WCW Great American Bash '91

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Can DDP make it two in a row over Savage? Will there be any turmoil in the tag title match? Read on!

"Iron" Mike Tenay joined the broadcast table for this match.
While the Moline faithful chanted his name, Dragon attempted a leap frog but Psicosis nailed him.
Psicosis then reversed a cross corner whip, and Dragon performed a headstand on the top turnbuckle.

After a mule kick, Dragon unleashed a series of kicks to a raucous ovation.
He then gave Psicosis a spinning overhead backbreaker.
Upon giving Dragon a cross corner whip, Psicosis followed with a corner clothesline.
He then delivered a dropkick, but Dragon vaulted him to the apron and guillotined him using the top rope.
With Psicosis on the floor, Dragon attempted a plancha but missed. OUCH!
While Psicosis distracted referee Scott Dickinson, Onoo put the shoes to Dragon.
Psicosis then gave Dragon a baseball slide, tossed him back in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a guillotine leg drop.
Next, he hooked la magistral cradle for 2.
After a backbreaker, Psicosis got another 2.
He then tossed Dragon outside the ring and distracted Dickinson again.
When Onoo tried to kick him again, Dragon blocked and attempted to suplex Onoo.
Instead, Psicosis, from the apron, used a double axe handle on Dragon to save his manager.
Back in the ring, Dragon hit a pair of kicks and delivered a handspring back elbow.
After a series of counters sent Psicosis to the floor, Dragon gave him an Asai moonsault.
He then delivered a brainbuster for 2.
Afterward, he gave Psicosis a tombstone for another 2.
As Psicosis reversed a cross corner whip, Dragon vaulted him to the apron.
Psicosis then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a corkscrew leg lariat. Wow!
When Dragon sought refuge outside the ring, Psicosis hit a tope con hilo. Woohoo!
Dragon then delivered a huracanrana, but while he attempted a pin, Psicosis reversed it for 2.
After Dragon reversed a cross corner whip, Psicosis climbed the turnbuckles and leaped.
Dragon then caught him in mid-air with a dropkick. Amazing!
As he placed Psicosis atop the top turnbuckle, Dragon delivered a super huracanrana.
He then attempted a tiger suplex, but Onoo got up on the apron.
After Dragon missed, Psicosis mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a missile dropkick for 2.
With Onoo on the apron again, Psicosis tried to whip Dragon into him but got reversed.
Onoo then inadvertently kicked Psicosis.
While Psicosis was stunned, Dragon hooked the Dragon sleeper.
Dragon won.

Summary: Awesome opener as these guys pulled out their entire arsenal to entice a truly hot crowd.

After the match, Onoo was in the ring but escaped before Dragon could manhandle him.

Backstage, Benoit checks out the Ross Report on the WCW web site. That's Ross Forman, not Jim Ross in case you are wondering.

Stevie Ray countered a hip toss by Scott with one of his own.
As Scott whipped Stevie Ray into the corner, he ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
Stevie Ray then gave Scott a Mafia kick.
When he made a second attempt, Scott ducked and hit a T-bone suplex.

Booker T came in but ate a Steinerline from Scott.
Next, Scott dropped Stevie Ray with another Steinerline.
Rick tagged in, reversed an Irish whip, and powerslammed Stevie Ray.
After tags were exchanged, Booker T escaped a suplex and hooked a full nelson.
Scott then powered out to escape but ate a knee to the midsection.
As he gave Booker T a butterfly bomb, Scott only got a 1-count.
Rick tagged in, blocked a vertical suplex, and delivered one of his own for 2.
When Scott tagged in, he gave Booker T a gorilla press slam.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but ate boot.
After a spinaroonie, Booker T gave Scott a Harlem sidekick.
A Booker T clothesline then took both wrestlers over the top rope to the floor.
With both wrestlers on the floor, Scott reversed an Irish whip sending Booker T back-first into the steel railing.
He then tossed Booker T back in, hit an elbow drop, and got 2.
When some heel miscommunication put both Stevie Ray and Rick on the floor, Stevie Ray delivered a superkick followed by a powerslam.
Upon tossing Rick back in, Booker T got 2.
Stevie Ray tagged in and gave Rick a high knee.
As Scott distracted referee Randy Anderson, Booker T guillotined Rick using the top rope. SNEAKY! That got 2 for Stevie Ray.
Harlem Heat then hit the Big Apple Blast for 2.

After Booker T attempted another sidekick, Rick countered with a slam.
Hot tag Scott.
When Booker T reversed a cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
Scott then delivered a belly-to-belly suplex, but Stevie Ray saved the pinfall.
When all four wrestlers were in the ring, Rick took Stevie Ray outside the ring and made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like Becca's Ricky Ricardo Special at River House Bar & Grill.
Meanwhile, Scott placed Booker T atop the top turnbuckle and hit the Frankensteiner. Wow!
Suddenly, Vincent entered the ring and gave Booker T an elbow drop.
Anderson had no choice but to call for the bell to disqualify the Steiners.
Harlem Heat won.

After the match, the Steiners catch Vincent and destroy him with a double Steinerline. They then rip off the nWo shirt and hit the Steinerizer.

While I understand a midcard rivalry, this defined the term popcorn match.

Morrus clotheslined and gave Konnan a cross corner whip.
As Konnan floated over, Morrus dropkicked him. You don't see that every day.
Konnan then tossed Morrus outside the ring, joined, and rammed him into the steps.
While Morrus re-entered the ring, Konnan dropkicked him.
He then hit a somersault clothesline for 2.
After a seated dropkick, Konnan tied Morrus up like a pretzel. Pass the mustard!

They then returned to the floor as Morrus rammed Konnan into the steps.
Back in the ring, Morrus hit a spinning heel kick for 2.
Shortly after, he gave Konnan a gutwrench suplex for another 2.
After a clothesline, Konnan hooked a stump puller, but Morrus wouldn't submit.
While the Moline faithful grew restless, Konnan hooked a cross armbreaker.
Konnan then attempted a clothesline, but Morrus countered with a fujiwara armbar.
As Morrus reversed a cross corner whip, Konnan floated over and hooked a rollup for 2.
Morrus then delivered a powerslam, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Konnan caught him knocking Morrus OUT COLD with the top turnbuckle.
When Konnan gave Morrus a German suplex, he followed up with the Tequila Sunrise.
Since Morrus couldn't respond, Konnan won.

Summary: Slow match with a lot of mat wrestling. While Morrus displayed his agility well, the heat from the Moline faithful fizzled out.

At the entrance, Okerlund shills the hotline hinting the possibility that Shawn Michaels may be at Nitro tomorrow night. He then interviews Public Enemy who want to be #1 contenders and feel overlooked. They then exit through the Moline faithful. Their interview skills rival those of Kerry Von Erich from 1982.

Tenay rejoined the broadcast table for the backstory of the match.
Per the WCW Executive Committee, Mortis must be handcuffed to the ring post for this match.
Wrath reversed a cross corner whip but missed a Mafia kick.
After a standing sidekick, Glacier dropkicked Wrath over the top rope to the floor.
He then gave Wrath aancha. Wow!
Despite the distraction by Vandenberg, Glacier hit a superkick to Wrath outside the ring.
Wrath came back and made Glacier taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Dan's Double Dare Ya Burger at the Steel Plow Burger Company.
To continue the punishment, Wrath took him to another side of the ring and made him taste it again. Waiter, could you give the man with one blue contact lens a Big Dipper please?
Regardless, Glacier reversed an Irish whip sending Wrath shoulder-first into the steps.
Next, he leaped from the apron with an axe handle.
Back in the ring, Glacier got 2, but Wrath put his foot on the bottom rope.
Glacier then gave Wrath a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
While referee Nick Patrick was distracted by Wrath, Mortis tried to trip Glacier. SNEAKY!
The distraction allowed Wrath to give Glacier a stungun.
Shortly after, Glacier attempted a cross body block but got nothing but air.

With Glacier on the floor, Wrath hit a running somersault senton from the apron.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a flying clothesline for 2.
Afterward, he gave Glacier a backbreaker, mounted the second turnbuckle, drank a pot of coffee that took a while to make, and missed an elbow drop.

Glacier came back with a back drop followed by a flying back elbow for 2.
When Wrath delivered a sidewalk slam, he mounted the top turnbuckle.
Glacier attempted to get to his feet and bumped Patrick.
As Patrick stumbled, he inadvertently caused Wrath to lose his balance.
Glacier then joined and gave Wrath a superplex. Impressive!
After Mortis got up on the apron, Glacier nailed him.
Wrath then delivered a belly-to-back suplex while Vandenberg got up on the apron.
With Patrick distracted, Mortis tossed a chain into the ring.
Glacier got to it first and CREAMED Wrath.
Off-camera, Glacier hit the Cryonic kick.
1-2-3.
Glacier won.

After the match, Vandenberg, who has stolen the key from Patrick, unlocks the handcuffs from Mortis. He then distracts Glacier so that Mortis could hammer Glacier with the handcuff chain. Next, he handcuffs Glacier to the top rope. The heels then double-team Glacier until officials break it up.

Match 5 for the WCW Women’s title: Akira Hokuto (champion w/ Sonny Onoo) versus Madusa

Lee Marshall joined the broadcast table for this match.
While the Moline faithful chanted "U-S-A," Hokuto hit a piledriver.
Madusa came back, mounted the second turnbuckle, and hit a missile dropkick.
As she mounted the adjacent second turnbuckle, she delivered a second one for 2.
Hokuto came back with a vertical suplex followed by a gutwrench suplex.
When Madusa came back with a series of kicks, Hokuto countered a vertical suplex with an inside cradle for 2.
Hokuto then gave Madusa a cross corner whip which resulted in a Madusa flip.
After Hokuto made her follow-through, Madusa delivered an enziguri from the apron.
She then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle, In the process, she injured her left knee. Cue ominous music.

Smartly, Hokuto delivered a knee crusher.
She then hooked Madusa in a surfboard, but Madusa wouldn't submit.
Next, she hit a Northern Lights suplex with a bridge for 2.
Hokuto then mounted the second turnbuckle, but Madusa hobbled to the corner to deliver a flying headscissors.
As she gave Hokuto a powerbomb, Madusa got 2.
Hokuto then placed Madusa atop the top turnbuckle and hit a superplex for 2.
When Hokuto hooked a knee bar, Madusa still wouldn't submit.
Hokuto then mounted the top turnbuckle but missed a missile dropkick.
Upon giving Hokuto a German suplex with a bridge, Madusa only got 2 thanks to Onoo. SNEAKY!
Hokuto then slammed Madusa, mounted the top turnbuckle, but hit knees on a splash attempt.
After a clothesline, Madusa got 2.
She then collapsed on a belly-to-back suplex attempt due to her knee.
As Hokuto delivered the Northern Lights bomb, she pinned Madusa.
Hokuto retained, and Madusa must retire.

Summary: Selling a knee injury throughout the match told a great story of the demise of Madusa.

After the match, Onoo distracts referee Mickey Jay while Hokuto bites Madusa's leg. SOMEONE FEED THIS WOMAN! As Hokuto exits, Madusa cries in the ring. In the meantime, Heenan jokes about her injury. Keep that in mind. Okerlund then tries to interview trainer Chuck Tache about Madusa's knee but gets rebuffed. When Okerlund asks her about the finality of her career, Madusa pushes the microphone away and shoots him a dirty look. The Moline faithful then chastises Okerlund to "leave her alone." C'mon, Okerlund, have a heart!

Match 6 (death): The “Crippler” Chris Benoit (w/o Woman) versus Meng (w/ Jimmy Hart)

As Meng made his entrance, Benoit hit a tope suicida. Great camera angle too!
When Benoit went after him, Hart scampered back to the locker room.
Upon tossing Meng in, Benoit mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the diving head butt.
He then hooked the Crippler Crossface, but Meng stood up and placed Benoit atop the top turnbuckle.
Next, Meng tossed Benoit across the ring like a rag doll.

Not THAT rag doll! Yikes!
After Meng botched a drop toe hold, Benoit dropkicked his knee.
He then hooked a spinning toe hold, but Meng tried to counter with the Tongan Death grip.
Immediately, Benoit countered with another Crippler Crossface, but Meng made the ropes.
Meng came back with an enziguri and attempted a powerbomb.
As Benoit escaped, he tried to suplex Meng from the apron to the floor. It did not go well.
He then tossed Meng back in, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Meng caught him.
With Benoit tied to the Tree of Woe, Meng gave him a thrust kick to the head. OUCH!
He then delivered a powerbomb, but Benoit got up at eight.
When Meng hit another thrust kick, Benoit gave him a cross corner whip but ate knee on his follow-through.
Meng then slammed Benoit, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a splash.
GET OUT THE SPATULA!
Out of habit, Meng made a cover until referee Nick Patrick instructed him otherwise.
Benoit got up at nine but ate a third thrust kick.
After Benoit rolled to the floor, Meng joined him but got reversed on an Irish whip and hit the steel railing back-first.
Back in the ring, Benoit delivered a German suplex with a bridge, but pins don't count.
Meng got up at eight, but Benoit gave him another German suplex.
When Meng got up at seven, he came back with an inverted atomic drop.
He then applied the Tongan Death grip, but Benoit escaped over the top rope to the floor.
Shortly after, Meng delivered a belly-to-back suplex, mounted the second turnbuckle, but missed a second splash.
Benoit then hooked a third Crippler Crossface, but Meng made the ropes.
After a fourth Crippler Crossface, Meng made the ropes again.
He then tried the Tongan Death grip, but Benoit ducked and delivered a dragon screw leg whip.
With Crippler Crossface #5 applied, Meng tapped out after a couple minutes.
Benoit won.

Summary: The tap-out was extremely subtle so it didn't elicit a reaction from the Moline faithful. With that being said, these guys put together a really good match.

After the match, officials and Tache check on both wrestlers. Benoit then leaves the ring via stretcher while Tache assists Meng. When the EMTs return, they carry Meng out on the stretcher.

At the entrance, Okerlund points out that Meng fell off the "gurney." I smell a medical malpractice suit. Nonetheless, he shills the hotline again.

Promo for Bash at the Beach LIVE on PPV on 7/13. Hogan/Rodman versus Luger/Giant! Order NOW!

Greene hit the ring and the brawl was ON.

After a three-point stance clothesline by Greene, Mongo sought refuge outside the ring.
He then pulled Greene outside the ring and recognized Greene's parents in the front row.
When he tried to make Greene taste the steel railing, Mongo received a face full of purse from Greene's mother. When he wanted a coach in his face, this was not what he imagined.
Greene then rammed Mongo face-first into the apron followed by the steps.
As Greene checked on his mother, he re-entered the ring only to receive an elbow drop.
The sentiment among the Moline faithful appeared to be divided as some fans chanted "Mon-go" while others jeered.
After Greene reversed an Irish whip, Mongo delivered a hangman's neckbreaker for 2.
Greene came back with a Thesz press but ate a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another 2.
When Greene gave Mongo the ten-punch count-along, Mongo countered with an inverted atomic drop.
He then followed with a dropkick but couldn't get 3.
After a mule kick, Greene mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a flying shoulder block for 2. Holy flying linebackers, Batman!
He then clotheslined Mongo over the top rope to the floor.
As he joined Mongo, Greene slammed him on the floor.
A seemingly injured Debra then distracted Greene, but he wouldn't buy it.

Upon giving Mongo a cross corner whip, Greene came up empty on his follow-through.
Debra then distracted referee Randy Anderson while Jeff Jarrett hit the ring.
In an attempt to nail Greene, Jarrett mistakenly WALLOPED Mongo with the Haliburton. Oops.
1-2-3.
Greene won.

Summary: Not terrible for a celebrity match, but having a ring general would have helped it tremendously. Nevertheless, Mongo got his comeuppance for turning on Greene last year.

Match 8 for the WCW World tag team titles: The Outsiders (w/ Syxx) versus “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “Nature Boy” Ric Flair

Subtly, Schiavone hinted at the Nash-Piper situation from after Nitro last week.
Hall hammered him in the corner, but Flair came back causing both Hall to seek refuge and the Moline faithful to ROAR.

Upon Hall's return, he gave Flair a cross corner whip which resulted in a Flair flip.
Flair then landed on the apron but ate a big boot from Nash.
When Hall reversed an Irish whip, Syxx grabbed Flair's boot which allowed Hall to hit a clothesline for 2.
Nash tagged in, gave Piper a crotch chop, and demolished Flair in the corner.
After a sidewalk slam, Nash got 2.
He then gave Flair Snake Eyes and distracted referee Mark Curtis.
As the distraction allowed Hall to clothesline Flair from the apron, Flair came back by taking Nash on a trip down SOUTH US-150 toward Peoria.

Hot tag Piper.
When he whipped Hall into Nash, Piper hooked a sleeper on him.
Hall then countered by crotching Piper on the top rope. OUCH!
After Flair violently distracted Curtis, Syxx entered the ring and gave Piper a spinning thrust kick.
He then exited the ring only for Flair to chop him to a raucous ovation.
While Flair and Syxx brawled in the aisle, they vanished backstage.
Piper then tried to tag out yet realized Flair was gone.
As Nash tagged in, he gave Piper a knee lift.
Shortly after, Nash reversed an Irish whip while Hall put a knee into Piper's back.
That allowed Nash to hit the big boot.
After Hall tagged in, he gave Piper the Outsider Edge.
1-2-3.
The Outsiders retained.

Summary: Only the crowd enthusiasm earns a star from me for this match. I smell impending dissension between Flair and Piper.

Match 9 (falls count anywhere): Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Kimberly) versus “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth)

Buffer rumbled.
While Kimberly came through the entrance, DDP snuck through the Moline faithful to attack Savage at the bell.
DDP then attempted the Diamond Cutter, but Savage escaped and sought refuge outside the ring.
With Savage on the floor, DDP hit a plancha. Woohoo!
Savage tried but failed to make DDP taste the steel railing. Unfortunately for him, DDP succeeded with his attempt. It must have tasted like the Miami at the Barrel House.
When Elizabeth impeded his path, DDP shoved the "bimbo" out of the way.
DDP then hit a clothesline, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a flying clothesline.
To establish the no-DQ stipulation, DDP tossed Savage over the top rope to the floor.
He then joined Savage who guillotined DDP using the steel railing.
As they brawled among the Moline faithful, DDP rammed Savage into a concrete wall. OUCH!
He then grabbed a crutch, jammed it into Savage's midsection, and WHACKED him on the back with it.
Next, he rammed Savage head-first into the bleacher railing.
They then returned to ringside while Savage helped DDP to join the Moline Boys' Choir.
After Savage rammed DDP into the steps, he obtained powder from Elizabeth and tossed it in DDP's face.

Not that kind of powder!
DDP then brought a plastic plate into the ring, but Savage stole and BLASTED DDP with it. Yes, folks, the plastic plate shattered!
While the Moline faithful chanted "D-D-P," Savage removed the bandage surrounding DDP's ribs.
Savage then pounded referee Mickey Jay knocking him OUT COLD.
To add insult to injury, Savage then piledrove Jay. How dastardly!
Mark Curtis replaced Jay, but Savage tossed him out of the ring.
As DDP came to life, he gave Savage a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Savage then clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
When Kimberly checked on DDP, Savage grabbed her before Nick Patrick stopped any possible chicanery.
Savage and DDP then brawled into the "VIP" picnic area. I'm trying really hard to suspend my disbelief here.
After DDP demolished another plastic plate across Savage's head, he then nailed Savage with a flower pot.
He then slammed Savage through a wooden picnic table, grabbed the charcoal grill, and dumped its contents onto Savage.

As they returned to the ring, DDP gave Savage another cross corner whip, ducked the boot on his follow-through, and pulled Savage down by the legs.
He then ensured Savage's spot with him on the Moline Boys' Choir by splitting the uprights.

When DDP pancaked him, Savage came back with a jawbreaker.
Savage then rammed DDP into the steps again when they exited the ring.
After Savage removed the protective padding, he attempted a piledriver, but Patrick stopped him from paralyzing DDP.
Savage then punched out Patrick as three referees have bitten the dust.

As Savage made Patrick taste the steel railing, he pummeled a photographer. Waiter, could you please give the recently-rehabilitated referee the Surf City taco trio?
DDP then CROWNED Savage with a steel chair as Savage's disoriented look allegedly reminded him of getting lost in Dubuque, Iowa.
When DDP tossed him back in, Savage performed his Andrew Golota impersonation.
DDP then escaped a vertical suplex attempt and hit the Diamond Cutter.
Where's the referee?
Hall then hit the ring and stomped Patrick.
With Savage down, DDP gave Hall an inverted atomic drop.
Savage then got up and SMASHED DDP with the World tag team title belt.
After Hall gave DDP an Outsider Edge, Savage mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the big elbow.
Hall then moved Patrick into position.
1-2-3.
Savage won.

Summary: While not as dramatic as DDP's victory at Spring Stampede, this was a great brawl.

Conclusion: While not historical, this show contained some really good-to-great matches with the opener, the main event, the death match, as well as the women's title match. I look forward to Nitro as the Piper-Flair saga should escalate as well as the hype for Dennis Rodman at next month's PPV.