Written by: Matt Peddycord
WCW Worldwide
December 21, 1991
Macon, GA
Macon Coliseum
The current WCW Champs were as follows:
World Champion: Lex Luger (7/14/1991)
U.S. Champion: Rick Rude (11/19/1991)
World Television Champion: Steve Austin (6/3/1991)
World Light Heavyweight Champion: Brian Pillman (10/27/1991)
World Tag Team Champions: Ricky Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes (11/19/1991)
U.S. Tag Team Champions: The Young Pistols (11/5/1991)
Today’s feature match will be WCW World Television Champion Steve Austin going up against Todd Champion. I can already see the blown spots.
Your host is Tony Schiavone.
- Van Hammer vs. Rick Thames
In case you care, Hammer’s got a new blue guitar instead of the red one that broke when he slammed Cactus Jack’s face into it a couple weeks ago. What did he think would happen there? Hammer no-sells Thames and his pre-match attack. Powerslam and legdrop follows and he quickly finishes with the SLINGSHOT SUPLEX. (1:12) He still wants some of Cactus Jack. Will they partner up at Starrcade in the “Lethal Lottery”? We’ll find out soon enough!
Eric Bischoff meets up with the WCW TV Champ Steve Austin & Madusa. Austin says that Champion should not MESS with Steve Austin and the Dangerous Alliance. UHH-UHH! Because they will open up a can on him.
Let’s go back to a recent episode of WCW Pro where Sting and Rude had a big confrontation. Right after Sting’s squash match with John Peterson, Rick Rude and company have a little interview with Jim Ross near the entry way. Rude says Sting can’t put the Scorpion Deathlock on him. Sting hears everything and grabs a mic and says, “I’ve got two words for you: Come here, pal! Well I guess that was three, but come on in here!” Rude starts to make his way to the ring even though Paul E begs him not to do it. Paul E gets grabbed at ringside by the Stinger, but that makes him easy pickings for a sneak attack from Rude. He goes after the knee and heads up top, but Sting catches him on the way down. Sting puts Rude in the Scorpion Deathlock! Paul E climbs in and jumps on Sting’s back, but that doesn’t break the hold. Sting WILL NOT let go even after some of the faces run in to try and stop him. Sting finally lets go when he sees the Dangerous Alliance coming down though. Crowd goes insane for all of this. A very strong segment that gives Sting plenty of momentum after his loss at the Clash.
- Firebreaker Chip vs. Rip Rogers
Oh wow, Rogers attacks from behind and then tosses Chip out for a flying double-ax handle! Back in, Chip comes back with a clothesline and then dropkicks Rogers to the floor. He takes a hiptoss on the floor before they head back in the ring. Chip connects with a shoulderblock in the corner, but then gets caught off a charge. Rogers heads up and then gets slammed down. Chip finishes with an airplane spin into a Samoan drop for the win. (2:42) I guess you could call this a glorified squash. Chip looked a lot more intense than he usually does in there.
Hmm, wonder what Gordon Solie has to say today in the WNN newsroom? Let’s go find out! He mentions how one of the tag teams during the “Lethal Lottery” might consist of Sting and Cactus Jack, which would be one crazy combination. They go to Cactus Jack for a pre-taped interview. He’s looking to be the last man standing and if Sting becomes his partner at Starrcade, the little Stingers better put some of that face paint on their front two teeth (because his are missing), stop training and start eating, boost their IQ points up a couple notches to become one of his little Cacti. Haha, that was great. Next up, Solie runs down the forty participants who will be included in the “Lethal Lottery”.
Lex Luger, Thomas Rich, Terrence Taylor, Richard Morton, Diamond Dallas Page, Rick Rude, Cactus Jack, Mr. Hughes, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, Abdullah the Butcher, Steve Austin, Diamond Studd, Oz, Johnny B. Badd, Jimmy Garvin, Big Josh, Michael Hayes, Dustin Rhodes, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, Firebreaker Chip, Todd Champion, PN News, Brian Pillman, Tom Zenk, Arachniman, Bill Kazmaier, Jushin Liger, Ron Simmons, Ricky Steamboat, Sting, Mike Graham, El Gigante, Steve Armstrong, Tracy Smothers, Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker, Barry Windham and Van Hammer.
Well, I know of three people who won’t end up being on the card. That would be Diamond Studd, Oz and Barry Windham. They’ll be replaced by the infamous Nightstalker (Adam Bomb, Wrath, Bryan Clarke), Marcus Bagwell and Vader.
Van Hammer cuts a promo and says he’s going to win BattleBowl. I think he’s actually drunk.
It’s time for the WCW Top Ten for the weekend of December 21-22!
(the change in rankings will be according to the November 23 Top Ten because they haven’t aired a list on Worldwide since then.)
10. Big Van Vader [^1]
9. PN News [v1]
8. Cactus Jack [same]
7. Ricky Steamboat [-]
6. Dustin Rhodes [^1]
5. Scott Steiner [v2]
4. WCW World TV Champ Steve Austin [same]
3. Sting [same]
2. Rick Steiner [same]
1. WCW U.S. Champ Rick Rude [same]
WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger
- Cactus Jack vs. Arachniman
Jack works over Arachniman’s back to start. He grabs a bearhug, but Arachniman counters that into a sunset flip for two. Cactus tries the Cactus clothesline, but Arachniman ducks and flips Jack out to the floor. He gets pulled out anyway, but then avoids a charge up against the ringpost. Ouch! Back in, Cactus squeals like a pig and hits the Bossman straddle. Jack grabs a chinlock. Arachniman fights out, but ducks low off a whip and pays for it. They go to the floor where Arachniman flips out of a suplex and shoves Cactus into the ringpost! Back in, Arachniman hits a knee-lift and heads up top for the Flying Headbutt. He connects! He tries for the LABYRINTH (Oklahoma roll), but Cactus is in the ropes. Arachniman gets up thinking that he’s won, so Cactus blindsides him with a face slam. Cover, 1-2-3. (6:56)Not spectacular, but solid enough. **
Van Hammer says almost exactly the same thing that he said before.
- WCW World Television Champion Steve Austin (w/Madusa) vs. Todd Champion
After a shoving contest, Champion applies a short-arm scissors on the mat. Austin uses the ropes to try and gain the pinfall, but gets a bunch of two-counts. Champion brings Austin back down to the mat, but Austin gets to the ropes for the break. Champion works a hammerlock and then they fight over a backslide, which Champion wins and gets a two-count. Champion grabs an armbar and they tumble out to the floor in a REAL nasty way. Back in, Austin grabs a camel clutch for a minute or so until Champion stands up and falls back on Austin. Champion hits the Jumping Back Elbow, but then Madusa distracts the ref as Bobby Eaton hops in the ring! Champion punches him out, but forgets about Austin and gets rolled up for the 1-2-3. (8:26) Ricky Steamboat comes in to save Champion from a double-team beatdown and clears the ring. ¾*
Eric Bischoff meets up with Marcus Alexander Bagwell. He asks Bagwell how his life has changed now that he’s on the road. He says it’s tough! We’ll see him next week on Worldwide!
Next week, we’ll see WCW TV Champ Steve Austin take on Mike Graham. Ricky Steamboat will meet Bobby Eaton as well. Craaaaaap. I don’t have next week’s show! Why do I always miss the GOOD Worldwide episodes?
Final Thoughts: Match of the show goes to Jack/Arachniman with the Firebreaker Chip squash coming in at a close second. Too much Van Hammer for me on this show. If only I had next week’s show. Next up is Starrcade!