WCW Beach Blast 92'
Mobile, AL - June 1992
CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into this show, the first under Bill Watts, the WCW World Champion was Sting, the United States Champion was Rick Rude, the TV Title was held by Steve Austin, the Light Heavyweight Champion was Brian Pillman, and the Tag Team Champions were The Steiner Brothers.
After we see Jesse Ventura make his entrance surrounded by a bunch of scantily-clad females (and a short message from Bill Watts), Flyin' Brian defends his Light Heavyweight Title against Johnny Flamingo (who would achieve much greater fame as Raven some years later). While Pillman had made his name with his high-flying moves, this one starts off very mat-based, with some scientific chain wrestling. Pillman controls early and Flamingo looks to be in trouble, especially when he lands back-first onto the unpadded arena floor (Watts had gotten rid of the padding to inhibit out-of-the-ring action, but all it did was take some of the bullets out of the high-flyers' guns by preventing them from doing dives). Flamingo is able to gain control and tries to wear Pillman down with a headlock, but Flyin' Brian rallies and counters a sleeper by jumping on Flamingo's back. Flamingo stun-guns him onto the top turnbuckle, though, and both guys are down. They trade blows and Flamingo attempts a double axehandle from the top only for Pillman to catch him with a dropkick! Pillman follows it with a spinning heel kick and tosses Flamingo into the corner. He hits him a big chest chop and then delivers some big right hands. Pillman goes or a crossbody, but Flamingo turns it into a spinning bodyslam ala Randy Orton. Flamingo adds insult to injury by slapping Pillman in the face and then gloats in the corner. Pillman surprises him with a big side suplex from the top and goes for the cover - but Flamingo gets his foot on the rope. Pillman gives him a receipt with a big slap to the face of his own and then hits him with a nasty clothesline to the back of the head. Pillman then clotheslines him onto the ramp and attempts a dive - but Flamingo moves out of the way! Flamingo is back in the ring first and hits Pillman with a flying knee to the ribs as he rolls into the ring. Flamingo then makes the cover and we have a new Light Heavyweight Champion. Solid match and, to some, maybe an unheralded classic, but I would just consider it better than average (but not quite great). (3/5)
Johnny B. Badd makes his way down the aisle to judge the evening's Miss WCW Contest. Badd explains that the first round is an Evening Gown contest (the crowd boos), followed by a swimsuit contest, followed by a bikini contest (aren't swimsuits and bikinis the same thing?). Missy Hyatt comes out first to a large pop and looks rather classy. For some reason, the camera cuts to the entrance tent and holds there for. Madusa comes out next in a full bridal gown with her veil on backwards. Its an odd look. Well, that filled 3 minutes. Wasn't Terri Runnels still under contract? Where was she for this?
After a short promo for The Great American Bash, JR sends things back to Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff, who discuss the next bout: Ron Simmons vs. "The Taylor-Made Man" Terry Taylor. Simmons looks pretty good here and Taylor is always competent, but this match just goes a bit long and doesn't feature any special moments. I'm not sure if these two had a legit feud going on before this match, but without any stakes or personal issue, the match is just kinda there with Taylor not really doing anything heelish and the crowd not really given a reason to get behind Simmons. I liked the out-of-nowhere finish, but would've preferred it to happen 2-3 minutes earlier. (2.5/5)
A young Marcus Bagwell takes on Greg "The Hammer" Valentine next. Valentine's entrance music is a rip-off of "Eye of the Tiger" for some reason. The story here is that Bagwell is the hardworking rookie and Valentine is the grizzled vet, which is simple-but-effective and gives JR and Ventura something to work with (which they didn't really have in the last match). Valentine controls the pace and focuses on Bagwell's legs, but the rookie (he really was just in his 2nd year and 1st for WCW) manages to get some hope spots in and shows some real toughness. Bagwell's selling is also really good here, especially in the moments leading up to Valentine locking in the figure four. A post-match angle might've helped Bagwell a bit, but even in a loss, he came out looking pretty good and Valentine, a guy I don't remember winning many big matches in WWE, got to actually live up to his reputation as a tough guy. (2.5/5)
Here we go with one of the night's marquee matches - Cactus Jack vs. Sting in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Sting comes into this match as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, but this is not for the title. Sting goes after Cactus on the rampway and the crowd goes insane. Sting attempts a Stinger Splash on the ramp, but Cactus dodges it and takes control, hitting the Stinger with an elbow drop on the concrete floor. Jack hits a sunset flip from the apron to the floor and nearly breaks his leg on the guardrail. That was ridiculous. Sting sends him face first into the rail repeatedly and gets back-body dropped over it soon after. Into the crowd they go, Jack eating a suplex on the concrete floor and then whipped over the rail. They go into the ring and Jack is able to regain control with a terrific clothesline. Jack applies a body scissors, a rare submission hold from the brawler. Back to the outside they go and the stiff shots continue, Jack eventually grabbing a chair and bashing it over Sting's back. Jack looks to bring Sting to the rail, but the Stinger counters by back suplexing him on the concrete floor! After trading some blows, Sting launches himself onto Cactus and ends up landing on the rail. Jack attempts a piledriver, but is unable to really execute it. Foley goes to the second rope and attempts an elbow drop on the concrete floor but doesn't really connect with that either. Back to the rampway they go and Sting delivers a big body slam before grabbing a chair to a huge response. Sting delivers some big chair shots to Jack's back and then his leg before attempting to tie him up in the Scorpion Death Lock. They spill over the ramp, though, and Jack gets up first. Jack hits Sting with a double underhook DDT on the ramp for 2. Jack goes looking for a chair, but Sting hits him with a clothesline and then an even bigger one from the top rope onto the ramp to get the win. I would've liked to see this match end with a bigger spot rather than just a clothesline from the top rope, but one must give credit to WCW for not just ending every match with one guy hitting their finisher. Not an all-time classic, but a fun, action-packed match between two guys who had tremendous chemistry. (3.5/5)
The Ironman Challenge Match is next - the United States Champion Rick Rude taking on Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. This is a non-title match and I'm not exactly sure why. I'm not usually a fan of Ironman Matches (especially when they go 60 minutes), but Steamboat might be the best "ironman" ever due to the marathons he put on with Flair in 89' and then this match here, maybe the best Ironman Match ever due to the pacing and the brilliant use of the clock. Rude gets a 2-pinfall lead a little bit early (one of the knocks against the match) and it is somewhat hard to believe that Steamboat would go down in under 10 minutes...but Steamboat is also a master, underdog babyface, not an unbeatable monster like Hogan or the Warrior, and while he had control in the early going, he sells "getting his bell rung" well enough that it is totally plausible that Rude could steal the first pin and then capitalize on that with a Rude Awakening (he also had a handful of Steamer's trunks on that first pin too). From there, we get a classic spot - Rick Rude intentially taking a DQ loss by going off the top rope just to go up 3-1 anyway. I'm not sure if he was the first guy to invent that development in an Ironman Match, but we've seen it at least a half-dozen times since. But looking at just the pins doesn't tell the whole story of how great this match is - Rick Rude's selling is top notch throughout and Steamboat is just incredible as the guy trying to fight his way back from being down two pinfalls in an Ironman Match. One of my favorite sequences happens around minute 10 when Steamboat just goes crazy trying to get a pinfall with every roll-up ever invented. He can smell blood and the urgency he shows is just awesome. Unlike so many other Ironman Matches, this one is an absolute breeze to watch. Its a 30-minute match that feels like half that time because even the submission stretches (and there aren't even that many) are done with spirit and gusto especially the sleeper hold sequence towards the end of the match. An all-time classic. (4.5/5)
Johnny B. Badd comes out for the next round of the Miss Beach Blast contest or whatever this was. Madusa comes out first, but her bikini is mostly covered up. Then Missy Hyatt comes out considerably less covered up and gets a huge babyface pop. Despite both women wearing what looked to be bikinis, this was not the bikini contest somehow.
A special 6-man tag match is next - "Stunning" Steve Austin, "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton, and Arn Anderson of the Dangerous Alliance taking on Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, and Nikita Koloff. The special guest referee for this contest is Ole Anderson, which would lead one to think that the Dangerous Alliance has the advantage considering his long-term friendship with Double A. Windham and Austin start things off, Windham hitting a Japanese Arm Drag off the second rope early on. Dustin comes in next, but isn't able to capitalize for too long before Eaton comes in. Dustin and Eaton go back and forth, but Eaton tags out to Arn, who taunts Nikita until Dustin makes the tag. Double A threatens to go off the top but is stopped by Ole Anderson. This leads to some interesting comments about the "no top rope rule" from JR, essentially defending it against critics who "don't understand" why it is in play. Koloff ends up clotheslining Anderson over the top and to the floor, which Ventura notes should probably be a DQ too. They bicker about what was the actual cause of Anderson going over the top rope and, purposely or not, confuse the matter even more and make it seem too confusing for even the commentators to understand. Koloff gets hot and all the heels feed him before we get back to Koloff and Double A in the ring. Koloff tags out to Barry Windham, another guy with considerable history with Arn Anderson. Barry hits Arn with an atomic drop, but after he runs into the turnbuckle, his head snaps back and nearly busts Barry's nose int oblivion. Anderson hits a double axehandle from the second rope and he and Barry trade blows in the corner. Windham applies a sleeper at the 10-minute mark, but Anderson counters it with a back suplex. Windham tags in Dustin who comes in like a house on fire and hits everyone moving. Anderson desperately tosses Windham into Eaton and their heads collide, allowing Steve Austin to come in and attack. Dustin now plays face-in-peril as the heels cut the ring in half. Rhodes has some good hope spots inserted into the lengthy beatdown, but the cut-offs from Anderson and Austin are just as good. If this match were happening today, it would be loaded with dozens of crazy spots and at least one Tower of Doom, but this one gets the same mileage out of considerably less because the sequences all make sense and build off of each other without feeling overtly choreographed. I liked the finish too - Dustin Rhodes eventually makes the hot tag, Windham comes in and runs wild, but because the melee is so crazy, Ole Anderson looks control and misses Windham's superplex (which was now illegal?) but does catch Arn Anderson's retaliatory double axehandle from the top rope, giving the DQ win to the babyfaces but not a super satisfactory one as the heels are still ready to fight after the bell. This isn't a must-see match or anything, but its very good for what it was. (3.5/5)
Eric Bischoff interviews Ricky Steamboat, who clearly wants a shot at Rick Rude's US Title after tonight's victory. Dangerously shows up and tells him that he will not be getting a shot at the belt. Cactus Jack then shows up and attacks Steamboat, the two men brawling on the arena floor until they're separated by security. JR guesses that Jack was hired by Dangerously.
Ventura takes over hosting duties for the bikini contest, sticking up for Madusa, who comes out in a bikini and chaps and gets booed. Before Missy Hyatt comes out, she complains from her changing booth that her bikini has been stolen. She grabs Ventura's doo-rag and proceeds to walk out in...Jesse Ventura's doo-rag, which actually covers up more than the swimsuit she was wearing earlier. How stupid. I'm going to go ahead and reward this a point for being pure Wrestlecraptastic. (+1)
Main event time - WCW World Tag Team Champions, The Steiner Brothers, defending the straps against legendary gaijin, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, aka the Miracle Violence Connection. Gordy was 31 at this time, which is surprising considering that even in 92' he was already somewhat a legendary figure. While the same could be said of Williams, "Dr.Death" would go on to get more quality runs in Japan and, to a lesser degree, in the States, while Gordy would suffer brain damage about a year later and never really get a legit shot at being a top guy during the Monday Night Wars (though he would appear, briefly, as The Executioner in the WWE in 96'). The match begins with a little bit of actual wrestling but very quickly devolves into a brawl, which isn't too surprising considering the toughness of both teams. Randy Anderson regains control and we get a good sequence out of Scott and Williams, "Dr.Death" no stranger to the world of mat wrestling. The crowd would likely be more enthused if they just let loose on each other, but I like the fact that these two wanted to test their legit wrestling skills before they started using knees and elbows. Steiner attempts a sunset flip but only gets 2 and applies a headlock immediately after. Rick comes in and the crowd erupts in dog grunts. JR notes that he and Williams used to be partners in the Varsity Club stable back in the day. The Gremlin attends a hiptoss, but Williams blocks it. Moments later, though, Steiner is able to hit Dr. Death with a huge belly-to-belly. Williams rolls to the outside to regroup with Gordy. Williams comes in with a new focus and hits Steiner with a bodyslam and then a series of tackles to Rick Steiner's knees. He goes for a third, but Rick Steiner counters with a huge Steinerline from the corner to a huge pop. Gordy gets the tag and takes over, tossing Steiner into the corner. He tries to charge him but Steiner escapes. Steiner is distracted by the ref and Gordy hits him with a back suplex of his own. Gordy applies a headlock, but Steiner delivers a suplex of his own. Gordy tags out to Williams, who eats some blows from Rick Steiner before tossing him out to the rampway. The camera misses it, but Williams hits Rick with a shoulderblock through the ropes. Steiner fights his way back in and, thanks to Scotty's help, attempts another sunset flip for 2. Gordy comes in and applies a half-crab on the Dog-Faced Gremlin. Scott Steiner works hard to engage the crowd as Rick Steiner turns over and tries to break free from what is now just a straight-up leglock. Rick Steiner turns it into a pinning predicament, but only gets 2. Gordy gets back on his feet and applies a toe hold, but Steiner kicks his way out. Steiner then hits an overhead belly-to-belly, no-selling all of the leg damage instantly. Scotty comes in and hits a suplex of his own and then attempts to apply a Bow-and-Arrow onto Gordy, who is just too big to be twisted up. Gordy manages to get a tag and Williams takes over, beating down on Steiner with simple strikes and kicks before applying a headlock. Gordy comes back in and sends Steiner to the ropes, but Scott counters with a crossbody. Gordy tags Williams back in and now its a 2-on-1, with Gordy holding onto Scott Steiner and hitting him with a big chop before stomping directly on his lower knee. Gordy stays in and applies another leglock, focusing his efforts on Scott Steiner's damaged left knee. Steiner manages to wrestle his way out but Gordy cuts him back down with a big clothesline. Dr. Death comes in and applies an ankle lock, but Scott Steiner kicks him off. Steiner can't make the tag, though, as Williams kicks him in the ribs and continues to keep the pressure on him. Gordy comes back in, but can't get a 3. He delivers a snap suplex and then goes right back to Scott Steiner's legs. Gordy tags Death back in, Williams striking Steiner straight in the jaw. Steiner tries to fight back but Williams applies a half-crab to keep Scott Steiner on the mat. Williams demands the ref to ask Scott Steiner if he wants to submit but Steiner shakes him off. Gordy comes in and drags Steiner back to the center of the ring to reapply the half-crab. Gordy simplifies thing by turning it into an anklelock, pulling Steiner away from his corner every time he looks like he might make the tag. Williams comes back in and applies a full Boston Crab this time. I wouldn't call this match outright boring at this point, but maybe just a touch too repetitive? The crowd seems generally into it too. Scott Steiner eventually crawls his way into the corner and Rick comes in for the hot tag, but the pop isn't nearly as big as it could've/should've been. Rick Steiner hits Dr. Death with the bulldog from the second rope and then Scott Steiner comes in to try to assist, but Gordy makes the save and Williams clocks Rick Steiner with a nasty clothesline. Gordy then hits him with a piledriver-like slam from the second rope...but he can't make the cover because Williams is the legal man. Williams attempts to cover him but only gets 2, the crowd cheering on the Gremlin. Gordy and Williams try to take Rick Steiner down with a double shoulder-block but only get 2 as Scott Steiner staggers his way back into their corner. Steiner is now the one eating offense in the middle of the ring, though at least its not a series of submission moves now. Gordy and Williams tag in and out frequently, taking turns putting the boots to the Gremlin. Williams applies a clutch from behind, trying his best to put Steiner to sleep. Rick elbows his way out but Williams hits him with a gut-wrench powerbomb. Williams puts himself between Rick and Scott by putting a facelock on the Dog Faced Gremlin. The announcer declares that there are just 2 minutes left in the match and it has been all Gordy and Williams for the past 20 at least. Williams rams Rick Steiner into the corner, but Rick escapes and strikes with a Steinerline! Williams makes the tag to Gordy, though, and though Gordy catches him in the corner, on his second attempt, Rick Steiner waffles him with another Steinerline! Rick Steiner makes the save and Scotty comes in, catching his opponents with two back body drops and a pair of scoop slams. Steiner hits Gordy with a double-underhook powerbomb and then a Frankensteiner, but the time has expired! The match is declared a draw, when garners some boos, but the crowd pops when it is announced that the Steiners have retained the titles. I can't imagine the WWE ending a PPV with a draw in this era or really any era - but, then again, they've ended shows with far worse (like DQ finishes in Hell in a Cell matches). There were elements of this match that I really liked, but there were also stretches that were very repetitive and the finish was a disappointment and made the whole match seem a bit like a waste of time. (2.5/5)
With a Kwang Score of 3.29-out-of-5, Beach Blast 92' is worth a watch if you're a fan of this oft-overlooked era of WCW, the brief period when the company was built around the heel faction of the Dangerous Alliance and a trio of beloved fan favorites in Sting, Ricky Steamboat, and Dustin Rhodes. The Steamboat/Rude match is in the running for best Ironman match ever, Cactus Jack and Sting's match is well above-average, and the six-man tag exceeded my expectations too.
FINAL RATING - Watch It...With Remote in Hand
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