The Wrestling Doctor 08.12.08: An Exercise In Idle Speculation: Clash of the Champions (Part III)

This week is the third and concluding part in a series looking at what matches and moments from the Clash of the Champions series should make a rumored 2009 “Best of” DVD set.

Before going on, I’ve got to thank Parts Unknown resident SMS for the words to Dustin Rhodes’ WCW theme:

“They call him the natural
He’s as natural as can be
They call him the Natural
It just comes naturally
He’s a son of a son and a son of a gun”

Wow. That was a lot worse than I remember. According to SMS, all of the early 90s WCW themes were available on the 1992 Slam Jam CD / cassette. That CD is worth tracking down. No, the only proper way to listen to those songs is on cassette. And since I pimp a 1996 Nissan Altima, that will not be a problem.

Moving on…

I am briefly looking at each Clash and pulling out the matches that ought to make a DVD set. I am assuming that the DVD collection would be three discs, so I am dividing the thirty-five Clashes evenly into three groups. Possible collection candidates will be graded as MUST HAVE, HIGHLY RECOMMEDED, or IF SPACE PERMITS. At the end of this column, we will look at what a hypothetical set might look like.

For the unacquainted, Clash of the Champions was a free, three hour, pay-per-view quality special on TBS run by Jim Crockett Promotions opposite Wrestlemania IV. The success of that event lead to serialization, and Clashes graced TBS four to five times a year until WCW began running more pay-per-views. The Clashes died out altogether after 1997, when Nitro, Thunder, and twelve pay-per-views rendered the event moot. The match quality on the various Clashes varied, but many of the shows would be on PPV if offered today.

I am not listing or discussing all of the matches on each show, nor am I reviewing the bouts themselves. Far more capable staff handles such duties on the right side of your screen. Not every Clash will get a match on the collection – some of the shows were not worth documenting. I also am considering in my picks realities such as match time, DVD redundancy, and backstage politics. After all, those unfortunate things determine a lot of what we do or do not receive.

Last week I looked at Clashes XIII – XXIV. This week, we cover November 1993 through August 1997 with Clashes XXV – XXXV.

Clash XXV: 10 Nov 1993 / St. Petersburg, FL: This Clash occurred in a backstage shadow as WCW debated the future of Sid Vicious, who had recently stabbed Arn Anderson in a British hotel fight (why hasn’t Russo created one of those as a gimmick match?). The talent felt that Sid should be fired, but such a move would screw up the plans for Sid’s title win over Vader at Starrcade. A near worker walkout led to Sid’s dismissal, shifting Starrcade towards a rematch of the Clash main event.

Shockmaster vs. The Equalizer: Only in your dreams.

WCW World Title: Vader vs. Ric Flair: This match was set up by Flair defeating Sid by DQ on WCW Saturday Night as part of the angle turning Sid face and setting up his Starrcade match with Vader. Flair won the Clash shot, Sid turned on manager Col. Robert Parker, and the seeds were sown for the Vader feud. Then the stabbing and firing occurred, so this match took on new importance. This title match at the Clash was a testing ground for a Flair-Vader Starrcade payoff, and it did its job. An exciting match with Flair appearing to win the title, only to have Vader disqualified. Vader beat down Flair afterwards to get back his heat.
Grade: Highly Recommended

Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman: This match solidified the break of the Hollywood Blondes and was designed to give Austin momentum for his US Title push. Austin says on the Pillman DVD that neither of the Blondes were crazy about being split up and they did not have as good a match as was possible. Their lack of enthusiasm shows, and this bout already appeared on the recent Austin DVD, so those two strikes lower the match’s rating by a full grade.
Grade: If Space Permits

Clash XXVI: 27 Jan 1994 / Baton Rogue, LA: This Clash served its purpose of bridging the gap between Starrcade and Superbrawl. As WCW began to run more PPVs, a Clash did not need to do anything more. It was also the last non-Hogan Clash, for those keeping track at home.

Elimination match: Ric Flair & Sting vs. Vader & Rick Rude: This bout extended the Flair-Vader rivalry over the WCW Title and began another chapter in the long-standing feud between Sting and Rude, this time with the International Title at stake. The booking of the match served its purpose while being entertaining. The down side to this match is that we have already seen a lot on this collection involving these guys.
Grade: If Space Permits

WCW TV Title: Lord Steven Regal vs. Dustin Rhodes: One thing this collection is missing is Steven Regal. Even though he dominated the WCW TV Title for most of the mid-nineties, he was not used as well as he could be at the Clash shows (or in the entire promotion overall). While not His Lordship’s best match, this 15-minute draw is a good way to showcase Regal’s abilities as a wrestler and a heel champion.
Grade: Highly Recommended

Non-Title: Nasty Boys vs. Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne: A non-title match on a show like a Clash has only reason: instantly create a viable future challenger. The Nastys had no real contenders for their WCW Tag Team Titles, and Cactus and Payne had been thrown together the month before. A wild brawl resulted in a Cactus-Payne win and a long and entertaining feud between these two teams. WCW avoided their earlier pitfall with Knobbs and Sags by keeping the match a short, well-paced brawl.
Grade: Highly Recommended

Clash XXVII: 23 June 1994 / Charleston, SC: This Clash was a two-hour event designed to push Hulk Hogan’s debut and the Bash at the Beach pay-per-view. Otherwise it was largely bland.

WCW World / International Title Unification: Ric Flair vs. Sting: This match’s value is largely historic. It is not their best match, and it is already on the first Flair DVD, so we cannot justify the space if we end up not having it.
Grade: If Space Permits

Some folks are going to criticize the exclusion of Cactus Jack & Kevin Sullivan vs. The Nasty Boys. That match was a re-hashing of the Cactus/Payne-Nastys feud with an outdated Sullivan booking himself into the title picture, so I don’t see the point in wasting limited space.

Clash XXVIII: 28 Aug 1994 / Cedar Rapids, IA: Another abbreviated Clash built around Hulk Hogan, who was now WCW Champion and had a rematch with former champion Flair. A mysterious masked man (actually Arn Anderson at this show, storyline-wise revealed to be Ed Leslie) took out Hogan’s knee, and the rest of the show focused on whether or not the Hulkster would make it back from the hospital in time to wrestle. He did, and Flair won by count-out. Yawn. In between all of that, there was one match definitely worth documenting.

WCW US Title: Steve Austin vs. Ricky Steamboat: These two had a memorable feud over the US Title in the summer of 1994 that was sadly cut short by Steamboat’s career-ending back injury. Austin had defeated Steamboat with the help of the ropes at Bash at the Beach, so this rematch had the logical stipulation that Austin could lose the belt on a disqualification. The match is interrupted by coverage of Hulk Hogan’s ambulance ride, but even that ridiculous amount of focus on The Hulkster cannot detract from the in-ring efforts of Steamboat and Austin. The only strike against the match is that it appeared on the Austin DVD earlier this year, so the WWE may be hesitant to re-release it again so soon.
Grade: Highly Recommended

Clash XXIX: 16 Nov 1994 / Jacksonville, FL: I often prescribe this Clash for those struggling with sleeping disorders. Flair was gone, having lost a retirement match to Hogan at Halloween Havoc, and this show revolved around Hogan’s feud with Kevin Sullivan, The Butcher (Ed Leslie), and Avalanche (John Tenta). Sting and Dave Sullivan (The Equalizer) were there to help out. Good night to all!

Vader vs. Dustin Rhodes: Dustin’s brawling abilities were always underrated. He puts on a great slobberknocker with Vader here. Both guys work stiff, and Vader picks up momentum for his US Title win and eventual feud with Hogan. A solid and often over-looked match, probably because most people can’t make it this far into the show.
Grade: Highly Recommended

Clash XXX: 25 Jan 1995 / Las Vegas, NV: Nothing special as WCW tried to figure out what to do with Hogan after the angle with The Butcher (Ed Leslie) bombed. The Clashes began to slow down at this point as WCW added more PPVs to their schedule. Moving on.

Clash XXXI: 04 Aug 1995 / Daytona Beach, FL: This show was bad. Its main purpose was to split up Flair and Anderson, which happened in a handicap match loss to Vader. Let’s see if the Nitro era can give us something. Kurasawa (Manabu Nakanishi) legitimately breaking Hawk’s arm is rather sick, but its not worth the space to include the entire Sting / Hawk vs. Meng / Kurasawa match. Maybe the injury moment could be included as an extra.

Clash XXXII: 23 Jan 1996 / Las Vegas, NV: The first Clash from the Monday Night Wars era tied in with the previous night’s Nitro. Both shows originated from Caesar’s Palace, but the focus was clearly on Nitro, with both the WCW World Title and WCW Tag Team Titles changing hands during that broadcast.

Brian Pillman vs. Eddie Guerrero: A good match best known for Pillman frightening Bobby Heenan into on-air expletives. It is already on the Pillman DVD, so it may not make it to a Clash set.
Grade: If Space Permits

Clash XXXIII: 15 Aug 1996 / Denver, CO: The first Clash featuring the nWo. The focus on the show was on the New World Order angle, and differentiating the Clashes from Nitro at this point was difficult.

WCW Cruiserweight Title: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko: These guys had a phenomenal series of televised matches, from pay-per-view to Nitro to WCW Saturday Night. This match is not as good as their matches on the Mysterio DVD, but it is still great.
Grade: Must Have

WCW World Title: Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair: Hollywood Hogan had just won the WCW Title from The Giant at the Hog Wild PPV a few days before. Flair was the US Champion. The kayfabe-era roles in this match were reversed, with Flair the face trying to save WCW from the heelish Hogan and the nWo. Believe it or not, there’s a run in. A good watch for its value to the period.
Grade: Highly Recommended

Eddie Guerrero vs. Diamond Dallas Page: This match was far too short, but it served to set up a feud with Guerrero that helped to establish Page as a future star. The rivalry centered on DDP’s Battle Bowl ring. Page’s growth as a worker over the last year really shows.
Grade: If Space Permits

Clash XXXIV: 21 Jan 1997 / Milwaukee, WI: This show was a set up to the first Souled Out PPV, and it felt like a standard Nitro from the period.

WCW Cruiserweight Title: Dean Malenko vs. Ultimo Dragon: The Man of 1,000 holds was looking to regain the cruiserweight belt he dropped to Dragon at Starrcade 96. It’s Malenko, people. It goes on.
Grade: Must Have

Clash XXXV: 21 Aug 1997 / Nashville, TN: The final Clash was nothing special. Nitro and 12 PPVs had rendered the brand irrelevant, but a few notable moments occurred here. Steve McMichael won the US Title from Jeff Jarrett, we were teased with a Luger-DDP split that never occurred, and Alex Wright won the TV Title. There were also a couple of bouts that deserve our consideration.

WCW Cruiserweight Title: Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Guerrero: The set up for their Fall Brawl match saw Jericho get the win and Eddie get the post-match beat down. Short but good.
Grade: Must Have

Ric Flair & Curt Hennig vs. Syxx & Konnan: Not a great match, but it is refreshing to see Flair and Hennig tag up without a swerve or turn from one of them. Konnan had not given a solid effort in over a year, and Syxx was on autopilot most of his WCW run, but Flair and Hennig did what they could with those two lumps.
Grade: If Space Permits

Trivia: The WCW interviews for the 1998 documentary The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling were shot at this Clash.

The Count So Far

Must Have
The Midnight Express vs. The Fantastics (Clash I)
Barry Windham vs. Sting (Clash III)
Ric Flair & Barry Windham vs. The Midnight Express (Clash IV)
Ric Flair & Sting vs. The Great Muta & Dick Slater (Clash VIII)
Lex Luger vs. Brian Pillman (Clash IX)
Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk (Clash IX)
Ric Flair vs. Bobby Eaton (Clash XV)
Arn Anderson & Larry Zbysko vs. Ricky Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes (Clash XVII)
Sting & Ricky Steamboat vs. Rick Rude & Steve Austin (Clash XVIII)
Ricky Steamboat vs. Steve Austin (Clash XX)
Sting vs. Rick Rude (Clash XXI)
Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas vs. Steve Austin & Brian Pillman (Clash XXII)
The Hollywood Blondes vs. Ric Flair & Arn Anderson (Clash XXIII)
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko (Clash XXXIII)
Dean Malenko vs. Ultimo Dragon (Clash XXXIV)
Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Guerrero (Clash XXXV)

Highly Recommended
Ric Flair vs. Sting (Clash I)
Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat (Clash VI)
The Road Warriors vs. The Samoan Swat Team (Clash VIII)
The Midnight Express vs. The Dynamic Dudes (Clash IX)
The Midnight Express vs. The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express (Clash XI)
Ric Flair vs. Scott Steiner (Clash XIV)
Cactus Jack vs. Van Hammer (Clash XVIII)
Ricky Steamboat vs. Paul Orndorff (Clash XXIV)
Ric Flair vs. Vader (Clash XXV)
Lord Steven Regal vs. Dustin Rhodes (Clash XXVI)
The Nasty Boys vs. Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne (Clash XXVI)
Steve Austin vs. Ricky Steamboat (Clash XXVIII)
Vader vs. Dustin Rhodes (Clash XXIX)
Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair (Clash XXXIII)

If Space Permits
Lex Luger & Barry Windham vs. Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (Clash I)
Sting & Dusty Rhodes vs. Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard (Clash II)
Steiners vs. The Freebirds (Clash VIII)
Steiners vs. Skyscrapers (Clash IX)
Steiners vs. Doom (Clash X)
Road Warriors vs. Skyscrapers (Clash X)
Arn Anderson vs. Paul Orndorff (Clash XI)
Lex Luger vs. Ric Flair (Clash XII)
Barry Windham, Ron Simmons, & Dustin Rhodes vs. Arn Anderson, Larry Zbysko, & Bobby Eaton (Clash XVIII)
Ricky Steamboat & Nikita Koloff vs. Joe & Dean Malenko (XIX)
Sting, Nikita Koloff, & The Steiners vs. Jake Roberts, Rick Rude, Vader, & Super Invader (Clash XX)
Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes vs. Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas (Clash XXI)
Barry Windham vs. Too Cold Scorpio (Clash XXIII)
Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman (Clash XXV)
Ric Flair & Sting vs. Vader & Rick Rude (Clash XXVI)
Ric Flair vs. Sting (Clash XXVII)
Brian Pillman vs. Eddie Guerrero (Clash XXXII)
Eddie Guerrero vs. Diamond Dallas Page (Clash XXXIII)
Ric Flair & Curt Hennig vs. Syxx & Konnan (Clash XXXV)

Extras
Original Clash opening titles (belts floating around lightning)
Horsemen parking lot attack on Lex Luger (Clash II)
Jim Cornette “Season’s Beatings” promo (Clash IV)
Sting-Cactus Jack brawl (Clash XVI)
Andre the Giant’s last televised appearance (Clash XX)
The Shockmaster’s entrance (Clash XXIV)
Kurasawa breaking Hawk’s arm (Clash XXI)

FINAL ANALYSIS
I did make a few minor modifications after last week’s column. I dropped the Sting & Steamboat vs. Rude & Austin match at Clash XVIII match from the MUST HAVE category for the final cut, since Steamboat/Austin and Sting/Rude matches immediately followed. All of the other MUST HAVE matches made it. I picked several matches from the HIGHLY RECOMMENDED list, giving the collection 25 matches (which fits roughly in with a three-disc set but may be a little long). I tried as best as possible to not make it a Flair / Sting / Steamboat / Austin retrospective, but if those guys did the best work, then they deserve it.

The Final Cut

Disc 1
The Midnight Express vs. The Fantastics (Clash I)
Ric Flair vs. Sting (Clash I)
Barry Windham vs. Sting (Clash III)
Ric Flair & Barry Windham vs. The Midnight Express (Clash IV)
Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat (Clash VI)

Disc 2
The Road Warriors vs. The Samoan Swat Team (Clash VIII)
Ric Flair & Sting vs. The Great Muta & Dick Slater (Clash VIII)
Lex Luger vs. Brian Pillman (Clash IX)
Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk (Clash IX)
The Midnight Express vs. The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express (Clash XI)
Ric Flair vs. Bobby Eaton (Clash XV)
Arn Anderson & Larry Zbysko vs. Ricky Steamboat & Dustin Rhodes (Clash XVII)
Cactus Jack vs. Van Hammer (Clash XVIII)
Ricky Steamboat vs. Steve Austin (Clash XX)
Sting vs. Rick Rude (Clash XXI)
Ricky Steamboat & Shane Douglas vs. Steve Austin & Brian Pillman (Clash XXII)

Disc 3
The Hollywood Blondes vs. Ric Flair & Arn Anderson (Clash XXIII)
Lord Steven Regal vs. Dustin Rhodes (Clash XXVI)
The Nasty Boys vs. Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne (Clash XXVI)
Steve Austin vs. Ricky Steamboat (Clash XXVIII)
Vader vs. Dustin Rhodes (Clash XXIX)
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko (Clash XXXIII)
Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan (Clash XXXIII)
Dean Malenko vs. Ultimo Dragon (Clash XXXIV)
Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Guerrero (Clash XXXV)

Extras
Original Clash opening titles (belts floating around lightning)
Horsemen parking lot attack on Lex Luger (Clash II)
Jim Cornette “Season’s Beatings” promo (Clash IV)
Sting-Cactus Jack brawl (Clash XVI)
Andre the Giant’s last televised appearance (Clash XX)
The Shockmaster’s entrance (Clash XXIV)
Kurasawa breaking Hawk’s arm (Clash XXI)

The Wrestling Doctor’s Fun with Geography and Statistics
If this section was a stand-alone feature, it would be 411mania’s least-read column of all time. Due to some unidentified psychosis, I whipped up some fun facts while going through the Clash of Champions events. WCW’s geographical roots and limitations showed in the locations of these shows, as twenty-six Clashes (74%) were held in the South. Six each (17%) were held in the WCW strongholds of Georgia and Florida. Charleston, SC hosted the most of any one city, with three events. The Clashes rarely ventured outside of the South until WCW began to rapidly grow in 1995.