WCW December 1993 - 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, & 12/25

[Kimmel]

Commish said:

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING

WCW Saturday Night Theme (1994-1997)

Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta, GA
December-4-1993 (Taped November-23-1993)

*The theme music and intro video play to open the show and as the music fades, the camera closes in on "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, Michael PS Hayes, and Mike Tenay standing in front of a WCW logo.

*Mike Tenay welcomes us to another action-packed edition of WCW Saturday Night here on TBS. We have a major match in store for the fans today as WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes teams with The British Bulldog to go up against WCW World Television Champion Lord Steven Regal and the man we saw return last week, Tully Blanchard. Dusty Rhodes tell Mike Tenay that all biases aside, he firmly believes that Dustin and The British Bulldog can score a big win here today on the Mothership. Michael PS Hayes says that he's not sure that Dusty is talking "without bias" because all signs point to Regal and Blanchard dominating from bell to bell. Rhodes tells Hayes that we'll just have to see what happens. Tenay also previews that we'll have Ric Flair, WCW World Tag Team Champions Pretty Wonderful and Johnny B. Badd in action well. Up first, we'll have two promising young stars square off as Charlie Norris takes on former WCW World Tag Team Champion Marcus Alexander Bagwell. Don't touch that dial because that big match is coming up right after this commercial time-out…

COMMERCIAL BREAK

*LANCE RUSSELL is standing by with two men that will be competing in today's main event: TULLY BLANCHARD and WCW World Television Champion LORD STEVEN REGAL. Also joining them is Regal's assistant SIR WILLIAM:

LANCE RUSSELL: "Alllllllllll right, joining me right now are two of the men that will be in action later. These two men will be teaming up today to take on the WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes and the British Bulldog. Tully, I think it's fair to say that you angered Dustin Rhodes last week by insulting his father Dusty."

TULLY BLANCHARD: "I could care less about hurting the little boy's feelings. While he may not be a big fat slob like his daddy, he's just as hot-headed. Dustin, I told you last week that your temper would get the best of you and bring that gold belt back to the all-time greatest US Heavyweight Champion, Tully Blanchard. It's only a matter of time. Tonight, I can promise you that Dustin's immaturity is going to cost him a match."

LORD STEVEN REGAL: "As for this pathetic toe rag, David the Boy Smith, I can hardly identify the man. I'm from London, the world capital of culture, class, and sophistication. Smith is from Manchester, a disgusting city with an accent that pollutes our shared native tongue. Manchester is quite like… well, it's quite a lot like Albany, Georgia now that I think about it. Just keep one thing in mind, Smith. Not only am I the royal embodiment of class here in WCW, I'm also the best pure wrestler in this sport. Just try and prove me wrong, sunshine, and you'll get the wrestling lesson of you dreary little life!"

LANCE RUSSELL: "You heard 'em, I don't think Dustin and the British Bulldog are going to be too happy with those comments. Let's go back up to the ring."

-1- Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Charlie Norris at 7:16 after driving Norris into the canvas with a fisherman's suplex. Two young superstars battled it out here with Bagwell scoring the pin after connecting with his signature maneuver…

*Lance Russell steps into the ring to interview MARCUS ALEXANDER BAGWELL:

LANCE RUSSELL: "Quite an impressive win for this young man, Marcus Alexander Bagwell. Congratulations, Marcus!"

MARCUS ALEXANDER BAGWELL: "Thank you very much, Mr. Russell. I'd like to thank Charlie Norris for giving me a heck of a battle. I am thankful that I was able to come out on top tonight. With some more wins like this under my belt, I think I'll be ready to work my way into contention for one of three singles titles that we have here in WCW. It's my dream to one day become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. I know that I have long road ahead to me to accomplish that goal, but I'm committed to taking on and defeating all the top wrestlers here in World Championship Wrestling in order to make it happen."

COMMERCIAL BREAK

*VTR: We are again to a dark room where we can see CACTUS JACK sitting in front of a row of lockers:

CACTUS JACK: "Every time that Gordon Solie introduces me before a match, he says that I hail from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. I identify with that tone because it's place where all the great gunfighters use to square up and take their lives into their own hands just to feel the thrill of battle. The truth is that I can't claim to come to any one place because Cactus Jack has never really been the kind of guy that people like to have living next door. While my heart belongs to Truth Or Consequences, I don't have one single place that I can call home.

"The closest I ever had to a stable living environment was when at the tender age of 18 years old, I found myself working as a janitor in a Long Island massage parlor. I don’t think I have to tell you people that this one was a sticky situation. When I wasn't mopping up the filth left behind by hypocrite husbands, I found myself drawn to professional wrestling that I saw on TV. I found myself mesmerized by one Superfly Jimmy Snuka. I found myself traveling great distances to get to Madison Square Garden every month to watch Snuka take on the biggest and the baddest competitors from a promotion that once meant something, but has now become the land of cartoon characters. In short, I found myself hooked on professional wrestling.

"When Jimmy Snuka had his head busted open by Don Muraco in the summer of 1983 and had sworn revenge by signing for a steel cage match, I knew I had to be there. This was the single biggest event of my young life- so how could I miss it? So I hitch-hiked my way from Long Island to New York City, taking rides from junkies and freaks in order to get my Mecca. And that night, I saw something that changed my life. I saw Jimmy Snuka put his life on the line by jumping off the top of a 15-foot high steel cage to maim the man that drew his blood and damaged his pride. It was that night when I knew that my destiny was to do that same thing one day when my livelihood was threatened.

"That's where you come in, Vader. You've given me the chance to act out my sick, twisted, despicable fantasy. Vader, you and I are going to be locked in a steel cage on Christmas Eve, which means that everything will come circle. In some sick sort of way, I have to thank you for every time you tried to crack my skull or break my back because it's brought us to this. You're my Don Muraco, Vader. And it's my destiny to climb to the top of that steel cage, dive off with reckless abandonment, and drive elbow right through your flesh. I don't care if I have to break you in half to do it Vader, but I'll be DAMNED if you don't become my Don Muraco! It was supposed to be! It has to be! It will be! BANG BANG!!!"  

-2- "Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeated Hack Meyers at 3:55 after forcing the young wrestler to submit to the dreaded Figure Four. Masa Chono and his manager Sonny Onoo came out to scout during the match with Onoo taking lots of notes. After Flair's impressive victory, the Nature Boy challenged Chono to come into the ring. Masa looked ready to take up the challenge, but was urged to hold off by Onoo…

*VTR: Standing by in their locker-room are the three men that we saw return to World Championship Wrestling last week, "PRECIOUS" PAUL ELLERING and THE ROAD WARRIORS:

PAUL ELLERING: "Well, well, well… it's a bout time that the Legion Of Doom comes back to World Championship Wrestling. This is the place where we made our feared reputation as the greatest force for destruction in the professional wrestling. It was here when we threw little Jimmy Cornette off a scaffold and bounced him off the cold concrete floor. It was here where we cut those Skyscrapers down to size. It was here where we punted those Doom boys right out of town in a Chicago Street Fight. And it's here… where we'll do it all again!"

ANIMAL: "That's right Paul! See, we don't like those stinkin' pretty boys Orndorff and Roma prancing around the ring, making sure not to ruffle their hair. Me and Hawk, we don't a damn about our hair! What we do give a damn about are those WCW World Tag Team Titles. We want 'em back. And we're gonna take 'em. Tell 'em, Hawk!"

HAWK: "WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL… Roma and Orndorff, I've heard that you boys aren't too high on Santa's list this year. In fact, Santa asked me specifically to bash a few pieces of coal upside your pretty little noggins. Who am I to turn down ol' Saint Nick? See me and Animal are gonna get our Christmas wishes a few hours early at Season's Beatings. All we asked Santa for this year were two new punching bags- we broke the last two because our fists were too hard! And low and behold, Santa gives two pretty little punching bags on Christmas Eve. Admire those faces now boys because come Christmas morning all you'll have are lots of bumps and bruises while the Road Warriors have those WCW World Tag Team Titles once again! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH WHAT A RUSH!!!!"

COMMERCIAL BREAK

*VTR: We go now to RIC FLAIR, who is standing by in his plush dressing room:

RIC FLAIR: "CHONO! I said last week and I'll say it again in front of every fan on God's green earth. I respect what you can do inside that ring. Any man that can headline the Tokyo Dome as many times as you have is one of the very best in this business. But Chono- you're not Ric Flair! I'm the standard bearer here in WCW. Whether it was Luger or Sid or Sting, I took them all on and sent them all packing when they couldn't take it any more!

"Come Season's Beatings, your name gets added to the list! You'll show the world that your damn good, but not good enough to defeat the single greatest wrestler in the world today. You're in my way, Chono. You stand in the way of the Flair For The Gold. Don't think for a second that I'll hesitate to knock you out of my way in any way possible. Christmas Eve, we'll see if you have what it takes to go hold-for-hold with the NAAAAAAAAAAAA-WOOOOOO-TURE BOY! Bring your best because when Ric Flair WALKS THAT AISLE- I… WILL… NOT… BE… DENIED!"

-3- WCW World Tag Team Champions Pretty Wonderful (Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma) defeated Van Hammer & Erik Watts at 5:02 after "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff pinned Erik Watts after delivering a brutal piledriver. Pretty Wonderful showed that they ring generals despite their flamboyant image by keeping Watts on their side of the ring for most of the match and systematically wearing the second generation star down…

*VTR: We are taken to a dark swamp, where we can hear dogs barking in the background. A man known as JAMES VANDENBERG steps into view of the camera:

JAMES VANDENBERG: "Hello, my name is James Vandenberg and I'm the man that's going to tear down your world. The old book describes beasts so wicked that they can only be described as the dogs of war. Creatures so contemptible and so bereft of any form of mercy that must be banished to the outskirts of the civilized world so that society can function.

"I've never been one for polite society. I can't help it, I've always enjoyed causing problems for the others. It brings me joy. Well WCW, I'm about to turn your little world upside down because I'm bringing the dogs of war to your wrestling promotion. These beasts know only two things: to follow my every word to the letter and to destroy anyone that stands in my way. Who are they, you ask? Well, next week, I'll give you a frightening glimpse into the two creatures that will tear down your polite society and unleash the vicious beast that lives in the heart of every man, woman, and child."

COMMERCIAL BREAK

*VTR: As we come back from commercial, we are taken to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Standing outside the legendary concert hall is… "DOUBLE J" JEFF JARRETT:

JEFF JARRETT: "HAHA! You people aren't seein' things, it really is Double J on your TV screens. I'd like to thank my good friend Michael PS Hayes for playing my music video last week- I know you people have never seen anything like it before! You see, the difference between Double J and the rest of the rasslers here in World Championship Wrestling is that I'm a double threat! Not only am I the best rassler in the world today, but I'm also the best country singer this side of Conway Twitty. No… I'm even better than that old hack!

"I hear there's a guy in WCW that likes to think he's some kind of Little Richard wannabe. Johnny B. Badd, they call him! Well Johnny, you may be Tutti Frutti all right, but you sure aren't as BAD as ol' Double J is! Now, Double J is heading to WCW real soon and that means that I'll get to show the world that guys like Johnny B. Badd are just cheap imposters. There's only room for one musical genius in WCW and you people are lookin' at him! Remember fans, beginnin' real you soon, when you think W-C-W- you'll also think J-E-DOUBLE F, J-A-DOUBLE R-E-DOUBLE T! Ain't I great? HAHA!"

-4- Johnny B. Badd pinned Jeff Gaylord at 5:56 after Badd connected with a Tutti Frutti knock-out punch. The Badd Man showed no ring rust as put the former Missouri Tiger down for the count…

*Let's take another special look at the impressive tag team of DAN KROFFAT and DOUG FURNAS. Here they are in action from All-Japan Pro Wrestling facing off with two dangerous wrestlers, Joe Malenko and Kenta Kobashi (with Tenay, Hayes, and Rhodes providing English-language commentary). The current All-Japan Tag Team Champions will debut in WCW on Season's Beatings:

Joe Malenko & Kenta Kobashi vs Can-Am Express AJPW 1989 pt 3


COMMERCIAL BREAK

*Lance Russell is standing by with the WCW World Heavyweight Champion BIG VAN VADER and his sports agent PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY:

LANCE RUSSELL: "With me now…"

PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY: "Can it, Russell. Everyone knows that this man is the World Heavyweight Champion and that I am the highest paid agent in professional sports today. Let's get down to business because that's why I've come back to WCW. Cactus Jack, you get your wish! You get your chance to play out your childhood fantasies at Season's Beatings. There's just one small problem. How are you going to climb to the top of that steel cage with two broken legs? You see, Big Van Vader's motivation won't just be to win the match and keep his belt- no, I dislike you too much to let you off that easy.

"I've asked Big Van Vader to do me one small favor. I've asked him to break your legs so you can't even reach the second rope, never mind the top of the cage. It will do my heart good on Christmas Eve to not only see you defeated, but also to see your childhood dream crushed. Call me Scrooge if you like, but I happen to think that old man had the right idea about lots of things anyway. I don't ask for much from Big Van Vader. Just do me this favor. Break Cactus Jack's legs for me, champ!"

BIG VAN VADER: "I'll break his legs! I'll break his back! I'll break his spirit! WHO'S THE MAN? WHO'S THE MAN? WHO'S MAN?"

PAUL E. DANGEROUSLY: "You hear that, Cactus? THE MAN has spoken!"

-5- WCW World Television Champion Lord Steven Regal (w/ Sir William) & Tully Blanchard defeated WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes & The British Bulldog at 13:15 after Blanchard managed to score a pin over Rhodes after landing a knee strike to the back and pulling the tights while rolling Dustin into a pin. The match saw four great wrestlers trade holds and momentum for several minutes. Rhodes seemed a victory in hand when Sir William attempted to interfere. Dustin collared him, but before he could strike the Englishman the boom was lowered by Blanchard, who was able to steal a pinfall victory over the US Heavyweight Champion. After the match, Regal threw Bulldog to the outside and proceeded to join in with Blanchard and Sir William as they attacked Dustin Rhodes. From the outside, Dusty Rhodes grabbed a steel chair and charged the ring alongside the British Bulldog to run off the villains…

*Lance Russell steps into the ring to interview DUSTY RHODES and his son DUSTIN as THE BRITISH BULLDOG shakes hands with both men and heads off to the dressing.

LANCE RUSSELL: "Dusty, all I can say is thank goodness you were standing by to put a stop to that gang attack!"

DUSTY RHODES: "Lance Ruh-sell, ya what's goin' on hee-yah is that a ghost from mah past, the slickest of the old Hoss-men if ya weeeeeel, has tried to take some ra-veeeeenge for days gone by. I ain't gonna let my son, the one that came mah looooooooins, be held responsible fo' what his daddy did long ago!"

DUSTIN RHODES: "No, dad. That's not what this is. I appreciate you coming into this ring today to try to protect me, but I'm asking you to let me handle Tully Blanchard on my own. I know the things he did to you and I know you want to stand by my side, but this is something I have to handle. I have to prove to Tully Blanchard that I'm not just Dusty Rhodes' punk kid. I'm a man that can stand on his own and fight his own battles. So dad, I love you and am thankful for what you tried to do today, but I'm asking you –man to man- let me get my own revenge on Tully Blanchard!"

DUSTY RHODES: "Dustin… Ah don't thank eye've ev-ah been so proud of you as Ah am rahght now. Take 'em down son, you take that slick Hoss-man down!"

*Dusty and Dustin hug as Lance Russell sends us to our final commercial break of the program…

COMMERCIAL BREAK

*VTR: Just before we wrap up today's broadcast, we see clips of "MR. USA" TONY ATLAS & ICE TRAIN working out in WCW's Power Plant, bench pressing incredible amounts fo weight and shadow-boxing. We see then working out in the ring against several scrubs. Atlas press-slams one wrestler into another while Ice Train suplexes two large wrestlers at the same time. The camera zooms in on Mr. USA…

TONY ATLAS: "You all know me, but this is mah protégé Ice Train. You lookin' at the finest physical specimens in the world today and we're gonna prove it to all your white boy chumps in World Championship Wrestling. Be ready because The Ebony Express is comin' to the Dubya-Cee-Dubya and we ain't takin' no prisoners!"

*We are taken back to the arena as Mike Tenay wraps up all of today's major events, including Cactus Jack's interview where he vowed to live of his fantasy of jumping off the top of a cage, Ric Flair's showdown with Masa Chono after his match, and Tully Blanchard gaining a pinfall victory over the current WCW United States Heavyweight Champion "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes…

MIKE TENAY: Fans, we'll see you next week for another exciting edition of World Championship Wrestling's flagship program WCW Saturday Night here on Superstation TBS! For Michael PS Hayes and The American Dream, this is Mike Tenay saying good night and good luck!


© 1993, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING

[Kimmel]

Commish said:

Sorry I've been real busy the last two weeks, but I want to provide a quick catch-up post of the last two WCW shows. I will post a full length show for the Christmas special next weekend, but for now:

WCW Saturday Night
December 11, 1993

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Cactus Jack was in the middle of another of his interviews from the darkened locker-room, when WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader and Paul E. Dangerously burst into the room. Cactus and Vader traded punches, until Paul E. bashed Jack across the back of the head with his cellular phone. Vader then choke-slammed Cactus Jack on the concrete floor and left him lying in a pool of blood.

- During a segment where the announcers hyped the Season's Beatings card, Tully Blanchard made his way to ringside to harass Dusty Rhodes. Dusty got right into Tully's face, until Blanchard feigned walking off only to deck Dusty with a cheap shot. WCW US Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes ran down to the ringside area to defend his dad, but Tully quickly took off to the dressing room. Dustin's campaign to keep his father out of this rivalry with Tully Blanchard clearly isn't going well.

- WCW World Tag Team Champions Pretty Wonderful (Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma) were interviewed by Lance Russell. Orndorff says that he's faced the Road Warriors before and knows that they aren't as tough as they used to be. Mr. Wonderful promises that Pretty Wonderful will slay the painted dragons on Christmas Eve and keep those championship belts right where they are.

- VTR: James Vandenberg introduces us to his 'Dogs of War', the Pit Bulls! We see footage of The Pit Bulls creeping around a dark swamp and mugging for the camera.

- Ric Flair does another promo about 'the count' being on and the Flair For The Gold being underway. Flair is not here to kid anyone- he's had doubts as to whether he can still keep up with a young buck like Masa Chono. On Christmas Eve, the Nature Boy intends to prove that he can still match one of the best technicians in the sport today move for move.

- VTR: "Double J" Jeff Jarrett challenged Johnny B. Badd to face him at Season's Beatings on Christmas Eve.

MATCHES

1- WCW World TV Champion Lord Steven Regal (w/ Sir William) pinned Charlie Norris at 7:01 when a Northern Lights Suplex. After the match, Regal and Sir William looked like they would further attack Norris, until The British Bulldog made his way out to the ramp and stared Regal down.

2- The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) (w/ Paul Ellering) defeated The Christmas Creatures (1 & 2) at 3:11 after Hawk came off the top rope with a big shoulder-block on the masked Creature 2.

3- Masa Chono (w/ Sonny Onoo) pinned Van Hammer at 5:11 after connecting with a Tombstone piledriver on the heavy metal rocker.

4- Marcus Alexander Bagwell pinned Jeff Gaylord at 6:45 after connecting with a Fisherman's Suplex to score the win.

5- TV MAIN EVENT: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair defeated Billy Jack Haynes after forcing the big man to submit to the Figure Four.

==============

WCW Saturday Night
12/18/1993

- Johnny B. Badd officially accepted the challenge laid out by "Double J" Jeff Jarrett last week for a one-on-one match at Season's Beatings on Christmas Eve. Johnny promised to show Double J that this is a very good time, to be a very BADD man.

- WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader and Paul E. Dangerously were being interviewed in the middle of the ring by Lance Russell. Before the interview really got underway, a heavily bandaged Cactus Jack stormed out to the ring and began brawling with Vader. The two men traded momentum in the ring, until Cactus clotheslined Vader over the top rope and out to the ramp. The two began brawling up the ramp until WCW President Nick Bockwinkel and a dozen wrestlers forced the two men to separate. Cactus Jack still trying to get at Big Van Vader, until Cactus Jack's mentor TERRY FUNK makes an appearance. Funk seems to be able to calm Cactus down by telling him to finish things inside the cage.

- VTR: Sonny Onoo promised that Masa Chono would destroy the legend of Ric Flair at Season's Beatings. Onoo contended that the next logical step for Chono's career is to become WCW Heavyweight Champion and the best way to make that goal happen is to make a statement by ending Ric Flair's career. Onoo says that the match may be on Christmas Eve, but The Nature Boy should expect no mercy.

- Backstage, Lance Russell interviews Paul Ellering and The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal). Ellering, who is wearing a Santa hat, says that that the big man himself has asked the Road Warriors to personally deliver some coal to Pretty Wonderful. Hawk adds that they will personally deliver the coal and they'll even smash it over Orndorff and Roma's pretty little heads for no extra charge. Ohhhhhhh what a rush!

- The British Bulldog vowed that he has Lord Steven Regal's number and that Regal knows this is true. At Season's Beatings, he'll take that WCW World TV Title so that the fans can have a champion that they can finally be proud of. The Bulldog also promises to keep an eye on 'the pipsqueak' Sir William during the contest.

MATCHES

1- Johnny B Badd pinned Van Hammer at 7:31 after connecting with a leg drop off the top rope.

2- The Pit Bulls (1 & 2) (w/ James Vandenberg) defeated The Christmas Creatures (1 & 2) at 2:21 when Pit Bull #1 connects with a Super Bomb on Christmas Creature 1.

3- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes pinned Billy Jack Haynes at 8:23 after connecting with a running bulldog. Tully Blanchard came down to scout Dustin, but left the ringside area just before Dustin scored the pin-fall victory.

4- Ric Flair defeated Erik Watts at 5:24 after forcing the second generation star to submit to the Figure Four. After the match, Flair helped Watts to his feet and shook the young man's hand.

5- TV MAIN EVENT: WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader (w/ Paul E. Dangerously) pinned PN News after at 8:12 after connecting with a big splash in the corner followed by a choke-slam. Big Van Vader puts on a dominating performance just a week ahead of his steel cage showdown with Cactus Jack.

[Kimmel]

Commish said:

Live On TBS!
Philadelphia, PA
The Spectrum
December 24, 1993

*DARK MATCH: The Can-Am Express (Doug Furnas & Dan Kroffat) defeated Hack Meyers & Charlie Norris at 12:23 when Dan Kroffat wowed the crowd by coming off the top rope with a senton bomb to score the pin over "The Shah" Hack Meyers.

-1- The Ebony Express (Mr. Atlas & Ice Train) defeated Erik Watts & Van Hammer at 6:11 when Tony Atlas nearly took Van Hammer's head off with a running clothesline. After the match, Erik Watts tried to help his partner up, only to get jumped by Ice Train and Mr. Atlas. Atlas pressed Watts above his head and hurled him out to the floor in a tremendous display of power.

-2- "Double J" Jeff Jarrett pinned Johnny B. Badd at 7:49 with a roll-up combination while gaining extra leverage by grabbing Badd's tights. After the match, Johnny B. Badd tried to explain to the official exactly what happened, but ended up being spun around by Jarrett and bashed over the head with a guitar. Jarrett then did the Fargo Strut down the center of the ring, grabbed the microphone, and shouted "AIN'T I GREAT" as the fans booed him.

*As Lance Russell attempted to get an interview with Cactus Jack and his mentor Terry Funk, he was interrupted by "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko. Larry insisted that he's here tonight to watch the United States Heavyweight Championship match between Dustin Rhodes and Tully Blanchard. The Legend promises to challenge whoever wins the bout to prove that he's a man by putting the title on the line against the master and commander of Larryland.

-3- The British Bulldog pinned WCW World Television Champion Lord Steven Regal (w/ Sir William) at 12:34 after driving Regal into the canvas with a running powerslam. Regal was at the top of his game here, but he made mistake late in the match by going for a cross-body block which allowed the Bulldog to land his signature move. As The British Bulldog celebrated with his title after the match, a furious Lord Regal told Gene Okerlund that he would be exercising his rematch clause at the earliest opportunity.

*Before his big match with Masahiro Chono, Ric Flair spoke with Lance Russell about his promise to retire in five months if he doesn't win the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Flair told Lance that he would stick to that promise, but he firmly believes it won't come to that because tonight he'll get his career back on track by defeating one of the best professional wrestlers in the game today.

-4- Ric Flair fought Masa Chono (w/ Sonny Onoo) to a time limit draw at 25:00. Both men gave it their all, scoring numerous near falls that had the fans on the edge of their seats. Flair had just applied the Figure Four when the time limit expired. He called for five more minutes to be added on to the clock and Chono seemed game. However, Masa conferred with Onoo, who advised his client not to play Flair's games so Chono left the ring, seemingly content with a time limit draw on this night. In the ring, Ric Flair seemed dejected as he was on the edge of defeating Chono before the time limit expired.

-5- WCW World Tag Team Champions Pretty Wonderful (Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma) defeated The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) (w/ "Precious" Paul Ellering) at 10:12 when Paul Orndorff pinned Road Warrior Animal after driving him into the canvas with a piledriver. That wasn't the whole story, though, fans. As The Road Warriors made their entrance, they were jumped from behind by The Ebony Express (Mr. Atlas & Ice Train). Mr. Atlas managed to hurl Road Warrior Hawk into the steel guard rail and then press-slammed him onto the concrete floor, while Road Warrior Animal brawled with Ice Train, until a dozen officials and prelim wrestlers ran down to split it up. Nick Bockwinkel ejected the Ebony Express from the building, but it was clear that a blood-drenched Hawk would be unable to compete. Despite Pretty Wonderful's calls for a forfeit win, Animal was adamant that he be allowed to wrestle on his own while Paul Ellering accompanied Hawk to the hospital. Animal held his own, but he just couldn't defeat the top team in this business, Pretty Wonderful, on his own. Fans, the Ebony Express may have hell to pay for ruining the Road Warrior's WCW comeback match.

*Lance Russell interviewed Paul E. Dangerously and WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Van ahead of tonight's cage match. Dangerously promised that Vader would crush Cactus' dream of having a "Jimmy Snuka moment" and if Terry Funk tried to get involved, Big Van Vader would break his stinking carcass in half as well. Vader shouted "WHO'S THE MAN?" as we go back to the ring…

-6- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Dustin Rhodes pinned Tully Blanchard at 9:34 with a running lariat to retain his title. Rhodes proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's the real deal by defeating his legendary father's greatest enemy. After the match, Larry Zbyszko entered the ring as Dustin Rhodes celebrated. Zbyszko told Dustin that he wants a shot at the US Title which Rhodes quickly agreed. Zbyszko turned to leave, but snapped back around and slapped Dustin across the face before leaping out to the floor. Dustin stood in the ring, blood boiling, as he watch as Larry Zbyszko walked off with a big grin etched across his face.

*As they were being escorted from the building, Lance Russell caught up with The Ebony Express. Russell asked Mr. Atlas why he and Ice Train had attacked The Road Warrior, to which Atlas replied that when you want to make a statement you take down the "biggest and baddest white boys" who are standing in the way "of the Ebony path to gold". Atlas promised that he and Train would finish the job on Road Warrior Animal the next time that they see him.

*VTR airs highlighting the lengthy feud between Cactus Jack and the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader, all of which culminates in tonight's title match.

-7- Steel Cage Match: WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader (w/ Paul E. Dangerously) defeated Cactus Jack (w/ Terry Funk) at 15:45 when Big Van Vader was able to exit the cage through the door after finishing off Cactus with a choke-slam. Cactus seemed to be a man on for most of the match, absorbing much of Vader's offense without really slowing down. He even managed to land a piledriver on the 400-pound WCW World Heavyweight Champion. From the outside, Terry Funk screamed for Cactus Jack to climb out of the cage while he had the chance. Cactus did climb to the top of the cage, but then ripped off his Cactus Jack T-shirt to reveal a "Superfly Snuka" shirt underneath. Funk shouted "NO!" as Cactus outstretched his arms and then dove off the top of the cage for a Superfly Splash… BUT VADER ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!!! CACTUS HITS THE CANVAS WITH A COLD, HARD THUD!!!! AND HE'S NOT MOVING, FANS!!! As Dangerously cheers his client on, Big Van Vader gets back to his feet and pulls Cactus up, but Jack is mostly dead weight as Vader drives him into the ring again with a choke-slam and then exits the cage to retain his title. After the match, medics and officials rush to the ring to check on Cactus Jack as Terry Funk looks on, shaking his head. As the medics help Cactus to his knee, Funk approaches, looks Cactus in the eyes, and then uses his right foot to shove Jack back down to the canvas. Funk pulls off his own Cactus Jack T-shirt, rips it apart and walks off to the dressing room as the fans boo.

*As the show wraps up, Dusty Rhodes, Mike Tenay, and Michael PS Hayes all seem shocked that Terry Funk would react this way to his protégé's defeat. We'll hopefully get words with him on WCW Saturday Night.