WCCW MENAGE-A-TROIS 1991
March 1991 – Week 4
Dallas Sportatorium
8,834 pax (standing room only)
The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase arrives outside the Dallas Sportatorium and is immediately mobbed by the Texas faithful. The reigning WCCW Heavyweight Champion darts into the building through a side door, while his paid goons keep the screaming fans at bay.
Buddy Rogers: Woah! Close call for the Million Dollar Man; that looked like a lynch mob waiting outside the Sportatorium.
Boni Blackstone: You can’t blame them, Nature Boy. Those are the ones that failed to get tickets into the arena! The Sportatorium is jam packed to the rafters as you can see!
Buddy Rogers: Absolutely. What a night this is going to be. WCCW Menage-a-Trois, ladies and gentlemen, what a name. It doesn’t get any better than that, does it?
Boni Blackstone: It depends on interpretation I guess.
Buddy Rogers: Oh, I could tell you stories, Boni dear. But let’s save it for another time. Tonight is all about action! High intensity high octane and high impact action from our WCCW wrestlers. So let’s not waste any more time and take you straight to our ring announcer for the opening contest of the evening.
OPENING CONTEST
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Nicho El Millonario vs Finlay vs Cpl Kirchner
As the bell rings, Nicho El Millonario convinces Finlay to work together and focus their concerted efforts on the ultra-popular Cpl Kirchner. Starting at a disadvantage, the former paratrooper gets a rousing ovation from the capacity audience as they break into a chant of “USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!
Kirchner tries to take on both men at the same time, but succumbs almost immediately to the numbers game. Finlay and Nicho force Kirchner into the corner and take turns unloading on the former paratrooper with a combination of chops and forearm shots. It does not take long before the two rulebreakers turn on one another. Nicho is looking to sneak up on Finlay, but the Irishman sees it coming and beats him to the punch, landing a hard right across the face of the Los Renegado and sends him scurrying across the ring. Cpl Kirchner fires back with the heavy artillery on Finlay, then sends him to the ropes and launches him into the sky with a back body drop. Nicho explodes into Kirchner with a spike dropkick and once again has the military man straddled in the corner. Kirchner greets the incoming Nicho and propels him into the air with a modified flapjack as the young Latino crash and burns, face and stomach-first, into the canvas! Kirchner looks for the win and slaps on the Corporal Clutch on Nicho!
Buddy Rogers: This is almost like a prelude of what is to come next month in the League of Nations.
Boni Blackstone: The League of Nations?
Buddy Rogers: Haven’t you heard? The WrestleLympics! Three days of gruelling competition between wrestlers representing their respective nations. The matches will be contested in a league format, so it should be interesting to see what kinds of combination our booking committee can come up with.
Boni Blackstone: Who’ll be competing in these matches?
Buddy Rogers: I would assume that there’d be a qualifying round of sorts to select the top nations to compete; I expect the good US of A to be one of ‘em.
Finlay drives his knee up Kirchner’s spine to break the submission hold. Finlay follows through with the Celtic Cross and goes for the lateral press on Cpl Kirchner. ONE… TWO…THR… NICHO BREAKS UP THE PINFALL!!! Not wanting any further interruptions, Finlay grabs Nicho and dumps him to the outside. The momentary distraction costs Finlay dearly as he turns around and walks straight into powerslam from Cpl Kirchner. Kirchner makes the cover on Finlay. As the referee makes the count, Nicho El Millonario launches himself off the top turnbuckle and lands the Guillotine Legdrop across the back of Kirchner’s skull! Nicho flips him over and pins him instead to steal away the victory.
Boni Blackstone: Looks like Mexico could pose a threat for the League of Nations.
Buddy Rogers: I don’t know about that, Boni darlin’. I don’t see the Guerreros and the Renegades ever getting along. And unless I’m mistaken, this League of Nations is gonna be a team affair. Each country is supposed to be represented by four wrestlers and one substitute, so five guys in total.
Boni Blackstone: Do we know anything about the format of the contest?
Buddy Rogers: There’ll be two singles matches and one tag-team match in the Nation versus Nation battles, all regular rules apply. That’s all I know for now.
Boni Blackstone: Well like I said, there’s a lot of talent in the Mexican contingent and they’ve proven it here tonight.
Nicho El Millonario defeated Finlay and Cpl Kirchner via pinfall when he pinned Kirchner after the Guillotine Legdrop at 11:52.
DEBUT MATCH
TAG-TEAM CONTEST
The Sheepherders vs S&S Express
The Sheepherders, Luke Williams and Butch Miller, are quite certain of the path that they will be taking when they pounce on their opponents before the bell. Luke checks Shaun Simpson with the New Zealand flagpole across the throat, while Butch rakes Steve Simpson across the face and knees him in the rib area, knocking the fan favorite through the ropes to the outside. The Sheepherders whip Shaun to the ropes and once again try to use the flagpole. Shaun ducks under the attempt and, as he rebounds from the ropes, throws himself onto the pole and catapulting his two opponents into each other! With the crowd getting into the match, Shaun clotheslines Butch to the outside and turns his attention on Luke.
The S&S Express quickly remind viewers why they are indeed tag-team specialists as they dance circles around their opponent, making quick and frequent tags with constant double-teaming action.
Buddy Rogers: There’s no better way to welcome the new guys into WCCW.
Boni Blackstone: S&S Express are well on their way to another victory here. It’s a wonder actually why the twins are not getting a shot at the WCCW Tag-Team Championship.
Buddy Rogers: It takes more than just winning a couple of matches to be named number one contenders, my dear. Besides, they haven’t exactly won this one yet.
Luke Williams reverses an Irish Whip from Steve and Butch Miller catches him from the apron with a knee to the spine. The tides swing in favour of the Sheepherders. Luke and Butch are no strangers to double-teaming tactics as they cut the ring in half and begin to wear Steve down with one double-team move after another, often teasing disqualification. The Sheepherders whip Steve to the ropes and catch him on the rebound with a double back elbow. When the referee admonishes Luke back to the apron, Butch capitalizes on the referee’s back being turned and resorts to a blatant choke. The kiwis repeat the process and continue to frustrate Shaun on the outside, while still wearing Steve down in the ring.
Steve Simpson finally sees a glimmer of hope when he ducks under a clothesline from Luke and tackles Butch with a clothesline of his own! With Steve only inches away from making the tag to his brother, Luke clocks Shaun across the face and knocks him off the ring apron. Steve snares Luke in a small package, but the referee is pre-occupied trying to get Shaun out of the ring. Butch retrieves the New Zealand flag from ringside and, with the referee still distracted, jams the pole right in the throat of young Steve! Luke makes the cover and scores the tainted one-two-three as the Sheepherders pick up their first victory in their debut match here in WCCW.
The Sheepherders defeated S&S Express via pinfall when Butch Miller pinned Steve Simpson after using the flagpole on him at 9:39.
3-on-2 HANDICAP MATCH
NO COUNTOUT, NO DISQUALFICATION
Col DeBeers & Zambuie Express vs The Hell Warriors
Boni Blackstone: I’m still amazed at how the Hell Warriors have not been given their due shot at the WCCW Tag-Team Championship.
Buddy Rogers: They’re gonna have to get by this night first before they can start worrying about anything else.
Boni Blackstone: They’ve been embroiled in this feud against the Zambuie Express, which does not appear to be leading them anywhere.
Buddy Rogers: Let’s not forget that these guys have been responsible for putting Paul Ellering and Power Warrior on the injured list.
Boni Blackstone: I’m sure the Hell Warriors remember it all too clearly.
Buddy Rogers: And yet they’ve accepted this no holds barred handicap match? Not the smartest of decisions I must say.
Boni Blackstone: Looks like they’re not here to wrestle, Nature Boy. The Hell Warriors are looking for a straight up fight.
The Hell Warriors, clad in spiked leather, a departure from their usual signature spiked shoulder pads, did not come empty handed. Power Warrior and Psycho Warrior part the curtains, each with a weapon in hand as they make their way to the ring. Power Warrior wields a steel chair, while a baseball bat is Psycho Warrior’s weapon of choice.
Col DeBeers conveniently disappears behind the massive structures that are his teammates and slips outside, while the Hell Warriors take out their weeks of frustration on Kareem Mohamed and Elijah Akeem, pummelling the Zambuie Express with those weapons they brought along with them! DeBeers retrieves a kendo stick from ringside and returns to the ring with a vengeance, unleashing his wrath on his face-painted opponents. Psycho Warrior catches hold of the kendo stick, but before he could put his hands on DeBeers, gets squashed into the corner with a running avalanche, courtesy of Kareem Mohamed. With DeBeers directing traffic, the Zambuie Express focus their assault on the recently recovered Power Warrior with the intent of putting him back on the shelf. Kareem and Elijah hold Power Warrior in place, while DeBeers picks his shots using the kendo stick.
Showing incredible power, Power Warrior pulls his two massive opponents into each other’s crosshairs as the Zambuie Express collide into one another! DeBeers cracks the kendo stick over Power Warrior’s skull, but the popular grappler no-sells the shot. As he begs for mercy, DeBeers tries to make a run for it, but runs straight into belly-to-belly shoulder from the incoming Psycho Warrior!
Boni Blackstone: The Hell Warriors are mounting a comeback and the fans are loving every second of it!
Buddy Rogers: Power Warrior and Psycho Warrior are all over their opponents. Of course it helps having a chair and baseball bat in hand.
Boni Blackstone: There’s absolutely nothing that the Zambuie Express can do.
Buddy Rogers: The Hell Warriors easily deal with the Zambuie Express and now Col DeBeers is left all alone against the two of them!
Boni Blackstone: I would hate to be in DeBeers’ position this instant.
Buddy Rogers: Power Warrior and Psycho Warrior are all over ‘em with the baseball bat and steel chair.
Boni Blackstone: Whoa-whoa-whoa… what are they doing here?
Power Warrior places the steel chair across Col DeBeers chest as Psycho Warrior climbs to the top turnbuckle and launches himself off with a senton bomb right on top of the former army man! As his tag-team partner writhes around the ring in pain, Power Warrior goes for the lateral press and picks up the victory over their bitter rivals.
The Hell Warriors defeated Col DeBeers & Zambuie Express via pinfall when Psycho Warrior pinned DeBeers after the Doomsday Device at 15:03.
SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE
KING vs KING
King Harley Race vs Jerry “The King” Lawler
Prior to the start of the contest, Sensational Sherri goes straight up to Magnum TA and gives him a piece of her mind, reminding the special guest referee who she is, who her client is and warning him to know his place. Magnum, in turn, responds by pointing out that not only is he the special guest referee for this match who will not hesitate to call for a disqualification at the first sign of trouble, but he is also the commissioner of World Class Championship Wrestling.
Buddy Rogers: A quick verbal exchange there between Magnum TA and the Sensational One.
Boni Blackstone: Sherri should know better than to raise the ire of the commissioner, particular before a match he’s about to officiate.
Buddy Rogers: As much as I am a fan of the commissioner, what makes him think he’s in any position to officiate a match like this? What refereeing experience does he hold?
When Magnum TA finally calls for the bell, the two monarchs tie up collar-and-elbow. Harley Race rakes Jerry Lawler across the face, but the latter handily retaliates with an eye gouge of his own! Lawler smashes Race into the turnbuckle, but the latter’s iron head protects him from harm as he fires a stiff forearm shot in Lawler’s face, smashing him into the turnbuckle instead. Sherri hops on the apron to distract the referee as Race resorts to a blatant choke in the corner. With Magnum’s back still turned, Lawler counters by kicking Race right between the legs!
Boni Blackstone: Well two can play that game.
Buddy Rogers: Sherri won’t be too happy with that. Her distraction actually favoured Lawler that time.
Jerry Lawler comes off the middle rope and drills his fist right between the eyes of his opponent, but only manages to pick up a two count before Sherri intervenes once again and puts her client’s foot on the bottom rope. Magnum warns the Sensational One from getting involved again. Lawler sets Race up for his patented Pile Driver, but Sherri, completely ignoring Magnum’s warnings, reaches between the ropes and grabs Lawler by the leg, prohibiting him from completing the move. The special guest referee has just about endured enough of her shenanigans and banishes her from ringside, much to the joy of the capacity audience, who breaks out into a unison chant “NAH-NAH-NAH… HEY-HEY-HEY… GOODBYE!!!”
The interruption costs Lawler dearly as Harley Race manages to turn the tides and drops the fan favourite on his head with the Pile Driver instead! Not satisfied with just one, Race proceeds to deliver a second and a third Pile Driver on Lawler before going for the cover. ONE… TWO… THR… LAWLER LIFTS A SHOULDER!!! Shocked and frustrated at the same time, Race accuses Magnum of being biased with a slow count and attacks the special guest referee! No stranger to fights in his lifetime, Magnum responds accordingly and plants Harley Race to the mat with his signature Belly-to-Belly Suplex! Just as Lawler crawls over to make the cover, the Nature Boy Buddy Landell and the Anderson brothers storm the ring to pounce on the popular King and even the special referee! The First Family leave Lawler and Magnum battered and broken in the middle of the ring!
“King” Harley Race and Jerry “The King” Lawler battled to a no-contest when members of the First Family attacked Lawler and special guest referee Magnum TA at 16:48.
THREE WAY DANCE
WCCW TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chris Benoit & Alan Snow vs Minnesota Wrecking Crew vs Los Guerreros ©
Following the vicious assault on Jerry “The King” Lawler and Magnum TA earlier, former champions the Minnesota Wrecking Crew return to the ring to a chorus of boos, which bring a smile on the face of Sensational Sherri. Newcomers Chris Benoit and Alan Snow have been on a high since arriving in WCCW and intend to capitalize on their momentum to springboard them to the gold. Having only defended the title once, Los Guerreros come into this contest with only a one-third of a chance in walking out champions.
Chris Benoit and Hector Guerrero start off the contest with a series of exchanges, trading holds for counter holds. Benoit wastes little time at all in going for the finish, locking Hector in the Crossface. Gene and Lars rush into the ring to break up the submission hold, leading to an all out brawl involving all three tandems. Highly experienced in guerrilla warfare tactics, the Anderson brothers seize control of the situation and use it to their advantage, beating down on Hector as the legal man.
Buddy Rogers: The Anderson brothers are the true masters when it comes to tag-team wrestling; that’s why they’re our very first WCCW Tag-Team Champions. And before this night is over, they could well become our very first two-time WCCW Tag-Team Champions.
Boni Blackstone: I still can’t believe the audacity they had to put their hands on our commissioner Magnum TA.
Buddy Rogers: Like I said, Magnum had no business getting involved in the match in the first place. As the commissioner, he’s supposed to remain impartial.
Boni Blackstone: He was impartial. He was calling the match right down the middle until the First Family decide to wreck everything.
Buddy Rogers: Hey, he fired the first shot when he banished their manager from ringside.
Boni Blackstone: She was getting out of line!
Buddy Rogers: Try explaining that to them.
As the match progresses, Hector is finally able to escape the corner and reaches for the first man he can find. Alan Snow throws himself at the duo from Minnesota with guns blazing, dropping Gene with a gourdbuster and setting Lars up for the Snowsault. Little did Snow realize that Mando Guerrero has made a blind tag. As soon as Snow connects with his version of the moonsault, Mando follows through with a tope off the ropes, but Lars manages to kick out before the count of three.
Chris Benoit gets back into the match and traps Lars in his signature Crossface. Gene stomps on Benoit’s skull to free his partner and proceeds to launch the Crippler into the ropes for his patented spinning Spine Buster. The Guerreros are learning fast as they manage to pull off another blind tag, this time by Hector. Gene throws Lars ontop of Benoit, not realizing the tag has been made. Hector flies off the top turnbuckle with a high impact splash right on top of his two opponents! Hector flips Lars over for the lateral press and picks up the win.
Los Guerreros defeated Chris Benoit & Alan Snow and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew via pinfall when Hector pinned Lars Anderson to successfully retain the WCCW Tag-Team Championship at 16:21.
SIX PACK CHALLENGE
WCCW TEXAS TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Dick Murdoch vs Butch Reed vs Cactus Jack vs Tatanka vs Randy Robinson vs Steve Austin ©
Boni Blackstone: This is a match I’ve been really looking forward to all night. Stunning Steve must defeat not one, not two, not three… but five opponents all at once to walk out with the title here tonight.
Buddy Rogers: You know it pains me to say this, but Austin has been treated unfairly by the management yet again. Just last week, he was forced to defend the TV Title against two challengers he’s beaten before in a triple threat match and tonight… tonight is just plain ridiculous.
Boni Blackstone: Maybe from now on he’d know how to keep his mouth shut.
Buddy Rogers: Hey, the kid’s good and he knows it. I know I’ve said this before, but Austin is by far the best pure athlete I’ve seen lace up a pair of boots in this lifetime.
Boni Blackstone: Well, the face tells it all. He’s gonna be for a long night.
“Stunning” Steve Austin is reluctant to step inside the ring and, in protest, refuses to even hand the WCCW Texas Television Championship belt over to the referee. Coming off a huge win over former partner Dick Slater, Dick Murdoch is eager to get his hands on some gold and brings Austin into the ring the hard way, dragging him by the hair. Before the referee could remove the championship belt, Murdoch picks it up and uses it as a weapon, branding the champion right across the skull with it!
Boni Blackstone: That effectively removes Austin from the match, at least for the time being.
Buddy Rogers: True, but it’s gonna take some doing to be able to score a pinfall in this chaos. You’ve got six bodies in there, all vying to become the undisputed WCCW Texas Television Champion.
Boni Blackstone: Tatanka and Randy Robinson should have been given some leverage, especially since they pinned the champion last week.
Buddy Rogers: It was a two-on-one situation, Boni. They’re lucky to even be included in this match. How many chances are we gonna give these guys?
Boni Blackstone: Well, Robinson has publicly announced that he will leave WCCW if he fails to capture the title here tonight.
It is pandemonium right off the get-go as the five contenders tear into each other like their lives depended on it. Cactus Jack rushes Dick Murdoch with a running clothesline, taking both men over the ropes and onto the floor. Butch Reed gets caught in a jab fest between Tatanka and Randy Robinson, and succumbs to a huge back body drop before rolling to the outside. Tatanka misses with a knife-edge chop as Robinson locks him in a half nelson and executes a half nelson bomb, picking up a two count before Tatanka comes out the backdoor. The Native American, in turn, hoists Robinson on his shoulders and drops him with the End of the Trail finisher. Tatanka goes for the lateral press… ONE… TWO… THRE… AUSTIN DRAGS ROBINSON THROUGH THE BOTTOM ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!!!
Tatanka, distraught over the nearfall, turns around and gets his head taken off, courtesy of a Flying Clothesline off the middle rope, courtesy of the “Natural” Butch Reed! Reed goes for the lateral press, but Austin once again interjects by placing Tatanka’s foot on the bottom rope to save his title. While Murdoch returns to the ring to face off against Butch Reed, Cactus Jack throws himself off the ring apron with a somersault flip on Stunning Steve! With the crowd getting behind him, Cactus flies off the apron once again, this time driving the edge of his elbow into the heart of Randy Robinson on the arena floor.
Back in the ring, Murdoch drives Reed’s face into the canvas with the Calf Branding, but before he could go for the cover, Austin sneaks up on him and straddles the Redneck, throat-first, across the top rope with the Stun Gun! Austin steals the one-two-three and scurries away with his championship belt before his other opponents even realize the match is over.
Buddy Rogers: So I guess this is the end for Randy “The Ram” Robinson?
Boni Blackstone: As far as his career with World Class Championship Wrestling.
Buddy Rogers: He’ll be a big loss to the company; the man’s a legend in his own right.
Boni Blackstone: It’s an unfortunate situation.
Buddy Rogers: Not at all. “Stunning” Steve Austin has proven that he is arguably the best pure athlete in his classic matches against Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. He has shown tenacity and proven that he might well be one of the toughest son of a gun to have laced up a pair of boots against Stan Hansen. And tonight, he has shown us that he is an amazing escape artist as well. I shudder to think what would happen when he reaches his full potential.
Steve Austin defeated Dick Murdoch, Butch Reed, Cactus Jack, Tatanka and Randy Robinson to successfully retain the WCCW Texas Television Championship at 19:15.
The cameras are directed to the crow’s nest which has been fully converted into the all too familiar set of the Heartbreak Hotel. It host, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, stands ready with mic in hand and addresses his adoring public.
Shawn Michaels: You know, I find it very strange how you can put on a show, a pay-per-view no less, without including the greatest asset on your entire roster in any of the matches. Don’t you find that odd? I don’t think anyone can deny that yours truly is the greatest thing going on god’s green earth… and yet, some people sitting in their tiny little office with their gorilla suit and tie has the audacity to do just that. Not very good for business, now is it? You must understand, this is not for me. I’m feeling the pinch for you. *motions to the capacity audience* Because of inefficient booking, you fine folks and those watching at home have been robbed of the opportunity to see the very best in the business. But let’s not waste time dwelling on the situation, how about we just get right down to business? Let’s bring out the man responsible right now. Let’s bring out Magnum TA.
Having just come off a beatdown at the hands of the First Family, Magnum TA is not in the best of moods as he makes his way to the set of the Heartbreak Hotel.
Magnum TA: What is it, Shawn? Make it quick. As you can see, you didn’t exactly catch me at a good time here.
Shawn Michaels: Whoa-whoa-whoa, the last time I checked, you agreed to the job no matter rain, skeet or snow. Now this is a serious situation here; keep it up and you could have a mutiny on your hands.
Magnum TA: Spell it out, Shawn. I’m not in the mood.
Shawn Michaels: Oh, you mean it isn’t obvious enough? These people here and those watching on their televisions at home or in a bar somewhere… they would like to know why their favorite wrestler has not been featured on an event as important as this one.
Magnum TA: But their favorite wrestler is featured, quite prominently I might add. Kerry Von Erich will be challenging for the WCCW Heavyweight Champ…
Shawn Michaels: I’m not talking about that over-rated son of the boss! You know damn well what I mean. Heck, I wasn’t even included in any of the qualifying matches for the WCCW Texas Television Championship! What’s the deal here, Magnum? Afraid I might outshine some of your favored guys? You know I haven’t lost a single match right?
Magnum TA: I’ll tell you what, Shawn. See, you’re not the only guy who’s complaining about not having a match here at the pay-per-view. As the administrators, we try to accommodate to as many people as possible, whilst putting on a good show. So here’s what I’m gonna do. You’re saying you want a shot at the TV Title right? But then again, who doesn’t? So next week on WCCW Tuesday in Texas, I’m putting you in the opening match against Shane Douglas and the Nature Boy Buddy Landell, two other guys who didn’t make it to the pay-per-view, in a triple threat match. Win that and you’ll get your shot at Austin.
Now as far as the First Family is concerned, I don’t know what your game is, nor do I care to know. I could just as easily suspend you for your actions or even terminate all your contracts… and I’ll be justified in doing so. But if I were to do that, then these fans won’t get the opportunity to see you getting what you deserve. So for a start, rest assured there will be a fine imposed for putting your hands on a WCCW administrative staff; I’ll let Fritz deal with it accordingly. My job here is as the booker. So next week at WCCW Tuesday in Texas, the entire First Family will take on Jerry “the King” Lawler and a team of his choosing in a four-on-four Texas style wild west shoot out! I’ve said my piece.
30-MINUTE IRON MAN MATCH
#1 CONTENDER TO THE WCCW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Tatsumi Fujinami vs Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
In a match that has been masterminded by commissioner Magnum TA, the first ever 30-minute Iron Man Match in WCCW featuring Tatsumi Fujinami and Ricky Steamboat, the two Dragons, will determine the next number one contender to the WCCW Heavyweight Championship.
As the bell rings, the two gladiators exchange handshakes as a sign of respect for one another. Tatsumi Fujinami and Ricky Steamboat engage in a graeco-roman knuckle lock, transitioning into a collar-and-elbow tie-up before advancing to a series of wrestling holds and counter reversals. Fujinami goes for the early finish with the Dragon Suplex, but Steamboat manages to squirm free and launches him across the ring with the signature armdrag. Following another series of armdrags, Steamboat slows down the pace of the match and takes charge with a wristlock and an armbar. Fujinami counters the hold and drops Steamboat on the back of his head with a Dragon Suplex, then bridging it to pick up a nearfall. Fujinami assumes control with a basic headlock, slowly sapping the energy of his opponent. Steamboat battles to his feet and elbows his aggressor in the midsection to loosen the grip before running off to the ropes. Fujinami catches Steamboat on the rebound and locks him in a punishing abdominal stretch. Steamboat pulls off an escape with a hip toss and makes a run for it. Fujinami ducks under a high cross body as Steamboat collides into the ropes and tumbles to the outside. Not wanting his win to be tarnished by a countout, Fujinami proceeds to the outside to bring Steamboat back inside the ring, getting an appreciative ovation from the crowd.
Buddy Rogers: I’m not sure if that is the smartest thing to do; it might well come back and haunt him. Anytime you get the chance to score a decision, you take it.
Boni Blackstone: Well, he is gaining the respect of the audience.
Buddy Rogers: Cheers and applause do not feed empty stomachs.
Back inside the ring, Steamboat puts Fujinami through a myriad of pinning combinations, from the backslide to a small package to the sunset flip. Fujinami manages to kick out of each one with only mili-seconds to spare and goes back on the offense with a kneelift to the face of the Dragon. With Steamboat in a daze, Fujinami locks on the Dragon Sleeper to pick up the first fall via submission.
*TATSUMI FUJINAMI PICKS UP THE FIRST FALL VIA SUBMISSION AT 14:27.
Buddy Rogers: That first fall is very important. Not only will Steamboat have to play the catch-up game, but Fujinami would’ve gained newfound confidence.
Boni Blackstone: With less than fifteen minutes to go, will the Dragon be able to mount a comeback?
Buddy Rogers: As history has shown, in most Iron Man Matches, the man who scores the first fall will usually end up winning the contest. Will history repeat itself tonight? Or will Steamboat defy the odds like he always does?
Fujinami intends to build a comfortable lead by pursuing the second fall, laying the onslaught on Steamboat with a combination of brutal chops and a variation of suplexes, but Steamboat manages to kick out each time, simply refusing to stay down for the count. Fujinami traps Steamboat in a full nelson and goes for the Dragon Suplex, but the latter surprises his opponent with a quick reversal and snares him in an inside cradle instead. When Fujinami barely kicks out before the count of three, the entire arena becomes unglued, thinking that Steamboat has tied the fall one-to-one. Fujinami catches Steamboat with an enziguiri and follows through with the Dragon Suplex on his stunned opponent.
ONE… TWO… THRE… STEAMBOAT NARROWLY KICKS OUT!!!
Boni Blackstone: Wow! I don’t think Fujinami was expecting that!
Buddy Rogers: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat is showing how much he wants to be the number one contender.
Fujinami sets Steamboat up for another Dragon Suplex, but this time, the Dragon reverses the attempt into a victory roll and surprises his opponent with the three count!
*RICKY STEAMBOAT TIES UP THE SCORE 1-1 VIA PINFALL AT 24:03.
The usually calm and collected Fujinami is showing signs of frustration and agitation as he tears into Steamboat with vicious chops in the corner. Steamboat, gaining momentum with each passing second, fires back with chops of his own. Fujinami snares Steamboat in a front facelock and goes for a vertical suplex, but Steamboat blocks it and attempts one of his own, resulting in both athletes tumbling over the ropes and onto the floor. The referee begins count on both men.
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six!
Fujinami returns to the ring.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Steamboat barely beats the ten count back inside.
Fujinami goes for the finish with the Dragon Sleeper, but Steamboat manages to anchor himself down to block the attempt and counters with a bridging northern lights suplex. The audience counts… ONE… TWO… THREE!!! Unfortunately for Steamboat, Fujinami’s foot is under the ropes as the referee rightfully points it out to him. With the minutes trickling down, Steamboat makes one final push to emerge victorious in this epic battle. Scaling the top turnbuckle, Steamboat soars into the sky with the Flying Body Press!
Steamboat connects with his trademark finisher, but Fujinami is able to roll with the momentum and ends up on top! He’s got Steamboat pinned… ONE… TWO… THR… STEAMBOAT KICKS OUT AT THE LAST SECOND!!! With barely a minute left, Fujinami locks his arms around Steamboat in preparation for his dreaded Dragon Suplex. Steamboat performs a quick go-behind and drops Fujinami with a Dragon Suplex of his own! ONE… TWO… THR… FUJINAMI LIFTS A SHOULDER!!!
The timekeeper rings the bell to signify that the thirty minute time limit has expired. The Iron Man Match is officially over.
After the contest, in a showcase of true sportsmanship, the two ring veterans embrace and congratulate each other on an epic battle as they await their fate from the WCCW championship committee on which Dragon will be contesting for the WCCW Heavyweight Championship.
Tatsumi Fujinami and Ricky Steamboat battled to a draw in the 30-Minute Iron Man Match with one fall each at 30:00.
MAIN EVENT: TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
WCCW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Kerry Von Erich vs Ron Simmons vs Ted DiBiase ©
In the main event of the evening, the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase must defend the WCCW Heavyweight Championship against the All American Ron Simmons and the Texas Tornado Kerry Von Erich in a triple threat match. Von Erich has bested DiBiase on more than one occasion, but never for the title, while this is Simmons’ first shot at the elusive gold.
At the onset of the contest, DiBiase tries to entice Simmons with money in an attempt to convince the All American to take out Kerry Von Erich. Simmons smiles and shakes DiBiase’s hand, then reels him in for a vicious clothesline that nearly takes the head off of the Million Dollar Man!
Boni Blackstone: I guess DiBiase’s strategy didn’t go as planned.
Buddy Rogers: Can’t blame the guy for trying.
Boni Blackstone: He might’ve made matters worse for himself. Simmons would’ve considered that as an insult, more so than anything else.
Buddy Rogers: Not a good start for the Million Dollar Man. His challengers are using him for a human pinball, just batting him from left to right.
Simmons and Von Erich continue to double-team DiBiase, sending the Million Dollar Man to the ropes and launching him sky high with a double back body drop. The two challengers once again whip DiBiase to the ropes and catch him with a double back elbow, followed by a double clothesline.
The ever resourceful DiBiase gouges Von Erich in the eyes and delivers a blatant low blow on Simmons. DiBiase grabs Von Erich from behind and tosses him to the outside. Turning his attention to Simmons, DiBiase forces the All American into the corner and climbs onto the middle rope as he begins to rain fists down the face of his challenger. Simmons wrenches DiBiase out of the corner with an inverted atomic drop, followed by a running shoulderblock. DiBiase begs for mercy and lures Simmons in close enough to tug on his tights and catapult him, shoulder-first, into the cornerpost and to the outside.
DiBiase’s troubles are not over as Von Erich has returned to the ring and starts blasting away with devastating right hands to the side of the head, then just narrowly missing with the signature Discus Punch. DiBiase catches Von Erich with a headbutt to the midsection, followed by a textbook gutwrench suplex on the Texas Tornado. The Million Dollar Man continues to punish his rival with a hanging vertical suplex and a belly-to-back suplex before climbing onto the middle rope to taunt the Texas faithful.
DiBiase makes a mistake and misses with the back elbow off the middle ropes as Von Erich quickly rebounds with the Iron Claw on the Million Dollar Man.
Boni Blackstone: DiBiase is in trouble now! Will we see the crowning of a new champion? Will Kerry Von Erich finally rise to the pinnacle of World Class Championship Wrestling?
Buddy Rogers: Not if Ron Simmons has anything to say about it. The All American comes off the top turnbuckle with a diving shoulderblock and takes out both men!
Simmons is first to regain his feet, followed by Von Erich as the All American repeatedly thrusts his shoulder into the Texas Tornado’s midsection in the corner. DiBiase sneaks up on Simmons and slaps on the Million Dollar Dream!
Von Erich is still down for the count and could not make the save. Simmons, using every last ounce of his energy, forces DiBiase back into a cornerpost and breaks the hold. Relentless, DiBiase rebounds and snares Simmons in the Million Dollar Dream yet again! The All American sinks down to one knee as the referee checks on his condition. Just as Simmons’ hand is about to fall for the third time, Von Erich holds it up at the very last second before unleashing a stiff right hook to the jaw of the Million Dollar Man. As Simmons collapses to the mat, Von Erich begins to unload on DiBiase with a flurry of punches, ending the melee with the patented Discus Punch.
Von Erich goes for the cover, but Simmons breaks it up at the count of two. In response, Von Erich tosses Simmons through the ropes. Unbeknownst to the Texas Tornado, Simmons lands on the ring apron and quickly pulls himself up the top turnbuckle. Von Erich has DiBiase trapped in the Iron Claw, but has enough ring sense to turn around at the right moment as Simmons is coming off the top and drills the All American with the powerful swinging Discus Punch!
Timing it perfectly, DiBiase shoves Von Erich through the ropes to the outside and makes the cover on Simmons… ONE… TWO… THREE!!! Against all odds, the Million Dollar Man has triumphed against the All American and the Texas Tornado as WCCW Menage-a-Trois comes to a close!
Ted DiBiase defeated Ron Simmons and Kerry Von Erich via pinfall when DiBiase pinned Simmons to successfully retain the WCCW Heavyweight Championship at 21:07.