NWA Clash XII

Match 1: The Freebirds (w/ Buddy Roberts) versus the Southern Boys (w/ “Bullet” Bob Armstrong)

If I’m not mistaken, this would be the first time the Freebirds have worn face paint since Superclash ’85.
After Hayes missed a haymaker, Smothers gave him the ten-punch count-along.
Upon giving Hayes a cross-corner whip, Smothers delivered a back drop and a clothesline.
Garvin tagged in but ate a superkick from Smothers.
While the Asheville faithful chanted “Freebirds suck,” Smothers escaped a double-team, and Steve hit a cross body block from the top rope for 2.
Smothers then evaded another double-team, and the Southern Boys gave the Freebirds consecutive dropkicks.
As Hayes gave him a cross corner whip, Smothers floated over the top rope but ate a left from Hayes. That caused Smothers to taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Mt. Pisgah BLT at Pack’s Tavern.
While Steve distracted referee Mike Adkins, Garvin clotheslined Smothers on the floor.
Back in the ring, Garvin slammed Smothers and tagged in Hayes.
After a bulldog, Hayes got 2.
Smothers then attempted a sunset flip but ate a knuckle sandwich instead. I wonder if it was served on ciabatta.

When Garvin tagged in, he guillotined Smothers using the top rope.
After a slam, Garvin mounted the top turnbuckle but got caught and slammed down to the mat.
Hot tag Steve.
As Roberts got up on the apron, Steve nailed him.
Immediately, Hayes rolled Armstrong up. In the meantime, Garvin distracted Adkins while Bob came into the ring and HAMMERED Hayes.
Steve made the cover but only got 2 thanks to a save by Garvin.
After the Southern Boys gave Garvin a double flying shoulder block, they missed one on Hayes.
Roberts tossed a foreign object into the ring, but the Freebirds missed it.
Ultimately, the Southern Boys hit a double sunset flip and pinned the Freebirds.

Summary: Adding Roberts and Bob to the mix added some sizzle to a medium rare steak.

After the match, the Freebirds dispose of the Southern Boys and triple-team Bob with Roberts. They then give Bob a double DDT as the Southern Boys return to chase them off.

In the locker room, Tony Schiavone interviews the NEW US tag team champions—the Steiners. Back on 8/24 in East Rutherford, NJ, the Steiners beat the Midnight Express to win the titles. Scott then cuts a promo on Doom while Rick has no clue how to deal with Maximum Overdrive. Well, nobody ever accused him of being the sharpest tool in the shed.

Cindy Anderson, winner of the Burger King ringmaster contest, accompanied Rotunda to the ring. Unfortunately, her Million Dollar Belt was on back order.
Meanwhile, Landel showed off his love for hair metal by having a Skid Row tattoo on his arm.

After a lariat by Rotunda, he gave Landel a hip toss.
He then reversed a cross corner whip and delivered hip toss #2.
Following a slam, he got 2.
To counter hip toss #3, Landel clotheslined Rotunda.
After an elbow drop, an arrogant cover by Landel got 2.
He then hooked a rope-assisted abdominal stretch, but Rotunda countered with hip toss #4.
When Rotunda missed an elbow drop, Landel delivered a vertical suplex.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle but ate a shot to the jaw on the way down.
Upon giving Landel a back elbow, Rotunda followed with a leg drop for 2.
He then countered a hip toss with a backslide.
1-2-3.
Rotunda won.

After a commercial break, Schiavone interviews the Freebirds with Roberts. Afterward, a video featuring them plays. As the Freebirds hit Hollywood, California, they’re mobbed by fans at the Holiday Inn. Um, Hayes, men wearing mascara in Hollywood have more male than female fans if you catch my drift.

For those unaware, the Master Blasters consisted of Iron (Cory Pendarvis) and Steel (Kevin somebody). I won’t reveal his true identity yet.
Also, Brad Armstrong was nicknamed “Candy Man” here.

Not THAT Candyman!
After Steel showed off his strength but not his wrestling acumen, Iron tagged in and gave Horner a knee lift.
Steel tagged in, and the Master Blasters gave Horner a double back elbow.
After a cross corner whip, Steel came up empty on his follow-through.
Horner then missed a dropkick.
As a blind tag occurred, Steel hit an elbow drop while Iron botched a diving head butt for 2.
Iron then missed a second diving head butt, and Brad tagged in.
After Brad missed a clothesline, Iron delivered a flying shoulder block.
Steel tagged in, and the Master Blasters hit a double clothesline for 2.
After a powerslam, Steel got another 2.
Steel then missed an elbow drop as Brad followed with a pair of dropkicks.
While Brad gave Steel a cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
Iron tagged in and hit flying shoulder block #2.
As Iron slammed Brad, he delivered an elbow drop for 2.
He then followed with a leg drop for another 2.
Following a leap frog, Brad dropkicked Iron.
Horner tagged in and gave Iron a back drop.
When Horner applied a sleeper to Iron, Steel hammered him from behind.
All four wrestlers were in the ring.
As the Master Blasters tossed Brad outside the ring, they gave Horner a double flying shoulder block.
1-2-3.
The Master Blasters won.

Summary: Who thought this show would be a good time for these ham’n’eggers to debut? Interesting fact: This was Pendarvis’ only pro wrestling match as he left the business soon afterward. Pendarvis’ partner was none other than the Mohawk-wearing Kevin Nash. Welcome to WCW, Kevin.

Backstage, Schiavone interviews Brian Pillman. On 9/14, Pillman must win three consecutive matches on the upcoming weekend shows: Friday Power Hour, World Championship Wrestling, and Sunday Main Event. Should he succeed, he will win $15,000. If he loses, the money will be divided between his opponents. This would sound cool if the shows are live. Let’s hope Sunday Main Event isn’t taped before Friday Power Hour.

A quick check reveals that Pillman defeated Horner on 9/14 and Landel on 9/15. However, he lost to Dan Spivey on 9/16. Also, all three matches occurred on 9/3. Better luck, next time, Pillman. Notably, Scott Steiner successfully ran the gauntlet the following week by defeating “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, and the “Enforcer” Arn Anderson.

After a commercial break, Missy Hyatt interviews Flair. I’m surprised her dress remained on during the entire segment.

The Nasty Boys made their WCW debut on 8/20 on Friday Power Hour.
Also, Taylor returned to WCW on 8/21 in case you give a cluck.

While Taylor distracted referee Mike Adkins, Fulton took both Nasty Boys down.
He then followed with a cross body block.
As Taylor tagged in, Fulton nailed Knobbs in the midsection, and Taylor followed with a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
Shortly after, Fulton tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Sags.
Taylor tagged in, but Sags tossed him outside the ring.
When Sags tried to ram Taylor face-first into the ring post, Taylor made him HIT THE POLE.
He then leaped from the apron and gave Sags a double axe handle.
Next, he hit a cross body block and got 2 on Sags.
Shortly after, Taylor gave Knobbs an atomic drop followed by a belly-to-back suplex.
Fulton then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a missile dropkick for 2.
Sags tagged in and gave Taylor a knee drop.
As Knobbs tagged in, he gave Taylor a Sags-assisted corner splash for 2.
Taylor then hooked a sunset flip for 2.
While Fulton distracted Adkins, the Nasty Boys double-teamed Taylor.
Hot tag Fulton.
He then gave Knobbs a German suplex with a bridge but only got 2 thanks to a save by Sags.
Afterward, all four wrestlers were in the ring.
Fulton then mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a powerslam from Knobbs for 2.
When Sags mounted the top turnbuckle, he delivered the big elbow.
1-2-3.
The Nasty Boys won.

After a commercial break, Schiavone interviews Sid Vicious who cuts a promo on Sting.

After a high knee by Irwin, Rich hip-tossed him over the top rope to the floor.
He then brought Irwin in the hard way.
Following that, he gave Irwin a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
Irwin came back with a sidewalk slam followed by a bicycle kick.
With Rich on the apron, Irwin gave him a forearm smash to the chest causing Rich to taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Doc’s DeCarlo at Village Wayside.
Irwin then leaped from the apron and gave Rich an axe handle.
After Irwin rammed him face-first into the apron, Rich came back with a sleeper, but Irwin escaped.
Irwin then gave Rich a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Next, Rich hit the Thesz Press.
1-2-3.
Rich won.

Luger
Flair
Arn Anderson
Barry Windham
Sid
Hansen
Pillman
Junkyard Dog
Rich
Landel

Steiners
Rock’n’ Roll Express
Horsemen
Midnight Express
Southern Boys
Freebirds
Samoan SWAT Team
Pillman & Z-Man
JYD & El Gigante
Rotunda & Horner

Analysis: In the spirit of kayfabe, I understand WCW’s effort to give the viewer some semblance of hierarchy. On the other hand, this list reveals the shallowness of WCW’s talent depth.

After a commercial break, Schiavone interviews a disgusting Hansen who’s PISSED OFF about being #6. He’s perturbed yet ready to climb the ladder.

The what title? Sexton was the first of only three women to hold this title. Will Bambi be next?

Not THAT Bambi!

Not THAT one either!

After a running body block, Sexton slammed Bambi for a 1-count.
Bambi then rolled her up for 2.
Upon whipping Sexton into the corner, Bambi gave her a back elbow.
During a cross corner whip, Sexton leaped to the second turnbuckle, hit a cross body block, and got 2.
She then gave Bambi a back drop, a slam, and an elbow drop for another 2.
When Sexton attempted another back drop, Bambi countered with an inside cradle.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Sexton then used momentum to be on top.
1-2-3.
Sexton retained.

Summary: While the ladies knew more wrestling maneuvers than both Master Blasters combined, they could barely get a stir from the Asheville faithful.

Match 7 for the NWA US tag titles: Steiners (champions) versus Maximum Overdrive

For those unaware, Maximum Overdrive was portrayed by Jeff Warner and Tim Hunt. Like the Master Blasters, this was their WCW debut. Let’s hope they’re not as terrible.

After a hip toss, Scott gave Hunter a back drop.
He then delivered an arm drag to an incoming Silencer.
With all four wrestlers in the ring, Rick gave Maximum Overdrive a double Steinerline.
Silencer tagged in, got reversed on a cross corner whip, and received a release German suplex from Scott.
When Rick tagged in, Silencer slammed him and delivered a back elbow.
Sliencer then leap-frogged Rick but ate a powerslam.
As Hunter tagged in, Rick ANNIHILATED him with a Steinerline. OUCH!
The Steiners then hit the Steinerizer on Hunter.
1-2-3.
Steiners retained.

As Z-Man entered the ring, Hansen attacked him and tossed him between the ropes to the floor.
Upon joining him, Hansen made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Shakedown at Mojo’s Kitchen.
Hansen then took a steel chair and WAFFLED Z-Man’s back with it. Pass the maple syrup!

Back in the ring, Hansen delivered a vertical suplex followed by an elbow drop for 2.
In the locker room, Schiavone and Luger watched the match on a monitor.
Meanwhile, Hansen gave Z-Man a belly-to-back suplex.
After a whip to the corner, Z-Man leaped to the second turnbuckle and hit a cross body block.
Following a pair of dropkicks, he got 2 on Hansen.
He then gave Hansen a cross corner whip but ate a shoulder block on his follow-through.
Hansen then delivered the lariat.
1-2-3.
Hansen won.

Backstage, Schiavone leads us to footage from WrestleWar ’90 to refresh our memory of the Flair-Luger rivalry and subsequently interviews Luger.

Match 9 for the NWA US title: The “Total Package” Lex Luger (champion) versus “Nature Boy” Ric Flair

Luger reversed a cross corner whip and gave Flair a gorilla press slam.
After another cross corner whip, Flair chopped him, but Luger no-sold it.
He then gave Flair a second gorilla press slam and clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
he joined and clotheslined Flair on the floor.
After Luger no-sold a guillotine with the top rope, he gave Flair gorilla press slam #3 but missed an elbow drop.
After another cross corner whip, Luger exploded out of the corner with a clothesline.
When Flair sold a separated shoulder, he goldbricked and nailed Luger. SNEAKY!
He then tossed Luger outside the ring and whipped him back-first into the steel railing twice.
Back in the ring, Flair dedicated a chop to TBS owner Ted Turner and Executive Vice-President Jim Herd.

Flair then tossed Luger outside the ring, joined him, and made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Eagle baby at Westville Pub.
After Flair worked on Luger’s left leg, Luger blocked a hip toss and countered with a backslide for 2.
He then gave Flair the ten-punch count-along.
Flair attempted an inverted atomic drop, Luger blocked and gave Flair a clothesline for another 2.
Flair then mounted the top turnbuckle but got caught and slammed down to the mat.
As Luger gave Flair a cross corner whip, it resulted in a Flair flip.
Flair caught his balance on the apron, but Luger clotheslined him again.
After gorilla press slam #4, Luger hit a powerslam and signaled for the Torture Rack.
He then placed Flair atop the top turnbuckle and delivered a superplex for only 2 because Flair put his foot on the bottom rope.
Luger missed a clothesline, Flair hit a cross body block sending both wrestlers over the top rope to the floor.
Flair then whipped Luger back-first into the steel railing for the third time.
As Luger tried to re-enter the ring, Hansen attacked him.
Referee Nick Patrick called for the bell disqualifying Flair.
Luger retained.

Summary: Although it’s a crappy finish to another deserving Flair-Luger match-up, segueing Luger into a feud with Hansen was the match’s main purpose.

After the match, Hansen destroys Luger with elbow drops and chokes him with his bull rope. How dastardly!

Backstage, Schiavone shows us a pre-recorded promo by the Black Scorpion: “If you beat (him), (he’ll) tell you who (he is).” He then interviews an extremely-focused Sting.

For those who need a refresher on the Black Scorpion watch this.

After some boring punch-and-kick offense from Scorpion, Sting guillotined him using the steel railing.
He then slammed Scorpion, tried to remove the mask, but got his eyes raked.
Scorpion slammed him on the ramp, Sting came back and tried to remove the mask again.
He then delivered a dropkick followed by a face plant.
Shortly after, he gave Scorpion a military-press slam, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a cross body block for 2.
Scorpion then delivered a knee drop for 2.
Next, Sting clotheslined Scorpion, followed with a cross corner whip, and hit the Stinger splash.
1-2-3.
Sting retained.

Summary: Despite the awful main event, Scorpion didn’t blatantly expose his identity.

After the match, Sting removes the mask, but Scorpion wears a second one. Clever! Suddenly, the REAL Black Scorpion emerges on the ramp. A shocked Sting stares at his adversary until the segment ends. For those unaware, the first Black Scorpion is portrayed by Al Perez while the second is the Angel of Death.

After a commercial break, Ross interviews Sting in the ring. Abruptly, Sid arrives while demanding a title shot. When Sting dismisses him, Sid attacks him from behind on the ramp. He then claims to be the next champion because “Sid Vicious rules the world!”

Conclusion: Let’s discuss purpose and execution. The purpose of this show was to create angles for Halloween Havoc. While Sid’s attack of Sting stood as one angle, Hansen’s attack of Luger became the other. Therefore, they accomplished their purpose.

Conversely, with the awful debuts of Maximum Overdrive and the Master Blasters along with Hansen’s metamorphosis of Z-Man into minced meat, the show left a lot to be desired. Additionally, the main event was duller than a Christofle butter knife thanks to poor execution. I can only hope that Halloween Havoc outshines this dreck.