May 1991 – Week 3
The Dallas Sportatorium
5,000 pax (Full House)
This week’s edition of WCCW Tuesday in Texas kicks off with the commissioner himself, Magnum TA, promoting the upcoming pay-per-view WCCW Across the Border and directly addressing the challenge from the First Family.
Magnum TA: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We are one week shy of WCCW’s pay-per-view offering… WCCW Across the Border! Keep in mind, folks, that this is also the very first time that World Class Championship Wrestling is not hosting a show in the famed Dallas Sportatorium. Not only that, the show’s not even gonna be in the great state of Texas. We’re not even gonna be in the country, folks! We’re gonna do what we do best and we’re gonna take it right across the border into unknown territory, ladies and gentlemen. WCCW is headed to Mexico! On 24 May, the WCCW Across the Border is gonna be emanating from the famed 17,000-seater Arena Mexico, the mecca of Mexican professional wrestling.
Speaking of which, there is no better place for us to witness a family feud that has been brewing over the past few weeks between the Guerrero brothers. I don’t think anybody can deny that it is a loss to the wrestling world that Chavo Guerrero suffered a career ending injury. But that still doesn’t give him the right to interfere in my matches. So he’s asked for it, he’s gonna get it. At WCCW Across the Border, Chavo Guerrero will bring his champion to fight for his cause against Mando Guerrero, who will of course be accompanied by Hector Guerrero. It should be interesting to see who Chavo brings to war.
Which leads me to the WCCW Tag-Team Championship. Dick Murdoch and Stan Hansen, otherwise known as the Texas Outlaws, will be defending the titles against not one, not two, not three, not four… but five tag-teams. But not just any tag-teams. We have reached out to some of the best tandems out there in Mexico… from the infamous Los Villanos to our very own Los Renegados to the legendary Dos Caras and Mil Mascaras. I don’t have to tell you that’s gonna be a barn burner.
Moving on from one title to the next. Taking Tatsumi Fujinami’s recommendation into serious consideration, both Fritz Von Erich and I couldn’t agree more that there couldn’t have been a better candidate than Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat to replace Fujinami as the new number one contender to challenge the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase for the WCCW Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the pay-per-view. Needless to say, Fujinami himself will be accompanying the Dragon to the ring.
Another match which is inevitable. It has become painfully obvious that while everything is big in Texas, it’s simply not big enough to house two monarchs. Jerry “the King” Lawler will take on “King” Harley Race in a one-on-one contest, whereby the winner of the match will not only have bragging rights over the other, but also earn the entitlement to be the one and only true king here in the WCCW.
Now on to more personal matters. Stunning Steve Austin. You calling me out? You have the gall to call me out? I can understand if it’s coming from scary Sherry cause the only thing scarier than her bark is her mascara. If you wanted me in the ring that much, you know where to find me. So who’s really the one that’s yellow? You really want me that bad, Steve? Then by all means I’ll grant you your wish. At WCCW Across the Border, it’s gonna be “Stunning” Steve Austin versus Magnum TA… with the WCCW Texas Television Championship on the line. That title is too good for you, sonny boy. You’re a bad egg, just like the rest of your friends in the First Family. You know what? Simply because you got me so riled up, I’m gonna do one better. Right here tonight at the Dallas Sportatorium, I’m gonna step inside the ring against one of you idiots just to prove a point. Gene and Ole are already pre-occupied with a match and I would hate to rip you apart before the pay-per-view, Steve. So I guess that leaves “King” Harley Race… one-on-one against Magnum TA.
The door swings open. The WCCW commissioner is paid a visit by an old friend.
Magnum TA: Can I help you?
Nikita Koloff: You owe me.
Magnum TA: I disagree.
Nikita Koloff: I deserve a shot at the WCCW Heavyweight Championship. Not Ricky Steamboat. And yet you put me in a time filler against Ron Simmons.
Magnum TA: Ron Simmons claims that he has every right to be number one contender just the same.
Nikita Koloff: But he didn’t win the battle royal at WCCW WrestleLympics.
Magnum TA: No, but he did beat Fujinami. You know, we can go on and on comparing credentials and argue about who’s deserving and who’s not. It’s a never ending debate. So I tell you what. For old time’s sake, I’ll grant you a match. Tonight, in the main event on WCCW Tuesday in Texas... you’ll go one-on-one against Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. The winner of the match will go on to challenge the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase for the WCCW Heavyweight Championship at WCCW Across the Border.
OPENING CONTEST
The Sheepherders vs S&S Express
The S&S Express start off strong with one dropkick after another on their opponents from New Zealand. Shaun and Steve Simpson deposit Luke Williams to the outside with a double dropkick, then nail Butch Miller with a double back body drop. Luke scrambles back inside the ring to stumble straight into a double hip toss, followed by a double elbow drop. The Simpson twins perform a double kip up and proceed to dump Butch right on top of his own partner as the Sheepherders scramble to the outside to regroup, much to the delight of the fans.
When the action resumes in the ring, the Sheepherders manage to slow down the pace of the match and resort to roughhouse tactics to assume control. Luke and Butch cut the ring in half, keeping Shaun in their corner with constant double-teaming and highly questionable tactics. With the fans firmly supporting the South Africans, Shaun somehow manages to avoid a mistimed tackle as Butch collides into his own partner, knocking Luke to the outside. The S&S Express are back in control and wipe out Butch with the double missile dropkick off the top. As Shaun goes for the cover, Luke returns to the ring and breaks up the pinfall by smashing the flagpole across his back, prompting an automatic disqualification.
Despite the result, the Sheepherders continue to pummel and punish the supposed winners of the contest, often using the flagpole as their weapon of choice. Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho storm the ring to chase away the culprits before more damage could be done.
S&S Express defeated the Sheepherders by disqualification when Luke Williams used the flagpole on Shaun Simpson at 9:34.
ONE-ON-ONE MATCH
Ron Simmons vs The Russian Assassin
Boni Blackstone: Hang on a second, I’m not sure if this is the same Russian Assassin we saw at the League of Nations.
Buddy Rogers: You might be on to something there. He’s gotta be standing at nearly 7-feet tall and should easily be touching 300 pounds.
Boni Blackstone: Not to mention that Nikita Koloff just has to be down ringside in his corner.
Buddy Rogers: Well what’d you expect? Koloff’s gotta size up his opponent before their big dog fight next week at WCCW Across the Border.
The Russian Assassin tries to jump Ron Simmons before the bell, but the All American sidesteps the attempt and sends his masked assailant crashing into the corner. Simmons climbs onto the middle rope and starts pounding away down the face of the Russian Assassin. Simmons follows through with a series of running shoulderblocks, but Koloff reaches underneath the bottom rope and trips his rival from the outside, allowing his masked comrade to capitalize on the distraction.
The Russian Assassin hammers Simmons into the ground with a barrage of double axhandle smashes across the back, followed by elbow drops and a blatant choke. When the referee reprimands the Assassin about his tactics, Koloff seizes the opportunity to choke Simmons behind the referee’s back. The Russian Assassin comes off the middle rope with a double axhandle, but is levelled with a clothesline from Simmons. Before the All American could build on the momentum, Koloff rushes the ring and clobbers him from behind with the steel chain, resulting in the second disqualification of the evening. The Russian Assassin holds Simmons in place, while Koloff gears up to land the big blow with steel chain in hand. The All American ducks out of the way at the last second as Koloff connects with his associate and knocks him out instead! Simmons retaliates with his patented Snap Powerslam as Koloff instantly rolls out of the ring and makes his retreat back up the ramp, having failed to get one over his rival.
Ron Simmons defeated the Russian Assassin by disqualification when Nikita Koloff attacked Simmons at 7:40.
EIGHT-MAN TAG-TEAM MATCH
Texas Outlaws & Minnesota Wrecking Crew vs Los Guerreros, Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho
Reigning WCCW Tag-Team Champions and number one contenders, the Texas Outlaws and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew are constantly arguing amongst themselves, while their opponents find their stride almost immediately, working smoothly together like a well-oiled machine. Los Guerreros, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho tag in and out, setting new standards for multi-man tag-team matches. Getting sick of being dominated, Chavo Guerrero and Sensational Sherri reign the rulebreakers in to regroup and replan strategy.
When the action resumes in the ring, Gene Anderson reverses an Irish Whip and Chavo pulls on the ropes as Benoit falls out of the ring and plummets to the floor. Benoit’s teammates cry foul and try to get to their associate, but the referee stands in their way, allowing the rulebreakers to fully take advantage of the situation and lay the beatdown on the Crippler. Murdoch and Hansen take charge and wail on Benoit. A miscommunication causes Hansen to run smack into Ole Anderson, prompting an argument between the two teams and allowing Benoit to make the much needed tag. Los Guerreros surge forward with headscissors and dropkicks, launching their opponents into one another.
Midway through the contest, the Sheepherders decide to pay a visit ringside whilst carrying folded chairs. Benoit and Jericho require no further invitation as they throw themselves at Luke and Butch, leading to a vicious brawl down ringside. It is literally two against six for Los Guerreros. Chavo reaches underneath the bottom rope and trips Hector from the outside. Ole drives his knee into the spine of his distracted opponent and rolls him up in a schoolboy to pick up the one-two-three.
The Texas Outlaws and the Minnesota Wrecking Crew defeated Los Guerreros, Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho via pinfall when Ole Anderson pinned Hector Guerrero after outside interference from Chavo Guerrero at 12:38.
Viewers are brought to the set of the Heartbreak Hotel as the host stands by to introduce his guest.
Shawn Michaels: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, welcome back once again to this incredulous set of the Heartbreak Hotel. I am your host with the most, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels with some advice for the lovelorn. But before we get ahead of ourselves here, I’ve got a very special guest here tonight, so without further ado, let’s bring out the reigning WCCW Heavyweight Champion himself, the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase.
Shawn Michaels: I don’t know about you, Teddy. But in the opinion of the proprietor of this fine establishment, I think the booking committee and management under Magnum TA stinks.
Ted DiBiase: You know what, Michaels? You are absolutely right. Fritz Von Erich doesn’t know what he’s doing, so he decides to hand the reigns over to that nickel-and-dimer Magnum TA. And this clown makes decisions to further his own cause. Even a blind man could see that. Giving himself a shot at the TV Title? Are you kidding me? What’s next? Is he gonna put himself in the main event against me for my title? The whole mismanagement of WCCW from day one has been a complete joke; I believe I’ve made my feelings pretty clear from the start.
As far as my next challenger is concerned, it is quite obvious that Tatsumi Fujinami is afraid to face me once again because he knows full well that the end result would be the same... that I would send him crawling back with his tail between his legs to that third world country of his. But obviously, that nickel-and-dimer Ricky Steamboat has yet to learn his lesson.
DiBiase stops dead in his tracks when he spots one of his arch nemeses part the curtains and start making his way towards the Heartbreak Hotel.
Ted DiBiase: How dare you interrupt me!
Kerry Von Erich: You bring nothing but disgrace to the WCCW Heavyweight Championship and it’s about time somebody took it off your hands.
Shawn Michaels: Well the last time I checked, your name ain’t on the marquee.
Kerry Von Erich: Neither is yours, Michaels. So stay out of this.
Shawn Michaels: Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa... hold the phone. What’s with the hostility? Hey, it ain’t my fault that you’ve gotten chance after chance at the gold, but can’t make it count. And I’m getting a little sick of hearing about how Kerry Von Erich is the favourite son of Texas. Hey, I’m from Texas too, pal! And I’m San Antonio’s greatest export, thank you very much! The only difference is, my daddy ain’t rich enough to own a wrestling company. Even then, I see it hasn’t helped you much. I guess talent doesn’t really run in the family; it went straight to the grave with Dav...
Von Erich socks Michaels right in the mouth before he could finish that sentence. The Texas Tornado must brace himself against Michaels and DiBiase in a two-on-one situation. Shane Douglas rushes to Von Erich’s side to even up the numbers. The big screen lights up with WCCW commissioner Magnum TA announcing an impromptu match involving all four men to resolve their issues in the ring.
IMPROMPTU MATCH
Ted DiBiase & Shawn Michaels vs Kerry Von Erich & Shane Douglas
As he’s done so many times, Ted DiBiase steps out onto the ring apron and allows his partner to start the match. Shawn Michaels turns around and wanders straight into a right hook from Shane Douglas!
Shawn Michaels: Will you quit hitting me in the face!
Von Erich and Douglas cut the ring in half and work over Michaels, making quick tags and employ double-teaming moves. The fan favourites launch the Boy Toy sky high with a double back body drop, followed by a double elbow drop. Von Erich straddles Michaels in the corner and climbs onto the middle rope, raining fists down the face of the Heartbreak Kid. DiBiase steps inside between the ropes, prompting the referee to attend to him. With the referee’s back turned, Michaels delivers a blatant low blow on the Texas Tornado and turns the match around.
Michaels and DiBiase begin to double-team Von Erich, repeatedly smashing the Texas Tornado into the corner. DiBiase puts Von Erich through a myriad of suplexes, as if showing off to his would-be contenders, then measures the Texas Tornado with his signature fistdrop right between the eyes. DiBiase’s overconfidence causes the champion to miss an elbow off the middle rope as Von Erich rolls out of harm’s way and makes the much needed tag.
Douglas is a house on fire as he tears into the opposition, repeatedly smashing their faces into the turnbuckle, then ramming their heads together. DiBiase thumbs Douglas in the eyes and snares him in the Million Dollar Dream, but the young lion amazingly reverses the hold and has the Million Dollar Man trapped in his own signature maneuver! Michaels catches Von Erich with the superkick from out of nowhere, prompting the referee to admonish the Heartbreak Kid back to his corner. At which time, DiBiase delivers a back heel kick right between the legs of Douglas to finally escape the hold, then rolls him up in a pinning combination.
With both feet on the ropes for added leverage, the Million Dollar Man pins Douglas for the one-two-three to remind everyone why he has remained the one and only WCCW Heavyweight Champion for so long.
Ted DiBiase and Shawn Michaels defeated Kerry Von Erich and Shane Douglas via pinfall when DiBiase pinned Douglas at 12:27.
GRUDGE MATCH
“King” Harley Race vs Magnum TA
Jerry “the King” Lawler joins Buddy Rogers and Boni Blackstone at the announce table for color commentary as his would-be opponent for WCCW Across the Border, “King” Harley Race and conspicuous by her absence is none other than Sensational Sherri who did not accompany her client to the ring. Magnum TA nearly scores a record victory by immediately planting his opponent to the canvas with the Belly-to-Belly Suplex! Race conveniently rolls underneath the bottom rope to the safety of the arena floor to avoid being pinned.
Boni Blackstone: That would’ve been embarrassing had he been pinned like that.
Jerry Lawler: Not as embarrassing as when I’m through with him next week at WCCW Across the Border.
Buddy Rogers: Uh-oh, here comes trouble.
Boni Blackstone: So that’s why Sherri was not out here earlier. She was planning to come out here with her WCCW Texas Television Champion.
Buddy Rogers: She’s gotta protect the Family’s most prized asset.
Boni Blackstone: You would assume that the most prized asset is supposed to be the King since he’s the leader and all.
When the match resumes, Magnum allows himself to be distracted by Austin and Sherri being present down ringside as Race catches him offguard with a headbutt. Race begins to punish Magnum with one variation of suplex after another, from time to time looking over his shoulder at Lawler, as if mocking his rival monarch at the announce table. When Race attempts the Pile Driver, he points directly at Lawler and says “This one’s for you.” The momentary lapse of concentration is all that Magnum needs to counter with a backdrop and follows through with the Belly-to-Belly Suplex! ONE... TWO... THR... AUSTIN DRAGS THE REFEREE THROUGH THE BOTTOM ROPE TO THE OUTSIDE!!! Stunning Steve drops the referee across the guardrail with a modified Stun Gun and takes him out of the match! Lawler has seen enough and tries to even things out. Back in the ring, Race drops Magnum on his head with a brainbuster and goes for the pinfall. ONE... TWO... TH... LAWLER PUTS MAGNUM’S FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!
Before long, Gene and Ole Anderson decide to make their presence felt down ringside as well, resulting in several more outside interferences in the match. After a second referee is taken out in an altercation between Lawler and Austin, the third referee has no other alternative than to throw this one out. After the bell, the First Family continue to work over Magnum TA in the ring until Lawler cleans house, saving the WCCW commissioner from another beatdown at the hands of the First Family.
“King” Harley Race and Magnum TA battled to a no-contest after constant outside interference from the First Family and Jerry “The King” Lawler at 15:05.
MAIN EVENT: NUMBER ONE CONTENDER’S MATCH
Nikita Koloff vs Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
The “All American” Ron Simmons and the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase join Buddy Rogers and Boni Blackstone at the announce table for color commentary in this main event match to determine the fate of the number one contender for the WCCW Heavyweight Championship. The injured Tatsumi Fujinami, sporting a neck brace, accompanies Ricky Steamboat to the ring to reaffirm his support for the Dragon.
Ricky Steamboat is fighting an uphill battle right from the start as Nikita Koloff cuts him down with the Russian Sickle as soon as the bell rings! ONE... TWO... THR... STEAMBOAT BARELY LIFTS A SHOULDER!!! Koloff remains in control for the first half of the contest, continuing to wear Steamboat out with a combination of power moves and submission holds.
Ted DiBiase: Does Steamboat seriously think he can beat me if he can’t even get by this Russian?
Boni Blackstone: Just for argument’s sake, which of these guys would you prefer to face for the title?
Ted DiBiase: What is this, Rogers? Care to put a leash on the skirt? She’s allowed to speak when she wants to?
Buddy Rogers: She’s quite independent to be honest.
Ron Simmons: Just answer the question.
Ted DiBiase: You don’t even belong out here, Simmons, so stay out of it.
Koloff puts the squeeze on with a bearhug, but Steamboat finally frees himself with an ear clap. Steamboat goes to the ropes, but Koloff is quick to use his opponent’s own momentum against him and launches him to the outside.
The Dragon clings on to the top rope and amazingly pulls himself back inside the ring, surprising the Russian Nightmare with a vicious chop across the chest. Picking up steam, the fan favorite leaps off the middle rope and comes crashing down on Koloff with an overhead chop right between the eyes. Looking to finish the match off, Steamboat scales the turnbuckles in preparation for his patented Flying Body Press.
Ted DiBiase abandons his broadcast position and hops onto the ring apron to stop Steamboat from executing the move. Fujinami wrenches DiBiase off the apron and levels the champion with a front slap across the chest, warning the Million Dollar Man from getting involved. Back in the ring, Steamboat goes for his finisher, but Koloff catches him in mid-air with the Russian Sickle! Koloff goes for the lateral press, but the referee is preoccupied with the commotion down ringside. Looking to secure his position as the new number one contender, Koloff retrieves his trusty steel chain from the corner with the intention of putting an end to his opponent. Ron Simmons interjects himself and pulls the chain off Koloff’s hands! Minus the foreign object, Koloff charges ahead at Steamboat with another attempt of the Russian Sickle, but this time, the Dragon dodges the move and counters with a backslide to score the winning pinfall on the Russian Nightmare!
Fujinami and Simmons join Steamboat in the ring in the postmatch celebration as both DiBiase and Koloff retreat back up the ramp with revenge on their minds.
Ricky Steamboat defeated Nikita Koloff via pinfall with a backslide to remain the number one contender to the WCCW Heavyweight Championship at 16:36.