Vader vs. The Boss (WCW Spring Stampede 1994) Review

Vader vs. The Boss (WCW Spring Stampede 1994)

So, I love a fucking big super heavyweight clash, and when it involves Big Van Vader, it ups the quality ten fold. This match has always been one of my favourites and is one of Bossman's best matches to boot and probably the best thing he did in WCW.

We start off in the locker room with Vader and Rick Rude having a pull apart. Man, Vader/Rude would have been pretty awesome if Rude was healthy and if he had turned face sometime.

Boss is first out. Hard times, you'll be serving hard time..............oh wait, this is WCW. Damn.

He pretty much is The Big Bossman, it's hardly a wonder WWF ended up suing them and forcing them to change his gimmick. The Man; Vader is out next, of course with Harley Race.

Boss doesn't wait until Vader gets in the ring and jumps him on the isle and they start trading blows before Harley grabs Boss and Vader comes running straight for him, but Boss moves and Vader plants his massive frame plum onto Race.

Boss starts stiff punching the fuck out of Vader and clotheslines him over the top rope and finally into the ring. He continues with the palm and fist strikes, before whipping Vader off the ropes and delivering a BIG BOOT. This of course doesn't knock Vader down of course, so Boss just runs at him and with one stiff ass punch, sends him crashing over the top rope. Both on the outside now as Boss still pounds on Vader with right hands. Vader fights back with his own BIG CLUBS to Boos, before crashing him down with a short clothesline.

It's already a big hoss battle with these two.

Vader picks Boss up and slams him back into the ring. He walks back up the ramp and takes a run at the ring and FLIES OVER THE TOP ROPE and onto Boss.

But Boss gets his knees up in time. He continues to be in control as he lands some drop elbows onto Vader, before clotheslining him back out the ring and onto the outside. He whips Vader front first into and over the guardrail

Vader is one big bastard as we know, but fuck did he take some bumps. No wonder he had quite a few injuries in his time.

Boss picks him up again and dumps him back onto the same guardrail. Vader really in trouble as they are both back in the ring and Boss continues to stiff him with strikes, before delivering a big splash clothesline in the corner. He picks Vader up again and powerslams him onto the mat.

Vader is back to his feet and he starts pancaking Boss with his famous clubs to the head. Boss fights back with a thumb to the eye and kick in the gut. He tries to whip Vader off the ropes, but is reversed and Vader sends him onto the top rope, but Boss just manages to grab the top rope, but it still sends him to the outside, where Race gives him a few sly kicks for good measure.

Vader's eye is bleeding now too, probably from the strikes he's been receiving so far.

Boss gets back onto the ring apron and Vader SUPLEXES him over the rope and back into the ring. Vader follows this up with a Vader splash and gets the first 2 count of the match. Vader then gets Boss just where he wants him and every opponent; In the corner. He starts wailing at Boss with some heavy clubs to the head. Vader is like “Have this”

Boss fights right back at Vader though with his own clubs to the head.

IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN TWO BIG BASTARDS STIFFING EACH OTHER

Vader quickly puts a stop to this with a hard right to Boss. Vader goes to put Boss into a headlock,. But Boss picks him up and backdrops him onto the mat. Both men are down now and I assume, fucking drained of energy with the amount of shit they have threw at each other.

Vader really is bleeding from that eye now, as Boss whips him off the ropes and gives him a stiff ass forearm clothesline. Race is shouting “NO PAIN” at Vader, think even Vader is beginning to doubt that at the moment, tbh. Vader catches Boss with a big boot to the jaw and nails him with his own stiff ass clothesline to the mat. Vader then goes to the corner and gets up on the middle rope; possible Vader splash coming up?

But Boss is back up and just grabs Vader and sends him crashing onto the mat.

Boss puts Vader onto the middle turnbuckle and delivers a DDT right off of it!!!! He goes for the cover, but only gets a two count. Vader gets back up, just as Boss climbs onto the top rope turnbuckle and hits Vader with flying shoulder charge and goes for another pin attempt, but Vader has his arm on the ropes. Boss again goes onto the top rope turnbuckle, but this time it's a case of going to the well one too many times, as Vader catches him and powerslams Boss onto the mat.

These two have took some shit, maaaaan.

Race is screaming at Vader now to finish him. Vader drags Boss over towards the corner, seemingly for a Vader splash attempt. He does indeed hit the Vader Splash, so this is it now. He goes for the cover, 1,2..........................NO, BOSS GOES AND KICKS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vader again goes to the turnbuckle, but this time climbs onto the top rope, for a possible Vadersault.

VADER HITS A WONDERFUL VADERSAULT

Surely this'll finish the big man off. He goes again for the cover. 1,2.........................3, yup, Vader gets the win.

Seems like Race and Vader are not finished with Boss yet though. Race goes over and grabs the nightstick and handcuffs. He tries to put them onto Boss, but Boss gets up and starts beating the shit out of Race. Vader doesn't know what the fuck is coming as Boss lamps him over the back with the nightstick. Boss then goes APE FUCKING SHIT on poor Harley with the nightstick and just starts non stop wailing at him with it. He's like a man possessed with the damn thing.

Nick Bockwinkel then comes to the ring to try and get Boss to cease with this shit. Vader then climbs back in the ring and he and Boss have a stand off as Boss still has the nightstick waiving in his hand. Bockwinkel orders Boss to get the fuck out of there. No way is this feud over yet by the looks of it. Race is still down as Vader goes over to the commentary table and screams “WHO'S THE MAN, NOW? WHO'S THE MAN?”

Oh you certainly are, Vader my son.

Backstage, Bockwinkel strips Boss of his handcuffs and nightstick and says he can no longer be 'The Boss'. I guess this is where WWF were really asserting pressure for them to do this TBH.

TWO BIG BASTARDS BEATING THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF EACH OTHER. Vader takes some shit in this I have to say. His eye is fucked up, again, and they both land plenty of snarly shit at each other throughout, too. Bombs are thrown all over the place, not entirely all clean, but they all looked very impressive, esp Boss, who just threw Vader around all over the place. Vader took more than his fair share of bumps, as he very often does, in this match and gave Boss a lot to do and work with. In fact, Vader was insane with the bumps he continued to take. It's still the best Boss ever did in WCW and one of the highlights of his whole career. It's also one of Vader's best ever performances, too.

Just an awesome match that still ranks as one of my favourites.

Recommended.

Goldberg vs Scott Steiner (No DQ) (WCW Fall Brawl 2000) Review

Goldberg vs Scott Steiner (No DQ) (WCW Fall Brawl 2000)

So, this is always regarded as the 'other good Goldberg match' when referring to his best work from WCW. The other being the DDP one of course. I have always been a big fan of this match also, but it's been a while since I have watched it and apart from them throwing bombs at each other, the other aspect I remember is the Vince Russo (GO AWAY, PLEASE) finish and all that bollocks. So we'll see how this one holds up.

This is the build up video for the match; (If YT hasn't blocked it yet)

So in the build-up to this match had Goldberg give Midajah a Jackhammer through a table, Steiner locked Goldberg's girlfriend in the Steiner Recliner, and Goldberg broke Steiner's face with a lead pipe. Plus, all the 'He didn't follow the script shit with Russo at New Blood Rising. So Scotty is wearing a protective mask in this one. First we get a short Steiner promo with Mene Gene (tried upping it to YT, but it was blocked).

This is going to be 'Clash of the Titans' says Gene, Godzilla ,

Well, Freakzilla vs King Kong.

“See there's only two things I care about Mene Gene; My freaks and my peaks, and after I beat his ass, I'm going back to the hotel and cos I'm a loaded sex pistol and I'm ready to explode.”

Right-on, Scotty, Gene then says something but is cut off, but it seems to end with 'Bastard'. LOL.

Right, here we go. This is a No-DQ match, remember. Steiner is out first and starts jawing at the Buffalo Bills, who are at ringside, on his way to the ring. He's still giving them some stick as Goldberg makes his way by his usual entrance. Goldberg high fives the Bills (Have a feeling this will come into play later on).

Steiner starts outside the ring as he has to put his mask on first. They start by pacing around each other in the ring, whilst Scott is still shouting at the Bills, lol. They finally lock up and they both get in the corner and Steiner starts stiffing Bill with some punches and forearms. He whips Bill off the ropes, but Bill ducks and hits Scot with a big shoulder tackle to send him down to the mat. Bill then picks him straight up and delivers what I can describe as a FUCKING AWESOME POWER SPOT

He whips Steiner off the ropes, but Scotty wants none of this shit and bails to the outside. Doesn't last long though as Bill follows him out. He tries whipping him into the guardrail, but Steiner blocks it and sends Bill onto it instead. He throws Bill back into the ring and sends him down to the mat with a clothesline and a short elbow drop for a 2 count. Steiner still on the attack as he gets Bill in the corner and starts chopping him clubs to the head. He whips Bill into the opposite corner and runs at him, but is hit with a BIG BOOT RIGHT PLUM IN THE FACE

Goldberg picks him straight up into a sweet Butterfly Suplex

I do love seeing Bill just man-handling people. Goldberg then just gets onto Scott and starts clubbing away at his mask with stiff right hands. He sends Steiner into the ropes, but it gets blocked and Bill eats a DIAMOND CUTTER

Hey DDP, there's a trademark claim here, bud. He follows this up with a belly to belly suplex into another 2 count. He picks Bill up and seems to be trying to hit a Piledriver, but it's reversed and Goldberg just plants him down to the mat with a powerslam.

POWER MOVEZ GALORE HERE..............JUST WANT WE WANT

Goldberg gets a 2 count of his own here. He then gets into the 'Spear position' and runs at Steiner, but Scotty moves and Bill nearly hits his shoulder onto the corner post (well I say nearly, he seemed to block it, not sure if that was intentional or not, although Tony did say he put the brakes on). Scotty then goes onto the top turnbuckle, but Bill is back up and catches him into a big powerslam

That seemed to take it's toll on Goldberg, as he drops to the mat and Steiner rolls out the ring to the outside. Bill follows him and out and tries throwing him into the guardrail again, but again it's blocked and Steiner throws Goldberg shoulder first into the steel steps. At this point, Midajah (one of Stenier's favourite freaks and has a chest bulge higher than the moon), comes down to ringside carrying a lead pipe (this was the weapon as to why Scotty has his mask).

Meanwhile, Steiner picks a chair up and hits Goldberg over the shoulder with it as he's still down by the steel steps, before throwing the chair and Bill back into the ring. He picks Bill up and dumps him upside down into the corner of the ring. He picks up the chair again and starts attacking Bill's midriff with it.

Goldberg certainly in some trouble at this stage as he is busted open at the top of his head. Steiner throws Bill over his head and starts mocking him with some press ups

He gives Bill a backbreaker, which follows into another 2 count. Steiner tries to put Goldberg is a sort of full nelson hold, but Bill tries to fight back with some elbows, but is instead thrown to the other side of the ring via his head after a belly to belly suplex.

You just gotta love two wrestlers that look like this, just throwing each other around like this. Just how it should be done. At this point, Midajah hands Steiner that lead pipe; Yeah, this'll go well. Just as Steiner turns around, he's hit with a

SSSSSPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We all know what this means – It's Jackhammer time. Just as he's about to hit it however, here comes Vince fucking Russo

BRO, BRO, BRO

Who immediately hits Goldberg with a cough*rubber*cough baseball bat.

For fuck sake.

Russo starts celebrating doing this as the commentary team say “Get the camera off him” - Yeah, my sentiments exactly. Steiner covers Goldberg but GOLDBERG KICKS OUT. Yeah, fuck you Russo. Steiner throws Goldberg out the ring ans Russo starts taunting him with the bat, but Bill is having none of this shit and starts going after Russo, but is blind sided in the back by Steiner. He follows this up by ramming Goldberg into the guardrail.

Steiner goes over and half sets up a table, before picking Goldberg up and planting him straight through it with a powerslam as he and Russo (urrrrgh) celebrate. He throws Bill back into the ring, who is dead at this point, and screams “It's over, Jackie/daddy/something”. He immediately puts Goldberg into the STEINER RECLINER submission hold.

WILL BILL ACTUALLY QUIT?????!!!!

No, of course he won't, as he powers out of it and picks Steiner up and dumps him RIGH ON HIS ASS

This totally unfazes both of them though as Steiner no sells this and immediately runs at Goldberg and hits him with a clothesline. He sends Goldberg into the opposite corner and plants him on the top turnbuckle. He also climbs up but is met with some Goldberg headbutts, which sends Steiner crashing down to the mat. Just as he does this, Midajah hits Goldberg over the back with that damn lead pipe. Russo gets involved again and follows suit with his baseball bat. Goldberg is still perched on the top turnbuckle as Steiner climbs back up and delivers a head bouncing belly to belly suplex

He immediately follows this up with a cover pin but gets a damn close 2.9. What the fuck has Scotty gotta do here, maaaaaaaan. He then puts Goldberg back into the Steiner Recliner. Will Bill quit this time????

I mean FFS, he's been hit with chairs, pipes, bats, put though a table, dumped on his head twice, survived two recliners lol.

Goldberg crawls over the ropes and dumps Steiner straight onto the outside, who immediately picks up the chair again. He tries to hit Goldberg with it but Bill ducks this time and hits Steiner with a spinning neckbreaker. Goldberg clambers up into the corner and seemingly into the spear position, but that fucking Russo runs in again, but Bill is ready this time and stops him and throttles him by the throat.

About damn time.

But just as he's taking care of him, Steiner hits him in the stomach and over the head with the lead pipe

I assume this will finally kill off Goldberg. Unless he's got a missile launcher somewhere, because even I'm wondering what it'll finally take. Goldberg is knocked the fuck out as Steiner again puts on the Recliner. Ref has no choice but to ring the bell and declare Steiner the winner as Goldberg is unconscious.

Steiner finally gets the win.

Fucking dipshit Russo comes in with his fucking top off and put one foot on Goldberg and does a victory pose. Moron.

Goldberg is dead on the floor as Russo/Steiner/ Midajah celebrate the win. Oh and Scotty says fuck you to the camera

Russo continues being an insufferable twat as he starts mocking the Buffalo Bills. The Bills finally get out of their position as they get in the ring and help Goldberg out the ring. Wish they could have got involved sooner and twatted Russo TBH.

So, the match. Did I like this as much as I used to? Yes. It was pretty great before the interference, then it became a case of Goldberg being beat the shit out of for a longer period than I remember it being. It was great when they were literally throwing each other around and Bill did a decent job at some of his selling, and I guess it did take a shit load to finally beat him. I think only a missile from space was missing to try and put him down. Some of the power moves are wonderful to see, even though Bill was lucky as he got planted on his head a couple of times. I'm not saying the interference ruined the match or anything like that, but it went on much longer than I expected. I guess it was designed to keep Goldberg looking strong as possible in defeat, but i just felt it went on a tad too long, esp with Russo being involved.

All in all though, it's still a very good match up until that point but is isn't better than the Goldberg/DDP match IMO. Still highly enjoyable tho and fun as fuck for the most part.

Recommended of course,

Eddy Guerrero & Chris Jericho vs. Faces of Fear (WCW Monday Nitro 02/24/1997) Review

Eddy Guerrero & Chris Jericho vs. Faces of Fear (WCW Monday Nitro 02/24/1997)

Was flicking through 1997 and had the urge to watch this gem. One of the best matches in the Nitro era. Haku/Barbarian were always one of my favourite big man teams and in this match, they offer some great offense, with Y2J/Eddy being the smaller guys trying to survive. Looking forward to this.

Faces Of Fear are out. Two big hard bastards

Barbarian and Jericho start things off. They lock up but Barbarian just hits Y2J with a series of vicious knees to the midriff, before shoving him into the corner and choking him out and hitting him with a big strike. Jericho gets whipped off the ropes, but ducks a big boot attempt and dropkicks Barbarian's legs from under him. Always a wise strategy when going against big fuckers like these.

Jericho keeps the fast pace and offense going as he gets bounced off the turnbuckle, he catches Barb with a boot, before delivering a missile dropkick, taking the big man down. He tags Eddie in, who springs over the top rope, back first onto Barb and gets a nearfall. The actual faces make a good start in this one. He runs off the ropes, but gets caught by Barn who just plants poor Eddie face first onto the mat

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH

Eddie already in trouble as Barb just throws him into the corner like a ragdoll. He tags in Meng (oh it's just gets better for Eddie, doesn't it). Meng starts off with chops and strikes to Eddie, who tries in vein to start a mini comeback, but is put firmly in his place with a big headbutt from Meng. This is followed up by a crashing POWERBOMB on Eddie, who is in real trouble here. Meng rubs it in with a little victory dance.

Eddie though quickly pops up from this as he runs off the ropes and hits Meng with a Hurracinrana, before quickly tagging Y2J back in. They immediately double team Meng with a back body drop. Jericho stays on the offense with a back body roll into another quick nearfall. He runs off the ropes but is caught with a kick to the back by Barb. Meng capitalises by dumping Chris on his head with a sickening back suplex.

He tags Barb back in, who immediately picks Jericho up and places him on the top turnbuckle. This can't be good news for Y2J. Barb climbs up also and delivers one hell of a

TOP FUCKING ROPE BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX

'Holy shit' chants abound if this was 2017 I'm sure.

One hell of a spot. Barb follow this up with a pin attempt, but Eddie quickly grabs Chris's leg and places it on the ropes. Jericho manages to blindly catch Barb in a small package, but Barb shrugs that off and tags Meng in. Y2J reaaaaaaaaaly needs a tag of his own here. Meng starts punishing Jericho with a headbutt and throws him into the corner to hit him with some chops and strikes. He whips Chris into the opposite corner, but Chris flies feet first off the turnbuckle and into a crossbody onto Meng for a nearfall. Meng kicks out and is pissed. He just starts kicking the shit out of Y2J with vicious boots to the chest and head before choking him out.

Meng with some classic heel tag work here, as he picks on Eddie, who rightfully responds by trying to get in the ring. Meng slyly waves Barb in behind the ref's back to inflict more damage on poor Y2J. Barb just follows up what Meng was doing and also starts kicking the living shit out of Jericho. Some excellent work here by the FOF, TBH. Meng still in as he whips Jericho off the ropes, and Barb steps in. As Y2J comes back off the ropes, he gets lifted up by Meng and straight into a POWERBOMB by Barb.

JERICHO IN DEEEEEEEEEP SHIT ATM.

Barb goes for the cover and gets a 2, before Eddie flies over the top rope and makes the save. Both of the FOF are in the ring now and both get up on opposite turnbuckes. Now this can't be good. They both fly off the corners and deliver a DOUBLE FLYING HEADBUTT

Man, Jericho has taken some punishment in this one so far. Barb goes for another cover on Jericho, but again, gets to 2 before Eddie makes the save. Jericho valiantly tries to mount some sort of comeback as he flays away at Barb with some wild punches, but is quickly stopped by the classic thumb in the eye. He gets dumped on the mat again as Barb tags Meng back in. Jericho gets some adrenaline from somewhere, as Meng whips him into the ropes, Y2J flies off the middle rope feet first, and hits Meng with a backflip moonsault. He's too fucked to try a pin but needs a tag at least now.

He hits Meng with an Enzigiri, who pops back up and attempts an elbow, but Jericho moves out the way and finally TAGS EDDIE IN.

HERE WE GO.

Eddie flies right over the top rope and hits Meng with a series of punches and am uppercut. He flings off the ropes and tries to get Meng off his feet, but the big man isn't budging. He finally does it with a dropkick, just as Jericho gets on the top rope and hits Meng with a crossbody. Eddie and Y2J follow this up with a double dropkick, which sends Meng over the other side and he tags Barb back in. Y2J/Eddie fully in control now as Jericho sends Meng flying off the apron with a =another dropkick, before they hit Barb with a double suplex.

Y2J goes to the ropes in a attempt to hit the Lionsault, but Meng catches him and flings him though the middle rope and onto the outside. Eddie climbs the top rope, but what's this – DEAN FUCKING MALENKO runs in and sends flying into a big boot by Barb for the pin and win.

They got screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewed.

Well this is just as good as it ever was. I read a good analogy of this match elsewhere; It's like a shorter version of that great Powers Of Pain/Rockers match, and that's what it felt like. Y2J was excellent in his FIP segment, both the FOF were brutal, as expected, in all of their offense. The belly to belly suplex spot for example was INSANE. Probably the FOF's best match in WCW and one of the best TV matches from this era IMO.

Recommended.

Sting vs. Cactus Jack (Submit or Surrender) (WCW Power Hour 11/23/91) Review

Sting vs. Cactus Jack (Submit or Surrender) (WCW Power Hour 11/23/91)

So everyone knows about their Beach Blast 1992 match and how good that is, but I don't remember much from this match TBH, and as it's a precursor of sorts, thought I'd check it out.

So, the 'Submit or Surrender' concept was basically a hybrid between I quit/last man standing/submit. Just gloss over the fact that 'Submit' and Surrender' are basically the same thing.

Jack is out first carrying a plastic garbage bin. Bit of him already trying to psych Sting out as Jack here is wearing a 'Sting' T-Shirt.

'BANG, BANG'

Sting comes out and I forgot he's the U.S Champion at this point. Great spot with a young disabled fan, where Sting takes the time to show him the belt and have a moment with him. The bell rings just as Sting gets in the ring and Jack goes straight for him. He starts BITING at Sting's head!!!

OUCH

Jack taking the early advantage here as he clubs Sting with right hands. He pounds Sting's head into the turnbuckle, before setting him up on the ropes. Jack runs at Sting, but Sting moves and Jack takes his first (of many I presume) bump of the match to the outside. Sting follows him out and rams Jack's head into the guardrail. Sting not messing around here, as he does it again, not once but twice. He puts that bin that Jack bought with him into position to suplex Jack onto, but Jack blocks it and rams Sting, back first into the guardrail.

Jack picks up the bin and wallops it over the back of Sting. He does it again, before setting up Sting for a suplex of his own, but Sting blocks and reverses this and plants Jack through the bin.

Sting throws Jack back into the ring, straightens the bin out, and throws that in, too. He then picks it up and starts wailing Jack over the head with it. He then STICKS THE BIN OVER JACK'S head, plants him on the mat, and delivers an elbow onto the bin/Jack.

Sting makes sure that bin is still on tight, as he climbs up to the top turnbuckle and delivers a BIG SPLASH onto Jack whilst he's wearing the bin. Jack is dazed and probably wonders where he is as Sting gets him in the corner for the old ten bell salute punches. Jack blocks one of these and tries to give Sting an Atomic Drop, but Sting blocks it and gives him a short clothesline. Sting whips Jack into the ropes, and tries to leapfrog over him, but Jack stands his ground and Sting ends up going nuts first into Jack. Not sure if this was meant to come off as it looked TBH;

'DON'T RUB 'EM SON, COUNT' EM'

Safe to say, this is Jack's opportunity to take over proceedings. Jack goes straight for the abdomen area and drops a leg onto Sting. He gives starts kicking Sting's head repeatedly, before shoving him on the ropes and choking him. He then runs off the ropes and plants his full body onto Sting's back, who's still draped over the ropes. Sting is on empty here as Jack continues to pound away at him with stiff forearms, before running off the ropes and delivering a running bulldog. Jack tries for a pin, but has to reminded by the ref that PINFALL'S MEAN NOTHING HERE. Sting in real trouble here, as Jack drops a big knee onto the throat before choking him with his boot.

Crowd start up a 'Sting, Sting, Sting chant to try and will him on. He tries a mini comeback with some strikes and chops, but gets cut off quick by a Jack thumb in the eye. Jack starts kicking the shit out of him, before dumping him through the middle rope and onto the outside. Jack follows him out and throws Sting into the guardrail. Jack then picks up a chair from the crowd, although one chap did his best to stop this from happening, bless him

But obviously loses as Jack picks the chair up and whacks it right over Sting's back. Sting is just dead at this point on the mat outside. Ref is asking Sting if he wants to give up, and Sting is just shaking his head; he's tougher than that. Jack goes for him again with the choking. He sends Sting onto the apron and gives him a neckbreaker off the top rope. OUCH INDEED. Jack is just punishing Sting at the moment and he carries it on with kicks and big headbutt. Sting is rocking on his feet and can barely stand as Jack knocks him right back down with a forearm and applies a chinlock.

COME ON STINGER

Crowd are willing Sting on as he's doing his best to try and power out and mount some sort of retaliation. He manages to get up and hits Jack with some strikes, before running off the ropes, but Jack moves out the way and sends Sting crashing right back to the mat with another big forearm smash. Jack follows this up with one hell of a leg drop onto Sting's throat, before going back to the reverse chinlock. Sting needs to do something here, and he does as he staggers up and grabs Jack's hair and yanks his head down onto the top of his own, thus using it as a sort of bettering ram to try and get out of this mess.

He reverses a whip into the ropes and tries a dropkick onto Jack, but Jack is smart and just holds onto the ropes, so Sting falls flat on his ars........................back. Jack follow up on this with a double arm DDT.

MAN, WHAT HAS STING GOTTA DO??!!

Sting gets up as Jack comes over to him and dumps him over the top rope to the outside. Finally, this could be the opening Sting has been waiting for. He flies over the ropes and via a crossbody right onto Jack.

Sting is fired up now as he just starts pounding on Jack with some big ass punches to the head. All the shit Sting has taken, looks like it's payback time. He suplexes Jack on the outside, before dumping him back into the ring. He whips Jack into the corner and attempts a STINGER SPLASH, but Jack moves so Sting...........no he doesn't, Sting was smart and put the brakes on just before his head bounces off the post. But don;t speak too soon, as he flies off the turnbuckle, straight onto Jack, who catches him and flings him throat first onto the top rope. This sends Sting back to the outside.

Jack puts Sting into a headlock and marches around the outside with him, before dumping him onto the mat with a backbreaker. Jack gets on the apron and flies right off it onto Sting with a big flying elbow

Sting is showing some balls and resilience here as he's trying to get some energy from somewhere and make his way back up. Jack picks up a mic and shouts “TELL THEM, YOU DON'T WANT ANY MORE' and clubs on Sting's back. He tells Sting to say “I QUIT” and shoves the mic in Sting's mouth.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO STING

“NOT A CHANCE”, cries Sting, as the crowd erupts.

He makes it back onto his feet at last and Jack throws him back into the ring. Jack goes and grabs the chair again as the ref tries to get it off him, Jack just gives him a shove, sending him onto the mat. Well ref, it is a No-DQ. At this point, Sting is so fucked, he can't really stand, as he's got his head draped over the middle rope. PERFECT TARGET PRACTICE FOR JACK.

Jack goes to whack Sting with the chair, but Sting moves and the chair bounces hard off Jack's head

SURELY THIS IS STING'S BIG CHANCE, NOW!!!

Jack recovers and climbs onto the apron, but Sting has finally got the energy to get up and hits a big dropkick onto Jack, sending him crashing to the outside, nearly whacking his head off the rail in the process.

Jack is fucked now, as Sting staggers to the outside, and applies the SCORPION DEATHLOCK onto Jack. The ref, now seemingly recovered, runs over to check on Jack, but he is KKOCKED THE FUCK OUT, and can't respond to anything. Sting is declared the WINNER.

Well this was fucking excellent. Not sure how it compares to the Beach Blast match, but this is such a great brawl on it's own TBH. Jack is fantastic here; Menacing, punishing, just doesn't care one bit. Sting is equally wonderful as the full on babyface in complete peril. These two work so well together, and Jack was the perfect opponent for Sting to demonstrate why he could be so good in this sort of setting. The finish was brutal in showing what it took to finally get and keep Jack down. A full on chair shot to the head, followed by a nasty bump on the outside. Jack looks great here but so does Sting. Jack is spot on with how ruthless he his and makes all his offense work here, and Sting is perfect to play off it all.

Just wonderful.

Recommended.

Ric Flair (w/Woman) vs. Lex Luger (World Heavyweight Title) (WCW WrestleWar 1990) Review

Ric Flair (w/Woman) vs. Lex Luger (World Heavyweight Title)

Of course this was meant to be Flair/Sting, but Sting injured his knee at COTC and Luger was quickly turned babyface and put with Ric for this.

Oh and it's Ric's birthday

Luger is first up with a pre match promo. Says he ready and what's good for him is very bad for Flair. Flair meanwhile is with Woman by his side for his promo. Says that when you have been champion of the world 6 times, you fear no man.

Yup, we're ready.

The man that everybody wants there and back is STING, and he comes out on his crutches

Damn straight mate.

Luger is next out, followed by the world champion, the man, Ric Flair, accompanied by Woman

YEAH THIS IS BIG AND HERE WE GO

Hot crowd for this as you'd expect. They square off and start jawing at each other to get them going. They start off with some head and arm locks then Luger just says fuck this, and pushes Flair to the floor with great effect. Funk on commentary already putting the match over as it's going to be one of the greats.

Luger again uses his power advantage and Flair isn't happy about this and gets flustered. I sense that is indeed how the match will play out. Luger continues with the power game and Flair bails to get a rest-bite.

This happens again and this time, Flair is like 'Fuck this shit, i'm outta here', and starts to walk the isle, before Lex runs over 'Nope', picks him up, and  carries him back to the ring. I just fucking love Luger's power game and how he uses it against Flair.

It's all Lex so far. Ric tries a cheap shot, but Luger is having none of it, and Gorilla presses Ric again to show his current dominance. Flair chops him, but again Lex is like 'Nope', which Ric does a great 'Oh for fuck sake' reaction to and once again, Lex gives him another Gorilla Press Slam and puts on a bear hug/pin attempt, which was good, then Ric does the old thumb in the eye trick, but Luger gets him into the corner for the old ten punches and Flair does his apron face flop. It's still all Luger, here.

But he hip tosses Flair, then goes for a big ariel splash, but Flair moves and it send Lex flying to the outside. This could be a turning point for Ric.

Indeed it is, as he begins to take over and sends Luger into the guardrail. He gets him back in the ring, gives him a big chop, then just dumps him back to the outside. Ric then cleverly asks Woman to get on the apron, to distract the ref no doubt, so he can get to Luger and bounce his head of the guardrail again.

I heard Flair say "Get off you ass and do something". Who was that to? :lol

Ric in full control at the moment. He keeps letting Lex get back up to the apron, then he keeps dumping him back off it again. Back in the ring and Flair continues to take over with knees to the face. Lex kicks out emphatically at the  count of 2 and tries to mount a comeback, but he misses a corner spot and is sent running, shoulder first, into the corner, allowing Flair to take over again and work on the arm, using the rope as leverage. Naughty.

Flair tells the crowd to "Shut up, as they are giving him some stick. He then uses the ropes again, and again berates the crowd

"Sit down fat boy and keep your mouth shut" :lmao

Luger looks like he's coming back but Flair pokes him in the eye again and Woman gets involved and pokes him in the eye too for good measure. This continues as Flair swats him down again onto the ropes, and Woman starts pulling at Lex's hair.

It's still all Flair and he works on the arm of Luger and continues to cheat by using the ropes on a pin attempt. Lex then snaps as he grabs Flair and throws him into the corner, and he does his backflip onto the outside. Lex isn't selling shit now and goes after Ric, who is begging Luger to leave off.

Luger gets Ric in a sleeper. Flair counters this by back body dropping Lex and they are both down on the mat, fucked i'd imagine the pace they have kept up.

Ric gets on the apron to try and suplex Luger to the outside, but he reverses in and gives Ric a big suplex back into the ring. He then goes after the leg by ramming it into the post. He tries to put on the figure four, which looked somewhat sloppy, but Flair wriggles out of it.

Flair knocks Luger down, tries again but Luger reverses it into a big power slam for a 2.9 count. Luger is having none of Flair's chops and Flair bails and they take it once again to the outside. Ric with another fucking thumb in the eye of Lex. i'm surprised he can see at this point.

Back in the ring and Luger gets another nearfall before Ric give him an atomic drop and Lex's leg is hurting. this allows Ric to take over again and gets a nearfall. Lovely  double arm suplex by Flair follows this into another nearfall. He jumps on Luger to apply a sleeper hold.

Luger tries to fight back and knocks Flair on his ass for another nearfall before Luger misses an elbow and they're both down. Ric gets up and starts working over Luger's knee.

FIGURE FOUR LOCKED IN Using the ropes again, Ric.

Crowd go nuts as STING comes hobbling out to ringside and starts shouting encouragement towards Luger. I fucking LOVE, LOVE this bit

Sting is basically telling Lex to get back in the game. Luger uses this to no sell Flair's shit and runs after him, gets him in the ring, and gives him a Gorilla Press Slam.

CROWD GOING BANANAS as Luger is powering up and starts to finally take his frustrations out on Ric with some big clotheslines and a big vertical suplex for a nearfall. Another big powerslam and Luger signals it's time for THE RACK.

But Luger tries to grab Woman, who slaps Luger, who has his back to Flair, who flies into him with a big knee, knocking the ref down in the process.

REF BUMP

Luger continues to wail on Flair and gives him a super-plex off the top rope. Oh fuck here comes Arn and Ole. Lex swats them out the ring, no nonsense style. Luger has Flair in the TORTURE RACK, but the ref is still down.

Arn grabs Sting as Ole hits with his crutches. This prompts Luger to run out and clobber Ole and Arn. Fuck yeah. Whilst he's doing that, the ref is counting him out, 7,8,9..........10.

Oh fuck. The Horsemen then pound on Luger as a helpless Sting is forced to watch on. The Steiners come running out and the Horsemen bail. Where the fuck were you 2 minutes ago, Rick/Scott????

Anybody ask me why Ric Flair was great, i'll point them to this, because this is one hell of a fucking match. Pace never lets up, and as good as Luger is here, and he is trust me, Ric is just supreme and i'm not saying he carries Lex, but he puts on one hell of a performance to help him through this. It was the perfect balance of Luger the powerhouse, versus Ric, the wily, experienced general, who will wrestle and cheat his way through anything.

FUCK THIS WAS GREAT. LEGIT GREAT

Vader vs. Sting (Strap Match) (WCW Superbrawl III) Review

Vader vs. Sting (Strap Match) (WCW Superbrawl III)

People  know how much of a Sting and Vader mark I am, and I was browsing through 1993 and had the urge to revisit this classic match again. Of course, these two already had history before this match. In 1992 they had two other wonderful matches at Great American Bash and at Starrcade. People remember the build up for the infamous 'White Castle Of Fear' video:

Which was a rather wacky element to an other wise, strong rivalry. In the run up to Superbrawl, Sting and Vader both did excellent, individual promos hyping the match up and were involved in matches that further built towards the PPV. There was a Barry Windham & Vader vs. Sting & Dustin Rhodes match on Saturday Night, that resulted in Windham holding Sting, whilst Vader whipped him with the strap, before the babyfaces made the save;

Sting got his revenge the week later when he faced Windham and he used the strap to hang Barry from the rope, until Vader helped Windham and Sting was alone in the ring with the strap, swinging it around in front of Vader;

Vader had a squash match against Rick Thames on Saturday Night, where Race ended up covering his face with red paint to send a message to Sting, whilst Vader held the strap that would be used;

Now, onto the match.

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Here we go.

'LIGHTS OUT, LEATHER STRAP MATCH – NOT SANCTIONED'

Vader, the man, the heavyweight champion, is first out. With Harley Race of course and dressed in a white robe

Sting is out next, as energetic as always and gets a massive pop from the crowd. He and Vader square off and start jawing at each other as the ref tries to separate them. Harley has the strap and the ref finally ties them both together.

Already you can feel the intensity here and just how bad Vader was just by the look he gives Sting.

Sting starts out cautiously, moving around and Vader slowly stalks him. They have a mini tug of war which Vader ends up winning and throwing Sting to the mat. Vader's dominance already in effect here. Once again, they have a tug of war and again, Vader throws Sting down with the strap. Vader drags Sting ever closer to him with the strap and they end up face to face, before Vader gives the Stinger a big clothesline

Vader in control early as he delivers some big elbows to Sting. He starts whipping Sting's back with the strap before getting on the turnbuckle for a big splash. Sting then tries to mount a comeback as he gets up and yanks the strap under Vader's legs (Watch the family jewel, now). Crowd pop big for this as you'd expect. Sting follows this up by running at Vader with some right hooks to the head and finally knocking the big man down. Sting gets onto the turnbuckle but Vader gets up, so Sting smacks him in the face with a big kick followed by a big clothesline

Now the Stinger is in control and he has Vader on the mat. He continues to use the ariel offense as he delivers not one, but TWO big splashes. Crowd is going fucking NUTS for Sting. He untangles the strap from Vader and

IT'S PAYBACK TIME, BITCH

Sting starts whipping the back of Vader and the crowd are LOVING this, esp one of Sting's biggest fans, I'm sure

He continues to whip Vader big style with the strap, Harley gets on the apron, and Sting clumps him as well with the strap for his troubles. Big Van Vader is in trouble here as Sting is fully in control and is dominating the big man. Vader ends up rolling out the ring as Harley recovers and tries to get Vader going again. Sting then goes to the outside, Vader gets up, but Sting has the strap in between him and drags Vader right into the post, TWICE.

At this point, Vader's back is RED AS FUCK (A little help from Race, there :side: ). Sting gets him up and drags him to a post and to mark that is one down (remember, you have to drag your opponent to all four corners, and touch the corners to win). Sting PICKS UP VADER and slams him to the mat with a big powerslam. Sting is the babyface in this, but he has the physical power to still bring it to Vader.

Sting starts dragging Vader around to another corner, that's TWO now. He tries to drag Vader to a third, but Vader sends him into the guardrail

I sense this is where Vader regains control. Plus, those two corners mean nothing now as you have to touch all four corners in one successive motion. Sting gets up thou8gh and drags Vader back into the ring and gives Vader a Fireman's carry back drop. Sting runs at Vader but is met with a BIG Vader body bounce, not once, but twice. Vader kicks him in the gut and shouts 'POWERBOMB'. Oh oh, Sting is in trouble here. But Sting blacks it and gives Vader a back drop. Sting is still bringing it here, but ends up making his first real mistake too. He goes to the top turnbuckle again, where he's already been successful, and tries another splash, but Vader moves out the way this time and Sting goes face first onto the mat.

Now this is surely where Vader has enough of this.

He goes off the ropes and delivers his own big splash to Sting, before pancaking him with big punches to the face. We all know you DON'T want to get caught taking any of those from Vader. Crowd is cheering Sting on and willing him on, but Vader squashes that enthusiasm as he picks Sting up and plants him down with a back drop.

Yeah, this is now Vader's yard.

He gets on the turnbuckle and gives Sting his Vaderbomb, as Harley starts taunting him with “How do you like that, Sting?”.

Sting is now in real trouble as Vader starts whipping him again with the strap, the sound effects perfectly demonstrating the pain and anguish he's currently in. This is not where he wants to be . Vader picks Sting up again, gets on the turnbuckle, and delivers a FUCKING BACK BODY DROP

Fuuuuuuuuuuck, Sting is in deep, deep shit atm. Sting is helpless now as Vader drags him to his first corner spot, that's one down. He drags him to another, that's two, only another two to go and this thing is over. Sting is desperately trying to stop this and is grabbing the strap as tight as he can. Just as Vader is close to the third corner, Sting digs deep and kicks Vader right in the mush. Sting is still in trouble, but at least he's broken up the corners.

Vader is pissed and goes back to the turnbuckle and goes for another Vaderbomb. Ohhhhhhhhh shit. He goes for it, but Sting gets some resilience, and moves out of the way. Sting needs to dig deep again here as this could be his moment. Crowd once again go FUCKING NUTS. Vader though gets up and gets back onto the top turnbuckle, he's either supremely or supremely confident. Just as he gets up there though, Sting yanks hard on the strap and it plants Vader down on his, erm, family jewels.

'Don't rub 'em Son, count 'em'

Now this is where Sting can get his shit going again. Vader manages to get up and back onto the top turnbuckle, but Sting again yanks on the strap, only this time it sends Vader over and flying into the ring

Both men and down and, I'd imagine, fucked at what they have been through so far TBH. Vader is gets up on his knees and powders Sting with some of his famous club right hands. Sting blocks on of them and whacks Vader back with a big punch of his own. I love Sting's jumping punches here, as he shows how fucked he is, but he's still trying and fighting. Vader picks him up again though and plants him onto the top turnbuckle. He gives Sting a SUPERPLEX

Sting is dead on the mat as Vader starts going for the four corners again. He gets one. Vader screams “IT'S OVER” as he gets two. He goes for the third, and gets it. ONE MORE AND THIS ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS OVER. He tries to drag Sting over to the fourth, but Sting wraps his legs around the ropes and clings on for dear life

He gives Vader one hell of a big boot, knocking the big man onto the mat. Once again, as much as anything, Sting has saved the match and has the chance of a comeback here. Don't speak so soon though as Vader gets Sting in the corner

YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A RING CORNER WITH VADER FACING YOU

Vader pancakes him with big ass clubs to the head

Big Van Vader just wants to fucking KILL this man. Sting is BUSTED OPEN as Vader continues to destroy him. But Sting gets some energy from somewhere and plants Vader with a CAPULO KICK to the head

COME ON STINGER

Fantastic desperation move by Sting to try and get this monster off of him. Vader is still back to his feet, like some fucking horror movie villain though. Sting plants him with some rights and takes him to

Crowd are going nuts as this is Sting's big chance to finally take over. He nails Vader with a DDT. He puts Vader into the corner and starts giving Vader some fucking PAYBACK with some right hooks. I just love Sting's facial expressions here, he perfectly shows the agony and madness he was feeling at Vader. His face is bleeding and he's just pounding on Vader and laying into him with all his frustrations.

STING HAS FUCKING SNAPPED as he's just killing Vader with punch after punch. He rips Vader's mask off, picks him up off his back and touches one of the corners. But as he does that, Vader's foot catches the ref and knocks him down.

REF BUMP

Sting goes onto to touch THREE corners as Vader's ear is spouting blood heavily at this point. Sting goes for the final corner, but trips over the ref and just misses the corner with his hand. FUCK SAKE. Vader is a BLOODY MESS atm. Ref is back up, but so is Vader and he flies off the ropes and onto Sting. Vader ties Sting's feet up with the strap and drags him into the corner foe ONE. Then to the other corner for TWO. Sting is down and out and is being dragged around like a lifeless body at this point. Vader drags him to a third turnbuckle for a THREE.

JUST ONE MORE

Sting clings onto the ropes for dear life to stop Vader dragging him to that fourth corner. He kicks Vader back to try and get out of this, but the power of the kick sends Vader back and right in the corner for the win. Man, Vader really is a BLOODY MESS

Sting gets the strap and starts whipping Vader out of the ring.

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Well, where does one start with this one? IT'S A FUCKING WAR, A FUCKING WAR. Violent, destructive, monstrous. Vader is just a non stop killing machine who has no mercy or remorse and Sting plays the perfect babyface, timing his hope spots and comebacks to perfection but also showing he can bring the power to Vader when he has to. Still one of the best WCW matches ever and the best match of it's kind. Vader and Sting were always perfect for each other and this match demonstrates this as well as any of their matches. This match shows why I'm such a fan of both too, esp Sting.

Thanks for reading.

Now GO AND WATCH THIS SHIT