Clash of the Champions XXXIII

We begin the program with the aftermath of Hog Wild as NEW WCW World Champion Hollywood Hogan beats up his best friend, the Booty Man. Next, we revisit Hogan’s chair shot to Savage from last Monday. Afterward, promos from both Hogan and Flair from Nitro are shown.

After Tony and Heenan open the show, we revisit the ending to the main event of Nitro.

Match 1 for the Cruiserweight title: Rey Mysterio Jr. (champion) versus Dean Malenko

“Iron” Mike Tenay joined the broadcast team for this match.
Malenko attacked immediately and hooked a snap suplex.
After Mysterio psyched Malenko into being outside the ring, Malenko got up on the apron but received a springboard dropkick sending him back to the floor.
Mysterio then took him down with a baseball slide into a flying headscissors.
After a leapfrog by Malenko, Mysterio delivered an Asai moonsault for 2.
Upon giving Mysterio a stungun, Malenko delivered a brainbuster but only got 2.
This match was sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts.
WCW had the gall to ask people to pay $89.95 (plus $10 for shipping) for a Hog Wild denim jacket. Sheesh!
Upon returning from commercial break, Mysterio hooked a rollup with a bridge for 2.
After giving Mysterio a pancake, Malenko got 2.
Following that, Mysterio used momentum to send Malenko outside the ring then delivered a somersault plancha.
Malenko then whipped Mysterio toward the steel railing; however, Mysterio used it as a springboard to deliver a moonsault. Wow!
After tossing Malenko back in, Mysterio gave him a springboard dropkick and got 2.
He then countered a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker into a press for another 2.
Next, a springboard huracanrana only got 2 due to Malenko’s legs being in the ropes.
When Mysterio mounted the top turnbuckle, Malenko joined him and nailed the super gutbuster.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Mysterio’s leg was on the bottom rope, but the bell rang by mistake by eiher referee Randy Anderson or the timekeeper.
Mysterio then gave Malenko a victory roll and got the pin to retain.

Promotional consideration paid for by the following: Slim Jim featuring “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Absorbine, Jr., and Dentyne gum.

Yet another Glacier promo. Perhaps he’s stuck on Pike’s Peak since he’s so COLD.

After using the ropes to shoo Duggan, Wallstreet succumbed to the ten-top-turnbuckle count-along due to talking to the camera. D’oh!
Upon giving Wallstreet a hip toss, Duggan followed with a clothesline.
Wallstreet then exited the ring to escape the three-point stance clothesline.
He then guillotined Duggan using the top rope.
According to Tony, the next WCW PPV will be Fall Brawl on 9/15 from Winston-Salem, NC.
Meanwhile, an elbow drop by Wallstreet only got 1.
A subsequent cross-corner whip was given by Duggan, but he ate an elbow on his follow-through.
Wisely, Duggan countered a reverse chin lock with a jawbreaker.
After slamming Wallstreet, Duggan pulled his athletic tape out of his trunks.
Referee Randy Eller attempted to stop Duggan from using the tape, so Wallstreet used the distraction to roll up Duggan for the pin.

Back in the locker room, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews the Nasty Boys. Obviously, they’re frustrated that they’re not involved in the triangle match later on.

Once again, Tenay joined the broadcast team for this match.
Early on, Konnan tied Dragon up like a pretzel but forgot the mustard.
Upon landing on his feet after receiving a back drop, Dragon dropkicked Konnan between the ropes to the floor.
Onoo tried to kick Konnan but was grabbed. Seeing the distraction, Dragon leaped from the apron and gave Konnan a double axe handle.
Back in the ring, Dragon delivered a moonsault to the back of Konnan.
He then hooked Konnan in a la majistral cradle for 2.
After hooking Konnan with a German suplex with a bridge, he converted to a rollup.
However, Konnan reversed it, grabbed the tights, and got the pin.

Summary: I think I liked Konnan’s work as a face better because he actually gave a shit.

Tony shills Compuserve with Ice Train at the controls. All of a sudden, Norton runs him over like a Mack truck. Perhaps he wasn’t thrilled that Ice Train was cybering with someone other than him.

Savage no-showed due to the injury from Nitro, so Meng won by forfeit.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews the Dungeon of Doom. While Hart yammers about his men, the Leprechaun bounces around the ring like a superball.

After Madusa missed a dropkick, Nakano gave her a pair of hair mares. Sigh.
While Onoo distracted referee Randy Eller, Nakano nailed Madusa with the nunchucks to the midsection. OUCH!
Afterward, a clothesline by Nakano got 1.
After a cross-corner whip by Nakano, Madusa leaped to the second turnbuckle and hit a TERRIBLE cross body block.
A subsequent series of take downs by Madusa got 2.
Madusa then attempted a sunset flip, but Nakano SQUISHED her and got 2.
Next, Nakano mounted the second turnbuckle, but Madusa dropkicked her down to the floor.
Madusa then mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, and nailed Onoo instead of Nakano.
After Onoo got up on the apron, he accidentally kicked Nakano.
Madusa then rolled up Nakano for the pin.

Back in the locker room, Okerlund interviews Flair (with Woman and Elizabeth) who cuts a promo on Hogan. He actually referred to Hall as “Chico.”

To begin, Eddie countered a backbreaker attempt with a flying headscissors.
After delivering a dropkick, Eddie gave DDP a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
DDP then converted an over-the-shoulder backbreaker into a gutbuster.
Following that, he gave Eddie a tilt-a-whirl slam for 2.
Like a good heel, DDP put his foot on the ropes while applying a rear chin lock.
After giving DDP a back elbow, Eddie delivered a somersault senton for 2.
DDP retaliated with a jawbreaker then followed with a sit-out powerbomb for 2.
Frustrated, DDP placed Eddie on the top turnbuckle but took too much time.
Eddie then delivered a head butt sending DDP down to the mat.
He followed with a frog splash and got the pin.
WE HAVE A NEW BATTLEBOWL…ahh, never mind. That’s not really a title.

Summary: While DDP brought the wrestling moves, Eddie supplied the underdog drama and tenacity. Good match!

After the match, DDP shakes Eddie’s hand then delivers the Diamond Cutter. While crafty, it is somewhat expected for a heel to get his heat back like that. Upon choking Eddie, DDP tosses referee Randy Eller over the top rope to the floor then gives Eddie a second Diamond Cutter. Chavo comes in to rescue his uncle, but DDP shoves him down and gives Eddie Diamond Cutter #3 from the top turnbuckle.

Afterward, Hogan drags Okerlund out from behind the curtain in an effort to “shut up all these chumps out here.” He then puts himself in the same company as Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan. Wow! What an ego!

Does anyone have a snowmobile to rescue this poor soul named Glacier? His arrival has turned quite COLD.

Match 6: The Giant (w/ Jimmy Hart) versus the “Crippler” Chris Benoit (w/ Woman & Elizabeth)

In spite of Benoit’s awesome wrestling skills, I don’t like his chances here.
Holy flying 747’s, Batman! While Woman accidentally got caught assisting Benoit out of his vest, Giant delivered a dropkick to Benoit! Awesome!
He then gave Benoit a HUGE chokeslam way above his head down to the mat.
1-2-3.

Summary: The star alone is for that dropkick. I knew Benoit stood no chance here. Can someone please get out the spatula to remove him from the ring?

Match 7 for the WCW World tag team titles (triangle): Harlem Heat (champions w/ Sister Sherri & Colonel Parker) versus the Steiners versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger & Sting

Parker came to the ring quite a few steps behind Harlem Heat.
Booker T began the match with a Harlem sidekick to Scott.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, got caught, and then was crotched on the top rope. OUCH!
Luger then ran over and clotheslined Booker T down to the mat.
Shortly after, he tagged in and gave Stevie Ray a clothesline.
Rick tagged in and gave both Stevie Ray and Luger Steinerlines.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and gave Stevie Ray a super bulldog.
That only got 2 thanks to a save by Luger.
While Rick was distracted with Luger, Stevie Ray gave him a Mafia kick.
After a commercial break, Rick gave Booker T a powerslam.
Upon an elbow drop delivered by Rick, Sting tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and nailed Booker T for 2.
He then reversed a hip toss with one of his own that sent Booker T over the top rope to the floor. Referee Nick Patrick did not call for the DQ.
After a leapfrog, Sting gave Booker T a gorilla press slam for 2 thanks to a save by Stevie Ray.
According to Tony, Sting and Luger will face Flair and Arn in the main event of Nitro this coming Monday. Woohoo! Also, Savage, if healthy, will face the Giant. In addition, Duggan will face Wallstreet in a return bout due to the chicanery earlier in this show.
Nevertheless, Luger tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and delivered a double axe handle to Booker T’s back.
He then gave Booker T a vertical suplex, but Stevie Ray disrupted the impending count.
Shortly after, Sting leapfrogged over Scott then gave him a stungun.
Following that, he mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a flying clothesline, but Rick stopped the pin attempt.
Scott then countered a vertical suplex attempt with the Scorpion death drop.
Next, he hooked a butterfly bomb but only got 2 thanks to another save by Luger.
Afterward, Rick gave Luger a cross-corner whip but ate a clothesline on his follow-through.
After a second clothesline, Luger whipped Rick into the corner again but came up empty.
Immediately, Rick hooked a release German suplex and tagged in Scott.
Upon giving Luger a belly-to-belly suplex, Scott mounted the second turnbuckle.
He got caught by Luger, held in a fireman’s carry rather than the Torture Rack until Rick saved him.
While Sting, Rick, Luger, and Stevie Ray fought on the floor, Booker T gave Scott a Harlem sidekick.
After Scott gave Booker T a Frankensteiner, the Outsiders ambushed the four men on the floor.
Instead of calling the easy pin, Patrick called for the DQ.
The Steiners got screwed!
Harlem Heat retained.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews Patrick who claims to be a great referee due to his peripheral vision.

Match 9 for the WCW World title: Hollywood Hogan (champion) versus US Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (w/ Woman & Elizabeth)

After ducking a clothesline, Flair chopped and nailed Hogan until the latter fled the ring to regroup.
Flair then leaped from the apron and gave Hogan a double axe handle.
Back in the ring, after some miscommunication, Hogan gave Flair a cross-corner whip resulting in a Flair flip to the floor.
Hogan then made Flair taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Athens sub at Cherry Cricket.
Next, Hogan rammed Flair face-first into the ring post.
Upon returning to the ring, Hogan gave Flair another cross-corner whip resulting in Flair flip #2.
However, Flair landed on the apron, ducked a clothesline, and then nailed Hogan.
After giving Hogan a vertical suplex, Hogan apparently Hulked up.
He then hit the big boot but missed the leg drop.
Immediately, Flair hooked the figure-four leg lock.
Will Hogan submit? Do we have a new champion?
No, because Hogan, in lieu of submitting, tossed referee Randy Anderson down.
The Outsiders then ran in and put the boots to Flair until the rest of the Horsemen along with Luger and Sting chased them away.
Ring announcer David Penzer announced the decision as a DQ.
Hogan retained.

Conclusion: With the opener, the Battlebowl ring match, and the triangle match, this is a good show. If you’ve never seen Giant chokeslam Benoit, you also need to see that to believe it. Frankly, this seemed like just another Nitro. I don’t see the purposes of these shows other than to flood the TV market the week of Summerslam in order to kill its buyrate.