World Championship Wrestling - January 5, 1991
Ah, it's 6:05 eastern time, so you know what that means. Two hours of wrestling on TBS.
They used to tape these shows waaaaay in advance in those days, so this January edition was probably filmed in May of 1990 or something (ok, maybe not that far in advance, probably November).
A youtube uploader by the name of "DixieGold01" was gracious enough to upload a bunch of these full episodes, so thanks to him. With a handle like that, and the fact that he has rebel flags all over his background, something tells me DixieGold01 is one of the millions of southern wrestling fans who stopped watching in 2001. He's probably also a raging racist who drives a pickup truck, complete with a gun rack & illegal gigantic tires, too. But hey, thanks for the uploads, man!
Before the opening title screen, we get a cold open of the closing moments of the Z-Man (Tom Zenk) winning the World Television Title from Arn Anderson "last week". A nice touch, emphasizing the importance of the number three singles title in the pecking order. Yes fans under 30, it wasn't all that long ago that titles meant something and title changes were treated like a big deal.
The World Television Title meant you were the best wrestler on TV, dammit. And that champion was always a fighting champion, because unlike the United States champ & World champ, he had to defend that thing EVERY WEEK on TV, so they usually booked that title with solid workers in mind who could have good TV matches.
Jim Ross & BOB CAUDLE are our hosts. Caudle explains that we have TWO feature matchups tonight, and both revolve around the aforementioned TV title. Tom Zenk will make his first title defense, and Arn Anderson, the former champ, takes on Terry Taylor, in what Caudle says is a very important match for Anderson if he wants a crack at winning his title back. At this point, my nipples harden from the excitement I am feeling as Caudle puts the third most important title in the company over stronger in a matter of twenty seconds than WWE or TNA manage to do these days with their World titles.
Time for a match!
Sid Vicious vs Pablo Crenshaw
PABLO CRENSHAW. What a name. Crenshaw is a black fella with a wacky 1920's hairstyle, who would fit right in on Boardwalk Empire as one of Chalky White's henchmen. Unfortunately for Crenshaw, he is facing Sid Vicious, which means we are in for a violent squash, which i'm sure DicxieGold01 will enjoy immensely. Sid explains in the inset that he rules the world. Sid immediately kicks Crenshaw in the chest, followed by a border toss. Sid plays to the crowd. I can't figure out if he's a face or heel at this point, because the fans are going crazy. Powerbomb, foot on the chest, pin.
Your winner, "Big" Sid Vicious. Hey, that's what the ring announcer said.
PAUL E DANGEROUSLY is standing by with Rip Rogers. Rogers will take on Flyin' Brian Pillman, in a match where pins won't count in the first five minutes of the match. Why, you ask? Rogers explains that he has better cardio than Pillman, so he feels like a longer match gives him an edge. Paul E is amused by all of this, and agrees that Rogers is in fantastic shape. OK.
WCW Hotline commercial. Wednesday's are "Missy Does Mail".
Rip Rogers vs Flyin' Brian
Rogers is decked out in his usual pink. Rogers does an effeminate gimmick, but aside form the pink, that part of his gimmick is toned down here. Pillman immediately goes for a pin, making him look like a geek because he doesn't understand the rules. Pillman then goes for a pin AGAIN, making him really look like a geek. Pillman, still not understanding, goes for TWO MORE PINS, and this time, THE REF COUNTS. What is going on here? Meanwhile, the ring announcer, Tony Gillam, chimes in with "three minutes have passed, three minutes". So apparently only the ring announcer & Rogers understand the rules.
As Rogers dominates, Caudle wonders aloud if maybe there is something to this time limit plan that Rogers has concocted. I love Caudle. Now Rogers goes for a pin. And the ref counts. WTF. Ross stops trying to cover for the wrestlers at this point.
Five minutes have now passed, so now the pinfalls count. Pillman goes for a superfly splash, but that crafty Rogers put up the knees. Rogers is still dizzy from an airplane spin he did 2 minutes ago. Nice touch. Pillman takes advantage by going back up to the top rope, and connects with a sunset flip for the pin. Good action, including some fun brawling outside the ring. Rogers is a fantastic jobber to the stars, good worker.
Jim Ross announces the details of the WCW SEXIEST WRESTLER CONTEST, and sounds a little embarrassed to be talking about it. Fans can send in postcards (which will be no doubt tossed directly in the trash) to vote, and the winner (this will totally be worked) will be announced at Clash of the Champions (in what will probably set up an angle where a jealous heel attacks the babyface winner).
More highlights of Z-Man's title win over Anderson. They are really hammering this home, and I love it. WCW Center Stage went nuts for the title change. Z-Man cuts a promo, says he won't duck a single challenger. He notes that the Horseman now have no titles. Subtle burn.
The commercials were left on the upload. Fascinating stuff, like old Burger King spots, trailers for DOUBLE IMPACT starring Jean Claude Van Damme, coming to a theater near you this Friday, and of course, the TBS staple, Goody's headache powder.
Bobby Eaton vs Reno Riggins
Yes! Reno Riggins, a classic jobber from the era. Riggins is usually a WWF jobber, so I was not expecting this. In the inset, Eaton cuts an awful promo calling out new World TV champ Z-Man. They are really, really putting over this title. Apparently Eaton gets the title shot at Clash. I think I will enjoy that. Eaton is still rocking his Midnight Express tights. It says LAS VEGAS, in what looks like cheap screen printing, on Riggins trunks.
Riggins dominates the action early, and for some reason, after a near fall, the two men shake hands. Eaton is classy. Caudle, who is quickly becoming my favorite announcer: "I think Eaton is getting frustrated because he didn't think Riggins would be this tough!". Ross points out that for the first time, Eaton is ranked in the WCW Top Ten. This impresses Caudle. Eaton does some subtle cheating, which angers Caudle: "An athlete of this caliber shouldn't have to resort to that!". I agree.
Riggins goes for a Muta handspring elbow (seriously), and Eaton counters with a bulldog in what was a really fucking cool spot. This sets up the Alabama Jam, which is possibly the coolest finisher in WCW. 1-2-3. Bobby Eaton might look like shit, and he might talk like shit, but he is awesome in the ring and I can watch him all day.
Paul E is with Terry Taylor. Now Taylor is calling out Z-Man. This is great. Everybody wants the TV title. Taylor is whining about Z-Man getting "his" title shot last week. Taylor says he will go through Arn Anderson tonight, and then the championship committee will have to stop ignoring him. Word. Paul E makes awesome faces during these interview spots.
We are told that 'tomorrow' on WCW Main Event, it's Norman & The Juicer vs. The Freebirds. They show Jimmy Garvin selling Art Barr shooting silly string at him. I have to track this down.
Renegade Warriors vs Ed Brock & Chuck Coates
Tag team action. Renegade Warriors are Mark & Chris Youngblood doing the stereotypical indian gimmick. Brock & Coates are thick jobbers with crew cuts. The Youngbloods will face Arn Anderson & Barry Windham at Clash. And hopefully lose. Because they stink. This match stinks. Lots of chops. They even do the "woo woo woo woo woo!" gimmick. Fast forward. Indians win with the Doink whoopie cushion. Then they war dance. Meh. They actually did lots of good athletic stuff, but the gimmick is a turn off.
Minotaur vs Mountain Man Bailey
LOL. Mountain Man Bailey hails from "the great Smokey Mountains" and wear overalls. He also sports a sweet mullet and looks like an early prototype of Henry Godwinn. Minotaur is the ex Steve DiSalvo/Steve Strong, a former main eventer in Calgary & Puerto Rico. Minotaur is apparently half bull. Bob Caudle is confused. So am I. He has some odd apparatus on his arm, and he crawls on all fours before diving forward like a bull. This is AWFUL. Ross pushes the WCW Sexiest Wrestler contest again. I'm voting for Man Mountain Bailey. Ross would like to know more about this strange apparatus on Minotaur's arm. So would I. Minotaur wins with an elbow drop, using the arm with the apparatus. That can't be legal, c'mon ref. Negative a million stars for this.
A commercial for Turbo Grafx 16. I forgot Bonk's Adventure existed.
Lex Luger vs Mike Sample
The Big Cat (Curtis Hughes) faces Luger at the Meadowlands, and he cuts a brutal promo in the inset. Now I know why he was best served in a silent bodyguard gimmick. Luger is tossing around Sample, who is no small man. Luger is really put together. He must spend hours in the gym, since WCW has a rigid steroid policy. Luger puts away Sample. I was bored by this.
Michael Wallstreet (w/Alexandra York) vs Gregg Sawyer
Ross tells us Wallstreet is not only undefeated, but has also appeared on the cover of USA Today. I'm not buying it. York has her gigantic laptop. York informs Sawyer that according to the data on her "computer sheet", he will lose to Michael Wallstreet in less than 6 minutes. That computer isn't exactly going out on a limb with that one. There hasn't been a match on this show that has gone longer than six minutes. Still, I love this gimmick. York & Wallstreet analyze the data as Wallstreet undresses. The clock is running while this is going on, btw. I wonder if York accounted for this. I mean, Wallstreet is completely disrobing. He came to the ring in a suit & tie, and has a wrestling singlet on underneath. This is taking forever. Now I know why Rotundo left the shit on as IRS. Ross says the elbows are "paying dividends" for Wallstreet. Get it, get it? Ross says Wallstreet is big into junk bonds, and thinks the SEC should look into it. Snitch. Caudle doesn't know what to make of the computer data. Wallstreet wins with 2:56 left on the clock. The computer wins again.
That's it for hour one. It's 5am. I'll be back with hour two later.
