World Championship Wrestling presents Main Event
Date: 7/26/1992
Matches:
1.) The Barbarian defeated Marcus Alexander Bagwell
2.) WCW United States Champion Rick Rude defeated Michael Hayes
Angle Developments/Notes:
1.) Tony Schiavone and Magnum TX promote what is going to be shown on he program. Schiavone says we’ll see how the tag titles and light heavyweight titles changed hands recently at the Omni (we’ve seen this before). TA wonders what it will take to defeat the new WCW World Champion Vader.
2.) Barbarian tosses Bagwell into a corner, but doesn’t followup on the advantage. Bagwell tries for a shoulder block, but Barbarian doesn’t budge. Barbarian catches Bagwell on a crossbody to deliver a slam. Barbarian misses an elbow drop. Bagwell tries for a hip toss, but Barbarian delivers a chokeslam. Barbarian hooks Bagwell for a vertical suplex and drives Bagwell to the mat. Barbarian strikes Bagwell over the back and delivers a big boot as Bagwell comes off the ropes. Barbarian covers and picks up the win. (*. I’m starting to wonder if Bagwell has pissed off someone in the back to cause him to be essentially a jobber in recent weeks.)
3.) Footage from Worldwide (or Power Hour) is shown highlighting the confrontation between Greg Valentine and Dustin Rhodes. It led to Dustin being attacked and injuring his knee due to Dick Slater and the Barbarian assisting Valentine.
4.) Footage of the recent title changes in WCW is shown. Brad Armstrong is the new WCW Light Heavyweight Champion having defeated Scotty Flamingo. Terry Gordy and Steve Williams won the WCW Tag Team Championships by defeating the Steiner Brothers. Vader won the WCW World Championship from Sting at the Great American Bash.
5.) Tony Schiavone and Magnum TA talk about the recent happenings between Junkyard Dog and Mr. Hughes. They talk about Hughes getting his glasses broken into his eyes.
6.) The Ross Report hosted by Jim Ross is up next. Ross talks about the interview he had with Sting is mentioned. We see highlights from the interview, which aired on WCW Saturday Night last night. WCW World Champion Vader provided comments with Jim Ross. Vader told Sting he was going to take him to the school of pain. Vader promised to take the title and he did it. Vader is ready for the rematch with Sting and says Sting has one rematch and then it is over. Vader will take his pride next time. Harley Race chimes in and says it doesn’t matter who challenges Vader for the title and wants all the challengers to come their way.
7.) Rude backs Hayes into the corner to kickoff the main event. Hayes avoids Rude in the corner. Rude backs Hayes into the corner and delivers a few knee lifts and strikes. Hayes avoids Rude in the corner and gains arm control. Hayes keeps arm control for a few moments. Rude tries to arm drag free, but Hayes keeps hold of the arm. Rude forearms Hayes against the ropes and sends Hayes into the ropes, but is met with a kick. Hayes strikes Rude over the shoulder and keeps arm control again. Hayes yanks Rude down to the mat to maintain control on the mat. Hayes strikes Rude over the arm and leg sweeps Rude to the mat. Rude knee lifts Hayes and delivers a clothesline to stop Hayes momentum. Rude forearms Hayes on the lower back and locks in a chin lock, but doesn’t get a submission. Rude splashes onto Hayes back and taunts the crowd. Rude forearms Hayes on the lower back and delivers a scoop slam. Rude forearm drops Hayes on the mat for a near fall. Rude puts an abdominal stretch on Hayes, but fails to get a submission despite Rude using tights for leverage. Hayes breaks free with a hip toss and favors his back. Rude strikes Hayes in the corner several times. Hayes sends Rude into the corner and kicks Rude. Rude stops Hayes with a strike against the ropes. Rude misses a clothesline and avoids a crossbody by Hayes. Rude hits the Rude Awakening and pins Hayes for the win. (*1/2. The fact that Hayes is only 33-years old here is a bit a baffling. You could have told me Hayes was 45-years old and I’d believe it. Anyway, Hayes didn’t do much of anything when he had control of the match. There wasn’t much interest in this one, which shouldn’t be terribly shocking.)
Final Thoughts:
A skippable episode of Power Hour. I like watching Rick Rude, but his bout here was not all that interesting. Barbarian looked good and he’s clearly being presented as a top level heel to be fed to the babyfaces.
Thanks for reading.