WCW Bash at the Beach '96 - Sunday, July 7<SUP>th</SUP>, 1996

WCW Bash at the Beach '96 - Sunday, July 7^th, 1996

By Colt

Before we begin let me make this little note! If you are here for the results of the matches that aired on WCW Main Event on TBS before the PPV then I will list them really fast, but I will not do an in-depth report as it was available for any of us to watch for free and I was actually trying to finish up with the grill out on the patio before the PPV started and thus did not catch but maybe the last half of one of the matches. I am way too invested in this hostile takeover business to be doing anything outside (plus I live down the street from City Hall and I doubt they would appreciate me grilling at 8:00 pm). There were rumors all week as to who the 3rd man will be. The guy at the fireworks stand east of town where we bought our 4th of July party supplies actually thinks it will be Shawn Michaels! Our waitress told my grandma and grampa at the Old Town Smokehouse (local BBQ joint) that her brother knows Bret Hart and it will be him (yeah right). My money is on WCW turning Lex at some point in the match and him being the 3rd man. Why? Makes perfect sense to me considering he was the first defection from up north! Anyways, here are the Main Event results! The Steiner Brothers def. Harlem Heat via DQ, Bobby Walker squashed Billy Kidman, The Rock N’ Roll Express def. Fire N’ Ice, and Eddie Guerrero def. Lord Steven Regal. Now on to the main course... I mean show!
We get the Bash at the Beach intro package hyping the arrival of Hall & Nash and we get our first look from inside the jammed to the rafters Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida! Pyro and a roaring house greet us as we are LIVE! Tony assures us that never before in the history of this sport has there been a night like this one as he welcomes us. The entrance set is pretty much the same as the last few years; sand, a surf shack turned into a TurnerTron, and some beach balls. On commentary tonight we have Tony Schiavone, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, and Bobby Heenan. There are police guarding the announce position. The announcers inform us that Eric Bischoff has still not arrived at the Ocean Center and that the WCW offices are very concerned with how tonight will play out. They each speculate a bit on who will be the 3rd man. We send it to the ring for our opening contest as Mike Tenay joins us for the following luchador match.

Match #1: Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Psychosis
- We kick things off with some fast paced cruiserweight action?! I like it! They begin slow but kick it into high gear rather quickly. While the announcers ponder the identity of the third man the two guys in the ring stare each other down. Mike says this is a huge rivalry down south. Psychosis is a picture of athleticism all his own with a series of daring moves that leave the audience suspended. He forces Rey to the outside at one point and hits the most insane suicide dive I have ever seen. They get back in the ring and Psychosis gets a near fall with a guillotine leg drop. Tenay discusses the luchador culture as it pertains to pride and self-esteem amongst the Mexican competitors. Psychosis is really taking it to Rey who finally gets things turned around sending Psychosis into the ring post. Rey quickly regains his composure and hits a seemingly flawless diving Hurricarana off of the ring apron sending both spilling out to the floor. HOLY CRAP! Rey gets Psychosis back into the ring and hits a second Hurricarana for a near fall of his own. These two go back-and-forth for the entirety of the match with some incredible stuff, and I mean incredible. The end of the match comes when Rey reverses a crucifix powerbomb off of the top turnbuckle into a Hurricarana for the 1, 2, 3! This match was insane.
- Your Winner: Rey Misterio Jr. via pinfall at 15:16
Mean Gene is backstage with the U.S. Heavyweight Champion Konnan at the interview position. Konnan explains to Gene how the last match ended. Apparently Konnan had to fly from Mexico to LA and now to Florida all in 24 hours. Gene asks Konnan about his match tonight with Flair and Konnan pretty much says he has no worries if it is one-on-one but that Flair’s ladies better stay out of his way. Konnan gives nothing but the impression that he is walking out of the Ocean Center and this PPV tonight still the U.S. Champion and even says as much!
The announcers mention that Eric is still AWOL.
Match #2: John Tenta vs. Big Bubba Rogers (w/Jimmy Hart) in a Carson City Silver Dollar Match
- Before anyone asks, no I have never heard of a Carson City Silver Dollar Match. It sounds like something Jimmy Cornette would book in that outlaw promotion he was running over in Kentucky a few years ago. Thankfully we get some ground rules. The winner must climb the pole at ringside and retrieve the bag of Silver Dollars which he can then use to knockout his opponent. Ok... Whatever. I really could be upstairs playing Sonic and Knuckles for this one but won’t be. The two super heavyweights brawl and make some rather lame attempts to secure the bag from the pole. Bubba tapes Tenta to the rope and lays into him with his belt much to the delight of Jimmy Hart. He chokes Tenta twice with the belt. Tenta who earlier tried to remove the pole from the post to get the bag is winded. Bubba has some scissors and motions like he is going to cut more of Tenta’s hair off but Tenta gets the scissors via a low blow and cuts himself loose from the ropes. Hart shimmies up the pole and retrieves the bag of coins but is thwarted by Tenta. Tenta gets the coins and knocks the former bodyguard of the aforementioned Mr. Cornette out for the win. This match sucked. THANK GOD BUBBA CARRIES SCISSORS!
- Your Winner: John Tenta at 9:14
We are treated to a delightful backstage segment with TEAM STING. All 3 guys have Sting’s trademark face paint. They all pretty much collectively say regardless of who the third man is they are going to destroy the Outsiders and end this charade once and for all. All three of the guys get a chance to speak. The best part was when Luger talks about how honored he is to be representing WCW. Sting also said the unknown makes him a nervous wreck and gives him chills all over his body and they all three get excited and talk over each other as they storm off as we cut back to the announce team who is back to ranting about who the 3rd guy could be.
Match #3: Diamond Dallas Page vs. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan in a Taped Fist Match
- Here is to hoping that this match is as brutal as it sounds like it could be! DDP is out first and the camera has little crabs pinchers attached to it for some reason. Duggan takes DDP down but DDP gets the upper hand and tapes him to the ring post. DDP attacks the helpless Duggan, but after the ref cuts Duggan loose he fights back. They fight towards the ropes in the ring and DDP goes low with the aid of the ropes (uses the ropes for the rack attack) and hits a Diamond Cutter for the 1, 2, 3! That was neither brutal nor entertaining; what is worse is that this was a match that I actually was looking forward to!
- Your Winner: Diamond Dallas Page via pinfall at 5:38
- Post Match: Duggan knocks DDP out much to the delight of the crowd.
We get a backstage segment with Mean Gene trying to get some comments from the Dungeon of Doom who really between the two of them says absolutely nothing of importance. We then go to Lee Marshall’s interview with the team of Benoit and Anderson. Apparently if Arn or Chris gets the pin then that man gets a future World Title shot against the Giant. Arn has a special message for the Outsiders who he warns not to keep going forward with their attempted Hostile Takeover of WCW. The announcers continue to vent over who the third man will be.
Match #4: The Nasty Boys vs. Public Enemy in a Tornado Tag Team Dog Collar Match
- Rocco and Grunge really need to prevail in this match and I for one would love to see the Nasty Boys check out of WCW for an extended vacation at this point, so here is to the former ECW standouts impressing the dude sporting the EC F’N W shirt in the front row of perhaps the most important show ever produced by the biggest wrestling promotion going today! Each man is attached to another so we have two separate leashes. This match is simply crazy. There is a lot of ECW style hardcore stuff with weapons and bumps that are more accustomed to ECW matches than those of WCW or the WWF. The match is actually pretty cool and a nice change of pace from what we have been seeing so far. Rock is chained to Sags and Grunge to Knobbs. At one point there is a shot to the head with an inflatable shark as the four guys brawl out of the ring and up the entrance way to the set. Rocco hits a flying body slam onto Sags off of the lifeguard chair. We battle back to the ring and the Nasty Boys introduce a table. Rocco then tries to put Sags through the table with a dive off of the post; the table doesn’t break. Come on Klondike Bill! Sags and Knobbs try to put Rocco through the table now and again it no sells. The end of the match comes when the Nasty Boys double clothesline Rocco Rock with the chain from one of the leashes which Grunge is hanging off the apron from for the 1, 2, 3! This match was fun.
- Your Winner: The Nasty Boys via pinfall at 11:24
- Post Match: Sags finally convinces the table to sell when he goes through it at the hands of Public Enemy.
Match #5: WCW Cruiserweight Championship - Dean Malenko (c) vs. Disco Inferno
- I won’t lie, I like that Disco is so into his character; but could we please get someone not making their PPV debut in this match? From the bell on out Malenko takes it to Disco and caps off what should be a sufficient beat down with a brain buster but only gets a 2 count. Malenko goes back to the offensive and tries to take out Disco’s knee. Disco tries to fight Malenko off and he refuses to break the submission. Malenko keeps attacking the knee and Disco sells. Dean hits a standing drop kick to the back of the neck for another 2 before going back to the knee. He applies an STF and Disco taps but the ref ignores it? Finally Disco is able to turn things around after almost 7 minutes, but Malenko absorbs a series of blows and a guillotine drop into an STO before kicking out at 2. Disco keeps on the offensive and pounds on Malenko in the corner, but Malenko reverses a punch and tosses him outside. Malenko shoots Disco into the railing and then tosses him into the ring. Malenko works the submission holds but Disco stays alert and makes the ropes after a scuffle. Dean hits a springboard style leg drop for a 2. Disco fights back and hits a Rude Awakening and some additional offense including a swinging neck breaker after a low blow. Instead of pinning Dean, Disco dances and it costs him dearly. After a bit of back and forth Dean gets control back and goes to work. Dean hits a Tiger bomb and slaps on the Texas Cloverleaf for the win. This match was not half bad considering this was Disco’s big show debut.
- Your Winner: And still WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Dean Malenko via submission at 12:05
Kimberly is with Mean Gene wearing a towel for a quick plug.
Match #6: Steve “Mongo” McMichael (w/ Debra) vs. Joe Gomez
- Now for a bathroom break, wait you mean I have to call this too? Jk. This match was nothing and I mean nothing worth writing home about. The announcers talk more about Pepe than they do the opponent. McMichael clubs, clotheslines, and chops Gomez who turns it around temporarily only for Mongo to turn it right back around. Gomez gets a 2 count on a quick cross body and the squash match is on. Mongo and his 5 moves do work on Mr. Gomez and Mongo gets the 1, 2, 3 via his piledriver finisher. Say what you want about Paul Roma but Mongo is the worst Horseman ever!
- Your Winner: Mongo McMichael via pinfall at 6:44
Mean Gene is with Miss Elizabeth, Woman, Ric Flair. Woman flirts with Gene much to his chagrin. Flair says Mongo won, next he will win, and then Benoit and Arn will make it 3. He says tomorrow he will be U.S. Champion on Nitro but tonight he is going to style and profile. He sings La Cucaracha and Mean Gene talks to Miss Elizabeth about spending Savage’s money on a big party after the show; Woman invites Mean Gene. Flair comes back in and says Macho needs to pray someday that Elizabeth comes back home, but that it’s never going to happen. Gene declines to come to the party because “he doesn’t agree with who Woman hangs out with”. Flair goes insane again and we go back to the announcers.
Match #7: WCW United States Heavyweight Championship - Konnan (c) vs. Ric Flair (w/ Miss Elizabeth & Woman)
- I am very intrigued by this match and I honestly think it has the potential to steal the show; especially with no World title match on the card! Konnan is out first and the 13 time World Champion follows with his ladies and pyro. They shake hands and circle; Flair pauses to show off. Konnan controls out of the lock up and is showing early on with a series of locks that he can hang with Flair. Konnan gets a 1. Flair takes advantage of a rope break and sucker punches Konnan but eats a dropkick as Woman screams. Konnan slaps Flair who looks stunned. They lock up again and Konnan goes back to the headlock but Flair reverses into a wristlock. Konnan powers back and takes Flair down with a side headlock. Flair shoots Konnan off the ropes but eats a shoulder block. Flair taunts Konnan and gets back up. Flair takes Konnan to town with the Flair Chops and shoots him into the corner but takes a back drop which Konnan transitions into an attempt at a surfboard which ends in a half stretch. Konnan hits a press slam. They go back and forth with a lot of technical wrestling and trade chops. Konnan clotheslines Flair and then takes him over the top rope spilling both men out onto the floor. The ladies tend to Flair and Konnan comes off the apron taking out Elizabeth and Flair. Woman takes out Konnan off the apron while the referee is distracted. Flair comes back in and goes for chop, knee, cover sequence for a 2 count on the champion. They trade chops and blows as both are back to their feet but Flair rakes the eyes. Woman comes in with a low blow as the ref admonishes Flair. Flair struts and woo’s to the crowd as Konnan writhes in pain. Next Liz distracts the referee and Flair tosses Konnan out to Woman who attacks on the outside. Flair suplexes Konnan back into the ring for a 2 count, then another into a chin lock as Liz looks on and cheers. Konnan has a bandage on his head from Saturday nights AAA event? Tony talks about how great the PPV is while Flair holds Konnan in the chin lock (rest hold much?). Flair chops Konnan who bashes him in the head and hits some chops of his own before going up top and pounding Flair who staggers and falls on his face, goes upside down on an Irish Whip and eats a dropkick which spills him to the outside. Konnan lets Flair come back in the ring and Flair begs off before eating some stiff shots. Flair cheap shots Konnan and goes for a Figure 4 but Konnan gets a small package for 2. Konnan tries for a Figure 4 but Flair is able hold on after a near fall. Flair makes the ropes TWICE and Konnan has to break the hold. Konnan gets a 2 off of a suplex. Flair gets off an elbow on a whip and goes up top but waits and Konnan tosses him and hits a bulldog for a 2 count. Another 2 from a clothesline and Flair is staggered. Konnan rolls up Flair but Liz distracts the referee and Woman get up and decks Konan with a shoe off a Flair back breaker and Flair gets the 1, 2, 3 on a dirty pin. I loved this match, don’t get me wrong I have seen better -- but this was fun.
- Your Winner: And NEW WCW United States Heavyweight Champion: “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair via pinfall at 15:39
Mean Gene is eavesdropping on the Outsiders and says the 3rd man’s voice sounds familiar but he can’t place it. He goes back and forth with Tony and Heenan about the 3rd man and says the voice is muffled. They still know nothing about Bischoff.
Match #8: WCW World Heavyweight Champion The Giant & Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. Chris Benoit & Arn Anderson
- Hopefully this is the end of this Dungeon of Doom stuff and the Horsemen get the victory. It would be a great way to push Benoit if you were to have him pin the World Champion, just saying. The Dungeon of Doom attack the Horsemen on their way down to the ring. Mongo comes out and tries to help but Giant chases him off. The Horsemen use the opportunity to attack Sullivan 2 on 1. Benoit takes it to Sullivan in the ring and the two exchange chops as The Giant comes back out with Jimmy Hart. The Horsemen use frequent tags and isolate Sullivan in their corner to avoid any attempt to tag in Giant. Sullivan and Benoit battle ot the outside and Sullivan eats the barricade. He recovers and sends Arn into the barricade after dragging him from the ring. Ok?! Sullivan is back in and Benoit attacks. Arn is in and puts the boots to Kevin. Sullivan rakes the eyes and with an assist from the Giant gets a 2 count. Arn drags Sullivan back to their corner and tags in Benoit. Sullivan is lucky and gets the tag to The Giant after he attacks the Horsemen illegally several times. Things breakdown and Sullivan and Benoit fight up the entryway and to the announce position as Arn gets throttled by the Giant who gets the pinfall for his team via chokeslam... 1, 2, 3!
- Your Winner: The Dungeon of Doom (Giant & Sullivan) via pinfall at 8:03
- Post Match: Benoit takes out Sullivan with a dive from the announce position. He attacks him with a chair and they go back to the ring where the Giant has left Arn laid out. Benoit finishes off Sullivan and still The Giant does nothing. Arn tries to check on Sullivan as Benoit goes postal. Woman comes out to get Chris to stop beating down her ex-husband. Woman begs Chris to “quit” before he “hurts him”. Finally The Giant comes back and chases Benoit off screaming “what the hell are you doing?” Giant carries Sullivan up the ramp and to the back with Jimmy Hart as we look at the finish.
It is time for the main event of the evening as they sweep sand from the ring, we take a special look at the invasion of the Outsiders via a video package that is actually put together quite nicely compared to those we have seen in the past. They make a special point to play up the attack on Eric Bischoff at the Great American Bash last month and also to put over Luger, Sting, and Macho Man as a dream team.
Match #9: “The Hostile Takeover” - Scott Hall & Kevin Nash + ??? vs. Sting, Lex Luger, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage
- Here we go! Michael Buffer is in the ring for the introductions. Hall & Nash are out first to the same music used for the PPV; the 3rd man is not with them! Hall & Nash are using ring gear very similar to their WWF characters but with Outsiders art on it and their in ring motions mimic Razor and Diesel almost to a tee. The announcers are curious as pyro is set to bring out Team Sting/WCW but instead Mean Gene is sent to the ring to ascertain why the 3rd man is not in the ring. Gene warns Hall & Nash that if they touch him they will be hearing from his lawyers. Hall says Gene knows too much already and that the 3rd guy is here and ready. Nash says the 3rd man is here but that they are enough to handle it at this time. The announcers are going off about how great it is that this is now a handicap match. Finally out come Sting, Luger, and Savage together in paint to Sting’s theme music. I think nervous is an understatement as to how I feel right now as both a Sting fan and a WCW viewer. The good guys high five the fans on their way down and hit the ring. Randy Anderson keeps the peace as they two sides shoot glares through each other. Hall flicks Luger who shoves him across the ring; they will start. Hall flicks a tooth pick at Luger who shoves him. Hall lays into Luger who ducks a clothesline and takes out both men. Savage and Sting come in as Nash helps Hall with Luger. Sting comes across and hits a Stinger splash taking out Nash and catching Luger with some friendly fire and they spill to the floor as Savage and Hall battle across the ring. Luger is laid out apparently and Sting goes to check on him, Savage decks Hall and runs to Luger’s side too as they call for the medics. The announcers say it is now 2 on 2. I am guessing that the 3rd guy’s contract negotiations fell through? They halt the match temporarily as they take Luger out on a backboard. We see the splash on replay and it doesn’t look bad at all. Hall comes out to attack Luger and Sting chases him away. Hall & Nash are in the ring as Sting and Savage approach. Now it is Sting and Hall. Hall slaps him and Sting spears him and goes on the offensive bashing Hall’s head off the mat and kicking him. Sting with an atomic drop and a running bulldog followed by a woo and a tag to Macho who eats a fist from Hall coming off the top. Hall distracts the referee and in comes big Nash who posts Savage. Savage recovers, ducks a clothesline and battles with Scott Hall after a 2 count off his own clothesline. Tag to Nash who ducks a Nash splash but eats a knee and elbow. Nash is in control with a scoop slam and Savage tags in Sting. Nash takes it to Sting in the corner; Savage appears hurt now too. Sting with a dropkick taking down Nash. Sting tries to roll up Nash but gets picked up and tossed, Hall is now in off the tag. Savage is in trying to help Sting as the Outsiders double team him. Macho works the crowd as Hall gets a two count on Sting. Tag to Nash who hits the big boot off of a Hall whip. Savage wants in and the referee is again having to keep him out of the ring as Nash taunts the downed Sting and kicks him in his ribs for good measure. Nash works Stinger over with the fists and goes for a clothesline but Sting ducks it and hits a dropkick as Nash tags Hall who prevents a tag by taking out Savage. Sting rolls Hall up but only gets a one because of a referee distraction. Hall takes control and hits an elbow drop on Sting before paint brushing him and applying an abdominal stretch. As the referee admonishes Savage the Outsiders go cheap. Nash comes in off of NO tag and the referee allows it as Nash puts Sting in a stretch and pounds on his ribs. Sting rakes the eyes and gets halfway to Macho as Hall is in to cut it off. 2 count on Sting from Hall as Macho waits on the apron. Hall with the sleeper on Sting before tossing him out to Nash. Macho comes over with a chair to chase of Nash. Sting is back in the ring getting punched by Hall. Who takes him down with an uppercut for another close 2 count. Nash is in and hits an elbow on a restrained Sting before hitting a sidewalk slam for a 2. Sting catches Nash with a kick and foes on the attack ducking a shot and then another in between punches he jumps OVER Nash and tags in Savage. Savage attacks both Hall and Nash. He dives onto Hall sending him into the barricade. He is in the ring and motions for the finish but gets racked by Nash. Sting is down. The crowd erupts. It’s Hogan! Hulk Hogan is in the building. Heenan asks whose side is Hogan on as he hits the ring and the Outsiders scatter with a concerned look on their faces. Hogan hits the rope and drops the big leg drop on Randy Savage as the announcers go into shock! What?! Hogan is seriously the third guy? Another leg drop on Savage as Hall and Nash are in. Hall stakes out Sting as Hall positions Savage for a 3rd leg drop. Hogan tossed out the ref so when he covers Savage, Hall counts the 3. I legit feel like I am in some weird state of shock right now. I am not, nor have I ever been a Hulkamaniac but my Uncle is and he is setting across the living room with my dad, grandma, and grandfather and they all look stunned. Our living room runs the entire course of the upstairs footprint of the house towards the front and I think you could hear a pin drop in the den and laundry rooms at the rear of the house right now. I for one applaud this, and I really hope it doesn’t backfire on WCW. Hogan shakes hands with Hall and Nash as Sting pulls Savage out of the ring. The fans’ reaction is epic. They are pelting the ring with debris and a slightly overweight young man was so moved he tried to jump the barricade into the ring and was promptly beaten down by Kevin Nash and Scott Hall before being dragged away by Dellinger and WCW security. It looks like a BFI truck regurgitated all over the ring. Reaction, the eliciting of a reaction... That is what professional wrestling and storytelling in this business are all about right? I don’t know who had the idea to do this at Turner Sports/WCW, but they are a genius for taking it this way.
- Your Winner: NO CONTEST after 16:57
- Post Match: Mean Gene walks to the ring and gets in with Hogan, Hall, and Nash as the debris and trash continues to rain down; nobody is leaving! Gene asks Hogan what he is doing. Hogan says he made professional wrestling and that nobody knows more about the big organization up north where Hall & Nash came from than him because he made it the monster it is today. He says Hulk Hogan is professional wrestling. He says when Billionaire Ted wanted to talk turkey with Hulk Hogan he came to the WCW for the fans and to help make a better future for the wrestlers in the back and they had the audacity to boo him so they can all stick it and that goes for the little kids, too. He says he is professional wrestling and that with Hall and Nash at his side he is taking over not only WCW but this entire stinking industry from the bottom up, brother! Nash swats a full cup of pop out of the air as Hogan rants on. He says we can call this the new world order of professional wrestling! Hogan shakes Gene screaming “watcha gonna do!” The announcers are disgusted and Tony even tells Hogan he can go straight to hell as we go off the air. What a show; Nitro is sure to be amazing!

WCW Bash at the Beach '96 - Sunday, July 7th, 1996

By Colt

Back to DDT Digest

WCW Bash at the Beach '96 - Sunday, July 7^th, 1996