WCW February 1996 - 2/4, 2/10

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

Monday Nitro 2/4/96
Live from the CIVIC CENTER in LAKELAND, FLORIDA
On TBS: The Superstation
Commentary: Tony Schiavone, Terry Taylor, and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

Rage Against the Machine's KILLING IN THE NAME OF an instrumental version opens the broadcast







Nitro once again began with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Curt Hennig with his arm in a sling, WCW President James J. Dillon, and a stranger who turned out to be Curt’s personal physician. JJ says he regrets to inform everyone that Mr. Hennig, “according to his Doctor” received a partially torn labrum at the hands of Hugh Morrus last week, and “much to my dismay”

Curt chimed in, “OUR dismay Dillon, much to OUR dismay!”

Dillon agreed, “much to OUR dismay” the Title for Title, Champion vs. Champion main even scheduled for Superbrawl between Curt and Sting, was “Cancelled”

Curt chimed in, “POSTPONED Dillon, the match is POSTPONED.”

Dillon says, “yes you are right Mr. Hennig, you got your defense against Sting postponed.”

Hennig does not like the tone JJ has taken. “Ya know Dillon, if I didn’t know any better I would think that you believe I am faking this injury!” Hennig’s blood is beginning to boil, “need I remind YOU JJ” that Hennig came to WCW as a favor to Dillon to rid this place of Ric Flair. “Listen, JJ I am just as disappointed as you, the championship committee, and each and every wrestling fan is.” And to prove that Curt is committed to seeing “only the very best challenge me for my title” Curt will be the “Ringside Enforcer” for the Superbrawl main event.

The President goes on to address that the new main event for Superbrawl will be a #1 Contender’s Match for the World Heavyweight Championship as well as a United States Championship match. Lex Luger will get his wish, he will challenge Sting for the U.S. Title, and the winner is guaranteed the next World Heavyweight Championship shot at the earliest available opportunity.
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Naturally U.S. Heavyweight Champion Sting had an interview to discuss his displeasure with the situation, “but what am I supposed to do Mauro?” Sting says that injuries happen in wrestling, “this ain’t ballet, ya know?” Sting says that given the circumstances he is happy that Lex finally gets the U.S. title shot he deserves. Sting says that he wants Lex to know one thing heading into their big main event, “I love ya buddy, but there is an old proverb stating ‘Ask and ye shall receive’” and that Sting can live with whatever the fall-out of their big match-up is, but can Lex? Sting says he doesn’t know anymore, Sting goes on to say that he believes Lex’s judgement is in question, but that he believes getting “this match out of his system” will do a lot for him.

LEX LUGER joins the interview and points out how condescending Sting is sounding, but just like Sting pointed out, maybe being robbed “of what is rightfully mine” has clouded his judgment. Lex says that maybe he did overreact when he heard he would not be receiving his shot immediately, but that “everything worked out for the best, and fairness was served.” Lex extends his hand to Sting and say, may the best man win “brother.” Sting, off mic, said a couple things to Lex as he shook his hand, Mauro would go on to describe the interview as “uncomfortable.”
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“Lionheart” Chris Jericho and The Highlight Express, Christian Cage and Lenny Lane, explained their actions last week when they attacked WCW Television Champion Ricky Steamboat. The young, up and coming duo said that they have a lot of respect for Chris, and agree that it is time to put certain former greats where they belong, “the retirement home.” Christian's eloquent response; "Totally, yeah!"

Jericho says that wrestling has passed Steamboat and his generation by, that we are approaching the 21st century, and that wrestling fans want “Rock and Roll SUPERSTARS BAY BAY!!” to cheer for. Just as Jericho was beginning to discuss JJ Dillon, Magnum T.A. and how they should “hand over the Television title” to Jericho because he doesn’t believe Steamboat has the guts to show his face again

RICKY THE DRAGON STEAMBOAT EMERGED FROM THE BACK!!!!

And he is not alone, Chris Youngblood and Kendall Windham are by his side, they rush the ring, AND THE FIGHT IS ON!!! After some brawling, Jericho, Christian, and Lane were able to get the hell out of dodge, Steamboat grabbed the house mic and said, “Jericho you will NEVER be handed the World Television Title, but if you really want it, I will be at Superbrawl this Sunday, WHY DON’T YOU TRY AND TAKE IT!!!!”
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Diamond Dallas Page w/Kimberly had his ribs totally wrapped up, but conducted an interview anyway, talking about Scott Norton powerbombing him through a table last week, “well Jack WCW’s doctors wouldn’t let me fight you tonight, but they say I will be ready at Superbrawl, and if you think DDP is going to lay down, you are mistaken.” DDP says that he has never asked for a quarter, nor will he give a quarter. That he was raised on the “Jersey shore” and has run across tough guys like Norton his whole life, and once you punch em in the nose a few times, they find out that “they only have themselves to blame when they FEEL. THE. BAAAAANG!”

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Matches:

1. Beautiful Bobby w/Col. Parker defeated Jim Powers with the Alabama Jam top-rope leg drop. Parker and Eaton were mugging for the camera when…..

RICKY MARTEL jumped the barrier and returned for his revenge. Martel really took it to Eaton, but was unable to get his hands on the Colonel who was saved by Tony Anthony. The Colonel was shouting that Martel “should’ve listened when he had the chance!”

2. The Steiner Brothers defeated Jeff Farmer and The Equalizer when Rick planted Farmer with a top rope bulldog while he was on Scotty’s shoulders. The brothers Steiner looked to be firing on all cylinders heading into their big title opportunity against Harlem Heat at Superbrawl

3. Marcus Bagwell defeated Scott D’Amore with the Blockbuster flipping neck breaker delivered from the middle rope on the inside. Bagwell has been on quite the winning streak since becoming Lex Luger’s workout partner.

4. Scott “Flash” Norton defeated Psycho and Killer, The Texas Hangmen in a handicap match after delivering a powerbomb to each man and pinning both simultaneously. After the bout Norton looked into the camera and said, “take a look at what I can do Page, you think I’m worried about a punch in the nose?”

5. In a WILD main event the Dungeon of Doom w/”Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan defeated Super Pegasus and the Nasty Boys in a big 6 Man Elimination Match. Order of Elimination:

a. Pegasus and Morrus were both counted out
b. Brian Knobs was eliminated when Sullivan held his foot preventing the escape from a Meng pin attempt
c. The Barbarian was eliminated after a mis-communication led to Meng delivering the Tongan Spike right to his throat, Jerry Sags was able to dump Meng and make the pin.
d. The Final Elimination saw Sags fight valiantly, but after suffering through a 2 on 1 beating before luckily eliminating Barbie, but not quite so lucky in the last fall as Meng and Sullivan were able to get the best of him.


After the match Sullivan and Meng were putting the boots to Sags prompting Knobbs, Barbarian, Morrus, and Pegasus to all return to the ring and mayhem ensued as Nitro went off the air.
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Superbrawl VI
From the SUNDOME in TAMPA, FLORIDA
ONLY ON PAY PER VIEW!!!!

Main Event
For the United States Heavyweight Championship and next title shot at WCW World Heavyweight Title
W/CURT HENNIG as ringside enforcer
Sting defends against his best friend Lex Luger

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Harlem Heat w/Sister Sherri defend their Unified tag team Championship of the World against Rick and Scott Steiner

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Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat defends the World Television Championship against “Lionheart” Chris Jericho

[/color][/center]



Also scheduled:
Super Pegasus goes one on one with his former “Brother” Hugh Morrus
The Faces of Fear collide with The Nasty Boys
Scott Norton and Diamond Dallas Page do battle


Just Signed!!!
Rick Martel seeks revenge against Beautiful Bobby!!! The Highlight Express take on Windham and Youngblood!!! Marcus Bagwell will be in action!!!
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DON’T YOU DARE MISS SUPERBRAWL, ONLY ON PAY PER VIEW!!!

[/quote]

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

Dark Matches:

El Jefe’ Julio Dinero defeated Chuck Haas in a fast paced, back and forth contest with a top-rope frog splash.


Joe Gomez and Robbie Eagle defeated Scott D’Amore and Shawn Stasiak when Eagle hit D’Amore with the “Bombs Away” seated senton from the top rope.


Prince Iaukea defeated “Bad” Barry Darsow by pinfall after hitting the veteran with a dropkick off the top rope. Darsow really put a beating on the youngster, but the Prince was able to take what the rugged veteran had to give, persevere, and come out victorious.

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3....
2……..
1………...

Live and only on Pay-Per-View
2/10/1996 from the USF SUNDOME in beautiful TAMPA, FLORIDA

An instrumental version of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’S “Killing in the Name…” opens the broadcast as the camera pans across a raucous crowd!!!

Open the broadcast and rundown the match line-up. Tonight is huge night in WCW as we have a main event for the ages, on again/off again best friends Sting and Lex Luger go one on one to decide who will next meet Curt Hennig and also the United States Heavyweight Championship. Two of the best tag teams of all time go to war once again, writing their legacies as we speak, when Harlem Heat and The Steiner Brothers finally go heads up. And in a feud that has taken WCW by storm wrestling’s past and future meet to determine control of wrestling’s present as Chris Jericho challenges his boy-hood hero Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat for his World Television Title, now without further ado let’s send it to David Penzer and kick off SUPERBRAWL!!!!
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Match 1 – Referee in charge is Mark Curtis

Marcus Bagwell defeated Greg ‘the Hammer’ Valentine by pinfall after catching him with the Blockbuster flipping neckbreaker delivered from the second turnbuckle on the inside. Bagwell, who has appeared much more buff since he began working out with Lex Luger, has been on quite the winning streak since coming under the tutelage of The Total Package.



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The terrific one was joined by a man he knows very well, the reigning WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World Curt Hennig. With his arm still in a sling, the champ once again apologized to “all the great wrestling fans that spend their hard earned money to see Curt Hennig wrestle.” Curt says he knows they must all be disappointed, but being a “true champion of the people” he would be at ringside to make sure that no funny business takes place in the United States Heavyweight Championship match between Sting and Lex Luger. The Champ says that Sting’s affinity for Lex Luger has always “been more trouble than he’s worth.”

Curt points out how many times over the past year that Lex’s mouth has written checks that Sting’s “ass had to cash.” Curt says that getting his hands on Luger might just be the best thing that ever happened to Sting. Curt says that sometimes a guy can be too good for his own good, and Curt has one question for the Stinger, “would Lex Luger sell his soul for titles, money, or glory? Look at the man’s history. You think about that real hard Sting, just how much can you trust your good buddy Lex Luger?” At the end of the day though it doesn’t really matter because Curt’s shoulder will heal soon enough, and neither man has what it takes to wrestle the richest prize in professional sports away from “the only PERFECT champion in all of professional sports.”



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Match 2 – Referee in charge is Randy Anderson

High Voltage is waiting in the ring for their opponents, whom were only described as “The Stud Stable” on the contract. Col. Parker comes out, and he was not kidding last Monday when he said that he had big changes planned when he introduced “the soon to be WCW Unified Tag Team Champions of the World, SOUTHERN JUSTICE”






Rage and Kaos are always game, but Bubba and Anthony showed why the Col. is so confident in them and put a “big brother’in,” as Dusty put it, on High Voltage. The Col’s “Mustang” of the Stud Stable, Tony Anthony, brutally delivered throws and worked on the neck of Kaos with “clubberin’” forearm shot, Parker pointed out the legality of the strikes to Randy Anderson, before locking on his dreaded Stump Puller submission. The sadist tagged out before finishing him off. Not to be outshined Bubba forced Rage into the ring and worked and put on a show for his new employer before delivering his patent swinging Bubba side-Slam and wrapping up an impressive debut for Col. Parker’s new team.
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Match 3 – Referee in charge is Nick Patrick

In the shadows of the Ricky Steamboat/Chris Jericho war, a tag team rivalry between Christian Cage and Lenny Lane, The Highlight Express and Chris Youngblood and Kendal Windham, The Western Renegades has built. The Highlight X is flashy, arrogant, and disrespectful. Youngblood and Windham have been around the block, and are very much no-nonsense wrestlers. The contrast in styles makes for a hot tag match. The youngsters show plenty of promise, but the Renegade’s pull out a hard fought victory when Youngblood catches Lane with the End of the Trail Superkick right into a German suplex and bridge from Windham for the 1….2….3





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International wrestling and broadcast journalists Mauro Ranallo is standing by with Super Pegasus,






Who discusses his history with Hugh Morrus. They were tag team champions over in Germany, had huge plans to take of the wrestling world, and while “Hugh has always been a little bit different, he became a sinister, demented soul.” Hugh got his phone call from Kevin Sullivan and came to WCW, Pegasus refused to “sell his soul to the devil.” Now Super Pegasus has come to WCW and he blames himself for what Hugh Morrus has become, thus “it is MY responsibility to beat some sense into Hugh!” Mauro wonders what measures Pegasus has taken, if any, to combat The Gamesmaster and his Dungeon of Doom, Pegasus that this battle between he and Morrus is so personal he doubts that Hugh would want the assist, but just in case he does…….




















“The enemies of my enemies are my friends!” The Nasty Boys and Super Pegasus might not run in the same social circles, but they understand that the Dungeon of Doom is capable of anything and as Brian Knobbs puts it, “Meng, Barbie you guys have bigger fish to fry than helping out your pally Humorous,” and they had a special message for Kevin Sullivan, “Yo, GAMESmaster, me and Sags don’t play games, and if you even think about sticking your nose in any of our matches, the next place your nose will be is PITY CITY”
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Match 4 – Referee in charge is Mark Curtis





Diamond Dallas Page w/Kimberly vs. Scott “Flash” Norton ended in a double count out after one of the most insane moments in recent WCW history. This contest was signed late as Norton, for no apparent reason, power-bombed DDP through the announce table on Nitro. Because of the animosity Mark Curtis was barely able to keep control of this one as these two budding WCW superstars went at it tooth and nail.

DDP really went after Norton, but as Dusty put it, standing in front of Scott Norton and throwing punches is like “playing Tennis against a wall, you will eventually lose, know what I’m talkin bout?” DDP showed the never say die spirit that has endeared him to the WCW faithful, but the power of Norton proved problematic. Norton delivered his dreaded power-bomb in the center of the ring, but instead of going for the pin he slid to the floor.









Norton has set up another table at ringside, and now goes back in after Page, DDP seems helpless as Norton lifts him to his feet, then BANG! DIAMOND CUTTER!!! But DDP is hurting badly himself, and the ref’s count gets to 8 before Page makes it to his feet. He fires Norton into the ropes, but Flash holds on, DDP rushes him, Norton back body drops him OVER THE TOP ROPE, DDP just barely saves himself from the table by catching the apron. Norton catches him with a big right hand, he hooks Diamond Dallas up, he pops his hips, but Page hooks the bottom rope, the two men jockey for leverage, DDP FINALLY SUPLEXES SCOTT NORTON OFF THE APRON AND BOTH MEN CRASH THROUGH THE TABLE ON THE FLOOR
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The guys reset the action as the staff checks on DDP and Norton who both refused assistance in returning to the back. DDP attempted to throw up the illuminati diamond, but his ribs were in obvious pain. The guys were sure to point out that “KIDS DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, but do ask your parents’ permission and call the WCW hotline! 1-900-909-9900" where Bob Caudle is standing by interviewing The Steiner Brothers as we speak, as well as each winner through the night that is able.” Mauro discusses the “Mauro Minute” feature on the Hotline as well as the “Ranallo Review” that will begin immediately following the Pay Per View, featuring his prestigious star-ratings for each match will be added to the hotline, beginning after the conclusion of the main event.

Dusty talks about speaking with Sting earlier, and that he has known Sting for a decade now, and has been present for Sting’s biggest battles, “we’ve even been-uh potnah’s, you know what I’m talkin’ bout,” and Duthtay can sense that Sting ain’t Sting right now. His head ain’t in the right place, and it could cost him dearly in the main event. Mauro talks about his personal anticipation for Steamboat and Jericho, and that he talked to some high school friends about it this week, and that this is “a dream match for us pugilistic purists” out there and that the Dragon and the Lionheart are willing and able to “give us a little bit of everything tonight, catch as catch can and counter wrestling, striking, and not to mention both men are proficient at high risk offense.” Tony brings up the World Tag Team Title match, and his long time appreciation for the tag teams.

Schiavone brings up an article that Bob Caudle recently wrote for the WCW Magazine about the history of tag team wrestling. Tony and Bob were discussing the greatest brother teams of all time, and that for how long now The Anderson’s both Ole and Gene, the Original Minnesota Wrecking Crew, as well as Ole and Arn, not to mention the Briscos had long set the standard for tag team wrestling excellence. He discussed how spoiled he, Bob, and other longtime fans of WCW, “even back to the Mid-Atlantic days” have been spoiled when it comes to tag team wrestling, and that here tonight, two teams, “that, Dusty, Mauro, I honestly believe could stand toe to toe with any of those all time great teams” and more than hold their own. All things considered these big matches are exactly why nobody does Pay-Per-View like World Championship Wrestling!!!
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Match 5 – Referee in charge is Randy Anderson






Ricky Martel was able to get a measure of revenge over his former Championship tag team partner Beautiful Bobby w/Col. Rob Parker when he picked up a victory by rolling Eaton up and using a handful of tights, to the delight of the crowd. Parker had been more than a pest at ringside throughout what was a tremendous back and forth wrestling match from two pro’s pros. In what must’ve been the most gratifying punch thrown in his entire life Martel nailed Parker, sent him to the floor, and his pearl white Stetson into the 5th row! An angered Eaton rushed his former partner, but crashed sternum first into the top turnbuckle, and with the additional leverage Martel picked up the victory.
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Match 6 – Referee in charge is Nick Patrick






Newcomer to WCW Super Pegasus has quickly made an impression on WCW with his style, his sharp wrestling and keen aerial arsenal have endeared him to the fans, and his toughness and willingness to scrap have made him a force to be reckoned with. The history plays a big factor in the early portions of the match as neither man was willing to commit early and risk making a mistake, both combatants were tentative knowing the other man was well prepared for the other. After some early stand-off’s and stalemate’s the action picked up and both men ditched the wrestling and went to brawling, which gave the larger Morrus the advantage. The smarts of Pegasus were evident when he began to wrestle and take advantage of his superiority in that department. Morrus’ answer to that was to pick up the pace of the contest, where both men flourished and dazzled the audience.

Super Pegasus missed a dropkick from the top rope, and the Laughing Man followed that up with a running back splash, and a springboard twisting leg-drop that appeared to crush Pegasus, but only got a near fall. Morrus was feeling confident as he headed to the top rope to deliver the No Laughing Matter moonsault, but he took too long and Pegasus joined him on the top rope and delivered a HUGE BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX 1………..2…………..NO! Morrus just got his shoulder up.

Super Pegasus kept right on his larger competitor, began to display his knowledge of submission grappling as he applied an armbar, modified it, twisted, right into a drop toe-hold and STF, then into the Regal stretch, which he let go just in time to deliver a running, basement drop kick to the face of Morrus. Pegasus worked hard to get a motionless Morrus to his feet, Peg hoisted him up, no way he can deliver the Corkscrew Brain Buster! He didn’t get the chance as he dropped Morrus to run at Sullivan who hoped on the apron, a staggered Morrus charged at Pegasus, BUT FOUND NOTHING OTHER THAN SULLIVAN!!! Pegasus ascends to the top rope, DIVING HEADBUTT! 1……….2………..3!!!!







SUPER PEGASUS PICKS UP THE WIN, but this one is not over, here comes Sullivan who puts the boots to Super Pegasus and dumps him on the floor, Sullivan posts the masked man on one side of the ring, and then fires him into the steel ring steps and sends them flying apart before the Nasty Boys come down and chase off Sullivan and Morrus.
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Match 7 – Referee in charge is Randy Anderson



For the WCW World Television Championship





This one is intense from the go. These two get nose to nose and exchange verbal jabs before escalating into a chop fest, which the veteran Steamboat was able to get the better of, and thus a pattern was set. Steamboat gets the better of a striking exchange and Jericho rakes the eyes and grabs a wrestling hold. The Dragon gets the better of a chain wrestling exchange and Jericho saves himself with a handful of hair or a rake of the eyes and begins a fight. Ricky’s timing is better and he causes “the Long Island Loud-mouth” to make the first mistake in a high-speed, aerial exchange, and Jericho goes to the eyes, hair, or trunks and grounds Steamboat for as long as possible.

Just when Jericho believes he is starting to maintain the advantage, the Dragon has had enough of Jericho’s antics and doesn’t go down when the youngster grabs a handful of hair, Jericho goes to gouge the eyes, but gets blocked, and STEAMBOAT STARTS LIGHTING UP the disrespectful punk with CHOPS. Steamboat goes behind, reversed by Jericho, reversed by Steamboat who drops down. Rolling reverse cradle gets the 1………the 2………….. and NO, Jericho rolls through, 1…….2………..NO. Jericho sprints across the ring, he hits the ropes, leap frog from Steamboat, Jericho returns, deeeep arm-drag release from Steamboat, Jericho pops up, Steamboat’s on his knees and goes to sweep the feet, but Jericho was well prepared, hopped over, and BOOM round house kick to the FACE of Ricky Steamboat, and he is not moving.

The Long-Island Loud Mouth surveys the situation and is awful proud of himself. He puts a foot in Steamboat’s chest, flexes real big, “Come ON BAY BAY!” Gets only a two count, but served its purpose. Now Jericho is methodically stalking Steamboat, tearing his boyhood hero from limb to limb. Jericho gets a few near falls, but seems to be taking the time to enjoy his work. Dusty says, “the pay winduh tends to be less kind to those who lack the sense of uh-gency, if ya know what uhm talkin’ bout.”

Now the Lionheart begins to pick up the pace, a beautiful suplex gives Jericho some more confidence, he signals for it, yes it is, the Lionsault! But the Dragon somehow managed to get his knees up! Jericho is doubled over in pain, and Steamboat grabs him by the hair, and smashes his face into the mat! Now the legend is slowly making his way to the corner and up to the top turnbuckle, the Dragon prepares to fly, he hits it! The top rope high cross body! This one is over! BUT JERICHO ROLLED THROUGH He hits his feet, he hooks Steamboat’s legs, he flips him over, LIONTAMER Steamboat, the wily veteran rolls under, he hooks Jericho’s neck, he rolls him up 1………….2…………..NO! Jericho escapes, BUT HOLDS ON TO THE LEGS. LIONTAMER!!!!!

Jericho is cinching back with all his might! “ASK HIM! ASK HIM!” Randy Anderson signals that the Dragon REFUSES TO QUIT
















DING DING DING!!!!




Dave Penzer: “Ladies and Gentleman the time limit has expired, the result of the match is a……..”



JERICHO IS PISSED. “DAMNIT PINSKI! Don’t you dare say it!” That is twice now that Jericho has had beef with Penzer’s non-countdown of the final minute of a high stakes match up! “Go ahead Steamboat! Take your paper championship, tuck your tail between your legs, and go lick your wounds! I had you beat in the middle of the ring, AND YOU KNOW IT! Go ahead and run off Steamboat, if you are half the man you claim to be it will eat you up knowing you couldn’t beat me!”

The Dragon has a mic, “Jericho you didn’t have anyone beat, I will pass out before I submit, and hand my title over to you, I bet the World Television Championship that you can’t last 5 more minutes with The Dragon, Junior!”









AND STEAMBOAT MADE THE MISTAKE OF A LIFETIME! He turned his back on Chris Jericho to toss the mic, and he paid for hit. The Long-Island loud mouth rushed Steamboat, and fists and fury he hammered away at the champion. Steamboat lands a vicious knife-edge chop, but Jericho went to the eyes! Inside cradle from Jericho, one…………two……….thr, NO! Steamboat escapes, hooks the legs, jack-knife cover by Steamboat, one………..two……………NO! Jericho bridges out, he rolls under, BACKSLIDE from Jericho, he’s on his toes, one……………….two…………….thr, NO! Steamboat is out again, he hooks the inside cradle! One……..tw, Jericho rolls it over, one…………two…….. JERICHO GRABBS THE TIGHTS!!! THREE!!!!!!








Winner AND NEW WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION, CHRIS JERICHO
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Match 8 – Referee in charge is Mark Curtis







The Faces of Fear accompanied to the ring by “Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan were somehow able to survive an all out, raucous brawl against the Nasties. This one was everything you expected it to be the difference in this one proved to be the Gamesmaster who had the attention of Knobbs when he received the KICK OF FEAR from Barbarian right to the side of his head, Meng locking in the Tongan Death Grip afterwards was academic, and got the one…..two……..three! Sags was able to get some measure of revenge as he clotheslined Meng over the top rope, only for him to be pulled away, by the hair, by Gamesmaster. One thing is for sure, this war is far from over.
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Match 10 – Referee in charge is Randy Anderson



Is for the WCW Unified Tag Team Championship of the World





In what can best be described as a tag team wrestling clinic these two teams really let it all hang out. The Steiners were able to score several near falls on the champions from Rick’s Steinerline and top-rope bulldog requiring saves, to Scotty’s suplexes and even the Frankensteiner, Harlem Heat proved they always had their brother’s back, always in the right place at the right time. The Steiners put up a valiant effort, but Harlem Heat survived, waited for that one big mistake, and capitalized on it when they had Rick and Scott separated and Booker T. connected with the Harlem Hangover top-rope summersault leg drop on Ricky.
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MAIN EVENT – Referee in charge is senior official NICK PATRICK


Is the special enforcer at ringside to ensure no outside interference occurs

FOR THE UNITED STATES HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE NEXT SHOT AT THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD







To say there is history here would be the understatement of 1996. Where should we begin when discussing their history? When Sting and Barry Windham were the first to believe in a fresh-faced fan favorite fresh off a run with the Horsemen in 1988? Or should we begin when they started competing for the “wrestler of the 90’s” mantra that has followed these two athletes’ all the way to their prime? Or does the besty’s history not actually begin until Sting dethroned Lex Luger’s first World Title reign at this very event 4 years ago?

These two long-time friends have had a roller coaster relationship the last few months to say the least. Lex didn’t trust Sting, Sting proved himself at Wargames, only to inadvertently prove Luger right in the long-run by being used by Piper. Sting, the franchise of WCW, showed everyone what he was made of by gaining a measure of revenge for himself, and for Lex at Starrcade by defeating Roddy Piper, who was eventually sent packing by Lex Luger anyway.

There is no need for a feeling out process, but there both men were obviously concerned with not making the big mistake in the early portions of the match. Sting clearly had the grappling and quickness advantage, and as strong as he is, he just can’t quite match the sheer power of the Total Package, so while Sting controlled the pacing, Luger’s offense took its toll on the Stinger. Meanwhile at ringside, Heavyweight Champion of the World Curt Hennig kept quite the close eye on the two men set to be nipping at his heels for the rest of 1996.

Sting has taken more than his fair share of power move, grappling escapes from Luger, and has decided to ditch the grappling, and focus on his speed advantage, in and out offense. Even getting a near fall following the Stinger’s version of the running bulldog face plant. Lex rolls to the outside looking for some comfort from Liz, but what he found was Curt Hennig asking him to return to the ring. Lex caught his breath, returned to the ring on fire. Flying forearm smash off the ropes from Luger gains him a near fall, and the Stinger is reeling as Lex Luger lifts him up, HE’S GOING FOR THE TORTURE RACK! But the Stinger reverses it into a roll-up for the 1……….2……NO! Standing dropkick from Sting, knife-edge thrust to the trapeziums, and Sting grabs hold, he lifts, STING HAS JUST GORILLA PRESS SLAMMED LEX LUGER! Sting ascends to the top rope, OWWWWWWWWW!!!!, SUPERFLY SPLASH MISSES Luger quickly covers, 1………….2………..NO!

We haven’t seen this one in years, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT PILEDRIVER from LUGER! BRUTAL One……….two…….thr! Sting just gets a shoulder up, and Luger is beginning to show the signs of frustration, he fires Sting to the ropes and lands another Forearm Smash, and there’s the sign, THE TORTURE RACK. Will he get him this time??? Lex hooks the arm, he lifts, the momentum causes STING TO KICK THE BEJESUS OUT OF NICK PATRICK, who falls to the floor in a heap. Hennig is checking on Patrick as LUGER LOCKS STING IN TORTURE RACK!!!!







But to no avail, Lex is just now realizing the ref is out, and HENNIG HAS NOT COME INTO THE RING. Lex drops Sting, he goes to the apron, and forcefully grabs Curt and tells him to bring his “ASS INSIDE THE RING!” Lex turns right into a boot to the gut, SCORPION DEATH DROP FROM STING!!!!!







AGAIN CURT HENNIG IS CHECKING ON NICK PATRICK!!! AND STING IS LIVID!!!! Sting grabs Hennig by the hair to get his attention, and says “COME ON CURT GET IN THE GAME!”







Luger is starting to stir in the corner, almost to his hands and knees, and here comes Sting, and this time finally with the ringside enforcer in tow!








CURT PULLS SOMETHING FROM HIS SLING




















CURT HENNIG BRAIN’S STING IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD!!!!!
His shoulder seems pretty damn fine at this point!!!

Luger drags himself over to Sting, he lays his arm over the chest, one…………..two……….NOT THIS WAY!!!!! THREE!!!!



Winner AND NEW United States Champion and #1 Contender