‘WCW BEACH BLAST 1993’ Recap + Thoughts – Superpowers vs. Masters of the Powerbomb, Flair vs. Windham

DATE: July 18, 1993
VENUE: Mississippi Coast Coliseum (Biloxi, MS)
COMMENTATORS: Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

WCW Beach Blast 1993 features a tag team main event as Sting & Davey Boy Smith join forces against Big Van Vader & Sid Vicious aka The Masters of the Powerbomb. The NWA World Heavyweight Championship is also on the line as Barry Windham defends against “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Dustin Rhodes defends the United States Heavyweight Championship against “Ravishing” Rick Rude in an Iron Man Match. 

BUT FIRST, a movie:

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‘WCW BEACH BLAST 1992’ Recap + Review – Steiners vs. MVC, Sting vs. Cactus, Steamboat vs. Rude

DATE: June 20, 1992
VENUE: Mobile Civic Center (Mobile, AL)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Just four days removed from Clash of the Champions XIX, WCW presents its first-annual Beach Blast live from the summer capital of the world: Mobile, Alabama! This show features one of the greatest World Championship matches in WCW history, the Tag Team Championship main-eventing a PPV for I think the first time ever, and a 30 minute Iron Man match. Let’s see how it holds up.

CHAMPIONS

  • WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Sting
  • WCW UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “Ravishing” Rick Rude
  • WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: “Stunning” Steve Austin
  • WCW LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “Flyin” Brian Pillman
  • WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner)
  • WCW UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael “P.S.” Hayes & Jimmy “Jam” Garvin)

LINEUP

  • Brian Pillman [c] vs. Scotty Flamingo for the WCW LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/4)
  • Ron Simmons vs. The Taylor Made Man (*1/2)
  • Marcus Bagwell vs. Greg Valentine (*1/4)
  • FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE: Sting [c] vs. Cactus Jack for the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (****1/4)
  • IRON MAN CHALLENGE: Ricky Steamboat vs. Rick Rude (****1/2)
  • Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, & Nikita Koloff vs. The Dangerous Alliance (**3/4)
  • The Steiner Brothers [c] vs. The Miracle Violence Connection for the WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)

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[PPV Review] ‘WCW HALLOWEEN HAVOC 1992’ – Spin the Wheel Make The Deal, Simmons vs. Barbarian, Steamboat vs. Pillman

DATE: October 25, 1992
VENUE: Philadelphia Civic Center (Philadelphia, PA)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Jesse “The Body” Ventura

Spin the wheel, make the deal. Spin the wheel, make the deal. SPIN. THE. WHEEL. MAKE. THE. DEAL. SPIIIIIIIIIN THEEEEE WHEEEL MAAAAKE THE DEEE-okay you get my point.

CHAMPIONS

  • WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The All-American” Ron Simmons
  • WCW UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “Ravishing” Rick Rude
  • WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: Scott Steiner
  • WCW/NWA UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes & Barry Windham

LINEUP

  • Shane Douglas, Tom Zenk, & Johnny Gunn vs. Michael Hayes, Arn Anderson, & Bobby Eaton (**)
  • Ricky Steamboat vs. Brian Pillman (***1/4)
  • Big Van Vader (on behalf of Rick Rude) [c] vs. Nikita Koloff for the WCW UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/4)
  • Dustin Rhodes & Barry Windham [c] vs. Steve Williams & Steve Austin for the WCW/NWA UNIFIED WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
  • Masahiro Chono [c] vs. Rick Rude for the NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (1/2*)
  • Ron Simmons [c] vs. The Barbarian for the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (**)
  • SPIN THE WHEEL MAKE THE DEAL: Sting vs. Jake Roberts (*3/4)

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[TV Recap] ‘WWE SMACKDOWN’ 10.23.2020 – Murphy vs. Rollins, Law & Otis, Tribal Consequences

COMMENTATORS: Michael Cole & Corey Graves

SmackDown this week features “Messiah vs. Disciple” as Seth Rollins takes on Murphy in the main event. Also on the show Otis goes to court with The Miz, Daniel Bryan returns to the ring, Bianca Belair debuts, and Roman Reigns offers up some tribal consequences for Jey Uso heading into Hell in a Cell.

CHAMPIONS

  • WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: Roman Reigns
  • SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Bayley
  • WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION: Sami Zayn
  • SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)

LINEUP

  • Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, & The Street Profits vs. Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Cesaro, & Shinsuke Nakamura (***)
  • Bianca Belair vs. Zelina Vega (**)
  • Shorty G vs. Lars Sullivan (NR)
  • Murphy vs. Seth Rollins (**3/4)

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[PPV Review] ‘WCW HALLOWEEN HAVOC 91’ – Chamber of Horrors, Luger vs. Simmons

DATE: October 27, 1991
VENUE: UTC Arena (Chattanooga, TN)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & Tony Schiavone

The 1991 edition of Halloween Havoc features the infamous CHAMBER OF HORRORS, the crowning of the first Light Heavyweight Champion, a Ravishing Halloween Phantom, and 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the World Title.

CHAMPIONS

  • WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Total Package” Lex Luger
  • WCW UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Sting
  • WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: “Stunning” Steve Austin
  • WCW LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Vacant
  • WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Enforcers (“The Enforcer” Arn Anderson & “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko)
  • WCW UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Patriots (Firebreaker Chip & Todd Champion)

LINEUP

  • CHAMBER OF HORRORS: Sting, El Gigante, & The Steiner Brothers vs. Cactus Jack, Abdullah The Butcher, The Diamond Studd, & Big Van Vader (*)
  • PN News & Big Josh vs. The Creatures (*1/4)
  • Bobby Eaton vs. Terrence Taylor (***)
  • Jimmy Garvin vs. Johnny B. Badd (**)
  • Steve Austin [c] vs. Dustin Rhodes for the WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)
  • Bill Kazmaier vs. Oz (*1/2)
  • Van Hammer vs. Doug Somers (SQUASH)
  • Brian Pillman vs. Richard Morton for the vacant WCW LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
  • Tom Zenk vs. WCW Halloween Phantom (SQUASH)
  • The Enforcers [c] vs. The Patriots for the WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (*3/4)
  • 2 OUT OF 3 FALLS: Lex Luger [c] vs. Ron Simmons for the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/2)

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

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

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

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

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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[PPV Recap] ‘WCW SuperBrawl: Return from the Rising Sun’ – Flair vs. Fujinami, Steiners vs. Sting & Luger

DATE: May 19, 1991
VENUE: Bayfront Arena (St. Petersburg, FL)
COMMENTATORS: Jim Ross & “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

The first annual SuperBrawl features the end to the controversy as Ric Flair takes on Tatsumi Fujinami to decide who the real World Champion is (even though WCW has already said who it was many times over). Also on the show we get an absolute classic of a tag team match, two regular debuts and one absolutely insane debut, and Bobby Eaton gets his big shot at singles stardom.

CHAMPIONS
  • WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair
  • WCW UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: “The Total Package” Lex Luger
  • WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION: “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson
  • WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner)
  • WCW UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Vacant
  • WCW WORLD SIX MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Ricky Morton, “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, & Junkyard Dog
LINEUP
  • The Young Pistols vs. The Fabulous Freebirds for the vacant WCW UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**)
  • Ricky Morton vs. Dan Spivey (*1/2)
  • DEBUT PROMO: Johnny B. Badd & Teddy Long
  • Tommy Rich vs. Nikita Koloff (*3/4)
  • Dustin Rhodes vs. Terrence Taylor (**1/4)
  • Big Josh vs. Black Bart (*1/2)
  • THE DANGER ZONE w/ Paul E. Dangerously & Stan Hansen
  • Oz vs. Tim Parker (SQUASH)
  • TAPED FIST MATCH: Brian Pillman vs. Barry Windham (**3/4)
  • DIAMOND MINE w/ Diamond Dallas Page & The Diamond Studd
  • STRETCHER MATCH: El Gigante vs. Sid Vicious (DUD)
  • THUNDERDOOM CAGE MATCH: Ron Simmons vs. Butch Reed (**3/4)
  • The Steiner Brothers [c] vs. Sting & Lex Luger for the WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (****1/2)
  • Arn Anderson [c] vs. Bobby Eaton for the WCW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
  • Ric Flair [c] vs. Tatsumi Fujinami for the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (***)

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