Rebooking WCW: Week 8, 1992

As February comes to a quick close, we roll into our next installments of WCW Power Hour and WCW Saturday Night. For the first television episodes immediately following SuperBrawl II, who are our champions? Who was able to defeat who? We will find out, plus this week’s promotion news all within.

WCW POWER HOUR

Event Date: February 21st, 1992

Location: Kentucky, United States

Attendance: 8,000 [SOLD OUT]

Total Viewers: 688,993

1. Jushin “Thunder” Liger defeated Chris Kanyon in a singles match when Liger pinned Kanyon following a Liger Bomb.
2. Sting Reflects on Becoming Champion: In a quiet but meaningful video package, Sting spoke less like a competitor and more like the flagbearer for WCW, talking directly to the camera about what it means to hold the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Sting mentioned that now, there would be a constant target on his back, there will be even more pressure to deliver every single night, and a legacy is truely marked by gold along the way. He welcomed every burdge, challenge, and fight that was sure to come his way while carrying the most important championship in the wrestling world!
3. Bryan Clark defeated Taylor Made Man in a singles match when Clark pinned Taylor following a Pumphandle Slam.
4. Bryan Clark Post-Match Call Out: Following another dominant win, Bryan Clark wasted no time calling out Steven Regal for his actions at SuperBrawl. Clark laid out his frustrations with the brass knuckle usage, and Regal running like a dog. Clark demanded a match, laying down the challenge in front of the live crowd. It didn’t take long for Regal to answer. He stormed out onto the stage and cut Clark off by accepting the challenge for WCW Saturday Night tomorrow night!
5. The Deadly Duo (Cactus Jack & Sabu) w/ Gary Hart defeated The Canadian Connection (Keith Hart & Carl Ouellet) in a tag team match when Sabu forced Hart to submit with a Camel Clutch.
6. “Stunning” Steve Austin Demands a Rematch: In the next chapter of the WCW Television Championship rivalry, Steve Austin and his manager Paul E. Dangerously made their entrance, took a mic, and wasted no time in demanding a rematch from the new champion, Chris Benoit. Austin and Dangerously blamed unfinished business, bad luck, and even an unfair call as justification. Chris Benoit appeared on the stage and said that he’s been waiting to hear Austin cry for a rematch since last Sunday night! Benoit told Austin that he’d have to jump in line just like everybody else! He isn’t so special anymore… he’s just the FORMER champion!
7. Chris Benoit defeated Bobby Eaton in a singles match for the WCW Television Championship when Benoit pinned Eaton following a Diving Headbutt off the top rope. Chris Benoit was able to successfully retain the WCW Television Championship.

WCW SATURDAY NIGHT

Event Date: February 22nd, 1992

Location: Ohio, United States

Attendance: 8,172

Total Viewers: 3,138,762

1. Steven Regal Pre-Match Interview: Steven Regal opened our show and was met by Missy Hyatt prior to his opening contest against Bryan Clark tonight. Missy asked if Regal planned on using the brass knuckles again tonight, or if he was going to give Clark a fair match? Regal was offended by the question and said that brass knuckles had nothing to do with him getting the better of his opponents lately… it has been his razor-sharp intellect! Tonight will be no different, he will out-think Bryan Clark, just like he did at SuperBrawl!
2. Steven Regal defeated Bryan Clark in a singles match when Regal flash pinned Clark following the use of an exposed turnbuckle and roll up.
3. Recap Video of the Dustin Rhodes attack on Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat: A recap video package chronicling the intense surprise attack from Dustin Rhodes on his former partner, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, at SuperBrawl this past Sunday. The video also showed the disconnect in the weeks leading up to their loss of the WCW Tag Team Championship at SuperBrawl.
4. Dustin Rhodes defeated Lance Storm in a singles match when Rhodes pinned Storm following a Western Lariat.
5. Love Machines Pre-Match Interview: In a routine but effective backstage segment, Eric Bischoff interviewed the team of 2 Cold Scorpio & Art Barr following their loss to the WCW Tag Team Champions at SuperBrawl. The Love Machines weren’t admitted that they weren’t able to get the job done at SuperBrawl, but tonight, they have to prove themselves to the new number one contenders, Rick & Scott Steiner. If they want another shot at the WCW Tag Team Championship, they’re going to have to go through them. They knew they had their hands full and plan to give The Steiners their all tonight!
6. Rick & Scott Steiner defeated The Love Machines (2 Cold Scorpio & Art Barr) in a tag team match when Scott pinned Barr following a Butterfly Powerbomb.
7. The Faces of Fear Make Their Presence Felt: The post-match celebration didn’t last long for Rick and Scott Steiner. After their hard-fought match, the lights dimmed and the chaos erupted as Cactus Jack, Sabu, Matt Borne, and Gary Hart swarmed the ring… The Faces of Fear were here! The three-on-two ambush was methodical and merciless. Rick Steiner tried to fight back but was quickly overwhelmed, while Scott Steiner was isolated in the corner and stomped into the mat. The attacking faction took turns, hitting signature moves and leaving The Steiners in a heap. Commentary reiterated that this was a major warning shot, a power play, and the message had been sent loud and clear.
8. Faces of Fear Post-Attack Promo: Gary Hart, the manager and apparent leader of The Faces of Fear, grabbed a microphone from ringside to state the group’s mission: dominance, revenge, disruption, and championship gold. Hart closed with promising that their presence would be felt far beyond the tag team division, ALL divisions and ALL champions have been officially warned. Faces of Fear will appear when you least expect them…
9. Chris Benoit Highlight Video: A polished video package aired putting a well-earned spotlight on the new WCW Television Champion, Chris Benoit. From fluid reversals to explosive finishers, the package mixed highlight-reel clips with slow-motion sequences and stat overlays.
10. “Stunning” Steve Austin w/ Paul E. Dangerously defeated Johnny B. Badd in a singles match when Austin pinned Badd following a Stun Gun.
11. Paul E. Dangerously Pre-Taped Promo: In a backstage segment designed to spotlight momentum, Paul E. Dangerously spoke about the WCW United States Champion, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, his client, friend, and the most dominant champion in WCW! He reminded the world that was watching that Rick Rude isn’t just here to compete, he is here to conquer… and as champion, he is here to STAY!
12. “Ravishing” Rick Rude defeated The Lightning Kid in a singles match when Rude pinned Kidd following a Rude Awakening.
13. SuperBrawl II Main Event Highlights: Highlight photos from the main event between Lex Luger and Sting from SuperBrawl last Sunday were shown. Ultimately, a shine was put on Sting’s big win. It was also noted on commentary that the former champion had parted ways with World Championship Wrestling and the team wished “The Total Package” all the best in his future ventures.
14. Sting defeated Matt Borne w/ Gary Hart in a singles match when Sting pinned Borne following botched interference that left Borne open for a Stinger Splash in the corner.
15. ‘Lights Out’ Surprise Debut: The show closed with a sharp turn when the arena lights abruptly cut to black. For a few seconds, the crowd was left buzzing in darkness, until the lights snapped back on to reveal the debuting Kevin Sullivan standing over Sting, who was laying in a pile on the mat. Commentary sold the moment as shocking, even disturbing, as Gary Hart lead the Faces of Fear down to the ring to seemingly help pick the bones of the WCW World Heavyweight Champion clean as the credits began to roll. It was obvious that Gary Hart had a new Face to add to the widespread Fear his group was already casting over WCW!

WCW: IN THE NEWS

02/17/92 – 02/23/92

• Scott Levy (AKA Scotty Flamingo)’s 30 day suspension has been served and will be lifted immediately, according to reports. (02/19)
• Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion, “The Total Package” Lex Luger and WCW have mutually agreed to part ways, with a contract renewal reportedly not being pursued by WCW at this time. Contract and pay disputes are cited as the main factor. (02/20)
• WCW has announced a deal with NTV Satellite to cast WCW Saturday Night on Saturday nights (non-live) in a prime time slot for Africa, Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Oceania, and South America. WCW seems to be looking to expand their reach to a more global promotion. Airing is set to begin next week. (02/21)
• WCW has announced a deal with NTV Satellite to cast WCW Power Hour on Wednesday nights (non-live) in a prime time slot for Africa, Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Oceania, and South America. WCW seems to be looking to expand their reach to a more global promotion. Airing is set to begin next week. (02/21)