Jim Cornette

‘WCW CHI-TOWN RUMBLE 1989’ Recap + Review – Flair vs. Steamboat, Luger vs. Windham, Loser Leaves NWA

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DATE: February 20, 1989
VENUE: UIC Pavilion (Chicago, IL)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Magnum T.A.
VIEWING METHOD: Peacock

Chi-Town Rumble 1989 features a legendary World Championship match as Ric Flair defends against Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in the main event. Also on the show The Road Warriors defend the World Tag Team Championship against The Varsity Club, Lex Luger defends the U.S. Championship against Barry Windham, and Jim Cornette teams with his Midnight Express to take on Paul E. Dangerously and the Original Midnight Express in a Loser Leaves the NWA Match.

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‘SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING’ 02.22.1992 Recap + Review – Lee vs. Mantell, Ivan’s New Partner, Horowitz…Loses

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VENUE: East High School (Morristown, TN)
COMMENTATORS: Bob Caudle & Jim Cornette

Brian Lee takes on Dutch Mantell in this week’s main event, plus Ron Wright continues to stoke flames, Ivan Koloff debuts his new tag team partner, and Robert Gibson tries to overcome the overwhelming power of…The Mighty Yankee? LOVE IT.

LINEUP

  • Bob Holly vs. Pat Rose (*3/4)
  • Joey Maggs vs. Rip Rogers (**1/4)
  • Robert Gibson vs. The Mighty Yankee (*1/2)
  • Tim Horner vs. Barry Horowitz (**1/2)
  • Brian Lee vs. Dutch Mantell (**)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WCW HALLOWEEN HAVOC ’90’ – Sting(s) vs. Sid, Steiners vs. Nasty Boys, Black Scorpion Shenanigans

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DATE: October 27, 1990
VENUE: UIC Pavilion (Chicago, IL)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Paul E. Dangerously

Halloween Havoc ‘90 features four title matches, including Sid Vicious’ first PPV main event, as well as a whole lot of fluff in the undercard and Black Scorpion shenanigans. It’s a…mixed bag of a show to say the least.

CHAMPIONS

  • NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Sting
  • NWA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Total Package” Lex Luger
  • NWA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson
  • NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Doom (Ron Simmons & “Hacksaw” Butch Reed)
  • NWA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner)

LINEUP

  • Ricky Morton & Tommy Rich vs. The Midnight Express (***)
  • Terry Taylor vs. Bill Irwin (**)
  • Brad Armstrong vs. J.W. Storm (*1/2)
  • The Southern Boys vs. The Master Blasters (*1/2)
  • The Renegade Warriors vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (*3/4)
  • The Steiner Brothers [c] vs. The Nasty Boys for the NWA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (****)
  • The Junkyard Dog vs. Moondog Rex (*1/4)
  • Doom [c] vs. Ric Flair & Arn Anderson for the NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • Lex Luger [c] vs. Stan Hansen for the NWA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
  • Sting [c] vs. Sid Vicious for the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/4)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WCW Halloween Havoc ’89: Settling the Score’ – THUNDERDOME, Road Warriors vs. Skyscrapers, Luger vs. Pillman

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DATE: October 28, 1989
VENUE: Philadelphia Civic Center (Philadelphia, PA)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Bob Caudle

The inaugural Halloween Havoc features the debut of the REAL Thunderdome of professional wrestling as Sting & Ric Flair look to settle the score with Terry Funk & The Great Muta. Also on the show Lex Luger defends the U.S. Title against newcomer Brian Pillman, The Road Warriors slap meat with The Skyscrapers, the VERY MYSTERIOUS masked duo of Doom makes their debut, and…Tommy Rich regrets ever agreeing to wrestle in Philadelphia. At least until ECW happens.

CHAMPIONS
  • NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair
  • NWA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Total Package” Lex Luger
  • NWA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: The Great Muta
  • NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael “P.S.” Hayes & Jimmy “Jam” Garvin)
LINEUP
  • Tom Zenk vs. Mike Rotunda (**1/4)
  • Steve Williams & The Midnight Express vs. The Samoan SWAT Team (**3/4)
  • Tommy Rich vs. The Cuban Assassin (*1/2)
  • The Fabulous Freebirds [c] vs. The Dynamic Dudes for the NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
  • The Steiner Brothers vs. Doom (***)
  • “The Total Package” Lex Luger [c] vs. Brian Pillman for the NWA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • The Road Warriors vs. The Skyscrapers (***1/4)
  • THUNDERDOME CAGE MATCH: Sting & Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk & The Great Muta (***1/2)

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[TV Recap] ‘WCW Clash of the Champions XI: Coastal Crush’ – Flair vs. JYD, Orndorff vs. Anderson

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DATE: June 13, 1990
VENUE: McAlister Field House (Charleston, SC)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Bob Caudle

The 11th edition of Clash of the Champions features the World Title on the line as Ric Flair defends against…The Junkyard Dog?!? That’s a match I’d never thought I’d see. Also on the show Doom defends the World Tag Team Titles against The Steiner Brothers in a Capital Combat rematch, Lex Luger collides with Sid Vicious, and…Paul Orndorff battles Arn Anderson? Are we sure this is  a real show?

CHAMPIONS
  • NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair
  • NWA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Total Package” Lex Luger
  • NWA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson
  • NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Doom (Ron Simmons & “Hacksaw” Butch Reed)
  • NWA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Midnight Express (“Beautiful” Bobby Eaton & “Sweet” Stan Lane)
LINEUP
  • The Wild-Eyed Southern Boys vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (***)
  • Tommy Rich vs. Bam Bam Bigelow (*3/4)
  • Tom Zenk & Mike Rotunda vs. The Samoan SWAT Team (**1/4)
  • Brian PIllman vs. Mean Mark (***)
  • The Midnight Express [c] vs. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express for the NWA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
  • Doug Furnas vs. Barry Windham (**3/4)
  • Lex Luger vs. Sid Vicious (NR)
  • Doom [c] vs. The Steiner Brothers for the NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
  • Paul Orndorff vs. Arn Anderson (***)
  • Ric Flair [c] vs. The Junkyard Dog for the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (**)

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[PPV Recap] ‘WCW Capital Combat ’90: The Return of Robocop’ – Flair/Luger in the Cage, Robot Cop Saves Sting

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DATE: May 19, 1990
VENUE: D.C. Armory (Washington, DC)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Bob Caudle

Capital Combat ‘90 features a cage match main event as Ric Flair defends the World Heavyweight Championship against perennial contender Lex Luger, The Steiner Brothers defend the World Tag Team Titles against Doom, and Sting runs afoul of The Four Horsemen until his new best friend Robocop intervenes. Yes I have been huffing paint but no I did not make that last sentence up.

CHAMPIONS
  • NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair
  • NWA UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Total Package” Lex Luger
  • NWA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson
  • NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner)
  • NWA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: “Flyin” Brian Pillman & “The Z-Man” Tom Zenk
LINEUP
  • Norman The Lunatic & The Road Warriors vs. Kevin Sullivan, Cactus Jack, & Bam Bam Bigelow (**1/2)
  • Johnny Ace vs. Mean Mark (**1/4)
  • Mike Rotunda & Tommy Rich vs. The Samoan SWAT Team (1/4*)
  • HAIR VS. HAIR: Paul Ellering vs. Theodore R. Long (NR)
  • Brian Pillman & Tom Zenk [c] vs. The Midnight Express for the NWA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (****)
  • CORPORAL PUNISHMENT MATCH: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (***1/4)
  • The Steiner Brothers [c] vs. Doom for the NWA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • STEEL CAGE MATCH: Ric Flair [c] vs. Lex Luger for the NWA WORLD’S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)

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‘SMOKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLING’ 02.15.1992 Recap + Thoughts – Fantastics vs. Koloffs, Orndorff vs. Rogers

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VENUE: Memorial Auditorium (Greenville, SC)
COMMENTATORS: Bob Caudle & Jim Cornette

This week on Smoky Mountain Wrestling we’ve got a tag team main event as The Fantastics (Bobby & Jackie Fulton) take on The Russians (Ivan & Vladimir Koloff). Also on the show Paul Orndorff takes on Rip Rogers, Scott Armstrong takes on Dutch Mantell, and much more.

‘LINEUP
  • Bob Holly vs. Tim Frye
  • Paul Orndorff vs. Rip Rogers
  • Scott Armstrong vs. Dutch Mantell
  • The Fantastics vs. Ivan & Vladimir Koloff

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[PPV Recap] ‘WWF King of the Ring 1995’ – Mabel Rises, Feet Are Kissed

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DATE: June 25, 1995
VENUE: Corestates Spectrum (Philadelphia, PA)
COMMENTATORS: Vince McMahon & Dok Hendrix 

1995 is considered one of the worst years in WWE history, with King of the Ring being the go-to when talking about the worst PPVs of all time. With 25 years’ worth of hindsight and history behind me, let’s see if that still holds true today. 

CHAMPIONS 

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel 
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “Double J” Jeff Jarrett 
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Owen Hart & Yokozuna 

LINEUP 

  • KOTR QUALIFIER: Savio Vega vs. Irwin R. Schyster (*1/2) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: Savio Vega vs. Yokozuna (*1/4) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: Bob Holly vs. The Roadie (**) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: Shawn Michaels vs. Kama (***) 
  • KOTR QUARTERFINALS: The Undertaker vs. Mabel (*1/2) 
  • KOTR Semi-Finals (**) 
  • KISS MY FOOT MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Jerry Lawler (**) 
  • KOTR Finals (*) 
  • Diesel & Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Sycho Sid & Tatanka (**) 

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[TV Recap] ‘WCW Clash of the Champions X: Texas Shootout’ – Horsemen vs. J-Tex, Sting’s Ultimatum, Titles vs. Masks

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DATE: February 6, 1990 VENUE: Memorial Coliseum (Corpus Christi, TX) COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Jim Cornette WCW kicks off its 1990 with the 10th edition of Clash of the Champions featuring a big heel turn, an unmasking, the infamous Mil Mascaras match referenced in Mick Foley’s first book, and a show-closing angle that was so … Read more

[TV Review] ‘WWF Monday Night Raw’ 1.16.95 – Bret vs. Double J, Mantaur Makes RAW Debut

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Commentators: Vince McMahon & “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

The TekWar synergy continues on Monday Night RAW as William Shatner accompanies Bret Hart in his match against Jeff Jarrett. Mantaur also makes his Monday debut without his giant moose helmet thing and with a new manager, Mabel squishes a jobber, and The Million Dollar Corporation call their shot heading into Sunday’s Royal Rumble.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWF CHAMPION: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
  • WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon
  • WWF WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Alundra Blayze
  • WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant

LINEUP

  • The 1-2-3 Kid & Bob Holly vs. The Heavenly Bodies (**)
  • Mantaur vs. Jason Ahrndt
  • Bret Hart vs. Jeff Jarrett (***)
  • Mabel vs. Lee Tobin

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