WCW SuperBrawl III - 21/02/1993
Erik Watts & Marcus Alexander Bagwell vs. The Hollywood Blondes (Flyin' Brian Pillman & Stunning Steve Austin)
Both Watts and Bagwell are fairly inexperienced, clearly but The Blondes did a really good job of selling and bumping for them, making them look better than their level is at. Watts took some good bumps as well to his credit. But on offence they are a great tag team, always covering for each other in the match. Making quick tags in and out refreshing each other up. Loved the spot where they called for a time-out when Watts was in control. I love a good time out spot. The set-up for the hot tag with Austin clashing heads and then bouncing off the ropes was great and Bagwell actually did a decent job of doing the hot tag role but the Blondes took back control before it gained much more steam and the finish happened. A really good match that highlighted the Blondes as crafty heels and Bagewell and Watts as decent, albeit bland, babyfaces that can sell. ***1/2
2 Cold Scorpio vs. Chris Benoit
It’s interesting seeing Benoit in WCW this early. I guess the New Japan partnership is showing its benefits here. They have the typical Jr wrestling start, with nice looking kip-ups and arm wringers. But Scoprio then shows off his great athletic ability, adding a little more snap to the standard drop down -> armdrag spot to make it stand out way more. This plays out very much like someone trying to show off what they can do but they keep the competitive spirit of the match really well. The middle section was a bit forgettable but the finish with the time limit tease was extremely effective. ***1/2
Bill Irwin vs. Davey Boy Smith
This was a really bad squash. Davey Boy was gassed by the end of it and his stuff looked less than clean. *
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Cactus Jack vs. Paul Orndorff
Damn, Cactus Jack took tons of really painful bumps in this match. There was a shovel involved. Orndoff took it to Cactus big time. Really fun plunder/crowd brawl. ***1/2
The Heavenly Bodies (Stan Lane & Tom Prichard) (w/Jim Cornette) vs. The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson)
I have to say that I loved Eaton coming down, trying to help Stan Lane and Cornette. The match wasn't something that I loved, rather thought it was solid with some good peaks. Cornette running into the criss cross was fun. Although I couldn't help think that a spot like that is something Cornette would fine stupid today as Lane looks stupid for continously running when Morton had long gotten out of the ring by that point. ***
WCW United States Heavyweight Title Match: Dustin Rhodes (c) vs. Maxx Payne
This was fucking terrible. It lasted eternity and was botch filled early on before turning terribly boring. And then we get a DQ finish to top it all off. Great. DUD
NWA World Heavyweight Title Match: The Great Muta (w/Hiro Matsuda) (c) vs. Barry Windham
A famously uninspired match with Muta not trying which he's known to do when it's the case. However Windham is a little too deliberate with his pacing and struggles to get any heat because of that. Also this is heel vs heel with no real defacto face as well. We have no reason to care. Shockingly poor match. Flair putting the belt on Windham is the only interesting aspect of the match. Step one into the Flair/Windham program. *
Non Title White Castle Of Fear Leather Strap Match: Big Van Vader (w/Harley Race) vs. Sting
Excellent match that totally lived upto the hype and praise. It was refreshing not seeing the usual sprint for the final corner finish that usually happens. Instead we get a definitive win, although Sting is protected enough. We got a violent match where both men are covered in welts and blood. Vader showed that he was more than a brute as well with the use of the strap. He used it to bully Sting around the ring at his pleasure using his strength while Sting had to use Vader’s mistakes. It was a fight. And that’s what you want. ****1/2
WCW Saturday Night 20/02/1993
Lumberjack Match: Brian Pillman vs. Ricky Steamboat
This was a little too long-winded to be special but this is a great match. They use the common tropes of the Lumberjack matches well but develop the one to one chemistry between Pillman and Steamboat really well. Pillman slows the tempo down to a controlling pace to work on Steamboat’s back, while using the Lumberjacks to his advantage to team up with Austin. Steamboat’s selling was amazing. Think Hogan vs Andre WM 3. The same type of selling on the bodyslam because Pillman destroyed his back. Excellent stuff. The finish during the break is a little Mid-South but they recapped it well, making the match feel complete. ****
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