Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2013 20:35:51 GMT -5
WCW Fall Brawl: War Games
Live from The Rosemont Horizon
September 15, 1993
7:00 pm eastern
Chicago, Illinois
Live from The Rosemont Horizon
September 15, 1993
7:00 pm eastern
Chicago, Illinois
Tony Schiavone: Welcome everybody to WCW and welcome to Fall Brawl! Tonight, WCW presents War Games, The Match Beyond as 10 men enter the awesome steel cage structure, battling until surrender. I'm Tony Schiavone and joining me right now is the 1 and only Jesse The Body Ventura, here to call the action with me. Jesse, it's tonight. There's no turning back.
Jesse Ventura: Ha, and I'll tell you what. These fans here tonight in Chicago are rabid Schiavone. They want it and we want it too. It only happens once a year, I'm talking of course about the War Games. 10 men are gonna enter that cage and 1 is going to be made to submit. This is the stuff that legends are made of and I think we could see a new 1 here tonight.
Tony Schiavone: Indeed we could. Also tonight, World title is on the line when The Natural Dustin Rhodes challenges Ravishing Rick Rude. Last time we were on PPV, you were indirectly responsible for Rude becoming champion.
Jesse Ventura: Hey, don't pin that 1 on me! I didn't count down Steamboat's shoulders, I restarted the match. Some other 2 bit referee did that. Let's get that straight right now. For all his faults though, Rick Rude is 1 of the premiere athletes in all of wrestling today and Dustin Rhodes might have pinned him before, but he'll have to bring his A game in this match here tonight. Rude is gonna be hungry and I know predators, and he's hunting prey in Chicago.
Tony Schiavone: Alright, and also joining us tonight, we send it here from ringside over to Eric Bischoff and Missy Hyatt.
Eric Bischoff: Thanks Tony. Wow, this is something else. WCW in Chicago, and this is Fall Brawl. Of course you can get all the last minute news by calling the WCW hotline, 1-900-909-9900, and Missy I understand you're going to be using your expert skills to get all the backstage stories tonight.
Missy Hyatt: You bet! I'm not afraid of going where no woman's gone in that locker room, and I'm going to get all the stories tonight for the hotline. Cactus Jack is back for War Games, but not only that, I'm gonna keep my eyes on the front row because there's 2 seats there that are reserved, and from what I understand, they won't be empty for long!
Eric Bischoff: Of course referring to Monday on Nitro when WCW commissioner J.J. Dillon invited Hulk Hogan here tonight. 2 ringside seats await the Hulkster, and in fact ...
Camera shot switches to the outside to show Doug Dellinger awaiting Hulk Hogan.
Eric Bischoff: There you see it. Doug Dellinger and WCW security instructed to let the Hulkster in if he shows up. I don't know Missy, between that and War Games, you're going to have a very busy night.
Missy Hyatt: That's how I like it!
Eric Bischoff: Alright, and with that, we send it back to you guys for the opening match, here tonight at Fall Brawl. Take it away guys.
vs 
Fast paced tag team action kicks off the night with 2 Cold Scorpio teaming with Marcus Alexander Bagwell to take on Beautiful Bobby Eaton and Chris Benoit. A rematch of sorts from the August Clash of Champions with Scorpio replacing Ken Shamrock from that match, Scorpio having had issues with the Eaton and Benoit team in the last month. A win for either team could be what is needed to move forward and up the rankings towards a shot at the WCW Tag Team title, held right now by Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. Opening up the night gives these 2 teams loads of time, almost the full 20 minute time limit to be more exact. The action heats up with time running low, although not low enough that any calls have been made for the live audience. Bagwell is up top and gets shoved from behind by Eaton, who quickly heads up for the Alabama Jam. Unfortunately for him, there is nobody him when he comes off. Bagwell gets up for the fisherman's suplex onto Eaton, but instead gets hooked from behind by Benoit, the legal man for the Dragon Suplex. Bagwell thrusts his hips back and breaks free to tag out to Scorpio, slamming Benoit down near the corner. Scorpio heads to the top rope as Bagwell nails Eaton when he starts to get up. Scorpio leaps and turns into the 450 Splash, connecting with Benoit to pick up the 3 count for the win. Scorpio and Bagwell get an impressive and important win to start the night. Jesse Ventura tells the viewers that this is a match he would not mind seeing again, a sentiment that most fans likely share.
vs 
An unadvertised match sees Johnny B. Badd taking on Scotty Flamingo. The commentators beforehand talk about Flamingo's luck not being the best as of late but what a win on the big stage that is Fall Brawl could do for him to rectify that. Badd on the other hand is coming off the win in the boxing match back at the last PPV Bash at the Beach in July and a close call with Ravishing Rick Rude a couple weeks back on Nitro. The 2 go back and forth for a bit before Badd starts turning it on, nearly putting Flamingo away with a sunset flip. Flamingo manages to hit Badd in the midsection with a knee as a setup for the piledriver. Badd however blocks the move and gives Flamingo a back body drop and waits for him to get up. Badd smokes him with the Kiss That Don's Miss and covers to pick up the 3 for the win at around the 6 minute mark. Badd grabs a win on the big stage and he seemingly has his sights sets on Ravishing Rick Rude and revenge for what he did to his friend Rowdy Roddy Piper going forward.
WCW TV title match
vs 
vs Ken Shamrock earned himself this opportunity at the TV title by winning a battle royal several weeks back on Nitro. Al is not well in the Lord Steven Regal camp as he fired Sir William upon regaining the title at the August Clash of Champions, feeling William was doing more harm than good. Since then, the former man servant / butler has done everything he can to get back in the good graces of Regal, including going after Shamrock. Regal remains unimpressed and unwilling to take him back on, but it would seem to make sense he is not too far away here tonight, whether good news or bad for Regal. The match begins with Shamrock immediately taking it to Regal and sending him on the go. Escaping to the floor for a breather, Shamrock follows and will not give it to him. Back inside, Shamrock catches Regal and takes him over into a close 2 count. Regal resorts to a thumb to the eye as Shamrock closes in with desperation tactics setting in. Regal starts to work over Shamrock, taking several 2 counts in the process. As Regal gets Shamrock on his back for the Regal Stretch, Shamrock manages to quickly use his legs to lock in Regal's and transition to an ankle lock. Fans are cheering when from the back comes Sir William. Shamrock releases the hold and wants William out of there. Regal has time to get up and knee Shamrock from behind into the ropes. The referee checks on Shamrock as Regal goes over to William, who surprisingly winds up and decks Regal! After weeks and months of mistreatment, William fires back on the man who fired him just after the August Clash. William goes down to the floor with Regal down as the referee now goes to check on him, unsure of what has happened. But just then from the back ...
Terra Ryzing appears, not seen in literally months now, close to all of 1993. He grabs William and throws him into the ringpost. As Shamrock gets up, he gets onto the apron and grabs him, dropping down to hang him up with the top rope. Regal gets up and quickly hits a Japanese neckbreaker followed by a cover, grabbing the 3 count just after the 8 minute mark. Regal retains the TV Title with help from an unlikely source here, and even above that, defeats Shamrock, the first man to do so in WCW so far. Ryzing enters the ring and together with Regal they start kicking the downed Shamrock. Ryzing picks up Shamrock and hits a double underhook facebuster on him, before Regal turns him and locks in the Regal Stretch. Tony Schiavone is calling for help, but ends up getting it from the unlikely source when William enters and decks Ryzing with a big right hand. Regal releases the hold and gets up into several rights himself. The last punch sends Regal over the top and to the floor where he is joined by Ryzing and the 2 leave. William has shown a fire here tonight not seen before and for the first time seems over his previous loyalty to Regal and ready to get revenge for the poor treatment he has received.
vs 
A second unadvertised match sees the new U.S. champion Ice Train stepping into the ring in a handicap match against the team of Pat Tanaka and Haito. Jesse Ventura thinks that Train is biting off way more than he can chew here with 2 experienced veterans like Tanaka and Haito, who could take the new champion to school just days after his title win. Despite being a handicap match, both Tanaka and Haito are in the ring together working on Train, but he overpowers them, shoving both off at the same time. Much of the match is Train working over them with power moves, leading to a scoop on Tanaka into a fireman's carry. Before he can drop him, Haito comes and gets kicked in the midsection. Train then scoops him up and is standing there with both men up at the same time! Fans cheer as Train lifts Haito up on top of Tanaka before dropping back, driving both men into the mat with a slam. Train gets up and places them 1 on top of the other before hitting the ropes and coming back with a running big splash into a 3 count just after the 4 minute mark. U.S. title or not, Train shows he is here to give it his all every time, disposing of not 1, but 2 men at once here. Jesse Ventura wonders though what will happen when Sid Vicious comes looking to get his title back.
vs 
The big debut of the mysterious Yoshi Kwan comes next. Videos have been airing to hype his debut, while Heavy Metal Van Hammer heads to the ring first, just rocking out like he normally does with guitar and all. The commentators wonder though what is going through Hammer's head at this, the last minute, knowing nothing about your opponent. Jesse Ventura tells the viewers that he has been in those shoes before, not knowing what to expect, and you have to go in there with a game plan no matter what and stick to it. Much like War Games, this might not be about winning and losing for Van Hammer, but rather surviving. At that point the music hits, billed from Hong Kong, out comes ...
Yoshi Kwan. Maybe a bigger surprise than the wrestler himself is who is with him. Harley Race leads the way, unknown ahead of time to anybody, especially Hammer who plays surprised in the ring. Ventura calls this a game changer as you do not know what to expect out of Kwan when he has somebody like Race in his corner calling the shots. Hammer tries but can not seem to get anything going against Kwan, who utterly dominates this match. Hammer gets dropped with a spinning back kick as he comes off the ropes. From there, Kwan brings him up and applies an armbar, gripping the trapezius in a nervehold. Jesse Ventura says that this move is called the Sleeping Dragon, to which Tony Schiavone wonders how he would know that. Ventura says he has been to some dark places through NAVY Seals and there are parts of this world where that move is as well known and feared as a move like the powerbomb would be here. Kwan gets the win in under 4 minutes, a dominating performance over Heavy Metal. Not finished, Race tells him to apply the hold again! Kwan does it and leaves Hammer laying in a heap, an impressive display in his WCW debut.
vs 
An important match in the tag team division featuring 2 tag teams that have not seen much action lately. The Hollywood Blonds last took to the ring back at the August 6 Clash of Champions in a losing effort to The Road Warriors before disappearing for several weeks. A return came on Nitro with the announcement from J.J. Dillon that their first match back would be against The Nasty Boys. Not seen in even longer, Slamboree to be precise, The Nasty Boys have kept an extremely low profile in that time. Perhaps an injury, perhaps just time off, or perhaps as The Hollywood Blonds claim, they are in no condition to perform. According to The Blonds, The Nasties have let themselves go and are mere shells of their former selves and will have to forfeit this match here tonight. The Blonds are out first, shortly followed by The Nasty Boys who look the same as before, "nasty as they wanna be" according to Tony Schiavone. Fans are on their side this time as they wanna see The Blonds get theirs here tonight. Different style of match than the opening tag team match, focusing on a more brawling style with some moves at a more methodical pace rather than the quick pace with more aerial moves used in that match. Both teams get close but it is The Blonds isolating Saggs that gets Jesse Ventura to thinking that the time off could have been too long in the 1 case, while the other was just enough of a break to heal up. With Brian Pillman going to the top rope to come off onto Saggs, he gets a leg up to catch Pillman before making the hot tag to Knobbs despite Pillman trying to prevent it. Knobbs takes out Pillman before Steve Austin comes in and gets some just because he can. Knobbs is cleaning house right now when the tag goes to Saggs. Knobbs hits Pillman with the running powerslam, followed by the elbow drop off the top rope. Saggs covers as Knobbs cuts off Austin from breaking up the count and The Nasty Boys win the match via pinfall just past the 12 minute mark. A successful return that has to shoot them up the ladder of contenders for the WCW Tag Team title going forward. Both commentators seem impressed with what they have seen, but the WCW tag team division remains 1 of the hottest in all of wrestling right now, so they will need to keep it up if they are to get that shot at Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. The Blonds meanwhile looking to get back on track here tonight will have to go back to the drawing board, although Ventura thinks they are not likely to take this loss without retaliation.
NJPW Greatest 18 title match
vs 
vs Not 1 to shy away from the competition, capturing New Japan's Greatest 18 championship has led to The Lone Wolf becoming a target, leading to him seeking out protection from Dallas Page and his Diamond Mine. It seemed like the big Ice Train was closing in on a shot with Windham's open contract, only for Page's own man The Diamond Studd to sign it against their wishes. Studd was given a chance to relinquish the match but refused to do so, and he paid the price on Saturday Night last night, getting turned on by Page and beat down by him and Windham. This match now goes beyond a title for The Studd, it is about revenge. The stat gets brought up that since winning the title at Bash at the Beach from Masa Chono, Windham has avoided going to Japan but rumor has it that the winner here will have to travel across the Pacific in the near future. Windham jumps Studd to start the match and takes early advantage of Studd's more limited offense thanks to the attack he suffered last night. Windham can be heard telling him that he should have listened and given up when he had the chance, now he will be forced to give up anyway. A few 2 counts follow, but as out of it as he might be, Studd still shows enough to kick out. Windham goes for a clothesline when Studd ducks it. The Lone Wolf turns into Studd's first offense of the match with staggered punches that show some hope for him, but Windham quickly turns the momentum again by blocking a punch and hitting a knee to the midsection. Studd goes to his knees with Windham kicking him square in the face. Fans boo as Studd goes down while Windham yells to the fans. It is not over though because fans cheer as Studd starts to get up! Windham tells him to stay down and give up, but Studd gets to 1 knee ready to fight, before Windham hits the ropes and charges back at him, this time hitting the lariat. Studd is on his back with Windham up and looking down at him, again verbally trashing him. He goes for the pin, but just before 3,Studd pops up a shoulder as the fans cheer. Getting behind the underdog in this match, Windham tells them to shutup again and tells Studd to give up. Studd though gets to his knees and again holds up his hands to fight! There is no quit in this man here tonight, but Windham is also showing no mercy as he grabs Studd pulls him into the front facelock and preps for the Implant DDT. Studd has other ideas though as he drives Windham back first to the corner. Studd lands a punch with the force sending himself falling into the ropes, struggling to stay upright. Another, and another, and a discus punch sends Windham down! Studd is getting an improbable comeback here as Windham gets up, with Studd going to a wristlock pulled into a shoulderblock. Studd lifts Windham up and gives a fallaway slam and covers, only a 2. Some more offense follows as Studd hits a bulldog and covers, Windham narrowly escaping at the 2. Fans cheer as Studd pulls Windham in for the Diamond Death Drop, but Windham instead manages to drop down behind him to the mat. Studd turns and kick to the gut, followed by the Implant DDT. Just like that as Windham covers with Studd out like a light and picks up the 3 to retain. He knows he has been in a battle here tonight with Studd's huge comeback that got the fans behind him and never say die attitude.
World title match
vs 
vs Ravishing Rick Rude's near record 500+ day reign as U.S. champion came to an end back in April thanks to his opponent tonight Dustin Rhodes. While far from a record reign, in fact barely over a month long since Rude was awarded the title he carries by WCW international following a reversal of decision in the Bash at the Beach match, it still remains that his opponent tonight is seemingly the 1 man that can defeat him. Further proof of that came on Monday's Nitro when Rhodes pinned Rude in a tag team match. It would seem that the pressure could be getting to Rude, but it should be expected for him to be on his game here tonight at Fall Brawl and for both men to bring it with the title on the line. To give further big match feel to this, once again here to do the ring introductions is the man himself ...
Michael Buffer: Tonight at Fall Brawl, as WCW prepares for War Games, 2 men prepare for a war of their own as they get set to do battle over the heavyweight championship of the world. With a lineage that spans back to greats of the past, names like Lou Thesz, Pat O'Connor, Buddy Rogers, Gene Kiniski, amongst many others. Tonight, 1 man hopes to further cement his status, looking to 1 day become synonymous with those names, while the other looks to put his name in the record books for the first time in their company, and the company of his father The American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Chicago, Illinois, are you ready?!? Wrestling fans, are, you, rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrready?!? For the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world, from the Rosemont Horizon here in the Windy City, ladies and gentlemen, LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLET'S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!
Rhodes is introduced first, followed by Rude, accompanied by Alexandra York. The history with Rhodes and York goes back a few months here with her playing a large part in Rhodes' U.S. title loss to Sid Vicious back in July, and then it coming out later that she was using her position to manipulate Rhodes as the biggest threat to Rude in an effort to keep him down in the rankings for part 2 of the plan, getting Rude the World title recognition from WCW international with Jesse Ventura's restart of the match being deemed illegal by them meaning in their record books, Rude pinned Ricky Steamboat to become champion. With York out there, it is not long before WCW commissioner J.J. Dillon and a security guard are out, but why? She is being ordered removed from ringside! Rude is beside himself with that decision and York does not take kindly to it, yelling for security to get his hands off of her as she leaves under protest with Dillon just pointing them to the back. The match gets started and it is all Rhodes early on as it would seem Rude is very off his game. Only a few minutes in and Rude gets caught by surprise with a schoolboy that almost keeps him down for 3. He quickly goes to the floor to control the pace and slow things down, but Rhodes follows and gets him back inside. As Rhodes enters though, Rude drops an atomic elbow to the the back of the head and starts taking the upperhand.
Rude starts to focus his attack on the neck, wearing it down. Rhodes is able to briefly offer some counter offense when he reverses Rude into the ropes and catches him with a dropkick. Rude though manages to reverse Rhodes into the ropes, instead grabbing him by the back of the head to send him out to the floor. The referee questions Rude, but he just ignores and goes outside to drive Rhodes back first into the ring apron. Rude rolls back in content with a countout win as fans chant with the referee. Just before the 10, Rhodes is able to roll in and save himself, for now anyway. Rude continues to wear down and Rhodes and lifts him up with a gutwrench into a backbreaker rack. Rhodes fights it as Rude grips tighter and wrenches down to put pressure on the spine, slowly going out. Eventually Rhodes goes limp and the referee checks on the arm. Once, twice, but not a third time as Rhodes keeps the arm up and starts fighting back, eventually dropping down to the mat after separating the arms. Rhodes starts mounting a comeback and starts landing the bionic elbows, wheelbarrowing his hands to finish off with 1 that puts Rude down to the mat. Rhodes delivers some more offense building to the bulldog. Rude however blocks it by shoving Rhodes off. When he turns back, Rude hits him with a kick to the gut and follows that up with a Rude Awakening. He covers ...
... 1
... 2
... NO! Rhodes manages to kick much to Rude's surprise. Rude holds 3 fingers to the referee in disbelief, then anger. Jesse Ventura thinks that Rude should stay focused on the match because this is what cost him the match with Ricky Steamboat a couple months back when he referee'd it, leading Tony Schiavone to say that technically the decision was reversed by WCW and Rude won. Ventura says that Rude will have to earn recognition from him as World champion because as good as he is, you gotta win the belt in the ring and he won it a month later in a court room. Rude never the less gets things going again, but this time it is Rhodes with a counter when Rude goes for a go behind. Rhodes blocks, holding onto the ropes to send Rude back alone. As he gets up with his back to Rhodes, the challenger gets the head and drives it into the mat with a bulldog. Rhodes covers ...
... 1
... 2
... NO! Rude is close enough that he gets to the ropes and Dustin can not believe it. This close to the win. He brings Rude up and sets up for another, but this time Rude shoves him off and right into the referee! He goes down and Rhodes turn to Rude swinging but ducks and catches him with an atomic drop. Rhodes grabs Rude to bring him up when from the back comes Alexandra York! She climbs up onto the apron and sprays something into the eyes of Rhodes to blind him. Rude gets up as the referee starts stirring and Rhodes turns into a Rude Awakening and the referee gets over to start a slower count ...
... 1
... 2
... 3! Slower, but it is enough at just over 18 minutes of action. Rude wins the match through outside interference and will retain, but Rhodes gave it is his all here. Ventura is unimpressed by this victory and thinks Rude a year ago could have done it on his own, but he was so paranoid over Rhodes' pinfalls of him, they resorted to York coming out. Tony Schiavone thinks that J.J. Dillon will not only be reviewing that tape, but a rematch would have to be inevitable based on that finish. Ventura wonders where Dillon was, asleep at the wheel or something to bar her and then let her come back out, but Schiavone points out it was only in that brief minute the referee was down that she had the opportunity. WCW personnel help Rhodes to the back, getting a cheer from fans.
Eric Bischoff: Wow. Another great match and this night has really been something else for WCW fans. Right now, here with J.J. Dillon, and want to ask about Hulk Hogan, but also that finish we just saw.
J.J. Dillon: In regards to what we just saw, Miss York was banned from ringside. A referee being out doesn't change that and normally I would restart the match, but I mean, the guy can barely see right now and just took a second Rude Awakening. This was not the time. As far as I'm concerned, there will be a rematch in the very near future.
Eric Bischoff: Alright, and what about the question of the hour. Question of the night in fact. 2 ringside seats left for Hulk Hogan, the invitation extended, but no arrival and at this point, it's looking like he won't be showing up.
The fans naturally boo that.
J.J. Dillon: Hey, I understand! Believe me, I get it. I wanted him here tonight too. And you're right, the invitation was extended but it's looking like he has decided not to take me up on the offer. I don't know what else to do though. I mean, I don't even know what he wants?!
The fans start chanting "Sting, Sting, Sting".
Missy Hyatt: These fans seem to know what he wants.
J.J. Dillon: If that's what he wants, then just show up again and this time WCW will be prepared for it. I'll be prepared for it. Don't drive your Harley in and interrupt a match and then leave. If Hulk Hogan wants Sting (the fans pop again), then I'm going to make signing that match my #1 priority from here on out. The fans want it, now we just gotta cross some t's and dot some i's, and get this thing going.
Eric Bischoff: Alright, there you have it. Sting vs ... Hulk Hogan?! Could be. But right now it's Sting in War Games, along with 9 other men. J.J. thank you, Missy, great work tonight as always. Right now though, a look at what led up to tonight's match before we send it back to Tony Schiavone and Jesse Ventura.
WAR GAMES
This is it. War Games, The Match Beyond. 2 teams of 5, locked inside the double ring caged structure until 1 man submits or surrenders. A short video package goes over the rules with highlights shown from past matches. Doors at opposite corners of the 2 rings to keep the teams apart during the match. 2 wrestlers start for 5 minutes and then a coin toss takes place to determine which team will get the advantage. Teams then alternate their entry of wrestlers every 2 minutes through the doors until all 8 men are in the ring, at which point "The Match Beyond" starts. The match is not done elimination style and can only end in submission once The Match Beyond has started, meaning anything goes on the inside of the double cage. No DQs, no count outs, no pinfalls, no escape!
At play within this match is the keyword of dissension. Who can trust who? In the build up to War Games, Sting and Ric Flair seemed to be at ends, all the while the drama evolved with their original fifth partner Road Warrior Animal getting taken out by Harlem Heat. While it is unclear if Sting can trust Flair given their history, cracks started appearing on the other side between Big Van Vader and Sid Vicious. Several miscues in matches combined with a match in the Strongest Arm tournament between them weeks ago that saw Sid win, all built to this past Monday where Sid was offered a spot to be the fifth man for Flair and Sting. Sid eventually stayed put, and at the end of the night Sting revealed it was all a ruse to add more tension by planting that seed of doubt and making Sid think about if he can trust the other 4 and if they can trust Sid, all the while bringing in Cactus Jack to be the fifth man on their team. The same wrestler that Sid took out at Slamboree nearly 4 months ago. Tonight is his first chance at revenge, inside War Games.
Joining the heels on the outside is Harley Race, while the faces are joined by Dusty Rhodes following his appearance this past Monday on Nitro. The commentators mention that these 2 men might not be entering the cage itself, but will still play an important role as they will be involved in the coin toss that determines the man advantage throughout the match.
vs 
The 2 wrestlers starting the initial 5 minute period are co holder of the WCW Tag Team titles Arn Anderson and co captain of the opposition Ron Simmons. To say that these 2 leave nothing out there is an understatement as they go back and forth, hitting hard as they both look to get the advantage for whichever team will gain the initial handicap from the coin toss. The remaining 8 wrestlers are anxious on the outside as are Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race. With times cues coming, they are readied on the outside. Anderson manages to catch Simmons with a DDT out of nowhere by telegraphing him coming off the ropes, but both men are left down for a few seconds. Time ends, and coin flip time! Race wins and as the heels celebrate, enter the cage is ...
Booker T! Half of Harlem Heat, and he immediately jumps Anderson. Booker gets the initial offense but Anderson gets a brief comeback, only for Simmons to get at him having had enough time to recuperate. What follows for the remainder of the time period is a 2 on 1 beatdown as the opposition strategizes, or rather argues about who to go in next. Ric Flair seems to want to answer the call with his tag team partner going down right now, but Sting seems to think otherwise and wants to send the big man in, Hawk. Time winds down and the buzzer sounds with Simmons and Booker awaiting their next opponent. It is ...
Sting himself!? Sting takes the bull by the horns and goes in, with the commentators wondering if this maybe goes back to Sting not being 100% sold on Flair as a partner. The 2 immediately jump Sting as the cage door closes and things start looking like a mistake. But a double clothesline attempt sees the Stinger duck and come back with 1 for both of them. Anderson is up and goes after Booker while Sting works over Simmons. Meanwhile the heels ready their gameplan with Sid wanting in, but Race telling him now is not the time. An argument takes place on their side with Race audibly overheard saying Sid is going to be saved and instead now is the time to send in the big man. The 2 minutes are up, in goes ...
The WCW Heavyweight champion Big Van Vader! Sid is visibly upset by this decision as Vader enters the cage. The strategy pays off though as the team immediately goes back onto the advantage with the 3 on 2 as Vader gets at Sting from behind. Anderson briefly makes a save, but Simmons and Booker manager to get him and isolate him back away in the second ring while Vader works over Sting in the other. Things are not looking good with Tony Schiavone asking Jesse Ventura if he were making the shots, who does he send in next. Ventura answers back that if he were on that team, he would turn and run because there is no getting to that team right now. None the less, the 2 minutes are up, next in ...
Ric Flair enters to a huge pop and has a split second decision to make of who to help, Sting or Anderson. He goes towards Simmons and Booker, taking care of them and leaving Sting to continue taking Vader's assault. This prompts the speculation that maybe Sting was right this entire time and he in fact can not trust Flair in there. Once Simmons and Booker are backed off a bit and Anderson has had some time to recover, Flair goes over and turns Vader into some serious chops. Gun shots could be going off in the building and they would not be heard under the slapping noise these are generating as Sting gets saved. Not for long though because the 2 minutes are up again ...
Stevie Ray is in! And Anderson gets hits from behind before a 3 on 1 mugging as he lay on the mat. Flair goes over to help with Sting still getting up, but the numbers game is way too much. He makes an initial difference, but goes down. Simmons takes Flair's head and then runs it across the steel mesh as the blood begins to flow. This is what makes War Games so dangerous according to Jesse Ventura, and Flair could be the weak point going forward with that open wound. Vader meanwhile has Sting and manages to give him a Vader bomb out of the corner in the other ring. 4 on 3 and at this point, Anderson, Sting, and Flair are looking worse for wear. Dusty has a tough call to make next of who to send in, but when the 2 minutes are up, in goes ...
Road Warrior Hawk! Give him credit because despite it being 4 against 1 and a battered 3, he still goes in with nothing to lose. A 2 on 1 from Harlem Heat will not stop him from fighting for his life. Managing to fend them off, he gets Simmons from behind. Vader comes in and now it is 4 on 1. Any attempt at getting up from the other 3 just leads to a kick to keep them down. And to think, they have Sid Vicious coming in next to close the deal Jesse Ventura chuckles to the viewers. Simmons with assistance lifts Hawk up into the lifting spinebuster, but that is not enough. Rather than drive him down, Harlem Heat help him drive Hawk up head first into the cage and then down to the mat. Everybody is down ...
In comes Sid Vicious! Unlike every other entrance, this 1 has little energy to it because they are in such a dominant position with this match right now. Sid initially proves to be a problem, just going around and giving everybody some, whether a choke in the corner for Flair, chokeslam for Anderson, legdrop for Hawk. A powerbomb for Sting is next with Race yelling for him to hit the cage with it. The commentators point out that this is what did Brian Pillman in back in the 1991 War Games, knocking him out. Sid lifts Sting up, but instead of hitting the cage, he grabs it. He starts kicking Sid with his legs, hanging from the top of the structure. Sid gets kicked away as Sting quickly climbs to the ropes. Standing on top, he leaps into the other ring with a flying body press onto all 3, Simmons and Harlem Heat. Fans are cheering as the time is winding down. Flair comes at Vader with a knee from behind and knocks him into Sid. The 2 begin to argue as the buzzer goes ...
There will be time for that later, because in comes Cactus Jack! The announcement comes over that this is the start of the match beyond, surrender or submission! No time for arguing between Vader and Sid as Cactus is looking towards Sid, who actually gets shoved from behind by Vader into Cactus. Sid and Cactus start battling it out as fans are going crazy here in Chicago. Sting has Simmons down in a corner. Hawk has Booker T, while Flair and Anderson have Stevie Ray isolated. The cheers are short lived though because Vader gets in there to break up the 2 on 1 and gets Flair alone. Sid is getting the better of Cactus and rams him face first into the cage. Cactus gets bloodied up a bit before Sid turns and looks around. He heads over to Vader and resumes their argument while Race from the outside tells them to just focus on winning the match. They seem to agree on that as Vader can be heard telling Sid to "use your fucking brain man" over a camera. The 2 high 5 and all looks well. Sid goes back to Cactus and Race is signaling to try and throw Cactus through the cage!? Sid grabs Cactus and runs him into the cage once, no go. Brawling galore throughout the rest of the 2 rings to ensure fan focus is on Cactus and Sid. Sid grabs him again and head first into the cage a second time, but not through it. Sid grabs him a third time, but Cactus reverses it and instead rams Sid face first into the cage. Cactus catches him with a double underhook DDT and both men stay down. Race tells Vader to go after Cactus because he is weak, but Hawk cuts him off and the 2 big men of each team begin to brawl it out. Flair meanwhile gets Simmons and Anderson has Booker T. Sting reverses Stevie Ray into a Stinger splash. As he drops down, Sting is on him, going to the legs. Scorpion Deathlock! Stevie Ray fights off submitting as Simmons tries to get there, Vader is in the other ring. He hits off Hawk and goes to the ropes to get in, but the bell rings! It is too late. Stevie Ray submits and Sting has won the match for his team! Rhodes is as excited as any fan by this as the 2 teams separate back 1 ring each. The blame game begins amongst the heels leading to Simmons and Booker walking out and helping Stevie Ray and just leaving the other 2 rather than listen to that. Vader and Sid start getting in each other's face but not to be as from behind it is Cactus Jack! Not content, not finished, he goes after Sid, and Vader just leaves! His team gets to him and holds him back to give Sid time to get out the door. What a night proclaims Tony Schiavone, although the 2 ringside seats remain empty. No sign of Hulk Hogan tonight, no sign of anybody for that matter despite the open invitation in what ends up amounting to little more than speculation to help get late buys for the PPV, but with an air of uncertainty there, fans have to wonder what is the Hulkster's next move? From Chicago, Illinois, until tomorrow's Nitro and the fallout from tonight, it is so long until then. Next on tap, a preview plays for the upcoming WCW Halloween Havoc PPV in 6 weeks time on October 27 from The Lake Front Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. The big push in the commercial is for "Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal" indicating a return for last year's headlining match.
