This week Throwback Thursday celebrates the history and legacy of one of World Championship Wrestling’s marquee events, SuperBrawl, as we revisit the post-SuperBrawl IV edition of WCW Saturday Night, as seen on the WWE Network and Peacock, that aired 30 years ago this week!
Following the chaotic end of 1993, which included the near-fatal brawl between Arn Anderson and Sid Vicious in Germany and the exit of high-profile talent like Dave Boy Smith and Sid Vicious, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) was turning the corner.
The firing of Sid Vicious, while scuttling the planned Vader/Sid World title match at Starrcade ’93, ended up producing a classic story between Vader and Ric Flair that generated one of the greatest World title matches in the history of WCW pay-per-view. A match that, in many ways, reignited the WCW brand.
The arrival of “Mean” Gene Okerlund, The Boss (the former “Big Boss Man”), and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan was the surest sign yet that Ted Turner and WCW Executive Producer Eric Bischoff were intent on finally turning the organization around.
While scaling back house shows and streamlining the television taping process helped WCW save a significant amount of money, Eric Bischoff’s real goal was shattering the southern “rasslin’” image of WCW and creating a new “national” promotion in its place, one that would be taken seriously by fans and advertisers alike.
The hiring of Okerlund and Heenan, both household names with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), was a step in that direction. Luring former top WWF talent like the Big Boss Man to WCW was yet another.
Nationalizing the WCW product didn’t mean copying the WWF, though. Where the WWF was cartoonish, WCW would be authentic; where the WWF was “soft” or “light”, WCW would be hard-hitting and believable; where the WWF was drama driven, WCW would be sport based.
At a time when the industry was just beginning to pull out of its recession, WCW hoped to be a major national player as fans were able to financially reinvest in the sport once more.
And one man, the biggest star in all of wrestling, Hulk Hogan, was likely to be the focal point of just such an effort.
The top story in WCW the week this edition of WCW Saturday Night aired was the fallout from SuperBrawl IV, including Ric Flair successfully retaining the World Heavyweight title against Vader (with the help of The Boss). Other top stories included the ongoing issues between World Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys and Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne as well as the brewing war between former World Champion Vader and the newly arrived Boss.
Now let’s head on over to the WWE Network on Peacock, hit ‘play’, and see how well this post-SuperBrawl IV edition of WCW Saturday Night holds up 30 years later!
Edits are not a concern for this edition of WCW Saturday Night on the WWE Network and Peacock. Though the vast majority of WCW programming of the era (WCW Pro, WCW Worldwide, & WCW Main Event) has yet to be uploaded (as of this writing) to the WWE Network and Peacock, context is solid. Nearly all prior editions of WCW Saturday Night, dating back to the series relaunch on April 4, 1992, as well as all past WCW Clash of the Champions and pay-per-view events, are available to watch on the WWE Network and Peacock right now!
WCW Saturday Night #100 (WATCH)
Date: February 26, 1994 (TAPED: Feb. 2, 1994) – Location: Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: N/A – TV Ratings: ~2.0 (>1.2 million homes)
Commentators: Tony Schiavone & Bobby Heenan – Interviews: “Mean” Gene Okerlund
IN POP CULTURE:
Number One Song: “The Power of Love” (Celine Dion)
Number One Album: Toni Braxton (Toni Braxton)
Number One on Television: 1994 Winter Olympics (Wednesday night coverage, CBS)
Number One Film in Theaters: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (Jim Carey, Sean Young, Courtney Cox, Tone Loc, & Dan Marino)
U.S. President & Vice President: Bill Clinton & Al Gore
CHAMPIONS AT THE TIME:
WCW World Heavyweight Champion: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (December 27, 1993, WCW Starrcade ’93, from Big Van Vader; this was a title versus career match)
WCW International World Heavyweight Champion: “Ravishing” Risk Rude (September 19, 1993, WCW Fall Brawl ’93: WarGames, from “Nature Boy” Ric Flair; this match was originally advertised as an NWA World Heavyweight title match before the NWA successfully sued to prevent WCW from using the NWA name and likeness just days before the Fall Brawl PPV)
WCW United States Heavyweight Champion: “Stunning” Steve Austin (December 27, 1993, WCW Starrcade ’93, from “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes; this was a two-out-pf-three falls bout)
WCW World Tag Team Champions: The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saga) (October 24, 1993, WCW Halloween Havoc ’93, from Marcus Alexander Bagwell & 2 Cold Scorpio)
WCW World Television Champion: “Lord” Steve Regal (September 19, 1993, WCW Fall Brawl ’93: WarGames, from Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat)
Following the standard WCW Saturday Night open of the era we get a brief rundown of the card to come before heading into Center Stage Theater.
Tony Schiavone, with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, welcomes us to the show. Tony notes that SuperBrawl IV, Heenan’s first pay-per-view with WCW, is in the books, with Heenan saying the event gave a “whole new meaning to the word ‘Thundercage’.”
Tony hypes footage from SuperBrawl IV to come later in the show and hypes tonight’s Vader/Ricky Steamboat main event, tossing to a pre-taped promo from Steamboat.
After encouraging fans to stick around “this hour” to watch his match with Vader, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat says that Vader “insulted” and beat down Steamboat as Steamboat stood up for his best friend’s family.
Now Vader wants to face “The Dragon”, Steamboat says. But Vader doesn’t want to “meet this particular individual” when he’s “hot” and “breathing fire”, Steamboat says.
The clash is much like that of David and Goliath, Steamboat says. If Vader doesn’t know how that tale turns out Vader had better “brush up” on his reading, Steamboat says, because “The Dragon” is coming after Vader tonight!
—Singles Match (2:46)
Bill Payne vs. Johnny B. Badd
Johnny B. Badd controls the action from the start, using his speed and quickness to ground Payne. Payne fires up late, landing a few shots, before Badd lands a back body drop and a few dropkicks. In a flash Badd cinches up a crucifix for the pinfall at 2:15.
WINNER is Johnny B. Badd (Pin, 2:15)
Following the match Badd celebrates his win as we see a replay of the finish and head to our first Peacock ad-break of the show.
—Singles Match (7:29)
Brian Armstrong vs. Mongolian Mauler
Though this isn’t a terribly good match, it does offer a great opportunity to see a young “Road Dogg” Brian Armstrong.
There’s not much of a match here. Armstrong starts hot, taking the fight to Mauler, before Mauler stops a sunset flip by sitting on Armstrong’s chest.
Mauler goes after Armstrong until Armstrong evades a running knee drop. Armstrong attempts to mount a fiery comeback but runs smack into the raised boot of Mauler.
In a flash Mauler rakes Armstrong’s chest, lands a lariat, and hits the running elbow smash for the 1-2-3 at 2:49.
WINNER is Mongolian Mauler (Pin, 2:49)
After the match Mauler celebrates as we see a replay of the finish and head tot he next Peacock ad-break.
Coming out of the break “Mean” Gene Okerlund tosses to footage from SuperBrawl IV of the closing moments of the six-man “Thundercage” match (Sting, Brian Pillman, & Dustin Rhodes versus Rick Rude, Steve Austin, & Paul Orndorff) and Rick Rude’s post-match attack on Sting.
Next we jump to he closing moments of the World Heavyweight title “Thundercage” match from SuperBrawl IV, a rematch from Starrcade ’93, between Vader and World Heavyweight Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
We pick up the action near the end, as Harley Race and Vader go after guest referee The Boss, handcuffing Boss to the cage and stealing Boss’ nightstick.
Vader uses the nightstick on Flair as Harley Race enters the cage, locking it behind him, to help Vader put Flair away. Soon enough, though, as Arn Anderson arrives to try and enter the cage to aid his friend, Vader inadvertently wipes out Harley Race with a body tackle from the top rope!
Flair fires up and goes after Vader and Race before Ricky Steamboat arrives, chair in hand, to try and break into the cage. As Vader drops Flair with a lariat and begins to work over Flair once more, with the help of Race, the Boss breaks free of the handcuffs and reenters the match.
Boss lands a slew of shots to Vader before cracking Vader in the knees with the night stick. In a flash Flair dumps Race to the floor and cinches in the figure-four leglock. But, even before Flair has the hold locked in, Boss calls for the bell, giving Flair the win via submission as we head to the next Peacock ad-break.
—“Six-Man Tag Team Match” (17:46)
The Equalizer & WCW World Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags) w/Missy Hyatt vs. Mike Winner, Sonny Rogers, & “Pistol” Pez Whatley
The babyfaces start out strong, keeping Knobbs off balance, until “Pistol” Pez eats a lariat from Knobbs. Knobbs looks to be tagging in Equalizer when he tags Sags instead.
As the Nasty Boys work over the babyfaces Tony mentions seeing the latest edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated which featured both Hulk Hogan and WCW World Champion Ric Flair on the cover. Heenan, playing the “broadcast journalist”, says he’ll get to the bottom of the story by next week.
Equalizer finally tags himself in, something the Nasty Boys don’t like, before Knobbs reenters the match. The Nastys take the fight to Sonny Rogers, ignoring Equalizer, before landing their running powerslam/elbow drop double-team to score the pinfall at 3:52.
WINNERS are The Equalizer & WCW World Tag Team Champions the Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Sags) (Pin, 3:52)
Following the match the Nasty Boys, Equalizer, and Missy Hyatt celebrate their win, though the Nastys are trying their best to forget that Equalizer is even there.
After a replay of the finish we head to ringside where “Mean” Gene Okerlund is set to interview the Nasty Boys and Equalizer.
Sags talks about cleaning out the division and their goal to “take care” of any team that steps in the ring with them as Equalizer continually butts in, drawing the ire of the Nastys.
As Knobbs rants about being the World Tag Team Champions now and forever, Equalizer continues to butt in. Suddenly the Nastys turn on Equalizer, beating the snort out of Equalizer at ringside, calling Equalizer a “loser”.
As the Nasty Boys & Missy Hyatt walk away Equalizer gets to his feet. Equalizer tells Gene he’s “had it”, that his “big brother” told Equalizer he was going to have “these problems”, though he doesn’t reveal who his “big brother” is.
Equalizer says he’s going to go give his big brother a call and that the Nasty Boys had better watch out. With that Gene wraps the interview and sends us to the next Peacock ad-break.
—Singles Match (26:27)
Larry Santo vs. Terra Ryzing
This marked Terra Ryzing’s (the future Triple H) second match on WCW TV. Paul “Terra Ryzing” Levesque had been wrestling since March 1992 for Killer Kowalski’s International Wrestling Federation (IWF) and was, thanks to Kowalski’s lauding, already on the radar of the WWF by this time in 1994.
As this one gets going Bobby Heenan is still beating the Hogan/Flair drum, saying “something” is in the air or else the two wouldn’t have been featured on the cover of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
The match, meanwhile, is a slightly competitive squash. Larry Santo has his moments early on but Terra Ryzing uses his his speed and experience to get the upper hand.
As Ryzing goes to work on a game Santo, Bobby Heenan is already noting the intelligent manner by which Ryzing goes about dismantling his opponent.
Soon enough, after having his fun torturing Santo, Terra Ryzing cinches in an inverted Indian deathlock for the submission win at 2:09.
WINNER is Terra Ryzing (Submission, 2:09)
After the match, as Terra Ryzing celebrates his second victory, we get a replay of the finish as Heenan gushes over the potential of Ryzing. Following the replay it’s time for the next Peacock ad-break.
Coming out of the break we return to the announce position where Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan discuss the forthcoming non-title return match between World Television Champion “Lord” Steven Regal and The Patriot.
Tony talks about Patriot debuting on the February 12, 1994, edition of WCW Saturday Night in a TV title bout with Regal, a title match that ended in a time-limit draw. Heenan then explains that an “embarrassed” Regal wants to prove his superiority over Patriot in this week’s return bout.
Tony then sets up and tosses to footage of the closing moments of the Regal/Patriot title match from February 12th. The final seconds are ticking away as Patriot, with the upper hand on Regal, nearly puts Regal away to win the title when time runs out.
—“Non-Title Singles Match” (30:55)
The Patriot vs. WCW World Television Champion “Lord” Steve Regal w/Sir William
The “Embarrassed” “Lord” Steven Regal tears into Patriot from the opening bell, working a more aggressive style than we are used to seeing at this point in time.
Regal has the upper hand until Patriot begins to target Regal’s injured thigh. Patriot grounds Regal and works a number of different holds to further weaken Regal’s leg.
Regal gets to the ropes before landing a stiff European uppercut out of nowhere that turns the match in Regal’s favor. Regal picks up where he left off, keeping Patriot close and grounded, scoring a number of near-falls.
Soon enough, though, Patriot evades the “Regal roll” and comes storming back. Patriot goes back to the injured thigh of Regal, attempting to cinch in a Boston crab when Regal kicks Patriot to the floor.
Patriot, on the apron, floors Regal with a hangman before running into a back elbow. Regal goes for a sunset flip but Patriot rolls through, hooking Regal in a jackknife for the slow three-count at 7:32.
WINNER is The Patriot (Pin, 7s:32)
Following the match Patriot rolls to the floor where he celebrates with the fans and we see a replay of the finish.
Coming out of the replay we head to ringside where “Mean” Gene Okerlund is set to interview the victorious Patriot, whom Gene says has to be in the running for a World TV title shot with this win.
Patriot says that’s why he’s here in WCW, to compete with the best and win a “belt”, no matter which it is or who possesses it. Patriot then puts over Regal’s wrestling ability but takes Regal to task for dumping on the United States and its people.
Patriot says he wears the red, white, and blue colors to honor the “spirit of patriotism” that flows through the veins of the fans. It’s always “never say die”, Patriot says, before Gene wraps the interview and we head to our next Peacock ad-break.
Coming out of the break we get a promo for the next edition of WCW Main Event tomorrow night on TBS.
—Tag Team Match (43:49)
Ricky Santana & Fidel Sierra vs. Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne
This is a competitive, fast-paced match that is far better than it might appear to be on paper.
Jack & Payne dominate the early portion of this one, taking the fight to the game team of Santana & Sierra. That is until Santana floors Jack with a spinning heel kick.
Using quick tags and high impact maneuvers Santana & Sierra control the action, in and out of the ring, earning a number of near-falls on Jack. It’s not long, however, before Maxx Payne has seen enough.
After an elbow drop to the back of Sierra’s head, Payne tosses Santana to the floor where Jack lands his patented running elbow smash from the apron. In the ring Payne misses a splash in the corner, giving Sierra an opening to come back.
Cactus Jack attacks from behind, though, and sends Sierra into the corner. Jack then whips Payne into Sierra, where Maxx lands a back elbow that drops Sierra.
As Payne fights off Santana, Jack lands the leg drop to the back of Sierra’s head for the 1-2-3 at 4:44.
WINNERS are Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne (Pin, 4:44)
After the match, as Jack & Payne celebrate and mug for the camera, we see a replay of the finish. Following the replay we head to ringside where “Mean” Gene Okerlund is ready to interview Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne.
Gene starts by asking Jack about the guitar shot that Payne took from the Nasty Boys at SuperBrawl IV. Jack says that they have the Nastys breathing down their necks and Missy Hyatt breathing down their noses, but Cactus Jack can’t tell “which one’s worse!”
Destiny may not have smiled on Cactus & Maxx at SuperBrawl, Jack says, but Jack is smiling at them. Time is on their side, Jack says, because Jack & Payne are going to get their “Cleveland street fight”. While they can do anything and bring anything, Jack says, but nothing will be as “lethal” as either Cactus Jack or Maxx Payne!
Payne jumps in next, saying he and Jack have had time to “contemplate” things. The Nastys have dipped into “depravity far beyond the expectations of mortal men” but Jack and Payne are ready for anything.
Instead of putting out a fire with water, Payne says, the Nastys have thrown gasoline on it. This time Cactus Jack and Maxx Payne will “deliver what needs to be delivered”, Payne says. The Nasty Boys have “struck the most dissonant chord!”
Cactus jumps back in then to reiterate the anything goes, come-as-you-are nature of the “Cleveland street fight”, imploring Sags to bring a chair, Knobbs to bring a table, and for Missy Hyatt (“for God’s sake”) to “bring a toothbrush!”
Gene cracks a joke about Missy’s breath as he wraps the interview, sending us to our next Peacock ad-break.
After the break Tony sets up and tosses to footage from the February 5, 1994, edition of WCW Saturday Night of Vader attacking Ricky Steamboat as Steamboat wrestled Tom Burton.
We join the footage as Steamboat, looking to put Burton away with a cross body, lands the move on the interfering Harley Race instead. Suddenly Vader is in the ring going after Steamboat. Vader peppers Steamboat with shots as Race holds “The Dragon”.
A slew of talent hit the ring to help Steamboat to no avail. Vader pounds away on Steamboat as the footage ends and we head back to Center Stage for the main event of this week’s card.
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat makes his way to the ring first before Vader and Harley Race arrive. Vader grabs a pair of chairs on his way to the ring and threatens to hit Steamboat with them before the match has even begun.
As Vader makes his way into the ring we head to our final Peacock ad-break of the show.
—“Grudge Match” (52:34)
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Vader w/Harley Race
As this one gets going Bobby Heenan plugs his weekly Sunday report on the infamous WCW Hotline, promising a “big scoop” in respect to the Flair/Hogan rumors.
Vader weathers Steamboat’s fast start as this one gets going, driving Steamboat to the corner. Vader tries to impose his will until Steamboat goes to Vader’s eyes.
Vader cuts off Steamboat’s hope spot with the patented body block. Vader continues to dominate, hitting the Vader Bomb and sneaking in a few low blows, before Steamboat again comes storming back.
Steamboat gives Vader a taste of his own medicine before Harley Race tries to interfere, eating a “Dragon” dropkick for his troubles. Steamboat hits a running crossbody along the ropes and both he and Vader go over the top to the floor.
With the referee distracted with Race, Steamboat goes to town on Vader on the floor, driving Vader into guardrail and slamming a chair over the big man’s head. Steamboat continues the assault until Race, the damage already done, steps off the apron.
Steamboat works over Vader in and out of the ring, including a a chop from the center of the top rope to the floor, that leaves Vader staggered on the floor.
As the referee checks on Vader, however, Harley Race grabs Steamboat from behind, allowing Vader to connect with a lariat. With Vader now distracting the ref inside the ring it’s Harley Race’s turn to pound on Steamboat.
Vader opens up on Steamboat now, reminding us that “it ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings”, as Tony continues to tease the issues between Vader and Boss.
Vader works over Steamboat, cutting off Steamboat’s hope spots and scoring a number of near-falls, before Steamboat blocks a Vader sunset flip from the second rope, sitting on Vader’s chest.
Steamboat unloads on Vader, delivering a slew of blows from the mounted position before a pair of chops from the top rope leads to top rope body press for a near-fall.
As Steamboat hoists Vader to the top turnbuckle, Harley Race (again) jumps on the apron before Steamboat lands a second rope suplex/DDT to Vader. Steamboat connects with a top rope splash that, thanks to Race’s distractions, nets only a two-count.
Steamboat goads Vader into charging into Race before “Dragon” brings Race into the ring the hard way. Steamboat peppers Race with punches before moving yet again, this time causing Vader to splash Race!
Steamboat fights off both Race and Vader until Vader clips Steamboat from behind. As Race and Vader both close in on Steamboat referee Nick Patrick calls for the bell at 11:39, disqualifying Vader.
WINNER is Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (Disqualification, 11:39)
As the bell rings Race holds Steamboat for a Vader tackle from the second rope when the Boss arrives, blasting Vader with the nightstick!
An injured Vader slinks to the floor with Harley Race where the big man threatens Boss and Steamboat with chairs. As the babyfaces stand tall in the ring Vader fumes on the floor, tossing a chair towards the ring.
Tony Schiavone then wraps the show and hypes a new look for WCW Saturday Night next week before signing off, bringing another exciting edition of WCW Saturday Night to a close!
Final Thoughts
As one might expect, this is an exciting, fast-paced, action-packed edition of WCW Saturday Night!
We catch WCW in a true state of transition here, right before the “cross-hair” era was to start and the arrival of Hulk Hogan would change the wrestling universe forever.
The action, including the squashes, is all great. The highlight of the show, of course, is the fantastic Vader/Steamboat main event brawl. Fans of either wrestler will want to seek this one out if they haven’t already!
Aside from the main event we get a chance to see a young Triple H, the Nasty Boys being nasty, and a wild tag team showdown involving Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne. This as well a slew of great promos and interviews.
So if you haven’t seen this post-SuperBrawl IV edition of WCW Saturday Night, or it’s been a while, you won’t want to miss this classic edition of WCW Saturday Night on the WWE Network and Peacock. Who knows, you may end up liking it, and that’s never a bad thing!
Already subscribed to the WWE Network on Peacock? Then you can relive this classic post-SuperBrawl IV edition of WCW Saturday Night right now or experience it for the very first time! As always, let us know what you think in the comments section below!
For pre-WNN editions of Throwback Thursday, click here!