NWA Capital Combat '90

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)

While the Road Warriors came to the ring on the back of a pair of Harley-Davidsons, Norman arrived on a child’s dirt bike.
Some enthusiastic DC residents held up signs campaigning for Jack as mayor of DC. Well, DC was known back then for a lot of bang-bang.
After a pair of leap frogs, Animal powerslammed Jack.
He then gave Cactus Jack a cross-corner whip followed by a big boot.
When Hawk tagged in, he mowed Jack down like a linebacker.

Bigelow tagged in but ate a dropkick from Hawk.
As Sullivan tagged in, Hawk clotheslined him out of his boots.
Cactus Jack tagged in but received a cross-corner whip and avalanche from Norman.
After a leg drop, Norman delivered a head butt.
When Bigelow tagged in, he missed a diving head butt.
Animal then clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
While Hawk tagged in, Bigelow whipped Jack in his direction, but Hawk ducked. Cactus Jack then soared over the top rope to the floor.
Hawk then leaped from the apron and clotheslined Jack on the floor.
Next, he whipped Jack over the steel railing into the front row.
When Jack climbed over the steel railing, Hawk tossed the steps at him.
Norman tagged in, gave Sullivan a cross-corner whip, but ate boot on his follow-through.
Sullivan followed with a double stomp and gave Bigelow a blind tag.
After a pair of head butts, Bigelow delivered a vertical suplex for 2.
Sullivan tagged in and slammed Norman.
As Jack tagged in, he mounted the top turnbuckle and gave Norman a double axe handle.
Afterward, he guillotined Norman using the top rope.
Bigelow tagged in as the DC faithful chanted “Nor-man.”
After a back drop, Bigelow delivered a diving head butt and tagged in Jack.
Upon giving Norman a knee drop, Jack received a clothesline.
Hot tag Animal.
After a dropkick, Animal delivered a flying shoulder block, but Bigelow made the save.
All six wrestlers were in the ring.
After Bigelow rammed Norman face-first into the steps, Hawk mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a lariat on Sullivan, and pinned him.

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

Hailing from “Metropolis,” I wonder if Mark bullied Clark Kent.

Mark countered a hip toss with a clothesline but missed an elbow drop.
As Ace came back with a dropkick, Mark sought refuge outside the ring.
Ace then hit a tope knocking Mark down on the concrete.
Back in the ring, Mark gave Ace a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
After Mark reversed a cross-corner whip, he ate knee on his follow-through. You’d think a guy with six years’ experience wouldn’t fall for that.

Regardless, Ace leaped to the top turnbuckle and hit a cross body block for 2.
While Mark distracted referee Mike Adkins, Long put the boots to Ace outside the ring. How dastardly!
Mark then joined and rammed Ace face-first into the steps.
Upon Ace’s return, Mark delivered a delayed vertical suplex for 2.
After a savate kick, Mark again distracted Adkins so that Long could nail Ace.
Ace then turned his attention to Long, but Mark nailed him from behind with a double axe handle.
Upon their return, Mark hit a lariat for 2.
As Ace ducked a clothesline, Mark delivered a big boot.
After a slam, Mark gave Ace a leg drop for another 2.
When Mark attempted a slam, Ace countered with an inside cradle for 2.
After Ace missed a dropkick, Mark got 2.
Ace came back with a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Yet again, Mark distracted Adkins so that Long could punish Ace.
After a dropkick, Ace gave Mark a monkey flip.
Upon delivering another dropkick, Ace delivered a clothesline.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, attempted a flying clothesline, but Mark evaded him.
After Mark delivered the heart punch, he mounted the top turnbuckle, walked the top rope, and delivered an elbow.
1-2-3.
Mark won.

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

Oh, cripes. Whose bright idea was it to make Rotunda a boat captain? Bartender, I’ll have what they’re having.

The SST was comprised of Fatu and the Samoan Savage.
While the Samoans performed their ritual, Ross mentioned that WCW signed El Gigante who was 7’7” and 450lbs.
Rich hit a cross body block but only got a 1-count.
After an illegal tag by the SST, Rotunda tagged in and face-planted Fatu.
He then delivered a pair of dropkicks sending Fatu between the ropes to the floor.
Again, the SST tried to pull off an illegal tag, but referee Randy Anderson disallowed it.
When Samoan Savage tagged in, he ate a dropkick and an elbow drop by Rotunda.
Rich tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Samoan Savage.
Upon giving Rich a powerslam, Samoan Savage tagged in Fatu.
After Fatu mounted the top turnbuckle, he missed a diving head butt.
Even a few minutes into the match, it became obvious there was no central air conditioning in the DC Armory as all four wrestlers were sweating profusely.

While Samoan Savage distracted Anderson, a false tag between Rotunda and Rich occurred.
As Rotunda tagged in, he mounted the top turnbuckle and lowered the boom on Samoan Savage.
Samoan Savage came back with a sidewalk slam to Rotunda.
As Rich distracted Anderson, the SST broke the wishbone on Rotunda.
Fatu then delivered a vertical suplex for 2.
After Fatu tossed Rotunda outside the ring, Samoan Savage gave Rotunda a thrust kick.
To block a hip toss, Fatu clotheslined Rotunda.
Samoan Savage tagged in, and another false tag occurred between the babyfaces.
After a double head butt, the SST tossed Rotunda over the top rope to the floor behind Anderson’s back. SNEAKY!
Outside the ring, Fatu gave Rotunda a thrust kick.
Shortly after, Fatu reversed an Irish whip but ate a back elbow from Rotunda.
Samoan Savage tagged in and applied a rope-assisted rear chin lock.
As another illegal tag occurred, the SST gave Rotunda a double back drop.
That allowed Samoan Savage to earn a 2-count.
When Rotunda came back with a clothesline, he made the hot tag to Rich.
While Rotunda gave Samoan Savage a dropkick, Rich delivered the ten-punch count-along to Fatu.
Rich then hooked a sleeper on Fatu, but Samoan Savage mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a double axe handle to the back of Rich’s neck.
1-2-3.
The SST won.

The guest ring announcer for this match was Missy Hyatt and was accompanied by hairstylist Jay Topper. I can imagine Topper’s reaction when Hyatt hit on him.

While Ellering was dressed to wrestle, Long wore head gear and boxing gloves.
After nailing Ellering with a right cross, Long got 2.
As Long secured his supposedly loaded glove, he got another 2.
Ellering then removed the glove and delivered a back elbow.
After a slam, Elliering HAMMERED Long with the glove.
Long was OUT COLD.
1-2-3.
Ellering won.

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

Jim Cornette was locked in a shark cage during this match.
When Cornette tried to evade the champions, referee Randy Anderson clotheslined him.

The champions then tossed Cornette into the cage.
After a leap frog, PIllman gave Eaton a dropkick.
As Lane came in, Pillman delivered a hip toss.
All four wrestlers were in the ring as the champions slammed the challengers and followed with monkey flips.
After Z-Man gave them a double noggin knocker, he slingshot Pillman into the ring who gave the Midnight Express a double clothesline.
While Cornette cried in the cage, Lane leap-frogged Z-Man and delivered a savate kick.

When Eaton grabbed Z-Man from behind, Lane accidentally dropkicked him.
Z-Man then delivered a dropkick causing Lane to seek refuge outside the ring.
As Pillman tagged in, he hooked a sunset flip on Lane for 2.
Eaton tagged in but ate a dropkick from Pillman.
When Lane tagged in, he missed an elbow drop on Z-Man.
As Z-Man gave Lane an atomic drop, Lane collided with the incoming Eaton.
Shortly after, Eaton tossed Pillman outside the ring.
PIllman then leaped to the top turnbuckle, hooked a sunset flip, and got 2.
Z-Man tagged in and the champions gave Eaton a double back drop.
As Lane held Z-Man, Eaton charged but got backdropped over the top rope to the floor.
After Z-Man brought Lane in the hard way, Pillman dropkicked Lane.
The champions then gave Lane a double hip toss.
When Eaton tagged in, Z-Man slammed him for 2.
Pillman tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Eaton.
Upon giving Eaton another monkey flip, Pillman charged but sailed over the top rope to the floor.
Eaton then joined and gave Pillman a swinging neckbreaker on the floor.
When Pillman tried to re-enter the ring, Lane sent him flying and made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Pig in a Cowsuit at Thunder Burger & Bar.
After Lane guillotined Pillman using the top rope, he leaped over it and clotheslined Pillman.
Eaton tagged in, and the Midnight Express delivered a neck snap/elbow drop tandem combo to Pillman for 2.
Afterward, Eaton delivered a slingshot backbreaker.

Shortly after, the Midnight Express gave Pillman their patented drop toe hold/elbow drop tandem combo for another 2.

As Lane gave Pillman a savate kick, he tossed Pillman outside the ring and made him taste the steel railing again. Waiter, could you give the curly-haired wrestler in orange a Born to be Wild burger?
Pillman was BUSTED OPEN.
Back in the ring, Pillman hooked a sunset flip on Lane earning a false pin thanks to Eaton’s distraction of Anderson.
After a slam, Eaton mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the big elbow.
Do we have new champions?
1-2-NO!
Lane tagged in, but Pillman secured an inside cradle for 2.
After a slam by Lane, Eaton got 2.
He then remounted the top turnbuckle but got caught.
As Eaton slammed Pillman, he mounted the top turnbuckle again and delivered the Alabama Jam but couldn’t get 3.
Pillman then escaped a backbreaker attempt and slammed Eaton.
Hot tag Z-Man.
After the numbers game caught up to Z-Man, Lane gave him a side Russian leg sweep.
Eaton tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and the Midnight Express hit the Rocket Launcher for only 2.
As Eaton gave Z-Man a cross-corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Eaton then reversed a cross-corner whip, but Z-Man leaped to the second turnbuckle, hit a cross body block. He only got 2 thanks to a save by Lane.
While Anderson put PIllman back into the babyface corner, Lane gave Z-Man an enziguri.
Eaton then hooked an inside cradle.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

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.

The Rock’n’Roll Express were carried to ringside alongside a Wurlitzer Bubbler Jukebox.

By the way, a corporal punishment match is code for a country whippin’ match as leather straps were attached to the ring posts.
As Morton gave Garvin a cross-corner whip, Gibson nailed Garvin.
When they tried it again, Garvin didn’t fall for it but got clotheslined instead.
After a dropkick by Morton, Garvin gave him a back drop.
Morton then swiped the strap from Garvin and whipped him in the back. Meanwhile, Gibson grabbed one himself and whipped Hayes.
As Gibson tagged in, he hooked a full nelson on Garvin so Morton could nail him.
Gibson then hooked a sunset flip on Garvin for 2.
While Hayes argued with referee Mike Adkins, the Rock’n’Roll Express made a pair of illegal tags.
Garvin then gave Morton a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Next, the Rock’n’Roll Express hooked simultaneous figure-four leg locks on the Freebirds.
Hayes came back with a back elbow, grabbed a strap, and whipped Gibson.
As Gibson retrieved his own strap, he whipped Hayes in the back chasing the Freebirds from the ring.
Upon their return, Garvin tagged in and guillotined Gibson using the top rope.
After a knee drop, Garvin got 2.
He then slammed Gibson, delivered another knee drop, and got another 2.
When he tossed Gibson outside the ring, Hayes nailed Gibson.
Morton tagged in and rolled up Garvin for 2.
As Garvin’s kick-out sent Morton to the ropes, Hayes nailed Morton.
While the DC faithful chanted “rock’n’roll,” Hayes mounted the top turnbuckle and hammered Morton. In the meantime, Gibson distracted Adkins.
Hayes then got 2.
After Morton reversed a cross-corner whip, he gave Hayes the ten-punch count-along.
On the other hand, when Morton delivered a second cross-corner whip, Hayes nailed him again.
As Hayes gave Morton a pair of elbow drops and a forearm smash, he got 2.
Hayes then delivered a bulldog and got another 2.
When Garvin tagged in, Caudle made a good point about the lack of use of the straps.
Garvin then tossed Morton outside the ring so that Hayes could reintroduce him to a strap.

Back in the ring, Garvin put a knee into Morton’s midsection and slammed him.
After a second slam, Garvin mounted the top turnbuckle but got caught and slammed down to the mat.
Hayes tagged in, but Morton gave him the ten-top-turnbuckle count-along.
When Hayes attempted a second bulldog, Morton escaped sending Hayes flying.
Hot tag Gibson.
After giving Hayes a back drop, Gibson hooked a sleeper, but Garvin put a stop to it.
All four wrestlers were in the ring.
As Garvin tossed Morton outside the ring, Hayes clotheslined Gibson.
Hayes then delivered the DDT to Morton as the heel faction of the DC faithful cheered.
While Morton made Garvin HIT THE POLE, he mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a sunset flip, and pinned Hayes.

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

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)

Long came to the ring wearing a doo rag.

When Long wasn’t looking, Rick swiped it. HA!
After a powerslam to Simmons, Scott reversed a cross-corner whip causing a sternum-first bump and followed with a release German suplex.
Scott then dropkicked Reed and gave him a back drop followed by a Steinerline.
Shortly after, Rick countered a hip toss with a clothesline.
As Reed sought refuge outside the ring, Rick joined and slammed him on the floor.
While Anderson placed Simmons back in the heel corner, Scott made Reed taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Cadillac at PJ Clarke’s.
Simmons tagged in but ate a piledriver and a Steinerline from Rick.
When Reed tagged in, Scott gave him a cross-corner whip followed by a hip toss.
After Scott rammed Reed back-first into the top turnbuckle, he delivered a shoulder breaker for 2.
Rick tagged in, but Reed used momentum to toss him outside the ring.
When Scott tagged in, he ate a high knee from Reed.
While Rick distracted referee Randy Anderson, Reed tossed Scott over the top rope to the floor. SNEAKY!
Simmons then rammed Scott face-first into the steps and made him taste the steel railing. Waiter, could you give the mulleted Michigan wrestler King George’s shepherd’s pie please?
Back in the ring, Reed clotheslined Scott.
As Simmons tagged in, Doom gave Scott a double back elbow for 2.
When Simmons gave Scott a cross-corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
Reed tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and gave Scott a double axe handle.
Afterward, he delivered a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
Upon tossing Scott outside the ring, Reed slammed him.
Back in the ring, Scott blocked and delivered his own vertical suplex to Reed.
As Simmons and Rick distracted Anderson, Long nailed Scott with Reed’s assistance.
Simmons then got 2 as Scott put his foot on the bottom rope.
Next, Simmons punished Scott by guillotining with the bottom rope.
Scott came back with a T-bone suplex, but Simmons clotheslined him for 2.
While Reed tagged in, he guillotined Scott using the top rope.
He then delivered a bulldog for another 2.
After a slam, Reed gave Scott a knee drop followed by a piledriver.
Simmons tagged in, but Scott took him down awkwardly.
After a face plant, Simmons ate a back drop from Scott.
To a raucous ovation, Scott delivered the Frankensteiner.

Hot tag Rick.
After a Steinerline, Rick gave Reed a powerslam.
As Scott disposed of Simmons, the Steiners gave Reed a double suplex for only 2 thanks to a save by Simmons.
When Simmons disposed of Rick, he mounted the second turnbuckle as Doom gave Scott the Hart Attack.
As Rick gave Reed the ten-punch count-along, Simmons made Scott HIT THE POLE.
Rick then put Reed atop the top turnbuckle and joined him, but Simmons interfered.
While Long got up on the apron, Reed fell on top of Rick.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

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

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

Why was Luger “not supposed to be here” according to Morton? Legitimately, Luger suffered a staph infection in his right knee and was released from the hospital in time to be here. I question how much stamina he could have.
The cage for this match was similar to the cage used at Halloween Havoc ’89.
When referee Mike Adkins inspected both wrestlers, they were clean; however, when he inspected Woman, he found a foreign object in her glove. Ross referred to it as an “international” object.
After Luger received a cross-corner whip, he exploded out of the corner and clotheslined Flair for 2.
With Flair on the apron, Luger delivered a vertical suplex.
Upon giving Flair a pair of gorilla press slams, Luger no-sold Flair’s chops.
Following that, he hip-tossed and clotheslined Flair for the second time.
Flair then attempted to climb the cage but thought otherwise.
Next, he rammed Luger face -first into the cage. Methinks due to the staph infection, it would be medically unwise for Luger to blade.
Back in the ring, Flair delivered a knee drop to Luger’s head.
He then hooked a vertical suplex, but Luger no-sold it.

After Luger clotheslined him for the third time, he gave Flair the ten-punch count-along.
He then gave Flair a cross-corner whip resulting in a Flair flip.
When Flair caught his balance, he ran to the adjacent corner, mounted the top turnbuckle, but ate clothesline #4.
Luger then rammed Flair face-first into the cage.
When Flair climbed the cage again, Luger chased after him and rammed him repeatedly into the cage.
He then made Flair HIT THE POLE.
As Luger raked him against the cage, Flair was BUSTED OPEN!
In the ring, Luger gave Flair another ten-punch count-along.
When Flair tried to counter with an inverted atomic drop, Luger countered with clothesline #5 for 2.
Again, Flair climbed the cage only for Luger to join and ram him into the cage.
When Flair tried to return the favor, Luger blocked and rammed him again.
Luger then put Flair atop the top turnbuckle and delivered a superplex.
Unfortunately, Luger hurt his injured knee in the process.
Flair then took advantage and hit a knee drop to Luger’s knee.
Upon delivering another knee drop, Flair gave Luger a belly-to-back suplex.
Afterward, Flair hooked a rope-assisted figure-four leg lock until Adkins caught him.
Abruptly, the rest of the Horsemen came to ringside.
Luger came back with a series of clotheslines as Arn tried to climb the cage.
After a third ten-punch count-along, Luger gave Flair clothesline #9 and almost got 3.
Luger then gave Flair gorilla press slam #3 as Sting jogged down to ringside.
Remarkably, Sting then fought the Horsemen until El Gigante came to his rescue.

Meanwhile, in the ring, Luger delivered a powerslam as Barry Windham slid under the cage as it rose slightly.
When Luger applied the Torture Rack, Windham put a knee into Luger’s back.
Adkins immediately called for the bell disqualifying Flair.

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?