WCW put on more supercards earlier than the WWF, so from 1988 – 1992 they were the only one of the Monday Night Wars Big Three to have a supercard in September. Jim Ross and Bob Caudle are on commentary. Before the match we go to an interview area where Ric Flair and Tony Schiovane are sat with “Big” John Ayers who will referee the match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship between Ric Flair and Lex Luger in Philly. Flair isn't sure what makes him qualified for such a responsibility. John Ayers stumbles through the interview saying he'll call it as he sees it and won't be intimidated. This leads us straight into Ivan Koloff entering with The Russian Assassin and Paul Jones holding the chain giving this match it's name. Ricky Morton enters, the crowd's reaction proves how hot the Rock 'n' Roll Express were. The ring announcer accidentally calls it a “Russian Chainsaw” during the introductions. Good thing he never went on to work for ECW.
IVAN
KOLOFF VS. RICKY MORTON (Russian Chain Match)
WCW Clash of the Champions III: Fall Brawl (7th
September 1988)
We go to a commercial break
before the chain is connected to each man's wrist. This is a
corner-touch rules match. Koloff and Morton both close the gap,
reaching up the chain. Koloff strikes first with a kick to the gut
and second with a clubbing blow to the back dropping Morton to his
knees. Morton stands again but another strike from the Russian Bear
makes that temporary. Ricky Morton has dedicated this match to his
dad, a referee from Tenassee, so Jim Ross tells us, as Morton's
whipped across the ring and hit in the throat with the chain. Koloff
chokes Morton with the chain, standing over him and applying the
pressure. Koloff decides to try and win early, but Morton interupts
him after just one corner. Koloff sends Morton into the ropes, but he
slides under and brings the chain into Koloff's groin. Such a small
move, but you should hear the crowd. Koloff knocks Morton down with a
right hand before sending Morton into the corner, only to snapmare
him back out. Koloff touches two corners this time before Morton is
able to pull him away enough to break it, arm dragging him to the
middle of the ring.
Ivan Koloff is quick to his
feet and comes right at Morton with another club to the back. Morton
is sent out of the ring before Koloff yanks the chain, forcing
Morton's ribs into the apron. Morton blocks the second attempt
pulling Koloff into the ropes, Jim Ross explains how physics gave
Morton the advantage in that situation as Morton gets back on the
apron, he knocks Koloff back with a chain-assisted right hand and
kicks him in the gut. Koloff easily works his way back into the match
kicking back at Morton. Koloff presses the chain over Morton's throat
as Caudle and Ross talk about Morton's decision to take Koloff on in
his speciality match to prove himself. Koloff gets 2 corners before
Morton fights to his feet with kicks, calling the referee off. Ricky
Morton is targetting the left leg of Koloff, chopping at it with the
chain, and trying to take a limb away from the Russian. Morton starts
touching corners now, but can't drag Koloff around, only getting one.
Koloff hits an axe handle off
the middle rope, he goes to the top for another but Morton pulls the
chain bringing him tumbling to the mat. Morton still can't drag
Koloff's dead weight around though, and he's knocked down with a
right hand. Koloff chokes Morton with the chain again, using his
40lbs weight advantage. Koloff lifts Morton on to his back, choking
him with the chain, but Morton is able to roll back on his feet.
Morton gets a desperation right hand before getting his breath back
in the corner. He whips at Koloff with the chain, but Koloff gouges
at Morton's eyes. Another snapmare brings Ricky Morton out of the
corner, and Koloff whips Morton's midsection with the metal chain.
Koloff starts touching corners, he gets three, but half way to the
4th Morton grabs his ankle, Koloff tries to keep his
balance but Morton gets both ankles to bring him down. Morton dives
on him with right hands and chokes him on the mat with the chain.
Morton is able to get a couple of chain shots in and a right hand to
drop Koloff to the mat. Koloff is quick to his feet still, and a kick
to the midsection crumbles Morton to the mat. Koloff climbs to the
top turnbuckle again as Jim Ross says it didn't go well for him last
time. Koloff dives off the ropes into a right hand! Ross says it
could have been chain-assisted but we can't see properly. Morton gets
two corners, the fans are cheering him on. They go rabid as he hits
the third corner. Koloff grapevines the bottom rope as Morton
approaches the fourth corner, Jones is trying to will Koloff to stand
his ground as the fans won't let Morton do this alone, after what
feels like forever Morton gets it and the place explodes!
WINNER: RICKY MORTON
I hate
the corner touching rules for these sorts of matches,but for the
amount of sympathy Ricky Morton can get from a crowd, and how
invested in the match he can make people, it actually added to
suspense instead of breaking the flow, which is a very fine line to
cross. Koloff was a monster heel here, using the chain in any way he
can. Interestingly Caudle touched on the match being a learning
experince for Morton, seeing how Koloff uses the chain and trying to
implement that into his strategy. Overall a very good match, the
chain was used effectively and not overused, Paul Jones didn't take
away from the match. Morton looked resilient as hell and Koloff got
to turn on his “Dictatorship group” afterwards to freshen up his
character.– WORKRATE: 3.75/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 4/5 OVERALL
47.75/10
After the match the Russian
Assassin comes back to attack Ricky Morton, throwing him out of the
ring and beating him down at ringside on the concrete floor. Inside
the ring Ivan Koloff and Paul Jones are arguing. RIGHT HAND TO JONES!
The Russian Assassin has appeared in the ring and knocks Koloff into
the ropes with a knee to the back. Another Russian Assassin joins and
Koloff is triple-teamed. Leaving him busted open and going to
commercial break with him hung over the top rope with the chain. Jim
Ross was eerily casual about the fact.
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