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WCW Halloween Havoc ’91

Live from Chattanooga, TN

Airdate: October 27, 1991

Attendance: 8,900 (4,400 paid)

Hosted by Jim Ross & Tony Schiavone

Can Simmons capture gold in Chattanooga? Who will become the new light heavyweight champion? Also, who is the WCW Phantom? Read on!

Earlier today, Eric Bischoff supposedly stands outside the UTC Arena as Cactus Jack pulls up in a sedan with Abdullah. Next, DDP arrives with the Diamond Studd in a sports car. Afterward, Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes drive up in a red Mercedes convertible. Suddenly, the Enforcers attack Windham CRUNCHING his right hand in the door. OUCH! Rhodes then puts Windham in the passenger seat to seek medical attention.

Match 1 (Chamber of Horrors): WCW US champion Sting, the Steiners, & El Gigante versus Big Van Vader, Cactus Jack, Abdullah the Butcher, & the Diamond Studd

Highlights:

Rating: -*

Summary: While appropriate for Halloween, this became a convoluted mess pretty quickly.

After the match, fireworks explode, and the arena lights dim. According to Schiavone, "(Abdullah's) getting cooked!" Cactus checks on him, and Abdullah bowls him over. He then attacks the ghouls on the ramp before he and Cactus return backstage.

Speaking of backstage, Bischoff and Missy Hyatt, in their Halloween costumes, interview the now heelish Young Pistols who want their opportunity at the US tag titles and run down the Patriots.

Match 2: Big Josh & PN News versus the Creatures

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: Josh was the workhorse while News overpowered the Creatures.

Match 3: Terrance Taylor (w/ Alexandra York) versus “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton

Highlights:

Rating: ****1/2

Summary: This was more than likely Eaton's best singles match to date. The Chattanooga faithful were firmly in Eaton's favor during the match and thoroughly loved the finish.

Match 4: Jimmy Garvin (w/ Michael Hayes) versus Johnny B. Badd (w/ Teddy Long)

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Better than I expected it to be as Badd had his moments.

After the match, Hayes chases Long into the ring and nails him with a left.

Backstage, Hyatt can't locate the Phantom but intercepts Eaton who's ready to celebrate with some pumpkin ale. As par for the course, Hyatt remains frustrated much to my delight.

Match 5 for the WCW World TV title: “Stunning“ Steve Austin (champion w/ Lady Blossom) versus the "Natural" Dustin Rhodes

Highlights:

Rating: ****

Summary: Great story told here as Rhodes tried everything in his arsenal to win, and Austin made Rhodes look incredible.

After the match, Rhodes dropkicks Austin out of the ring.

Promo airs for Starrcade '91 LIVE on PPV on 12/29. It's the inaugural BattleBowl: The Lethal Lottery. Are you ready?

Match 6: Oz versus Bill Kazmaier

Highlights:

Rating: DUD

Summary: Pure definition of a popcorn match. This was the last supershow appearance of Oz. What will become of Kevin Nash? Stay tuned!

Match 7: Van Hammer versus “Pretty Boy” Doug Somers

Highlights:

Rating: -**

Summary: This guy is not ready for prime time as he either rushed or botched every move. I bet Somers called the "Playboy" asking for a reunion afterward.

Sorry, Buddy.

Prior to the next match, Pillman dedicates it to his family and fans. York and Morton then cut a promo on Pillman.

Match 8 (final for the WCW World Light Heavyweight title tournament): Richard Morton (w/ Alexandra York) versus “Flyin’” Brian Pillman

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: This was supposed to be exponentially historical for WCW, yet Morton's inability to leave his feet couldn't differentiate this match much from a heavyweight match. Unlike the opener, the Refer-eye didn't behave obnoxiously.

Match 9: The WCW Phantom versus the Z-Man

Highlights:

Rating: ½*

Summary: Hmmm...he's still a mystery to me.

Promo #2 for Starrcade '91 airs.

Match 10 for the WCW World tag team titles: The Enforcers (champions) versus WCW US tag team champions the Patriots

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: Given the short history of their reign, it was the right decision for the Enforcers to retain. Although they carried Chip and Champion well, there was only so much they could do given the limitations of the challengers.

On the ramp, Bischoff interviews Uncle Paul with Madusa. According to Uncle Paul, he's "too controversial" and "no longer the co-host of World Championship Wrestling." That's actually a shoot. Going forward, he wants to use his managerial license to destroy WCW's "heroes" beginning with Sting. As he mentions his acquisition of Madusa, he had previously requisitioned her to find someone to take Sting down. He then re-introduces the WCW Phantom.

With fervor, Uncle Paul reveals the next WCW US champion--"Ravishing" Rick Rude. Holy shit! I was wondering when and where he'd crop up. Rude reiterates Uncle Paul's mission against WCW starting with Sting. Next, he runs down Sting and wants to become US champion.

QUICK HOT TAKE: That's a great surprise and great acquisition for WCW.

Prior to the main event, a video featuring Simmons airs.

Match 11 for the NWA World title (2 out of 3 falls): The “Total Package” Lex Luger (champion w/ Harley Race) versus Ron Simmons (w/ the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes)

Highlights:

Fall one:

Fall two:

Fall three:

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: Both wrestlers showed me what they can truly do when given the brass ring. Great work, gentlemen. Also, Ross' depiction of the match was spectacular as he sold the near-falls by Simmons exceptionally.

Conclusion: With the surprise appearance of Rude, the edge-of-your-seat thrilling match between Eaton and Taylor, the awesome Austin-Rhodes match, and the much-better-than-expected main event, I thoroughly enjoyed this show and recommend it.

As far as the buyrate is concerned, one must factor in that this show opposed a New York Giants-Washington Redskins football game and game seven of the World Series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the Ted Turner-owned Atlanta Braves.

Buyrate: 0.80

Stay tuned for WCW Clash XVII!

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

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