WCW Halloween Havoc 1996

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

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

Unlike previous WCW PPVs, the ring posts are decorated with the Slim Jim logo.
“Iron” Mike Tenay joined the broadcast team for this match.
At the bell, Malenko gave Mysterio a belly-to-back suplex and got 2.
After a modified Dominator/powerbomb, Malenko tried to hook the Texas Cloverleaf, but Mysterio flipped out of it.
Upon receiving a flying headscissors, Malenko sought refuge outside the ring.
On the apron, Malenko got distracted with the mask he brought to the ring and received a springboard dropkick returning him to the floor.
Mysterio then delivered a somersault plancha, retrieved his mask, and put it on while not revealing his face. SNEAKY!
Next, he gave Malenko the ten-punch count-along then hooked a rollup for 2.
Malenko then reversed a cross-corner whip, caught Mysterio, and gave him a sidewalk slam.
Following that, Malenko dropped Mysterio front-first on the top rope.
After a slam, Malenko stretched Mysterio like Plastic Man.
Upon placing Mysterio on the top turnbuckle, Malenko delivered a belly-to-back superplex for 2.
As Malenko held a figure-four head lock, the Las Vegas faithful chanted “Let’s go Rey!”
Regardless, Malenko delivered a vertical suplex and got 2.
After Malenko thwarted a sunset flip attempt, Mysterio hooked an inside cradle for 2.
Malenko came back with a backbreaker as Rhodes inadvertently added new words to the English language.
Upon giving Mysterio a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Malenko got 2.
Outside the ring, Malenko rammed Mysterio back-first into the apron.
Back in the ring, Malenko hooked a sleeper and body scissors.
Malenko hooked the sleeper a second time but released it again.
As Mysterio came off the ropes, Malenko delivered a knee to the midsection.
He then gave Mysterio an overhead belly-to-belly suplex while grapevining the left arm. Amazing! That only got 2.
Both men mounted the same top turnbuckle, nailed one another, and fell to the floor.
Mysterio then reversed an Irish whip sending Malenko back-first into the steel railing.
Back in the ring, Malenko tried another tilt-a-whirl maneuver, but Mysterio fell on top for 2.
Mysterio then gave Malenko a somersault senton.
A subsequent Oklahoma roll by Mysterio got another 2.
Malenko came back with a clothesline and a vertical suplex for 2.
Mysterio’s momentum took Malenko outside the ring where Mysterio delivered a springboard corkscrew plancha. Oh my!
Back in the ring, Mysterio hooked the West Coast Pop but only got 2.
He then tried another springboard move, but Malenko caught and powerbombed him.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Mysterio mounted the top turnbuckle, but Malenko caught and superbombed him. Unfathomable!
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Absolutely incredible action from bell to bell that was practically flawless. Great job, guys!

After the match, Malenko mounts the second turnbuckle and holds the belt overhead to a big ovation.

Backstage, Lee Marshall interviews Jeff Jarrett as Flair joins him. After Flair touts Jarrett, he promotes Savage for the main event despite their differences.

After a reverse thrust kick, DDP sent Guerrero back-first into the steel railing. Is DDP taking notes from Zbyszko matches?
In the ring, Guerrero countered a hip toss with one of his own.
Afterward, a dropkick by Guerrero sent DDP to the “hully gully” according to Rhodes. Yikes!
He then kicked DDP outside the ring, joined him, and whipped him back-first into the steel railing.
Tony: “There’s popcorn everywhere!” C’mon, Tony, this isn’t the popcorn match!
Back in the ring, Guerrero gave DDP a springboard senton for 2.
DDP then reversed a cross-corner whip and hung Guerrero out to dry on the top rope.
After kicking Guerrero down to the floor, DDP leaped from the apron and delivered a double axe handle.
He then rammed Guerrero face-first into the steps.
Upon trash-talking Guerrero, DDP whipped him into the steel railing.
Back in the ring, DDP only got 2 with his feet on the ropes before referee Nick Patrick caught him.
He then face-planted Guerrero before giving him a gutbuster for 2.
Next, DDP hooked an abdominal stretch while threatening it to be rope-assisted; however, Guerrero hip-tossed out of it.
DDP then gave him a jawbreaker followed by a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam for 2.
After losing a shoving match with Patrick, DDP almost got pinned as Guerrero netted a 2 count.
Guerrero then attempted a cross body block, but DDP ducked sending Guerrero between the ropes to the floor.
Back in the ring, Guerrero hooked a rollup but only got 2.
He then tried a sunset flip as a pinfall reversal sequence broke out.
DDP then clotheslined Guerrero out of his boots and got 2.
Guerrero came back with a dropkick and gave DDP the ten-punch count-along.
DDP exited the ring for refuge, but Guerrero mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a flying body press in the aisle. Wow!
Back in the ring, DDP guillotined Guerrero using the top rope.
After pancaking Guerrero, DDP got 2. Make it a double stack, please!
He then gave Guerrero a sit-out powerbomb for another 2.
Diamond Cutter by DDP got the pin.

Summary: Guerrero partially blocked the Diamond Cutter due to damaged ribs. Supposedly, he had a high fever too. Nonetheless, DDP won.

Backstage, Tenay and Savage announce the winner of the Slim Jim monster truck—Joan Michalik of Romulus, MI. At wcwwrestling.com (be careful, it may be NSFW like whitehouse.com or so I’ve heard), get the “Real Audio simulcast” of Halloween Havoc. Meanwhile, Jericho is talking on CompuServe. Log on now!

In the crowd, in front of the nWo banner, the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase interviews Giant who holds the **cough**stolen**cough** US title belt and promises that Jarrett will visit the “glue factory.”

Jarrett tried a side head lock, but Giant launched him across the ring.
Jarrett then tried to hip toss him but received one across the ring instead.
Next, Jarrett tried a sleeper, but Giant backed him into the corner.
Jarrett then reapplied it, but Giant backed him into the corner again.
After a ten-punch count-along, Jarrett ate a big boot for 2.
Upon delivering an elbow drop, Giant headbutted Jarrett down near Laughlin while Flair distracted referee Nick Patrick.
He then gave Jarrett a backbreaker as Flair grabbed the microphone to raise Jarrett’s spirits and incite the crowd.
Giant then gave Jarrett a cross-corner whip, but Jarrett leaped to the second turnbuckle.
Upon attempting a cross body block, Jarrett got caught and received a pair of backbreakers.
Giant then gave Jarrett a HARD cross corner whip and applied a bear hug.
Jarrett came back with a pair of dropkicks, tried to slam him, but Giant fell on top for 2.
Giant then gave Jarrett another cross corner whip but ate a mule kick upon his follow-through.
Following that, Jarrett mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a double axe handle.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a flying body press, but only got 2.
Next, he tried the figure-four leg lock, but Giant kicked him between the ropes to the floor.
Giant joined him, leaned Jarrett against the ring post, but nailed it himself after Jarrett evaded him.
Jarrett then applied the figure-four leg lock on Giant on the floor.
Giant grabbed him by the throat, but Flair nailed Giant down below to stop it.
Patrick called for the bell disqualifying Jarrett.

Summary: Flair may be a miracle worker, but from ringside, he can only do so much.

After the match, the rest of the Four Horsemen jump into the ring as Giant walks away.

Members of the Dungeon of Doom sat at ringside during this match. I’m surprised bookerman didn’t assign someone else to do it for him.
Jericho gave Syxx a cross-corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
Syxx then reversed a second cross-corner whip. As Jericho leaped to the top turnbuckle, Syxx kicked him down to the floor.
As Jericho got up on the apron, Syxx delivered a dropkick ensuring that Jericho tasted the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Bigfoot chicken fried steak from Black Bear Diner. Yum!
Meanwhile, Syxx followed with a somersault plancha.
He then whipped Jericho back-first into the steel railing.
Back in the ring, Syxx gave Jericho a series of kicks in the corner.
With Jericho splayed on the apron, Syxx mounted the second turnbuckle and lowered the boom to him.
Back in the ring, Syxx whipped Jericho into the corner but came up empty on his follow-through.
Jericho came back with a back drop and a spin kick that sent Syxx to the floor.
He then leaped to the top turnbuckle and gave Syxx a cross body block on the floor. Wow!
Following that, he whipped Syxx back-first into the steel railing.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a spinning back elbow, but only got 2.
After receiving a cross-corner whip, Syxx rammed Jericho into the top turnbuckle.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a dropkick. That got 2.
Next, Jericho face-planted Syxx then delivered the Lionsault to his back.
A bridged rollup only got 1 as referee Nick Patrick took his time making the count. The Las Vegas faithful was NOT pleased.
Afterward, a springboard cross body block by Jericho got a six count from the announce team but only a 2 count from Patrick. BOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Syxx then nailed Jericho with a spinning heel kick, and Patrick counted 3.

Summary: While the match was angle-driven, the athleticism shown was really good. Not by Nick Patrick though.

After the match, Jericho chases Patrick out of the ring who then assists Syxx back to the dressing room.

Backstage, Tenay interviews Luger who must have visited Mary M. Q. Contrary ‘cuz he seems to know how a garden grows. In spite of that, he cuts a promo on Arn.

Match 5: The “Enforcer” Arn Anderson versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger

After a forearm to the midsection, Arn delivered a knee drop.
Upon giving Luger a pair of cross corner whips, Arn received a gorilla press slam.
Luger then clotheslined Arn over the top rope to the floor.
He then leaped from the apron and gave Arn a double axe handle.
Next, he rammed Arn back-first into the ring post.
Back in the ring, Luger delivered a powerslam as the Dungeon of Doom rooted for him.
After a series of elbow drops, Luger gave Arn a backbreaker for 2.
He then gave Arn a cross-corner whip but ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
Arn then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Luger crotched him.
After Arn reversed an Irish whip, he gave Luger the SPINEBUSTER! Attaboy, Arn!
He then nailed Luger sending him down to the floor.
Arn joined him, rammed him back-first into the apron, into the steel railing, and completed the trifecta with a shot into the ring post.
Back in the ring, Arn applied a rope-assisted abdominal stretch.
As the crowd chanted “Luger,” Arn attempted a DDT, but Luger grabbed the top rope to block it.
Arn then reversed a cross-corner whip but ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
Luger tried to clothesline Arn, but he ducked. Luger almost ran into referee Mark Curtis.
Arn then shoved Luger directly into Curtis.
After tossing Luger outside the ring, Arn grabbed a chair, propped Luger up against the ring post, but missed as Luger evaded the possible decapitation.
Arn then tried a piledriver on the floor, but Luger countered with a catapult into the ring post. OUCH!
Meanwhile, Curtis is still OUT COLD.
Luger then gave Arn a vertical suplex on the floor.
After grabbing the chair, he nailed Arn in the back with it three times.
Back in the ring, Luger applied the Torture Rack and won the match.

Summary: Great psychology by both guys here made for a very entertaining match. I believe this was Arn’s last PPV match as an active wrestler however.

After the match, Luger will not release the hold until Curtis pleads with him. Jarrett and Flair return to the ring to check on Arn who gets stretchered to the back.

Backstage, Marshall shills the WCW hotline then interviews Harlem Heat with Sherri and Parker.

Match 6: Faces of Fear (w/ Jimmy Hart) versus the “Crippler” Chris Benoit & Steve “Mongo” McMichael (w/ Debra & Woman)

According to Tony, Flair and Jarrett joined Arn on the way to the hospital. Hopefully Arn transferred his hospital bed reservation from Winston-Salem to Las Vegas.
Mongo clotheslined Meng, but Meng no-sold it.
He then gave Meng a flying shoulder block to take Meng down.
After both Benoit and Barbarian tagged in, Benoit hooked a northern lights suplex and got 2.
Barbarian came back with a clothesline, tried a Boston crab, but Benoit escaped.
Meng and Mongo tagged back in, and a sumo match broke out.
After Meng gave Mongo a hip toss, Mongo retaliated with a pair of chop blocks.
As Barbarian distracted Mongo, Meng gave him a Mafia kick.
Barbarian tagged in and slammed Mongo.
Meng returned, but Mongo reversed a cross corner whip and delivered a dropkick. Holy flying defensive linemen, Batman!
A second dropkick missed however.
After a slam, Meng missed a somersault senton.
Benoit tagged in, but the Faces of Fear delivered a back drop/powerbomb tandem maneuver to him. Wow!
That only got 2 thanks to a save by Mongo.
Next, Barbarian placed Benoit on the top turnbuckle, joined him, but Benoit pushed him down to the mat.
Meng then crotched Benoit.
Barbarian joined Benoit again and launched him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. I think Benoit was spotted on radar. That got 2.
The Faces of Fear then mounted opposite turnbuckles and hit the double head butt for 2 thanks to another save by Mongo.
After Barbarian delivered a vertical suplex to Benoit, Meng hit a top rope splash.
Mongo dragged Benoit out of the ring and WALLOPED Meng with the Haliburton as Barbarian distracted referee Mark Curtis.
Benoit then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit the swan dive head butt, and got the pin.

Summary: Benoit must have given the Faces of Fear a pep talk in the back because he encouraged them to beat the crap out of him until the very end. But what about the rest of the Dungeon of Doom?

After the match, Barbarian grabs the Haliburton and nails Mongo in the back with it. Meanwhile, Konnan grabs Woman as Meng gives Mongo a piledriver. To stop Rogers and Konnan from messing with Woman, Benoit gives them a baseball slide. With Mongo OUT COLD, Benoit is outnumbered five to one. I don’t like those odds. Barbarian then gives Benoit a Mafia kick, and Rogers delivers a Bubba slam. Taskmaster then gets in Woman’s face and states that he’s “still the man.”

DiBiase states that the nWo is 2-0 thus far, cuts a promo on Harlem Heat, and introduces the Outsiders.

Match 7 for the WCW World tag team titles: Harlem Heat (champions w/ Sister Sherri & Colonel Parker) versus the Outsiders

Before the bell, the Las Vegas faithful chanted “Diesel” followed by “Razor.”
Booker T countered an arm bar from Hall with a standing leg lariat.
After delivering a discus punch, Hall received a hip toss from Booker T over the top rope to the floor. Isn’t that a DQ?
While Nash occupied referee Mark Curtis’ attention, Stevie Ray clotheslined Hall outside the ring.
Stevie Ray tagged in, and Hall spat at him. That’ll get you shot in some places.
Nash tagged in to another “Diesel” chant.
After dominating Stevie Ray in the corner, he delivered a pair of framed elbows.
Upon giving Stevie Ray a cross corner whip, Nash ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
Stevie Ray followed with a clothesline.
While Stevie Ray occupied Curtis’ attention, Sherri raked Nash’s eyes. Fans at ringside could overhear her telling him: “I noticed you never wrestled at the Showboat!”
Upon tagging in Booker T, Stevie Ray nailed Nash in the midsection as Booker T delivered a scissors kick for 2.
Nash came back with a sidewalk slam to Stevie Ray.
Hall tagged in, got reversed on a cross-corner whip, but made Stevie Ray eat boot.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a bulldog for 2. Impressive!
On the other hand, Stevie Ray responded with a clothesline.
Booker T tagged in, hit a flying forearm, and got 2.
Hall then reversed an Irish whip so that Nash could nail Booker T from behind. In the meantime, Sherri distracted Curtis.
A subsequent clothesline by Hall almost got 3.
Nash tagged in and gave the big boot to Booker T.
He then delivered Snake Eyes and distracted Curtis once more so that Hall could clothesline Booker T from the apron.
Hall tagged in and gave Booker T a chokeslam for 2 thanks to a save by Stevie Ray.
Booker T then tried a cross body block, but Hall caught him and delivered a fallaway slam.
When Sherri got up on the apron, Hall tossed some sweat in her direction. Sherri then slapped the taste out of his mouth. Hall responded by grabbing and kissing her. According to Rhodes, “(Hall)’s swapping spit with Sherri right here in the desert.” HA!
Booker T then gave Hall a spinning heel kick.
As the crowd chanted “Razor,” Hall applied a sleeper to Booker T.
Booker T escaped and applied a sleeper of his own.
As Nash distracted Curtis again, Hall crotched Booker T using the top rope. OUCH!
Hall then tried to pin Booker T with his feet on the ropes but only got 2.
Afterward, a mid-ring collision put both men down on the mat.
Hot tag Stevie Ray.
Stevie Ray military-pressed Hall then tossed him into an incoming Nash.
Booker T came in and clotheslined Nash over the top rope to the floor.
After Stevie Ray gave Hall a sidewalk slam, Booker T mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the Harlem Hangover.
Both Nash and Colonel Parker entered the ring, but Nash grabbed Parker.
Feeling threatened, Parker gave Nash the cane.
Nash then nailed Stevie Ray twice with it.
Meanwhile, Parker hightailed it backstage.
Hall crawled over and pinned Stevie Ray.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

Summary: Once again, outside interference played a big role in a Harlem Heat match much to their detriment. The segments with Hall and Booker T were really good.

After the match, Hall and Nash raise the belts overhead to a big ovation. Nash informs us “the takeover is just about complete.”

In the crowd standing alongside Giant, Hogan, wearing a wig, cuts a promo and shills Santa with Muscles.

Match 8 for the WCW World title: Hollywood Hogan (champion w/ Giant and Ted DiBiase) versus “Macho Man” Randy Savage

Buffer rumbled.
During Savage’s entrance, the Slim Jim Macho Man monster truck came out.
As he got into the ring, he took the microphone and called out Hogan.
Referee Randy Anderson then expelled Giant from ringside.
As Anderson held up the belt for the camera, Giant’s name was still on the belt. D’oh!
Hogan continued to wear the wig, bandana, and sunglasses.
While the Las Vegas faithful chanted “Macho,” Hogan continued to stall.
Hogan maintained the stall fest until he made Savage taste the mat.
Savage came back, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a double axe handle.
Finally, the sunglasses were removed from Hogan and worn by Savage.
Savage then removed the wig and wore it as well.
As Hogan exited the ring to regroup, Savage followed and nailed him with another double axe handle.
He then fed Hogan his wig. Pass the mustard, please.
Next, Savage rammed Hogan face-first into the Slim Jim ring post.
He then grabbed a chair and hammered Hogan with it.
When Savage tried a second time, Anderson took it away but not before Hogan could hit Savage.
Hogan then took the chair and smashed Savage with it.
After ramming Savage shoulder-first into the ring post, Hogan nailed him with the chair again.
Following that, Hogan crotched Savage using the steel railing.
Elizabeth then came to the ring.
Back in the ring, Hogan got distracted by her so Savage rolled him up for 2.
Following that, Savage clotheslined Hogan over the top rope to the floor.
Hogan used Elizabeth as a shield much like Savage used to do in their earlier bouts.
Back in the ring, Savage slammed Hogan then put a knee in his back sending him to the floor again.
Hogan dragged Savage out with him, grabbed Elizabeth again, and used her as a decoy so that he could clothesline Savage.
Back in the ring, Hogan delivered the big boot.
Suddenly, Elizabeth came into the ring to protect Savage.
Hogan then put her in the corner gently and told her “you are mine.”
He then missed the leg drop.
Nevertheless, DiBiase handed Hogan a foreign object, but Elizabeth stole it from him.
Hogan then charged at Savage who ducked. In the process, Anderson got LEVELED.
DiBiase then grabbed the object from Elizabeth as Nick Patrick and Mark Curtis came out. While Curtis assisted Anderson backstage, Patrick took over as the official. I smell shenanigans.
Savage slammed Hogan again, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit the big elbow.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Patrick’s neck prevented him from counting to 3.
Savage rightfully shoved him down.
Hogan then tried to nail Savage with the foreign object, but Savage blocked it.
He then nailed Hogan with it, mounted the top turnbuckle again, but DiBiase upset Savage’s balance.
Savage went after DiBiase as Giant returned and rammed Savage back-first into the steel railing.
He then chokeslammed Savage on the floor and poured Savage back into the ring.
Meanwhile, Hogan was still OUT COLD.
Giant then placed Hogan’s arm atop Savage as Patrick counted 3.

Summary: While entertaining, the wrestling and the outside interference upset the flow terribly. From a nostalgic standpoint, this was entertaining. Notwithstanding, from a critical standpoint, it was mostly terrible.

After the match, Giant brings a bowl of ice water to the ring to wake Hogan up. As Savage is assisted backstage, Hogan gets on the microphone to tout himself. Shouldn’t this be on Nitro?

All of a sudden, bagpipes begin to play as “ROWDY” RODDY PIPER makes his WCW debut. Piper enters the ring as Hogan cowers behind Giant. According to Piper, he’s here “to break (Hogan’s) monotony,” refers to Giant as “Sprout,“ claims to be a free agent, and then gives Hogan a “reality check.” Next, he touts himself to be as big an ICON as Hogan is.

Afterward, he picks on Hogan for “playing the bass guitar at Tootsie’s Grill” rather than lacing up boots when Piper began his career. Hogan tries to square things by saying they ran “neck and neck,” but Piper isn’t finished! He mentions WrestleMania and inferred his act was better because he caused all the chaos. He then tells Hogan that he’s “the only guy you have never been able to beat.” While not necessarily true, it is demoralizing. Finally, he puts Hogan in his place before yielding the floor.

When Hogan claims to be “as big a superstar as (Piper is),” Piper tells him to “straighten up.” Before Piper leaves, Hogan makes fun of him and tells him that they should have the “war that didn’t settle the score.” Hogan leaves saying “your day’s coming, Piper.” Since Hogan left the championship belt behind, Piper lets him know about it. The PPV then goes off the air as Piper continues his rant.

Conclusion: Behind the curtain, Hogan had signed a new contract to stay with WCW after fielding an offer from the WWF. Conversely, Savage hadn’t signed a new contract, so who knows when or where he’ll be next. With that being said, Hogan retained the title albeit with shenanigans.

If you discount the nostalgia of the main event, the rest of the PPV was really good. Obviously, the Malenko-Mysterio match is not one to be missed. In addition, the Luger-Anderson match, the FoF/Horsemen match, and the tag title match are worthwhile. So set aside three hours, fire up the WWE Network, and enjoy this with family and friends.