WCW Halloween Havoc 1997 GRADED - Review

WCW kids rejoice.  Whilst many point to Starrcade as the zenith of WCW’s annual PPV lineup, true WCW fans - and Eric Bischoff himself - know that Halloween Havoc was always the most anticipated show of the year.

From it’s gleeful branding, to the in-ring action being the usual WCW mishmash of technical excellence and over-egged pudding, Halloween Havoc just screams fun. Out of all the events under the WCW banner, one edition in particular springs to mind - Halloween Havoc 1997. 

Ah 1997. WCW were the de facto number one pro wrestling company in the world, the NWO were at their pomp - for better and for worse - and for two undervalued cruiserweights it was time to put on one of the greatest matches in company history.

But how does it hold up to modern eyes?

WCW Halloween Havoc 1997 GRADED:

“Tonight, the world of wrestling will change forever” as we get a recap of the issues between young up-and-comers Hollywood Hogan and Roddy Piper (to be fair to WCW, whilst the two were major rivals in mid-1980s WWF, Vince McMahon never promoted a singles match between them on pay-per-view).

Tony Schiavone welcomes us to a sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, as pyro goes off around the amazing graveyard entrance set, complete with spooky phantom mask. Schiavone is joined on comms by Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan and Dusty Rhodes, and the three reminisce about Piper’s debut in WCW at Halloween Havoc 1996.

Yuji Nagata def. Ultimo Dragon 

Mike Tenay joins comms because Dusty definitely has no idea how to call a match like this. Dragon and Nagata feel each other out, Nagata getting big boos for a release reverse exploder suplex, but Dragon’s speed advantage keeps him in it, peppering Nagata with quickfire kicks. Nagata attempts to slow things down with a sleeper but gets back suplexed onto his neck, then wails on Dragon with some stiff kicks in reply. Piledriver by Nagata gets a two, and he exerts control with more kicks and suplexes until getting caught with a perfect dragon screw by Ultimo Dragon. Dragon vaults over the top to the floor but eats a kick to the stomach, as cameras show Raven and The Flock making their way through the crowd for a ringside seat. Asai Moonsault by Dragon on Nagata, and an in-ring Muta style handspring elbow gets nowt but a knee to the back from Nagata. Big sunset flip powerbomb from the top rope by Dragon gets a two, and another Muta homage with the snap bodyslam and quickfire moonsault for another two.

The two jockey for position on the top as Nagata hits an armwringer onto the turnbuckle, and continues to work the arm over as Mike Tenay mentions Dragon has bone chips in his elbow. Nice belly-to-belly for two, and into the Nagata leglock but Dragon gets the ropes. Dragon reverses a suplex into a dragon sleeper, but he didn’t get all of it. Slap fight sees Dragon stand tall, and he follows up with more hard kicks before nailing the Dragonrana from the top. dragon goes for the dragon sleeper again but Nagata quickly transitions into an armbar for the instant tap.

Sonny Onoo instructs Nagata to go after the injured arm some more, holding it outstretched as Onoo hits a pump kick to his former charge, before giving Nagata an envelope of money for a job well done.

Grade: C+ - Good opener, fit the standard WCW brief of ‘open a show with solid action with some high flying before the main eventers come in and slow it all down.’ Could’ve done with a tiny bit more time to really sell the severity of Dragon’s bad arm.

Disco Inferno is backstage at WCW’s internet chat room station. Disco says he’s making history tonight by wrestling a woman in Las Vegas - Andy Kaufman must’ve done that at some point, surely? Disco doesn’t know how he will approach the match, but is confident of his abilities before going into some sexist bit about a woman’s role. His opponent tonight, Jackie Moore, turns up to have a go at him, has a go at Mark Madden for not interviewing her instead, then chases Disco off, and nearly smacks Madden for good measure.

Chris Jericho def. Gedo

A special unadvertised match, as future NJPW booker Gedo makes his WCW debut against his old WAR running mate Chris Jericho. Chain wrestling to start off as Mike Tenay explains the history of Gedo and Jericho, whilst Dusty accurately notes how Jericho is on the ‘doorstep to stardom’. 

Jericho delayed vertical suplex, and some stiff chops as he establishes control. Skin-the-cat by Jericho as Gedo tries to send him to the floor, but is successful on a second attempt. Pair of nice powerslams by Gedo who becomes incensed when he can’t get a three. Jericho powers out of a sleeper and mows Gedo down with a clothesline, complete with Rikishi bump. Jericho with the rare double powerbomb for two - can only remember him hitting it a few times in real life, was belter on video games, though.

Both men go to the top rope, and a wobbly footed Jericho almost necks himself on an Avalanche Frankensteiner attempt (the ‘Jericho Spike’). A truly scary landing, it’s a miracle that Jericho can still walk. Jericho vault to the floor gets a dropkick to the stomach from Gedo, and back in-ring Gedo hits a unique kneebreaker variation from an electric chair position. Gedo misses a top rope dropkick and Jericho locks in the Liontamer for the submission win. 

Grade: D- - Not much to it really. Was a Nitro match more than a PPV match, and the Frankensteiner botch was very scary. Always love seeing the Liontamer though, a million times better than the Walls of Jericho.

Mean Gene talks about Fleetwood Mac before a backstage chat with Debra McMichael. Debra says she is a star and talks on rumours on who her hand chosen opponent for estranged husband Mongo will be, saying it’s not Jeff Jarrett nor Steven Seagal. Imagine Seagal vs. Mongo, urgh. Mongo then arrives to chastise his wife, and tells her to give back all her jewels and credit cards that he assumedly paid for. Debra says she’s earned all her trinkets for having put up with Mongo and his family for years.

Rey Mysterio Jr. def. Eddie Guerrero (c) - WCW Cruiserweight Championship vs. Mask

Mysterio in the full Phantom bodysuit for this one, Eddie resplendent in mullet and two-tone black and gold tights. Loud ‘Eddie sucks’ chants as the bell rings, and the crowd are up for this. Eddie trashtalks Mysterio but this fires up Rey Jr., who flies out the traps with a springboard moonsault into an armdrag, then sends Guerrerro flying across the ring with a monkey flip, before crossbodying the champ to the floor. Rey goes for a somersault dive, but Guerrero sweeps his legs from the apron and he splats onto the mat. Frenetic pace, as Eddie smashes Mysterio’s head into the ring steps, then brings it back in-ring with his trademark slingshot senton as Heenan gushes over Guerrero as a performer.

Rey tries to fire back with a handspring, but Eddie catches him and hits a high angle backdrop, then follows up with a sheerdrop brainbuster for two. Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another two, and a frustrated Guerrero starts tearing at Mysterio’s mask, before hitting a lovely pumphandle backbreaker for two. Guerrero keeps on with pin attempts, but Mysterio kicks out, vaulting from the mat onto the top rope and hitting an incredible moonsault DDT onto Eddie. Guerrero is sent to the floor, but he scouts a Mysterio springboard dropkick attempt and sends the challenger to the floor. Guerrero again tears at Mysterio’s mask, ripping a huge hole above Rey’s eye, before locking in the Gory Special in the centre of the ring. Mysterio quickly escapes with an armdrag, but Eddie remains in control, nailing a stiff dropkick to the small of Mysterio’s neck, then crushing him with an elevated backbreaker.

The crowd chants ‘Eddie sucks’ some more as Guerrero remains in control, whipping Mysterio into a tree of woe position and planting a dropkick. A second dropkick attempt misses as Eddie takes the ring post to the plums, then Mysterio crushes Eddie on the floor with a huge bodypress from the top rope. Standing hurricanrana for two by Mysterio, then a form of a 619 as Rey swings through and catches Eddie in a headscissors before sending him to the floor. Rey then flies with a somersault plancha into a hurricanrana on the floor, and commentary are in awe. Mysterio flies with a corkscrew moonsault for two, but a follow-up Sabu like Arabian moonsault press gets nothing but knees, Eddie following up with one of the most vicious powerbombs I’ve ever seen for two as the crowd makes a huge amount of noise. An exhausted Mysterio hits a spinwheel kick, but a springboard hurricanrana attempt is scouted, as Eddie hits a mid-air backbreaker. Mysterio scouts a Frog splash attempt as Eddie rolls through last second, and Guerrero gets the challenger on the top rope for an avalanche Gory bomb but Mysterio reverses it into a huge hurricanrana for the 1-2-3 and the title.

As Mysterio celebrates with the title, Guerrero attacks and throws the new champ to the floor.

Grade: A - In 2026 this is a masterpiece of cruiserweight style wrestling, and would earn rave reviews if it were to take place today. For 1997 this must have been like hearing The Beatles for the first time, just a mind-blowing experience. The match that truly put Rey Mysterio Jr. on the map, and an unfair standard I’ve held him to ever since, and the reason why I could never get on board with his WWE run knowing that at one point he could wrestle like this. Guerrero too worked his socks off and deserves just as much of the praise, hitting some truly nasty looking offence, and selling his arse off for Mysterio. Legend has it that Mysterio was originally supposed to lose here, but he and Guerrero were having none of it and had the finish changed. If you haven’t seen this match then find it, one of WCW’s best.

Mean Gene at the entrance stage apologises for giving Schiavone bad advice at the craps table, before schilling the WCW Hotline, noting how a clique in WCW are adding a new member. Gene then asks Schiavone what his Halloween costume is going to be this year. Tony Schiavone is two weeks shy of turning 40, FYI.

We go to the NWO locker-room where Eric Bischoff and Hollywood Hogan are marvelling at Hogan’s physique. Bischoff has news for all the ‘corporate chumps’ at Turner, saying that WCW has not been able to host a safe working environment for Hogan. Bischoff then says he won’t let Hogan wrestle tonight for safety concerns, unless WCW provides a legal agreement stating Sting will not be allowed in the building at all. Hogan calls himself a god and says he will beat Piper up whenever he wants, before turning his attention to Sting, calling him a coward. Hogan rambles on about his boots and JJ Dillon. Not enough he gets four promos every Nitro, he needed promo time on the PPV too.

Alex Wright def. Steve “Mongo” McMichael

Low energy, no music intro for Alex Wright and Debra, who get booed heavily before Wright’s generic 90s techno kicks in and he starts swinging his d*ck about. Raven looks unimpressed in the crowd, Kidman looks leathered, but at least Stevie Richards is having a lovely time. 

Armwringers by Mongo to start, and a big bodyslam after Wright attempted the Owen Hart wristlock escape. Lots of stalling by both men, the crowd loudly booing Wright after a nice armdrag. The commentators talk endlessly about Hulk Hogan during this. Chops and uppercuts by Wright, and he somehow takes Mongo down with a shoulder block after some weird selling by Mongo. Hip toss by Mongo, a scoop slam, and some strikes, as commentators again talk about Hogan. 

Big boot rocks Mongo, and Wright follows up with a lovely spinwheel kick. Wright attempts a tilt-a-whirl Tombstone, but Mongo awkwardly fights out and hits one of his own, but Debra distracts the ref. Out of nowhere, f***ing Goldberg appears in the ring, and hits a crap spear and a Jackhammer on Mongo, as referee Charles Robinson pretends to not see it. Goldberg throws an unconscious Wright on top of Mongo, and he gets the pin.

Debra gives Goldberg Mongo’s Supe Bowl ring and Goldberg batters Alex Wright because of course he does, Spear to Wright, and a Jackhammer. Rough day at the office for Das Wunderkind. The fans loved it, anyway.

Grade: F - Now this was a Nitro match - and not a good one at that - all the way down to comms ignoring it to talk about Hollywood Hogan. In-ring wasn’t exciting, or particularly good, and the ending with Goldberg was laughable due to it happening about three inches away from the ref, who clearly turned around at points and saw it all happening. Still, Goldberg is cool, ain’t he.

Back to the NWO locker room, where Randy Savage is barking his head off as Miss Elizabeth smiles politely. Savage talks about Hogan and Bischoff, and says he is here because DDP is a marked man. Savage says he’ll win and celebrate with a six-pack of Slim Jims - imagine the smell of that, awful. Savage is wearing a ‘Snap Into It’ jacket, Slim Jims is the sponsor of the PPV after all. Elizabeth reckons DDP should just leave the arena rather than fight Savage. Randy puts himself over some more, plugs Slim Jims, then leaves.

Jacquelyn def. Disco Inferno

Jacquelyn gets pyro, good for her. Crowd makes a lot of noise as this kicks off, again the comms talk about Hollywood Hogan. Jacquelyn chases a cowardly Disco around the ring as he stalls and plays the crowd. Disco in and out of the ring on several occasions, without either competitor even coming close to a manoeuvre. Referee Mickey Jay keeps getting in the way as Disco bails to the floor once more. Jacquelyn finally follows and chases Disco, then hits a sunset flip into the ring for two. Disco drop toehold, and again he bails. Disco armdrag fires up Jacquelyn, and again she chases him around the ring. And again. “It’s hard for me to watch this thing,” notes Dusty, and that was defo a shoot comment.

Jacquelyn finally unloads on Disco, wailing on him on the mat as the crowd comes alive. Disco has had enough, and walks to the back, but Jacquelyn is in hot pursuit, chasing Disco back to the ring. Nice hip toss escape by Jacquelyn as she wails on Disco some more, then she pulls him balls first into the ring post. Lovely stuff. Snap suplex on the floor by Jacquelyn, some stiff clotheslines, and a nice DDT which gets a big reaction. Crossbody press, but Disco rolls through into a pinfall attempt - for two. Schoolboy, and Jacquelyn gets the win to a loud pop.

GRADE: E - This went 9:39. Shave six or seven minutes off and it would have achieved the same. A 1970s house show match, with too much stalling and chickening out by Disco. Had no place being on a PPV, but the crowd were into it, so what do I know?

Curt Hennig (c) def. Ric Flair by DQ - WCW United States Heavyweight Championship

NWO’s Hennig out in a sleeveless Flair robe - if I could travel through time I’d leave Hennig in the Horsemen, but alas. In a weird sight, Flair legs it to the ring sans robe to start a fight. Jarring visual. Flair starts laying into Hennig who bumps like a boss, naturally. Hennig sent off the apron into the railings then tries to walk off and abandon the match but Flair jumps him, and slugs him some more. Flair goes to crush Hennig’s ankles with a nice mint green chair but misses, but he’s still on the front foot with chops in the corner, before retrieving his robe and chopping Hennig some more. Hennig turns it around and starts focusing on Flair’s ankle, smashing Nature Boy’s foot into the ring post, and even attempting a Funk spinning toehold. 

Strike exchange sees Flair lay in some meaty chops, but still Hennig stays on top. Flair takes his trademark turnbuckle tumble to the floor, and Hennig continues his assault on Flair’s ankle, stomping it on the guard rail before bouncing Naitch off every surface in sight. Sleeper by Hennig, Flair fights out with a back suplex, Hennig grabs a chair but misses a swing into Flair’s ankle, getting nothing but turnbuckle post. Flair roars back with chops and WOOs and the Vegas fans respond in kind. Slow catapult sees Hennig launched into the turnbuckle post, as commentators scramble to note there is a Slim Jims foam covering around it. Hennig grabs his title and again attempts to walk off to the back, and again Flair stops him. Back in-ring, Hennig goes for the Hennig-Plex on the belt, but Flair reverses into a delayed vertical suplex, Hennig’s leg glancing the belt. Flair ties Hennig in the tree of woe, wraps the title around Hennig’s face, and stomps it, the ref calling for the DQ.

Flair just chins referee Billy Silverman out of anger, and continues stomping on Hennig. More refs rush the ring to calm Flair down, Randy Anderson getting a chop to the chest for his troubles. Poor Pee-Wee. Flair dives on Hennig again, refs swarm him, as Konnan and Vincent run down to join the fray. The NWO leave as Flair is restrained, Hennig holding his face.

Grade: C- - A disappointment considering the history between the two, and the calibre of both Hennig and Flair. The fans were into it, and both men bumped their arses off for one another, but it was missing something. The DQ finish didn’t help either, and I guess these two will go on to fight again.

Randy Savage is in the internet chat location. Mark Madden asks Macho about his Sudden Death Match with DDP later. Savage states he is the number one wrestler on the planet, and stumbles over his words which is a rarity for Randy. Madden asks if Kimberley and Elizabeth will get involved, and the camera fades out as Savage starts rambling.

Mean Gene speaks with JJ Dillon on the stage, Dillon making his return after getting battered by Hogan. Gene recaps Hogan and Bischoff’s demands (they won’t compete unless Sting signs a document saying he’ll stay away tonight). Dillon gets the fans on side and says the match will go ahead. Bischoff turns up and flicks JJ’s back. Bischoff says Dillon is full of it, and Hogan will not wrestle, as Dillon presents legal paperwork. Bischoff is fuming, Dillon says he’s a man of his word, and says Bischoff will see Sting in his nightmares. Bischoff fumes some more, and says if Sting shows up then the NWO is going to take over Nitro.

Lex Luger def. Scott Hall 

Larry Zbyszko is special guest referee for this one, and Syxx is out with Hall, Luger is out solo. Hall flicks his toothpick into Zbyszko’s eye, so Luger slugs Hall. Both men take turns laying on submissions for too long as Larry shows his impartiality and breaks each hold. Hall locks in a submission on Luger, and eventually Lex rallies to reverse it into one of his own. Big Manhattan drop out of the corner by Hall and a diving lariat, and Larry catches Syxx before he can slap Luger in the chops. Fallaway slam for Hall, and the NWO are unhappy with the speed of Zbyszko’s count. 

Hall has a sleeper hold locked in, but Luger beats the arm drops to hit a back suplex…though Hall covers for a two. Hall sends Luger to the floor, then wallops him repeatedly on the apron. Hall and Larry have a shoving match, with Hall backdropped over the top rope after Zbyszko ducked an attempted punch. Eric Bischoff arrives to chastise Zbyszko but ends up getting sent to the floor with a kick as the crowd pops and Dusty yells “UNLUCKY” like Lucas Leiva. Hall and Luger beat the 10-count, Lex folding Hall with the forearm smash, a series of Manhattan drops, and another forearm smash. Luger signals for the Torture Rack as Bischoff distracts Zbyszko, allowing Syxx to nail a roundhouse kick to the back of Luger’s head, allowing Hall to hit the Outsider’s Edge for the slow 1-2-3.

Zbyszko demands to see a replay of the match ending. Larry gets the mic and says the match will continue, as an apoplectic Hall gets in Larry’s face. Zbyszko shoves Hall into a Torture Rack, and Hall seemingly gives up as the bell rings, with Syxx rushing the ring to knock down Larry and Lex. UFC Hall of Famer Larry Zbyszko gets Syxx into a triangle then into a grapevine choke, only for Eric Bischoff to stomp on his head. Hall and Bischoff wail on Zbyszko, before Bischoff does a Jericho-esque one foot pin as Hall counts a mock three.

Grade: E - When you’re locking in rest holds after a minute then you’re not on to a winner. Slow, plodding, boring, this was more about the NWO vs. Zbyszko rather than Hall vs. Luger, and this was all an angle to build to a later PPV than serving Halloween Havoc. The false finish was fun and provided urgency, but too little too late.

Randy Savage def. Diamond Dallas Page - Las Vegas Sudden Death Match

What’s a Las Vegas Sudden Death Match, I hear you ask? Well it’s a Last Man Standing Match. Sorted. DDP got the memo - he’s wearing jeans, such is tradition. He’s also got heavily taped ribs. 

The two start by brawling on the floor, Savage homing in on DDP’s ribs. A fired up DDP gives as good as he gets, laying into Savage with fury before both men go down to a double clothesline. Dusty says ‘hello’ when no one responds to him on comms. Early Diamond Cutter attempt avoided by Savage, DDP follows up with a plancha, hurting his own ribs in the process. Axe handle to the floor by Savage as Dusty wonders why there’s not been too much ‘plunder’ used thus far. DDP is sent into the crowd as The Flock watches on, Savage hitting another double axe handle from the railings this time.

Macho and DDP fight through the crowd and to the entrance stage, Savage launched through a prop tombstone, and slammed into another. DDP smashes something over Savage’s head and Dusty is ecstatic on comms. Back to ringside, and DDP is whipped into the railings and the ring stairs, DDP absolutely smashing through the stairs. An irate Savage manhandles cameraman Jackie Crockett and nicks his camera, but DDP boots it into Savage’s face. Miss Elizabeth smashes a tray over referee Mickey Jay’s head, and strangles DDP with a camera cable, with the crowd coming alive as commentators note how rare it is for Elizabeth to get involved physically. Kimberley Page runs down and the two scrap on the floor, Dusty does his best Joey Styles impersonation as Kimberley drags Elizabeth to the back by her hair.

Referee Nick Patrick takes over and starts a standing 10 count as the crowd rallies behind DDP. Page starts a comeback, hitting Savage with a pancake (the move not the food), but Macho avoids the Diamond Cutter. Lackadaisical elbow drop by Savage, followed up by a pitch-perfect elbow drop by the former WCW Champion, DDP narrowly avoiding the 10 count. DDP rebounds off the turnbuckle into Savage who collides with Nick Patrick, as DDP hits a Diamond Cutter to a big pop. Patrick is up to his feet rather quickly and starts the count, both men up at eight. DDP goes for another Diamond Cutter but gets mulekicked in the spuds and spills to the floor. ‘Sting’ then walks to the ring, smashes Page in the taped ribs with the baseball bat, and walks to the back - it was someone in a Sting mask and trench coat, but we don’t know who. DDP doesn’t beat the count and Savage wins.

Officials check on DDP as Nick Patrick keeps Savage at bay… momentarily, as Savage punches Nick out, and continues his assault on DDP before WCW Head of Security Doug Dellinger arrives to restore order. A yelling, wincing DDP is stretchered to the back, but Savage runs back out to lay in some more digs as commentary claims it was Hollywood Hogan in the Sting disguise.

Grade: B - Started slow, but the match grew. Whilst plunder matches would get far more violent in WCW and especially WWF in the following 12 months, and this feels tame by comparison, this was still a good heated battle that was justified given the rivalry between Savage and DDP.

Roddy Piper def. Hollywood Hogan - Steel Cage Match

Michael Buffer does his usual intro schitck making sure to avoid any mention of the World Heavyweight Championship being on the line. Indeed, Hogan makes his arrival without the title belt, or any NWO members in tow. The cage looks very flimsy, it is very tall, and surrounds the ring like WWF’s cell, with a few feet between ring and cage wall. Piper has the NWO World Championship over his shoulder, he must have nicked it, but no recap packages reminded us of this at home. 

A rattled Hogan wants no part of Piper as the door locks and this kicks off. Hogan is super cowardly and tries climbing out, but Piper whips him and bites his bum. Piper continues biting, gnawing at Hogan’s back and forehead. Hogan comically sells his sore bottom after an atomic drop, and he’s playing this far too comic and cowardly for a main event grudge match. Not drawing comparisons, but this was the same month as Michaels vs. Undertaker in Hell in a Cell, make of that what you will. 

Hogan again attempts to escape the cage but gets walloped in the yambag. Hogan bashes Piper’s head into the cage and lays in some stomps. Cage door opens as comms announce that if Hogan exits he wins… and both men crash through it, but it doesn’t matter apparently. Piper wails on Hogan but eats  a cage door to the mush for his troubles, and then is planted balls first on the railings as Hogan theatrically walks to the back, letting everyone in Row Zero know about it. ‘Sting’ appears and points the bat at a frightened Hogan, as Piper resumes the fight, dragging Hogan back into the cage. Again, it is someone in a Sting mask and outfit, but we don’t know who. 

Hogan and Piper smash each other into the cage and brawl some more, then both climb the cage on perpendicular sides - why? They’ve already left the b*stard. Suddenly, a second ‘Sting’ arrives, parks next to the first, and watches from the ramp. Piper and Hogan exchange punches near the top of the cage, then both climb back down. Hogan starts whipping Piper with his belt, then decides to climb once more, but stalls on the outside as ‘Sting’ points the bat at him. Piper meets Hogan up top, and the two exchange punches on the very top as a ‘third’ Sting comes down the ramp, and a fourth and fifth walk through the crowd. Hogan chokes Piper using the top of the cage wall, but Roddy fights on as multiple Stings watch on from around the arena. Both men climb back into the cage - again, why.

Piper chokes Hogan but gets hit in the face with the world title belt. Hogan calls Piper a victim and softly pounds his head into the mat before delivering two leg drops - for two. Hogan sells the shock of the kick-out but the crowd barely reacts. Randy Savage runs down and scales the top of the cage, leaping off the top for a diving axe handle only for Piper to move, and Hogan to barely take the move - how Savage’s ankles didn’t shatter is beyond me, a stupid spot. And way to sell the gruelling Death Match Randy. Piper dispatches Savage and locks the sleeper in on Hogan, getting the win.

Savage and Piper brawl in ring as Eric Bischoff enters the ring to check on Hogan. A ‘Sting’ gets punched by Hogan as Savage subdues Piper - it’s a random geek, and he gets launched into the cage. The crowd chants for the real Sting as Hogan and Savage handcuff Piper to the cage, I’m sure Raven winced at that one from the front row. Savage wails on Piper as Bischoff watches on, as Hogan puts on a Sting mask and whips Piper. A ‘fan’ in a Sting mask climbs the cage quicker than a whipper with a bum full of dynamite…but even though the cameras focus on him he is subdued by the previously unmasked fake Sting. Hogan and Savage drag the ‘fan’ into the ring as WCW security floods in - if this is a shoot then why are the cameras lingering on him, if this is a work then this will only encourage further rowdy crowds. And the show ends. (Apparently it was a shoot.)

Grade: F - This was dubbed ‘age in the cage’ at the time, and you can see why when watching it. Utter nonsense throughout. They clearly didn’t have a plan, ruined the stipulation by exiting a few minutes in, then attempted many times to climb out. The crowd didn’t care, it was a convoluted mess, and that Savage bump was stupid, reckless, and unnecessary. Piper got the win to soothe his ego, but the title didn’t change hands to soothe Hogan’s. A waste of time.

Show Grade: D - As a full show it was barely worth watching, but worth the price of admission for Rey vs. Eddie alone. DDP vs. Savage was also very good and worth checking out, the rest was either boring or outright terrible, save for Nagata vs. Dragon, but again that just felt like a good Nitro match.