WCW Clash of the Champions XXXI - August 6th 1995
Live from the Ocean Beach Centre in Daytona Beach, Florida
We are live on TBS with Clash of the Champions! The show begins with a video package outlining the key encounters taking place this evening including two championship matches, a first time ever one on one meeting between Vader and Arn Anderson and the huge eight man main event which sees a veritable dream team of Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Sting and Road Warrior Hawk take on the dastardly Dungeon of Doom. Your announces for this evening are the tried and test Tony Schiavone and Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan who welcome us to a jam packed two hours on TBS!
Brian Pillman makes his return
Backstage ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund is with Brian Pillman, who hasn’t wrestled in WCW for a couple months and has promised a new edge tonight. Gene points out that his last match with Wright Pillman lost so what’s Brian going to be doing differently tonight. Pillman replies: “Well Gene lets just say over the last few months I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching. I’ve really been asking myself just who I am. I’ve been wrestling for WCW since 1989 and I’ve had my ups and I’ve certainly had my downs. Tonight I’m going into this match with a clean slate, I’m taking things back to square one Gene. Against Alex Wright you’re going to see a looser Brian Pillman, a more explosive Brian Pillman and a victorious Brian Pillman.” With that Gene concludes the interview and Pillman makes his way to the entrance.
Brian Pillman vs Alex Wright
The young German competitor ‘Das Wunderkind’ Alex Wright is out first to a modest pop from the Florida fans. Heenan gets some German jokes in as Schiavone points out that Alex Wright has made some serious waves in the industry despite being just 20 years old. Brian Pillman is out next to a good pop. He’s wearing plain black tights and certainly has a renewed sense of focus since his last WCW match, a loss to Wright at the Great American Bash. Both competitors are in the ring and this contest is underway. The bout starts with a respectful fist bump before the two men lock up and start switching holds. The duo gracefully transition from a wrist lock to Wright attempting an early German suplex from a waist lock before Pillman grabs a side headlock. He takes Alex down to the mat with a take over before Alex squirms free and bounces off the ropes. Brian ducks down to the mat so Wright jumps over him before Pillman goes for a clothesline on the rebound which Alex ducks the two then come together and take each other out with a double clothesline! They quickly get back to their feet however as the fans applaud this even opening exchange.
Wright then manages to get the upper hand with a few solid strikes as Heenan notes that Pillman has been away competing in Japan over the last couple of months, rather than resting on his laurels. Wright goes for the ten punch spot in the corner but as he gets to nine Pillman yanks him off the turnbuckle and then proceeds to brutally shop the chest of young Wright. Pillman goes to whip Wright into the opposite corner but Alex counters and Pillman goes back first into the turnbuckle. The German charges but Pillman gets a boot up and follows up with a vertical suplex to the stunned Das Wunderkind. Brian covers: one…two…NO! A decisive kick out from Wright as Pillman goes to work with some stomps to Alex as Schiavone notes Brian is definitely wrestling more aggressively as Pillman attempts a running drop kick but Wright manages to duck out of the way! Alex then nails Brian with a couple of European uppercuts that sends the older competitor reeling back into the ropes. Wright charges again but Pillman again meets him with a boot before heading to the outside to regroup. No rest for the wicked though because Wright gets on the apron and jumps off, nailing Brian with an axe handle. Wright slaps hands with the fans as this match continues, after the break.
As we come back to TBS Pillman has Wright locked in the abdominal stretch. The announces explain that during the break Alex missed a missile drop kick and Brian has been back in control since. The crowd are urging Das Wunderkind on as Pillma shakes his head and tries to wrench back even further on his opponent. He even briefly grabs the rope for leverage which shocks Schiavone but Alex manages to power through and get to the ropes. Brian charges at his foe in the ropes but he’s met with a European uppercut followed by a drop kick! Alex covers: one…two…NO! Pillman kicks out. Wright then goes for his signature German suplex but the nimble Pillman gets out of it and decks Alex with a running clothesline. He then heads up top and hits a missile drop kick of his own to Wright! Brian covers: one…two…NO! Alex kicks out! Pillman then goes to the apron and goes for the Air Pillman springboard lariat but Wright ducks out of the way and Brian crashes and burns!
Wright, seeing that this is his moment, grabs the prone Pillman and executes a picture perfect bridging German suplex! Straight into the pin: one…two…three?... NO! The moves was executed too close to the ropes and Pillman manages to get his hand to the bottom rope to break the count. Heenan notes thats the experience advantage playing into Pillman’s favour there. Wright looks to finish things off and go for another German suplex but Pillman counters into a rollup! One…two…NO! Wright kicks out but was Pillman grabbing some tights there? Alex appeals to the ref but Pillman pleads innocence before decking the inexperienced Wright with a clothesline. Brian then goes up top and hits a splash from the top rope. Brian covers! One…two…three?... NO! Alex Wright manages to get the shoulder up as Pillman looks visibly frustrated now! Brian hauls Wright up to the top rope and looks to go for a superplex but Alex counters and shoves him off the ropes down to the canvas. The German goes for a missile drop kick but Pillman dodges again but this time Wright catches the referee! The official is on the canvas and Alex goes to check on him. As tries to shake him away PILLMAN LOW BLOWS WRIGHT! Boos echo around the arena - what has gotten into Brian Pillman here! Pillman grabs Wright and nails him with his new finisher - the hangman’s neck breaker! Pillman grins to himself as he shakes the ref awake and makes the cover: One..Two…Three!
Winner in 16 Minutes (including commercials) Brian Pillman
Schiavone cannot hide his disgust as the official raises Pillman’s hand as the crowd fill the arena with boos. Heenan says Brian promised we would see a new side of him tonight and boy did we ever. As Pillman heads out of the ring and down the ramp, not even acknowledging the fans the intrepid reporter ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund appears atop the ramp and asks Pillman for a comment about what we just saw in the ring. Pillman stares a hole right through Okerlund before slapping the mic out of his hands which causes Gene to jump a mile and get a big reaction from the fans. Pillman then heads out of the arena as Alex Wright begins to recover in the ring. We then briefly cut to the announcers who hype up the rest of the card and of course remind us that on September 4th live on TNT from the Mall of America WCW Nitro makes its debut. With that we proceed straight into our next match.
Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders: The Nasty Boys vs The Blue Bloods
A real clash of styles here as the snobby Blue Bloods make their way out to the ring first. Lord Steven Regal and Earl Robert Eaton don’t have any times for the fans here in Florida as their eyes are squared firmly on the prize of a tag team championship match at Fall Brawl. The popular Nasty Boys are out next as Schiavone notes they can expect a lot more rough and tumble for this duo than the technical precision of Regal and Eaton. Regal and Brian Knobbs start this match in the ring as the bell sounds. Knobbs starts off like a house on fire and nails Lord Steven with a number of elbows to the head. The Englishmen quickly bails to the outside and flees from the chasing Knobbs but then gets clocked with a stiff headbutt from Saggs. Earl Robert gets involved and he and Saggs start fighting on the outside while Knobbs retrieves Regal and throws him back inside. Knobbs then goes to try and take Regal to the Pit Stop but Steven ducks underneath the deadly armpit and hoists Knobbs up for a back suplex. Regal then tries for a standing front face lock but Knobbs uses his power to drive him through the ropes and both men take another tumble to the floor. Eaton and Saggs are still brawling out there as we take a commercial break.
We’re back and The Blue Bloods have control as Eaton is working over Knobbs. The announcers note that Regal and Eaton have done a great job of isolating Brian because his partner has not even legally tagged in yet. Eaton tags Regal and the pair then grabs Knobbs and hit him with a double suplex before Saggs comes in to try and take out both men. Once again him and Bobby braw to the outside while Regal is left in the ring with Knobbs. Lord Steven hits an impressive double underhook suplex to his foe and covers: one…two…NO! Knobbs kicks out. Regal then locks in an STF but Brian is getting his second wind now because with the encouragement of the crowd Knobbs manages to get to the ropes!
Saggs is back on the apron now and as Knobbs crawls over to his partner Regal cuts him off. He tries to suplex his foe but Brian pushes him away and nails Regal with an elbow to the face. Brian then grabs Regal and signals for it - he hits his foe with the pit stop as he rubs Regal’s face into his armpit. You can imagine the hilarious faces Regal pulls in response to this as Knobbs finally makes the tag to Saggs! The Nasty Boys the quickly plant Regal with a double DDT and Saggs covers: one…two…NO! Eaton is in the ring to break it up! The match once again breaks down into a huge brawl that sees The Nasty Boys in their element as the tee off on their snobby opponents. Knobbs and Saggs throw Eaton the outside before they hit their Trip to Nastyville finisher on Lord Steven! The running powerslam by Knobbs is followed up with a diving elbow drop from Saggs. Jerry covers: one…two…three!
Winner in 11 minutes (including commercials) The Nasty Boys
It’s a strong win for The Nasty Boys as they celebrate in the ring while Regal and Eaton are laid out. The Nasty Boys make their way up the ramp and slap hands with the fans before the slightly disheveled from his encounter with Pillman earlier Gene Okerlund appears. ‘Mean’ Gene congratulates the duo on their win and mentions their upcoming title shot at Fall Brawl. Okerlund asks if they have a preference on who they would like to face. Knobbs screams: “Gene it doesn't matter who we face because when we get in that squared circle there’s nobody nastier than Knobbs and Saggs. Now this right here is a warning to Harlem Heat and The Stud Stable - you better be praying you lose tonight because whoever we face at Fall Brawl we’re running them over! Enjoy those titles why they last boys because on September 17th they’re coming home to Nastyville!” Saggs nods enthusiastically as the duo pose before they head to the back.
WCW TV Championship: The Renegade © (with Jimmy Hart) vs Diamond Dallas Page (with Max Muscle and The Diamond Doll)
The arrogant DDP is out to the ring next as this fast-paced Clash of Champions show rolls on. He’s got his bodyguard Max Muscle and the lovely Diamond Doll alongside him as he has his comedy cigarette in his mouth. Up next the ultimate competitor, a true warrior of the ring The Renegade is out, accompanied by Jimmy Hart. The TV Champ charges to the ring in the style of a wrestler used to compete in the WWF a couple of years ago which forces DDP to bail out while The Renegade goes through his posing routine. Page eventually gets back in the ring as the referee holds the TV Championship up and this contest is underway. Renegade starts like he’s powered by rocket fuel, decking Dallas with multiple shoulder blocks that forces Page to roll to the outside. Renegade gives chase so aggressively that he literally runs over the imposing Max Muscle only for DDP to use his momentum against him and whip the TV Champion straight into the steel steps. DDP then throws Renegade back in the ring and locks in a devastating chin lock! Page has it synched in good but the Renegade, channeling the power of the warriors, sorry renegades, manages to psyche himself up and break the hold! He then goes on a rampage with some more big shoulder blocks to DDP before hoisting Page up and delivering an impressive gorilla press slam! Renegade then goes for a big splash but Page gets his knees up! Dallas then hits a flying clothesline to the stunned TV Champion. He then follows it up with his signature Diamond Cutter! He covers: one…two…three!
Winner in three minutes and new WCW TV Champion Diamond Dallas Page
Out of nowhere DDP has his first singles gold in WCW! DDP celebrates with his entourage in the ring while a disappointed Renegade rolls out of the ring and trudges to the back, never to be seen in WCW again. Schiavone and Heenan tell us to stick with Clash of the Champions because up next we’re going to hear from WCW’s newest tag team.
A radical new tag team
We’re back live on TBS with a video package spotlighting the latest tag team coming to World Championship Wrestling. Known as The Radicals the video package shows in ring highlights of Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko training at the WCW power plant against some hapless trainees. As the training montage continues Malenko’s voice over promises to bring a radical new style to WCW while Chris Benoit promises that the duo will dominate the WCW tag team division. The package ends with the pair tapping out the trainees to their signature submission holds the crossface and the cloverleaf.
As the video package ends we cut backstage to an unimpressed Blue Bloods who have been watching the package on a monitor. Despite both Regal and Eaton still licking their wounds from their earlier loss to The Nasty Boys they have some fighting words for the new tag team. Regal says: “Goodness me they let all sorts of bloody scallywags into WCW these days. If you two gentlemen think you can come into our organisation and dominate the tag team scene then you’ve got another thing coming sunshines. I’d be very careful lads because Earl Robert Eaton and I will give you a bloody good hiding if you ever disrespect The Blue Bloods of WCW!” With that Regal and Eaton walk off as we cut to our next segment.
Inside The Dungeon of Doom
We are then transported to The Dungeon of Doom’s mysterious layer. The frightening lineup of Kamala, The Zodiac, The Avalanche and Meng are all stood around looking menacing before The Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan appears. Sullivan speaks: “Tonight Hulk Hogan the first step on our path to destroying Hulkamania is taken! Haha yes when the historians of the future look back at the death of Hulkamania they will pinpoint tonight as when your destruction truly began! Your buddies Randy Savage, Sting and Hawk have sealed their fate as well because they too will be dragged to the depths of hell hahaha!” The other members of the Dungeon then take turns to speak as Meng, who is genuinely terrifying, screams down the camera in Tongan before the other members swear by the destruction of Hulkamania. Sullivan concludes: “And remember Hulk Hogan a giant destruction is coming in your future!”
WCW Tag Team Championship: Harlem Heat © with Sister Sherri vs The Stud Stable (Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater with Col Robert Parker)
Back in reality The Stud Stable is making their way to the ring for this tag title shot. The main story heading into this bout has been Col Robert Parker’s advances towards Sherri who seemed to reciprocate them with a kiss on the cheek on WCW Saturday Night recently. Out next are the champs as Harlem Heat and Sherri make their way down the ramp as Schiavone notes that the fans aren’t particularly supportive of either team here but Harlem Heat seem to be more popular. Buck and Booker T start in the ring as the referee raises the belts above his head and this contest is underway. Buck and Booker lock up while Parker tries to get Sherri’s attention on the outside to no avail. Harlem Heat get the early advantage against their old school opponents and Booker punches Buck into the corner before tagging Stevie in. The pair hit a double clothesline to their opponent and Stevie follows up with a quick cover for a one count. Stevie Ray then goes to work with some clubbing blows to Buck but the momentum shifts when a backdrop is countered with a knee to the face. Buck then hits a few stiff shots to Stevie before punctuating his offence with a drop toe hold followed up with some kicks to the head. Buck then locks in a front face lock but Stevie manages to break out of it and deck Buck with a kick right to the gut. Both men manage to crawl to their corner and tag in Booker T and Slater and the two men start going at it with some heavy strikes. Buck and Stevie Ray then renew their physicality as all four me are now attacking each other in the ring! Schiavone says we will try and restore order in this tag team match as we head to break!
Back from commercial and its Dick Slater working over Stevie Ray in the ring as the announcers explain that The Stud Stable took control of the bout during the break. On the outside Col Robert Parker is still eyeing up Sister Sherri as Buck is tagged in and the veteran duo perform a double back breaker on one half of Harlem Heat. Buck then goes to work on Stevie with a side head lock but Ray powers out and whips Buck into the ropes and sends him hurtling through the air with a back drop! Stevie then hits Buck with a powerful Harlem sidekick before he manages to crawl to the ropes and tag in his partner, Booker T! Booker goes straight to the top turnbuckle and hits a missile drop kick to Bunkhouse and covers: one…two..NO! Slater comes in to break it up!
Slater and Buck go for a double suplex on their opponent but Booker counters and suplexes both of his foes! Harlem Heat are becoming crowd favourites with this performance Schiavone notes as Booker first throws Slater out of the ring before nailing Buck with another stiff Harlem side kick! Booker goes for the cover but Parker is distracting the ref! Sherri goes over to Parker, grabs him and seems to be pulling him in for a kiss… only to SLAP HIM IN THE FACE! The colonel can’t believe it and Slater tries to go after Sherri on the outside only to be met with Stevie Ray and the pair start brawling on the outside. Back in the ring Buck has recovered and he nails Booker with a running lariat! He covers: one…two…three? NO! Stevie comes into the ring having laid out Slater on the outside! Stevie then hooks Buck in the electric chair position as Booker recovers and manages to scale the ropes. He then dives off the ropes with a missile drop kick as the pair successfully hit the Heat Seeker! Cover: one…two…three!
Winners in 13 minutes (including commercials) and still WCW Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat
Harlem Heat have done it - they are still WCW Tag Team Champions. The pair actually get a little pop for their win as Sherri gets in the ring to celebrate with them. The scorned Col Parker retreats with his stable but the celebrations do not last long because here comes The Nasty Boys! Sherri rightfully bails from the ring as the new #1 contenders charge down their opponents for Fall Brawl. The quartet start brawling in the ring before they pair off with Booker and Knobbs continuing the conflict in the ring while Saggs and Stevie Ray tumble to the outside. Security, lead by the incomparable Doug Dillenger soon pile into the arena to separate the tag teams. Heenan notes there’s no way these two teams will be able to have a regular match at Fall Brawl. Security is just about holding the four men back as we cut to our next video package.
Nitro is coming soon
Our next video package details the exciting debut of Nitro coming live to TNT every week from Monday September 4th. The show will be an hour long and feature the top stars of WCW competing with each other. There’s even a very subtle line in there about the action being on fire rather than raw. The video also announces the first two matches for the September 4th show - both Hulk Hogan and Sting will defend their WCW and United States Championships respectively against challengers to be determined.
The Nature Boy and The Enforcer
Backstage ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund is standing by with Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. Gene asks the duo about their conflict with Vader. Anderson replies: “Listen we put our trust in Vader to crush Hulk Hogan but unfortunately he is as stupid as he looks and he couldn’t get the job done. So big man tonight you’re about to get a lesson in class, a lesson in respect and learn the hard way nobody is on the same level as Flair and Anderson.” Flair then continues: “Mean by God Gene I have never seen a man uglier and as stupid as Big Van Vader woo! Tonight Double A is taking him to school, and speaking of school I’ve got a message for the man who learned everything he knows about pro wrestling from me - I’m talking to you Stinger! The first ever Nitro, me and you for the US Championship and I can teach you one more thing - to be the man you have to beat the man! Woo!” With that Anderson and Flair leave as we cut to break.
Vader vs Arn Anderson (with Ric Flair)
We’re back from commercial and the iconic music of the Four Horsemen hits and Arn Anderson makes his way down the aisle with a suited and booted Ric Flair by his side. The Horsemen’s ranks have been reduced to Flair and Anderson but the duo are still a formidable combination. Out next is the intimidating Vader who has become a fan favourite thanks to him turning on Anderson and Flair. Vader gets in the ring and immediately goes after Double A! Flair bales to the outside and this one is underway. Vader is unloading on Anderson with some clubbing blows as he backs The Enforcer into the corner. He then charges at Arn but the veteran moves out of the way and with Vader trapped in the corner Anderson unloads with some knife edge chops as Flair woos away at ringside. Eventually Vader counters with a stiff headbutt and follows up with a power slam! He covers: one…two…NO! Double A gets the shoulder up and quickly rolls outside to recover. Vader gives chase and he goes to whip Arn into the guardrail but Flair gets in Vader’s face and the momentary distraction allows Anderson to gain an advantage and reverse the momentum and whip Vader into the rail. Flair and Arn celebrate this like they’ve just won the World Cup but Vader quickly bounces back and chases Anderson back into the ring as Flair again gets out of dodge. As Vader gets back into the ring Arn tries to hook him for a DDT but Vader pushes Anderson into the ropes and on the rebound is caught by the big man, who delivers a devastating belly to belly suplex! He covers: one…two…NO!
Anderson again gets the shoulder up but it's been all Vader in this one so far. Vader then heads to the ropes and signals for the Vader Bomb. Flair however is wise to this and gets on the apron and distracts the big man which allows Double A to recover and club the big man in the back before delivering a back suplex off the second rope. Anderson now has control in this bout as he hits a flurry of offence to the downed Vader, consisting mostly of strikes before punctuating the attack with an elbow drop. Anderson then tries to body slam Vader but when he can’t lift him he changes tact and runs at Vader with a clothesline. The big man staggers but isn’t knocked down so Anderson grabs him and plants him with his signature DDT! Flair is already celebrating as Anderson goes for the cover! One…two…three? NO! Vader powers out at 2.9! Double A can’t believe he thought the big man was beat. Anderson then goes for his signature spine buster but Vader cuts him off with another stiff headbutt and follows up by grabbing Arn by the throat and delivering a huge chokeslam! Vader covers: one…two…three? NO! Ric Flair has put Arn Anderson’s foot on the ropes! Vader cannot believe it as he sees red and starts screaming at Ric who gets on the apron and seems to be egging on the big man to fight him. Anderson seizing the moment charges at Vader but clearly out of the corner of his eye Vader sees the enforcer coming and side steps the attack meaning Anderson nails Flair in the face! Double A then turns around, receives a hard kick in the gut and is powerbombed by Vader! The big man covers: one…two…three!
Winner in 10 Minutes Vader
Vader wins this hotly contested bout but it was an accidental shot from Anderson that not only wiped out Flair but cost him the match. Schiavone promises that we will hear from Vader after the break as we cut to commercial.
Its time, its Ric Flair’s time
We are now at the top of the ramp where Vader is standing by with the busiest man in WCW, ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund. The experienced interviewer asks Vader where he goes from here after defeating Arn Anderson. Vader responds: “The way I see it Gene that’s one down one to go! I’ve crushed Arn Anderson and now I’m coming for that coward Ric Flair. Now Flair you call yourself the dirtiest player in the game but I’m the toughest dog in the yard and when we get in the ring together again I’m gonna eat you up! We’ve faced off one on one three times in the past and I’ve never beaten you but that changes because I’m calling you for Fall Brawl! Flair you disrespected me at Bash at the Beach and at Fall Brawl you’re gonna find out that its Vader time!” Vader’s music then hits and the big man poses a top the stage to a good reaction from the fans.
New blood is coming to WCW
We then cut to a video package which is hyping four more brand new talents that will be debuting very soon in World Championship Wrestling. First we have the mysterious masked man Mr JL, who shows off his impressive high flying ability in clips from previous matches. Next we have the disco dancing Disco Inferno who seems to be focusing more on his dancing than any actual wrestling. Following him we have Eddie Guerrero who in a voiceover talks about his wrestling heritage and how he wants to make the legendary Guerrero name proud. Then we have Sabu who also has ties to wrestling royalty in the form of the Original Sheik but it's emphasised in the video that he is a specialist in hardcore wrestling. All four competitors are marked as coming ‘very soon’ to WCW.
Let me tell ya something Mean Gene
We cut from that video to backstage where the almighty babyface conglomerate of Hogan, Savage, Hawk and Sting is gathered around Mean Gene. Okerlund notes this is quite the team that’s been assembled and asks Savage first what the strategy for tonight vs The Dungeon of Doom is. “Well Gene the strategy tonight is seek and destroy ooh yeah! We’re gonna seek the Dungeon of Doom out and then in that ring we’re gonna destroy them!” Pop for some classic Randy Savage as Hawk continues: “Well! I’m gonna enjoy getting the good for nothing dirt for brains Meng and kick him all over Florida Gene! Then the rest of the Dungeon of Doom better watch out because when a Road Warrior is on a rampage there’s no stopping them!”
Okerlund then asks Sting about Ric Flair’s challenge for Nitro from earlier tonight. “Gene I’d be more than happy to beat Ric Flair live and in primetime on the first ever Nitro. You know Nature Boy we fought at the first ever Clash of the Champions and I took you to your limit then and now I’m twice the wrestler I was then so I’d be more than happy to put my US Championship on the line!” Big pop for Sting of course before Hulk Hogan comes in for the final word. “Well let me tell ya something Mean Gene. These Dungeon of Doom dudeds have been a thorn in the Hulkster’s side for months now and I can’t take it anymore jack! Tonight is the night the Dungeon is buried once and for all brother and I’m making the hulkamaniacas a promise right now that it doesn’t matter how big they are or how many of them there are I’m taking down the Dungeon! Because whatcha gonna do when the greatest four man team in WCW run wild on you!”
Main Event: Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Sting and Road Warrior Hawk vs The Dungeon of Doom (Meng, The Zodiac, The Shark and Kamala with The Taskmaster)
Its main event time at Clash of the Champions and of course the distinguished and expensive Michael Buffer is in the centre of the ring. The evil laugh that precedes The Dungeon of Doom’s entrance fills the arena as the demonic faction make their way to the ring. The Taskmaster proudly leads his stable out down the ramp as Schiavone notes that there is still the huge question of The Giant lurking - when will this absolutely enormous competitor next appear? Well before that question is answered the sound of ‘American Made’ fill the arena and here comes the faces to a big pop! They slap hands with the fans before charging into the ring and boom here we go! Hogan starts with a big boot to Kamala that floors the African competitor while Hawk takes out Meng with a running clothesline. Sting whips The Shark into the corner and nails his opponent with a Stinger splash while Macho man grabs The Zodiac and throws him to the outside. The whole Dungeon then retreat to the outside as the babyfaces stand tall in the ring to a huge pop from the fans! Schiavone tells us to stick with this match as we cut to out last commercial of the show.
Back from the break and Sting is being worked over in the ring by the physically dominant The Shark. We see a recap of the action during the break which saw a distraction from The Taskmaster lead to the Dungeon taking control. The Shark is hammering away at Sting in the heel’s corner before he tags in The Zodiac who also starts clubbing away at his foe. The former barber tries a neck breaker but Sting pushes him into the ropes and counters with a jumping clothesline. Sting looks to crawl over to his corner but the newest Dungeon member Meng gets into the ring and cuts the Stinger off. Meng and Zodiac hit a double big boot while the referee and the faces go back and forth leaving Sting vulnerable. Eventually the referee gets his eyes back on the action just in time to see Meng be tagged in by Zodiac. The Tongan whips Zodiac into the corner and unloads with some nasty chops before going for a stiff headbutt but he misses and collides head first with the turnbuckle! Sting then turns the tables and starts punching away on his tough opponent before lining up a Stinger splash but Meng counters it with a ferocious headbutt that knocks Sting down to the mat. The dazed monster then tags in the Ugandan giant Kamala who starts stomping away at the Stinger. Kamala then goes for the running splash but Sting gets his knees up! This stuns the big man and now Sting, willed on by the crowd crawls to the corner and makes the tag to Randy Savage! Macho Man comes in like a house on fire taking out Kamala with a clothesline, Zodiac with a running axe handle but he is stopped in his tracks by Meng and The Shark who get in the ring and hit Savage with a double shoulder block! At this point the match completely breaks down as Hogan and Hawk rush into the ring and all eight men are once again back at it fighting in and around the ring.
As the chaos continues to unfold in and around the ring the referee is quickly losing control of this one. He does however catch Kamala making a tag to The Zodiac who goes to hit Randy Savage with an atomic drop but Macho Man counters and with a stiff shot to the face and then scoop slams his opponent. He signals for the elbow drop but with the referee distracted and Savage perched precariously on the top rope The Taskmaster interferes and pushes Randy off the ropes to the canvas! Zodiac then covers: one…two…NO! Hulk Hogan is in to break it up! In the ring Hogan is Hulking up on The Zodiac as he nails him with a few blows to the head and follows up with a big boot of his own! Sting and Hawk are still fighting Kamala and Shark on the outside but as Hogan lines up for the leg drop Meng intervenes and strikes Hulk with a superkick! Meng then locks Hogan in a Tongan death grip and it looks like Hogan is being knocked out! Hulk slumps to the mat before Meng throws him to the outside to the shock of the crowd. Meanwhile legal man Randy Savage has managed to crawl to the corner and tag in Hawk who goes after Meng with a big clothesline but the fearsome Tongan counters with another superkick that takes the Road Warrior down. Meng then drags Zodiac back into his corner and tags himself in as Shark and Kamala work on Savage and Sting on the outside, with Hogan and Zodiac both out for the count. Meng locks in the Tongan death grip on Hawk and it completely knocks out the Road Warrior so the referee has no choice but to call for the bell!
Winners in 16 minutes (including commercials) The Dungeon of Doom
It’s a much needed dominant win for The Dungeon of Doom. Hawk and Hogan are down at ringside while the quintet then team up on Savage and Sting, laying the two megastars out. Taskmaster then retrieves Hogan’s World Championship belt from ringside before handing it to Meng. The fearsome Tongan holds it up in the air to close the show as the announcers speculate that it must be Meng who will next challenge Hulk Hogan after tonight’s dominant performance.
Up Next: The Road to the first Nitro and Fall Brawl
