|Date: October 28, 1989
|Venue: Philadelphia Civic Centre |City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|Attendance: 7,300 |PPV Buys: 175,000

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

There’s a small graphical piece to kick things off. 

Jim Ross welcomes us to the show, he’s joined by Bob Caudle and they throw to Gordon Solie and then Chris Cruise, both of which will be doing interviews tonight. 

Z-Man vs. Mike Rotunda

Previous PPV matches: This is a first PPV match between these two men, a PPV debut for Z-Man.

Match: Neither men get entrances, they’re already in the ring.  It’s then a slow start to the match with the two men going back and forth. The two men exchange holds which benefits Mike Rotunda who is a great mat wrestler. Rotunda throws Z-Man out of the ring which should have been a disqualification but isn’t. The crowd don’t seem happy for periods of this match due to the slow pace. Rotunda dominates for a while, applying abdominal stretches and sleepers. Z-Man hits a cross body out of nowhere and pins Rotunda for the three.

Result: Z-Man wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a slow match, I couldn’t get into it. The crowd don’t seem totally sold on Z-Man to be honest but he’s a good athlete. Mike Rotunda takes the loss and seems a bit los tin the shuffle since he the end of the Varsity Club.

Rating: 3/10

Chris Cruise is backstage with Bruno Sammartino (a WWF legend) who says that he won’t see a need to finish the match early tonight.

The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) & Dr Death Steve Williams vs. The Samoan Swat Team (Samu & Fatu) & The Samoan Savage

Background: The feud between The Midnight Express and Samoan Swat Team has been going on for a few months now. The Samoans have replaced Paul E. Dangerously as their manager with Oliver Humperdink and have added the Samoan Savage to their stable.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time six man tag team match between these six men.

Match: Jim Cornette is in the corner of the Midnight Express and Dr Death whilst Oliver Humperdink is the manager of the Samoans. Stan Lane kicks off the match against The Samoan Savage in a chaotic start to the match. It’s back and forth as both teams male tags. Dr Death gets a good pop as he gets involved, clearing the ring. Fatu takes control against Stan Lane. Sau hits Dr Death with some stiff chops but Williams hits him with a big clothesline. Neither team can keep an advantage so far in this match. There’s lots of quick tags between Lane and Eaton, the experienced duo. The Samoan Savage counters a bulldog from Bobby Eaton, sending him into the corner and then out of the ring where Samu and Fatu crotch Beautiful Bobby on the guard rail. The Samoans dominate for the longest stretch in the match so far, making quick tags against Bobby Eaton.

Dr Death gets the hot tag and takes out all three Samoans and the crowd love it. All hell breaks loose with all six men and even the managers get into it on the apron. The Samoan Savage then shoves Stan lane into Jim Cornette, knocking him off the apron and then the Savage pins Lane for the three!

Result: The Samoan Swat Team and Samoan Savage win by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent enough match. I was surprised how much the crowd were into Dr Death, he was really over tonight. There’s been some dissention between Stan Lane and Jim Cornette as of late and that story continues with the finish of this one. A good win for the Samoans.

Rating: 6/10

Gordon Solie is backstage with Gary Hart and Terry Funk. Terry Funk says that tonight we will see the 10,000 watt boogie with Flair and Sting.

“Wildfire” Tommy Rich vs. The Cuban Assassin

Previous PPV matches: This is actually a PPV debut for both men.

Match: The Cuban Assassin goes right to work on Tommy Rich as the bell rings but Rich soon takes control with powerslams. The match slows down from here as Rich applies armbars. The armbars go on for what feels like an eternity. The Cuban hits a high knee and some right hands but Tommy counters a piledriver. The Cuban hits a suplex and heads to the top but Tommy Rich crotches him and hits a back elbow. Honestly, The Cuban Assassin has looked the better wrestler of the two so far. Rich voids a cross body and hirs a Lou Thesz press for the three.

Result: Tommy Rich wins by pinfall.

Review: Thanks God that’s over. It was really bad. Tommy Rich wins a match mostly consisting of armbars. The Cuban Assassin had the better offence of the two but Rich wins with a Lou Thesz Press. This match had no place on this PPV.

Rating: 1/10

Gordon Solie is backstage with The Fabulous Freebirds who are full of confidence going into their tag team title match.

The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael “PS” Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) (c) vs. The Dynamic Dudes (Shane & Johnny) – Tag Team Championship match

Background: Jim Cornette has been working as an advisor to The Dynamic Dudes and managed to get them a tag team title match against The Fabulous Freebirds which is something that has upset Jim Cornette’s other tag team, The Midnight Express. This has been made worse by the fact that Johnny Ace and Stan Lane have history.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first PPV match between these two tag teams.

Match: The crowd boo the Dynamic Dudes, who are joined by Jim Cornette. Michael Hayes and Shane Douglas kick off the match with a fast pace. There’s a bit of a miscommunication but Shane then hits a neckbreaker before both men tag out. It’s back and forth between the two teams but the crowd boo any offence from the Dynamic Dudes. There’s some nice teamwork from the Dudes but they crowd boo them. A “Freebirds” chant breaks out. Johnny manages to fight off Michael Hayes whilst he has Jimmy Garvin in a headlock. A “you suck” chant breaks out aimed at Johnny Ace. The Freebird dominate following a cheap shot and the crowd love it. Johnny counters a DDT attempt and in comes Shane. The Dudes attempt their finisher The Wipeout but Hayes drags Johnny out of the ring and Garvin lands on Shane, pinning him for the three.

Result: The Fabulous Freebirds win by pinfall.

Review: This match was ok but the crowd were on the back of the Dynamic Dudes all of the way through. It actually got worse as the match went along. The Freebirds win the match which was what I was expecting. There could be a double turn with these two teams, The Freebirds are so popular and sadly the Dynamic Dudes are not.

Rating: 4/10

Gordon Solie is backstage with The Steiner Brothers who not only want to take their anger out on Doom tonight but also Woman.

The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott) vs. Doom

Background: Rick Steiner’s former girlfriend, the lady now simply known as Woman, double-crossed Rick, leaving him and associating herself with a new tag team, Doom. Doom would attack Scott Steiner but we are still yet to see who Doom actually is. Tonight these two teams meet.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time tag team match between these two teams.

Match: Woman accompanies Doom to the ring, two African-Americans in masks who bear a striking resemblance to Ron Simmons and Butch Reed. The Steiners attack Doom before the bell even rings, hitting a pair of German suplexes. The match officially gets underway with Scott Steiner landing some big right hands and knee drops. Rick Steiner tags in and picks up the pace. Doom take control until Rick counters a suplex with one of his own. Scott hits a clothesline off the second rope for a two count. Doom take control again, keeping Rick away from his brother. Scott tags in and hits a face-first suplex. It’s been a pretty back and forth match so far. Scott hits a German suplex and drops some elbows. Doom dominate for a while, keeping Scott from tagging. Scott tags out to Rick but the referee doesn’t see it. Doom then hits a double piledriver on Scott for a near fall. Scott finally makes the hot tag to Rick who picks up the pace for his team. All four men get into it where Scott hits a hurricanrana and Rick hits his trademark clotheslines and powerslam. Woman places something in one of the masks of Doom and he hits a headbutt on Rick before pinning him for the three!

Result: Doom win by pinfall.

Review: This match was ok, nothing spectacular here. The crowd were definitely behind The Steiner Brothers. Doom go under masks but you can tell that it’s Ron Simmons and Butch Reed. They make a good team and should get better over time. Doom win dirty tonight so this feud should continue.

Rating: 4.5/10

Gordon Solie is backstage with Lex Luger who says that he is the premium wrestler today and the champion of the 90’s.

Lex Luger (c) vs. Flyin’ Brian Pillman – United States Championship match

Background: Lex Luger and Brian Pillman have had a heated rivalry over the past few weeks. It’s been physical with the two men getting involved in brawls after one another’s matches. Tonight Brian Pillman gets a shot at Luger and the United States Championship.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first PPV match between these two men.

Match: It’s a cagey start to the match as the two men feel each other out. Luger throws some unimpressive right hands. He towers over his challenger. Pillman picks up the pace, hitting back body drops and dropkicks. Brian hits a springboard cross-body for a two count and applies an arm bar. There’s a lot of arm bar from Pillman. Flyin’ Brian heads to the top but Luger avoids a splash which gives the US Champion the advantage. Lex hits some big clotheslines and a suplex. Luger works the back of Brian, setting him up for the torture rack. Pillman hits a couple of sunset flips but can’t keep the champion down. Brian then hits a springboard clothesline and covers Luger who gets his foot on the bottom rope. Pillman hits a neckbreaker but Lex avoids a missile dropkick. Luger hits a hotshot and gets the 3!

Result: Lex Luger wins by pinfall.

Review: Well, the finish for this match came out of nowhere. Which makes me think this rivalry will continue. Lex Luger gets the win, he’s having a great run as United States Champion. Brian Pillman looks like a solid talent and. Icould see him as US Champion one day. A decent match tonight but not a great one.

Rating: 6/10

Chris Cruise is backstage with the Legion Of Doom. They’re the number one team in professional wrestling today.

The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal) vs. The Skyscrapers (Dan Spivey & Sid Vicious)

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time match between these two big teams.

Match: Animal and Dan Spivey kick off the match. Paul Ellering and Theodore Long are the managers in the corners of their respective teams. Animal clotheslines Spivey out of the ring. Hawk tags in and knocks Spivey off his feet with a shoulder block. Sid tags in to a pop but soon finds himself off his feet as Animal hits a shoulder charge. Hawk and Animal are dominate for a long time, not giving The Skyscrapers a sniff. Sid hits a helicopter to get back into the match and tags in Spivey who hits a backbreaker and suplex for a two count. Vicious and Spivey make quick tags, keeping Hawk away from tagging in Animal. Animal makes the hot tag and tosses Spivey around the ring before slugging it out with Sid. All four men then go at it, Teddy Long tosses Spivey a metal key which he clobbers Hawk with right in front of the referee, causing a disqualification.

Result: The Road Warriors win by disqualification.

Review: This was a good match, if inconclusive. The Road Warriors pick up the win but the Skyscrapers come out of it unscathed and unpinned. This could lead to another match between the two teams, potentially with a gimmick.

Rating: 6/10

Chris Cruise is backstage with Ric Flair, Sting and Ole Anderson. Ole says that he will not be throwing in the towel tonight. Flair and Sting cut a high adrenaline promo.

Ric Flair & Sting vs. Terry Funk & The Great Muta – Thunderdome Cage match with Bruno Sammartino serving as special guest referee

Background: The rivalry between these two teams has been going on for months now. They were due to meet at Clash Of The Champions: Fall Brawl but an injury to Funk meant that he was replaced by Dick Slater. The Great Muta defeated Sting for the TV title. Tonight the two teams meet tonight in a Thunderdome cage match. There are no falls, the only way the match will end is if one of the teams representatives throws in the towel. Muta and Funk have Gary Hardt in their corner whilst Flair and Sting have ole Anderson in theirs.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time tag team match between these two teams.

Match: The cage lowers around the competitors. The cage has no door and has things like cables on it to make it electric. The cage is actually on fire in one place as it is lowered so they put it out. Ric Flair and Terry Funk start the match which looks to have traditional rules in terms of tagging in and out but falls do not count, the match ends when somebody throws in a towel. Flair hits Funk with some powerslams and chops before tagging in Sting who continues the assault. All four men get into it following a slap from Flair to Muta. Jim Ross takes a shot at The Ultimate Warrior, saying that he hasn’t progressed like Sting has. Muta tags in and Sting hits him with a suplex. Flair and Sting make quick tags, laying into the undefeated Great Muta. Muta takes control against Sting but all four men keep getting involved and there isn’t much Bruno Sammartino can do about it.

Sting applies a scorpion deathlock to The Great Muta but Terry Funk quickly breaks it up. Flair and Funk battle on the cage as Sting and Muta clash in the ring. Muta climbs the cage but gets an electric shock as he goes too high. Sting hits a gorilla press slam on Muta as Flair hangs Funk upside down on the cage. The match has completely broken down now, there aren’t any tags. Flair applies a figure four to Muta but Muta gets out and applies an inverted STF to Flair. Terry Funk ties Sting up in the cage and then hits Sting with a piledriver. Muta and Funk double team Flair until Sting gets untied and dives off the cage, taking out Terry. Muta heads to the top but gets crotched as Flair applies a figure four to Terry Funk. Sting then comes off the top and nails Funk with a splash. Muta gets in the ring and looks to take out Bruno Sammartino but Bruno takes out Muta! Gary Hart then gets in the ring but so does Ole Anderson who nails Hart sending Gary’s towel flying! It lands on Bruno Sammartino who assumes that Gary Hart threw it in and calls for the bell!

Result: Ric Flair and Sting win the match.

Review: This was every bit as chaotic as I thought it would be. Bruno Sammartino didn’t serve a massive purpose but he did get a shot in on Great Muta. The electric cage wasn’t too necessary either but it did stop anyone from climbing out of the cage. Ric Flair and Sting win the match which I didn’t see coming, I thought Muta or Funk might win to set up a match with Flair at Starrcade.

Rating: 7.25/10

And that was Halloween Havoc 1989. It seemed like a pretty average night with a couple of bad matches, a couple of good ones but mostly average. The matches between Z-Man and Mike Rotunda, and Tommy Rich and The Cuban Assassin were bad. Z-Man and Rotunda could have been a lot better, I don’t mind it being on the show was Rich and Cuban should not have been on this show. The show will displayed how deep the tag team division is with eight really solid tag teams. The six man tag match and the match between The Road Warriors and Skyscrapers were both solid but inconclusive. There were no title changes tonight as Lex Luger and The Fabulous Freebirds all retained. The main event was the match of the night for me, it was wild, chaotic and bizarre in places. The finish was good though and keeps everyone looking strong.

Overall Rating: 47.18/100 (ranked 12th out of 15 WCW PPV’s reviewed so far)

Match Of The Night: Ric Flair & Sting vs. Terry Funk & The Great Muta
Worst Match Of The Night: Tommy Rich vs. The Cuban Assassin
Surprise Of The Night: The terrible reaction for the Dynamic Dudes
Worst Booking Of The Night: Having Tommy Rich and The Cuban Assassin match on the show
Superstar Of The Night: Ric Flair & Sting
Halloween Havoc 89 Will Be Remembered For: The Thunderdome Cage match