From: robert@askinc.ask.COM (Robert McMullen)
Subject: The STARRCADE *I* Saw (WAS Starcade 92)
Organization: ASK Computer Systems, Inc.
Distribution: world 
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 19:07:01 GMT

In article <15501@lupine.ncd.com>, Steve Lucas writes:

>         I was completely disapointed with Starcade 92.  After the HH flop and
> a simular flop at the Clash, I had thought that Cowpie would have gotten the
> message.  IMHO Starcade 92 was better than the previous two, but lacked what

Wow.  I thought *I'm* picky.  The Starrcade I saw had the best start-to-finish
workrate I've seen on a PPV in literally years.

To me, the Lethal Lottery matches started off kind of slow--maybe because 
there was no anticipation of the participants, and Spivey doesn't really 
draw any heat here.  Nor Hammer.  Some of the teams were pretty cool, though.  
I liked the Dustin-Vader pairing (and subsequent cheap-shot handshake into a 
clothesline by Vader...hah!), Sting-Williams, Muta and Windham vs. Pillman 
and Scorpio.  The Pillman-Windham and Barbarian-Vader standoffs were great, 
too.

The fans helped ruin a potentially great match next by providing almost
no reaction to Chono, and giving Muta a face reception.  But they still 
put on a good one as both were able to showcase their fortes--Chono's 
matwork and Muta's aerials.  By the time the finish came, the quick
application of the STF by Chono was almost a surprise, especially after
the abuse he had been taking...the rematch at the Tokyo Egg Dome on 1/4
has lots of promise.

Simmons-Williams was good, too, considering the two competitors, but the
DCOR finish was extremely predictable, and the "reversal" to give Simmons
the win was pointless since the champ doesn't lose the strap on a countout.
Bonus points for Watts for putting this together, as at least minor heat
could be created using the Orange Bowl angle...but negative points for
not using Steve Austin in this match since he was there and is probably
the #2 contender at this juncture (maybe Duh-stin).

(IMHO, putting Chono-Muta and Simmons-Williams in the middle downplays the
importance of the straps, but at least all subsequent matches had "titles"
of some form.)

Sting-Vader, to me, was every bit as good as the Beach Blast match and
its followup.  Except for the obvious jump by big Leon right into Sting's
finishing power slam...but who's counting?  We know it's fake.

The tag match was better than I thought it would be.  I don't really
like Steamboat but am starting to appreciate Shane Douglas more and more.
Plus, Windham and Pillman were great as usual.

Finally, and as much as I despise Battle Royals, Rumbles, etc., GREAT
SURPRISE by finishing with a Muta win!  I expected Vader to win, as 
penance for doing the earlier job, then I figured it was Duh-stin, but
Muta was a great choice.  And the action wasn't that bad, actually.

Finally, points for Cowpie and WCW for actually doing a good job for
once.  No negative points for Rude not wrestling as it's a legit injury.
Extra points for getting Williams-Muta and Williams-Vader spots in there,
since they work for rival promotions in Japan.  Extra points for not
only excluding EW from advancing but making him do the job.  Extra points
for having Chono-Muta on a US PPV card and letting them be themselves,
regardless of the fan response or lack thereof.

Overall, good stuff and a SOLID thumbs up from this corner.  Now... 

>                         (stuff omitted)
>
>         As posted before, most of the prelim, quarter final & semi-final
> matches for the US title have taken place.  From what I know/heard, the final
> four are BW, Steamboat, Dustin and Watts from unconfirmed sources.  I do know
> that the BW - Dustin fued is to heat up and be a major match in this tourney.

According to the Observer, this tourney was originally to determine the
"#1 contender" for the US title.  Since Rude is out 5-7 weeks, this tourney
may well now be for the title herself.  However, Meltzer said that the final
is Rhodes-Steamboat.  That's right.  Maybe Windham will do a run-in.  Or,
maybe with Rude out they'll change the tournament outcomes a little, so that
the match for the strap isn't face-face.

>         Lets hope that Super Brawl is twice as goo as Starcade.  It may be 
> the only way for Watts to save his job.  Hey Turner, Turn up the heat!

If SuperBrawl is *twice* as good as Starrcade...look out!  I would say
someting cute like "just my $.02", but it was more like "just my $2.00"...;-)

============================>Robert McMullen<============================

    The opinions expressed in this message in no way reflect those of   
   ASK Computer Systems, Inc.  Flames welcome, but highly uncalled for! 

=========================>robert@askinc.ask.com<=========================