WCW Beach Blast '92

Can Cactus Jack defeat WCW World champion Sting in a falls-count-anywhere match? Who will win the 30-minute Iron Man challenge? Oh, and there's stuff going down in WCW, too? Let's find out!

**BREAKING NEWS** On 5/18, WCW hired "Cowboy" Bill Watts as its new Vice-President of Wrestling Operations. By the following week, he was the Executive Vice-President as K. Allen Frey stepped down. What rules have changed within WCW? Quite a few actually...

Making your opponent taste the steel railing is forbidden. Hey! That'll ruin one of my gags!
Wrestling outside the ring is discouraged. That'll mean wrestlers won't HIT THE POLE anymore. Dammit!
Absolutely, positively no low blows. That'll mean fewer highway signs in my reflections. Grr.
Fines for being tardy.

No-shows not due to serious injury are considered breach of contract. Yikes!
Injured wrestlers still must travel.
Lewd hand gestures, cursing loud enough for fans to hear, and talking over the ring announcer are prohibited.
Babyfaces and heels may not fraternize. This includes clubbing, gyms, and hotels.
No guests allowed in the locker room including family members.
Only two complimentary tickets per wrestler will be issued.
Number of matches for television tapings will be reduced so as not to burn out the audience.
NO TOP ROPE MANEUVERS WHATSOEVER. Violation will result in a disqualification.

Anybody on steroids will NOT wrestle for WCW. I guess Sid Vicious will have to seek employment elsewhere because WCW won't sign him with this policy in place.
Unless mandated by state law, ring mats will not be placed around the ring.

As the show begins, Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff introduce Watts who mentions his "strict rules and regulations." He then "ban(s)" both Uncle Paul and Madusa from the Iron Man challenge and waives the new rules for the falls-count-anywhere match.

When Ross introduces Ventura, "The Body" is seated in a beach chair with four bikini-clad women. Yowza! They then escort him to ringside.

Match 1 for the WCW Light Heavyweight title: “Flyin’”Brian Pillman (champion) versus Scotty Flamingo

In lieu of Gary Michael Cappetta, Tony Gilliam performed the ring announcing duties for the show.
Pillman hooked a crucifix into a sunset flip for 2.
As Flamingo gave him a cross corner whip, Pillman floated over and delivered a hip toss.
The Mobile faithful then chanted "Bri-an" while Pillman hip-tossed Flamingo again.
When he gave Flamingo a flying headscissors, Pillman dropkicked him to the apron. Subsequently, Flamingo fell to the concrete floor.
From the apron, PIllman delivered a double axe handle.
Upon tossing Flamingo back in, PIllman mounted the top turnbuckle. In turn, Ross pointed out the new top rope rule.
Nonetheless, Flamingo caught and tossed Pillman down to the mat.
He then threw Pillman down to the concrete floor and delivered a plancha. Woohoo!
From the second rope, Flamingo hit a fist drop for 2.
With Pillman on the apron, Flamingo charged, but PIllman gave him a cross body block for 2.
Flamingo then clotheslined Pillman.
After he hooked a rear chin lock, Flamingo put his foot on the bottom rope. SNEAKY!
Pillman then took a knee to the midsection and grimaced in the corner.
As Flamingo charged, he came up empty.
Pillman then reversed an Irish whip and hooked a sleeper.
When Flamingo used momentum, he sent Pillman face-first into the top turnbuckle.
At the fifteen-minute mark, each wrestler threw a right causing both to crash down to the mat.
Flamingo then mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a dropkick.
After Pillman hit a spinning heel kick, he gave Flamingo the ten-punch count-along.
Flamingo then reversed a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
As he delivered a powerslam, Flamingo got 2.
He then attempted an Irish whip, but Pillman collapsed.
When Flamingo celebrated by climbing to the second turnbuckle, Pillman caught, joined, and gave him a belly-to-back superplex for 2. Wow!
Flamingo then reversed an Irish whip, but PIllman face-planted him.
After Pillman gave him a cross corner whip, Flamingo took a sternum-first bump.
PIllman then clotheslined him over the top rope to the ramp.
As Pillman attempted a tope, Flamingo ducked causing Pillman to crash face-first on the ramp.

Flamingo then mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a knee drop.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Flamingo's heel skills have improved, and Pillman carried him to a moderate level. I certainly hope Flamingo's promos are better than his in-ring work.

Ventura then protests Badd's involvement in the First Lady of WCW contest stating that Badd should BE in the contest rather than emcee it. Badd then makes his entrance and explains the three portions of the contest:

Evening gown
"Bathing suit"
"Itsy-bitsy teenie-weenie bikini"

He then introduces Missy Hyatt who is both dressed and made up well. When he introduces Madusa, she's wears a wedding gown with a veil. Is she getting hitched? Madusa's body language tells you exactly how she feels about doing this. Can you smell the enthusiasm? Call the wrestling hotline to vote NOW!

Ross then shills Great American Bash '92 on 7/12 and notes that Sting will defend the WCW World title against Big Van Vader. Order NOW!

Earlier today, Simmons received the key to the city in Tallahassee, FL.

Simmons blocked a hip toss and delivered one of his own.
As Taylor gave him a cross corner whip, Simmons applied the brakes and hit a pair of three-point stance tackles.

Taylor then used momentum to toss Simmons to the ramp.
When Taylor joined him, he received an atomic drop followed by a military press slam back into the ring.
Simmons then clotheslined Taylor over the opposite top rope to the concrete floor.
After he slammed Taylor, Simmons gave him a pair of cross corner whips followed by a bear hug.
Simmons then hip-tossed Taylor again, missed a three-point stance tackle, and landed on the ramp.
As Taylor joined him, he face-planted Simmons on the ramp.
He then tossed Simmons back in and delivered a jawbreaker.
When he gave Simmons a neck snap, Taylor got 2.
He then delivered a backbreaker for another 2.
After Simmons reversed an Irish whip, he hit a spinebuster.
He then backdropped and powerslammed Taylor.
1-2-3.
Simmons won.

At ringside, Ross interviews Simmons who cuts an inspirational babyface promo while declaring his intentions for the World title.

Upon hip-tossing Valentine, Bagwell arm-dragged and slammed him.
Valentine then attempted a piledriver, but Bagwell countered with a back drop.
As he gave Valentine an atomic drop, Bagwell dropkicked him twice.
Valentine came back with a backbreaker, mounted the second turnbuckle, but missed an elbow drop.
When Bagwell slammed him, he missed a knee drop.
Valentine then worked on the leg and signaled for the figure-four leg lock.
After Valentine attempted it, Bagwell blocked it.
Valentine then made a second attempt, but Bagwell countered with an inside cradle for 2.
As Bagwell escaped a slam attempt, he rolled up Valentine for another 2.
He then countered a snap mare with a backslide but couldn't get 3.
When Valentine attempted a vertical suplex, Bagwell blocked it and delivered his own for yet another 2.
He then backdropped Valentine again for a fifth 2-count.

Not THAT kind of fifth but pour me one please!
Upon leap-frogging Valentine, Bagwell wasn't 100% because his knee buckled.
To counter a side head lock, Valentine delivered a knee crusher.
He then hooked a figure-four leg lock.
Stuck in the center of the ring, Bagwell submitted.
Valentine won.

Summary: With Bagwell's babyface character firmly established, Valentine earned a decent midcard victory. Conversely, I wonder what direction this will send Bagwell.

We then revisit Clash XVIII when Cactus Jack beat Van Hammer in a falls-count-anywhere match thanks to Abdullah the Butcher. Speaking of whom, Abdullah quit WCW after refusing to job to Dustin Rhodes on 6/7.

Match 4 (falls-count-anywhere/non-title): WCW World champion Sting versus Cactus Jack

The match began on the ramp as Sting countered a hip toss into a backslide for 2.
As Sting Irish-whipped him, he backdropped Cactus on the ramp.
He then face-planted Cactus on the ramp for another 2.
With Cactus on the apron, Sting attempted a Stinger splash but came up empty.
While Sting was prone on the concrete floor, Cactus hit a Cactus elbow for 2.
He then gave Sting a swinging neckbreaker on the concrete floor for another 2.
When Cactus mounted the apron, he hit a sunset flip but couldn't get 3.
As of yet, this match hasn't spent a second inside the ring.
Sting then made Cactus taste the steel railing. Thank goodness for gimmick matches! Regardless, it must have tasted like Sosa's bat at Heroes Sports Bar.

While Ross described the move as a means for disqualification in a normal match, Sting gave Cactus a second helping. Waiter, could you give the bearded author a Clipper please?
He then gave Cactus a third helping. One more thing, waiter, please bring a major league melt.

After Cactus rammed him back-first into the steel railing, Sting backdropped him over the steel railing into the front row.
He then joined and gave Cactus a fourth helping of the steel railing. He's definitely getting his money's worth at Heroes tonight.

Next, Sting delivered a vertical suplex on the concrete floor for 2. OUCH!
He then whipped Cactus over the steel railing causing an audible thud when Cactus landed. SICK!
As they finally made it into the ring, Cactus delivered a discus clothesline.
He then gave Sting a cross corner whip followed by a knee to the midsection.
Shortly after, he delivered a Cactus clothesline sending both wrestlers crashing to the concrete floor.
Cactus then sent him back-first into the steel railing, but Sting rebounded with a clothesline.
When Cactus nailed him in the midsection with a chair, he then smashed it over Sting's back repeatedly.
Sting then gave Cactus a belly-to-back suplex on the concrete floor for 2.
As both wrestlers nailed one another, Cactus got 2.
Sting then cradled Cactus for 2.
After Sting attempted a Stinger splash on the concrete floor, Cactus caused him to taste the steel railing. Waiter, could you give the bleached-blond wrestler in hot pink a Kahuna tuna please?
Cactus then hit a piledriver on the concrete floor.
GET OUT THE SPATULA!
When Cactus mounted the second turnbuckle, he leaped but ate a shot to the midsection.
Sting then tossed Cactus onto the ramp and slammed him.
As Sting wielded a chair, he WALLOPED Cactus with it numerous times.
He then attempted the Scorpion death lock, but both wrestlers spilled down to the concrete floor.
After Cactus rammed Sting face-first into the ramp, he delivered a double-arm DDT for 2.
Sting came back with a clothesline on the ramp, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a lariat.
1-2-3.
Sting won.

Summary: Superb yet sick brawl with plenty of workrate, high-flying, and crowd enthusiasm. Wouldn't you concur that Cactus Jack should be elevated after going toe-to-toe with the World Champion?

Match 5 (30-minute iron man/non-title): WCW US champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude (w/o Uncle Paul & Madusa) versus Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (w/ Bonnie & Richie)

As Rude delivered his customary entrance spiel, he referred to the Mobile faithful as "beach-loving bozos."

Steamboat gave Rude a gutbuster, charged, and delivered a shoulder block.
Convincingly, Rude sold his hurt ribs.
After each wrestler attempted a hip toss, Steamboat nailed Rude in the ribs.
He then applied a bear hug until he backed him into the corner.
To counter a shoulder block, Rude delivered a knee lift.
Shortly after, Steamboat hooked a Boston crab and converted it to a Liontamer.
When Rude made the ropes, Steamboat face-planted and splashed him.
He then delivered a front suplex for 2.
As he gave Rude a cross corner whip, Steamboat ate some serious knee on his follow-through and crumbled to the mat.
1-2-3.
Rude led 1-0 at 7:42.
When he hit the Rude Awakening, Rude pinned Steamboat again to gain a 2-0 lead at 8:43.
Rude then delivered a backbreaker, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a knee drop at 9:37.
Since the move was illegal, Rude led 2-1 due to the disqualification.
He then hooked an inside cradle and pinned Steamboat for a 3-1 lead at 10:11.
Shortly after, Rude attempted his swivel, but his ribs caused him severe pain instead.

While the Mobile faithful chanted "Steam-boat," their hero countered a rear chin lock with an electric chair.
He then attempted a splash but ate knees.
As Rude delivered a swinging neckbreaker, he got 2.
He then hit a piledriver for another 2.
When Rude attempted a tombstone, Steamboat reversed it and gave Rude one of his own.
1-2-3.
Rude led 3-2 at 17:39.
After Rude mounted the top turnbuckle, Steamboat caught, joined, and gave him a top rope superplex for 2. Wow!
Next, a double clothesline put both wrestlers down on the mat.
Steamboat then bridged into a backslide.
1-2-3.
The match was tied at three apiece at the 20:23 mark.
As Steamboat hooked an inside cradle, he got 2.
He then secured a somersault roll-up for another 2.
Upon hitting a cross body block, Steamboat couldn't get 3.
Rude then delivered a jawbreaker to stop Steamboat's momentum.
When Rude face-planted Steamboat repeatedly, he got 2.
He then slammed Steamboat and hit a fist drop for another 2.
Shortly after, Rude attempted a second Rude Awakening, but Steamboat escaped and hit his own Rude Awakening for 2.
He then suplexed Rude for another 2.
Upon giving Rude a belly-to-back suplex, Steamboat couldn't get 3.
Rude then reversed an Irish whip and hooked a sleeper.
With two minutes remaining, the Mobile faithful tried to rally Steamboat.
As one minute remained, the match was still tied at 3. Could we have a draw?
Steamboat then walked the ropes similar to Bret Hart at WrestleMania VIII and pinned Rude for a 4-3 lead at 29:25.
When Rude clotheslined Steamboat, he got 2.
A shoulder block earned him another 2.
While another clothesline couldn't achieve a pin, Rude hooked another inside cradle.
Can he tie the match in the final seconds?
1-2-NO!
Rude then slammed Steamboat as the clock ran out before he could pin him.
Steamboat won 4-3.
Great climactic finish!

Summary: Fantastic match as each wrestler pulled out all the stops to gain falls. Rude sold his ribs for the majority of the match, and, as always, Steamboat's selling was excellent. Great job, guys!

Badd returns for the second round of the First Lady of WCW contest. Meanwhile, Madusa emerges wearing a bandana, sunglasses, and a jacket over her swimsuit. You can't tell she's a biker chick, right? Nevertheless, Missy emerges in a blue bikini. Even I have to credit her for this. Stay tuned for part three and don't forget to call the wrestling hotline to vote.

Match 6 (six-man): The “Enforcer” Arn Anderson, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, & WCW World TV champion “Stunning” Steve Austin (w/ Uncle Paul) versus Barry Windham, Nikita Koloff, & the “Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Ole Anderson was the special guest referee for this match.
How did Austin regain the TV title (aired 6/13, taped 5/23)?

When Austin mounted the second turnbuckle, Windham caught and arm-dragged him down to the mat.
Rhodes tagged in and dropkicked Austin twice.
As Eaton tagged in, he rolled up Rhodes for 2.
Arn tagged in and slapped Koloff.

After Koloff tagged in, Arn gave him a knee drop.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Ole was ready to disqualify him. I smell family turmoil.
When Koloff hit the Russian Sickle to the back of Arn's neck, he sent Arn over the top rope to the concrete floor.
Eaton tagged in, but Koloff hooked a bear hug.
As Austin distracted Ole, Arn nailed Koloff. Clever!
Koloff then gave Eaton an atomic drop sending him into Arn.
When Austin came in, Koloff slammed him.
Tags were exchanged on both sides while Windham slammed Arn.
After Windham reversed a cross corner whip, he caught Arn's boot coming in and delivered an atomic drop.
Arn then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Windham caught him.
As Arn switched to the second turnbuckle, he delivered an axe handle.
He then gave Windham a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche. Methinks Windham forgot to raise a knee.
When they repeated the spot, Arn ate a knee.

Windham then gave Arn a cross corner whip and hooked a sleeper.
To counter, Arn delivered a belly-to-back suplex.
Rhodes tagged in and gave Arn a lariat.
After Arn reversed a whip into the heel corner, he rammed Rhodes' head into Eaton's.
Shortly after, Rhodes countered a snap mare with a backslide for 2.
According to Ross, Madusa led the 900# voting 51 to 49 percent. Even the WCW viewers don't like Missy. HA!
Eaton then attempted to ram Rhodes' leg into the ring post, but Uncle Paul smartly told him he'd get disqualified. Great managerial advice!
As Eaton clotheslined Rhodes, he got 2.
Austin tagged in and hit a lariat on Rhodes for 2.
When Eaton tagged in, he gave Rhodes a single-arm DDT.
Rhodes then attempted a cross body block, but Eaton evaded him.
After Austin tagged in, Rhodes escaped a suplex and rolled him up for 2.
Arn tagged in and rammed Rhodes' head into Eaton's again. Poor Bobby probably couldn't drive back to Huntsville after the show.
As Austin tagged in, he gave Rhodes a stungun.
Hot tag Windham.
With all six wrestlers in the ring, Windham backdropped Austin.
Arn then mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but Windham caught him in the midsection.
Upon placing Austin atop the top turnbuckle, Windham delivered a superplex. Woohoo!
In the meantime, Ole was distracted by Eaton and Koloff.
Arn then mounted the top turnbuckle again and nailed Windham.
Unbelievably, Ole actually saw the infraction and called for the bell. More family turmoil!
Windham, Rhodes, and Koloff won by DQ.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

After the match, Austin makes Windham taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Reagan's Peanut Butter Burger at Mugshots.

On the podium, Bischoff interviews Steamboat who cuts a promo on the Dangerous Alliance. Suddenly, Uncle Paul interrupts him and declares that he'll receive no more US title shots. From behind, Cactus Jack pulls Steamboat down from the podium, and they brawl until officials separate them.

At the entrance, Ventura and Badd emcee the third portion of the contest—the "itsy-bitsy teenie-weenie bikini" portion. Madusa then emerges, and Ventura declares the competition to be OVER. When it's Missy's turn, Ventura and Badd question her shenanigans. Apparently, her bikini was in an envelope, but the envelope's empty. She then swipes Ventura's doo-rag.

Missy then emerges wearing Ventura's "scarves" as her bikini. Bombastically, Badd proclaims Missy as the winner so a disgruntled Madusa pushes him around. When they wind up in the mini-tent, Badd emerges with Madusa's top. Oh my! Ventura then has to take a look for himself and affirms that Madusa is the "First Lady of WCW." What chicanery!

Match 7 for the WCW World tag team titles: The Steiners (champions) versus the Miracle Violence Connection

According to Ross, Clash XIX will be shown on TBS on 6/22 at 8:05pm ET. The NWA World tag team tournament will commence during the program.
A slapfest between Gordy and Scott escalated into a brawl.
As Williams tagged in, he gave Scott a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
He then gave Scott another cross corner whip, but Scott evaded him.
When Scott hooked a sunset flip, he got 2.
Rick tagged in, and Ross reminisced about their days in the Varsity Club.

Shortly after, Rick gave Williams an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
Williams then slammed Rick and delivered a pair of three-point-stance tackles.
As he attempted a third one, Rick caught him with a Steinerline for 2.
Gordy tagged in, gave Rick a cross corner whip, but came up empty on his follow-through.
When Rick attempted a German suplex, Gordy blocked it and delivered a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
Rick rebounded with a belly-to-back suplex of his own.
After Williams tagged in, he tossed Rick to the ramp.
He then shoulder-blocked Rick from the ring to the ramp. Nifty!
As Rick re-entered the ring via sunset flip, Scott assisted him with a forearm. Rick then got 2.
Gordy tagged in and hooked a single-leg crab.
When Rick escaped, Williams nailed him.
Gordy then hooked a spinning toe hold, but Rick hooked a second overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
After Scott tagged in, he secured a T-bone suplex and got a 1-count.
He then hit a cross body block for 2.
While Rick distracted referee Randy Anderson, the MVC double-teamed Scott. How dastardly!
Gordy then clotheslined Scott for 2.
As Williams tagged in, he delivered a double axe handle.
He then gave Scott a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
When Gordy tagged in, the MVC double-teamed Scott again for 2.
Gordy then delivered a snap suplex for another 2.
After Williams tagged in, he hooked Scott in a single-leg crab.
Gordy tagged in and hooked his own single-leg crab.
As Williams tagged in, he applied a Liontamer.
Hot tag Rick.
He then powerslammed Williams for 2.
When Rick mounted the second turnbuckle, he hit a bulldog.
Gordy came in, but Rick nailed him.
After Scott mounted the second turnbuckle, Gordy came in and nailed him.
Wiliams then ANNHILIATED Rick with a clothesline.
As Williams hoisted Rick onto Gordy's shoulder, Gordy hit a second rope powerslam for 2.
Gordy tagged in and dropkicked Rick for another 2.
When Williams tagged in, they gave Rick a double three-point stance shoulder block for 2.
Upon giving Rick a pair of backbreakers, Williams got another 2.
Gordy tagged in, delivered another belly-to-back suplex, but couldn't get 3.
After Williams tagged in, he gave Rick a Doctorbomb for 2.
With two minutes remaining, Wiliams attempted the Oklahoma Stampede, but Rick escaped.
A double clothesline then put both wrestlers down on the mat.
As Gordy tagged in, he gave Rick a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
He then made a second attempt but ate a Steinerline.
With one minute remaining, Scott tagged in.
He then backdropped Gordy and Williams consecutively.
With merely fifteen seconds left, Scott gave Gordy a double underhook powerbomb.
He then hit the Frankensteiner while the bell rang.
Time-limit draw.
The Steiners retained.

Summary: STIFF mat-based wrestling match with a pair of heat segments and a decent finish. With the NWA World tag team tournament already in play, either a draw or a double-disqualification made sense booking-wise.

Conclusion: The last four matches make this show a must-see for wrestling fans. If you've never experienced the Bill Watts era of WCW, then this would be a good starting point. The Sting-Cactus Jack match is one of the best falls-count-anywhere matches you will ever see so I'd recommend seeking that out. What else will happen in WCW during the summer of 1992?