WCW Halloween Havoc 1995

According to Tony, Ric Flair has been attacked by Brian Pillman and Arn Anderson. Their tag match later may be in jeopardy. No! That’s why I bought the show, dammit! Oh wait, it’s 20 years later. Never mind.

Highlights from WCW Saturday Night where Badd no-showed his US title match against Sting (aired 9/30, taped 9/20). Pillman took his place but lost. At the end of the show Badd showed up stating he had a flat tire. DDP interrupted, but Maxx Muscle let the proverbial cat out of the bag with FOUR flat tires. Badd nailed DDP with the “kiss that don’t miss” in retaliation. Solid angle.

Match 1 for the World TV title: Diamond Dallas Page (champion w/ the Diamond Doll and Maxx Muscle) versus Johnny B. Badd

Interestingly DDP shot off the Badd Blaster prior to Badd’s entrance. He must have stolen it from the Gorilla position beforehand.
“Badd” supposedly came through the entrance; however, he actually came through the crowd, entered the ring, and nailed DDP. SNEAKY!
Knee lift by Badd.
On a cross-corner whip Badd sent DDP over the top turnbuckle to the floor.
Maxx Muscle got involved but got his head rammed into DDP courtesy of Badd.
They fought into the stands. Badd whipped DDP into the steel railing then nailed him sending him back to ringside.
Badd found a bucket in the front row, placed it upon DDP’s head, and clapped it. BOING! His ears could still be ringing 20 years later.
Badd then rammed him into the ring post.
Dropkick by Badd.
He then attempted the 10-punch count-along with the crowd, but DDP gave him Snake eyes instead. A “funky” Kevin Nash probably loved it.
Belly-to-back suplex by DDP. Reluctantly the Diamond Doll held up a “10” for DDP.
Pancake piledriver by DDP.
B-O-R-I-N-G pair of chin locks by DDP. I thought chin locks were supposed to be rest/strategy periods in matches; however, DDP pre-planned all his spots in matches so I don’t understand his logic here unless it’s just to waste PPV time.
Backslide by Badd.
Clothesline by DDP.
Sunset flip by Badd went awry as DDP nailed him.
Powerslam by DDP.
In order to win a wristlock battle DDP used leverage from Maxx Muscle.
Speaking of Maxx Muscle he got up on the apron to distract referee Nick Patrick. Meanwhile DDP choked Badd with his wrist tape.
Belly-to-back suplex by Badd.
Inverted atomic drop by Badd.
Atomic drop by Badd.
Flying headscissors by Badd.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and gave DDP a double axe handle.
The Diamond Doll gave Badd a “10.” I smell mutiny in the ranks.
Sit-out powerbomb by Badd.
DDT by DDP.
Diamond Cutter blocked by Badd.
DDP tried to give Badd Snake Eyes again to counter the 10-punch count-along, but Badd leveraged him over the top rope to the floor.
Fake out on a tope by Badd followed by a somersault plancha onto both DDP and Maxx Muscle. Awesome!
Splash from the apron to the ring by Badd.
Maxx Muscle got up on the apron again and grabbed Badd. DDP went to punch him, but Badd side-stepped him. While DDP put the brakes on before hitting Maxx Badd gave him a dropkick sending Maxx to the floor. Badd only got 2 off a rollup.
Page tossed Badd outside the ring. Maxx grabbed him, but Badd sent him into the ring post.
As Page applied a full nelson Maxx (who was up on the apron YET AGAIN) nailed DDP instead of Badd.
After nailing Maxx and sending him back to the floor Badd made the cover and got the pin.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Discounting DDP’s chin locks a great story was told in this match.

Kamala was on a per-appearance deal with WCW. Since WCW didn’t pay for him to be there, Zodiac took his place. No-showing in order to avoid doing a job? So THAT’S where Nash got that!
As Savage was beating up Zodiac, a fan attempted to enter the ring. Referee Randy Anderson ran interference so that security could remove him.
The fan got into the ring, so Savage took Zodiac outside and rammed him into the ring post.
He then made him eat the steel railing. It must have tasted like the pesce alla Francesca at Giovanni’s.
Make that twice. I guess the Zodiac had room left over for some gnocchi de patate verde.
Zodiac turned the tables and rammed Savage into the ring post. From the crowd reaction it appeared that the interloper had been subdued.
Back in the ring Zodiac mounted the second turnbuckle but missed a splash.
Savage then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the big elbow.
Savage won.

Summary: I realize Savage may have to wrestle twice tonight, but when the highlight of the match is a disruptive fan you get nothing.

Backstage “Mean” Gene Okerlund shills the WCW Hotline teasing a story that dealt with Carl Ouellet, I believe. Anyways, he interviews NEW WCW TV champion Johnny B. Badd. Believe it or not Gene invites Badd out for some Greek food in Detroit. Pass the baklava, please!

Flying shoulder block from Hawk.
Reverse neckbreaker.
After a cross-corner whip Kurasawa side-stepped Hawk sending him shoulder-first into the ring post.
Gutwrench suplex by Hawk.
Powerbomb.
Kurasawa mounted the top turnbuckle but missed an elbow drop.
Hawk then clotheslined Kurasawa over the top rope to the floor.
He then delivered a clothesline from the apron to the floor to Parker.
Kurasawa took advantage of the situation and rammed Hawk’s head into the ring post.
Samoan drop by Kurasawa.
With his feet on the ropes and leverage by Parker Kurasawa got the pin.

Summary: Methinks Nakanishi learned more outside the ring from Hawk than he did inside of it.

For those unfamiliar the Original Sheik was a legend in Detroit. This was not the Iron Sheik from Iran.
As the bell rang Mr. JL gave Sabu an enziguri.
Baseball slide by Mr. JL, but it barely made any contact.
Sabu rammed Mr. JL into the steel railing then delivered an Asai moonsault that not only took out Mr. JL but also the Sheik.
Mr. JL reversed an Irish whip and sent Sabu into the steel railing.
Still on the floor Sabu dove at Mr. JL but the latter ducked.
Mr. JL mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a springboard plancha on the floor.
After being vaulted to the top rope Sabu missed a moonsault.
Again Mr. JL mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a moonsault for 2.
Sit-out powerbomb by Mr. JL.
Springboard leg drop by Sabu.
German suplex with a bridge by Mr. JL.
Mr. JL mounted the top turnbuckle yet again but got caught. Third time wasn’t the charm obviously.
Victory roll from the top turnbuckle by Sabu.
Sabu mounted the ropes again, but Mr. JL hit a springboard dropkick to send him to the floor.
Slingshot moonsault by Sabu got the pin.

Summary: Spotfest city! While exciting it neither told a story nor went anywhere. Methinks Sabu’s WCW tenure won’t run much longer.

After the match the Sheik threw his customary fireball at Mr. JL. How dastardly!

At the entrance King Curtis yells at the Taskmaster making no sense whatsoever. Supposedly Hulkamania will be dead courtesy of the Dungeon of Doom. Also the Yeti will appear later.

Back in the locker room Gene interviews the winner of the Harley-Davidson contest (“Maniac” Mike Hill) along with “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart.

World War III only on PPV November 26! Smell the 60-man battle royal coming your way.

Tony speculated on Luger being “in cahoots” with the Dungeon of Doom. Do I smell foreshadowing?
Luger gave Meng a catapult into the top turnbuckle.
Inside cradle by Meng got 2.
Luger clotheslined Meng over the top rope to the floor.
Outside the ring Luger rammed Meng into the ring post.
He then rammed his shoulder into it.
Luger missed an avalanche.
Belly-to-back suplex but Meng reversed momentum and landed on Luger.
Shoulderbreaker by Meng.
Piledriver by Meng.
Cross body block by Luger.
Belly-to-back suplex by Meng.
Meng tossed Luger to the floor by the Taskmaster but wasn’t touched. Hmmm.
Meng missed a dropkick.
After “accidentally” tossing Meng over the top rope Luger brought him back in with a vertical suplex.
Clothesline by Luger…no-sold by Meng.
Make that 2.
A third one took Meng down.
A pair of clothesline by Luger.
Powerslam.
Meng reached for the golden spike and nailed Luger In the throat.
When Meng went for the pin the Taskmaster broke it up with a kick to Luger. Huh?
Luger won by disqualification.

Summary: Slow match, but it appears that Sullivan wanted Luger to win the match in order to face Savage. The plot thickens.

Match 6: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Sting versus “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson and “Flyin’” Brian Pillman

Sting entered the ring alone.
As anticipated a very healthy “We Want Flair” chant erupted.
Full nelson by Arn reversed by Sting. He then dropped him on his back.
Faceplant by Sting to Arn.
Pillman attempted to lure Sting into a clothesline by Arn on the floor, but Sting clotheslined both of them instead.
Military press slam by Sting to Pillman.
As Pillman mounted the top turnbuckle Sting catapulted Arn into him. YEE-OUCH!
Sting then tossed Pillman into the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Mary Ann at Slows Bar-BQ.
When Pillman returned to the apron Sting rammed Arn’s head into Pillman’s.
Flair hit the ring in street clothes and with a bandage on his head.
Meanwhile Pillman made Sting taste the steel railing. It tasted like the Yardbird at Slows. Pillman must have the same metabolism as Luger with all this food.
Rocket Launcher but Pillman hit knees.
Belly-to-back suplex by Arn.
In a clever move to prevent the hot tag Pillman antagonized Flair enough to chase him around the ring.
Assisted abdominal stretch by Arn.
Assisted single-leg crab by Pillman.
Flair’s got the crowd in the palm of his hand and was itching for the tag so badly that he came in the ring and nailed Pillman.
Spinebuster!
Bear hug by Arn.
Seated abdominal stretch by Pillman.
Sting rammed Pillman’s head into Arn’s.
Hot tag Flair, and the roof blew off Joe Louis Arena. Look out Windsor!
Flair bounced off the ropes…and nailed Sting!
Sting tried to get at Flair, but all three men attacked him.
Flair pulled the tape off his head to notify us that this was his plan all along.

Summary: Wrestling has told numerous tales during its history, but the storyline between Sting and Flair is an ongoing one that writes itself beautifully. Even though it’s apparent that Flair would turn on Sting it still played well here. Technically the match is ***-***1/2, but the finish boosts it even higher.

Gene is at the entranceway and shills the hotline. Road Warrior Hawk (sans makeup but wearing a cast) is sitting next to Mike Tenay while on the phone. Gene then interviews the Horsemen as they have been reformed again. But who will be the fourth Horseman?

Do I have to watch this? Dammit!
Sumo rules apply as the “match” ends when one truck (both axles) is pushed outside the 100ft. circle.
Bob Chandler joined Eric Bischoff and Heenan for commentary on this.
Both trucks were welded together.
Helicopter shot overhead looked pretty neat.
Giant got one axle of Hogan’s outside the circle but not the other.
Again Giant got one axle out and one of the charges blew.
Hogan got both axles of the Dungeon of Doom monster truck out of the circle.

Summary: Cross-promotion isn’t a bad thing, but monster trucks aren’t my thing. Sorry.

After the “match” Giant exits his truck hunting for Hogan. He confronts him near the edge of the building. Next he chokes Hogan along the ledge…until he falls off the roof! The Detroit River is shown, but the Giant isn’t spotted. Wow! That’s totally unnecessary. Eric leaves the broadcast position to find out more on the situation. I think he was trying to escape the atrocity that was this angle.

Match 8: “The Total Package” Lex Luger versus “Macho Man” Randy Savage

Clothesline by Luger.
Jimmy Hart made his way to the ring. Why? Hogan wasn’t involved here.
After Luger tossed Savage outside the ring he hit him with a double axe handle from the apron to the floor.
Savage countered Luger’s attempt to ram him into the steel railing then made Luger eat it himself. It tasted like the char-grilled George’s Bank swordfish steak at Joe Muer Seafood. Yum!
He then rammed him into the steps. What is this? The WWF?
Again he made him taste the steel railing. Luger must’ve had enough room to eat the crab-stuffed Atlantic flounder.
A third trip earned Luger some scallops alla Muer. That’s quite the metabolism there, Lex!
Back in the ring Savage nailed Luger in the back of the head.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle but ate a shot to the gut.
As Hart distracted referee Nick Patrick Luger attempted to pin Savage with his feet on the ropes in the corner.
Upon a reversal of an Irish whip Savage sent Luger directly into Hart.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit the big elbow, and got the pin while grabbing the tights.

Summary: There has to be more to this story as the question of Hart at ringside is unclear.

A replay of the aftermath of the monster truck battle is shown. I’m not certain which is worse: bait and switch or shock value for the sake of shock value. You make the call!

Match 9 for the WCW World title: Hulk Hogan (champion w/ Jimmy Hart) versus the Giant (w/ the Taskmaster)

Buffer tried to announce the challenger first, but Hogan came out first. THAT’S NOT TRADITION! Dammit!
Hogan apologized for the “accident” at Cobo Hall.
Suddenly the Giant emerged through the entrance seemingly unscathed and made his way to the ring. It’s a miracle! No, wait a minute; it’s just a dumb farce by WCW.
Buffer rumbled.
Interestingly this is the Giant’s debut match in WCW at 23 years of age.
Hogan’s wearing the same face paint as the Taskmaster.
He attempted to slam the Giant but received a clubbing forearm to the back instead.
Standing choke in the corner with the boot by the Giant.
Back elbow followed by a slam.
He then missed a leg drop.
10-punch count-along by Hogan in the corner.
Clothesline in the corner.
Axe bomber.
He then clotheslined the Giant over the top rope to the floor.
As the Taskmaster took the Giant down the aisle to escape Hogan rammed Taskmaster’s head into the torso of the Giant.
Back in the ring a shoulder block didn’t knock the Giant off his feet.
A second one didn’t make a dent either.
Giant went for the chokeslam, but Hogan raked the eyes. Subtle heel tactics were shown here by the Hulkster.
Backbreaker by the Giant.
Bear hug.
Tony had the temerity to bring up Hulk/Andre from WrestleMania III.
Chokeslam.
Hulk-up time!
Big boot.
Hogan slammed the Giant!
Leg drop…and Hart nailed referee Randy Anderson with the World belt.
Hart entered the ring claiming ignorance.
After Hogan and Hart pick Anderson up Hart pushed him back down.
He then grabbed the World belt and nailed Hogan in the back!
Heel turn by “The Mouth of the South!” Woohoo!
As Hogan confronted his now-former manager the Giant got up and put Hogan back in the bear hug.
The Taskmaster got in the ring and mocked Hogan with the World belt.
Hart motioned to the back. Savage and Luger ran in.
THE YETI MADE HIS WAY TO THE RING!
Meanwhile Luger put the boots to Savage in the ring. Heel turn #3 tonight!
The Yeti entered the ring and wrapped his arms around Hogan on the opposite side of the Giant.
I fell out of my chair as the Yeti appeared to be massaging the Giant’s back.
Giant assisted Luger putting Hogan In the Torture Rack.
Double bear hug on Savage.
Luger then put Savage in the Torture Rack.
Anderson regained his composure and raised the Giant’s hand in victory.
According to Buffer the Giant won by DQ, and the belt “cannot change hands” via DQ.
Along with Hart, the Giant left with the World belt.

Summary: Two heel turns within a match cannot raise the quality of this dreck.

After the match the trainer checks on Hogan and Savage in the ring. Tony hopes to let us know more on this situation on WCW Monday Nitro tomorrow night.

Conclusion: If one was to gauge a show based upon its main event then this sucked. However, with Flair turning on Sting I cannot say this PPV was terrible. Additionally the opening match title change was good stuff.

I realize that WCW needed another giant for its World War III PPV the following month, but putting Ron Reis in a mummy costume and referring to him as the Yeti made the Dungeon of Doom versus Hogan story even sillier than it already was.

Halloween Havoc, similar to SuperBrawl, was the perfect time and place for Hogan to drop the title. Instead Hogan lost by DQ (a cop-out finish on a PPV?) to maintain his hero character. If Hogan had jobbed the title (it didn’t have to be clean) to the Giant then a superstar was MADE!

If you’re going to watch this show, be forewarned that the Hogan/Dungeon of Doom nonsense dragged down what could have been a decent WCW PPV.