World Championship Wrestling presents live on Pay Per View:
FALL BRAWL ‘95: WAR GAMES
September 17th 1995 from the Asheville Civic Centre in Asheville, North Carolina
Before the show opens proper we are treated to a video package going over the main matches taking place tonight at Fall Brawl. The package first focuses on the new talent debuting here tonight as Fall Brawl makes the first PPV of what the company is already dubbing the ‘Nitro era.’ The two title matches are spotlighted next before we move on to a look at Brian Pillman’s attitude shift in recent weeks as the ‘loose cannon’ has exploded onto the scene in WCW. We then see Vader turning on Flair and Anderson at Bash at the Beach, all leading to their clash tonight at Fall Brawl. Finally we see ominous shots of the double cage as War Games takes place here tonight with Hogan’s all star team, including his #1 contender Lex Luger, taking on the villainous Dungeon of Doom.
We then cut to the arena where a typically ostentatious WCW pyro display takes place as Tony Schiavone and Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan welcome us to Fall Brawl ‘95. Guest commentator ‘The Professor’ Mike Tenay will be joining the call for tonight’s first contest, which will take place in the ring on the left hand side.
Four way elimination match for a shot at the WCW Television Championship: Mr JL vs Sabu vs Eddie Guerrero vs Disco Inferno
Out first is the luchador Eddie Guerrero, hailing from El Paso Texas. He slaps hands with the fans who are more intrigued about seeing these new wrestlers compete than cheering or booing any competitor. Tenay explains Guerrero’s rich wrestling heritage as the masked Mr JL makes his way down the aisle. Heenan gives Tenay a bit of grief for not knowing much about the mysterious masked man. Disco fever then takes hold of the Civic Centre because Disco Inferno is out next boogying his way to the ring. Tenay explains the rules to this four way match: everyone is legal and can be pinned or submitted at any time, as long as the fall takes place in the ring. There are no disqualifications or count outs. Sabu then makes his way to the ring next and the deranged relation of the original Sheik comes to the ring wielding a steel chair! He charges to the ring and this one is underway! Sabu comes out literally swinging with his chair as he cracks Mr JL across the back before the nimble Guerrero ducks the shot intended for him and gets out of the ring. Disco Inferno then decides the best course of action is to Disco dance in Sabu’s face. This initially confuses the maniacal competitor before the ECW alumnus decides to crack the chair right into Inferno’s head. Disco falls to the canvas as Sabu then delivers an incredibly impressive Arabian press moonsault to Inferno. The slingshot split legged maneuver gets a big reaction from the crowd before Sabu covers Disco: one…two…three!
Eliminated by Sabu at 2 minutes, Disco Inferno
Wow what a start by Sabu, Schiavone exclaims as Eddie Guerrero throws the discarded chair out of the ring and gets back in the squared circle while Mr JL recovers on the outside from his own brutal chair shot he received. Guerrero charges at Sabu with a clothesline but the move is ducked and Sabu goes to spring off the ropes with a cross body but as he flies back towards Eddie he is met with a mid-air drop kick! Guerrero then whips the downed Sabu into the corner and delivers a number of European uppercuts to his opponent before hitting his signature monkey flip out of the turnbuckles into the centre of the ring. He then picks up Sabu and looks to be going for a brainbuster but here comes Mr JL with a springboard crossbody from the apron to both competitors which wipes both of them out. JL then goes for a pile driver to Eddie but it gets countered with a back body drop. The frantic action continues as Sabu then nails Eddie with a springboard back elbow! Sabu covers: one…two…NO! Guerrero kicks out. JL rejoins the fray and tries a Tornado DDT to Sabu but the dangerous competitor counters the move and throws JL to the outside where Eddie is also recovering. Sabu retrieves the steel chair, sets it up in the ring and then performs his signature running cross body to the outside using the chair and the ropes as a spring and wipes both men out to a huge pop!
Sabu then grabs JL and drags him back into the ring as Eddie recovers on the outside. Sabu throws JL into the corner and then pounds him down to the the mat with a series of strikes before position the steel chair across JL’s face. He looks like he’s gearing up for Air Sabu but out of nowhere Eddie Guerrero springboards his way back into the ring and nails Sabu with a hurricanrana! Bobby Heenan along with the crowd can’t quite believe the action they’re seeing as Guerrero then hauls Sabu up and delivers a brainbuster. Eddie covers: one…two…three? NO! Sabu kicks out of the move. Guerrero then heads to the top rope but not before JL recovers (with the chair still in the corner) and chases him up the turnbuckles and takes advantage. The masked man then delivers a huge superplex which sends both men crashing to the canvas! Sabu seizes his opportunity and covers Eddie: one…two…NO! Guerrero kicks out as Sabu covers JL: one…two…NO! Sabu is frustrated as both men won’t stay down. Sabu throws Mr JL out of the ring to focus his attention on Guerrero. He grabs the steel chair once again and whacks Eddie with it as Sabu focuses on Guerrero’s back. Sabu then proceeds to plant Eddie with a scoop slam before heading to the top rope with a steel chair in hand! He then goes for the Arabian facebuster, a somersault leg drop aided by a steel chair but Eddie rolls out of the way and Sabu crashes into the mat and takes the full impact of the chair! Mr JL then comes back in, grabs the fallen Sabu and nails him with his signature cradle pile driver! He covers: one…two…three!
Eliminated at 11 minutes by Mr JL, Sabu
We’re down to two as the exciting Sabu crashes and burns. Mr JL throws the broken steel chair out of the ring once again as he squares up to Eddie Guerrero who is back on his feet. Tenay reminds us that the winner gets a shot at the WCW TV Championship. JL starts the offense off by nailing Eddie with a spinning wheel kick. He follows up with a running senton before heading to the top rope. JL flies off the ropes with a big leg drop and absolutely nails Guerrero. He covers: one…two…three? NO! Eddie gets the shoulder up. A lot of heart by Eddie here as JL then tries for a tornado DDT but Guerrero counters into an atomic drop and follows up by hitting a tornado DDT of his own. He covers: one…two…three? NO! Mr JL manages to kick out. Guerrero is on a roll here however and he hits his three signature vertical suplexes in a row before heading for the top rope! He goes for the frog splash but JL gets his knees up so Guerrero crashes and burns. JL isn’t done yet though as he hauls Eddie on his shoulders and delivers an air raid crash! He covers: one…two…three? NO! Guerrero is still fighting here as he gets the shoulder up. JL then heads up top and goes for another diving leg drop but Eddie catches his foe early, tries for a power bomb but JL counters into a frankensteiner pinning combo. One…two…NO! Eddie reverses the momentum and has JL’s shoulders down: one…two…NO! JL gets out of the pinning predicament only to turn around and be nailed by a massive running European uppercut which completely floors the masked man. Eddie then goes up top and hits the frog splash! He covers: one…two…three!
Winner in 16 minutes Eddie Guerrero
Guerrero does it, he earns a shot at the WCW TV Championship after one hell of a match. He faces the winner of the Diamond Dallas Page vs Johnny B Badd match coming up next. As Eddie celebrates at ringside by high fiving the fans. Intrepid reporter ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund is on the stage waiting to grab a word with Eddie. Okerlund commends Eddie on his impressive win and asks him how it feels to be here in WCW. “I’m not gonna lie Gene it feels pretty great to wrestle in front of these WCW fans! Tonight was a very hard match, but I hope I did the Guerrero name proud with my win tonight. I’ll have my eyes on the TV title match next Gene and I’m looking forward to wrestling whoever wins it.” As Gene wishes him well again the music of DDP hits and the TV Champ comes out with The Diamond Doll and Max Muscle by his side. Page shoulder barges his way past Eddie as the #1 contender looks perturbed by this.
WCW Television Championship: Diamond Dallas Page © (with Max Muscle and The Diamond Doll) vs Johnny B Badd
DDP is greeted with a chorus of boos as he gets into the ring and holds his TV title belt high above his head while he still has his trademark cigar in his mouth. He reluctantly hands over the belt to official Billy Silverman as Johnny B Badd then makes his way down the aisle to a decent reaction. The popular wrestler looks fired up to reclaim the championship he first won at Fall Brawl last year. The ref holds the title belt up and gets this bout underway. Page still has his cigar on him and looks to drive into Badd’s face right away but Johnny gets at DDP with a takedown and starts pounding away on the downed Dallas. Johnny kicks the cigar out of the ring before he props up Page in the corner and charges with a flying forearm. DDP gets his foot up and boots Johnny in the face before he goes for an early Diamond Cutter but Badd pushes him into the ropes and goes for his Tutti Frutti knockout punch on the rebound but Page ducks and bounces back off the ropes to take out Johnny with a big clothesline. Diamond Doll holds up a ‘10’ sign as Max Muscle looks on while DDP admires his handiwork. Page slows the pace way down and locks in a deadly chin lock and talks trash to Badd while he does it. Johnny however starts stamping his feet and getting the crowd involved before breaking out of the move with a jawbreaker. Badd then starts teeing off on Page using his boxing background to hit DDP where it hurts. Page has enough of the strikes and bails to the outside to consult with Max Muscle but Badd follows in pursuit. Diamond Doll however cuts Badd off and the momentary distraction is all it takes as DDP grabs Badd and whips him hard into the steel steps.
Page uses this opportunity to go back in the ring and while distracting the referee Max Muscle delivers a brutal slam to Badd on the outside. The referee’s count is at six as Page is happy to take the cheap win. It increases to eight without movement from Johnny but as the referee yells nine Badd springs to his feet and just makes it back in. DDP follows up however by planting Badd with a DDT! He covers: one…two…NO! Johnny kicks out. Page is fuming and he goes for a powerbomb to Johnny but Badd counters and hits his Badd day frankensteiner to his opponent right into a pin! One…two…three? NO! Page powers out. Badd has some renewed momentum now as Schiavone reminds us Badd will be facing Brian Pillman on Nitro with Eddie Guerrero also waiting in the wings for whoever is the TV Champ. After some more offense Badd again goes for that knockout blow but Page drops to his knees and begs Badd not to hit him. Johnny hesitates for a split second and it costs him big time as Page the headbutts Johnny in the groin and hits the Diamond Clash slam. Page covers: one…two…three? NO!
Badd somehow manages to kick out of that as DDP is super frustrated at this point. Once again Page signals for the Diamond Cutter! He goes to hit the move but Badd pushes him but BAM he nails Page with a Tutti Frutti knockout punch. We’re gonna have a new champ! Johnny covers: one…two…three? NO! Diamond Doll puts Page’s foot on the rope! Badd cannot believe it as Diamond Doll looks smug on the outside. Badd then heads up to the top rope to seal the deal but he sees Max Muscle looking to get into the ring so instead Badd performs the Badd mood somersault plancha to Max on the floor to a big pop from the fans! Badd then heads back into the ring but almost instantly gets nailed with the Diamond Cutter! DDP covers: one…two…three!
Winner in 9 minutes and still WCW TV Champion Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Doll snatches the belt from ringside and goes to celebrate in the ring with Page as Max Muscle is lying on the ground still taken out from the plancha. Page holds the belt up as a dismayed Badd recovers from what just happened.
A radical new tag team
Before our next bout we have a hype package for WCW’s newest team The Radicals. The dynamic duo of Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko have been hyped up for weeks now and with their impressive combination of technical acumen and aggression promise to dominate the WCW tag team division. Lord Steven Regal and Earl Robert Eaton have been less than impressed with the hype around the duo, claiming on recent episodes of Saturday Night they haven’t impressed anyone yet. This led to the challenge for Fall Brawl and now we get to see who the most technically gifted team in WCW is.
The Blue Bloods (Lord Steven Regal and Earl Robert Eaton) vs The Radicals (Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko)
The Blue Bloods are out first dressed in their traditional aristocratic getup and looking at the crowd with an unhealthy level of disdain. Regal mouths off at the North Carolina hillbillies (his words not mine) while Eaton looks pretty confident. The two get in the ring before we hear the new theme of The Radicals (Dean Malenko’s WCW theme) and here comes Benoit and Malenko. They are sporting a black with purple highlights colour scheme on their gear, with Malenko in trunks and Benoit in long tights. Regal and Benoit look to be starting this one in the ring as the bell rings. Regal pushes Benoit away right in the face and scoffs at the Canadian competitor but that only eggs the radical on who delivers a hellacious knife edge chop that can be heard throughout the arena. Regal recoils in horror and tags in his partner to continue this match. Eaton invites Benoit to lock up and the pair tussle for position before Chris grabs a front face lock on his opponent. He takes Eaton to the mat and synches in a headlock before Eaton powers up and tries to drive Benoit back into the Blue Blood corner only for his momentum to be halted as Benoit whips him into his corner. Chris tags into Dean Malenko, who locks in a wrist lock and takes Eaton down to the mat and tries to lock in an arm bar but Bobby rolls through and makes the tag back to Regal.
Lord Steven socks Malenko with a shot right to the chops and drop toe holds Malenko to the canvas. He then goes to work on the back of Dean with some stiff knees to the back and follows up with a back breaker. Regal covers: one…two…NO! Malenko gets the shoulder up but there’s no let up from Regal who goes back to the stiff knees to the back. Regal sets up for the butterfly suplex but Malenko steps on Regal’s toe to break the hold and then takes him down to the canvas with a side headlock takeover. He wrenches Regal’s neck a few more times and then picks up Lord Steven and plants him with a vertical suplex. He then grabs Regal’s leg but Lord Steven kicks him back into enemy territory and Eaton gets a cheap forearm to the back of the head in. Regal then nails Malenko with a running knee to the gut before tagging Eaton in. The pair hit Malenko with a double vertical suplex before Benoit comes in and chases Regal out of the ring. Eaton then works over Malenko some more with some kicks and chops before planting him with a back suplex. Eaton covers: one…two…NO! Malenko gets the shoulder up. Eaton then heads to the second rope and goes for a double axe handle but Malenko catches him with a knee and and follows up with a Norther Lights suplex right into a pin! One…two…NO!
Eaton kicks out but this gives Malenko the chance to finally tag in Chris Benoit who goes right on the offence against his opponent. He whips Eaton into the corner and delivers some nasty chops before grabbing Eaton and delivering a stiff enziguri. Benoit then follows up by grabbing Bobby and planting him with a gutwrench suplex. The radical goes up top but here comes Lord Steven who pushes Benoit off his perch and he comes crashing to the canvas. The allows Eaton to take control and the honorary Englishman locks in a sleeper hold. Benoit drops to one knee and then to both as Eaton locks in the hold tightly. It looks like Benoit’s fading but he gets a second wind and breaks out of the hold and dropping Eaton on his back. Benoit then grabs Bobby and hits an amazing bridging dragon suplex! One…two…three? NO! Lord Steven Regal is in to break the move up! This results in all hell breaking loose as Regal starts beating on Benoit before Malenko comes on the scene and decks Lord Steven with a lariat before chasing him out of the ring. This distraction has allowed Eaton to get control however and he grabs Benoit and nails him with a piledriver! Bobby covers: one…two…three?
NO! Benoit gets the shoulder up and The Radicals are still in this contest! On the outside Lord Steven has gotten the better of Malenko and whipped the iceman hard into the steel barricade. Eaton then hits Benoit with an atomic drop and tags in his partner Regal who grabs Chris and sends him flying across the ring with an impressive exploder suplex! Lord Steven covers: one…two…three? NO! Again Benoit gets the shoulder up as Lord Steven is looking very pissed off now. He grabs Benoit and locks in the deadly Regal stretch. Chris could be forced to give up here as Regal has the hold on tight here. Malenko looks to make his way back into the ring and break it up but Eaton cuts him off and locks Dean in a front face lock and drags him to the outside. Benoit is desperately crawling to the ropes and somehow, someway Benoit manages to get his fingertips on the bottom rope. Regal cannot believe it and only breaks the hold just before the referee has counted five. Lord Steven drags Benoit back into the middle of the ring and tries to lock in the move again but Benoit counters with a small package! One…two…three? NO! Regal barely kicks out as on the outside Malenko manages to break free of Eaton’s grasp and bats him away with a stiff clothesline. Benoit takes advantage back in the ring and plants Regal with a vertical suplex. He then tags in Malenko who heads to the top rope and the Radicals hit an impressive release German suplex/diving clothesline combination! Malneko covers: one…two…three? NO! Eaton is back in at the last second to break it up! Eaton then decks Malenko with a clothesline before throwing Benoit out of the ring and getting into his corner. Regal crawls over and makes the tag before Eaton tries a neck breaker on Malenko only to be pushed into the ropes and met with a flying drop kick! Malenko then grabs Eaton and nails him with a power bomb! Dean then tags into Chris who bats Regal off the apron and locks in the cross face on Eaton. Malenko then ties up Eaton’s legs in a cloverleaf and Bobby has no choice but to tap out!
Winners at 16 minutes The Radicals (Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit)
The Radicals do it, they’ve defeated The Blue Bloods in their WCW debut. The serious duo fist bump in the ring before making their way to the stage where Gene Okerlund is standing by to hear from WCW’s newest duo. Gene congratulates them on their win before asking what their plans are in WCW. Benoit starts: “Gene it's real simple - right now I believe we are the best tag team in the world, whether it's Japan, Mexico, Europe or North America no one can lay a glove on us in that squared circle. Regal and Eaton you gave us a good match but you aren’t on our level.” Malenko continues: “We’re coming after those WCW Tag Team Championships and it doesn’t matter who we beat to do it. So WCW tag division - you’ve just been put on notice.” The Radicals then head to the back as we cut to the backstage area.
Flip of the Coin
Backstage Eric Bischoff is here and he is standing by with the captains of the two War Games teams in the interview area. “Fans I am here with War Games captains WCW Champion Hulk Hogan and The Taskmaster. What we’re going to do right now is flip a coin to see who gets the man advantage heading into tonight’s main event.” As Bischoff then gets the official War Games coin out of his pocket Taskmaster cuts him off; “Hogan tonight you better enjoy this moment because once that coin is flipped your fate is sealed and The Dungeon of Doom destroy Hulkamania inside that steel cage!” Taskmaster cackles maniacally and again as Bischoff goes to flip the coin Hogan retorts: “Let me tell you something Taskmaster, I’ve fought plenty of deranged wrestlers like you before dude, who thinks they can destroy the power of Hulkamania brother. But I’ve got news for ya jack, they’ve all failed just like you will in tonight’s main event.”
Bischoff is about to ask Hogan to call heads or tails when Lex Luger wonders into frame. “Listen Hulkster I got this, I’ve had luck on my side my whole life so let me tell you that coin is gonna say tails.” Hogan looks about a little annoyed by Luger’s interference but says to Bischoff: “Ok brother I’m calling it for tails.” Bischoff flips the coin as Taskmaster watches along with a smile on his face. The coin lands and Bischoff says: “And that coin reads heads fans, which means The Dungeon of Doom will have the man advantage in War Games!” Taskmaster cackles and says: “This is your end Hogan and you can’t even trust your own team!” He then walks out of frame as Luger holds his hands up: “I’ve never lost a coin flip before Hulkster, I’ll see you in the ring.” Luger walks off as an irate Hogan shakes his head.
We then cut to a video package which is hyping up our next matchup which sees ‘Das Wunderkind’ Alex Wright take on ‘The Loose Cannon’ Brian Pillman. The video shows their first good natured match at Great American Bash which Wright won before Pillman’s controversial victory over Wright at Clash of the Champions where he cheated to ensure victory. We also see Pillman’s promo from WCW Saturday Night where he outlines his change of attitude and this is exemplified by his attack on Wright costing him the WCW TV Championship on Nitro. We also see a portion of a promo from Alex on the latest WCW Saturday Night promising to get his revenge on Pillman before cutting back to the arena.
Alex Wright vs Brian Pillman
The young German star Alex Wright is out first to a decent pop as makes his way down the aisle, high fiving the fans.That is until one hooded fan absolutely nails Wright in the face with a forearm! The crowd are shocked but of course the hooded man revealed himself to be none other than Brian Pillman. The ‘Loose Cannon’ hops the guard rail and starts beating down the stunned Wright before whipping him back into the steel rail. Pillman is looking incredibly deranged as he starts chopping away at the chest of Wright as referee Mark Curtis calls for security to get out here and separate the pair. Before Doug Dillinger and the boys hit the scene however Pillman charges at Wright, only to be back dropped over the rail and into the front row! Wright then hops on the rail and delivers a diving crossbody to Pillman as both me have now hit the deck in the front row. Finally now security are here and they manage to drag both competitors back over the guard rail and into the aisle. Pillman however breaks free briefly and lunges at Wright, knocking him over with a clothesline before security grabs hold of him once again. Eventually both men are held back and then security escorts each of them to the ring as we’re still getting a match here.
Both men are in the ring as Mark Curtis rings the bell and the competitors instantly charge at each other and take themselves out with a double clothesline. Both men drag themselves back to their feet and start exchanging shots, Wright using his European uppercuts while Pillman responds with some knife edge chops as the crowd duel back and forth with boos and yays. Eventually Wright gains the advantage and tries for his signature German suplex but Brian counters with some back elbows to the face and follows up by grabbing Alex in a front face lock and then delivering a vertical suplex. He then stomps away at the downed German before locking in a seated abdominal stretch. Alex is in a lot of pain here as Pillman screams at him to quit but Wright says no and manages to power through the maneuver and turn it into a crucifix pin! One...two…NO! Pillman kicks out and instantly decks Alex with a jumping clothesline. He then picks up Wright again and plants him with a Russian leg sweep! Pillman covers: one…two…NO! Pillman in frustration then throws Alex into the second ring, which we haven’t seen used yet tonight and then goes for a springboard clothesline from one ring to the next - but Wright catches him with a jumping European uppercut! The German covers: one…two…three?
NO! Pillman gets the shoulder up. Alex then fires up the fans as he grabs Pillman for his signature German suplex. He goes for the move but Pillman impressively lands on his feet! Wright turns around and is met with a running head scissors takedown in response. Alex gets up quickly but is then nailed with a spinning wheel kick which floors him. Pillman really starts putting the boots to Wright now but particularly targeting his left arm. Brian then locks in an arm bar as Wright is in complete agony here but again the plucky German, using all the resilience he has left manages to get his foot on the rope! Pillman cannot believe it as he goes for his new hangman’s neck breaker finish but Wright counters into a backslide! One…two…three? NO! Pillman kicks out but Wright takes advantage now, grabs his opponent and delivers the bridging German suplex! One…two…three!......NO! Pillman kicks out at 2.9! Wright has all the momentum now and he heads to the top rope but as he’s so spent this gives Brian enough time to recover to yank the top rope and leave Wright crotched on the top turnbuckle. Pillman then gets Wright on the top and just hurls him from the corner in the right hand ring to the canvas in the left hand ring as Wright makes an almighty thud. Alex somehow staggers to his feet but is instantly nailed with a flying clothesline from Brian. Pillman then picks Wright up and drops him with the hangman’s neck breaker. He covers: one…two…three!
Winner in 8 minutes Brian Pillman
Pillman wins but he’s not done yet with Wright as he stomps on the German a few more times before unceremoniously throwing him out of the ring. Brian then grabs a mic as he has a few things to say. “I’m tired of facing bums like Alex Wright, who are just not on my level!” Pillman basically spits as he’s naturally pretty out of breath following his victory. “I know on Nitro I’ve got Johnny B Badd to face and let me tell you he ain't gonna last long with the Loose Cannon in the ring. You see what I did tonight, and what I’m gonna do tomorrow is going to act as a warning to all in WCW! There’s an apocalypse coming to this company and I’m leading the charge!” With that Pillman grabs a chair and throws it back into the ring before grabbing Wright and hauling him back into the squared circle. He then places Wright’s arm in the chair and stamps down on it as Schiavone shrieks that he could’ve just broken Wright’s arm. Pillman looks proud of his handiwork as he heads to the back while medics come down to check on Wright.
The Road to Halloween Havoc
Up next we get a video package hyping the spookiest night on WCW’s calendar - Halloween Havoc is live from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Michigan on October 28th 1995. We get some clips featuring WCW’s top stars and the confirmation that the main event will see Hulk Hogan defend his WCW Championship against Lex Luger in what many are calling a dream match. The ad also of course urges WCW fans to buy tickets to the event and of course get in touch with their local pay per view provider to order now.
Tag teaming interviews
We are now hearing from both the WCW tag team champions and their challengers who are about to step into the ring for their no disqualification, elimination match. Gene Okerlund is standing by with the challengers, Brian Knobbs and Jerry Saggs, The Nasty Boys. Mean Gene mentions that the two teams have a 3-3 record against each other and this will be the final showdown between the duos. Knobbs interrupts: “Gene the time for talk is over - what your gonna see out there is nothing short of brutal violence. Harlem Heat we’re sending you on the last train to Nastyville and we’re taking back our titles!” Saggs then looks menacing before the pair storm off.
Elsewhere backstage Eric Bischoff is standing by with Harlem Heat and their manager, Sister Sherri. Bischoff asks them for their thoughts heading into this match. Sherri responds: “We’re sick of the bad smell you Nasty Boys have left on this tag team division and we’re eradicating it tonight! Knobbs and Saggs you’re both getting beat and you will never get your hands on this gold again!” Booker T then follows up: “Now dig this suckas we’ve been in the ring, two on two, six times and we’re split 50/50. But I know Harlem Heat are betta than you punk-ass bustas so you better believe we walking out of here still WCW Tag Team Champions.” With that the team head off and Bischoff throws back to the arena.
WCW Tag Team Championship, No Disqualification Elimination Match: Harlem Heat © (with Sister Sherri) vs The Nasty Boys
Out first are The Nasty Boys to a decent pop and Knobbs and Saggs are not messing about as they march down to ringside with Brian armed with a trash can and Saggs with a kendo stick. Schiavone reminds us of the rules to this one that both members of the team have to be pinned in order to win the match. There are also no disqualifications or count outs and has tornado rules.. Referee Nick Patrick will have his work cut out officiating this one as the champs Harlem Heat then make their way onto the stage. They are accompanied by Sherri but Booker and Stevie have a word with her on the stage and send her reluctantly to the back. The Heat have a mixed reaction as they’ve been showing more face tendencies in recent weeks. The champs get in the ring and hand the belts over to Nick Patrick. With that the bell rings and here we go. Saggs and Knobbs go on the offensive and start whacking the Heat with their chosen weapons Before Booker blocks a shot from Knobbs with a kick to the gut and then cracks the trash can over the back of Brian! Meanwhile Saggs and Stevie Ray have taken a tumble through the ropes to the outside and are going at it at ringside as Heenan says he’s having trouble keeping up with the action. Back inside the ring Booker goes for an early scissors kick but Knobbs counters with a headbut to the champ’s gut and follows up with a huge side slam. He then goes to the outside and grabs a steel chair while Saggs and Stevie are still locked in a fist fight that sees both men tumble over the barrier and brawl right into the crowd. Knobbs is back in the ring with a chair and swings at Booker but the Nasty gets caught with a Harlem side kick! Cover: one…two…NO!
Knobbs kicks out as Booker continues to go to work with some stomps before turning his attention to the steel chair. We then cut to a split screen as we first see Stevie Ray grab a fan’s popcorn and chuck it in Saggs’ face before Jerry responds by throwing a beer over Stevie Ray! The pair continue to fight halfway up the arena steps while back in the ring Booker goes to suplex Knobbs on the steel chair but Brian counters and delivers a suplex to Booker on the chair himself. He covers Booker: one…two…NO! The champ kicks out as Knobbs then positions the chair underneath Booker and heads up to the to the second rope. He goes for a diving knee drop but Booker moves out of the way and Knobbs crashes and burns knee first onto the steel chair. Meanwhile back on the outside Stevie Ray grabs Saggs at the bottom of the stairs and then slams his opponent over the barricade. Booker is now working over Knobbs as Stevie leaves Saggs for dead and then rejoins his brother in the ring. The pair work together and hit Knobbs with a double back drop before Booker covers: one…two…NO! Knobbs kicks out but is still in deep trouble here. Brian is then whipped into the ropes again and levels both members of Harlem Heat with a double clothesline. He picks up the steel chair and absolutely whacks Stevie Ray over the head before grabbing the staggering Stevie and taking him to pit city and rubbing his face into his armpit. Booker tries to break it up but his head goes under the other armpit! Eventually Harlem Heat get their act together and hit Knobbs with a double kick to the gut followed by a double Harlem side kick! Booker covers: one…two…three?
NO! Jerry Saggs is back in with a steel chain to break this one up! Saggs nails Booker with the foreign object before the Nasties then extended the chain between the pair and take Stevie out with a running chain-assisted clothesline. Booker gets back on the apron but again Saggs nails him with the chain and he crumples to the floor. Saggs continues to whack the downed Stevie Ray with the chain as Brian Knobbs heads to the outside and retrieves a table! Knobbs sets the table up in the ring wile Saggs plants Stevie with a running powerslam. Booker T again tries to get back in the ring but Knobbs knocks him off the apron while Saggs places Stevie on the table! Brian then heads to the top rope and delivers a diving elbow drop through the table! He covers: one…two…three!
Eliminated at 10 minutes by Brian Knobbs, Stevie Ray
Stevie is now out and Booker T is now down two to one. The Nasties then chuck Stevie out to the ring and retrieve Booker from the outside, who is now busted open from the earlier chain shot. The Nasty Boys start to get a lot of heat as they pummel Booker two-on-one in the middle of the ring, with Schiavone noting how the crowd have maybe flipped on who they thought they would cheer heading into this one. Despite the lack of table the Nasty Boys again go for their tab finisher as Saggs hits Booker with a running powerslam and Knobbs looks to hit his diving elbow drop once again - but Booker rolls out of the way! He then grabs the steel chain on the mat and waffles Sags so hard it sends him to the outside before he chucks the chain on top of him for good measure! Knobbs is now staggering to his feet and Booker nails him with a kick to the gut and follows up with an axe kick! Booker covers: one…two…three!
Eliminated at 13 minutes by Booker T, Brian Knobbs
Booker T fights back and we are now down to one on one as Jerry Saggs is coming to on the outside and realises that his partner has been eliminated. Booker is recovering in the ring as Knobbs rolls to the floor while Saggs crawls under the ring and retrieves a steel pipe. Saggs throws the pipe in the ring to use but Booker impressively catches the weapon and chases Jerry to the outside, going to hit The Nasty Boy only to be met with a low blow from Saggs! Boos echo through the arena now as Saggs then grabs the pipe and whacks it over the head of Booker a few more times, as the tag champ’s wound which he is already bleeding from is made worse. He rolls Booker into the ring and then sets him up for a power bomb! He hits the move and covers: one…two…three?....NO! Somehow Booker T kick out of the move. Saggs cannot believe it and he then gets Booker over his shoulder and goes for a running powerslam, but Booker drops behind Saggs! Jerry turns around, is nailed with a Harlem side kick but bounces into the ropes and Booker nails him with another one! Booker then gestures to the crowd and heads to the top rope and delivers a Harlem hangover leg drop! He covers! One…two…three!
Winner at 17 minutes and still WCW Tag Team Champions, Harlem Heat
Harlem Heat have done it, they are still WCW tag champs. Stevie and Sherri come from the back to join Booker T and congratulate him on that star making performance. They hold their belts high as the crowd cheer while The Nasty Boys lick their wounds on the outside. The celebrations continue before we cut to our next video package.
A giant force is coming to WCW
We then cut to a darkened room where a man, seemingly the size of a mountain walks into frame. Eagle eyed WCW viewers will recognise him as The Giant, who The Taskmaster has been teasing brining into WCW for the past few months. He stands in the room looking as scary as ever before saying: “World Championship Wrestling now has a Giant problem on its hands. 7 foot two, 500 plus pounds there isn’t a man on this earth that can stop me! I’m hear to become the most dominant competitor in the history of our sport and let me tell you that by the end of 1995 I will be holding up that WCW Championship. So whether its Hulk Hogan or anyone else you better RUN because I’m squashing you like a bug!” Giant then does his chokeslam hand gesture as we cut backstage.
Flair and Anderson’s final word
Our intrepid reporter ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund is backstage with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. Gene mentions that Vader defeated Anderson at Clash of the Champions and now Ric Flair has his shot at the big man. Before Gene finishes his line of question Double A interrupts: “You’ve got some serious mental issues Gene if you think Vader beat me at the Clash! He got lucky one time but let me tell you unless you’re a Horseman your luck always runs out. Tonight Vader gets the beating of a lifetime from a man who has already beaten him twice before! And I’ve got a ringside ticket to see you lose Vader.” Anderson then snatches the mic out of Gene’s hands now and holds it up for Flair. “Vader I’ve won more matches in North Carolina than you’ve had hot dinners, and looking at ya pal you’re a well fed man. Double A said it best: I’ve beaten you twice before and there will be no third time lucky for you fat boy! I’m the kiss stealing, wheeling and dealing son of a gun but more importantly than that I am THE man! Woo! And Vader you know what they say about beating the man but you never have and you, never, ever will!” With that Anderson shoves the mic back in Gene’s chest and the pair walk off.
Ric Flair (with Arn Anderson) vs Vader
After that cocky as ever Ric Flair promo the music of Vader hits and the big man comes out to a decent pop as the WCW faithful are embracing cheering the former champion more and more. As Vader makes his way down the entrance ramp Schiavone explains how this match came about with Flair and Anderson berating Vader for losing to Hulk Hogan back at Bash at the Beach. Vader poses in the ring before the familiar music of Ric Flair hits. Flair makes his way down the aisle in a garish pink robe while the no-nonsense Arn Anderson stands by his side. Flair gets in the ring as referee Micky Jay rings the bell. Flair circles Vader, cautiously sizing up the monster before him. Vader stands his ground, staring down Flair with unblinking intensity. The two men lock up, and Vader's power is immediately evident as he shoves Flair halfway across the ring. Flair scrambles back to his feet, a look of frustration flashing across his face. Ric then quickly retreats to the outside to converse with Double A as Vader poses in the ring to a positive response from the crowd. Flair then gets back in and Vader charges at his opponent, completely flattening him with a shoulder tackle. Flair goes to head to the outside again but Vade catches him from behind and delivers a big back suplex! He covers: one…two…NO!
Flair kicks out but its not been a strong start to the contest for the former world champ. Vader then whips Flair into the corner and Ric preforms his signature turnbuckle bump that leaves him dangling of the apron. That’s no problem for Vader who grabs Flair from the apron and tosses him back inside the squared circle. Vader then goes for a running splash but Flair thinks fast and boots Vader in the knee to disrupt his run up. Flair then chops Vader in the chest a few times but the mastodon laughs and shrugs it off! He follows this with a stiff headbutt to Flair and then scoop slams the horseman nearly through the canvas. Vader again charges off the ropes for a splash but this time Anderson clips his ankle! The angry masked man and starts yelling at Arn as The Enforcer pleads his innocence! Micky Jay is trying to get the match on track but this gives Flair enough time to recover and nail Vader with a running chop block to the back of the knee! Vader staggers and Flair then hits another chop block before whipping the big man into the corner. He executes a few stiff knife edge chops here before he then gets cocky and starts mocking Sting by pounding his chest! Flair then charges at Vader with a Stinger Splash but Vader grabs him by the throat and delivers a chokeslam out of the corner! One…two…three?
NO! Flair just gets the shoulder up but Vader nearly put him away there! Vader then goes for a power bomb but his leg is starting to hurt and this momentary hesitation allows Flair to take advantage and give Vader a thumb to the eye! Ric then charges of the ropes and delivers another running chop block which cuts the big man down to size. Flair follows up with another one that sees Vader collapse to the canvas. Flair then works over the leg with a few stomps before he balances Vader’s leg on the bottom rope and delivers a a double foot stomp to it! He also grabs the leg again and just drives it repeatedly into the mat as Anderson applauds at ringside! Vader then rolls to the outside to recover but Flair isn’t done yet as he whips Vader knee first into the steel steps before he arrogantly struts on the outside. The referee is at a five count at this point and Flair rolls back into the ring, seemingly happy to take a count out victory! Flair is celebrating like has already won as the count reaches seven while Vader is barely moving on the outside. We’re at eight and Vader is slowly getting to his feet, at nine he’s got his fingertips on the apron and he just manages to beat the count! Flair cannot believe it as he grabs the legs of the downed Vader to go for the figure four but Vader kicks him into the corner! Vader then charges and flattens Flair with a big splash and follows with a release belly to belly that sends Ric halfway across the ring! Vader covers: one…two…three?
NO! Ric again gets the shoulder up. Vader has the momentum now and drags Flair over to the corner and begins to scale the ropes. He’s taking his time due to the injured knee however which allows Flair to recover and whack Vader with an axe handle right to the back of the knee! This leaves Vader in no man’s land on the second rope which allows Flair to haul the big man up and deliver a super sized shin breaker to his opponent. Vader is now clutching his knee in agony as Flair again goes for multiple kicks to the knee as he works over the prone body part. Flair then signals for it and here it is - he synched in he figure four leglock! Flair is screaming at Vader to quit but the big man isn’t done yet as he desperately flails his arms around looking for the bottom rope. Flair realises Vader isn’t quite done yet so he hammers down with a few more elbows to the knee as Vader is screaming in agony. Vader still is not quitting however and Flair is getting frustrated and he sits up in the hold and slaps Vader in the face! This enrages the big man who clocks Flair with a punch back and puts his last ounce of effort into flipping the hold and turning it over! Now its Flair who’s the one in trouble. Anderson is pushing the bottom rope towards Flair as ‘The Nature Boy’ eventually crawls to the bottom rope as the hold is finally broken. Flair is a mess on the floor as Vader staggers to his feet and again goes to climb the ropes! He goes for his signature second rope splash but Flair gets his knees up! Ric covers: one…two…three?
NO! Vader kicks out! Flair cannot believe it! Ric screams in despair basically and now he heads to the rope himself. Vader again is getting back to his feet as Flair flies off the rop rope with a double axe handle - but Vader dodges the attack and Flair nails Micky Jay! Vader the grabs the stunned Flair and goes to give him a power bomb but here comes Arn Anderson who nails Vader in the back of the head with a tyre iron! Vader then crumbles to the mat but Flair says to Anderson he wants to punish Vader some more - Arn seems to disagree and indicates to Ric he should try and shake the referee awake but instead Flair overrules Anderson and grabs the tyre iron off him. He yells at Anderson to haul Vader up, which The Enforcer obliges and Flair then lines up to Vader with the tyre iron… but as Flair charges Vader grabs Arn and throws him towards Flair who inadvertently nails his ally! Anderson then crumples to the mat as shocked Flair has the tyre iron grabbed off him and Vader evens the score by clocking Flair right in the skull with the weapon. Vader then throws the weapon away and kicks Anderson out of the ring before signalling for the end! Despite being one knee he manages to haul Flair up and plant him with the power bomb! He collapses to the mat and covers Ric as Micky Jay has recovered and slowly crawls over to count the fall. One…two…three!
Winner in 20 minutes, Vader
Vader has done it - he’s overcome the odds and defeated Ric Flair and Arn Anderson in the corner. Heenan notes that the mix up between Flair and Anderson over whether to use the weapon again or revive the referee really cost them there. As Flair and Anderson recover Schiavone says Anderson will have an immediate chance for redemption tomorrow night on Nitro as he challenges Sting for the WCW US Championship after Double A pinned the champ in a tag match last week. We will also see live on TNT Lex Luger’s first singles match back in WCW as he takes on the Dungeon of Doom’s Meng and Brian Pillman will take on Johnny B Badd after the scuffle he had with him last week on Nitro. With that we then throw to our main event hype package.
Let the War Games almost begin
The video package serves two purposes - firstly to detail the ‘legendary’ feud between The Dungeon of Doom and Hulk Hogan - which can essentially be traced back almost to the start of Hulk Hogan’s run in WCW and secondly to explain the rules and brutality of War Games. We see clips of Hogan’s clashes with the likes of ‘The Butcher’ now The Zodiac as Starrcade 94 as well as a montage of all the faces teaming up to take on the Dungeon at Clash of the Champions. The package also highlights the arrival of Lex Luger and their future title match at Halloween Havoc. Finally we get the rules of the contest - the match starts with a four minute opening period between the opening two competitors. Then at two minute intervals alternating between teams new competitors enter the fray and the match beyond finally begins with all ten men in the cage. Victory is only attained via submission or surrender.
War Games: The Dungeon of Doom (The Taskmaster, The Zodiac, The Shark, Meng and Kamala) vs Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Road Warrior Hawk, Sting and Lex Luger)
We are now back in the arena as Michael Buffer is here to mark the big occasion. He announces The Dungeon of Doom team first and out comes their first entrant: The Zodiac! The maniacal former barber makes his way to the ring and looks as crazed as ever for this contest. His opponent and out first for Team Hogan is the man called Sting. The US champ is experienced in War Games as he slaps hands with the fans on the way to the ring. Sting gets in the ring and the opening four minute period is underway! Sting charges at The Zodiac to start with and nearly takes his head off with a clothesline. The double cage surrounding the ring has a little room on the floor around both rings as Sting grabs Zodiac and absolutely launches Zodiac over the top rope and into the cage wall for a big pop! Senior official Nick Patrick is presiding over this bout, but there’s not much he can do until all 10 men are in the cage. Zodiac is crumpled on the floor between the apron and cage and Sting continues on the offensive by bashing his face into the steel a few more times. Sting then throws Zodiac back into the left hand ring and whips him into the corner and charges at him with a stinger splash but the Dungeon member dodges the move and Sting eats turnbuckle. Zodiac then grabs Sting and plants him with a neck breaker before stomping away at his opponent as Schiavone reminds us there are no pinfalls in this match. Zodiac then looks to be going for some kind of pile driver but Sting counters with a back drop that nearly sends Zodiac flying into the right hand sided ring. Sting is feeding off the energy of the crowd as he grabs Zodiac’s legs and locks in the scorpion deathlock! He can’t win the match yet but the Dungeon of Doom member is in a world of hurt. As he synched the hold in however the countdown clock ticks down to zero.
Entrant #3: The Shark
By virtue of winning the coin toss earlier The Dungeon will have the man advantage in this one as the former Earthquake charges down the aisle. He absolutely levels Sting with a head butt while he was still locking in the submission before he tosses Sting from the left hand sided ring over to the right. Zodiac recovers on the left hand side as Shark goes to work with clubbing blows to Sting before nailing the US champ with a brutal looking sit down splash! Shark continues to stomp away at Sting in the corner as the fans boo fiercely as the franchise of WCW is picked up and flattened by a scoop slam. Luckily the now frenetic pace of War Games means it's not long until Sting receives some backup as the clock once again reaches zero!
Entrant #4: Road Warrior Hawk
Hawk makes a beeline for the right hand side ring to help Sting out but he is cut off in the left hand side ring by the now recovered Zodiac! The two exchange punches as Shark continues to beat down Sting in the second ring. Hawk manages to stun Zodiac long enough to head to the top rope and deliver a spectacular diving clothesline from the left side ring to the right side ring and take the big Shark down! Sting and Hakw then grab Shark and look to give him a double suplex but the pesky Zodiac is back and he kicks Sting in the back of the leg which is enough to reverse the momentum and result in Shark suplexing both his opponents! The countdown clock one again reaches zero…
Entrant #5: Kamala
Things are going rather well for the Dungeon of Doom as the Ugandan giant makes his way to the ring as they now have Sting and Hawk on the ropes and a three on two advantage. Kamala gets in the ring and delivers a pair of headbutts to Hawk and Sting before he and Shark whip their respective foes into the corners and deliver stereo hip attacks to the popular duo. Zodiac then follows up with a running kick to both men before The Dungeon of Doom pose in the right hand ring to a lot of heat as Hawk and Sting lie in a crumpled up mess on the canvas. Their joy is short lived however because the timer is almost up for the next entrant.
Entrant #6: Randy Savage
Here comes the Macho Man! He sprints down the aisle, through the cage door as the three Dungeon members meet him in the left hand ring! He nails Shark and Kamala with a double clothesline but both big men stagger before Savage runs at them again and takes both down with a clothesline to a huge pop from the crowd. Zodiac then cuts Savage off with a gut shot but Sting and Hawk are then back in the left side ring and grab Zodiac to launch him once again into the steel wall of the cage! Zodiac is now down on the outside with Kamala and Shark woozy in the ring. The faces are ready for the Dungeon’s penultimate entrant which is…
Entrant #7: Meng
The big bad Tongan makes his way down the aisle and bursts into the ring, kicking and chopping all of his foes. Sting goes down first, then Hawk and finally Savage manages to grab a kick and looks to take the advantage but he is clobbered by The Shark. The Dungeon then take turns throwing the faces into the cage as Meng then grabs Savage and looks to choke him out with the Tongan Death Grip but Randy counters with an atomic drop. Sting and Shark plus Kamala and Hawk have paired off while just as though Savage has got Meng set for the diving elbow drop The Zodiac is back and pushes him off the top turnbuckle. Meng and Zodiac double team Savage as the clock again ticks down…
Entrant #8: Lex Luger
Its The Total Package out next but he’s come armed with a steel chair! Luger makes his way into the ring and just absolutely clocks Zodiac before making a beeline straight to his buddy Sting and hitting Shark in the back. Kamala and Hawk are still exchanging shots in the the corner while Savage and Meng go at it but the crowd are loving this Sting and Luger reunion. The pair whip Shark into the ropes and hit their huge opponent with a double shoulder block and follow it up with a double back drop that really gets the crowd going. Luger tries to lift Shark up for the torture rack as again the clock counts down!
Entrant #9: The Taskmaster
The ringleader of The Dungeon of Doom is their final entrant and he comes in and straight away breaks up the torture rack before grabbing the steel chair that Luger introduced into the bout and nailign Sting. The Dungeon seem to have he advantage now as Kamala and Meng hit stereo slams on Hawk and Savage respectively while Zodiac and Shark work over Sting and Luger. Taskmaster is directing traffic as he gets The Dungeon to dump all the faces in the right side ring before they all make their way into the left side ring. They stand in an intimidating line as the countdown to the final entrant reaches zero!
Entrant #10: Hulk Hogan
Well here comes The Hulkster! The WCW Champ has Jimmy Hart cheering him on as rips his t-shirt coming down the aisle and as he gets in the ring is surrounded by the Dungeon as the match beyond officially begins. He points at Taskmaster and lunges at him but his opponents start beating him down! Its a five on one gang mugging basically as Hogan doesn’t stand a chance against the full might of the Dungeon - or does he? Because already the WCW Champ starts to Hulk Up and rise back to his feet! He nails Shark, he nails Kamala, he nails Zodiac but Taskmaster cuts the offence off with a low blow! Meng then grabs Hogan and locks in a Tongan Death Grip! The match could be over right here but now Hogan’s team mates are on the scene to help their fearless leader! Hawk comes in and breaks the death grip as he and Meng start brawling while Taskmaster looks on n horror. Lex Luger has the steel chair once again and he nails Kamala, he nail Shark, he nails Zodiac but then he swings for the Taskmaster who ducks and LUGER INADVERTENTLY NAILS HOGAN! The crowd gasp as Luger looks stunned! Savage gets in Lex’s face as Sting comes in to diffuse the situation while Hogan lays prone on the canvas. Meanwhile Hawk and Meng are continuing to exchange shots on the floor. Meng then grabs Hawk and launches him through the cage door! The Tongan is obsessed with Hawk now however and the pair continue to brawl up the ramp!
Back inside the ring Taskmaster has grabbed the chair and The Dungeon mount an offensive as first he nails Lex while Shark, Kamala and Zodiac take down Savage and Sting three on two. Luger is out as now Taskmaster turns his attention to Hogan. He whacks Hogan with the chair a few times before locking in a sleeper. He’s trying to choke the Hulkster out but you can never count out the WCW Champion who’s arm drops once, drops twice, but he’s still got signs of life as he begins to Hulk up once again! He throws Sullivan off his back, whips him into the ropes big boot and and then drops the big leg! Hogan then turns the tide for his allies as he gets in the other ring, big boot to Kamala, big boot to The Shark and he goes for the big boot to The Zodiac but the former butcher ducks and Hulk nearly nails the recovering Luger but the Total Package catches the boot! Luger now has Hogan by the boot and it looks like he’s considering nailing his teammate but Lex respectfully puts the boot down and the two start to exchange heated words. Meanwhile Taskmaster can see how this match is going and he rolls through the open cage door to the outside as Meng and Hawk have brawled all the way up the stage and to the back. Kamala and Shark are down in the ring as Randy Savage climbs to the top rope and hits a diving elbow drop landing across both men! Luger and Hogan are still in a heated debate as Sting locks the Scorpion Deathlock onto The Zodiac! The Dungeon of Doom member is done and he surrenders to the referee so the bell rings!
Winners in 28 minutes, Team Hogan
As soon as the bell rings Luger leaves Hogan behind and embraces Sting as Savage looks on looking suspicious. Sting raises Luger and Savage’s hands up as The Macho Man is still making looking unsure of Luger. Hogan then gets in the ring and is staring daggers at Luger but Sting calms the Hulkster down and then raises his hand. Sting is playing peacemaker as Fall Brawl goes off the air but now Hogan’s next PPV challenger is Lex Luger. Schiavone does one last plug for Nitro as we cut to the credits.
Card for WCW Nitro #3 September 18th 1995
Freedom Hall in Johnsons City, Tennessee
Main Event: Lex Luger vs Meng
WCW United States Championship: Sting © vs Arn Anderson
Brian Pillman vs Johnny B Badd