Well, Fall Brawl ’99 happened last night, and if you were covering this pay-per-view, you would of heard about the low ticket sale. I heard from 2, 200 people, to 8, 000 where the two numbers I heard of paying fans. Well, it most likely around 7, 000 or so, because I read on an online report that arena could hold close to 25, 000 or a bit more, well that place was pretty spaced out, which I must say WCW did a good job on, making the place look like a sell-out crowd, even though it didn’t come close.  The actual matches of the card were pretty decent, anyway, down to them. 

Vampiro and ICP Vs. Eddy Guerrero, Kidman, and Rey Mysterio Jr. - This match was an excellent way to the start of the pay-per-view and to work the crowd, but didn’t we see this open the last pay-per-view, Road Wild? Only difference was Raven was outside last time for Vampiro and ICP. I really am beginning to wish Rey Jr. would get lost. The guy is a great aerial worker, but do you really have to look like a minature of Kidman? Not that, I’m a big fan of Kidman, since he does exactly the same last 5 moves of every match. Anyway, last time we saw the Filthy Animals go over ICP and Vampiro, and they did it again.  

Kaz Hayashi Vs Lenny - This was one well put on match. For the people, that don’t think Lane has any in ring skills, they are completely wrong, this guy was working the crowd and putting on an entertaining match. If the WWF were to ever really start up their light weight division, and could get Lane, then Lenny Lane would be the guy to put in there, as the monster heel. Lenny Lane Vs. Brian Christopher. That would be pretty good. Anyway, interesting match, which the usual controversial finisher thanks to Lodi’s interference outside. 

Dean Malenko and Shane Douglas vs. Brian Knobs and Hugh Morrus - WOW! You know your hitting the big time, when your jobbing to the First Family in the third match of the night. Gets no better than this! Why did the bookers have the First Family go over the Revolution tag team? Also, it was a CLEAN pin, which is even more sadder for Malenko and Douglas. For the guys that are supposedly revolutionizing the company, and taking it back, they sure aren’t doing that great of a job. So far, the Revolution is 0-1. 

Saturn Vs. Rick Steiner - Wow, WCW sure knows what they’re doing. Let’s have Saturn execute his LETHAL finisher, the DVD, only for him to cover Steiner for a 2 count. Sound’s good to me! Well, this new management transaction backstage really isn’t helping, seems like the same old booking to me. Revolution is now 0-2.  

Berlyn vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan - So it seems somebody else’s masterpiece of was another’s trash.  Bischoff wanted Berlyn Vs. Bagwell, but the commentators say he isn’t at the arena. DOH! While I was sitting there watching the pay-per-view at this moment, something very scary happened. Berlyn comes down, pretty normal, next thing the announcer says Bagwell is not able to wrestle due to not being there. He takes a few breathes, and the next thing the Duggan theme starts up. Just before the music hit, my mind was running rapid thinking of who would take his place, JUST before the music hit, I put two and two together with an anti American, and the pro American being Buff, who else would really show that they are totally pro American? Then it popped in my head Duggan. Not Duggan, WCW wouldn’t do that, exchange a semi mid carder like Buff for an even lower full fledged mid carder, Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Well, I was wrong. I cannot believe they put him out there on a pay-per-view, in a pretty important match, being that it would be the first in ring match that Berlyn would have. Well, you know you aren’t going anywhere when your getting your tail whipped by Duggan. Simple as that. Berlyn will be opening Thunder and or opening Saturday Night, IF it doesn’t pick up, sooner or later. I bet, even Hogan fears the Hacksaw. One thing you have to be amazed at, is, no matter what Duggan’s gimmick is, he’s been over for the past 10 or so years, with no trouble at all. Just stomping the big foot, with the thumb in the air with U-S-A coming out of his mouth, he gets one of the loudest pops from the crowd. Pretty scary isn’t it? I wonder if Jim Duggan worked a match in Canada, what would he do? I don’t think, we Canadians would be dumb enough to chant USA. We’d probably boo him out of the building. Show him what Canuckitude (wwf.com) is all about. Anyway, pretty boring match for me, some people may have liked it. Berlyn may be 6’1-6’2, but he isn’t very built at all, pretty skinny, not much muscle definition either. Looks to be the wrong guy for this gimmick. Heenan and Schiavone spent more time during the match, gasping about the size of the bodyguard of Berlyn. 

Barry and Kendall Windham vs. Harlem Heat - Wow, three big slow guys and one semi skilled worker. What an attraction! I’m really enthusiastic, really. I’m just having a hard time showing it. For some reason, WCW bringing back Harlem Heat was a pretty dumb thing to do. They should of fired Stevie Raym and put Booker T back in singles competition for the TV title. He doesn’t deserve the US, but TV is fine for him now. Harlem Heat are now 9 time tag team champions. Wow, they have beaten the record of eight held by Dudlyez. Does anyone know if there is an ACTIVE tag team with a higher amount of tag titles held? If so, e-mail me, and I’ll post it in the next column, thanks, 

Chris Benoit vs. Sid Vicious - Good match, while it lasted, but way to ruin Benoit’s credibility! Now, they have Sid get up right out of the Crippler Crossface, and roll out of the way of the Suicide Head-Butt. Oh wow, the Revolution is sizzling tonight. What was the point of that interview on wcw.com before the pay-per-view with having Saturn GUARANTEE the Revolution would be undefeated tonight? Whoever made him say that, lied to us.  

DDP Vs Goldberg -  The beginning of this one had me laughing. A choke chain collar for a dog? A role of quarters? Comon DDP, if your going to cheat, cheat with honor and get some decent weapons! Wouldn’t it be nice to see Kimberly walk down to ring with a big diamond, hand it to DDP and allow DDP to whack his opponent on the head? Knock him out cold, get heel heat and the win! I think we have a winning combination. Where were Kanyon and Bam Bam? At the Good Will center? They sure know how to pick their weapons out carefully. A little mirror? Goldberg shrugs it off, like a fly, spears, and then Jack Hammers DDP. Pretty good match I guess, a lot of bizarre stuff however. 

Sting vs Hulk Hogan - Pretty dumb match if you ask me. Why did Bret Hart come out? Like coming out and patting Hogan on the back and giving him the thumbs up, and not saying a word to Sting, is really going to sadden him? Why did they have him out? Were they that little behind they needed something to fill some time. And Buffer even announced him! Ah well, pretty good match, if you like to see 40 year olds wrestle more amateur. The look on Hogan’s face when he put two and two together and figured Sting was with Luger. Price less. Where’s your Hulkster hulk ups now HOGAN? Sting with the bat shot followed by the Stinger Death Lock. Now, this move on the booking team’s behalf, put all the minor mistakes during the card behind. EXCEPT for the Revolution going 0-3. That is funny and pitiful. 

Well that’s it for the Fall Brawl review, now just some small issues. Bulldog’s return was pretty dumb. He comes out and beats the stuffing out of Bossman, wins the title, and then decides to be the good citizen type, and give the title back to Leif Cassidy (Al Snow). Pretty stupid. "I just worked my butt off for this, but here ya go man." The way I see it going would be for Henry to hang onto the European title at Unforgiven, then Bulldog comes out and that heats up, ends up Bulldog Vs. Mark Henry for the Euro title at Survivor Series. Bulldog body slams Henry, Jim Ross flips out and says the true strong man is back, Bulldog wins the title. I would actually like to see Bulldog execute a running powerslam on Henry. If he can do it. Then I’d give him the title.  

Finally the gods of put a thought into Ted Turner’s brain. To get rid of Mr. Bischoff. Well, doesn’t Raven seem irritated now? He fled from WCW with only 8 months or so left on his contract to get away from Bischoff, and then a week later, Turner does it for him, but it’s too late. Ah well. Raven, hope you like your swift $156, 000 per year, instead of $275, 000, I do believe. Well Fall Brawl looked to be still the average pay-per-view with the exception of Hogan losing the title. But now, tonight on Nitro is when we will really see if the new management will do anything, or was it just a waste of time. We’ll soon see. 

Well, ECW is finding out, that people in the world are not always honest, enough to stick with their word. It appears Taz is the next recruit to leave the island of Extreme for the main land of titan. Paul E. supposedly had a hand shake deal with Taz till December 31, 1999. Now with under a week to the first NATIONAL pay-per-view seen around the US and now in Canada, the ECW champ wants to leave. What to do? What to do… Masato Tanaka is only on loan I believe from Japan, so it wouldn’t be bright to give it to him, and then you have Taz, who supposedly has been offered a contract from the WWF and is willing to sign it. So he could be gone any day. Would Taz turn his back on the promotion that gave him his major exposure? Wouldn’t surprise me, from the other guys that have done it. Like Douglas, who declared, and created ECW. Only time will tell I guess. 

There’s no failed gimmick of the week this week, nothing really jumps out at me that needs a change. Maybe Bulldog, but he’s only returned, so I have to give that run a chance. Other than that, thanks for reading, and I’ll be back next Monday with another Pain Tolerance edition. Thanks, and have a good night.