Retro Reviews: WCW Fall Brawl 1998

Welcome back to the TJRwrestling retro reviews where we are covering all of the WCW Pay-Per-Views during the “Monday Night Era”. We are fresh off of Road Wild, which was a below-average show with a below-average setting. I gave it a 5.5, but that was probably being generous. The WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Goldberg, wasn’t even in the main event. Some moments were solid, but overall, the show was bad. You can read my complete thoughts on the show, as well as every WCW show we have covered here. Also, make sure to check out everything that is being done with the site. Exciting time to be a wrestling fan. Now, we are to Fall Brawl with the War Games cage match being featured as the main event, per usual. Will this be a lift after Road Wild? According to the Observer, no, but let’s find out!

WCW Fall Brawl
September 13th, 1998
Lawerence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (What a name)

The show opens with a package covering the War Game match with Team Hogan, Team Wolfpac, and Team WCW, which features The Ultimate Warrior (now just Warrior), “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and Diamond Dallas Page.

We are brought into the arena by the usual voice of WCW Tony Schiavone, who is joined by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and Mike Tenay. They talk about the main event and bring up that there will be three teams instead of two this is the first year. Also different for this year, where the fall will count before everyone is in the ring. They go to the back and show security holding Ernest “The Cat” Miller from someone off-camera.

Tony shoots it over to Mean Gene Okerlund, who talks about the other matches on the night, including Rick vs. Scott Steiner. Chris Jericho makes his way to talk with Gene. Jericho says that he knows Okerlund loves a good scoop and he has the biggest one. Jericho says that he is the only champion that matters and calls out Goldberg for being a weak champion. Jericho says that Goldberg called him and asked for a match and Jericho said he has accepted. It’s going to be title vs. title according to Jericho. He says he is going to take Goldberg’s belt, break the streak, and become a double champion in the same match.

Disco Inferno & Alex Wright vs. The British Bulldog & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart

The bell sounds and the crowd is letting Wright hear it. It looks like it’s going to be Bulldog and Wright starting things off. Wright snaps him over quickly and Bulldog complains that he was pulling the hair. They lock up and Bulldog works him into the corner and hits some forearms to the head. Wright reverses and gets some shots in of his own. Wright with a clothesline, but Bulldog is too powerful and presses him down to the mat. Both men make a tag and now it’s Disco and Neidhart as the legal men. Neidhart pushes Disco to the mat before grabbing a headlock. Neidhart runs Disco over a few times, but Disco comes back with a Hammerlock and takes Neidhart down to the mat. Neidhart fights back and hits Disco in the midsection and a shot to the head. Disco reverses a Back Body Drop and hits a high knee lift. Neidhart comes right back and works Disco into the corner with some shoulders to the midsection. He tags Bulldog back into the match as Disco makes one of his own. Wright comes in and starts working on Bulldog and hits some shots to the head. He sends Bulldog into the ropes and hits a dropkick and picks up a two-count. Wright hits some chops to the chest, but Bulldog charges out with a clothesline. Wright slams Bulldog down and tags Disco back into the match. Disco covers Bulldog for a two count. He hits an atomic drop, but Bulldog sidesteps him and sends him flying to the outside right after. Neidhart jumps off the apron and pounds away on Disco before sending him into the guardrail.

He rolls Disco back in the ring and Bulldog starts working on Disco. He hits a high knee and keeps Disco grounded in the middle of the ring. Disco goes a Sunset Flip, but Bulldog stops him. Bulldog drops Disco on the ropes, and he lands ugly. Neidhart tags back into the match and continues to beat on Disco. He hits some stomps to the side before picking him back up and starting to bite him in the corner. Bulldog tags back into the match and hits Disco with a scoop slam. Neidhart quickly comes back in, but Disco takes him down to the mat and can make a tag to Wright. He comes off the top with a Missile Dropkick to Neidhart and another dropkick to Bulldog. Neidhart hits him from behind to stop the momentum right as it got started. Bulldog picks up Wright and goes for the Powerslam, but Disco breaks it up and they double-team Bulldog. Disco accidentally runs into Wright and they count it as a tag. Disco comes in the ring and is hit with a Powerslam and Bulldog covers him to pick up the win after 11:03.

Winner(s): The British Bulldog & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
Match Rating: 1/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: This was fine, but nothing spectacular. There was some nice power stuff from Bulldog and Neidhart, but it drifted at parts. Alex Wright had some nice ariel offense, and he was the standout of the match for me. He and Disco have been tagging for the last couple of months, but have mostly ended in losses. Bulldog picking up the win makes sense since he is the bigger star, but overall, the match was just alright.

Gene is backstage and says the rumor mills have been swirling in WCW as of late. He is looking for Scott Steiner in the back and finds him along with Bull Bagwell. Steiner says he has a lot of fans in North Carolina, but he said he is injured and won’t be able to face his brother Rick tonight. Buff chimes in and say they have a doctor’s note that claims Scott can’t compete tonight. JJ Dillon comes in and reads the doctor’s note and he says that it’s unfortunate that Scott took the time to make this up and that he is going to face his brother tonight or he will be barred from WCW for life. Scott and Buff chase him away as Gene shoots it back to the ring.

WCW Television & World Heavyweight Title Match
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Goldberg (c)

Juventud Guerrera beat Jericho last month for the Cruiserweight Title, but Jericho won the TV title in subsequent weeks on Nitro. Jericho is coming out to the ring with his own personal security, including the fan-favorite Ralphus. They get lost on the way to the ring before finally finding it.

Goldberg’s music hits and the fans are cheering loud for him. Here comes a Goldberg imposter, who is a lot smaller and has a fake title belt. Jericho hits the apron and shows that he is afraid of Goldberg. The bell sounds and both men lock up with Jericho shoving him down to the mat. Jericho hits a clothesline and suplexes him before covering him with his foot. “Goldberg” hits Jericho with a spear, but Jericho just gets up and kicks him in the face. Jericho slaps on The Liontamer and wins after 1:15.

Winner: Chris Jericho
Match Rating: No Rating

Collective Thoughts: This was the start of a feud that never got going. Jericho has brought an idea to management where they would build a match between him and Goldberg, but Goldberg vetoed it because Jericho wasn’t on his “level”. It has also been documented that this is around the time where Jericho starting to think about a jump to the WWF. This is peak Jericho at this point though, for sure. Obviously, he didn’t win the World Heavyweight Title.

Rick Steiner is with the internet guys backstage. He says that tonight won’t be easy, but it’s something he has to do. Steiner says tonight he is going to do whatever it takes to take his brother down.

They shoot to an interview with Mike Tenay who is with the Armstrong brothers. Before he can ask any questions, they are interrupted by Ernest “The Cat” Miller, who is asking why he isn’t getting this interview time. The Armstrongs tell him to leave and Miller attacks them. Norman Smiley comes to their aid and security breaks them up. This all leads to a match that is next.

Norman Smiley vs. Ernest “The Cat” Miller

Both of these guys were very entertaining. They could go in the ring as well as cut entertaining promos. Miller grabs a mic and starts cutting a promo on Smiley. He said by law he has to tell Smiley that he is a three-time Karate champion. Miller says he could take any man apart in seconds, but since he likes Miller, he is going to give him five seconds to leave. Obviously, Smiley doesn’t listen and the match gets underway.

Smiley starts things off with a headbutt and dropkicks Miller out to the floor. He comes outside after him, but as he comes around the post Miller hits a kick to the face. He sends Smiley into the guardrail before rolling him back in the ring. Miller gets another kick to the head and works Smiley into the corner. He chokes him with his foot before pounding on Smiley in the corner. Miller hits another kick to the face and takes Smiley down with a chop to the chest. Miller continues the strikes, but Smiley mounts a comeback with a side suplex. Smiley hits an uppercut in the corner and throws Miller to the other side. Smiley comes in to capitalize, but Miller gets a thumb to the eye. Smiley fights back, but is quickly snuffed out with a kick to the chest. Smiley hits a scoop slam and pounds Miller’s head into the corner. Smiley hits a nice delayed suplex and covers for a two-count. He lifts Miller to the top rope, but gets pushed off. Miller comes off the top with a kick, but only hits some of it. He sends Smiley into the ropes and hits it again to pick up the win after 5:04.

Winner: Ernest “The Cat” Miller
Match Rating: 1.25/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: This was the best match so far, but that’s not saying much. It was quick and to the point, but it needed to be. There wasn’t much heat because it was thrown together, but that was very WCW. It was fine, but nothing special.

There is a package setting up the brother vs. brother match that is coming up next.

Scott Steiner (w/ Buff Bagwell) vs. Rick Steiner

This match has supposed to have happened a couple of times before this, but it looks like the time is now. Bagwell and Scott were a good pairing, especially when they first joined the NWO.

The bell sounds and Scott spends some time on the outside and is very timid getting the ring. He jumps in and both men exchange blows to the head. Rick ducks an attack and takes Scott down with a vicious clothesline. He works Scott into the corner, but Scott fights out and they exchange blows again. Scott gets out of the ring to regroup, but Rick is right behind him. He sends Scott over the railing and they work into the crowd. They get back into the ring, and Rick goes for a Belly to Belly Suplex, but Scott gets out of it with a low blow. Scott stomps Rick on the mat and kicks him in the chest. They go to the outside again and Scott slams Rick into the stairs. He rolls Rick back in the ring and gets another kick to the head. Scott hits a big clothesline and goes for a Double Underhook Powerbomb, but Rick fights out and hits a DDT. Bagwell gets on the apron and Rick slams him into the corner. That allows Scott to come back and hit some offense. Rick fights back and both men go back and forth. Scott stops to check on Bagwell and Rick tries to attack, but Rick pushes him off. Bagwell says his neck is hurt and Rick backs off of Scott. They send the trainer from the back and they check on Bagwell. Rick walks over and checks on Bagwell. The match is called off after 5:30.

Winner: No Contest
Match Rating: 1.5/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: It was good for what it was. The crowd was super into a lot of what they were doing, and I feel like it would have been a lot better with a finish. Bagwell’s neck injury is an angle to make Scott looks sympathetic and not make either man have to take a loss. Bagwell had been previously injured and had come back, but hadn’t wrestled. This is a work, but I can see why they did it and it’s effective. I guess we might get a Steiner match with a finish next month.

They take Bagwell all the way to the back and Bischoff even makes an appearance to make it feel more real. Bagwell says someone should call his mom. His mom would play a big role in his career over the next couple of years. Bagwell jumps out of the ambulance and both he and Scott beat up Rick from behind. Bagwell has a neck brace on and says they fooled them again.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Juventud Guerrera (c) vs. Silver King

Both men lock up and Silver King breaks it with a chop to the chest. Guerrera grabs the arm and takes King down to the mat. King comes back with some athleticism and hits a dropkick on Guerrera. Both men exchange kicks to the legs before Guerrera hits a Headscissors Takeover. King goes to the outside and grabs a chair before sliding back into the ring. Guerrera comes in after him and hits a Springboard Hurricanrana. He chops King down to the mat, but King comes back with a dropkick that takes him down. King drops Guerrera on the top rope throat-first and hits a nice backbreaker. King puts Guerrera on the top and hits a shoulder breaker and picks up a two-count. King hits a dropkick and it sends Guerrera to the outside. King climbs up top and comes out with a splash to the outside. King goes for a Powerbomb that Guerrera tries to turn into a Sunset Flip, but he slips and just hits the mat. Guerrera recovers and comes back with a Hurricanrana for a two count. Guerrera works on King into the corner and drops him down on the mat. Guerrera comes off the top with a Missle Dropkick and picks up a near fall. King hits a huge sidekick and covers Guerrera for a two-count. King comes in for a splash in the corner, but Guerrera moves out of the way. Guerrera hits a reverse Hurricanrana off the top. That was damn impressive. Guerrera goes for the Juvi Driver, but King rolls him up. Guerrera comes back with the Juvi Driver that connects and he hits a 450 Splash to retain the title after 8:36.

Winner and STILL WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Juventud Guerrera
Match Rating: 2/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: This was a good match, and there were a lot of things going on throughout. King was the bigger of the two men and really used his size to his advantage. There were some sloppy parts, but overall, it was a solid Cruiserweight match. Guerrera was over at this point and the crowd was really into what he was doing.

They send it back to the internet location where they are interviewing Konnan. He said tonight he is going against Scott Hall, who is a friend of his but is going through some stuff in his personal life. That brings Hall out and the two start exchanging jabs. Hall says what he does in his personal time is his own business. He throws his drink into Konnan’s face before walking away.

There is a package for Saturn vs. Raven, which is coming up next. If Saturn wins, The Flock will disband. If Raven wins, Saturn will be Raven’s servant.

Raven’s Rules Match
Raven (w/ Lodi & Kanyon) vs. Saturn

A late stipulation announced was that Kanyon will be handcuffed to the post at ringside. Raven grabs a mic and tells Saturn that he is an embarrassment. Saturn takes the mic himself and says this is about honor, and that Raven has none.

As the bell sounds, Saturn comes in, but Raven drops him on the ropes. He stomps on him in the corner and sends him to the other side. He charges in with a clothesline and takes Saturn down with a high knee lift. Raven hits some chops in the corner, but Saturn comes back and hits Raven with a superkick. He puts him down with a scoop slam and covers him for a two count. Saturn goes up top and hits a huge splash for a two-count. Raven quickly gets back to his feet and takes Saturn out with a knee to the gut. Saturn comes back and punches Raven to the outside and he hits the railing. Saturn comes over the top with a Suicide Dive and takes out Raven and Lodi. Lodi grabs Saturn as he tries to come back in and he slams him into the guardrail. Raven comes out and rolls Saturn back into the ring and hits an elbow on the apron. Raven climbs up top and hits an elbow that hits the mark. Raven hits a Sunset Flip, but Saturn reverses it into a roll-up. Raven drops Saturn again before slapping on a Sleeper Hold. Saturn gets out of the hold with a Jawbreaker. Raven comes back and hits a series of Russian Leg Sweeps. Saturn recovers and hits a low blow on Raven and both men are down on the mat. Raven is the first one back to his feet and charges into the corner with a shoulder.

Lodi gives Raven a chair and he brings it into the ring. Raven hits a drop toe hold on the chair and Saturn is in bad shape. The brings out the other members of The Flock who are bringing out a table. Kidman comes into the ring and kicks Raven off the top. He had recently left The Flock and wanted to exact revenge on Raven. Saturn hits a big Death Valley Driver, but Lodi distracts the referee and Raven gets a shoulder up at two. Raven is back to his feet but gets hit with a series of suplexes and the crowd comes alive. Saturn hits a scoop slam and comes off the second rope with a leg drop. Saturn hits another driver-type move, but can’t put Raven away. Raven rolls Saturn up for a two-count. Both men get to their feet and Saturn ducks a clothesline and he puts him in The Rings of Saturn. Lodi breaks up the move and Saturn kicks him as he gets up. The referee is arguing with Kanyon and he gets knocked out in the process. He falls right in front of Kanyon and he unhooks himself from the post. He comes in and hits Saturn with The Flatliner before re-handcuffing himself. The referee gets up, and Saturn kicks out at two. Saturn hits a low blow and hits Lodi with a Death Valley Driver to the outside through the table. What a spot. Saturn comes back in the ring and gets hits with an Even Flow DDT, but Saturn gets the shoulder up at two. Saturn hits another DVD on Raven and wins the match after 14:04.

Winner: Saturn
Match Rating: 3.25/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: This match was cool and I enjoyed most of it. Saturn was so over and the crowd made a lot of noise for him. This was a feud that had been going on for some time, but this feels like an appropriate blow-off. The Flock is now disbanded. I was a big fan of both of these men and this was a solid outing.

They give an update on “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan who had a tumor removed earlier in the week. Duggan is the man.

Dean Malenko vs. Curt Hennig (w/ Rick Rude)

These two had a match on Nitro in a Steel Cage which saw Malenko get beat up by various members of the NWO, but Arn Anderson came out to make the save. Later in the week, Anderson invites Malenko into The Four Horsemen if they would ever come back together.

Malenko starts things off quickly with some kicks and chops in the corner. He sends Hennig into the ropes, but he bails out of the ring. Malenko slides out after him and hits a dropkick on the floor. He continues working on Hennig on the outside and starts beating up Rude as well. Hennig slides back in the ring, but Malenko grabs the leg and wraps it around the post. Malenko continues to work on the bad wheel and continues to pound on him in the center of the ring. Hennig rakes the eyes to get out of the move and hits some chops to the chest in the corner. Malenko comes back with another kick to the knee and tries The Texas Cloverleaf, but Hennig fights out. Hennig drops Malenko with a slam, but he is favoring the knee. Hennig gets a shot to the head, but Malenko comes back and continues his focus on the knee. Rude tries to take Hennig to the back, but Malenko comes out and hits them from behind. Malenko brings Hennig back in the ring, but Hennig starts begging him off. Malenko hits a dropkick to the knee and continues to stretch Hennig. Rude kicks Malenko in the back as he comes into the ropes and that allows Hennig to try a Hennig Plex, but he can’t get Malenko up. Malenko hits a Hennig Plex on him, but Rude breaks up the pin. The match is thrown out after 7:38

Winner by DQ: Dean Malenko
Match Rating: 2/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: I have seen these guys have better outings, but this wasn’t the worst thing. Malenko really worked on the leg of Hennig and it was refreshing to see a match that had more psychology, instead of a spot fest. Rude was involved in a lot of the match and Anderson getting involved after the bell was something you could see coming after what had transpired earlier in the week.

After the match, Hennig and Rude double-team on Malenko. That brings Arn Anderson out, but they take him out as well. This is after Anderson’s career-ending injury, and they exploit it for all its worth. Rude and Hennig bail out of the ring as Anderson and Malenko are left laying.

There is a commercial for Halloween Havoc 1998. I should have a review of that show up on All Out Sunday.

Scott Hall (w/ Vincent) vs. Konnan

Around this time, Hall was dealing with substance abuse issues outside of wrestling, and for whatever reason, they felt the need to make it into a storyline. Hall gets in the wrong ring and he is even wobbly moving around. He grabs the mic and gets through his typical pre-match promo, but first, Vincent brings him a drink.

Konnan jumps in the ring, but Hall just jumps in the other one. Konnan follows him, but Hall switches rings again. Hall hits him with the toothpick and they finally lock up. Hall starts working on the arm and tries to keep Konnan at bay. Konnan fights back and the crowd is really behind him at this point. Konnan hits Hall with a shot to the head and hits his Rolling Clothesline. Hall tries to get into the other ring, but Konnan catches him and stomps him between the two rings and Hall falls in the gap. That was a creative spot. Hall climbs under the ring and comes in from the other side, but Konnan catches him as he comes in and it sends Hall to the outside again. Hall takes a swig of his drink before getting back in the ring. Hall gets a kick to the midsection and starts stretching Konnan. Konnan reverses the hold, but Hall hits a low blow as the referee is distracted. Hall hits a Fallaway Slam and covers Konnan for a two-count. He gets Konnan in an Abdominal Stretch and actually takes a drink while he has him locked up. Hall breaks the hold and knocks Konnan down to the mat with a shot to the back. Hall hits a hip toss but misses a series of elbow drops. Konnan comes back, but is taken out with a boot to the face and a clothesline from behind. Hall puts Konnan on the top and hits a suplex. Hall signals for The Outsiders Edge, but wants to take a drink break first. Konnan gets up behind him and hits a facebuster. He puts Hall in The Tequila Sunrise and Hall taps out after

Winner: Konnan
Match Rating: 1.25/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: This was alright, but I hated the Hall storyline. I don’t think exploiting someone’s personal demons is good for anyone involved. The match was slow-moving and there wasn’t a whole bunch going on. Hall worked at a slow pace and took multiple sips of a cup at ringside. Konnan won out of nowhere and it seemed like the ending was a tad rushed.

Michael Buffer is in the ring and it’s time for War Games.

War Games Match
Team NWO Hollywood (“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Stevie Ray, and Bret “The Hitman Hart” vs. Team NWO Wolfpac (Kevin Nash, Sting, and Lex Luger) vs. Team WCW (Diamond Dallas Page, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and Warrior)

This year is different because the match can now end in a pinfall, and all nine men don’t even have to be in the match for it to end. In previous years, you could only win by surrender after everyone was in the match. We know that Page and Hart are starting the match off. The winner of this match will also go on to face Goldberg at Halloween Havoc next month.

The bell sounds and the clock starts to run. Page and Hart lock up with Page working him into the corner. Hart reverses and hits some shots to the head and neck before starting work on the arm. Page comes back with some shoulder blocks and takes Hart down to the mat. They exchange slaps before Page sends him into the ropes and hits a Belly to Belly Suplex. Page goes for The Diamond Cutter, but Hart pushes him away. He hits Page with a DDT and slams him into the corner. Hart starts choking Page in the corner and continues to try and keep him grounded. Page comes back and hits some shots of his own, but it’s short-lived and he hits Page with a backbreaker. Page comes back with a neck breaker and he covers him for a two count. We are under a minute before the next guy comes out and Hart hits a neck breaker and covers Page for a two. Hart sends Page into the corner and he falls to his knees. Page hits a clothesline as the time expires and that brings Stevie Ray into the fold. He starts working on Page immediately and gives Hart a breather. Hart and Ray double-team Page, but Page comes back with a double clothesline. Ray is the first back to his feet and hits Page with an Atomic Drop as the time runs out and out comes Sting. He comes in and works together with Page to take out Ray and Hart.

Sting flies over the ropes to the other ring and takes Ray out with a clothesline. He continues to pound on Ray against the cage as Hart and Page and laid out on the mat. There are thirty seconds left as Sting hits a Stinger Splash against the cage. Time runs up which brings out Roddy Piper. Piper gets to the other ring and takes out everyone in the ring, including his partner Dallas Page. Piper starts biting Ray on the nose as everyone is going at it. Piper and Hart are working on each other in the middle of the ring right before Page and Piper exchange blows to the head. Sting is stomping on Ray between the rings in a repeat of the spot from the last match. Hart and Page are going at it again as time runs up and here comes Lex Luger. He gets in the cage and starts working on Ray right away. Hart is beating on Page and Sting and Piper are going at it in the other ring. Luger takes out Hart from behind and stomps away on Piper. Piper gets Luger from behind and puts him in the Sleeper, but Luger knocks him off. Sting hits Page with a facebuster on Page. The time expires and that brings Kevin Nash into the match, who is jogging to the ring, but gets pyro anyway which was weird. Nash comes in and cleans the house by taking out Ray and Piper in ring one. Hogan comes down to the ring even though there is more time on the clock. Hogan gets in the ring and starts laying everyone out. Luger has Hart in the Torture Rack, but Ray takes everyone out with the Slap Jack.

The time runs up, but Hogan is already in the match. They bring Nash over to the side of the cage and Hogan hits him with The Legdrop. Hogan and Ray are standing tall in the ring as everyone else is laid out. Hogan hits another Legdrop on Nash as smoke fills the ring and as it clears up, The Warrior is in the ring. Hogan knocks him down and stomps away as more smoke fills the ring. Hogan is holding Warrior’s jacket, but he is not in the ring anymore. Warrior comes sprinting from the back and he throws Hogan into the side of the cage. The Disciple comes out and saves Hogan from the cage by pulling him out. Warrior and Ray are exchanging blows in the ring as they relock the cage door. Warrior is looking at Hogan from the inside of the cage before heading to the other ring to follows Hogan around the ring. Hogan slowly walks to the back as Warrior kicks his way out of the cage and gets out. He chases Hogan down the aisle and security comes out to break them up. Ray accidentally hits Hart with The Slapjack and Page hits Ray with the Diamond Cutter and picks up the win after 20:06.

Winner: Diamond Dallas Page
Match Rating: 1.25/5 Stars

Collective Thoughts: These kinds of matches are hard to rate, but this one was good in spots, but boring in others. I feel like I wasn’t stoked that Warrior was back just to feud with Hogan and the smoke filling the ring and everything leading up to this moment between the two had been really hokey. The action throughout this match was slow and plodding and never really hit a crescendo. They kept harping on the fact that the match could end at any time, but everyone knew all nine men would be out before it did. Page now gets a shot at the title when he and Goldberg clash at Halloween Havoc. Also, Nash had an easy night, getting some offense in, but being deposed of quickly afterward. Good for him. Page now gets a show at Goldberg and The WCW Heavyweight Title at Halloween Havoc. Meltzer gave this match MINUS four stars for anyone keeping score. It wasn’t that bad, but it was a typical underwhelming WCW main event.

After the match, Page celebrates with the crowd as the show goes off the air.

Overall Show Rating: 4 out of 10

The Wrestling Observer poll had this show at a 99.4% thumbs down rating. I wanted to go into it with an open mind, and I have to say, the fans were right. There was nothing on this show of any substance and had a lot more angles than a Pay-Per-View should. The fact that this is the second straight month that Goldberg didn’t defend the title on a big show is ridiculous, but it’s like yelling down a hallway at this point. The one standout match on the show was Saturn vs. Raven, which should tell you the quality of the rest of the show. There were some spots here and there, but overall, this show was not very good.

What did you think of Fall Brawl 1998? Did you love it? (Doubt it), or did you hate it? (Probably). Either way, keep the conversation going over @collectiveheel on Twitter, and let me know your thoughts. We will venture into Halloween Havoc 1998 in two weeks, but I will be back next week with another column. Take care of yourselves, and each other. I will be back soon enough with some more Collective Thoughts.