Clash Of The Champions XXX Review

Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage teamed for the first time in WCW at the 30th Clash of the Champions

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​The lead-up to this show, storyline wise, was really dominated by stuff going on near the foot of the card. Perhaps as a goodbye to Honky Tonk Man (who walked out on the company at Starrcade after finding out he wouldn't be winning the TV Title) Arn Anderson defeated Johnny B Badd for the title at the next available opportunity, on the live WCW Main Event on January 8th. Also, Harlem Heat won the Tag Team titles of Stars and Stripes in a match that was taped in December that would air in January.

Elsewhere, the continued focus on “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright, he would be facing Beautiful Bobby (Eaton). Interestingly, Wright's opponent from Starrcade Jean-Paul Levesque would hand in his notice to the company in January, he is WWF bound. Rounding out the card is Sting vs Avalanche, with The Guardian Angel in place to try and ensure a conclusive result, and the main event of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage vs The Butcher and Kevin Sullivan. Vader had been banned from being within 200 feet of Hogan, but bought ringside seats for him and Harley Race. Oh, and Ric Flair is in the building.


Arn Anderson (with Col. Robert Parker and Meng) vs Johnny B Badd for the WCW TV Title

This was probably the best match of the night, not that it's saying a ton, but these two did very well and certainly gave credence to my theory following Starrcade that with a lot more notice they would be able to up their games by a notch or two. This match really showcased Badd's aerial abilities, including a crossbody to the outside, Badd hits a “knockout” punch on Anderson, leading to Parker having to pour a pitcher of ice water over Anderson's head to revive him. Badd chases Parker around the ring, but follows him inside and gets nailed by a DDT, Anderson retains.


“Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright vs Beautiful Bobby

Wright has time on his side, and they are doing right by putting him in the ring with people like Eaton who are solid workers. But while Wright can do a few things well, he's woefully inexperienced and just isn't a compelling babyface on any real level. They're trying to turn him into a ladies man, but whether he's actually connecting with the crowd it's difficult to say. Wright kicks out of Bobby's “Alabama Jam” leg drop from the top rope, before hitting a flying crossbody block for a three count. Alright, but no better.


Between the two teams walking out, Ric Flair's music hit to perhaps a surprising lack of reaction (although understandable perhaps given that he'd been off of TV for only about three months). Flair took a seat with two lovely ladies in the floor section. He wasn't seen again.

Harlem Heat vs Stars and Stripes

Given the talent in this match, this perhaps could have been more than it was, but this was a very forgettable outing for both sides. Bagwell plays the babyface in peril before getting the hot tag to Patriot, the match ends with Sherri taking off her shoe and getting on the apron, Booker T runs into the shoe and Bagwell rolls him up, but Stevie Ray hits a superkick to Bagwell enabling Booker to role over the pin and get the three count.


Sting vs Avalanche with The Guardian Angel as the special guest referee

WCW cannot give up with this match, they did it on WCW Main Event as part of a live fan vote, they then did it again at Starrcade. Third time wasn't a charm with this, surprisingly, but at least it was short. Sting goes for a bodyslam, but he buckles under the weight and the crowd gasp. Sting eventually locks in the scorpion deathlock, the camera pans in close on Avalanche, who strikes the mat a couple of times but doesn't appear to tap out. Guardian Angel holds his ground but another referee runs out and calls for the submission. Odd finish, as it's not like Avalanche obviously tapped out. They used the referee interference to turn Angel heel, he will be known as “Big Bubba” from now on.


Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage vs Kevin Sullivan and The Butcher

This is the kind of match that, if you were happy to ignore the small print, was just bad, rather than offensively bad. But the minutiae of this match really takes the biscuit. Firstly, The Butcher locks in Hogan in a sleeper hold – and Hogan passes out, sparko on the floor. This should have ended the match (as The Butcher indicated by running around and celebrating). The referee didn't stop the match, and Randy Savage “revived” Hogan in one of the more unique moments by dropping an elbow from the top rope to his partner. Hogan then got up and wrestled like nothing had ever happened.

Savage would then play babyface in peril for a while, getting driven into the ringpost and taking a significant beatdown. Eventually he'd get the hot tag to Hogan who unloaded on their opponents. Savage himself recovered far too quickly to drop the elbow, Hogan drops the leg and the faces win.

Fine, that was bad but what followed in the post match was worse. Vader had been sat at ringside during the main event, he came in and cleared the ring of Savage, before briefly no-selling Hogan's offense and delivering a lovely powerbomb. What a fantastic way to the end the show with the dominant heel in the new feud getting on top of the babyface champion.

Except the show didn't end there. Hogan, inexplicably, jumped straight back up and he and Savage run off Vader and the Faces of Fear. Awful, truly, truly, awful.

Score Rating: 1/10. It was a 4 before the main event, but I cannot let that main event go. An intelligence insulting match and a logic-defying post match angle.

Bits worth watching? Badd/Anderson is very good. Skip the middle bit then watch the main event in horror!