WCW Fall Brawl '97

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Larry Zbyszko, & “Iron” Mike Tenay

Can the Horsemen get revenge against the nWo? Will Savage and Hall make it 2-0 against DDP and Luger? Let's find out!

Match 1 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: “Lionheart” Chris Jericho (champion) versus Eddie Guerrero

This match took place in ring #1.
When Eddie gave him a cross corner whip, Jericho floated over.
Eddie then attempted la magistral cradle but failed.
As Jericho hooked one of his own, he got 2.
He then leap-frogged Eddie and delivered a stungun.
Upon hitting a Lionsault, Jericho got another 2.
Eddie rebounded by guillotining Jericho with the top rope.
While the Winston-Salem faithful chanted "Eddie sucks," their nemesis dropkicked Jericho in the back twice.
He then gave Jericho a belly-to-back suplex and continued to work on Jericho's back.
When Eddie went to the apron, he delivered a slingshot somersault senton to Jericho's back for 2.
He then hooked a reverse Gory special, but Jericho escaped and hooked one of his own.
As he pancaked Eddie, Jericho missed an elbow drop.
He then gave Eddie a pair of cross corner whips followed by corner clotheslines.
After Eddie escaped a third attempt, he climbed the ropes only for Jericho to crotch him. OUCH!
Jericho then hit a springboard dropkick to send Eddie to the apron.
When he joined Eddie, Jericho guillotined him with the top rope.
Eddie then fell off the apron into Jericho causing both to taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Shanewich at Foothills Brewing.
As Jericho hooked a release German suplex, he got 2.
Eddie then came back with a uranage, charged, but ate a powerslam. Jericho got another 2.
After Eddie reversed a cross corner whip, Jericho caught and launched him across the ring.
He then delivered a spinning heel kick but couldn't get 3.
When Jericho pancaked Eddie again, he attempted another la magistral cradle, but Eddie escaped.
Jericho then powerbombed him twice, placed him atop the top turnbuckle, joined, and attempted a top rope superplex.
On the other hand, Eddie used momentum to land on top.
He then mounted the adjacent top turnbuckle, hit the frog splash, and pinned Jericho.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Fantastic opener that rewarded the solid heel character and punished the stale white-meat babyface. Great job, guys!

Backstage, Jarrett provides an interview for the WCW web site. All I heard was A/S/L and BRB.

Zbyszko joined the broadcast table for this match which took place in ring #2.
As Scott countered a hip toss by Stevie Ray with one of his own, he gave Stevie Ray a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Stevie Ray then delivered a sidewalk slam, gave Scott a cross corner whip, but ate boot on his follow-through.
When Scott hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Stevie Ray, Booker T tagged in.
Scott then reversed an Irish whip but fell victim to a full nelson.
After Scott escaped, he attempted a vertical suplex, but Booker T blocked it.
He then gave Scott one of his own, mounted the top turnbuckle, and leaped.
Conversely, Scott caught him and delivered an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
He then gorilla-pressed Booker T and dropped him like there's no tomorrow.

As Rick tagged in, he slammed Booker T, hit an elbow drop, and got 2.
He then gave Booker T a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through. That's 3 for 3 so far. Can we go around the horn?

When Booker T delivered a leg lariat, Stevie Ray tagged in and clotheslined Rick.
Booker T tagged in, attempted a leap frog, but ate a powerslam from Rick. That resulted in a 2-count.
After Scott tagged in, Rick distracted referee Nick Patrick.
During the discussion, Booker T superkicked Scott over the top rope to the floor.
On the floor, Stevie Ray gave Scott his own superkick.
He then held Scott for Jacqueline, but Scott escaped.
Next, Stevie Ray made Scott taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Candy Store Burger at Hutch & Harris Pub.
Back in the ring, Booker T got 2.
He then hit a flying forearm for another 2.
As Booker T attempted a Harlem sidekick, Scott countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
Hot tag Rick.
When Rick mounted the top turnbuckle, he gave Stevie Ray a diving bulldog.
Booker T then mounted the top turnbuckle, and Harlem Heat delivered the Heatseeker for 2.

In retaliation, the Steiners hit a Steinerline/release German suplex combo on Stevie Ray.
1-2-3.
The Steiners won.

Summary: Not the run-of-the-mill Steiners/Heat match as the finish was unique and good.

Match 3 for the WCW World TV title: “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright (champion) versus Ultimo Dragon

Tenay rejoined the broadcast table for this match which took place in ring #1.
While the Winston-Salem faithful mocked Wright for his alleged bedroom habits, their nemesis slammed Dragon.
He then gave Dragon a hip toss, danced, yet ate a dropkick.
When Dragon landed on his feet post-back drop, he unleashed a series of kicks.
He then missed a superkick but delivered a second one to send Wright to the floor.
Upon guillotining him on the top rope, Wright hit a stungun.
He then gave Dragon a spinning heel kick for 2.
After Wright pancaked Dragon, the Winston-Salem faithful chastised him again.
He then delivered a belly-to-back suplex for another 2.
When Dragon hit a cross body block, he missed a spinning heel kick.
Tenay then clarified that since this match occurred on PPV, it didn't abide by the 10-minute time limit.
As Wright hooked a rear chin lock, he put his feet on the bottom rope for leverage. SNEAKY!
Dragon then hooked a sunset flip, but Wright gave him a knuckle sandwich.
Upon clotheslining Dragon, Wright placed him atop the top turnbuckle, joined, but Dragon shoved him down to the mat.
Dragon then leaped from the second turnbuckle but ate boot.
When Wright countered a standing switch with a back elbow, he followed with a spinning heel kick.
He then delivered a snap suplex, mounted the top turnbuckle, but ate boot.
While another series of kicks by Dragon sent Wright to the floor, Dragon hit an Asai moonsault. Woohoo!
Back in the ring, he gave Wright a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
He then delivered a huracanrana and dropkicked Wright.
As Dragon mounted the top turnbuckle, Wright shook the ropes to crotch him. OUCH!
He then dropkicked Dragon sending him from the top turnbuckle to the floor.
After he hit a plancha, Wright succumbed to a double underhook suplex but kicked out at 2.
Dragon then hooked a Dragon suplex for another 2.
When he placed Wright atop the top turnbuckle, Dragon joined and gave Wright a Liger bomb.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Dragon then slammed Wright, mounted the top turnbuckle, and delivered a moonsault for yet another 2.
As Dragon hit a second huracanrana, Wright reversed it into a sunset flip for 2.
Dragon then mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a dropkick in mid-air.
After Wright got 2, Dragon countered a belly-to-back suplex landing atop Wright for 2.
Wright then secured an inside cradle for 2.
When Dragon hooked la magistral cradle, he got 2.
He then placed Wright atop the top turnbuckle and gave Wright a super huracanrana.
As Dragon applied the Dragon sleeper, Wright made the ropes immediately.
Wright then countered a standard sleeper with a jawbreaker.
After he delivered a German suplex with a bridge, Wright pinned Dragon.
Wright retained.

Summary: Solid match from Wright who countered quite a bit of Dragon's arsenal en route to victory.

This match took place in ring #2.
Jarrett requested that Debra return backstage rather than be involved. I smell shenangans.
While the Winston-Salem faithful chanted "Jarrett sucks," Malenko dropkicked their nemesis.
He then gave Jarrett the ten-top-turnbuckle count-along, but Jarrett hooked a sleeper.
As Malenko made the ropes, Jarrett gave him a cross corner whip.
Malenko then floated to the apron while Jarrett came up empty on his follow-through.
When Malenko mounted the top turnbuckle, he delivered a double axe handle.
He then placed Jarrett atop the top turnbuckle, joined, and hit a top rope superplex. Wow!
After Malenko gave him a cross corner whip, he faked out Jarrett who floated over nothing but air.

Malenko then dropkicked Jarrett and followed with a release German suplex.
As Malenko hooked the Texas Cloverleaf, Jarrett made the ropes.
Suddenly, Debra returned while both wrestlers spilled over the top rope to the floor.
Malenko then returned to the ring and delivered a baseball slide.
Next, he caused Jarrett to taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Moonshiner burger at Waldo's Wings.
He then hit a leg lariat for 2.
When he gave Jarrett a cross corner whip, Malenko ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
Jarrett then rammed Malenko's left knee into the ring post.
After Malenko crotched him on the top rope, he mule-kicked Jarrett into another taste of the steel railing. Waiter, could you give the blond wrestler a Southern Comfort burger please?

With Jarrett on the apron, Malenko tried to suplex him in, but Jarrett fell atop him for 2.
Malenko then hooked his own sleeper, but Jarrett countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
As he mounted the second turnbuckle, Jarrett leaped and caught Malenko by the boot. Clever!
He then attempted a figure-four leg lock, but Malenko countered with an inside cradle for 2.
When he hooked a backslide, Malenko got another 2.
Jarrett rebounded with a swinging neckbreaker, and a pinfall reversal sequence followed.
After Malenko blocked a knee crusher, Jarrett reversed a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Malenko then leap-frogged Jarrett but received a chop block.
As Jarrett applied the figure-four leg lock, Malenko submitted.
Jarrett won.

Summary: By virtue of winning, Jarrett will challenge the US champion at Halloween Havoc '97. Or will he? Stay tuned, Monday Night War fans!

This match took place in ring #1.
When Barbarian reversed a cross corner whip, he ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
He then flapjacked and clotheslined Mortis for 2.
As Meng tagged in, he gave Mortis a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Wrath tagged in and brawled with Meng.
After Meng gave Wrath a cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
Wrath then mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a flying clothesline.
When tags were exchanged on both sides, Faces of Fear hit a backdrop/powerbomb combo on Mortis for a 1-count. Impressive!
Barbarian then gave Mortis a pumphandle slam for 2.
As Meng tagged in, he distracted referee Mark Curtis. That allowed Barbarian to give Mortis the business.

Barbarian tagged in, slammed Mortis, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Vandenberg shook the top rope to crotch him. OUCH! Meanwhile, Wrath distracted Curtis.
After Barbarian mounted the top turnbuckle, he leaped but ate boot.
Wrath came in and delivered a bicycle kick to Barbarian.
Next, Wrath and Mortis hit a powerbomb/hangman's neckbreaker combo on Barbarian. Nifty!
Wrath then gave Barbarian a backbreaker and mounted the second turnbuckle.
When he delivered a corkscrew elbow drop, Wrath got 2.
Mortis tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and hit a super Rocker Dropper for another 2.
As Wrath tagged in, he hit a belly-to-back suplex, mounted the top turnbuckle, and nailed Barbarian.
He then distracted Curtis so that Mortis could ram Barbarian face-first into the steps.
After Mortis tossed Barbarian back into the ring, Wrath couldn't get 3.
Wrath then placed Barbarian atop the top turnbuckle, and Mortis gave Barbarian a Wrath-assisted superplex.`Wow!
Hot tag Meng.
When he powerslammed Wrath, Meng got 2.
He then slammed Mortis, mounted the top turnbuckle, and delivered a splash for 2.
As Vandenberg got up on the apron, Meng applied the Tongan death grip to him.
Mortis then tried to stop him, but Meng applied the Tongan death grip to him too.
After Wrath intervened with the Death Penalty, he pinned Meng.
Wrath and Mortis won.

Summary: Extremely solid tag match that could have benefitted from more of a storyline so that Faces of Fear could earn a babyface response.

Back in the locker room, Okerlund interviews three of the Four Horsemen who cut a great promo.

This match took place in ring #2.
As Giant clotheslined him, he followed Norton to the floor and made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Tostada Teddy at the Porch.
He then tried to ram Norton shoulder-first into the ring post but HIT THE POLE himself.
When Norton attempted to suplex him on the floor, Giant blocked it.
He then delivered his own suplex on the floor and sent Norton careening into the steel railing.
After Giant tossed him back into the ring, a clothesline by Norton sent both wrestlers over the top rope to the floor.
They returned to the ring, and Norton nailed Giant down I-40 to Statesville.
Next, he lifted Giant up and gave him a stungun. Impressive!
He then delivered a pair of avalanches followed by a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
As Giant nipped up, he hit a big boot.
He then dropkicked and chokeslammed Norton.
1-2-3.
Giant won.

Summary: Despite Norton's feats of strengths, Giant pulled out some tricks en route to another chokeslam victory.

Match 7: “Macho Man” Randy Savage & WCW World tag team champion Scott Hall (w/ Elizabeth) versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger & Diamond Dallas Page

This match took place in ring #1.
When Luger clotheslined Hall, he gave Savage a taste of the same medicine.
He then double-clotheslined Savage and Hall while DDP distracted referee Mark Curtis.
In the meantime, Luger gorilla-pressed and tossed Savage onto Hall on the floor.
DDP tagged in and delivered an atomic drop to Hall.
Upon pancaking Hall, DDP nailed Savage.
Speaking of Savage, he tripped DDP coming off the ropes, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a knee drop.
He then guillotined DDP with the top rope and switched with Hall illegally.
After Hall gave DDP a fallaway slam, he got 2.
Shortly after, he stomped Luger into the abyss between the two rings. Scary!

While Savage distracted Curtis, Elizabeth raked DDP's eyes. Scandalous!
Savage then launched DDP into ring #2 to Hall.
As if it was a game, Hall then relaunched DDP back into ring #1.
He then distracted Curtis so that Savage and Elizabeth could double-team DDP. How dastardly!
When Hall decked Curtis, he cemented his chicanery with a crotch chop.
Mickey Jay came to the ring to check on Curtis, but Hall hammered him too.
Having had enough, Zbyszko left the broadcast table and headed toward the rings.
He then confronted Hall while Luger re-emerged from between the rings.
After Zbyszko shoved Hall, Luger hooked a roll-up.
Zbyszko then counted the pin while DDP and Luger won.

Summary: More shenanigans than wrestling, but the Winston-Salem faithful ate it up with a spoon.

Promo airs for Halloween Havoc '97. It will be LIVE on PPV on 10/26. Order NOW!

Match 8 (WarGames): The “Crippler” Chris Benoit, WCW US champion Steve “Mongo” McMichael, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, & Curt Hennig versus WCW World tag team champion Kevin Nash, Syxx, K-Dogg, & “Buff” Bagwell

Buffer rumbled as did my stomach. Anyone have an antacid?
As Benoit and Bagwell began the match, Benoit sent him into the cage twice.
He then clotheslined Bagwell and gave him a third helping of cage.

When he gave Bagwell a cross corner whip, Benoit suplexed him into the cage.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle but missed a diving head butt.
After Bagwell rammed him into the cage, he dropkicked Benoit.
Meanwhile, the Winston-Salem faithful chanted "We Want Sting."
Bagwell then backdropped Benoit into the cage while the nWo won the coin toss.

As Bagwell face-planted Benoit, K-Dogg entered the cage.
Benoit then delivered a snap suplex to K-Dogg and slammed Bagwell atop him.
When he rammed K-Dogg into the cage, Benoit served up more cage for Bagwell.

Bagwell then reversed an Irish whip, and K-Dogg hit a DDT on Benoit.
After Bagwell and K-Dogg moved to ring #2, Mongo entered the ring.
He then gave K-Dogg a three-point stance tackle followed by an elbow drop.
As Syxx entered the cage, Benoit provided him a sampling of cage.

Benoit then clotheslined Syxx before Mongo sent him from the roof of the cage down to the mat.
When Benoit hooked the Crippler Crossface on Syxx, Bagwell made the save.
Suddenly, Hennig came to the ring with his right arm in a sling.
Benoit then gave Syxx some extra special cage sauce, and Flair entered the cage.

After he supplied Syxx with some tasty cage du jour, Flair rubbed Syxx's face into it.
Mongo then delivered a backbreaker to K-Dogg, and Flair brought Syxx into ring #1 for some cage a la mode.
As Nash entered the cage, he hit a sidewalk slam on Flair.
Benoit then dove at him, but Nash sandwiched him against the cage.
When Nash moved to ring #2, the Winston-Salem faithful chanted "We Want Sting" again.
Syxx then rubbed Flair's face into the cage while Bagwell rammed Benoit into it.
After Flair evened the odds with Antarctic uppercuts to Syxx and Bagwell, Hennig entered the cage.
Flair then hooked the figure-four leg lock on Syxx while Hennig removed the sling to reveal shackles.
Oh no!
As he CLOBBERED Mongo with one, Hennig tossed the other set of shackles to Nash.
WE HAVE A HEEL TURN!
He then gave Benoit a double axe handle while supplying K-Dogg with his shackles.
When Nash shackled Mongo to one side of the cage, K-Dogg shackled Benoit to the other side.
During all of this, Hennig, Bagwell, and Syxx triple-teamed Flair.
Referee Nick Patrick then entered the cage and provided Nash with a microphone.
After Hennig ripped up his Horseman shirt, Nash questioned if either Benoit or Mongo would surrender.
Neither did so they got pummeled.
As Bagwell questioned him, Benoit spat in his face. Well, that's definitive.
Nash then delivered a jackknife powerbomb to Flair, yet Benoit told Bagwell "Bite me."
When Nash and Hennig dragged Flair's head into the path of the cage's door, Mongo surrendered.

Team nWo won.

Summary: Like a dagger to the heart, the nWo defeated the Horsemen in Horseman country.

After the match, despite the surrender, Hennig viciously rams the cage door into Flair's head. OUCH! Nash then declares "death to the Horsemen right in their own backyard."

Conclusion: Memo to Eric Bischoff: If your mission was to kill off the Southern NWA crowds by destroying the Horsemen, you accomplished your goal. However, in the event you try killing another older, recycled faction, don't do it in front of its biggest fanbase. After all, they're the ones buying the tickets.

As far as the rest of the show goes, mostly everything else was either golden or extremely solid. Check out the undercard, but don't watch WarGames if you have any love for the Horsemen.