World Championship Wrestling

[ErictheDragon]

Another fun weekend of WCW programming.

Muta seems to at least be making an effort to be a team player.

[LowBlowPodcast]

Weekend of World Championship Wrestling 12/20

Power Hour is on full hype mode this week. They are pumping up the PPV tomorrow… Starrcade is going to be the event of the year 1990 and WCW is ready to put on a show. This morning, we see a lot of the guys who won’t be on the show… Skinner, Bob and Scott Armstrong, The Orient Express, Johnny Ace, and Kendall Windham. We get a fun match between Ax and Fatu - with Fatu winning the match thanks to the interference. It is a simple enough match… more to come with these guys tomorrow night.

World Championship Wrestling is also on hype mode. Ross and Heenan continue to pump up the huge show and each segment is around each match. We get squash matches from El Gigante, The Freebirds, Nikita Koloff, The Undertaker,  and Doom. We get promos from Sid, Owen and Davey, The Barbarian, Big Josh, and The Rockers for their matches. We have two big marquee matches tonight… the first is between Curt Hennig and the Great Muta.

Muta and Hennig give the world a taste of what they could do inside the squared circle. The match goes about 12 minutes… both men are hesitant about one another, and Paul E is trying to stir it up. There is no clear cut winner/loser - which makes some people upset in the crowd… but the schmoz finish comes with Dangerously trying to get involved… Muta having to stop him. Here comes Rude and Hall…. Pillman and Steamboat… the Dangerous Alliance actually get the upperhand here when Muta retreats. Tomorrow night… Muta v Rude, Pillman vs Hall, and Steamboat vs Hennig! 

In our main, main event… we see Sting taking on Kama with Harley Race. It’s a simple contest… good guy v bad guy… Sting overcoming just enough to show his strength. Here comes Luger… he’s watching… Sting fights his way back and then gets the upperhand before hitting the Stinger Splash and the running bulldog for the 3-count! Race is already in the ring and he’s hammering down on him. Kama gets to his feet, and he jumps in there to join him. The fans are screaming for Luger to help or stop or something… Luger gets in the ring as Race and Kama hold up Sting… easy pickings… but Luger turns his back… Race lets go and then pulls Luger around but Lex cocks his fist ready for a shot…. Sting breaks free and hammers Kama… then throws him over the ropes…. He clotheslines Race over the ropes… Sting and Luger are in the middle of the ring… looking at one another… tomorrow night they’re inside the cage… we have got to go!

[ErictheDragon]

Hennig v Muta on free TV? Sounds like a great deal to me.

Luger's sending Race some pretty clear signals but i'm not sure the legend is picking them up.

[spaldoni]

All the top feuds are going into Starrcade with serious heat 

After an epic rivalry, it's awesome seeing Steamboat and Muta unite against the Dangerous Alliance

Demolition and the Samoans have torn it up the last couple months and I can't wait for the explosive blow off 

I think Doom and the Undertaker have an incredible 91 ahead 

It looks like Sting's going to get the Luger he wants inside the cage

 

[LowBlowPodcast]

STARRCADE 1990

St. Louis, Missouri – Kiel Auditorium
December 21, 1990
Attendance: 7,200

FINAL BRAWL

Demolition (Ax, Smash & Crush) vs. The Samoans (Samu, Fatu & Tonga)
Elimination rules with staggered, timed entrances

The final confrontation between Demolition and the Samoans did not begin with all six men — it unfolded. The match opened with Smash and Samu, the two immediately colliding in the center with stiff forearms and headbutts. Every two minutes, another combatant entered, the violence escalating with each arrival.

Ax joined to give Demolition the numbers briefly, only for Tonga to storm in and even the odds. When Fatu entered, the pace exploded — the Samoans swarming, isolating Smash and driving him repeatedly into the mat. Demolition weathered the storm, surviving on grit and experience alone.

Crush entered last — and the momentum shifted.

Crush’s power turned the tide, pressing Tonga overhead and slamming him to the mat. One by one, the Samoans fell — Tonga eliminated after a devastating Decapitation, then Samu after a crushing combination attack. Fatu fought alone, valiantly, but eventually succumbed under the combined assault.

Winners: Demolition (Ax, Smash & Crush)

 

---

 

The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer vs Big Josh

Big Josh entered confident, energized by the crowd — but that confidence vanished the moment the lights dimmed and the bell tolled. The Undertaker emerged slowly, methodically, accompanied by Paul Bearer and the ominous urn.

The match was never competitive.

Josh’s offense barely registered as Undertaker absorbed shots without expression, then dismantled Josh with heavy strikes, a massive choke lift, and a thunderous Tombstone Piledriver.

Winner: The Undertaker

 

---

 

WCW UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

The Fabulous Freebirds (c) vs. Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith

Owen and Davey Boy wrestled with urgency, pushing the champions with speed and crisp teamwork. The match turned chaotic when Badstreet inserted himself at ringside — only for the shocking reveal as his mask was torn away.

Badstreet was Diamond Dallas Page.

The distraction was all the Freebirds needed. Michael Hayes struck Owen with a sudden DDT, and the referee counted the fall amid the confusion.

Winners and Still Champions: The Fabulous Freebirds

 

---

 

Sid Vicious vs El Gigante

El Gigante’s size earned him respect early, but Sid Vicious struck from behind, targeting the neck relentlessly. Sid’s approach was methodical and cruel — clotheslines, chokeholds, grinding pressure.

A brutal clothesline to the back of the neck put El Gigante down and a quick three ended it for everything… thankfully

Winner: Sid Vicious

 

---

 

RUSSIAN CHAIN MATCH

Nikita Koloff vs. The Barbarian

Bound together by steel, Koloff and Barbarian waged a savage, punishing war. Barbarian’s power tested Nikita’s resolve, but Koloff endured, fighting through blood and fatigue.

A thunderous Russian Sickle, chain wrapped around his fist, sealed the victory.

Winner: Nikita Koloff

 

---

 

WCW TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

Scott Hall (c) vs. Flyin’ Brian

Hall controlled early with size and arrogance, dictating pace and punishing Brian whenever momentum swung. Brian refused to stay down, surviving punishment and forcing Hall into frustration.

Hall attempted the Diamond Death Drop — but Brian countered mid-motion into a lightning-quick hurricanrana.

Winner and NEW Television Champion: Flyin’ Brian

 

---

 

Curt Hennig w/ Paul E vs Ricky Steamboat

This was wrestling in its purest form — a test of discipline, timing, and nerve.

From the opening lockup, neither man rushed. Steamboat worked with crisp precision, grounding Hennig early and forcing him to wrestle at a pace he could not bully or shortcut. Hennig responded with equal confidence, slipping holds, countering transitions, and refusing to be outworked.

The match unfolded as a chessboard. Steamboat targeted the arm, looking to soften Hennig for the Dragon Sleeper. Hennig shifted momentum with sudden bursts — a snap neckbreaker here, a perfectly placed knee lift there — never lingering, never wasting motion. Paul E. Dangerously stalked the floor, barking instructions, but Hennig barely acknowledged him.

Midway through, Steamboat strung together his finest sequence of the night: deep arm drags, a knife-edge chop that echoed through the building, and a flying chop off the ropes that nearly ended it. Hennig barely escaped, rolling to the apron and forcing a reset.

The closing minutes were frantic but controlled. Steamboat locked in the Dragon Sleeper, center of the ring. The crowd rose. Hennig fought it inch by inch, rolling his hips, shifting leverage, and finally slipping free. Steamboat charged — Hennig ducked — and in one flawless motion, hooked the Perfect Plex.

The bridge was tight. The count was academic.

Winner: Curt Hennig

Steamboat sat up slowly, breathing heavy, disappointment visible — but so was respect. The crowd stood as one. He had not been diminished. He had been elevated.

 

---

 

WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP

Rick Rude (c) vs. The Great Muta

Rick Rude entered determined to impose himself physically — to turn the match into a fight rather than a contest.

Early on, it worked. Rude bullied Muta into the corners, grinding forearms into the face, snapping suplexes with authority. He flexed, taunted, and smirked — but Muta never lost his composure. He absorbed punishment, retreated when necessary, and waited.

Slowly, the tide shifted.

Muta dissected Rude with surgical precision. Low kicks to the thigh disrupted his base. Sharp strikes to the ribs took away his power. Every time Rude tried to build momentum, Muta cut him down with speed and timing. Interference was anticipated and neutralized before it could matter.

Rude fought back valiantly, landing a knee lift and a devastating backbreaker that nearly retained the title. He stalked, waited, and looked for the finish — but one mistake cost him everything.

Muta exploded.

A sudden handspring elbow turned the match inside out. Rude staggered. Muta climbed — measured — and launched.

The Moonsault landed flush.

There was no escape.

Winner and NEW United States Champion: The Great Muta

Muta stood alone, title raised, expression unreadable. No celebration. No explanation. Only dominance.

 

---

 

WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Doom (c) vs. The Rockers

The Rockers entered knowing speed was their only chance — and they fought accordingly.

Early exchanges favored the champions. Doom absorbed the Rockers’ quick strikes and answered with overwhelming force. Marty Jannetty became the focal point, targeted relentlessly. His face was split open early, blood pouring freely as Simmons and Reed isolated him in the corner.

Shawn Michaels refused to quit.

Despite visible injury, Michaels fought through pain, breaking pins, launching desperate aerial attacks, and throwing himself between Doom and his partner time and again. Every rally was met with brute retaliation. Doom did not rush. They dismantled.

Jannetty tried to stand. He tried to fight back. He tried to crawl.

The blood loss became too much.

With Michaels screaming for his partner to hold on, the referee stepped in — forced to make a decision no one wanted, but everyone understood.

Winners and Still WCW World Tag Team Champions: Doom (via referee stoppage)

The Rockers were not pinned. They were not submitted.

They were broken.

 

---

 

WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

STEEL CAGE MATCH
Sting (c) vs. Lex Luger

No interference.
No escape.
Only resolution.

The steel cage sealed them inside their history.

Luger controlled early with raw strength, slamming Sting into the steel and grinding him down methodically. Sting answered with resilience, bouncing back with sharp strikes and sudden bursts of speed that rattled the challenger.

Both men bled. Both men faded. Neither man backed down.

The match became a war of attrition — bodies crashing against steel, breath coming in gasps, every movement slower, heavier, more desperate. Luger lifted Sting for power moves again and again. Sting kept rising.

In the final stretch, Sting found one last reserve. He climbed — slow, deliberate — knowing it would be his last chance. Luger stood, exhausted, reaching.

Sting launched.

The crossbody connected clean.

The count fell.

Winner and STILL WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Sting

After the bell, there was no celebration at first. Just exhaustion.

Lex Luger stood, stared at the champion, and extended his hand. Sting accepted. Harley Race protested — and Luger waved him away.

The cage rose.

Hope closed the night.

 

*******************

Post-Starrcade Media Scrum – December 21, 1990

Kiel Auditorium – St. Louis, Missouri

The camera cuts backstage to a crowded media area. Folding tables, microphones, photographers packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Sweat still hangs in the air. Sting, still in ring gear with the WCW World Championship draped over his shoulder, stands beside Tony Schiavone.

Tony Schiavone:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are moments removed from the main event here at Starrcade. Sting has survived Lex Luger inside a steel cage and remains the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Sting—”

Before Tony can finish, movement stirs behind the cameras.

The crowd noise rises.

Sid Vicious steps into frame.

Towering. Calm. Eyes locked on Sting.

Harley Race follows close behind, jaw tight, arms folded.

The mood shifts instantly.

Tony Schiavone:
“Uh—Sid Vicious has entered the media area.”

Sid steps forward, looming over the table, eyes never leaving the championship.

Sid Vicious:
“Sting.”

No yelling. No theatrics.

Just that name.

Sting doesn’t flinch. He squares his shoulders, gripping the belt tighter.

Sid Vicious:
“You keep walking around with that title like it belongs to you.”

Race leans in slightly, voice low but sharp.

Harley Race:
“He survived tonight. That’s all. Survivin’ ain’t the same as dominatin’.”

Sid takes one step closer.

Sid Vicious:
“I don’t survive.”

He glances at the championship.

Sid Vicious:
“I end things.”

Before Sting can respond, someone steps into frame from the side.

Lex Luger.

Still breathing hard. Hair damp. No jacket. No robe.

He doesn’t rush.

He doesn’t posture.

He simply places himself between Sting and Sid — one hand slightly raised, palm open. Not threatening. Not defensive.

Calm.

He looks at Harley Race first.

Then at Sid.

Lex Luger:
“This doesn’t need to happen like this.”

Sid stares down at him, unmoving.

Luger continues, steady.

Lex Luger:
“Sting’s the champion. He earned it tonight.”

He glances back at Sting — no bitterness, no regret.

Lex Luger:
“If there’s going to be another fight… it doesn’t start here.”

A pause.

Lex Luger:
“Not like this.”

He turns back to Sid, voice lower now.

Lex Luger:
“Let it breathe. Let it be done the right way.”

For a moment… nothing.

The room is silent.

Sid smiles.

Then—

BOOM.

Sid grabs Luger by the throat.

The cameras shake as Sid hoists him up—

POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE.

Wood splinters. Microphones scatter. The media erupts in chaos.

Tony Schiavone shouts in horror.

Tony Schiavone:
“Oh my God! Sid just powerbombed Lex Luger through the table!”

Sid stands over the wreckage, chest heaving.

Race doesn’t intervene.

He doesn’t react.

He just watches.

Sting drops the title and moves forward, officials rushing in, security flooding the area. Sid backs away slowly, never taking his eyes off Sting.

Sid Vicious:
“You’re next.”

Sid turns and walks out, Race following close behind.

The camera lingers on the destruction — broken table, fallen equipment — and then settles on Luger, being attended to by officials, motionless but conscious.

Sting kneels beside him, one hand on Luger’s shoulder.

The crowd noise swells.

Tony Schiavone (somber):
“Lex Luger tried to stop something terrible… and paid the price for it. Fans, Sid Vicious has just sent a message to the entire locker room — and to the World Champion.”

The camera fades out on Sting looking down at Luger… then up toward the direction Sid exited.

The road ahead is clear.

And it’s dangerous.

[ErictheDragon]

Demolition ends the Final Brawl with a clean sweep.

R.I.P Josh.

DDP. Bradstreet whatever you call him he came through for the Freebirds tonight.

Sid decisively wins the battle of the Giants.

Barbarian learns the hard way that you want to keep Nikita far away from his chain.

Pillman chops down Hall to become the best wrestler on TV.

Hennig becomes a made man by taking down the Dragon.

Muta finishes the job Pillman started by taking all the gold from the Dangerous Alliance.

Doom may have just put an end to the Rockers.

Sting gets the Luger he wanted and still comes out on top.

Race has found a new monster who violently cuts ties with Luger.

[kevinmcfl]

Wow.... what an ending to Starrcade!!  The matches were great and loved the format.  You really seem to have a plan moving forward and you moved pieces up and done where you saw fit.  

WCW is ready for 1991.

[rainmakerrtv]

Sid is a tough character to write. You have absolutely nailed it. Can't wait to see what he does next. 

[jeff5819]

Now that was a Starrcade to remember. 

You had everything a fan would want from the biggest show of the year.

From giants colliding to tag team wars, title matches that had a big show feel. From a  match classic between 2 mat masters to a Russian chain war. To show closing big time title steel cage match by the 2 top stars for the world title. 

Great show can't wait to see what's next

 

[spaldoni]

The Grandaddy of them all-Starrcade! 

The Samoans last win at the Clash was a big one but tonight belonged to Demolition. 

RIP Big Josh. We're now in the era of the Undertaker. 

BadStreet is revealed to be DDP. I believe it's time for DDP to enter the squared circle as a wrestler 

Well, we all knew Sid and El Gigante was nothing but a visual. The right man went over because Sid rules the world

Barb is one tough customer but Nikita rules the Russian Chain Match 

The TV title elevated the Diamond Stud and now Pillman will take it to another level. We're in for some action packed TV matches in 91

Hennig defeats Steamboat in a dream wrestling match. 

Rough night for the Dangerous Alliance champs. Muta's the man! I wonder how Paul E will react to all this. I noticed he was quiet during the title matches. 

Wow! I think Doom put an exclamation mark on the Rockers 

Sting got what he asked for and defeats the real Luger. I love how their story came full circle 

What a post show! Sid has been built up so well and putting Luger through the table skyrockets his stock. Sting vs Sid is gold. This is going to be awesome!!! 

I also like that other heels are being built up as serious contenders like Hennig and Taker. Sting's going to have a busy 91

Epic way to end the year. 

 

 

[LowBlowPodcast]

Weekend of World Championship Wrestling 1/3

Power Hour is a fun hour with Tony and Bobby putting over the new year of WCW and talking about some of the big names coming in along with the big news about the United States Championship - we’ll hear more about that this evening on WCW. Right now we get to the ring for some fun contests and showcases…

The Orient Express w/ Fuji get a good win.

Sid Vicious officially with Harley Race now - kills some guy who didn’t deserve it.

We see the Armstrongs in a six-man tag… but then we see Steve Armstrong and Tracy Smothers come out and join them and shake hands. Brad, Scott, Steve, and Bullet Bob are all here… where’s Brian?

The Freebirds with a nice tag match and DDP is all hype outside the ring.

The Undertaker plants some dude on his head and puts him in a body bag… eerie situation. 

In the main event, we see Flyin Brian defend the TV title against Skinner and win with a huge air Pillman from across the ring. 

 

World Championship Wrestling Ross and Heenan are putting over 1991 WCW in a big way and we talk about a couple of huge announcements coming up tonight. We’ve got big action. Plus, the Clash of the Champions on February 1st from Gainsville, Georgia. We’ve got a lot to get to tonight… here we go!

The Young Pistols, Tracy Smothers and Steve Armstrong make their “debut” as a tag team here tonight. They look good.

The Orient Express w/ Mr. Fuji get a nice win.

Demolition, Smash and Crush win a tag match with Ax at ringside.

Doom w/ Teddy Long is dominant… the tag team champions are a head above everyone else right now in WCW!

We see the Samoans in six-man match… Samu, Fatu, and Tonga all look sharp. 

Sid Vicious now officially w/ Harley Race kills someone and throws hem over the ropes to the floor. He is making it known that he is coming for Sting!

TV Champion, Flyin Brian with a good win… he is showing why he’s the best wrestler on television right now.

In the main event, Rude, Hennig, and Hall defeated Big Josh, Kendall Windham, and Johnny Ace.

We get a couple of big promos and some announcements.

We first find out that WCW commissioner, JJ Dillon has resigned due to issues with Paul E Dangerously. WCW Board of Directors will announce more on this in coming weeks.

We also get a fun angle showing Jacques Rougeau… as the mountie… and then Lt. James Early and Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker as his lackey mountie proteges! 

We also find out that Sting will defend the WCW World Title on the Clash on February 1st, against Sid Vicious. Sting cuts a promo and says he’s asked for the match! He says that Lex Luger was hurt by Sid… exploded his elbow, broken ribs, punctured lung, he’s going to be out for a while but Sting is going to come in there and give Sid more than he could ever imagine! 

We also see the debut of Paul Orndorff and Paul Roma… Pretty Wonderful… they put themselves over in a big way… they say that they are here to not only dominate WCW Tag Team Wrestling but show the world they are unmatched by any other team! 

We then get a huge announcement/angle. Tony Schiavone is out with Paul E of all people… we find out that the United States Championship has been VACATED! Paul E tells the story about how The Great Muta went back to Japan for the Holiday but wasn’t allowed to return because his VISA papers were not RENEWED! The renewal was supposed to happen months ago… but somehow the paperwork got lost after Muta left Paul E’s management. Muta has since been banned from traveling to the US, thus vacating the US title… Paul E thinks Rude should get the title back… but Tony Schiavone says the WCW Board of Directors has decided there will be a two stage tournament… first… next week… the top 14 contenders will take part in a battle royal. The last two men remaining will receive a bye in the 14 man tournament with the finals being on February 1st at the Clash of the Champions to crown a new champion! We’ll find out more next week!

[ErictheDragon]

Kudos to Sting for not waiting for Sid to get a title shot.

Dillion's beef with Paul E leads to him losing his job.

Speaking of whom, he pulls a major league dick move by messing with Muta's papers. At least we're getting a tournament out of it.

[spaldoni]

Sting and Sid in the main event scene kicks 91 off in a big way 

Paul E must be intolerable if it caused JJ to resign. 

Pillman's going to elevate the TV title to an entirely different level 

It's sad to see Muta go, but a big tournament to crown a new champ sounds pretty exciting