Feb. 2, 1993: Watts, Ross demoted

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

Big day here in WCW. You’ve got the boss as well as the lead announcer demoted. This would lead to Eric Bischoff eventually taking over WCW and Jim Ross jumping to the WWF, effective on TV at WrestleMania IX.

As far as the TV taping, fun show here with some quality workers. Steamboat-Windham, Vader-Cactus, and Rhodes-Orndorff are all matches I would have bought a ticket to see. Plus, you’ve got an early appearance of a still babyface Steve (aka William) Regal and a future ECW headliners match in Rob Van Dam vs. Raven.

- 2/2/93 – (via the Wrestling Observer Newsletter) In a meeting with WCW executives, Bill Watts was given a significant loss of his decision-making in the company as vice-president, Jim Ross was removed from all WCW television and would instead become a syndicated television salesman for the company.

WCW @ Columbus, GA – Municipal Auditorium – February 2, 1993
Worldwide – 2/13/93 – hosted by Tony Schiavone & Jesse Ventura; included two WCW Magazine segments, hosted by Eric Bischoff, with comments from Paul Orndorff and Cactus Jack; featured Ventura conducting an interview with Steve Austin & Brian Pillman; included a SuperBrawl III Control Center segment hosted by Ross:
Maxx Payne defeated Brad Anderson via submission with an armbar at 2:50
Robbie V pinned Scotty Flamingo with a split-legged moonsault at 3:18 (Rob Van Dam: One of a Kind)
Larry Santo defeated WCW World Champion Big Van Vader (w/ Harley Race) via disqualification in a non-title match at 1:38 when Race entered the ring and gave Vader the leather strap and then put face paint on Santo, to make him look like Sting, before Vader began whipping him
WCW TV Title Tournament Opening Round: Erik Watts defeated Johnny Gunn via submission with the STF at 4:09; Gunn’s foot was on the bottom rope during the finish, which the referee didn’t notice
WCW US Champion Dustin Rhodes pinned Paul Orndorff at 12:09 with an inside cradle after avoiding a kneedrop off the top
Marcus Alexander Bagwell vs. Brian Pillman; the show went off the air 34 seconds after the match started; prior to the bout, Bagwell called out Pillman, acklnowledged the limited TV time remaining, and the match started
Worldwide – 2/20/93 – featured Tony Schiavone conducting a podium interview with Erik Watts:
Paul Orndorff pinned Johnny B. Badd with the piledriver
Steve Regal pinned John Peterson with a butterfly suplex
WCW/NWA Tag Team Champion Shane Douglas pinned Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker with the belly to belly suplex
WCW TV Title Tournament Opening Round: Maxx Payne pinned Marcus Alexander Bagwell with an elbow drop after avoiding a dropkick
Barry Windham pinned WCW/NWA Tag Team Champion Ricky Steamboat at around the 10-minute mark when the momentum of a crossbody off the top by Steamboat put Windham on top for the win
TA McCoy defeated WCW World Champion Big Van Vader (w/ Harley Race) via reverse decision; Vader originally won the match with the powerbomb but the decision was reversed after Race came in and attacked McCoy and Vader knocked the referee out of the ring; Race then put face paint on McCoy, making him look like Sting, with Vader then whipping him with the leather strap and choking him with it
The Main Event – 2/28/93 – featured Tony Schiavone & Larry Zbyzsko on commentary; included the Barry Windham vs. WCW/NWA Tag Team Champion Ricky Steamboat match from the 2/20/93 Worldwide
The Main Event – 3/7/93: WCW World Champion Big Van Vader (w/ Harley Race) pinned Cactus Jack at 12:00 with a splash after the challenger suplexed an interfering Race into the ring

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Feb. 1, 1991: NBC’s Main Event

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

If you were born in time to watch this show, congratulations. You’re old enough to drink!

This is the last “big” televised event prior to March’s WrestleMania VII. Obviously the big programs are between Hogan-Slaughter and Warrior-Savage. Almost everything else was filler – either awesome filler (Bossman/Perfect) or completely forgettable filler (Demolition/Japanese team).

The Main Event V – 2/1/91 on NBC (6.7) – featured Vince McMahon & Roddy Piper on commentary:
Hulk Hogan & Tugboat defeated Earthquake & Dino Bravo (w/ Jimmy Hart) at 8:56 when Hogan pinned Bravo; later in the broadcast, Hogan was named the #1 contender to the WWF Championship and would receive a title shot at WrestleMania VII
Jim Duggan defeated WWF World Champion Sgt. Slaughter (w/ Gen. Adnan) via disqualification at 6:50 when the champion used a steel chair on the floor; after the match, Hulk Hogan – who occompanied Duggan to the ring before the match – attempted to make the save but was also beaten down with the chair
The Legion of Doom defeated the Orient Express (w/ Mr. Fuji) at 5:11 when Road Warrior Hawk pinned Kato following the Doomsday Device (Best of the WWF: Superheroes)

 

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Jan. 28, 2007: WrestleMania Preview

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

Don’t think I’ve seen this show since it aired but, as I remember, the last few minutes of the Rumble between HBK and Taker are off the charts. Love the continuity the next year as those guys end up opening the match. And then skip ahead a few years and they’re headlining WrestleMania two years in a row…

Royal Rumble 07 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center – January 28, 2007 (announced at 16,000; sell out)
JTG (w/ Shad Gaspard) pinned Lance Cade (w/ Trevor Murdoch) at 8:42 with a roll up and using the ropes for leverage
Pay-per-view bouts – featured Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler on commentary for Raw, Michael Cole & John Bradshaw Layfield on commentary for Smackdown!, and Joey Styles & Tazz on commentary for ECW; included a backstage segment with Jonathan Coachman, Teddy Long, and Kelly Kelly in which WWE Raw Tag Team Champions Edge & Randy Orton drew their numbers for the Royal Rumble and Booker T appeared after Edge offered to show Orton his (number) if Orton showed him his own; featured WWE World Champion John Cena being checked on by a doctor backstage until Vince McMahon stapped in and said he didn’t think Cena would win his match against Umaga; included a backstage segment where Kevin Thorn, with Ariel, chose a number for the Rumble; moments later, the Little Bastard, on behalf of Finlay, went to pick a number but ended up biting Coachman on the ear and kicking him in the shin; the Little Bastard then turned around to find the Great Khali, who grabbed a number for the Rumble and walked off, leaving behind two other number balls he grabbed as well; Kelly then said they were the biggest balls she had ever seen, with Ron Simmons then appearing and saying “Damn;” featured a commercial for the DVD release of “The Marine,” available Tuesday; Saliva was in attendance for the show; included a backstage segment in which the Sandman and Ric Flair drew the last two Royal Rumble numbers, with Kelly Kelly, Leyla, and Rebecca randomly dancing with Flair to close the segment:
WWE IC Champion Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy defeated Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury (w/ Melina) at 15:32 when Jeff pinned Nitro with the Swanton following the Twist of Fate from Matt; Ross & Lawler did commentary for the bout
ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley defeated Test via count-out at 7:10 when the challenger walked out of the match after sustaining a clothesline to the floor; after the bout, Lashley dragged Test back inside the ring and dropped Test with the running powerslam
World Heavyweight Champion Batista pinned Ken Kennedy with the sit-down powerbomb at 10:32 after hitting a clothesline as Kennedy came off the middle turnbuckle
WWE World Champion John Cena defeated Umaga (w/ Armando Allejandro Estrada) in a last man standing match at 23:10 after twice applying the STFU by using the top ring rope, which Estrada unhinged late in the match
The Undertaker won the Royal Rumble by last eliminating Shawn Michaels at 57:20; due to pre-match stipulations, the Undertaker earned a world title shot at WrestleMania 23
Order of entry: Ric Flair (00:00), Finlay (00:00) Kenny Dykstra (1:43), Matt Hardy (3:11), WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Edge (4:41), Tommy Dreamer (6:11), Sabu (7:56), WWE Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms (9:10), Shelton Benjamin (10:40), Kane (12:22), CM Punk (14:07), Booker T (15:49), Super Crazy (17:05), WWE IC Champion Jeff Hardy (18:27), the Sandman (20:21), WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Randy Orton (21:27), WWE US Champion Chris Benoit (23:07), Rob Van Dam (24:47), Viscera (26:32), Johnny Nitro (27:47), Kevin Thorn (29:07), Hardcore Holly (30:32), Shawn Michaels (32:09), Chris Masters (33:38), Chavo Guerrero Jr. (35:14), MVP (36:49), Carlito Caribbean Cool (38:12), the Great Khali (40:03), Mike Mizanin (41:02), the Undertaker (43:04)
Order of elimination: Flair by Edge (5:40), Kenny by Edge from behind as Kenny did the Flair strut (5:48), Dreamer by Kane (12:53), Sabu by Kane via a chokeslam from the apron through a table Sabu had set up on the floor (13:24), Helms by Booker (16:00), the Sandman by Booker (20:34), Crazy by Orton & Edge (21:38), Jeff by Edge (22:05), Matt by Orton (22:07), Booker by Kane following a kick to the face from RVD (25:13), Kane by Booker who climbed back in the ring and hit a clothesline; after the elimination, Booker continued to attack Kane at ringside until referees forced him backstage (25:38), Finlay by Michaels via a clothesline (32:34), Viscera by RVD, Nitro, Thorn, Benoit, Edge, Punk, Holly, and Benjamin following the superkick from Michaels (32:52), Benjamin by Michaels via a backdrop (33:03), Nitro by Benoit after being knocked off the turnbuckle (34:05), Thorn by Benoit after pulling him over the top from the apron (35:23), Masters by RVD via a dropkick (37:11), Holly by Khali (40:54), Benoit by Khali (not shown, around 40:59), Mizanin by Khali (41:09), RVD by Khali (41:16), Punk by Khali (41:24), Carlito by Khali via a chop as Carlito stood on the apron (41:31), Chavo by Khali (41:38), Khali by Taker via a clothesline (43:48), MVP by Taker (44:22), Orton by Michaels via a backdrop (49:42), Edge by Michaels via the superkick (49:46)
Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, and Jerry Lawler did commentary for the bout

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Jan. 25, 2008: Cena Rumble Supremacy

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

The Rumble? It’s probably going to be good. The Rumble at MSG? It’s probably going to be great.

Here we are in 2008. Ric Flair is on his retirement tour, with every match potentially being his last. Randy Orton is the defiant champion, putting away challenges from HBK, Chris Jericho, and Triple H. John Cena is on the shelf until WrestleMania (more on that later). And Jeff Hardy is the new hope.

Of course Cena would return at this show, and actually win it. This is WWE secrecy at its finest. Nothing leaked in the dirt sheets beforehand. Cena walks out to a huge pop, stares at those in the ring – among them, Triple H – and then goes on to throw them out of the ring. Great moment. Plus, you’ve got Rumble returns of Mick Foley, Roddy Piper, and Jimmy Snuka at MSG and HBK vs. Taker opens the match.

Royal Rumble 08 – New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – January 27, 2008 (announced at 20,798; 19,000; sell out)
Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore defeated Deuce & Domino (w/ Cherry) in under 5 minutes
Pay-per-view bouts – the first pay-per-view to air in HD; included Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler on commentary for Raw, Michael Cole & Jonathan Coachman on commentary for Smackdown!, and Joey Styles & Tazz on commentary for ECW; featured a backstage segment with Vince McMahon and Hornswoggle in which McMahon discussed the upcoming Royal Rumble match and told Hornswoggle he couldn’t trust anyone else in the match; moments later, Finlay appeared and McMahon suggested Hornswoggle could turn on him in the bout; included the debut of Mike Ademle as a new broadcaster, who introduced a video package on the Chris Jericho / John Bradshaw Layfield feud; featured a backstage segment with Ashley and Santino Marella in which Santino said Maria was too busy to talk with Ashley about Playboy and slammed the door in her face; included a backstage segment with Ric Flair – wearing a towel after getting out of the shower – and Ken Kennedy in which Kennedy congratulated Flair on his win until Shawn Michaels appeared, just as Kennedy implied he wanted to retire Flair, with Kennedy then walking off; Michaels then congratulated Flair on his win and Flair gave Michaels a pep talk before his participation in the Rumble; Batista and Triple H then appeared, with those two and Michaels chiming in on who would win the Rumble; featured an in-ring HD Kiss Cam, hosted by Maria, with Ashley then appearing and asking if Maria would be interested in posing for Playboy; Santino Marella then appeared with a person cloaked in black, insulted the crowd, especially the New York Giants by saying they were going to choke in the Super Bowl, and tried to take Maria backstage with him; after Ashley asked Maria again, Santino said they would discuss it more later and then brought the cloaked person into the ring, unveiling it as Big Dick Johnson wearing a Tom Brady Patriot’s jersey and thong; Ashley, who laughed outloud throughout the segment, then knocked Johnson to the floor; included a ‘Baywatch’ themed WrestleMania 24 ad with Kelly Kelly and Mae Young; featured Ademle introducing a Randy Orton / Jeff Hardy video package, accidentally calling Hardy ‘Harvey’ before correcting himself; the segment featured Hardy’s portion to the tune of Lostprophets’ “Rooftops”:
Ric Flair defeated WWE US Champion MVP via submission with the figure-4 in a non-title match at 7:50; prior to the match, Flair cut an in-ring promo on his career and thanked the MSG crowd for the respect they had shown him over the years; MVP originally won the match at the 4-minute mark following a boot to the face but referee Charles Robinson had the bout continue after noticing Flair’s foot was on the bottom rope during the cover; pre-match stipulations stated Flair would have to retire if he lost the match; Michael Cole & Jonathan Coachman provided commentary for the match
John Bradshaw Layfield defeated Chris Jericho via disqualification at 9:24 when Jericho hit JBL in the head with a steel chair as both men brawled on the floor; after the match, a bloody Jericho threw the chair into JBL’s face in the ring and choked him with a TV cable until he was pulled away by referees
World Heavyweight Champion Edge (w/ Vickie Guerrero) pinned Rey Mysterio Jr. at 12:36 by hitting the spear as Mysterio attempted a springboard into the ring, moments after hitting both Edge and an interfering Guerrero with the 619; Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins were in the champion’s corner early on but were ejected at the 3-minute mark as they attempted to attack Mysterio on the floor; after the bout, Ryder, Hawkins, and Edge tended to Guerrero outside the ring and helped her back into her wheelchair (Edge: A Decade of Decadence)
WWE World Champion Randy Orton pinned WWE IC Champion Jeff Hardy at 14:06 by reversing the Twist of Fate into the RKO (Jeff Hardy: My Life My Rules)
John Cena won the 30-man Royal Rumble match at 51:30 by last eliminating Triple H; due to pre-match stipulations, Cena earned a world title match at WrestleMania 24; Michael Buffer was the guest ring announcer for the match; Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole, Jonathan Coachman, Joey Styles, & Tazz did commentary for the bout (Cena’s surprise return after a 3-month absence)
Order of entry: The Undertaker (0:00); Shawn Michaels (0:00); Santino Marella (1:39); the Great Khali (w/ Runjin Singh) (3:34); upon Khali’s appearance, the crowd chanted “You can’t wrestle;” WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Hardcore Holly (5:06); WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champion John Morrison (6:42); Tommy Dreamer (8:00); Dreamer received several chants of his name upon his appearance; Batista (9:36); Hornswoggle (36:49); Hornswoggle hid under the ring upon his entrance where he remained until much later; Chuck Palumbo (12:34); Jamie Noble, with his ribs taped (14:04); CM Punk (15:27); WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Cody Rhodes (17:00); Umaga (18:35); Snitsky (20:04); Mike Mizanin (21:32); Shelton Benjamin (22:49); Jimmy Snuka (24:17); Roddy Piper (25:59); Kane (26:53); Carlito Caribbean Cool (28:11); Mick Foley (29:28); Ken Kennedy (30:56); Big Daddy V (32:46) (not shown on camera); Mark Henry (34:13); ECW World Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. (35:47); Finlay (36:59); Finlay appeared before his number to save Hornswoggle from Henry & Big Daddy V, with Finlay laying out several men with the shillalagh before leading Hornswoggle backstage; Elijah Burke (38:47); Triple H (40:08); John Cena (43:02)
Order of elimination: Marella by Taker following Michaels’ superkick (2:05); Khali by Taker (4:43); Dreamer by Batista after fighting off a DDT attempt (10:10); Noble by Palumbo via a kick as Noble was on the apron (14:32); after the elimination, Noble was helped backstage by referees; Palumbo by Punk via a running knee to the head as Palumbo stood on the apron (16:34); Holly by Umaga via the thumb strike to the throat (18:52); Benjamin by Michaels via the superkick (23:07); Piper by Kane (27:00); Snuka by Kane (27:02); Snitsky by Taker via a clothesline (32:31); Taker by Michaels via the superkick (32:36); Michaels by Kennedy (32:42); after Taker’s elimination, Taker hit a legdrop onto Snitsky while he was laid atop the commentary table; Mizanin by Hornswoggle by pulling him down from the floor as Mizanin tried to keep himself on the top rope (34:39); Morrison by Kane via a boot to the face (36:06); Hornswoggle left ringside (38 minute mark); Finlay was disqualified for using a weapon (38 minute mark); Punk by Guerrero via a suplex (39:20); Rhodes by Triple H (40:16); Big Daddy V by Triple H following a kneelift (40:33); Foley & Burke by Triple H (40:58); Carlito by Cena (43:19); Guerrero by Cena (43:22); Henry by Cena (43:26); Kennedy by Batista via a clothesline (44:28); Umaga by Batista via a clothesline (44:41); Kane by Batista & Triple H (44:53); Batista by Triple H via a clothesline (47:18); Triple H by Cena via an FU to the floor

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Jan. 24, 1988: Rumble vs. Stampede

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

It was 24 years ago tonight that the WWF and NWA continued their big event rivalry by hosting a USA special vs. a live pay-per-view.

For the WWF, it was the TV debut of the Royal Rumble. An event that has stood the test of time.

For the NWA, it was the return of the New York market and the return to PPV after a disasterous Starrcade 87. And much like Starrcade 87, the Bunkhouse Stampede offered little. The production quality wasn’t there, the matches were forgettable. And the winner of the actual Bunkhouse Stampede was not only the booker but also the man who had won the same match the two previous years. And the fans weren’t buying it anymore.

Bunkhouse Stampede 88 – Long Island, NY – Nassau Coliseum – January 24, 1988 (6,000)
Sting & Jimmy Garvin (sub. for Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) defeated the Sheepherders via disqualification
Pay-per-view bouts – featured Jim Ross & Bob Caudle on commentary; included Tony Schiavone as the ring announcer:
NWA TV Champion Nikita Koloff fought NWA US Tag Team Champion Bobby Eaton (w/ Jim Cornette) to a 20-minute time-limit draw; Koloff hit the Russian Sickle just as the time limit expired; after the bout, Koloff attempted to go after an interfering Cornette until NWA US Tag Team Champion Stan Lane appeared, with Eaton & Lane double teaming Koloff with Cornette’s tennis racquet and knocking him to the floor
Larry Zbyzsko (w/ Baby Doll) pinned Western States Heritage Champion Barry Windham to win the title at 19:16 after hitting Windham with Baby Doll’s high heel after referee Dick Kroll had been knocked down
Road Warrior Hawk (w/ Paul Ellering) defeated NWA World Champion Ric Flair via disqualification at 22:40 when Flair hit the challenger with a steel chair; moments later, Hawk sent the bloody Flair to the floor
NWA US Champion Dusty Rhodes won a $500,000 8-man Bunkhouse Stampede by last eliminating the Barbarian at 26:20; other participants included: NWA Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (w/ JJ Dillon), Road Warrior Animal (w/ Paul Ellering), Lex Luger, Ivan Koloff, the Warlord, and the Barbarian (w/ Paul Jones); eliminations: Koloff by Animal via over the cage (16:39); Warlord by Animal via out the door (18:07); Animal by Barbarian via a boot to the head from behind, through the door (18:09); Luger, Anderson, and Blanchard were eliminated via out the door as Anderson & Blanchard attempted to eliminate Luger (22:37); Barbarian by Rhodes via two elbows to the head, over the cage; after the bout, Rhodes was presented with the oversized Bunkhouse Stampede boot for his win (3rd Annual Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup)

The WWF countered by debuting their new concept but also having another major draw in the Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant contract signing for their Feb. 5 title rematch. A match that would go on to be the most watched WWE match ever.

Royal Rumble 88 – Hamilton, Ontario – Copps Coliseum – January 24, 1988 (16,200; announced at 20,000; sell out)
Shown live on the USA Network (8.2); included Vince McMahon & Jesse Ventura on commentary; Gorilla Monsoon was to have been part of the commentary team but was sidelined after suffering a mild heart attack; featured Gene Okerlund conducting a podium interview with Ventura regarding his participation as the spotter for Dino Bravo’s weightlifting exhibition; moments later, Bravo and Frenchy Martin appeared, with Bravo doing repeated lifts as the crowd booed; Ventura protested to McMahon during the segment, alledging McMahon had something to do with the fans booing and trying to break Bravo’s concentration; just before Bravo attempted 715 lbs., a new world record, Bravo stormed off due to the booing but eventually returned; Bravo then lifted the weight but Ventura was clearly shown helping with the weight; included McMahon & Ventura reviewing footage from WrestleMania III in which Andre the Giant seemingly pinned WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan, followed by recent footage of Ted Dibiase claiming he would buy Hogan’s title, Hogan refusing, Andre attacking Hogan on Saturday Night’s Main Event and then saying he would get the WWF Title and give it to Dibiase; featured Okerlund hosting the in-ring contract signing between Hogan and Andre for their rematch Feb. 5 in Indianapolis, IN, televised live on NBC; Andre, who appeared with Dibiase and Virgil, had to be told repeatedly to join Hogan and WWF President Jack Tunney for the singing; before Hogan was able to sign the document, Dibiase berated Hogan, said he was signing his career away and that by Feb. 5 Dibiase would have the title and Hogan would be history; Andre then carefully inspected the contract before eventually signing, with Andre then standing up after being prompted by Dibiase and ramming Hogan’s face into the table, with the table flipping and landing on top of the champion; included Craig DeGeorge conducting a podium interview with Hogan regarding his upcoming title defense against Andre, with Hogan saying the only way Andre could beat him was if he beat all his Hulkamaniacs; the card was to have featured a Demolition vs. Killer Bees match but it was canceled:
Ricky Steamboat defeated Rick Rude via disqualification at 17:41 after Rude pulled referee Dave Hebner in the way of Steamboat’s crossbody off the top; Rude initially thought he won the match as he had Steamboat in the overhead backbreaker when Hebner came to and called for the bell and Rude’s music played until the official decision was announced; upon hearing the decision, Rude returned to the ring and berated Hebner in the corner
The Jumping Bomb Angels defeated WWF Women’s Tag Team Champions Leilani Kai & Judy Martin (w/ Jimmy Hart) in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls match at 13:56 to win the titles; fall #1: Lelani Kai scored the first fall at 6:11 with a move that started out as a powerbomb but turned into an over-the-head slam; fall #2: the Jumping Bomb Angels won the second fall at 8:05 by reversing a powerbomb into a sunset flip; fall #3: the challengers won the third fall following a double dropkick off the top rope onto Martin; a replay of the third fall showed Martin’s shoulder was up at 2 but Vince McMahon claimed her shoulderblade was still down (Best of the WWF Vol. 15, The Women of the WWF)
Jim Duggan won a 20-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating the One Man Gang at 33:26
Order of entry: Bret Hart (w/ Jimmy Hart) (00:00); WWF Tag Team Champion Tito Santana (00:00); Butch Reed (1:58); Jim Neidhart (3:46); Jake Roberts (5:18); King Harley Race (6:50); Jim Brunzell (8:15); Sam Houston (9:42); Danny Davis (11:15); Boris Zhukov (12:43); Don Muraco (14:52); Volkoff ran out with Muraco, before his official entrance, and was held back by referees at ringside until he was allowed in the match; Nikolai Volkoff (16:38); Jim Duggan (18:37); Ron Bass (19:42); B. Brian Blair (21:06); Hillbilly Jim (22:36); Dino Bravo (w/ Frenchy Martin) (24:05); the Ultimate Warrior (25:31); the One Man Gang (26:30); the Junkyard Dog (27:36)
Order of elimination: Reed by Roberts as Reed, Hart, and Neidhart attempted to eliminate Santana (5:22); Santana by Hart & Neidhart (10:40); Zhukov by Roberts & Brunzell (15:16); Race by Muraco (16:50); Brunzell by Volkoff (20:50); Neidhart by Hillbilly via a backdrop (22:50); Houston by Bass as he was on Bass’ shoulders (24:19); Hart by Muraco (25:40); Blair by OMG (26:56); Roberts by OMG (27:10); Volkoff by Duggan via a backdrop after ducking a punch (28:18); Hillbilly by OMG via a backdrop (28:31); Davis by Duggan via the running clothesline (29:06); Warrior by Bravo & OMG (29:22); JYD by Bass after JYD sustained an uppercut from OMG (29:44); Bass by Muraco (29:56); Muraco by OMG via a clothesline as Bravo held Muraco in place (31:07); Bravo by OMG with a clothesline after Duggan avoided the move (32:20); OMG by Duggan by pulling the top rope down as OMG attempted a charging clothesline (33:19)
The Islanders (w/ Bobby Heenan) defeated Jim Powers & Paul Roma in a Best 2 out of 3 falls match, 2-0, at 15:05; fall #1: Roma was counted out at 7:54 and appeared to sustain a legit injury after Haku caused him to fall to the floor, with Roma landing awkwardly; after the commercial break, Craig DeGeorge conducted a podium interview with Ted Dibiase, Virgil, and Andre the Giant regarding Andre’s upcoming match against WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan, with Andre claiming he was still undefeated and would take Hogan’s title; moments later, Powers & Roma returned ringside after Roma, his knee heavily taped, received medical treatment backstage; fall #2: Roma submitted to Haku’s half crab at 7:11 after Tama hit a splash off the top onto Roma’s injured knee

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Jan. 23, 1996: Vegas Clash

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

WCW sure tried hard in 1996, didn’t they?

Of course there was the nWo, but even before that. Case in point, look at this Clash from January. You’ve got the return of the Road Warriors, Woman, and Elizabeth, plus the debut of new talent from Mexico in Konnan and Psychosis.

Of course the main event was loaded with Hulkamania vs. anti-Hulkamania…

And then you’ve got Bobby Heenan’s epic “f” bomb on TBS.

Clash of the Champions XXXII – Las Vegas, NV – Caesar’s Palace – January 23, 1996 (3,100)
Lord Steven Regal defeated Chris Benoit
WCW US Champion the One Man Gang defeated Disco Inferno
Shown live on TBS – featured Tony Schiavone & Bobby Heenan on commentary; included Gene Okerlund at A Little White Chapel where Sister Sherri and Col. Rob Parker would get married later in the show; featured Eric Bischoff conducting an interview at the entrance stage with Ric Flair, the Giant, & Jimmy Hart regarding Flair’s world title loss the night before and Flair & Giant’s match later in the night against Hulk Hogan & WCW World Champion Randy Savage; included Okerlund at the chapel speaking with Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater about the upcoming wedding; featured Bischoff speaking with WCW Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger at the entrance stage about their title win the night before, with the Road Warriors interrupting and challenging Sting & Luger to a title shot; Sting initially accepted but Luger argued there were other teams in line and he didn’t want to be responsible for putting Road Warrior Animal back on the shelf (the Road Warriors’ surprise return after more than a 2-year absence); included a video package on Paul Orndorff – in a neckbrace – regarding the injury he sustained at the hands of the Four Horsemen; moments later, Orndorff’s inspirational leader, Gary Spivey, was shown in the crowd; featured Okerlund at the chapel, with Parker arriving in a car and saying he had lost all his cash at the tables; moments later, Parker spoke on the phone with his “fried pie;” included Bischoff conducting an interview at the entrance stage with Hogan, Savage, and Kevin Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers about the main event and their “secret weapon,” Elizabeth; featured Okerlund at the chapel with Harlem Heat, during which Sherri arrived and Parker admittd to her he had lost his money gambling; included Bischoff conducting an interview at the entrance stage with Brian Pillman; featured Okerlund at the chapel, with Okerlund walking Sherri down the aisle; as the two began to give their vows, Madusa appeared and fought with Sherri outside the chapel until the fight was broken up:
The Nasty Boys fought Public Enemy to a double disqualification at 4:00 when referee Nick Patrick called for the bell as the Nastys attempted to use a table brought into the ring by Public Enemy; prior to the bout, a Public Enemy vignette was shown; after the match, Johnny Grunge hit a moonsault off the top onto Brian Knobbs laid on top of a table; moments later, Jerry Saggs assaulted both Grunge and Rocco Rock in the aisle with the table
Dean Malenko pinned Alex Wright with a double leg pickup into a roll over at 5:29 after a dropkick to Wright’s injured left leg; prior to the bout, footage was shown of Malenko refusing to break the Texas Cloverleaf applied on Wright during WCW Saturday Night that weekend
Kevin Sullivan defeated Disco Inferno via forfeit when an Elvis impersonator appeared and said Disco was singing at Col. Rob Parker’s wedding; moments later, Sullivan assaulted the impersonator and threw him to the floor
Brian Pillman pinned Eddie Guerrero with a crossbody and grabbing the tights for leverage at 5:59; at around the 2-minute mark, Pillman grabbed Bobby Heenan by the jacket with Heenan then responding with “What the fuck are you doing?!?!;” Heenan then briefly left the commentary position, returned, and apologized for what he said (Brian Pillman: Loose Cannon)
WCW Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger defeated Lord Steven Regal & Bobby Eaton at 7:47 when Eaton submitted to Sting’s Scorpion Deathlock after bumping into the ropes, causing Eaton to fall off the top and collide with Regal
Mexican Heavyweight Champion Konnan defeated Psychosis via submission with a modified standing figure-4 at 5:26; Mike Tenay joined the commentary team for the bout (Psychosis’ debut; Konnan’s in-ring return after a 5-year absence)
Ric Flair & the Giant (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated Hulk Hogan & WCW World Champion Randy Savage (w/ Kevin Greene, Elizabeth, Woman, and several other women) when Flair pinned Savage at 9:52 after hitting him with a foreign object thrown in the ring by Hart; after the bout, Hogan and Greene cleared the ring of Brian Pillman and the Zodiac (Elizabeth’s debut)

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Jan. 22, 1995: Royal Disappointment

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

17 years ago today…

Certainly not one of my favorite Rumbles and Shawn Michaels lasting through the whole match is hardly impressive when you take into consideration #1 the talent involved and #2 the shortness of this Rumble bout.

Even still, there were a few contenders here that were immediately thrown out (because Bret Hart was getting his payback on the interference earlier in his match). Backlund and Owen immediately come to mind as two guys that could have helped carry this match had it been booked differently.

Royal Rumble 95 – Tampa, FL – Sundome – January 22, 1995
Buck Quartermaine defeated the Brooklyn Brawler
Pay-per-view bouts – featured Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler on commentary; included Lawrence Taylor sitting ringside for the show:
Jeff Jarrett (w/ the Roadie) pinned WWF IC Champion Razor Ramon to win the title at 20:54 with an inside cradle after the champion’s leg gave out as he attempted the Razor’s Edge; the challenger originally won the match via count-out at 11:45 after the Roadie clipped Razor’s injured leg on the floor; moments later, the challenger refused the win on a technicality, instead goading Razor to continue the match so he could win the title; the bout was restarted at 14:34 (History of the Intercontinental Championship)
The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) pinned IRS (w/ Ted Dibiase) at 12:20 with a chokeslam after avoiding a clothesline; mid-way through the bout, Dibiase brought two druids to ringside who interfered throughout the bout on behalf of IRS; after the bout, the druids attacked the Undertaker, which he quickly fought off before King Kong Bundy came to the ring; moments later, with Taker distracted by Bundy, IRS attacked Paul Bearer from behind and stole the urn; Bundy then assaulted Taker with a series of elbow drops and splashes
WWF World Champion Diesel fought Bret Hart to a draw at 27:26 when Bob Backlund, Shawn Michaels, Jeff Jarrett, the Roadie, and Owen Hart attacked both participants after the two wrestlers and the referee were knocked down; at 15:36, Shawn Michaels interfered and broke the champion’s cover on Hart after Diesel hit the powerbomb but referee Earl Hebner ordered for the match to continue; at 22:05, Owen Hart interfered as Bret had Diesel caught in the Sharpshooter, attacked his brother, and threw him sternum-first into an unprotected turnbuckle but once again the referee had the match continue; after the bout, referees and officials – including Jerry Brisco, Rene Goulet, Dave Hebner, and Pat Patterson – ordered the interfering wrestlers backstage but the heels all returned and were knocked to the floor by Diesel; moments later, both men shook hands and embraced out of respect (Greatest Wrestling Stars of the 90s)
WWF Tag Team Tournament Champonship Finals: Bob Holly & the 1-2-3 Kid defeated Bam Bam Bigelow & Tatanka (w/ Ted Dibiase) at 15:45 when the Kid pinned Bigelow after Tatanka ran the ropes and accidentally knocked his partner off the top as Bigelow attempted a moonsault; after the match, Dibiase and Tatanka left ringside as Bigelow was still knocked out; after Bigelow came to he had an altercation with Lawrence Taylor at ringside and ended up shoving LT to the floor because he thought Taylor was laughing at his loss
Shawn Michaels won the 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Davey Boy Smith at 38:43; due to pre-match stipulations, Michaels earned a WWF World Title match at WrestleMania XI; Pamela Anderson served as guest hostess for the match and sat ringside for the duration of the bout; after the match, Pamela briefly came into the ring and stood with Michaels
Order of entry: Shawn Michaels (00:00), Davey Boy Smith (00:00), Eli Blu (1:13), Duke Drose (2:06), Jimmy Del Ray (3:05), Sionne (4:13), Tom Prichard (5:07), Doink the Clown (6:11), Kwang, (7:04), Rick Martel (8:06), Owen Hart, as Owen made his way to the ring at 9:11, Bret Hart ran up behind him in the aisle and attacked his brother until officials could pull him away (10:05), Timothy Well (10:09), Bushwhacker Luke (11:12), Jacob Blu (12:05), King Kong Bundy (13:17), Mo (14:05), Mabel (15:18), Bushwhacker Butch (16:13), Lex Luger (17:08), Mantaur (18:08), Aldo Montoya (19:03), Henry Godwinn (20:04), Billy Gunn (21:02), Bart Gunn (22:06), Bob Backlund, at 23:23, as Backlund was about to step into the ring, Bret Hart ran ringside, pulled Backlund off the ring apron and assaulted him before referees could pull him away (24:10), Steven Dunn (24:08), Dick Murdoch (25:21), Adam Bomb (26:27), Fatu (27:19), & Crush (28:22)
Order of elimination: Del Ray by Smith via a clothesline (4:30), Owen by Smith via a backdrop (10:07), Drose by Michaels via a backdrop (10:18), Well by Smith (10:31), Martel by Sionne via a backdrop (10:35), Prichard by Michaels (10:38), Doink by Kwang via a side kick as Doink was on the ring apron (11:00), Kwang by Sionne via a boot to the face (11:04), Eli & Sionne were eliminated via an Eli clothesline over the top (11:09), Luke by Michaels (11:24), Jacob by Michaels via a backdrop (12:22), Mo by Bundy via a backdrop (14:09), Bundy by Mabel (16:18), Butch by Michaels (16:32), Mabel by Luger (17:16), Backlund by Luger via a clothesline to the back of the head (24:25), after Backlund’s elimination, Bret Hart again returned ringside and the two were escorted backstage by officials, Mantaur by Luger (27:40), Billy & Bart Gunn by Crush & Murdoch (28:26, 28:27), Dunn by Montoya via a backdrop (28:37), Bomb by Crush via a backdrop as Bomb attempted a clothesline (31:48), Montoya by Michaels (32:25), Fatu by Crush (32:53), Murdoch eliminated himself as he attempted to airplane spin Godwinn out of the ring, with Godwinn holding onto the ropes and avoiding elimination (33:31), Godwinn by Luger via a backdrop (34:45), Luger by Michaels as Luger was on the middle turnbuckle punching away at Crush (36:00), Crush by Smith via a clothesline after Michaels ducked the clothesline (37:15), Smith by Michaels with a blow to the back as Smith stood on the middle turnbuckle, celebrating his apparent win; Smith’s music began at 38:25 when all assumed Michaels had been eliminated via a clothesline, however, only one of Michaels’ feet touched the floor (Shawn Michaels: Heartbreak & Triumph)

 

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Jan. 21, 1992: The Body Arrives in WCW

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

20 years ago today –

#1: Ric Flair is the new WWF World Champion, coming off the Royal Rumble just two days earlier. Kinda strange to see the longtime face of NWA/WCW now at the helm of the WWF.

#2: This is a real transition period for WCW. 1991 was – by and large – godawful. 1992 would see a brief rebound before the company would continue to drop.

A few things to mention here:

  • Jesse Ventura’s WCW debut
  • Kevin Nash’s forgettable debut as Vinnie Vegas.
  • Sting vs. Luger coming up at SuperBrawl. Luger wasn’t on TV much around this time. The default top heel role had gone to Rick Rude.
  • The WCW tag belts changed hands within a week of this show at a house show.
Clash of the Champions XVIII – Topeka, KS – Expocenter – January 21, 1992 (5,500)
Two kids could get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket
Todd Champion & Firebreaker Chip defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker & Bob Cook
Shown live on TBS – featured Jim Ross & Tony Schiavone on commentary; included opening comments by Eric Bischoff & Missy Hyatt regarding the night’s card; featured a video package on WCW Light Heavyweight Champion Jushin Liger with footage of his Christmas Day bout at the Omni against Brian Pillman and his Tokyo Dome appearance earlier in the month; included Bischoff speaking with Brian Pillman and Johnny B. Badd regarding which of them would get the opportunity to face Liger for the title at SuperBrawl II; after Badd put a sticker of a pair of lips on Pillman’s face, Pillman responded by punching Badd in the face; featured the Weekly Top 10 rankings: 10) Larry Zbyzsko, 9) El Gigante, 8) Big Van Vader, 7) Dustin Rhodes, 6) Cactus Jack, 5) Rick Steiner, 4) Ricky Steamboat, 3) Steve Austin, 2) Sting, and 1) Rick Rude; included Schiavone introducing WCW’s new Executive Vice President K. Allen Frey; Frey then introduced Jesse Ventura as WCW’s latest broadcaster; after Ventura commented on his commentary duties at SuperBrawl II, Schiavone announced that Sting would face WCW World Champion Lex Luger in SuperBrawl II’s main event; after Sting appeared, a pre-taped promo from Luger aired with Sting then singing the contract to make the bout official; featured Bischoff introducing a video package on Rick & Scott Steiner – showing their victories over the Road Warriors, the Samoan Swat Team, the Nasty Boys, the Great Muta & Mr. Saito, Hiroshi Hase & Kensuki Sasaki, Hase & Masahiro Chono and Rick’s recent singles run; Bischoff then conducted an interview with the Steiners in which they cut a promo on WCW Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton; included Bischoff conducting an interview with Paul E. Dangerously regarding the 6-man tag team match and main event tag team match featuring men from the Dangerous Alliance, with Dangerously saying one of the Alliance’s five opponents for the night would never wrestle again; featured Schiavone conducting a backstage interview with Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes, & Ron Simmons regarding their win, with Windham cutting a promo on getting revenge on Larry Zbyzsko:
Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Big Van Vader & Mr. Hughes (w/ Harley Race) at 9:03 when Rick pinned Hughes with the bulldog off the top after knocking Race off the apron; during the bout, it was announced the Steiners would face two members of the Dangerous Alliance the coming weekend on WCW Saturday Night
Brian Pillman & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Terrence Taylor & Tracey Smothers at 7:48 when Bagwell pinned Smothers with a sunset flip after Pillman dropkicked Taylor out of the ring
Johnny B. Badd pinned Richard Morton at 3:21 when the momentum of a crossbody by Morton put Badd on top for the win
PN News pinned Diamond Dallas Page with a belly to belly suplex and splash off the top at 3:27
Cactus Jack pinned Van Hammer in falls count anywhere match at around the 10-minute mark after Abdullah the Butcher, dressed as a cowboy, accidentally hit Hammer with a shovel as Cactus and Hammer brawled outside the arena and into an animal stall; after the bout, Cactus and Abdullah brawled until Abdullah grabbed Missy Hyatt – who was covering the fight with a camera crew – and dunked her in a horse trough
Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin defeated Brad Armstrong & Big Josh at 3:49 when Hayes pinned Armstrong after Hayes & Garvin hit a double DDT behind the referee’s back; prior to the bout, Hayes & Garvin – wearing headsets – went into the crowd singing their new theme song; clips of the song’s music video were spliced into their entrance (debut of the Freebirds’ new look and music)
Vinnie Vegas pinned Thomas Rich at the 57-second mark with the Snake Eyes (Vegas’ debut)
Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes & Ron Simmons defeated Larry Zbyszko, WCW World Tag Team Champions Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton (w/ Paul E. Dangerously) at 9:27 when Windham pinned Eaton after hitting him with his heavily taped hand cast as Eaton came off the top
Sting & Ricky Steamboat defeated WCW US Champion Rick Rude & WCW TV Champion Steve Austin (w/ Paul E. Dangerously) at 11:22 when both men pinned Austin after Sting hit a crossbody off the top as Austin held Steamboat in the air; Jesse Ventura joined Jim Ross on commentary for the bout; after the match, Rude twice dropped Steamboat with the Rude Awakening before whipping him with Dangerously’s belt; Rude & Austin continued to attack their opponents while also fighting off security guards attempting to make the save

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Jan. 20, 2002: Hotlanta Rumble

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

10 years ago today saw Triple H’s victorious return to pay-per-view by winning the Royal Rumble in Atlanta.

I happened to re-watch this match just a few days ago and it does hold up pretty well. You’ve got the early segments with Taker-Hardyz & Lita-Maven. You’ve got Austin vs. HHH, with a comedic intervention by the Hurricane. About the only downer is the sudden depush of Rob Van Dam. RVD was one of the hottest names in the company at this point and had come off a super hot 2001. Here, he gets in a few moves, plays dead to the Pedigree, and promptly gets tossed. At the following month’s pay-per-view, he would face the returning Goldust. The main eventing days were about over for RVD.

This Rumble is also known for the enormous number of returning stars. You’ve got the promoted Goldust, Godfather, Mr. Perfect, and Val Venis. But the Hardys returned from their month-long absence as well.

Oh, and check out who’s managing the Dudley Boyz here. I’d say she’s traded up since then…

Royal Rumble 02 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena – January 20, 2002 (announced at 16,106; 12,915; sell out)

Pay-per-view bouts – included Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler on commentary; featured Lilian Garcia conducting a backstage interview with WWF IC Champion Edge regarding his upcoming title defense against William Regal, with Edge taking a steel chair and saying he could play dirty too if that’s how Regal wants to do it; included footage from earlier in the night of Jonathan Coachman attempting to interview Ric Flair, alongside his son and daughter, Reid and Megan, about his upcoming match with Vince McMahon; featured Michael Cole conducting a backstage interview with Nick Patrick in which he asked whether Patrick had seen the footage of how Regal won the IC title; moments later, Stephanie McMahon walked in and took over the interview, saying the beating Ric Flair gave Vince McMahon would not compare to what Triple H would do to the other 29 men in the Royal Rumble match; as Stephanie began insulting Debra, Austin’s wife, Austin walked up behind her and repeatedly asked “What?” until Stephanie ran away; Cole then attempted to interview Austin about the Rumble, with Austin saying he would throw out Triple H, Kurt Angle, and the Undertaker to win it; included a “Don’t try this at home” PSA; featured Ross & Lawler speaking with Shawn Michaels, from WWF New York, about the show thus far and who he thinks will win the Rumble match, with Michaels siding with Austin or Taker:
WWF Tag Team Champions Tazz & Spike Dudley defeated the Dudley Boyz (w/ Stacy Keibler) at 5:06 when D-Von submitted to Tazz’ Tazzmission after running into the corner, moments after blocking Spike’s Dudley Dog and throwing Spike to the floor; Spike wore a neck brace to the ring until it was ripped off mid-way through the match
William Regal pinned WWF IC Champion Edge to win the title at 9:45 after hitting the champion in the face with brass knuckles moments after Edge accidentally speared both referee Nick Patrick and the challenger; prior to the bout, Patrick found brass knux in Regal’s tights and confiscated them but Regal had a second pair Patrick didn’t find; after the bout, Edge was attended to by referees as Michael Cole interviewed Regal in the aisle regarding the match
WWF Women’s Champion Trish Stratus pinned Jazz at 3:44 with a bulldog after kicking the challenger in the face as she ran into the corner; prior to the match, Jackie was introduced as the surprise guest referee; late in the match, Trish hit the Stratusfaction but the challenger kicked out at 2
Ric Flair defeated Vince McMahon in a streetfight at 14:54 via submission with the figure-4 after hitting McMahon over the head with a lead pipe; Flair’s children Reid and Megan were shown at ringside during the match; early in the bout, Vince stole Megan’s camera to take a photo of a bloody Flair, with Flair later holding a bloody Vince and biting his head while Megan took a photo (Mr. McMahon)
WWF World Champion Chris Jericho pinned the Rock at 18:50 with both feet on the ropes for leverage after hitting a low blow and ramming the challenger’s head into an exposed turnbuckle; Jericho tapped out to the Rock’s Sharpshooter at the 10-minute mark but referee Earl Hebner was distracted by Lance Storm and Christian at ringside, who were then laid out by the challenger; during the closing moments of the match, referee Nick Patrick came down after Hebner had been knocked out but then refused to count the challenger’s cover, with Rock then hitting Patrick with the Rock Bottom (The Rock: The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment)
Triple H won the 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Kurt Angle at 1:09:19; due to pre-match stipulations, Triple H earned a World Title shot at WrestleMania X-8
Order of entry: Rikishi (00:00); Goldust (00:00) (Goldust’s return after a 3-year absence); the Big Bossman (2:19); Bradshaw (4:13); Lance Storm (6:16); Al Snow (8:14); Billy Gunn (10:09); WWF Hardcore Champion the Undertaker (12:37); Matt Hardy (w/ Lita) (14:36); Jeff Hardy (16:52) (the surprise return of the Hardyz & Lita after a month absence); Maven (19:36); Scotty 2 Hotty (25:52) (Scotty was introduced before Christian but was attacked in the aisle by the Undertaker before entering the ring); WWF European Champion Christian (25:22); Diamond Dallas Page (26:55); Chuck Palumbo (28:55); the Godfather, escorted by 12 hos (32:54) (the Godfather’s return after a 6-month absence); Albert (33:12); Perry Saturn (35:09); Steve Austin (37:25); Val Venis (40:11) (Venis’ return after an 8-month absence); Test (41:37); Triple H (46:10); the Hurricane (47:26); Farooq (49:01); Mr. Perfect (51:45) (Perfect’s return after a 5-year absence; his first match back in over 8 years); Kurt Angle (53:13); the Big Show (55:20); Kane (57:19); Rob Van Dam (59:25); Booker T (1:01:29)
Order of elimination: Bossman by Rikishi via a side kick and clothesline (5:25); Storm by Snow via a superkick as both men stood on the apron (11:03); Bradshaw by Gunn as Bradshaw attempted to eliminate Goldust (11:31); Goldust by the Undertaker via a chokeslam over the top to the floor (13:01); Rikishi by the Undertaker via a clothesline (13:39); Gunn by the Undertaker (13:46); Jeff Hardy by the Undertaker by catching Jeff as he leapt off Matt’s shoulders and tossing him to the floor (18:22); Matt Hardy by the Undertaker following the powerbomb (18:53); the Undertaker by Maven via a dropkick from behind after Taker again cleared the Hardyz from the ring; after his elimination, Taker brutalized Maven in and around ringside before beating him into the crowd, up the stairs, and to a popcorn vendor where he smashed Maven’s head through the popcorn machine; Scotty by DDP after Scotty hit the Worm on Christian (28:28); DDP by Christian via a backdrop after Palumbo avoided the Diamond Cutter and shoved Page into Christian (not shown live; around 32:12); Albert by Christian & Palumbo as Albert attempted to eliminate the Godfather (34:00); the Godfather by Christian & Palumbo via a double clothesline after missing a double Ho Train in the corner (34:42); Christian by Austin (37:44); Palumbo by Austin (37:58); Saturn by Austin following the Stunner (38:04); moments later, Austin dragged Christian back inside the ring, hit the Stunner on him, threw him back out and then did the same to Palumbo; Venis by Austin (43:07); Test by Austin following the Stunner (43:19); the Hurricane by Austin & Triple H (48:05); Farooq by Triple H via a clothesline after Austin hit the Stunner (49:36); Big Show by Kane via a bodyslam to the floor (58:19); Kane by Angle via an Olympic Slam over the top after Austin hit the Stunner (58:34); RVD by Booker after Triple H hit the Pedigree (1:01:39); Booker by Austin via the Stunner (1:02:03); Austin by Angle as Austin attempted to eliminate Perfect (1:04:10); after his elimination, Austin hit Perfect, Angle, and Triple H with a steel chair before leaving ringside; Perfect by Triple H via a clothesline after Perfect hit the Perfect Plex and neck ringer on Angle (1:07:04); Angle by Triple H via a facebuster and clothesline after Angle thought he had won the match (Triple H: The King of Kings, from Triple H’s entrance on)

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Jan. 19, 1992: The 60-Minute Man

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Graham Cawthon

Arguably the greatest Royal Rumble match of all time took place on this date 20 years ago, headlined by the 30-man Rumble to determine the new WWF World Champion.

And of course Ric Flair walked away with the belt in a 60-minute performance that made the pretender to the throne into the rightful king.

Royal Rumble 92 – Albany, NY – Knickerbocker Arena – January 19, 1992 (matinee) (17,000)
Chris Walker defeated the Brooklyn Brawler via reverse decision; the Brawler originally won the match with his feet on the ropes but WWF President Jack Tunney came out and reversed the call
Pay-per-view bouts – included Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan on commentary; featured a backstage segment in which Lord Alfred Hayes discussed the Mountie’s IC title win two days earlier in Springfield, MA over Bret Hart; Hayes then introduced footage from the match and the aftermath in which the Mountie continued to attack Hart until Roddy Piper appeared; after Piper turned his back, the Mountie came back in the ring and hit Piper over the back with the title belt; moments later, Piper knocked the Mountie from the ring; included Sean Mooney conducting a backstage interview with WWF IC Champion the Mountie & Jimmy Hart regarding the Mountie’s win over Piper and his upcoming match with Piper; featured Gene Okerlund conducting a backstage interview with Piper regarding his upcoming match with the Mountie, during which he made mention of being able to win two titles the same night; included Okerlund conducting a backstage interview with the Bushwhackers & Jamison regarding the Bushwhackers’ upcoming match against the Beverly Brothers; featured Okerlund conducting a backstage interview with WWF Tag Team Champions the Legion of Doom regarding their upcoming match against the Natural Disasters; included Mooney conducting a backstage interview with the Natural Disasters & Hart, protesting the decision in their match and arguing they were the new champions; featured Okerlund conducting a backstage interview with Piper over his IC title win and upcoming participation in the Royal Rumble, during which Piper dedicated the match to his son Colt; included Mooney backstage discussing the Rumble match, during which the Barbarian walked by and shrugged him off, before Mooney interviewed Shawn Michaels about his upcoming participation in the Rumble and recent attack on Marty Jannetty; footage from the Barber Shop incident then aired, with Michaels then cutting a promo on Jannetty and being in the Rumble match; featured comments from Randy Savage, Sid Justice, Repo Man, Davey Boy Smith, Jake Roberts, Ric Flair & Mr. Perfect, the Undertaker & Paul Bearer, and Hulk Hogan regarding their participation in the Royal Rumble; a young Spike Dudley was in attendance for the event:
Owen Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated the Orient Express (w/ Mr. Fuji) at 17:17 when Owen pinned Tanaka with the Rocket Launcher
Roddy Piper (sub. for Bret Hart) defeated WWF IC Champion the Mountie (w/ Jimmy Hart) to win the title at 5:20 with a sleeper after the champion collided with Hart on the apron (Crunch Classic, Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story)
The Beverly Brothers (w/ the Genius) defeated the Bushwhackers (w/ Jamison) when Beau pinned Luke with a double axe handle off the top at 14:56; after the bout, the Bushwhackers cleared their opponents from the ring, knocked the Genius into the ring, and held him so Jamison could kick him in the shin and then kick him out of the ring; moments later, Jamison marched in the ring with the Bushwhackers while wearing the Genius’ hat
The Natural Disasters (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Legion of Doom via count-out at 9:22 when Typhoon got back into the ring after both teams began brawling at ringside; after the bout, the Disasters & Hart posed with the title belts until the champions knocked them to the floor after repeatedly hitting them with a steel chair (Best of the WWF: Tag Team Champions)
Ric Flair won the 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating Sid Justice at 1:02:02; due to pre-match stipulations, Flair won the vacant WWF World Title; prior to the bout, WWF President Jack Tunney addressed the crowd, saying may the best man win
Order of entry: Davey Boy Smith (00:00); Ted Dibiase (escorted by Sensational Sherri) (00:00); Ric Flair (escorted by Mr. Perfect) (2:31); Jerry Sags (escorted by Jimmy Hart) (4:21); Haku (6:08); Shawn Michaels (8:19); Tito Santana (10:10); the Barbarian (12:17); Kerry Von Erich (14:26); Repo Man (16:32); Greg Valentine (18:16); Nikolai Volkoff (20:23); the Big Bossman (22:15); Hercules (24:21); WWF IC Champion Roddy Piper (26:31); Jake Roberts (28:34); Jim Duggan (30:40); IRS (32:47); Jimmy Snuka (34:44); the Undertaker (escorted by Paul Bearer) (37:06); Randy Savage (38:35); the Berzerker (42:06); Virgil (43:58); Col. Mustafa (escorted by Gen. Adnan) (46:12); Rick Martel (47:59); Hulk Hogan (50:01); Skinner (52:04); Sgt. Slaughter (54:19); Sid Justice (56:07); the Warlord (escorted by Harvey Wippleman) (58:31)
Order of elimination: Dibiase by Davey Boy via a clothesline (1:19); Saggs by Davey Boy via a dropkick after Sags was knocked over the top rope to the apron (5:25); Haku by Davey Boy (7:59); Volkoff by Repo (21:27); Valentine by Repo (22:30); Repo by Bossman (22:58); Davey Boy by Flair (23:37); Von Erich by Flair (23:47); Santana & Michaels eliminated each other at the same time (24:07); Barbarian by Hercules while Barbarian was trying to eliminate Flair (25:14); Hercules by Bossman via a clothesline (25:17); Bossman when Flair moved out of the way of a running tackle (25:53); Snuka by Undertaker (37:13); Roberts by Savage with a running knee to the back (39:30); after the elimination, Savage jumped over the top to further attack Roberts but Savage was not himself eliminated because he was not thrown over the top by an opponent; Mustafa by Savage (48:48); Undertaker by Hogan via a clothesline (50:58); Berzerker by Hogan via a backdrop (51:06); Virgil & Duggan eliminated each other at the same time (51:27); Skinner by Martel (54:18); Slaughter by Justice after been sent charging into the corner and over the top (58:56); IRS by Piper while Piper was down on the apron and pulled him over using IRS’s tie (59:50), Warlord by Justice & Hogan (1:00:13); Piper & Martel by Justice as they were trying to eliminate each other (1:00:38); Savage when Flair hit a running kneelift to Justice who was attempting to eliminate Savage (1:01:02); Hogan by Justice as Hogan was trying to eliminate Flair (1:01:32); Justice by Flair while Hogan was pulling Sid from the outside; after the match, Bobby Heenan left the broadcast booth to join Flair backstage before Hogan and Justice faced off inside the ring, with officials having to separate them; Hogan was booed by some in the crowd and there were chants of “Sid” during the segment; moments later, Gene Okerlund conducted a backstage interview with Flair, Perfect, and Heenan, during which Tunney presented Flair the title belt; Flair then cut a promo saying the WWF Title was the only belt in wrestling that made you number 1 (The Ultimate Ric Flair Collection, Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan)

 

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