**Fall Brawl ’94: War Games**
**Definition:**
Fall Brawl ’94: War Games was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) on September 18, 1994. It was the second annual Fall Brawl event and featured the signature War Games match as its main attraction.
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# Fall Brawl ’94: War Games
Fall Brawl ’94: War Games was a major professional wrestling event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) that took place on September 18, 1994, at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the second installment in the Fall Brawl series, the event is best remembered for its main event, the War Games match, a unique and brutal multi-man cage match concept originally created by wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes. The event featured several high-profile matches involving top WCW talent of the era and played a significant role in the ongoing storylines and rivalries within the promotion.
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## Background
### World Championship Wrestling in 1994
In 1994, WCW was in a period of transition and growth, attempting to compete with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) as the premier wrestling promotion in the United States. The company was building new stars and developing storylines that would captivate audiences. Fall Brawl was established as an annual September pay-per-view event, designed to showcase intense rivalries and culminate ongoing feuds.
### The War Games Match Concept
The War Games match was a specialty match type invented by Dusty Rhodes in the 1980s during his time in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The match features two teams locked inside a double-ring enclosed by a steel cage, with staggered entry intervals and a no-disqualification rule. The match only officially begins once all participants have entered the cage, and victory is achieved by submission or surrender. The War Games match became a signature attraction for Fall Brawl events, emphasizing brutal team warfare and dramatic storytelling.
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## Event Details
– **Date:** September 18, 1994
– **Venue:** Charlotte Coliseum
– **City:** Charlotte, North Carolina
– **Attendance:** Approximately 8,000
– **Promotion:** World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
– **Broadcast:** Pay-per-view
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## Matches and Results
Fall Brawl ’94 featured a total of eight matches, including the undercard bouts and the main event War Games match. The card showcased a mix of singles and tag team contests, with several championship titles defended.
### Opening Matches
The event opened with a tag team match featuring The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) against The Blue Bloods (Lord Steven Regal and Earl Robert Eaton). The Nasty Boys, known for their brawling style, secured a victory, setting an aggressive tone for the evening.
### Mid-Card Highlights
Several mid-card matches featured prominent WCW stars such as Johnny B. Badd, Arn Anderson, and Dustin Rhodes. Notably, Johnny B. Badd defended the WCW World Television Championship against Arn Anderson in a highly competitive match that showcased technical wrestling and storytelling.
### WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
One of the key matches was for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, where Ricky Steamboat defended his title against Steve Austin. This match was significant as it featured two wrestlers who would later become major stars in the wrestling industry. Steamboat retained the championship after a hard-fought contest.
### WCW World Heavyweight Championship
The WCW World Heavyweight Championship was also defended at Fall Brawl ’94. The champion, Ric Flair, faced Vader in a match that highlighted the contrast between Flair’s technical prowess and Vader’s power-based offense. Flair successfully retained the title, continuing his reign as the top champion in WCW.
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## Main Event: War Games Match
### Participants
The main event was the War Games match, featuring two teams of four wrestlers each:
– **Team WCW:** Sting, Lex Luger, Ricky Steamboat, and Davey Boy Smith
– **Team Dungeon of Doom:** Kevin Sullivan, The Taskmaster, The Barbarian, and Meng
The Dungeon of Doom was a villainous faction led by Kevin Sullivan, intent on destroying Sting and WCW’s heroes. The War Games match was the culmination of a heated rivalry between these factions.
### Match Structure
The War Games match began with one member from each team entering the cage. At timed intervals, additional wrestlers entered alternately, until all eight participants were inside the double-ring steel cage. The match could only be won by submission or surrender, with no pinfalls allowed.
### Match Summary
The match was a brutal and chaotic affair, featuring intense physicality and dramatic moments. The Dungeon of Doom used their numbers and underhanded tactics to gain an early advantage. However, Team WCW fought back with resilience and teamwork. The match included high-impact moves, weapon use, and near-submissions, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
In the climax, Sting forced Kevin Sullivan to submit, securing the victory for Team WCW. The win was a significant moment in the ongoing storyline, reinforcing Sting’s status as a top babyface and leader of WCW’s heroic faction.
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## Aftermath and Legacy
Fall Brawl ’94: War Games had a lasting impact on WCW’s storylines and character development. The event solidified the War Games match as a marquee attraction for the promotion and helped elevate several wrestlers’ profiles.
### Storyline Developments
The victory by Team WCW intensified the feud with the Dungeon of Doom, leading to further confrontations in subsequent WCW programming. Sting’s leadership role was reinforced, and the event helped build momentum for future pay-per-views.
### Influence on Wrestling
The War Games match concept continued to be a unique and influential match type in professional wrestling. Its combination of team dynamics, cage warfare, and staggered entries inspired similar match formats in other promotions.
### Critical Reception
Fall Brawl ’94 received mixed to positive reviews from wrestling critics and fans. The War Games main event was generally praised for its intensity and storytelling, while some undercard matches were viewed as filler. The event is remembered as a key moment in WCW’s mid-1990s history.
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## Notable Participants
– **Sting:** One of WCW’s top stars, known for his charismatic presence and athleticism.
– **Lex Luger:** A powerful and popular wrestler, often positioned as a main event contender.
– **Ricky Steamboat:** Renowned for his technical skill and classic matches.
– **Davey Boy Smith:** Also known as The British Bulldog, a strong and agile competitor.
– **Kevin Sullivan:** Leader of the Dungeon of Doom, a villainous faction.
– **The Taskmaster:** A mysterious and dangerous member of the Dungeon of Doom.
– **The Barbarian:** A powerhouse wrestler known for his aggressive style.
– **Meng:** A tough and intimidating competitor, part of the Dungeon of Doom.
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## Conclusion
Fall Brawl ’94: War Games stands as a significant event in WCW’s history, showcasing the promotion’s commitment to innovative match types and compelling storytelling. The War Games match remains a highlight of the event, remembered for its unique format and dramatic conclusion. The event contributed to the ongoing narratives within WCW and helped shape the careers of several prominent wrestlers.
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**Meta Description:**
Fall Brawl ’94: War Games was a 1994 WCW pay-per-view event featuring the signature War Games match. It played a key role in WCW’s storylines and showcased top wrestling talent of the era.