Views from the Hawke’s Nest: The Rise & Fall of WCW Discs 1 & 2

Here is my review of Disc 3.

Disc 1: The Documentary

Disc 1 and 2 are being reviewed together because the documentary isn’t very substantive and there isn’t much to discuss. It was a brief (1 hour and 45 minute) overview of WCW from Starrcade 1983 until Vince McMahon bought what was left of the promotion in 2001. The documentary feels like a bare bones theatrical cut, and I (along with most wrestling fans based on all the feedback I’ve read) wanted the director’s cut version. WWE decided to briefly touch on most of the major happenings in the promotion’s history. While it was fun to watch (and watch again), at the end of it, I didn’t really feel like it adequately explained why the company failed so badly. If you buy this DVD, I definitely recommend that you watch this disc, but if you want a better explanation of the fall of WCW, I would recommend that you read The Death of WCW by Bryan Alvarez and R.D. Reynolds. This documentary feels more like an entertaining supplement to that book more than anything else. Seriously, I could watch a 15-20 hour version of this story.

If you want to read everything that was discussed in the documentary, check out JD Dunn’s review of Disc 1 back when the DVD was first released.

Disc 2

NWA World Championship Wrestling – June 15, 1985
Ric Flair vs. Magnum T.A. [$1,000 Challenge Match]
Flair was the NWA champion and Magnum was the US champion at this time. Magnum was a rising star in the mid-eighties but a tragic car accident cut his career way too short.

Flair cuts a promo about how great he is, and that he is assuming that he will grow old and have to hand the title over to someone. Flair was awesome here. Magnum shows up and says he bets Flair $1,000 (cash in hand) that he can beat him within 10 minutes. Flair accepts and they go to the ring to start the match. By the way, this building looks like the Ace Arena in New Jersey (in other words, it looks really small). Magnum was in control early, but Flair cut him off with an abominable stretch. Magnum got a nearfall with a small package, and Flair got scared. Flair went to the top rope and actually hit a fist drop. Flair went to work on Magnum’s arm. Magnum came back and got another nearfall after an O’Connor roll. Magnum got a couple of more nearfalls. Flair avoided a dropkick as Tony Schiavone informs us that there is less than 1 minute of TV time left. Magnum locked in the figure four-lock, but Flair survived until the bell rang. Flair tried to jump Magnum, but Magnum caught him and gave him an atomic drop. Arn & Ole Anderson ran out and they beat down Magnum until Dick Slater & Buzz Sawyer make the save.

This match was kind of a strange selection. Don’t get me wrong, the match was a very good TV main event with a hot crowd, but it was just missing something. The match is probably most significant for the alignment of the Andersons and Flair, which serves as a prologue so to speak, for the Four Horsemen (which started the following year). Everything Flair did made him look like a superstar here, and Magnum clearly just had that “it” factor that made it easy for him to connect with the crowd.
Match Rating: ***1/4

The Main Event – April 3, 1988
Sting, Lex Luger & Barry Windham vs. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (w/ JJ Dillon)
Just some good old fashioned NWA tag action from the Horsemen and three over babyfaces. That is pretty much always a formula for success.

Windham got a headlock on Blanchard and Flair early, and you never heard fans react so ecstatically for seeing a headlock. The babyfaces were in complete control until the Horseman played the numbers game and started to get the heat on Luger. Luger kicked out of the Double A Spinebuster, and he started to comeback, but the numbers game got in the way again. Luger no-selled a Flair suplex and hit a big lariat on Flair and tagged in Windham. Windham ran absolutely wild on the horseman. Windham had Blanchard beat with an O’Connor Roll, but Flair made the save. Sting took out Flair, as J.J. Dillion threw a foreign object to Blanchard. Blanchard used the object on Windham, and the Horseman steal a win.

This was a really fun tag match. Some more nearfalls and a clean finish probably would have made this match outstanding. The heat for this match was like NOTHING you see today in the WWE or TNA.
Match Rating: ***3/4

Great American Bash – July 10, 1988
Dusty Rhodes vs. Barry Windham© (w/ J.J. Dillon) [US Title]
Rhodes was recently stripped of the title, and he is looking to regain it here.

Dusty was in control early and got a quick nearfall after a top rope cross-body (yes). Windham ran away after that, but he decided to come back. Dusty hit his dancing left hands combination on Windham and then gave Dillon a big elbow. Dillon took a great bump in the ring ropes for that one. Windham went for a piledriver on the outside, but Dusty gave him a back body drop on the concrete. Windham tried to get back into the match, but Dusty gave him another powerslam on the concrete. Finally, Dillon distracted Rhodes and Windham jumped the son of a plumber from behind. Windham then locked in the CLAW! That move does not translate well in 2011. Dusty got back to his feet and went to the middle rope, but Windham brought him back down with the CLAW! NOTHING CAN STOP THE CLAW! Dusty finally comes back, using a three elbows, but Windham cut him off with the CLAW! Dusty made his way to the middle rope again and pushed Windham into the referee (who bumped to the floor). Dusty had the match won, but there was no ref. Ronnie Garvin ran in and punched put Dusty, which SHOCKED the crowd. Windham delivers another CLAW with Dusty’s shoulders to the mat: 1…2…3!

The match started out great, as Windham was bumping all over the place to make Dusty look great. However, the whole CLAW psychology really did not hold up well in 2011 (and it wasn’t like the crowd was especially hot for it then either). Still though, getting Dusty from the eighties on this DVD was a necessity. There has to be a better match for this though.
Match Rating: **1/2

Chi-Town Rumble – February 20, 1989
Ric Flair vs. Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat [NWA World Title]
This is the first leg of the infamous trilogy of 1989 NWA Title matches between Flair and Steamboat. These two were near-perfect wrestlers back then.

Steamboat took Flair down with a back body drop and then again with a huge chop. Steamboat took him down again with another big chop, and Flair ran away, which definitely drew some boos from the Chicago crowd. By the way, Jim Ross was unbelievable during this match, explaining the backstory of this rivalry and getting over the importance of the belt. Steamboat chopped Flair through the ropes at one point, and then shortly after that, Steamboat chopped Flair over the ropes. Flair used the referee as a distraction and dragged Steamboat to the outside for some brawling. Flair started getting the heat on Steamboat after that. Flair nailed a flying crossbody, but Steamboat reversed it into a rollup for a nearfall (that caused the fans to erupt). Flair quickly locked in the figure-four after that, and he was constantly using the ropes to his advantage. The referee finally caught Flair using the ropes, and he forced Flair to break the hold. Steamboat came back with some chops, and then Flair sent both men to the outside with a running cross-body. Flair dragged Steamboat back into the ring, and he went right back to work. Steamboat finally came back with a big butterfly suplex, but Flair got his foot on the ropes. Steamboat followed that up with a big lariat and both men went down. Steamboat then hit a top rope judo chop, and then a flying cross-body, but Steamboat took out the referee on that too. Flair then got a phantom pin on a rollup, while holding the tights. Flair avoided a flying cross-body. Flair went for the figure-four, but Steamboat small packages him: 1…2…3!

Obviously, this is an historic match. The match holds up so well, because it actually feels like a fight, where two men are trying their hardest to win. As great as this match is, I think the next match in the trilogy is their best match. If you haven’t watched this trilogy, you’re fucking up.
Match Rating: ****3/4

Wrestle War – February 25, 1990
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) vs. The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane w/ Jim Cornette)
4 men and 4 mullets. Cornette was getting into it early with the referee, and eventually challenged him to a fight. As soon as the ref agreed, Corny ran away. Rock ‘n’ Roll was in complete control early. Eventually, The Midnights played the numbers game and started to work over Morton. It doesn’t really need to be said, but Morton was a fantastic babyface-in-peril. The heat went on for a long time. Morton finally blocked a Rocket Launcher and made the hot tag to Gibson. Gibson ran wild on the Midnights until Cornette wacked him with the tennis racket. The Midnights went for a double flapjack on Gibson, but Morton speared Eaton and Gibson rolled up Lane out of nowhere to get the win!

Much like some of the matches from this time, a more exciting/back and forth finishing sequence would have made for a better match. This match was still good, but after such a long heat segment, the match seemed to need a better payoff.
Match Rating: ***1/2

Great American Bash – July 7, 1990
The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane w/ Jim Cornette)© vs. The Southern Boys (Tracy Smothers and Steve Armstrong) [NWA United States Tag Titles]
The Southern Boys wore confederate gear. I guess if the Briscoes are able to get away with it in 2012, I can’t really criticize someone doing it in 1990.

Once again: 4 men and 4 mullets. Eaton was no match for either of the Boys early on and tagged out to Lane. Smothers and Lane started trading karate kicks much to the delight of the crowd. Something about karate always gets over with wrestling crowds for whatever reason. Armstrong almost had both men pinned after a gigantic top rope cross-body. The Midnights rolled to the floor to recover, as the crowd went wild. Cornette distracted the referee, which allowed Lane and Eaton to double team Smothers. The Midnights got the heat on Smothers after that. Finally, Smothers made a hot tag to Armstrong who ran wild. Armstrong got cut off though and hit with the Rocket Launcher: 1…2…NO! The teams traded small packages and the Midnights got the win with theirs.

Watching so many tag matches in a row really illustrates how the NWA tag style doesn’t translate well to 2011 eyes (Yes, I started reviewing this DVD in 2011. Eighteen months is the standard time it takes to review a DVD, right?). The heat was tremendous throughout and both teams worked their asses off, but once again, the finishing sequence did not live up to the promise of the heat segment.
Match Rating: ***3/4

SuperBrawl – May 19, 1991
The Steiner Brothers (Scott & Rick Steiner)© vs. Sting & Lex Luger [WCW Tag Titles]
There are only two mullets here. Yes, I consider the number of mullets in the match very relevant information to you, the readers. Luger and Rick started out the match, and Luger got the first advantage, but Rick quickly came back with a German suplex and a lariat. Luger came back with a lariat of his own. Sting sent Rick to the outside and then hit a running plancha on him. Scott tagged in and hit a Tiger Driver with amazing ease, but Sting came right back with a hot shot. Luger tagged in and worked over Scott, but Rick hit a top rope bulldog on Luger. Scott went for a tombstone on Sting, but Sting reversed it into one of his own. Nikita Koloff ran in and nailed Sting with a chain. Scott crawls over for the easy pinfall.

The match was fun and chaotic, but it definitely lacked structure. Also, the crap finish is annoying for a DVD match where we won’t see a payoff.

I looked around the internet after watching this match and saw that this match is considered to unbelievably great for the most part. I went back and rewatched the match twice three times, and the match still did not do a whole lot for me. In conclusion, me watching southern tag style is like Kevin Ford watching Davey Richards singles matches. If the match is great, I’ll call it as such, but man oh man, does the style not do a whole lot for me.
Match Rating: ***1/4

Great American Bash – July 12, 1992
Sting© vs. Big Van Vader (w/ Harley Race) (WCW World Title)
Vader’s WCW run was full of awesome matches. Vader’s success in America seems to be inexplicably forgotten by fans. I think it’s time for the WWE to make him a video game character and give him a big DVD release.

For some reason, watching these two work together reminds me of John Cena (Sting) working with Umaga (Vader). Vader overpowered Sting early on, but Sting quickly came back with a back suplex and a lariat that sent Vader to the floor. Vader went for a test of strength, but Sting poked him in the eye (really) and knocked him down with a punch. Vader rolled to the apron, but Sting suplexed him back into the ring. Sting got a nearfall with an inside cradle. Vader finally cut Sting off with a butt splash. Vader got an ugly Scorpion Deathlock and held onto it for a long time. Sting looked at best, mildly uncomfortable in that. Sting escaped the “hold,” only to be knocked right back down by Vader. Sting came back with a koppou kick and a DDT. Vader no-sold a shoulder tackled and went to the top rope. Sting caught him and repeatedly kicked him in the gut. Sting picked Vader up and gave him a Samoan Drop: 1…2…NO! Ref ate a foot to the face right as Sting hits a GERMAN SUPLEX. The ref was late to count the pin, so Vader survived. Sting hit a pair of Stinger splashes, but Sting cracked his forehead open on the steel turnbuckle during the second one. It’s academic for Vader after that. Vader delivers a big powerbomb: 1…2…3!

This match ruled. I am a sucker for matches where big fuckers just destroy their opponents for minutes on the end. This match was right up my alley. Vader is the best.
Match Rating: ****

Spring Stampede – April 17, 1994
Rick Rude© vs. Sting [WCW International Title]
Rude starts to berate the fans, but Harley Race grabs the microphone and says he is here on behalf of Vader. He says Vader wants the winner of the match. Race tries to cheap shot Sting, but Sting easily dispatches him. Rude tries to attack Sting, but Sting gives him the greatest backdrop of all time. Sting gives him a suplex on the floor and then brings it right back to the ring. Sting was in control and then applied a front chancery apparently trying to kill the crowd. Sting let it go and went back to doing fun things. Sting locked in another front chancery, apparently forgetting what a babyface is supposed to do. Rude escaped by crotching him on the ropes, and Rude then gave Sting a lariat off the ropes. Rude got the heat for a little bit. Sting escaped a Camel Clutch, but Rude cut him off with a Sleeper. Sting escaped and gave him an atomic drop and then two inverted atomic drops. Sting almost killed Rude with another back drop that Rude overrotated on. Sting accidentally wiped out the referee with a Stinger Splash. Sting locked in the Scorpion Deathlock, but the referee was out of it. Harley Race and Vade ran down, but Sting sent both of them packing. Rude took out Sting’s knee. Race tried to hit Sting with a chair, but accidentally hit Rude. Sting pins Rude: 1…2…3!

This was a weird match to put on this DVD. Sting was horrible in this match. it’s one thing for heels to use too many restholds in a short match, but for a babyface to do it? That is ridiculous. Rude had great charisma, but he seemed awkward in the ring here.
Match Rating: **1/2

Bash at the Beach – July 17, 1994
Ric Flair© vs. Hulk Hogan (WCW World Title)
So yeah. This match was a big deal.

Hogan was much smaller here compared to pretty much every other time in his career. He and Flair were both moving around great at this time. Flair somehow had pecs, moobs, bulging biceps, abs, and lovehandles all at the same time. Hogan busted out a rolling cross arm-breaker. What. The. Fuck. All Hogan early as one would expect. Hogan went for the Big Boot, but Flair duck to the outside and hid behind Sherrie. That allowed Flair to cut Hogan off. Back in the ring, Flair hit some chops. Flair went for a knee drop, but Hogan just rolled out of the way and went back to town on Flair. Sherrie grabbed Hogan’s leg, which gave Flair a second opportunity to cut him off. Flair then chopped Hogan out of the ring. Sherrie went for a chair shot, but Jimmy Hart stopped her. Flair was still able to get the heat though. Flair got a sleeper, but Hogan was able to fight out of it (you’re shocked, I know). Hulk Hulked up and made his comeback. Hogan sent Flair to the outside and hit a back suplex on the floor. Hogan suplexed Flair back in the ring. Hogan went for the legdrop, but Flair rolled away. Flair went for the Figure Four, but Hogan gets a small package: 1…2…NO! Hogan escapes two more Figure Four attempts. Flair hits a big suplex, but HOGAN POPS BACK UP! BIG BOOT: 1…2…SHERRIE PULLS THE REF OUT! Sherries takes out Jimmy Hart too. Flair chopped out Hogan’s leg and Sherrie hits a top rope splash on Hogan. Flair locks in the FIGURE FOUR! Hogan crawled and made it to the ropes. Flair went to work on Hogan’s injured knee. Hogan started to Hulk up again though. Sherrie went to the top rope again, but Hogan avoided the splash. Hogan then took out Flair and Sherrie (as a ricochet, so he wouldn’t actually hit him). Hogan then locks in an ugly Figure Four. Sherrie and Jimmy Hart get on the apron. Mr. T takes away Sherrie, but Sherrie just managed to pass Flair some brass knux. Flair uses the knux: 1…2…NO!!! Hogan Hulks up again. BIG BOOT! LEGDROP OF DOOM: 1…2…3!!!!! Hogan celebrates with Jimmy Hart, Mr. T, and Shaquille O’Neal.

This match was so much fun. Hogan was in great shape and looked motivated as hell. These two had great chemistry, and the crowd ate it up. I loved this.
Match Rating: ***3/4

Thanks everybody for reading! You can send feedback to my Twitter or to my email address: [email protected]. Also, feel free to check out my own wrestling website, FreeProWrestling.com. Also, check out my Best of Chikara blog and an archive of all my 411 video reviews.

Over at my own site, we post a legally free wrestling match every weekday. Some of our most popular recent posts include:
Prince Devitt vs. Michael Elgin
AJ Styles vs. Noam Dar
Spanky vs. Petey Williams
CM Punk vs. Spanky from ROH

If you’re interested in some free WCW:
Goldberg vs. Sting
Eddie Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko
Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Jericho
Rey Mysterio vs. Jushin Liger
Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero vs. Perry Saturn

The 411: Much like JD Dunn, my reviews of multi-disc sets will be split up by disc, but they will have the same overall rating. As I explained, the documentary on Disc 1 is quite underwhelming (as one would expect given the lack of depth in which the WWE went to explain the fall of WCW). This set may be called the "Rise & Fall of WCW," but the matches on the set are more interesting than the story of the company, as told by WWE.

Final Score:  7.5   [ Good ]