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SuperBrawl IX
SuperBrawl IX
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SuperBrawl IX
Promotional poster featuring the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
PromotionWorld Championship Wrestling
Brand(s)WCW
nWo
DateFebruary 21, 1999
CityOakland, California
VenueOakland Arena
Attendance15,880
Buy rate485,000
Tagline(s)He Who Wins The Belt Has The Power.
World Heavyweight Title!
Pay-per-view chronology
← Previous
Souled Out
Next →
Uncensored
SuperBrawl chronology
← Previous
VIII
Next →
2000

SuperBrawl IX was the ninth SuperBrawl professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event took place on February 21, 1999 from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California.

Ten matches were contested at the event. In the main event, Hollywood Hogan retained his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Ric Flair. In other prominent matches, Goldberg defeated Bam Bam Bigelow, Scott Hall defeated Roddy Piper to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, The Outsiders (Hall and Kevin Nash) defeated Konnan and Rey Misterio Jr. in a Hair vs. Mask match, and Curt Henning and Barry Windham defeated The Four Horsemen (Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko) in a sudden death tournament final for the vacant WCW World Tag Team Championship.

Storylines

[edit]

The event featured wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portrayed villains, heroes, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.[1]

Event

[edit]
Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
Commentators Tony Schiavone
Bobby Heenan
Mike Tenay
Interviewer Gene Okerlund
Ring announcers David Penzer
Michael Buffer
Referees Randy Anderson
Johnny Boone
Scott Dickinson
Mickie Jay
Charles Robinson
Billy Silverman

The match of Barry Windham and Curt Hennig against Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko was the final of a double-elimination tournament. Entering the match, Benoit and Malenko had already lost once while Windham and Hennig were undefeated. Malenko forced Windham to submit with the Texas Cloverleaf for the first fall. Windham pinned Malenko for the second fall and the Tag Team Championships after choking Malenko out with his belt.

Kevin Nash pinned Rey Misterio, Jr. after an Outsider's Edge from Scott Hall. As a result of the match, Misterio was forced to unmask; had Konnan and Misterio won, Miss Elizabeth would have been shaved bald. This match was originally supposed to involve Lex Luger as Kevin Nash's tag team partner, but Luger suffered a bicep injury at the hands of Misterio three days earlier on Thunder and was immediately replaced by Scott Hall.

Hollywood Hogan pinned Ric Flair after David Flair turned heel and used a Stun Gun on his own father, joining the nWo Elite in the process.

Reception

[edit]

In 2007, Arnold Furious of 411Mania gave the event a rating of 5.0 [Not So Good], stating, "The undercard was ok but the main events dragged it down and there’s nothing SO amazing on the undercard to go and check it out for. This show got really positive reviews at the time but I think that was entirely down to it not being shit. The tale end of 1998 set the standard of PPV so LOW for WCW that generally people didn’t expect anything when they ordered a WCW show. When they got something they ended up being really happy about it. But if you look at the booking they totally fucked the fans over. They knew Flair was losing and still jobbed out Benoit & Malenko, Rey Jr, DDP and put the US title on Scott Hall. Yeah, Goldberg went over but if he’d have lost then WCW would have had to be completely gaga. Thumbs in the middle for this one but no real recommendation to check it out."[2] The event generated 485,000 buys.[3]

Results

[edit]
No.ResultsStipulationsTimes
1Booker T defeated Disco Inferno by pinfallSingles match09:19
2Chris Jericho (with Ralphus) defeated Perry Saturn by count outSingles match11:17
3Billy Kidman (c) defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. by pinfallSingles match for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship08:26
4The Four Horsemen (Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko) defeated Curt Hennig and Barry Windham by submissionTag team match
Since The Four Horsemen won, this caused a second match to occurred immediately afterwards.
If Hennig and Windham won, they would have won the vacant WCW World Tag Team Championship.
20:00
5Curt Hennig and Barry Windham defeated The Four Horsemen (Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko) by pinfallTag team match for the vacant WCW World Tag Team Championship0:37
6The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) (with Lex Luger and Miss Elizabeth) defeated Konnan and Rey Misterio Jr.Hair vs. Mask match11:00
7Scott Steiner (c) defeated Diamond Dallas Page by submissionSingles match for the WCW World Television Championship13:54
8Scott Hall (with Disco Inferno) defeated Roddy Piper (c) by pinfallSingles match for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship08:21
9Goldberg defeated Bam Bam Bigelow by pinfallSingles match11:39
10Hollywood Hogan (c) defeated Ric Flair by pinfallSingles match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship12:01
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

WCW World Tag Team Championship Tournament

[edit]

After Rick Steiner was injured, the titles were vacated and the tournament was held originally as a single-elimination tournament that began with Dave Taylor and Fit Finlay defeating Lizmark Jr. and Super Caló on the January 7, 1999 episode of Thunder. It was changed to a double-elimination tournament, where a team would have to lose 2 matches in order to be eliminated, due to the constant interference of the nWo, who did not want the tournament to happen.

First Round
(Nitro/Thunder)
Quarter-Finals
(Thunder)
Semifinals
(Nitro)
Finals
(Superbrawl IX)
Sudden Death
(Superbrawl IX)
1/21/99
nWo Black & White
(Brian Adams and Horace Hogan)
Pin
2/4/99
Billy Kidman and Chavo Guerrero Jr.
nWo Black & White Pin
1/25/99
The Faces of Fear
The Faces of Fear
(Meng and The Barbarian)
Pin1
2/8/99
Dave Taylor and Fit Finlay
nWo Black & White
1/28/99
Windham and Hennig Pin
Bobby Duncum Jr. and Mike Enos Forfeit2
2/4/99
Kaz Hayashi and Van Hammer
Duncum Jr. and Enos
2/1/99
Windham and Hennig Pin
Barry Windham and Curt Hennig Pin 2/21/99 2/21/99
The Four Horsemen
(Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko)
Windham and Hennig Windham and Hennig Pin
The Four Horsemen Sub The Four Horsemen
First Round
(Thunder)
Second Round
(Nitro/Thunder)
Quarter-Finals
(Nitro)
Semifinals
(Thunder)
2/11/99
The Faces of Fear 2/18/99
Duncum Jr. and Enos Pin 2/15/99 nWo Black & White
2/11/99
Enos and Scotty Riggs3 The Four Horsemen Pin4
Kidman and Guerrero Jr.
2/15/99 The Four Horsemen Sub
Taylor and Finlay Pin
Taylor and Finlay
2/11/99
The Four Horsemen Sub
Hayashi and Hammer
The Four Horsemen Sub

1 ^ This was a Lumberjack match which was made this way in order to prevent any interference from the nWo.
2 ^ Van Hammer was attacked backstage by the nWo, forcing him and Hayashi to forfeit this match.
3 ^ Riggs replaced Duncum Jr. who could not make it to the arena due to travel issues.
4 ^ This was a Steel Cage match.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
SuperBrawl IX was the ninth annual professional wrestling (PPV) event produced by (WCW), held on February 21, 1999, at the in . The event drew an attendance of 15,880 spectators and achieved a buyrate of 1.1, reflecting WCW's ongoing popularity during the Monday Night Wars era. The card featured ten matches, including several championship contests that highlighted WCW's roster of established stars and rising talents. In the main event, Hollywood Hogan defended the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against longtime rival Ric Flair, retaining the title via pinfall after a 12-minute bout. Other key title defenses included Billy Kidman successfully retaining the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Chavo Guerrero Jr. in an eight-minute ladder match, and Scott Steiner holding onto the WCW World Television Championship over Diamond Dallas Page in a 13-minute encounter marked by intense brawling. Notable non-title matches underscored major storylines, such as Goldberg's dominant victory over in 11 minutes, continuing his momentum as a top dominant force. Title changes occurred in the WCW Championship bout, where dethroned via roll-up after eight minutes, and in the WCW World Championship, where and defeated The Four Horsemen ( and ) in a brief two-minute rematch following an earlier loss, capitalizing on interference to claim the belts. The event also showcased The Outsiders ( and ) defeating and Jr. in an 11-minute hair vs. mask match, further entangling WCW's faction warfare narratives.

Background

Promotion and Development

SuperBrawl IX was the ninth annual event in World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) series, which began in May 1991 and became a flagship February event starting in 1992. The event was scheduled for February 21, 1999, at the in , during a challenging period for WCW marked by declining television ratings following the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) surge in popularity with its programming. This decline had begun in earnest after WWF overtook WCW in the Monday Night Wars ratings in April 1998, ending WCW's 83-week streak, and continued into 1999 amid creative stagnation. Internally, the ongoing fragmentation of the New World Order (nWo) storyline—split between the nWo Hollywood and nWo Wolfpac factions—complicated booking efforts, contributing to fan fatigue and inconsistent narrative momentum leading up to the event. Promotional efforts centered on Ric Flair's recent storyline ascension to WCW president, achieved when he defeated in a rematch on the December 28, 1998, episode of following their controversial bout at 1998. Flair's 90-day tenure as president introduced booking changes aimed at revitalizing the product, including heightened emphasis on veteran stars and title defenses, which became key promotional angles. The campaign adopted the "He Who Wins The Belt Has The Power," highlighting multiple championship matches as central hooks, such as the WCW World Heavyweight clash between Hollywood and Flair, to underscore themes of authority and dominance within the fractured nWo landscape. In terms of performance, SuperBrawl IX generated 485,000 buys, positioning it as a mid-tier success compared to earlier events like SuperBrawl VIII's higher draw in 1998, but reflective of WCW's broader struggles against WWF's rising . Projections for the event anticipated moderate interest amid the competitive environment, with marketing leveraging Flair's leadership to signal a potential shift in WCW's direction, though external pressures from WWF's edgier content continued to erode WCW's audience.

Key Storylines

In 1999, World Championship Wrestling's narrative landscape was dominated by the ongoing schism within the New World Order (nWo), which had splintered into the heel-aligned nWo Hollywood led by Hollywood Hogan and the face-oriented nWo Wolfpac under . This division created internal tensions that permeated multiple storylines, with members switching allegiances and influencing title pursuits across the roster. The central feud heading into SuperBrawl IX revolved around Ric Flair's ascension to WCW President following his victory over Eric Bischoff at Starrcade 1998, which granted him executive control and positioned him as a babyface authority figure challenging the dominant nWo Hollywood. Flair, leveraging his new power, targeted Hogan's WCW World Heavyweight Championship, reigniting their long-standing rivalry that dated back to the early 1990s. The storyline emphasized Flair's quest for legitimacy as champion after a controversial title win earlier in the year, contrasting with Hogan's heel leadership of nWo Hollywood, where he portrayed an arrogant ruler backed by allies like Scott Steiner. This arc built tension through Flair's presidential decrees favoring anti-nWo forces and Hogan's attempts to undermine Flair's authority, culminating in a high-stakes title match. A key midcard storyline involved Scott Hall's return from injury as a member of the , pursuing the WCW United States Championship held by . Piper had captured the title from on February 8, 1999, establishing himself as a veteran authority figure amid the nWo chaos. Hall's pursuit highlighted 's internal dynamics, with Nash's leadership providing support, while Piper positioned himself as a resilient defender against the faction's incursion. The feud underscored Hall's "Bad Guy" persona clashing with Piper's hot-headed style, amplified by -Hollywood rivalries that threatened to spill into the match. The WCW World Tag Team Championship scenario stemmed from Rick Steiner's legitimate shoulder injury, who held the titles with interim partner Kenny Kaos following a win on October 26, 1998; the belts were vacated on January 7, 1999, leading to a double-elimination tournament. This set up intense rivalries, particularly between the Four Horsemen duo of Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko—representing Flair's traditionalist faction—and the nWo Hollywood pair of Curt Hennig and Barry Windham, who aimed to solidify their group's dominance. The tournament format amplified betrayals and alliances tied to the nWo split, with earlier rounds featuring breakups and surprise teams that heightened the stakes for the finals. Goldberg's undefeated streak, a cornerstone of WCW's booking since 1997, faced its next major test from Bam Bam Bigelow's aggressive debut push. Bigelow arrived in WCW in November 1998, immediately targeting Goldberg with brutal attacks to establish himself as a monstrous powerhouse capable of ending the streak. The storyline framed Bigelow as an unstoppable "" invading WCW to dethrone the dominant , drawing on Goldberg's cultural icon status while introducing Bigelow as a credible threat amid the nWo distractions. In the cruiserweight division, 's reign as WCW Cruiserweight Champion since mid-1998 was defined by his intense rivalry with Rey Mysterio Jr., showcasing high-flying athleticism and personal animosity. Kidman, aligned loosely with Raven's Flock before breaking away, defended his title against various challengers, but the dynamic with Mysterio emphasized themes of respect and betrayal in the lightweight ranks. Mysterio's underdog resilience against Kidman's Shooting Star Press and technical prowess built a compelling arc, influencing broader cruiserweight storylines involving masks, alliances, and title opportunities.

Event

Production Details

SuperBrawl IX took place at the in , a multi-purpose venue with a seating capacity of approximately 19,596 for events, configured to host 15,880 attendees for the wrestling show. The event was broadcast as a special with a runtime of approximately 3 hours, distributed through major U.S. cable providers as part of WCW's standard PPV slate. Commentary duties were handled by the trio of , , and , who provided play-by-play and throughout the broadcast. conducted backstage interviews to facilitate on-site segments. Referees Nick Patrick and officiated multiple matches, ensuring adherence to match rules and timing. Production for the main event incorporated a planned interference sequence featuring , who appeared in disguise to influence the action and align with scripted booking elements.

Match Card and Outcomes

SuperBrawl IX featured ten bouts on the card, encompassing multiple championship defenses and the culmination of the WCW World Tag Team Championship tournament. The event highlighted ongoing rivalries through various stipulations, including a hair-versus-mask tag team bout and a tournament final structured as two matches under double-elimination rules. Outcomes determined several title changes, with the nWo securing victories in key contests. The WCW World Tag Team Championships had been vacated earlier in the year, prompting a double-elimination tournament spanning several weeks of WCW programming. This format required teams to lose twice to be fully eliminated, with winners' and losers' brackets feeding into the finals. The final pitted the winners' bracket representatives Curt Hennig and Barry Windham against the Four Horsemen duo of Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko. In the first match, Malenko forced Windham to submit with the Texas Cloverleaf at 19:34. Per the rules, this victory by the losers' bracket team was insufficient to win the titles, leading to an immediate second match where Hennig pinned Malenko at 1:52 following the use of a belt for leverage, crowning Hennig and Windham as the new champions. The full match card and outcomes are detailed below:
OrderStipulationParticipantsWinner(s)FinishDuration
1Singles matchBooker T vs. Disco InfernoBooker TPinfall (Harlem Hangover)9:19
2Singles match (if Saturn wins, Jericho must wear a dress)Chris Jericho (w/ Ralphus) vs. Perry SaturnChris JerichoDisqualification (Ralphus hits Saturn with cane)11:17
3WCW Cruiserweight ChampionshipBilly Kidman (c) vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.Billy Kidman (c)Pinfall (Shooting Star Press)8:26
4WCW World Tag Team Championship Tournament First Final Match (winners' vs. losers' bracket)Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko vs. Curt Hennig & Barry WindhamChris Benoit & Dean MalenkoSubmission (Texas Cloverleaf on Windham)19:34
5WCW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Second Final MatchCurt Hennig & Barry Windham vs. Chris Benoit & Dean MalenkoCurt Hennig & Barry WindhamPinfall (Hennig pins Malenko after belt shot)1:52
6Tag team match (Miss Elizabeth's hair vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.'s mask)Kevin Nash & Scott Hall vs. Konnan & Rey Mysterio Jr.Kevin Nash & Scott HallPinfall (Outsider's Edge on Mysterio)11:00
7WCW World Television ChampionshipScott Steiner (c) vs. Diamond Dallas PageScott Steiner (c)Submission (Steiner Recliner)13:54
8WCW United States Heavyweight ChampionshipRoddy Piper (c) vs. Scott Hall (w/ Disco Inferno)Scott HallPinfall (roll-up with tights)8:21
9Singles matchGoldberg vs. Bam Bam BigelowGoldbergPinfall (Spear and Jackhammer)11:39
10WCW World Heavyweight Championship (main event)Hollywood Hogan (c) vs. Ric FlairHollywood Hogan (c)Pinfall (after stun gun interference by David Flair)12:01
Billy Kidman retained the WCW Cruiserweight Championship in a high-flying opener against , countering with his signature Shooting Star Press for the victory. captured the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship from via a controversial roll-up, marking a significant win for the nWo faction. Goldberg extended his undefeated streak by overpowering with multiple Spears followed by the . In the main event, Hollywood Hogan retained the against after interference from a masked , who stunned Flair with a stun gun, allowing Hogan to secure the pin.

Aftermath

Immediate Consequences

The main event outcome at SuperBrawl IX, where Hollywood Hogan retained the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Ric Flair via pinfall after interference from David Flair, sparked immediate storyline developments centered on family betrayal. David Flair's heel turn—revealing an nWo shirt and stunning his father with a taser—ignited a personal feud, drawing Ric Flair into conflict with his son and the nWo Elite. This angle escalated rapidly, leading to a steel cage first blood match at Uncensored 1999 on March 14, where Ric Flair avenged the loss by defeating Hogan, aided by Arn Anderson's intervention against David's ringside involvement. Scott Hall's triumph over Roddy Piper in a singles match captured the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, injecting fresh tension into the nWo Wolfpac's hierarchy as Hall aligned the midcard title with the faction's red-and-black branding. This shift prompted defensive bookings. However, Hall's legitimate foot injury soon forced WCW President to strip him of the belt on the March 11 Thunder, reshaping Wolfpac momentum and opening the title for a tournament. In the tag team division, Curt Hennig and Barry Windham claimed the vacant WCW World Tag Team Championship by defeating Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko in the tournament final via pinfall after 1:52, with Windham choking Malenko using his belt. Their brief reign as champions faced swift opposition, highlighted by a lumberjack strap match rematch at Uncensored 1999, where Benoit and Malenko reclaimed the titles in 15:58 amid chaotic ringside brawls. Rick Steiner's return from back injury on the March 1 Nitro episode positioned him for tag team contention, fueling challenges against the new champions and laying groundwork for the Steiner Brothers' eventual reunion at Slamboree 1999. Goldberg's spear-and-jackhammer victory over in 11:39 reaffirmed his dominance following a post-Starrcade injury hiatus, solidifying his role as WCW's unyielding force en route to further championship pursuits. Meanwhile, the cruiserweight bouts—featuring Billy Kidman's successful defense of the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against (8:26) and Jr.'s high-flying win over (11:53)—propelled the division's acrobatic emphasis into upcoming events like Uncensored, where similar styles defined undercard matches. SuperBrawl IX's results amplified fractures within the nWo, as gains like Hall's title contrasted with Hollywood's internal power struggles involving and Flair, contributing to WCW's fragmented booking landscape throughout 1999.

Critical Reception

SuperBrawl IX generated 485,000 buys and drew an attendance of 15,880 to the , figures that were considered underwhelming in the context of WCW's ongoing decline. For comparison, WWF's earlier that year achieved 650,000 buys, while WCW's Monday Nitro ratings had begun a sharp drop-off in 1999, averaging below 4.0 by mid-year amid creative missteps. Contemporary reviews highlighted a mixed reception, with praise for elements of the undercard overshadowed by booking flaws in the main event. Arnold Furious of 411Mania awarded the event a 5.0 out of 10 rating in his 2007 retrospective, commending the cruiserweight division—particularly the Billy Kidman vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. match—for providing engaging action despite inconsistencies, but lambasting the Hollywood Hogan vs. Ric Flair main event for its convoluted swerve involving David Flair and poor execution. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter rated the Goldberg vs. Bam Bam Bigelow match at 0.5 stars and the Hogan-Flair clash at 2.75 stars, acknowledging Goldberg's dominant performance as a highlight amid the event's broader mediocrity. Critics identified strengths in the tournament's innovative structure, which added variety through its multi-match progression, and in Goldberg's continued portrayal as an unstoppable force, reinforcing his drawing power during WCW's competitive slide. Weaknesses centered on the overbooked finish to the Hogan-Flair bout, which prioritized shock over coherence, and a pervasive lack of fresh angles reflective of WCW's creative fatigue, exemplified by multiple victories that stifled momentum. Retrospectively, SuperBrawl IX is viewed as a pivotal midpoint in WCW's downfall, encapsulating 1999's booking errors such as the underutilization of high-flyers like , whose controversial unmasking in a hair vs. mask loss diminished his mystique without advancing key narratives.

References

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