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NWA Capital Combat ’90: Return of Robocop

Live from Washington, DC

Airdate: May 19, 1990

Attendance: 7,500 (sold out)

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross, & Bob Caudle

Cross-promotional PPV? Or hidden wrestling gem? Read on!

By the spring of 1990, WCW needed a hook to put new eyes on their product. Since its super hero was still injured, why not bring in one from Hollywood? Unfortunately, While Robocop fit the role, Robocop 2 only scored 4.5 out of 10 from Rotten Tomatoes.

To begin the show, a live instrumental version of the national anthem plays. Welcome back, Schiavone!

Match 1: The Road Warriors & Norman the Lunatic versus Kevin Sullivan, Bam Bam Bigelow, & Cactus Jack (w/ the Big Kahuna)

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Good opener that excited the DC faithful. This was the last live TV appearance for the Road Warriors in WCW until 1996.

Match 2: “Mean” Mark (w/ Teddy Long) versus Johnny Ace

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: Showcase match for Mark. Ace would finish up his dates with WCW in June and migrate to All Japan for the rest of his career as an active wrestler.

After the match, Caudle voices over the replay with the “Slam-O-Meter” rating Mark’s elbow at 8.2. Computer technology at work!

Backstage, Solie stands outside Sting’s locker room containing Robocop. According to Solie, Sting has had successful reconstructive knee surgery but cannot compete yet. Also, Sting wants Robocop to protect “all the little Stingers.” Oh, brother.

Schiavone then interviews the Rock’n’Roll Express who are ready for the Freebirds. According to Morton, Luger just got released from the hospital and “isn’t supposed to be here.”

Ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta then announces the winners of the Capital Combat sweepstakes—Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bedder.

Match 3: Samoan SWAT Team versus “Captain” Mike Rotunda & “Wildfire” Tommy Rich

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: L-O-N-G showcase match for the SST.

Schiavone then interviews the Steiners.

Match 4 (hair): “Precious” Paul Ellering versus Teddy Long

Highlights:

Rating: DUD

Summary: Despite Ellering being a former pro wrestler, he wrestled like a manager. Hence, it’s a manager versus manager match, what did you expect?

After the match, Topper shaved Long’s hair but didn’t leave him bald. Long then exits the ring under the arm of referee Mike Adkins in embarrassment.

Schiavone then interviews the Four Horsemen including Sid Vicious who cut a promo on Luger.

Match 5 for the NWA US tag team titles: Brian Pillman & the Z-Man (champions) versus Midnight Express

Highlights:

Rating: ****

Summary: Balls to the wall excitement as all four wrestlers busted their asses. Great match!

Between matches, Ross shills The Great American Bash: the New Revolution live on PPV on July 7.

Backstage, Solie describes Robocop’s locker room exodus as the feed disappears. For Solie’s sake, hopefully the cape cods were flowing freely.

Without crutches, Sting walks to the ring prior to Robocop’s entrance. Suddenly, the Horsemen lock Sting into the shark cage! How dastardly! Slowly, Robocop walks to the cage and rescues him by pulling the door off. While Sting holds back Robocop, the Horsemen cower in fear exiting through the DC faithful. Considering Robocop’s deliberate pace, Flair could have bought kamikazes for all 7500 patrons, and Robocop would have been too slow to stop him.

Schiavone then interviews Junkyard Dog, but Cornette interrupts as the DC faithful chants “J-Y-D.” When Cornette questions JYD’s whereabouts, JYD claims to have been in Louisville as well as being Cornette’s “daddy.” HA! Cornette then tries to pull a fast one on him, but JYD’s too quick for him.

Match 6 (corporal punishment): The Freebirds versus Rock’n’Roll Express

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Although exciting, the match’s strap stipulation got lost in translation.

After the match, Morton whipped the Freebirds scattering them from the ring.

Schiavone then interviews the “World’s Strongest Man” Doug Furnas. Apparently, Tom Zenk suffered an injury in Detroit on 5/12, so Furnas was hired in case Zenk couldn’t wrestle. Afterward, Schiavone interviews Sting who’s ready for Luger to win the title.

Match 7 for the NWA World tag team titles: Steiners (champions) versus Doom (w/ Teddy Long)

Highlights:

Rating: ****

Summary: Career-making win for Doom as the Steiners did an excellent job of putting them over.

Schiavone then interviews Doom with Long. According to Reed, “DOOM RULES!”

Match 8 for the NWA World title (cage): “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (champion w/ Woman) versus NWA US champion the “Total Package" Lex Luger

Highlights:

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: A DQ in a cage match? Whose bright idea was that? I smell Russo.

After the match, Luger and Windham brawl as Arn runs in to join the melee. After Flair tosses Adkins over the top rope to the floor, Flair nails Luger repeatedly with Windham and Anderson’s assistance. Arn then delivers the DDT to Luger. With the cage down, Sting couldn’t save Luger. Finally, the cage rises, and Sting scatters the heels from the ring.

From the aisle, Schiavone interviews a bloodied Flair who practically abuses a fan. Suddenly, Sting attacks Flair as El Gigante scares the Horsemen away.

Conclusion: Unfortunately, the truly historical part of this show centers on Robocop. His “celebrity” appearance was laughable at best. Fortunately, the wrestling surrounding Robocop’s appearance outshined it completely. With Ole Anderson now handling the booking, what will happen next in WCW?

Buyrate: 1.40

Stay tuned for NWA Clash of the Champions XI!

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).

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