WELCOME TO ROCK STAR GARY REFLECTIONS!

Live from Philadelphia, PA

Airdate: May 22, 1994

Attendance: 4,800 (3,600 paid)

Hosted by Tony Schiavone and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan/ Jesse “The Body” Ventura

“Mean” Gene Okerlund welcomes us to the show then introduces the Legends in alphabetical order: Ole Anderson, The Assassin, Penny Banner, Red Bastien, Tully Blanchard, The Crusher, Don Curtis, Terry Funk (not shown), Verne Gagne, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Larry “The Axe” Hennig, Killer Kowalski, Ernie Ladd, Wahoo McDaniel, Angelo Mosca, Harley Race, Ray Stevens, Lou Thesz, Johnny Weaver, Mr. Wrestling II, and referee Tommy Young. He then mentions Jesse’s name on commentary but Heenan will be the color commentator to start the show.

And since we’re in Philadelphia it wouldn’t be a wrestling card unless ECW Hat Guy was prominently shown on camera. How does this guy always get great seats?

Tony interviews WCW Commissioner Nick Bockwinkel who has the WCW International title in hand. Without hesitation Bockwinkel requests Sting’s appearance. Sting comes through the curtain dressed in a red suit.

Bockwinkel announces that “Ravishing” Rick Rude has been stripped of the title, and it is being returned to Sting due to a no-contest ruling in the match. That’s WCW nonsense for Rude’s unexpected and unfortunate retirement due to a severe neck injury suffered in Japan. Unequivocally Sting rejects the offer of the title and wants it “up for grabs” in his match against Vader tonight. So sayeth the shepherd...

Match 1 for the US title: “Stunning” Steve Austin (champion w Col. Parker) versus Johnny B. Badd

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: In every good match there must be good chemistry. In this case the chemicals didn’t mix well. Bad match with a hot finish.

The Philadelphia crowd loves their heels and cheers Austin’s victory. After the match Badd gave Austin the “kiss that don’t miss.”

Okerlund shills the hotline. He then interviews Wahoo McDaniel and Ernie Ladd. Unfortunately neither man is with us any longer.

“The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes cuts a promo from Hollywood. Could Goldust be far behind?

Match 2 (Legends): Tully Blanchard versus Terry Funk

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Funk played extremely well to the ECW crowd in attendance and put on a good show. This match proved why Blanchard was retired however. He should have laid down for Funk here.

After the match Gordon shills the official Slamboree t-shirt and program for only $24.95!

Back in the dressing room Jesse “The Body” Ventura interviews “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Footage from WCW Saturday Night is shown. Parker promised a 6’7” former World Champion to face Flair at Slamboree. Somehow I don’t think the Hulkster was under that mask.

Match 3: Lord Steven Regal (w/ Sir William) versus WCW Pro announcer Larry Zbyszko

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: What an upset! Obviously that puts Zbyszko in line for a shot at the TV title, right? In this case, yes. However, the match was already in the can (taped 5/2/94) for the 5/28/94 episode of WCW Saturday Night.

Okerlund interviews Terry Funk. Funk claims to be THE legend. Next he wants a piece of “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes. I wonder what Dustin’s then-wife Terri thought about that.

Gordon Solie hosts the Hall of Fame induction. Lou Thesz joined him in the ring as a presenter. The inductees included:

  1. Harley Race
  2. The Crusher
  3. “The Cat” Ernie Ladd
  4. The Masked Assassin
  5. Ole Anderson
  6. Dick the Bruiser (posthumously). His daughter Michelle accepts the award.

Back in the dressing room Jesse interviews Colonel Parker. He then tries to encourage Parker to reveal Flair’s mystery opponent to no avail.

Match 4 (Bull rope): Bunkhouse Buck (w/ Col. Parker) versus “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Unique psychology by Rhodes didn’t play into the finish, but this feud will continue.

After the match Terry Funk charges down the ramp and knocked Rhodes silly with the branding iron. Rhodes is

busted open
. They try a spike piledriver without success. WCW officials break it up. It looks like Rhodes will need a partner to fight with these two brawlers.

Okerlund interviews Red Bastien and Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. After Bastien’s wrestling career ended he trained Sting and the Ultimate Warrior in the mid ‘80s.

Match 5 for the WCW World title: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (champion) versus Colonel Parker’s mystery opponent

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Well, since this is 1994 and not 1987 it’s not as great as it could have been.  Flair needs a new and fresh challenger. Steamboat and Windham put up good fights, but they were not going to steal the gold away from the Nature Boy.

Tony shills Bash at the Beach on July 17. Hmmm…I think a big match might be signed for that one.

Okerlund interviews Don Curtis and the Crusher.

A promo from former Philadelphia Flyer Dave “The Hammer” Schultz is aired. He will be the special guest referee for the next match.

Match 6 for the WCW World Tag Team titles (Broad Street Bully): The Nasty Boys (champions) versus Cactus Jack and Kevin Sullivan

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Your mileage may vary on the rating. It was a non-stop brawl with blood and weapons which was perfect for the Philly crowd. Unfortunately the chaos in the match didn’t equal the chaos in Chicago from the previous month. This would be Foley’s one and only WCW title in his career.

After the match Maxx Payne emerges from the dressing room and crushes a guitar over the head of Sags. The Philly crowd ate it up with a spoon. Afterwards Sullivan, Cactus, and Payne chase Knobbs down the ramp toward the entrance. While there Dave Sullivan wanders out on crutches and whacks Knobbs with his crutch.

Sags is unable to get out of the ring by himself, so the trainer and Knobbs assist him. Meanwhile Okerlund interviews Lou Thesz and Verne Gagne.

Match 7 for the vacant WCW International World title: Vader (w/ Harley Race) versus Sting

Highlights:

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: The chemistry between these two guys is great. They play off one another’s strengths so well.

After the match Vader intimidates Tony and Bobby to close the show.

Conclusion: While it wasn’t Spring Stampede great it was definitely a good show. Two titles were won, and Zbyszko pulled off a major upset of the TV champion. WCW is definitely on a roll here. The whispers of Hulk Hogan are upon them. Let’s see where it takes WCW. See you at the Clash!

Buyrate: 0.48

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

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