NWA Clash XI

If you couldn’t get enough Robocop from Capital Combat, this show is sponsored by Robocop 2.

For those unaware, the Southern Boys were comprised of Tracy Smothers and Steve Armstrong.
When the Freebirds gave them cross corner whips, the Southern Boys executed a do-si-do and gave the Freebirds stereo flying forearms.
Following that, they gave the Freebirds stereo back drops and shoulder blocks.
The Freebirds then sought refuge outside the ring.
Upon their return, Smothers reversed a cross-corner whip but ate knee on his follow-through.
After a slam, Garvin got 2.
Hayes tagged in, but Smothers escaped the heel corner. As Smothers baited the Freebirds, Armstrong mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a cross body block on them.
Afterward, the Southern Boys dropkicked the Freebirds from the ring.
Armstrong tagged in and clotheslined Hayes.
However, when he mounted the top turnbuckle, Garvin nailed him.
Hayes then delivered a lariat and tagged in Garvin.
After Garvin guillotined Armstrong using the top rope, he got 2.
Next, Garvin hit a backbreaker for another 2.
Hayes tagged in, delivered an elbow drop, but couldn’t pin Armstrong.
After a slam, Hayes mounted the top turnbuckle but got caught and slammed.
Hot tag Smothers.
While referee Nick Patrick put Armstrong back into the babyface corner, Smothers rolled up Garvin for a false pin.
Hayes then delivered a lariat before a count could be made.
After Garvin gave Smothers a high knee, Armstrong mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a diving head butt.
1-2-3.
The Southern Boys won.

Match 2: Bam Bam Bigelow (w/ the Big Kahuna) versus “Wildfire” Tommy Rich

Upon tossing Rich into the corner, Bigelow came up empty on his follow-through.
Shortly after, Bigelow tried it again with the same result.
Rich then rolled him up for 2.
As Rich gave Bigelow the ten-punch count-along, Bigelow countered with an inverted atomic drop.
He then delivered a military-press slam and choked Rich.
Since Bigelow didn’t break on the 5-count, referee Mike Adkins disqualified him.

After the match, Bigelow chokes Rich with the top rope until the Big Kahuna pulls him off. Bigelow then tossed Rich over the top rope onto the ramp.

We then get a vignette for Big Van Vader who will debut at the Bash. You mean THIS guy’s coming to WCW?

Next, ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta introduces El Gigante who will join Orndorff and JYD in a six-man match at the PPV. Cappetta then interviews El Gigante EN ESPAÑOL.

Fatu reversed an Irish whip and gave Rotunda a hip toss.
Upon delivering a hip toss of his own, Rotunda gave Fatu a dropkick.
The SST then tried an illegal switch, but referee Nick Patrick disallowed it.
As Z-Man tagged in, he slammed Samoan Savage and gave him a dropkick.
Rotunda tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Samoan Savage.
Next, he hit a cross body block for 2.
While Z-Man distracted Patrick, the SST successfully pulled off an illegal switch.
Samoan Savage tagged in, and the SST gave Rotunda a double clothesline.
After a clothesline to Rotunda, Samoan Savage got 2.
Fatu tagged in and gave Rotunda a thrust kick.
Shortly after, Fatu countered a hip toss with a clothesline.
When Z-Man distracted Patrick again, Fatu tossed Rotunda between the ropes to the floor.
Samoan Savage then slammed Rotunda on the floor.
Back in the ring, Samoan Savage tagged in, but Rotunda delivered a double clothesline to the SST.
Hot tag Z-Man.
As Z-Man cleaned house, he mistakenly gave the SST a double noggin knocker. That earned him a double head butt and a headache.

While Fatu distracted Patrick, Samoan Savage tossed Rotunda over the top rope to the floor. SNEAKY!
After a Samoan drop by Fatu, Samoan Savage delivered a Vader bomb.
As Rotunda and Z-Man made an illegal switch, Rotunda hooked an inside cradle on Samoan Savage.
1-2-3.
Rotunda and Z-Man won.

Summary: Decent tag ma+-tch where the babyfaces instead of the heels pulled some shenanigans to win.

As Dangerously distracted Pillman, Mark ambushed his opponent.
When Mark gave Pillman a cross corner whip, Pillman leaped to the second turnbuckle, vaulted over Mark, and delivered a dropkick.
He then attempted the ten-top-turnbuckle count-along, but Mark elbowed him.
With Pillman on the apron, Mark booted and made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the low country Cuban sandwich at the Tattooed Moose.
Back in the ring, Pillman evaded a sidewalk slam and attempted a crucifix pin; notwithstanding, Mark rammed him back-first into the top turnbuckle.
After a slam, Mark hit an elbow drop for 2.
According to Ross, Mark will challenge Lex Luger for the US title at the PPV.
Upon giving Pillman a clothesline, Mark got another 2.
He then gave Pillman a sidewalk slam but couldn’t pin him.
After giving Pillman a cross corner whip, Mark came up empty on his follow-through.
Next, he delivered a powerslam but missed a leg drop.
As Mark tossed Pillman over the top rope, PIllman skinned the cat back into the ring.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a missile dropkick.
When Dangerously got up on the apron, Pillman dropkicked him back to the floor.
Mark then gave Pillman a cross corner whip, but Pillman leaped to the second turnbuckle.
While he attempted a cross body block, Mark caught and gave him a stun gun.
1-2-3.
Mark won.

Summary: Showcase match for Mark as Pillman’s status has plummeted under bookerman Ole Anderson’s regime.

Prior to the next match, the Rock’n’Roll Express cut a quick promo on the Midnight Express.

After the Rock’n’Roll Express makes their entrance, Cornette cuts a quick promo on behalf of the Midnight Express.

Match 5 for the NWA US tag team titles: Midnight Express (champions w/ Jim Cornette) versus Rock’n’Roll Express

After a leap frog, Gibson gave Eaton a hip toss followed by a flying headscissors.
As the Charleston faithful chanted “rock’n’roll,” Lane tagged in and gave Gibson a savate kick to the midsection.
Gibson then reversed an Irish whip and delivered an enziguri.
When Morton tagged in, he gave Lane a hip toss.
Lane then gave Morton a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
After a back drop by Morton, Eaton tagged in but ate a dropkick from Morton.
Morton then followed with a huracanrana.
As Gibson tagged in, he gave Lane an atomic drop.
Morton tagged in, rolled up Lane, and got 2.
When Eaton tagged in, he placed Morton atop the top turnbuckle, joined him, but Morton escaped a superplex.
Morton then rolled up Eaton, but Lane shoved Morton off to make the save.
All four wrestlers were in the ring.
After Lane nailed Morton, he hit Gibson in the back.
The Midnight Express then gave Gibson a double back drop.
Next, the Rock’n’Roll Express tried a stereo sunset flip/rollup combo but didn’t receive a count.
Lane tagged in, but Morton gave him a hip toss.
As Cornette got up on the apron to distract Patrick, the Midnight Express double-teamed Morton in the heel corner.
Eaton then delivered a vertical suplex and tagged in Lane.
When Eaton tagged in, the Midnight Express gave Morton a neck snap/elbow drop combo. If you don’t like synchronicity, don’t call the police. That got 2.

Eaton then gave Morton a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Hot tag Gibson.
After Lane reversed a cross corner whip, Gibson hit a cross body block for only 2 thanks to a save by Eaton.
While Morton clotheslined Eaton sending both wrestlers over the top rope to the floor, Gibson worked on Lane’s leg.
Morton then guillotined Eaton using the steel railing.
In the ring, Gibson applied a sleeper to Lane as Cornette got up on the apron to distract Patrick again.
Eaton then mounted the top turnbuckle and gave Gibson a double axe handle.
As Lane laid atop Gibson, he only got 2.
All four wrestlers were in the ring again as the Rock’n’Roll Express gave Eaton a double dropkick.
When Lane physically interrupted Patrick’s count, Patrick called for the bell disqualifying the Midnight Express.
The champions retained.

Summary: Horrible finish to a decent match which kept the Charleston faithful on the edge of its seat.

After Windham gave Furnas a hip toss, Furnas hooked a sunset flip for 2.
Windham then gave him a cross-corner whip, but Furnas flipped over and gave Windham a military-press slam.
He then gave Windham the ten-punch count-along, but Windham carried him out of the corner.
Next, Furnas countered an inverted atomic drop with a snap clothesline for 2.
Windham then sought refuge outside the ring, but Furnas brought him in the hard way.
When Furnas gave Windham a cross corner whip, he ate knee on his follow-through.
Windham then delivered a lariat resulting in a 360° sell by Furnas. Woohoo!
Afterward, Windham gave Furnas a vertical suplex for 2 with a big kick-out by Furnas.
To counter a slam, Furnas hooked an inside cradle for 2.
As Windham gave Furnas an atomic drop, Furnas came back with a face plant.
He then gave Windham a belly-to-belly suplex for another 2.
After a powerslam, Furnas almost got 3.
Following a back drop, Furnas hit a phantom dropkick sending Windham over the top rope to the floor.

With Windham on the apron, Furnas tried to suplex him back in, but Windham escaped.
Windham then hit a belly-to-back suplex and pinned Furnas with his feet on the ropes.

Summary: This was early in Furnas’ career, but the shine was certainly there. He would return to All Japan and continue teaming with Dan Kroffat (a.k.a. Phil LaFon).

Match 7 for the NWA US title: The “Total Package” Lex Luger (champion) versus Sid Vicious (w/ Ole Anderson)

Before the bell, Ole attacked Luger allowing Sid the opportunity to nail Luger from behind.
While Sid checked on Ole, Luger laid out Sid with a clothesline.
1-2-3.
Luger retained.

Match 8 for the NWA World tag team titles: Doom (champions w/ Teddy Long) versus Steiners

Right off the bat, Scott hit a standing moonsault powerslam on Simmons. Incredible!
Reed came in and received one as well.
After Simmons took a sternum-first bump, Scott nailed him from behind with a Steinerline.
Reed tagged in, leap-frogged Scott, but received a backslide for 2.
After a hip toss, Scott slammed Reed.
As Simmons tagged in, Scott tagged in Rick.
Upon giving Rick a cross corner whip, Simmons attempted a belly-to-belly suplex but received one instead.
Reed tagged in, attempted a hip toss, but ate a Steinerline from Rick.
Shortly after, Rick rolled Reed up for 2.
Reed then avoided another Steinerline by exiting the ring. When Rick followed him, Simmons deceptively clotheslined him on the floor. How dastardly!
While Scott distracted referee Nick Patrick, Reed slammed Rick on the floor.
Simmons then rammed Rick face-first into the apron.
Back in the ring, Reed delivered a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
As the Charleston faithful loudly chanted “Pea-nut-head” at Long, Reed clotheslined Rick causing a 360° flip by Rick. Woohoo!
Simmons tagged in and got 2 on Rick.
As Reed tagged in, he mounted the top turnbuckle and gave Rick a double axe handle.
When Scott distracted Patrick again, Reed tossed Rick over the top rope to the floor. SNEAKY!
Outside the ring, Simmons made Rick HIT THE POLE!
Back in the ring, Reed slammed Rick and delivered a gutwrench suplex.
Next, he mounted the second turnbuckle, hit an elbow drop, and got 2.
He then gave Rick a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Afterward, Rick mounted the second turnbuckle and gave Reed a double axe handle.
Hot tag Scott.
After a powerslam by Scott, all four wrestlers were in the ring.
Scott then placed Simmons atop the top turnbuckle and hit a superplex.
Meanwhile, Long tossed a foreign object to Reed who WALLOPED Scott.
While Simmons covered Scott, Rick covered Reed.
1-2-3.
Who won?
Patrick raised Simmons’ arm in victory, so Doom retained.

Summary: Incredible chemistry between these teams as they bust out another can’t-miss classic.

Schiavone then interviews JYD who states that “tonight is my night” and mentions the Dudes with Attitudes.

Match 9 (non-title): NWA World TV champion the “Enforcer” Arn Anderson versus “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff

After over eight years, Orndorff returned to the NWA.
Upon leap-frogging Orndorff, Anderson anticipated Orndorff’s coming off the ropes for a monkey flip. Instead, Orndorff stomped Arn in the head. OUCH!
Orndorff then hooked a backslide for 2.
Next, they exchanged sleeper holds, but Orndorff used momentum to send Arn face-first into the top turnbuckle. That got 2.
He then hooked a figure-four leg lock, but Arn made the ropes.
Afterward, Orndorff rammed Arn’s left leg into the ring post.
Arn then reversed an Irish whip and delivered the SPINEBUSTER.
As Arn gave Orndorff a backbreaker, Orndorff attempted a sunset flip only to eat a knuckle sandwich instead.

Arn then hooked a rope-assisted abdominal stretch while Ross mentioned that Mr. Wrestling II will be the special guest referee for the main event at the Omni on Father’s Day.

After referee Mike Adkins noticed Arn’s shenanigans, Arn delivered a knee drop for 2.
Shortly after, Arn gave Orndorff a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Orndorff then delivered an atomic drop, but Arn’s head bounced off Orndorff’s on the rebound from the corner.
While Orndorff gave Arn the ten-punch count-along, Arn attempted to counter with an inverted atomic drop without success.
Orndorff came back with a flying forearm and a pair of elbow smashes for 2.
After a knee lift, Orndorff hit a third elbow smash for another 2.
He then gave Arn a cross corner whip and followed with a clothesline.
Upon mounting the second turnbuckle, Orndorff attempted a Vader bomb but ate knees.
Arn then hooked an inside cradle, but Orndorff reversed it for 3.

Match 10 for the NWA World title: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (champion w/ Ole Anderson) versus Junkyard Dog

After a head butt, JYD nailed Flair over the top rope to the ramp.
That resulted in a Flair flop.
Upon Flair’s return, JYD no-sold Flair’s chops and gave him the ten-punch count-along.
After a cross corner whip, JYD clotheslined Flair.
Flair came back with a knee drop, but JYD no-sold it. Sigh.

As the Charleston faithful chanted his name, JYD gave Flair a succession of rights resulting in another Flair flop.
He then gave Flair another cross corner whip followed by a back drop.
With Flair on the apron, he guillotined JYD using the top rope.
He then swiped Caudle’s chair and HAMMERED JYD in the head with it.
While Ole distracted referee Nick Patrick, JYD no-sold it too.

Nevertheless, he gave Flair another ten-punch count-along and followed with yet another cross corner whip.
After a Flair flip, the champion gained his balance on the apron, mounted the adjacent top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a right from JYD.
Once again, JYD gave Flair a cross corner whip followed by a back drop. Methinks someone’s tank is empty.

As Ole got up on the apron, JYD nailed him.
Flair then put a knee into JYD’s back.
As he mounted the top turnbuckle, JYD caught and slammed him.
After a head butt, JYD pounded Flair on the mat until Ole ran in.
Patrick then called for the bell disqualifying Flair.
The champion retained.

Summary: It takes a lot to screw up Flair’s formula, but JYD did, and the match suffered considerably.

After the match, the Horsemen hit the ring to gang up on JYD. Suddenly, the Dudes with Attitudes storm the ring to even the odds thus clearing the ring.

In the final segment, Ross interviews Rocky King in the ring. In the meantime, Sting is ready with the Dudes with Attitudes for Flair on July 7. Once again, the Horsemen hit the ring, but Sting’s so fired-up that he destroys Flair as the credits roll.

Conclusion: As I’m sure JYD knew, Sting was the #1 babyface in WCW. Despite knowing he had no chance to beat Flair, he stunk it up in the ring. Thank goodness that Sting saved the show at the very end by giving us a taste of the PPV main event.

As far as my recommendation goes, check out the Steiners-Doom match and skip the rest.