From: chrispy@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling
Subject: Chrispy WVR : Halloween Havoc '92
Date: 31 Dec 92 17:57:04 GMT
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin

Once again, I am posting this from a friend's account.  Any comments or
questions should be sent to me at chrispy@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
 
Halloween Havoc '92 has just been released on home video.  However, I will
be reviewing the whole pay-per-view, which should cover all the matches on
the tape plus the ones that were left off.  Here goes today's review...
 
1) Arn Anderson/Bobby Eaton/Michael Hayes vs. Johnny Gunn/Tom Zenk/Shane
   Douglas
 
In all likelihood, this match will NOT make the tape, but I think it should,
as it was one of the best matches of the night.  The fans popped BIG TIME
for the heel team and booed the faces.  This made Arn and Bobby work harder,
which is great as they are hard workers anyway.  They really played up the
crowd and wrestled well.  However, the faces were scripted to win.  Gunn
with the (ack!) Lou Thesz press.
**3/4
 
2) Ricky Steamboat vs. Brian Pillman
 
Six months ago, I wouldn't have dreaded this match.  However, Pillman turned
heel and lost his workrate.  Steamboat hasn't learned a new move to match his
arm drag de jour, thus no excitement generated on the face side of the bout.
Actually, this turned out better than I thought, but I wasn't expecting much.
Pillman worked semi-hard, but not PILLMAN hard.  Still a better than average
match.
***
 
3) Van Vader vs. Nikita Koloff
 
Vader defended Rude's US title in this one, and it was one of the better
matches of the night.  Koloff worked pretty well and played the underdog
role as best as he could.  A slightly disappointing match for Vader, but
still watchable.
***1/4
 
4) Dustin Rhodes/Barry Windham vs. Steve Williams/Steve Austin
 
You know, for a last minute substitute, Austin was a brilliant choice.
I think he and Pillman should wear the Unified belts, as Austin is improving
lately to the point where he's one of the best in the States.  While the
match was far from memorable, all the participants worked hard to make this
IMO the best match of a weak night.
***1/2
 
5) Masahiro Chono vs. Rick Rude
 
Sorry, I didn't know there was a match.  I was watching the fight in the
upper deck.  :)
 
Seriously, this match was a MAJOR disappointment.  Rude barely worked, and
Chono hasn't shown me anything to be impressed with yet.  This was a chore
to sit through.  I wonder if Keiji Muto would like to wear the NWA gold...
**
 
6) Ron Simmons vs. Barbarian
 
To be honest, I think Simmons is the worst long term World champion in a
LONG time.  I've seen a change in him since he won the gold.  He seems to
acknowledge the fans a lot less than when he was a mid-carder.  I think it's
getting to his head that he's a great wrestler, when that's the farthest
thing from the truth.  A good wrestler could've carried this match.  Simmons
is not a good wrestler, end of story.
(By the way, I saw the "USENET loves Cactus Jack" sign.  To whoever did it,
 keep up the good work.  Too bad they had to show it during this match.)
*
 
7) Sting vs. Jake Roberts
 
Man, this card ends with a pop instead of a bang.  I don't know about you,
but I think Jake is starting to lose it.  The beer belly is more obvious,
he looks very disinterested except in interviews, and couldn't work up to
the levels that Sting can work.  (Granted, Roberts is far from Liger.)
 
This match wasn't boring, but it wasn't exciting either.  As much as they
played the "Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal" gimmick, they should've given us
a good match, like an I Quit match or a First Blood match.  Something about
a Coal Miner's Glove match strikes the true wrestling fan as boring right
off the bat, and this match is proof.
 
**1/2
 
 
Overall, this card wasn't worth paying pay-per-view prices for.  Maybe if
the actual seats to the show were cheap would I have paid for it.  This
was just a below average card from beginning to end.  If it weren't for
the first match (Arn, Bobby, and the crowd), Steve Austin, and Vader vs.
Koloff), this would be entirely forgettable.
 
FINAL GRADE: C   **1/4
 
 
"Scotty Flamingo - One Punch Bingo"
"They're coming in from the Sands, they're coming from...uh, from, uh,
 Caesar's Palace.  I'm sorry, I'm very excited..." - Vinnie Vegas
 
-----
Christopher Palacios        chrispy@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling