Our four week of January 1992 includes coverage of both WCW Power Hour and WCW Saturday Night, as well as this year’s annual Clash of the Champions super special!
WCW CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS XVIII
Event Date: January 21st, 1992
Location: Kansas, United States
Attendance: 10,000
Total Viewers: 2,242,827
- Bryan Clark defeated Bill Irwin in a singles match when Clark pinned Page following a Pumphandle Slam.
- The Love Machines (Art Barr & 2 Cold Scorpio) defeated Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) in a tag team match when Barr pinned Ray following a Frog Splash.
- The Deadly Duo (Cactus Jack & Sabu) w/ Gary Hart defeated Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes in a tag team match for the WCW Tag Team Championship when Jack caused Rhodes an apparent head injury following a Double Arm DDT. The referee called for the bell and stoppage of the match. Cactus Jack and Sabu were able to capture the WCW Tag Team Championship.
- Tensions Rose Between Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat Following Their Loss: Following a tough defeat and Rhodes having to receive medical attention, he and Ricky Steamboat exchanged heated words in the ring. The segment didn’t end in a punch or a walkout – just a palpable sense that things aren’t as solid as they once were between the now-former champs.
- “Stunning” Steve Austin w/ Paul E. Dangerously and Chris Benoit fought to a double disqualification in a singles match for the WCW Television Championship when neither man followed the official’s warnings. Due to the championship not changing hands in the case of a draw, “Stunning” Steve Austin successfully defended the WCW Television Championship.
- Austin and Benoit Brawled Through the Crowd: The animosity between “Stunning” Steve Austin and Chris Benoit couldn’t be contained by the ring, as their fight spilled out into the crowd in a wild, unpredictable brawl that had fans scattering and officials scrambling. The initial conflict started at ringside following the match, but in seconds, punches and slams were being exchanged on the other side of the barricade.
- Barry Windham defeated Steven Regal in a singles match when Windham pinned Regal following a big Lariat.
- “Ravishing” Rick Rude Pre-Match Interview: Missy Hyatt caught up with Rick Rude backstage ahead of his match against Ricky Steamboat for the WCW United States Championship. Rude was all business and didn’t waste time. He made it clear that this match was about much more than just a win, it was about proving something, settling a score, and putting Steamboat away once and for all. The message was clear: Steamboat was in for a fight and Rude was ready to had Steamboat his second loss of the night!
- “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Madusa & Paul E. Dangerously defeated Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat in a singles match for the WCW United States Championship when Rude pinned Steamboat following a Rude Awakening. “Ravishing” Rick Rude was able to successfully retain the WCW United States Championship.
- Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Dangerous Alliance (Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton) w/ Paul E. Dangerously in a tag team match when Scott pinned Eaton following an Exploder Suplex.
- Lex Luger w/ Harley Race defeated The Great Muta w/ Sting in a singles match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship when Luger scored a rollup pin on Muta following a Running Forearm Smash. Lex Luger was able to successfully retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. This match was a rematch from the WCW/NJPW JAPAN SUPERSHOW II main event in Tokyo.
WCW POWER HOUR
Event Date: January 24th, 1992
Location: Texas, United States
Attendance: 6,605
Total Viewers: 137,552
- Bryan Clark defeated Jimmy Garvin in a singles match when Clark pinned Garvin following a Pumphandle Slam.
- Bryan Clark Interviewed About Winning Streak: Backstage, Eric Bischoff caught up with Bryan Clark to try and get some words from him as he has continued to ride a growing wave of momentum. Clark flashed a quick smile and again provided no information verbally. Bischoff closed the segment by assuming that Clark would continue to let his in-ring dominance do all his talking…
- Chris Benoit defeated Shane Douglas in a singles match when Benoit forced Douglas to submit to the Crossface.
- Deadly Duo Pre-Match Interview: Backstage, Gary Hart was all fire and venom, standing proudly beside Cactus Jack and Sabu and doing what good managers do best – talking them into the conversation. Hart called out the entire tag team division for ignoring what was now inevitable. The Deadly Duo were here and it was only a matter of time before they killed all competition in WCW!
- The Deadly Duo (Cactus Jack & Sabu) w/ Gary Hart defeated The Young Pistols (Tracy Smothers & Steve Armstrong) when Sabu pinned Armstrong following a Triple Jump Moonsault.
- Dustin Rhodes Backstage Promo: In the arena’s empty locker room, Dustin Rhodes sat for his promo. He announced to the viewers that he had a severe concussion and will be on the bench for just a bit while he recovers. He made sure to say that tag teams are a complicated thing and that he and his partner, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, have a lot to talk about while he’s out for a couple of weeks. He promised to be a champion in the ring again, as soon he he was back and ready to go!
- Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat defeated Bobby Eaton w/ Paul E. Dangerously in a singles match when Steamboat pinned Eaton following a Flying Crossbody.
WCW SATURDAY NIGHT
Event Date: January 25th, 1992
Location: Missouri, United States
Attendance: 6,500
Total Viewers: 2,245,709
- Bryan Clark defeated Oz in a single match when Clark pinned Oz following a Flying Shoulderblock.
- The Love Machines Set to Face Harlem Heat to Determine the Next Challengers for the WCW Tag Team Championship: At commentary, Tony Schiavone announced that the tag team division will see a major shakeup next week. In a number one contenders match, that has been officially sanctioned by management, Art Barr & 2 Cold Scorpio will take on Booker T & Stevie Ray, with the winners earning a title shot at SuperBrawl II against the reigning champions, The Deadly Duo of Cactus Jack & Sabu!
- Art Barr w/ 2 Cold Scorpio defeated Booker T w/ Stevie Ray in a singles match when Barr pinned Booker following a Frog Splash.
- Liger Hype Package Video: A polished video package aired this week putting a well-deserved spotlight on Jushin “Thunder” Liger, showcasing what sets him apart inside the ring.
- Jushin “Thunder” Liger defeated Rey Mysterio, Jr. in a singles match when Liger pinned Mysterio, Jr. following a Shooting Star Press.
- Chris Benoit Called Out “Stunning” Steve Austin: This segment began with Chris Benoit heading to the ring with clear intent, microphone in hand. He cut a scathing promo aimed directly at “Stunning” Steve Austin, calling him a coward, questioning his toughness, and demanding Austin come out and face him like the man he claims to be. The camera lingered on the entranceway… no music, no appearance, no response. Chris Benoit paced the ring and despite his continued taunts, Austin never appeared. The ultimate sign of disrespect on the part of Steve Austin!
- Cactus Jack w/ Gary Hart defeated Brian Pillman in a singles match when Jack pinned Pillman following a Cactus Elbow.
- “Ravishing” Rick Rude w/ Madusa & Paul E. Dangerously defeated Scott Steiner in a singles match when Rude pinned Steiner following a Rude Awakening.
- Scott Steiner Offered Respect, Rude Refused It: Following a hard-fought contest, Scott Steiner extended a hand, maybe even humbly, but Rick Rude wasn’t interested. The message was clear: no respect given by the WCW United States Champion.
- Lex Luger w/ Harley Race defeated Rick Steiner in a singles match when Luger forced Steiner to submit with the Torture Rack.
- Lex Luger and Sting Confrontation: Lex Luger and Harley Race stayed in the ring for an interview with Eric Bischoff. Lex said that Sting doesn’t know what he has coming to him at SuperBrawl II. He isn’t the same Lex Luger that has been in the ring with Sting before. He claims to be sharper, stronger, and more determined than ever to defeat his former partner. Sting then made his way down to the ring and responded to Lex, telling him he was wrong… Sting claimed that Lex was the same selfish, arrogant, jerk he has always been! The only difference was that now, everybody knows it! Officials kept the two men apart as the show rolled to a close.
WCW: IN THE NEWS
01/20/92 – 01/26/92
- It has been reported that new signee Jushin “Thunder” Liger has already requested a push from the WCW office. Originally being brought in as a midcard talent, it isn’t clear at this point if WCW will see his potential beyond that this early on. (01/20)
- Scott Levy (Scotty Flamingo) has failed a drug test. Per the WCW wellness policy, he has been suspended for 30 days, effective immediately. (01/20)
- Johnny B. Badd seems to be slightly disgruntled with his position in the company currently. It is rumored he has gone to the office in search of a potential title match to help boost his positioning on weekly cards. (01/21)
- Bobby Walker, DeWayne Bruce, and Joey Maggs have all mutually parted ways with WCW. (01/22)
- It has been noted that WCW enhancement talent Brian Lawler has seen a big increase in fan reaction over the last few weeks and it seems he has been requesting that his per appearance pay reflect that. (01/26)