The big push here are all the main matches heading into WrestleMania 22 — Angle vs. Rey vs. Orton, Cena vs. Triple H, and the Money in the Bank ladder match.
WWE (Raw) @ Chattanooga, TN – McKenzie Arena – March 4, 2006 (4,564) Featured Matt Striker conducting an in-ring interview with Ricky Steamboat in which Steamboat eventually cleared him from the ring after being insulted
Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch defeated Val Venis & Viscera when Cade pinned Viscera while Murdoch held Viscera’s feet down during the cover
Chavo Guerrero Jr. pinned Tyson Tomko with the frog splash
WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus & Mickie James defeated Candice Michelle & Victoria in a bra & panties match when Trish stripped Candice
WWE Raw Tag Team Champions the Big Show & Kane defeated the Spirit Squad in a handicap match
WWE IC Champion Shelton Benjamin pinned Rob Van Dam with his feet on the ropes for leverage after the momentum of a crossbody off the top put the champion on top; after the bout, RVD hit the Five Star Frog Splash on the champion
Shawn Michaels & Ric Flair defeated Carlito Caribbean Cool & Chris Masters when Michaels pinned Masters with the superkick after avoiding the full nelson
WWE World Champion John Cena pinned Edge with the FU after Lita’s interference backfired
WWE (Smackdown!) @ Wellington, New Zealand – Westpac Stadium – March 4, 2006 (19,000)
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms defeated Jamie Noble and Kid Kash following the Shining Wizard
Sho Funaki pinned Sylvan
WWE Smackdown! Tag Team Champions Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury defeated Paul London & Brian Kendrick following the Snapshot as Melina distracted the referee
Road Warrior Animal pinned Matt Hardy by grabbing the ropes for leverage after clipping Hardy in the knee
Bobby Lashley pinned Finlay with the Dominator
The Boogeyman pinned Orlando Jordan with a double choke into a sit-down powerbomb; prior to the bout, the Boogeyman interrupted an in-ring promo by John Bradshaw Layfield, with Jillian Hall, with Orlando then coming out and attacking the Boogeyman
WWE US Champion Chris Benoit defeated Booker T via submission with the Crippler Crossface
Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned Randy Orton with the 619 and springboard legdrop
The Undertaker defeated World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle and Mark Henry via disqualification when Henry hit Taker with a steel chair as he had Angle set up for the tombstone
Here’s a big one from 94 — the Flair / Vader rematch, this time in Thundercage. It was a pretty big deal at the time, since we were coming off Starrcade where Flair walked in as the (kayfabe) underdog and took the strap. Now he’s locked in a cage with Vader, who was known for sidelining guys.
This is also being held in Albany, GA, which was the site where Vader won his first WCW World Title by beating Sting at Great American Bash 92.
The show itself is a bit of a disappointment. You’ve got a handful of bouts on here that shouldn’t be eating PPV time (Badd/Garvin, Heat/T&L, DDP/Taylor). Pillman gets his “blowoff” pinfall over Austin, Rhodes is treading water before Col. Parker brings in Buckhouse Buck, and we get the beginnings of Sting vs. Rude 2. The tag team title match at least made Cactus & Maxx contenders for a rematch (a much more fun one at that). Regal vs. Arn was OK but for all the effort they put into it, I don’t know how well it was received and it didn’t appear to do much for either guy. The main event itself turns into a farce as a biased Ray Traylor calls for the bell as Vader is caught in the figure-4 (apparently Hebner took notes from this match for Montreal).
It really seems like the company is just in a holding pattern waiting for Hulk Hogan to show up. Thankfully, both Spring Stampede and Slamboree would be a step up from this show.
Another odd thing about this show: it was never released on VHS in the states. Yet every other PPV from Fall Brawl 93 to Slamboree 94 ended up on store shelves at every movie store I can remember as a kid. Don’t know what the deal was here.
SuperBrawl IV – Albany, GA – Civic Center – February 20, 1994 (7,600; 4,217 paid; more than 1,000 tickets were given away to fans who turned in a handgun)
2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker & Lt. James Earl Wright Pay-per-view bouts – featured Tony Schiavone & Bobby Heenan on commentary; it was announced at the beginning of the broadcast that Johnny B. Badd would face Michael Hayes in an unscheduled match following Hayes turning on Badd the previous day on WCW Worldwide during a tag match against Harlem Heat; moments later, Badd came out for the match, with an “injured” Hayes being brought out in a wheelchair by Jimmy Garvin; Gene Okerlund and WCW Commissioner Nick Bockwinkel then came out on the ramp, with Hayes telling them he was unable to wrestle; Bockwinkel then said there was still a WCW contract for the Freebirds and Garvin, even though retired, would have to take Hayes’ spot in the match later in the show or they would both be fined and suspended indefinately; included Okerlund backstage showing the heavy security backstage between the lockerrooms of WCW World Champion Ric Flair and Vader; featured Okerlund speaking with Ricky Steamboat and Bockwinkel in which it was announced Steamboat would get a title match against the winner of the Flair / Vader match; included Okerlund speaking with WCW’s German commentator Olivier Muffler; featured the announcement the next pay-per-view, Spring Stampede, would take place in Chicago on April 17; included Okerlund trying to speak with Vader & Harley Race in their lockerroom but Vader scared him off; featured Okerlund speaking backstage with Flair, Steamboat, and Arn Anderson, with Okerlund saying Hulk Hogan was watching the show with great interest; Flair said if he and Hogan ever met it would be the biggest match of all time but he would first have to go through Vader and then the challenge of Steamboat:
Harlem Heat defeated Thunder & Lightning at 9:46 when Kole pinned Lightning after Kane kicked Lightning in the ear behind the referee’s back as he had Kane rolled up; during the match, WCW World Champion Ric Flair was shown meeting with Arn Anderson and Ricky Steamboat in his lockerroom
Jim Steele pinned the Equalizer with the Thesz Press at 6:30; during the match, Heenan said even Hulk Hogan had been asked about the Flair / Vader match, to show how important it was
Terry Taylor pinned Diamond Dallas Page at 11:46 after avoiding a charge into the corner
Johnny B. Badd pinned Jimmy Garvin (sub. for Michael Hayes) (w/ Michael Hayes in a wheelchair) at 10:47 with the sunset flip off the top; after the bout, Garvin hit Badd with Hayes’ boot and dropped him with the “911″ jawbreaker (Stunner)
WCW TV Champion Lord Steven Regal (w/ Sir William) pinned Arn Anderson at 27:32 by blocking a sunset flip into the ring and grabbing Sir William’s umbrella from the outside for leverage; the match was given a 30-minute time limit rather than the usual 15-minute but the match ended as Gary Michael Cappetta said there was 6 seconds remaining in the contest
Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne defeated WCW Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys via disqualification at 12:26 when Saggs twice smashed a guitar over Payne’s head as Payne had the Pain Killer applied on Knobbs; the champions brought the guitar to the ring before the match (the Nastys’ first appearance without Missy Hyatt)
Sting, Dustin Rhodes, & Brian Pillman defeated WCW International World Champion Rick Rude, WCW US Champion Steve Austin (w/ Col. Rob Parker), & Paul Orndorff in a Thundercage match at 14:37 when Pillman pinned Austin after being press slammed onto Austin by Sting; after the bout, Rude slammed the cage door into Sting’s face and dropped him with the Rude Awakening on the floor (Brian Pillman: Loose Cannon)
WCW World Champion Ric Flair defeated Vader (w/ Harley Race) in a Thundercage match at 11:30 when guest referee the Boss stopped the match as Flair had Vader in the figure-4, but he never asked Vader if he wanted to submit; the Boss was attacked from behind and handcuffed to the cage by Vader at the 7:30 mark, who then used the Boss’ nightstick on the champion; several minutes later, Arn Anderson and later Ricky Steamboat attempted to break into the cage to help Flair but couldn’t; the Boss then broke free of the handcuffs and assaulted both Vader and an interfering Race before awarding the match to Flair; after the contest, a furious Vader confronted Heenan at the commentary table, saying he never gave up and wanted Nick Bockwinkel to do something about it
On the eve of our 10 year anniversary celebration, I want to give a huge thank you to all those who have helped make The History of WWE what it is today. Never would have thought 10 years ago – a time before social media – that the website would have a following like this, be so well respected, and have amassed such a wealth of information. We’ve received acknowledgement in WWE publications, our clippings have been featured on WWE DVDs, and we’ve become the go-to source for wrestling’s in-ring history. I’ve met so many great friends along the way and absolutely none of this would have been accomplished without your tireless help and dedication. So again, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now … anyone up for another 10 years? — Graham
Got an episode of WCW Saturday Night to talk about today. We’re a week away from SuperBrawl and obviously all the major matches are being pushed — Sting/Vader, Windham/Muta, Cactus/Orndorff, etc.
But this is also during the BRIEF partnership between Jim Cornette and WCW, which saw him bring the feud between the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express and Heavenly Bodies from Smoky Mountain to Atlanta. The partnership would end at SuperBrawl, after Bill Watts was out of power and Eric Bischoff essentially took over.
Speaking of SMW — stay tuned this weekend as The History of WWE expands to cover SMW, TNA, and ROH! (tell a friend)
WCW Saturday Night – 2/13/93 – 1-hour episode; featured Jim Ross & Larry Zbyszko on commentary; included Tony Schiavone conducting a backstage interview with Barry Windham & Paul Orndorff regarding their match later in the night against WCW US Champion Dustin Rhodes & his mystery partner; featured Schiavone conducting a backstage interview with Rhodes, beside his mystery partner who had his face covered; included Ross speaking with Gordon Solie about the incident the previous week with Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson, Jim Cornette, Bobby Eaton, Tom Prichard & Stan Lane, the impromptu match that followed, and the fact Bob Armstrong – the commissioner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling – would make an announcement regarding the situation the following night on The Main Event; featured a SuperBrawl III Control Center hosted by Eric Bischoff in which it was announced Erik Watts & Marcus Alexander Bagwell would face Steve Austin & Brian Pillman and 2 Cold Scorpio would face Chris Benoit; included Ross conducting an interview with the Wrecking Crew regarding their match the following week against Tom Zenk & Johnny Gunn; featured the announcement 2 Cold Scorpio would face Paul Orndorff the following night on The Main Event in the WCW TV Title tournament; included a clip of Pillman attacking WCW/NWA Tag Team Champion Shane Douglas the previous week at the Omni:
WCW/NWA Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas defeated Fred Avery & Joe Cruz at 1:36 when Steamboat pinned Cruz with the crossbody off the top
Rick Thames defeated WCW World Champion Big Van Vader (w/ Harley Race) via reverse decision; Vader originally won the match with the powerbomb at 1:09 but referee Nick Patrick changed the call after Race smeared paint on Thames’ face, with Vader then whipping Thames with a leather strap; moments later, two other referees came out to tend to Thames as Vader & Race left the ring
Marcus Alexander Bagwell defeated Steve Austin in a 10-minute time-limit challenge at 10:04; prior to the bout, Jim Ross conducted an interview with Austin & Brian Pillman regarding WCW/NWA Tag Team Champions Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas and Pillman’s recent loss to Bagwell on Worldwide, during which Pillman guaranteed Austin would beat Bagwell in less than 10 minutes; Pillman provided guest commentary for the bout alongside Ross
Barry Windham & Paul Orndorff defeated WCW US Champion Dustin Rhodes & Cactus Jack (mystery partner) via disqualification at 10:42 when Cactus assaulted Orndorff with a shovel and cleared Windham from the ring
Tom Zenk & Johnny Gunn defeated Bob Cook & Ali Pasha at 2:00 when Gunn pinned Pasha with the Thesz Press; during the bout, it was announced WCW/NWA Tag Team Champion Ricky Steamboat would face Brian Pillman the next week in a lumberjack match
Take away the main event and this is actually a really fun show. You’ve got three solid tag teams — including the returning Road Warriors — in title bouts, you’ve got DDP-Badd Part 6 or 7 or 8 or 51, you’ve got the Nasty Boys vs. Public Enemy in PE’s first big WCW bout, the infamous “Bookerman,” and you’ve got Flair vs. Savage in a cage with a Liz heel turn.
But throw on that Hogan-Giant mess and it makes the overall show a C instead of a B+.
SuperBrawl VI – St. Petersburg, FL – Bayfront Center – February 11, 1996 (7,200) The Main Event – shown live – featured Eric Bischoff & Dusty Rhodes on commentary:
The Road Warriors defeated Dick Slater & Bunkhouse Buck
Hugh Morrus defeated Chris Kanyon
Big Bubba & VK Wallstreet defeated Sgt. Craig Pittman & Joey Maggs
Jim Duggan fought Loch Ness (w/ Kevin Sullivan & Jimmy Hart) to a no contest when Duggan began assaulting Sullivan with his 2×4 before the match began and before Loch Ness appeared; moments later, Loch Ness came out, dropped an elbow drop on Duggan, and fought off Sgt. Craig Pittman, the Barrio Brothers, Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker, and another enhancement wrestler by hitting elbow drops on them as well (Loch Ness’ surprise debut) Pay-per-view bouts – featured Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes, & Bobby Heenan on commentary; included Gene Okerlund interviewing Mexican and WCW US Champion Konnan regarding his rematch later in the night against the One Man Gang; featured Okerlund interviewing Harlem Heat backstage regarding their rematch against WCW Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger later in the night and a potential match against the Road Warriors; included Okerlund interviewing the Road Warriors backstage regarding their interference in the Sting & Luger / Heat match and their title shot later in the night; featured Okerlund interviewing the Giant & Jimmy Hart backstage regarding the steel cage match later in the night against Hulk Hogan; included Okerlund interviewing Ric Flair & Woman regarding Flair’s steel cage title shot against Randy Savage later in the night; featured Okerlund interviewing WCW World Champion Randy Savage & Elizabeth backstage regarding Savage’s defense against Flair; included Okerlund interviewing Hogan backstage regarding Elizabeth turning on Savage and his cage match against the Giant:
The Nasty Boys defeated Public Enemy at 7:50 when Brian Knobbs pinned Rocco Rock after hitting him with a piece of broken table after avoiding a Drive By off a prop souvineer stand near the entranceway (Allied Powers)
WCW TV Champion Johnny B. Badd (w/ Kimberly) pinned Diamond Dallas Page at 14:56 by reversing a tombstone attempt into a tombstone of his own; during the bout, WCW US Champion Konnan was seen speaking with the Spanish announce team of Pedro Morales and Miguel Alonzo; due to pre-match stipulations, Kimberly won DDP’s $6 million; after the bout, Badd handed Kimberly the oversized check for the $6 million
WCW Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger defeated Harlem Heat at 11:47 when Luger pinned Stevie Ray after the Road Warriors came out and Road Warrior Animal hit Stevie in the chest with a steel plate, with Luger falling on top for the win; pre-match stipulations stated the Road Warriors would face the champions later in the night; after the bout, Okerlund interviewed the champions at the entranceway on their victory
Mexican & WCW US Champion Konnan pinned the One Man Gang at 7:25 with a somersault splash onto a standing OMG after the challenger failed a top rope move; Steve Grissom of WCW Motorsports was shown in attendance during the match
Kevin Sullivan (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated Brian Pillman in an I Quit strap match at the 53-second mark when, before either man was tied to the strap, Pillman grabbed the mic and said “I respect you, bookerman” and walked out; moments later, Arn Anderson came out in a street clothes to continue the match for Pillman (the “bookerman” portion of Pillman’s comments was cut from the home video version)
Arn Anderson fought Kevin Sullivan to a no contest in an I Quit strap match at 3:30 when Jimmy Hart brought Ric Flair out who stopped the match and told the two men they had to work together to take out Hulk Hogan and WCW World Champion Randy Savage later in the night; moments later, Flair said he would take Savage’s title and wife before Anderson and Sullivan shook hands
The Road Warriors fought WCW Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger to a double count-out at 13:53 when all four men began fighting on the floor before brawling to the backstage area (The Life & Death of the Road Warriors)
Ric Flair (w/ Woman) pinned WCW World Champion Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth) in a steel cage match at 18:54 to win the title after Flair hit the champion in the face with Elizabeth’s shoe after she opened the door and gave it to Flair as the referee was distracted by Woman after she tried to throw powder in Savage’s face; prior to the bout, Flair cut a promo offering Elizabeth one last chance to kiss him before he sends Savage to the hospital; the bell rang at 14:57 following a nearfall from Savage; after the bout, Hulk Hogan came out, chased Elizabeth and Woman around the ring, scared Flair from the ring, and hit Arn Anderson with a steel chair; as Hogan, the referee, and trainer helped Savage backstage there was a small chant of “Hogan sucks”
Hulk Hogan defeated the Giant (w/ Jimmy Hart & Kevin Sullivan) in a steel cage match at 15:04 by escaping over the top of the cage after kicking the Giant off the top rope; there were chants of “Hogan sucks” during the bout; after the bout, Hogan single-handedly fought off the Giant, Sullivan, Meng, the Barbarian, Hugh Morrus, Zodiak, the One Man Gang, and Shark before Loch Ness came out to face Hogan and was held back by the other members of the Dungeon of Doom
Social media has blown up today noting the 9-year anniversary of the death of “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig.
I grew up as a wrestling fan a huge fan of Curt and his death, moreso than many, touched me. I especially didn’t like it when critics used his death to highlight the string of wrestlers dying young. But it’s a fact you can’t ignore.
So with that said, a few clips highlighting Hennig’s career
Taking a look at 1988 today. We’re days removed from the controversial NBC special in which Andre the Giant “beat” Hulk Hogan only to then sell the WWF World Title to Ted Dibiase. On paper, this appears to be a nothing house show with a star-studded main event. And … that’s accurate.
WWF @ New Haven, CT – Coliseum – February 9, 1988 (4,300)
Paul Roma pinned Steve Lombardi
WWF Women’s Champion Sensational Sherri pinned Rockin Robin
SD Jones pinned Sika
Brady Boone pinned Johnny V
Rick Rude pinned Koko B. Ware
Jacques & Raymond Rougeau defeated Conquistador #1 (Jose Luis Rivera) & Mario Mancini (sub. for Conquistador #2)
Dino Bravo pinned Hillbilly Jim
Randy Savage, WWF Tag Team Champions Rick Martel & Tito Santana defeated WWF IC Champion the Honkytonk Man, Bret Hart, & Jim Neidhart in a steel cage match
It’s not often I take a look back 30-40 years ago, simply because so much footage from more recent years is readily available. But this is a historic moment that, thankfully, was captured on film.
Pedro Morales had recently returned to the WWWF. He was there previously and wrestled preliminaries to mid-card. Here, he’s brought back in as the US champion and challenges the man who upset Bruno Sammartino several weeks prior, the new WWWF Heavyweight Champion Ivan Koloff.
Of course Koloff, as Stan Stasiak would be later, ended up being a transitional champion. Vince McMahon Sr. wasn’t high on having heel champions. He really wouldn’t even give it a chance until Superstar Billy Graham came along. But even Graham’s reign was to eventually put over the All American good guy Bob Backlund. Graham became so popular as a heel that there were more than a few rematches between he and Backlund where Graham was the crowd favorite.
WWWF @ New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden – February 8, 1971 Vincenti Pometti defeated Lee Wong at 13:34
Jack Evans defeated Jean DuBois at 10:15
Sky Low Low & Little Brutus defeated Little Joey & Frenchy Landau
Blackjack Mulligan defeated Tony Marino at 8:07
Gorilla Monsoon fought WWWF International Tag Team Champion Bepo Mongol to a double count-out at 4:13
The Canadian Wolfman battled Manuel Soto to a 20-minute draw
Bruno Sammartino (w/ Arnold Skaaland) defeated Geeto Mongol via submission with the backbreaker at 5:27
US Champion Pedro Morales pinned WWWF World Champion Ivan Koloff to win the title at 23:18 kicking off the top turnbuckle as Koloff had him in a waist lock, with both men falling backwards and having their shoulders down, but Morales lifting his at the count of 2 (History of the WWF Heavyweight Championship, The History of the WWE Heavyweight Championship)
This date 20 years ago very well may have been the last appearance of the Legion of Doom in the WWF. A suspension forced this title change — which the LOD made sure would not be filmed for TV — and their future in the company was uncertain. Of course they would reappear at WrestleMania VIII but even then their stay would be short.
What this night did start was the more than year-long run by Money Inc. Ted Dibiase & IRS would keep the belts, aside from a 3 month span, until June of the following year.
The title change also turned the Natural Disasters babyface, as Jimmy Hart promptly dumped them for the new title holders.
WWF @ Denver, CO – Coliseum – February 7, 1992 (4,500) The original line-up included a Bossman / Santana vs. Dibiase / IRS match and the LOD defending the tag titles against the Natural Disasters but was changed at the last minute by WWF President Jack Tunney, claiming the Disasters had received enough title shots
Repo Man pinned Virgil with his feet on the ropes
The Big Bossman & Tito Santana defeated the Natural Disasters when Bossman pinned Earthquake
The Warlord pinned Chris Walker
Shawn Michaels pinned Jimmy Snuka
The Mountie pinned Jim Brunzell (sub. for Kerry Von Erich)
Ted Dibiase (w/ Sensational Sherri) & IRS defeated WWF Tag Team Champions the Legion of Doom to win the titles at 11:49 when Dibiase pinned Road Warrior Hawk after the Natural Disasters came ringside and Typhoon hit Hawk with a steel chair while he prepared to hit the Doomsday Device on Dibiase as Sherri distracted the referee
WWF World Champion Ric Flair defeated WWF IC Champion Roddy Piper via disqualification after Piper was caught using a chair which Flair had brought into the ring while the referee was knocked down; both titles were at stake in the match
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
Here’s a look back as to what was going on in WWE 6 years ago today. How times have changed.
