Where the Big Boys Play #87 - Clash of the Champions 22

[JerryvonKramer]

http://placetobenation.com/where-the-big-boys-play-87-clash-of-the-champions-22/

 

 

Chad and Parv open the show by discussing some new PTBN features and the Last Battle of Atlanta before heading into WCW land in 1993 and Clash of the Champions 22:

 

Wrestling Observer round up [0:21:01]: Arn Anderson / Erik Watts street fight angle, Watts / Mark Madden beef, Rick Rude on Kathie Lee Gifford, and Flairs return.

 

Review of Clash of the Champion 22 [0:45:37]: Jesse's amazing suit, lets count the Thundercage drop outs, 2 Cold Scorpio takes local kids to school via the art of stepping in video package, Tony Atlas vs. Vinnie Vegas left-handed arm-wrestling contest, The Harley Race show, and farewell to Jim Ross and Bill Watts.

 

End of Show Awards [1:53:05]

[kbenn123]

Great show as usual. You guys asked for some context on some of the angles, and from my memory of the time, here is what I recall.

 

Van Hammer actually had won the arm wrestling tournament in 1992 defeating Vegas, Vader, and then Ron Simmons in the final. Quite the push.

 

Tony Atlas then complained that he would have won, but entered WCW after the tournament began setting up this challenge to Van Hammer. Vinnie Vegas complained that he was left handed and would have beaten Hammer if they had used their left arms. I believe Van Hammer was legit injured sometime shortly after Starrcade, which led to the Clash change. After this, Hammer came back for a short time to get squashed by Sid at Slamboree and then vanished until Raven's flock I think.

 

Simmons was also legit hurt, and was scheduled initially to challenge Dustin Rhodes at Superbrawl in a face vs face match for the US title. He was replaced in that match by Maxx Payne. Simmons does return later that Spring/Summer and feuds briefly with Orndorff over the TV title. He then starts mentoring Ice Train, turns heel on him in early 1994, and leaves the promotion.

 

As for Race and kicking Barbarian off the team. As ridiculous as it was, they tried covering it up by saying that Vader's team could no longer trust Barbarian because he was friends with Cactus Jack stemming from their alliance in late 1992. Therefore, they had to get rid of him to prevent a double cross. I think shortly after this Jack and Barbarian teamed up on Saturday Night or Main Event to face Vader and Orndorff.

 

Hopefully this helps to clarify some of the confusion.

[JerryvonKramer]

Great show as usual. You guys asked for some context on some of the angles, and from my memory of the time, here is what I recall.

 

Van Hammer actually had won the arm wrestling tournament in 1992 defeating Vegas, Vader, and then Ron Simmons in the final. Quite the push.

 

Tony Atlas then complained that he would have won, but entered WCW after the tournament began setting up this challenge to Van Hammer. Vinnie Vegas complained that he was left handed and would have beaten Hammer if they had used their left arms. I believe Van Hammer was legit injured sometime shortly after Starrcade, which led to the Clash change. After this, Hammer came back for a short time to get squashed by Sid at Slamboree and then vanished until Raven's flock I think.

 

Simmons was also legit hurt, and was scheduled initially to challenge Dustin Rhodes at Superbrawl in a face vs face match for the US title. He was replaced in that match by Maxx Payne. Simmons does return later that Spring/Summer and feuds briefly with Orndorff over the TV title. He then starts mentoring Ice Train, turns heel on him in early 1994, and leaves the promotion.

 

As for Race and kicking Barbarian off the team. As ridiculous as it was, they tried covering it up by saying that Vader's team could no longer trust Barbarian because he was friends with Cactus Jack stemming from their alliance in late 1992. Therefore, they had to get rid of him to prevent a double cross. I think shortly after this Jack and Barbarian teamed up on Saturday Night or Main Event to face Vader and Orndorff.

 

Hopefully this helps to clarify some of the confusion.

 

Really fantastic info!! I think it maybe says something about the booking and presentation of these shows that some of these stories have been so difficult to follow.

[kbenn123]

 

Great show as usual. You guys asked for some context on some of the angles, and from my memory of the time, here is what I recall.

 

Van Hammer actually had won the arm wrestling tournament in 1992 defeating Vegas, Vader, and then Ron Simmons in the final. Quite the push.

 

Tony Atlas then complained that he would have won, but entered WCW after the tournament began setting up this challenge to Van Hammer. Vinnie Vegas complained that he was left handed and would have beaten Hammer if they had used their left arms. I believe Van Hammer was legit injured sometime shortly after Starrcade, which led to the Clash change. After this, Hammer came back for a short time to get squashed by Sid at Slamboree and then vanished until Raven's flock I think.

 

Simmons was also legit hurt, and was scheduled initially to challenge Dustin Rhodes at Superbrawl in a face vs face match for the US title. He was replaced in that match by Maxx Payne. Simmons does return later that Spring/Summer and feuds briefly with Orndorff over the TV title. He then starts mentoring Ice Train, turns heel on him in early 1994, and leaves the promotion.

 

As for Race and kicking Barbarian off the team. As ridiculous as it was, they tried covering it up by saying that Vader's team could no longer trust Barbarian because he was friends with Cactus Jack stemming from their alliance in late 1992. Therefore, they had to get rid of him to prevent a double cross. I think shortly after this Jack and Barbarian teamed up on Saturday Night or Main Event to face Vader and Orndorff.

 

Hopefully this helps to clarify some of the confusion.

 

Really fantastic info!! I think it maybe says something about the booking and presentation of these shows that some of these stories have been so difficult to follow.

 

Yes, I agree. In general, they did an extremely poor job of recapping the angles leading up to the show.

[BrianB]

looking forward to the rest of this show. just got early into the actual clash recap.

[soup23]

Thanks KBenn for the context, makes more sense now.

[rainmakerrtv]

Actually, when Van Hammer came back, he would get a little bit of a push, finally getting the win over Cactus and a few more victories before accepting the challenge from Col. Parker and getting squashed by Sid and then dropping off the planet.

[Flyin' Brian]

Great job guys. Where The Big Boys Play was my introduction to this site and still my favorite podcast. I always look forward to it. Thanks again for all you do.