Match #10 for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: WCW World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader w/Harley Race vs. ‘The British Bulldog’ Davey Boy Smith
Vader poses for Smith and Bulldog isn’t impressed. Collar and elbow tie up and a quick break. A longer tie up, but another break. Another tie up, Vader grabs the wrist but can’t take him down with a clothesline. Vader looks concerned. Collar and elbow, a shot to the gut from Vader but he still can’t move the Bulldog. They lock up, Vader with corner position and he clubs him with forearms and lefts. Nick Patrick backs the champ off as Smith drops to one knee. Vader moves Bulldog out to the floor and distracts the referee while Race takes liberties.

Vader heads to the outside, he tries a big splash, Smith moves and Vader tumbles over the railing. Bulldog picks up the massive champion for a powerslam on the floor. The crowd loves it and Bulldog poses for them. Bulldog lays in some rights and lifts him for a big vertical suplex. He charges the champ in the corner but Vader gets the boot up. He goes to the second rope and leaps, but Bulldog counters with a powerslam. Smith sends Vader out to the floor with a clothesline over the top rope. Race tries coaching his client to make sure he doesn’t lose his cool. Vader goes for a clothesline and Smith catches him in a crucifix, Vader counters by simply falling backwards.

The champ drops an elbow to the groin. He does it once again and Nick Patrick warns him over a low blow. Vader puts Bulldog into position, he heads for the 2nd rope and lands the big splash. He goes for a cover and Bulldog kicks out. The crowd gets loud to encourage Smith. Vader clubs him down with a forearm and kicks him in the ribs. The challenger is lifted with a scoop slam and the champ returns to the 2nd rope, he lands a big power tackle and Smith is bleeding from the nose. Vader sets him up on the top turnbuckle, he tries a superplex but Davey fights back.

He drops the champ face first on the mat. He headbutts Vader from the 2nd rope but he’s knocked out too. Vader grabs a side headlock and Smith lifts him up and drops him on his butt. He goes for a cover and Vader kicks out. Vader hits a big clothesline and lifts him for a big right. Smith is sent for the ride, he tries reversing with a sunset flip, Vader drops all his weight down and misses, Smith takes advantage with a cover but only gets two. Vader knocks Smith down with a straight right and Patrick lectures him about a closed fist.

Snapmare by the champ and he’s heading up top. He lands a top rope splash but he appears to have hurt his sternum. Smith pursues him but Vader kicks him down. Vader throws Davey Boy to the outside and Race takes more liberties. Bulldog slow to the ring and the champ slugs him in the corner. Scoop slam by Vader and he puts all his weight down on the challenger’s chest. Vader locks in a front facelock. Bulldog stands up and gets the big man on his shoulders. He falls backwards. Smith makes a move with quick strikes and a clothesline, Vader kicks out at two.

Vader reverses the Irish whip, he comes in for a big splash and Bulldog catches him in mid air, putting him down with a big slam. Race disrupts the count and pulls Bulldog to the floor. Bulldog is incensed and grabs the former World Champ by the throat. He knocks Race to the floor but it gives Vader an opportunity to grab a chair. He hits Bulldog with it and Nick Patrick calls for a disqualification.
Winner: ‘The British Bulldog’ Davey Boy Smith (Disqualification)

• After The Bell: Vader rolls Smith back into the ring to deliver some punishment. Marcus Alexander Bagwell runs in but he’s quickly knocked down. 2 Cold Scorpio also tries to lend a hand but he’s dispensed with. Vader sets Bulldog up for a powerbomb but here comes Sting. He heads to the top and lands a clothesline on the champ. Stinger chases him out of the ring with some rights and he raises Davey Boy’s hand.
• EA’s Take: This match wasn’t too slow, it wasn’t too fast, it was just right. Great in-ring storytelling between these two. Some of Davey Boy’s power spots were incredibly impressive and the crowd was white hot for him. Given his performance and his reception, I can’t believe this guy never held a belt during this run with WCW. I’m also glad Sting got used in a way other than just that garbage match with The Prisoner.

EA’s Finisher: I’ve got to say, when I drew out the card before watching the show I was a little bit worried. I understood what they were going for with the “Legends’ Reunion” theme, but when I saw that half the card was going to include a squash match, as well as three nostalgia matches you’d expect to see as special attractions to independent shows and autograph signings, on top of an underwhelming use of Sting, I was hesitant. That being said, they pulled it off. Not only were the title matches good, but the crowd was invested in every aspect of the show and that’s all that matters. They’re still producing more quality wrestling matches (overall and in general) than the WWF, who is still going to be stuck in the “cartoon characters” phase for a couple more years.

Top Three To Watch
1 – Big Van Vader vs. Davey Boy Smith
2 – The Hollywood Blonds vs. Dos Hombres
3 – Barry Windham vs. Arn Anderson

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