From The Shelf – WCW Fall Brawl 1996

WCW Fall Brawl 1996
9-15-96
Winston-Salem, NC

Your hosts are Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes, and Bobby Heenan

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Dropkicks by Chavo knock DDP to the floor to start. Slingshot summersault pescado by Chavo and he stomps away on Page. Chavo works over Page on the floor and back in, Chavo hits a slingshot splash for 2. Crossbody by Chavo gets 2 and he begins to work the arm of Page. They take turns pulling each other’s hair and Chavo goes back to the arm. Dropkick by Chavo gets Page tied up in the ropes so he charges but Page moves, sending Chavo crashing to the floor. Back in, Page goes up and hits a flying clothesline on Chavo. Page works over Chavo and he goes for a suplex but Chavo counters into a small package for 2. Page hammers the back of Chavo and he hits a release back suplex for 2. Single arm surfboard by Page and he converts it into a chin lock. Chavo begins to fight out so Page knocks him down with a back elbow for 2. Knee lift by Chavo and he hits a springboard cross body. Chavo goes up and hits a missile dropkick to Page for 2. Chavo goes up and hits a hurricanrana off the top for 2. Chavo charges in the corner but he eats elbow for 2 with Page’s feet in the ropes for leverage. Page tosses Chavo into the second ring and he hits a tilt-a-whirl slam for 2. Tilt-a-whirl head scissors by Chavo and he rolls Page up for 2. Tilt-a-whirl powerbomb by Page gets 2. Diamond Cutter by Page gets 3.
Winner- Diamond Dallas Page **3/4 (Solid match to start the show but we were barely introduced to Chavo at this point so the crowd wasn’t engaged in his comeback or his nearfalls. There were points in the match where both guys didn’t know what they wanted to do it was a bit clunky but the final few minutes picked up nicely.)

WCW Special Report on the development of the New World Order airs.

Submission Match- Scott Norton vs. Ice Train w/Teddy Long
Ice Train hip tosses Norton and clotheslines him to start. Big splash by Ice Train and he powerslams Norton. Big splash misses and Norton hits a DDT. Back suplex by Norton and he hits a short arm clothesline. Powerslam by Ice Train and he hits a snap suplex. Avalanche in the corner by Ice Train and Norton comes back with a clothesline. Cross arm breaker by Norton but Ice Train refuses to quit. Sitting neck breaker by Norton and Ice Train comes back with a slam. Crowbar by Ice Train but Norton won’t quit. Leaping clothesline followed by a back senton by Ice Train. He goes for a big splash but it eats knees. Spine buster by Norton and he grabs the Boston Crab. He won’t quit so Norton goes to a standing arm bar. Norton pulls Teddy Long into the ring but this allows Ice Train to attack from behind. Full Nelson by Ice Train and Norton gives!!!
Winner- Ice Train ** (Surprisingly not bad for a purely power match. They didn’t do anything spectacular but they worked a smart submission match where they attempted to wear each other down before locking in submission attempts. No complaints from me since I was considering much worse. )

Mexican Heavyweight Championship- Konnan w/Jimmy Hart © vs. Juventud Guerrera
Konnan fires away to start and he hits a release German suplex on Guerrera. Konnan presses Guerrera to the floor and back in, Guerrera hits a triple springboard spinning heel kick for 2. Guerrera fires away in the corner forcing Konnan to bail but Guerrera quickly follows out with a suicide dive. Guerrera goes for a springboard hurricanrana but Konnan blocks with a power bomb onto the floor!!! Back in, Konnan clotheslines Guerrera and follows with a basement dropkick for 2. Rear abdominal stretch by Konnan and he the hold when Guerrera refuses to quit. Springboard hurricanrana by Juvi and he dropkicks Konnan to the floor. Slingshot pescado to the floor by Guerrera and back in, he hits a missile dropkick to the back. Konnan backdrops Juvi onto the ropes and he hits a power bomb. Grapevine by Konnan but again, Guerrera refuses to quit. Ugly springboard moonsault press by Juvi and Konnan hits a jackknife powerbomb. Dropkick to the leg by Konnan and he hits the rolling German suplexes, forcing Guerrera to bail. Springboard dropkick by Guerrera and he follows up with a leg drop for 2. They fight on the apron and Guerrera goes for an apron bomb but Konnan blocks. Dropkick off the apron by Konnan and back in, Konnan goes up. Guerrera crotches him but Konnan is able to catch him with a second rope dropkick for 2. Guerrera blocks a roll-up for 2 and he hits a spinning heel kick to the back of Konnan for 2. Wheelbarrow suplex by Konnan but Guerrera comes back with a springboard dropkick onto the apron. Guerrera goes up and hits a summersault guillotine leg drop. Guerrera goes up and hits the 450 splash for 2. Twisting splash off the top by Juvi gets 2. Alabama Slam by Konnan gets 2. Konnan hits the Muscle Buster for 2. Power Drop by Konnan gets 3.
Winner and Still Mexican Heavyweight Champion- Konnan ***1/4 (This was a pretty good match with Juventud having a great showcase of his flashy, high flying style and Konnan was starting to develop the character that made him a star in WCW, so this was the most interesting he has been since his WCW debut. They were trying hard to have a great match but a lot of the flashy moves and spots involved them just waiting around to nail the spot, so it wasn’t fluid and it resulted in a clunky albeit exciting contest.)

Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit
They slap each other to start and Benoit pulls Jericho down by the hair. Backdrop by Benoit and he hits a back suplex for 2. Spinebuster by Benoit and he grabs the Boston Crab. Benoit releases and Jericho catches him with a spinning heel kick for 2. Dragon screw leg sweep by Jericho and he rolls Benoit up for 2. Dropkick to the back by Jericho and he hits a springboard dropkick knocking Benoit off the apron. Jericho with an ugly springboard back elbow to the floor where he crashes into the apron as well.
Back in, Jericho hits a missile dropkick for 2. Powerbomb by Jericho gets 2. Tiger suplex by Jericho gets 2 as Benoit is in the ropes. They trade blows and Jericho ends that with a spin kick. Benoit back suplexes Jericho all the way to the floor!!! Benoit sends Jericho into the post and back in, Benoit hits a knee to the gut of Jericho. Gordbuster in the ropes by Benoit and he hits a back elbow for 2. Abdominal stretch by Benoit but Jericho arm drags out. Slam by Benoit and he goes up. Swan dive head butt by Benoit gets 2. Benoit dumps Jericho to the floor and he rams Jericho into the apron. Back in, Jericho small packages Benoit for 2. Backslide by Jericho gets 2. Surfboard by Benoit but Jericho refuses to quit. Benoit works Jericho over in the corner and he goes for a catapult but Jericho counters into a roll-up for 2. Northern lights suplex by Jericho gets 2. They slug it out and Jericho reverses a Tombstone attempt into his own!!! Lionsault misses and he catches Benoit with a lariat for 2. Frankensteiner off the top by Jericho gets 2. Jericho goes up but Benoit crotches him and follows up. Back superplex by Benoit gets 3!!!
Winner- Chris Benoit ***3/4 (Excellent match. They worked a very physical, intense match that finally woke up the crowd and got them engaged. Benoit gave Jericho a ton of offense while simultaneously being an absolute machine, so it was a sign of things to come for these two as rivals. A great early chapter in their feud and it’ll be hard to top this for match of the night.)

WCW Cruiserweight Championship- Rey Mysterio Jr. © vs. Super Calo
Calo works the arm to start and he catches Rey with a running powerslam. Second rope elbow drop by Calo gets 2. Calo works the arm again but Mysterio escapes. Springboard hurricanrana by Mysterio sends Calo to the floor. Back in, Calo hits a slingshot powerbomb for 2. Calo goes up and hits a shoulder tackle off the top. Calo clotheslines Mysterio to the floor and he goes up. Missile dropkick to the floor by Calo!!!! Calo slams Mysterio on the floor and hits a Hilo to the floor onto Mysterio!!! Back in, Calo covers for 2. Tilt-a-whirl slam by Calo gets 2. Calo puts Mysterio on top and follows up. Head scissors off the top by Calo gets 2. Calo sends Mysterio shoulder first into the corner and he snaps Mysterio’s arm off the ropes. Hip toss into a short arm scissors by Calo but Mysterio won’t quit. Dropkick by Calo and he clotheslines Mysterio. Snap mare and Calo goes to the rear abdominal stretch. He goes to the Mexican surfboard and converts it into a cover for 2. Mysterio bails to recover and back in, Mysterio catches Calo with a dropkick. Mysterio crossbodys Calo to the floor after some difficulty and he hits the summersault plancha to the floor!!! Back in, Mysterio springboards in but Calo catches him with a dropkick for 2!!! Calo goes back to the arm and he sends Mysterio shoulder first into the corner again. Calo snaps Mysterio’s arm off the ropes again and he rams Mysterio into the railings. Mysterio catches Calo with a hurricanrana off the apron to the floor!!!! Baseball slide by Mysterio and hits a springboard summersault plancha to the floor!!! Back in, Mysterio springboards into the sunset flip for 2. Springboard corkscrew press by Mysterio gets 2. Calo blocks a headscissors attempt into the electric chair for 2. Hurricanrana by Mysterio gets 2. Spinning heel kick by Mysterio and Calo misses a dropkick. Double springboard West Coast Pop by Mysterio gets 3!!!
Winner and Still WCW Cruiserweight Champion- Rey Mysterio Jr. ***1/2 (Really good Lucha Libre match, with Calo being relentless on the arm of Mysterio but he couldn’t keep up with the speed and agility of Mysterio in the long term. It was another case on this show where the action was really good but the crowd wasn’t accustomed to this style of match so they didn’t get engaged as much as they should have. )

WCW Tag Team Championships- Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) © w/Sister Sherri and Col. Rob Parker vs. Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Saggs)
Saggs and Ray start. Ray peppers Saggs in the corner with forearms and Saggs comes back with a clothesline for 2. Back in, Knobbs tags in and the Nasty Boys double team Ray in the corner. Back elbow by Knobbs gets 1. Tag to Booker and Knobbs catches him with a clothesline for 2. Tag to Saggs and they hit a drop toe hold/knee drop combo. Sitting neck breaker by Saggs gets 2 and Knobbs tags in. Clothesline by Knobbs and Sherri prevents Pity City, allowing Ray to attack Knobbs from behind. Harlem Heat double team Knobbs and Ray clotheslines Knobbs. Knee drop by Ray gets 2 and he catches Knobbs with a bicycle kick for 2. Booker comes in and he goes to the chin lock. Knobbs fights out so Booker catches him with a flying forearm. Booker dumps Knobbs to the floor and Sherri gets some cheap shots in. Booker works over Knobbs on the floor and back in, he covers for 2. Tag to Ray and he snap mares Knobbs into a leg drop. Tag to Booker and he hits a second rope axe handle. Leg lariat misses and Booker crashes to the floor. Tag to Saggs and he bulldogs Booker. Powerslam by Saggs and he drags Sherri into the ring. He rolls Booker up for 2. Piledriver by Saggs gets 2 as Ray saves. Saggs goes up but Parker shakes the ropes, sending him crashing to the mat. Saggs goes after him on the floor and Ray catches him with a clothesline. Back in, Booker covers for 2 and he hits a Scissors kick sending Saggs back to the floor. Parker and Sherri work him over and back in, Ray hits a back elbow for 2. Tag to Booker and Saggs slams Harlem Heat’s faces into the mat. Tag to Knobbs and he cleans house. Big splash to Booker gets 2 as Ray saves. Double shoulder block to Ray and Saggs hits a Pump Handle Splash. Second rope splash by Knobbs but Parker distract the ref, allowing Sherri to come in and nail Knobbs with the cane. Booker rolls on top for 3.
Winners and Still WCW Tag Team Champion- Harlem Heat **1/2 (This was a very pedestrian, by the numbers tag match from both teams. They followed a simple formula for the match and the finish was the typical cheating finish that you’ve seen in WCW tag matches for years. For what this was supposed to be, it was fine.)

Randy Savage says he is going to whoop the Giant and take the momentum into Halloween Havoc against Hollywood Hogan.

Randy Savage vs. The Giant
Savage prevents Giant from entering the ring to start and he attacks him in the entrance way. Giant blocks a slam and he presses Savage back into the ring. Giant works over Savage in the corner and he catches Savage with a clothesline. Giant chokes Savage in the ropes and he hits a back breaker. Giant stretches Savage against his back and releases after Savage refuses to quit. Boston Crab by Giant and Savage makes the ropes to break. Bear hug by Giant but Savage rakes the eyes to break. Savage goes up and leaps but Giant catches him with a slam. Knee drop misses and Savage begins to attack the bad leg. Savage goes up and hits a bulldog off the top for 2. Slam by Savage and he goes up. Savage goes up and hits the flying elbow drop. Hollywood Hogan comes out and tells Savage to come after him. Savage stalks Hogan to the back and he walks into an attack from the Outsiders. Nick Patrick takes his time scolding the Giant and the N.W.O bring Savage back to the ring. Giant covers for 3.
Winner- The Giant ** (Pretty simple match with some great storytelling elements. Giant dominates the match but Savage is resilient and he takes down the monster. He has the win in his grasps but his arch rival Hogan distracts him, causing him to walk into a trap and lose due to the N.W.O having the referee in their pocket. This was well done and reflects on how well booked the N.W.O were in their early stages. )

Ric Flair says that they are in the house that the Horsemen built and they promise a war with or without Sting. Sting appears in the locker room and he claims it wasn’t him that attacked Luger on Monday Night. Luger says he doesn’t believe him so Sting tells him he’ll see him in a bit.

War Games-New World Order (Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and ???) w/Ted Dibiase vs. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger, and ???
Sting apparently attacked Lex Luger on Nitro but we didn’t get a clear shot of his face, so we don’t know where Sting’s loyalty lies. Hall and Anderson start. Hall attacks to start and Anderson fires back. Hall rams the back of AA’s head off the cage but AA takes him down and begins to work the leg of Hall. Hall works over Anderson to come back and Anderson grabs a sleeper on Hall. Hall breaks with a back suplex and AA catches Hall with the spine buster. Half crab by Anderson and Kevin Nash is the next entrant. The Outsiders double team AA and send him into the cage. Clothesline by Hall and the Outsiders continue to work over AA. Lex Luger is the next entrant and he hits a double clothesline on the Outsiders. He sends them into the cage and cleans house. Flying forearms to the Outsiders by Luger and he pole vaults Hall into the cage. Everyone brawls as Hollywood Hulk Hogan is the next entrant. Hogan fires away but Luger and AA double team him to come back. Hall makes the save for Hogan and everyone brawls around for a bit. Hogan sends AA into the cage and he hits the leg drop on him. Ric Flair is the next entrant and Hogan attacks. Flair throws some jabs and he knocks Hogan down. Flair goes low on the Outsiders and he grabs the Figure-4 on Hogan. Apparently Sting is the next entrant as Nash hits the Jackknife Powerbomb on Luger. Sting attacks Luger and hits a bulldog. Hogan sends Flair into the cage and the N.W.O takes total control of the match. Hogan slams Flair and he hits the leg drop. Stinger Splash to AA, Luger, and Flair and THE REAL STING COMES OUT!!!! Sting bulldogs the fake Sting and he cleans house on the N.W.O. Stinger Splashes to every member of the N.W.O by Sting. Bulldog to Hall and Sting asks Luger if that was good enough for them. Sting walks out!!! Hogan hits a big boot to Luger and he hits the leg drop. Back suplex by Hogan and the imposter Sting grabs the Scorpion Deathlock on Luger. Hogan grabs a front face lock to add pressure and they call for the bell as Luger is out!!!
Winners- New World Order *** ( Can’t blame Sting for being pissed and leaving his teammates since they were being total dicks about questioning Sting’s loyalty. This was a decent brawl but the heavy focus on the match was on the Sting angle so everything they did was to buy time before the angle kicked in. Still, one of the better N.W.O. main event outing and a famous match that launched the birth of “Crow” Sting and set the wheels in motion for Hogan/Sting one year later. )

After the match, the N.W.O continue the assault on team WCW and Luger calls for Sting as he crawls toward the back. Both teams continue to brawl in the entrance way and Randy Savage comes out and drags Hogan back to the ring!!! He stalks Hogan but the Giant comes out and attacks Savage from behind. Chokeslam to Savage and Miss Elizabeth comes out to beg with Hogan. She shields Savage so Hogan spray paints Elizabeth. Hogan calls them losers and says they are together till death do them part. He promises to make that happen.

6.5

The final score: review Average

The 411

This was a solid effort from WCW. This was around the time where the midcard was starting to grow into the awesome group it would later become, with Chris Jericho and the Cruiserweight Division coming in and filling slots on the card, bring more fast paced, high flying, technical action. This was one of the first shows where the undercard was pretty good and even the main matches weren't all that bad. This wasn't a classic show or anything, but it was a consistent one and the main event, while nothing great, was solid and begin the rebirth of Sting into his darker persona. Again, the show as a whole is nothing memorable but everyone put in a good effort so I'd say this is worth a glance in your freetime.