WCW Clash of the Champions XXVII

Match 1 for the WCW World tag team titles: Kevin Sullivan and Cactus Jack (champions w/ Dave Sullivan) versus the Nasty Boys

Due to the previous chaos between these teams two referees will be assigned to this bout. Nick Patrick was on the inside while Randy Anderson was on the outside.
Dave (formerly the Equalizer) was already endorsing the arrival of Hulkamania.
Sags and Cactus start the match by slugging one another.
As Cactus mounted the top turnbuckle Sullivan launched him at both Nasty Boys.
Heenan “fumbled” for a name for Dave. One of the names was Evad.
With Sullivan out on the floor Knobbs delivered a double axe handle to the head.
Cactus clothesline on Knobbs.
Sags charged at Cactus on the apron but missed thus ending up on the floor.
Springboard back elbow by Cactus hits nothing but the steel railing. OUCH!
Sags rammed Cactus into the ring post then followed up with a belly-to-back suplex on the floor.
The Nasty Boys went for the assisted corner splash but came up empty.
As Dave nailed Sags with the crutch on the outside Cactus hit a double-arm DDT on Knobbs in the ring for the pin. Cactus and Sullivan retain their titles.

Summary: If you subtract the chaos of brawling and weaponry and attempt a standard tag match with these guys it’s not as good a result. I’m glad Cactus didn’t just receive a one month reign as a tag champion. But where do the Nasty Boys go from here?

After the match Sags threw Cactus out of the ring then made him taste the steel railing. Unfortunately it didn’t taste like deep-fried catfish.

“Mean” Gene Okerlund shills the hotline then interviews Sting. Sting states that he’s a “24-foot shark and…hungry.” That’s peculiar because he doesn’t resemble Jaws whatsoever. Where’s Chief Brody to save us?

It should be noted that the set design for this show is completely different than previous shows. In previous shows the curtain was stage right with the announce table stage left of the ring. In this show the curtain is stage left with the announcers being stage right of the ring.

Back in February Ray Traylor was forced to have a make-over due to his previous character resembling a WWF trademark. Therefore, instead of taking the law into his own hands as the Boss, he joined the Guardian Angels. A promo for the Guardian Angels is shown. Personally I found nothing wrong with the Big Bubba Rogers character.

Angel allowed Tex to hit him three times before nailing him.
With Tex draped over the second rope Angel jumped on his back then slid out of the ring and made him eat a five-knuckle sandwich. Sadly without Miracle Whip.
Bossman slam pins Tex in a quick squash.

Summary: You can’t blame WCW for trying to get a character over on the big stage with a squash. Hopefully good things are in store for the former Cobb county corrections officer.

Back on 6/1/94 Hulk Hogan signed a contract with WCW after almost a year hiatus. A motorcade stemming from the Charleston airport to the arena brings Hulk Hogan to the arena. Tony and Bobby tease a match between Hogan and Flair. Doug Dillenger opens the limo door, and Jimmy Hart and Hulk Hogan emerge.

Match 3 for the WCW World TV title: Larry Zbyszko (champion) versus Lord Steven Regal (w/ Sir William)

Jesse “The Body” Ventura replaced Heenan on commentary.
Regal came through the curtain wearing a colonial wig resembling a British soldier during the Revolutionary War.
A series of European uppercuts knocked Larry silly.
Larry threw Regal over the top rope onto the ramp.
The reversal of a butterfly suplex that enabled Larry to win the title only got a 2 count this time.
Piledriver by Zbyszko.
Swinging neckbreaker by Zbyszko.
Body scissors by Zbyszko.
Bear hug by Zbyszko converted into a Boston crab attempt.
However, Sir William got involved causing Regal to flip on top of Zbyszko.
Regal grabbed the ropes and stole the victory.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Not quite the human chess match I was expecting as animosity got in the way of wrestling in spots here. Regal’s reclaiming of the TV title is strengthened by Zbyszko’s willingness to put him over.

Okerlund promotes Bash at the Beach on July 17. After a commercial break he interviews “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes and “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson. Okerlund mentions that Rhodes asked Anderson to be his partner in a tag match at Bash at the Beach against Terry Funk and Bunkhouse Buck. Arn’s response is a promise of “the old Arn Anderson…yeah, I’ll be glad to be your partner.” If I’m Dustin here I’d be leery of Arn’s acceptance here; however, Dustin is fired up to find someone to help him fight Colonel Parker’s army.

Match 4 for the US title: “Stunning” Steve Austin (champion) versus Johnny B. Badd

So with Hulk Hogan signed Austin is another blond wrestler from Hollywood. Hmmm…I don’t think Hogan would like that.
Austin had “US Champ” written on the back of his trunks.
Conspicuous by his absence is Colonel Parker.
Blind charge by Badd earned him a back elbow.
Dropkick by Badd sent Austin over the top rope to the floor.
While there he accidentally ate the steel railing. Hope it was lathered in butter.
Flying clothesline from the top rope by Badd.
Austin grabbed Badd’s hand and waved it at the camera. “Hi everybody, I’m with the US Champ.”
Flying headscissors by Badd.
DDT by Badd.
Badd mounted the top turnbuckle but got caught.
Superplex attempt by Austin countered into a gourdbuster.
Top rope sunset flip by Badd hit nothing but mat.
Austin pulled out some brass knuckles and doubled over Badd.
He then hooked an inside cradle and pinned him.
Austin retained the US title.

Summary: Wow! What a difference a month makes. These guys had a completely different match from Slamboree, and it worked wonders. Excellent workrate, psychology, along with cheating to win works in my book.

After the match referee Randy Anderson enters the ring and discovers the brass knuckles. A distracted Austin then gets rolled up by Badd, and Anderson counts the pin? Huh? What just happened here? I smell shenanigans. Either that or an early example of Bischoff’s strategy—controversy creates cash.

“American Made” blares over the loud speakers as Okerlund introduces Hulk Hogan. “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart accompanies him. He has his sights set on the winner of the unification match. From the dressing room “Nature Boy” Ric Flair interrupts and refers to himself as the greatest of all time. Hogan wants to get his hands on Flair at some point.

The next match marks the end of the Big Gold Belt WCW International World title for which only WCW gave a shit. Its <*cough*>prestigious<*cough*> lineage dates all the way back to the previous year where WCW gave away an NWA title victory prior to its occurrence at the Disney tapings. When WCW withdrew from the NWA, “Ravishing” Rick Rude stood as a champion with a bogus title. Additionally, while being under a guaranteed contract and knowing approximately when he’d drop the title Rude didn’t give two shits about delivering a championship-caliber match with it. Regrettably, however, His untimely retirement due to a neck injury caused the belt to transfer to Sting.

Prior to the match Tony name drops Sylvester Stallone, Don Johnson, and Shaquille O’Neal then Shaq and Hogan cut a promo together.

Match 5 for the WCW World title unification: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (WCW World champion) versus Sting (WCW International World champion)

Heenan replaced Ventura on commentary.
Flair came out first.
Sting wore his belt to the ring.
Buffer rumbled.
After the introductions Sensuous Sherri came down the ramp. After hiding behind a mask she revealed herself wearing the exact style of face paint as Sting.
Gorilla press slam by Sting. Make that two.
Flair flop on the floor.
Interestingly Flair made heel gestures toward the crowd.
Series of clotheslines by Sting.
Hip toss and dropkick by Sting.
Flair attempted the figure-four leg lock, but Sting got a sloppy cradle for 2.
Huge “Sting” chant from the crowd.
Stinger splash missed.
Flair asked referee Randy Anderson for the time then tossed Sting over the top rope when he wasn’t looking. Dirtiest player in the game indeed.
Flair tried to pin Sting with his feet on the ropes.
He then made a second attempt at a figure-four but was thwarted.
Sleeper by Flair.
Flair flip put Flair on the apron but Sting clotheslined him down.
Top rope superplex by Sting.
Top rope splash by Sting missed.
Delayed vertical suplex by Flair was no-sold by Sting.
Sting clotheslined Flair over the top rope to the floor.
Sting went for a plancha, but Flair put Sherri directly in his path. Nice bump, Sherri.
As Sting was distracted with Sherri Flair rolled him up with a handful of tights for the victory!

Summary: These guys have had better matches in the past. In this match the psychology was all over the place. The fact that these guys have wrestled so often that they gelled as well as they did here makes this match watchable. But its only historical significance is the unification itself.

After the match the crowd cheers for Flair’s victory. A dazed Sherri enters the ring. Shockingly she and Flair embrace. It was a setup from the get go. She and Flair double-team Sting including two Sherri splashes. Here’s your Flair heel turn. Hulk Hogan emerges from the dressing room to confront Flair, but the Nature Boy avoids the leg drop and bails. Sherri appears to be caught in the middle of the ring, but she slapped Hogan. Flair drags Sherri from the ring to rescue her. There’s your Bash at the Beach main event right there to boost the match rating up ½*.

Okerlund interviews Hogan again. The Hulkster cuts a promo on Flair challenging him for the title.

Conclusion: Well, it had to be done. There was no way Hulk Hogan could enter WCW as a heel; therefore, he had to face a heel Ric Flair. The angle justified the title change. Also, the US title match was excellent as Austin and Mero had their working boots on for this show. Regal’s title victory made sense since Zbyszko was a retired announcer by this point in his career. The Nasty Boys’ putting over Sullivan and Cactus Jack boosts their notoriety and removed the fluke champion label. Certainly check this show out on the WWE Network at your earliest convenience. See you at Bash at the Beach!