[1992-12-30-WCW-Baltimore, MD] Ron Simmons vs Big Van Vader

[shoe]

I really enjoy the early mind games between the wrestlers. I enjoyed them working the crowd. This is really great table dressing for the match. Almost has a Memphis vibe to it. Nice back and forth early, but Vader is walking tall till a Simmons clothesline. Simmons using his strength to keep Vader off balance. Simmons gets slammed on the floor. Vader is selling the back, while Harley is on the stick going no pain.Simmons working the neck and back. Headbutt by Simmons. Simmons with some forearms to the back. Vader counters with a boot to the face and Simmons takes a weird bump. Vader using his size, but the back still hurts. Vader's selling is really good here. I've also liked the choices they've made. Match down the stretch has become big time power moves. Near falls are believable. Good stuff, and thought the match progressed nicely. 3*

[Phil Schneider]

This really lived up to pre match expectations. You never really know how a previously unseen house show match is going to go, but these two went all out, the way a world title switch should be fought. Really great big guy slugfest, Vader is an all time hard hitter, and he really rocks Simmons with big clotheslines and slams. Simmons hits back just as hard, including a couple of big meaty clotheslines and a nasty flash spinebuster. He also had a great energetic beat down in the corner, where he ended up pounding Vader down with big over hand rights and then big headbutts. I really liked some of the near falls, both guys have such big moves that you buy a big powerslam might end it. The finish itself was a little odd, Vader has a cool shoulderbreaker, but it isn't one of his traditionally huge moves, and I was a little surprised that it would be the move that would win him the world title. Great performance by both guys, and I am hoping we get some more 1992 WCW house show stuff, that was one of my favorite eras in wrestling history, and I imagine there are some more great Vader matches and awesome Dangerous Alliance tags sitting on hard drives in Stamford.