Revisit – WCW Halloween Havoc 1989

It was the inaugural spectacular that would follow a timeless yearly tradition. This WCW-produced PPV with Turner broadcasting maintained a working relationship with the NWA and was called Halloween Havoc using the classic tagline, “ Settling the Score! “ Audiences witnessed a unique concept concerning professional wrestling. The famed Philadelphia Civic Center became forever associated with housing this premier event. History was made inside “ The City of Brotherly Love “on October 28th,1989. Mainstream wrestling spectators were among the first to experience the electrified steel cage concept called Thunderdome!!! Long before the pandemic era, WWE-themed ideas borrowed from that exact name via 2020. 

Our main event dazzled those watching live & watching at home. Many are more critical of such campy creations than others. Some enjoy its nostalgic aspect. I will be discussing the tag-team match within Thunderdome later. Legendary wrestling broadcasters Bob Caudle & Jim Ross voiced the program. Another legendary voice Gordon Solie assisted as he interviewed the wrestlers. Broadcast journalist Chris Cruise helped with interviews as well. Your veteran ring-announcer was Michael Gary Cappetta.

Mike Rotunda def. Z-Man:

The featured emphasis was on technical wrestling due to Rotunda’s amateur background. Z-Man possessed speed & quickness. He utilizes steady movement to keep Rotunda off of his game. The Syracuse star combatted his opponent by taking opportune cheap shots when needed. Z-Man matched fundamentally sound technique against Rotunda. My viewpoint was an intense battle highlighting scientific wrestling versus athletic speed. Z-Man def. Mike Rotunda by countering his high cross-body block into the pin. 

Chris Cruise interviewed legendary WWWF world heavyweight champion, Bruno Sammartino. He will serve as the special guest referee in the finale. Sammartino states; that this match is unique. He adds you have these four individuals in there. Bruno says Thunderdome is a dangerous match. What’s his role exactly to keep Ole Anderson & Gary Hart in line? Whenever somebody throws in the towel, his job is to stop the match & declare a victor. 

The Samoan Swat Team def. The Midnight Express & Dr. Death Steve Williams

The Samoan Savage came out aggressively until “ Sweet” Stan Lane responded by powerfully executing one impressive back-body drop. I deeply miss “ Beautiful “ Bobby Eaton. People often refer to Jerry Lawler’s great wrestling punch & let’s include Eaton’s right hand. Eaton precisely caught his opponent while on the arena floor. The Midnight with Steve Williams talk about a dream team. The Samoans are highly underrated. Samu, Fatu, and Samoan Savage were incredible. Dr. Death loved to hit the opposition. Physicality mixed with facing big guys equally his size made him stronger. 

Cornette & Humperdinck’s psychology on the outside was a crucial component in supporting the matchup. God bless Bobby Eaton! Revisiting wrestling from the ’80s helps us remember his greatness. Stan & Bobby with Cornette is priceless. Steve Williams was one of the strongest wrestlers I’ve ever watched. Eaton hit that concrete floor with no pads after taking the hip toss by Fatu. Dr. Death was an amateur at Oklahoma University! A highlight was Cornette thumping Humperdinck with his famous tennis racket as both managers stood on the ring apron. Stan Lane inadvertently knocks Jim Cornette off the apron allowing the Samoan Savage to pin him. The Samoan Swat Team w/ Oliver Humperdink beat The Midnight Express & Dr. Death Steve Williams w/ Jim Cornette & what a great match. 

Gordon Solie interviews Terry Funk & Gary Hart. Concerning Gary Hart, talk about one of the greatest minds & managers alongside another all-time great. Funk promises someone’s getting electrified. 

“Wildfire “ Tommy Rich def. The Cuban Assassin

Rich gets attacked moments after the bell rings before he knows it. The Cuban Assassin is all over him by gaining a significant advantage. Rich’s energetic offense opposed the Assassin’s brawling style. Both tried to defend themselves, but the man from Cuba kept “Wildfire” guessing early on as he displayed consistent intensity. Rich looked to take away his rival’s strength by targeting the Assassin’s arm. Rich uses the Thez-Press to secure a victory. Tommy Rich def. The Cuban Assassin. It was a pretty good match. Considering the allotted time, each wrestler told a balanced wrestling story inside the ring. 

Gordon Solie interviews Jimmy Garvin & P.S. Michael Hayes. Garvin proclaims they are the best tag team in the world. Hayes brags about the women & his reference to Prince stood out. He warns the Dynamic Dudes of sudden defeat. Hayes, not many can cut a promo like him. Michael Hayes introduced music to Pro-Wrestling. Thanks to his contributions, wrestlers could have entrance music. The Freebird introduced Rock N’ Roll music to the wrestling profession. Hayes is flashy, showcasing his charisma when he struts. 

The Freebirds retain the NWA Tag Team Championships

Hayes & Douglas begin, pre-franchise ECW days had a different presentation wrestling in WCW circa 89. Johnny Ace would later work corporately for WWE. Yes, Johnny Ace (John Laurinaitis) was the brother of the late great Road Warrior Animal. He also competed on this same PPV. Michael Hayes was more experienced, but Douglas fought his way back. Johnny Ace hitting a dropkick on Garvin impresses for a man JR said was 6’ 4. People, we’re encountering a young talent whose name was Shane Douglas. Garvin brought a complimentary element to the Freebirds. He also inserted experience from wrestling in the territories. The Dudes frustrated the champions. Unusual seeing Cornette paired with the NO. 1 contenders. Overall not a bad match & it had some fun sequences. Respectfully these teams didn’t have chemistry. Having Cornette associated was their way of hoping The Dudes could be a New Midnight Express. Hayes rocked Johnny Ace with a punch. The Philly crowd loved the Freebirds. The Freebirds retain the NWA Tag Team Titles! 

Chris Cruise interviews The Steiner Brothers-Scott Steiner said you’re playing our game. Rick & Scott’s promos suffered here. So many iconic duos in NWA/WCW here. Ron Simmons & Butch Reed similarly intimidated me after watching this back after all of these years. All four begin brawling, and belly-to-belly suplexes cause them to erupt. The Steiners have the crowd going wild. Both Simmons & Reed wearing those masks was genius. Doom is so incredibly mysterious because of its pure presentation. Steinerlines combining suplexes created such excitement with whomever they wrestled. The woman was essential in any situation concerning her role alongside Doom. 

Doom with Woman outsmarted The Steiners

These tandems had power “ The Steiners “ are innovative due to their amateur style. The siblings adapted so quickly to pro wrestling. Doom represented two menacing villains cheating at every turn. Simmons & Reed matched strength & isolated that ring. They caused a separation between Scott and Rick. By beating down one wrestler, you’re chances of winning go up substantially. If you enjoy classic tag team wrestling, then the Steiner’s & Doom battling was a terrific phenomenon. Women put a foreign object into one of Doom’s masks which allowed them to win. Doom wins. 

Gordon Solie interviews the U.S. Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger. He addresses Brian Pillman. Lex was the Total Package, his look meaning physique & women screamed for him. Luger & Pillman both came from NCAA & NFL backgrounds. Girls loved Flyin’ Brian as well. He epitomized natural wrestling ability. One advantage he possessed over Luger was his adaptability to the sport. The challenger dominated the champion first until Lex used his intellect to change the momentum, then Brian relied on inventive offense. I feel Lex gets a bad reputation based on his overall wrestling ability. He progressed so fast. Sure, it was those muscular features, but the man worked hard to get where he was. 

Lex Luger Retains WCW U.S. Title against Flyin’ Brian

Flyin’ Brian neutralized Luger’s arm. Just think about it his arm is a great attribute. Power comes from Lex’s arms. The United States Champion controlled his advisory. Great matchup as both men fought hard. Luger causes Pillman to his neck on the top ring rope. He covers Flyin’ Brian I-2-3. Lex Luger retains the U.S. Title. 

Chris Cruise interviews The Road Warriors. Hawk’s voice was unmistakable, that signature voice. Hawk & Animal delivered memorable promos. 

Road Warriors def. The Skyscrapers

Iron Man plays, and here comes the pain. People treated them like rock stars. What a tremendous reaction anytime Hawk & Animal appeared in a building or arena. Dan Spivey & Sid, we’re enormous. LOD isn’t afraid of these two monsters. These midwestern guys love to fight. It is in watching Sid in NWA/WCW still developing his illustrious career. Teddy Long & Paul Ellering are both legends. Hawk and Animal are big men. When comparing the Road Warriors to Spivey & Sid, even they look small. 

No technical wrestling is displayed here. Intense physicality combing pure power existed throughout this one. Long nailed Ellering with that metal key. The Road Warriors won by a DQ. The Skyscrapers attack the Road Warriors afterward. Hawk & Animal got their revenge. 

Chris Cruise interviews Sting, Ric Flair, & Ole Anderson. Ole will never throw in the towel. Flair & Sting, we’re fired up & vowed to end Funk & Muta. Capeta introduces Bruno Sammartino. The crowd went crazy with chants of Bruno. 

Ric Flair & Sting def. Terry Funk & The Great Muta

Muta was the world television champion. He innovated pro wrestling bringing his trademark style over from Japan. Terry Funk is a former NWA World Champion & second-generation star. The Amarillo, Texas wrestler enjoyed one underrated acting career in films. He is an all-time great. Gary Hart was magnificent at what he did. 

Sting personified charismatic energy that was infectious. A very popular wrestler, Sting was becoming more established as a star then. 6-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, “ The Nature Boy” Ric Flair is the greatest. Nobody does wrestling like Flair, the dirtiest player in the game & he proved his versatility by highlighting being the hero and the ultimate villain. Flair promos rank up there as the best. 

Ole Anderson is a legendary wrestler teaming with Gene Anderson, Lars & Arn Anderson on separate occasions. Later, Ole aligned with Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, & JJ Dillon and formed the iconic Hall of Fame group, ‘ The Four Horsemen!’ Hart & Anderson are Terminators meaning they can control the outcome. Pyrotechnics had flashes of lightning & it was a spectacle. Muta puts out an accidental fire by spraying his on it. Terry Funk & Ric Flair start things off. Two icons face each other. Bruno is not going to be intimidated by these four wrestlers. Funk & Flair had immediate chemistry together. 

The chops sounded all around the arena. Sting attacks Funk and utilizes the cage against his opponent. Flair takes everyone to school. Muta & Sting also had great chemistry. The good guys are dominant so far. All four athletes can wrestle one another incredibly. Muta gained control over Sting. Funk assisted in that campaign. Muta withstood painful chops by Flair, while Terry isolated Flair. Thrilling moves ensued between this mix of legends & future legends. Funk pummeling Sting, Flair goes after his familiar foe in Terry Funk. 

Hart’s team beatdown Sting until the stinger fights back. Each wrestler climbs up the cage with sparks flying. One remarkable visual showed Flair chopping a defenseless Terry Funk hanging from Thunderdome. Meanwhile, Sting press-slams Muta high in the air and drops him with authority. Only Terry Funk can survive matches like these with much respect to the former Champion. Ole’s team is looking strong. Flair applied the figure-four leg lock on Muta. Sting acted like Tarzan nailing Funk while using that rope inside the cage. Sting has always leaped from high structures. He flew about 20 feet inside this cage, as the commentators stated. Sting took out Funk with a cross-body block. Flair locks in Figure Four on Funk & Sting lands the big splash off the top rope. Sting repeats the move on Terry and eliminates Muta from the competition. Hart accidentally threw in the towel due to Anderson hitting him. A Sidside-note, Bruno wallops Muta. Sting & Ric Flair win! 

Halloween Havoc 89 was certainly intriguing. 

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