Ring Rust Radio's New Generation Era Draft Results and Fantasy Cards

In the latest installment of Ring Rust Radio's fantasy draft series, the RRR panelists and a special guest conducting a draft involving those who wrestled during the New Generation Era from 1993 through 1995.

The New Generation Era was a transitional time in wrestling history, and it certainly made for an intriguing and unpredictable draft.

The draft lasted 25 rounds and was serpentine in nature. The ultimate goal was for everyone involved to put the best possible fantasy cards together with the rosters that they drafted.

This is fantasy booking at its finest, and the RRR panelists used their wrestling knowledge and imagination to present the most exciting cards possible.

As a reader, your job is to vote on who put together the best overall card. When voting, remember that these cards would have taken place between 1993 and 1995, so nothing that the wrestlers accomplished after that time period in real life should be taken into consideration.

Feel free to cast your vote and tune in to Ring Rust Radio on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET to find out who reigned supreme.

Some Language NSFW.

Tom Kinslow—Extreme Championship Wrestling

Championship on the Line	Stipulation	Match	Winner
ECW World Heavyweight Championship	Triple Threat	Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Lex Luger vs. Diesel (Brutus Beefcake as special guest referee)	Hulk Hogan
No. 1 Contender's Match for ECW World Heavyweight Championship	Ladder	Razor Ramon vs. Sabu	Razor Ramon
	Triple Threat	Arn Anderson vs. Bob Orton vs. Barry Windham	Arn Anderson
	Loser Goes to Jail	Big Boss Man vs. Jimmy Snuka	Big Boss Man
ECW World Television Championship	Basic Singles	Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Diamond Doll) (c) vs. The Sandman	Diamond Dallas Page
ECW World Tag Team Championship	Fatal 4-Way Tag Team	Heavenly Bodies (c) vs. Men on a Mission vs. Steiner Brothers vs. Smokin' Gunns	Steiner Brothers
	Basic Singles	Skip (w/ Sunny) vs/ The Roadie	The Roadie
	No Holds Barred	Ron Simmons vs. Taz	Taz
	Pre-Show	Papa Shango vs. Crush	Papa Shango

Disclaimer: Entire card booked by Kevin Nash

*Note: Winners in italics

Pre-Show: Papa Shango vs. Crush

It was a match fitting of its billing on the pre-show as Papa Shango and Crush went through the motions in a listless pre-show match that did little to energize the crowd. There was little in the way of excitement, as Papa Shango picked up the victory after possessing the referee to disqualify Crush for an illegal hold.

No Holds Barred Match: Ron Simmons vs. Taz

Despite the billing on the card, Ron Simmons and Taz tore the roof off of the building early with a massive brawl that spilled into the back and through the crowd as each man threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other. Following a brutal contest, it was Taz who locked in his second Tazzmission of the night, securing the victory and thrilling the fans.

Skip (with Sunny) vs. The Roadie

In a match that many fans tuned out on with little name recognition, a late swerve drew their attention as Sunny turned on Skip, as she gave The Roadie the ring bell after the referee had been incapacitated following an accidental collision in the corner. The Roadie picked up the victory as Sunny celebrated with her new client.

ECW World Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match: Heavenly Bodies (c) vs. Men on a Mission vs. Steiner Brothers vs. Smokin’ Gunns

It was the Steiner Brothers who came out victorious in a massive tag team clash that really jump-started the night’s action. Men on a Mission started out the contest using their size and physicality to dominate the proceedings as the Smokin’ Gunns paid the price early on. Eventually though, the Steiner’s used their teamwork to overwhelm the giant duo and score a pinfall.

ECW World Television Championship Match: Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Diamond Doll) (c) vs. The Sandman

In a potential Match of the Night award-winner, Diamond Dallas Page went toe-to-toe with Sandman for the World TV Championship. It was a brutal street fight-esque affair as both men took turns pummelling each other in and out of the ring. DDP was able to retain his title when Diamond Doll distracted the referee, allowing Page to hit a low blow and the Diamond Cutter to score the pinfall

Big Boss Man vs. Jimmy Snuka

In a match of the outlaw vs. the law, Jimmy Snuka took on the Big Boss Man in a loser goes to jail match. It was a back-and-forth affair, with numerous close pinfalls putting the crowd on the edge of their seats. After an illegal use of the nightstick, Boss Man was able to get the pinfall and the victory, handcuffing Snuka and taking him a paddy wagon stationed backstage.

Arn Anderson vs. Bob Orton vs. Barry Windham

It was an old-school meeting as Arn Anderson took on Bob Orton and Barry Windham late in the evening. All three men gave it their all as they pulled out all the stops to secure the victory. Anderson picked up the victory after Orton hit Windham with his cast and then turning into a spinebuster to end the contest.

ECW No. 1 Contender Ladder Match: Razor Ramon vs. Sabu

In one of the most anticipated bouts of the evening, Sabu and Razor Ramon went head to head for the right to face the winner of the evening’s main event for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship match. Both men pulled out all the stops to get a shot at glory as they pushed the envelope further and further. It came to two men on dueling ladders at the top rung, with Razor Ramon pushing Sabu out of the ring and through the Spanish announce table to pick up the victory and the title shot.

ECW World Heavyweight Championship Match: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Lex Luger vs. Diesel (Brutus Beefcake as Special Guest Referee)

The main event of the evening turned out to be the biggest swerve of the evening as Hulk Hogan was able to retain his title after Brutus Beefcake refused to ring the bell after Lex Luger had Hogan laid out for a sure victory. After Luger tried to argue with Beefcake, Diesel hit Luger with a chair, allowing Hogan to retain the title as Hogan, Diesel and Beefcake celebrated in the middle of the ring as fans booed and threw trash into the ring.

Donald Wood—Smoky Mountain Wrestling

Championship on the Line	Stipulation	Match	Winner
SMW Heavyweight Championship	Steel Cage	Randy Savage (c) vs. Brian Pillman	Brian Pillman
	Basic Singles	The Undertaker vs. Steve Austin	The Undertaker
SMW United States Junior Heavyweight Championship	Fatal 4-Way	Rick Rude (c) vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Ahmed Johnson	Rick Rude
	Battle for Japan	The Great Muta vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji	Yokozuna
SMW Tag Team Championship	Fatal 4-Way	Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) (c) vs. The Eliminators (Perry Saturn & John Kronus) vs. Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge & Rocco Rock)	The Eliminators
	Texas Death Match	Dean Malenko vs. Stan Hansen	Stan Hansen
SMW "Beat The Champ" Television Championship	No Disqualification	Tommy Dreamer vs. Honky Tonk Man (c)	Tommy Dreamer
Entry into SMW United States Junior Heavyweight Championship Match	Battle Royal	Ahmed Johnson vs. Kensuke Sasaki vs. Al Snow vs. Rick Martel vs. Michael P.S. Hayes vs. 2 Cold Scorpio vs. D'Lo Brown vs. Giant Gonzales w/ Harvey Wippleman	Ahmed Johnson

*Note: Winners in italics

Battle Royal for Entrance into Junior Heavyweight Championship: Ahmed Johnson vs. Kensuke Sasaki vs. Al Snow vs. Rick Martel vs. Michael P.S. Hayes vs. 2 Cold Scorpio vs. D'Lo Brown vs. Giant Gonzales w/ Harvey Wippleman

The opening match of the night is the PBS Pre Show eight man over-the-top-rope Battle Royal. The match will feature eight of the brightest stars in the business going to battle with the caveat that the winner will be the fourth man in the SMW United States Junior Heavyweight Championship match. Fan favorite and internet sensation Ahmed Johnson will cut an incredible promo and eliminate four men on his way to winning the bout. Johnson advances to the televised portion of the PPV.

SMW "Beat The Champ" Television Championship: Tommy Dreamer vs. Honky Tonk Man (c)

The first match on the PPV will be a battle of contrasting styles. Honky Tonk Man will be on a long winning streak with the "Beat The Champ" Television Championship, winning $1,000 every time he beats someone in an open challenge.  Weeks of beating jobbers like (FILL IN the top guys on other cards here) has led to an open challenge at the biggest show of the year. Mr. Tonk Man comes to the ring and talks trash to the fans and claims no man can beat him. He says he’ll add the no disqualification stipulation to entice a challenger, and Tommy Dreamer’s music would hit. The innovator of violence would battle HTM in a bloody match that sees Dreamer use the guitar to win the match.

Texas Death Match: Dean Malenko vs. Stan Hansen

The blood will flow once again in the Texas Death Match that goes on second between Dean Malenko and Stan Hansen. Malenko will bring the technical mastery he was known for and Hansen will bring the raw brutality. This will be a great mixture of contrasting styles, and Hansen will get the win with the lariat.

SMW Tag Team Championship: Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) (c) vs. The Eliminators (Perry Saturn & John Kronus) vs. Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs) vs. Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge & Rocco Rock)

In a tag team match that will satisfy every kind of wrestling fan, there will be an eclectic mix of technical moves and raw brutality. The defending champions, the Rock 'n' Roll Express, will face an incredibly tough test against three other teams, but it will be The Eliminators that get the ultimate rub and win the belts.

Battle for Japan: The Great Muta vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji

To add a little international flavor to the card, the first annual Battle of Japan will pit The Great Muta against Yokozuna with Mr. Fuji. Japan will not be on the line, but the right to call themselves the King of Japan will be. The Great Muta will put on an amazing show as usual, but Yokozuna will take advantage of unseen interference from Mr. Fuji throwing salt into the eyes of Muta and the big man will snag the victory.

SMW United States Junior Heavyweight Championship: Rick Rude (c) vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Ahmed Johnson

After Ahmed Johnson wins the chance to enter the SMW United States Junior Heavyweight Championship match, it becomes a fatal four way featuring Rick Rude, Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Eddie Guerrero as well. Rude will be the heel champion defending the belt against some of the most promising stars in the company. Helmsley and Johnson will focus on each other throughout this match (starting the feud between those men), and it will be Guerrero that handles Rude for most of the bout. Rude will get the dirty pin, but it is clear that Eddie deserved the win and will get another shot at the gold.

The Undertaker vs. Steve Austin

The Undertaker has been running roughshod over Smoky Mountain Wrestling as the undefeated newcomer to the company. He is clearly one of the top contenders for the SMW Heavyweight Championship, but before he can get his title match, a brash young star named Steve Austin proves how tough he is by calling out The Undertaker in a de facto No. 1 contender’s match. After a bout that sees plenty of brutality, Austin will get a series of near falls before The Undertaker gets him in a submission move. Instead of watching the charismatic Austin tap out, the future star passes out while bleeding profusely. While The Undertaker would get the victory, it would be Austin that proves how tough he is as a competitor.

SMW Heavyweight Championship: Randy Savage (c) vs. Brian Pillman

The battle for the heavyweight championship has been months in the making. Brian Pillman has been stalking Randy Savage in and out of the ring and has pinned the champion clean on several occasions. The two met previously for the world title, but Savage had used dirty tactics to ruin Pillman's chances at glory. Fed up with the underhanded tactics from the champ, the company president calls for a cage match to settle the score with only pins and submissions deciding the winner. Savage tries every method of cheating in the book, but nothing can keep Pillman down for the three count. Savage will eventually grow frustrated, and Pillman will hit him with his finisher to gain the clean pin over the champion. Instead of Savage attacking the new champion after the match, he shakes his hand and puts him over to the crowd as the real deal.

Brandon Galvin—World Wrestling Federation

Championship on the Line	Stipulation	Match	Winner
WWF Championship	I Quit	Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair (c)	Bret Hart
	Deathmatch	Cactus Jack vs. Terry Funk	Cactus Jack
WWF Intercontinental Championship	Basic Singles	Chris Benoit vs. Mr. Perfect (c)	Mr. Perfect
WWF Tag Team Championship	Basic Tag Team	The Thrillseekers (Chris Jericho & Lance Storm) vs. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts & Kevin Sullivan (c)	The Thrillseekers
	Basic Singles	British Bulldog vs. Jerry 'The King' Lawler w/ Dr. Isaac Yankem & Assistant Stevie Richards	British Bulldog
	2-out-of-3 Falls	Rey Misterio, Jr. vs. The 1-2-3 Kid	Rey Misterio, Jr.
No. 1 Contender's Match for the WWF Tag Team Championship	Basic Tag Team	Shane Douglas & Jeff Jarrett vs. Jim Neidhart & Road Warrior Hawk	Shane Douglas & Jeff Jarrett
	Basic Singles	Psicosis w/ Tito Santana vs. Mr. JL w/ Marty Jannetty	Psicosis w/ Tito Santana
	Basic Tag Team	The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa) vs. The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher)	The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa)

*Note: Winners in italics

Background: Led by Bret 'Hitman' Hart, a renaissance has emerged within the WWF. A 'new generation' has rallied behind Hart and his mission to prove that his vision of the art and culture of professional wrestling is the true past, present and future of the business. This vision and mission has split the audience and the locker room as Ric Flair intends to uphold his own traditional ideals and truths. WrestleMania features an overarching rivalry that transcends heels and babyfaces in order to blur the lines of fact and fiction to create the most engaging and thrilling professional wrestling event to date.

WWF loved to employ a tagline for their pay-per-views, so The Renaissance was featured on the promotional poster for this WrestleMania event of the 'New Generation Era.'

The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa) vs. The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher)

Up-and-coming wrestlers in any generation are always looking to do something to make a name for themselves. Looking to move up the ranks of the tag team division, The Gangstas and Headbangers engaged in a hard-hitting, stiff and physical battle. With Mustafa distracting the referee, New Jack hit Thrasher in the back of the head with a steel chair before knocking Mosh off the ring apron. Mustafa quickly dove on top of Thrasher to secure the victory for The Gangstas.

Psicosis w/ Tito Santana vs. Mr. JL w/ Marty Jannetty

This match featured two wrestlers looking to receive their due credit in the industry inPsicosis and Mr. JL. Tito Santana and Marty Jannetty, two wrestlers who were often overlooked in their own right, took Psicosis and Mr. JL under their wings, respectively. Hoping to steer their client in the right direction and get them started on the optimal path, this match saw both managers interfere on the behalf of their client several times in the match. Despite the interference, this quick-paced match remained even throughout.

However, it wasn't until Santana, with the referee not looking, lowered the top rope when Mr. JL was whipped by Psicosis. Psicosis then soared over the top rope to land a cross-body on Mr. JL. Jannetty rushed to the scene and tried to hit Psicosis with a clothesline, but Psicosis ducked and Santana nailed Jannetty with a stiff clothesline of his own. Psicosis rolled Mr. JL back into the ring, went to the top rope and landed diving leg drop to finish off Mr. JL for the win.

WWF Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender's Match: Shane Douglas & Jeff Jarrett vs. Jim Neidhart & Road Warrior Hawk

After Bret Hart left the Hart Foundation to be on his own, Neidhart searched for a tag team partner to restore his status in the division. Following Road Warrior Animal's injury, Road Warrior Hawk was also left floundering. Neidhart and Hawk decided to form a tag team to see if they could rekindle their magic outside of their comfort zone with another partner. 

Shane Douglas and Jeff Jarrett were also making a name for themselves in the tag team division after pairing together when they too thought they were being overlooked within the WWF. Douglas and Jarrett proved to be cerebral competitors and used Neidhart and Hawk's inexperience with each other against them. 

Following several miscommunications during the match, Neidhart ultimately turned on Hawk. Neidhart hit Hawk with the Anvil Flattener and left Hawk to be pinned by the opportunistic Jarrett. Following the match, Hawk chased after Neidhart, where the two continued to brawl in the backstage area before being separated by WWF officials. 

2-out-of-3 Falls Match: Rey Misterio, Jr. vs. The 1-2-3 Kid

A premier rivalry outside the war between Bret Hart and Ric Flair, Rey Misterio, Jr. and The 1-2-3 Kid captivated fans with their explosive and jaw-dropping high-flying abilities. Their lightning-quick and death-defying feats forced fans to watch and re-watch their every movement. Two fan favorites, this match was more about pride, respect and the determination to top the other man inside the squared circle.

The 1-2-3 Kid earned his name once again at the beginning of the match when he struck Misterio with the 1-2-3 Kick and rolled up Misterio for the first 1-2-3. As soon as the referee started the second fall of the match, Kid once again tried to catch Misterio with a quick pinning attempt after a sunset flip, but Misterio managed to kick out before the referee counted three.

While arguing with the referee, Misterio spun Kid around to nail a sunset flip of his own to actually catch Kid napping and tie the match at one fall apiece. 

Now tied, desperation set in with Kid. He would try everything in the book and his arsenal to put Misterio away. Following a roll-up attempt, Kid grabbed Misterio's tights, but the referee saw Kid's underhanded tactic and stopped counting. Looking to argue with the referee, Kid once again found himself distracted with somebody other than Misterio. This allowed Misterio to hit Kid with a dropkick to the back to send him towards the turnbuckle. Misterio lifted Kid on top of the turnbuckle and nailed the top-rope Frankensteiner to seal the third fall and the win.

Following the match Misterio and Kid embraced in the center of the ring with a handshake and hug to the approval of the fans. As Kid raised Misterio's arm in approval, he quickly turned heel and left Misterio laying in the center of the ring following a 1-2-3 Kick to the face.

British Bulldog vs. Jerry 'The King' Lawler w/ Dr. Isaac Yankem & Assistant Stevie Richards

After losing an intense feud with Bret Hart, Jerry Lawler sided with Ric Flair and turned his attention to Hart's running-mate, British Bulldog. Lawler and Bulldog would be involved in brutal brawls leading up to WrestleMania, but it was quickly apparent that Bullldog's supreme strength and athleticism would be too much for Lawler to complete with in a one-on-one setting.

Lawler would often run away from Bulldog when faced with a one-on-one confrontation and resorted to behind-the-back cheap shots. Lawler also mastered the art of the backstage ambush. He enlisted the help of Dr. Isaac Yankem and Yankem's assistance, Stevie Richards. Now with a sense of security and a cult-like following, or subjects, 'The King' was ready to take on Bulldog at 'Mania.

Being the crafty veteran he is, Lawler did everything he could during the match not to be matched up one-on-one with Bulldog. He led Bulldog to the outside and distracted the referee to allow Yankem and Richards to attack Bulldog. However, each time he was sent back into the ring, Bulldog would regain control of the match from Lawler and use his strength to send Lawler back to the outside to regroup with his loyal subjects.

Bulldog, catching on to Lawler's tendencies, went to the outside himself and landed a double clothesline on Yankem and Richards. He sent Richards flying over the barricade into the crowd and hit Yankem with a body slam on he outside mats. Lawler, looking on in shock and fear, tried to run away from Bulldog and accept a count-out loss. Bulldog chasedLawler down and dragged him back inside the ring. In the ultimate sign of redemption, Bulldog landed his patented running power slam on Lawler in the center of the ring to win the match.

WWF Tag Team Championship: Thrillseekers (Chris Jericho & Lance Storm) vs. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts & Kevin Sullivan (c)

The Thrillseekers may have sided with Bret Hart, but Jake 'The Snake' Roberts and Kevin Sullivan refused to take sides in favor of their own personal views. Though appearing to be different on the surface, Roberts and Sullivan, two of the most evil villains, gravitated to each other. With their own views of 'Good and Evil,' they squashed any differences and formed their own cult-like ideals.

After they won the WWF Tag Team Championship, which they announced as their first mission, they set their sights on their second mission: using their charisma to build a cult-like following within the locker room. They aimed their initial attention on Chris Jericho and Lance Storm because they possessed the youth, speed, agility and technical prowess perceived by Roberts and Sullivan as the missing pieces.   

Ultimately, Roberts and Sullivan were proven right as it was The Thrillskeers' speed that proved too much for the champions. Following a fury of high-flying moves, TheThrillseekers landed simultaneous cross-body presses and rolled up Roberts and Sullivan at the same time to pull off the monumental upset and win the WWF Tag Team Championship. 

As soon as The Thrillseekers started to celebrate their win, Shane Douglas and Jeff Jarrett, now the No. 1 contender's, cheap-shotted the new champs from behind. Roberts and Sullivan regrouped and aided in the onslaught on The Thrillseekers. Douglas and Jarrett sent The Thrillseekers flying over the top rope. They picked up the WWF Tag Team Championship belts and handed them over to Roberts and Sullivan. Back in possession of the titles, Roberts and Sullivan walked back up the ramp with Douglas and Jarrett following behind, proving to be the first two members of Roberts and Sullivan's new cult.

WWF Intercontinental Championship: Chris Benoit vs. Mr. Perfect (c)

A dream match for many, Chris Benoit was arguably the top up-and-coming star in the business from an in-ring perspective. He was quickly recruited by Bret Hart, while Mr. Perfect was the first to join Ric Flair. Now seen as a battle of right-hand men, this match held an even greater importance than just having the WWF Intercontinental Championship on the line.

The match proved to be every bit as great as fans imagined. This was your quintessential back-and-forth, catch-as-catch-can wrestling match. Both men were so evenly matched and clearly studied their opponent because thy seemed to know what the other would do before they had a chance to do it. Thus, neither man was able to land their trademark maneuver during the match.

Late in the match, Benoit attempted to hit Mr. Perfect with the dragon suplex, but Perfect reversed and landed the Perfect-Plex. With the leg hooked, Perfect secured the 1-2-3 and the victory to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship. 

Deathmatch: Cactus Jack vs. Terry Funk

The co-main event of WrestleMania, Cactus Jack and Terry Funk actually remained on the outside of the Bret Hart-Ric Flair war for domination. Instead, this match was rooted in something even more personal for Cactus Jack and Terry Funk: the determination to be 'King of the Deathmatch.'  

Known for the complete disregard of their bodies, this match featured everything a hardcore fan could imagine. From light bulbs, thumbtacks and barbed wire to tables, ladders and chairs, this match was not for the weak at heart. Though they had wrestled in a hardcore environment before, they had never had the opportunity to do so on the grandest stage until now. With their obsession to prove who was the most hardcore wrestler in the industry, they attempted to top one another throughout the match.

At one point in the match,  Funk back-body dropped Jack off a 15-foot high ladder and through a flaming table. However, it took Funk too long to regroup atop the ladder. When he attempted to hit Cactus Jack with his flying moonsault, Jack side-stepped Funk, who landed into a pile of barbed wire. 

It was Jack that managed to (barely) win the match when he hit Funk with the double under-hook DDT on a bed of thumbtacks. Though both men left with a crimson mask, they embraced in the ring and walked away together to a standing ovation from the audience.

WWF Championship 'I Quit' Match: Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair (c)

It would be difficult to find two better overall professional wrestlers during this time period than Bret Hart and Ric Flair. Each man had the mic skills and confidence to force even the most jaded naysayer into believing they were the best in the world. More importantly, each man possessed the in-ring skills, creativity and stamina to grapple with the elite performers of any generation.

Though Hart was entering the prime of his career, Flair wasn't ready to relinquish his grip as the most complete overall megastar just yet. With the two stars engaged in a heated rivalry pushing fans and wrestlers alike to an emotional brink, they agreed the only way to settle their differences was an 'I Quit' match. They even agreed that nobody from the opposing side would interfere on their behalf so a true winner could be determined.

At this time, an 'I Quit' match was reserved for only the most intense rivalries. Not only was the WWF Championship on the line, but also their own morals and integrity on the line, in addition to the perception that the future of the business was hanging the balance, the only way to settle this long-standing rivalry was an 'I Quit' match. 

Although fans think of hardcore-theme 'I Quit' matches, Hart and Flair stayed true to their own styles, mostly wrestlers a mat-based match. Their focus was to ensure their opponent quit within the confines of their trademark submission maneuvers, the Sharpshooter and Figure Four, respectively. Thus, both men focused on taking out the legs of their rival. 

Hart and Flair are perhaps the most evenly-matches superstar at this time period from many perspectives, but none greater than a knowledge and technical standpoint. Both men would counter their opponents trademark submissions throughout the match to leave fans wondering just what it would take to force one man to quit.

Flair, being the 'Dirtiest Player in the Game,' attempted to lock the Sharpshooter on Hart late in the match. However, Hart managed to counter and used his leg strength to flip Flair through the middle rope and to the outside of the ring. Hart rolled out of the ring, only to be met by a thumb to the eye from Flair, who was desperately trying to gain the advantage at this point in the match.

As Flair looked to whip Hart into the ring post, Hart countered and sent Flair face-first into the steel. Hart rolled Flair into the ring , wrapped Flair's legs around the post and locked in Flair's Figure Four. With nowhere to go and writhing in pain, Flair screamed 'I quit' and not only surrendered the WWF Championship to Hart, but his own fate within WWF.

Mike Chiari—World Championship Wrestling

Championship on the Line	Stipulation	Match	Winner
WCW World Heavyweight Championship	Ladder	Shawn Michaels vs. Sting (c)	Shawn Michaels
WCW United States Championship	Basic Singles	Vader (c) w/ Harley Race vs. Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Luna Vachon	Vader
WCW World Television Championship	Basic Singles	Owen Hart vs. Ricky Steamboat (c)	Owen Hart
WCW Tag Team Championship	Basic Tag Team	Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase & IRS) vs. Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) (c) w/ Sister Sherri	Money Inc.
	No Holds Barred	Goldust vs. Raven	Goldust
	Basic Singles	The Giant w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Sycho Sid	The Giant
	Submission	Steven Regal vs. Bob Backlund	Bob Backlund
	Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match	Team USA (Jim Duggan, The Patriot & The American Males (Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Scotty Riggs)) vs. The Islanders (Meng, The Barbarian & The Headshrinkers (Fatu & Samu) w/ Afa)	Team USA
	Basic Singles w/ Jimmy Hart at Ringside	Earthquake vs. Typhoon	Earthquake
	Basic Tag Team	Pretty Wonderful (Paul Roma & Paul Orndorff) vs. The Pitbulls (#1 & #2)	The Pitbulls

*Note: Winners in italics

Pretty Wonderful (Paul Roma & Paul Orndorff) vs. The Pitbulls (#1 & #2)

WCW’s stacked Starrcade card kicks off with a tag team clash that features two teams with contrasting styles. The narcissistic duo of Paul Roma and Paul Orndorff is worried largely about posing for the cameras, while The Pitbulls are all about tearing their opponents limb from limb.

Pretty Wonderful employs a number of heel tactics in order to keep pace, but The Pitbulls ultimately put Roma and Orndorff away with their signature aided superbomb.

Earthquake vs. Typhoon (Jimmy Hart at Ringside)

The Natural Disasters were one of the most dominant tag teams of the early 1990s, but by the time the New Generation Era came into existence, Earthquake and Typhoon began to experience some turmoil. With manager Jimmy Hart unable to keep the colossal couple on the same page, they decide to settle the score once and for all at Starrcade.

With Hart looking on from outside the ring, Earthquake and Typhoon prove to be equals. After the referee gets sandwiched between the mammoth combatants, Hart climbs up onto the apron and strikes Typhoon with his megaphone. A new referee emerges from the backstage area and makes the count in favor of Earthquake. Hart and Earthquake continue their partnership moving forward, while Typhoon is banished to wrestling purgatory in the form of The Shockmaster.

Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team USA (Jim Duggan, The Patriot & The American Males (Marcus Alexander Bagwell & Scotty Riggs)) vs. The Islanders (Meng, The Barbarian & The Headshrinkers (Fatu & Samu) w/ Afa)

With a stable of unyielding islanders threatening to take over WCW, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan takes it upon himself to assemble a group of nationalistic superstars to do battle with the foursome of Meng, The Barbarian, Fatu and Samu. Naturally, Duggan searches high and low for those who share his affinity for the Stars and Stripes.

Duggan leads a team comprised of The Patriot as well as The American Males in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match meant to eradicate the heel group once and for all. After both Marcus Alexander Bagwell and Scotty Riggs get eliminated early in the match, things look bleak for Team USA. Duggan and The Patriot manage to even the odds by taking out Samu and The Barbarian, but Meng then eliminates The Patriot with the Tongan Death Grip.

Although his back is against the wall, Duggan rises to the occasion by eliminating Fatu with a huge lariat and Meng after taping his fist in savvy fashion. Duggan then celebrates his victory by waving the American flag, much to the approval of the capacity crowd.

Submission Match: Steven Regal vs. Bob Backlund

The proper and refined Lord Steven Regal has no tolerance for abnormal behavior, so imagine his dismay regarding the nonsensical rambling of the psychotic Bob Backlund. Regal attempted to form a tag team with Backlund by teaching him the ways of Englishmen, but it would always inevitably result in Backlund snapping and locking Regal in the Cross Face Chicken Wing.

Fed up with Backlund’s antics, Regal challenges Backlund to a submission match at Starrcade pitting the Regal Stretch against Backlund’s devastating Cross Face Chicken Wing. Backlund plays the face role as he has gained crowd support due to his refusal to conform to Regal’s ways.

After a classic display of technical excellence highlighted by plenty of mat wrestling and reversals, Backlund is eventually able to trap Regal in his patented maneuver and force the tap-out.

The Giant w/ Jimmy Hart vs. Sycho Sid

Having run roughshod over the WCW competition on his way up the pecking order, The Giant enters Starrcade with a great deal of momentum behind him. Just when it looks like nobody can stop him, Sycho Sid steps up to the plate as one of the few men in wrestling who can nearly stand eye-to-eye with the seven-foot youngster.

The overconfident Giant struggles in the early going as Sid gets in plenty of offense. As Typhoon found earlier in the night, however, Jimmy Hart tends to be a great equalizer. With Sid about to hit The Giant with a potentially miraculous powerbomb, the unstable big man gets distracted by The Mouth of the South.

This opens the door for The Giant to battle out of Sid’s grasp and hit him with a thunderous chokeslam to pick up the win and continue his rapid ascent.

No Holds Barred Match: Goldust vs. Raven

Goldust and Raven are unquestionably two of the most bizarre and unpredictable figures in the history of professional wrestling, so it is only fitting that they go head-to-head on the biggest stage in WCW.

After months of Raven tormenting “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes and attempting to force Rhodes to join his deranged cause, Rhodes finally snaps. Rather than submitting himself to Raven, Rhodes undergoes a total personality change that results in the birth of Goldust.

It takes a lot to disturb someone as sick and sadistic as Raven, but Goldust somehow manages to pull it off, leading to a no holds barred match to end the feud for good.

With steel chairs, tables, trash cans and kendo sticks galore, Goldust and Raven whip the Starrcade crowd into a frenzy. The hardcore realm very much favors Raven, but Goldust uses his pent-up frustration and finishes off his tormentor with a Curtain Call onto a chair.

WCW Tag Team Championship: Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase & IRS) vs. Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) (c) w/ Sister Sherri

Perhaps no two tag teams in professional wrestling history differ more than Money Inc. and Harlem Heat. The pairing of “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and IRS is all about greed and deception, while Harlem Heat rely on a smashmouth, in-your-face style.

With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that Booker T and Stevie Ray control much of the match. Things certainly look dire for the challengers with Harlem Heat seemingly on the verge of retaining the Tag Team Championships; however, DiBiase has an ace in the hole as he so often does.

DiBiase takes it upon himself to distract the referee while Booker is about to finish off IRS, which results in Sister Sherri entering the ring and hitting Booker with a low blow. IRS then rolls up Booker for the victory, and Money Inc. becomes the new Tag Team Champions.

The Million Dollar Man always says that everybody has a price, and that goes for Sister Sherri as well.

WCW World Television Championship: Owen Hart vs. Ricky Steamboat (c)

Some matches are so spectacular that no frills or gimmicks are needed, and that can certainly be said about the Television Championship bout between Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Owen Hart. Steamboat and Hart are regarded as two of the best in-ring workers ever, and they would unquestionably put on an instant classic at Starrcade.

The cocky and arrogant Hart enters the match with intentions of overtaking Steamboat as one of the top dogs in the business, but the veteran fan favorite isn’t willing to go quietly. Much like Owen’s classic WrestleMania X encounter against his brother Bret, Owen and Steamboat are as evenly matched as they come.

After 20 minutes of back-and-forth action with no clear end in sight, Hart uses the momentum from Steamboat’s signature cross body to gain the upper hand and hooks the tights in typical heel fashion to steal the gold.

WCW United States Championship: Vader (c) w/ Harley Race vs. Bam Bam Bigelow w/ Luna Vachon

Not only are Vader and Bam Bam Bigelow two of the toughest competitors to ever grace the squared circle, but they also happen to arguably the two most athletic big men in the history of the business as well. Vader and Bam Bam never butted heads in a major American promotion, but that changes when they vie for the United States Championship at Starrcade.

Vader and Bigelow engage in an all-out brawl for much of the match with both Harley Race and Luna Vachon making things interesting outside the ring as well. With both competitors essentially beaten to a pulp, they engage in a game of one-upmanship.

That ultimately proves unwise from Bigelow’s perspective as Vader manages to escape what would have been a devastating moonsault. Vader then goes to the top rope and connects with a moonsaults of his own and retains the title in spectacular fashion.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match: Shawn Michaels vs. Sting (c)

As the man who popularized the ladder match, it is only fitting that the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels faces Sting in the Starrcade main event with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship suspended above the ring.

Sting is the most popular wrestler in all of WCW, and he is the clear-cut face of the company as world champion as well. The boisterous Michaels has worked his way up through the ranks, and while he has rubbed some people the wrong way in doing so, there is no question that he earned his shot.

Although the crowd is firmly in Sting’s corner to begin the match, that changes with each death-defying spot that Michaels pulls off. Both men do everything in their power to nab the belt, but it becomes clear that the first wrestler to make a mistake will come out on the short end of the stick.

Sting is the first one to crack in the latter stages of the match as Michaels reads his Stinger Splash attempt and delivers Sweet Chin Music flush on Sting’s chin.

Michaels then ascends the ladder and realizes his lifelong dream by becoming WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Sting confronts Michaels following the match and seems poised to attack him, but he instead offers HBK a handshake, which is accepted as the fans applaud in appreciation of both combatants to close the show.

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