Clash of the Champions

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The Clash of the Champions logo
The Clash of the Champions logo

The Clash of the Champions were a series of professional wrestling television specials aired by World Championship Wrestling. The specials were intended to feature pay-per-view caliber matches, similar to the World Wrestling Federation's Saturday Night's Main Event.

The first Clash of the Champions was held on March 27, 1988 by Jim Crockett Promotions and was entitled "NWA: Clash of Champions". Jim Crockett Promotions was sold to Ted Turner and renamed World Championship Wrestling in 1988, and in 1991 World Championship Wrestling withdrew from the NWA, whereupon the Clash of Champions was renamed Clash of the Champions. WCW continued to air the events until 1997.

Contents

[edit] History

Through 1987 and 1988, a bitter event scheduling war broke out between rival wrestling promoters Vince McMahon and Jim Crockett, Jr. On Thanksgiving night 1987, McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF) aired Survivor Series against Starrcade from Crockett's National Wrestling Alliance (NWA): two pay-per-view (PPV) events on the same day. At that time, many cable companies could only offer one live PPV event at a time, and furthermore were presented with an edict from the WWF saying that any cable company that chose to carry Starrcade would be barred from carrying any future WWF events. Hence, the proven WWF PPV was cleared 10-1 over Starrcade.

Following this incident, McMahon was warned by the PPV industry not to schedule PPV events simultaneously with the NWA again. However, he was still not willing to fully cooperate with Crockett, and on January 24, 1988, another scheduling conflict took place between the WWF and NWA. The NWA presented the Bunkhouse Stampede on PPV, while on the same night, the WWF aired the Royal Rumble for free on the USA Network.

In 1988, with the WWF's WrestleMania IV around the corner, Crockett decided to give McMahon a taste of his own medicine. He would develop his own PPV-caliber event and air it for free on TBS. The result was the Clash of Champions.

On March 27, 1988 – the same night as WrestleMania – the first Clash of Champions aired. The first show was of PPV caliber and it made Sting a star after he wrestled NWA World Champion Ric Flair to a 45-minute draw. WCW would repeat the practice again the following year with a Clash coinciding with the WWF's WrestleMania V. Although the main event of NWA Champion Ricky Steamboat defeating Ric Flair in a best of three falls match was widely considered the best wrestling match that took place between the two promotions on that day, ratings and attendance for the event fell well below expectations and the practice of conflicting major events would cease until the Monday Night Wars began in 1995.

Clash events continued on a sporadic basis over the next nine years, quickly changing focus to become a free marketing vehicle for NWA/WCW PPV events, similar to the WWF's Saturday Night's Main Event. WCW aired the 35th and last Clash of the Champions on August 21, 1997.

[edit] National Wrestling Alliance

[edit] Clash of the Champions I

Clash of the Champions I took place on March 27, 1988 at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. There were 6000 people in attendance and the show drew a 5.6 rating on TBS..

  • Rotundo won with a cradle for the 1 count pin 1:10 into the second round
  • Bobby Fulton originally pinned Bobby Eaton to win the titles but the decission was reversed because Fulton threw referee Randy Anderson over the top rope before the pinfall was made.
  • The Warlord was pinned after being accidentally hit with a diving headbutt from the Barbarian
  • Animal wore a Hockey goalie mask during the match to protect his injured face.
  • Lex Luger pinned Arn Anderson after whipping Anderson into J.J. Dillon on the apron.
  • The ringside judges could not decide on a winner after the time limit expired
  • J.J. Dillon was suspended above the ring in a cage during the match
  • The judges at ringside were: Gary Juster, Sandy Scott and ”Penhouse Pet” Patty Mullins

[edit] Clash of the Champions II: Miami Mayhem

Clash of the Champions II took place on June 8, 1988 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. There were 2400 people in attendance and the show drew a 4.8 rating on TBS.

  • Windham pinned Brad Armstrong after Armstrong passed out from the Iron Claw.
  • Bobby Fulton pinned Butch Williams with a surprise roll up.
  • Jimmy Garvin pinned Rick Steiner
  • Kevin Sullivan was locked in a cage at ringside but stole the key from the Garvins’ valet Precious
  • Steve Williams ran in after the match to save the Garvins from a 3 on 2 beat down.
  • Perez was disqualified when Larry Zybysko interfered in the match attacking Koloff.
  • The referee is knocked out near the end of the match prompting Ric Flair and Barry Windham to interfere which results in the match being thrown out.

[edit] Clash of the Champions III: Fall Brawl

Clash of the Champions III took place on September 7, 1988 at the Albany Civic Center in Albany, GA. There were 3700 people in attendance and the show drew a 5.4 rating on TBS. Fall Brawl would later become a regular PPV event for WCW.

  • After the match Steve Williams ran to the ring to congratulate Brad Armstrong
  • Noloff pinned Butch Miller after a Russian Sicle
  • Nikita Koloff was not the legal man but the decision remained the same.
  • Dusty won the match by pinning Gary Hart and not the legal opponent Kevin Sullivan
  • Despite the match not being announced as a no-dq match, Sullivan is not disqualified when Al Perez interferes in the match.
  • Koloff had manager Paul Jones and The Russian Assasin at ringside.
  • After accidentally costing Koloff the match Paul Jones and the Russian Assassin attacked Koloff soon joined by a second masked Russian Assassin turning Koloff face.
  • Windham is disqualified after hitting Sting with a chair.
  • The referee didn't actually see the chairshot but is informed of it by ”San Francisco 49er” John Ayers who came to ringside.

[edit] Clash of the Champions IV: Season's Beatings

Clash of the Champions IV took place on December 7, 1988 at the UTC Arena in Chattanooga, TN. There were 8000 people in attendance and the show drew a 4.5 rating on TBS.

  • Bobby Fulton pinned Eddie Gilbert with a roll up
  • This was the finals of the tournament to crown new United States Tag-Team champions, the titles were vacated when the Midnight Express won the world tag-team titles.
  • Simmons and Gilbert had originally lost to the Sheepherders in the semi-finals but the decission was reversed when the Sheepherders signed with the WWF.
  • Steve Williams pinned the Stallion after turning a cross body block into a running power slam
  • Ivan pinned Paul Jones after hitting him with Jones’ own illegal object.
  • Koloff had one arm tied behind his back during the entire match.
  • The Russian Assassins attack Koloff after the match only for the Junkyard Dog to make the save.
  • Barry Windham pinned Bobby Eaton after Ric Flair hit Eaton with a shoe.

[edit] Clash of the Champions V: St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Clash of the Champions V took place on February 15, 1989 at the CSU Convocation Center in Cleveland, OH. There were 5000 people in attendance and the show drew a 4.6 rating on TBS. This show was warm up show for the Chi-Town Rumble PPV only 5 days later.

  • Butch Reed pinned Casey after a shoulder tackle off the top rope.
  • Steven Casey was billed as ”undefeated” coming in to this match.
  • Luger pinned the Blackmailer after a Lariat
  • The masked Blackmailer was Jack Victory who did double duty on the night (he was also Russian Assassin #2)
  • Steve Williams pinned Tommy Rogers after Mike Rotunda interfered.
  • Steve Williams replaced Kevin Sullivan in the match, Sullivan & Rotunda originally won the US titles.
  • Steamboat pinned Bob Bradley with a top rope cross body block
  • Steamboat’s 1 year old son and wife were at ringside.
  • Rick Steiner pinned Morgan after a belly-to-belly suplex.
  • Steiner was the reigning NWA World Television champion but the title was not on the line.
  • The match is declared a double disqualification when Sting, Junkyard Dog and Michael Hayes stormed the ring.
  • Sting, JYD & Hayes were originally slated to face the Road Warriors & Tenryu but were locked in by Kevin Sullivan before the match

[edit] Clash of the Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun

Clash of the Champions VI took place on April 2, 1989 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA. There were 5300 people in attendance and the show drew a 4.3 rating on TBS. This show was used to build the Wrestle War 1989 PPV on May 7. Clash VI was held on the same day as WrestleMania V and on free TV in an attempt to hurt the PPV rating.

  • Fatu hits Bobby Eaton with Paul E. Dangerlously’s phone without the referee seeing it.
  • This is the continuation of the Jim Cornette / Paul E. Dangerously feud that started when Dangerously brought the “Real Midnight Express” to the NWA.
  • Muta pinned Casey after a Moonsault
  • Muta’s manager Gary Hart was at ringside and tossed Steven Casey back in the ring for the finish
  • Reed is pinned with a roll up after colliding with manager Hiro Matsuda on the apron.
  • Orton pins Murdoch when manager Gary Hart reaches in and pulls Murdoch’s leg out from under him during a suplex.
  • The exact same finish was used for the Rick Rude/Ultimate Warrior match at WrestleMania V that very same day.
  • Steve Williams cradles Hawk for the pinfall
  • Referee Teddy Long refused to count a pinfall for the Road Warriors only moments before.
  • The count on Hawk was super fast, so fast that Teddy Long was fired as a referee over it, Long started managing the the Skyscrapers shortly after this.
  • Eddie Gilbert got the pinfall on Kevin Sullivan after hitting him with manager Missy Hyatte’s loaded purse.
  • Flair pinned Steamboat after reversing an inside cradle (19:33).
  • Steamboat forced Flair to submit with a double chickenwing (34:14).
  • Steamboat pinned Flair after a failed double chickenwing attempt. Flair fell on top of Steamboat, both men's shoulder were down, but Steamboat got his left shoulder up before the three count (55:49).
  • The replay would show that Flair's foot was on the bottom rope, thus allowing him to get one last rematch at WrestleWar 1989.
  • Sting made Rip Morgan submit to the Scorpion Deathlock
  • This was an untelevised match seen only by the crowd in the Louisiana Superdome
  • Lex Luger forced Jack Victory to submit with the Torture Rack
  • This was an untelevised match seen only by the crowd in the Louisiana Superdome

[edit] Clash of the Champions VII: Guts and Glory

Clash of the Champions VII took place on June 14, 1989 at the Ritz-Epps Fitness Center in Fort Bragg, NC. The show drew a 3.8 rating on TBS. This show was used to build the Great American Bash 1989 PPV on July 23.

  • Michael Hayes DDT’ed Shane Douglas behind the referee’s back for the victory.
  • Jimmy Garvin replaces Terry Gordy who participated in the first round match, it was Garvin’s debut as an official Freebird.
  • The Freebirds beat the Road Warriors in the first round while the Dynamic Dudes beat Jack Victory and Rip Morgan
  • Ranger Ross pinned the Terrorist after a “Combat Kick”
  • Jack Victory once again appears at a Clash of Champions under a mask, having previously appeared as “Russian Assassin #2” and “The Blackmailer” when the bookers needed a generic heel.
  • The Ding Dongs defeated Cougar Jay and George South (3:00)
  • The Ding Dongs won after a flying kneedrop / flying elbow double team move
  • The Ding Dongs were Jim Evans and Richard Sartain who only wrestled a handful of matches under this gimmick.
  • Lane pinned Samu after the Road Warriors ran in and attacked the Samoa Swat Team while the referee was knocked out.
  • The Midnight Express beat Bob Orton, Jr. and Butch Reed in the first round while the Samoa Swat Team beat Ranger Ross and Ron Simmons
  • Williams and Gordy are counted out while fighting on the floor.
  • Mike Rotunda pins Scott Steiner after suplexing Steiner onto a steel chair.
  • This match is one of the very first matches the Steiner Brothers had together.
  • Jimmy Garvin pins Bobby Eaton after Terry Gordy interfered and hit a power bomb on Eaton.
  • Jim Cornette was attacked by Paul E. Dangerously early in the match and helped to the back by the Dynamic Dudes.
  • Funk is disqualified for hitting Ricky Steamboat with the microphone.
  • Terry Funk beat down Ricky Steamboat after the match until Lex Luger made the save.
  • After running Terry Funk off Luger turns on Steamboat and attacks him as well.

[edit] Clash of the Champions VIII: Fall Brawl

Clash of the Champions VIII took place on September 12, 1989 at the Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, SC. There were 2600 fans in attendance and the show drew a 4.7 rating on TBS. This show was used to build the first ever Halloween Havoc PPV on October 28.

  • Hawk pinned Fatu after a Doomsday Device
  • During the closing moments of the match manager Paul E. Dangerously’s cellphone was used on Fatu.
  • Zenk made the Cuban Assassin pass out from the Sleepe hold
  • This was Tom Zenk’s NWA Debut match
  • Sid Vicious pinned Ranger Ross after a Helicopter Slam and a Powerbomb
  • This was Ranger Ross’ last appearance at a major NWA show (PPV or Clash)
  • Michael Hayes pinned Scott Steiner after a DDT
  • Scott Steiner was tripped by either Missy Hyatt or Robin Green at ringside. It was later revealed to be Robin Green who’s go on to manage Doom in a feud with the Steiner Brothers.
  • This was the Steiner Brothers’ first ever shot at a world tag-team title.
  • Pillman rolled Norman up with a Crucifix for the pinfall.
  • This was Norman “the Lunatics” first major NWA show appearance.
  • Steve Williams pins Mike Rotunda after reversing a roll-up.
  • Williams had turned Face shortly before the show ending the Varsity Club for good.
  • Lex Luger pinned Tommy Rich after a Stungun
  • Despite being the heel Luger is cheered by the South Carolina crowd.
  • Slater and Muta are disqualified after Muta uses the Asian mist on Sting and Slater strikes Ric Flair with his cast.
  • Dick Slater was a substitute for an injured Terry Funk.
  • After the match, Funk tried to suffocate Flair by putting a plastic bag over his head.

[edit] Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout

Clash of the Champions VIII took place on November 15, 1989 at the Houston Field House in Troy, NY. There were 4000 fans in attendance and the show drew a 4.9 rating on TBS. This show mainly dealth with fallout from Halloween Havoc PPV and to set up the Iron Man / Iron Team tournaments at Starrcade 1989.

  • The Road Warriors were disqualified when Hawk hit the referee.
  • The Freebirds had actually lost the tag-team titles on November 1 but the match had not aired yet so the Freebirds were introduces as the world tag-team champions.
  • Doom #1 pins Tommy Rich after a double team Clothesline
  • Eaton pinned Shane Douglas after Jim Cornette hits Douglas with his tennis racket.
  • Jim Cornette was in a neutral corner at the start of the match before deciding to side with the Midnight Express
  • Steve Williams pinned the Super Destroyer with the Oklahoma Stampeed
  • This is Jack Victory’s 4th “Masked Mystery Man” appearance at a Clash (“Russian Assassin #2”, “The Blackmailer” and “The Terrorist”)
  • The Skyscrapers were disqualified when Doom ran in and attacked the Steiner Brothers.
  • During the match Sid Vicious punctures a lung and is replaced by ”Mean” Mark Callous soon after.
  • Woman’s bodyguard Nitron makes his debut during the post match brawl between the Steiners, the Skyscrapers, Doom and the Road Warriors.
  • Lex Luger pinned Pillman after hitting him with a chair while the referee was down.
  • Sting saved Pillman from further attacks by Lex Luger.
  • Flair forced Terry Funk to say “I quit” on the house microphone due to the pain of the Figure four leglock
  • Gary Hart attacks Terry Funk after the match and quickly joined by The Great Muta.
  • Sting saves Ric Flair from the attack only to be attacked by Lex Luger

[edit] Clash of the Champions X: Texas Shootout

February 6, 1990 in Corpus Christi, TX (Memorial Coliseum)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XI: Coastal Crush

June 13, 1990 in Charleston, SC (McAlister Field House)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XII: Fall Brawl '90

September 5, 1990 in Asheville, NC (Asheville Civic Center)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XIII: Thanksgiving Thunder

November 20, 1990 in Jacksonville, FL (Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum)

[edit] World Championship Wrestling

[edit] Clash of the Champions XIV: Dixie Dynamite

January 30, 1991 in Gainesville, GA (Georgia Mountains Center)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XV: Knocksville USA

June 14, 1991 in Knoxville, TN (James White Civic Coliseum)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XVI: Fall Brawl

September 5, 1991 in Augusta, GA Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center)

The titles were vacated on July 18, 1991, when one half of the reigning WCW World Tag Team Champions The Steiner Brothers, Scott Steiner, was injured, this was a tournament final.

[edit] Clash of the Champions XVII

November 19, 1991 in Savannah, GA (Savannah Civic Center)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XVIII

January 21, 1992 in Topeka, KS (Kansas Expo Center)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XIX

June 22, 1992 in Charleston, SC (McAlister Field House)

NWA World Tag Team Title Tournament

The final rounds of the tournament took place at The Great American Bash 1992

This was the last Clash of the Champions held at McAlister Field House; following the March 1993 opening of the North Charleston Coliseum, events in Charleston moved to the new arena.

[edit] Clash of the Champions XX: 20th Anniversary

September 2, 1992 in Atlanta, GA (Center Stage Theater)

This show commemorated the twentieth anniversary of professional wrestling broadcasts on WTBS.

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXI

November 18, 1992 in Macon, GA (Macon Coliseum)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXII

January 13, 1993 in Milwaukee, WI (The Mecca)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXIII

June 16, 1993 in Norfolk, VA (Norfolk Scope)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXIV

August 18, 1993 in Daytona Beach, FL (Ocean Center)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXV

November 10, 1993 in St. Petersburg, FL (Bayfront Arena)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXVI

January 27, 1994 in Baton Rouge, LA (Riverside Centroplex)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXVII

June 23, 1994 in North Charleston, SC (North Charleston Coliseum)

This was the first Clash of the Champions in Charleston since 1992, but the first to be held in the newly opened North Charleston Coliseum.

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXVIII

August 28, 1994 in Cedar Rapids, IA (Five Seasons Center)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXIX

November 16, 1994 in Jacksonville, FL (Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXX

January 25, 1995 in Las Vegas, NV (Caesar's Palace)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXXI

August 4, 1995 in Daytona Beach, FL (Ocean Center)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXXII

January 23, 1996 in Las Vegas, NV (Caesars Palace)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXXIII

August 15, 1996 in Denver, CO (Denver Coliseum)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXXIV

January 21, 1997 in Milwaukee, WI (Wisconsin Center Arena)

[edit] Clash of the Champions XXXV

August 21, 1997 in Nashville, Tennessee (Nashville Municipal Auditorium)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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