WCW Starrcade '90

Now that Ole Anderson has been fired as booker, how does the Black Scorpion angle play out? Read on!

Ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta introduces Sam Muchnick who thanks the heads of WCW for putting the show together. The national anthem is then played.

Ross mentioned a 35-match winning streak for Z-Man. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, Zenk lost in a tag match with Allen Iron Eagle to the Master Blasters on 11/25 in Greensboro. Everyone thank Kevin Nash…again.

Z-Man leaped to the top turnbuckle, hit a cross body block, and got 2.
When he made a second attempt, he only got a 1-count.
Shortly after, Eaton gave him a monkey flip, but Z-Man landed on his feet and delivered a pair of dropkicks for 2.
Eaton then nailed Z-Man sending him to the ramp.
As Eaton tried to suplex him back in, Z-Man blocked and gave Eaton a suplex on the ramp. OUCH!
Z-Man then re-entered the ring and hit a plancha on the ramp.
As Ross called Uncle Paul a “psychoceramic” (a.k.a. a crackpot), Z-Man gave Eaton a cross corner whip but ate a back elbow on his follow-through.

He then followed with a bulldog, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit the Alabama Jam.
With Z-Man in the corner, Eaton came up empty on his follow-through.
After giving Eaton a back drop, Z-Man hit a third dropkick for 2.
Eaton then countered a back drop with a swinging neckbreaker.
Next, he mounted the top turnbuckle again, leaped, but ate a superkick.
Z-Man then mounted the top turnbuckle but missed a missile dropkick.
Realizing a stunned Z-Man, Eaton hooked an inside cradle.
1-2-3.
Eaton won.

Summary: Good opener that showcased both Zenk and Eaton’s high-flying styles. In spite of the fictitious 35-match winning streak, Zenk would be rewarded by beating Arn on World Championship Wrestling (aired 12/29, taped 12/4).

On the podium, Tony Schiavone interviews Dick the Bruiser who claims to be the champion of cage matches. Dick the Bruiser then states that he’ll call the main event down the middle.

After referees Nick Patrick and Randy Anderson carry the trophy designed for the winner of the tournament, flags from all countries participating in the tournament are waved by runway models.

Match 2 for the Pat O’Connor Memorial tag team tournament (quarterfinals): NWA US tag team champion Steiners (USA) versus Sgt. Krueger & Col. Deklerk (South Africa)

Since the South African team stunk up the ring at Clash XIII, I get my wish as the Steiners get to feast upon them.

While the St. Louis faithful chanted “U-S-A,” Krueger gave Rick a belly-to-back suplex.
After an elbow drop, Krueger got 2.
Rick came back with a Steinerline followed by a double clothesline to both “South Africans.”
Upon slamming Rick, Deklerk hit a spinning heel kick to Rick’s midsection.
In a laughable moment, Deklerk attempted a somersault plancha, but Rick no-sold it. C’mon, Rick, give the guy SOME offense.
Scott tagged in and gave Deklerk a tilt-a-whirl slam.
Next, he delivered the Frankensteiner.
1-2-3.
The Steiners advanced.

Match 3 for the Pat O’Connor Memorial tag team tournament (quarterfinals): “Gentleman” Chris Adams & Norman Smiley (UK) versus Konnan & Rey Mysterio (Mexico)

Adams and Smiley came out to “God Save The Queen.”

For those unaware, this was NOT the Rey Mysterio that tagged with Konnan in 1999. Instead this was Rey Mysterio, Sr. portrayed by Miguel Angel Lopez Diaz. Also, Konnan wore a mask but subsequently lost it against Perro Aguayo on 6/9/91.
After los Mejicanos double-clotheslined Smiley, the Englishmen delivered a double dropkick. I wonder if they offered crumpets with it.

Adams then gave Mysterio a knee to the midsection followed by a superkick. That sent Mysterio between the ropes to the floor.
After a leap frog, Konnan gave Smiley a flying headscissors.
Smiley then hooked a fisherman’s suplex but received no count from referee Randy Anderson.
When Konnan won a Mysterio-assisted backslide, he only got 2 thanks to a save by Adams.
Mysterio tagged in, but Smiley disrupted an attempted double-team with a dropkick.
After Adams hit a superkick on Konnan, Smiley hooked a German suplex with a bridge for a 1-count.
Adams tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Konnan.
Shortly after, los Mejicanos delivered a double back elbow that sent Adams atop the broadcast table.
They then gave Smiley a double back drop, and Konnan placed Smiley atop the top turnbuckle.
Upon delivering a reverse suplex, Konnan hooked a cradle with a bridge.
1-2-3.
Los Mejicanos avanzan.

Summary: Unique maneuvers from the Englishmen couldn’t wake up the slumbering St. Louis faithful.

After the match, Mysterio hits a plancha onto Adams on the floor and injures himself.

On the podium, Missy Hyatt interviews Michael Wallstreet with Alexandra York. According to the computer, Wallstreet should defeat Taylor in 8:32. Wallstreet then cuts a quick promo on Taylor.

Match 4 for the Pat O’Connor Memorial tag team tournament (quarterfinals): The Great Muta & Masa Saito (Japan) versus Rip Morgan & Jack Victory (New Zealand)

Ross referred to the New Zealanders as the Royal Family, but they were formerly known as the New Zealand Militia.

As the St. Louis faithful chanted “Mu-ta,” Uncle Paul besmirched Victory’s former stomping grounds—Seaside Heights, NJ.

Muta attempted a rollup then delivered a dropkick sending Victory to the ramp.
Next, he mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a cross body block on the ramp.

Saito then clotheslined Morgan and delivered a snap suplex.
When Victory tagged in, Saito hip-tossed him across the ring.
Muta then hit a spinning thrust kick to Morgan and delivered the flashing elbow.
While Saito tagged in, he attempted the Sharpshooter, but Victory made the save.
Victory then put a knee into Saito’s back, and Morgan gave Saito a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
After Morgan tossed Saito outside the ring, Victory made him HIT THE POLE.
Victory tagged in, and the Royal Family delivered a double back elbow to Saito.
When Morgan tagged in, he mounted the second turnbuckle but missed a leg drop.
Muta tagged in, gave Victory a cross corner whip, and followed with a handspring elbow.
With all four wrestlers in the ring, miscommunication by the Royal Family led to a German suplex with a bridge by Muta to Victory.
1-2-3.
The Japanese advanced.

Summary: Although the St. Louis faithful enjoyed Muta’s work, they remained silent for most of the match.

Match 5 for the Pat O’Connor Memorial tag team tournament (quarterfinals): Salman Hashimikov & Victor Sangiev (USSR) versus Troy Montour & Danny “Bull” Johnson (Canada)

The Soviets hailed from Tbilisi which is the capital of Georgia.

Not THAT Georgia!

Sangiev hooked a bear hug and suplexed Johnson for 2.
After Johnson hit a double chop, Montour tagged in.
Hashimikov tagged in and gave Montour an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
1-2-3.
The Soviets advanced.

In the locker room, Schiavone interviews Sting who’s ready to reveal the identity of the Black Scorpion.

We then revisit World Championship Wrestling when Taylor insulted York and got slapped as a result (aired 12/15, taped 11/27).

Mickey Garagiola, ring announcer for Wrestling at the Chase, was the special guest ring announcer for this match.

A clock beginning with 8:32 counted down during the match.
Before Wallstreet could remove his outfit, Taylor hooked a sunset flip.
Taylor then rolled Wallstreet up for 2.
Upon hitting a cross body block, Taylor got another 2.
He then delivered a dropkick so Wallstreet sought refuge outside the ring.
While the St. Louis faithful chanted “Wallstreet sucks,” Taylor clotheslined Wallstreet for 2.
As York typed on her word processor, Uncle Paul took a potshot at Missy Hyatt regarding plastic surgery. HA!

Wallstreet then gave Taylor a backbreaker and followed with a vertical suplex.
When Wallstreet missed an elbow drop, he delivered a clothesline and a leg drop for 2.
He then hooked a rope-assisted abdominal stretch until referee Randy Anderson caught him.
While Wallstreet missed a dropkick, Taylor gave him a back elbow.
He then delivered a back drop followed by a jawbreaker.
After a slam, Taylor hit a knee drop for 2.
He then gave Wallstreet an atomic drop/belly-to-back suplex combo for another 2.
Next, he hit the Five-arm but only got 2 thanks to Wallstreet’s foot on the bottom rope.
After Wallstreet delivered a stungun, he followed with the Stock Market Crash.
Wallstreet won with 1:39 left on the clock.

Summary: Not Wallstreet’s best offering, but his heel work looks sharp. This would mark Rotunda’s last WCW supershow appearance until World War III in November 1995.

Madman substituted for the Nightstalker because he stunk on Melba toast.

Seriously, Sid took out the Nightstalker “last night” on World Championship Wrestling.
After Spivey disposed of Madman to the ramp, the Skyscrapers gave Big Cat a double back drop.
Madman tagged in, but the Skyscrapers gave him a cross corner whip followed by a Spivey-assisted shoulder block by Sid. Immediately, Spivey followed with a corner clothesline.
Next, the Skyscrapers delivered a spike powerbomb to Madman. Rightfully, Sid needed help getting the both large and novice Madman into position.
1-2-3.
The Skyscrapers won.

Summary: SQUASH city for the reunion of the Skyscrapers. This would be the last supershow appearance for the Motor City Madman. I’ll pause so that we can compose ourselves…

After the match, Uncle Paul interviews the Skyscrapers who pick him up to stand “eye-to-eye” with them. HA! Now let’s properly mourn as the Skyscrapers would no longer be a team going forward. Here they are destroying and unmasking the Ding Dongs:

Match 8: Freebirds (w/ Little Richard Marley) versus “Wildfire” Tommy Rich & Ricky Morton (w/ Robert Gibson)

For those unaware, Gibson previously suffered a serious knee injury and came to the ring on crutches.
The Freebirds painted the Confederate flag on their faces for this match. Remember, it was 1990.

As the St. Louis faithful chanted “Freebirds suck,” Morton gave each Freebird a hip toss.
Morton and Rich then dropkicked them out of the ring.
With Marley on the apron, Morton dropkicked him back to the floor.
Hayes tagged in, but Morton reversed a cross corner whip and delivered an inverted atomic drop.
Upon tossing Hayes outside the ring, Morton tried to make him HIT THE POLE, but Hayes blocked it.
When Hayes taunted Morton, Gibson nailed him. Subsequently, Morton successfully made Hayes HIT THE POLE.
Back in the ring, Hayes missed a knee drop so Rich and Morton hooked simultaneous figure-four leg locks on the Freebirds to a raucous ovation.
Garvin tagged in but Rich hip-tossed him.
As Marley returned to the apron, Rich brought him in the hard way and SPANKED him. That reminds of the TV show Good Times.

Hayes tagged in and HAMMERED Rich with a left.
When Hayes attempted the DDT, Rich back-dropped him.
Morton tagged in and gave Garvin a knee lift.
While he gave the Freebirds a double noggin knocker, all four wrestlers were in the ring.
Morton then rolled up Garvin, but Rich distracted referee Nick Patrick.
That allowed Hayes to give Morton a bulldog.
When the Freebirds attempted to break Rich’s leg, Gibson, with the aid of his crutch, nailed Marley who had mounted the top turnbuckle.
Garvin then choked Marley until Morton rolled him up.
1-2-3.
Morton and Rich won.

After the match, the Freebirds dispose of Marley by delivering a double DDT. Before they destroy him further, Rich and Morton return to rescue Marley. With Gibson alone on the ramp, the Freebirds double-clothesline him. How dastardly!

On the podium, Schiavone interviews Hansen. While Hansen’s ready for the lariat match, he’s also disappointed that he can’t use the bell because “it’s too violent.”

Match 9 for the Pat O’Connor Memorial tag team tournament (semifinals): NWA US tag team champions Steiners versus Konnan & Rey Mysterio

Scott tagged in and powerslammed Konnan.
After the Steiners gave Konnan the Steinerizer, Mysterio tagged in.
Scott then countered a front face lock with a fallaway slam.
When Rick tagged in, he countered a huracanrana from Mysterio with a powerbomb.
1-2-3.
The Steiners advanced.

On the podium, Schiavone interviews Windham and Arn. We then revisit World Championship Wrestling when Long chauffeured and double-crossed Flair (aired 12/1). That took Flair out of the tag title match tonight. According to Arn, this is PERSONAL.

Match 10 for the Pat O’Connor Memorial tag team tournament (semifinals): The Great Muta & Masa Saito versus Salman Hashimikov & Victor Sangiev

Sangiev countered a side headlock from Muta with a belly-to-back suplex accompanied by a bridge for 2.
As Saito tagged in, Hashimikov hooked a Boston crab.
Sangiev tagged in, but Saito executed a Sharpshooter.

Shortly after, Hashimikov delivered an overhead belly-to-belly suplex to Muta.
He then gave Muta a fireman’s carry for only a 1-count because Saito made the save.
When Saito came in, he clotheslined Sangiev and followed with a belly-to-back suplex.
1-2-3.
The Japanese advanced.

Summary: While technically solid, the St. Louis faithful made a mad dash for popcorn.

Match 11 for the NWA US title (lariat): Stan “The Lariat” Hansen (champion) versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger

After Hansen hip-tossed Luger, he missed an elbow drop.
Luger then gave Hansen a back elbow, slammed him, and hit a forearm smash.
When Hansen came back, he gave Luger a knee lift and whipped him with the rope.
They then exited the ring, and Hansen demolished Luger with chairs.
Back in the ring, Luger gave Hansen a cross corner whip followed by a clothesline.
He then delivered the ten-punch count-along, touched three corners, but Hansen stopped him.
Next, Hansen hit a sloppy belly-to-back suplex followed by an elbow drop.
He then touched a corner, but Luger rallied.
Afterward, Hansen tossed Luger over the top rope and hanged Luger with the rope.
On the floor, Hansen made Luger HIT THE POLE.
Upon their return to the ring, Hansen delivered another elbow drop, touched three corners, but ate a clothesline.
Luger then mule-kicked Hansen to the floor, joined him, and hit a double axe handle.
As he rammed Hansen face-first into the apron, Luger made him HIT THE POLE.
Back in the ring, Luger delivered a series of leg drops, touched all four corners, but FLATTENED referee Randy Anderson in the process.

Hansen then removed his boot and hit Luger with it.
After another elbow drop, Hansen touched all four corners.
Nick Patrick substituted for Anderson and declared Hansen the victor.
Suddenly, Anderson revived and reversed the decision.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Match 12 for the NWA World tag team titles (street fight): Doom (champions w/ Teddy Long) versus the “Enforcer” Arn Anderson & Barry Windham

While Simmons slammed Windham on the ramp, Arn aided his partner and whipped Simmons with a belt.
In the ring, Reed blocked a vertical suplex from Windham and gave him one of his own.
Simmons then returned fire with the belt as Reed nailed Windham with his weightlifting belt.
After Arn WALLOPED Simmons’ knee with a chair, Reed made Windham HIT THE POLE.
Windham was BUSTED OPEN!
Reed then attempted to open the cut further, but Windham responded with a belly-to-back suplex on the floor.
When Arn whipped Reed with the weightlifting belt, Windham slammed Simmons in the ring.
He then missed a knee drop but whipped Simmons with the belt afterward.
After Arn SMASHED Reed in the head with a steel chair, Windham grabbed and nailed Simmons with it.
Simmons was BUSTED OPEN!
As a BUSTED OPEN Reed hit Arn with a chair outside the ring, Simmons delivered a spinebuster for 2.
Reed then put a knee into Windham’s back as a BUSTED OPEN Arn returned to the ring.
When Simmons reversed an Irish whip, he gave Arn a gorilla press slam.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Windham hit him down near Cape Girardeau.

Next, Windham delivered a superplex.
Do we have new champions?
1-2-NO!
Reed then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit the flying shoulder block to Arn, but Windham made the save.
After Windham delivered a DDT, Simmons won a chair fight with Arn for 2.
Meanwhile, Reed took Windham on a trip down South.

When Reed delivered a piledriver to him, Windham came back and dumped Reed over the top rope to the floor.
Windham then held Simmons as Arn mounted the second turnbuckle.
While Reed nailed Windham, Simmons clotheslined a leaping Arn.
Windham then hooked an inside cradle on Reed at the same time Simmons covered Arn.
1-2-3.
Who won?
Due to the double pin, Doom retained.

After the match, the melee continues on the ramp as Simmons counters an Arn piledriver with a back drop. They then fight on their way backstage. As Ross calls Uncle Paul “stupid,” Paul arms himself with the cell phone. HA!

Match 13 for the Pat O’Connor Memorial tag team tournament (finals): NWA US tag team champions Steiners versus the Great Muta & Masa Saito

Masao “Tiger” Hattori was the special guest referee for this match.

While the St. Louis faithful chanted “U-S-A,” Muta gave Scott an enziguri.
Scott then hooked a single-leg crab, but Muta made the ropes.
When Rick tagged in, Muta delivered a spin kick to him.
Muta then attempted a second kick but ate a Steinerline instead.
As Saito tagged in, he missed a clothesline.
Rick then responded with a dropkick and followed with a Steinerline.
While Muta threatened to dive from the top turnbuckle, Rick shook the top rope crotching him. OUCH!
The vocal St. Louis faithful continued their chant as Muta gave Scott a cross corner whip and a handspring elbow. Sweet!
Upon giving Scott a second cross corner whip, Muta ate boot on his follow-through.
Scott then delivered a belly-to-belly suplex for 2.
When Saito tagged in, Scott gave him a back elbow.
Rick tagged in, but Saito hit a belly-to-back suplex.
After a double shoulder block, both wrestlers were down on the mat.
Muta tagged in and hit the flashing elbow.
Next, he tossed Rick outside the ring so that Saito could make him HIT THE POLE.
Muta then joined Rick and WAFFLED him with the bell.
As Saito gave Rick an Irish whip, Muta clotheslined Rick on the floor.
Saito tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Rick.
While Scott distracted Hattori, Muta mounted the top turnbuckle and nailed Rick with a chop.
Muta tagged in but ate a Steinerline from Rick.
Hot tag Scott.
After a back drop, Scott gave Muta a Tiger Driver for only 2 thanks to a save by Saito.
Saito tagged in and gave Scott a chop followed by a belly-to-back suplex.
After the Japanese hit a spike piledriver, Muta disposed of an incoming Rick.
Scott made the tag to Rick as an unbeknownst Saito hooked a sleeper on him.
Rick then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a sunset flip, and pinned Saito.
1-2-3.
Steiners won the tournament.

At the entrance, Schiavone hosts the trophy presentation while Rick Steiner waves the American flag. Schiavone then acknowledges the O’Connor family among the St. Louis faithful. Next, WCW Vice-President Jim Herd congratulates the Steiners for winning the tournament. The Steiners then give a shout-out to the troops in Kuwait.

As the Black Scorpion makes his entrance, a second, third, and fourth Black Scorpion follow him. With creepy music playing, a space craft hovers over the ramp. When it lands, the Black Scorpion calls the preceding men “messengers.” He then appears as the space craft levitates above him. Who is this guy?

Match 14 for the NWA World title (cage): Sting (champion) versus the Black Scorpion

In addition to being a cage match, this was title versus mask.
Dick the Bruiser was the special guest referee for this match whom Uncle Paul equated to Popeye.

When Sting grabbed a side headlock, Scorpion countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
He then missed an elbow drop, tried to ram Sting into the cage, but Sting blocked it.
Next, Sting delivered a hip toss followed by a clothesline.
Scorpion came back with a clothesline followed by a gutwrench suplex for a 1-count.
Afterward, he gave Sting a cross corner whip followed by another clothesline.
Shortly after, Scorpion delivered a back elbow. He then attempted a pin with his feet on the second rope.
Scorpion then gave Sting a pair of HARD cross corner whips and an inverted atomic drop.
Upon giving Sting another cross corner whip, he delivered a corner clothesline.
Yet again, Scorpion put his feet on the second rope while applying a side headlock. Dick the Bruiser removed them each time Scorpion tried.
After a leap frog, Sting gorilla-press-slammed Scorpion.
He then clotheslined Scorpion twice, attempted a cross body block, but hit cage instead of Scorpion.
As Scorpion gave Sting another cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through. That got 2.
Sting then hit a vertical suplex for another 2.
When Scorpion came back, he rammed Sting face-first into the cage.
Interestingly, a contingent of the St. Louis faithful fully supported the Black Scorpion. I fear for today’s youth.
After ramming Sting’s head into the cage repeatedly, Scorpion made Sting taste the steel on the opposite side of the ring.
He then hit a piledriver for 2 as Sting put his foot on the bottom rope.
When Scorpion reversed an Irish whip, he sent Sting face-first into the cage again.
Sting then came back with a face-plant followed by the Stinger splash.
As the Scorpion flopped to the mat, Sting hooked the Scorpion death lock, but Scorpion made the ropes.
Scorpion then tried to ram Sting face-first into the cage again, but Sting made him eat it instead.
Amazingly, Sting removed the mask…and the Scorpion had worn a silver mask underneath the exterior black one.
Sting and Scorpion then brawled on the top rope until Sting fell down to the mat.
Dazed, Scorpion crotched himself on the top rope before hitting the mat.
Sting then sent the Scorpion into the cage twice and military-pressed him into it.
After a hip toss, Sting clotheslined a BUSTED OPEN Scorpion.
Sting then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a cross body block, and pinned Scorpion.

Sting retained.

Summary: With little exception, the Scorpion tried very hard to disguise his repertoire. Unfortunately for him, Sting overcame his onslaught to retain the NWA World title.

After the match, the other Scorpions hit the ring, but Sting and Dick the Bruiser fight them off. The Scorpion then tries to escape as Windham and Anderson attack Sting. Following that, Arn delivers a DDT on a chair to Sting. After Arn WALLOPS Sting with a chair, the Horsemen hold Sting so that Scorpion can nail him with the chair repeatedly.

With the cage door locked, Z-Man and Morton valiantly try to save Sting. The Steiners then arrive with bolt cutters, and Sting removes the mask to reveal…Ric Flair! The babyfaces then chase the Horsemen away to end the show.

Conclusion: Let’s address the Black Scorpion angle. Since Ole Anderson didn’t have an endgame to the storyline, a horde of wrestlers portrayed the Black Scorpion over its four-month timespan. Randy Culley, “Wild” Bill Irwin, and Dave Sheldon played the “messengers” during the main event. As you know from Clash XII, Al Perez also donned the hood.

So how did WCW fix it? With Barry Windham not scheduled to participate at Starrcade, enrolling him made sense. Except that he masqueraded as the fake Sting at Halloween Havoc.

What to do next? Substitute Windham with Flair, and give Flair an out with the chauffer angle. So Sting faces Flair at Starrcade, but Flair must wrestle with ZERO repertoire disclosure.

The end result was a flat main event with the Horsemen re-enacting the Dusty Rhodes cage angle from ’85 but failing miserably. Let’s hope 1991 has a better outcome for WCW.

As far as the rest of the show goes, the tournament final and street fight are worthwhile. The rest, despite Luger’s reclamation of the US title, contains no value.