RICHARD MORTON VS. BRIAN PILLMAN

  Today marks the anniversary of Brian Pillman's untimely passing. Looking back on his career he did a lot and still had so much untapped potential, one of wrestling's many unfortunate "what if?" stories. He had many highlights in his career and won many championships. This match will determine the first ever light heavyweight championship. Flyin' Brian comes out first, Alexandra Yorke accompanies Morton as we see the “refer-eye” which is a camera helmet worn by the referee in this match. He doesn't look pleased to have to be wearing it. Jim Ross and Tony Schiovane

RICHARD MORTON VS. BRIAN PILLMAN

(Tournament Final for the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship)

WCW Halloween Havoc 1991 (27^th October 1991)

They circle and lock up, we get the refer-eye cam view as they break and go back to locking up. They both dodge right hands in the corner and Morton sends Pillman over with an arm drag as Ross talks about how fast-paced this division is. Richard Morton backs Brian into the ropes, Brian reverses an irish whip but Morton slides through his legs, rolling all the way out of the ring. Alexandra Yorke pretends to type on the laptop (which isn't turned on) and gives her analysis on what Morton should do as he gets back on the apron. Morton rakes at the eyes and Pillman reverses an irish whip, they each block a hip toss, Morton tries to flip over Pillman to get the leverage but lands on his ass, so Pillman slams him to the mat. A spinning heel kick knocks Morton back outside. Jim Ross uses this chance to mention how much Japan loves WCW, more than the fans like Morton in his own state. Richard Morton gets back in the ring as they talk about his move to the Yorke Foundation.

Richard Morton backs Pillman into the corner and we get the refer-eye, it follows them across the ring twice. Pillman is on the middle rope, he feins a leap as Morton ducks, but he stands into an ax handle by Pillman, which gets him a nearfall. Brian Pillman takes Morton down with a headlock, Richard Morton gets to his feet but Pillman knocks him down with a shoulder block for another nearfall. Brian Pillman gets another headlock takedown and the refer-eye shows us Nick Patrick's arm as Richard Morton counters with a headscissors. Brian Pillman kicks out and goes back to the headlock but Morton is back to the headscissors. Pillman kicks out and hits Morton with rights and sends him across the ring, Richard Morton walks out into a Japanese arm drag and then into the American arm drag before Pillman keeps him on the mat with the headlock. Richard Morton makes his way to his feet and sends Pillman across the ring, Brian Pillman runs into a back elbow.

Brian Pillman avoids a jumping elbow drop and takes Morton down with another headlock as Ross goes over his football career in college. Morton gets to his feet and sends Pillman off the ropes, Pillman leapfrogs then Morton goes prone and Pillman runs into an inverted atomic drop. Richard Morton starts working on Pillman's recently injured shoulder, taking him down and dropping the knee. Brian Pillman tries to fight back so Morton rakes the eyes and sends Pillman through the ropes. Brian Pillman lands on his feet on the floor, getting back in the ring and rolling Richard Morton up for a nearfall. Richard Morton is quick to his feet and a clothesline gets him a nearfall of his own. Richard Morton goes back to Pillman's shoulder and keeps him on the mat with a top wristlock, Brian Pillman makes it to his feet but gets slammed down to the mat immediately. Richard Morton synchs it in tighter on Pillman's arm but Brian Pillman again slowly gets to his feet. Brian Pillman tries to break free with right hands and knocks Morton down with a shoulder tackle. Brian Pillman runs into a knee to the gut, flipping him to the mat and Morton goes back to the shoulder, pulling it all the way back and bringing him into an overhand wristlock.

We get a shot of the crowd as Pillman makes it to his feet and backs into the ropes for Morton to break. Richard Morton sends Pillman into the turnbuckles and Pillman fires out with a clothesline but Morton ducks, turning around into the second. Richard Morton rakes Pillman's eyes and grinds his face over the top rope, hitting a back suplex for a nearfall. Richard Morton chokes Pillman on the mat and tries to send him across the ring, but Pillman reverses the irish whip. Richard Morton grabs the boot but Pillman hits an enziguri and sends Morton into the top turnbuckle. Richard Morton gets sent off the ropes into a backdrop but cuts Pillman off in the corner with a kick to the gut, placing Pillman in the corner and hitting him with rights. Brian Pillman gets sent across the ring but Morton charges into an overhand chop. Brian Pillman hits another overhand chop then the third. Brian Pillman grabs a side headlock but Morton sends him off the ropes, they collide with shoulder tackles and both end up out of the ring. Richard Morton walks over to Pillman but Pillman is quick to the headlock again. Richard Morton sends Pillman's shoulder into the ring post and gets in the ring. Brian Pillman makes his way to the top rope and hits a crossbody 1, 2, 3!

WINNER: FLYIN' BRIAN PILLMAN (WCW Light Heavyweight Champion)

I find it interesting looking back at what was considered “high flying” in this era and they worked a really basic match that was back and forth. Brian Pillman had some unconventional strikes and that added to the match even if everything was a “karate kick” according to Jim Ross. The match was nothing special but Pillman becoming the inaugural champion was a pretty cool moment. – WORKRATE: 2/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 2.25/5 OVERALL 4.25/10

This match is available on the WWE DVD release “Brian Pillman: Loose Cannon”