WCW Saturday Night ... Fall 1996 ... Dusty Rhodes and Tony Schiavone on commentary.
Regal is accompanied by Geeves ... who was Geeves anyway? Sir William was better. Anyway, Geeves vanishes after the intro. A classic theme for Regal ... one of WCW's best themes at the time that captured the pompous nature of the character.
Luger's theme, on the other hand ... well, the WWF was using it at the time for their hotline. That kind of says it all.
Great expressions by Regal ... especially when Luger flexes in his face at the start. A mixture of disgust and anger. The match starts out slow ... Regal sells well for Luger ... a slow-paced start with Luger bouncing Regal around with a series of arm drags and hip tosses.
Regal takes control a few minutes later, laying in a hard succession of stiff forearms and kicks. Luger looks dazed. He probably was. Regal hits the double knee lift and goes for a series of pinfalls as the announcers discuss Regal's position during the lateral press. Regal whips Luger into the corner and is met with a boot ... he no-sells but goes dow with a double boot. Regal tries to make Luger look good. Is that possible?
Standard Luger comeback ... he hits the "bionic forearm" and the announcers remind us that it contains a metal plate. It doesn't knock out Regal though. Come to think of it, the bionic forearm never knocked out anyone in WCW. More standard Luger moves ... clothesline, clothesline, back drop followed by another bionic forearm which send Regal to the outside. Luger follows.
Luger tosses Regal back inside and while the ref attends to Regal, Hall & Nash run out from the back and ram Luger's head into the ringpost. Nick Patrick turns around and The Outsiders have vanished.
Lugers gets up, rolls back in and Regal makes the cover ... 1-2-3. Tony says Luger was "out on his feet." Regal is awarded the title and holds up three fingers to signify three TV title reigns. Tony says that the nWo has "changed the destiny of the TV title." WCW would change the destiny of the TV title years later ... by abolishing the title.
Post match interview ... classic Regal here ... Regal mocks Luger for "bouncing those pecs around," claiming that he plans to travel the world and take on all challengers for the title. This is probably the first mainstream reference to backyarders, as Regal says he will travel to India, Japan or even to "someone's backyward with a ring in it" to defend the title...
|
