home | wrestling | flashback_reviews | nwa-wcw | clash-championsWCW Clash of the Champions X: Texas Shootout
by Scrooge McSuck
- It's time for the new decade, and a new decade means a new era in professional wrestling. WWF was gearing up to put the torch in the hands of the Ultimate Warrior, while WCW was settling in on passing their torch to Sting. This show, however, completely fucked up WCW's booking for the upcoming 4-5 months, ruining a couple of PPV's and forcing WCW into making some truely bizarre booking decisions. RoboCop, anyone?
- Originally taking place on February 6th, 1990, from the Memorial Coliseum in Corpus, Christi, TX. We're a few weeks away from the next big PPV, WrestleWar 1990. I wonder if anything on this broadcast is going to drastically effect the build up to that one... I'd like to note the incredibly cheesy intro. Seriously, this is a WRESTLING promotion, not a Saturday Morning Cartoon! We've got Jim Ross and Jim Cornette calling the action, as well as Gordon Solie and Terry Funk wandering around doing stuff.
- In a move unlike all the previous Clash of the Champions, we get a series of horribly cheesy blue-screen promos from the wrestlers, with a huge emphasis for on-screen graphics for EVERYTHING. For whatever ungodly reason, we get clips of Steve Williams riding around in an embulance, saving some dude.
"Dr. Death" Steve Williams vs. The Samoan Savage (w/ The Big Kahuna):
What's a more impressive and suitable theme music? Bad to the Bone for Dr. Death, or the Halloween Theme for a Samoan? Williams attacks the Savage from behind and comes off the ropes with a clothesline, sending the Savage (formerly Tama) out of the ring. Back in the ring, and Williams hammers away with his signature rights, then plants him with a slam. Williams with a shoulder tackle, followed by a clip of the knee. Williams charges again, but the Savage nails him with a clothesline. Irish whip, and Samoan with a clothesline, then he dumps Williams out of the ring, where Humperdink gets in some cheap shots. For some reason, Woman makes her way to ringside, and she's looking pretty good. No, don't call me disgusting for that. I'm going by 1990 standards. Anyway, back in the ring, the Savage takes Williams over with a snapmare and slaps on a nerve hold. Williams escapes with elbows, but gets caught coming off the ropes with a powerslam. Back to the nerve hold we go! Williams fights back to his feet, but fails at a sunset flip attempt. Williams no-sells a punchh and takes Savage down with a clothesline, but misses an elbow drop, and the Savage covers for two. Chinlock! Nerve hold! Williams stomps the feet to break free, but gets his eyes raked and dumped back out of the ring. The Savage pulls Williams back in with a snapmare, then connects with a side suplex. The Savage heads to the top rope, but misses a splash. Williams with a series of mule kicks and roundhouse rights. Irish whip, and Williams with a press slam, followed by a dropkick. Irish whip, and Savage with a boot to the face. Williams blocks a hip toss, and the back slide gets three at 7:53!? This might be the second or third time EVER where I've seen someone win with a friggin' back slide. 1/2* Match wasn't very good, which is a real shame, because I love Dr. Death (RIP). Williams would be gone from WCW shortly after this.
- Terry Funk is in the ring to interview the Horsemen. In this incarnations case, it's World Champion Ric Flair, Television Champion Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and... Sting. Well, SOMEONE doesn't really fit the mold of the Horsemen, I might say. I wonder which one that could be. Anyway, Sting is making his intentions clear to challenge for the World Title. Remember what happened to Lex Luger in 1988 when he did that? Well, the Horsemen dump him, then give him a sampling of what's in store for him. Not a real beat down, just a warning. I wonder how this will effect the main event, tonight!
- We get a HORRIBLE rapping hype video for WrestleWar 1990. Oh my GOD, this makes me long for some Vanilla Ice, it's that campy. Really makes me want to order the PPV. That would be sarcasm, by the way. Notice that I'm commenting a lot on Non-matches? This show seems to be high on that, unusual for a Clash of the Champions.
Flyin' Brian & The Z-Man vs. The MOD Squad:
I have no idea who the MOD Squad is, but their names are Spike and Basher, as if I can tell the difference between which is which. I'll just have to wait for one of the Jim's to identify which is which. They're also announced from the Badlands of Louisiana. After sitting through Starrcade '89, I'm up to seeing ANYONE but the same few people from that PPV, but the Z-Man isn't someone I ever look forward to. Pillman and Spike start with a lockup, and Spike slaps on a wristlock. Pillman counters, then slaps on a headlock. Pillman with a snapmare, followed by a knee drop for a two count. Spike hammers away, but gets taken over with a hip toss, and Pillman with a dropkick and arm drag. Z-Man tags in and works the arm with a wristlock. Basher tags in and quickly gets taken over with an arm drag. Irish whip, and Basher with a shoulder block. Criss-cross sequence ends with a Z-Man monkey flip. Basher slaps on a headlock, but Pillman tags in and hammers away. Irish whip, and Z-Man comes in with an enziguri for a two count. Irish whip, and Z-Man slingshots Pillman in with a clothesline to both Squad members, and a pair of dropkicks clears the ring. Back in the ring, and Spike hammers on Flyin' Brian. Whip to the corner is reversed, and Pillman takes Spike over with a back drop. Pillman "hits" a spinning heel kick, then chops away in the corner. Whip to the corner is reversed, and Spike slams Pillman into the canvas. Basher comes in and rams Pillman to the canvas, too. Double slam by the MOD Squad for a two count. Ross and Cornette are more concerned arguing over Sting giving up his title shot after the threats from the Horsemen in the previous segment of the broadcast. Spike slaps on a front facelock. Irish whip, and Spike boots him, then Basher covers for two and slaps on a chinlock. Pillman escapes with elbows, but runs into the loosest knee lift I've ever seen watching wrestling. Spike tags in and slaps on another chinlock. Irish whip, and Pillman comes back with a diving back elbow. Basher cuts off a tag, but Pillman takes him down with a crucifix for a two count. Spike with a slam, but he heads to the top rope and misses an elbow. Z-Man gets the luke-warm tag and hammers away on Basher. Irish whip, and Z-Man with a back drop. Double noggin' knocker! Whip to the corner is reversed, but Z-Man hits a cross body, and thats enough for the three count at 9:57. 1/2* Long and boring. Should've been a squash match to push the newly formed team of Pillman and Zenk, but instead the Squad got too much offense and dragged it down to a boring slophole.
Mil Mascaras vs. Cactus Jack Manson:
Well this is certainly an interesting match-up. Manson is announced from Truth or Consequences, NM, but Cappeta also introduces him as CAPTAIN Jack. I guess he confused Cactus Jack with Mike Rotunda or something. Seriously, what is Mil Mascaras doing on this show? I understand he's a huge legend in Mexico, but for the WCW Audience, I'm sure he's not that well known. Lockup, and Mascaras with a headlock, followed by a hip toss. Mascaras with a drop toe hold, then slaps on a modified bow-and-arrow. Test-of-strength time, and Mascaras wins that, then takes Cactus down with a head scissors. Cactus slaps on a headlock, but gets caught coming off the ropes with a diving forearm. Mascaras sends Cactus out of the ring with a dropkick. Cactus wanders around and trips over a chair. Oh...kay. Back in the ring, and Mascaras slaps on a full nelson. Cactus takes it to the corner, but Mascaras pounds away. Knuckle-lock again, Mascaras sweeps the legs and applies a Boston crab. Lockup into the corner, and Cactus with some token offense, then tosses Mascaras out of the ring. Cactus with a back breaker, and it looked like Mascaras sand-bagged him. Mascaras no-sells, runs into the ring, and dropkicks Cactus off the apron onto the exposed concrete! Ouch. Mascaras brings Cactus back in with a suplex, then comes off the top rope with a cross body for the three count at 4:54. 1/4* I'm giving a small bonus for Cactus' bump, but total shit of a match. Mascaras gave Cactus NOTHING and looked uncooperative at times. I understand he's a legend compared to Cactus Jack's low-card status, but come on...
(Editor's Note: since it'll be asked or Googled by somone; the "WCW Band" performed after this match, leading to a brawl between Cactus Jack and their drummer "Wolf"-- who looked just like J.T. Southern).
Falls Count Anywhere Match:
Norman "The Lunatic" vs. Kevin Sullivan:
The hits keep on coming, don't they. I'm really finding it hard to sit through all of this. I haven't seen Sullivan since the 1989 Great American Bash, and I haven't missed him much. We cut to a pre-recorded stupid segment from the Zoo with Norman the Lunatic. His theme music is that song from Animal House where everyone screams "Shout!" a lot. I find it depressing that, while this time frame features a lot of wrestlers no longer with us, so far guys like Norman (Mike Shaw) and Dr. Death have left us not too long ago, so it's starting to get depressing watching some of this. At least they didn't die of questionable fates (cough:OD:cough). Anyway, onto the match. Norman hands out valentine's as Cornette calls him a Child Molester. Damn, that's hateful. Sullivan attacks from behind and tosses Norman out of the ring. Norman whips Sullivan into the "Roos Post". Back in the ring, and Sullivan tries a sunset flip, but Norman sits on his face. Whip to the corner, and Norman eats boot on a charge. Sullivan heads to the top rope and gets slammed off. Norman to the second turnbuckle, and he misses a splash. Sullivan sends Norman out of the ring with a dropkick. Sullivan follws out and slams Norman for a two count. Norman tears away on Norman's hospital jacket and takes him down with a back suplex for another two count. Sullivan with choking and his usual clubbing offense. Back in the ring, and Sullivan controls doing very little. Norman slugs back and hits a pair of headbutts. Norman grabs his shirt and chokes Sullivan with it, then tosses him out of the ring. They brawl up the aisle. Norman rams him into the rail and covers for a two count. Norman charges and gets back dropped for a two count. They head backstage and the crowd boos. Gordon Solie is hanging around as they head into the women's restroom. Loud noises go on and Sullivan comes out, falling flat on his face. Norman has a toilet seat and toilet paper in hand and is declared the winner at 7:10. Are you KIDDING ME? 3/4* Out of respect for Gordon Solie, who was dragged into this nonsense.
- Terry Funk interviews Lex Luger, who looks like he's had a long day at the Salon. That would be a fancy word for hair dresser, not Saloon, a.k.a a stupid bar/tavern.
The Road Warriors (w/ Paul Ellering) vs. The (New) Skyscrapers (w/ Theodore R. Long):
(Hawk & Animal vs. "Dangerous" Dan Spivey & "Mean" Mark Callous)
I don't know who was more atrocious to watch, Sid Vicious ever or an incredibly green Mark Calloway. Seven years later, and THAT was the second-half of the double main event at WrestleMania. Callous is filling in for Sid, who had his lung punctured at the hands of Scott Steiner, and thus was reshuffled into a main event scene as a member of the Horsemen upon his return. The LOD were pretty close to being on their way out of the promotion at this point. Hawk and Spivey start with a lockup, and Hawk quickly slaps on a headlock. Spivey side steps a charge, but Hawk climbs back in the ring and nails Spivey with a clothesline. Hawk tries for a neck breaker, but the Skyscrapers use the power of double teaming to prevent it. Irish whip, and Hawk comes off the ropes with a shoulder tackle. Dig the mullet on Callous. Animal and Callous tag in, and they lockup. Animal offers a sucker punch, but the referee forces them apart. Irish whip, and a shoulder block does nothing for either man. Again, and Callous with the WEAKEST shoulder I've ever seen. Criss-cross sequence, and Callous misses a high cross body. Animal connects with a diving clothesline. Hawk and Spivey tag back in. Lockup, and Hawk chops away on Spivey in the corner. Whip across the ring, and Hawk posts himself on a charge attempt. Spivey scoops Hawk up and rams him into the post, shoulder first. Back in the ring, and Spivey slaps on a wristlock, then jerks Hawk down on an arm throw. Callous tags in and heads to the top rope, and it's Vintage... er... Mean Mark, as he walks the rope and comes down with a clothesline across the shoulder. Callous maintains control, then heads to the top again, but this time Hawk slams him off from the middle of the rope. Animal gets the hot tag and nails Spivey with a dropkick, then dropkicks Callous off the apron. Irish whip and a powerslam on Spivey, followed by an elbow drop for a two count. Callous comes in for some double teaming, but he takes them both down with clotheslines. Hawk tags in and a double clothesline sends Callous out of the ring. They go for the Doomsday Device, but Callous has a chair, and he bashes Animal with it. The managers get into the action as the match turns to chaos. Spike Piledriver on Hawk, but they missed the chair! Spivey smacks away on Hawek with the chair, bending it pretty good over his head. Both Road Warriors and Ellering are laid out, and the match is finally declared over I guess at the 7:00 mark, ending in a Disqualification in favor of the Road Warriors. *1/2 Match of the night so far, and a pretty good post match beating. The first part of that comment is NOT a compliment, by the way.
NWA World Tag Team Championship; Titles vs. Mask Match:
The Steiner Brothers © vs. The Mysterious Team of Doom:
(Rick & Scott Steiner vs. Doom #1 & #2)
I Guess Woman dumped Doom following their pathetic performance in the Round Robin Tournament at Starrcade '89, as she's absent from ringside. This "feud" seems to pop up on every show, but I can't for the life of me understand why this is happening. Seriously, did Doom just call up and say "we want the titles and all we have to offer is our masks"? They've been running around with masks for 6-months, and since Day 1, I'm sure everyone knew it was Ron Simmons (#1) and Butch Reed (#2). Yes, Cappetta introduces them as the mysterious team of Doom. I wonder if that's where Scott Keith got the joke from... Scott Steiner starts out with Doom #1. Jim Ross notes "their identities are the worst kept secret in wrestling." Lockup into the corner, and Scott gives a clean break. Doom #1 with a side headlock and a shoulder tackle. Criss-cross and Scott with a powerslam. Scott tries a waist-lock but Doom #1 escapes. Whip to the corner is reversed, and Scott with a release German Suplex. Doom #2 tags in and does his usual posing. Lockup into the ropes, and Doom #2 clubs away. Irish whip, and a shoulder block doesn't do much. Scott with a dropkick to both members of Doom to clear the ring. Scott slingshots Doom #2 into the ring and goes for the mask. Rick tags in and runs around like a moron. Doom #2 with a pair of knees to the midsection, followed by soup-bone rights. Whip to the corner is reversed, and Rick takes him over with a back drop. Rick pounces and goes for the mask as well. Doom #1 tags back in and pounds away, but misses a charge, and Rick takes him over with a belly-to-belly suplex. Doom #2 tags in, as does Scott Steiner. Scott goes for the leg, but they head into the corner for a break. Doom #2 pounds away with his usual boring offense. Scott tries fighting off both men, but Doom #1 tags in to maintain control. Irish whip, and Scott gets nailed from the apron with a clothesline from Doom #2.
Doom #1 goes back to stomping away and plants Scott with a slam. Doom #1 with a leg drop, then rams Scott into a boot of Doom #2. We get another tag, and Doom #2 stomps away at the face of the fallen Steiner Brother. Irish whip, and Doom #2 with a clothesline, followed by a fist drop and some choking. Rick goes for the mask, so Doom #1 tosses Scott out of the ring. Doom #1 follows and drops Scott across the security railing. Irish whip, and Doom #1 with a spinebuster for a two count. Doom #2 tags in for some double teaming, then take Scott over with a back drop. Scott surprises Doom #2 with a back slide, but that only gets a two count. Doom #2 slams Scott face-first into the canvas, then connects with a piledriver for a two count. Doom #2 clotheslines Scott over the top rope, and Doom #1 meets him for a slugfest. Back in the ring, and Doom #2 continues to put the boots to Scott. Irish whip, and Scott goes for a sunset flip, getting a two count. Doom #2 cuts off the tag and connects with a swinging neck breaker for a two count. Irish whip is reversed, and Scott connects with the Frankensteiner. Cornette points out either a really bad bruise or a smudge of dirt on Scott's face. Rick gets the hot tag and we get a slugfest. Rick connects with an atomic drop, followed by a Steinerline. Irish whip and Rick with a powerslam, then a Steinerline to Doom #1. Rick tears at the mask of Doom #2. Rick slaps on a headlock, takes off the mask... and it's Hacksaw Butch Reed! He's caught by surprise with a roll up, and Rick, wearing the mask, rolls up Reed for the three count at 13:10 to retain the titles. As promised, Doom #1 unmasks as well, and, yes, it's Ron Simmons. Total surprise, huh? ** Good enough match, I guess, but nothing to write home about. Finally the saga of "Who is Doom" has come to an end. Funny, Doom ended up getting a push AFTER this instead of just vanishing into obscurity.
- Gordon Solie is backstage with Ric Flair and the Andersons. They're waiting for Sting's response on wether or not he's going to back out of the contract he signed for the a World Title Match on February 25th, live on Pay-Per-View.
Steel Cage Match:
Ric Flair, Arn & Ole Anderson vs. The Great Muta, The Dragonmaster, Buzz Sawyer:
Ole Anderson is subbing for Sting, obviously, after having Sting tossed from the group earlier in the broadcast. Terrible pre-match promo from the J-Tex stable, as Muta spits his mist, Dragonmaster just stands there, and Sawyer rambles nonsense about STING. The Dragonmaster also went by the name of Kendo Nagasaki, but I'm not sure if that's the same one I remember from Championship Wrestling from Florida. There's not a whole lot of time left for the show. "We Want Sting" chant as the match starts. Arn and Sawyer start as the chant goes on. Sawyer bites away and slaps the chest a few times. Sawyer charges, but meets the cage. Arn hammers away but eats boot on a charge attempt. Sawyer sends Arn to the cage to cheers. Flair comes in to hammer away on Sawyer, to boos. Arn rams Sawyer into the cage a few times, then tags in Flair, who trades chops and rights. Dragonmaster tags in and hammers away, but Flair rakes the eyes and chops away in the corner. Irish whip, and Flair with a back elbow. Ole Anderson tags in and hammers away with rights. Stuff happens, but I don't think anyone cares. Muta gets the tag to the biggest pop of the match and gives Arn a sign for "you're done." Whip to the corner and Muta with a handspring elbow. Muta grapevines the legs and here comes Sting! He climbs the cage, but gets yanked down by various personalities. Flair takes a few shots at him before Sting is pulled away by a bunch of people. Oh, the match is still going on, for those that care. Ole back drops Sawyer onto the top of his head. Sting charges the ring AGAIN, but this time he gets pulled off the cage and blows out his knee in the process. Sawyer misses a splash from the top of the cage. Dragonmaster tags in and gets planted with a spine buster. Everyone brawls until Arn pins Dragonmaster following a DDT at 6:12. No one cares. The real problem here is Sting's very legit injury forced an incredibly last minute change in booking direction, turning Lex Luger face and inserting him into the Pay-Per-View title match against Flair and filling in for Sting until he was healed enough to return to action. DUD Match was just meant as a back drop at this point for the stuff with Sting to shine through, and well, that didn't work out too well.
Final Thoughts: Well, if there was one show that was a complete waste of time and ruined the direction of an entire company, then this show would be an incredible example to showcase both of those feats. The production seemed cartoony and lacked any seriousness that previous Clashes and WCW shows in general had been known for, the main program was ruined because of a stupid spot involving the cage, and one of the best heels was hot shot into a babyface run for no reason. Incredibly bad show worth being lost in a landfill.
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