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Welcome to the latest edition of The Final IV. Today, to coincide with tonight’s NXT TakeOver: War Games, I will be focusing on what is, in my opinion, the top four War Games matches of all time. So without any further ado let’s get started!
#4 Time To Go To War (GAB 1987: The Four Horseman vs The Dream Team)
This is where it all begins! The concept for War Games was developed and conceived by the late “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and came to fruition in 1987 for Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) big Summertime spectacular: The Great American Bash! Two rings. Two steel cages. One way in with no way out. The rules were simple, it's submit or surrender.
The first ever match focused on the feud between Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair and The Four Horsemen. The match consisted of “The Super Powers” comprised of Dusty Rhodes, The Road Warriors (Hawk & Animal), Nikita Koloff and Paul Ellering vs Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Lex Luger and J.J. Dillon.
The match set the tone for what War Games was all about: Sheer brutality! The match was bloody, action-packed and very exciting and innovative for the time. Competitors entered the ring at two-minute intervals, alternating between one team to the next.
Once all members of each team have entered the ring, “War Games” can officially begin, where the only way to win is by making a member of the opposing team submit or surrender. The Four Horsemen’s manager J.J. Dillon was brutalized and forced to surrender for his team after taking an awkward landing from The Road Warriors after they connected with The Doomsday Device.
#3 Sting vs Sting? (Fall Brawl 1996: Team nWo vs WCW)
Around this time, WCW was on top of the wrestling world due to its growing storyline with the New World Order (nWo). The storyline leading into this particular match focused on the shocking betrayal of “Sting”, who turned his back on WCW and his fans when he and the rest of the New World Order attacked Lex Luger outside in the parking lot on Monday Nitro leading into Fall Brawl. This left WCW at a huge disadvantage leading into Fall Brawl, as Sting was supposed to lead WCW into war with the nWo at the event.
On the day of the show, Sting confronted Lex Luger, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson, pleading to Luger that it wasn’t him that attacked Luger on Nitro. Luger told Sting he didn’t believe him. A frustrated Stinger walked off and said he would see them out in the ring.
The match itself compromised of Team nWo (“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and “Sting”) vs Team WCW (Lex Luger, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson), with WCW going into the event now at a 4-on-3 disadvantage. The match was pretty average for a War Games match for the time, as WCW had a no-blood policy going on and therefore the match itself was toned down quite a bit.
However, what made the match stood out was the dramatics. What was going to happen when Sting showed up? Was he telling the truth? Is he with the nWo or WCW?
“Sting” showed up, representing the now. He beat his chest. Howled to the crowd. Gave Stinger Splashes to Luger, Flair and Anderson respectively. When things were looking grim for WCW, the real STING made his appearance. He came in, attacked Hogan, Hall, Nash and the bogus “Sting” that had fooled everyone.
After single-handedly taking care of the nWo on his own, Sting flipped off Lex Luger and left the ring, angry and bitter. The nWo would go on to win the match after the "Bogus Sting" forced Lex Luger to pass out to the Scorpion Deathlock.
This was a pivotal match in the history of War Games as it represented the final time we would see Sting wrestling in his old school, colorful ring attire and set the stage for Sting’s transition to the “Crow” Sting in the months to come.
#2 The Perfect Betrayal (Fall Brawl 1997: Team nWo vs The Four Horseman)
This match was very personal right from the start. In the weeks leading into Fall Brawl 1997, Arn Anderson announced his retirement from the wrestling world in a very emotional segment on Monday Nitro that left Ric Flair and many fans in tears. During the segment, Arn Anderson announced that Curt Henning would be his replacement and the newest member of The Four Horsemen. Henning graciously accepted the position.
A week later, the nWo did a complete parody of the entire segment. While it came off as funny to some people, others it was very distasteful and a slap to the face of Arn Anderson. Syxx (X-Pac) parodied Ric Flair, Konnan portrayed Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Buff Bagwell portrayed Curt Henning and Kevin Nash portrayed Arn Anderson. In response to this, Flair challenged the now to War Games and vowed to punish Nash, Syxx, Bagwell and Konnan for making a mockery of Anderson and the Four Horsemen.
The match was accepted by the New World Order. Now, it was time for War Games. The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Curt Henning, Steve “Mongo” McMichael and Chris Benoit) versus Team now (Kevin Nash, Konnan, Buff Bagwell and Syxx). Heading into the match, Curt Henning was injured and attacked by the now, suffering an injured shoulder. While his condition wasn’t looking too good, Henning said he would still compete in the match with one arm if he had to.
The match seemed to going at even pace between both teams, going back and forth. When it came time for Curt Henning to enter the ring as the final participant. Henning did the unthinkable and turned his back on WCW and The Four Horseman, showing his true colors and portraying his allegiance to the now.
Henning removed the sling, threw handcuffs to each member of the now, and immediately started to assault Ric Flair. Each member of the Four Horsemen were handcuffed to the cage, as they singled out Ric Flair, positioning Flair’s head against the steel cage door and the steel ring post.
Kevin Nash got on the microphone and threatened to bash Flair’s head in if the horsemen did not surrender. Steve McMichael pleaded with them to stop this, officially giving the victory to the now. Then, going against their word, Curt Henning slammed the cage door in on Flair’s head! The force of the cage slamming on his head would cause Flair (in Kayfabe) to out of action for the next couple of months.
Curt Henning would go on to be one of Hogan’s lackeys in the New World Order, and engage in a feud with Ric Flair throughout the remainder of 1997.
#1 A Deadly War To Settle The Score (Wrestle War 1992: The Dangerous Alliance vs Sting’s Squadron)
This is the granddaddy of all War Games matches, in my personal opinion. This by far is the bloodiest match that I have seen to this date, in terms of cage matches and War Games, respectively. The violence and the blood in this match was likely the catalyst for WCW toning down the blood and the violence for future War Games matches following 1992.
Sting and The Dangerous Alliance, namely “Ravishing” Rick Rude, were embroiled in a feud throughout 1991 into early 1992. The Dangerous Alliance was formed by Paul E. Dangerously (Paul Heyman) with the goal of taking out WCW’s franchise superstar: Sting! The storyline would come to a head at Wrestle War 1992. The Dangerous Alliance would challenge Sting to War Games. Sting put together his best team to go to war with the Alliance.
The match consisted of The Dangerous Alliance, with “Ravishing” Rick Rude, Arn Anderson, “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko and “Stunning” Steve Austin going up against “Sting’s Squadron” consisting of Sting, “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Nikita Koloff.
What can I really say about this match? Well, it’s very graphic. Bloody. Brutal. All in all, if you are into carnage and mayhem, nonstop action and all of the above, this match is for you. Just about every member of each team was busted open in some form or fashion. Blood covered the ring mats. Give credit where it’s due to then booker “Cowboy” Bill Watts during this time in 1992 for WCW, he knew how to book and create the perfect representation of what War Games was supposed to be about.
The match ended in bloody fashion, as a part of the steel post that held the top rope together came apart and became a “weapon”. Sting used it and whacked Bobby Eaton in the arm and shoulder with it, then applied a standing armbar to Eaton. As Eaton screamed out in pain, he had no other choice but to submit.
Following this match, The Dangerous Alliance would slowly dissolve and go their separate ways. Sting would go on to feud with the likes of Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Big Van Vader to cap off 1992.
What did you think of the list? What is your favorite War Games match? Let us know in the comments below. See you next time!
