NWA Clash Of The Champions #13 - "Thanksgiving Thunder" - 20/11/1990
Butch Reed (w/Ron Simmons & Theodore R. Long) vs. Ric Flair (w/Arn Anderson)
Before the match began, the two teams flipped a coin to determine who will wrestle in the main event, which I think is a cool idea. And WCW managed to choose the best option, picking Butch Reed and Ric Flair old foes. What is less cool is the amount of stipulations attached to it which just degrades the whole thing. I never understood the southern territories’ obsession with yachts and cars being on the line. The match was a whole lot of fun. The full example of what a heel vs heel match can offer. It was so charming and fun. Both wrestlers are unafraid to cheat, uncompromising the lack of values they have and it allows the fans to embrace the idea of cheating because it’s not against anyone honourable. Reed busted Flair up with punches, causing a cut. There was a great sequence where Flair was trapped in the figure four and Arn had to pull him near out of the ring to cause the break. Arn comes in and uses the chair to get Flair the win and gets them a world tag title match at starrcade which is an awesome match. I'm looking forward to it. ***3/4
NWA Starrcade 1990 - "Collision Course” - 16/12/1990
NWA United States Heavyweight Title Bullrope Match: Stan Hansen (c) vs. Lex Luger
While the finish was weak, I’m not surprised there was a bit of a screwy finish. But this was a really good match. The crowd was more into this than they were at the Halloween Havoc match, likely due to being a better crowd but they were more violent and action packed in this match. It’s a shame that this was the blow-off because they could’ve gone further with Hansen in general but also this feud. These two had great chemistry and could’ve gone the whole mile. Both looked great too. Luger regains the US title, being saved by the ref. ***3/4
NWA World Tag Team Title Street Fight: Doom (Butch Reed & Ron Simmons) (w/Teddy Long) (c) vs. The Four Horsemen (Arn Anderson & Barry Windham)
I’m guessing as soon as Flair was replaced with Barry Windham, his role in the main event was going to be more clear. Whether it would’ve made this match better or worse is a mystery. Flair is the better wrestler, but Windham in a brawl? Maybe more suitable here. And personally, I think Flair could’ve done both matches with ease. But as it stands, this was terrific.. They fight almost immediately, on the entrance, on the floor, in the ring. Even Jim Ross struggled to call it. It’s a slugfest that was beyond a play by play description. It was dogged, dirty and pretty nasty. Windham bleeding in his leather gear was a terrific look. He looked like a bad ass. Doom thrived in this short format as well. They could be brutal as well as quick, not having to worry about pacing a 15 minute match. And they used everything they could, including a thick belt with the buckle included which was gross. But this is WCW, so they had to do a dumb double finish. Just fucking pin someone clean. Ugh. But at least they brawled afterwards too which did distract from the finish. Shame it doesn’t go further than this. Maybe Ole’s most inspired work putting Doom against the Horseman. But he’s gone after this show. ****
NWA World Heavyweight Title Steel Cage Match (Special Referee: Dick The Bruiser): Sting (c) vs. The Black Scorpion (Ric Flair)
I will say this: it’s very amusing to see Ric Flair fight against every instinct in his body, particularly because everything he did was pure instinct. And the black suit made his height more apparent too. But there is no saving this. This was a chore and the worst kind of sports entertaining styled drama. Flair’s reveal is shit too. It was a horror, business killing angle all in all. DUD
Other Star Ratings:
Bobby Eaton vs Z-Man - 3
Mr. Saito & The Great Muta vs. The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) - 2.5
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