Halloween Havoc 1996: The nWo Wins the Night, Then Roddy Piper Steals It

Dean Malenko and Rey Misterio Jr. deliver the clear match of the night and one of WCW's best cruiserweight bouts of 1996. Malenko grounds Rey whenever possible, attacks with crisp suplexes and power moves, and forces the champion to create openings with speed rather than simply overwhelm him. Rey's comebacks become more spectacular as the match progresses, but Malenko keeps finding a counter until the avalanche gutwrench powerbomb ends it cleanly. CAGEMATCH currently rates the match 8.32 with a four-and-a-quarter-star Observer rating. Leighty and TJR both went to four stars. This is required viewing.

Diamond Dallas Page against Eddie Guerrero is solid without becoming the breakout match the names suggest in hindsight. Page is rapidly improving and already understands how to use size and character against a faster opponent, while Guerrero keeps the pace from settling into one gear. The bout gets disjointed in places and the closing stretch is less smooth than either man would produce later in his career. CAGEMATCH currently rates it 5.81, while Leighty gave it two-and-a-quarter stars. There is worthwhile work here, but the historical interest comes partly from seeing two future stars still sharpening the final edges.

The Giant versus Jeff Jarrett is almost entirely a bridge between larger stories. Giant dominates with basic power offense, Jarrett gets a few bursts of movement, and the crowd never fully accepts that Jarrett is likely to beat him. Ric Flair's low blow creates the disqualification and turns the segment into Horsemen-versus-Dungeon business, which is more useful than the wrestling that precedes it. CAGEMATCH currently rates the match 3.33. TJR gave it one-and-three-quarter stars, while Leighty went even lower. The finish protects both men, but the match is slow and easy to skip.

Syxx and Chris Jericho provide one of the better midcard matches because their athletic styles naturally fit together. They trade quick counters, kicks and dives without losing the basic nWo-versus-WCW story underneath the movement. The problem is Nick Patrick: his slow counts for Jericho and fast count for Syxx become the decisive factor, turning a competitive match into another piece of crooked-referee business. CAGEMATCH currently rates the match 5.89 and the Observer gave it three-and-a-quarter stars. TJR rated it three stars. The action is enjoyable enough to survive the interference, and the finish directly sets up Jericho's revenge at World War 3.

Lex Luger versus Arn Anderson is built around resentment from WarGames, and the wrestlers keep the match focused on damage rather than spectacle. Both men attack the back, Arn uses veteran shortcuts and Luger gradually becomes more aggressive until a chair-assisted sequence leads to the Torture Rack. Anderson's stretcher job afterward gives the finish more weight than the match alone would create. CAGEMATCH currently rates it 5.48. Leighty gave it two-and-a-half stars, while TJR was lower at two stars. The psychology is coherent and the ending advances the Horsemen story, but the middle never catches fire.

The Horsemen against the Faces of Fear is a compact heavyweight fight that benefits from leaning into physicality. Meng and Barbarian look terrifying when they isolate Benoit, including a double powerbomb and a top-rope throw that give the match genuine impact. McMichael remains the least polished wrestler involved, but he is protected by the structure and eventually uses the briefcase to create the opening for Benoit's diving headbutt. CAGEMATCH currently rates the match 6.11, and TJR gave it two-and-a-quarter stars while still praising the physical exchanges. It is better than expected and keeps several faction stories moving.

Harlem Heat versus the Outsiders is not a tag-team classic, but it has the feel of an important title change. Booker T provides the best movement, Stevie Ray supplies power, and Hall and Nash work with the confidence of an act that already knows it is the center of the promotion. The finish is busy but effective: Parker tries to interfere, Nash steals the cane, and the nWo leaves with another WCW championship. CAGEMATCH currently rates the match 6.07 with a three-and-a-quarter-star Observer rating. TJR called it solid at two-and-three-quarter stars. The crowd and stakes elevate it.

Hollywood Hogan versus Randy Savage is more character fight than strong wrestling match. Hogan stalls, Savage chases him around ringside, Elizabeth becomes part of the drama and the nWo eventually ensures that a clean finish was never likely. Savage gets a believable near fall after the elbow, only for Nick Patrick and the Giant to help turn the result back toward Hogan. CAGEMATCH currently rates the match 4.94, and TJR gave it one-and-a-half stars. Leighty was more forgiving because the live crowd stayed hot. The real payoff comes afterward when Roddy Piper debuts and immediately creates the next marquee rivalry.