WCW Clash of the Champions XXXII

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WCW Clash of the Champions XXXII

Live from Las Vegas, NV

Airdate: January 23, 1996

Attendance: 3,100 (2,750 paid)

Hosted by Tony Schiavone and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

We open with highlights from last night of the World title victory by Randy Savage followed by the victory by Sting and Lex Luger for the WCW World tag team titles.

Tony and Heenan inform us that both Elizabeth and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene will be here. Also a wedding between Colonel Parker and Sister Sherri will take place.

At Little White Chapel “Mean” Gene Okerlund promotes the wedding then makes an Elizabeth Taylor joke. Way to stay current (even in 1996), Gene.

Match 1: Public Enemy versus the Nasty Boys

Highlights:

A pre-taped rap by the Public Enemy showcased them prior to their entrance.
A very healthy “Nasty” chant from the crowd welcomed Knobbs and Sags to the ring.
Clothesline by Knobbs to Grunge with a 270° sell. Not bad for the big guy.
Outside the ring Sags whipped Rock into the steel railing.
In response Rock made Sags taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like Frank’s spaghetti and clams at Sinatra’s. I bet you didn’t think I’d forget “Old Blue Eyes.”
Back in the ring Grunge delivered a belly-to-back suplex to Knobbs.
Rock climbed the steel railing while holding Sags, but Sags kicked the railing crotching Rock. YEE-OUCH!
Knobbs low-bridged Grunge sending him over the top rope to the floor.
Meanwhile Sags went backstage, grabbed a table, and brought it to the ring.
Back in the ring Sags attempted to toss Rock into the table but it was countered by a Rock bulldog.
Flying head butt by Rock to Knobbs.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a sweet moonsault.
Piledriver by Sags to Grunge.
Are you kidding me? As the Nasty Boys set up a table referee Nick Patrick threw the match out. No contact was made. Sheesh!

Rating: **

Summary: Since both teams are known for brawling and garbage matches they make a great pairing. Unfortunately they have to tone it down a notch from the ECW model for WCW.

After the match Sags mounts the top turnbuckle, but Rock nails him sending him all the way to the floor. Subsequently Rock mounts the top turnbuckle and moonsaults Knobbs through the table. Said table barely broke. OUCH! Grunge breaks off a piece of the table in order to whack Knobbs, but Sags steals it. He then wallops Grunge with it splintering the wood into the crowd. YIKES!

Holy flying lumber, Batman! Sags picks up the table and tosses it directly at Grunge’s head on target. Wow! Finally the table has been broken. The bastard. Sags chases Grunge down the aisle while hitting him with a piece of table.

Promotional consideration brought to you by McDonald’s.

Catch SuperBrawl VI live on PPV on February 11!

By the entrance Eric Bischoff interviews Ric Flair with the Giant and Jimmy Hart. Flair refers to the WCW World title as “my title.” Attaboy, champ!

Promotional consideration paid for by the following: Milton Bradley’s Karate Fighters, Slick 50, and Tootsie Roll (the candy not the hip-hop song).

Prior to the next match we see highlights from WCW Saturday Night this past weekend (taped 1/10) where Malenko wrapped up Wright with the Texas Cloverleaf, refused to release the hold, and was promptly disqualified.

Match 2: “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright versus Dean Malenko

Highlights:

This would their rematch “three days later.”
Dropkick by Wright.
Head scissors.
He then missed an enziguri.
By the way chat live electronically with WCW wrestlers on Compuserve at “go conventions.” Gotta love mid-90s technology! Where’s Twitter?
Knee drop on the knee by Malenko.
Dropkick to the knee.
He then rammed Wright’s knee into the ring post.
Dragon-screw leg whip which looked painful.
Back elbow by Wright.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a cross body block.
Dropkick #2 by Wright.
Belly-to-back suplex by Malenko.
Uncharacteristically Makenko mounted the top turnbuckle but ate another dropkick.
Top rope superplex by Wright.
German suplex with a bridge got 2.
Dropkick to the leg again by Malenko.
Jackknife cradle got the pin? Referee Randy Anderson only counted two but awarded the match to Malenko. Wright got screwed!

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: Lazy finish aside this was a short but good technical match that you would expect from these guys.

After the match Tony mentions Malenko’s winning streak. What winning streak? He lost to Brian Pillman (by nefarious means) last night. C’mon, Tony!

Match 3: Disco Inferno versus the Taskmaster (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Highlights:

When Disco Inferno’s music began an Elvis impersonator (Mike Wenner) came down the aisle eating a sandwich.
Elvis was here to deliver a singing telegram and did an absolutely piss-poor job of it.
For his efforts the Taskmaster nailed him.
According to Tony, Disco Inferno was at the wedding and not at Caesar’s Palace; therefore, there will be no match. I blame the bookerman for this ruse.
This was pathetic.

Rating: NONE

Meanwhile Gene is out in front of Little White Chapel and interviews Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater. Buck has no idea where Colonel Parker is. The whereabouts of Sister Sherri is also unknown.

Back at the arena Eric interviews the NEW WCW World tag team champions Sting and Lex Luger. Thankfully the Road Warriors interrupt Luger’s egomaniacal ranting. Animal is happy to be back in WCW. This is Animal’s first US wrestling appearance since the 1993 Fall Brawl. Previously he had been collecting on an insurance policy from Lloyd’s of London due to a severe back problem. Nevertheless Animal requests a title shot for the Road Warriors. While Sting is in favor, Luger isn’t. In fact he states that Harlem Heat, American Males, and even the State Patrol (?) have title matches that take precedence over a match against the Road Warriors. I smell shenanigans.

Get your copy of WCW magazine at your local newsstand today!

In a pre-taped segment “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff explains his current health issues and impending retirement then thanks Gary Spivey for boosting his confidence. While he doesn’t name-drop Vader he refers to him as a “450-pound gorilla who sucker-punched him.” He questions the Four Horsemen’s understanding of the word respect and adds that he was recruited to become a member. According to Orndorff “(the Four Horsemen) may have crippled my body, but they haven’t crippled my heart.” Lastly, he threatens them with not having seen the last of him. Kudos to Mr. Wonderful!

Back at the arena Gary Spivey is shown in the crowd.

Back at the chapel Colonel Parker needs $50 for the cab driver. His phone rings, and Gene believes there is “trouble in paradise.”

Match 4: The “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman versus Eddie Guerrero

Highlights:

This match has some historical significance to it that you will notice immediately.
In the meantime an interview of Eric Bischoff conducted by “Iron” Mike Tenay regarding “certain skits being used by another wrestling organization.” Call the hotline to hear it!
Pillman made his way around the ring, incited the crowd with his lunacy, and shoved Tony.
Dropkick by Guerrero sent Pillman through the ropes to the floor.
As Pillman made his way around the ring again he grabbed Heenan who didn’t expect this whatsoever. Heenan proceeded to ask Pillman “What the fuck are you doing?” live on TV. Having lost his composure Heenan left the broadcast table. For those who aren’t aware Heenan had neck surgery in 1995 and felt threatened by Pillman’s actions.
Shortly thereafter Heenan returned to commentary and apologized for his indiscretion.
Back in the ring Guerrero gave Pillman a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
Dropkick #2.
Another one made for #3.
Guerrero mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a tornado DDT.
Pillman tried to pin Guerrero with his feet on the ropes but only got 2.
As both men went for a cross body block off the ropes Pillman landed on top, grabbed the tights, and got the pin.

Rating: ***

Summary: Criminally short match with the same finish as the Badd-Pillman match at the 1995 Fall Brawl. Still, with the F-bomb dropped by Heenan, this is a can’t-miss moment in wrestling history.

At the entrance Eric interviews the NEW WCW World champion Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, and Kevin Greene of the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers. All three men share an “Oh Yeah.” Keep in mind that Greene was involved in the upcoming Super Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona just five days after this show.

Be sure to watch SuperBrawl VI live on PPV on February 11.

Match 5 for the WCW World tag team titles: Sting and Lex Luger (champions) versus the Blue Bloods

Highlights:

Interesting note: last night Sting and Luger came out to Sting’s music. Tonight they came out to Luger’s.
Dropkick by Sting to Regal.
After Eaton tossed Luger outside the ring he received a back drop on the concrete floor followed by a clothesline.
Tony actually name-dropped Main Event Fitness as a business that Sting and Luger shared ownership.
Swinging neckbreaker from Eaton to Luger.
Tony also name-dropped the Varsity in Atlanta. “What’ll ya have?”
Eaton mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a knee drop.
Regal stretch, but Sting saved Luger and the titles.
Eaton mounted the top turnbuckle, got caught by Luger, and received a botched power slam.
Hot tag Sting.
Eaton mounted the top turnbuckle yet again but hit Regal on the way down instead of Sting.
Taking advantage of the opportunity Sting applied the Scorpion death lock to Eaton and got the submission.

Rating: **

Summary: According to Meltzer Regal blew out his knee in a dark match against Benoit earlier in the evening; therefore, Regal’s participation was severely limited. That, along with Luger being the fall guy, made for a messy tag match.

Outside the chapel Harlem Heat is at the buffet table complaining about the lack of neckbone. HA! Suddenly the bride arrives, and Colonel Parker informs her that he’s broke. Understandably Sister Sherri is beside herself.

Back in the arena Eric interviews Brian Pillman. The “Loose Cannon” threatens to rattle off the seven words you can’t say on television much to Eric’s chagrin, but instead he addresses the word respect.

Match 6 for the Mexican heavyweight title: Konnan (champion) versus Psicosis

Highlights:

Tenay joined the broadcast team for this match.
He mentioned Konnan’s appearance at Starrcade ’90 as part of the Pat O’Connor Memorial International Tag Team tournament. Fortunately he didn’t mention the Black Scorpion.
Konnan tied Psicosis up like a pretzel, but the latter made the ropes.
German suplex by Konnan.
Make that 2.
Catapult into another submission move, but Psicosis made the ropes again.
Spinning heel kick by Psicosis.
Konnan climbed the turnbuckles in order to gain leverage for an arm drag.
Head scissors by Konnan.
Dropkick to the knee.
DDT.
Psicosis mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a missile dropkick sending Konnan to the floor.
Tope by Psicosis all the way into the aisle. Remarkable!
After placing Psicosis on the top rope Konnan gave him a unique German superplex.
Standing figure-four (w/ arms locked) aka “the ziplock” got the submission for Konnan.

Rating: ***

Summary: I’m begging WCW to put these guys on PPV and give them more time. Five minutes was all they got due to the length of the show, and that sucks. By the way a motivated Konnan is someone I can watch every day.

Back at the chapel Sister Sherri is getting dressed in the back of the limousine while Colonel Parker begs for money. Gene offers to walk Sherri down the aisle.

Commercial for the WCW hotline.

When we return to the chapel Gene notifies us that the wedding will take place at the drive-thru. He then walks Sherri down the aisle until Disco Inferno dances in front of them. Slater is about to cry as Charlotte officiates the wedding. All of a sudden Madusa exits the trailer and attacks Sherri even throwing Sherri into her own wedding cake. A catfight ensues.

Tony speculates that Madusa is the “fried pie” Colonel Parker was talking to earlier on the phone.

Promotional consideration paid for by ~~the New World Order~~ Hot Pockets, Slim Jim featuring Randy Savage, Milton Bradley’s Karate Fighters, and McDonald’s.

Match 7: WCW World champion “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan versus “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and the Giant (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Highlights:

Buffer rumbled.
In a huge “Fuck you” to the WWF clips of Hogan destroying Vader are shown on the video board. Poor Leon.
Kevin Greene, Woman, Linda Bollea, and the other women from last night came out after Hogan and Savage.
To Savage’s theme Elizabeth made her WCW debut. All I can say is this.
Flair chastised Greene who removed his jacket and entered the ring.
Clothesline by Savage to Flair.
Make that 2.
Flair Flip bumped into the cameraman.
Big boot from Hogan to Flair on the apron sent Flair flopping to the floor.
Behind referee Randy Anderson’s back the Giant clubbed Savage in the back.
Backslide by Savage.
Giant tagged in as does Hogan.
Failed attempt by Hogan to slam the Giant.
Backbreaker by the Giant to Hogan.
Elbow drop missed.
Hogan slammed the Giant, but Hogan hurt his back.
Vertical suplex by Flair to Hogan.
If you’re reading this review in anticipation of a review for Child’s Play it will not happen; however, Child’s Play did air after this show on TBS according to Tony.
Clothesline by Hogan to Flair.
Back elbow by Flair.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle only to come down the hard way.
Savage mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle.
As Hogan clotheslined the Giant over the top rope to the floor Savage mounted the top turnbuckle again.
Savage hit the big elbow on Flair, but Hart jumped on the apron.
Outside the ring Hogan made the Giant taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the cocoa-espresso NY strip steak at Carson’s Kitchen.
As Savage nailed Hart Flair pulled brass knux out of his trunks.
He subsequently nailed Savage and got the pin.

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: Surprising finish to a match that limited the Giant successfully and continued the feud between Hogan/Savage, the Dungeon of Doom, and the Four Horsemen.

After the match Zodiac and Pillman run in only to get manhandled by Hogan 1-on-2. Sigh. Greene re-enters the ring and assists Hogan in ejecting Pillman out of the ring via over the top rope. Zodiac receives the same treatment. Truthfully Hogan should have waited until Greene got in the ring before touching Zodiac and Pillman.

Conclusion: As expected the wedding was hokey and didn’t occur. What did occur was a great wrestling night in Sin City. While the main event was more sports-entertainment than wrestling the rest of the card featured what Nitro would become later in 1996. I give my whole-hearted recommendation to this show.

As a final note, I certainly hope you enjoyed ALL of the restaurant recommendations as several WCW wrestlers tasted the steel railing in homage to Las Vegas cuisine. Hope you’re hungry.

TV Rating: 3.50

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

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