We have another “The Stinger Scale” as we look at WCW U.S Champion Sting defending his title against Cactus Jack. This match took place on WCW Power Hour from November 22, 1991.
I’ve said it before but I really dig early 90s Sting. He actually put in an effort for a good match in the main event and works extremely well against badasses and bruisers. Given the whole power and paint surfer approach of early 90s Sting, his rogue’s gallery of opponents should’ve always been the likes of Vader and Cactus Jack.
Basically, wrestlers who could’ve been reoccurring villains to WCW’s comic book superhero. His matches from this time even play out in a combination of competitive, physical bouts and comic book mega battle.
Submit or Surrender for the WCW U.S Championship: Sting [c] vs. Cactus Jack (WCW Power Hour, 11/23/91)
There’s honestly not much to really discuss as far as the background of this match. Cactus Jack is a wildman who doesn’t know the word “quit” and had just debuted two months earlier in WCW. His attacks on the Stinger eventually led to this often-overshadowed bout.
It’s totally a wild, energetic brawl with Cactus taking the usual risks with his signature bumps on the outside. However, Sting was no slouch as he took and gave on the outside as well. Something that really impressed me in the match was Sting’s splash onto a trashcan with Cactus Jack inside.
Sting hitting a splash whether his foe is in the corner or on the mat isn’t unusual but this was an unusual match for WCW at this time. The Stinger had to up the ante against someone who could upstage an opponent just by bumping and taking their stiffest punches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFCA8v4WlfU
This bout’s pace was really good for a television match—far from sluggish but not blistering fast to where it’s just an exhibition without a story to it. It had just enough time to really be a physical defense for Sting. Stinger’s comebacks and hulk moments ramped the pace up until Cactus slowed it down and cut off his momentum.
The finish to the match was very well done with Sting dropkicking Cactus Jack off the ring apron and Jack falling to the outside. Good Ol’ JR—whose commentary added to the match—said that Cactus’ head bounced off the concrete but it actually looks like his head almost hit the bottom of the guard rail.
That probably would’ve been enough for a pin on Young Cactus Jack but since you had to force your opponent to submit, Sting locked in the Scorpion Deathlock. Cactus Jack was out cold and the referee counted it as a knockout.
Thus, Sting looks like a monster slayer while Cactus Jack remains one of the toughest, craziest S.O.Bs in WCW.
Stinger Scale Rating
SUBSCRIBE NOW: To get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
