Halloween Havoc ’93

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

Halloween Havoc

October 24, 1993

Lakefront Arena

New Orleans, Louisiana

There isn’t much news to cover before I start the review. Only a month has passed since Fall Brawl. However, I will have plenty to discuss at the start of the next review. This event is headlined by the culmination of the Cactus Jack/Vader feud. They nearly ruined it with amnesia storylines and fake Asians, but this is WCW’s chance to redeem themselves. Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal has returned, so let’s hope it lands on something better than last time. Meanwhile, Ric Flair will get a rematch with Rick Rude, The Nasty Boys clash with Scorpio & Bagwell for the Tag Titles, Steve Austin will compete for the U.S. Title, and Lord Steven Regal will defend his TV Title.

The show opens with yet another of WCW’s infamous mini-movies. Some children are out Trick or Treating on a stormy night. One kid is dressed as Dracula, one is Frankenstein’s monster, another is Sting, and the girl is inexplicably wearing a Batman symbol on her forehead. (WCW’s costume department spared no expense!) Kid Dracula wants to make one last stop, but the girl is worried they’ll miss Halloween Havoc. (The show aired on October 24^th. If it’s Halloween, then I’ve got bad news for this kid.) Kid Dracula doesn’t care. He wants to stop at the spooky mansion. They ring the doorbell, which plays a woman screaming, and Tony Schiavone answers the door. The girl questions why he’s not at the PPV, but Tony says he has a helicopter waiting. Then, Tony makes a joke about cooking his wife and invites the children inside to see something scary. (I always knew something was off about Tony, but I didn’t expect THAT!) Tony teleports to the other side of the room and claims anything is possible on Halloween, such as Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal! Kid Dracula isn’t impressed and says that’s not scary. (Way to bury your main event!) Tony then says he will show them something scary and removes his mask to reveal a bat monster. The kids scream and fumble to open the door, which reveals a shot of the arena.

Eric Bischoff welcomes everyone to Halloween Havoc and talks about the matches. The camera pans to show Eric is wearing a Confederate general’s outfit. (That’s not helping WCW’s stereotype any.) He sends it to Tony Schiavone, who is dressed like Jesse Ventura. He’s wearing a bald cap, fake goatee, and a feather boa. The real Ventura joins him and he’s wearing a ghoulish doctor costume. Tony accuses Jesse of pretending to be him in that opening video because Tony says he’s never been in that house. Ventura ignores Tony’s inane rambling and removes his mask. He says that Tony probably didn’t realize it was him and then Jesse calls himself Bourbon Street’s #1 gynecologist. (Oh, boy. If that’s the level of humor for this show, it will be a long one.) They finally talk about the show and Jesse claims anything can happen at Halloween Havoc. Then, he gooses Tony with a thermometer and says he’s heating up for the show. (I think Jesse is drunk already.)

Ice Train, The Shockmaster, & Charlie Norris vs. Harlem Heat & The Equalizer

We get to hear Harlem Heat’s awesome music for this match. (It’s crazy to think that Booker T still uses a variation of this theme.) Kane and The Equalizer look at the camera and threaten to rip off their opponents’ faces. Then, the face team enters to Ice Train’s equally great theme. Meanwhile, Tony asks Jesse what he thinks of his Ventura costume. Jesse says imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but he’s not so sure after looking at Tony. They also talk about the Tag Titles changing hands and a possible ruling about the Flair/Rude match. (You can tell this match has no build because they barely mention it during the entrances. This is simply an attempt to get everyone a PPV payday.)

Kole and Ice Train start the match and Train powers him around the ring. Kane enters the match and gets the same. Kane tries to ram Train into the corner, but he blocks it and tags Norris. Kole returns, but Charlie, Shockmaster, and Train all take turns working over his arm. However, Kane knees Train in the back and Harlem Heat double team him. Sadly, they tag in the Equalizer and he slows the match down with lots of punches, kicks, and eye rakes. Train responds with a facebuster and tags Norris, while some female fan does a high pitched war cry. (She does this all night and sounds like a turkey on helium!) The Equalizer then demands the Shockmaster because everyone is clamoring for that feud! Shockmaster slams him and Train and Norris take turns beating Equalizer until he surprises Norris with a boot and a clothesline. Then, Kane returns and somehow botches a choke before Harlem Heat double team Norris. Kole hits an axe kick with a little spin, but he misses a flying headbutt and Charlie tags the Shockmaster. Ol’ Shocker cleans house and eventually catches Kole in a bear hug. He then turns it into a spinebuster for the win while everyone else brawls.

Poor Booker T. He can’t escape jobbing to the Shockmaster. I can’t tell if WCW is still seriously pushing Shockmaster or not. They mock him on commentary, but they keep giving him wins. This match never found any rhythm and it wasn’t very good. They should have let Harlem Heat control most of the match, but they left the Equalizer in there for too long. Booker didn’t get to shine and he’s the best worker in this match. If I didn’t know about the success that Harlem Heat will eventually have, I’d be worried.

Winners: Train, Shockmaster, & Norris (9:45)

Shockmaster and the Equalizer continue brawling after the match, but Shockmaster eventually sends him out of the ring. (They’re not planning a feud between them, are they? That would be horrendous!)

Bischoff is backstage with the man appointed to be the second referee in the Flair/Rude match, Terry Taylor. (This guy bounces back and forth between the WWF and WCW more than anyone!) The fans boo the second he’s on screen. Bischoff asks him why he politicked so hard for the position. Terry thanks him and jokes he’s not wearing a Halloween costume. He then says he took the job because of the magnitude of the match. He says that Flair and Rude hate each other and want to prove they’re the man. Then, Taylor says he wants to redeem himself for all the bad things he’s done in the past, but he might have to make an unpopular decision. However, he promises to call the match down the middle. He finishes by calling Bischoff, “General Custer.” (He never addressed the accusations of politicking. I don’t know if that was on purpose or if he was simply ignoring Eric.)

Paul Orndorff (w/ The Assassin) vs. Ricky the Dragon Steamboat

This was originally supposed to be Steamboat vs. Yoshi Kwan, so we should consider ourselves lucky. Kwan had cost Steamboat a match against Vader to set up the feud, but he got injured and the feud was transitioned over to Orndorff. Paul makes his entrance and the commentators are shocked to see the Assassin (Jody Hamilton) with him. Tony asks why Orndorff is with him, so Jesse jokes that you hang out with people in masks on Halloween. The fans immediately start chanting, “Paula,” at Orndorff after Steamboat’s music stops. Ricky turns to pose for the crowd, so Orndorff jumps him.

They trade chops and punches before Steamboat surprises Orndorff with an O’Connor Roll. Then, they fight to the floor and the ramp where Paul slams Steamboat. Ricky recovers and tries a flying cross body back into the ring, but Orndorff moves. Paul answers with a suplex, but Steamboat catches him in a mid-air do-see-do and starts working the arm. He then cuts off an Orndorff comeback with a cross body and starts ramming Paul’s arm into the post. He also rams Paul’s shoulder into it and rams him into the guardrail. Referee, Nick Patrick, and Steamboat argue with each other and Ricky threatens him before bringing Orndorff back inside. He locks Paul in an armbar and tries to break his fingers, but Paul breaks free. They fight to the floor and the ramp again and Patrick has to physically restrain Steamboat, but it leaves him open to an attack. Orndorff sends Ricky over the guardrail and snaps his head across the ropes. They collide on a double cross body, but then Orndorff tries to pin him using the ropes. Patrick stops him and Steamboat retakes control. They fight in and out of the ring some more and trade pin attempts, but the Assassin starts distracting the ref. This leads to Steamboat arguing with Patrick again and he shoves him, so Orndorff throws Ricky over the ropes. The Assassin then loads up his mask and headbutts Steamboat, which causes him to be counted out for the loss.

This was a pretty solid match, but it was a bit strange at times. Steamboat was acting almost heelish and showing way more aggression than this feud warranted. I’m not sure it had the build to justify the intensity. I get what Steamboat was going for, but it seemed odd. However, the finish does a good job of establishing Orndorff’s new manager. Now, Ricky has a reason to be pissed. (On a funny side note, It’s fitting that Nick Patrick was the ref because the Assassin is his dad. This might be the only time he gets to yell at his dad and get away with it.)

Winner: Paul Orndorff (by Count Out) (18:35)

Tony then stares at Jesse and tells him he looks pretty good tonight. (Between this and Tony talking about how big Ice Train is at the last PPV, I’m starting to wonder about him.) Jesse jokes that Tony looks the best he has in years because of his costume, but he also pulls off his fake beard and throws it. Tony then talks about the upcoming European tour and assures everyone that the International Title is a recognized world title. (They’re trying too hard to drive that point home. It only makes it seem less true.)

TV Title Match: Lord Steven Regal (c) (w/ Sir William) vs. Davey Boy Smith

The Bulldog has fallen down the card now that his main event program has ended. I knew it couldn’t last forever and at least this feud makes a bit of sense since they’re both British. Regal spent the build calling Bulldog a commoner. Ventura agrees with the assessment and says that Davey is down on the level of street cleaners and Jack the Ripper. However, Jesse mentions that his daughter is a Bulldog fan. (He doesn’t name her as his daughter, but he says it’s a girl named Jade in Minnesota. That’s her.) Michael Buffer does the introductions and calls this match the Battle of Britain. He also mentions there’s a 15-minute time limit. (I wonder how this match will end.) Then, Buffer calls Bulldog one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. (Say what now!?)

They lock up and Regal complains about Davey’s baby oil, but eventually, they trade arm wringers. Both men roll and flip out of the hold and Davey even does a front flip out of an arm drag. Then, both men take turns doing cartwheel reversals before Bulldog monkey flips Regal. He does another one, but Regal doesn’t quite rotate all the way. Davey recovers and attempts a surfboard stretch, but Regal desperately fights it. He eventually locks in the hold until Sir William distracts him. Regal attacks and fends off a comeback with a knee-strike followed by a Regal Roll (somersault senton). Then, he locks Davey in some mat holds until Bulldog breaks free and hits a sunset flip. Regal answers with hard strikes and more holds and tries to run out the clock. Bulldog keeps trying to power Regal onto his shoulders, but Regal uses the ropes to break free. There are only seconds left, so Davey makes a few pin attempts and hits the running powerslam. However, Regal kicks out at two! Davey then hits a piledriver, but the time expires just before the three-count.

This was a great match. I liked the fancy reversals and the storytelling was good. I enjoyed the story of Regal trying to eat up time and Bulldog trying to prove he can mat wrestle like Regal. I don’t mind the finish because the time limit is part of the TV Title gimmick. Using draws in the TV Title division can be a good way to keep a TV champion strong without sacrificing the challenger.

Winner: Time Limit Draw (15:00)

Bischoff is on the stage in front of the wheel. Vader and Harley Race join him. Race tells Vader to give the wheel a spin. He does and loud fireworks shoot out of it. The wheel obviously slows down and lands on a Texas Death Match. Eric tries to announce the result, but the fireworks keep screaming while he speaks. (I will explain the rules of a Texas Death Match when we get to it later.)

U.S. Title Match: Dustin Rhodes (c) vs. Stunning Steve Austin

Steve Austin has moved back into the singles division since Pillman got injured. The Blonds haven’t officially broken up yet, but it’s coming. Tony points out the fact that Pillman isn’t at ringside. During Austin’s entrance, Tony also says that Col. Parker got Austin this match, much to the chagrin of Sid Vicious. Then, Dustin Rhodes enters the arena in a sequined red, white, & blue outfit that Jesse calls a gay caballero. (Oh, just you wait, Jesse. You don’t know how prophetic that is.) Michael Buffer does his introductions, but Austin becomes impatient with him.

Austin frustrates Dustin early with some slaps and Rhodes chases him around the ring. Dustin then reverses a Boston Crab attempt, but Steve catches him with an elbow and starts working Dustin’s head and neck. Rhodes fights back with a snap mare and a dropkick before Austin misses a knee in the corner and tumbles to the floor. He sells that he hurt his knee and limps back into the ring. Dustin works Austin’s leg until Steve rakes the eyes and then Austin goes back to Dustin’s head and neck. Rhodes tries to pull Steve into the corner, but he turns it into a knee drop and the match devolves into a slug-fest. Dustin manages to back drop Austin and hits a lariat for two, but Austin then reverses a bulldog attempt. Rhodes ends up on the turnbuckles, so Austin taunts him and knocks him to the mat. Then, both men start trading stiff punches and kicks like they’re pissed at each other. Rhodes blocks a Stun Gun and they trade pin attempts. However, Austin lures him outside and rolls him up with his feet on the ropes when they return to the ring. Steve gets the three-count, but Nick Patrick sees his feet on the ropes and waves off the pin. Austin thinks he’s won and demands the belt, so Rhodes rolls him up from behind for the real victory.

This match was kind of slow and never kicked into high gear. There were some good parts, but Austin’s offense was mostly punching and kicking. These two have had better matches in the past. This one fell flat for me. Also, the finish was a bit convoluted. I expected more from these two and was disappointed.

Winner: Dustin Rhodes (14:23)

After the match, Austin finally gets his hands on the belt and hits Dustin with it. Jesse thinks it’s hilarious. Austin keeps the belt and walks away while Nick Patrick helps Rhodes. They show a replay of the end of the match and the aftermath, but they nearly show Rhodes blading after the attack. (They abruptly end the replay because they don’t want to show that in slow motion.)

Then, Tony plugs a new PPV, Battlebowl. He says it’s coming up in November and Jesse says he will be there. (Tony doesn’t sound thrilled about that.) Next, they show clips from WCW Saturday Night of Scorpio & Bagwell winning the tag team titles. The Nasty Boys had a match won, but Sags lifted Bagwell before a three-count. Teddy Long prevents Missy from interfering, so Scorpio helps Bagwell reverse a slam into a pin for three. After the clip, Jesse mocks Tony for his feather boa, so Tony does a terrible Ventura imitation that baffles Jesse.

Tag Team Title Match: The Nasty Boys (w/ Missy Hyatt) vs. 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Bagwell (c) (w/ Teddy Long)

Scorpio & Bagwell discovered what they were missing. They needed a manager and they found possibly the most fitting tag team manager they could in Teddy Long. It already led to success as they won the tag titles the night before this event on WCW Saturday Night. (It’s kind of odd to do a title change the night before a PPV.) During the entrances, we see that Missy has a new shorter haircut. You can also see Missy nearly crack up laughing when she watches Scorpio & Bagwell dance. (The camera quickly pans away from her.) Michael Buffer refers to Missy as the Nasty Boys escort, so Jesse jokes that an escort is the perfect job for her. (You know someone put that on Buffer’s cue cards as a rib on Missy.) Then, the Nasties grab the belts and pose with them, so Scorpio & Bagwell attack. They send the Nasties out of the ring and Bagwell kisses Missy. She seems disgusted.

Sags and Bagwell start and the Nasties quickly double team him. However, Scorpio surprises them with a flying cross body and then dives off Bagwell’s back onto them when they regroup. Knobbs returns and Scorpio hits a splash and a victory roll before Scorpio & Bagwell do some of their own double teaming. They take out both Nasties and Scorpio nearly botches a springboard cross body. Then, he and Bagwell slow it down with some arm work until the Nasties use a ref distraction to dump Bagwell over the ropes. Missy takes the opportunity to slap the hell out of Bagwell. (She popped him good. I think she was legitimately pissed.) The Nasties then work over Bagwell’s back for a while and Sags hits him with leg drops. They use double teaming to cut off his comebacks and lock him in a bear hug. The ref misses a hot tag, but Bagwell eventually makes it and Scorpio cleans house. He then hits a moonsault on Knobbs, but the match becomes chaos after Sags accidentally hits his partner. Missy and Teddy fight with each other, Bagwell gives Missy and Sags a double noggin’ knocker, and Scorpio hits a 450 splash on Knobbs. However, Sags hits Scorpio with his boot and Knobbs drapes an arm on him for the win.

This was way better than the last Nasty Boys match I covered. The finish was chaotic, which I like. The heat section on Bagwell was a little long, but the closing moments made up for it. The crowd was also hot for this match, which helps. I enjoyed this, but I’m kinda sad to see the titles back on the Nasties. (I’m not sure why they did the quick title switches within two days.)

Winners: The Nasty Boys (New Champions) (14:38)

Bischoff is with Sid Vicious and Col. Parker. He calls Sting the franchise and says he’s stepping into the ring with the man who rules the world. Parker calls Halloween Havoc a real scary time for Sting before asking Sid what time it is for him. Sid whispers about Sting waking up from a nightmare and facing reality. He says some people call him Psycho Sid. (Somewhere, Vince McMahon writes that down for later.) Then, Sid starts yelling about lifting Sting seven feet into the air and driving him into the mat. He threatens to take Sting’s soul because he says he rules the world. (I always enjoy a good whisper/shouting promo from Sid. They’re highly entertaining.)

Sting vs. Sid Vicious (w/ Col. Parker)

This is the only remnants of the main event story from the last few months. Everyone else has moved onto other things, but Sting and Sid are still feuding. Cappetta announces that this match will determine the franchise of WCW. Sid makes his entrance to mild heat and poses in the ring. Sting, on the other hand, gets the biggest pop of the night. (One fan in Sting face paint screams so loud that I worried his head would pop.) Tony brings up the last time these two faced each other at Halloween Havoc and he says they showed the match on Power Hour. (Why would they want to remind people of that debacle?)

Sid attacks immediately, but Sting answers with a slam and a clothesline that sends Sid to the apron. Sting then suplexes him back inside, but Sid regroups. Sting follows and knocks Sid over the rail before they brawl into the crowd. They do a loop and then brawl over the rail again before returning to ring. Sting then hits a flying clothesline, but Sid powers out of the pin attempt. Then, Parker distracts Sting and Sid hits a chokeslam. He poses instead of covering and then attacks Sting’s back. He even distracts the ref so Parker can choke Sting with his handkerchief, which Parker uses to wipe his brow when the ref looks his direction. Parker also returns the favor and distracts the ref so Sid can hit a very weak chair shot on Sting. Sid then slowly wears down Sting’s back. Sting tries to fight back, but Sid hits a powerslam and locks Sting in a bear hug. Sting breaks it a couple of times and starts bouncing Sid’s head off the mat before hitting a facebuster. He then hits two Stinger Splashes, but Parker distracts him again. Sid immediately pops up to his feet and attacks, but Parker mistakenly grabs Sid’s foot and holds him down for a pin attempt. Sid shoves Parker and argues with him, so Sting seizes the opportunity to roll Sid up for the win.

This was probably the best Sid match I’ve covered. You could tell he was motivated for once. They set a good pace and didn’t let any holds go on for too long. Plus, there were some good spots. The only thing that fell flat was the really weak chair shot from Sid. The ending was a little odd, but it didn’t ruin it. I’m just glad they didn’t use any impostors this time.

Winner: Sting (10:41)

After the match, Parker tries to explain himself and Sid isn’t hearing it. Sid leaves the ring and Parker follows, but Sid ignores him. (This was supposed to set up a Sid face turn, but—well, I’ll talk about that in my next review. Let’s just say that Sid’s time in WCW is—cut short.)

Next, they show a split screen of Vader working out in his dressing room and Cactus rocking back and forth. Jack mumbles to himself while clutching his leather pouch. Tony says he’s praying, but Jesse isn’t so sure. Cactus starts yelling, “You can’t hurt Cactus Jack!!”

International World Title Match: Ravishing Rick Rude (c) vs. Ric Flair (w/ Fifi)

Before the match, Tony says that the WCW International Committee told Rude that they recognize him as a World Champion because apparently, people were questioning it. (I have this image in my head of the committee patting Rude on the head and saying, “It’s okay. You’re a real-world champion. Don’t listen to them!”) Rude does his spiel before the match and tells all the fat, out of shape, Louisiana losers to pay their respects to the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion. He then reveals Halloween-themed airbrushed tights with pictures of Flair and Fifi on the front. Then, Buffer does his signature line and says that Flair is unfamiliar with his role as a challenger. (He also says he’s a ten-time champion, so how can he be unfamiliar with this role?) Buffer then introduces Rude by saying he’s known as the Master of the Rude Awakening. (You can see Rude turn and say, “What!?”) Meanwhile, Tony says the winner of this match will defend the title on the European tour—oh, and the WCW Champion, Vader, will be there too. (Wow, poor Vader. They’ve left the NWA, but they’re still trying to present this title as more important.) Then, Terry Taylor takes his place on the floor as the outside referee.

Rude taunts Fifi, so Flair attacks and backdrops him. He also suplexes Rude and hits a corner clothesline, but Rude surprises him with a knee. However, Rude misses a flying knee drop and Flair puts him in the Figure Four. Rude eventually makes it to the ropes, but Flair continues attacking the leg. He rams it into the post and continues attacking until Rude sends him to the floor. Flair comes back with a slingshot sunset flip, but Rude tries to reverse it using the ropes. Taylor sees this and stops him, which draws the ire of Ventura. Flair answers with a cross body that sends both men to the floor and Rude clips a chair on the way. Then, Flair hits a flying axehandle. (He hit another top rope move!? Is this bizarro world?) He tries another one, but Rude punches him and tries to use a chair. Taylor stops him and Jesse complains again. However, Rude maintains control by ramming Flair into the rail and snapping him on the ropes. He then slowly works Flair’s back with rear chinlocks and sends him into the corner for a Flair Flip that takes out a cameraman. The back work continues until Flair attempts a sleeper and Ric even hits Rude with the Rude Awakening. Unfortunately, Rude raises his boot on a jumping nothing by Flair and reverses a whip that sends Flair crashing into Randy Anderson. Taylor enters the ring, but he gets hit too and Rude grabs some brass knuckles. Flair ducks and hits a back suplex before grabbing the knuckles from a member of the ring crew. He hits Rude and pins him, but Randy Anderson stops Taylor from counting. He says he saw Flair use the knuckles and calls for the bell.

This match started hot and I thought it was going to have a better pace than their last match, but it started dragging. Then, the finish was convoluted and disappointing. The fans hated the ending. Flair and Rude sadly don’t have the chemistry you would expect. I liked the first half of the match, but the second half ruined it.

Winner: Rick Rude (by DQ) (19:22)

After the match, Flair grabs the belt despite not winning it, so Rude grabs Fifi. He tries carrying her to the back, but Flair attacks him and locks in a Figure Four on the ramp. The officials stop him, so Rude grabs his belt and retreats.

Tony then plugs Battlebowl again before talking about the rules of the Texas Death Match. There is no DQ. Falls count anywhere and then there’s a 30-second rest period before the competitor has ten seconds to reach their feet. If they can’t, then they lose the match. (These rules seem way too complicated. Why do you have to essentially knock your opponent out for 43 seconds?)

Texas Death Match: Big Van Vader (w/ Harley Race) vs. Cactus Jack

This is a non-title match. In fact, I don’t believe Vader even brought his WCW Title with him. Why is WCW not only downplaying the WCW title but also screwing Cactus out of another title shot? (Every time Cactus faces a WCW Champion, it’s non-title.) Vader makes his entrance and yells about not feeling pain. Then, Cactus enters by crawling through some smoke, which was a cool visual. Vader immediately meets Jack on the ramp and the brawl begins.

They trade punches and Vader already loses his mask. The two of them brawl around the ringside area and Jack uses both a chair and a fan’s camera. (I hope he didn’t break it!) He also grabs another chair that is nasty and rusted. (That’s a staph infection waiting to happen.) Then, they fight in and out of the ring again and Jack reverses a suplex on the ramp. (Jack is already bleeding from Vader’s punches.) Jack prevents Harley from using a chair before Jack and Vader fight into an open grave on the Halloween-themed set. Both men emerge and Vader is bleeding too. Jack then hits a clothesline and gets the first pin. Vader rises at three after the rest period, but Jack hits him with a cactus prop and gets another pin after a Cactus Elbow off the ramp. However, Vader rises quickly after the rest and pulls Cactus to the floor. They fight back to the ring and Cactus grabs a table before pushing Vader into it. The fight spills to the floor again and Cactus narrowly avoids Vader sitting on him after a failed sunset flip. However, Vader back drops Jack over the rail and hits him with a chair, while the cameraman catches Harley messing with a stun gun. Vader then takes Cactus back inside and gets a pin off a moonsault. Jack is up at three, but Vader sends him to the ramp. Cactus then jumps on Vader’s back, but he drops down with all of his weight on top of Jack. He then follows that up with a DDT on a chair and gets another pin. Jack manages to rise before the rest period is over and hit his own DDT, but he lands on the chair. Both men struggle to their feet, but Harley zaps Jack with the stun gun. The ref turns to see that Jack is still down, so he awards the match to Vader.

This was a fun bloody brawl, but the stipulation detracted from it. The 30-second rest periods broke the flow of the match. Also, that finish was awkward. I’m not sure if Jack was supposed to rise before the rest period was over. It made the finish confusing because he had technically already reached his feet. You could tell the fans were unsure. The action was good, but the structure of the match wasn’t. I would have rather they did a Falls Count Anywhere Match instead. (On a side note, when Vader dropped onto Cactus while Jack was on his back, Cactus hoped he would injure him. Foley said in his book that he was hoping to collect a Lloyd’s of London insurance policy and secretly hoped the move would be enough, but he ended up being fine.)

Winner: Vader (15:59)

After the match, Cactus gets revenge by giving Harley a Double-Arm DDT and he yells, “Bang Bang!” Vader apparently leaves Race to his fate, while the fans chant, “Jack.” Jesse and Tony recap the night and Tony says it’s been a treat. He then plugs Battlebowl and says goodnight.

The Good:

– Regal/Davey was good.

– The Tag Title Match was fun.

– The action of Cactus/Vader was great even if the stipulation wasn’t.

– Sid/Sting was surprisingly decent.

The Bad:

– The opening match was bad.

– The World Title Match was disappointing.

– Even the good matches weren’t thrilling.

Performer of the Night:

I’m going to give it to Cactus Jack for taking some hard bumps and quite the beating. He and Vader did their best with a stipulation that kind of detracted from their match.

Final Thoughts:

This show wasn’t bad, but it felt kind of flat. There was only one bad match and the rest was pretty good, but nothing stood out or thrilled me. The best word to describe this PPV was mediocre. It was decent, but it didn’t set the world on fire. However, it does feel like the creative was a bit better than the last PPV.

My next review will be WCW’s Battlebowl. Look for the review next Saturday.