Welcome to KB’s Previous Faculty (and New Faculty) Critiques. I’ve been reviewing wrestling exhibits for over twelve years now and have reviewed over 6,000 exhibits. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new assessment right here on Wrestlingrumors.web. It may very well be something from trendy WWE to old-fashioned to indies to something in between. Word that I fee utilizing letters as a substitute of stars and I don’t fee matches underneath three minutes as actually, how good or dangerous can one thing that brief be?
SuperBrawl IDate: Could 19, 1991Location: Bayfront Area, St. Petersburg, FloridaAttendance: 6,000Commentators: Jim Ross, Dusty Rhodes
I haven’t checked out some early WCW in a very long time so hopefully it lives as much as the fairly low expectations. That is the primary present of the sequence and is going down in Could as a substitute of the common February. The primary occasion is Ric Aptitude vs. Tatsumi Fujinami for each the WCW and NWA World Titles, as a result of that was nonetheless a factor again then. Let’s get to it.
The opening video has a bunch of American and Japanese flags, to point out you what your entire level is.
As traditional, I need to ask, WHY IS THE BIG WCW LOGO TILTED JUST A BIT???
Singer Randy Brown performs America the Lovely, as a result of WCW thinks we want some largely unknown singer at each pay per view.
Dusty Rhodes is VERY excited in regards to the World Title match so I would as properly get this out of the way in which right here.
The WCW and NWA World Titles have been separate belts however represented by the identical champion for a number of months. In different phrases, sure Aptitude was the NWA World Champion, however not one talked about that in America, the place he was solely billed because the WCW World Champion. They talked about it in Japan although, and again in March, Tatsumi Fujinami beat Aptitude in a match for less than the NWA World Title.
Nevertheless, since that wasn’t a factor in America, WCW mentioned that Aptitude was nonetheless World Champion as a result of he was thrown excessive rope. In Japan, Fujinami was billed as champion as a result of he pinned Aptitude, making it title for title at SuperBrawl. WCW billed it as solely Aptitude defending in a rematch, as a result of WCW and the NWA favored making issues WAY extra difficult than they need to have been time after time after time (and on prime of THAT, commentary in March mentioned that Fujinami’s IWGP World Title was on the road but it surely was by no means talked about to the stay crowd).
And sure, I did have to jot down that about three completely different instances so I might make any sense of the entire thing.
US Tag Group Titles: Fabulous Freebirds vs. Younger Pistols
The titles are vacant coming in because of the Steiner Brothers successful the World Tag Group Titles. The Freebirds have supervisor Diamond Dallas Web page (with one of many Diamond Dolls) and Street Boss Massive Daddy Dink as a result of they wanted a 3 individual entourage. Web page has a headset microphone and talks loads of annoying trash, displaying why he would have a job for a very long time to come back.
Steve (Armstrong, of the Armstrongs) begins with Michael Hayes and an early rollup provides Armstrong two. All the pieces breaks down in a rush with the Birds being despatched exterior and brought down by a double clothesline from the apron. Again in and Dink journeys Steve down so the Birds can take over for a change. Cue Brad Armstrong (Steve’s brother) to even issues up a bit as there are WAY too many individuals concerned right here.
Fortunately the referee eliminates everybody however the individuals truly within the match and it’s Steve slipping underneath a double clothesline for the recent tag to Tracy (Smothers) who clears the ring in a rush. Again in and a double shoulder will get two on Jimmy Garvin (that hair is superb) so it’s already again to Hayes. Meaning loads of strolling round and clapping, as a result of Hayes REALLY likes doing that fairly a bit. A low bridge places Tracy on the ground and Garvin drops him onto the barricade for a nasty trying crash.
Tracy will get knocked off the apron a number of extra instances earlier than Garvin knees him within the head again inside. Hayes will get in a left hand to the pinnacle to drop Tracy once more however a superkick (nowhere close to an enormous deal in 1991) places Garvin down. It’s off to Armstrong to wash home as all the pieces breaks down once more. The Birds keep away from missile dropkicks however get clotheslined exterior in a heap.
Again in and a Hart Assault (elbow as a substitute of clothesline however shut sufficient) off the highest drops Hayes and a dropkick model does the identical to Garvin. The referee will get bumped within the course of although and right here’s a masked man in a feathered go well with (full with FANTASIA on the chest) to DDT each Pistols to offer the Birds the pin and the titles at 10:21.
Score: C-. This was a bit disjointed on account of loads of stalling from the Birds, plus all the interference was sort of a distraction. That being mentioned, at the least they’d a sizzling ending with the Birds dishonest (as they have been identified to do) to win the titles. The Pistols appeared good although and it’s simple to see why they have been round so long as they have been.
Ricky Morton vs. Dan Spivey
This was through the interval the place Robert Gibson was injured and Morton was wrestling on his personal. Spivey wastes no time in throwing him round and sending Morton exterior. It really works so properly that he does it once more, adopted by a DDT to drop Morton again inside. A clothesline provides Spivey two and there’s a Razor’s Edge to maintain Morton down. Morton’s crossbody is countered with a fall away slam and a legdrop will get two. Spivey will get rolled up for 2 so he powerbombs the heck out of Morton for the pin at 3:12.
Score: D+. Whole squash right here with Morton’s offense coming within the type of a rollup. Spivey was a monster who all the time appeared like he may very well be one thing however he by no means broke by means of to the subsequent stage. When he can do one thing dominant like this although, you’ll be able to see why he saved getting likelihood after likelihood.
Z-Man and Missy Hyatt are right here. Z-Man is injured however will probably be again quickly. As for Missy, she goes to be within the dressing room for interviews tonight. She tried this at WrestleWar and bought chased off by Stan Hansen. Missy guarantees an enchancment tonight.
Nikita Koloff vs. Tommy Wealthy
Wealthy hits an early crossbody for one so Koloff glares at him a bit. The early feeling out course of continues with Wealthy’s headlock so Koloff sends him into the buckle. Some forearms to the again and an elbow to the ribs get two on Wealthy however he’s again with proper palms within the nook. The spinning excessive crossbody misses although and the Russian Sickle finishes Wealthy at 4:07.
Score: D. One other squash right here as Koloff is shifting ahead in direction of the US Title that commentary talked about half a dozen instances right here. It’s simply such a bizarre sight to see so many squash matches like this on a pay per view. I do know it’s a special time and this was regular, however I really feel like I’m paying to observe a weekly TV present.
Listed here are Teddy Lengthy and newcomer Johnny B. Badd, who promise to knock out PN Information. Johnny will get in his traditional line of “I’m so fairly I ought to have been born a bit lady.” to mess with Schiavone’s head.
Dustin Rhodes vs. Terrance Taylor
Taylor is a part of the York Basis, a company group with Alexandra York (Terri Runnels/Marlena) and safety guard Mr. Hughes. The concept is that York has a pc which tells her how her wrestlers can win her matches, which is one thing that sounds attention-grabbing in principle. Sadly that’s the extent of its usefulness: in principle. Taylor shoves him into the nook to start out however we pause for a phrase from the pc.
A shoulder places Taylor on the ground for extra consultations as Dustin is getting aggravated. Again in and Dustin takes him down with an armdrag as Dusty is pleased with his son. Taylor slips out and let’s examine that pc once more, permitting Dusty to say Dustin is getting flustered. Dustin wins the slugout and headlocks Taylor down for a breather. As you may need anticipated, Taylor stalls once more on the ground as JR wonders in the event that they’re going to overload the pc.
Again in once more and Dustin will get one off a suplex however misses a crossbody (after trying like he practically fell operating the ropes) and falls out onto the ramp. A suplex brings him again in for one however Taylor dives into the raised boot within the eternally dumb trying spot. Dustin grabs the bulldog, drawing York as much as the apron. Hughes grabs Dustin and masses up a glove however hits Taylor by mistake, giving Dustin the pin at 8:05.
Score: C. The pc stuff was effective for a midcard gimmick but it surely bought annoying right here as they saved doing it again and again. Dustin was going to get a robust push round right here on account of all of his potential and his dad being in command of the place, however at the least he might do loads of good issues within the ring.
The announcers discuss in regards to the stay bears which might be about to come back to the ring. Sure, that is certainly a WCW present.
Black Bart vs. Massive Josh
Bart is an evil cowboy who was round without end. Josh is a woodsman higher often known as Matt Borne, the unique Doink. And sure, he does come out with some fairly massive bears (Ring announcers: “Together with a few buddies!”). To be truthful, I favored Josh again within the day so they could have been on to one thing.
Josh takes him down to start out and hits the Log Roll (a bunch of stomps to the ribs) and the strikes put Bart down once more. The armbar has Bart in additional hassle however he rakes the face for his comeback. Josh pulls him down by the arm a number of instances and hits the Northern Publicity (operating seated senton) for the pin at 3:47;.
Score: D-. This was insufferable for essentially the most half because it was a sloppy brawl with neither trying good. I can see why Josh is somebody they needed to push for the sake of constructing youngsters smile, however my goodness this was a horrible match and it’s in all probability about nearly as good as the 2 have been going to have the ability to do.
Right here’s Paul E. Dangerously, in a pink shirt, shorts and a cowboy hat, for his Hazard Zone interview section. After mocking the microphone for not working, right here’s Stan Hansen as his fairly offended visitor. Heyman says the hat makes him an actual cowboy and Hansen seems able to kill him. With the tobacco dripping out of his mouth, he needs to speak to all the younger guys who gained’t combat him tonight, together with Dustin Rhodes. And that’s it, with Hansen leaving so Heyman can discuss the remainder of the cardboard till his microphone dies.
With that out of the way in which, we get the large entrance for OZ, full with the Nice Wizard (who the ring announcer factors out is NOT the Wizard of Oz), Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. They rise up to the large fortress set the place they discover Oz, in his large inexperienced gown with a horned hat, who guarantees to point out them who Ozreally is. Nice Wizard (Kevin Sullivan), again and again on the way in which to the ring: “WELCOME TO OZ! WELCOME TO OZ!”
Ozvs. Tim Parker
Emerald Metropolis Slam (James Storm’s Eye of the Storm) ends Parker at 25 seconds. This is likely one of the all time nice disasters, as WCW was instructed to do one thing with the truth that Turner had acquired the rights to the Wizard of Oz. Subsequent up was purported to be Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind, and no I’m not kidding.
Missy tries to get one other interview and finds Terry Taylor, who says this isn’t it for the York Basis and Dustin Rhodes. That doesn’t curiosity Missy however she thinks Z-Man may be within the bathe. As an alternative it’s Stan Hansen, who apparently wears his underwear within the bathe. From strolling to the ring and speaking so much??? Stan chases her off once more.
Brian Pillman vs. Barry Windham
Taped fist match. Windham shoves him down to start out and that doesn’t please Brian in any respect. Pillman takes him into the nook and hammers away with Windham asking the referee if Pillman is aware of the foundations. Some proper palms to the ribs sluggish Brian down however he’s effective sufficient to dropkick Windham off the highest for an enormous crash. The highest rope proper hand to the ground drops Windham once more however he posts Pillman to close that down. They’re already each busted as Pillman is shipped onto the ramp, permitting Windham to drop him face first onto the barricade. Pillman will get again to his ft and Dusty is VERY into this. Again in and Pillman scores with a spinwheel kick and a few chops with the sweat flying off of Windham’s chest. Extra chops rock Windham however he’s grabs a stomach to again suplex. They hit heads for a double knockdown and it’s Pillman heading up prime. That earns him a fast low blow although and Windham superplexes him for the pin at 6:09.
Score: C+. They have been beating the heck out of one another in there however the match by no means actually bought into one other gear. That being mentioned, their feud wasn’t all that nice within the first place as Pillman didn’t actually win any of the larger matches and jobs once more right here. What precisely have been they anticipating him to get out of the feud after Windham beat him time after time?
Diamond Dallas Web page will get an interview, although solely after he asks everybody within the again to close up (politely) after which asks if we’re stay, as a result of WCW can by no means get their manufacturing proper. He promised to deliver gold again to the Diamond Alternate and that’s what occurred earlier tonight with america Title.
Web page throws us to a pretaped interview with Sting and Lex Luger, who’re prepared for an unreal match with their associates the Steiner Brothers. Again within the enviornment, Web page brings out the most recent addition of the Diamond Mine: the Diamond Stud, higher often known as Scott Corridor (so sure, Corridor and Nash each made their debuts on the identical present in your forgotten trivia of the evening).
Sid Vicious vs. El Gigante
Stretcher match. It’s so bizarre to see Sid, who’s freaking big, coming as much as Gigante’s chin. Gigante affords a take a look at of power in a humorous bit after which clotheslines Sid exterior. Again in and Sid kicks on the leg however fees right into a boot to the chest. The Claw finishes Sid at 2:12, as a result of WCW has a bizarre definition of Stretcher match.
Submit match it’s the One Man Gang and Kevin Sullivan coming in to leap Gigante as Sid walks away with out touching the stretcher as a result of WCW (and since he’s going to the WWF). Gigante places Gang on the stretcher however Sullivan throws powder in his eyes. Some chain photographs don’t do a lot to Gigante, who glares each of them off.
Ron Simmons vs. Butch Reed
In a cage with former Doom supervisor Teddy Lengthy in a small cage above the ring. If nothing else, I get to listen to the previous Ron Simmons theme 3 times and that’s a fairly interesting state of affairs. Simmons punches him down in a rush however misses a cost into the cage. He’s effective sufficient to seize a stomach to again suplex however will get despatched into the cage once more. Reed will get in a number of rams into the cage and there’s a rake of the boot over the face.
Simmons is busted open so Reed hammers away after which brags to Lengthy. A center rope ax deal with to the pinnacle drops Simmons, who pops again as much as ship Reed into the cage. Reed does the identical although they usually’re each down once more. It’s Reed up first with a piledriver and one other ram into the cage, establishing the chinlock.
The followers get behind Ron however a swinging neckbreaker brings him proper again down. Reed’s splash hits knees however he knees Simmons down with out a lot hassle. A double clothesline places each of them down so Lengthy throws one thing all the way down to Reed. Reed picks it up however walks into the spinebuster for the quick pin at 9:40.
Score: C-. They have been attempting right here but it surely felt extra like a home present match than anything. Simmons bought crushed up for the higher a part of ten minutes after which hit a fast spinebuster for the pin. That’s not precisely thrilling however Simmons could be getting a rocket strapped to his again sooner fairly than later and Reed was gone after this so it’s not like there was every other possibility.
Video on Sting/Luger vs. the Steiner Brothers. They’re each nice groups (or at the least one nice crew and one crew of two very profitable singles wrestlers) and that is THE match on the present, bar none. The video does an excellent job of constructing this really feel epic too so properly carried out on getting the large one proper.
World Tag Group Titles: Steiner Brothers vs. Lex Luger/Sting
Luger (US Champion)/Sting are difficult and everyone seems to be pleasant right here. Everybody shakes palms to start out and it’s Luger vs. Rick to get issues going. They combat over a lockup to start out with Rick driving him into the nook after which wrestling Luger to the mat with ease. Again up and Rick sweeps the legs once more as Luger can’t do a factor with him within the newbie stuff. Rick tries a flying shoulder and simply bounces off of Lex, who snaps off a powerslam for 2. That is a kind of matches the place you’ll be able to really feel the vitality on all the pieces they do and it’s an superior environment.
Rick is again with a stomach to again suplex and a heck of a Steiner Line for 2. There’s a backdrop to ship Luger flying however he EXPLODES out of the nook with a clothesline of his personal. The massive gorilla press has Sting fired up and he is available in with a clothesline excessive, establishing the large dive to the ground, which wasn’t one thing you noticed every single day again in 1991. Again in and Sting hits that operating bulldog of his earlier than placing him the other way up within the nook, ala Rick Steiner.
The Stinger Splash misses although and it’s off to Scott for a tiger driver. There’s the tilt-a-whirl to plant Sting, who pops again up with a sizzling shot. It’s again to Luger for a suplex earlier than going again to Sting, who’s shortly atomic dropped. A stomach to stomach superplex provides Scott two however he misses a clothesline and practically falls onto the announcers’ desk. One other suplex brings him again in for 2 they usually appear to botch one thing, solely to have Scott snap off one thing like a spinning northern lights suplex.
Luger knocks him down once more and masses up the Rack, solely to modify to a Russian legsweep with Scott virtually touchdown on prime of him. Rick is available in off the blind tag although and there’s the highest rope bulldog into an elbow for 2. Sting will get a tag that the referee misses and missile dropkicks Rick as all the pieces breaks down. Luger and Rick hit heads and it’s a double tag so Sting can stomach to again Scott.
A Tombstone crops Scott with Rick making a save. The ref will get bumped to the ground and Rick follows him out with Luger. There’s the Stinger Splash into the Scorpion Deathlock however right here’s Nikita Koloff (with a shot from behind in a kind of photos that’s burned into my reminiscence from childhood) to hit Sting with a series (although he was aiming for Luger) to offer Scott the pin to retain at 11:10. The Steiners didn’t see Koloff intrude.
Score: A. There are specific matches the place you’ll be able to simply really feel all the pieces and that was the case right here. This was offered as a particular match they usually lived as much as the entire thing. The ending may appear low-cost however you don’t wish to change the titles, beat Sting or beat the US Champion so what else are you able to do however a grimy end? Examine this one out if you wish to see 4 guys beating the heck out of one another and the followers being into each second of it. Excellent stuff and there’s a cause this match is taken into account one in all WCW’s greatest.
Within the again, Koloff says Sting was within the improper place on the improper time so right here’s Sting for the brawl. They exit into the parking zone and the digital camera loses them.
TV Title: Bobby Eaton vs. Arn Anderson
Eaton is difficult and JR makes an enormous level of him having no accomplice or supervisor anymore, primarily as a result of WCW boss Jim Herd HATED Jim Cornette (it was mutual) and the Midnight Categorical. They go to the mat a number of instances for a standoff so Eaton simply pops him with a proper hand to the jaw. Anderson is an effective bit wobbly as he will get as much as kick Eaton within the ribs.
Eaton comes out of the nook with a clothesline for 2 however will get launched off the highest and down onto the ramp for an enormous crash. The piledriver on the ramp is countered into the backdrop although and a second backdrop places Anderson inside once more. The armbar stays on Anderson, who pops proper up and wraps the leg across the submit. Anderson works on the leg however Eaton fights up this time and sends Anderson face first into the turnbuckles about fifteen instances in a row. A giant proper hand rocks Anderson once more however the knee provides out to sluggish Eaton down.
Anderson is again on the knee with a crank and stomp, adopted by the longer kind crank. The Vader Bomb hits knees however Anderson snaps off that excellent spinebuster for 2. Eaton punches him out of the air and hits a operating neckbreaker to drop Anderson. It’s time for the Alabama Jam (prime rope legdrop)…..as Windham and Pillman have essentially the most random run on this facet of a Russo present to brawl on the ramp. Anyway Eaton drops the leg and will get the pin at 11:49, which matches down as we have a look at Pillman and Windham (who by no means touched Anderson or Eaton) operating away. It truly is as random because it sounds.
Score: C. The ending interruption actually did come out of nowhere and feels insane. I favored the story they have been telling right here with Eaton combating by means of the ache to lastly win a singles title and you’ll’t argue with Anderson placing him over clear. Eaton was an amazing star on his personal however he would drop the title later within the month to some newcomer named Steve Austin. They have been attempting right here, however nothing was following that tag match and I feel they knew it.
Tatsumi Fujinami’s supervisor Hiro Matsuda (who skilled Hulk Hogan and Lex Luger amongst others) says they’re bringing the title again to Japan.
WCW World Title/NWA World Title: Ric Aptitude vs. Tatsumi Fujinami
I’ve misplaced monitor of which titles are on the road simply from listening to the introductions so we’ll say it’s each for the sake of my sanity. Aptitude is within the traditional black and white gown however WHAT IS THAT MUSIC??? He has probably the most iconic themes ever they usually switched it??? There are two referees right here (one from America on the ground and one from Japan on the ground) to make it much more complicated. Fujinami shoulders him down to start out and it’s clearly in first gear up to now.
Some chops rock Aptitude and a backdrop makes it worse as Fujinami can stomp away. The surfboard retains Aptitude in hassle and Fujinami switches to a Boston crab to maintain him screaming. We go old-fashioned with an Indian deathlock as Aptitude can’t get something going right here. A suplex lastly will get Aptitude out of hassle however Fujinami is correct again with a operating forearm for 2.
They go exterior with Aptitude scoring with some chops, which means it’s time to start out in on the leg. A shinbreaker units up an early Determine 4 and Aptitude slaps him within the face with the maintain on, which is never a good suggestion. Fujinami will get out and grabs a Scorpion Deathlock (Aptitude simply can’t get away from that factor), sending Aptitude straight to the rope. A stomach to again suplex drops Fujinami and Aptitude stomps away, establishing a WOO.
They head exterior with Aptitude going into the barricade to attract some blood (sure, in a Aptitude match), which means Fujinami has a recent goal. The staggered Aptitude falls again exterior the place he will get in a thumb to the attention however will get slammed off the highest. The Octopus goes on and you’ll see the followers trying confused. Aptitude flips his manner out however loses a slugout to knock him down once more. A small package deal provides Fujinami two and we get a ref bump. The American referee is available in and Aptitude grabs a rollup with trunks for the pin to retain/win/no matter it’s at 18:39.
Score: C. The wrestling was effective however egads they misfired on the story right here. Aptitude was a heel coming in, the title state of affairs was a whole wreck and Fujinami isn’t identified by the plenty. Aptitude and Fujinami are each superb performers, however there may be solely a lot that you are able to do while you’re on this lame of a state of affairs. Then once more, given a number of the horrible drek on this present, this was on the upper finish of the present.
The announcers discuss in regards to the card and we have a look at the ending of the principle occasion once more.
Credit roll to finish the present.
Total Score: D-. That tag match is the ONLY factor that retains this present from being a failure however there may be solely a lot that may be carried out in an eleven minute match on a two hour and forty minute present. There’s a nice cause why WCW in 1991 is such a whole and utter nightmare and that’s what we had right here. Horrible present right here and run FAR away from this exterior of the all time traditional tag match.
Thomas Corridor has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 60,000 wrestling matches. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 6,000 full exhibits lined. You could find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or try his- Amazon creator web page with 30 wrestling books.
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