WCW Slamboree 2000
The show starts with the conclusion of Thunder, with the overbooked mess of a Battle Royal that Flair one, although it skips right to Macho Man's appearance, and then Flair's big win and celebration. Then we cut outside the arena to a bus pulling up, and out comes the Millionaire's Club, with the New Blood looking on from the locker room. Then we have our opening video package recapping the build for tonight's matches.
We're live from the Kemper Arena (remember that) in Kansas City, Missouri. Tony Schiavone, Scott Hudson and Mark Madden are on commentary for tonight's show, who run down and hype up tonight's card, before we get to our first match.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship: "Hard Knox" Chris Candido (c) (w/ Tammy Sytch) vs The Artist (w/ Paisley)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Before the match, as always Tammy gets on the mic and says that from what she's heard, they call Missouri the Show Me State, and of course leads o her music hitting and disrobing to reveal a silver dress, but Artist's music cuts her fun short.
Lock up to start followed by some quick back and forth, Candido catching Artist with a wheelbarrow into a victory roll for a 2 count. Candido off the ropes into a wheelbarrow again, tries for an arm drag but Artist gets him with a German suplex with a bridge for a kick out. Artist with the corner punches and a slap before whipping him across the ring, Candido with the float over as Artist follows, then launched up and over to the outside. Artist goes to whip him into the guard rail but Candido reverses, goes up top and launches into Artist. Artist now face first into the entrance ramp (connects right to the ring before Candido grabs a chair, tries for a piledriver but Artist escapes with a back body drop. Artist with the cover back in the ring for a near fall.
Candido reverses a whip off the ropes but Artist slips through the legs before connecting with the hurricanrana. They go for... something, and Candido takes him down for a cover and a 2 count. Chops in the corner by Candido, then turns it around for rights and chops of his own, Candido reveres a whip into the ropes before tossing Artist back out of the ring. Artist on the apron now with a shoulder to the midsection through the ropes, then suplexes Candido to the floor. Snapmare by Artist back in the ring, cover and a near fall.
Candido with a low blow, right hands, Artist sent off the ropes, but catches Candido, barely lifting him up for a powerbomb. Artist up to the middle rope goes for his DDT but Candido catches him, lifting him to the top rope. Candido tries for the hurricanrana but Artist hangs on, goes for a crossbody, but Candido ducks, and Artist is supposed to roll him up at the same time but he doesn't catch Candido's tights, so he stumbles backwards to be rolled up only to kick out. Candido sent off the ropes into a back body drop, then again into a clothesline. Candido with a thumb to the eye followed by a scoop slam near the corner. Candido up top now but Artist cuts him off, joins him up top for a Samoan drop.
Artist makes the cover, but Tammy gets on the apron for the distraction. Paisley comes over and they get into a fight. Tammy goes to hit Paisley with the earlier mentioned chair but she accidentally whacks Artist, while the ref is dealing with Candido in the opposite corner. Candido makes the cover and gets the.... win? No wait, I guess Artist was late getting the shoulder up? Referee is calling it off as Candido's music hits. Candido nails the piledriver then goes up top with a flying headbutt for the win in 8:02. Oof, that was an awkward finish, especially when Candido was going to win anyways, but it was a good opening match. The bullshittery was kept to a minimum too.
Tammy joins Candido in the ring to celebrate, then Paisley comes in to go after Tammy again. Paisley low blows Candido, then Artist gets her by the hair, who joins Paisley in removing Tammy's dress. Candido pulls her out and they head to the back, and Artist does their own celebrating with Paisley.
Over to commentary, they hype tonight's main event, and explain that in this three-cage structure, the middle cage with be a Hardcore Cage, lined with an assortment of weapons, and the top cage will be a guitar cage, with the belt 42 feet in the air at the very top of it all. Madden makes a good point, reminding us that Harley Race is from Kansas City and the fact that Arquette is champion is a disgrace.
Then as Tony calls him middle-aged and crazy, we get a highlight package of the things that have been done to Terry Funk, the most of which are shots to the head with various weapons and being sent through many tables. Then we cut to the back where Funk is walking backstage and asks some crew members where Norman is, who point Funk to the bathroom, calling him out. He kicks in one of the stalls and out steps Norman's mystery partner in umpire gear. Funk goes to attack but Norman comes in from behind spraying a fire extinguisher to get this started.
2-on-1 Handicap Match for the WCW Hardcore Championship: Terry Funk (c) vs Norman Smiley & Mystery Partner
Norman pulls him out and sends Funk into a metal shutter, then a vending machine, then a trash can to the head. Into the vending machine a few more times face first, then the trash can to the back. The mystery partner is now hitting Funk with another trash can and... Oh, well just looking at this guy try to do anything and looking at his size, it's obviously Ralphus, the WCW truck driver and former bodyguard of then-current IC Champion Chris Jericho. Funk just stands there as Norman hits him in the head with a trash can. Norman makes the cover for a near fall.
Trash can to the head again, then slammed face first into it before Norman does some wiggling. Chair to the ribs then the face, at lease Funk put his hands up for that one. Funk face first into another trash can before it's slammed into his head, sending Funk tumbling over a table. Trash can over the head of Funk, then a chair into the trash can. Norman shoved into some steel beams. Ralphus has climbed onto some boxes and starts throwing them at Funk until Funk throws one of those plastic chairs at him, then another and another. Ralphus with the trash can to the head repeatedly as Funk joins him up there, then Noman tries to join them until he's pushed off and through a catering table. Funk nails Norman in the head with a trash can, then again, makes the cover and Norman kicks out.
Norman face first into an equipment crate, then sandwiches Norman between two of them. Funk nails Norman with something until Norman throws a rail into him but it barely fazes him. Norman whips him into some equipment cases, cover but Funk kicks out. Funk gets Norman in the ribs with a chair then the head. Ralphus is doing nothing while Funk goes for a scoop slam but slips and falls with him, cover and a near fall. Ralphus finally attacks with the trash can and Funk just stands there taking it until he finally blocks a shot, nailing Ralphus in the head with it. Norman now back into it an fighting their way to the arena.
Funk with a laptop to the head of Norman, then face first into a table. Funk now grabs Ralphus and make their way out on the stage, Funk dragging him by the shirt. The ref hands Funk a chair for some reason who then hits Ralphus over the back with it, then again. He starts dragging Ralphus more toward the ring then hits him in the head with a chair. I hope that umpire mask is protecting Ralphus enough for that, until it comes off. Ralphus actually gets a bit of a pop for his reveal, which I never thought would happen. Funk takes Ralphus' shirt off before being thrown into the ring... kinda. He just hangs upside down until Norman comes back, throwing a ladder at Funk.
Norman stomps away before taking the chair and throws it in Funk's face, hooks the leg for a 2 count. Norman up top with an upright ladder and just drops it down on Funk's head. Norman stomps away before another chair shot to the head. Norman with the Big Wiggle. Funk tries to swing the chair over head but Norman blocks him and smacks him again in the head with the chair. Now we have Ralphus with a Wiggle until Funk swings the chair over head, although it misses his head thank god, getting him in the back instead, then the back of Norman's head. Another chair shot to Ralphus this time catching the back of his head, then rolls up Norman as he goes to check on Ralphus to retain in 10:10. This company has no fucking clue how to do hardcore matches, fucking hell, this was just a mess.
Ralphus looks on in confusion as Funk leaves with his belt held high, then Norman and Ralphus do some wiggling. Then we cut to a limo pulls up to the arena, Gene is on the scene as Arquette steps out. Gene talks about how it's been reported that Courtney's making a million an episode (of Friends I assume?) and asks why he didn't come with the Millionaire's Club. He says he's got a million dollars of his own money, his own merits, he doesn't need his wife's money. Then he says that Page doesn't think he's a sports entertainer so he had to come alone, but it is what it is. Then Gene asks for his thoughts on his match tonight, to which David says he's very scared and not to let the smile fool him before he walks.
Back to the arena for our next match.
Shawn "The Perfect One" Stasiak vs Curt Hennig
Lock up to start the match, Sean with an arm drag immediately and some taunting. Another lock up, then Sean with a hip toss and more taunting. Now Sean with rights in the corner, then sent across the ring into a hip toss and a scoop slam by Hennig, before Sean rolls out. Sean takes his time coming back in before another lock up, Sean with a side headlock, Hennig tries to power out but Sean cinches it back in. Hennig tries again and fails, but successfully shoves Stasiak off the ropes, who nails a crossbody for a cover and a two count.
Stasiak rolls out to the ramp, then rams his shoulder into the midsection through the ropes, following up with a sunset flip and another 2 count. Curt ducks a clothesline and nails some rights followed by a knee lift coming off the ropes. MIA are front row as Hennig is tossed to the outside, Stasiak with an ax handle off the apron to the back. Hennig face first into the guard rail then the announce table before being choked with a cable. Back in the ring, Stasiak goes up top with a flying clothesline, hooks the leg for a near fall.
Hennig tosses back out onto the ramp, who catches Stasiak, goes for a scoop slam, but his back gives out...? Not sue why that is, but Stasiak tosses him back into the ring. Hennig sent off the ropes and caught in a sleeper hold, he starts to fade. Ref raises the arm twice but Hennig fights back to his feet, elbows to the ribs but gets yanked down by the hair. Stasiak back up top but he misses a crossbody. Hennig with gut shots, then chops and rights, Stasiak sent off the ropes into a back body drop then another right hand. Hennig with rights in the corner, pulled off by the ref, then again, then pulled off again, Stasiak takes advantage of that distraction to catapult Hennig into the corner and hit the Hennig-plex for the win in 7:56. Well I'll be damned, a clean finish and a pretty good match too.
Stasiak makes his exit as Hennig recovers in the ring, then we go to replays. Then to the New Blood locker room where Russo ecstatic over Stasiak's win, then turns his attention to Steiner, wanting two wins in a row for the New Blood. Steiner tells Russo to keep his hands off him before heading out for his match.
Hugh Morrus comes out first and gets the mic from Penzer, saying that from this point forward he doesn't want to be called Hugh Morrus again, saying it was a name given to him by Bischoff, that it was a brain fart, to make him look stupid. He now wants to be addressed by his real name: Hugh G. Rection, Captain Rection for short. Sigh.
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner (c) vs Hugh G. Rection
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So I think I said in my last WCW post that I thought Booker was supposed to be the challenger on this show, but I can't seem to find anything about it, about any injuries or change of plans, so I can only assume Russo changed because... it's Russo. Who knows, this might still be a good match. Anyways, Hugh's out first and gets the mic from Penzer, saying that from this point forward he doesn't want to be called Hugh Morrus again, saying it was a name given to him by Bischoff, that it was a brain fart, to make him look stupid. He now wants to be addressed by his real name: Hugh G. Rection, Captain Rection for short. Sigh.
Lock up to start, Hugh pushed into the corner, Steiner with boots and right hands and chops. Hugh sent off the ropes, ducks clothesline and now some chops of his own, before being sent off the ropes, but blocks a hip toss and hits a clothesline, goes off the ropes but Steiner rolls out before he can connect with anything. Steiner spends some time telling off the fans at ringside before regrouping with his freaks. They climb onto the apron to woo Hugh, giving Steiner the time to sneak up behind and club him in the back. Snapmare and a boot to the head by Steiner, then goes for a scoop slam but Hugh slips free for an atomic drop and right hands. Steiner sent off the ropes into a spinning heel kick, cover and a near fall.
Sidewalk slam by Hugh before he goes up top for a flying elbow, then he goes back up. Steiner distracts the referee to allow is freaks to yank down Hugh, crotching him on the top rope and into a tree of woe. Steiner stomping away now, then yanking back by the head and neck from the outside. Hugh sent of the ropes into a clothesline, then an elbow, cover and a two count, and Steiner immediately launches himself onto the referee pissed about now getting three. Hugh shoved into the corner for more boots, then a side suplex, followed by some push-ups. Hugh choked over the middle rope, then the freaks with some cheap shots as he distracts the ref. Spinning belly to belly slam, cover but Hugh kicks out. Steiner goes after the ref and scares the shit out of him, fleeing the ring in terror.
Steiner with boots to the head now, then sends Hugh off the ropes and caught in a bearhug, gets his arm raised twice but comes to, tries to fight out but gets a belly to belly overhead for his troubles. Steiner gets in a fan's face at ringside before flexing in the corner and flipping the fans off, then whips Hugh into the corner, only to get a boot to the face. Hugh with mounted right hands now, chopped, then a corner splash. Steiner whipped across the ring and Hugh hits another splash, then goes for a third but Steiner lays him out with a clothesline. Steiner with a double underhook slam, then goes for... a tombstone I suppose, but Hugh reverses for a sitout tombstone. Hugh starts to go back up top but one of Steiner's freaks are in there trying to plead with him. He goes up anyways, goes for the moonsault and... Oh god. So Steiner tries to roll out of the way, but he rolls away from the corner, so Hugh's knee comes down right on the back of Steiner's head. Ow.
Steiner is barely even fazed though because it's Scott fucking Steiner, then locks in the Recliner to retain in 9:26. I feel like this went a bit long, but much like the opener, the interference was minimal and it was good action for the most part.
Steiner throws the referee out of the ring as he tries to break the hold, then puts it back on Hugh. MIA try to jump the barricade to help but security are rushing down. Oh there's Booker...? OK now I'm even more confused. Harlem side kick sends Steiner out of the ring and Booker checks on Hugh, as the freaks check on Steiner. We get a replay of that botched moonsault and the Recliner and... Oh I guess Booker was/is injured, at least that's what Scott Hudson just said.
To the back, Gene is standing by backstage with Kanyon, who brings up how Kanyon turned his back on the New Blood to back Page. He says he did it because Page is more than a friend, he considers him a brother, and as far he's considered, blood is thicker than water. Guys like Kidman, Jarrett, Awesome who suck up to Bischoff and Russo, but Page taught him a long time ago that you get ahead in the business not by kissing ass but by busting your own, and that's exactly what he's going to do tonight, and prove to Awesome that no one is better than he is.
Mike Awesome vs Chris "Champagne" Kanyon
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage of Awesome putting Hogan and Kanyon on last week's shows, then Hogan again on this past week's Nitro.
Mike wastes no time rushing at Kanyon but he ducks a clothesline and lays in with rights, only to be sent off the ropes and try a shoulder block, but Mike just shrugs it off, then shoves him off the ropes again, ducks a clothesline and hangs on as Mike goes for a boot, Kanyon nailing a clothesline. More rights sends Mike into the corner, then shoulders into the midsection before sending Mike across the ring, but he gets Kanyon with a back elbow, rolling out of the ring. Mike comes off the opposite ropes and dives over the ropes into Kanyon.
Kanyon sent into the guard rail, then thrown into the steel steps. More rights by Mike now, then lifts him onto his shoulder, but Kanyon shoves him into the ring post. Back in the ring, Mike gets baseball slid ribs first into the ring post, back to the outside. Somersault off the apron onto Mike before going back in the ring. Mike backon the apron, lures in Kanyon and hangs him up on the top rope, then an ax handle to the back and a scoop slam. Mike goes up top and nails a flying clothesline, hooks the leg but it's a 2 count.
Kanyon gets sent back to the outside, Mike grabbing a chair from ringside and rams into the ribs of Kanyon, then cracked across the back. Face first into the announce table, then water bottle to the head, then chair to the arm sends Kanyon over the guard rail. Scoop slam on Kanyon onto the concrete floor before going back to ringside, choking Kanyon with a camera cable, forced to break twice on 5 counts. Kanyon's rolled back in the ring and Mike follows with a slingshot splash from the apron for a near fall.
Kanyon sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then off the ropes again for a back body drop, but Kanyon turns it into a sunset flip for a count of one then right into a lariat. Back to the outside, Mike gets the chair again and goes to the back again, then the ribs, before choking Kanyon with the top of it. Mike goes up top with the chair, but Kanyon takes him down, then a draping neckbreaker from the top rope. Kanyon drags him out of the corner for a cover but Mike kicks out.
Kanyon sent off the ropes for a hip toss attempt but blocks it and delivers a swinging neckbreaker for another cover and a near fall. Kanyon goes up top with a crossbody but Mike rolls through, hooks the legs for another near fall. Mike picked up for a flapjack, another cover and another kick out. Kanyon goes for a powerbomb or a piledriver but Mike blocks it and hits an Alabama Slam, then another clothesline. Mike delivers a powerbomb and... Oh god he lands right on his neck. Hell I think Mike even looks worried, he takes a second to even do something, and there's a loud gasp from the crowd. Mike goes back to the outside and pulls up the ringside mats, exposing the concrete floor. Kanyon's moving at least and lays in with some rights as Mike climbs onto the apron, Kanyon off the ropes but hit with a slingshot shoulder block. Mike calls for a powerbomb to the outside but Kanyon slips free, Mike ducks a clothesline and delivers a German suplex, sending Kanyon rolling to the ramp.
Mike exposes more of the floor now, then goes back to Kanyon, until Nash's music hits. This crowd loves them some Big Sex. Right hands on Mike and a clothesline back into the ring for more right hands. Then the New Blood rush the ring and the referee calls for the bell as Nash lays them all out with rights, ending this match in a no contest (at least according to Wikipedia) in 13:25. Alright normally I harp on the interference, but admittedly seeing as Mike was intent on trying to kill a defenseless Kanyon, and seeing as he has history with Nash it makes some sense. Plus it was a pretty good match.
Crowd are losing their shit as the Millionaire's Club come down to help even the odds, and then security but they're just laid out. New Blood make their exit in the chaos as MC regroup in the ring.
Back to commentary who recap, then they hype up Bagwell vs Package coming up net, into a video package of their feud, not to mention the Liz thing going on. Then to the back where Russo and Liz are in the locker room, she tries to separate from him as he comments on her dress, saying she should go change, and says he owns her when she tries to refuse, pulling out her contract from his jacket pocket. She goes to change as Russo spouts off confidently on this next match.
The Total Package vs Buff Bagwell (1/2 of the WCW World Tag Team Champions)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Buff oddly enough comes out without his championship.
Buff spends time posing in the corner and flipping off the crowd, while Lex looks on unimpressed. Staring and circling, more posing by Buff. Then Lex poses. Then the lock up, Buff shoved into the corner immediately, then Buff with a cheap shot as the ref pulls Lex off. Lex face first into the corner to the mat, followed by choking by Buff, then more over the middle rope. Lex sent off the ropes into a back elbow, followed by prancing and posing, cover on Lex for a near fall.
Rear chinlock by Buff, but breaks it before trying a suplex, but Lex blocks and delivers one of his own, followed by a couple of atomic drops and a right hand, sending Buff into the corner. Corner punches now by Buff until Buff shoves him off, only for Lex to nail a clothesline, then tosses him to the outside. Ax handle off the apron by Lex, then Buff face first into the guard rail being thrown back in by the ear. Buff back on the offense before dropping Lex throat first on the top rope, then a double arm DDT by Buff into a cover and a kick out.
Grounded headlock now on Lex, Buff using the ropes briefly for extra leverage, keeping it up for several moments until Lex fights up and out, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline then takes each other out in the middle with clotheslines. Buff gets up first and delivers a scoop slam, comes off the ropes with a splash, cover and a near fall. Buff back on the offense with a version of the camel clutch, Lex tries to fight up but Buff drops his hips down on his back, before reapplying the clutch. Luger fights to his knees, Buff tries to drop his hips again, but Lex rolls over with the knees up, Buff dropping crotch first onto them.
Camera cuts back to Russo enjoying the match, yelling at Liz to hurry and come and see what's going on, who comes behind and pulls Russo to the floor, then nails him in the knee with the bat before running out of the room. Lex starts laying in with rights, Buff sent off the ropes into clotheslines as Liz makes her way down. Buff sent off the ropes into a powerslam. Lex poses and gets distracted by Liz, allowing Buff to clothesline him from behind. Liz comes in and tries to nail Buff with the bat but he catches it before grabbing her by the hair. Lex tries to grab him but gets nailed in the ribs by the bat, then a second time, Liz rolling out. Swinging neckbreaker by Buff before he goes up to the middle rope, but Liz nails him in the back with the bat. Lex gets him in the Rack for the win in 9:32. This match actually flew by pretty fast. Once again, interference kept to a minimum.
Liz joins Lex in the ring for an embrace, raising her arm in victory until Chuck Palumbo rushes into the ring, making his debut. He's got Luger's logo on his trunks, and Buff nails an inverted DDT. Buff grabs Liz as Palumbo gets Lex up in the Rack now. Buff takes Liz to the back scooped up in her arms before we go to the back.
Gene is standing by with Douglas, who corrects him on wanting to be called The Franchise, before going into how he's waited for seven years, after listening to Flair's BS for so long, going through Flair's catchphrases, and it ends tonight. He says he's tired of hearing it and tells Ric to look into his eyes, the window into a man's soul, he's going to retire Ric once and for all, and when the dust settles, he'll know he just got franchised, before going out to the ring for his match.
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas (1/2 of the WCW Tag Team Champions) vs Ric Flair
If Vince Russo interferes, Flair gets him for 5 minutes after the match.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Douglas gets the mic and has his music cut off, before speaking to the crowd, saying they have the option the people that get the chance to see the legendary Ric Flair go down to a greater wrestler, that he will fall to the Franchise, then calls them idiots and says that they can't do a damn thing to stop it. Commentary remind us that Russo straight up said he would interfere in this match. He gets the mic and gets on the referee for not lifting the rope for him like, and how Douglas wouldn't know anything about it. He says there where guys like Harley Race and himself worked hard to preserve the great sport of professional wrestling, a dipshit like Douglas has nothing to say about it. Then he says just like 1981, he's going to style and profile, walk the aisle and kick Shane's ECW ass, then the bell is rung.
Lock up to begin, Douglas gets the upperhand with a shoulder block. Another lock up, Ric shoved into the corner until the ref breaks it up. Another lock up, now Rick has the upper hand until Shane gets him with an elbow, Ric whipped into the corner with a back body drop following. Corner punches now as Ric stumbles to the corner, then whips Ric across the ring but catches Shane with an elbow. Chops now back and forth until Ric gets the advantage, then a snapmare. Ric goes up top but Shane is up and throws him down to his back. Shane now locks in the figure 4 to add insult to injury, Ric gets counted down with his shoulders on the mat a couple times but fights his way back up, before he gets to the ropes and forces a break.
Low blows on a grounded Ric now, who comes back with some chops, but Ric falls back to the mat. Shane tries for the figure 4 again but he gets a bit too cocky, allowing Ric to get out with a thumb to the eye, followed by a blatant low blow sending Shane to the outside. More chops against the guard rail, followed by right hands before whipping him into the guard rail on the other side. Ric talks some trash to Madden before chopping Shane onto the announce table, followed by more vicious rights, then face first into the ring post. Back in the ring now, Shane gets Ric with a suplex before pulling a chain out of his boot, wrapping it around his fist and clocking Ric in the head. Shane with the Three Amigos, a stalling suplex on the third one before a cover and a near fall.
Mounted rights by Shane now, then boots and rights in the corner, until Ric turns it around and chops Shane, then a right hand. Trading chops and rights until Ric drops him with a right hand and does the Flair strut. Knee drop between the legs, then a blatant low blow coming off the ropes as he pulls Shane to his feet. Chop block to the back of the knee, then a shin breaker, transitioned into a figure 4. Buff is seen running down the ramp to distract the referee, while someone dressed up as Sting, presumably Russo based on what we know, climbs the apron and clocks Ric in the back with a bat. This allows Douglas to pull Ric down into an inside cradle for the win in 8:47. It was an alright match, nothing special. More interference, but again it was minimal. So whatever. Supposedly this means Ric will get Russo for 5 minutes, but...
Shane lays in with more rights while Buff holds up his legs, then Shane with a chain-wrapped fist low blow. They try to leave but Ric gets the mic and calls out to "Russo," pointing out the stipulation of the match. "Russo" just shakes his head, but then Lex comes out, laying out Buff and Shane before throwing "Russo" into the ring, Ric grabs hold of him and threatens to hit him, but then Russo is seen running down the ramp behind Lex, nailing him in the back with a bat. Ric turns his attention to Russo before "Russo" smashes some kind of statue over his head. "Russo" removes his mask and it's revealed to be David Flair, who stomps away at his dad while Russo gets the mic and tells them to start the clock.
Ric Flair's 5 Minutes with Vince Russo
Well, I mean Russo didn't interfere in the match, so this is just Russo fucking with him I guess. We even have a timer appear in the corner as Russo cracks Flair in the ribs with a bat, then starts choking him. Russo with crotch chops and more choking, then hands the bat to David, who lays into him some more until Nash's music hits and out he comes. David and Russo just stand around dumbfounded as Nash takes his sweet ass time. Nash with a knee to the midsection of David. Russo takes off his jacket and Nash goes to jackknife Russo, until Daffney comes from behind with a low blow. Now Russo with a bat to the back of Nash, more crotch chops before he and David embrace and Russo's music hits. They leave the ring as Nash and Ric recover in the ring. Well that was.... eh.
We get replays of Russo enjoying himself, then back over to commentary, with Sting vs Vampiro up next. They give us a brief recap before we go into a video package, where this all started at Spring Stampede when Vamp pulled Sting out of the ring. Then there was the blood bath, the graveyard no sell from Sting, and then Vamp had "blood" dumped on him on that mess of a Thunder.
Vampiro vs Sting
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Vamp comes out with a lead pipe, although he decides to leave it at ringside. He decides to wait halfway up the ramp for Sting, which does him little good, he misses a spinning heel kick before the bell is rung, then Sting hits a clothesline.
Sting drops the bat and delivers a suplex on the ramp before a right hand and an atomic drop. Another right sends Vamp into the ring before Sting goes up top for a missile dropkick. Vamp rolls out and Sting goes up again, launching himself into Vamp at ringside. There's a table laid against the guard rail for some reason as Sting sends Vamp into the guard rail, ten face first into the announce table, then a DDT to the floor. Back in the ring, Vamp gets in a low blow before a chop across the chest, then he goes up top with a flying lariat. Vamp goes out and grabs his lead pipe and swings it into the ribs of Sting, then across the back, and again and a headbutt. Knee drop between the legs, then a kick to the ribs and pipe to the ribs, then across the back once more.
Sting escapes out to the ramp and Vamp leaves his pipe as he follows up the ramp. Facebuster by Vamp, then a spin kick to the chest. Back to the ring, clothesline over the ropes back in, then the pipe to the back once again. Sting whipped into the corner followed by a clothesline before he's lifted up top. Vamp goes up and wastes time posing, Sting has the chance and nails a low blow before delivering a powerbomb. Now Sting with the pipe to the back and ribs, then the face, and ribs again. Vamp into the corner and Stinger Splash, then again with the lead pipe. Sting nails the Scorpion Deathdrop, then rallies the crowd before nailing another, hooks the leg and wins in 6:52. Wow... that made Vamp look bad, after all those pipe shots, Sting just comes back and wins it like he didn't get hit at all.
Sting poses in the corner then starts to head to the back, but as Vamp is getting back up, he returns to the ring for another shot with the lead pipe, then finally heads to the back.
We go to Tenay who's in the back with Page and Arquette. Mike says tonight could be the end of Arquette's acting career tonight in the three-level cage. They can't seem to stick with one name for this match. Arquette says he's scared as he stands there wearing a cape, but says they're just going to stick to the plan. Page says as long as Arquette does as he's told he'll be fine, which is stay out of Jarrett's way, but if any of the New Blood decide to get involved, he's to go straight to the top and fend them off. He reminds him not to grab the belt and they leave.
We catch up with Nash searching around backstage, presumably for Russo, then to the arena for a crowd shot, then the back again. Tenay is now with Kidman, Torrie, Bischoff and Kimberly ahead of the next match. Tenay says he's up against the biggest challenge of his career tonight, and Kidman tells him to stop kissing Hogan's ass. He says he's already proven that Hogan's anything but immortal, and he's already beaten him three times, and with Bischoff as the ref he can't lose, so it's hardly his biggest challenge. Bischoff says he looks good in stripes and Tenay actually agrees with an "mmhmm," before Eric continues, saying he's going to call it right down the middle of Hogan's yellow back, and that it will be a good night for Kidman and for the New Blood.
Billy Kidman (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Hulk Hogan; Special Guest Referee: Eric Bischoff (w/ Kimberly)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: There's an argument as Hogan comes down with Horace by his side, with Eric wanting Horace to go to the back. I think Hogan points to the fact that Torrie is allowed to be there though, and I guess asks if Eric will actually count a 3 for him in the event it happens, and eventually relents, sending Horace to the back. We get several moments of Kidman standing outside and Bischoff holding off Hogan until Hogan gets out and chases Kidman back into the ring, Kidman stomping away as the bell is rung.
Clubs to the back of Hogan, then Kidman sent off the ropes, some slightly sloppy back and forth until Hogan goes for a scoop slam, and Kidman nearly botches an inside cradle for a fair 2 count from Eric. Kidman with more rights, thens ent off the ropes, tries for a crucifix, then a sunset flip but Hogan picks him up by the neck and dropped crotch first on the top rope, followed by a clothesline sending him to the floor. Hogan now with right hands before tossing Kidman back in. Hogan grabs a chair before going back in, sets it up, and drops Kidman ribs first on the top of the chair, before Bischoff tosses the chair out. Kidman whipped into the corner but gets a boot up as Hogan follows, then a headscissor into a hurricanrana followed by a dropkick sending Hogan out of the ring.
Kidman pulled under the ropes and thrown into the guard rail, then face first into it, before being whipped into the ring post. He uses Torrie as a human shield before getting in a sucker punch before stomping away, then tosses Hogan back in. Kidman chokes Hogan in the corner before getting in some right hands, then Hogan fights back with some rights, Kidman sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Hogan takes off his weight belt and starts whipping Kidman until Eric takes it away. Hogan corners him until Kidman attacks from behind. Kidman gets the belt now and whips Hogan across the back, then sends Kidman off the ropes, blocks a hip toss, only to be hip tossed over the ropes to the outside.
Kidman face first into the guard rail again, then thrown back first, then back in the ring. Hogan hooks the leg but Eric takes his sweet time, so Hogan goes after him. Back suple on Kidman, cover, and Eric still won't count. Hogan gets in his face and Eric claims he didn't see it. Hogan misses three elbow drops and Kidman starts hammering and stomping away, only to be tossed out again. Hogan face first into the guard rail, but then Kidman gets sent over the announce table. Face first into the ring apron now, Hogan goes back in and tries to pull Kidman in over the ropes, but gets hung up. Kidman hammering away again but Hogan is barely fazed. Right hands, Kidman off the ropes into a big boot. Hogan off the ropes but Eric gets in his way, so Hogan drops him with a right hand, then a leg drop by Hogan.
Mounted right hands by Hogan, then Eric grabs a chair, tries to hit Hogan in the face but he blocks it and cracks Eric across the back, then Kidman, sending him rolling out of the ring. Hogan out now pulls tables out and into the ring. Hogan sets one up near the corner... or tries to but I guess the legs broke on it, so he leans it up against the ropes. He sets the other one up near the opposite corner and calls to put Eric through it, but Kidman from behind with a chair to the back, then the head. Kidman with the cover but Bischoff's still out of it. Eric comes to, makes the slow count and Hogan kicks out, busted open from the chair shot.
Eric holds up Hogan and Kidman grabs the chair, but gets it kicked back in his face, then a low blow on Eric, before he's powerbombed through the table. Hogan grabs another table and slides it in as Kidman starts to come to, Hogan gets the chair but Kidman gets a low blow before slamming it across Hogan's back. Kidman sets up the new table now, laying Hogan on top, Kidman goes to the top rope but Hogan moves, Kidman splashing through the table. Horace appears out of nowhere as Hogan makes the cover, grabs Eric's arm to make the count, and I guess Hogan wins in 13:32. Well what an overbooked mess that turned out to be.
Hulk pulls himself up as Eric and Kidman slip out of the ring, Hogan a bloody mess. Then we go outside where Russo is fleeing with Liz's arm held tight, but he runs right to the Millionaire Club's bus and there's Lex waiting inside, who I think took Liz, because as he takes someone's car and drives off he's without Liz. Meanwhile Nash appears from the shutter just as he drives off drinking a beer.
To the arena, ring crew are clearing the ring before the main event, as we go to the video package. This started of course when Kimberly turned on her husband to help Jarrett become the champion and realize his destiny. Then with Arquette's help, Page got himself a title match the next week and won the title, then Arquette won the title two days later because fuck you that's why. Arquette tried to give the title back, but Bischoff and Russo have forced him into the originally scheduled Page/Jarrett triple cage match for Slamboree.
Commentary plug the Great American Bash for next month, then to the back where Gene is standing by with Jarrett, Gene pointing out it could be a handicap match. Jeff says despite the fact that Gene thinks he has it all figured out, he's still a geriatric slapass, and says he can't wait to embarrass DDP and that 150 lb turd Arquette because he's getting his title back. He says tonight they're going to play a game of Boots and Ladders, and when it's all said and done, they're going to be flossing with his shoelaces. He tells Gene to choke on that before walking off.
To the ring now, Michael Buffer is here to hype up our main event, which is always a nice touch, crowd is definitely ready to rumble. The cage gets lowered down with it's own music and thunder sounds and even pyro, with the WCW Title hanging at the very top.
Triple Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: David Arquette (c) vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Jeff Jarrett
RULES: If you read my review of Wargames 2000 or have seen it yourself, the rules are practically the same here. If not, surprisingly the rules are pretty simple by WCW standards. They'll start in the bottom cage surrounding the ring and ringside. From there, using a ladder, they'll have to climb through a trap door in the roof and into the middle cage, or the Hardcore Cage as previously announced. From there, they have to exit through the door on the side of the cage, and climb on top of of it, and then on top of the final Guitar Cage, where the title hangs. First to unhook it is the champion, so it's essentially a giant ladder match, and unlike Wargames 2000, they do not have to bring the title down through to the bottom cage and out the door to win. Of course, there's also a door on the side to get into the final cage if they want to make use of the guitars.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: First out is Jeff Jarrett, the man on a mission, here to regain the championship, the man with all the stroke, the Chosen One, the former WCW Heavyweight World Champion, as said by Buffer. Then Arquette, the man who has made professional wrestling history, a motion picture star, who has made the unprecedented crossover in sports entertainment, the reigning and defending, undisputed WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World. Finally DDP, one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, the master of the Diamond Cutter, the former 3x World Champion.
Arquette looks scared shitless and quickly escapes the ring. Jarrett gives chase but Page gets him from behind, throw him into the cage... Wow that cage is flimsy as hell, it actually swung forward a bit off the ground as Jarrett hit it. Jarrett gets tossed back in the ring and Page follows, but Jarrett is up and stomping away. Page now with body shots but Jarrett drops hi with a DDT. Jarrett chases Arquette back again into the ring and Page nails a clothesline. Jarrett reverses a whip off the ropes and Page tries to get him with a kick but Jarrett catches it, spins Page around who ducks a punch, Jarrett ducks a clothesline but Page connects on the second try. Uranagi by Page, then Arquette goes up top and does a beautiful looking splash, but Jarrett rolls out of the way so he eats canvas.
Jarrett rolls out but thrown face first into the cage, then again, then thrown back in the ring. Page grabs one of the ladders provided at ringside and goes to slide it in, but Jarrett sends it back into his ribs with a baseball slide. Page face first into the cage now, then Jarrett gets whipped into Arquette, then into the cage and back in the ring. Jarrett whipped into the corner, Page charges, Jarrett gets the boots up but Page slides under and out of the ring. Jarrett tripped up now and Page tries to crotch him into the ring post, but Jarrett yanks him into it face first. Jarrett slides out and goes to drop Page with a right hand but he ducks and it nails Arquette instead. Page picks up Jarrett for a back suplex, only to crotch him into the ring post instead.
Page now grabs the ladder and slides it into the ring, setting it up under the trap door. Jarrett gets knocked off the apron into the cage and Page exits, while Jarrett's been busted open above his left eye. Page with right hands now, then into the cage, then a second time. Page back in the ring and goes for the ladder, but Jarret's back in and cuts him off, delivering a back suplex to the mat. Jarrett now with the climb but Page catches him and plants him with a sitout powerbomb. Page back up now, but leans the ladder in the corner, then whips Jarrett back first into it, then a second , then tries a third but Jarrett reverses it. Jarrett grabs the ladder and slams it into Page's ribs. Jarrett grabs the other ladder from ringside and slams it into the first ladder before setting the second under the trap door. Jarrett making the climb, but Page pushes it over and sends Jarrett into the top rope. Page now starts to climb, then Jarrett on the other side and they trade right hands, until Page grabs the top of the cage, swings and kicks Jarrett out of the ring onto the ramp. Page sets the ladder back up and makes it into the second cage, with Jarrett close behind.
Page grabs the bolt cutters to open the door and Jarret clubs him from behind as he does. Page face first into a hanging trash can, then Jarrett grabs a chair, cracking Page right in the head. Jarrett leaves the cage and starts to scale the side but Page is back up, and he's cut open now. Back into the cage, Jarrett grabs what looks like a serving tray and breaks it over Page's head. Then a trash can, but Page uses the chair into the ribs before he can use it. He grabs Jarrett and runs toward one of the walls and they crash through it. Jarrett gets a trash can to the head, then thrown into the cage wall. Now Page sets up a table on the flimsy floor but Page gets him from behind, but Page still manages to powerslam him though the table. Jarett's back up and tries to climb but Page gets him with the chair, then again. More rights by Jarrett now, then Page face first into the cage. Jarrett tries to whip Page off the cage but he pulls back in time to nail a back elbow, laying them both out for the moment.
Arquette now decides to climb up for some reason, and Page grabs the chair, tries for a Diamond Cutter as Arquette makes it on top of the second cage, and Mike Awesome appears behind Page with a club. Oh, well I guess that explains Arquette's actions. Mike laying into Page now, then goes for a DDT, but Page fights out and nails a Diamond Cutter. Page and Jarrett now climbing on opposite sides as Arquette waits up at the top. Jarrett hangs on by a cable as Page nails rights and they fight into the guitar room, which is really small. They both miss a guitar shot. Page hands one up to Arquette and Jarrett nails a low blow and slams the door into Page's head. Page and Jarrett start to climb again, and as Page makes it up, Arquette smashes the guitar over his head, then Jarrett gets him with a guitar over the back. Jarrett climbs up top, takes down the belt and wins the title in 15:32. Ya know what, setting aside the unnecessary swerve, I actually enjoyed this match. Very little bullshit until the end, which has been the theme for most of the night. But...
Awesome has come to and has a hold of Page on top of the middle cage and goes for an Awesome Bomb but Kanyon is there now. Awesome slams him into the cage, then throws him off the cage, over the bottom cage and onto the ramp below. Damn that was quite a distance. Mike joins Jarrett up top to celebrate while officials come out to check on Kanyon to close out the PPV.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I can't believe I'm about to say this but I actually enjoyed the majority of this show. Of course it had it's low points, the hardcore title, the Hogan/Kidman crap and that finish and closer for the PPV, but that's only half the show, so this one gets a pass from me. That said, with a runtime of 2:50:24, there was a total 1:43:14 of wrestling on this show.
Lock up to start followed by some quick back and forth, Candido catching Artist with a wheelbarrow into a victory roll for a 2 count. Candido off the ropes into a wheelbarrow again, tries for an arm drag but Artist gets him with a German suplex with a bridge for a kick out. Artist with the corner punches and a slap before whipping him across the ring, Candido with the float over as Artist follows, then launched up and over to the outside. Artist goes to whip him into the guard rail but Candido reverses, goes up top and launches into Artist. Artist now face first into the entrance ramp (connects right to the ring before Candido grabs a chair, tries for a piledriver but Artist escapes with a back body drop. Artist with the cover back in the ring for a near fall.
Candido reverses a whip off the ropes but Artist slips through the legs before connecting with the hurricanrana. They go for... something, and Candido takes him down for a cover and a 2 count. Chops in the corner by Candido, then turns it around for rights and chops of his own, Candido reveres a whip into the ropes before tossing Artist back out of the ring. Artist on the apron now with a shoulder to the midsection through the ropes, then suplexes Candido to the floor. Snapmare by Artist back in the ring, cover and a near fall.
Candido with a low blow, right hands, Artist sent off the ropes, but catches Candido, barely lifting him up for a powerbomb. Artist up to the middle rope goes for his DDT but Candido catches him, lifting him to the top rope. Candido tries for the hurricanrana but Artist hangs on, goes for a crossbody, but Candido ducks, and Artist is supposed to roll him up at the same time but he doesn't catch Candido's tights, so he stumbles backwards to be rolled up only to kick out. Candido sent off the ropes into a back body drop, then again into a clothesline. Candido with a thumb to the eye followed by a scoop slam near the corner. Candido up top now but Artist cuts him off, joins him up top for a Samoan drop.
Artist makes the cover, but Tammy gets on the apron for the distraction. Paisley comes over and they get into a fight. Tammy goes to hit Paisley with the earlier mentioned chair but she accidentally whacks Artist, while the ref is dealing with Candido in the opposite corner. Candido makes the cover and gets the.... win? No wait, I guess Artist was late getting the shoulder up? Referee is calling it off as Candido's music hits. Candido nails the piledriver then goes up top with a flying headbutt for the win in 8:02. Oof, that was an awkward finish, especially when Candido was going to win anyways, but it was a good opening match. The bullshittery was kept to a minimum too.
Tammy joins Candido in the ring to celebrate, then Paisley comes in to go after Tammy again. Paisley low blows Candido, then Artist gets her by the hair, who joins Paisley in removing Tammy's dress. Candido pulls her out and they head to the back, and Artist does their own celebrating with Paisley.
Over to commentary, they hype tonight's main event, and explain that in this three-cage structure, the middle cage with be a Hardcore Cage, lined with an assortment of weapons, and the top cage will be a guitar cage, with the belt 42 feet in the air at the very top of it all. Madden makes a good point, reminding us that Harley Race is from Kansas City and the fact that Arquette is champion is a disgrace.
Then as Tony calls him middle-aged and crazy, we get a highlight package of the things that have been done to Terry Funk, the most of which are shots to the head with various weapons and being sent through many tables. Then we cut to the back where Funk is walking backstage and asks some crew members where Norman is, who point Funk to the bathroom, calling him out. He kicks in one of the stalls and out steps Norman's mystery partner in umpire gear. Funk goes to attack but Norman comes in from behind spraying a fire extinguisher to get this started.
2-on-1 Handicap Match for the WCW Hardcore Championship: Terry Funk (c) vs Norman Smiley & Mystery Partner
Norman pulls him out and sends Funk into a metal shutter, then a vending machine, then a trash can to the head. Into the vending machine a few more times face first, then the trash can to the back. The mystery partner is now hitting Funk with another trash can and... Oh, well just looking at this guy try to do anything and looking at his size, it's obviously Ralphus, the WCW truck driver and former bodyguard of then-current IC Champion Chris Jericho. Funk just stands there as Norman hits him in the head with a trash can. Norman makes the cover for a near fall.
Trash can to the head again, then slammed face first into it before Norman does some wiggling. Chair to the ribs then the face, at lease Funk put his hands up for that one. Funk face first into another trash can before it's slammed into his head, sending Funk tumbling over a table. Trash can over the head of Funk, then a chair into the trash can. Norman shoved into some steel beams. Ralphus has climbed onto some boxes and starts throwing them at Funk until Funk throws one of those plastic chairs at him, then another and another. Ralphus with the trash can to the head repeatedly as Funk joins him up there, then Noman tries to join them until he's pushed off and through a catering table. Funk nails Norman in the head with a trash can, then again, makes the cover and Norman kicks out.
Norman face first into an equipment crate, then sandwiches Norman between two of them. Funk nails Norman with something until Norman throws a rail into him but it barely fazes him. Norman whips him into some equipment cases, cover but Funk kicks out. Funk gets Norman in the ribs with a chair then the head. Ralphus is doing nothing while Funk goes for a scoop slam but slips and falls with him, cover and a near fall. Ralphus finally attacks with the trash can and Funk just stands there taking it until he finally blocks a shot, nailing Ralphus in the head with it. Norman now back into it an fighting their way to the arena.
Funk with a laptop to the head of Norman, then face first into a table. Funk now grabs Ralphus and make their way out on the stage, Funk dragging him by the shirt. The ref hands Funk a chair for some reason who then hits Ralphus over the back with it, then again. He starts dragging Ralphus more toward the ring then hits him in the head with a chair. I hope that umpire mask is protecting Ralphus enough for that, until it comes off. Ralphus actually gets a bit of a pop for his reveal, which I never thought would happen. Funk takes Ralphus' shirt off before being thrown into the ring... kinda. He just hangs upside down until Norman comes back, throwing a ladder at Funk.
Norman stomps away before taking the chair and throws it in Funk's face, hooks the leg for a 2 count. Norman up top with an upright ladder and just drops it down on Funk's head. Norman stomps away before another chair shot to the head. Norman with the Big Wiggle. Funk tries to swing the chair over head but Norman blocks him and smacks him again in the head with the chair. Now we have Ralphus with a Wiggle until Funk swings the chair over head, although it misses his head thank god, getting him in the back instead, then the back of Norman's head. Another chair shot to Ralphus this time catching the back of his head, then rolls up Norman as he goes to check on Ralphus to retain in 10:10. This company has no fucking clue how to do hardcore matches, fucking hell, this was just a mess.
Ralphus looks on in confusion as Funk leaves with his belt held high, then Norman and Ralphus do some wiggling. Then we cut to a limo pulls up to the arena, Gene is on the scene as Arquette steps out. Gene talks about how it's been reported that Courtney's making a million an episode (of Friends I assume?) and asks why he didn't come with the Millionaire's Club. He says he's got a million dollars of his own money, his own merits, he doesn't need his wife's money. Then he says that Page doesn't think he's a sports entertainer so he had to come alone, but it is what it is. Then Gene asks for his thoughts on his match tonight, to which David says he's very scared and not to let the smile fool him before he walks.
Back to the arena for our next match.
Shawn "The Perfect One" Stasiak vs Curt Hennig
Lock up to start the match, Sean with an arm drag immediately and some taunting. Another lock up, then Sean with a hip toss and more taunting. Now Sean with rights in the corner, then sent across the ring into a hip toss and a scoop slam by Hennig, before Sean rolls out. Sean takes his time coming back in before another lock up, Sean with a side headlock, Hennig tries to power out but Sean cinches it back in. Hennig tries again and fails, but successfully shoves Stasiak off the ropes, who nails a crossbody for a cover and a two count.
Stasiak rolls out to the ramp, then rams his shoulder into the midsection through the ropes, following up with a sunset flip and another 2 count. Curt ducks a clothesline and nails some rights followed by a knee lift coming off the ropes. MIA are front row as Hennig is tossed to the outside, Stasiak with an ax handle off the apron to the back. Hennig face first into the guard rail then the announce table before being choked with a cable. Back in the ring, Stasiak goes up top with a flying clothesline, hooks the leg for a near fall.
Hennig tosses back out onto the ramp, who catches Stasiak, goes for a scoop slam, but his back gives out...? Not sue why that is, but Stasiak tosses him back into the ring. Hennig sent off the ropes and caught in a sleeper hold, he starts to fade. Ref raises the arm twice but Hennig fights back to his feet, elbows to the ribs but gets yanked down by the hair. Stasiak back up top but he misses a crossbody. Hennig with gut shots, then chops and rights, Stasiak sent off the ropes into a back body drop then another right hand. Hennig with rights in the corner, pulled off by the ref, then again, then pulled off again, Stasiak takes advantage of that distraction to catapult Hennig into the corner and hit the Hennig-plex for the win in 7:56. Well I'll be damned, a clean finish and a pretty good match too.
Stasiak makes his exit as Hennig recovers in the ring, then we go to replays. Then to the New Blood locker room where Russo ecstatic over Stasiak's win, then turns his attention to Steiner, wanting two wins in a row for the New Blood. Steiner tells Russo to keep his hands off him before heading out for his match.
Hugh Morrus comes out first and gets the mic from Penzer, saying that from this point forward he doesn't want to be called Hugh Morrus again, saying it was a name given to him by Bischoff, that it was a brain fart, to make him look stupid. He now wants to be addressed by his real name: Hugh G. Rection, Captain Rection for short. Sigh.
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner (c) vs Hugh G. Rection
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So I think I said in my last WCW post that I thought Booker was supposed to be the challenger on this show, but I can't seem to find anything about it, about any injuries or change of plans, so I can only assume Russo changed because... it's Russo. Who knows, this might still be a good match. Anyways, Hugh's out first and gets the mic from Penzer, saying that from this point forward he doesn't want to be called Hugh Morrus again, saying it was a name given to him by Bischoff, that it was a brain fart, to make him look stupid. He now wants to be addressed by his real name: Hugh G. Rection, Captain Rection for short. Sigh.
Lock up to start, Hugh pushed into the corner, Steiner with boots and right hands and chops. Hugh sent off the ropes, ducks clothesline and now some chops of his own, before being sent off the ropes, but blocks a hip toss and hits a clothesline, goes off the ropes but Steiner rolls out before he can connect with anything. Steiner spends some time telling off the fans at ringside before regrouping with his freaks. They climb onto the apron to woo Hugh, giving Steiner the time to sneak up behind and club him in the back. Snapmare and a boot to the head by Steiner, then goes for a scoop slam but Hugh slips free for an atomic drop and right hands. Steiner sent off the ropes into a spinning heel kick, cover and a near fall.
Sidewalk slam by Hugh before he goes up top for a flying elbow, then he goes back up. Steiner distracts the referee to allow is freaks to yank down Hugh, crotching him on the top rope and into a tree of woe. Steiner stomping away now, then yanking back by the head and neck from the outside. Hugh sent of the ropes into a clothesline, then an elbow, cover and a two count, and Steiner immediately launches himself onto the referee pissed about now getting three. Hugh shoved into the corner for more boots, then a side suplex, followed by some push-ups. Hugh choked over the middle rope, then the freaks with some cheap shots as he distracts the ref. Spinning belly to belly slam, cover but Hugh kicks out. Steiner goes after the ref and scares the shit out of him, fleeing the ring in terror.
Steiner with boots to the head now, then sends Hugh off the ropes and caught in a bearhug, gets his arm raised twice but comes to, tries to fight out but gets a belly to belly overhead for his troubles. Steiner gets in a fan's face at ringside before flexing in the corner and flipping the fans off, then whips Hugh into the corner, only to get a boot to the face. Hugh with mounted right hands now, chopped, then a corner splash. Steiner whipped across the ring and Hugh hits another splash, then goes for a third but Steiner lays him out with a clothesline. Steiner with a double underhook slam, then goes for... a tombstone I suppose, but Hugh reverses for a sitout tombstone. Hugh starts to go back up top but one of Steiner's freaks are in there trying to plead with him. He goes up anyways, goes for the moonsault and... Oh god. So Steiner tries to roll out of the way, but he rolls away from the corner, so Hugh's knee comes down right on the back of Steiner's head. Ow.
Steiner is barely even fazed though because it's Scott fucking Steiner, then locks in the Recliner to retain in 9:26. I feel like this went a bit long, but much like the opener, the interference was minimal and it was good action for the most part.
Steiner throws the referee out of the ring as he tries to break the hold, then puts it back on Hugh. MIA try to jump the barricade to help but security are rushing down. Oh there's Booker...? OK now I'm even more confused. Harlem side kick sends Steiner out of the ring and Booker checks on Hugh, as the freaks check on Steiner. We get a replay of that botched moonsault and the Recliner and... Oh I guess Booker was/is injured, at least that's what Scott Hudson just said.
To the back, Gene is standing by backstage with Kanyon, who brings up how Kanyon turned his back on the New Blood to back Page. He says he did it because Page is more than a friend, he considers him a brother, and as far he's considered, blood is thicker than water. Guys like Kidman, Jarrett, Awesome who suck up to Bischoff and Russo, but Page taught him a long time ago that you get ahead in the business not by kissing ass but by busting your own, and that's exactly what he's going to do tonight, and prove to Awesome that no one is better than he is.
Mike Awesome vs Chris "Champagne" Kanyon
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We see footage of Awesome putting Hogan and Kanyon on last week's shows, then Hogan again on this past week's Nitro.
Mike wastes no time rushing at Kanyon but he ducks a clothesline and lays in with rights, only to be sent off the ropes and try a shoulder block, but Mike just shrugs it off, then shoves him off the ropes again, ducks a clothesline and hangs on as Mike goes for a boot, Kanyon nailing a clothesline. More rights sends Mike into the corner, then shoulders into the midsection before sending Mike across the ring, but he gets Kanyon with a back elbow, rolling out of the ring. Mike comes off the opposite ropes and dives over the ropes into Kanyon.
Kanyon sent into the guard rail, then thrown into the steel steps. More rights by Mike now, then lifts him onto his shoulder, but Kanyon shoves him into the ring post. Back in the ring, Mike gets baseball slid ribs first into the ring post, back to the outside. Somersault off the apron onto Mike before going back in the ring. Mike backon the apron, lures in Kanyon and hangs him up on the top rope, then an ax handle to the back and a scoop slam. Mike goes up top and nails a flying clothesline, hooks the leg but it's a 2 count.
Kanyon gets sent back to the outside, Mike grabbing a chair from ringside and rams into the ribs of Kanyon, then cracked across the back. Face first into the announce table, then water bottle to the head, then chair to the arm sends Kanyon over the guard rail. Scoop slam on Kanyon onto the concrete floor before going back to ringside, choking Kanyon with a camera cable, forced to break twice on 5 counts. Kanyon's rolled back in the ring and Mike follows with a slingshot splash from the apron for a near fall.
Kanyon sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then off the ropes again for a back body drop, but Kanyon turns it into a sunset flip for a count of one then right into a lariat. Back to the outside, Mike gets the chair again and goes to the back again, then the ribs, before choking Kanyon with the top of it. Mike goes up top with the chair, but Kanyon takes him down, then a draping neckbreaker from the top rope. Kanyon drags him out of the corner for a cover but Mike kicks out.
Kanyon sent off the ropes for a hip toss attempt but blocks it and delivers a swinging neckbreaker for another cover and a near fall. Kanyon goes up top with a crossbody but Mike rolls through, hooks the legs for another near fall. Mike picked up for a flapjack, another cover and another kick out. Kanyon goes for a powerbomb or a piledriver but Mike blocks it and hits an Alabama Slam, then another clothesline. Mike delivers a powerbomb and... Oh god he lands right on his neck. Hell I think Mike even looks worried, he takes a second to even do something, and there's a loud gasp from the crowd. Mike goes back to the outside and pulls up the ringside mats, exposing the concrete floor. Kanyon's moving at least and lays in with some rights as Mike climbs onto the apron, Kanyon off the ropes but hit with a slingshot shoulder block. Mike calls for a powerbomb to the outside but Kanyon slips free, Mike ducks a clothesline and delivers a German suplex, sending Kanyon rolling to the ramp.
Mike exposes more of the floor now, then goes back to Kanyon, until Nash's music hits. This crowd loves them some Big Sex. Right hands on Mike and a clothesline back into the ring for more right hands. Then the New Blood rush the ring and the referee calls for the bell as Nash lays them all out with rights, ending this match in a no contest (at least according to Wikipedia) in 13:25. Alright normally I harp on the interference, but admittedly seeing as Mike was intent on trying to kill a defenseless Kanyon, and seeing as he has history with Nash it makes some sense. Plus it was a pretty good match.
Crowd are losing their shit as the Millionaire's Club come down to help even the odds, and then security but they're just laid out. New Blood make their exit in the chaos as MC regroup in the ring.
Back to commentary who recap, then they hype up Bagwell vs Package coming up net, into a video package of their feud, not to mention the Liz thing going on. Then to the back where Russo and Liz are in the locker room, she tries to separate from him as he comments on her dress, saying she should go change, and says he owns her when she tries to refuse, pulling out her contract from his jacket pocket. She goes to change as Russo spouts off confidently on this next match.
The Total Package vs Buff Bagwell (1/2 of the WCW World Tag Team Champions)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Buff oddly enough comes out without his championship.
Buff spends time posing in the corner and flipping off the crowd, while Lex looks on unimpressed. Staring and circling, more posing by Buff. Then Lex poses. Then the lock up, Buff shoved into the corner immediately, then Buff with a cheap shot as the ref pulls Lex off. Lex face first into the corner to the mat, followed by choking by Buff, then more over the middle rope. Lex sent off the ropes into a back elbow, followed by prancing and posing, cover on Lex for a near fall.
Rear chinlock by Buff, but breaks it before trying a suplex, but Lex blocks and delivers one of his own, followed by a couple of atomic drops and a right hand, sending Buff into the corner. Corner punches now by Buff until Buff shoves him off, only for Lex to nail a clothesline, then tosses him to the outside. Ax handle off the apron by Lex, then Buff face first into the guard rail being thrown back in by the ear. Buff back on the offense before dropping Lex throat first on the top rope, then a double arm DDT by Buff into a cover and a kick out.
Grounded headlock now on Lex, Buff using the ropes briefly for extra leverage, keeping it up for several moments until Lex fights up and out, off the ropes, ducks a clothesline then takes each other out in the middle with clotheslines. Buff gets up first and delivers a scoop slam, comes off the ropes with a splash, cover and a near fall. Buff back on the offense with a version of the camel clutch, Lex tries to fight up but Buff drops his hips down on his back, before reapplying the clutch. Luger fights to his knees, Buff tries to drop his hips again, but Lex rolls over with the knees up, Buff dropping crotch first onto them.
Camera cuts back to Russo enjoying the match, yelling at Liz to hurry and come and see what's going on, who comes behind and pulls Russo to the floor, then nails him in the knee with the bat before running out of the room. Lex starts laying in with rights, Buff sent off the ropes into clotheslines as Liz makes her way down. Buff sent off the ropes into a powerslam. Lex poses and gets distracted by Liz, allowing Buff to clothesline him from behind. Liz comes in and tries to nail Buff with the bat but he catches it before grabbing her by the hair. Lex tries to grab him but gets nailed in the ribs by the bat, then a second time, Liz rolling out. Swinging neckbreaker by Buff before he goes up to the middle rope, but Liz nails him in the back with the bat. Lex gets him in the Rack for the win in 9:32. This match actually flew by pretty fast. Once again, interference kept to a minimum.
Liz joins Lex in the ring for an embrace, raising her arm in victory until Chuck Palumbo rushes into the ring, making his debut. He's got Luger's logo on his trunks, and Buff nails an inverted DDT. Buff grabs Liz as Palumbo gets Lex up in the Rack now. Buff takes Liz to the back scooped up in her arms before we go to the back.
Gene is standing by with Douglas, who corrects him on wanting to be called The Franchise, before going into how he's waited for seven years, after listening to Flair's BS for so long, going through Flair's catchphrases, and it ends tonight. He says he's tired of hearing it and tells Ric to look into his eyes, the window into a man's soul, he's going to retire Ric once and for all, and when the dust settles, he'll know he just got franchised, before going out to the ring for his match.
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas (1/2 of the WCW Tag Team Champions) vs Ric Flair
If Vince Russo interferes, Flair gets him for 5 minutes after the match.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Douglas gets the mic and has his music cut off, before speaking to the crowd, saying they have the option the people that get the chance to see the legendary Ric Flair go down to a greater wrestler, that he will fall to the Franchise, then calls them idiots and says that they can't do a damn thing to stop it. Commentary remind us that Russo straight up said he would interfere in this match. He gets the mic and gets on the referee for not lifting the rope for him like, and how Douglas wouldn't know anything about it. He says there where guys like Harley Race and himself worked hard to preserve the great sport of professional wrestling, a dipshit like Douglas has nothing to say about it. Then he says just like 1981, he's going to style and profile, walk the aisle and kick Shane's ECW ass, then the bell is rung.
Lock up to begin, Douglas gets the upperhand with a shoulder block. Another lock up, Ric shoved into the corner until the ref breaks it up. Another lock up, now Rick has the upper hand until Shane gets him with an elbow, Ric whipped into the corner with a back body drop following. Corner punches now as Ric stumbles to the corner, then whips Ric across the ring but catches Shane with an elbow. Chops now back and forth until Ric gets the advantage, then a snapmare. Ric goes up top but Shane is up and throws him down to his back. Shane now locks in the figure 4 to add insult to injury, Ric gets counted down with his shoulders on the mat a couple times but fights his way back up, before he gets to the ropes and forces a break.
Low blows on a grounded Ric now, who comes back with some chops, but Ric falls back to the mat. Shane tries for the figure 4 again but he gets a bit too cocky, allowing Ric to get out with a thumb to the eye, followed by a blatant low blow sending Shane to the outside. More chops against the guard rail, followed by right hands before whipping him into the guard rail on the other side. Ric talks some trash to Madden before chopping Shane onto the announce table, followed by more vicious rights, then face first into the ring post. Back in the ring now, Shane gets Ric with a suplex before pulling a chain out of his boot, wrapping it around his fist and clocking Ric in the head. Shane with the Three Amigos, a stalling suplex on the third one before a cover and a near fall.
Mounted rights by Shane now, then boots and rights in the corner, until Ric turns it around and chops Shane, then a right hand. Trading chops and rights until Ric drops him with a right hand and does the Flair strut. Knee drop between the legs, then a blatant low blow coming off the ropes as he pulls Shane to his feet. Chop block to the back of the knee, then a shin breaker, transitioned into a figure 4. Buff is seen running down the ramp to distract the referee, while someone dressed up as Sting, presumably Russo based on what we know, climbs the apron and clocks Ric in the back with a bat. This allows Douglas to pull Ric down into an inside cradle for the win in 8:47. It was an alright match, nothing special. More interference, but again it was minimal. So whatever. Supposedly this means Ric will get Russo for 5 minutes, but...
Shane lays in with more rights while Buff holds up his legs, then Shane with a chain-wrapped fist low blow. They try to leave but Ric gets the mic and calls out to "Russo," pointing out the stipulation of the match. "Russo" just shakes his head, but then Lex comes out, laying out Buff and Shane before throwing "Russo" into the ring, Ric grabs hold of him and threatens to hit him, but then Russo is seen running down the ramp behind Lex, nailing him in the back with a bat. Ric turns his attention to Russo before "Russo" smashes some kind of statue over his head. "Russo" removes his mask and it's revealed to be David Flair, who stomps away at his dad while Russo gets the mic and tells them to start the clock.
Ric Flair's 5 Minutes with Vince Russo
Well, I mean Russo didn't interfere in the match, so this is just Russo fucking with him I guess. We even have a timer appear in the corner as Russo cracks Flair in the ribs with a bat, then starts choking him. Russo with crotch chops and more choking, then hands the bat to David, who lays into him some more until Nash's music hits and out he comes. David and Russo just stand around dumbfounded as Nash takes his sweet ass time. Nash with a knee to the midsection of David. Russo takes off his jacket and Nash goes to jackknife Russo, until Daffney comes from behind with a low blow. Now Russo with a bat to the back of Nash, more crotch chops before he and David embrace and Russo's music hits. They leave the ring as Nash and Ric recover in the ring. Well that was.... eh.
We get replays of Russo enjoying himself, then back over to commentary, with Sting vs Vampiro up next. They give us a brief recap before we go into a video package, where this all started at Spring Stampede when Vamp pulled Sting out of the ring. Then there was the blood bath, the graveyard no sell from Sting, and then Vamp had "blood" dumped on him on that mess of a Thunder.
Vampiro vs Sting
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Vamp comes out with a lead pipe, although he decides to leave it at ringside. He decides to wait halfway up the ramp for Sting, which does him little good, he misses a spinning heel kick before the bell is rung, then Sting hits a clothesline.
Sting drops the bat and delivers a suplex on the ramp before a right hand and an atomic drop. Another right sends Vamp into the ring before Sting goes up top for a missile dropkick. Vamp rolls out and Sting goes up again, launching himself into Vamp at ringside. There's a table laid against the guard rail for some reason as Sting sends Vamp into the guard rail, ten face first into the announce table, then a DDT to the floor. Back in the ring, Vamp gets in a low blow before a chop across the chest, then he goes up top with a flying lariat. Vamp goes out and grabs his lead pipe and swings it into the ribs of Sting, then across the back, and again and a headbutt. Knee drop between the legs, then a kick to the ribs and pipe to the ribs, then across the back once more.
Sting escapes out to the ramp and Vamp leaves his pipe as he follows up the ramp. Facebuster by Vamp, then a spin kick to the chest. Back to the ring, clothesline over the ropes back in, then the pipe to the back once again. Sting whipped into the corner followed by a clothesline before he's lifted up top. Vamp goes up and wastes time posing, Sting has the chance and nails a low blow before delivering a powerbomb. Now Sting with the pipe to the back and ribs, then the face, and ribs again. Vamp into the corner and Stinger Splash, then again with the lead pipe. Sting nails the Scorpion Deathdrop, then rallies the crowd before nailing another, hooks the leg and wins in 6:52. Wow... that made Vamp look bad, after all those pipe shots, Sting just comes back and wins it like he didn't get hit at all.
Sting poses in the corner then starts to head to the back, but as Vamp is getting back up, he returns to the ring for another shot with the lead pipe, then finally heads to the back.
We go to Tenay who's in the back with Page and Arquette. Mike says tonight could be the end of Arquette's acting career tonight in the three-level cage. They can't seem to stick with one name for this match. Arquette says he's scared as he stands there wearing a cape, but says they're just going to stick to the plan. Page says as long as Arquette does as he's told he'll be fine, which is stay out of Jarrett's way, but if any of the New Blood decide to get involved, he's to go straight to the top and fend them off. He reminds him not to grab the belt and they leave.
We catch up with Nash searching around backstage, presumably for Russo, then to the arena for a crowd shot, then the back again. Tenay is now with Kidman, Torrie, Bischoff and Kimberly ahead of the next match. Tenay says he's up against the biggest challenge of his career tonight, and Kidman tells him to stop kissing Hogan's ass. He says he's already proven that Hogan's anything but immortal, and he's already beaten him three times, and with Bischoff as the ref he can't lose, so it's hardly his biggest challenge. Bischoff says he looks good in stripes and Tenay actually agrees with an "mmhmm," before Eric continues, saying he's going to call it right down the middle of Hogan's yellow back, and that it will be a good night for Kidman and for the New Blood.
Billy Kidman (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Hulk Hogan; Special Guest Referee: Eric Bischoff (w/ Kimberly)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: There's an argument as Hogan comes down with Horace by his side, with Eric wanting Horace to go to the back. I think Hogan points to the fact that Torrie is allowed to be there though, and I guess asks if Eric will actually count a 3 for him in the event it happens, and eventually relents, sending Horace to the back. We get several moments of Kidman standing outside and Bischoff holding off Hogan until Hogan gets out and chases Kidman back into the ring, Kidman stomping away as the bell is rung.
Clubs to the back of Hogan, then Kidman sent off the ropes, some slightly sloppy back and forth until Hogan goes for a scoop slam, and Kidman nearly botches an inside cradle for a fair 2 count from Eric. Kidman with more rights, thens ent off the ropes, tries for a crucifix, then a sunset flip but Hogan picks him up by the neck and dropped crotch first on the top rope, followed by a clothesline sending him to the floor. Hogan now with right hands before tossing Kidman back in. Hogan grabs a chair before going back in, sets it up, and drops Kidman ribs first on the top of the chair, before Bischoff tosses the chair out. Kidman whipped into the corner but gets a boot up as Hogan follows, then a headscissor into a hurricanrana followed by a dropkick sending Hogan out of the ring.
Kidman pulled under the ropes and thrown into the guard rail, then face first into it, before being whipped into the ring post. He uses Torrie as a human shield before getting in a sucker punch before stomping away, then tosses Hogan back in. Kidman chokes Hogan in the corner before getting in some right hands, then Hogan fights back with some rights, Kidman sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Hogan takes off his weight belt and starts whipping Kidman until Eric takes it away. Hogan corners him until Kidman attacks from behind. Kidman gets the belt now and whips Hogan across the back, then sends Kidman off the ropes, blocks a hip toss, only to be hip tossed over the ropes to the outside.
Kidman face first into the guard rail again, then thrown back first, then back in the ring. Hogan hooks the leg but Eric takes his sweet time, so Hogan goes after him. Back suple on Kidman, cover, and Eric still won't count. Hogan gets in his face and Eric claims he didn't see it. Hogan misses three elbow drops and Kidman starts hammering and stomping away, only to be tossed out again. Hogan face first into the guard rail, but then Kidman gets sent over the announce table. Face first into the ring apron now, Hogan goes back in and tries to pull Kidman in over the ropes, but gets hung up. Kidman hammering away again but Hogan is barely fazed. Right hands, Kidman off the ropes into a big boot. Hogan off the ropes but Eric gets in his way, so Hogan drops him with a right hand, then a leg drop by Hogan.
Mounted right hands by Hogan, then Eric grabs a chair, tries to hit Hogan in the face but he blocks it and cracks Eric across the back, then Kidman, sending him rolling out of the ring. Hogan out now pulls tables out and into the ring. Hogan sets one up near the corner... or tries to but I guess the legs broke on it, so he leans it up against the ropes. He sets the other one up near the opposite corner and calls to put Eric through it, but Kidman from behind with a chair to the back, then the head. Kidman with the cover but Bischoff's still out of it. Eric comes to, makes the slow count and Hogan kicks out, busted open from the chair shot.
Eric holds up Hogan and Kidman grabs the chair, but gets it kicked back in his face, then a low blow on Eric, before he's powerbombed through the table. Hogan grabs another table and slides it in as Kidman starts to come to, Hogan gets the chair but Kidman gets a low blow before slamming it across Hogan's back. Kidman sets up the new table now, laying Hogan on top, Kidman goes to the top rope but Hogan moves, Kidman splashing through the table. Horace appears out of nowhere as Hogan makes the cover, grabs Eric's arm to make the count, and I guess Hogan wins in 13:32. Well what an overbooked mess that turned out to be.
Hulk pulls himself up as Eric and Kidman slip out of the ring, Hogan a bloody mess. Then we go outside where Russo is fleeing with Liz's arm held tight, but he runs right to the Millionaire Club's bus and there's Lex waiting inside, who I think took Liz, because as he takes someone's car and drives off he's without Liz. Meanwhile Nash appears from the shutter just as he drives off drinking a beer.
To the arena, ring crew are clearing the ring before the main event, as we go to the video package. This started of course when Kimberly turned on her husband to help Jarrett become the champion and realize his destiny. Then with Arquette's help, Page got himself a title match the next week and won the title, then Arquette won the title two days later because fuck you that's why. Arquette tried to give the title back, but Bischoff and Russo have forced him into the originally scheduled Page/Jarrett triple cage match for Slamboree.
Commentary plug the Great American Bash for next month, then to the back where Gene is standing by with Jarrett, Gene pointing out it could be a handicap match. Jeff says despite the fact that Gene thinks he has it all figured out, he's still a geriatric slapass, and says he can't wait to embarrass DDP and that 150 lb turd Arquette because he's getting his title back. He says tonight they're going to play a game of Boots and Ladders, and when it's all said and done, they're going to be flossing with his shoelaces. He tells Gene to choke on that before walking off.
To the ring now, Michael Buffer is here to hype up our main event, which is always a nice touch, crowd is definitely ready to rumble. The cage gets lowered down with it's own music and thunder sounds and even pyro, with the WCW Title hanging at the very top.
Triple Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: David Arquette (c) vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Jeff Jarrett
RULES: If you read my review of Wargames 2000 or have seen it yourself, the rules are practically the same here. If not, surprisingly the rules are pretty simple by WCW standards. They'll start in the bottom cage surrounding the ring and ringside. From there, using a ladder, they'll have to climb through a trap door in the roof and into the middle cage, or the Hardcore Cage as previously announced. From there, they have to exit through the door on the side of the cage, and climb on top of of it, and then on top of the final Guitar Cage, where the title hangs. First to unhook it is the champion, so it's essentially a giant ladder match, and unlike Wargames 2000, they do not have to bring the title down through to the bottom cage and out the door to win. Of course, there's also a door on the side to get into the final cage if they want to make use of the guitars.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: First out is Jeff Jarrett, the man on a mission, here to regain the championship, the man with all the stroke, the Chosen One, the former WCW Heavyweight World Champion, as said by Buffer. Then Arquette, the man who has made professional wrestling history, a motion picture star, who has made the unprecedented crossover in sports entertainment, the reigning and defending, undisputed WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World. Finally DDP, one of the biggest names in professional wrestling, the master of the Diamond Cutter, the former 3x World Champion.
Arquette looks scared shitless and quickly escapes the ring. Jarrett gives chase but Page gets him from behind, throw him into the cage... Wow that cage is flimsy as hell, it actually swung forward a bit off the ground as Jarrett hit it. Jarrett gets tossed back in the ring and Page follows, but Jarrett is up and stomping away. Page now with body shots but Jarrett drops hi with a DDT. Jarrett chases Arquette back again into the ring and Page nails a clothesline. Jarrett reverses a whip off the ropes and Page tries to get him with a kick but Jarrett catches it, spins Page around who ducks a punch, Jarrett ducks a clothesline but Page connects on the second try. Uranagi by Page, then Arquette goes up top and does a beautiful looking splash, but Jarrett rolls out of the way so he eats canvas.
Jarrett rolls out but thrown face first into the cage, then again, then thrown back in the ring. Page grabs one of the ladders provided at ringside and goes to slide it in, but Jarrett sends it back into his ribs with a baseball slide. Page face first into the cage now, then Jarrett gets whipped into Arquette, then into the cage and back in the ring. Jarrett whipped into the corner, Page charges, Jarrett gets the boots up but Page slides under and out of the ring. Jarrett tripped up now and Page tries to crotch him into the ring post, but Jarrett yanks him into it face first. Jarrett slides out and goes to drop Page with a right hand but he ducks and it nails Arquette instead. Page picks up Jarrett for a back suplex, only to crotch him into the ring post instead.
Page now grabs the ladder and slides it into the ring, setting it up under the trap door. Jarrett gets knocked off the apron into the cage and Page exits, while Jarrett's been busted open above his left eye. Page with right hands now, then into the cage, then a second time. Page back in the ring and goes for the ladder, but Jarret's back in and cuts him off, delivering a back suplex to the mat. Jarrett now with the climb but Page catches him and plants him with a sitout powerbomb. Page back up now, but leans the ladder in the corner, then whips Jarrett back first into it, then a second , then tries a third but Jarrett reverses it. Jarrett grabs the ladder and slams it into Page's ribs. Jarrett grabs the other ladder from ringside and slams it into the first ladder before setting the second under the trap door. Jarrett making the climb, but Page pushes it over and sends Jarrett into the top rope. Page now starts to climb, then Jarrett on the other side and they trade right hands, until Page grabs the top of the cage, swings and kicks Jarrett out of the ring onto the ramp. Page sets the ladder back up and makes it into the second cage, with Jarrett close behind.
Page grabs the bolt cutters to open the door and Jarret clubs him from behind as he does. Page face first into a hanging trash can, then Jarrett grabs a chair, cracking Page right in the head. Jarrett leaves the cage and starts to scale the side but Page is back up, and he's cut open now. Back into the cage, Jarrett grabs what looks like a serving tray and breaks it over Page's head. Then a trash can, but Page uses the chair into the ribs before he can use it. He grabs Jarrett and runs toward one of the walls and they crash through it. Jarrett gets a trash can to the head, then thrown into the cage wall. Now Page sets up a table on the flimsy floor but Page gets him from behind, but Page still manages to powerslam him though the table. Jarett's back up and tries to climb but Page gets him with the chair, then again. More rights by Jarrett now, then Page face first into the cage. Jarrett tries to whip Page off the cage but he pulls back in time to nail a back elbow, laying them both out for the moment.
Arquette now decides to climb up for some reason, and Page grabs the chair, tries for a Diamond Cutter as Arquette makes it on top of the second cage, and Mike Awesome appears behind Page with a club. Oh, well I guess that explains Arquette's actions. Mike laying into Page now, then goes for a DDT, but Page fights out and nails a Diamond Cutter. Page and Jarrett now climbing on opposite sides as Arquette waits up at the top. Jarrett hangs on by a cable as Page nails rights and they fight into the guitar room, which is really small. They both miss a guitar shot. Page hands one up to Arquette and Jarrett nails a low blow and slams the door into Page's head. Page and Jarrett start to climb again, and as Page makes it up, Arquette smashes the guitar over his head, then Jarrett gets him with a guitar over the back. Jarrett climbs up top, takes down the belt and wins the title in 15:32. Ya know what, setting aside the unnecessary swerve, I actually enjoyed this match. Very little bullshit until the end, which has been the theme for most of the night. But...
Awesome has come to and has a hold of Page on top of the middle cage and goes for an Awesome Bomb but Kanyon is there now. Awesome slams him into the cage, then throws him off the cage, over the bottom cage and onto the ramp below. Damn that was quite a distance. Mike joins Jarrett up top to celebrate while officials come out to check on Kanyon to close out the PPV.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I can't believe I'm about to say this but I actually enjoyed the majority of this show. Of course it had it's low points, the hardcore title, the Hogan/Kidman crap and that finish and closer for the PPV, but that's only half the show, so this one gets a pass from me. That said, with a runtime of 2:50:24, there was a total 1:43:14 of wrestling on this show.
Comments
Post a Comment