World Championship Wrestling

[ErictheDragon]

They're gonna have to reinforce the ring for the triple threat tag title match.

Hall gets his biggest opportunity yet when he challenges for the world title.

Race sends Kama to soften up Luger.

Tenryu makes waves by revealing the International title.

[kevinmcfl]

Awesome job with such a stacked roster.  You are able to really capture the feel of a major promotion.  You have stars that are treated like stars and then superstars that are treated like superstars.

Great job bringing Lex back and he is already in the middle of it!  

Love the tag team division- so much power! so much speed.  From Doom to the Road Warriors to the Steiners to the Freebirds to the RnR Express... really makes it fun to read.

Also, great job with the Hennig-Dustin angle.

Can't wait to see the clash!

[spaldoni]

The Clash is building into something big. 

The tag team situation will finally be resolved in a triple threat match. That one's going to be hard hitting for sure 

Hall gets his opportunity but he's facing a red hot Sting

Smart move with the babyfaces uniting against the Dangerous Alliance. Really looking forward to that Pillman/Zbyszko match 

The drama continues between Morton and Hayes. 

Good job with the showcases tonight. Harley's men look dominant while Hennig and Rude look polished as ever 

York will finally set Tenryu loose at the Clash. I think the other factions better take notice

Bad omen for Anvil as he looks to be Taker's next target 

No chaos this week but the stare downs speak volumes 

[Control21]

The last month or so has been really good for WCW. Several pieces are coming together in a big way, and I think Clash of Champions is setting up to be one of the best shows of the year. Tenryu in WCW is going to be blockbuster.

[LowBlowPodcast]

World Championship Wrestling

Weekend of June 6, 1991

Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan open the broadcast by reminding viewers that Clash of the Champions is just days away. Ross calls it one of the strongest cards WCW has ever presented on television, while Heenan insists the Dangerous Alliance is preparing to leave with even more power than they already possess.

Scott Hall opens the wrestling portion of the show against Mike Stanton. The entire Dangerous Alliance accompanies Hall to ringside, creating an intimidating atmosphere before the opening bell. Hall methodically dismantles Stanton, never appearing rushed or threatened. Hennig, Rude, Arn, Larry, and Paul E applaud throughout the match as Hall finishes things with the Razor's Edge. Afterward, Paul E says Hall was the first piece of the puzzle. First came Hall. Then came Hennig. Then Rude. Then Arn. Then Larry. He says every great empire begins with a scout, and at Clash, Scott Hall will bring the WCW World Heavyweight Championship into the Dangerous Alliance.

Tony Schiavone is then joined by Sting. Sting says Scott Hall deserves respect because he earned his opportunity. That's exactly why he's preparing for the toughest fight possible. Sting says Hall isn't facing a man protecting a championship. He's facing the WCW World Champion. At Clash, it won't be about factions or numbers. It'll be about who the better man is when the bell rings.

Later, Tony Schiavone welcomes Ricky Steamboat to the interview area. Steamboat says for months the Dangerous Alliance has grown stronger because nobody has stood up to them together. He says he sent word everywhere looking for someone willing to stand beside him. Someone willing to fight. Paul E immediately appears with Arn Anderson and Rick Rude. Paul says he's heard the stories. He heard Steamboat was planning on bringing Nikita Koloff, but apparently there may be some visa problems. Arn laughs. Rude laughs. Paul asks the obvious question.

"Did anybody answer?"

Steamboat smiles.

"You'll find out at Clash."

And then he walks away.

Larry Zbyszko defeats Johnny Ace in one of his better television performances in recent weeks. Ace keeps the pace moving early, but Larry constantly slows the match down and forces him into mistakes. Larry secures the victory and immediately asks for a microphone. He says Flyin Brian has talent, speed, and athletic ability. What he doesn't have is experience. At Clash, Larry says experience wins championships.

Eric Bischoff then interviews Flyin Brian. Brian says Larry keeps talking about experience because it's the only advantage he has left. At Clash, Larry will discover he can't slow down somebody he can't catch.

Dustin Rhodes defeats Kevin Adams in convincing fashion. Dustin wrestles with intensity throughout, knowing the biggest opportunity of his career is only days away. After the match, Curt Hennig joins Eric Bischoff. Hennig says Dustin has all the talent in the world, but talent isn't enough. He says Dustin spent his entire life benefiting from being Dusty Rhodes' son. At Clash, Dustin steps into the ring without his father beside him. Hennig says that's when reality finally catches up.

The Road Warriors cut a pre-taped interview focused entirely on the WCW World Tag Team Championship. Hawk says everybody keeps talking about Doom and the Steiner Brothers while forgetting who made tag team wrestling important in the first place. Animal says the belts are coming home.

The Steiner Brothers defeat The State Patrol in dominant fashion. Rick and Scott look explosive from the opening bell, throwing the Patrol around with ease and never letting them establish control. After the match, Tony Schiavone enters the ring to interview the Steiners.

Before he can ask a question, Missy Hyatt joins them.

The crowd responds immediately.

Missy says everybody in WCW wants to talk about Doom. Everybody wants to talk about the Road Warriors. But the smartest people in wrestling already know who the future is.

The Steiner Brothers.

Rick grins.

Scott looks slightly uncomfortable.

Missy says that at Clash, the Steiners aren't walking in as contenders.

They're walking in as the best tag team in wrestling.

The visual gets over exactly what it needs to.

Later in the show, Doom appear with Teddy Long. Simmons says they have listened to enough predictions and enough opinions. Reed says the champions are still the champions. Teddy promises that after Clash, everybody will remember exactly who runs the tag division.

Alexandra York appears alongside Genichiro Tenryu in a luxury suite overlooking the arena. York says York International did not come to WCW to participate. They came to dominate. She formally announces that at Clash of the Champions, Tenryu will face Savio Vega. York says Vega is simply the first example of what happens when international excellence meets ordinary competition. Tenryu slowly displays the International Championship around his waist while York promises this is only the beginning.

The Undertaker defeats Chris Dalton in another eerie showcase. Dalton briefly attempts to use speed and movement, but the moment Undertaker takes control the match is effectively over. A chokeslam is followed by the Tombstone, and the atmosphere changes completely.

After the match, Paul Bearer says Jim Neidhart continues to prepare for a wrestling match when he should be preparing for a funeral.

Jim Neidhart later joins Tony Schiavone. Anvil says he's heard enough threats and enough ghost stories. He says he's fought monsters before and he'll fight another one at Clash. He promises that Undertaker will find out exactly how hard the Anvil hits.

Main Event

Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith vs Mr. Hughes & Kama

The main event is physical from the opening bell. Hughes uses his size advantage effectively while Kama brings aggression and power. Owen spends much of the match fighting from underneath before finally reaching Davey Boy, who changes the momentum completely. The babyfaces rally and eventually score the victory after a strong closing sequence.

The celebration is short-lived.

Haku storms to ringside.

The numbers begin to shift.

Meng appears.

Then Sid Vicious steps onto the stage with Harley Race.

The crowd erupts.

Before anything can happen, Lex Luger's music hits.

The reaction is even louder.

Luger storms to ringside and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Owen and Davey.

Sid immediately starts forward.

Harley grabs him.

Meng grabs him.

Hughes grabs him.

The fight almost happens.

Almost.

Luger and Sid lock eyes as the crowd roars.

Ross closes the show by saying that sooner or later these two men are going to collide, and when they do, WCW may never be the same.

The final image is Sid Vicious and Lex Luger staring each other down as Clash of the Champions looms just days away.

[spaldoni]

It's all about the Clash tonight 

Hall has definitely earned his shot but it might be bad timing because Sting's red hot right now

I can't wait to see who Steamboat brings in

Zbyszko and Pillman will deliver 

The International York Foundation was a brilliant idea. Looking forward to Tenryu's International title bout

Dustin's a good match up with Hennig. I'm hoping this is more than a one off 

Anvil will be a big test for Taker but those were some ominous words from Paul Bearer 

We've been waiting for it and soon the 3 powerhouse teams will collide for all the marbles 

Lex and Sid have the ultimate stare down 

 

[LowBlowPodcast]

CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS

Thursday, June 12, 1991

Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan welcome fans to Clash of the Champions, calling it one of the most stacked cards in WCW history. Ross says championships, careers, and rivalries will all take major turns tonight, while Heenan argues that by the end of the evening, the Dangerous Alliance may have more power than ever before.

 

International Championship

Genichiro Tenryu (c) vs Savio Vega

The opening match introduces WCW to Genichiro Tenryu in impressive fashion. Savio Vega is energetic and game, using his speed to briefly frustrate the champion, but the story of the match is Tenryu's aura and physicality. Every chop sounds like a gunshot, and every strike seems to carry extra weight. Savio refuses to quit and even mounts a short comeback, but Tenryu cuts him off with a vicious lariat before finishing him clean.

After the match, Alexandra York joins him in the ring. She says York International did not come to WCW to participate. They came to dominate. Tonight is simply the first example of what superior talent and superior intelligence can accomplish.

Tenryu raises the International Championship as York looks directly into the camera.

Eric Bischoff is standing by with Lex Luger.

Luger says for six months he sat at home and replayed one moment over and over again—Sid Vicious powerbombing him through a table and trying to end his career. He says tonight is not about championships. It is about proving to himself that he can still fight and proving to Sid that he failed. Kama is simply standing in the way of something much bigger.

 

Television Championship

Flyin Brian (c) vs Larry Zbyszko

This is a classic clash of styles. Flyin Brian keeps the pace moving and uses his speed to frustrate Larry throughout the match. Larry continually slows things down, uses veteran tricks, and repeatedly targets Brian's shoulder and neck.

Several times it appears Larry is on the verge of stealing the championship, but Brian's athleticism ultimately proves too much. In the closing moments, Brian catches Larry out of position and scores the clean victory.

Flyin Brian retains the Television Championship.

Larry sits in the corner afterward, frustrated and furious, while Brian celebrates with the title.

Tony Schiavone is standing by with Sting.

Sting says tonight is exactly what the event is called—a clash of the champion and the number one contender. Scott Hall earned this opportunity. He fought for it. He deserves it.

But tonight, he steps into the ring with the WCW World Heavyweight Champion.

Sting says Hall can bring the Dangerous Alliance with him if he wants.

He'll bring the championship.

And that's all he needs.

 

Lex Luger vs Kama

Luger's first match back receives a tremendous reaction. Kama attacks aggressively from the opening bell and targets Luger's back and ribs, trying to exploit any lingering effects of the injury.

Luger fights through it.

Every punch seems personal.

Every clothesline seems to carry six months of frustration.

The crowd erupts when Luger finally builds momentum and powers Kama into the Torture Rack.

Kama has nowhere to go.

He submits.

Lex Luger wins.

As Luger celebrates, Sid Vicious appears at the entrance.

The crowd roars.

Luger immediately locks eyes with him.

Sid starts forward.

Harley Race gets in front of him.

The fight almost happens.

Almost.

Luger points directly at Sid.

Sid simply smirks.

The issue is far from over.

 

United States Championship

Curt Hennig (c) vs Dustin Rhodes

Dustin Rhodes wrestles the best match of his young career. He survives everything Hennig throws at him and repeatedly forces the champion to dig deeper than expected. The crowd gradually gets behind him, sensing an upset.

Dustin nearly wins after a powerslam.

Then again after a sunset flip.

Hennig barely survives.

Finally, experience wins out. Dustin makes one mistake, and Hennig immediately capitalizes, scoring the pinfall and retaining the United States Championship.

After the match, Hennig offers Dustin a sarcastic handshake.

Dustin looks at him.

Then turns and walks away.

The crowd applauds him as he leaves.

He lost.

But tonight proved he belongs.

Eric Bischoff is standing by with the Steiner Brothers.

Rick says everybody in WCW keeps talking about Doom and the Road Warriors.

Scott says they're tired of hearing it.

They didn't come back from Japan to be contenders.

They came back to become champions.

Rick says tonight isn't just another title match.

Tonight is their night.

 

Undertaker vs Jim Neidhart

Jim Neidhart gives Undertaker more resistance than most of his recent opponents. He fights aggressively and uses his power to stagger the big man several times.

Undertaker absorbs everything.

Then the atmosphere changes.

A massive chokeslam shakes the ring.

Moments later, the Tombstone ends it.

The Undertaker wins.

Paul Bearer raises the urn and says another soul has been claimed.

Undertaker never once acknowledges the crowd.

 

Special Attraction Tag Team Match

Ricky Steamboat & Mystery Partner vs Rick Rude & Arn Anderson

Rick Rude and Arn Anderson enter laughing.

Paul E says nobody answered Ricky Steamboat's call.

Steamboat walks out alone.

The crowd buzzes.

Then—

The Great Muta's music hits.

The building explodes.

Muta slowly walks to the ring beside Steamboat while Rude and Arn look stunned.

The match itself is excellent. Arn controls the pace, Rude uses every shortcut possible, and Steamboat and Muta provide constant energy and unpredictability.

In the closing moments, Steamboat sends Rude to the floor.

Arn turns—

Mist.

Muta rolls him up.

One.

Two.

Three.

Muta pins Arn Anderson.

The crowd erupts.

Steamboat and Muta stand tall together while Paul E looks absolutely furious.

Rude pulls Arn from the ring as he stares at Muta.

A new rivalry has just been born.

 

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Sting (c) vs Scott Hall

This is the biggest match of Scott Hall's career, and he wrestles like it.

The Dangerous Alliance accompanies him to ringside and creates constant pressure.

Hall controls long stretches of the match and several times appears to be on the verge of an upset. He uses his size and strength effectively and pushes Sting harder than anyone expected.

The crowd steadily rallies behind the champion.

Sting refuses to stay down.

Finally, after surviving everything Hall can throw at him, Sting catches him and scores the victory.

Sting retains the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

As Sting celebrates, the Dangerous Alliance enters the ring.

The numbers become obvious.

Then—

Ricky Steamboat.

Muta.

Dustin Rhodes.

Flyin Brian.

All walk onto the stage.

No fight breaks out.

No words are exchanged.

Just a visual.

The sides have been drawn.

A war is coming.

Eric Bischoff catches Paul E Dangerously backstage immediately afterward.

Paul is furious.

He says tonight is a night the Dangerous Alliance will never forget.

The sides have finally been set.

Everyone now knows exactly where they stand.

Then Paul looks directly into the camera.

"But now, Sting… there is but one target. And that is you."

He points toward the ring.

"Come hell or high water, the Dangerous Alliance is going to end your career once and for all."

Paul walks away with the Alliance following behind him.

 

Main Event

WCW World Tag Team Championship

Doom (c) vs Road Warriors vs Steiner Brothers

The match feels enormous from the opening bell.

All three teams look capable of winning.

The Road Warriors fight with desperation.

Doom fight with pride.

The Steiner Brothers wrestle with the confidence of men who know their moment has arrived.

Late in the match, Hawk and Animal appear ready to finish Butch Reed.

Ron Simmons breaks it up.

Chaos erupts.

Bodies begin flying everywhere.

The Road Warriors spill outside with Simmons.

Reed staggers back to his feet.

Scott makes a blind tag.

Rick explodes with a Steinerline.

Scott launches off the ropes.

Steinerizer.

One.

Two.

Three.

The building explodes.

The Steiner Brothers are the new WCW World Tag Team Champions.

Rick and Scott embrace as the crowd roars.

Then everything changes.

Ron Simmons is furious.

He turns toward Butch Reed.

Reed tries explaining himself.

Simmons shoves him.

Reed shoves back.

Simmons drills him with a right hand.

The crowd erupts again.

Officials and Teddy Long rush the ring as Doom finally implodes.

The Road Warriors watch from ringside, staring at the new champions.

The Steiner Brothers climb opposite turnbuckles and raise the World Tag Team Titles high above their heads.

Then the camera catches something unexpected.

Missy Hyatt has entered the ring.

The Walking Riot is all smiles.

She applauds the new champions and wraps her arms around both men.

Rick laughs.

Scott looks almost embarrassed.

Then Missy turns, grabs Scott by the face, and plants a kiss on his cheek.

The crowd erupts.

Rick can't stop laughing.

Scott's eyes go wide.

Missy smiles and applauds the new champions.

The camera slowly pulls back.

The Steiner Brothers stand tall with the championships.

Doom are being restrained.

The Road Warriors continue watching.

Missy stands beside the new champions.

Fade to black.

[LowBlowPodcast]

World Championship Wrestling

Weekend of June 13, 1991

Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan welcome fans to World Championship Wrestling only one night removed from Clash of the Champions. Ross calls it one of the most eventful nights in company history, pointing to the crowning of new World Tag Team Champions, the implosion of Doom, the return of The Great Muta, and the Dangerous Alliance making it clear that Sting is now their primary target. Heenan says Ross forgot one thing—the Dangerous Alliance isn't going away. They're just getting started.

Tony Schiavone opens the show standing with the new WCW World Tag Team Champions, Rick and Scott Steiner.

Rick says last night was everything they came back for.

Scott says they promised everyone they weren't coming back from Japan to wait in line.

They came back to become champions.

Rick puts over Doom and the Road Warriors, calling both teams among the toughest they have ever stepped into the ring with. Scott says winning the titles means something because of who they beat.

Suddenly, The Walking Riot Missy Hyatt steps onto the set.

The crowd erupts.

The Steiners look surprised.

Missy congratulates them and says she knew they could do it. She says everybody in WCW is talking about the Steiner Brothers and they should be. They're the World Tag Team Champions.

Then Missy casually places herself between the brothers and begins speaking almost as if she represents them.

Before the interview can continue, The Road Warriors walk out.

Animal says they didn't lose last night.

Hawk says if the Steiners are champions, then they owe the Road Warriors a title match.

Missy immediately answers.

"Accepted."

The Steiners look at one another.

Missy smiles.

Ross is stunned.

Heenan laughs.

Next week:

The Steiner Brothers vs The Road Warriors for the WCW World Tag Team Championship.

Sid Vicious destroys two local competitors in a handicap match. The match lasts only moments. Sid powerbombs the first man. Then the second. Then he powerbombs the first man again.

The crowd begins to boo heavily.

Harley Race smiles.

Sid drags one man back to his feet and delivers another powerbomb.

Medical personnel rush toward ringside.

Sid shoves them away.

The injured wrestlers are eventually rolled onto stretchers and wheeled out of the arena.

Jim Ross says the Stretcher Tour has returned.

Heenan simply says that's what happens when a man has something to prove.

Eric Bischoff catches up with Lex Luger.

Luger says he watched everything.

He watched Sid try to end careers.

He watched him smile while people were wheeled away.

He says six months ago he was one of those people.

Luger says Sid's tour is eventually going to end.

Because sooner or later, he's getting his hands on him.

And when he does, Sid won't need a stretcher.

He'll need a miracle.

Flyin Brian defeats Mike Thorpe in a fast-paced Television Championship showcase. Brian looks sharp and energetic, building momentum after successfully defending the title at Clash.

Afterward, Larry Zbyszko appears.

Larry says Brian is fortunate.

Twice.

But every young champion eventually makes one mistake.

Larry promises he'll be there when it happens.

The Great Muta defeats Carl Adams in his first singles match back in WCW. The crowd is fully behind him, and every kick and chop receives a reaction. Muta wins decisively and celebrates briefly.

Tony Schiavone attempts to get a word with Muta and Ricky Steamboat afterward.

Steamboat says last night was only the beginning.

He says Rick Rude and Arn Anderson made the mistake of creating another enemy.

Muta simply smiles.

Then slowly runs his thumb across his throat.

Curt Hennig defeats Tommy Burke in a confident, polished performance. The United States Champion never appears threatened and keeps complete control throughout.

After the match, Hennig says Dustin Rhodes had his opportunity.

And he failed.

Now it's time for him to go back to being just another kid living off his father's name.

Dustin Rhodes defeats Steve Carter in convincing fashion later in the evening. Dustin wrestles with more aggression than usual and looks determined to keep climbing despite his loss at Clash.

Tony Schiavone is standing by with Ron Simmons.

Simmons says he isn't here to make excuses.

The Steiners beat them.

The better team won.

Then his expression changes.

But Butch Reed?

That's another matter entirely.

Simmons says Reed made mistake after mistake and cost them everything.

He says next week, he wants Butch Reed in the ring.

Face to face.

Ross immediately wonders if Doom are officially finished.

Main Event

Sting, Ricky Steamboat & Flyin Brian

vs
Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko & Curt Hennig

The main event feels like a continuation of the war that has been brewing for months.

Larry and Brian immediately resume their rivalry.

Steamboat and Arn pick up right where they left off.

But the most interesting moments come when Sting and Curt Hennig finally find themselves in the ring together.

The crowd comes alive.

The two men exchange holds and counters, and for a brief moment it feels like the next great championship rivalry may already be taking shape.

Then everything breaks down.

Scott Hall suddenly storms to ringside.

He enters the ring.

The referee immediately calls for the bell.

Disqualification.

The Dangerous Alliance begin surrounding the babyfaces.

Then Rick Rude slides into the ring.

Chaos erupts.

Sting and Hall begin brawling.

Steamboat goes after Rude.

Pillman and Larry spill outside.

Bodies are everywhere.

Then—

Rude catches Sting from behind on the floor.

RUDE AWAKENING.

The arena gasps.

Sting is laid out on the concrete.

The Dangerous Alliance slowly back away.

Hall stands over the fallen World Champion.

Paul E joins him, smiling.

Ross is furious.

Heenan is ecstatic.

The final image of the night is Scott Hall staring down at Sting while the Dangerous Alliance leave together, knowing they have finally drawn first blood in their war against the WCW World Heavyweight Champion.

Fade to black.

[ErictheDragon]

Okay Hyatt just going up to the Steiners and going "congrats boys, i'm your manager now" is pretty funny.

Muta's back baby! Wish I could've seen Paul's face.

Luger looks good in his first match back.

The Alliance continues its focus on Sting and the World title.

[rainmakerrtv]

Very on brand for Missy.