Once upon a time, WWE was called WWF. Once upon a time also, there was another big wrestling company, called WCW.
World Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion from Atlanta, Georgia. Back in the day, it was glorious. For a few golden years in the '90s, Ted Turner's WCW was more popular than Vince McMahon's WWF.
But we're not here for a history lesson. In honor of TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, for you newbies) airing later today, I'm gonna learn you about WCW's October pay-per-view, Halloween Havoc. Specifically, the first, from 1989. Specifically again, on October 28th, 1989.
I'd love to show you the footage, but WWE (Who now owns WCW, and therefore, their entire video library) would sue the pants off of me and end my subscription to WWE Network, and that would make me a sad Jack. Instead you're just gonna have to use your imagination or just watch it for yourself.
Match #1: Tom "The Z-Man" Zenk vs. Mike Rotunda
Just a plain ol' singles match. No belts, no chairs, and no midgets hiding under the ring. Zenk finished off the match by reversing a Cross-Body-Block from the top rope. The match itself was fairly decent, but the ending was great. Whenever a big move is reversed into a pin, it's almost magical.
Match #2: The Samoan SWAT Team vs. The Midnight Express and Dr. Death
Getting into a little bit more exotic territory, here, we have a three-on-three match! The Samoan SWAT Team is, of course, made up of Samoan wrestlers, all from the same family, the Anoa'i. The Anoa'i have had quite a few famous wrestlers in their bloodline, including:
If you haven't heard of this man, you probably live under a rock.
Match #3: Tommy Rich vs. The Cuban Assassin
It ain't this guy.
Can you tell who won the match?
It wasn't this guy.
Match #4: The Fabulous Freebirds vs. The Dynamic Dudes
The battle of alliteration! This match is a little extra special, since the FFs were just introduced into the WWE Hall of Fame last year. They're certainly one of the greatest tag-teams of all time, and it's no wonder that they won the match. Welp, I just spoiled it. You should have read the title, chump!
Match #5: The Steiner Brothers vs. Doom
Another multi-man-match, and another good one. Another famous duo, the Steiner Brothers makes an appearance. I could tell you who wins this match, but instead, I'm going to show you the beauty and majesty of Scott Steiner, the younger of the brothers. Scott (Arguably) is a bit more famous, and well-known for his-
Well, that, and his completely hilarious promos.
Let that sink in.
Match #6: Lex Luger vs. Brian Pillman
Lex Luger-
Okay, I'm skipping this one because I'll make too many Superman/Lex Luthor references. Sorry.
Match #7: The Road Warriors vs. The Skyscrapers
Another one of the greatest tag-teams in professional wrestling history, The Road Warriors, later known as The Legion of Doom-
Okay! I'm skipping this one too, because I can't do this without making comic book references!
Match #8: Ric Flair and Sting vs. The Great Muta and Terry Funk
Here it is, folks. The highlight of the show. Bring in... The Thunderdome!
I'd make a Mad Max joke, but that wouldn't be funny. They claimed outright that the cage-like design it was based on the third Mad Max film, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
Let's meet our combatants.
Ric Flair
Ric Flair is a living legend. He's widely regarded as the greatest wrestler of all time, and has evidence to back it up. Back in the 1980s, Ric Flair was easily the greatest draw in professional wrestling, and due to also being a very terrific bad guy, people would pay hand over fist to watch their local wrestler beat the crap out of him, which would only rarely happen. Every time it didn't happen, his legacy would build and build, turning him into sort of a Godzilla-type character. And lord have mercy, if it was a pay-per-view, families from coast to coast would tune in and pay to see him wrestle.
Terry Funk
Another living legend, and with a wrestling career that's spanned more than half a century, Terry Funk. The older he became, the tougher and more brutal his fights became. A veteran of about a dozen wrestling promotions, most of them Japanese/hardcore-based, Funk is no stranger to violence and insanity. Funk bleeds and makes others bleed like his life depends on it, and isn't afraid to get hurt a lot to hurt his opponent a little.
The Great Muta
Keiji Mutoh, AKA: The Great Muta, is a beast of a man from the land of the rising sun. A native of Japan (Obviously) and beginning his wrestling career there, The Great Muta has taken part in some of the bloodiest matches of all time. How bloody? How many? Well, in wrestling lingo, the "Muta Scale" determines how bloody a match is. This means The Great Muta set the golden standard for two men painting the wrestling mat crimson.
And finally...
Sting
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Sting. Sting was to WCW in the 80s and 90s what John Cena is to the WWE now. In his career, he has held a belt 25 times. When WCW was more popular than WWE (Then called WWF) Sting was the face of wrestling. The painted face of wrestling. In Pro Wrestling Magazine, he has been named "Wrestler of the Year" four times, tied with John Cena. When he was induced into the WWE Hall of Fame, he was the headline. For pretty much all of his career, Sting was the ultimate "Good guy". This is weird, because in this match, he's teamed up with his ultimate rival, Ric Flair.
I'm not going to spoil the match, because it's the main event. I had Star Wars: Episode VII and Logan spoiled for me, so the least I can do is not spoil this for you.
If you want to see this match, try out the WWE Network. The first month is free, you can cancel anytime, and it has every pay-per-view from WWE/WWF, WCW and even ECW, countless episodes of wrestling shows like Smackdown and Raw, tons of original content (Even a friggin' cartoon series) and other stuff. I'm not being paid to tell you this, although I wish I was.
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