View source for Starrcade 1993

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{{Infobox Wrestling event
| name = Starrcade 1993
| image = [[File:Starrcade 1993.jpg|200px]]
| promotion = [[World Championship Wrestling]]
| date = December 27, [[1993]]
| venue = [[Independence Arena]]
| city = [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
| attendance = 8,200
| lastevent = [[Battlebowl 1993|Battlebowl]]
| nextevent = [[SuperBrawl IV|SuperBrawl]]
}}
'''Starrcade '93: 10th Anniversary''' was the eleventh annual Starrcade professional wrestling pay-per-view event. It was the sixth Starrcade event produced by [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), and it took place on December 27, 1993 from the [[Independence Arena]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. This was the first Starrcade to feature [[Ric Flair]] since the [[Starrcade 1990|Starrcade in 1990]].

The main event was between [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] and Ric Flair for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]. The match was made as a result of the double stabbing that occurred between [[Arn Anderson]] and [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] in October. Flair replaced Vicious in his match against Vader. Their [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] continued after the event with a Thundercage match at [[SuperBrawl IV]]. The event also included [[The Nasty Boys]] against [[Sting]] and [[Road Warrior Hawk]] for the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]], [[Rick Rude]] against [[Ray Traylor|The Boss]] (replacing [[Davey Boy Smith]]) for the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]], and a Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match between [[Dustin Rhodes]] and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] for the [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]].

==Background==
The main [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] heading into Starrcade was between [[Ric Flair]] and [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] over the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]. After leaving WCW in 1991, [[Ric Flair]] returned in early 1993. Since then, Flair won the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] at [[Beach Blast 1993|Beach Blast]] for the tenth time in a match with [[Barry Windham]]. The title became the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]] in September after WCW left the [[National Wrestling Alliance]]. Flair then feuded with [[Rick Rude]] over the title. Rude won the title at [[Fall Brawl#1993|Fall Brawl]], and retained the title in rematches.

After having defeated [[Ron Simmons]] for the WCW World Heavyweight Champion on December 30, 1992, Vader had held the championship since (save for a six-day run by [[Sting]] in March 1993). Vader feuded with [[Davey Boy Smith]] in May over the title. The feud also involved [[Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious]] and Sting, who formed an alliance with Vader and Smith respectively. Vader then had a short feud with [[Mick Foley|Cactus Jack]] before being chosen to face Vicious at Starrcade. On [[October 28]], [[Arn Anderson]] and Vicious had a fight at a hotel that resulted in a double stabbing. The incident led to Vicious being fired, and Flair challenging Vader to a title match at Starrcade, with Flair also putting his career on the line.

==Event==
The first match was between [[Pretty Wonderful]] ([[Paul Orndorff]] and [[Paul Roma]]) (accompanied by [[Jody Hamilton|The Assassin]]) and the team of [[2 Cold Scorpio]] and [[Buff Bagwell|Marcus Bagwell]]. The match started with Scorpio and Bagwell having the advantage, and targeting the left arm of Orndorff and Roma. Pretty Wonderful dominated Bagwell after Roma attacked him from behind. After Roma missed a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Splash|splash]], Scorpio and Orndorff tagged in. Scorpio had the advantage, and performed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Headscissors takedown|headscissors takedown]]. The Assassin then climbed onto the apron, and placed a disc in his mask. As Scorpio attempted another headscissors takedown, The Assassin performed a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Headbutt|headbutt]] to Scorpio, and Orndorff pinned him to win the match.

The second match was between [[Dwayne McCullough|Awesome Kong]] (accompanied by [[Scott Thompson|King Kong]]) and [[The Shockmaster]]. Before the match, Awesome and King Kong attacked The Shockmaster. The match started with King Kong competing instead. The Shockmaster blocked a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Body avalanche|body avalanche]], and performed a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|clothesline]] and a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Crossbody|crossbody block]]. The Shockmaster then pinned King Kong after a [[Professional wrestling throws#Scoop slam|scoop slam]] to win the match.

The third match was between [[Ricky Steamboat]] and [[William Regal|Lord Steven Regal]] (accompanied by [[Sir William]]) for the [[WCW World Television Championship]]. The match started back and forth until Steamboat gained the advantage with an [[Professional wrestling attacks#Enzuigiri|enzuigiri]]. Regal fought back after a [[dropkick]] following the distraction by William. Steamboat reversed the [[Professional wrestling holds#Butterfly|butterfly]] into a [[Suplex#Double underhook suplex|double underhook suplex]], and attacked Regal outside the ring. As Steamboat performed a bridging [[Suplex#German suplex|German suplex]], the time limit expired, and Regal retained the title.

The fourth match was between the team of [[Dennis Knight|Tex Slazenger]] and [[Mark Canterbury|Shanghai Pierce]] and the team of [[Mick Foley|Cactus Jack]] and [[Maxx Payne]]. The match started back and forth until Jack delivered punches to Slazenger, and Jack and Payne had the advantage. Jack performed a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Cactus clothesline|Cactus clothesline]] to Pierce and an aided [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Suicide|suicide senton]] to Slazenger. Slazenger and Pierce attempted to double-team Payne, but Payne performed a clothesline to both. Jack tagged in, and Pierce accidentally performed a clothesline on Slazenger. Jack then pinned Pierce after a [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Double underhook DDT|double arm DDT]] to win the match.

The fifth match was a Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match between [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] (accompanied by [[Robert Fuller|Col. Robert Parker]]) and [[Dustin Rhodes]] for the [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]]. They went back and forth for most of the match. After Austin missed an [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Axe handle elbow drop|axe handle elbow drop]], Rhodes performed a clothesline and a [[Powerslam#Scoop powerslam|scoop powerslam]]. Parker climbed onto the apron, and Rhodes sent Austin into him. Austin fell over the top rope outside the ring, and Rhodes lost the first fall via disqualification. Rhodes continued to attack Austin, and performed [[Professional wrestling attacks#Mounted punches|mounted punches]]. Austin pulled him down, and pinned Rhodes with a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|roll-up]] while pulling his tights to win the match and the title.

The sixth match was between [[Ray Traylor|The Boss]] and [[Rick Rude]] for the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]]. The match started with Rude attacking The Boss until The Boss performed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Back body drop|back body drop]] and a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Big boot|big boot]]. The Boss attacked Rude outside, and applied the [[Professional wrestling holds#Bear hug|bear hug]]. After several punches, The Boss attempted a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Leapfrog body guillotine|leapfrog body guillotine]]. Rude avoided it, and pinned The Boss with a [[Professional wrestling holds#Sunset flip|sunset flip]] to win the match, and retain the title.

The seventh match was between [[The Nasty Boys]] ([[Brian Knobbs]] and [[Jerry Sags]]) (accompanied by [[Missy Hyatt]]) and the team of [[Sting]] and [[Road Warrior Hawk]] for the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]]. Sting and Hawk had the early advantage, and targeted the left arm of Knobs. After Hawk missed a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Turnbuckle thrust|turnbuckle thrust]] in the corner, he fell outside, and was attacked by The Nasty Boys. They had the advantage until Hawk performed a clothesline to both, and tagged in Sting. Sting attacked them both, and attempted a splash to Knobs, but Knobs raised his knees. The Nasty Boys then dominated Sting, and repeatedly applied the [[Professional wrestling holds#Abdominal stretch|abdominal stretch]]. This continued until Hawk came in, and attacked both with Sting. They performed a [[Doomsday Device]] on Knobs, and Sting attempted to pin him, but Hyatt interfered. Sting and Hawk won the match by disqualification, and The Nasty Boys retained the title.

The main event was between [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] (accompanied by [[Harley Race]]) and [[Ric Flair]] for the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]. Flair would have to retire from [[professional wrestling]] if he lost. The match started with Vader having the advantage with attacks. After Vader performed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Gorilla press slam|gorilla press slam]], Flair rolled outside the ring, and Vader performed a [[Professional wrestling throws#Gorilla press drop|gorilla press drop]] onto the guard rail. Vader then missed an attack, and ran into the guard rail. Flair fought back, and sent Vader into the ringpost. Race then attacked Flair, and Vader regained the advantage. Vader dominated Flair, performing a [[Suplex#Superplex|superplex]] and a body avalanche. Flair fought back, and sent Vader's left leg into the ringpost. Flair attacked the leg with a chair, and continued to target the leg. After Vader missed a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Corner slingshot splash|corner slingshot splash]], Flair applied the [[Professional wrestling holds#Figure four leglock|figure four leglock]]. Vader reached the ropes, and fought back, but missed a [[moonsault]]. Flair attempted to pin Vader while Race climbed the turnbuckle Vader jumped from. Race attempted a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving headbutt|diving headbutt]] to break up the pin, but Vader powered Flair off of him to kick out just as Race jumped and as a result the champion took the diving headbutt from his manager. After referee Randy Anderson threw Race out of the ring, Flair hit a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Forearm smash|running forearm smash]] on Vader then proceeded to chop the champion repeatedly. Flair then attempted another running maneuver only to be met with a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Bell clap|bell clap]] from Vader. Flair then grabbed Vader's left leg, causing him to trip and fall, and pinned him with a roll-up to win the match and the title.

==Reception==
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave the Vader/Ric Flair main event a rating of **** 1/2 (out of 5) and claimed it was a defining moment in Flair's career and most memorable of his numerous (11 at the time) title wins.

The event did a 0.55 pay-per-view buyrate, just above average for WCW's core PPV audience at the time.  The show did double the business of the previous month's WCW pay-per-view, Battlebowl, with Starrcade considered a mild success due to being the last of four consecutive monthly pay-per-views, an unusual practice at the time.  As highly promoted as Starrcade was, it only drew about 15-20,000 more buys than poorly promoted WCW pay-per-views earlier in the year.  The live event gross was $65,000 and the pay-per-view gross for WCW and Turner was $1.35 million.  Paid attendance was about 7,000, with 1,000 comps, and a large amount of $8 tickets sold.

Largely promoted as a "one-match show," Starrcade '93 is remembered as delivering a tremendous main event after a terrible undercard.

==Aftermath==
[[Big Van Vader|Vader]] continued to feud with [[Ric Flair]] until [[SuperBrawl IV]], where Flair defeated Vader in a Thundercage match to retain the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]]. Flair then defended and retained the title against [[Ricky Steamboat]] before defeating [[Sting]] at [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions XXVII|Clash of the Champions XXVII]] in a [[championship unification]] match to unify the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]]. Flair turned heel and began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Hulk Hogan]], who debuted with the promotion in June 1994. Their feud was the main focus of the year for the promotion, with their first match occurring at [[Bash at the Beach 1994|Bash at the Beach]]. Hogan won the title, and they continued to wrestle in rematches for the remainder of the year. Hogan remained the champion, and his reign continued for over a year.

==Results==
;{{small|Numbers in parentheses indicate the length of the match.}}
;{{small|(c) refers to the champion(s) heading into the match.}}
*[[Dark match]]: [[Terry Taylor]] defeated [[The Equalizer]]
*[[Pretty Wonderful]] ([[Paul Orndorff]] & [[Paul Roma]]) (w/ [[Jody Hamilton|The Assassin]]) defeated [[Marcus Alexander Bagwell]] & [[Too Cold Scorpio]] (w/ [[Teddy Long]]) (11:45)
*[[The Shockmaster]] defeated [[King Kong]] (w/ [[Dwayne McCullough|Awesome Kong]]) (1:34)
*[[Lord Steven Regal]] (w/ [[Sir William]]) (c) vs. [[Ricky Steamboat]] ended in a Time Limit Draw. Regal retains the [[WCW World Television Championship]] (15:00)
*[[Cactus Jack]] & [[Maxx Payne]] defeated [[Shanghai Pierce]] & [[Tex Slazenger]] (7:48)
*[[Rick Rude]] (c) defeated [[The Boss]] to retain the [[WCW International World Heavyweight Championship]] (9:08)
*[[Steve Austin]] (w/ [[Col. Robert Parker]]) defeated [[Dustin Rhodes]] (c) in a Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match to win the [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]]
:*Dustin Rhodes was DQ'd (13:32)
:*Steve Austin defeated Dustin Rhodes (15:00)
*[[Road Warrior Hawk]] & [[Sting]] defeated [[The Nasty Boys]] ([[Brian Knobbs]] & [[Jerry Sags]]) (w/ [[Missy Hyatt]]) (c) by DQ in a [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] Match (29:11)
*[[Ric Flair]] defeated [[Big Van Vader]] (w/ [[Harley Race]]) (c) to win the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]] (21:11)

==Other on-screen talent==
{|border="0"
|valign="top"|
;Commentators
*[[Tony Schiavone]]
*[[Jesse "The Body" Ventura]]
;Interviewers
*[[Gene Okerlund]]
|valign="top"|
;Ring announcer
*[[Gary Michael Cappetta]]
*[[Michael Buffer]]
;Referees
*[[Randy Anderson]]
*[[Nick Patrick]]
|}

==See also==
*[[WCW Starrcade]]

==External links==
*[[File:Cm logo.jpg|50px]] [http://cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=1570 Starrcade 1993]
*[[File:WWE Network New Logo.jpg|50px]] [http://network.wwe.com/video/v31673705 {{PAGENAME}} on WWE Network]
{{Starrcade}}
{{1993 WCW PPV}}
{{1994 WCW PPV}}
[[Category:World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view events]]
[[Category:Starrcade]]
[[Category:1993 pay-per-view events]]