If it's not too late...

Bam Bam Bigelow vs Larry Zbyzsko
Rick Steiner vs Ricky Steamboat
Nobuhiko Takada vs Steve Williams
Kevin Sullivan vs Brian Pillman
Powerhouse Simmons vs Lex Luger
Scott Steiner vs Big Van Vader (via DQ)
Rick Rude vs Arn Anderson
Ric Flair vs Sting

[CactusHack]

The conclusion of the 1993 LPWA Women Grand Prix Season!

The women's division second to last round was a bit 'paint-by-numbers' as both Akira Hokuto and Magnificent Mimi picked up obvious wins as they make it to the final round, each with momentum and potential glory in their sights. While they won't be facing off directly, their victories ended Susan Sexton's potential victory. Sexton, who is confirmed to be retiring at the end of the season, was looking to go out in a blaze of glory, but with her dreams crushed earlier in the round, how would she respond?

The answer wasn't cut and dry, as Sexton took on a frustrated Madusa who also has something to prove, as her 'Best Woman in the World' moniker hasn't led her back to a repeat championship this year. The two women put on an amazing main event, with neither lady able to pull off the victory. After the match, Madusa showed Sexton respect, shaking her hand and wishing her well in her retirement. Even though Sexton is a heelish character, the crowd has really rallied behind her during this final stretch.

The last round of the 1993 season for the Women's Division featured a few twists and turns leading into next year. After picking up decisive victories in their respective matches, Bull Nakano and Lioness Asuka were seen conspiring with a strange new character, Takako Inoue, who appears to be working a heel character based off of popular manga / anime series 'Sailor Moon'. Specifically, Takako appears to be inspired by the corrupter, evil Queen Beryl and is promising to take Nakano and Asuka to new heights in 1994.

Madusa continued her descent into anger as she went to yet another time limit draw, this time against the 'Dark Angel' Manami Toyota. A theme that is developing is the questioning of where Madusa's frustrations will take her.

Susan Sexton ended her career with a decisive victory against Rockin Robin in short order. The short victory was meant to give the audience a chance to show Sexton some love on her way out. Nick Bockwinkel led a post-match ceremony to send off Sexton into retirement, providing her with flowers and thanking her for her contributions to Women's Wrestling. A short video package played recapping her run as the first ever LPWA women's champion, including her defence on WCW's Clash of the Champions in 1990. The ceremony is cut short however, as 'Sweet' Candi Devine jumped Sexton and laid her out with a steel chair.

Magnificent Mimi picked up a win over Leilani Kai to put her into the top spot prior to Hokuto's match, and she stayed at ringside to watch the main event.

In the final match of the 1993 season, Akira Hokuto forced Misty Blue to submit in dominating fashion, securing the 1993 Women's Grand Prix. The decisive victory led to a huge in-ring ceremony to award her with the championship, at which point several of the combatants joining the 1994 season presented themselves at the entry ramp as 'new challengers approaching!' (Shinobu Kandori, Penelope Paradise, Cynthia Moreno, Bambi) Meanwhile, Magnificent Mimi, having been so close to the championship herself, had a temper tantrum ringside and decided to rage quit from the promotion. (Signifying her leave into MMA for the beginning of 1994)

Up next... The grand finale for the 1993 WCW season! Who will be the fourth horseman? Who else will earn promotions into the WCW Grand Prix? And who will be crowned champion? Sting or Rick Rude?

[CactusHack]

One last post... 

The final stretch of B-shows were completed for 1993 and for the first time in WCW history, it was the women who left it all on the mat with a critically acclaimed match on WCW Main Event, as Akira Hokuto and Manami Toyota teamed up to defeat 'Miss Texas' Jacqueline and Madusa. With the growing success of WCW subsidiary LPWA, and continued growing approval of women's wrestling landing on WCW Main Event, one has to wonder if WCW may be testing the market to bring in a full fledged Women's division to the main card down the line. 

JR's Indie Spotlight highlighted it's last three wrestlers of the 1993 season, kicking off with a dual video package and announcement. The first highlighted wrestler was Shanghai Pierce, a 29 year old masked brawler who has been wrestling along the southern states for 11 years now. The brawler has found recent success on WCW Main Event when teaming with another southern brawler, Tex Slazenger. Jim Ross takes the opportunity to announce that Tex and Shanghai will be competing in the Power Plant's Tag Team division for the 1994 season. Next up, JR highlighted Bison Kimura. The 26 year old Japanese star struggled early in the 1993 LPWA season, but was able to string together some wins later in the season. While Kimura hasn't found the right formula for success, her continual improvement has begun to turn heads and it seems like only a matter of time before she breaks out as a top tier athlete. Lastly, 'Fine Wine' Rip Rogers was profiled. The 38 year old 19 year veteran of the sport has collected titles as both a tag team and singles star. He is one half of the current Smokey Mountain Tag Team Champions alongside Vladimir Koloff. Ultra flamboyant, the wily veteran is looking to take Southern States Wrestling by storm in 1994.

Next up... For real this time... The Grand Finale!

[Nightshadeex]

I loved Tex Slazenger and Shanghai Pierce. If I had more money, I'd totally book them.

[CactusHack]

WCW World Wide kicked off with Hulk Hogan entering the ring to speak to the audience. He informed us that he had a major announcement. Due to him entering the WCW Premier League in the 1994 season, the Premier League will feature seven demotions this season. He says that he apologies for this to the wrestlers affected, but you cannot deny Hulkamania, and brother, let me tell you something, when Hulk Hogan enters the Premier League, it won't matter if it's 15 other wrestlers, or 15,000 giants... Hulkamania will run wild, brother. Hogan would go on to defeat Fatu in his final exhibition for WCW. After their match, Pillman, Flair, and Austin of the Horsemen came out and Brian Pillman had something to say. Pillman says that it's Hogans fault that he isn't retaining his spot in the Premier League. Everyone should be talking about the new Four Horsemen, but Hogan is too busy propagating his own brand of nonsense. Pillman says that you don't get to just waltz in and take someone else's spot (which Ric Flair comically is agreeing with after having taken the same path to the 1993 Grand Prix) and Pillman challenges Hogan to a match at Starrcade 1993 with the final spot of the 94 Premier League. Flair tells Hogan if he loses, he can go wrestle up in Canada, earning a spot against guys his own speed.

Also on tap, The Steiners took on the Team of Vader and Bam Bam Bigelow. There was a bit of storyline development here in that Bigelow opted not to team with Muta and rather chose to team with his partner in New Japan, Big Van Vader. The big fellas came up short against the Steiner Brothers, who are looking to pick up where they left off when they return to the tag team division.

The final round kicked off with two men destined for demotion. With nothing on the line besides pride here, the two competitors came out with an aura of 'what comes next' for both. 'The Taskmaster' Kevin Sullivan made his way to the ring with Missy Hyatt at his side, holding his prized puzzlebox. JR reminds the audience that we still don't know what the puzzlebox represents or is, only the allusions to famous horror movie 'Hellraiser'... but we do know that the puzzlebox and/or Sullivan holds some form of power over Hyatt and Powerhouse Simmons. Once Sullivan is in the ring, Pillman makes his entrance alongside 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair, Steve Austin, and valet 'Woman'. Schiavone reminds everyone that the Horsemen have promised to reveal the fourth member that will complete the stable by the end of the 1993 season. Schiavone and JR ponder whether we could see the fourth horseman tonight...

The two competitors start the match off with a tense stare-down, with Pillman pacing back-and-forth, looking to position himself as the aggressor. Pillman attacks with some strikes, trying to back Sullivan into a corner, but Sullivan catches a punch attempt and hip tosses Pillman, following up with a seated abdominal stretch. Powerhouse Simmons makes his way to the ring, staring at Sullivan. Sullivan is distracted by this and it allows Pillman to break the hold and then get control of Sullivan.

The two go back and forth for a while, each resorting to underhanded tactics to try and get an advantage. Sullivan's years of experience seems to leave him with the upper-hand as he starts to get control over the Pillman as the match wears on.

Sullivan tries to take off the padding to expose the top turnbuckle, but Simmons jumps up on the apron and puts his hand on the pad, shaking his head. Pillman stumbles to his feet and rushes Sullivan from behind. Sullivan and Simmons conk heads and Pillman rolls up Sullivan for the three count.

Afterwards, Simmons speaks backstage to Magnum TA, saying Sullivan has been leading him on for too long, trying to convince Ron that Kevin had everything in the world to offer him. And Simmons wasn't on top of the world anymore, so he bought into it - and it nearly cost him everything. But last round, he realized the snake that Sullivan was. Sullivan wasn't trying to help him reach new heights, he was trying to drag Simmons down to his level. You see, two rounds ago Simmons finally hit the desperation that Sullivan was so proud of, and Sullivan tried to 'teach him another lesson' by costing him the match. That lesson wasn't to help him though, it was to try and sink Simmons into relegation. To give Sullivan a chance at staying in WCW's Premier Grand Prix. And not only did it nearly cost Simmons his spot, it may end up costing Sting the World Championship. The snake showed his true colours, and now, at Starrcade, Simmons is going to challenge Sullivan inside a steel cage, and he'll even put his spot in the Grand Prix on the line. At Starrcade, he cuts the head off the snake.

Brian Pillman (4-8-3) def. Kevin Sullivan (4-11-0) in 16:56 by roll-up pin. First ever Grand Prix match up between the two.

Rick Rude makes his entrance as Schiavone and JR talk about Rick Rude's season that brought him to this point. After starting off the season with two straight losses, Rude broke away from the now dead Dangerous Alliance and after being considered as an unworthy partner by Ric Flair, Rude won the Superbrawler Cup at Superbrawl, parlaying that into a wave of momentum, winning 8 straight. However, after Rude defeated Sting, Rude's momentum consumed his ego and he began to believe his own hype. Since then, his wins have gotten less and less convincing, but he seems higher and higher on himself all the same. Tonight, he has a chance to cement his claim for the championship against the man that Ric Flair rejected him for initially, Arn Anderson.

Anderson starts off the aggressor and Rude powders to the outside, saying he's not ready. Anderson tries to get Rude back into the ring, but Rude keeps avoiding actually starting the match, until Arn gets frustrated and starts chasing Rude, allowing Rude to trick Arn into a cheap attack. Rude takes control of the match, targeting Arn's shoulder. Rude with a series of knees to Arn's shoulder, before trapping Arn in the ropes and charging the shoulder with a vicious looking sequence.

Arn has to work his way back into this match, toughing through the pain for a huge overhead throw sending Rude to the floor and allowing Arn a bit of separation to recover. From here, Arn goes on the offensive, beating on Rick Rude with one arm only. Arn builds up momentum for a while, wearing down Rude.

Arn goes for the Spinebuster, but it's reversed into a falling double knee shoulderbreaker. Arn is in pain but manages to work his way out of a Rude Awakening attempt! Arn takes down Rude and tries to lock in a single leg crab, but Rude reverses it into a roll up, putting all his weight onto Arn's good shoulder. Arn tries to get out, but can't muster up enough strength in his weakened shoulder, and Rude just barely gets the three, putting him back in first place! Rude celebrates like crazy as his new theme blares on the speakers.

Rick Rude (12-2-1) def. Arn Anderson (6-6-3) in 18:21 by snap pinfall. First ever match Grand Prix match between the two.

The final round of Division Two kicks off with a meaningless match between Bobby Fulton and Jerry Lawler. Fulton has already been confirmed to be moving back to the tag team division with his recovered tag partner, Tommy Rogers. Fulton manages to upset Lawler with a shock decisive victory, with Scotty Flamingo standing at ringside completely disappointed in his staff. After the match, Flamingo calls for a summit from Flamingo Corp. He says that he's been too kind as a leader and it's time that he make some serious changes as his investments in WCW have not been paying off. He puts his entire stable on notice, and then turns to Lawler, stating that he's not worth his contract. So in 1994, Flamingo's transferred his Division Two contract to himself, where he will compete in Lawler's place. Lawler, for all intents and purposes, has been released due to budget cuts. Flamingo Corp swarm him, leaving him beaten down.

In the match to determine the champion of Division Two, The Great Muta and Cactus Jack went to war for the top spot. Cactus Jack showed incredible willingness to put his body on the line with a disgusting top rope elbow drop to Muta all the way on the concrete floor. In the end though, Muta hit the Shining Wizard to capture the gold. Player's Enterprise held a press conference to celebrate their second straight victory in Division Two, and promise dominance in the 1994 Grand Prix with three members at the top. There is a bit of tension present as Bigelow seems to still be frustrated by Muta being chosen as Takada's tag team partner at Halloween Havoc.

Johnny B Badd seems to be developing a new boxer gimmick as he's built off of his time in Shooters Club by adding more of a striking based offence and knocked out Butch Reed for a second straight knockout victory. Al Perez and Samoan Savage both suffered defeats in their respective matches and it was confirmed they would be relegated to the Power Plant for 1994.

Finally, there was substantial build for the last match of the Division Two season, as Steve Austin geared up to take on Diamond Dallas Page. With a victory, Austin will put himself into a promotion to the Grand Prix for 1994. Early in the round, Austin gave himself a bit of an advantage by attacking Diamond Dallas Page, leaving him laid out in the parking lot. But when Hogan calls out Pillman ahead of their Starrcade match and gets jumped by both Pillman and Austin, Diamond Dallas Page comes running out for the save, standing tall with Hulk Hogan. When the two finally locked up in their match, it's a straight up brawl that goes all around the ring. In a shock upset, Diamond Dallas Page scores the pin over Austin, ending his Grand Prix dreams and giving Cactus Jack the nod to the 1994 Grand Prix.

After making his intentions clear earlier about Kevin Sullivan and his recent momentum downturn, Simmons looked to turn things around against one of his greatest rivals from 1992, Lex Luger. Many fans will remember that it was Simmons Grand Prix match against Lex Luger that shot him into the stratosphere and began his path to the World Championship as he brought the at-the-time World Champion to a time limit draw. The two went to war, with Simmons setting out to prove he belonged in the World Championship conversation, and in the end there was controversy surrounding the time-keepers booth. That was 1992 though, nearly 18 months ago. Now, Luger isn't champion and has become more and more distant from WCW as he refuses to partake in Pay Per View events or any non-Grand Prix matches / appearances.

Simmons comes out strong, charging Luger with a football tackle right off the bat. The two heavyweights roll out to the floor and immediately brawl up the ramp. Luger charges Simmons into the guardrail and then press slams him through the time-keepers table! JR and Schiavone think Luger must be trying to get in Simmons head, with that callback to last year's match. Luger returns to the ring and demands that referee Randy Anderson starts counting out Simmons. After a bit of arguing between ref and Luger, Randy starts to count out Simmons. It's close, but Simmons makes it back in and looks pissed off. Luger looks like he realizes he may have made a mistake.

Simmons pounds on Luger in the corner and Luger pleads for referee intervention. Randy pulls back Simmons and Luger uses it as an opportunity to hit a distracted Simmons with a lariat. Luger goes to work with shot after shot on Simmons, refusing to let him get back to his feet. Simmons slams Luger out of nowhere and then sends him to the floor. Luger however prevents Simmons from building any momentum by tossing him head first into the corner post, busting him open. At this point Sullivan comes out and stands over Simmons, smash talking him. It sounds like he's trying to distract Simmons into getting counted out, but Luger ends the count out by dropping to the floor and interjecting. JR says that Luger thinks Sullivan and Simmons must be conspiring against him. Sullivan tries to persuade Luger into something, but Luger has none of it, grabbing Sullivan by the head and tossing him hard over the guardrail, crashing hard into a couple rows of chairs.

Simmons takes the opening and works a couple submissions on Luger, but Luger is able to fight out. Simmons goes for a three-point-stance tackle, but eats a big boot for his efforts. Luger goes for the Attitude Adjustment Piledriver, but is flipped over with a back body drop. Simmons wants to hit a Powerbomb, but Luger hoists him up into the Torture Rack! They are very close to the ropes though and Simmons grabs them and pulls both men flying over in a nasty bump! The crowd erupts at the move and JR and Schiavone wonder if either man can beat the 10 count. Both men recover, dripping now with sweat, and make it back into the ring. They crawl to opposing corners and rise back up to their feet and time expires for a draw. Despite neither man gaining a victory, as they look at each other from across the ring it's apparent both men are satisfied with the result this time around, unlike last year's draw.

Lex Luger (9-3-3) and Powerhouse Simmons (6-6-3) went to a 20 minute time limit draw. The two have gone to two time limit draws in Grand Prix history, neither has been able to gain a victory.

Takada makes his way to the ring with his Player Enterprise cohorts, Terry Taylor, Bam Bam Bigelow and Teddy Long. The Great Muta is absent as he is recovering from a war with Cactus Jack that saw him achieve promotion into the 1994 WCW Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Dr. Death comes out with Terry Gordy as JR and Schiavone put over The Miracle Violence Connection, citing their dominance in All Japan as three time world tag team champions, competing against the toughest Japanese teams to date. They were also back-to-back World's Strongest Tag Determination League champions in 1990 and 1992, so the WCW tag team division better be on high alert as they join the competition there next year. JR goes on to say that right now, Steve Williams needs to focus on singles competition and trying to close out the 1993 season on a positive note.

Reminiscent of a shoot fight more than a wrestling match in the early going, it's clear that the two are working within a shared language of All Japan style, which JR comments on. After a slow feeling out phase, the two establish the narrative of Takada being a deliberate and stiff striker looking to weaken limbs, against an explosive and wild machine in Steve Williams. Williams bursts forward with barrages of attacks, and Takada weaves in and out and then counters with sequences of strikes.

For the most part, Takada looks in control here, weathering each storm of attacks and then countering with finesse. But then Williams catches him off guard when he runs right through a spin kick without any effect, instead exploding into an off-balance Takada and sending him flying.

Steve Williams has Takada's defences down as he charges him in the corner with a series of shoulders to the midsection. Takada is sucking wind as his defence lowers further and now Williams steamrolls him with a series of shoulder tackles. Williams hoists up Takada and it's time for the Oklahoma Stampede! Charges the first turnbuckle and then turns to the next, but Takada grabs the ropes. Williams tugs at him, trying to break his grip, but in the end he pulls too hard as Takada lets go clean and is able to use Williams momentum against him now, toppling him over and Takada has a dragon sleeper cinched in! Williams fades out! Takada ends the season with a victory, sending Williams to the tag team division to recoup.

Nobuhiko Takada (8-2-5) def. Steve Williams (4-8-3) in 17:12 by submission. This was their first ever encounter in WCW's Grand Prix.

Night two concluded with Big Van Vader taking on Scott Steiner. Schiavone set the tone with a bit of backstory for the match. After a record setting run of fourteen straight Premier League Grand Prix wins between the end of 92 and the beginning of 93, Vader's run in 93 kind of went sideways. The monster hasn't been able to reach the same level of dominance he achieved last year when he finished tied with Lex Luger for second place, just shy of Sting's championship score. Meanwhile, Scott Steiner's first foray into singles Premier League competition saw him show that he could belong at this level with strong performances, but ultimately he wasn't able to build up enough momentum to maintain a serious run this year. While 94 will see him dropping back down to tag team competition with his brother, Rick, there is no reason why WCW fans can't expect Scott to make another appearance in the main event scene in future years.

Vader came out hot, looking to dominate the less experienced Steiner brother early, but Scott was able to use his speed and athleticism to pivot Vader's attacks against him, sending the Mastadon flying head over heels several times. Vader's emotions got the best of him early and JR mentioned that Scott better not get cocky now, he's got to keep letting Vader work against himself. Let the monster make his own mistakes. The two go back and forth, with Scott respecting the monster enough to not go for anything that puts himself in a compromised position, and it seems to be working as he's keeping pace with Vader.

Vader slowly builds up momentum with a series of moves. Vader goes up high and it looks like he's going to splash Steiner to oblivion, but Scott leaps to his feet and shoves the ropes, causing Vader to crotch himself on the ropes! He's seated up there and Scott looks around excitedly as the crowd rises to their feet in anticipation of a massive Frankensteiner! Scott goes up top and... Vader doesn't go down! He holds Scott tight and from the top turnbuckle, he jumps and destroys Scott with a massive Vader bomb! Referee Randy Anderson could have probably counted the pin to 20, as Vader wins after the epic move to end the night.

Big Van Vader (9-4-2) def. Scott Steiner (4-8-3) in 14:26 by pin. This was there first WCW Grand Prix match.

At the top of the Tag Team Division, the team of Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham, 'The Lonestar Cowboys' began their celebration tour having cinched the top spot one round ago with their victory over The Colussi. A press conference was held to congratulate the duo on the victory and the promotion, with Barry Windham becoming the first wrestler in WCW's history to return to the Premier League after a previous demotion. After the press conference, Commissioner Dusty Rhodes held a WCW hosted high end party for the champions, showing a bit of nepotism to his son. Dustin and Barry had no problem partying it up, as they commented that while unfortunate, their round 15 opponents would be a cake walk as The Killer Bees haven't won a match all year, and now they are at half-staff. Not much build was put into who B Brian Blair would get as a partner, so it was a shock to all when Hulk Hogan hit the ring as Blair's partner for his first official WCW Grand Prix match! B Brian Blair played the face in peril, and Rhodes and Windham played up feeling out of it due to all the partying. In the end, the hot tag was made to Hogan who took out the opponents and picked up a win! The Killer Bees escape being the first team in history to go 0-15 thanks to the assist from Hogan. B Brian Blair thanks Hogan for the help and all four men show a bit of respect as their seasons come to a close.

The Colussi were set to take on The Fabulous Freebirds for their final match in a must win situation if they wanted to preserve their hopes of a promotion. They didn't have to worry too much however, as before the match Terry Gordy abandoned his partner, telling Hayes to fend for himself. Hayes stood across the ring from the two massive opponents alone, only for his former partner, Jimmy Garvin, to run to the ring in street clothes and stand in his corner. After a bit of early heroics from the former freebirds, The Colussi turned up the heat and decimated the legendary duo. Stan Hansen and El Gigante now await their destiny later in the round.

After a run of four straight wins to start their new team, The Wild Stallions (Chris Benoit and Joey Maggs) hit their first bump in the road as a team against Eaton and Finlay, The Classic Era. With Benoit honouring his Power Plant schedule and taking the tag team grand prix spot, he had the unfortunate duty of competing in 3 matches over the course of four nights. The fatigue set in and the well-experienced opposition were able to take advantage, giving Benoit and Maggs their first loss. JR and Schiavone note that the duo are primed to enter 1994 with positive spirits as they have a ton of upside and are only getting started.

Elsewhere, True Grit defeated Chaos By Nature when Bull Gantner pinned Abdullah and the increasingly power-hungry Scotty Flamingo acted in anger by firing Abdullah the Butcher. Abdullah's partner, Haku, seemed confused and upset by the decision, and unsure as to what that meant for him in 1994. 

Lastly, the big match to conclude the tag team division's destiny... A seemingly innocent match between the duo of One Man Gang and Dan Spivey, The Terrors, and Chris Adams and Al Snow, The Journeymen. The Terrors are looking to earn their return to the Premier League with a win, while The Journeymen are simply looking to play the spoilers. Ahead of their match, The Terrors sat down with Jesse 'The Body' Ventura to discuss their match up. They acknowledged that their destinies were in their own hands and they controlled their future here. Despite being the heavy favourites against Adams and Snow, in the end Al Snow shocked the terrors with a surprise roll up on Dan Spivey to collect the victory. Feeling robbed of a promotion, The Terrors argued with referee Jimmy Jett and their opponents, showing a bit of antagonistic personality before things were settled and The Terrors seemingly accepted their fates of returning to the tag division for 1994.

Larry Zbyzsko came to the ring for his final match in the Premier League, and he comes out looking defeated and dejected. JR and Schiavone talk about Larry's juxtaposition between seasons as in 1992, he was a champion of the tag team division alongside Arn Anderson, going 13-1-1; this year however, the thirteen is in the wrong spot as he's got thirteen losses to his name rather than wins. Schiavone says that it speaks to the level of competition that you find in the Premier League, even a legendary champion like Zbyzsko can struggle to succeed. Bigelow comes out with the rest of Player Enterprises, including the Division Two 93 champion, The Great Muta.

Bigelow starts things off by pie-facing his opponent and then laughing to his cohorts. The second that he turns his head though, Larry goes on the offensive with a stiff strike straight to Bigelow's jaw that rocks him. Larry grounds Bam Bam against the ropes and goes on the assault, sliding to the outside and slamming Bigelow's leg into the corner post several times. Bigelow rolls to the floor and tries to get to his feet but is taken down with a chop block. Larry goes onto the apron and jumps down with a double ax handle, but Bigelow catches him in the air and rams him spine first into the corner post. Well, ramming him isn't the right phrasing, as he hobbled his way over due to Larry's initial attack... The match carries on with Larry having an edge due to weakening Bigelow's knee, with Bigelow relying on his strength to keep Larry from putting him too close to defeat.

Larry stays on the attack, focusing on the knee until an opening presents itself, and Larry hits a fireman carry slam that impresses the crowd, but gets a two count only. His focus wanes as Larry starts to argue with Nick Patrick. Instead of getting back on the attack, Zbyzsko lets his frustrations get the best of him as he starts to threaten Nick. Bigelow meanwhile recovers and then attacks Larry. Bigelow strings together a few moves of escalating power before finishing off Zbyzsko with Greetings from Asbury Park. Bigelow wins and he leaves with Player Enterprises. Larry sits on the mat, not wanting to leave. He has a bit of a temper tantrum as he's escorted to the back.

Bam Bam Bigelow (7-7-1) def. Larry Zbyzsko (1-14-0) in 15:01 by pin. This was their first ever match against one another.

With the big news from Hulk Hogan regarding seven relegation spots rather than six, Ricky Steamboat's efforts to prevent relegation have been in vain as he cannot catch Simmons or Anderson for the final spot. Ahead of his match, Ricky Steamboat approached Jushin 'Thunder' Liger and in a short promo he talked about how both of them were the work-horses of their respective divisions the past two years, and Ricky has been watching Jushin's work, impressed by his talents. Steamboat thinks the two should join forces to steal the show in the tag team division next year, branching out their experience. Liger agrees. Magnum TA dubs them 'Thunder Dragon'.

Steamboat makes his way to the ring for his final match in the Premier League with Jushin Liger following him. Their entrance is followed by The Steiner Brothers coming out as JR says that while this match no longer will have an effect on the current season, it will pose as a sneak preview of the new-and-improved 1994 tag team division. The two feel each other out in a respectful manner and neither man is able to get a clear advantage for the first little while.

Ricky Steamboat goes up high and hits a flying crossbody, sticking the landing and collecting the three count. After the match, the two teams square off in the ring and shake hands, as JR hypes the tag division.

Ricky Steamboat (5-6-4) def. Rick Steiner (2-13-0) in 16:55 by pin. This was their first ever match against one another.

It's time, for the main event! The match was consistently hyped throughout the entire round, and rightfully so given Sting and Flair's history together and the significance in the match when it comes to deciding the champion. The build kicked off with a video package detailing the classic 45 minute draw that signified the beginning of Sting's ascension to the main event, and the subsequent feud with The Four Horsemen that led to Sting winning the WCW World Championship from Flair, prior to Flair leaving for the WWF. The following show, WCW aired footage from formal press conference hyping the match up as the Biggest Match of the Year. The two detailed the importance of their match, with Sting cutting an epic promo about how Ric always talks about how if you want to be the man, you have to beat the man. Well... Sting beat Ric, and Sting is the defending WCW Grand Prix champion, so Ric, if you want to go around proclaiming that you're still the man... you are looking at the man you have to beat. 

After the press conference, a later promo from Ric Flair shows him pissed off, and it's clear that Sting's comments have got under his skin. He says that he's going to solidify the rebirth of the Horsemen with the final member and by beating Sting to prove to him who 'the man' really is. Meanwhile, Rick Rude is overly cocky about his first place ranking, clearly believing that he will end the season as the champion.

Ric Flair comes to the ring, shockingly alone, ahead of the biggest match in WCW history to date. It's a grand entrance.

Sting's music hits for the main event but there is no entrance. Camera's cut backstage where Steve Austin and Brian Pillman have attempted to jump Sting before his match, but he is fighting them off. The brawl ends up carrying onto the entrance ramp stage where Dusty Rhodes and a team of security guards rush the scene to break it up. Dusty has security trying to escort the Horsemen out of the building, saying they are barred from building and threatens with suspensions to start next season. The boys are in handcuffs when one of the guards wearing a hoodie cracks Sting over the head with his baton! The guard mounts Sting and starts beating him as the other guards quickly attempt to restrain him. His hood is pulled down and he's revealed to be Power Plant champion and newest member of the Division Two roster, 'Hotstuff' Eddie Gilbert! Gilbert is pulled away from Sting and he puts up the four horsemen hand symbol and Flair smiles in the ring and gestures back.

Flair tells referee Randy Anderson to count him out. Dusty seems to be waving off the match, but Sting gets to his feet, bloodied and hurt, and refuses to allow Dusty to do so. Sting walks down the ramp to the ring with Dusty trying to pull him back. Sting audibly screams to Dusty, 'I have to do this!' Inside the ring, Randy Anderson wants to wave off the match, but Sting insists that Randy have the bell rung to start the match. Reluctantly, Anderson proceeds to motion to the timekeepers and the match begins!

Ric Flair laughs at Sting as he limps towards Flair and the two lock up. Flair with a headlock takedown, and he paintbrushes the bloodied Sting, taunting him at the ease of the takedown. The match is all Flair early on, as he seems to be a vulture picking apart a carcass here with Sting barely able to fight back. Sure, there are bursts of energy from Sting, but Flair never looks to be in any real danger as he's able to weather each burst and then get right back to wearing down his injured opponent.

Flair locks in the Figure Four and Sting howls in pain, but the howling turns to laughter as Sting sits up a bit and smiles at Flair. He then beats his chest and howls to the crowd before chopping Flair silly until he releases the hold! Sting gets to his feet, his facepaint mostly gone and replaced with a crimson mask, and hits a series of clotheslines and hip tosses on Flair, gaining rapid momentum. Flair reels and falls back to the corner where he's immediately hit by a Stinger Splash. Flair punches the air a feet times before faceplanting onto the mat. He tries to roll out of the ring to get his composure, but Sting planchas over the top rope, wiping him out as JR and Schiavone put him over as impervious.

Time is winding down and Sting gets Flair back into the ring, looking to put him away! Sting goes for the Deathlock but Flair kicks his way out, knocking Sting backward where he collides with referee Randy Anderson. Anderson flops to the mat like a fish. Sting tends to him as Flair is still down. All of the sudden, Rick Rude slides into the ring with a steel chair, as JR screams for the love of god no, not like this! Sting must have a sixth sense though, as he's immediately in Rude face, with his foot pinning down Rude's chair, ready to take out yet another obstacle on his quest to glory. Flair is slowly getting to his feet along the ropes and Randy Anderson seems to be shaking the cobwebs out in the corner, face turned towards the outside still. Sting smash-talks Rude, saying to take his best shot, but he better not miss. Rude stands there, before quickly giving Sting a small shove backwards as Anderson appears to be gaining his composure. Rude cracks Flair over the head with the chair as JR and Schiavone lose their collective shit. Randy Anderson sees it and calls for the DQ. Rude flies out of the ring and Sting realizes what's just happened.

Rick Rude is at ringside near the timekeepers booth where it's announced that Ric Flair is the winner by disqualification! Rude is celebrating as this means he's the champion, even if it's the greasiest win you could ever imagine. The crowd is raucous with fury over the announcement, Sting is bewildered in the ring, and WCW management led by Dusty Rhodes is admonishing Rick Rude. Rude is escorted from the ringside in handcuffs, but what he's really wearing is the largest smile possible, as no one can take his accomplishment away from him. The final show of the 1994 season goes off the air with Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross saying that it should never end like this, and that Rude is a bastard for stooping so low.

Ric Flair (10-2-3) def. Sting (12-3-0) in 19:14 by DQ. This was their first ever Grand Prix match up against each other.

[CactusHack]

STARRCADE 93 CARD

Prediction Grid:

Brian Pillman vs Hulk Hogan
Sting, Arn Anderson, Lonestar Cowboys and Stan Hansen vs Player Enterprises, Rick Rude and Big Van Vader
Division Two Preview Gauntlet
Steiner Brothers vs Thunder Dragon vs The Classic Era vs Miracle Violence Connection
Powerhouse Simmons vs Kevin Sullivan in a Steel Cage

Contest Standings:

Swinny : 0/6 - 0%
Bigelow Cartwheel : 5/16 - 32%
Old School Fan : 62/111 - 56%
Vandal : 18/30 - 60%
smw88 : 50/84 - 60%
DHK1989 : 77/127 - 61%
Nightshadeex : 75/121 - 62%
KyTeran : 10/16 - 63%
1PWfan : 15/24 - 63%
Lord Byron : 84/135 - 63%
mmaaddict : 30/46 - 66%
SonOfSharknado : 18/27 67%
DinoKea : 31/46 - 68%
JaCeLo3 - 6/8 - 75%
Dawn : 3/3 - 100%

Winner of the 1993 Predictions goes to Lord Byron - congratulations and thank you for your continued readership
The 1994 season will kick off a new prediction tracker, and will continue in this thread.

Synopsis:
The 93 season has wrapped up and a new champion has been crowned! Rick Rude is the champion, but that victory is shrouded in controversy that WCW management cannot ignore. Rick Rude's blatant disrespect of the rules and regulations must be addressed by Commissioner Dusty Rhodes. Despite this and the negative words from the WCW analysis teams, Rick Rude's ego has hit astronomic heights.

During the off-season between 93 and 94, ahead of WCW's final event of the year, Sting has refused to participate in interviews, unwilling to comment on the result of the season. Ahead of Starrcade, it seemed like Arn Anderson struggled to put together a team for the promoted main event of Starrcade - a '94 Grand Prix kick off 5 vs 5 showcase. Sting was booked for the team, but Anderson couldn't find him to talk at all. Struggling to find a 5th partner, Scotty Flamingo sold the services of Stan Hansen to Arn, who looked like he was struggling to agree.

Several of WCW's new promotions were given off-season showcases on World Wide and Saturday Night, as Solar and Blue Panther, Konnan and Eddie Guerrero, Shane Douglas and Mitsuharu Misawa all had chances to show to the WCW viewing audience what they are made of ahead of the 1994 season. The other new promotion, 'The Hotstuff Horseman' Eddie Gilbert, was given a much bigger spotlight however as he was featured alongside Flair, Austin and Pillman in several segments. The Four Horsemen ride again!

Lots of movement and shaping up in the lower divisions, as several wrestlers were announced for the 94 season in each subsidiary. The depth of WCW knows no bounds!

Lastly, after The Journeymen's shock victory over The Terrors, which prevented One Man Gang and Dan Spivey from returning to the Premier League, there has been growing tension between the two teams...

 

[Nightshadeex]

I feel good about Rick Rude winning the Grand Prix. No one deserves it more.

Brian Pillman vs Hulk Hogan
Sting, Arn Anderson, Lonestar Cowboys and Stan Hansen vs Player Enterprises, Rick Rude and Big Van Vader
Division Two Preview Gauntlet
Steiner Brothers vs Thunder Dragon vs The Classic Era vs Miracle Violence Connection (The ONLY team I'd ever pick over the Steiners)
Powerhouse Simmons vs Kevin Sullivan in a Steel Cage

[SonOfSharknado]

Of all the people who could have been the 4th Horseman, Eddie Gilbert was oddly enough not on my list. I do have a question, though. Is Rick Rude the WCW Champion, or the 93 Grand Prix champion? Also, why aren't any of the champions defending at Starrcade? 

Brian Pillman vs Hulk Hogan
Sting, Arn Anderson, Lonestar Cowboys and Stan Hansen vs Player Enterprises, Rick Rude and Big Van Vader
Division Two Preview Gauntlet - Steve Austin? 
Steiner Brothers vs Thunder Dragon vs The Classic Era vs Miracle Violence Connection
Powerhouse Simmons vs Kevin Sullivan in a Steel Cage

[Lord Byron]

My picks:  Hulk Hogan, Sting, Arn Anderson, Lonestar Cowboys, & Stan Hansen, Miracle Violence Connection, and Powerhouse Simmons...

[CactusHack]

1 hour ago, SonOfSharknado said:

Of all the people who could have been the 4th Horseman, Eddie Gilbert was oddly enough not on my list. I do have a question, though. Is Rick Rude the WCW Champion, or the 93 Grand Prix champion? Also, why aren't any of the champions defending at Starrcade? 

Ya man, sorry, I should have been more detailed about the title situation. Back at Clash of the Champions, there was a unification ceremony where Eric Bischoff came out and discussed the title situation, unifying them all with the Grand Prix's lineage. After Sting was able to unify all the gold, Rude came out and stole the glory of the occasion, as he was the first seed and told Sting that he was the true champion. For the 94 season, I'm going back to writing the weekly shows - I feel like I'm missing a good amount of exposition the way I chose to do it for 1993.

My initial line-up for the Horsemen was going to be Flair-Austin-Pillman-Blanchard, but during the tryouts for the fourth, I realized I want Flair to play into hanging around with younger dudes and partying it up.

[DHK1989]

Hulk Hogan

Team Sting

Rick Rude

Steiner Brothers

Powerhouse Simmons

[Old School Fan]

Brian Pillman vs Hulk Hogan
Sting, Arn Anderson, Lonestar Cowboys and Stan Hansen vs Player Enterprises, Rick Rude and Big Van Vader
Division Two Preview Gauntlet
Steiner Brothers vs Thunder Dragon vs The Classic Era vs Miracle Violence Connection
Powerhouse Simmons vs Kevin Sullivan in a Steel Cage

[CactusHack]

Dusty Rhodes, Paul E Dangerously, and Harley Race welcome the pay per view audience to the show. 

They advise that the four way tag team match has been altered due to Terry Gordy being unfit to compete due to illness. Taking the place of the Miracle Violence Connection will be Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

The group then discusses the 10 man tag team main event, asking whether Stan Hansen will coexist with his partners and whether Sting will even work with his partners as he’s alienated himself since Rick Rude won the Grand Prix.

Simmons comes to the cage with determination as JR and Schiavone comment that he needs to deal with this distraction from Sullivan so that he can start 1994 with focus and determination. Sullivan makes his way out with Missy Hyatt and his mysterious puzzle box. He enters the cage and a second referee (Mike Atkins) chains up the cage. Magnum TA at ringside announces that the only way to win is by pinfall or submission.

Simmons charges immediately, hoisting Sullivan up and ramming him into sides of the cage repeatedly, and Sullivan winces in pain. Hyatt feeds Sullivan a spike from outside the cage, and Sullivan gouges Simmons to gain control. Sullivan busts open Simmons with the spike and then shreds his face on the cage while he fish-hooks him. Sullivan hits a pile driver for a near fall and then locks in a sleeper to try and end the match. Simmons powers out though, lifting Sullivan onto his shoulders and hitting a fireman’s carry slam. They go back and forth as Powerhouse Simmons tries to rally from blood loss.

Sullivan goes up top for a devil stomp, but Simmons grabs him and press slams him into the cage. He does it three more times and Missy Hyatt is pleading - she tries to climb in and Simmons chucks Sullivan at her, sending her crashing into Mike Atkins on the outside. Simmons hits a Dominator Powerbomb and Sullivan is out! 1-2-3.

Simmons is victorious and he approaches Sullivan’s puzzle box. Missy Hyatt is yelling at the referee to hurry up and raise the cage. Simmons looks at the box and Hyatt crawls in and begs Simmons to hand it over. Simmons smashes it and Hyatt starts crying. Kevin Sullivan is in the corner laughing, and Simmons seemingly leaves this issue behind him, ready to refocus on winning the Grand Prix.

Powerhouse Simmons defeated Kevin Sullivan in 14:51.

The live feed transitions to the parking lot, where a limo has arrived late on the scene. Magnum TA walks into the frame with a microphone where he lets the audience know that all planned talent for the nights events had arrived and he would find out who’s here. Lex Luger steps out from the limo and Magnum remarks that it’s unlike Luger to attend an event he’s not scheduled for… Magnum asks why Luger’s here as he’s unloading his suitcase from the trunk. Luger disregards Magnum and walks off. Jimmy Garvin walks into frame wearing a loud windbreaker and asks Magnum what Luger’s doing here. Magnum asks Garvin what he’s doing here.

We get our first look at the field for the 1994 Singles Division Two, as all competitors for the tournament are present for the match, with the exception of Kevin Sullivan who competed earlier this evening. The commentary booth puts over the new additions to the division, as Mitsuharu Misawa and Eddie Gilbert are both making their WCW pay per view debuts. Returning to WCW after a year in the Power Plant is Shane Douglas, who is excited to prove he is better than the 2-11-2 record that led to his demotion in the first place. Coming down from the Premier League is Larry Zbyzsko, who’s looking to bounce back.

The field is as follows: Butch Reed, Dan Severn, DDP, Eddie Gilbert, Haku, Johnny B Badd, Kevin Von Erich, Larry Zbyzsko, Mitsuharu Misawa, Nikita Koloff, Scotty Flamingo, Shane Douglas, Terry Taylor, Z-Man and Tully Blanchard.

With everyone in the ring, Schiavone comments that the division is looking thinner than it has in the past, as the top 4 talents from last year are all in different divisions, but that just means the room for a break-through has grown.

Dan Severn starts the match off by displaying his raw strength, tossing around several wrestlers before sending Z-Man over the ropes as the first elimination. Severn then sizes up Flamingo, who turns and cowers behind Haku. Haku and Severn square off for some heavy strikes, and Severn ends up sending Haku over the ropes with a clothesline, while former Shooters Club stablemate Johnny B Badd attacks Flamingo. With Haku out, Severn hooks Flamingo’s arms so that B Badd can deck him with his dangerous knock out punch, but Flamingo goes low on Severn, allowing him to duck and B Badd clocks Severn. Flamingo sends B Badd over the ropes, reducing the field to 12 remaining.

Tully Blanchard and Larry Z seem to have established an alliance and they work together to eliminate Kevin Von Erich. Misawa eliminates Shane Douglas, and then Eddie Gilbert eliminates Misawa. Severn tosses Gilbert after he showboats.

Nikita Koloff eliminates Butch Reed with the Russian Sickle. Severn and Koloff then square off in a beefy back-and-forth strikefest as the crowd rises. They get close to the ropes and Flamingo ends up swooping in and bundling both men to the floor. Larry and Tully’s alliance ends as Tully turns and tosses Larry over the ropes.

The crowd boos as Scotty Flamingo brags about being in the final four. He talks to Tully, trying to convince him to join forces. Tully agrees, but then hangs back and lets Scotty go up against DDP alone. Flamingo doesn’t realize and awkwardly goes for a double suplex that goes no where and results in DDP eliminating Flamingo as Tully laughs at him.

We are down to DDP, Terry Taylor, and Tully Blanchard. JR talks about DDP’s friendship with Hulk Hogan. They think that DDP has all the tools to break out as a star under the tutelage of Hogan. DDP eliminates Terry Taylor, but Tully immediately bundles DDP over and collects the win. Schiavone comments that Tully will look to build on a successful 93 season, and attempt to re-enter the Premier League after his demotion at the end of 1992.

Tully Blanchard wins the gauntlet in 18:45.

The teams make their entrances as Jim Ross reminds the viewing audience that the originally scheduled team of Steve Williams and Terry Gordy have been replaced by The Outsiders due to an episode of the flu that Gordy could not work through. The four teams are each set up in a corner, with two wrestlers in the ring at a time.

Nash and Hall control the momentum for a good portion early on as they use their size to slow down their opponents, but they can’t keep control as the opposition is everywhere. Nash tries to keep Rick Steiner cornered, but Eaton tags himself in, ending the control of The Outsiders. The action is intense and quick, with fast tags and a lack of referee control.

The Steiner Bros, Outsiders, and Bobby Eaton are all brawling on the side of the ring. Jushin Liger goes to the top rope, hitting an insane shooting star press to the outside, taking out everyone. On the opposite turnbuckle, Ricky Steamboat flies off the top rope with a cross body to Finlay. Steamboat gets the pin and Thunder Dragon picks up the win to establish momentum heading into the new season.

Thunder Dragon wins in 15:35.

It’s time for our co-main event, as Hulk Hogan begins his entrance to a giant roar. He poses on the ramp, when Brian Pillma attacks him from behind. Pillman with a suplex on the ramp, but Hogan reverses it and then sends Pillman into the crowd! Hogan gets chop blocked by Ric Flair, and then Pillman hits his Air Pillman lariat from the guardrail! They pose as Austin and Gilbert now appear and stomp the hell out of Hogan. Security and management rush the ramp and escort The Horsemen out of the arena as Jim Ross says that The Horsemen need to be addressed by management, this bullshit is affecting the integrity of matches with extreme stakes.

Brian goes to the ring where he taunts Hogan and just like with Flair against Sting in the final round of the season, Pillman asks for them to ring the bell and count out Hogan. After some threats from Pillman, referee Nick Patrick shockingly agrees and starts to count, dragging it out as Pillman goads him to count faster. Hogan rises to his feet, postures to the crowd, and then charges to the ring where he beats the count. Pillman goes on the attack, but Hogan hulks up, absorbing shot after shot with pure invincibility. Hogan gives Pillman the point of doom and whips him off the ropes for the big boot, but Pillman escapes out of the ring and turns around, looking for his peers, realizing he’s in over his head.

Hogan chases Pillman around the ring, Pillman tricks him though and Hogan goes shoulder first into the corner post on the outside. Pillman races inside the ring and then flies over the ropes with a plancha to take out Hogan, but Hogan catches him! Wait… he seems to have injured his leg doing so, and puts down Pillman who zones in on the new target. Pillman looks to be in control as he dominates the hurt Hogan for a bit.

Pillman lines Hogan up from the apron and dives in for the Flyin Brian Lariat, but meets a big boot instead! Hogan plays to the crowd, before hitting the Leg Drop! Hogan gets the win, and poses for the crowd.

Hulk Hogan wins in 15:24.

In an unannounced bonus match, Fatu took on Chris Adams. The action here was minimal and commentary was more interested in hyping up the main event of the night, as well as talking about the 1994 season. Fatu defeated Chris Adams in under 10 minutes, hitting a Samoan Headbutt to defeat The Journeyman.

We go to the booth, where Jesse Ventura and Magnum TA are standing by. They recaps the action that has happened so far, before letting the audience know that the final shows of 1993 we feature the final unveiling of each division, including a sneak peak at the minor leagues. Magnum asks Ventura what he thinks about tonights main event. Ventura says that Rick Rude’s team has the clear cut advantage as Player Enterprises is a well oiled machine, and the inclusion of Vader tonight who teams with Bam Bam over-seas will only add to their chemistry.

Magnum asks if Rude’s ego will be a detractor to his teammates. Ventura goes off on Magnum, saying that Rick Rude proved he is the best in the world by claiming the Grand Prix. Who wouldn’t want to team with the best?

As the main event festivities began, the big question was how would Sting’s team coexist, but those questions seem to be quelled when Stan Hansen makes his entrance alongside The Lonestar Cowboys, dressed in the same attire as them. JR says it’s a good fit, and he’d love to see Stan return to being the badass cowboy that he was before aligning with Flamingo Corp. Sting comes out alone and seems uninterested in game planning with his teammates. The match kicks off and Sting starts without consulting his teammates, and attempting to go after Rude, but Rude hides behind Player Enterprises.

Everyone gets a chance to get some heat, and we get some fun spots where Hansen works in unison with Rhodes and Windham. Rude continues to avoid Sting and mainly get cheap shots in after his team already has an advantage before tagging back out. Arn gets the best of Vader a few times in the ring and Vader takes offence to it, attacking him on the outside while both are not legal.

Arn and Vader’s brawling enters into the crowd and they are cheered for their violence away from the ring. 

Rude cheap shots Sting, but Sting no sells it, beating his chest and wooing to the crowd! Rude powders out of the ring, and Sting gives chase into the crowd. Player Enterprises are left in the ring with The Lonestar Cowboys and Stan Hansen. Hansen drops back and lariats the Lonestar Cowboys from behind! Crowd boos Hansen, who drops to the floor and collects a wad of cash from Teddy Long before heading to the back. Takada, Muta and Bigelow pick apart Dustin and Barry with their big moves and then Rick Rude returns to the ring and hits Barry with the Rude Awakening, pinning him for the three count victory.

Team Rude wins in 26:04 when Rude pins Windham.

Sting returns to the ring now, attempting to fight off all four men by himself, but the numbers are too great. Bigelow and Muta hold Sting as Takada sizes him up and Rude poses, when Lex Luger makes his entrance! Luger comes down to the ring with a lead pipe and it looks like he’s here to destroy Sting. Takada moves out of the way and then Luger nods to Sting and decks Takada! Luger and Sting clear the ring as Rick Rude escapes up the ramp. Luger and Sting stand tall and Sting shakes Lugers hand! What is going on here??? The crowd loves it as Starrcade goes off the air with Sting and Luger playing to the crowd.

 

[CactusHack]

Joe Malenko suffered a broken ankle and will be out of commission for a few months.

Yuki Ishikawa accepted an offer to compete in MMA, and will be leaving for training. Ishikawa was scheduled to compete in the 1994 PWFG grand prix.

Linda Dallas quit USWA on the spot due to issues with pay.

A tiny New England based promotion, IWF, has closed it’s doors after declaring bankruptcy. 

Mizuki Endo and Boogaloo Brown have started dating.

Tomato Watanabe tore her achilles in a 6-person tag match. She will be out of action for approximately a year.

Smoky Mountain Wrestling closes it’s doors for good, declaring bankruptcy.

NWA: New Jersey has launched under the ownership of Dennis Coraluzzo. Based out of the Tri City, the venture appears to be an effort to expand the success of the NWA which still holds allegiance to WCW and as a result provides it’s members with access to the hottest professional wrestlers not working with the WWF.

AKIRA defeated Satoru Sayama to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight championship for the first time.

Bambi and Debbie Combs defeated Terri Power and Lisa Moretti tow win the LMLW tag team titles for the second time.

Rip Oliver defeated 911 to win the BCW Can-Am Television championship for the second time.

Demolition Blast defeated Cyrus to win the CRMW Heavyweight title for the first time.

Akira Hokuto and Manami Toyota won the 1993 AJW Best Tag Team League.

Satoru Asako & Hirofumi Miura defeated Dick Vrij & Dick Murdoch to win the W*ING World Tag Team Titles for the first time.

Hirofumi Miura & Koichiro Kimura defeated Horace and Asako to win the FMW Brass Knuckles Tag Team Champions for the first time.

Beef Burton (aka Tom Davis) and Tommy Angel defeated Doug Gilbert & Eric Embry to win the USWA World Tag Team Titles for the first time.

Atsushi Onita defeated Mr. Pogo to win the FMW Brass Knuckles for the fifth time.

Axl Rotten & Mike Samson defeated Todd Champion & The Patriot to win the CAPW Tag Team Championships for the first time.

Tarek the Great defeated Chris Walker to win the CAPW National Championship for the first time.

The Mountie & Mr. Perfect defeated The Natural Disasters to win the WWF Tag Team Championships for the second time.

Manny Fernandez & Tony Atlas won the vacant UWF World Tag Titles, defeating Paul Roma and Paul Neu to start their first reign.

Octagon defeated Atlantis to win the Mexican National Welterweight Championship for the first time.

Kahoz Jr, Cholo, Starbuck, Sheldon Gordon, Pasion Crystal, Pierroth, Jase Prince, Goro Onezaki, Jean Brassard, Kimberley Page, Eric Gargiulo, Ron Reis, Geza Kalman Jr, Jerry Tuite, Paul Alperstein, Chavo Guerrero Jr, Ed Ferrara, Jason Ahrndt, John Zandig, Dragon Kid, Mark Madden, Viktor Kruger, Vince Russo, D’Lo Brown, Sgt Craig Pittman, Mikey Whipwreck, Inferno Kid, Mr. Aguila, Matt Anoa’i, Hiromi Yagi, Tadao Yasuda, The Cat Burglar, Kentaro Shiga, Masaaki Mochizuki, Kaori Nakayama, Sam Wilkes, Dolores Miletich, Howard Lambert and Shuji Matoke all entered the world of wrestling

NJPW renews Antonio Inoki for an additional 18 months, on a contract valued at $7.3M. 

WWF renewed the contract of Macho Man Randy Savage for $8.5M over 2 years.

WWF renewed the contract of JJ Dillon for $375K over 18 months.

WWF renewed the contract of Gorilla Monsoon for $1M over 18 months.

WWF opted not to renew the contract of Gerald Brisco

WWF renewed the contract of Rick Martel for $950K over 2 years.

WWF renewed the contract of Paul Bearer for $550K over 2 years.

WWF has opted not to renew the contract of Repo Man Barry Darsow.

WWF renewed the contract of Sean Mooney for $600K over 3 years.

WWF renewed the contract of Papa Shango for $1.1M over 4 years.

WWF renewed the contract of Pat Patterson for $583K over 18 months.

WWF renewed the contract of Jimmy Hart for $293K over 18 months.

All Japan renewed the contract of Akira Taue to $650K over 18 months.

All Japan opted not to renew the contract of Mitsuo Momota.

CMLL renewed the contract of Brazo de Oro for $1.075M over 2 years.

CMLL renewed the contract of Kung Fu for $$270K over 18 months.

CMLL renewed the contract of El Brazo for $700K over 3 years.

CMLL renewed the contract of Velvet McIntyre for $620K over 2 years.

CMLL renewed the contract of Xochitl Hamada for $305K over 2 years.

CMLL renewed the contract of Mano Negra for $395K over 18 months.

New Japan renewed the contract of Akitoshi Saito for $525K over 4 years.

New Japan renewed the contract of Joe Malenko for $$250K over 2 years

New Japan poached the contract of The British Bulldog for $4.2M over 2 years

New Japan renewed the contract of Kiyoshi Tamura for $250K over 2 years.

New Japan renewed the contract of Kazuo Yamazaki for $720K over 4 years.

New Japan renewed the contract of Gama Singh for 350K over 2 years.

New Japan signed Dojo Graduate Ron Reis to an $18K contract for one year through W*ING.

WCW renewed the contract of Brian Pillman for $9.9M over 5 years.

WCW renewed the contract of Paul E Dangerously for $540K over 3 years.

WCW renewed the contract of Harley Race for $890K over 2 years.

WCW renewed the contract of Bobby Eaton for $2.16M over 2 years.

WCW renewed the contract of DDP for $1.9M over 3 years.

WCW renewed the contract of Powerhouse Simmons for $7.9M over 4 years

WCW renewed the contract of Dustin Rhodes for $6.5M over 6 years.

WCW renewed the contract of Tommy Rogers for $132K over 2 years.

WCW signed Owen Hart away from the WWF with a 5 year contract worth $1M.

WCW renewed the contract of Butch Reed for $125K over 1 year.

WCW renewed the contract of Barry Windham for $4M over 4 years.

WCW renewed the contract of Tony Anthony for $175K over 3 years.

WCW renewed the contract of Al Perez for $300K over 3 years.

WCW opted not to renew the contract of Jim Brunzell.

WCW opted not to renew the contract of Jerry Lawler.

WCW released Tommy Lane.

WCW released Russian Assassin #1.

WCW released Dennis Condrey.

WCW released Big Tilly.

WCW released Bruno Sassi.

WCW released Nobuaki Kakatu.

WCW released Scott Pustski.

WCW released The Batten Twins

[Nightshadeex]

Lot of people I like entered the world and a lot of people I dislike, as well. That's a lot of contract movement. Is that in this last month, or over several.

I guess I can't complain about MVC not being in the match, unless they were slated to win before the illness. Hahahaha

[sonny912]

If Smoky Mountain shut down that means you can sign cornnette to help the booking committee and be a manager.

[CactusHack]

 

WCW Prime 1994 Preview : Southern States Wrestling (Division 4)

 

Hello, I'm Eric Bischoff, joined by Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone, and this... is WCW Prime! Your NEW weekly source for recaps of minor league wrestling action around the world. We're in preseason mode right now, and will present to you fans a preview of the different promotions that compete under the WCW Grand Prix structure. Tonight, we will focus on one of two companies absorbed by WCW over 1993, based out of Tennessee, it's Southern States Wrestling!

Southern States Wrestling is officially considered as the bottom tier in the WCW ladder, a home for rookies looking to begin their journey, and seasoned journeymen looking for a fresh start. Many of the talent that compete in SSW are scouted as part of my own Indie Spotlight!

I don't mean to be a stick in the mud here, guys - but why are we covering this? Eric, couldn't you have had staff from the promotion here to discuss this? Like, wouldn't Tor Berg want to talk about his own company?

Well Tony, Tor has about as much charisma as a stick in the mud, and I pay you boys more. Besides, then I'd be setting a precedent to spring airfare for the guys in Canada and Japan to make appearance on a C-list show... Hahaha, so let's get down to it. 1993 featured a short, unannounced season due to the timing of WCW's purchase. The 93 season saw Great Kokina end the season as the first champion, who's your favourites to win this year?

Well, when I look at the field, there are a lot of names that I am not really familiar with, but I think that helps me choose my favourite, as guys like Chaz Taylor and Rikki Nelson will be busy building experience and are more likely to make mistakes that will prevent them from claiming top spot. I've got two favourites here - I think David Sammartino is going to bring his wealth of experience to the kiddie pool, and pick up a lot of wins as he tries to live up to his dads name. And I think big young Brian Lee has a major bounce-back year after struggling in the WCW Power Plant last season.

I'm going a similar but different direction here, as I think that the rise of the luchador continues after seeing the success of guys like Konnan, Eddie Guerrero, Blue Panther and Solar last year. We saw El Hijo Del Santo and Blue Demon Jr both in impressive competition occasionally on WCW's Main Event program, and I think that like JR, there is a need for both men to live up to the face of their fathers. And, I think Blue Demon Jr has the edge here, El Hijo Del Santo has the added pressure of having to try and live up to the name of the Greatest Luchador ever.

Who's your pick, Eric?

Considering the results of last season, I have to think that Ice Train builds on his success and pushes into promotion spot, maybe even the championship spot.

Who do you guys believe will be a bust this year?

Now, you don't want to write anyone off day one, and I think it's especially hard to do when there are rookies in the mix. That said, despite coming from a wrestling family, I think that Chaz Taylor is too young to be looking to climb the ranks just yet. Tony?

John Rambo and Leatherface. This is wrestling, and they both are cosplaying movie characters...

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by CactusHack

[CactusHack]

11 hours ago, Nightshadeex said:

Lot of people I like entered the world and a lot of people I dislike, as well. That's a lot of contract movement. Is that in this last month, or over several.

I guess I can't complain about MVC not being in the match, unless they were slated to win before the illness. Hahahaha

Illness... inebriation... Same thing right? Plan was for the focus to be on all these stars from the premier league, only for Eaton to steal the victory. Didn't work with Hall and Nash there instead though.

As for the contract movement, it's all initial contracts from start of the game that expired after 2 years. Figured I may as well make a separate section for it, as it felt excessive lol.