kevinmcfl

APRIL 17, 1989 MID-SOUTH COLISEUM “The Crowning” Round 1 (The Winner of the Crowning Gets $100,000 & a Future WCW World Title Shot) “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert © vs Sting WCW World Television Title is on the Line Sting defeats “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert by submission when he followed up a Stinger Splash with the Scorpion Leglock. wrEddie Gilbert was once again by himself as Missy Hyatt has not been seen since Clash of Champions when her two men, Gilbert and Tatum, squared off against each other. Whether it was Missy not being there or Sting being on top of his game, Gilbert struggles to get much going in this bout. Sting did little celebrating when given the TV title as he said that it is great to be a champion but he really wants to earn that World Title! Hacksaw Butch Reed vs Psycho Sid with Oliver Humperdink Give Hacksaw some credit here as he went toe to toe with the monster across from him. Both men hit each other with some huge moves and there were many near pinfalls. This was the first time since bringing Sid to WCW that Humperdink actually looked nervous. This must be why he thought he needed to get involved. After Sid had nailed Reed in the corner with a closed fist, ref Pee Wee Anderson tried to step in and admonish Sid. Humperdink took the opportunity to wrap the tag rope around Reed’s neck and choke him. Reed was flailing around but the ref couldn’t see the rope. Finally, Reed managed an elbow to the face of Humperdink and the manager went flying. This took a lot of energy out of Reed who staggered out of the corner right into a powerbomb and a victory for Psycho Sid. “The Total Package” Lex Luger © vs Terry Funk (WCW United States Title is in the Line) Funk pulled out every dirty trick in the book and had Luger in some serious trouble until Luger rallied for the victory with the clothesline/Torture Rack Combo. “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas vs Col. Debeers While we have already seen some big matches, this just might be the one the crowd has been waiting for. Everyone in the building hoped Debeers finally would get what is coming to him. Every time Jerry Jarrett has thought he has Debeers set up to wrestle someone of the likes of Atlas, Debeers has found a way out of it. Well, tonight, it looks like we will finally see Debeers put-up or shut-up. Debeers comes out first and the Mid-South Coliseum is shaking from the raucous boos. Debeers does everything he can to insight them even more. These boos change to cheers as Atlas takes his first steps from behind the curtain. WHAM… from behind… the Iron Sheik, Mr. Saito, and the Russian Assassin attack Atlas. The beating is brutal and there is no help coming for Atlas. Reed has just been power-bombed from Sid and Ron Simmons is not in the building. After the attack has done its job, the Anti-American Coalition roll Atlas into the ring. Even though Atlas can barely stand up, Debeers is screaming at Pee Wee Anderson to ring the bell. Anderson, seems unsure what to do but Atlas is in the ring and is standing up, even though propped up by the ropes. Anderson decides to call for the bell and the match is under way. This takes only a few seconds as Debeers connects with a reverse piledriver on Atlas and then we get the 3-count. After Anderson has raised Debeers hand, he struts out of the ring like he has just accomplished some major feat. With Debeers already gone, the rest of the AAC, attack Atlas once again. Finally, we get Sting and Luger who come to his rescue but the damage is done. Many in the crowd wonder if we will see Atlas in the near future. WOMEN’S TAG TEAM MATCH Magnificent Mimi & Wendy Richter vs Madusa Micelli & Terri Powers It is like these 4 women realize that the future of WCW women’s wrestling depends on the show they put on tonight. All 4 give everything they got with the end coming in a moment of chaos. Madusa was in playing the face in peril and finally made the hot tag to Terri. Terri, comes in with a quick flex and then goes wild as both Mimi and Richter are being throttled from pillar to post. Madusa recovers enough and we go 2 on 2 with the babyfaces in complete control. The end comes in spectacular fashion as Terri and Madusa connect with Double Superplexes on the heels. Nobody seems to know or care who the legal women are in the ring but it doesn’t matter as Madusa covers Richter and Terri covers Mimi for the double pin and the win. The crowd seems to really like this new element to WCW. LOSER LEAVE TOWN STREET FIGHT MATCH Jake “The Snake” Roberts & Magnificent Muraco vs Roddy Piper & Mystery Partner Interesting thing here was with Snake and Muraco already in the ring, Piper came out all alone. When ref Teddy Long asked who is partner was, Piper negatively shook his head. Snake and Muraco, in street clothes ready for a rumble, told Piper that the contract was signed and that he had no choice but to face them alone. Piper shrugged like it was no big deal. WHAM… Muraco and Snake with the immediate double team attack. While there are not really any rules in this street fight, Teddy Long was able to get Muraco to the apron for a somewhat normal tag team match set up. Muraco and Snake were just too much for Piper and, at times, the beating was just brutal. Piper has blood dripping down his face as he is being tossed around like a sack of potatoes. It almost seemed too easy. Muraco and Snake were having a grand time. Roberts eventually connects with a DDT but instead of covering Piper, Muraco and Snake just watch Piper suffer. They start toying with the fans as Piper eventually begins to crawl to the corner. The camera catches Piper untying the bottom turnbuckle as Muraco, with a big smirk on his face starts to strut to him! WHAM… Piper, out of nowhere, nails Muraco with a loaded right hand with what appears to be a pair of brass knuckles. Muraco goes down… as is Piper. Snake unsure of what happens rushes over to check on his teammate. Piper is now up. WHAM… Brass knuckles punch to Snake. Piper drags himself onto of Snake… Teddy Long, surprised as anyone, makes the 3-count. Somehow, Piper has survived! The camera goes back and shows the replay of Piper getting the brass knuckles out of the bottom turnbuckle. Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone are shocked but admit that nothing should ever be put past Roddy Piper. “The Crowning” Round 2 (The Winner of the Crowning Gets $100,000 & a Future WCW World Title Shot) “WCW World Television Champ” Sting vs Psycho Sid with Oliver Humperdink (TV Title is not on the line) As the match starts, we notice that Humperdink has come to the ring with a cane. Jim Ross suggests that he must have gotten injured when he fell off the ring apron after getting hit by Reed’s elbow when he was choking Hacksaw. As for the match itself, Sting does a great job of selling all of Sid’s big moves while Psycho Sid plays it pretty stiff and No Sells much of what Sting is doing. This gives the match the illusion that it is being dominated by Humperdink’s monster. Sting finally makes a comeback and has Sid up against the ropes and set up for the Stinger Splash. As Sting screams to the crowd, Humperdink climbs up on the apron. Sting rushes across the ring and leaps…. WHAM… Humperdink with the new cane accidently cracks his own man in the head. Couple that with the Splash and Sid is down. Sing covers him. Ref Pee Wee Anderson rushes in. 1…2…3! Jim Ross: Oh bawh Gawd! Sting has won. The streak is over. Sid has suffered his first defeat in WCW. Sting is going to the finals of the Crowning. “WCW United States Champion” Lex Luger vs Colonel Debeers (U.S. Title in not on the line) Luger seems to have learned from earlier in the night and is paying attention on his way to the ring as he knows that any member of the Anti-American Coalition could attack at any time. He also is coming to the ring with Hacksaw Butch Reed in case of an all-out attack. Colonel Debeers, surprisingly, does come to the ring by himself. As soon as he steps foot in the ring, he demands the house microphone. Colonel Debeers: It is not bad enough that I am being forced against my will to wrestle this freak Lex Luger but I will not wrestle with the likes of this creature, Butch Reed at ringside. He is not a manager and frankly, I have no idea what he is doing here. Reed walks right up to Debeers and looks him dead in the eye… Hacksaw Reed: I am as much of a manager as any of your goons that attacked my friend Tony Atlas a little while ago but, because I have so much respect for the WCW fans, I want them to see you get broken in half by Lex Luger, so I will leave. Oh, but one thing before I go! WHAM… Reed unloads on Debeers with a huge right hand and then tells Pee Wee Anderson to ring the bell like he did before in the match with Debeers and Atlas. Reed actually only goes halfway up the ramp and takes a seat. DING…DING…. DING! The match is under way and starts with Luger wrestling from the top but give Debbers some credit. He used enough dirty tactics to change the momentum. The crowd really gets behind Luger and he starts one last come back. After a few big blows by Luger he calls for the “Torture Rack.” From out of nowhere, here comes Saito, Iron Sheik and The Russian Assassin. Give Hacksaw Butch Reed some credit as he fights off 3 members of the AAC long enough for Luger to hoist up Debeers into The Rack. It looks like Luger is going to break him in half. Debeers is flailing around like a fish out of water and he finally submits! The crowd is going wild. Luger dumps Debeers to the ground just as the AAC get around Reed and head to the ring. Luger, knowing that he has another match coming up, exits stage left and escapes the attack. As Luger thanks Hacksaw Reed, Jim Ross hypes up the final match of the Crowning as Luger will face his best friend, Sting, for $100,000 and a shot at the WCW World Title. WCW WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard © vs Ted Dibiase & “Dr. Death” Steve Williams One thing that did happen in this match that both Ted Dibiase and Dr. Seath predicted was that at no time did Ric Flair make any attempt to leave the locker room and help his fellow Horsemen. That doesn’t mean that it was going to be fought evenly and by rules. Woman did her best to make sure the Horseman left with the belt. From distracting the ref, to grabbing hold of Dibiase’s leg to courageously smacking Dr. Death across the face, Woman was involved from the opening bell. Despite all that Woman did, the Horseman were in trouble in this one. There was no way to match Dr. Death’s power and Dibiase can simply do it all in the ring. While the Horsemen did have plenty of time wrestling from the top, it appeared that their title reign was in jeopardy. That is until Woman sprays Ted Dibiase in the eyes with perfume. Dibiase is now like Ray Charles wrestling a bear… He has no shot. Dr. Death tried to take over but he is still not 100% and eventually the Horseman are in control. We see Dibiase tag himself in to try and give Dr. Death a break but this just led to the end as he was literally wrestling blind. An Arn Anderson spinebuster followed by a slingshot suplex by Tully along with a grab of the tights during the ref’s count and the Horsemen survive. The Finals of The Crowning (The Winner of the Crowning Gets $100,000 & a Future WCW World Title Shot) WCW United States Champion “The Total Package” Lex luger Vs WCW World Television Champion Sting Both men are obviously excited at the opportunity that this match presents but you tell they both wish the match was against someone else. The match starts with a true handshake followed by about 5 minutes of nothing. We get a few armbars and a few leglocks but this is neither man’s forte. Eventually, Sting and Luger shake hands again and both agree the match is ON! Each man gives it his all and we see some big moves by each. After about 10 more minutes, both men appear to be dead even. The crowd moans as out comes Woman! Nobody knows what is going on. Sting and Luger both look at her and then at each other as if to say, “Is she with you?” They both shrug their shoulders and begin to wrestle again. At one point, Luger pushes Sting to the corner. Woman pounces and for the second time tonight, the perfume bottle is out and she sprays Sting in the eyes. Luger is beside himself and chases her up the aisle. Luger runs back to the ring to see if Sting is okay. Sting, like Dibiase, is flailing around. He is clawing at his eyes. Luger puts his hand on him to try and help him. WHAM… Sting hits Luger by accident. Luger shrugs it off and tries to tells Sting what happened. Sting still can’t see. Luger again comes to his aid. WHAM… again Sting in self-defense mode, hits Luger. Luger seems frustrated even though he knows Sting is just trying to protect himself. WHAM… This time it is Luger with a huge clothesline. He figures the only way to get Sting the help he needs is to end the match. Luger picks up Sting… WHAM… Powerbomb! Luger mercifully covers Sting as Teddy Long makes the 3-count. Luger immediately calls for help as officials rush in and are pouring water all over Sting’s eyes. He is taken to the back as an upset Luger is not celebrating one of the biggest wins in his career. WCW WORLD TITLE MATCH “Nature Boy” Ric Flair with Woman © vs Jerry “The King” Lawler Mid-South Coliseum has seen its share of big matches before. They have blown the roof of the place both with cheers for their favorites including the King and deafening choruses of boos for those they hate. This one might have been the loudest of both worlds. By bringing wrestling back to Memphis, WCW has endeared it to the fans and now they get to cheer their hometown hero in a World Title match has them exploding with excitement. That is until Flair is lead to the ring by Woman. After what she just did to Dibiase and Sting, she is enemy #1. With these two in the match, we already know it is an instant classic. As we get near the 30-minute mark, we see the champ in some serious trouble. We have already seen him flip himself over the turnbuckle out onto the floor. He has suffered in agony at the King’s version of figure four. Lawler has pulled the strap down and nailed the middle rope fist drop. Now he is calling for the piledriver. Woman is up on the apron while the ref is admonishing her get down. WHAM… Flair has mustered the strength to shove The King into ref Pee Wee Anderson and down he goes. Woman, for the third time tonight, reaches into the purse for the perfume bottle. She starts toward the King. Suddenly the crowd erupts… Lex Luger is running to the ring. He heads straight for Woman who looks like she has seen a ghost. She takes off in the other direction and narrowly escapes up the ramp. Luger goes to Pee Wee Anderson but he is out… Luger goes to check on Lawler who is struggling to his feet. Luger helps him up and points him in the direction of Flair who is in big trouble. WHAM… Luger grabs Lawler’s arm and connects with a devastating short armed clothesline. Luger quickly drags Flair on top of Lawler. Next he drags Pee Wee Anderson over and uses his own arm to lift and drop Anderson’s arm 3 times for the World’s fastest 3 count. Luger basically in a full sprint makes an escape as he is dragging Flair behind him. They as he is dodging all types of debris on the way. Give Mid-South Coliseum security its due. Somehow, a riot was avoided as Jerry Lawler drags himself up on the bottom rope and stares out into the abyss and thinks how close he came to being WCW World Champion.

Really loved the Crockett Cup. I must say you gave your Road Warriors one hell of a tough draw. They had to face both the Powers of Pain and Demolition. WOW. Loved that the Midnight Express came out on top. I think the Horsemen coming home to NWA and going down in defeat would have been a huge win for the fans! Nice booking. Garvin vs Slater would have been a great brawl. Dr. Tom gave a great effort. I think you can make the Fuller's HUGE HEELS which would be fun. Quote of the Night was The Olympians being surprised that the NWA would allow CHEATERS into their tournament. Priceless!!! Great job with this years cup. These are always great events as it allows all of us to see what others think of our guys.

Again, I seem to keep falling behind here and I am sorry about that. I enjoyed all of the previews Champagne Slam as each feud was well built up. I like the idea of all the different groups tagging together in these elimination style matches. It allows you keep angles moving on or ending them if you wish. I loved the clean sweep for the fan favorites in the first bout. This sets the tone for the audience and gets them excited right away. Way to build up Vader in his bout. As the last man standing, he is off to a great start to be the big monster in the AWA! I had a feeling Hansen was going to win but wasn't sure. This was one of those matches of two legends and I would expect Dory to see the big picture here and would not be upset by Hansen going over. With Hansen, Vader, Hogan and some other big time names, AWA has main events for the next year lined up if you like. Nikita brawling with Sarge for the Double CO was smart. The fans got to see what they wanted and the angle stays white hot. Really smart. Hogan vs Bam Bam before the intermission... reminded me of some old Madison Square Garden and WWF events. I love this form of booking as it gives the fans a chance to recharge after the big one! I had a feeling Hogan was going over but you gave him some big time credibility with this one. I really like that the AWA has a place for some of the older guys like Armstrong and Dundee. AWA has gone World Wide but still understands some of its smaller markets and its original ties to places like Memphis and Canada. Jumbo vs El Canek... again, had a feeling the champ would come out on top but you have done so much with El Canek that I just wasn't sure. Great title match. Really enjoyed Champagne Slam.... Thanks for all you put into this one. It was a great read.

APRIL 12, 1989 EPISODE #32 WrestleWar Preview Show The War Between WCW and Colonel Debeers! The show opened with a very angry Jerry Jarrett who called out Colonel Debeers. When Debeers finally arrived, Jarrett started by saying that he was sick and tired of Debeers refusing to fight matches that Jarrett has already signed him to be in and that he has done this for the last time. Next, Jarrett simply fires Colonel Debeers for breach of contract. Col. Debeers: Whoa, Whoa… What are you talking about Jarrett? Jerry Jarrett: I told you last time after the nonsense you pulled at Clash of Champions: where you refused to wrestle somebody because you didn’t like the look of your opponent or the look of the referee that if you did it again, you would be fired… and it happened again at the Ragin Cajun event this past week in the Superdome! You are fired! The crowd goes wild Col. Debeers: I think you better rethink your plan there Mr. Jarrett… that is unless you want me to own WCW after I sue the pants off you. Jerry Jarrett: Go ahead… you have no grounds to stand on. You signed the contract to wrestle Hacksaw Butch Reed, Ron Simmons, and Tony Atlas in the Superdome and you, all on your own, decided to substitute Mr. Saito, a wrestler not even in the WCW to wrestle in your place. You are done here! Col. Debeers: (taking out two pieces of paper) Be careful Jarrett… Be very careful. First, I have the original contract for the match in the Superdome. It says, the members of the Anti-American Coalition will wrestle Reed, Simmons and Atlas. Jerry Jarrett: Exactly. Colonel Debeers: Read this! (Debeers hands the other paper to Jarrett) Jarrett reads the paper in silence and you can just see the smoke coming from his ears. Col. Debeers: Ahhh… I see that you have lost your voice Mr. Jarrett. I will just let everyone know that the paper you are holding is a legal contract that Mr. Saito has signed to become a member of the Anti-American Coalition and it is dated April 1, 1989… one day prior to Clash of Champions in the Superdome. So… you see, I did follow the original contract as it was the Anti-American Coalition fighting against your “wrestlers.” Jarrett is so angry he simple walks off while Debeers just laughs as he seems to still be employed here at WCW. After a commercial break, Jarrett comes back and while he is frustrated that Debeers has won this round, he does have a solution… At WrestleWar, as part of “The Crowning,” it will be Colonel Debeers vs “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas. Jarrett makes sure that he shows both Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone that the contract clearly states Col. Debeers and not a random member of the Anti-American Coalition. Debeers comes rushing out and is fuming… screaming about how he is being treated unfairly and that Jarrett has no right putting him the ring against someone of the likes of Atlas! Jarrett is smiling from ear to ear as he simply walks off while Debeers continues to scream and shout. Jim Ross tells Tony Schiavone that it might just be Jerry Jarrett who got the last laugh. Update on the Crowning The Crowning is the 8-Man Single Elimination Tournament to be held as part of WrestleWar next week at the Mid-South Coliseum where the winner gets a future WCW World Title Match at the event of their choosing. We already know that Jarrett has just added Col. Debeers and Tony Atlas to the event and after Clash of Champions, we know that two more of the entrants will be Sting and Terry Funk. Jerry Jarrett also informed us that the tournament will also include the other two WCW singles title holders, the United States Champion Lex Luger and the WCW World Television Champion “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. Jarrett explained that both the United States Title and the Television Title will be on the line in only the first match that involved Luger or Gilbert. The last two entrants were determined by two big matches on TV this week: Hacksaw Butch Reed defeated “The Hustler” Rip Rogers with a top rope shoulder block. Interesting thing here was the Rogers was all by himself as it appears Terri Powers has had enough of his nonsense and left him. Physco Sid with Sir Oliver Humperdink beat Brad Armstrong with a powerbomb. Sid was even more viscous and uncontrollable then when he was Lord Humongous. Humperdink explained that the reason Sid wore the hockey mask was to calm him down and protect the other wrestlers in WCW from being broken in half. He reminds everyone to blame Lex Luger when Sid starts ending careers. Update on the Women’s Division We saw Wendy Richter completely turn heel at Clash of Champions as she tripped Madusa Miceli to help Magnificent Mimi get the win. The two were out at the podium gloating about how great it was to see Madusa’s face when the embraced after the match and how stupid Madusa was to think that Wendy would ever be on her side. This brought out Madusa who admitted that she was pretty dumb to ever think that Wendy Richter had an ounce of class in her. Richter and Mimi start to close in on her… they start to shove her… Madusa warns them not to do that. Richter asks, “What are you going to do about it,” and smacks her across the face. Mimi laughs but only for a second! From out of nowhere, Terri Powers comes in like a whirlwind. He power is on full display. If Mimi ever thought she was strong, she better think twice about it. After Madusa and Terri leave the two laying on the ground, Madusa goes to the mic and says, “this is only the beginning as Jerry Jarrett has added me and Terri against you two over-rated wrestlers at WrestleWar! Interviews with Ted Dibiase and The Horsemen Dibiase, who lost his WCW World Title match against Ric Flair last week at Clash of Champions due to interference by Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson said that he has lost all respect for Ric Flair who is just a paper champion as he can never do anything on his own. Later in the show, Flair, Anderson, and Blanchard came to the podium after Arn and Tully had a match against two jobbers who they clinically took apart. Flair went off on Dibiase talking about how the cream always rises to the top and that he told everyone that he would still be the champion after the Clash of Champions. Arn and Tully both let everyone know that there has never been another group in wrestling as the Horseman as that hold both the WCW World singles title and the WCW World Tag Team titles. Dibiase comes back to the podium but this time, he brings his old tag team partner, Dr. Death Steve Williams. Ross and Schiavone ask for peace but Dibiase can’t guarantee it as Flair always seems ready to fight when he has a numbers advantage while he runs like a yellow-bellied coward when he doesn’t. Flair says Dibiase is just a sore loser and if he isn’t careful, he will get another beating just like the other night. Dibiase explains that he should have known that Tully and Arn would come to Flair’s rescue but then he asks them if Flair as ever come to their rescue? Tully and Arn have a quizzical look before telling Dibase to stop playing his stupid mind games. Dibiase goes on to say that while it is obvious they have not wised-up but he has, so at WrestleWar, he and Dr. Death will challenge for the WCW World Tag Team Titles because they know it will be a fair fight as Flair won’t come to help them! Both Arn and Tully wonder what Dibiase is talking about as they don’t have a match scheduled against Dibiase and Williams. Dr. Death steps in to remind them that they have never had their rematch from when they were champions and they are cashing in now. Arn and Tully complain but Jerry Jarrett comes out and tells the Horsemen, that by WCW rule, former champions are allowed a rematch and WrestleWar seems like the perfect place to have it! The Horsemen complain but to no avail. Dibiase walks off reminding Tully and Arn exactly what he said before. “I guarantee you two that Ric Flair will not be by yourside when we are beating you all over the ring! Think about it. You two are being used!” Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross wonder if Dibiase has a point! WCW WORLD TITLE MATCH UPDATE: We all know that Ric Flair will have his toughest test yet as he tries to defend his title against Jerry “The King” Lawler in the Mid-South Coliseum. Now we don’t get anything physical between these two this week but we get a great segment with Flair back out at the podium. He seems to have moved on from Dibiase and now has his sights set on “Mr. Memphis.” Flair let everyone know that even Jerry Lawler knows this is the end of his career as he is not even close to “The Nature Boy’s” level. When Jim Ross tells him he thinks that Lawler knows nothing of the kind, Flair explains that Lawler has already moved on to his future job. Tony Schiavone: Come on Ric… you know that’s not true. Ric Flair: Well take a look at this… (Flair asks everyone to look at the video tape he found of Jerry Lawler becoming a fast food cook. Flair, laughing, says it already looks like Fat Jerry Lawler has been eating all the profits. Later in the show, Lawler comes out and is actually laughing at how stupid Ric Flair is but he promises a big barbeque down at Corky’s on Biele Street after he takes the title from the “big mouth” Ric Flair. Lawler also goes on to say that he has already invited Woman, Flair’s manager, as he knows she wants to be with a real winner. Jake “The Snake”, Magnificent Muraco/ Roddy Piper situation Snake and Muraco both had easy wins on TV this week and after Muraco beat Allen Tabbs, he and Snake went to the podium for an interview. They both complained about all the dirty tactics used by Jerry Lawler and Roddy Piper in their steel cage match at the Clash of Champions! Roddy Piper, comes out gloating in his arrogant way which the fans have grown to love. Jake Roberts claimed it was a fluke and challenges Piper to another match at WrestleWar! Piper laughs at Snake and reminds him that his partner, Jerry Lawler is already in a match that night but he will wrestle both he and Muraco in another match but he is getting tired of wasting his time so they need to make it worth his while. Muraco jumps in with a big grin on his face. Don Muraco: So you want to make it worth your while? I know Snake and I can beat you and anyone partner you can find. So why don’t we play for something serious! Why don’t we all put our contracts on the line. Loser-Leave Town Match. You pick the type of match you want! Roddy Piper: Now I like the sounds of that! I get to pick anyone I want and when I win, you two will leave WCW. Now, I’ve already beaten you in a steel cage match so that would be too easy. I’ve beaten you in a regular match… again too easy. Ahhh… Okay… Not that you two will have any chance in any match, so I might as well enjoy myself. NO HOLDS BARRED, STREET FIGHT! Losers Leave WCW! APRIL 17, 1989 MID-SOUTH COLISEUM (I KNOW I AM A LITTLE BEHIND) WOMEN’S TAG TEAM MATCH Magnificent Mimi & Wendy Richter vs Madusa Micelli & Terri Powers LOSER LEAVE TOWN STREET FIGHT MATCH Jake “The Snake” Roberts & Magnificent Muraco vs Roddy Piper & Mystery Partner THE CROWNING 8-MAN SINGLE ELIMINATION TOURNAMENT WINNER GETS A WCW WORLD TITLE SHOT WHENEVER THEY WANT FIRST ROUND MATCHES TO BE CHOSEN THAT NIGHT THE WRESTLERS ARE: United States Champion” “The Total Package” Lex Luger WCW World Television Champion: “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert Hacksaw Butch Reed Terry Funk Sting Colonel Debeers “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas Physco Sid WCW WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard © vs Ted Dibiase & “Dr. Death” Steve Williams WCW WORLD TITLE MATCH “Nature Boy” Ric Flair © vs Jerry “The King” Lawler

Welcome back!

Great test for Garvin. Prichard does seem a little weakened... Can he survive? Really looking forward to the Cup

No, Lowblow, feel free to use who is on your roster. They are part of the game now and we will not include them in the 1990 draft.

PRESENTS APRIL 2, 1989 LOUISIANA SUPERDOME NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA Intergender Match “The Hustler” Rip Rogers & Terri Powers vs Jeff Jarrett & Miss. Tennessee As we get this major card underway, the ring announcer informs us that in this intergender match, the men may wrestle the women and the women may wrestle the men. The Hustler really tries to antagonize the fans on the way to the ring but Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone both notice the Terri is more subdued. JJ and Miss. Tennessee come out to a huge ovation, and they try to ingratiate themselves to the fans even more as they do some High-Fiving with everyone on the way to the ring. Interesting thing here was that JJ was in the ring to start but Rogers refused to start the match and instead sent in Terri. JJ, being the true man, tagged in Miss. Tennessee and the match was underway. As we saw in the Arm-Wrestling Challenge, Terri holds the strength advantage and quickly took control. After Miss. Tennessee had been nailed with a few bodyslams, Rip started screaming to tag him in. Terri gave him a dirty look but allowed him in. Interesting thing here was that Miss. Tennessee was waiting for him and got in a few blows of her own before she tagged in JJ. Jeff went to work and really had the Hustler in trouble. Problem was that as he whipped Rogers into the ropes, Rip reached out and tagged in a surprised Terri. Again, JJ does the right thing and tags in Miss. Tennessee. This time it is Miss. T who gets the upper-hand and has Terri in trouble. Somehow, she manages to get away from the fiery female but Rip jumps off the apron and pretends to adjust his knee pad. Terri has no choice but to keep fighting. Somehow, she manages a comeback and nails Miss. Tennessee with a superplex!! Miss. T is in some serious trouble. Terri backs into the corner and it appears that she is going in for a flying elbow and a pin attempt. TAG….Rip reached over a tagged himself in. You can tell by the look on Terri’s face that she is fuming. Rip whips Miss. Tennessee into the corner and lifts her to the top rope. It looks like he is going for a Ripperplex (superplex) himself. Jim Ross notes that this would surely be the end. He has her hooked in… WHAM… from behind, Terri nails her own partner with a lowblow. Rip is down. In an amazing feat of strength, Terri has Miss. Tennessee up for a Military Press Slam and drops her right on Rip. Referee Pee Wee Anderson quickly makes the cover as Terri helped Miss. Tennessee and JJ get the win. Winner Gets Entry Into “The Crowning” at WrestleWar Sting vs Dick Murdoch In a very physical match, we eventually see Sting connect with the Stinger Splash for the win over Dick Murdoch. WCW World Television Title Match “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert vs “Hollywood” John Tatum Whose Corner Missy Hyatt is in is To Be Determined Most interesting thing here was that Missy Hyatt was a No-Show. Everyone was waiting to see which of her wrestlers that she would support but it turned out to be neither. As for the match, it turned out to be a brawl as each seemed to blame the other for losing their girl. In the end, we see Hollywood John Tatum pull out a pair of brass knuckles only to have ref Teddy Long grab his hand before he connected with the attack. This little distraction allowed Gilbert to hit the Hot Shot for the win. Gilbert was not satisfied with the win and took the brass knuckles and bloodied Tatum. The crowd was somewhat happy as Tatum got what he deserved but they would have preferred both men to have been bloodied as they are not in love with either. Winner Gets Entry Into “The Crowning” at WrestleWar “Dr. Death” Steve Williams vs Terry Funk This match had wrestlers with some very different styles. Dr. Death wanted to showcase his college skills and power while Funk would do whatever dirty deeds it took to win. In the end, Terry whipped Dr. Death into referee Teddy Long. Now with no ref in control, Dick Murdoch rushed out and nailed Dr. Death with a Brainbuster. Next Funk connected with a piledriver as Murdoch helped Teddy Long into the ring to make the 3-count. Our first two entrants into “The Crowning” are set… Sting and Terry Funk. Women’s Match Madusa Miceli vs “Magnificent” Mimi One of the highlights of the match was just the entrance of these two ladies. Madusa came running out in a black and white leopard print showing a lot of skin. This quickly got the men interested but them Mimi came strutting out, sporting sunglasses and a tight pink singlet that turned the men’s heads the other way. Mimi and Madusa met in the center of the ring for a stare down that would have any boxing promoter jealous. As for the match… let’s just say that women’s wrestling is moving up the ladder. These two women were not only technically sound but they were able to perform a pretty diverse repertoire of moves because of their power and athleticism. Spinning heel kicks to Hurricanranas to snap suplexes, this match had it all. With each woman wanting to prove that they were the top dog, they never gave an inch and the momentum changes came fast and furious. About 5 minutes into the match, Wendy Richter came out and sat ringside. She was pretty quiet at first but then when Mimi had the advantage, Richter got up and starting encouraging Madusa to fight back. Jim Ross explained that Wendy has been right here alongside Madusa as the women’s division in WCW has been getting better and better. Ross goes on to say that Richter and Madusa may have had their battles but neither one wants a newcomer coming in and going straight to the top… Mimi must pay her dues. It seems like Richter’s encouragement has helped Madusa as she regains the momentum. A huge spinning heel kick followed up a few body slams and Mimi is in trouble. Wendy Richter is cheering on Madusa as are the fans. Mimi rolls out of the ring to try and take some time to catch her breath but Wendy won’t allow it. She pushes her right back to the apron where Mimi stands on the outside of the ring. Madusa shoves past ref Pee Wee Anderson and grabs Mimi. She is going to suplex her back in the ring. Madusa lifts Mimi… Wait… what has happened… Mimi crashes down on Madusa and the ref makes the 3-count. Mimi has won! Wendy Richter rushes into the ring and starts kicking on Madusa. The crowd is shocked as Wendy and Mimi celebrate in the middle of the ring as Madusa lays on the mat. It was only after the replay is shown that we see Richter grab the ankles of Madusa causing her to fall backwards with Mimi on top of her. Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone are shocked! Grudge Match The Anti-American Coalition (Debeers, Iron Sheik & Russian Assassin) vs Hacksaw Reed, Ron Simmons and “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas With Reed, Simmons, Atlas already in the ring, the announcer announces The Anti-American Coalition, Col. Debeers, Iron Sheik and the Russian Assassin. Debeers goes right to the ring announcer and informs him that as he has already said on numerous occasions, he will not wrestle the likes of the inferior, steroid abusers who are currently in the ring but, as the leader of the AAC, he has found a new member for his group… suddenly Mr. Saito walks out and Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone put him over as one of the toughest men in all of wrestling. Ross goes on to tell the story of his arrest where he beat up numerous police men and spent time in jail. The fan favorites are not happy as once again Debeers has gotten away without having to wrestle them. As for the match, brawl from the get-go! The end saw the action spill outside and all 6 men were going toe to toe. Debeers took this opportunity and cracked Tony Atlas with a steel chair resulting in the DQ win for the babyfaces. Problem was that it was 4 on 3 and the AAC might have gotten the best of the after-match brawl. WCW United States Title Match The Freebirds (Hayes & Garvin) vs The Rock n Roll Express One thing for sure… these two teams are the most popular in WCW. Another thing for sure is that their styles are completely different. The Rock n Roll Express like to use technical skills and speed while the Freebirds, unlike many babyfaces, like to come out on top by “bending” every rule in the book. In this match, the end comes after a Jimmy Garvin brainbuster on Robert Gibson. Somehow Gibson got his leg across the bottom rope, but the ref missed it. The Rock n Roll Express were not happy with the outcome but there was nothing they could do about it. Steel Cage Match Roddy Piper & Jerry “The King” Lawler vs Magnificent Muraco & Jake “The Snake” Roberts This one is a violent, bloody slugfest from beginning to end where we saw Lawler connect with a Piledriver on Muraco for the win! WCW United States Title Match “The Total Package” Lex Luger © vs Lord Humongous with Oliver Humperdink These two went toe-toe with each other for a good 12-minutes with one power move after another. Both men seemed to forget the title was on the line as just wanted to prove to everyone who the top big man in WCW was. In the end, we see the action spill out onto the floor. The battle raged on as neither made an attempt to get back in the ring which resulted in a double-count-out. The sound of the bell mean nothing to these two… they pounded away on each just like at Miami Mayhem. Eventually, we see Luger press slam Lord Humongous across the steel girder that surrounded the arena. The sound was a sickening THUD that actually saw Lord Humongous’ hockey mask come flying off. This is our first time seeing the face of Lord Humongous who, as we will later find out is Sid Eudy. At this point in time, the name means nothing but what happens next, will long be remembered. Sid, after hitting the steel girder turns psycho! He is like a man possessed as he literally no-sells the press slam and gets up and … the brawl is back on. Eventually referees and WCW officials rush in and stop the melee. WCW World Title Match “Nature Boy” Ric Flair © with Woman vs “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase We all know that these two are awesome in the ring so lets just get to the finish. Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson rush out and do their best to keep the belt on Flair. In the end, we see Tully crack Dibiase in the back which allowed Flair to roll up Dibiase for the pin attempt. Arn, who had distracted ref Teddy Long, was now screaming at Long to do his job. Long slid back over and began his count. Flair put his legs on the second rope for added leverage and then grabbed the trunks to make sure Dibiase wasn’t going anywhere and Long made the 3-count. As soon as the match was over, Arn and Tully jumped in and went to work on Dibiase… The 3-1 attack did not last long as Dr. Death rushed to the aid of his tag team partner. Dr. Death looked like his old self again and was able to clear the ring all by himself. Dibiase and Dr. Death didn’t care how many Horsemen were out on the floor as the dared them all to come back in but the Horsemen got what they wanted… Flair leaving with his title around his waist… so they all headed back. As the show was closing, Tony Schiavone and Jim Ross reminded everyone that Wrestlewar was only two weeks away in the Mid-South Coliseum and it will be Ric Flair taking on Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Free Agency is currently closed

WCW adds Jake Roberts, Terry Funk, Dick Murdoch, Sam Houston, Kendall Windham, Tony Atlas, Curtis Hughes, Tim Horner, Abdullah the Butcher, and Jim Powers to the block.

Really enjoyed all the match details. That is something I really struggle at. Also really liked the rankings with the records. This adds some level of realism to all of this. Also the videos you add really give me a glimpse of what went on in Japan. So technical and real. I did not see 100 false finishes per match like here. I wonder if this would have worked in the US?

Really enjoyed reading all the events heading into Champagne Slam. I think Dory Funk vs Hansen would be a great match. Two legends with such different styles.... but hard to tell which one has been the bigger heel or babyface throughout their careers. Also, for me, anything Larry Z is involved in is great. Looking forward to where you go with him and Iceman. Also, Sarge vs Nikita is a hot feud. Again, looking forward to see who you put over. I said it before but I think Bam Bam is a great way to build up Hogan! Not sure if you value him as much as I do but I think Orndorff as your #2 man and a possible feud with Hogan down the road would be interesting. Great job. I love feuds where I don't know who will come out on top and you have so many of those right now. Makes reading about the AWA so much fun.

EPISODE #30 MARCH 30, 1989 Last Show Before Clash of Champions: Ragin Cajuns 1. Moment of the Night: Ric Flair-Ted Dibiase Situation. After last week’s violent attack by Ric Flair on Ted Dibiase where he basically gave Dibiase such a mat burn across his face that all of the skin on the right side of Dibiase’s face is missing, Flair came out to the interview area this week full of confidence. In fact, he was so confident, he brought two of the gorgeous ladies he had been partying with all night to the interview with him. Jim Ross: Well Ric, looking at you right now, some may wonder if your as focused as you need to be going into Clash of Champions in the Superdome. Ric Flair: I told you last week that I could beat Dibiase every day of the week and twice on Sunday but if my word isn’t good enough for ya, just show everyone what I did to Dibiase right here on TV last week and you’ll see why I have time to party. (The video of the attack on Dibiase is replayed for everyone and when we come back live, Flair has a beautiful women on each arm, smiling as they know they are with the Man!) Ric Flair: Check it out Jim! Check it out Tony! Never in your life could you imagine how great it would be to be me! Hey now… come on Tony… don’t be peeking! I mean you’re married! Now why are these beautiful women with me today? I mean everyone already knows Ric Flair lives a life of luxury… I mean I am so on top of the world that guys like Joe Namath are straining their necks looking up at me. Now the point remains … what I did to Ted Dibiase last week on this tv show … (Flair pulls out a picture with Dibiase’s face all messed up) Tony Schiavone: You’re not proud of yourself Ric, are you? I mean you attacked him from behind. Ric Flair: Oh I’m real proud of myself. I mean Dibiase spent the week hiding from the people as he’s got a face that will scare young children and I’m jet flying, limousine riding with supermodels. Come on girls… tell everyone who is #1… who is the best man in the world? Two girls: Nature Boy. Ric Flair: Ok girls, (holding up the picture of Dibiase) where do you figure a loser like this figures into my plans. WHAM… from out of nowhere… Dibiase attacks Flair. He throws him right into the ring and is all over him like white on rice! Dibiase rips the expensive dress shirt off the champion and then throws in some elbows, punches and kicks. Knee drops, bulldogs, dropkicks… move after move and Dibiase is doing whatever he wants. Flair tries to run away but Dibiase grabs him from behind. As Flair is trying to pull away, his dress pants rip and Dibiase pulls them right off of him, Flair is now in his underwear as Dibiase continues to attack. Finally for Flair’s sake, Tully and Arn rush to his aid. Dibiase knows the damage has been done and exits the opposite side of the ring before the Horsemen can get to him. The crowd is going wild as Flair is rolling around in his boxers. The microphone catches Dibiase letting Flair know that “we’re not close to being even yet!” Flair comes back to the interview area and he is as angry as anyone you’ve ever seen! Ric Flair (in his boxers with the two gorgeous ladies now chuckling): You think you can do this to me! You think you can do this on TV! You know who I am Dibiase… HUH… You know who I am! This won’t go unpunished! DIBIASE… DIBIASE… With Flair basically going into a rage, Jim Ross let’s everyone know to get their tickets to the Superdome as this just might be the best match WCW has ever seen! With Flair still going bezerk, Schiavone takes us to break. 2. Match of the Night: Sting & Dr. Death vs The Texas Outlaws (Terry Funk & Dick Murdoch) This match is another preview to Clash of Champions as Sting will take on “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch and Dr. Death Steve Williams will face Terry Funk. The winners of both matches will earn an entry into “The Crowning,” the 8-Man Single Elimination Tournament at WrestleWar where the winner earns a future world title shot. In this exciting TV match, each man gets a little time to shine but WCW didn’t want to give too much away so as Sting started to get an advantage on Murdoch, Terry Funk rushed in with the branding iron and nailed Sting in the back resulting in the automatic DQ. We get another 30-seconds of a brawl before heading to break… just enough time for Ross and Schiavone to hype up Clash of Champions. 3. The Arm-Wrestling Match: Miss. Tennessee vs Terri Powers Miss. Tennessee had originally challenged “The Hustler” Rip Ropers but Rogers finally found “morals” and decided it wasn’t right for a man to fight a woman. So, Rogers decided to send in his “valet” to do the dirty work. Now there is no denying that the powerful Powers is a qualified challenger, she was not happy last week as she felt that her man had thrown her under the bus. As for the match, Rogers accompanied Terri and Jeff Jarrett accompanied Miss Tennessee. Rogers was fuming about Jarrett being there and said that he had no right to be at the match. Jarrett, calmly said that he had as much right to be there as Rogers did as it was Terri Powers who was his valet and not vice-versa. Miss Tennessee grabbed the mic and gave everyone a good laugh when she questioned JJ and said the Rogers looked more like a valet than Terri! Rogers was fuming and actually kicked the table. As both women got set for the test of strength, we get a little flexing. While Miss Tennessee is well built, Terri looks like a brick house! Referee Pee Wee Anderson eventually gets both women to lock hands and the bout begins. Back and forth it goes. Both women look on the verge of winning only to have the other get it back to even. While Terri might be more powerful, Miss. Tennessee might have the endurance advantage. Terri’s arm begins to move toward the table. The crowd is going wild. Closer and closer we get to a Miss. Tennessee victory. WHAM…Rogers shoves JJ right into Miss. Tennessee. She falls off to the side. WHAM … Terri recovers and slams Miss. Tennessee’s arm to the table for the victory. Rip is jumping up and down like he just saved the day. Miss. Tennessee is fuming and goes after The Hustler. So does JJ, but somehow the Hustler avoids them both and heads back to the locker room. The victor, Terri, doesn’t seem too excited by her victory and just shakes her head and leaves the ring. Later in the show, we here that JJ asked for an intergender match between himself and Miss. Tennessee against Rip Rogers and Terri Powers and his father, Jerry Jarrett quickly granted the match and added it to the card at Clash of Champions. 4. Magnificent Muraco & Jake “The Snake” Roberts- Roddy Piper Situation Last week, Piper had mouthed off about being able to take out both Muraco and Snake all by himself. While Piper’s confidence can be commended, his big mouth got him in some trouble last week as he took a pretty good beating. This week, Muraco and Snake were out gloating about what they did to Piper when Piper appeared at the interview area. Both Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone asked for cooler-heads to prevail as this was not the place. Roddy Piper: Don’t worry … Old Hot Rod has learned his lesson. I might not be as good as I once was but I’m a whole lot smarter. While I still think I can take Dumb and Dumber here but why work so hard. Snake: I think you hit you’re head too hard last week. You come out here alone after we kicked your rear-end all over the ring last week and you think it’s time to insult us! Roddy Piper: Oh contrare Mr. Dumber… I have not come out here to insult you. I’ve come out here to challenge you two, to the most brutal match that there is. A steel cage match… at Clash of Champions. Don Muraco: You really are the dumb one Piper but we except… We’ve had fun toying with you last week. But now, we are going to hurt you. You have the nerve to come out here and challenge the two of us to a 2-1 Steel Cage Match! Roddy Piper: I don’t think you two morons paid any attention. I said I learned my lesson. This won’t be a 2-1 Steel Cage Match. Please, show some manners and welcome my partner… Jerry “The King” Lawler! Lawler walks out and Muraco and Snake are in shock. We get a few good one-liners from Lawler as Muraco and Snake look afraid! Ross and Schiavone just continue to hype up Clash of Champions as we get a promo running down the card. 5. So who will Missy Hyatt choose? Last week we saw the match for the WCW World Television Title get set as Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert will take on Hollywood John Tatum. It seems like Eddie Gilbert is jealous of Tatum’s relationship with Missy Hyatt and wants to destroy him in the ring and put an end to his membership in Hot Stuff Inc. Tatum has no problem taking both the title and woman and kicking Gilbert out of Hyatt International. While we know the match is set, we still had no idea where Missy Hyatt’s loyalty is. We hoped to get some answers this week but she was a no-show for both Tatum and Gilbert’s easy wins over jobbers this week. It will be interesting to see if she comes to Clash of Champions and if she does, whose side she will be on. 6. Madusa’s answer to Magnificent Mimi’s challenge. Last week, by video, someone WCW had never heard of, Magnificent Mimi, let Madusa know that she is better in every way. She is stronger than Madusa. She is faster than Madusa. She is a better wrestler than Madusa and what seemed to be the most important, she is more beautiful than Madusa. At the end of the video where she destroyed everything in her path, she challenged Madusa to a match at Clash of Champions. This week, we got Madusa’s answer. Madusa: Jim Ross, I’ve been in WCW for the better part of a year. I’ve been putting in the work. I’ve been putting in the time. I’ve taken on the biggest names in the sport. I’ve beaten Wendy Richter. I’ve beaten the monster from Japan, Bull Nakano. Now, out of nowhere, this lady we’ve never heard of, challenges me to a match at one of the biggest nights of the year in WCW… Clash of Champions? I mean, does she deserve it? NO! Should I give her the match? NO… but I have no problem accepting the challenge. I will enjoy showing her what big-time wrestling is all about. I will enjoy beating her to show her that she doesn’t belong in WCW. And most of all… I will beat her to show here that I am a wrestler… and she is only a model! 7. The Anti-American Coalition (Debeers, Iron Sheik, Russian Assassin) -Reed, Simmons, Atlas situation There is no denying the heat Debeers has brought since his arrival in WCW. Ron Simmons, Hacksaw Reed and Tony Atlas have tried on multiple occasions to put him in his place but Debeers has always found a way to slither his way out of trouble. Now Debeers has friends who join in his hatred for America. This match will have the fans on the edge of their seats. This week, we get a few fiery promos but again, Debeers steals the show as his anger as to why he must wrestle people like Atlas, people like Simmons and people like Reed, he finds totally disgusting. Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone hope that Debeers finally gets what he deserves. 8. WCW United State Tag Team Title Match In an interesting turn of events, The Rock n Roll Express will face The Freebirds for the U.S. Title at Clash of Champions. This all happened last week in a debate between the two teams on who was the most popular tag team in WCW. The Freebirds claimed it was them because they had the gold around their waist. The Express said that if all it took to be the most popular team was to be the champs, then they should just take the titles from the Freebirds. The challenge was accepted. This week, both teams won easy matches and then joined each other for a promo. At the promo, they both kind of went back and forth with a war of words joking each other about who was not only more popular but who was better. They all seem to be friends… for now. 9. WCW United States Title Match: “The Total Package” Lex Luger vs Lord Humongous This is going to be a WAR! Oliver Humperdink was almost giddy with excitement about how his man would soon be champion. Luger, in his promo, seemed ready for the challenge even though Jim Ross kept reminding him that nobody has slowed Humongous since he arrived in WCW. The show ended with a tune-up match for Lex Luger where he had The Cuban Assassin locked in the Torture Rack. Humongous came out to ringside with Humperdink. Luger tossed The Assassin to the floor and challenged Humongous to come on in the ring. Humperdink got between his man and the apron… begging him to wait till Clash of Champions. Lord Humongous shoved his manager aside… climbed up on the apron and stepped right over the top rope! WHAM…WHAM… WHAM… The brawl was on. Luger and Humongous were in the center of the ring trading blows as Tony Schiavone signed off for the week. Clash of Champions: April 2, 1989: Louisiana Superdome

WCW adds Wendy Richter

I am really enjoying the dirt sheets format. Even as his career is winding down, I love to see Valiant vs Paul Jones and his Army. This is a great way to keep so many wrestlers relevant without having to have a title in the angle. Nice booking.... and where is Shaska? Looking forward to the Crockett Cup. It is always one of the best events of the year in Dawn of War. Garvin vs Slater is a perfect match for the Carolina territory. Can't wait to see which direction you go.