WCW SuperBrawl VI

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

Immediately Grunge and Rock tossed Knobbs and Sags over the top rope to the floor.
Grunge leaped from the apron to the floor at Knobbs but had liquid thrown in his face.
Knobbs rammed Grunge face-first into the ring post.
Rock grabbed a table and brought it to the ring.
Before he could reach the ring Sags intercepted him and nailed him with a steel chair repeatedly.
Grunge was nearby so Sags walloped him too.
Grunge retaliated with his own series of chair shots to Sags.
Sags and Grunge clotheslined each other in the aisle.
Rock rammed Knobbs head-first into the ring post.
He then placed Knobbs’ upper torso on the table, mounted the apron, but got caught.
Knobbs then tossed him THROUGH THE TABLE!
He covered Rock, but Grunge made the save via a steel chair. OUCH!
Sags grabbed a trash can from the souvenir stand.
Grunge ate a trash can lid shot as Sags made his way toward the ring.
Knobbs used a part of the broken table as a weapon against Rock.
Sags continued to clobber Grunge with the trash can lid.
In the aisle Rock made Knobbs taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like Little Sammy’s Big Fish Sandwich at Mazzaro’s.
Meanwhile in the ring Sags gave Grunge a piledriver on the garbage can. Thankfully Grunge’s head was NOWHERE near the can.
Rock and Knobbs made their way back to the souvenir stand where Knobbs delivered a vertical suplex to Rock through ANOTHER table!
As Grunge and Sags made their way down the aisle Knobbs clobbered Rock with a chair shot to the head.
Just as Grunge got to the area near the souvenir stand he hammered Knobbs with the trash can lid.
Bulldog by Grunge to Sags on a steel chair. Yikes!
Sags with a table suplex to Rock.
As Grunge placed Knobbs on a table Rock mounted the stands.
As Knobbs rolled off the table Rock put himself through the table with a somersault senton. YEE-OUCH!
After a final shot with a piece of table Knobbs pinned Rock.

Summary: This was a typical ECW-style brawl that both teams have mastered; therefore, it was very entertaining.

Backstage “Mean” Gene Okerlund plugs the hotline and hints that two former champions from the WWF could be making their way to WCW. Hmm…didn’t I mention that Nash and Hall were seeking more money in my previous RAW review? Anyways, Gene interviews Konnan who thanks his fans both in English and Spanish then cuts a promo on the One Man Gang.

Match 2 for the WCW World TV title: Johnny B. Badd (champion w/ Kimberly) versus DDP

Besides the TV title being up for grabs Kimberly’s managerial services along with DDP’s $6.6 million are also on the line.
DDP brought long-stemmed roses to the ring for Kimberly. Aw.
The match began outside the ring as Badd reversed an Irish whip and sent DDP back-first into the steel railing.
While on the apron Badd gave DDP a snap mare over the top rope to the floor.
He then delivered a double axe handle.
Slingshot leg drop.
Backslide by Badd got 2.
Badd countered a vertical suplex with an inside cradle for 2.
Stun gun by DDP.
Gutbuster.
Sunset flip failed for Badd.
Floatover DDT by DDP. Say that five times fast.
DDP asked Kimberly for a 10, but instead she gave him a zero. Astounded DDP fell backwards into a rollup.
Rope-assisted reverse chin lock by DDP.
Meanwhile Konnan joined the Spanish announce team.
Badd mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle which scored a 10 from Kimberly.
Again he mounted the top turnbuckle, hit a sunset flip, and got 2.
Sit-out powerbomb.
Pancake by DDP.
Sleeper countered into a jaw breaker by Badd.
Badd hooked his own sleeper.
He then countered a second pancake with a tombstone.
1-2-3.

Backstage Gene interviews Harlem Heat minus Sister Sherri. Booker T refers to Sting and Luger as “sissified suckas.” Bonus points for that one.

Match 3 for the WCW World tag team titles: Sting and the “Total Package” Lex Luger (champions) versus Harlem Heat (w/o Sister Sherri)

After reversing an Irish whip Sting delivered a clothesline to Booker T.
Double back elbow by Harlem Heat to Luger.
Dropkick by Sting to Stevie Ray.
Face plant by Sting to Booker T.
Knee lift by Luger to Booker T.
Belly-to-back suplex.
But he missed an elbow drop.
Sidewalk slam by Booker T.
He missed an elbow drop, did the spinaroonie, and hit the Harlem sidekick.
Leg drop by Stevie Ray to Luger.
Clothesline by Stevie Ray.
Clothesline by Luger to Booker T.
Lazy powerbomb by Stevie Ray.
Nerve hold.
Scissor kick by Booker T.
False tag.
Stinger splash to Booker T.
Stevie Ray low-bridged Sting sending him to the floor. Booker T followed him as did referee Nick Patrick.
As Stevie Ray hoisted Luger up in a Body vice (over-the-shoulder backbreaker) Animal ran in and nailed Stevie Ray in the gut with a foreign object.
Luger pinned Stevie Ray.

Summary: Lackluster tag match that set up the match later in the show. Good work by Booker T here.

Dropkick to the knee by Konnan.
Make that 2.
Spinning heel kick.
Swiftly he mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered another dropkick.
Shoulder block sent both men through the ropes, down the steps, and to the floor.
Half somersault senton by Konnan from the apron to the floor.
Back in the ring the One Man Gang delivered a leg drop.
Sidewalk slam.
The director Craig Leathers was so bored by this match that he put the camera on WCW motorsports driver Steve Grissom. I don’t blame him one bit.
After what seemed like an eternity Konnan mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a head scissors to the One Man Gang.
Dropkick #5.
Make that #6.
He missed #7 however.
747 splash by the One Man Gang.
He pulled him up at 2. That’s NEVER a good idea.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle and missed a splash.
Konnan mounted the second turnbuckle, hit a somersault senton, and got the pin.

Summary: The One Man Gang wasn’t the right opponent for Konnan as lucha libre was more of Konnan’s style at this point in time.

Backstage Gene shills the hotline again and drops the same hints about Nash and Hall (sans name-dropping). He then interviews the Road Warriors. Hawk’s prepared to “deviate septums and detach retinas.” I didn’t realize he was a surgeon in his spare time.

Match 5 (“Respect” (i.e. strap/I quit) match): The Taskmaster (w/ Jimmy Hart) versus the “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman

First man to tell the other that they respect the other loses.
After Pillman sprinted toward the ring with the strap a brawl ensued in the ring.
A right hand by the Taskmaster didn’t appear to be a worked punch.
Once Pillman achieved some distance from the Taskmaster he took the microphone from referee Jimmy Jett and stated “I respect you, bookerman.”
Match ended.

Summary: Let’s dissect what just happened. To everyone’s surprise not including Sullivan or Pillman this was a worked shoot. The term “bookerman” had NEVER been used on TV before. Only internet smarks and insiders knew that Sullivan was the booker for WCW at this point in time so that comment was directed at them.

With Pillman’s egregious breach of kayfabe Eric Bischoff fired him immediately. On the Pillman WWE DVD Bischoff stated that he wanted Pillman to go to ECW, hone his “Loose Cannon” character, and return to WCW with revenge in mind. As many of you know that didn’t happen.

Since nobody else knew what was happening here an aura of confusion occurs after the match. Jimmy Hart brings Arn Anderson in street clothes to the ring. Taskmaster whips Arn until Arn calls him a not-so-nice name, removes his shirt, and proceeds to take Pillman’s place.

REAL Match 5 (“Respect” (i.e. strap) match): The Taskmaster versus the ~~“Loose Cannon”~~ Brian Pillman the “Enforcer” Arn Anderson

After the Taskmaster stomped on Arn’s left hand Arn split the uprights causing the audience and yours truly to groan collectively in sympathy.
Arn then hung the Taskmaster over the top rope using the strap.
Taskmaster used momentum (and the strap) to pull Arn over the top rope to the floor.
He then pulled Arn so that he rammed himself into the ring post. Clever!
Arn returned the favor.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle but was pulled down to the canvas.
The crowd gave a collective “Woo” as Flair made his way to the ring.
Flair urged both men to stop fighting and aim their aggression at Hogan and Savage.

Summary: WCW needed an exit strategy from the very carefully disguised worked shoot and this was it. Let’s move on.

After the “match” Flair claims that he’ll take both the belt and “Liz.” Cooler heads prevail as all three men leave the ring.

Backstage Gene interviews the Giant with Jimmy Hart. Despite standing up the Giant appears to be asleep until Gene asks him a question. He then cuts a promo on Hogan.

Match 6 for the WCW World tag team titles: Sting and the “Total Package” Lex Luger (champions) versus the Road Warriors

Luger was extremely trepidatious before entering the ring. Perhaps it’s his turn to buy drinks for the group after the show.
Dropkick by Hawk to Sting.
Outside the ring Sting kicked Hawk and then made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Van Helsing burger at Engine No. 9.
Swinging neckbreaker by Hawk.
Modified STF.
After giving Luger a cross-corner whip Animal delivered the big boot.
Powerslam.
Clothesline in the corner by Hawk.
Make that 2.
As Hawk occupied referee Nick Patrick’s attention Animal whipped Luger back-first into the steel railing.
Running clothesline by Luger to Hawk.
Vertical suplex by Sting.
Mid-ring collision between Animal and Sting. The latter fell forward and head butted the former downstairs. YEE-OUCH!
Inverted atomic drop by Luger.
Face plant by Sting.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle but hit knees on a splash attempt.
Flying shoulder block by Hawk to Luger.
Leg drop.
Flying fist drop.
Make that 2.
Sleeper countered into a jaw breaker.
Stinger splash to Animal.
Scorpion death lock attempt but Hawk clotheslined Sting to save.
Sunset flip by Sting thwarted by Hawk.
Clothesline by Hawk.
Vertical suplex #2 by Sting…no-sold by Animal.
Vertical suplex by Animal…no-sold by Sting.
Dropkick by Animal.
Animal took Luger outside the ring and rammed him face-first into the steel steps.
Meanwhile Sting and Hawk fought outside the ring as well.
Patrick counted both teams out.
BOO!

Summary: This match could have been so much more with a better finish and game plan. I fear that none of the participants wanted to job so this finish was booked.

Backstage Gene interviews Flair with Woman in matching purple attire. When asked about Space Mountain Flair replies: “With Woman on my left and Elizabeth on my right I won’t tell anybody who I’m with tonight.” Woo! Classic Flair promo.

Gene interviews Savage with Elizabeth. Accidentally Savage name-drops the MegaPowers name. I guess WCW bought it. He then uses that overused line from Toy Story again.

Match 7 for the WCW World title (steel cage): “Macho Man” Randy Savage (champion w/ Elizabeth) versus “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (w/ Woman)

Buffer rumbled.
On his way to the ring a fan gave Savage a Slim Jim. Rather than snap into it, he kissed it and returned it to its rightful owner.
Prior to getting in the cage Flair offered his services to Elizabeth. Savage spoke up for her with a big “Oh no!”
Knee drop by Flair.
He then rammed Savage face-first into the cage.
For no explained reason Savage leveled referee Randy Eller knocking him out.
Backslide by Savage but Eller was still out.
Pair of clotheslines by Savage.
Flair sent Savage into the cage again.
Back elbow by Flair.
Make that 2.
Since he was unable to resist Flair mounted the top turnbuckle but came down…the hard way. Sing it like Sinatra sang “My Way” and it’s fun for the whole family.
Anyways, Savage hooked the figure-four leg lock much to Woman’s shrieking chagrin.
Savage mounted THE TOP OF THE CAGE but ate a shot to the mid-section.
Delayed vertical suplex by Flair.
Once again Flair sent Savage into the cage.
Elbow drop.
Figure-four leg lock by Flair.
WTF? Savage was in the ropes and Eller manhandled Flair off him. Payback for earlier, perhaps?
Figure-four attempt #2 by Flair countered into an inside cradle.
Savage sent Flair into the cage.
Make that twice.
He then raked Flair’s face against the cage.
Savage gave Flair a third…and fourth trip to the cage.
Flair was BUSTED OPEN! Fortunately not as badly as Starrcade.
Ten-punch count-along countered into an inverted atomic drop.
As Flair attempted to climb the cage Savage made an ass out of him.
Unfortunately for Flair he came down straddling the top rope. OUCH!
Inadvertently the bell rang after a 2 count on Flair.
As Savage began to choke Flair the latter nailed an uppercut to the nether regions. I felt that myself 19 years later.
Again Flair climbed the cage, and yet again Savage made an ass out of him.
He then rammed Flair head-first into the cage.
Savage gave Flair another trip to the cage.
He did it a couple more times hard enough to open the locked door.
Woman tried to throw powder in Savage’s face but he ducked.
Elizabeth then handed Flair her high-heeled shoe through the open door.
After escaping a rollup he nailed Savage with it.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: We have an unbelievable heel turn as Elizabeth has betrayed Savage and joined Flair and the Horsemen. Flair became a 13-time World champion with this victory.

After the match Hogan confronts Elizabeth then enters the ring with a chair. Arn joined Flair in the ring then ate a chair shot to the back. A “Hogan sucks” chant occurs during Savage’s exit from the ring.

Backstage Gene interviews Hulk Hogan. Since Hogan’s eye had been injured the last two weeks on Nitro he has it bandaged. Nevertheless Hogan badmouths Flair and Elizabeth. According to Hogan this cage match will only have escape rules and is unsanctioned.

Match 8 (steel cage): Hulk Hogan versus the Giant (w/ Jimmy Hart and the Taskmaster)

Buffer rumbled again.
Immediately Hogan rammed the Giant into the cage.
Make that twice as the “Hogan sucks” chants continued.
Ten-punch count-along by Hogan.
Bear hug by the Giant.
Giant blocked a shot to the cage and gave one to Hogan.
He then worked on Hogan’s injured eye.
Slam by the Giant, but he missed an elbow drop.
Hogan tried to slam the Giant but the latter fell atop him.
Next he rammed Hogan into the cage.
Make that twice.
Giant delivered a vertical suplex.
He tried to leave through the door, but Hogan stopped him.
Backbreaker by the Giant.
Another three trips to the cage for Hogan.
Bear hug #2 by the Giant.
Chokeslam.
Hulk-up time! Sigh.
SEVEN trips to the cage for the Giant.
Big boot.
Hogan slammed the Giant!
Leg drop.
Make that 2.
Make that 3.
Giant just sat up.
Both men fought on the top turnbuckle until Hogan knocked the Giant all the way down to the mat.
Hogan then climbed out of the cage to win the match.

Summary: Hogan’s days on the booking committee have to end soon. Nobody was buying this stuff in ’96 like they were in ’86.

After the match the Taskmaster wallops Hogan with a chair to the back, but it doesn’t faze him. The Taskmaster climbs into the cage as Hogan follows. Meng, Barbarian, Hugh Morrus, Shark, Zodiac, and the One Man Gang all enter the cage and suffer chair shots from Hogan. Loch Ness makes his WCW debut and tries to enter the cage. The entire cast of the Dungeon of Doom keeps him from getting humiliated. A chair-wielding Hogan seems to be equivalent to a sniper with an AK-47 here. Oh brother.

Conclusion: Historically this show carries some weight with Flair’s thirteenth World title victory as well as the bookerman worked shoot. In addition the street fight and TV title matches are noteworthy so I’d definitely recommend this show.