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Text By Simon RawlsWhat if...Barry Windham didn't join The Four Horsemen in April 1988?
Part I
Our story begins just two days before the NWA's 3rd Annual Jim Crockett Cup Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament. Trying to regain the World Tag Team Titles, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard have champions and arch-rivals Lex Luger and Barry Windham reeling. After a long brutal beating, Luger has managed to tag in Barry Windham. Not faring much better, Windham realizes Lex is still too hurt to tag back in. "I told you he was not going to be there when you needed him!" James J. Dillon continually shouts from the ringside floor.
April 20, 1988: World Championship Wrestling
Windham stops the Horsemen onslaught for a second and puts a hand out to Arn Anderson indicating for him to stop. Arn looks confused, but begrudgingly obliges. A wide grin appears on Barry's face. He points to James J. and says "He's right!" Windham then sticks out four fingers, sending the Jacksonville crowd and the announce team into a frenzy. "Is he serious?" exclaims Tony Schiavone. Windham then closes his fist and signals that he is going to wallop a still recovering "Total Package". He charges ...and at the last second slides out the ring and punches James J. Dillon instead. The crowd erupts. Windham then slides back into the ring. He raises the four fingers at a now stunned Arn Anderson again, and a second later turns his hand upside down and makes a downward motion. Arn attacks and Tully quickly joins him. Seconds later, Ric Flair storms the ring and Tommy Young calls for the DQ. In a matter of seconds, the masked Midnight Rider enters the ring and with the help of Lex Luger, the three Horsemen are ousted from the ring right before a commercial break.
When the show resumes, the three heroes are interviewed by Jim Ross. "Barry, what was that all about?" "Jim Ross," Barry Windham says, "you know that earlier in the year Ric Flair had been trying to recruit me to be the fourth Horsemen. Well, the recruiting effort never really stopped. I even went out and had a meeting with them recently. But Lex knew about it the whole time." Luger nods. "Further more, I never had any intention of joining them. They are nothing but scoundrels and rogues who I have fought for the last year and the likes of which I have spent my entire career fighting and plan on spending the rest of my career doing the same. I saw how they treated Lex when he joined, and I would NEVER make the same mistake." "You know, Barry is the best partner a man could ever have. And tonight, he proved to me that he will always be Lex Luger's friend. We're in this to the end. And come next weekend at the Crockett Cup, were taking home the trophy and the million dollars." Lex Luger says. "And James Dillon," The Midnight Rider says, "don't think for three seconds you getting' my mask. You nothing but a no good yellar belly, and next week in Greensboro, I'm takin' you outta this sport for good!" The interview concludes with the most anticipated tournament of the year on the horizon.
April 22-23, 1988: The Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup Tag Team Tournament
April 22: Greenville, SC
Opening day for the Crockett Cup has finally arrived. The Carolinas are on fire for this one. Greenville, will get the opening two rounds and a Prince of Darkness Death (blindfold) match between Kevin Sullivan and Jimmy Garvin. The next day, Greensboro gets the final three rounds, James J. Dillon v. The Midnight Rider and a World Title defense, pitting champion Ric Flair against challenger Nikita Koloff.
1st Round 2nd Round 3rd-5th Rounds
Ace/Savage _________Winner____________ Follow Brackets Accordingly
Lightning Express Midnight Express
Cruel Connection ____Winner___________
Sheepherders Fantastics
I.Koloff/Murdoch______Winner__________
Wilbur/Valiant Luger/B. Windham
Champion/Starr ________Winner_____________
Twin Devils Varsity Club
King/Royal_______ Winner_____________
Jive Tones Sting/R.Garvin
Machine/Terminator ____Winner____________
K.Windham/Stallion Anderson/Blanchard
Cruz/Santana__________Winner____________
Perez/Zbyszko Road Warriors
Super Powers Winner ___________
Simmons/Williams Powers of Pain
Before the tournament gets underway, a very familiar figure is noticed taking a seat at ringside in the front row. In an expensive three piece suit and with dark sunglasses, is none other than the always controversial "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert. Jim Ross, who knows him well from their days in Mid-South/UWF, goes down to ringside to find out what Gilbert's intentions are. "Mr. Gilbert," Jim Ross begins, "welcome to Greenville." he says as he offers his hand. Gilbert takes the hand and warmly puts his other hand around Jim Ross' shoulder. "Jim please, call me Eddie or ÔHot Stuff'. We go way to far back for formalities." You're totally right, Eddie." Ross replies. "But tell me, what brings you to Greenville, tonight?" "Jim, as you and all these great fans know, the NWA is where the action is. It's where the winners are. And Eddie Gilbert is always about being where the action is and being a winner." "True enough." Ross responds. "But what are your intentions, tonight?" "Who knows? I mean, look at the card. Rick Steiner, who I used to manage, is on the card tonight. Same with Sting. And if you remember, just two years ago, I managed the Koloffs at the first Crockett Cup in New Orleans. Ivan is in the tournament tonight, and Nikita... well he has shot at becoming the biggest guy in the business. I think tonight I am just going to sit back and enjoy the show." "Well you picked a great night for that, Eddie. Welcome back!" "Thank you, Jim." The two shake hands and Jim Ross goes back to the announce table.
1st Round
The veteran tag team of Tim Horner and Brad Armstrong don't have much trouble defeating the last minute makeshift team of Johnny Ace and John Savage, put together after the Japanese team can't make it, Armstrong pinning Savage after a double team leg drop. The masked Cruel Connection isn't quite cruel enough to get past the hardcore Sheepherders, #2 falling prey to a double gutbuster from the wild men from down under. Former U.S. Tag Team Champions, Ivan Koloff and Dick Murdoch outwit "The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant and The Mighty Wilbur, Valiant getting pinned after getting kneed in the back by Murdoch from the outside as he ran against the ropes and "The Russian Bear" follows with the Russian Sickle. Chris Champion and Mark Starr beat the Twin Devils when Champion pins #2 with a slingshot splash. Tiger Conway Jr. and Shaska Whatley take out Nelson Royal and Rocky King, King being pinned after a double Russian legsweep. Kendall Windham and The Italian Stallion get a first round bye when The Green Machine no shows. "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko and "The Latin Heart Throb" Al Perez beat the last minute team of Joe Cruz (substituting for a recently departed Shane Douglas) and Ricky Santana, Cruz submitting to Perez's spinning toe hold. As Dusty Rhodes is suspended and Nikita Koloff has a World Title match at the tournament, last year's tournament winners, The Super Powers, forfeit to Ron Simmons and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, rocketing them into the second round.
Prince of Darkness Death Match
"Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin and "The Games Master" Kevin Sullivan go at it with both of them wearing hoods. Garvin has his valet, Precious, in his corner and Sullivan is much stronger represented with Rick Steiner in his. The match is slow, as Garvin tries to use the crowd and Precious to find Sullivan, where Sullivan relies on Steiner. But when they do lock up it gets vicious, as Sullivan has been making passes at Precious over the last several weeks. At about the ten minute mark, Steiner starts circling towards Precious as part of a pre-meditated plan to get her out of the equation. But as he is circling her, Steiner notices Gilbert for the first time and starts chit-chatting. This causes Sullivan to lose his eyes, and under advice from Precious, Garvin is able to kick Sullivan square in the gut and hit his brainbuster for the pin. Precious quickly enters the ring and unmasks her man, and by the time Rick Steiner and Eddie Gilbert have finished talking, Garvin and Precious have already left the ring and Steiner has to attend to his fallen mentor. [1]
2nd Round
The Lightning Express puts up a valiant effort against the Midnight Express, using quick tags, scientific and high flying moves and great team work. But Jim Cornette's duo of "Beautiful" Bobby and "Sweet" Stan are just too much too overcome. After a bout of double teaming. Lane rocket launches Eaton onto Tim Horner, getting the 1-2-3.
In a rematch from two Crockett Cups ago in 1986, the Sheepherders and the Fantastics once again go at it full strength. It is a brutal encounter, proving time does NOT heal all wounds. Last time, the match was fought to a double disqualification. This time however, while Luke Williams distracts referee Teddy Long, Butch Miller holds Tommy Rogers so the Sheepherders flag bearer, their nephew Rip Morgan, can nail him with the New Zealand flag. But Rogers breaks free at the last second, causing Morgan to nail Uncle Butch instead. Rogers follows up with a right hand, and quickly covers "Wild" Butch, while Bobby Fulton makes certain that Crazy" Luke does not intervene.
The match between Ivan Koloff and Dick Murdoch against the World Tag Team Champions is well fought on both ends. Koloff and Murdoch try to use their cunningness and experience against the champs (not to mention Paul Jones' interference). But Luger and Windham work like a well-oiled machine. After dodging a Russian Sickle, Windham counters Ivan with his lariat and gets the three count, advancing he and Lex to Greensboro.
Even without manager Kevin Sullivan, The Varsity Club has little trouble with Chris Champion and Mark Starr. After using their unique combination of amateur and pro moves, Mike Rotundo finishes Starr off with a hard hitting butterfly suplex.
Though relatively inexperienced as a team, Ron Garvin and Sting, being billed as "the former World's Champion and the next World's Champion", work well together. No doubt their manager for the night, Garvin's partner at the 1986 Crockett Cup, Magnum TA, himself billed as a future World's Champion until his career ending car accident, trained them well and got them on the same page. Whatley and Conway make a valiant effort, but after "Tiger" is nailed by a hard Garvin right hand and then is the recipient of the Garvin stomp, "The Stinger is tagged in, and puts Conway out of his misery with the Stinger Splash.
Both teams still fresh, Kendall Windham and the Italian Stallion perform well against Arn and Tully. At one point, Tully comes within an eyelash of getting himself disqualified by refusing to break a chokehold on Kendall Windham, no doubt wanting some revenge for his older brother's "betrayal" two days earlier. But, the Horsemen regroup in their corner, Arn and James J. calm Tully down, and he tags out to "Double A". About a minute later, a freshly tagged in Italian Stallion prematurely drops his head for a back body drop, resulting in an Arn DDT- and is consequently pinned.
Though a great team, Al Perez and Larry Zbyszko just do not have the sheer power, the raw athletic ability nor the experience as a team together as Hawk and Animal do. Their savvy and technical skills take them a long way, but manager Gary Hart's presence is countered by one of the few minds in wrestling on par with his own, that of Road Warriors' manager, "Precious" Paul Ellering. Al Perez gets hoisted up and hit with the Doomsday Device, spelling an inevitable fate for him and the "Legend".
In the final match in Greenville, two fresh hard-hitting teams are ready to go at it. The most even matched fight of the first two rounds, the two bruiser teams of The Warlord and The Barbarian and "The All American" and "Doc" go back and forth trading the advantage ... and hard hits. But Paul Jones proves to be the equalizer, as he grabs "Dr. Death's" leg as he has The Barbarian hoisted up for his patented Oklahoma Stampede. Williams, acting uncharacteristically inexperienced, throws down The Barbarian and chases Jones. He gets into it with The Warlord as Ron Simmons enters the ring to take it to The Barbarian. But as Williams and The Barbarian are the legal men, Randy Anderson has no choice but to count "Doc"out, advancing the Powers of Pain in the last match of the night.
April 23: Greensboro, NC
The night begins with Tony Schiavone summarizing to the Greensboro crowd the results of the previous night's action. Additionally, Eddie Gilbert is once again sitting quietly wearing his three piece suit and dark sunglasses at ringside.
3rd Round
The opening match of the night involves four men who are no strangers to one another. The Midnight Express' manager, Jim Cornette runs his mouth off from the opening bell, saying how "his" United States tag team champions are three matches away from $1 million. The match starts with Rogers and Lane and at first is surprisingly clean. It is very fast paced with both teams exchanging dropkicks, high flying and scientific holds. Rogers eventually bests Eaton and tags in Bobby Fulton, and he holds Bobby Eaton's arm for Fulton to drop a quick elbow off the top rope. The Fantastics live up to their name and go to work on "Beautiful" Bobby. But ever the consummate tactician, Eaton sees an opportunity when Fulton charges him and back body drops him out the ring, avoiding a disqualification by claiming momentum took Fulton over. While a weary Eaton tags in Stan Lane, a dazed Bobby Fulton jumps when startled by seeing his former Mid South rival, Eddie Gilbert. "Hot Stuff" innocuously raises his arms and says "The past is the past, I am just here observing." Fulton gives a slight nod and rolls back in the ring to face off with "Sweet" Stan. The two go at it and The Fantastics once again gain the advantage. The two work on the newer Midnight while keeping "Beautiful Bobby" at bay. Once Lane comes close to a tag, but Bobby Fulton slaps him at the last second causing him to run in and miss the opportunity as Tommy Young puts him back in his corner. To make matters worse, Tommy Rogers run in and The Fantastics both clip indicating a tag. When Tommy Young turns around, he sees the wrong man in. Jim Cornette is jumping up and down livid. But The Fantastics insistence-with the help of the fans-lets the tag stay. The two are able to work over Lane even more, but a miscalculated Tommy Rogers top rope body press turns the tide. Bobby Eaton is tagged in and he goes at the hurt Fantastic with a vengeance. He and a now recovered Stan Lane work over Rogers and come closer and closer to a win. It looks like all is lost when the Midnights hit him with a double flapjack, drawing a near three count. Stan Lane then connects with a karate kick and is ready to finish Rogers off with the rocket launcher. He tags in "Beautiful" Bobby who climbs to the top. Eaton launches to Rogers... but somehow he has enough strength and moves out the way. Stan Lane rushes him, but Tommy Young forces him back to his corner. Rogers struggles to his corner ...and makes the tag. Bobby Fulton comes in with a vengeance, but when Tommy Young comes back in he says he did not see the tag and does not let it stand! Lane is by now tagged in and he goes to work on Rogers. Knowing Rogers is about done, Lane hits another karate kick and goes for the pin, getting another near fall. He tags back in an anxious "Beautiful" Bobby, who comes in and starts on Rogers. He throws his opponent across the ring for a dropkick, but Rogers holds on to the ropes. Eaton struggles to his corner and makes the tag... but so does Rogers! A fresh Bobby Fulton comes in with fury. He clears house on Lane then on Eaton. Fulton continues his onslaught for a bit. After a hard flying clothesline, he tags back in a now recovered Rogers, who continues the beatdown then hits his Tommyknocker (double underhook facebuster) on Eaton. He then tags in Fulton and sets him up for their own rocket launcher... But right before Fulton jumps, the bell rings. He stands on the ropes looking confused. A second later Tommy Young talks to ring announcer Tom Miller, who announces that the 30 minute time limit has expired and thus both teams are eliminated. The crowd registers its boos, but the decision has to stand.
The next quarter final match is of crucial importance. Both the World Tag Team Champions and The Varsity Club know that the winner of this match gets a bye to the finals. Luger and Windham are ready to go as are The Varsity Club, now with a returning Kevin Sullivan. Luger and Mike Rotunda start if off. And they hit each other hard, neither pulling a punch. Rotundo gets in a few good amateur takedowns and gloats on it to Luger, but a hard clothesline to Rotunda ends that. He tags in Barry Windham-no stranger at all to Mike Rotundo- and hits a hard elbow as Lex holds him down. A quick eye poke allows Rotundo to tag in Rick Steiner, who executes a fireman's carry takedown. The Varsity Club shows it stuff taking it to the World Champs. Kevin Sullivan is clapping, no doubt thinking he will be able to get over last night's defeat. While beating Windham in their corner, the illegal Steiner holds Windham for Mike Rotundo. Rotunda swings, but Windham dodges it and he hits Steiner instead. Windham throws some haymakers at his former partner and is able to make the tag to Luger, who proceeds to clean house. He hits a hard powerslam on Rotundo and gets a near fall. He then clotheslines him and signals for the human torture rack. He starts to put it in, but Rick Steiner charges the ring and prevents it. This brings Barry Windham back in and the four are going at it. The Varsity Club bests the champs and is going to throw them together from opposing turnbuckles, but Luger and Windham reverse it and The Varsity Club are rammed together instead. The champions hit a clothesline on each opponent, then they both toss Rick Steiner out between the 2nd and top rope. Lex then puts the torture rack on Rotundo, who has no choice but to submit, pushing the champs into the final round.
The next two matches are grudge matches if there ever were ones. Teddy Long has to use repeated disqualification threats to keep Sting and Garvin and the Horsemen apart before the bell. Magnum and James J. exchange choice words as well. The match is everything one would expect, with hard hitting, repeated four counts and bending of the rules. All four men great wrestlers, it is still an all and all great tag treat for the Greensboro crowd. At one point Tully is clotheslined out the ring by the Stinger who follows him out. He notices Eddie Gilbert and again Eddie says he is just there to watch. Sting gives a slight nod, but it allows Tully to escape back to his corner. He tags in Arn and Sting then tags in Garvin and the two go at it. After several minutes, all four are in the ring. Tully is about to set up Sting for his slingshot suplex, but Magnum T.A. grabs Blanchard's leg preventing it. Incensed he grabs Magnum by his hair and will not let go. Teddy Long runs over and does what he can to break them up, allowing James J. to toss his shoe to Arn, who nails Sting with it. After finally separating Tully and Magnum, Long forces Garvin and Blanchard, the illegal men, back to their corners, Arn then hits a weakened Sting with the spinebuster for the win.
The next match features two teams that have no give and hate each other; The Road Warriors and The Powers of Pain. The LOD has obviously not forgotten how The Powers of Pain nearly ended Animal's career three months back. Hard hitting, fast paced and even high flying, The Road Warriors take the early advantage and work over both The Warlord and The Barbarian. At one point outside the ring, Hawk picks up the stairs and throws them at The Barbarian. Eventually able to turn the tide, the Powers of Pain work over Hawk, at one point The Barbarian nailing him with a chair while Randy Anderson's back is turned. But, never one to quit, Hawk fights back. He is able to tag in Animal who comes in with a vengeance. He goes for a clothesline on The Barbarian but accidentally knocks Randy Anderson out the ring. This brings in all four men and the match turns into a pier six brawl. Hawk eventually climbs the top rope and nails a clothesline on The Barbarian while Animal keeps the Warlord at bay. Teddy Long runs in and makes the pin, sending the Greensboro crowd into absolute delight. He raises the Warriors hands in victory. But shortly after a recovering Randy Anderson grabs him by the legs and pulls him down. They pow-wow and Long then goes outside and raises The Powers of Pain's hands, Anderson having disqualified Hawk for the earlier clothesline.
Texas Bullrope Match
The next match is the special grudge match between the masked man from Diablo Canyon, Colorado, The Midnight Rider, and The Four Horsemen's manager, James J. Dillon. Dillon only took this match because he knows if he unmasks the Rider and it is Dusty Rhodes, the "Dream's" suspension will go from four months to one whole year. Dillon, dressed in street clothes, waits cautiously on the ring apron. He finally enters, but will not attack the bullrope to his hand. When the Rider gets close enough, James J. throws powder in his eyes, blinding the masked man. He then quickly attaches himself to the bullrope and goes to work on the Midnight Rider, using the cowbell as a weapon. The Rider starts a comeback, but Dillon thwarts it by hitting the masked man with a low blow with the cowbell. After a few more cheap shots, Dillon goes for the mask, but he prematurely judged the Rider's condition. The Rider knocks Dillon with the cowbell and turns the tide. For the next few minutes, the Midnight Rider beats James J. Dillon senseless, using the cowbell, the rope and his massive physique to punish the hated manager. He busts him open with the cowbell then rakes the bell across Dillon's head, opening his wound even further. After this goes on, he finally pins Dillon. But not satisfied, as their bad blood runs deep, he takes the bull rope and starts choking Dillon with it, determined to put him away for good. At this point another masked man enters the ring and attacks the Midnight Rider from behind. The announce team indicates that he is The Texan. A massive man wearing a red mask, a white shirt and chaps with the letters "DM" on them, he goes to work on the Rider. The Midnight Rider fights back, but James J. Dillon makes a surprise recovery and a double team beatdown ensues. The Midnight Rider's friend, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams charges the ring to help out, but gets hit by the cowbell. The Texan goes to work on Williams while Dillon works on the Rider, determined to unmask him and prove he is Dusty Rhodes. Eventually the Rider bests Dillon and pulls the bullrope from the Texan, stopping his beating of the normally always on top "Dr. Death". The Texan considers charging the Rider, but a swinging bull rope with a cowbell attached changes his mind and he and Dillon both exit the ring.
4th Round
As Windham and Luger receive a bye to the finals, this unlikely heel vs. heel match is the only semifinal match. The Powers of Pain, with both Paul Jones and Ivan Koloff, look very confident. Arn and Tully come down to ringside alone, as James J. is not in condition to second them at this moment. Still being consummate professionals and athletes, Tully and "The Enforcer" will not back down to their larger opponents. The Powers of Pain use hard hitting and high flying holds to break down the Horsemen, while Arn and Tully rely on their natural wrestling ability and tag team expertise. More than once Ivan Koloff and Paul Jones intervene, proving definitively that there is no true honor amongst thieves, especially when $1 million is on the line. After having worked over Tully Blanchard for several minutes, the Barbarian climbs the top rope to execute a diving head butt. Tully moves out the way at the last second and is able to tag in Arn, who gets to the Barbarian before he can tag in the Warlord. Arn works on the bigger man, but is unable to put him away, even after two DDTs. He then attempts a third, but his larger opponent is able to block it and hit an inverted atomic drop. Both men tag out, and Tully is quickly overpowered by the much larger Warlord. He sets the arrogant Horsemen up for a gorilla press slam, but Arn runs in and clips his legs. This brings in the Barbarian and all four are soon going at it. Teddy Long sends Arn back to his corner, but has more trouble with the Barbarian. The Warlord tries to lift up Tully for a powerslam, but Tully pokes him in they eyes and counters it into a small package. Teddy Long runs over and grabbing the trunks, Tully is able to get a surprise pin and put the Horsemen in the finals of the Crockett Cup for the second straight year.
World Title Match
Nikita comes down to the ring for his match against Ric Flair. He notices Eddie Gilbert at ringside, but the two merely stare at one and other. Seconds later, "The Nature Boy" makes his appearance, also with no James J. Dillon. No strangers to each other, the two have a great match. Koloff being much slimmer (by about 30 lbs.) than he used to be, is much faster than Flair anticipates. He is still able to out power the hated champion, but better keeps his wind. Flair is able to keep in the match, but it seems as though Nikita is just more there tonight. A Russian Sickle from the second rope nearly gets a pinfall. A couple of minutes later, Nikita is working Flair over on the ropes, and shoves Tommy Young away, inadvertently poking the senior official in the eye. A minute later he hits a second Russian Sickle, but Young is slow to count due to his injury and Koloff only gets two. A little after this, Koloff charges Flair. Sensing that he had better live to fight another day, Flair blatantly backdrops Nikita over the top rope drawing a disqualification, but keeping the World Title around his waist.
Final Round
This one's for all the marbles. Arn and Tully come down first, this time with James J. Dillon, who knows full well that he cannot miss this match. Then to the cheers of the crowd, the World Tag Team Champion team of Barry Windham and Lex Luger is announced. There is no love lost here at all. Luger and "Double A" start it off. Anderson repeatedly points to Barry Windham, but the champs will not allow him to dictate their strategy. Arn and Lex finally lock up and the match is on. Fists quickly fly and Tommy Young warns both that further punches could result in a disqualification. They begrudgingly tone it down and go at it. The Horsemen gain the early advantage and Arn tags in Tully. But Lex sees him coming and shows his stuff by picking him up and repeatedly pressing him over his head before gorilla slamming him. Arn Anderson runs in and gets the exact same treatment. This causes James J. to meet with his two men to get their heads back together. The match turns into an evenly fought contest with both teams holding the advantage at varying points. Having had a much longer break in between matches, Windham and "The Total Package" are the more rested and less beaten and it begins to show as the match progresses. The champs work on Arn Anderson's arm, insultingly in typical Horsemen fashion, wearing down the mighty "Enforcer". Barry Windham is able to get a near fall with a hard hitting flying lariat. He then tags in "The Package" who quickly executes a flawless powerslam. Luger then gives the signal for the human torture rack. As he starts to hoist Arn up, Tully Blanchard charges the ring, knowing Luger's backbreaker will spell certain doom for "Double A". He starts pounding on Luger which quickly brings in Barry Windham. Adding to the melee, James J. Dillon jumps on the ring apron, causing Tommy Young to run over to make him get down. All of a sudden, Eddie Gilbert jumps up from his seat, picks up his chair, hops the guardrail and enters the ring! He nails Barry Windham in the back with the chair and when Lex Luger turns around, he gets a shot right in the forehead. Arn Anderson follows this up with a DDT. Gilbert jumps out the ring as Tully Blanchard drags Windham outside. James J. then jumps off the ring apron and Tommy Young turns his attention back to the wrestlers and makes the three count giving the Horsemen the win ... and with that the Crockett Cup and the million dollar prize. Gilbert and Dillon both enter the ring to celebrate with Arn and Tully. Seconds later, Ric Flair follows suit. Arn, Tully, James J. and "The Nature Boy" all shake "Hot Stuff's" hand and then Flair with a big grin on his face sticks up four fingers. Gilbert grins back and sticks up four fingers as well, formally initiating him into wrestling's most elite dynasty. The five of them are as ecstatic as can be as Jim Crockett Sr.'s widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Crockett, and Jim Crockett Jr. award Arn and Tully the Crockett Cup and the $1 million prize.
To be continued...
[1] In the real world, Gilbert was not at the Crockett Cup. His being in this story allows this not to happen. From http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/jcp88.htm Jimmy Garvin (w/ Precious) pinned Kevin Sullivan (w/ Rick Steiner) in a blindfold match with an inside cradle at 7:20; after the match, Steiner unmasked Sullivan and attacked Garvin from behind; moments later, Ron Garvin came out to make the save, with NWA TV Champion Mike Rotundo appearing as well; during the brawl, Sullivan hit Garvin in the chest with his golden spike; as a result of Ron Garvin's injury, Sting was left without a tag team partner for the tournament; it was later announced that Sting would team with Lex Luger, who also was without a partner
