November 1995 WCW Recap: Who is the World Champion?
The first World War 3 Battle Royal, a new World Champion, and the first Hulk Hogan- Sting match. Full recap, thoughts, and match recommendations inside.
Get caught up on the 1995 WCW Journey.
Recap
The month of November brought another new concept for WCW in the form of a 60-man, three-ring battle royal known as World War 3. The event was promoted as having a giant in each ring: The Giant, The Yeti, and One Man Gang.
Following the events of Halloween Havoc, The Giant continued to wear the World Title and proclaim himself as champion. Jimmy Hart claimed to have power of attorney and put in a clause where if Hogan got disqualified, he’d lose the title. WCW lawyer Nick Lambrose informed us that the Executive Committee ruled that the title would be held up and awarded to the winner of World War 3. Macho Man joined Hulk Hogan on the dark side and promised to find out who was friend and foe on Nitro. Hogan remained in the Dungeon and looked for Sting. Sting was offended by Hogan questioning him and warned Hogan not to point his finger at him again, declaring that Sting was the "Big Dog" of WCW. Sting and Hogan faced off for the first time on the November 20 Nitro. Hogan again received a negative reaction from the crowd. Hogan wore black and a black mask, while Sting was the one wearing red and yellow. Sting had Hogan in the Scorpion Death Lock when the Dungeon of Doom attacked Sting, causing a disqualification. Hogan and Sting fought off the Dungeon of Doom and The Giant together. Post-Nitro, Hogan admitted Sting got the better of him and that he’d never question his motives or integrity again.
At World War 3, Hogan burned his black gear and proclaimed that he knew who his friends were now. Savage also apologized to Sting. The World War 3 Battle Royal came down to Sting and Hogan teaming up to take out Flair and Arn. Randy Savage was ruled the winner, but Hogan had gone out underneath after The Giant pulled him out. Hogan and Savage agreed to watch the footage on Nitro. When they did, The Giant attacked them and choke-slammed Savage on the floor. Hogan and Sting helped Savage out.
A more serious Sting noted that people shouldn’t be surprised he went over the edge after Flair. He warned Flair he’d get his revenge at World War 3. On Nitro, Sting locked Flair in the Scorpion Deathlock but refused to let go until Lex Luger said something to him. At World War 3, Sting got his revenge by defeating Ric Flair. Sting explained he was trying to get Luger back from the Dungeon of Doom. Despite Luger’s actions, the two continued to team up and secure victories. One of Luger’s actions was injuring Savage’s arm prior to their World War 3 bout. Luger claimed he’d take out the other arm and that he now had Hogan’s man by his side while Hogan was lost and floundering. Lex was able to take advantage of Macho’s injured arm at World War 3 and defeat him. Lex refused to release the hold until Sting talked to him. The Taskmaster and Jimmy Hart cooked up a plan to chip away at Sting and Luger’s friendship. On the final Nitro of the month, Lex and Sting defeated Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman. The Horsemen beat them down until Hogan made the save. Hogan went after Luger, but Sting stopped him. Hogan backed off, agreeing to do things Sting’s way.
Other developments included the renewed working agreement with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which produced dividends. Bobby Heenan sold half of the Pro show to Sonny Onoo to showcase NJPW wrestlers, including names like Koji Kanemoto, Jushin Liger, Masahiro Chono, and Kensuke Sasaki. Sasaki defeated Sting in Japan for the US Title and successfully defended it against Chris Benoit at World War 3. Additionally, Akira Hokuto & Bull Nakano faced Cutie Suzuki & Mayumi Ozaki in a pair of matches that wowed fans. One Man Gang joined the Dungeon of Doom. Johnny B. Badd and Diamond Dallas Page continued their feud over the World TV Title. Badd retained at World War 3 and freed Diamond Doll from DDP. Jim Duggan and Big Bubba Rogers escalated their feud to a Taped Fist Match at World War 3, which Bubba won using VK Wallstreet’s chain. Harlem Heat picked up wins as World Tag Team Champions. Chris Benoit joined the Four Horsemen on an episode of Saturday Night. Eddie Guerrero continued to have issues with the Horsemen, with Flair big-leaguing him. Brian Pillman took Flair’s place, and Eddie was able to defeat him.
Thoughts
The international presence ramped up during the month, and the positive is that the secondary shows, in particular, are being flooded with new talent. The negative is the way they did the angle with Bobby Heenan and Sonny Onoo; it seemed like a strange way to present them. It felt very outdated. More and more, the fans are warming up to the new undercard talent and giving them a chance.
The women’s tag at World War 3 was so good that they ran it back on Nitro. You can really feel the promotion changing rapidly now.
Dusty Rhodes on Saturday Night is getting into his classic, goofy, funny commentary. I can listen to it in the background.
We got a taste of what heel Hogan versus babyface Sting would be like. Based on the crowd reactions, there’s really nothing Hogan could have done in WCW to “out babyface” Sting. The choice seems obvious that Hogan has to go heel at this point. There’s already tons of booking themes apparent that would play out throughout the peak nWo run and money dynamics with Hogan, Sting, Savage, and Luger, in particular, that they’d get into the ring.
I’ve enjoyed Johnny B. Badd and Diamond Dallas Page having a proper TV Title program. Meanwhile, the tag titles are a complete afterthought now. The US Title being on Sting really didn’t amount to much.
Sting and Luger remaining friends post-Luger’s heel turn started here, and it’s something that’s very well done. It seems like it should be a more common thing that if someone turns heel, their friends should first try to talk them out of it! Sting’s been doing his best promo work of the year lately now that he’s had some meaningful feuds to sink his teeth into.
The sequence of events that led to a clearly injured Randy Savage becoming World Champion, then immediately getting overshadowed by Hogan, was bizarre. As many changes as the company is making, the promotion revolves around Hogan as the main character.
Recommendations
Full credit to everyone out there who makes all of this accessible.
Horsemen (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Brian Pillman) v The Armstrong & Tim Horner (Nov. 4 Worldwide)
Bobby Heenan sells a half hour of Pro to Sonny Onoo (Nov. 4 Pro)
Hacksaw Duggan goes to Ireland (Nov. 4 Pro)
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit (Nov. 6 Nitro #10)
Sting revenge promo (Nov. 6 Nitro #10)
Sting vs. Ric Flair + post-match with Luger (Nov. 6 Nitro #10) (1,2)
WCW World Title put up in WW3 (Nov. 6 Nitro #10)
Sting sitdown interview (Nov. 11 Pro)
Disco Inferno v Chris Kanyon (Nov. 11 Saturday Night)
Arn Anderson v Kurasawa + Chris Benoit joins Horsemen (Nov. 11 Saturday Night)
Hulk Hogan in the dungeon (Nov. 13 Nitro #11)
Kensuke Sasaki vs. Chris Benoit (Nov. 13 Nitro #11)
WCW World Television Title Johnny B. Badd (c) vs. Eddie Guerrero (Nov. 13 Nitro #11)
WCW US Champ Sting vs. Dean Malenko (Nov. 13 Nitro #11)
Eddie Guerrero v The Gambler (Nov. 18 Pro)
Jushin Liger v Barry Houston (Nov. 18 Pro)
Sting promo on Hogan (Nov. 18 Pro)
Chris Benoit v Eddie Guerrero (Nov. 18 Saturday Night)
Brian Pillman vs. Eddie Guerrero (Nov. 20 Nitro #12)
Sting vs. Hulk Hogan (Nov. 20 Nitro #12)
DUNGEON OF DOOM: One Man Gang (Nov. 25 Saturday Night)
Lex Luger v Jerry Lynn + interview (Nov. 25 Saturday Night)
Hulk Hogan and Sting promo from post-Nitro (Nov. 25 Saturday Night)
Hulk Hogan burns the rag sheet, brother (Nov. 26 World War 3)
WCW World Television Title Johnny B. Badd (c) vs. Diamond Dallas Page (Nov. 26 World War 3)
Akira Hokuto & Bull Nakano vs. Cutie Suzuki & Mayumi Ozaki (Nov. 26 World War 3)
Sting vs. Ric Flair (Nov. 26 World War 3)
Akira Hokuto & Bull Nakano vs. Cutie Suzuki & Mayumi Ozaki (Nov. 27 Nitro #13)
Lex Luger & Sting vs. The Four Horsemen (Arn Anderson & Brian Pillman) (Nov. 27 Nitro #13)
Wrestler of the Month: Sting
Match of the Month: Akira Hokuto & Bull Nakano vs. Cutie Suzuki & Mayumi Ozaki (Nov. 26 World War 3)
Promo of the Month: Sting promo on Hogan (Nov. 18 Pro)
