Chi-Town Rumble
Encyclopedia
Chi-Town Rumble was a professional wrestling
pay-per-view
event produced by World Championship Wrestling
(WCW) under the National Wrestling Alliance
banner. It took place on February 20, 1989 at the UIC Pavilion
in Chicago, Illinois
.
The main event was a standard wrestling match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
. Ric Flair
defended the title against Ricky Steamboat
. Steamboat pinned Flair with a Small Package to win the title.
Featured matches on the undercard were Road Warriors
(Hawk
and Animal
) versus Varsity Club
(Steve Williams and Kevin Sullivan
) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
, Lex Luger
versus Barry Windham
for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
, Mike Rotunda
versus Rick Steiner
for the NWA World Television Championship
, Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton
and Stan Lane
) and Jim Cornette
versus Original Midnight Express (Jack Victory
and Randy Rose
) and Paul E. Dangerously
in a Loser Leaves NWA match, Sting
versus Butch Reed
and Michael Hayes
versus Russian Assassin #1
.
, plots and storylines
that were played out on World Wide Wrestling
, Pro
and World Championship Wrestling
–World Championship Wrestling
(WCW)'s television programs. Wrestlers portrayed a hero
, villain
or a tweener as they followed a series of events that built tension, and culminated in a wrestling match or a series of matches.
The main rivalry
heading into the event was between Ric Flair
and Ricky Steamboat
for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
. At Starrcade
, Flair defeated Lex Luger
to retain the title. On January 21 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Steamboat returned to WCW as Eddie Gilbert's surprise partner against Flair and Barry Windham
in a tag team
match. Steamboat pinned Flair to win the match and demanded a shot against Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Flair would defend the title against Steamboat at Chi-Town Rumble.
The main tag team rivalry heading into the event was between Road Warriors
(Hawk
and Animal
) and Varsity Club
(Steve Williams and Kevin Sullivan
) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
. At Starrcade, Varsity Club defeated The Fantastics
(Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers
) to win the NWA United States Tag Team Championship
. Later that night, Road Warriors retained the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Sting
and Dusty Rhodes
by intentional disqualification. On January 14 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Sullivan and Williams challenged Road Warriors to a match for the World Tag Team title. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Road Warriors would defend the title against Sullivan and Williams at Chi-Town Rumble.
Another tag team rivalry heading into the event was between Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton
and Stan Lane
) and Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey
and Randy Rose
). At Starrcade, Eaton and Lane defeated Condrey and Rose in a tag team match. The rivalry expanded to involve their manager
s Jim Cornette
and Paul E. Dangerously
respectively. On January 14 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Dangerously announced that he would force Cornette out of NWA. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that a Six-man Loser Leaves NWA match would take place pitting Midnight Express and Cornette against Original Midnight Express and Dangerously.
A secondary rivalry heading into the event was between Barry Windham and Lex Luger for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
. At Starrcade, Windham defeated Bam Bam Bigelow to retain the US title. Later that night, Luger was defeated by Ric Flair in a title shot for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Windham and Luger's rivalry dated back to April 23 edition of World Championship Wrestling in 1988, when Windham turned on Luger during a NWA World Tag Team Championship title defense against Arn Anderson
and Tully Blanchard
and joined Four Horsemen
. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Windham would defend the United States title against Luger at Chi-Town Rumble.
Another secondary rivalry heading into the event was between Rick Steiner
and Mike Rotunda
for the NWA World Television Championship
. At Starrcade, Steiner defeated Rotunda to win the Television title. On January 14 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Steiner defeated Rotunda to retain the title in a rematch when Steve Williams caused the disqualification by attacking Steiner. On January 21 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Rotunda expressed about his quest to regain the title. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Steiner would defend the TV title against Rotunda at Chi-Town Rumble.
and Russian Assassin #1
. Assassin delivered a series of Jumping Lariats called Russian Sickle to Hayes. Hayes made comebacks during the match but Assassin dominated him. Assassin's manager
Paul Jones
interfered in the match by attacking Hayes. Assassin tried to attack Hayes in the corner but Hayes countered it and tried to perform a Bulldog but Assassin pushed him to the mat. Assassin tried to deliver a Suplex
but Hayes countered it. Hayes avoided a Corner Clothesline by Assassin and delivered him Mounted Punches in the corner. Hayes followed with a DDT
to win the match.
The next match was between Sting
and Butch Reed
. Sting dominated Reed in the earlier part of the match. Reed gained momentum in the match with the help of his manager Hiro Matsuda
. Reed applied a Chinlock and began using dirty tactics. Sting tossed Reed into the corner and tried to perform a Corner Splash, which he called Stinger Splash but Reed avoided it. Reed tried to perform a Corner Clothesline but fell out to the floor. Sting delivered a Vertical Suplex to Reed and tried to pin him but got a near-fall as Matsuda pulled Sting out of the ring. Reed took advantage and pulled Sting in the ring to perform a Swinging Neckbreaker. He applied another Chinlock. Sting countered with a Jawbreaker. Sting performed a Diving Elbow Drop. Reed threw Sting out of the ring and stomped him on the apron. Sting managed to deliver a Shoulder Block and tried to perform a Sunset Flip but Reed fell on Sting and held the ropes for the pinfall. The referee
Teddy Long
pulled Reed from the ropes, causing Sting to pin Reed with the Sunset Flip for the win.
The third match was a Loser Leaves NWA match pitting Midnight Express
(Bobby Eaton
and Stan Lane
) and their manager Jim Cornette
against Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey
and Randy Rose
) and their manager Paul E. Dangerously
. Condrey left NWA just before the event and was replaced by Jack Victory
. Lane and Rose started the match. The match went back and forth with both teams exchanging momentum. Dangerously was eventually tagged into the match. Dangerously tagged in Rose after a few attacks. Rose was tagged in. Dangerously distracted Cornette, allowing Rose to attack Cornette. He tagged in Dangerously, allowing Cornette and Dangerously to battle each other for the first time in the match. The match continued until miscommunication occurred between Original Midnight Express. Cornette tripped Dangerously outside the ring while Eaton and Lane delivered a Double Flapjack to Rose to win the match.
The next match that occurred was between Rick Steiner
and Mike Rotunda
for the NWA World Television Championship
. Steiner's younger brother Scott Steiner
made his NWA debut at the event and appeared at ringside with Rick to manage him. Steiner and Rotunda exchanged submission maneuvers on each other. Rotunda offered Steiner a handshake but Steiner did not shake hands with him. Rotunda applied an Abdominal Stretch and cheated near the ropes. Steiner countered the hold with an Oklahoma Roll but was in the ropes. Rotunda gained momentum and attacked Steiner in the corner with his shoulder. Steiner performed a Scoop Powerslam to Rotunda. Steiner was about to win the match until Kevin Sullivan
distracted Steiner by talking about his dog Spike. Rotunda took advantage and delivered a Back Suplex to Steiner. Rotunda missed a Dropkick
on Steiner and received Mounted Punches in the corner by Steiner. Steiner applied a Sleeper Hold on Rotunda. Rotunda's back fell on Steiner and Steiner's shoulders were pinned. As a result, Rotunda won the title.
defending the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
against Lex Luger
. Luger dominated Windham for much of the earlier part of the match by performing his power moves. The action spilled to the ringside. The two returned with Windham delivering a Suplex to Luger. The two returned to the ringside where Windham attacked Luger on the guardrail. Windham tried to Punch Luger in the ringpost but Luger avoided it and Windham's hand hurt. It became trouble for Windham as he was unable to use his hurt hand. He managed to apply a Clawhold on Luger but Luger escaped the hold. Windham delivered a Superplex from the top rope and tried to pin Luger's shoulders to the mat. Luger pulled his shoulders up and Windham was pinned. As a result, Luger won the title.
The final match on the undercard was a tag team
match between Road Warriors
(Hawk
and Animal
) and Varsity Club
(Steve Williams
and Kevin Sullivan
) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
. Animal and Williams started the match. Hawk and Animal dominated Williams in the beginning. Williams eventually tagged in Sullivan. Sullivan and Williams double-teamed Animal. Hawk and Williams battled each other and the referee was distracted by their fight. This allowed Sullivan to perform a Chair Shot on Animal. Sullivan and Williams continued to dominate Animal. Hawk was tagged in. Road Warriors tried to perform an Electric Chair, Flying Clothesline Combination
, which they called Doomsday Device. Williams broke it up. Animal fought Williams while Hawk performed a Flying Clothesline on Sullivan to win the match and retain the titles.
The main event featured Ric Flair
defending the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
against Ricky Steamboat
. Steamboat got the early momentum until Flair began attacking Steamboat. Flair performed a Jumping Knee Drop on Steamboat. Steamboat whipped Flair and Flair did a Flair Flip onto the apron. He climbed the top rope and delivered a Diving Crossbody to Steamboat but Steamboat countered it into a pinfall. Flair delivered an Inverted Atomic Drop to Steamboat and followed a Figure Four Leglock. Flair began attacking Steamboat's knee. Steamboat eventually gained momentum by performing a Clothesline. Steamboat tried to deliver a Diving Crossbody on Flair but the referee was hit as well. Steamboat tried to wake up the referee. Flair took advantage and tried to pin Steamboat with a Roll-up. Flair tossed Steamboat over the top rope and Steamboat climbed the top rope to perform a Diving Crossbody but Flair moved out of the way. Teddy Long came in as the replacement referee. Flair tried to apply a Figure Four Leglock on Steamboat but Steamboat countered it with a Small Package to pin Flair to win the title.
and Ric Flair
continued their rivalry
for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
at Chi-Town Rumble. On April 2 edition of Clash of the Champions
, Steamboat defeated Flair in a Two out of three falls match to retain the title. However, Flair's foot was on the bottom rope during the ending of the third fall. As a result, it was announced on April 9 edition of Main Event
that a rematch would take place between the two for the title. At WrestleWar
, Flair defeated Steamboat to win the title.
After winning the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
from Barry Windham
at Chi-Town Rumble, Lex Luger
continued his feud with Windham. On March 18 edition of World Championship Wrestling
, Luger and Michael Hayes
competed against Barry and Kendall Windham
in a tag team
match, during which Hayes turned on Luger and helped the Windhams in winning the match. As a result, Hayes joined Hiro Matsuda
's group Yamazaki Corporation and began a rivalry with Luger. At WrestleWar, Hayes defeated Luger, with the help of Terry Gordy
to win the United States Championship.
Road Warriors
(Hawk
and Animal
) continued their rivalry with Varsity Club
after retaining the NWA World Tag Team Championship
against Club members Kevin Sullivan
and Steve Williams at Chi-Town Rumble. On April 2 edition of Clash of the Champions, Road Warriors lost the belts to Club members Mike Rotunda
and Steve Williams. At WrestleWar, Rotunda and Williams defended the titles against Road Warriors. Club members Kevin Sullivan and Dan Spivey
attacked the special guest referee Nikita Koloff
, resulting in a disqualification loss for Rotunda and Williams. This misconduct between Club members caused the titles to get vacated.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
event produced by World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
(WCW) under the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
banner. It took place on February 20, 1989 at the UIC Pavilion
UIC Pavilion
The UIC Pavilion is a 6,958-seat multi-purpose arena, located at 525 S. Racine Street on the West Side in Chicago, Illinois, USA, which opened in 1982. It is home to the University of Illinois at Chicago Flames basketball team and the former home of the Chicago Sky WNBA team...
in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
The main event was a standard wrestling match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
. Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
defended the title against Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
. Steamboat pinned Flair with a Small Package to win the title.
Featured matches on the undercard were Road Warriors
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
(Hawk
Road Warrior Hawk
Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later...
and Animal
Road Warrior Animal
Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior...
) versus Varsity Club
Varsity Club
The Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989...
(Steve Williams and Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
, Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
versus Barry Windham
Barry Windham
Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling ....
for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
WWE United States Championship
The WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand....
, Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R...
versus Rick Steiner
Rick Steiner
Robert Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Rick Steiner.Steiner is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling, where he was an eight time World Tag Team Champion...
for the NWA World Television Championship
WCW World Television Championship
The World Championship Wrestling World Television Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Championship Wrestling....
, Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton
Bobby Eaton
Robert Lee "Bobby" Eaton is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, who made his debut in 1976. Eaton is most famous for his work in tag teams, especially his days as one-half of the team the Midnight Express. Under the management of Jim Cornette, Eaton originally teamed with Dennis...
and Stan Lane
Stan Lane
Wallace Stanfield "Stan" Lane is an American professional wrestler, trained by Ric Flair, who started wrestling in 1974 in Championship Wrestling from Florida. For a brief time in Florida, he was nicknamed Nature Boy...
) and Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
versus Original Midnight Express (Jack Victory
Jack Victory
Kenneth "Ken" Rinehurst is an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name, Jack Victory. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1998 and 2001.-Career:Rinehurst debuted in 1985 in the Universal Wrestling Federation...
and Randy Rose
Randy Rose
"Ravishing" Randy Rose is a professional wrestler.-Career:Randy Rose competed in 1981 in Alabama's Southeast Championship Wrestling and formed The Midnight Express with Dennis Condrey and Norvell Austin. They dominated the tag team scene there until Condrey signed with Mid-South Wrestling in 1984...
) and Paul E. Dangerously
Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman is an American entertainment producer, best known for his career in professional wrestling as a promoter, manager, commentator and journalist. He is also an occasional actor in film....
in a Loser Leaves NWA match, Sting
Sting (wrestler)
Steven James "Steve" Borden , better known by his ring name Sting, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
versus Butch Reed
Butch Reed
Butch Reed is an American professional wrestler best known for his stints in the World Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance/World Championship Wrestling.-Career:...
and Michael Hayes
Michael Hayes (wrestler)
Michael Seitz is a retired American professional wrestler and former musician. Seitz is best known for leading The Fabulous Freebirds under the ring name Michael "P.S." Hayes and for his role as the announcer Dok Hendrix in the World Wrestling Federation...
versus Russian Assassin #1
David Sheldon
Later in 1980's Russian assassin #1 was portrayed by Joe Piermatteo, another masked wrestler out of Johnny Rodz StableDavid Sheldon was a professional wrestler, known by his ring name the Angel of Death, who wrestled in North American regional promotions during the 1980s and early 1990s including...
.
Background
Chi-Town Rumble featured seven professional wrestling matches that involved wrestlers from pre-existing rivalriesFeud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
, plots and storylines
Narrative thread
A narrative thread, or plot thread , refers to particular elements and techniques of writing to center the story in the action or experience of characters rather than to relate a matter in a dry 'All knowing' sort of narration...
that were played out on World Wide Wrestling
WCW WorldWide
WCW WorldWide was a syndicated TV show produced by World Championship Wrestling.-Wide World Wrestling:The show began in 1975 , a syndicated one-hour program produced by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Jim Crockett Promotions...
, Pro
WCW Pro
WCW Pro was a televised wrestling show presented by World Championship Wrestling. Along with WCW WorldWide, it was part of the WCW Disney tapings...
and World Championship Wrestling
WCW Saturday Night
WCW Saturday Night was a weekly Saturday night TV show on TBS produced by World Championship Wrestling. The program existed through various incarnations under different names before becoming WCW Saturday Night in 1992...
–World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
(WCW)'s television programs. Wrestlers portrayed a hero
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
, villain
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
or a tweener as they followed a series of events that built tension, and culminated in a wrestling match or a series of matches.
The main rivalry
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
heading into the event was between Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
and Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
. At Starrcade
Starrcade (1988)
Starrcade '88 was the sixth annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced under the National Wrestling Alliance banner. It was the first Starrcade event produced by World Championship Wrestling , and it took place on December 26, 1988 from the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia...
, Flair defeated Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
to retain the title. On January 21 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Steamboat returned to WCW as Eddie Gilbert's surprise partner against Flair and Barry Windham
Barry Windham
Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling ....
in a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
match. Steamboat pinned Flair to win the match and demanded a shot against Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Flair would defend the title against Steamboat at Chi-Town Rumble.
The main tag team rivalry heading into the event was between Road Warriors
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
(Hawk
Road Warrior Hawk
Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later...
and Animal
Road Warrior Animal
Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior...
) and Varsity Club
Varsity Club
The Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989...
(Steve Williams and Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
. At Starrcade, Varsity Club defeated The Fantastics
Fantastics
The Fantastics are a professional wrestling tag team composed of Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers.-History:While in the Mid-Southern area, Terry taylor was teamed with a budding young wrestler named Bobby Fulton, who at the time was a jobber on TV but showed promise...
(Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers
Tommy Rogers
Tommy Rogers may refer to:* Tommy Rogers , American professional wrestler Thomas Crouch* Tommy Giles Rogers Jr., American musician...
) to win the NWA United States Tag Team Championship
WCW United States Tag Team Championship
The WCW United States Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling tag team championship contested for in the United States-based National Wrestling Alliance , Jim Crockett Promotions , and World Championship Wrestling promotions. The title was only contestable by male tag teams and in tag...
. Later that night, Road Warriors retained the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Sting
Sting (wrestler)
Steven James "Steve" Borden , better known by his ring name Sting, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE...
by intentional disqualification. On January 14 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Sullivan and Williams challenged Road Warriors to a match for the World Tag Team title. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Road Warriors would defend the title against Sullivan and Williams at Chi-Town Rumble.
Another tag team rivalry heading into the event was between Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton
Bobby Eaton
Robert Lee "Bobby" Eaton is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, who made his debut in 1976. Eaton is most famous for his work in tag teams, especially his days as one-half of the team the Midnight Express. Under the management of Jim Cornette, Eaton originally teamed with Dennis...
and Stan Lane
Stan Lane
Wallace Stanfield "Stan" Lane is an American professional wrestler, trained by Ric Flair, who started wrestling in 1974 in Championship Wrestling from Florida. For a brief time in Florida, he was nicknamed Nature Boy...
) and Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey
Dennis Condrey
Dennis Condrey is an American professional wrestler, best known as being one half of the tag team Midnight Express....
and Randy Rose
Randy Rose
"Ravishing" Randy Rose is a professional wrestler.-Career:Randy Rose competed in 1981 in Alabama's Southeast Championship Wrestling and formed The Midnight Express with Dennis Condrey and Norvell Austin. They dominated the tag team scene there until Condrey signed with Mid-South Wrestling in 1984...
). At Starrcade, Eaton and Lane defeated Condrey and Rose in a tag team match. The rivalry expanded to involve their manager
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
s Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
and Paul E. Dangerously
Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman is an American entertainment producer, best known for his career in professional wrestling as a promoter, manager, commentator and journalist. He is also an occasional actor in film....
respectively. On January 14 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Dangerously announced that he would force Cornette out of NWA. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that a Six-man Loser Leaves NWA match would take place pitting Midnight Express and Cornette against Original Midnight Express and Dangerously.
A secondary rivalry heading into the event was between Barry Windham and Lex Luger for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
WWE United States Championship
The WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand....
. At Starrcade, Windham defeated Bam Bam Bigelow to retain the US title. Later that night, Luger was defeated by Ric Flair in a title shot for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Windham and Luger's rivalry dated back to April 23 edition of World Championship Wrestling in 1988, when Windham turned on Luger during a NWA World Tag Team Championship title defense against Arn Anderson
Arn Anderson
Martin Anthony Lunde better known by his ring name Arn Anderson, is a former American professional wrestler and author. His career has been highlighted by his alliances with Ric Flair and various members of the wrestling stable, The Four Horsemen, in the NWA/WCW...
and Tully Blanchard
Tully Blanchard
Tully Arthur Blanchard is a semi-retired second generation American professional wrestler. He is best known as an original member of the Four Horsemen....
and joined Four Horsemen
Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)
The Four Horsemen were a professional wrestling stable in the National Wrestling Alliance and later World Championship Wrestling that was disbanded in 1999. The original group featured Ric Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard...
. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Windham would defend the United States title against Luger at Chi-Town Rumble.
Another secondary rivalry heading into the event was between Rick Steiner
Rick Steiner
Robert Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Rick Steiner.Steiner is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling, where he was an eight time World Tag Team Champion...
and Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R...
for the NWA World Television Championship
WCW World Television Championship
The World Championship Wrestling World Television Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Championship Wrestling....
. At Starrcade, Steiner defeated Rotunda to win the Television title. On January 14 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Steiner defeated Rotunda to retain the title in a rematch when Steve Williams caused the disqualification by attacking Steiner. On January 21 edition of World Championship Wrestling, Rotunda expressed about his quest to regain the title. On January 28 edition of World Championship Wrestling, it was announced that Steiner would defend the TV title against Rotunda at Chi-Town Rumble.
Preliminary matches
As the event aired live on pay-per-view, the first match to take place was between Michael HayesMichael Hayes (wrestler)
Michael Seitz is a retired American professional wrestler and former musician. Seitz is best known for leading The Fabulous Freebirds under the ring name Michael "P.S." Hayes and for his role as the announcer Dok Hendrix in the World Wrestling Federation...
and Russian Assassin #1
David Sheldon
Later in 1980's Russian assassin #1 was portrayed by Joe Piermatteo, another masked wrestler out of Johnny Rodz StableDavid Sheldon was a professional wrestler, known by his ring name the Angel of Death, who wrestled in North American regional promotions during the 1980s and early 1990s including...
. Assassin delivered a series of Jumping Lariats called Russian Sickle to Hayes. Hayes made comebacks during the match but Assassin dominated him. Assassin's manager
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
Paul Jones
Paul Jones (wrestler)
Paul Jones is a retired professional wrestler and manager. He had success in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Mid-Atlantic region, including an NWA World Tag Team title reign with Ricky Steamboat.-Career:...
interfered in the match by attacking Hayes. Assassin tried to attack Hayes in the corner but Hayes countered it and tried to perform a Bulldog but Assassin pushed him to the mat. Assassin tried to deliver a Suplex
Suplex
A suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
but Hayes countered it. Hayes avoided a Corner Clothesline by Assassin and delivered him Mounted Punches in the corner. Hayes followed with a DDT
DDT (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler has the opponent in a front facelock, and falls down or backwards to drive the opponent's head into the mat...
to win the match.
The next match was between Sting
Sting (wrestler)
Steven James "Steve" Borden , better known by his ring name Sting, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Butch Reed
Butch Reed
Butch Reed is an American professional wrestler best known for his stints in the World Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance/World Championship Wrestling.-Career:...
. Sting dominated Reed in the earlier part of the match. Reed gained momentum in the match with the help of his manager Hiro Matsuda
Yasuhiro Kojima
was a professional wrestler and the trainer of Hulk Hogan, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Lex Luger, Ron Simmons, Keiji Mutoh, and many other professional wrestlers. He was better known as Hiro Matsuda, an identity he adopted while competing in the southern U.S., inspired by earlier wrestlers...
. Reed applied a Chinlock and began using dirty tactics. Sting tossed Reed into the corner and tried to perform a Corner Splash, which he called Stinger Splash but Reed avoided it. Reed tried to perform a Corner Clothesline but fell out to the floor. Sting delivered a Vertical Suplex to Reed and tried to pin him but got a near-fall as Matsuda pulled Sting out of the ring. Reed took advantage and pulled Sting in the ring to perform a Swinging Neckbreaker. He applied another Chinlock. Sting countered with a Jawbreaker. Sting performed a Diving Elbow Drop. Reed threw Sting out of the ring and stomped him on the apron. Sting managed to deliver a Shoulder Block and tried to perform a Sunset Flip but Reed fell on Sting and held the ropes for the pinfall. The referee
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
Teddy Long
Theodore Long
Theodore R. "Teddy" Long is an American professional wrestling manager and former referee who currently works for WWE on its SmackDown brand as its General Manager.-National Wrestling Alliance / World Championship Wrestling:...
pulled Reed from the ropes, causing Sting to pin Reed with the Sunset Flip for the win.
The third match was a Loser Leaves NWA match pitting Midnight Express
The Midnight Express
The Midnight Express is a professional wrestling tag team that has had various members and achieved most of its success in the 1980s.-Dennis Condrey, Randy Rose and Norvell Austin:...
(Bobby Eaton
Bobby Eaton
Robert Lee "Bobby" Eaton is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, who made his debut in 1976. Eaton is most famous for his work in tag teams, especially his days as one-half of the team the Midnight Express. Under the management of Jim Cornette, Eaton originally teamed with Dennis...
and Stan Lane
Stan Lane
Wallace Stanfield "Stan" Lane is an American professional wrestler, trained by Ric Flair, who started wrestling in 1974 in Championship Wrestling from Florida. For a brief time in Florida, he was nicknamed Nature Boy...
) and their manager Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
against Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey
Dennis Condrey
Dennis Condrey is an American professional wrestler, best known as being one half of the tag team Midnight Express....
and Randy Rose
Randy Rose
"Ravishing" Randy Rose is a professional wrestler.-Career:Randy Rose competed in 1981 in Alabama's Southeast Championship Wrestling and formed The Midnight Express with Dennis Condrey and Norvell Austin. They dominated the tag team scene there until Condrey signed with Mid-South Wrestling in 1984...
) and their manager Paul E. Dangerously
Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman is an American entertainment producer, best known for his career in professional wrestling as a promoter, manager, commentator and journalist. He is also an occasional actor in film....
. Condrey left NWA just before the event and was replaced by Jack Victory
Jack Victory
Kenneth "Ken" Rinehurst is an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name, Jack Victory. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1998 and 2001.-Career:Rinehurst debuted in 1985 in the Universal Wrestling Federation...
. Lane and Rose started the match. The match went back and forth with both teams exchanging momentum. Dangerously was eventually tagged into the match. Dangerously tagged in Rose after a few attacks. Rose was tagged in. Dangerously distracted Cornette, allowing Rose to attack Cornette. He tagged in Dangerously, allowing Cornette and Dangerously to battle each other for the first time in the match. The match continued until miscommunication occurred between Original Midnight Express. Cornette tripped Dangerously outside the ring while Eaton and Lane delivered a Double Flapjack to Rose to win the match.
The next match that occurred was between Rick Steiner
Rick Steiner
Robert Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Rick Steiner.Steiner is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling, where he was an eight time World Tag Team Champion...
and Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R...
for the NWA World Television Championship
WCW World Television Championship
The World Championship Wrestling World Television Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Championship Wrestling....
. Steiner's younger brother Scott Steiner
Scott Steiner
Scott Carl Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Scott Steiner. Steiner is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling alongside his older brother Rick as the Steiner Brothers and as a member of the New World Order...
made his NWA debut at the event and appeared at ringside with Rick to manage him. Steiner and Rotunda exchanged submission maneuvers on each other. Rotunda offered Steiner a handshake but Steiner did not shake hands with him. Rotunda applied an Abdominal Stretch and cheated near the ropes. Steiner countered the hold with an Oklahoma Roll but was in the ropes. Rotunda gained momentum and attacked Steiner in the corner with his shoulder. Steiner performed a Scoop Powerslam to Rotunda. Steiner was about to win the match until Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
distracted Steiner by talking about his dog Spike. Rotunda took advantage and delivered a Back Suplex to Steiner. Rotunda missed a Dropkick
Dropkick
A dropkick is an attacking maneuver in professional wrestling. It is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet; this sees the wrestler twist as he or she jumps so that when the feet connect with the opponent one foot is raised higher than...
on Steiner and received Mounted Punches in the corner by Steiner. Steiner applied a Sleeper Hold on Rotunda. Rotunda's back fell on Steiner and Steiner's shoulders were pinned. As a result, Rotunda won the title.
Main event matches
The fifth match pitted Barry WindhamBarry Windham
Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling ....
defending the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
WWE United States Championship
The WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand....
against Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
. Luger dominated Windham for much of the earlier part of the match by performing his power moves. The action spilled to the ringside. The two returned with Windham delivering a Suplex to Luger. The two returned to the ringside where Windham attacked Luger on the guardrail. Windham tried to Punch Luger in the ringpost but Luger avoided it and Windham's hand hurt. It became trouble for Windham as he was unable to use his hurt hand. He managed to apply a Clawhold on Luger but Luger escaped the hold. Windham delivered a Superplex from the top rope and tried to pin Luger's shoulders to the mat. Luger pulled his shoulders up and Windham was pinned. As a result, Luger won the title.
The final match on the undercard was a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
match between Road Warriors
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
(Hawk
Road Warrior Hawk
Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later...
and Animal
Road Warrior Animal
Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior...
) and Varsity Club
Varsity Club
The Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989...
(Steve Williams
Steve Williams (wrestler)
Steven "Steve" Williams , better known by his ring name "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, was an American professional wrestler and former star of collegiate football and wrestling at the University of Oklahoma.-Early life:...
and Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
. Animal and Williams started the match. Hawk and Animal dominated Williams in the beginning. Williams eventually tagged in Sullivan. Sullivan and Williams double-teamed Animal. Hawk and Williams battled each other and the referee was distracted by their fight. This allowed Sullivan to perform a Chair Shot on Animal. Sullivan and Williams continued to dominate Animal. Hawk was tagged in. Road Warriors tried to perform an Electric Chair, Flying Clothesline Combination
Doomsday Device
Doomsday Device, often shortened to Device, is a term used in professional wrestling to reference a tandem move in which one wrestler hoists the opponent on their shoulders so that they are facing in the same direction in what is known as the electric chair position, while another wrestler climbs...
, which they called Doomsday Device. Williams broke it up. Animal fought Williams while Hawk performed a Flying Clothesline on Sullivan to win the match and retain the titles.
The main event featured Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
defending the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
against Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
. Steamboat got the early momentum until Flair began attacking Steamboat. Flair performed a Jumping Knee Drop on Steamboat. Steamboat whipped Flair and Flair did a Flair Flip onto the apron. He climbed the top rope and delivered a Diving Crossbody to Steamboat but Steamboat countered it into a pinfall. Flair delivered an Inverted Atomic Drop to Steamboat and followed a Figure Four Leglock. Flair began attacking Steamboat's knee. Steamboat eventually gained momentum by performing a Clothesline. Steamboat tried to deliver a Diving Crossbody on Flair but the referee was hit as well. Steamboat tried to wake up the referee. Flair took advantage and tried to pin Steamboat with a Roll-up. Flair tossed Steamboat over the top rope and Steamboat climbed the top rope to perform a Diving Crossbody but Flair moved out of the way. Teddy Long came in as the replacement referee. Flair tried to apply a Figure Four Leglock on Steamboat but Steamboat countered it with a Small Package to pin Flair to win the title.
Aftermath
Ricky SteamboatRicky Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career...
and Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
continued their rivalry
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
at Chi-Town Rumble. On April 2 edition of Clash of the Champions
Clash of the Champions
The Clash of the Champions were a series of professional wrestling television specials aired by World Championship Wrestling. The specials were supercards intended to feature pay-per-view caliber matches, similar to World Wrestling Federation's Saturday Night's Main Event.The first Clash of the...
, Steamboat defeated Flair in a Two out of three falls match to retain the title. However, Flair's foot was on the bottom rope during the ending of the third fall. As a result, it was announced on April 9 edition of Main Event
WCW The Main Event
WCW: The Main Event is a professional wrestling video game released in 1994 by FCI for the Nintendo Game Boy portable video game system. It was just the second video game based on World Championship Wrestling, and the first of two released to a handheld console.-Gameplay:There are two types of...
that a rematch would take place between the two for the title. At WrestleWar
WrestleWar (1989)
WrestleWar 1989: Music City Showdown was the first WrestleWar professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling under the National Wrestling Alliance banner...
, Flair defeated Steamboat to win the title.
After winning the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
WWE United States Championship
The WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand....
from Barry Windham
Barry Windham
Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling ....
at Chi-Town Rumble, Lex Luger
Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy...
continued his feud with Windham. On March 18 edition of World Championship Wrestling
WCW Saturday Night
WCW Saturday Night was a weekly Saturday night TV show on TBS produced by World Championship Wrestling. The program existed through various incarnations under different names before becoming WCW Saturday Night in 1992...
, Luger and Michael Hayes
Michael Hayes (wrestler)
Michael Seitz is a retired American professional wrestler and former musician. Seitz is best known for leading The Fabulous Freebirds under the ring name Michael "P.S." Hayes and for his role as the announcer Dok Hendrix in the World Wrestling Federation...
competed against Barry and Kendall Windham
Kendall Windham
Kendall Windham is a former professional wrestler. He is the son of Blackjack Mulligan and the brother of Barry Windham.-Florida Championship Wrestling:...
in a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
match, during which Hayes turned on Luger and helped the Windhams in winning the match. As a result, Hayes joined Hiro Matsuda
Yasuhiro Kojima
was a professional wrestler and the trainer of Hulk Hogan, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Lex Luger, Ron Simmons, Keiji Mutoh, and many other professional wrestlers. He was better known as Hiro Matsuda, an identity he adopted while competing in the southern U.S., inspired by earlier wrestlers...
's group Yamazaki Corporation and began a rivalry with Luger. At WrestleWar, Hayes defeated Luger, with the help of Terry Gordy
Terry Gordy
Terry Ray 'Bam Bam' Gordy, Sr. was a professional wrestler who was best known in North America for being a member of the Fabulous Freebirds.-Career:...
to win the United States Championship.
Road Warriors
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
(Hawk
Road Warrior Hawk
Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later...
and Animal
Road Warrior Animal
Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior...
) continued their rivalry with Varsity Club
Varsity Club
The Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989...
after retaining the NWA World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
against Club members Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
and Steve Williams at Chi-Town Rumble. On April 2 edition of Clash of the Champions, Road Warriors lost the belts to Club members Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R...
and Steve Williams. At WrestleWar, Rotunda and Williams defended the titles against Road Warriors. Club members Kevin Sullivan and Dan Spivey
Dan Spivey
Daniel Eugene "Dan" Spivey is a retired professional wrestler who worked for World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation, and All Japan Pro Wrestling between 1984 and 1995...
attacked the special guest referee Nikita Koloff
Nikita Koloff
Nikita Koloff is a retired American professional wrestler,. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he wrestled as "The Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff, which was a play on the nickname of fan favorite "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes .Nikita was brought into the National...
, resulting in a disqualification loss for Rotunda and Williams. This misconduct between Club members caused the titles to get vacated.
Results
| # | Results | Stipulations | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Hayes Michael Hayes (wrestler) Michael Seitz is a retired American professional wrestler and former musician. Seitz is best known for leading The Fabulous Freebirds under the ring name Michael "P.S." Hayes and for his role as the announcer Dok Hendrix in the World Wrestling Federation... defeated Russian Assassin #1 David Sheldon Later in 1980's Russian assassin #1 was portrayed by Joe Piermatteo, another masked wrestler out of Johnny Rodz StableDavid Sheldon was a professional wrestler, known by his ring name the Angel of Death, who wrestled in North American regional promotions during the 1980s and early 1990s including... (with Paul Jones Paul Jones (wrestler) Paul Jones is a retired professional wrestler and manager. He had success in the National Wrestling Alliance 's Mid-Atlantic region, including an NWA World Tag Team title reign with Ricky Steamboat.-Career:... ) |
Singles match | 15:48 |
| 2 | Sting Sting (wrestler) Steven James "Steve" Borden , better known by his ring name Sting, is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... defeated Butch Reed Butch Reed Butch Reed is an American professional wrestler best known for his stints in the World Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance/World Championship Wrestling.-Career:... (with Hiro Matsuda Yasuhiro Kojima was a professional wrestler and the trainer of Hulk Hogan, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Lex Luger, Ron Simmons, Keiji Mutoh, and many other professional wrestlers. He was better known as Hiro Matsuda, an identity he adopted while competing in the southern U.S., inspired by earlier wrestlers... ) |
Singles match | 20:07 |
| 3 | Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton Bobby Eaton Robert Lee "Bobby" Eaton is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, who made his debut in 1976. Eaton is most famous for his work in tag teams, especially his days as one-half of the team the Midnight Express. Under the management of Jim Cornette, Eaton originally teamed with Dennis... and Stan Lane Stan Lane Wallace Stanfield "Stan" Lane is an American professional wrestler, trained by Ric Flair, who started wrestling in 1974 in Championship Wrestling from Florida. For a brief time in Florida, he was nicknamed Nature Boy... ) and Jim Cornette Jim Cornette James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling... defeated Original Midnight Express (Jack Victory Jack Victory Kenneth "Ken" Rinehurst is an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by his ring name, Jack Victory. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1998 and 2001.-Career:Rinehurst debuted in 1985 in the Universal Wrestling Federation... and Randy Rose Randy Rose "Ravishing" Randy Rose is a professional wrestler.-Career:Randy Rose competed in 1981 in Alabama's Southeast Championship Wrestling and formed The Midnight Express with Dennis Condrey and Norvell Austin. They dominated the tag team scene there until Condrey signed with Mid-South Wrestling in 1984... ) and Paul E. Dangerously Paul Heyman Paul Heyman is an American entertainment producer, best known for his career in professional wrestling as a promoter, manager, commentator and journalist. He is also an occasional actor in film.... |
Loser Leaves NWA match | 15:51 |
| 4 | Mike Rotunda Mike Rotunda Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R... defeated Rick Steiner Rick Steiner Robert Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Rick Steiner.Steiner is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling, where he was an eight time World Tag Team Champion... (c) (with Scott Steiner Scott Steiner Scott Carl Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Scott Steiner. Steiner is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling alongside his older brother Rick as the Steiner Brothers and as a member of the New World Order... ) |
Singles match for the NWA World Television Championship WCW World Television Championship The World Championship Wrestling World Television Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Championship Wrestling.... |
16:21 |
| 5 | Lex Luger Lex Luger Lawrence Wendell "Larry" Pfohl , better known by his ring name Lex Luger, is an American former professional wrestler and football player currently working with WWE on their wellness policy... defeated Barry Windham Barry Windham Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling .... (c) (with Hiro Matsuda) |
Singles match for the NWA United States Championship WWE United States Championship The WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand.... |
10:43 |
| 6 | Road Warriors Road Warriors The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion... (Hawk Road Warrior Hawk Michael James Hegstrand was an American professional wrestler. He is best remembered as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as the Road Warriors or The Legion of Doom , with Road Warrior Animal.-Early life:While living in Chicago, Hegstrand met Joe Lauranaitis, who would be later... and Animal Road Warrior Animal Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior... ) (c) (with Paul Ellering Paul Ellering Paul Ellering is a retired professional wrestling manager.-Professional wrestling career:Before entering the wrestling business, Ellering was an accomplished weightlifter... ) defeated Varsity Club Varsity Club The Varsity Club was a professional wrestling heel stable in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling. The stable was formed in 1987 and lasted until 1989... (Steve Williams and Kevin Sullivan Kevin Sullivan (wrestler) Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:... ) |
Tag team Tag team Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name... match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship WCW World Tag Team Championship The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling... |
08:27 |
| 7 | Ricky Steamboat Ricky Steamboat Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career... defeated Ric Flair Ric Flair Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world.... (c) (with Hiro Matsuda) |
Singles match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship NWA World Heavyweight Championship The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and... |
23:18 |